Chapter 243
Northern Front ①: The Encirclement in Motion
Translator : PolterGlast
The Royal Capital
of the Kyle Kingdom, Kylar. This land had enjoyed peace for many
years and, thanks to the fierce fighting of the armies led by the Southern and
Eastern Margraves in recent years, had long been free from the crisis of
invasion. However, now it was enveloped in a palpable tension.
In the Royal Capital,
there were 4,000 volunteers who aspired to fight alongside Princess Clarice.
And riding the wave of the newfound archery boom, 1,000 people were recruited
into the Royal Capital Knights as horse archers.
From the area centered on the Royal Capital, Kylar, a total of 5,000 people—including not
only nobles but also commoners—were being deployed to the front lines as soldiers,
so this atmosphere was only natural.
And in the Royal Palace, a command center serving as the
general headquarters was established to consolidate the war situations from
each front.
"Old man... no, perhaps I should call you Chief of
General Staff. What is the war situation? I heard a fast horse arrived from the
Western Front earlier, and I
couldn't sit still."
"As expected of Your Majesty, you have sharp ears. I
was just about to contact Your Majesty so we could receive the report together.
It seems you are exceedingly worried about Her Highness. It saved me the
trouble of waiting for Your Majesty."
"..."
Together, the two received the report from the messenger
sent by Legion Commander Schulz. While utterly astonished by the
incredible results detailed within.
"To think they defeated an army of 10,000... What a
magnificent feat! And to top it off, our forces suffered practically negligible
casualties."
"Well, that is thanks to the traps and tactics set by
the Demon Territory Count as reported, and Her Highness's quick wit, is
it not? Good heavens, calling herself bait to attract the enemy's attention...
I wonder whom she takes after. It's quite a headache..."
"However, the fact remains that 28,000 enemy troops are
still intact... That is a headache in its own right."
King Kyle changed the subject with that remark. He knew exactly
what Duke Klein was implying.
Years ago, when the King was still a Prince attending the
Academy, he led the Royal Capital Knights and rushed to the battlefield
to save allies struggling against a sudden invasion by the Griffonia Empire.
He had lost
his patience with the Kingdom's elders, who had grown accustomed to their peaceful days. Lacking any sense of crisis, they had been content
to abandon their allies to a losing battle. Accompanied by Duke Klein—his younger brother, a pillar of the Kingdom, and the
only one who truly understood him—he had brushed aside all opposition and
bolted from the Royal Capital.
On the battlefield, he used himself as a decoy to lure the
enemy army, and after saving many surrounded allies, he struck the rear of the
retreating enemy army, somehow maintaining the Kingdom's honor in defense.
It was but a small victory amidst a great defeat where many
soldiers and heads of noble families were lost. After the war, he was severely
admonished for conduct unbecoming of an heir to the Kingdom and for his
recklessness, but...
"If Margrave Hamish hadn't won the battle on the
eastern border, we would be in a very dangerous state. It seems an encirclement
network with forces and tactics exceeding our expectations has already been
laid from two directions. Do you think this is mere coincidence, Your
Majesty?"
"Someone is pulling the strings from behind—is that it?
The invasion of the Eastern Front,
and the civil war four years ago... someone has been maneuvering behind the
scenes in all of them..."
"Yes. I have spoken with the Demon Territory Count
about this matter, but we still cannot grasp the tail. It is truly
shameful."
"Hmm... Most likely..."
"Indeed. If we connect the dots between these
inexplicable events, they all point to a single conclusion."
"Forgive me, but I must entrust handling that matter to
you as well. If only we could secure the aid of the two lost Clan Heads—Light
and Gravity..."
"It cannot be helped. We have been far too complacent
until now. Defenseless against foreign threats, and indeed, against the enemies
lurking within... rom this point forward, we must forge a grand design to
ensure the Kingdom's prosperity for a millennium to come."
"Precisely for that reason. Once victory is secured, I
intend to push through the matter we discussed the other day—at all costs. In
accordance with the First King Kyle's
testament..."
"Indeed, although his own battle has not yet begun, the
achievements the Demon Territory Count has already earned are far too
great to ignore. Foreseeing the crisis and
establishing defenses; the tactics that secured a decisive victory on the
Eastern Border; his immense contributions to the triumph in the West... If he
achieves military success on the Southern
Front as well, a three-rank promotion in rank is all but guaranteed..."
"If we win, that is. After all, this is merely a victory
in the opening skirmishes. Still, I had always intended to eventually having him as a son-in-law... Looking back now, I
cannot help but feel a profound sense of regret."
"You refer to the only handler in the country capable of reining in that wild mare? It seems Lord Gorman beat you to the punch, Your Majesty. "
"Indeed. Had it been before the wedding, I fully
intended to force the issue—wedging her in as one of his wives, whether he
liked it or not..."
"Ho ho ho. Offering the Kingdom's Princess as a mere 'bonus', are we? Six
wives, including Her Highness... That rivals the legends of the First King Kyle himself. A tale
destined to be passed down to posterity."
"Can you think of any other man capable of handling that tomboy as a wife? I, for one, have given up. However,
considering he personally celebrated his wedding to those five just recently, I
doubt he would readily agree to her cutting into their ranks now. But enough of
these pipe dreams. Shall we discuss the movements in the South and the North?"
"Yes. We are keeping close contact with each front, and
sharing the war situation of each location with key personnel. Next will likely
be... the North. Since Mages disappeared from the eastern front line,
fifteen days have already passed..."
Looking at the large map placed on the desk, the two
discussed future troop deployments and conceivable countermeasures.
Around that time, in the northern region of the Kyle
Kingdom, a messenger visited the mansion of Marquis Cocyust.
"I beg to report. An envoy from the Uros Kingdom,
a man naming himself Serpens, has arrived and requests an
audience."
"Ooh! I have been waiting. Show him to that room
immediately. No guards are needed, so ensure no one enters."
Answering thus, the Marquis moved to a certain room with a broad
smile. There was a room he preferred to use when plotting schemes or holding
secret councils with subordinate spies. And there, he met the envoy he had been
waiting for.
"It is the first time I have the honor of meeting you.
I am Serpens, carrying a reply regarding the secret agreement from the King
of Uros. I thank you for granting me an audience with Your Excellency the
Marquis."
"Think nothing of it. Now, tell me... what is the King of Uros's will in this matter?"
"The details are penned within this personal missive.
Please forgive me in advance, as I have received orders to supplement the
crucial parts verbally so that no evidence remains."
The letter handed over contained what the Marquis desired.
『We
empathize with the spirit of Marquis Cocyust thinking of his country and
wish to extend a hand of cooperation. Therefore, as the Uros Kingdom, we
are prepared to send reinforcements in the event of your country's national
crisis. However, we wish to establish several agreements in advance regarding this
matter and build a lasting friendship hereafter. Furthermore, as mutual
benefits, we wish you to promise the following:
First, upon
the successful resolution of your country's crisis, the Kingdom of Uros shall be granted the status of Most Favored Nation
regarding all commerce. This
status shall take absolute priority in all aspects over the Piett Trade
Confederation, your current trading partner. As a privilege of this
status, merchants authorized by the Kingdom
of Uros shall be exempt from trade tariffs for the next ten years. Fourth,
as proof preceding these promises, we are prepared to dispatch 10,000
reinforcements immediately. 』
The Marquis read through the letter with an emotionless
face.
Cooperation without compensation or cooperation not desiring
a price is conversely untrustworthy. At first glance, excessive demands are
conversely proof of the intention to pay the price corresponding to those
demands. He thought so. The demands of the Uros Kingdom were exactly
such excessive demands.
"So, Sir Envoy, what exactly is your position?"
"Well, formally, as the title 'envoy' suggests, I am
merely an errand boy, but... I would be grateful if you understood me as one
entrusted with my King's private intentions regarding this negotiation."
"I see. Then I wish to confirm one thing. It is the
first I hear that the Uros Kingdom can provide a military force of
10,000. What are your thoughts on that point?"
Saying this, the Marquis directed a suspicious gaze.
"As expected of Your Excellency the Marquis, who
possesses excellent strategic vision. I am impressed. As you pointed out, the
number of regular troops we can dispatch, even if we empty the Kingdom, is only
about 6,000. However, with that number, power would be insufficient for what
Your Excellency has in mind. Fortunately, we are a country where the power of
merchants is strong. Merchants move for profit. Through the profits of trade,
it is possible to move 5,000 to 6,000 of the mercenaries they employ."
"Hmm... hence the Most Favored Nation treatment and
trade tax exemption?"
"Yes. Once Your Excellency accomplishes the great
undertaking and grasps the real power of this country again, all trade will go
through Your Excellency... If that happens, Your Excellency will gain enormous
profits, and we can get ahead of the other two countries."
"Hmm, those are reasonably excessive demands..."
"Our reinforcements total over 10,000. Combined with
the forces of Your Excellency and the Northern Margrave, it will be 16,000. The
Royal Capital Knights will be directed to the West and South, and
depending on the war situation, even the First Army remaining in the Royal Capital might head to the front
lines. There, Your Excellency appears in the Royal Capital leading 16,000 reinforcements. Even assuming the
First Army hasn't moved, this is a force far exceeding them. This meaning is
significant."
What the Marquis had initially expected was about 4,000 to
5,000 reinforcements. Combined with his banner's forces, the total would be
about 10,000. If he rushed to join with that much force, the Royalist Faction
would no longer be able to ignore his existence. Demands for reinstatement to
the center of the country or a new power base would likely pass. He had been
moving with that thought.
"You wouldn't want to fall behind the Marquises in the
West, would you? Unless you lead a force greater than those gentlemen, you
won't be able to have Your Excellency's power and achievements recognized, will
you?"
At the envoy's words, Marquis Cocyust hesitated. If
surrounded by reinforcements far exceeding his own military strength, he would
be entrusting the power of life and death over himself to others. And to the Uros
Kingdom side, whom he considered inferior...
"Hmm... there is one thing I wish the King of Uros
to consent to. Regarding the private soldiers and mercenaries arranged by
merchants, since I will pay the immediate compensation, is it possible to
entrust command authority to me? If that is possible, please convey to the King
of Uros to look favorably upon it."
"Understood. Then, upon returning and reporting to my
King, we shall lead the army and hasten to join you again. Since our country's
financial situation is quite severe, my King will likely readily agree to that
proposal. For that purpose, regarding the Northern Margrave..."
"I shall send a messenger from my side for that. To
welcome you politely and ensure no discourtesy... and so on."
"Then, to the new friendship between our two countries,
and for Your Excellency bearing heavy responsibilities as a key retainer of the
Kingdom."
Saying that, the envoy left.
Merchants and mercenaries who move for money will follow the
sponsor's orders first. Otherwise, it affects their reputation and greatly impacts future business. Within the Kyle
Kingdom, mercenaries have greatly decreased in number now. No, they haven't
decreased, but most have been absorbed by a certain mercenary corps, and those
available for hire within the country are essentially thugs ignored by them.
As long as it is made clear who the paymaster is, they
should serve their purpose well enough. Or so the Marquis concluded, basing his
judgment entirely on the conventional wisdom he possessed.
More than that, the dream of returning to national politics
and singing the praises of his own golden age pushed his decision. Marquis
Cocyust, picturing his future, saw off the envoy's back while laughing with
satisfaction.
At this time, Marquis Cocyust himself, like the late Margrave
Clantiff, had no intention of inviting an enemy country to overthrow the
Kingdom. He merely held the ambition to borrow the authority of another
country's military power to make himself look bigger and raise his own status
higher.
And within that day, a messenger ran from the Marquis's
house to the Northern Margrave.
Later, a force of 24,000 soldiers—far more than the number Marquis
Cocyust and the Margrave guarding the northern border were told—would cross
the border unchecked without being blamed and invade the Kyle Kingdom.
Thus, the internal strife plaguing the Kyle Kingdom had bred paranoia due to lack of information among
those who ought to have been allies, giving opportunity to those who had fallen
and dreamed of reinstatement, and resulted in benefiting the enemy countries.
Because Takuhir and the others had controlled
information, the crisis of the Kingdom encirclement network and the intentions
of enemy countries were not widely known, creating soil to invite enemy armies
called reinforcements at both the western and northern borders.
At this point, no one realized that the internal strife between the Restoration Faction and the Royalist Faction
that occurred earlier and its results were leading to inviting the greatest
crisis.
Except for the enemy camp...
But it was also a fact that there was no one who could
overlook everything and assess the situation enough to be blamed for this.
-----
Thank you for my Patrons !!
[Platinum]
-
[Gold]
B random
DavidA
Nepheos
ShitaiNoKootoRyuu
[Silver]
Corey Hicks
Creris
Frédéric Bertrand-Hudon
Matthew Fraser
Xavier O'Donoghue
Alan Sharman
Anton Lim
Austin Lorenzo
Ctdela
Curious Panda
Didntpassit
nick nasca
openope
rads
SD Fox
Read Advanced Chapters only on my Patreon
-----
