Chapter 232
(Kyle Calendar Year 513: Age 20)
An Ominous Sign
Translator : PolterGlast
One day at the height of spring, Takuhir and his
forces were putting the finishing touches on their training in Ishtar.
After six months of rigorous training, the Magic Knights were beginning to
demonstrate their strength as a collective unit, becoming a fighting force that
was visibly transformed. Similarly, the 2,000 archers had reached a level where
they could follow combat commands and execute controlled volley fire without breaking
formation.
"Commander, I'm thinking of sending them back to the Royal Capital soon. What do you
think?"
"Indeed. Having
come this far, they should manage well enough. You're sending them to the Royal Capital?"
"Yes. Half of the Magic
Knights are Academy students, so they need to return by autumn. However,
unless there is a strong desire to leave, I will immediately recall and retain
personnel from the Magic Combat Training
Course and the Magic Tactics
Research Department. Their training here can substitute directly for their
Academy classes. Those taking other general courses and those being deployed to
the northern front will basically return to the Royal Capital."
"What about the archers?"
"I'll give the entire army a month of leave, then have
them reassemble in Gaia, together with everyone except the general
course students. Both the Magic Knights
and the archers will take the return route from the Est side through the
former Viscount Cornell’s territory
and enter the Royal Capital from the
west."
"I see! You're going to show them the anticipated
battlefield on the way back."
"Yes. The plan to dispatch only a few people, like Her
Highness Clarice, fell through. The arguments against it regarding
escort safety were valid, too. I will lead them this time."
"That sounds... like a troublesome task. I will make
sure to look after things here in your absence."
"After that, I plan to attend the regular meeting in
the Royal Capital before returning
here."
Ten days after this conversation with the Commander, the
expeditionary training concluded all its scheduled programs. The entire force
of 2,350 began their journey back to the Royal
Capital, returning first to Teigoon. From there, they would travel
straight south down the highway, patrolling the western part of the Kingdom
before entering the capital.
At that time, Miseri, who had been looking after Teigoon,
was waiting for them in front of the main gate.
"Takuhir-sama, a report has come in from the Tia
Trading Company before your departure. Since we heard you planned to stop
by, we have asked Halim-dono to remain here."
"I see, understood. I'll meet him immediately. Can we
talk now?"
"Yes, I anticipated you would say so. He is waiting at
the Mercenary Corps station in the Fourth District."
I met Halim accompanied by Miseri and Yoltia.
When I first brought Halim to Teigoon, Yoltia and I had
established another deal with the Tia Trading Company separate from our
trade agreements.
First, they were to collect information on the Principality
and report it every time they visited for trade. Second, they were to
investigate the movements of disgruntled nobles, and if there was any movement,
report it as a top priority, separate from trade matters.
This allowed us to have eyes and ears within the Fearalt
Principality. Information coming through the Minister of Foreign Affairs
usually went through Kylar, so it was inevitably delayed. With Halim
and his people, information came directly, allowing us to obtain intelligence
on the neighboring country three to five days earlier.
"Halim, has it been half a year since we met in
person? I hear you've been working hard on the trade and various other things
since then. I was told you have something important to discuss today?"
"Yes, Demon Territory Count-sama, Yoltia-sama.
Thanks to everyone here, business has been good. First, I would like to offer
my gratitude. What I wished to report is that there are disturbing movements
within the Fearalt Principality."
"You did well to inform us. Halim, could you
tell me the details? What exactly is happening?"
"A large number of influential nobles have begun making
suspicious moves against the current King. Specifically, they are secretly
recruiting troops in their respective territories and buying up food supplies.
We have connections through business with the bosses who control the towns from
the shadows, merchants who deal in the unseen, and those who arrange manpower.
Synthesizing information from these sources, it appears a considerable number
of nobles have secretly begun preparing for war."
"How many are we talking about? What is the ratio of
influential nobles, and the percentage of all nobles in the Principality? If
converted to troop strength, how much would that be?"
"I am not privy to all the details, but those clearly
making moves seem to be of Count rank or higher—roughly thirty families. I
cannot fully grasp the situation with the lower ranks, but the total troop
strength... is likely around forty thousand..."
Thirty families of Count rank or higher—that would be about
eighty percent of the high-ranking nobles? In that case, the total troop
strength will likely increase further. In the worst-case scenario, a total
force of fifty thousand. If so, the number directed here, including enemies
among our supposed allies, would easily exceed twenty thousand...
"Halim, I apologize, but could you return to Salaam
and continue to consolidate information? Stay in Salaam for the time
being. If a rebellion breaks out in the Principality, or if there is a fear of
rebel troops heading toward the Kingdom, please send a fast horse in each case.
I will entrust you with a reward for this information and funds for future
expenses. Do not spare the cost; use it as you see fit."
"Yes! Understood."
"It's a hassle, but could you send word to two places: Duke
Klein, the Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Royal Capital, and here to Teigoon? I will give you the
necessary tallies in advance to enter the Royal
Capital and meet with Duke Klein. Yoltia, please arrange that
and hand the operational funds to Halim."
"Yes, I will arrange it immediately."
With this, we should be able to prepare countermeasures in
the event of an emergency. The question is when it will happen, but they will
undoubtedly strike at the worst possible moment. That has always been the case
throughout history.
"Now then, I must share the situation with the Princess
who will be accompanying us to inspect the western front. I'll send Gold,
whom I'm entrusting as commander, and Elan, who is in charge of
construction, ahead with some personnel to assess the anticipated battlefield
and interception points. It doesn't look like we have much time to spare."
Around the same time Halim hurriedly returned to the
Principality, the advance team led by Gold also departed. The next day,
we led the army out of Teigoon, heading for the Royal Capital while patrolling the western part of the Kingdom.
After that, leading the Magic
Knights, we arrived at a point about two days' travel down the highway
leading from the Royal Capital to
the western border of the Kyle Kingdom. Here, we rendezvoused with Gold,
Elan, and the others who had gone ahead.
"Everyone, thank you for going ahead and surveying the
area. Gold, Elan, is this the place?"
"Yes. This land of Kleirat has a reasonably
large river flowing through it with significant depth. Crossing points are
limited, and if we set up camp before this bridge, we can hold out sufficiently
even against a superior force."
Elan followed
up on Gold's answer.
"Here, we can also prepare several traps in advance.
And the river water... The biggest advantage is that there are no farmlands
nearby, and there is a town on the Royal
Capital side of the highway, so we can establish a logistics base in the
rear. And above all, the Lord of this land has a connection with you, Takuhir-sama."
Indeed, the daughter of Count Clay, who governs this
land, was a friend of Yuka at the Academy in the Royal Capital and one of the advisors when honey sales began.
Furthermore, the Count himself, the head of the family, had
visited Teigoon for the Supreme Tournament. As a member of our faction,
he had purchased a large quantity of improved crossbows and proceeded with
deployment and training. The Count himself plans to participate in the army
against the north along with the Minister of Military Affairs.
Most importantly, his beloved daughter has volunteered for
the Magic Knights, just like Yuka,
and is with Her Highness.
Advantage of the terrain, harmony of the people—this is a
place where both exist.
"I will personally speak to Count Clay. Elan,
can you prepare the tricks we can set up in advance under the guise of
embankment work to prepare for disasters?"
"Understood. Also... there is one more thing I would
like to ask of the Lord here."
"Hm? What is it?"
"Actually, I have a tactical proposal..."
Elan's
proposal made sense from a military strategy perspective. It must be a strategy
based on a bitter experience from Elan's own past. However, I feel
reluctant to do this in another person's territory. But...
"Alright, I'll ask for that as well. Gold, I'm
counting on you to ensure no harm comes to Her Highness and the others. If
necessary, don't hesitate to act beyond your authority. I will take full
responsibility, so if you do decide to activate it, ensure you do not misjudge
the timing. Elan, I will leave the Earth Mages with you, so
please remain here and handle the response. Make absolutely sure they don't
realize it's a trap."
"Understood."
We don't know what will happen in the battles ahead. And on
this land, we absolutely cannot afford to lose. We needed to make every
possible move.
While the Magic
Knights used the Kleirat land as a base to inspect the site, I
hurriedly visited the Lord, Count Clay, and obtained permission for
various matters.
Fortunately, because of his beloved daughter, the Count was
very cooperative. The very next day, a proclamation was issued for
"large-scale flood control work with the help of Earth Mages." Laborers and territorial troops were
conscripted for the construction, allowing Elan and the others to move
openly.
Hiding the true objective from everyone but a select few.
With this, the prospects for the western defense were set. I
would be able to report at least minimum progress at the regular meeting in the
Royal Capital.
Leaving behind Elan, Gold, and some of the Mages,
primarily the Earth Mages, we marched straight for the Royal Capital.
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