Chapter 64
Teigun Defense Battle ①
(Day 2 of War)
Spies
Dancing to Ill Tidings
Translator : PolterGlast
Southern Gate Plains,
on the edge of the western Demon Realm.
How many days had it
been since he had been stationed here?
Days of unchanging
routine continued, and just as he began to grow weary of the monotony, change
suddenly arrived.
"A suspicious
group resembling bandits is moving towards Southern Gate," a cavalryman,
now my subordinate, reported. Raphael pondered for a moment and then made a
decision.
"Squad one and
squad two, tail them from a distance without being noticed. If there's any
movement, squad two is to immediately carry out the designated action, and
squad one is to send a messenger to me here."
Three men with wild
faces proceeded towards Southern Gate.
"Brother, I don't
want to get caught and hanged."
"No worries. With
this token, we'll get 50 gold coins just for guiding them. Easy money,
right?"
"Besides, we'll
get to see those townspeople go to hell. It'll be a relief to settle a
grudge."
They continued towards
the border.
Soon after, they
spotted a large army approaching from their direction and began running, waving
their hands.
Holding their tokens
high so they could be clearly seen.
One of the men in the
reconnaissance squad returned, his face pale with alarm.
"We have
confirmed enemy movement towards Teigun. Approximately 3,000, combining
infantry and cavalry, are advancing at a fast pace.
Squad two has already
departed to get ahead of them towards Teigun, following their designated
orders.
We have also confirmed
that the suspicious three individuals from earlier have joined this army."
"So they've come
after all. Just as Takuhir-sama predicted. You, go back and continue
reconnaissance. Squad three, head to Southern Gate immediately and relay the
information!
Squads four and five,
stay with me and wait. Let the army pass by."
At this rate, they
would camp for the night and likely reach Teigun's checkpoint by tomorrow
afternoon.
Our fast messenger
horse, however, would arrive by evening.
"Do we have half
a day to prepare...? I don't think they'd be foolish enough to march through
the dangerous area next to the Demon Realm at night..."
Raphael muttered to
himself after giving the orders.
※
"Urgent news!
Urgent news! Open the gate!"
Two riders from the
reconnaissance unit led by Raphael returned to Teigun's Demon Realm-side
checkpoint.
Christoph, the
checkpoint defense commander, confirmed the information, arranged for fresh
horses, and sent the two riders directly to the government office.
"So they've come
after all. This checkpoint will not be breached."
Christoph wore a
fearless smile and rapidly issued instructions to the defending soldiers.
Upon receiving the
urgent news, the government office became bustling all at once.
Miseri, instructing
the predetermined actions, clutched the letter Takuhir had left to her chest.
"Takuhir-sama,
please give me courage, and please protect Teigun."
Trembling, she
muttered in a voice barely audible to those around her, then Miseri raised her
face.
Her expression was no
longer wavering, but resolute.
"Clang! Clang!
Clang! Clang! Clang!..."
In the twilight of
Teigun, the emergency bell continued to ring.
When this bell rang,
it was the rule for all citizens, temporary workers such as laborers, and all
residents to immediately gather in the central plaza.
The citizens gathered,
forming a large circle of people in the central plaza.
In the center, on a
raised platform, stood Miseri, the Teigun defense commander, surrounded by
guards.
The stationed troops
of the reserve unit were already running towards the checkpoint, and some were
running to inform the settlers outside the town.
"Teigun is now
facing an unprecedented crisis."
As Miseri began to
speak, the gathered citizens fell silent and listened.
"Currently, we
have received information that a part of the Gryphonia Imperial Army, having
crossed the border, has passed through the edge of the Demon Realm and is
heading towards Teigun.
The invading army
numbers approximately 3,000, and we, the Solis Baronial Army, are attempting to
repel them at Teigun's checkpoint."
"Takuhir-sama
will come to help us, won't he?!"
Miseri shook her head
at the woman who interrupted.
"Takuhir-sama is
currently confronting the main force of the Imperial Army, an army of
approximately 20,000. Faced with such an enormous enemy force, he has neither
the leeway nor the opportunity to rush here to assist."
"Can we
win?"
This time, another man
raised his voice.
"Takuhir-sama
foresaw this danger in advance. We have taken ample measures. Therefore, I
promise you that with your cooperation, we will surely win.
I will now read Lord
Takuhir's letter addressed to all of you."
"Hold on a
minute, how many troops are at the checkpoint?"
A man resembling a
laborer pushed forward, raising his voice roughly.
"Including the
stationed soldiers and the mercenary corps, there are 100 men. We are
outnumbered, but we have many secret plans..."
"Th-that's
impossible! We can't win! Did you know about this beforehand and keep silent?
Is the lord planning to use us as fodder for the enemy?"
Lured by the man's
accusations, other men also began to raise their voices.
"Hey, hey, 'our
cooperation' doesn't mean lining us up as shields in front of the enemy, does
it?!"
"Seriously, everyone,
dying with this town is a ridiculous idea, right?"
"We don't owe
them anything to die with them. Let's just grab what we can and get out of
here!"
Other men of similar
appearance also began to raise their voices.
Miseri, overwhelmed by
their clamor, fell silent.
"You lot, shut
up! If you don't like it, then shut up and run away with your tails between
your legs!"
A woman, somewhat
scantily clad and alluringly dressed, stopped the men and spoke.
"I'm staying. I
love this town and my Lord-sama.
We prostitutes are
outcasts in any town. The men who cozy up to us only say superficial sweet
words...
But Lord-sama is
different! He welcomed us. He told us that he was very grateful to us for
giving the men who work here healing and strength for tomorrow.
I will never forget
the day of the harvest festival when he bowed his head and thanked us. Is there
any other lord like that?
If it's Lord-sama's
request, and if it's to protect this town, I will gladly lend my strength. Even
if someone like me can be of use..."
The boisterous plaza
fell silent at her words, watching the turn of events with bated breath.
"Thank you.
Takuhir-sama wishes to protect everyone. That is his desire. When Takuhir-sama
returns, please tell him your words directly."
Miseri, moved, and
replied with tear-filled eyes.
"By the way, you
all, judging by your appearance, are you construction workers who came to work
here?"
Stared down by
Claire's burning eyes and questioned in a strong tone, the men momentarily
shrank back.
"That's right!
We're not people who live in this town. We've been exploited relentlessly and
haven't received any benefits!"
"That's right! We
don't owe them anything!"
Saying this, they
glared back at Claire.
"I see. Then,
what is your group number?"
"What about
it?!"
The men were flustered
and couldn't answer.
"Those who are
properly employed in this town are given a group number according to their
work. Don't you know that?
Is there anyone here
who belongs to the same group as them? If so, please tell me."
No one in the
surrounding crowd answered.
On the contrary, the
crowd around them and in front of Claire disappeared, observing from a
distance.
"Just as I
thought. When bandits attacked before, there were some who disguised themselves
as laborers and attacked this town. Are you bandits, or something like them, or
enemy spies? Which is it?"
"What?! This
woman has the nerve to accuse us! We won't let this go easily!"
"What do you mean
by calling us criminals?!"
The men glared at
Claire and tried to make a move. At that moment, a fierce wall of fire erupted
between Claire and them.
"Hiiiii!"
"Fire mage?! Why
here...?"
They involuntarily
recoiled, their legs giving out, and they collapsed.
"Guards!
Apprehend them. They are suspected of being spies. You all, if you wish to
clear your names, state your group number and your current job at the
guardhouse."
"It's a
mage."
"That's... I've
never seen one before."
"She is a fire
mage."
"So
beautiful~"
As the surrounding
people buzzed, Claire continued.
"We mages are a
valuable asset on the battlefield.
Yet, Takuhir-sama
bowed his head and asked us to protect Teigun. Not just me, but many mages were
placed here to defend this town. So...
Please, listen to Lord
(Takuhir)-sama's words."
The agitated citizens
calmed down and turned to Miseri again.
To listen to the words
she was about to say.
-----
Thank you for my Patrons !!
[Platinum]
-
[Gold]
B random
DavidA
Nepheos
RobertJay
ShitaiNoKootoRyuu
[Silver]
Creris
Fred A.
Frédéric Bertrand-Hudon
Geral Aponso
Matthew Fraser
Anton Lim
Ctdela
Curious Panda
Joe Smith
Read Advanced Chapters only on my Patreon
-----
