Chapter 278
Expedition ② — Liberation of Salaam
Translator : PolterGlast
While Takuhir and his group stared dumbfounded from a
distance at the remnants of the Principality rebel army drinking alcohol in
various places on the castle walls, there were others who watched their state
from afar in the same way and chuckled to themselves.
"Boss, it's just as the Master said. Look at them,
neglecting defense of the castle walls and drinking alcohol despite this
situation."
"Yeah, you're right. When the Master said, 'Secretly
place sake barrels in various places along with food,' I wondered why,
but..."
"In this war, they have no just cause. Only greed. Since
the higher-ups are like that, the subordinates follow suit. With
the defeats so far, they must keenly understand the terror of the Kingdom
Army—no, the Demon Territory Count Army. To distract themselves from the
fear of battle and anxiety about the future, they'd want to drink a little.
With no one to control or admonish them, once they start drinking, they can't
stop. They drown in alcohol, reducing themselves to no better than bandits
rather than soldiers."
Indeed, after suffering
defeat at Kleirat where they thought they could win perfectly, and seeing the barrier gate they believed to be an impregnable defense
being easily broken through; the rebel soldiers routed and fled into Salaam.
In this process, the upper echelon leading the army was
annihilated, and with soldiers numbering more than ten times the Salaam
garrison fleeing in, the chain of command was disrupted, resulting in a state
completely out of control.
Therefore, as Zahark reported to Takuhir,
violence, looting, and assault by soldiers were rampant in the town, and things
were out of hand.
And on this day, influential people of the city, requested
by Raphael through Zahark, carried food and alcohol to them under
the guise of a comfort visit.
"By the way, what about the evacuation of the
townspeople?"
"As per the Master's instructions, we evacuated them
inconspicuously from the main gate and around this rear gate area as soon as
the sun went down. Also, places likely to become battlegrounds, like the
garrison station."
"I see, that helps. So, Zahark, what about the
ones who will go around setting fire behind their backs?"
"About 50 from my subordinates will move upon the
signal."
"Hmm... we borrowed hands to prevent the spread of war
damage as much as possible, but make sure not to push them too hard
either."
"Hahaha, my subordinates are all quirky guys,
daredevils who don't know the value of life. On the contrary, if you tell them about restraint, caution, or holding back, they'd just be bewildered."
"If it's the men from your place, Boss, that's
certainly true."
Zahark and Halim
laughed aloud.
"I see... In the future, including such men, those
willing to work honestly will be picked up collectively by the Demon Territory
Count. Even a roughneck with a bandit face like this is now a noble, after
all..."
Raphael laughed
self-deprecatingly.
He himself, in a position entrusted with espionage by the Demon
Territory Count, wants more trustworthy and capable comrades. The ability
of Zahark, who newly threw himself into the Demon Territory Count's
camp, sufficiently exceeded his expectations.
"Now then, shall we get moving soon too? How's the
signal?"
"Yes, lanterns, a specialty of the Demon Territory
Count's domain, are hung at various places on the castle walls. I believe
it has been conveyed to the Demon Territory Count that our preparations
are perfect and action will commence shortly."
"I see, then shall we begin?"
Saying so, Raphael looked at the rebel soldiers
exchanging cups on the castle walls with pitying eyes. Just as Raphael
predicted, to forget the fear of battle, they were drinking alcohol in various
places and boasting with bravado to drive away the fear.
"The city of Salaam has solid defenses in
preparation for monster attacks. It's impossible for even a few thousand enemy
troops to take it! So we just have to close the city gates tight, drink with
peace of mind, and wait for reinforcements."
"Hahaha, the Kingdom Army numbers only around 5,000;
they can't empty the border and surge here. If that happens, their numbers will
decrease more. In other words, our job is already done; no, we've had
enough."
"Even if they attack with full force, they'll have
nowhere to run and be like rats in a bag. No, I hope they do. We need to teach
those cocky bastards a lesson. I'll avenge our dead comrades."
Downing cups to distract themselves from fear and talking of
a future convenient for themselves, they had no way of noticing Takuhir
and his group secretly preparing for attack in the darkness and gradually
approaching.
Then suddenly, a war cry rose from the opposite direction,
the direction of the main gate.
"E-Enemy attack?" "Wh-Where? Who on earth
attacked?" "It's the main gate!" "No, those voices are
already beyond the main gate and inside
the city!" "The Kyle Kingdom Army surged in with a large army
of 20,000!" "T-T-Twenty thousand? That's impossible!" "They
already took the main gate and entered the city!" "What!
Such..." "Run quickly! We can't win!" "It's hopeless,
retreat to Fairy." "W-What's going on? What... is
happening?"
Flustered, they were misled by voices of Zahark's
subordinates fueling the urgent situation besides the soldiers. Then, the agitators moved to the second stage of action.
"Hey, who’s that!
Who's trying to open the city gate without permission!" "Who cares!
We can't win against 20,000!" "Those who want to fight, do your best
here. Buy time for us to escape safely!" "Kuh, I... won't be left
behind!"
Without a proper chain of command and under the influence of
alcohol, they had no leeway to make calm judgments. And even more so since Zahark's
subordinates were guiding them disguised as enemy soldiers. Even those who
blamed their comrades' actions until a moment ago ran out of the city ahead of
others as soon as the city gate opened fully before they knew it.
Yes, into the darkness where Takuhir and his group
were prepared to intercept...
"The gate really opened. And to think they routed and
came straight towards our formation... Raphael-dono's skill is splendid."
"Folk! Orders to the messenger behind! Begin the three strikes on
Leia's signal! Leia, fire the signal at them on my
instruction."
I stared at the soldiers rushing out of the city gate toward
us. The distance between us and the city gate is about 500 m; until their vanguard
cuts below 100 m...
"Anti-flash defense, bell! Prepare!"
Hearing my instruction, about 1,000 in the rear rows either
hid their forward vision with shields or covered their eyes with their hands.
We at the front put on simple goggles with glass blackened by soot.
This way, we can clearly see the enemy figures emerging in
the flash. Also to guide the arrows fired afterward.
"Leia, now!"
With my shout, those running toward us were swallowed by a
dazzling light that suddenly appeared from the front.
"Gaah!" "B-Bright, my head feels like
splitting." "My eyes, I can't see."
Against the flustered enemy, a volley of crossbow attacks
struck in time with the third stroke of the bell. Those who came here as
reinforcements from the Royal Capital and Kleirat had all
received crossbows at Kleirat. As long as they can pull the trigger, Brandt
and Folk will
guide them with wind magic. Therefore, nearly 1,000 arrows rained down on them
at once.
"We will now charge into Salaam. Follow
me!"
We swept away the enemy army, which was confused by arrows
and in a state of annihilation, passed through the city gate, joined Raphael,
Zahark, Halim, and the others who had infiltrated earlier, and
suppressed the city in one go.
Meanwhile,
on the main gate side, due to the sudden appearance of the enemy army and the
sabotage inside the walls, confusion reigned supreme. Before they could even
mount a proper response, we who had suppressed the rear gate surged to the main
gate side, and they threw down their weapons and surrendered.
The capture of Salaam, which should normally have
involved reasonable time and sacrifices, ended in a complete victory with
almost no sacrifices overnight.
Of course, this result is because there were collaborators
inside the city like Zahark and Halim.
Once suppression was complete and a temporary garrison
headquarters was established in a corner of the city, I gathered the key
personnel to determine future policy.
"First, I want all officers and soldiers to be
thoroughly informed. Strictly forbid looting, assault, and causing trouble for
the city residents! Thoroughly enforce this with subordinate soldiers! This
includes surrendered enemy soldiers. Those who commit violence and stain the
Kingdom's honor will be punished severely regardless of rank. I won't say it
twice!"
Saying so, I looked around at those gathered. For the Demon
Territory Knights, since such things are thoroughly enforced daily, there
is probably nothing to worry about. The Royal Capital Knights Third Army
is probably fine too. The only worry is the 1,000-strong infantry unit that
participated as reinforcements last.
"Listen well, you lot. Understand that staining Her
Highness Clarice's honor is a sin heavier than death."
I dared to declare it oppressively, but the Commander was
also nodding happily. He must feel the same way I do.
After all, regarding the treatment of prisoners and such,
even in the Kyle Kingdom, we and Margrave Hamish's group are
outside common sense, and normally looting in occupied territories is
overlooked as a way for soldiers to blow off steam...
"Commander, Raphael, what is the current status
of the enemy army?"
"I am confirming with Commander Weiss, but tentatively
nearly 200 slain, nearly 600 surrendered or wounded and taken prisoner. There
are probably about 100 still fleeing inside the city. However, around 100 might
have fled outside the city amidst the confusion."
"These 100 are a bit troublesome. Even if it becomes
known eventually that we occupied Salaam, I want it to be as late as
possible. I want to earn whatever time I can earn..."
Receiving the Commander's words, Zahark, making eye
contact with Halim, raised his hand timidly.
"My apologies. We have about 50 men lurking on the
highway leading north from the city, 50 on the south, and about 100 at the
western docks, stripping those who scattered and fled. Did we... stain Her
Highness the Princess's honor?"
At their solemn words turning pale, the Commander and I were
impressed, then almost burst out laughing.
"Zahark, before this battle started, I think I
requested something like this. Capture enemy soldiers fleeing from Salaam
within a reasonable range, and I leave dealing with those who refuse surrender
to you. I can't pay the price to move people, but I will
provide payment in kind with the possessions of fleeing soldiers... right?
Well, from here on, treat those who surrender courteously and hand them over to
us."
Saying so, I winked at him who looked pale. Of course, I
made no such request, but it is also a fact that his wit helped us. Moreover,
they are victims whose city was ravaged, and they are citizens of the Principality.
"For now, deploy the 1,000 infantry to guard the
defensive walls until tomorrow, resting 250 in shifts. Commander, please have
the Demon Territory Knights handle perimeter patrol of this city and
rest in shifts. Royal Capital Knights, handle the aftermath of the city
and maintenance of public order while resting in shifts. When the sun rises,
all cavalry will advance in various directions, so don't forget to prepare for
that."
Then I stepped forward in front of Zahark, Halim,
and the city representatives they brought.
"Although it was to liberate this city and acting in
accordance with the reinforcement request of the Fearalt King, I deeply
apologize for involving this city in the ravages of war. Regarding city repair,
we will cooperate as much as possible. We will pay the price, so can I ask you
to arrange laborers? Also, we intend to conduct procurement of supplies and
personal shopping at fair prices. However, please spare us, who are
unaccustomed to it, from the negotiations that proceed in stages, which is the
custom of this city."
They, who had softened their expressions at my words, all
burst into laughter at my last words. Yes, shopping where negotiation is a
premise; I wanted to be spared only from that.
Well, that won't be a problem if we go through Zahark
or Halim, but since we are stationed here, soldiers might buy things
personally. Having forbidden looting and forced buying, I wanted to avoid
soldiers being ripped off due to unfamiliarity.
"To say such gracious words even though you liberated
the city from ruffians. I thank you again. The residents of the city all feel a
great debt of gratitude. So regarding shopping, there is no need for worry, but
we will also issue a notice. And we will definitely flush out and capture the
ruffians lurking in the city ourselves."
"Zahark, Halim, and everyone at the Tia
Trading Company, the series of achievements in this battle will be recorded
in official records, and eventually, I will pay a price befitting those
achievements. For the time being, I will order meals for the soldiers and
provisions for the future from your two companies, so I entrust the
arrangements to you."
"Thank you for your generous words." "Truly
thank you as always."
The two prostrated themselves with emotion. Seeing that, the
city representatives also prostrated themselves with relieved expressions.
Later, as the only Kyle Kingdom territory existing within the Fearalt Principality, Salaam would develop greatly as a free trade city starting from this moment, maintaining a close relationship with the Demon Territory Count, but details will be told at a later date.
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