Chapter 388
(Kyle Calendar Year 515: Age 22)
Northern Front ㉖ – What is an Honorable Prisoner of War?
Translator : PolterGlast
The allied forces of the Ville Kingdom and the Lute
Kingdom, which had previously posed a major threat, were currently being
hastily disarmed on the battlefield, but the site was locked in a state of
immense structural chaos. This development was inevitable, for the total volume
of personnel surrendering their steel was staggeringly vast, because the number
of soldiers on the surrendered side was so large that it was not much different
from the total of the Royal Knights and the Empire Allied Forces who
accepted them...
「 Eroll, I ask you to prioritize the immediate transport of the
wounded and oversee the medical stabilization of the severely injured this
exact instant. Commander Schulz, please cooperate alongside the Empire army to systematically disarm them! This soil operates strictly
under the legal jurisdiction of the Demon Territory Dukedom. Do not dare
permit our units to violate the traditional customs of the Domain. Ensure every single captain thoroughly
beats this directive into the skulls of their men so the soldiers understand it
as well. As for me, I will spearhead a detachment of
5,000 cavalry to patrol the eastern horizon, insuring our flanks against any
latent hostile interventions. 」
Having said those
instructions, Darek drove his spurs home and dashed off, first
converging with the reinforcements who had single-handedly salvaged his
vanguard from an absolute, bleeding destruction to offer his formal greetings.
At this point, Darek had been informed by Commander Schulz that
the mysterious vanguard that had rained fire from the clouds seemed to be the
elite Magic Corps belonging to the Fearalt Principality. If so, there was a possibility that King Krueger himself
had boldly chosen to spearhead his own personal battalions to participate in
the war. No, knowing the unhinged, wild generalship of that particular monarch,
it was precisely the caliber of reckless stunt he would
actually do. In that case, he felt that as the highest-ranking representative
actively occupying the field, he was compelled to go
to deliver gratitude and secure a formal audience. Approaching the place where the Fearalt battalions had anchored their
lines, Darek signaled his units to halt
their advance, proceeding forward as a single, isolated rider toward the
foreign command camp.
「 Ooh! Behold! Is that magnificent
silhouette I see clearing the dust not Lord Darek himself?! 」
Answering his approach, a towering, burly warrior clad in
pristine, midnight-black heavy plate armor rushed
his mount, galloping forward from the foreign lines to close the gap in the
exact same manner.
『 Good
grief…… though I had anticipated it, seeing the reality with my own eyes leaves me completely
speechless…… 』
Confronted by the verified reality, the Count could not help but
astonished.
『 To wield the position of a King of
a nation, yet navigate the continent with the casual, reckless freedom of a
thinned-out mercenary…… my younger brother is no different, but King Krueger, you operates on a level that completely paralyzes my capacity to
maintain noble decorum. Seriously……it throws me off. 』
Since he couldn't possibly voice such bitter complaints, Darek
let out a large, sweeping sigh before lowering his upper frame over his saddle
to execute a profound, deeply respectful military bow.
「 Your
Majesty, given the fluid, volatile nature
of an active battlefield, please pardon the lack of ceremony as I deliver my
greeting from atop my horse. Wielding the administrative proxy of our nation, I
express the deepest, most un-adulterated gratitude of the Demon Territory
Dukedom to you—acting on behalf of my brother, Archduke Takuhir, for
your timely reinforcements and entry into this war. 」
「 Buhahaha! Think nothing of it, my
friend! The master governing your nation is a
benefactor who once spearheaded a long-distance expedition straight to our
country to save us from a
predicament. This time, I merely drove my boots
forward to offer a microscopic fraction of assistance to help out a true
friend. Furthermore, the one here is not some big deal like a 'Majesty'; but
just one of the Royal Guards accompanying the expedition, so to speak, a
whimsical habitual offender of breaking military regulations. Troublesome
etiquette and exhausting protocols serve no
function here and are unneeded. 」
「 ……However, since we are also in
front of the soldiers, at least in this place, we mustーー 」
『 (Jeez,
how on earth am I supposed to navigate an interaction with a monarch who
behaves like a rogue knight? Why the hell is Takuhir always missing when variables of this magnitude arrived……?) 』
「 By the way, where exactly is my
esteemed friend right now? I was looking forward to lining up our horses' bits
parallel and fighting together on the battlefield after a long time, though? 」
「 That matter will be discussed
later…… It is an impolite way of saying it, but my younger brother seems to
have a bad, persistent habit of forcefully magnetizing a full-scale enemy
invasion to our borders the exact time he was away.
Even so, Your Majesty—I was struck with admiration by the peerless, razor-sharp
precision with which your mages unraveled the temporal blind spot on the
battlefield to deliver that counter-strike. 」
Because Takuhir's
absence from the domestic territory operated as the highest tier of classified
state secrets, Darek deliberately limited his explanation behind a
highly ambiguous rhetorical plaster, aggressively pivoting the direction of the
conversation so that specific details
wouldn't be discussed across an open plain.
「 I see…… Understood. We are a
remarkably small force, and I thought we needed to monitor the shifting
currents from a distance to contribute to the war situation. Fearing that your
own divisions might misidentify our forces as
hostile vanguard units if we advanced across the low plains, we simply chose to
hold our horses and stand by atop that northern ridge overlooking the
battlefield. However, evaluating the topography through our glasses, nearly one
thousand enemy ballistae had completely finalized their calibrations—locking
their target-lines straight onto the teeth of you who were charging from the
north in an attack posture, so I simply couldn't help but release the fireballs
a fraction early…… you see. 」
「 M-My word……!! 」
Here, Darek was made to re-evaluate and recognize the
terrifying caliber of the veteran
general he had been hunting. Deep within his mind, a horrific
vision materialized: a situation
where, had his nine thousand mounts
successfully broken past the pike walls as it was and clung to the retreating
enemy army, their momentum would have bottomed out as hidden ballistae systematically counterattacked, vaporizing his elite
knights into bleeding cinders……
『 Does this mean I too had become conceited, being hailed
across the kingdoms as a tactician…… Excellent opponents are everywhere, aren't they…… 』
Dalek involuntarily couldn't help but mutter so.
Though the public records would forever preserve this battle
as a glorious triumph, the unvarnished reality was that he happened to win the
battle brought about by the paper-thin timing of being saved thanks to the
reinforcements, and that if he made one mistake, he would have been the one
struck by the fierce attack of the ballistae and perished on the battlefield.
「 It's only because we caught the opponent off guard that the
magical attack was effective. Tracing the layout of their trenches, they were
executing a remarkably brilliant, exceptionally dangerous tactics across that
ridge, 」 King Krueger
responded, his facial expression
shifting into a profoundly somber face
to validate the Count's self-reproach.
「 We
expresses our gratitude to Your Majesty once again. For saving not only
the integrity of the Demon Territory Dukedom, but single-handedly saving my
life, and rescuing the absolute core of
the Royal Knights from total extinction. 」
「 Trash the gratitude, Count. In the
yesteryears of my path, I too received
an identical, life-saving debt at the hands of your banner. Both prior to my
coronation, and across the subsequent months after it.
」
「 Your grace honors us. I shall
immediately deploy my units to
prepare against the other enemies, before my retrograde to the main
camp; I will attach a guide for Your Majesty and everyone in the Magic Corps, so
please rest at the central headquarters. It must have been a considerably
grueling, long journey from Feari,
and spearheading an entire military forces through
the jagged frontier must have walloped your personnel with monumental physical
exhaustion. 」
「 Buhahaha! It is a road we too have
historically traversed once back when we operated
under the guise of a public merchant convoy, you know! Besides, the hidden trails after entering the Empire
territory have undergone immense development compared to the primitive paths of
the past, and our forces were able to successfully secure
pristine logistical replenishment at nearly every single waypoint along the
highway. Originally it should have taken a little more time, but... truth be
told, we didn't suffer that much hardship. 」
The absolute catalyst behind their astonishing speed was
because they too had tracked the exact same hidden trails Takuhir had carved out to exit to the
south, and advanced in reverse. Even so, acknowledging that his own current
status on the field was that of a guest commander unfamiliar with the
circumstances, Darek dispatched a fast messenger to entrust the totality
of the diplomatic response entirely to Alexis and attached a guide to
invite King Krueger to the main camp.
※
Meanwhile, the two generals who had led
the disarmed invading armies were also being treated with immense courteousy
and escorted smoothly toward the main camp.
In accordance with the binding guarantees Alexis had promised, their
noble honor was treated with respect, and although their weapons had been
systematically confiscated, they were in a state without even being bound by
ropes.
「 We
expresses our deepest gratitude to the two of your
personages today. Thanks to the courage and excellent decision you made to halt
the conflict, the lifelines of countless thousands of brave soldiers spanning
both sides were successfully preserved from a meaningless slaughter. As promised, we shall
restrict your freedom of movement across the subsequent months, but I have
absolutely no intention of humiliating your names. 」
Delivering his formal opening brief with meticulous grace
like that, Alexis courteously lowered his upper frame to offer a deeply
respectful bow. Staring at that state, the two veteran generals let out a
visible wave of pure astonishment.
「 Hoh…… did
my greeting seem unexpected? 」
Saying so, Alexis offered a remarkably elegant, pleasant
smile to soothe the tension.
「 To speak with absolute candor,
General…… when I was called here, I came prepared to a certain extent for the
worst. Therefore, my intention was to
plead for the soldiers' lives to be spared in exchange for my own withered life. 」
It was an absolute reality: while Alexis had
flawlessly guaranteed the preservation and honor of the soldiers, his tongue
had purposefully left the ultimate fate of the high commanding generals
entirely un-addressed. Furthermore, within the brutal history of continental
warfare, after making them surrender, his attitude could casually reverse.
「 First of all, I must deliver my
deepest gratitude for the compassionate, merciful treatment towards the
soldiers this time. Also, when I am legally held accountable for the war across
the subsequent months, I will gladly, proudly offer this old body's head to
feed your gallows, so do with my vessel whatever your laws desire. 」
The reason General Golpa preempted him and
aggressively drove his words forward was because, simultaneously with the
disarmament, emergency medical relief efforts for the wounded casualties of
both the Ville Kingdom and Lute Kingdom armies
were immediately carried out. Because they themselves would not beg for their
survival unsightlily, he desperately wished for the vows to safeguard his
troops to be fulfilled. Receiving his sworn comrade's unyielding words, the First
Prince of the Lute Kingdom beside him also smoothly followed and
bowed his head.
「 I
state my gratitude anew for the preservation of our soldiers, and I leave the ultimate disposal of my own life to the absolute discretion of your country. Although……
since my native kingdom treats my existence as nothing more than an
unnecessary, dangerous outcast who commands no
utility to their ministries, I harbor immense skepticism regarding whether my
captive person yields a single drop of political leverage for your country. Setting myself aside, I implore you to
exercise lenient treatment for the futures of my brave soldiers. 」
Alexis was struck
with deep admiration by his dignified behavior, not acting arrogant despite
being a royal—the absolute First heir to a sovereign throne—nor on the contrary
dropping his frame into pathetic, sniveling servility. He was staggeringly
different from the pathetic, screeching memory of the Gryphonia Empire’s
First Prince who became a captive previously, and he even felt an
immediate, profound favorable impression toward his magnificent, unyielding
aura.
『 No matter how splendid a person is, once we face each other
as enemies, we have to kill each other. Truly…… it is an agonizing reality.
』
Though his inner soul absorbed the weight of the
realization, he understood with absolute clarity that he possessed zero
permission to casually accept him unprincipledly without a formal ledger
either. Letting out a small, almost imperceptible sigh, Alexis smoothly began to speak about a critical matter he was legally compelled
to confirm with them.
「 Your
Highness Courage of the Lute Kingdom, General Golpa of the Ville Kingdom—I will
state it anew, but regarding the treatment of prisoners of war, we will respond
with the ways of the Demon Territory Dukedom. First of all, please be at
ease on that point. Furthermore, there is a separate matter I would like to ask
Your Highness Courage. 」
「 Please speak without restraint,
General. My tongue shall accommodate whatever information you requires. 」
Receiving his assent, every single drop of warmth
instantaneously vanished from Alexis's face, and with a chillingly
detached, expressionless mask, he locked his eyes onto the First Prince.
「 Then I shall take you up on your words and ask. Regarding
the matter of putting the territory residents in constraints
making them shields before this battle began, was that Your Highness's orders? 」
「 Precisely. That
atrocity is something my shoulders should bear; I shall carry the full weight
of the consequence. 」
「 Please wait, General! Regarding
that, His Highness merelyーー」
Against the First Prince who calmly admitted it without constructing a single excuse, Golpa
frantically interjected to shield his comrade's name. However, Alexis
quietly extended his armored hand forward, his silent gesture possessing an
absolute authority that restrained Golpa's words and permanently
prevented the veteran general from fulfilling the recovery of his sworn friend's
shattered honor.
「 Let us clarify a baseline truth:
the intelligence networks of the Demon Territory Dukedom command active
eyes and ears everywhere within the Gryphonia Empire. We believe we are
fully aware and have thoroughly mapped out the hidden circumstances around that
tragedy. However, whatever the underlying reason driving the choice, the fact
that you weaponized those who were non-combatant civilians into a vanguard
shield does not change. I believe we shall
inevitably be compelled to process a formal legal arbitration to question where
the accountability lies regarding that matter across the subsequent months, but
right now I simply desired to confirm the absolute finality of your personal
resolve. 」
「 I have no objection to that either. Unleash whatever legal
verdict your courts adjudicate; I shall accept it
without a single complain. 」
It was when Alexis granted a slow nod at the First
Prince's unyielding answer without hesitation. A violent, high-pitched
screeching clamor abruptly fractured the exterior tranquility and leaked in
from outside the camp curtain.
「 R-Release me
this exact instant, you wretched heretic swine! Do your low-born brains not
even know the basic diplomatic etiquette owed to host a King?!! 」
Unleashing a non-stop cascade of frantic, loud shrieks, the King
of Ville was hauled unceremoniously through the entry drapes into the camp
curtain while violently resisting and thrashing in a pathetic resistance, still
bound in ropes.
「 Y-You treasonous bastards!! What is
the absolute meaning of this madnessーー?! 」
Dragged inside, the King of Ville's eyes violently
bulged as he shouted with a surprised look at the two calm silhouettes who
shouldn't be idling comfortably there. Within a heartbeat, those eyes changed
from initial pure shock to a venomous, crimson mask filled with absolute fury,
his lungs exploding as he glared at the two.
「 Forgive us,
Your Majesty. We too lost the battle, and have been processed as captive
prisoners of war parallel to Your Majesty. Although it is truly regrettable……
it cannot be replaced by the preservation of the soldiers’ lives, is it not? 」
「 You
came at just the right time. We were just petitioning to offer our own heads
and have them save the lives of even a few more soldiers. If the fat, juicy head of the King of Ville is added to
this alongside our own old bones, it would be
perfect, don't you think? Hahaha! 」
「 Wh…… my head, you sayーー?!! 」
Following the kneeling Golpa who delivered his stoic
brief, the King of Ville turned instantly pale, his entire frame
shuddering with an un-controllable, suffocating terror at the mocking words Your Highness Courage of the Lute
Kingdom casually declared while laughing as he offered the king's head to
the gallows.
「 Why must a supreme being of my
majestic stature be compelled to offer his head for the sake of a mountain of
low-born battlefield trash?! I am a crowned
Sovereign King, you insubordinate fools!! And explain this madness to my face:
why are your two idling there without a single rope binding your limbs?!
Command these heretics to
dismantle these chains from my skin this exact second!! 」
Witnessing the unvarnished, pathetic tantrum unfolding
before his eyes, Alexis could only smile wryly. He understood the meaning behind the First Prince's daring,
mocking words: he was illustrating the monumental volume of misery General Golpa
must have endured under this worthless King's thumb……
「 Allow me to explain that. The two generals fought with
peerless, unyielding valor at the absolute front lines of the meat-grinder
until the very end, voluntarily accepted my
recommendation to surrender, and ceased their resistance; they are in the position
of Surrendered Generals. On the
other hand, Your Majesty was captured by our scouts in the process of frantically
executing a cowardly escape to
abandon your allies fighting on the active slaughterhouse just to preserve your
own life. Wielding the immutable laws of continental warfare, I
would be grateful if your intellect understood with absolute clarity that your
person fundamentally fails to clear the baseline required to become an 『Honorable Captive』.」
「 Guh……」
At Alexis's words
stated plainly, the King of Ville had no choice but to be rendered speechless. Because the difference between those who stopped resisting
of their own will following a recommendation, and those captured in the process
of fleeing, is obvious.
「 Furthermore, analyzing the
architecture of this conflict, the positions of these two generals were merely
executing commands at the front lines following sovereign decrees. However,
Your Majesty is the concerned party who decided on this invasion, and is in a
position to be held responsible for the war. As the king of a nation, you are
demanded to take responsibility and carry the consequences for the results. 」
「 But I am…… 」
「 I am merely a single commander entrusted with frontline
command. The adjudication will likely be handed down by my Lord, Archduke Takuhir, alongside
the next rightful Emperor of the Gryphonia Empire. Until then, following
the customs of the battlefield, it will
cause you some inconvenience, but please pardon it. We
shall ensure your confinement remains hospitable.
Forgive the lack of luxury. 」
「 Then call the Archduke here! I will negotiate directly. And siphon a fast
messenger to the Duke Harry too! 」
「 We are still in the midst of
battle, so that will take some time;
please wait for a while. The talk is over, take His Majesty the King of Ville away. You can leave his
constraints be, but do it courteously. 」
Saying so, Alexis urged the guards with a completely
exhausted expression. Because he too had absolutely no
intention of engaging in any more fruitless exchanges,
and needed to deal with the immediate issues. Staring at the King of Ville
being dragged out while screaming something, he heaved a bone-weary sigh and
turned his gaze back to lock onto the two generals who remained there.
「 Your Highness Courage, General Golpa—I ask you two anew. We guarantee
the preservation and the military honor of every single soldier belonging to
the Lute Kingdom and the Ville Kingdom. After the war ends and
reaches a formal diplomatic conclusion, our ministries stand prepared to
conduct comprehensive prisoner return negotiations to repatriate your personnel
as well. However, for the time being…… 」
「Since it will still take time for
the war to conclude, during that time we just need to calm the soldiers, is
that right, General? 」
「 Yes, Your Highness. The Empire is still currently engaged in
battle in the southern front. It will likely take some time
before the situation settles down. Until then, we will have the surrendered
soldiers cooperate in the post-war reconstruction spanning the entire northern
frontier zone of the Empire. For the time being, I would like to ask you to
monitor and persuade the soldiers so they do not act rashly…… 」
「 Consider it done. As long as the soldiers' lives are saved, I have no
objections whatsoever. 」
「 I apologize profusely for showing you such an unsightly spectacle right inside your command camp, General. Originally it would be an act exceeding my
authority due to my legal status, but allow me to gently soothe the soldiers
staking my own wrinkled neck on it. 」
Obtaining the answers of the two, Alexis was relieved. If these two firmly held the reins, the
soldiers likely wouldn't erupt either. Shifting the lens to the broader map,
the Third Prince's mandate territory had been devastated across the brutal
trajectory of this multi-nation invasion. By successfully securing an immediate labor
force consisting of fifteen thousand combatants for reconstruction, they had finally locked down the critical logistical capital
required to confidently manifest a magnificent blueprint to look toward the
future.
「 You have my deepest gratitude.
Then regarding the two of you, although you will be under surveillance, I
promise a certain degree of freedom of movement. The soldiers will likely feel
at ease with that as well. 」
Reaching this milestone, Alexis and the others were finally
able to grasp the casting board.
The remaining issue was only dealing with the approximately 18,000-strong Istoria Orthodox Theocracy army.
Finally, they had become able to confront the invading army with overwhelmingly
superior numbers.
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