Chapter 57
(Kyle Calendar
Year 506: Age 13)
The Remaining
Forces
Translator : PolterGlast
Spring had arrived in
Teigun.
Snowmelt flowed from
the mountaintop, and countless small streams poured into the western plains,
nourishing the earth.
Water gradually began
to pool in the moats.
Even the mages, who
underwent rigorous daily training, now had the leeway to feel the arrival of
spring in their training grounds.
Having observed the
progress of their training so far, I announced the division of roles for the
mages in anticipation of the next campaign, a matter I had been discussing with
Commander Weiss for some time.
However, this
announcement caused quite a stir.
I divided them into
those who would accompany me in the campaign and those who would remain to
defend Teigun, and the latter expressed various dissatisfactions.
"Why won't you
let me come with you?" Claire pressed me after I made the announcement at
a meeting attended by all the mages.
"Yes, Claire, I
thought you'd say that. Thank you. I'll be speaking with you individually
later, and I'll tell you the reason then, so please wait a little longer."
After calming Claire,
the meeting was adjourned for the time being, and we moved on to individual
discussions.
First was Christoph.
He was also told he
was in the reserve group and had a very displeased look on his face.
Present at the
individual meeting were myself, Miseri-san, Anne, Commander Weiss from the
mercenary corps, and one of the two vice-commanders, Vice-Commander Kira.
By the way,
Vice-Commander Kira, despite being a woman, was a formidable individual in the
Twin-Headed Eagle Mercenary Corps, with swordsmanship at the "Sword
Master" level and a specialty in defensive base battles.
"Christoph,
regarding this assignment, do you understand why I deliberately put you in the
reserve group and asked you to take charge of the defense?"
I explained to
Christoph, who had maintained a displeased expression.
It was the same
explanation I had given Weiss-san before.
"Christoph, this
time I want to entrust you with the command of the checkpoint defense. There
are many reasons, but I'll tell you all of them.
You're learning
tactics from Commander Weiss among the mages, you're familiar with the
surrounding terrain, especially near the checkpoints, you were involved in the checkpoint
construction and are very knowledgeable about its operation, and you're the
most senior member who understands the magic and characteristics of each mage.
There are so many, right?
For these reasons, I
believe Christoph is the right person to lead the Self-Defense Corps.
I want to entrust you
with the operation of the archer corps, utilizing the characteristics of wind
mages, and I believe your record of winning the Champion Tournament will be
effective in boosting morale."
After this explanation,
Christoph's expression changed slightly.
"But there's a
much bigger reason.
There's a high
possibility that part of the enemy army will pass between the Hiyorimi
Viscountcy territory and the Demon Realm. That's why, as a crucial defense
point, I want someone I trust to take on the responsibility of the Teigun
Checkpoint and the defense command.
I've already spoken
with Vice-Commander Kira from the mercenary corps about assisting Christoph as
a strategist."
"Don't worry, we
have a plan to easily repel an enemy of about 3,000. And with your current
skills, commanding won't be a problem."
Commander Weiss added.
"With my limited
ability, I respectfully accept the appointment. I was shallow-minded. I
apologize.
I will protect Teigun
and everyone with my life."
Christoph bowed, his
face showing he was convinced.
After that, we all
discussed countermeasures and responses, and I asked them to proceed with
preparations, stating that the budget could be used.
"Claire, I'm
sorry to have kept you waiting."
My heart ached
considerably when I saw Claire's face, still showing traces of tears.
"Claire, I still
remember the day when I asked all the mages if they could go to the
battlefield, and you were the first to raise your hand and answer. I was so
happy."
"Then why aren't
you taking me with you this time? Am I not useful enough?"
"This time, the
enemy will likely be an army incomparably larger than before.
In turn, we will be
numerically inferior until reinforcements arrive from the royal capital, and we
will be forced into a siege at the Southern Gate fortress.
In that case, I
believe there's a high probability that a portion of the enemy army will bypass
us and attack Teigun from the Demon Realm side.
Viscount Hiyorimi
cannot be trusted at all, based on past examples."
Even at this point,
Claire's expression did not brighten.
"Claire, I
believe you understand me the most among all the mages.
That's why I'm relying
on you.
I've decided to
entrust the checkpoint defense command to Christoph, and I have no doubts about
his abilities and command in terms of troop deployment.
However, military
affairs are not his forte, so I believe we need a strategist (Claire) who can
oversee the entire defensive battle.
I also think Miseri,
the Defense Commander, needs a strategist (Claire).
She is an outsider
when it comes to military affairs and is particularly unfamiliar with mage
combat, so I believe Claire is the only one who can advise them both according
to the battle situation.
Sometimes supporting
the two of them, sometimes urging them on, I want you to assist them by
standing between them and ensuring good coordination.
In unexpected
situations, I trust Claire to handle them, thinking, 'I (Takuhir) would surely
do this.'
I will take all
responsibility, so please don't feel pressured."
As I spoke, Claire's
expression began to change, so I continued with a little relief.
"Teigun is a town
that I have poured my heart and soul into, and built with everyone. In other
words, it is my other self.
I want Claire to protect
my other self."
"Understood.
Teigun is also as good as myself to me.
I will protect the
other Takuhir-sama no matter what."
Claire smiled
brightly, a complete change from the tear-streaked face she had when she
entered.
Similarly, I explained
the reasons to Elan, Mary, and Rosa, who had also been in the reserve group and
had looked displeased.
When I properly
conveyed the reasons and my intentions, everyone understood.
Elan, in particular,
would be crucial in the checkpoint defense.
Because Elan and Mary
were there, we could build a strong defensive position, and maintain and
utilize it.
After that, I met with
all those scheduled for the expedition and those scheduled for the reserve
unit, confirming their intentions, explaining the situation, and requesting
them to take charge.
During the meeting,
Claire immediately took the lead, discussing defensive tactics and requesting
preparations with the wind mages (Christoph, Carleen), earth mages (Elan,
Mary), water mages (Sasha, Aira), and fire mages (Claire, Krolla).
If she was serious
about this, I could rest easy.
"But I was
surprised that you are taking Lilia and Marianne with you this time."
Commander Weiss
responded to Miseri-san's words.
"Both of them are
very courageous. I was so impressed watching their training that I wanted them
in the mercenary corps."
Lilia was originally a
mage candidate I had brought in at the commodity exchange. During the Teigun
unrest, she took the initiative to defeat invading thieves and had
accomplishments to her name. She had defeated three of the seven thieves by
herself.
Marianne, originally
from the infirmary, was also accustomed to treating the wounded. During the
Teigun unrest, she treated the seriously wounded guards and garrison soldiers
at the commodity exchange who had been injured by the bandit group.
To those who had
sustained injuries that would normally make one turn away, she gave accurate
instructions to Rosa, who was treating them as a holy mage at the time, and as
a result, saved their lives.
This time, I valued
this track record and included these two women in the expeditionary force.
"I'm glad Claire
is convinced. She can fully assist Miseri-san and has experienced actual combat
with a bandit group. I think she'll also be able to spur Christoph on
effectively."
Commander Weiss's
assessment was the same as mine.
All the meetings
ended, and when we left the conference room, Claire and the others were still
remaining, continuing their discussions.
The very next day, an
application for construction related to the narrow pass and checkpoint on the
Demon Realm side and a request for additional purchase of checkpoint defense
equipment were submitted in Christoph's name.
"Wow, this is
brutal."
It was a strategy and
traps that would make me feel sympathy for the approaching enemy.
I immediately approved
and authorized the plans and had them proceed with the response.
There was still much
to prepare, but the system was in place.
Time passed faster
than expected.
New additional
construction was secretly carried out immediately by the earth mages, and the
others were also diligently training.
The season had changed
to summer, and there was hardly any time left.
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