Chapter 58
(Kyle Calendar
Year 506: Age 13)
Those Who Plot
in the Shadows
Translator : PolterGlast
In a room adorned with
luxurious carpets and furnishings.
The candlelight was
deliberately dimmed, barely enough to see the face of the person sitting
opposite. This only added to the gloomy atmosphere.
"How fare the
arrangements?"
To the query of the
man, most splendidly dressed in silken garments among the three, another man,
deeply cloaked, replied in a raspy voice.
"The groundwork
on their side has been laid flawlessly..."
"After they cross
the border, we're inducing them to secretly send a force from the left flank
while their main army is locked in a stare-down. And also to the right flank,
by the way. With this, the plan is as good as accomplished, I believe..."
"Hmph, let them
withdraw their necks like turtles and guard their fortresses as precious
treasures. Little do they know that the main army attacking them is merely a
decoy."
"Indeed. While we
leisurely observe from our fortress, they will see their territory trampled. By
the time they realize it, it will be too late. I look forward to seeing their
panic."
As the man in lavish
clothing spoke venomously, the youngest among the three seconded him.
"For them, too,
he is the enemy who defeated them four years ago. They will trample his
territory and vent their frustrations to the fullest. With this, our wishes
will also be granted, a most satisfactory outcome."
The raspy voice
chuckled lowly.
"By the way, are
the crucial arrangements for the left-flank diversion foolproof?"
"Absolutely. As
per our long-standing agreement, they will merely pass through our territory's
border. We have even arranged for guides to prevent any unforeseen
incidents."
"And there's no
chance this guide will expose our plans, is there?"
"We are well
aware of that point. We are not in direct contact with the guide. It would be
impossible to trace the thread back from there."
"Furthermore,
those rascals harbor deep resentment for the many comrades they lost in last
year's failed attack. When we gave them money through our agents, they were
delighted at the prospect of participating in a revenge attack."
The man with the raspy
voice added.
"So, even if they
investigate, it will only lead to a revenge plot by disgruntled bandits,
nothing more?"
"Heh heh heh,
precisely as you say."
"Shall our true
desires be fulfilled in this battle?"
"Do not be hasty.
When that person officially inherits the throne, that is when we shall advance
with our entire army and conquer this country."
"This battle is
preparation for that. To eliminate the obstacles near the border and establish
a strong bridgehead on this side of the border. And with the results of that
battle, to further secure and advance his claim to the throne—that is his
purpose this time."
"Then... how
should we move?"
"When they are
disoriented by the unexpected invasion and the fall of their territory, we will
open the gates from inside our fortress. Then, the main army, which was a
decoy, will again become the main force and flood in. Once that happens, the
center will be ours for the taking."
"They would never
imagine that the fortress meant to protect their own country would become a
dagger pointed at their own throats."
"Young master,
the goal this time is to secure the entire border region, both to the right and
left, with the fortress as the starting point."
"Then, continue
diligently so that the plot proceeds smoothly."
"Certainly."
"Without
fail."
As the three men left
the room, the candlelight extinguished, and silence once again enveloped the
surroundings.
※
In another location,
three men were secretly gathered.
One sat on a luxurious
chair, another on a long sofa opposite him, and a third knelt beside them.
"What do you
think of his proposal? Is he trustworthy in the first place?"
"Heh heh,
trusting someone and using them as a disposable tool are entirely different
things. We merely use him, and when he is no longer needed, we discard
him."
"So, at this
point, we needn't concern ourselves with whether he is trustworthy?"
"Precisely. He is
the kind of fellow who would sell his own country to the enemy. It would be
best to cut him off sooner rather than later."
"And what about
the credibility of this information?"
"As we confirmed
through our subordinate merchants, that route is indeed passable for an
invasion. It seems to be a rather interesting proposition, striking at the
enemy's weak point."
"So, the proposal
itself has points worth considering, is that what you mean?"
"Precisely."
The third man, who had
not participated in the conversation until now, raised his head.
"Please, I beg
you, entrust this task to me. He is the enemy of our comrades. Our soldiers
will also be spurred on by the chance for revenge."
"That area is
merely for striking at the enemy's weak point. It will be a trivial battle.
Your forces are more suited for the main battlefield.
Only on the main
battlefield will your reconstructed Iron Cavalry and cavalry have the
opportunity to distinguish themselves.
Moreover, your enemy
is within the fortress that the main army is confronting."
"But..."
To the words of the
man on the long sofa, the man beside him persisted.
"Margrave, you
shall hold back this time!"
At the single word
from the highest-ranking man, the third man lowered his head and fell silent.
"No matter how
much of a natural stronghold it is, most of the defending soldiers are away on
expedition. If we strike while they're absent, it will surely fall
easily."
"And beyond that,
there's no significant defensive line to the royal capital. If their
headquarters, where their wives and children are, is attacked, and then
soldiers move towards the royal capital... I can just imagine their
panic."
"So, it's decided
for that location this time?"
"Unfortunately...
if we had just 50,000, or at least 30,000 more, we could have managed."
"Even so, are the
negotiations with the Istoria Imperial Kingdom settled?"
"Yes, they are
blinded by the immediate prize of the royal capital. They will attack from the
east at the same time, which should effectively draw away the Knights."
"That's why we're
also leaking information, after all."
"The Knights will
be unable to move south, and due to the rumor that their entire army is close
to the royal capital, they will be led by misinformation to move east and
defend."
"And if the
entire Knights army defends the east, the Imperial Kingdom's invasion will not
proceed as planned, and they will repeatedly engage in pointless, muddy battles
and attrition along the border, is that it?"
"Yes, since the
Knights cannot move, the soldiers gathered in the south will be nothing more
than a disorganized rabble. They have little battle experience, and if they
once collapse, they are bound to be annihilated in an instant."
"So, the only
well-organized army is harboring a viper in its bosom, is that it? One can only
say this is pitiful, even for an enemy."
Contrary to his words,
the man smiled with a sinister grin.
Everything was in his
hands.
Preparations were
meticulously completed.
All that remained was
to pluck the fruit before their eyes. It was a simple matter.
"With this, we
can open up a big lead on him. Let him wear himself out fighting barbarians in
the south!
What is he doing
now...?"
"Yes, he has
advanced across the border for the time being, but he is facing a counterattack
from the barbarians and is shortening his battle lines."
"And the
arrangements for him, they are also flawless, I presume?"
"Yes, this time
too, the reinforcements requested to be sent to him are nothing but old
soldiers and greenhorn boy soldiers, utterly useless in battle."
"Hoh, that's a
difficult situation for him!
While he struggles in
the south, I will achieve a great victory in the north. And then, the Empire
will be mine."
He spoke, smiling in
satisfaction.
The man, pleased with
the progress of his plot, tilted the wine cup in his hand.
The wine quenching his
thirst was pleasant.
"Inform the
Imperial Kingdom of our invasion timing. Precisely."
"Tell them we
will share the victory and incite them well!
And make sure the
Imperial Kingdom's movements are conveyed to the Kingdom's spies without
fail."
"Understood. For
the future Emperor!"
"We, the Goth
clan, also pledge our loyalty!"
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