Chapter 277
Expedition ① — Counter-Invasion
Translator : PolterGlast
Two days after we seized the barrier gate on the Fearalt Principality
side at the western border of the Kyle Kingdom and pacified the
surrounding area, messengers visited us from both the east and west.
The one from the east was from the Old Raccoon of the Royal
Capital, Chief of General Staff Klein.
Come to think of it... 'Chief of General Staff' is a strange
term, isn't it? As someone who likes war history and is a bit of a military
otaku, it doesn't feel out of place to me at all. But apparently, this term has
been used in this country since long ago. Could this also be the influence of
the first King Kyle?
Somehow, it sounds like a modern military organization...
『After
pacifying the western border area, I grant the Demon Territory Count
permission to act on his own judgment.
This includes responding to the request of the Fearalt King and
pacifying the surrounding area as reinforcements to the Principality. However,
continue to secure the border vicinity and prioritize preventing re-invasion
into the Kingdom. Currently, we are dispatching 5,000 reinforcements
from Kylar as replenishment personnel for Kleirat and the western
border, so place them under your command as necessary.』
Hmm... despite saying free action, he sure is laying out
specific guidelines for my actions, isn't he? Well, it's the same as always.
For the time being, we can't move until reinforcements
arrive, so we have no choice but to prepare our interception formation and construct encampments.
After thinking so, I looked over the other letter. This was
from Zahark, the boss of the city of Salaam, who is also
connected to the underworld.
『To
His Excellency the Demon Territory Count. Currently, the city of Salaam is overflowing with
routed soldiers, and public order is terribly disrupted. The number of routed
soldiers is approximately 1,000. All residents of the city await the Demon
Territory Count's visit as a liberator. Note that we have arranged
to open the city gates from the inside, and in coordination from within, attack
key points and disrupt the routed soldiers.』
I see... he is quite capable as well. Undertaking
espionage, sabotage, and disruption single-handedly, and preparing for them
independently.
Halim recommended him too; it might be interesting to give
him some kind of role after the war. He seems well-versed with underworld affairs, and for some reason, he also shows
abnormal respect for Yoltia.
While thinking about such things, we proceeded with construction
centered on Earth Mages like Elan, digging new moats and building
baileys on the Principality side of the barrier gate, installing catapults for
normal attacks transported by Bart and Kaul, and reconstructing
the defense system of the barrier gate.
Then, in the morning of the following day, while it was
still early, the reinforcements from the Royal
Capital that the Old Raccoon had mentioned arrived. Led by someone who was
definitely not a reinforcement from the Royal Capital...
"Your Highness, I deeply appreciate you taking the
trouble to come all this way for a 'comfort visit.' The soldiers' morale has
reached its peak with Your Highness's visit."
Hearing the news and going out to welcome them, I said this
first thing in front of the lined-up generals.
Toward me, who welcomed her politely according to etiquette,
Princess Clarice was looking this way with a displeased face. She
probably didn't like that I dared to express it as a comfort visit. Behind Her
Highness, starting with Yuka and Carla, her direct guards looked
awkward.
"I thank the Demon Territory Count himself for
welcoming our 'reinforcement unit.' As you may have already heard, post-war
processing in Kleirat is almost complete. Therefore, following Duke Klein's
order, I came here. We have reorganized the troops sent as reinforcements and
the local soldiers; some will reinforce Corps Commander Schultz, others will remain to continue the work, and here, I have
selected 3,000 combat-ready troops capable of participating in new battles to
be of assistance to the Demon Territory
Count."
Tch! This battle-loving muscle-brained girl, even though I went out of my way to leave her
behind... did she back down obediently at that time aiming for a subsequent
opportunity? Furthermore, arriving at this
time means she probably left the midway encampment on the way before dawn. Did
she want to rush here even hurrying that much?
I thought so, but I can't say that here.
"Then, first, give the soldiers a meal and sufficient
rest. We will now enter a war council."
I couldn't turn her away at the gate, so I decided to
welcome her in for now, gather only limited key personnel, and hold a war
council to determine future plan.
Those summoned were Demon Territory Knight Commander Weiss,
Gord, Raphael, and Her Highness and Yuka.
And as soon as we were seated...
"First, since someone has to say it, I dare to say it.
Your Highness! Why did you ignore Duke Klein's order and come
here?"
"..."
After a moment of surprise, she looked away. Just as I
suspected, an order to return to Kylar must have reached her.
"Since you have already come this far, it can't be
helped. Though reluctantly, I permit you to accompany our army. However! This
is already the Principality, not the Western Front. Therefore, the commander is
not Your Highness, but me, who received the mission to subjugate the rebel
army. Do you understand that I currently have the authority to refuse Your
Highness's accompaniment?"
"Yes... I understand."
"Then next, I offer my gratitude. I heard from Yuka
on the way here. Facing scenes of the battlefield aftermath that one would want
to turn away from, tasks we originally had to perform, Your Highness took the
lead, stood at the forefront, and responded without sleep or rest; thereby
encouraging many and progressing the work quickly. I thank you again."
"I... Even if it was to protect my homeland, I bear
responsibility for scattering many lives, both friend and foe, in a cruel
battle. I have an obligation to bury their remains courteously and apologize,
at the very least. At the same time, for those in our army who fell with regrets, I have an obligation to see the outcome of
this war through to the end..."
"Oh..."
Commander Weiss also leaked a short word of
admiration at her words. For them, including Gord and Raphael who
were originally commoners, royalty and Her Highness the Princess were
existences above the clouds and beyond, and they came to know her true
intentions, which were unlike what one would generally expect from royalty.
"Those feelings are worthy of adoration and respect.
Therefore, this time I will respect Your Highness's will. However, ahead is
enemy territory. There is a sufficient possibility that our positions will be
reversed and we will fall into unexpected traps. Please promise to prioritize
your life and safety, following my command authority on this point."
"Yes... understood."
"Then, I will convey the operation policy again from
here. First, we will leave 1,000 as defense at this barrier gate. Please
solidify the defense without taking a single step out of the barrier gate.
Next, 1,000 will be assigned to perimeter patrol duties. Secure the retreat
path from the city of Salaam, which is half a day away by horse from
here. Our main force, 5,000 cavalry and 1,000 infantry, will liberate the city
of Salaam and make this a bridgehead."
"Since it's centered on cavalry, capturing a city with
solidified defenses will become a siege battle and be somewhat troublesome.
There will probably be many people other than enemy soldiers in the city
too."
"Yes, it is as the Commander says. However, those who
can open the city gates to welcome us and carry out sabotage in various places
have already infiltrated the city."
Here I disclosed the content written in the letter from Zahark.
"To think you had already made moves this far, I am
impressed. As expected."
"No, I haven't done anything..."
I answered quietly. As always, I could only take measures in
advance because I knew or could predict the result. Supported by the excellent
people around me.
But from now on, including now, in a future I don't know, I
will surely show my flaws somewhere. Before I knew it, I had come to fear the
too-high expectations of those around me at times.
"Commander, can I ask you to command the cavalry, which
will be the main offensive force? First, pretend to be a large army and gather
the enemy's attention. I leave the detailed arrangements to you, Commander. In that
gap, I will lead the infantry and attack from the rear gate, the back of the
city. Gord, I'm entrusting you with 2,000 men for the defense of the
gate and as a perimeter suppression force. This is our linchpin, so I'm
counting on you."
"Roger!" "Yes sir!"
After answering following the Commander, Gord raised
his hand timidly.
"I gladly accept the order. However, regarding
commanding them... I am a commoner with no rank or title..."
"Your Highness, that is the situation. Please be Gord's
backing."
"Wh-..."
Princess Clarice, who naturally assumed she would
participate in the assault force, raised a voice of surprise and
dissatisfaction.
If they were members of the Demon Territory Knights
or the Royal Capital Knights Third Army, they would naturally know Gord
and obey orders obediently. But they are not in the stay-behind unit. It's a
mixed army of noble forces and others with absolutely no connection to him at
all.
"It can't be helped, can it? It's the
Commander-in-Chief's order. In exchange, could you promise me something? After capturing the city of Salaam, I will go there
too. You will promise me that, won't you?"
"..., only after
safety is confirmed, okay?"
"Yes, it would be a waste to come all the way to a
foreign country and return without seeing the city."
I was a little relieved that she obeyed obediently here.
Letting Raphael's disruption unit go ahead, we
departed during the day to retake Salaam. Leaving Princess Clarice
and Gord as the defense force.
Then, arriving at the outskirts of Salaam city as
dusk approached, we split into the main force and another group to start the
operation.
"Maintain breakthrough formation from here and wait for
the signal inside the defensive wall. This time, we who visited this city
before and have local intuition will take the lead, so Claire and Yoltia
to my left and right. I leave the outside of that to Sigurd and Carla.
Leia and Shannon, don't leave my rear. Brandt, Volk,
I leave the rearguard to you! So you can react to Shannon's warning
anytime."
"Yes sir!"
Everyone replied with slightly tense voices, yet without a
speck of fear. In the darkness, we stood at the head of the infantry unit and
advanced slowly.
剣
Sword (Takuhir)
攻防 攻防
Offense/Defense Offense/Defense
(Claire) (Yoltia)
剣 剣
Sword Sword
(Carla) (Sigurd)
索敵 攪乱
Search Disruption
(Shannon) (Leia)
剣防 剣防
Sword/Defense Sword/Defense
(Brandt) (Volk)
鐘（連絡兵）
Bell (Liaison Soldier)
In this formation, the three swords in the front row handle close-quarters combat;
Claire plays a role integrating offense and defense with fire magic
attacks and deploying walls of flame; Yoltia handles defense with
invisible gravity walls and immobilizing enemies standing in the way by
deploying gravity walls during advance.
In the case of night attacks, Shannon handles
searching and sounding alarms for enemies and arrow attacks, and Leia
handles blinding with light.
Brandt and Volk
in the back row not only protect the rear with swords but also deploy
wind magic to protect allies from arrow attacks.
This combination was an assault formation capable of being
unrivaled with a small number of people,
a result tested many times in the Commander's training. And
behind where we swept through, general soldiers follow.
"Most likely, Raphael and the others who went
ahead have arranged things well. We have to be careful not to harm the people
of the city..."
"Even so, it is a bit concerning how completely
unguarded they are. Normally, they should always have lookouts stationed around
the city to keep watch..."
"As Claire-san says, only the bonfires are grand, but I can hear some
lively voices from atop the city wall."
As Yoltia said, to us lurking in the darkness,
something like lively laughter could be heard occasionally.
At that moment, Shannon stepped forward to my side.
"Reporting.
As Yoltia-san
pointed out, it seems they are... drinking alcohol."
"Huh?"
I doubted my ears at that report and unintentionally raised
a strange voice. Is their morale disrupted to that extent?
In the surrounding darkness, we stared dumbfounded at the city wall protecting the city of Salaam, which was brightly illuminated.
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