Chapter 419
(Kyle Calendar Year 515: Age 22)
Birth of a New King
Translator : PolterGlast
Having departed early in the morning from the border of the
four countries where we had built a supply base, we rode straight through the
territory of the Lute Kingdom by forced march. Our destination was the
Royal Capital of the Lute Kingdom, which was located closest to us.
Well... besides it being close, there was a major reason, though. The travel
distance was roughly 80 km; to be honest, it was an absurdly long distance to
travel in a single day, but we had already experienced this level of movement
during our expedition to the Empire. We had organized an advance party
accompanying replacement horses from among the prisoners of the Lute Kingdom
soldiers, and sent them ahead. Their role was twofold: to reconnoiter the
enemy's situation, and to secure the main force's route of advance and prepare
bases for rest and resupply. Even though it was an unfamiliar land to us, to
the Lute Kingdom soldiers it was a land they were intimately familiar
with, and moreover, it was a battle to recapture their homeland. Therefore, the
advance party proceeded with an almost demonic intensity, and the main force
following behind was also able to march without delay. And before dusk closed
in, our main force had advanced to a place where we could overlook the Royal
Capital of the Lute Kingdom. Despite us having advanced that far, the
defense unit of the Istoria Orthodox Theocracy was either off guard or
astonished by the presence of an enemy army they had never anticipated; they
seemed to be in a state of confusion, unable to even prepare a proper
interception formation.
「Please, leave the vanguard to us. We
will show you the recapture of the Royal Capital with five thousand men who
have dismounted and become infantry.」
The First Prince, having obtained information from
the advance party, requested this... but for a siege battle, isn't five
thousand too small a number for an attacking force?
「This is our Royal Capital, we are
thoroughly familiar with invasion routes unknown to those guys, and their
weaknesses are in the palm of our hands. Therefore, five thousand will be
easier to move...」
Hahaha, did he see through my anxiety? After supplementing
his words, the First Prince floated a fearless smile that made one think
he was confident.
「Let us give them the opportunity to
recapture the Royal Capital with their own hands, and first deploy the five
thousand cavalry led by General Golpa on the opposite side of the attack
point. By doing so, the enemy soldiers' attention will be directed toward the
cavalry unit, which will also serve as support for the assault unit. We will
lay a siege net as the rearguard and move depending on the war situation; I
believe that should be fine.」
With the Commander's words, my mind was also made up.
We also need to consider their burning desire to recapture the Royal Capital,
after all.
「Then we shall entrust the vanguard
to Crajyu-dono and ask for the recapture of the Royal Capital! I
definitely want you to show us the pride of the Lute Kingdom.」
「Ha! I thank you from the bottom of
my heart for your generous words. Please, observe our pride closely!」
Saying so, the First Prince himself stood at the
vanguard, raised the corners of his eyes, and sent the attack unit charging in.
「Entire army, coordinate with the
movements of the cavalry and we shall recapture the Royal Capital! According to
the intelligence so far, the garrison force is around five thousand; if the
numbers are equal, there is no reason for us to lose! Scatter them in a single
blow!」
「Yeah! Victory for us!」
「Let's take back our national
territory!」
「Strike down the cowards!」
「For Crajyu-heika!」
At the command of the First Prince, those who charged
in following him were mostly prisoners originally from the Lute Kingdom,
and their morale was extremely high. Meanwhile, within the Royal Capital as
well, those who saw the banner of the surging First Prince responded one
after another and began to raise battle cries. Just as I thought flames were
rising in various places within the Royal Capital, the city gates, which should
normally be firmly closed, were opened from the inside one after another.
「This is our chance of victory!
Charge into the Royal Palace as is and sweep away the invaders!」
Together with the First Prince, who stood at the
vanguard brandishing a bloodstained sword and fighting desperately, the
soldiers charged like an avalanche into the Royal Palace. Their offensive
towards recapturing the Royal Capital was extraordinary; successfully suppressing
strongholds one after another to build bridgeheads, they gained even more
momentum and continued to advance further inward. The Commander and I
stared intently from atop a hill overlooking the Royal Capital as they fought
desperately and the battlefield progressed in their favor. At this point, we
had not committed the Demon Territory Knights we led to the front lines,
but merely kept them encompassing the surrounding area.
「Now then, how should we move from
here?」
Because the Royal Capital of the Lute Kingdom was
small in scale for a country's Royal Capital, and I thought they alone could
handle it sufficiently. Conversely, if we charged in with the entire army, we,
who are unfamiliar with the geography, might end up confusing the war situation
instead. Thinking so, I turned back to my reliable master who was observing the
war situation next to me.
「Commander, it seems the recapture of the Royal Capital will be
settled even if we just stand by and watch. Even though it's a country's Royal
Capital, compared to Kylar, the scale seems unexpectedly small.」
Right, no matter how you look at it, the Royal Capital of the
Lute Kingdom is not fitting for a Royal Palace. Not only the scale, but
the atmosphere as well somehow...
「This is also a story I heard, but
the Royal Capital before they split into three countries was in the Vile
Kingdom, and the current Royal Capitals of the Lute Kingdom and the Cain
Kingdom were reportedly placed on the front lines as fortress cities. In
the unlikely event that the Imperial Army aimed for Vile's Royal
Capital, they were to play the role of clutching their rear.」
I see... high defense capability for its scale. But does
that mean its appearance as a Royal Capital hasn't caught up? Only two
generations of reigns have passed for it as a Royal Capital: the previous king
and the contemporary king who died. The history built up after becoming an
independent country was also short, and they probably didn't have enough time
and surplus strength to expand the Royal Capital.
「I see... then Commander,
considering the current war situation, don't you think it would be better for
us to enter preparations for the next step?」
「Fufufu, I was thinking the exact
same thing. Someone, bring General Golpa here!」
When the messenger ran out, after a while General Golpa,
who had been supporting the attacking army, arrived. He dismounted his horse
and knelt before us.
「General, sorry for calling you so
suddenly.」
「Not at all, I also had matters I
wished to submit my opinion on, so it was just the right timing.」
Oho, so the General was also thinking of something?
Interesting.
「Then first of all, I'd like to hear
the General's opinion.」
「Then I shall presume upon your words
to speak. I believe it is safe to assume the recapture of the Lute Kingdom
is already secured. If so, I think you should swiftly move on to the next
measure.」
「What is the next measure?」
「In the first battle we won the 『battle of time』, but we must continue to win from here on as well. If we do
so, the enemy army will not be able to keep up with the changes in the times
and will fall into confusion, repeating the same thing.」
『Battle of time』, huh... what an apt expression.
・ The enemy does not know of the end of the Empire's
civil war and the victory on the southern front.
・ They do not know that there was a surplus fighting strength
of ten thousand that went on an expedition to the Empire.
・ They do not know that said fighting strength returned in
triumph almost unharmed.
・ To top it off, they do not yet know that we released the
prisoners and dispatched an expeditionary force to save the three countries
that were our enemy nations. That is exactly why they are working on conquering
the three countries with peace of mind, and have left only a corresponding
number of garrison soldiers in the rear (Lute Kingdom and Vile
Kingdom). Whether the enemy army learns the new facts, rallies their
soldiers, and transitions to a counterattack faster, or whether our recapture
operation is faster, it truly will be a 『battle of time』 from here on out as well.
「By the way, I heard the Royal
Capital of the Vile Kingdom has solid defenses, but what does the
General think?」
To that question, the General directed his gaze toward the
Royal Capital of the Lute Kingdom, which was right now in the process of
falling (being recaptured anew), and then turned to me and smiled.
「Even if the defense of the defensive
walls is solid, it is people who operate them. If they lack preparation
(information) and power (soldiers), it is the same as the Royal Capital of the Lute
Kingdom.」
That is certainly true. It seems the current enemy is moving
to conquer the Cain Kingdom, but unlike before, it probably won't go
easily. The enemy army also caught them off guard and took down the Royal
Capital of the Vile Kingdom and the Royal Capital of the Lute Kingdom
in rapid succession. However, the circumstances for the Cain Kingdom are
slightly different. No matter how much the upper echelon's thinking is a 『flower garden』, there must have been enough time for them to learn of the
disastrous scene of the two brother countries. If that happens, they will think
it's their turn next and prepare to some extent. Because of that, the invading
army must have had no choice but to resort to a forceful assault rather than a
surprise attack, and they are likely out to conquer leading almost their entire
army.
「Are you saying the next one is
practically an empty house right now too?」
「Yes, exactly as you have
insightfully discerned. While the Cain Kingdom holds out, we should
recapture the Royal Capital of the Vile Kingdom, secure our rear, and
head to the relief of the Cain Kingdom. In that sense as well, I believe
it will be a 『battle of
time』...」
Fufufu, so we were thinking the exact same thing. Because
the Commander and I also thought of that and summoned the General, you
see. When I looked beside me, the Commander was also nodding deeply.
「It is exactly as General Golpa
says. It is a story that does not leave the realm of assumption, but the enemy
main force undertaking the conquest of the Cain Kingdom furthest to the
south has probably already fallen below fifteen thousand men. Because they
cannot afford to leave the Royal Capital of the Vile Kingdom empty
either, you see. If so, I believe it is a good opportunity to sequentially
reduce the enemy's fighting strength through defeat in detail, and finally
annihilate the main force.」
That is certainly true. To begin with, they lack the
military force to rule the three countries. Besides, they probably do not think
we would cross Imperial Territory and intervene in the three countries.
Because they calculated that we had no political backing, much less such
surplus strength, they probably made the decision for this invasion. Although
some reinforcements have been dispatched from their home country, the Istoria
Orthodox Theocracy, the Lute Kingdom is long vertically, and to
proceed with effective control, they have no choice but to disperse their
soldiers and advance. And every time they occupy one country, the main force
leaves behind soldiers to maintain it, reduces the scale of the army, and
proceeds with the conquest of the next country. If so, right now, while the
enemy main force is proceeding with the conquest of the Cain Kingdom, is
none other than a good opportunity to recapture the Vile Kingdom in the
rear.
「Then I would like to make a request
to the General. From here on, will the General go on ahead leading the five
thousand cavalry under your command, and prepare the route before we change
direction? I will give you the cavalry horses left behind by the infantry unit
currently proceeding with the siege battle as replacement horses, so I want you
to open up the path for us leading to the Royal Capital of the Vile Kingdom
right now.」
「Ha! Understood. We shall depart
immediately.」
He too must be thinking of his homeland and feeling
impatient. Replying happily, he immediately prepared for departure and began to
move. And before the sun set and the surroundings were enveloped in darkness,
the five thousand cavalry led by General Golpa departed towards the Vile
Kingdom leaving behind guides, and shortly after that, the Royal Castle of
the Lute Kingdom was enveloped in songs of triumph.
※
Invited by the First Prince, we entered the Royal
Capital where suppression was complete, and advanced to the Royal Palace. Although
the interior of the palace was suitably ruined by the ravages of war, the
minimum appearances had already been arranged.
「There are many inadequate parts in
inviting Archduke-heika, and I
am truly terribly sorry, but...」
Saying so, the First Prince recommended that I sit on
the throne... However, I have no intention of doing so.
「I am an allied nation that offered
assistance to your country; the appropriate person should sit on the throne,
shouldn't they?」
「However... all the royalty have
already been executed, and I am a captive. Now that the liberation of the
people has been achieved, this country as a part of the Westlights Demon
Territory Dukedom...」
Just as he was about to say that much, I put my hand forward
and stopped the First Prince. Because I had already felt sufficient
response from his attitude thus far, and his skill.
「King Crajyu, did you hear the voices of the soldiers?」
「???」
Right, he himself might not be self-aware, but the soldiers
already recognize him as King. That is exactly why they fought without breaking
formation at his command, leaving behind today's prominent battle results.
「At this current point in time, I
wish to release you to a free position and entrust you with the five thousand
soldiers currently under your command. From now on, as King Crajyu who
governs the three countries of Lute, Vile, and Cain, first
of all, I want you to rally the remaining soldiers of the Lute Kingdom,
advance north, recapture all of the former territory, and drive out the
invading Istoria Orthodox Theocracy Army.」
The moment I said so, the First Prince trembled in
astonishment, and his soldiers also began to raise voices of joy while being
bewildered.
「B-But in that case, isn't that a
story entirely too convenient for us...」
「During the prisoner audience the
other day, regarding General Golpa who tried to protect the former King
of Vile, do you remember the words I said that I would give him a
punishment? This is the corresponding punishment I am giving you.」
In response to these words of mine, the Commander
standing beside me snorted and laughed lightly. Perhaps he realized that this
handling was me hiding my embarrassment.
「The path you will walk from here on
is not flat. Not only must you rebuild the devastated three countries, but you
must also pay corresponding post-war reparations to the Empire and our
country. Even if you manage to unify, you might have to cede a portion of the
territory. Because I am trying to make you bear that karma, you see.」
Yes, this is a profitable choice for me as well. Holding
them accountable for the war, all the former kings of the three countries will
be abolished. However, if I just do that and furthermore annex the three
countries, it will leave a major root of calamity for the future. The Empire's
intentions are unclear, but I have also received words from the Third Prince
saying, 『I will
leave the punishment of the north to you.』
In addition, to begin with, we do not have the human surplus
strength to annex the three countries. If we did such a thing, we might end up
repeating the failure of Kimura Yoshikiyo
and Kiyohisa, father and son, who
were given a massive fief disproportionate to their status during Hideyoshi's Oshu Punishment in the Azuchi-Momoyama period. There is no way
a forcefully scraped-together group of 『hasty』 personnel could manage the domestic affairs and maintain
public order within the territory; it would become a hotbed for rebellion and
defection, conversely impairing national power. Even in historical fact, there
are various theories, but the aforementioned Kimura father and son were unable to govern their new territory
which had grown ten to dozens of times larger, the territory fell into
disorder, and the three hundred thousand koku
they had gone through the trouble of receiving was confiscated at a later date.
As a result, we entrust the country to someone trustworthy, and after
completing the necessary 『settlement』, coexist as sworn allies. I considered this the best
choice.
「We will lead the expeditionary force
and head to recapture the Vile Kingdom starting tomorrow. General Golpa
has gone on ahead for that purpose, but I would like the new King to request
the role of sweeping the enemy forces from within the Lute Kingdom to solidify
our rear, cutting off their escape routes, and completing the encirclement net.」
「Ha, I am deeply grateful for Heika's compassionate consideration,
and gratefully accept the great command.」
No... it's not compassion or consideration, much less a great
command, you know. This is a punishment... you know? Don't forget that point.
「However, the national border between
your country and the Istoria Orthodox Theocracy is exceptionally long.
The Royal Capital was easily recaptured by a surprise attack, but pushing all
the enemy armies back beyond the border line will not be a simple matter.
Therefore, I will leave behind three thousand cavalry led by General Gord
for support.」
According to the information gathered up to this point, at
least three bridgeheads have been built by the newly advanced army from the Orthodox
Theocracy side, and they are still encroaching on the national territory.
Besides, Gord's unit will also be insurance for us. If the new King has
no treacherous intent, Gord should show his presence as an ally.
「Gord, the national territory of the Lute Kingdom is long
vertically and difficult to defend, so I will leave a 『means』 behind in preparation for an emergency. I will leave the
operation entirely to you, but I will also entrust Mark as the control
commander for that, so I permit its use depending on the war situation.」
「Ha, thank you very much. We shall
support King of Lute-heika,
sweep the invading enemy army, and solidify the rear.」
「Archduke-heika, thank you
for your consideration. To Heika,
who is the benefactor of our country, I express my gratitude, my deepest
gratitude. I will never forget for the rest of my life that this body was a
captive, and I promise to be a strength to the Dukedom until I repay this debt of gratitude.」
「Well... there might be some feelings
of indebtedness, but from now on as an allied nation, right. For us, the Empire
was also an opponent we once fought as enemies, after all.」
Well... strictly speaking, the enemy was the First Prince's
faction, though. However, I think it's a big deal that even enemy soldiers we
once directly crossed blades with on the battlefield are now being accepted as
citizens. From this day forward, following the Kyle Kingdom, the Principality
of Fearalt, and the Griffonia Empire, the Demon Territory
Dukedom gained a country with the potential to become a new sworn ally. It
was still a small existence, but eventually... And our campaign still
continues. In order to settle the greatest destined battle.
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