Chapter 323
(Kyle Calendar Year 514: Age 21)
Towards the Royal Capital Tournament
Translator : PolterGlast
Having spent the final night in Aegis and organizing
the situation until dawn, I was barely able to sleep because we departed early
in the morning. Therefore, rubbing my sleepy eyes, I clung to my horse and
returned to Kusanagi via Termira on a forced march.
On the way, we parted with His Majesty Krieger and
Her Highness Clarice who were heading to the Royal Capital at Termira,
and having switched to fresh horses several times from there as well, we were
arriving at Kusanagi in a mere half a day.
「Even so... it cannot be
underestimated. Even if you had established a system to prepare fresh horses
along the way, to be able to advance from Aegis to Kusanagi in
less than half a day...」
「Well... it is as Your Highness says.
Even in actual combat, the fact that we can deploy from the former Kingdom
territory to the front lines in less than half a day if only the leadership
hurries, and probably within a day even for an army, is extremely significant.
We are also proceeding with highway maintenance in the new territory, but it's
still... after this, if the maintenance of those 'Roadside Stations' and
telescopes, and balloons are ready, will it become a little better?」
The Third Prince and Sieghart were exchanging
meaningful words. They are probably thinking about the defensive deployment on
the southern side.
This time, I had disclosed several unique measures and
offered to sell some of the technologies.
The first of the unique measures is the 'Roadside Station'.
On the highway up to Kusanagi, including the elevated
road running from Aegis to Termina, we had established numerous
supply and logistics bases. Of course, those on the elevated road have a strong
military color and are not for general use, but on the main highway connecting Burg
in Count Cornell's territory to Kusanagi, we had set up rest
areas every 5 km, and large-scale Roadside Stations
every 10 km.
The rest areas have facilities for water supply, cooking,
and camping, and emergency rations and fodder are also prepared. In addition to
that, the Roadside Stations are equipped with a stationed soldier guardhouse, a
communication observation tower, a branch reception office,
nap facilities, eateries, and stalls, and we made it so that anyone can use
them for free, except for the eateries and stalls.
And above all, the Roadside Stations are prepared with a
fair number of fresh horses, preparations for emergency soup kitchens, and
massive amounts of lanterns.
These were maintained using the 'Mino Ogaeshi' carried out by Hideyoshi in Japanese history as a
reference. According to Nishida's memory, Hideyoshi is said to have
moved his army corps a distance of over 50 kilometers from Ogaki to Kinomoto in
about 5 hours. Of course, that is an unbelievable speed both at that time and
in this world.
It's one thing for a small number, but when a military force
of tens of thousands moves swiftly, a corresponding amount of preparation is
necessary, and the march inevitably takes time. And in this era, one cannot
easily move at night, and dangerous zones like the Demon Territory also
exist.
But we can do it! The starting points for that are the
Roadside Stations.
We made one prior promise with those who use the Roadside
Stations and those who conduct business there.
Use is free, and in exchange for letting merchants use the
land free of charge, we ask for their cooperation in the event of an emergency.
Of course, we will pay for newly incurred compensations, but
in the event of an emergency, we ask them to move according to the commands of
the stationed soldiers, such as opening stockpiled warehouses, preparing simple
meals (rice balls) for the soldiers, and setting up lanterns on the highway.
When an emergency movement and its scale are notified via
balloons or other communication methods, each Roadside Station contacts the
next station and simultaneously begins preparations to receive the military
forces.
Other than emergencies, we also conduct regular training
once a month, such as emergency deployment and night rushing, and there are
even people gathering from neighboring villages aiming for the temporary income
paid for responding to that.
「Besides, information that cannot be
conveyed by smoke signals can be conveyed in greater detail in an instant with
balloons. This is significant. And combining that with telescopes so as not to
miss the information... you really are a terrifying person.」
「No, no, we are already friendly
forces. Therefore, we decided to yield our secret weapons to you this time.
Including the know-how.」
「Hahaha, it couldn't be more
reassuring. Your foresight, you who always said 『I want to make them friends rather than enemies』, has been proven.」
「Well... that is true, but. I feel
like there's still something else...」
Well... there certainly is, but we're even on that, aren't
we? I myself still feel like Sieghart has some other purpose too.
「Well, exposing everything wouldn't
be interesting either. For both of us, right.」
「So there is something after all! Speaking
strictly of this communication network, the weakness is night time, right? But
since even I can think of it, surely you have a countermeasure...」
Hahaha, so he noticed this point too after all. I mean, you
guys have something too. You're neither affirming nor denying. Well, what I'm
disclosing now will come around to protect us too, and it's not a major secret
matter, so I'll just brush it off appropriately.
This time, I also received an order for 200 telescopes each
from the Third Prince and His Majesty Krieger. This is probably a
one-time thing. If they disassemble it, the mechanism will be understood as the
combination of lenses and their focal lengths, and if they take the time using
the technology of this world, they should be able to reproduce it too.
The unit price is high, but we're mutually treating it as a
price that includes that.
「Then Your Highness, Lord Sieghart,
if we proceed together from here on we will stand out, so this is where we part
ways. I pray for your great success in the south. Our prosperity depends on the
two of you. Please, without fail...」
「I am the one who must apologize for
intruding so suddenly. I am grateful for various things, and I would like to
return the favor in some form in the future. Looking forward to the day we can
gather in Aegis again!」
「Lord Takuhir... no, His
Majesty the Archduke, thank you very much for this time. And please take care
of the defense of the north.」
Sieghart's formal
demeanor was impressive. Then we passed through the north gate of Kusanagi
separately.
※
I, the Commander, and my direct elite subordinates dashed
through the city gate as we were and reached the garrison.
「Phew.」
「Hahaha, surely you must be tired
with various mental strains, right?」
「Well... the mental strain up until
now is one thing, but my sighs are probably about what lies ahead.
One trouble follows another. Because if we go to the Royal Capital, we're
liable to get dragged into something again.」
The Commander also had a serious face. Yes, because to my
comrades, my 'constitution of getting dragged into things' is a well-known
fact.
「Regarding that point, who do you
plan to take for the 10 competitors and the escorts?
I heard Marquis Gorman and Marquis Solis are also invited...」
「That's the thing. Thinking about the
unlikely event, we cannot head there with full force. Besides, if we show off
our power too much and are thought of as a threat, that would be troublesome.
That being said, being underestimated is also a problem, and finding the right
balance is difficult. Considering those things, I'll have the Commander and Christoph
stay behind in preparation for the unlikely event.」
「Understood.」
「Arrogantz and the other competition participants assigned to the Demon
Territory Knights from other houses will probably need to temporarily
return to their territories, and during that time, I'll have Gord take
charge of their soldiers.」
Arrogantz
is a competitor representing the Gorman territory. They likely cannot do
without him.
「Indeed, however... are you really
fine with Christoph?」
「Although we have a grace period, I
want to leave the legion commander class on the Izumo side this time. My
true intention is that I'd rather not take too many Mages either if
possible. Something happens anticipating my absence every time, after all. Besides...
I might be taking back my previous words, but I thought of something a little
interesting.」
「Hahaha, that is something to look
forward to. But when it comes to 10 people... won't it be a tough battle?」
「The excavation of talented
individuals in the Royal Capital and various places must be proceeding at a
tremendous momentum. In the first place, the population over there is
different. But right now, I want to find a new chance of winning precisely there.」
「A chance of winning, huh?」
Yes, if the crossbow spreads and many territory residents
come to participate, elite individuals
will emerge to a certain extent. The population in the Royal Capital and its
surroundings is on a different magnitude. If that happens, we, whose population
was originally only about 8,000, would probably be remarkably inferior in the
layer of human resources.
「People with skills on the level of Gail
or Gord will probably emerge easily. Including those who possess the
potential power of a Mage...」
「The thickness of the population
layer... and potential Mages... I see! Our chance of winning lies there.」
It seems the Commander also understood my intention.
First, the thickness of the population layer. On this point,
I have an unfair element for which the expression 'cheat' is too cute.
Even if they excavate individuals with outstanding skills in
the Royal Capital and its surroundings, the layer supporting it is only
hundreds of thousands. That's nothing much.
In the Istoria Imperial Kingdom, regardless of
status, they selected excellent individuals with the whole country mobilized,
and raised longbow soldiers with top priority. So to speak, they are the utmost
elites mobilized by an entire country. The layer supporting that is all
citizens, so it numbers in the millions.
And I have as many as 5,000 of such hand-picked individuals
under me. It's not just them. Among the families who immigrated, there were
also those who, like Aura in the past, aspired to be longbow soldiers
and had accumulated training since they were young. In that sense, we are
currently in an overwhelmingly advantageous position.
Incidentally, what was proposed by Christoph
previously was the selection and utilization of them.
And the second thing. 『Those who use the bow well, are those loved by the wind.』 There is such a saying. I believe
this tradition to a certain extent, and in fact, Marquis Gorman is
proceeding with the excavation of Wind Mages based on this.
I am also thinking of the tournament to be held in the Royal
Capital this time as an opportunity to newly excavate Wind Mages from
around the Royal Capital.
※
That was about half a year ago. I think it was the day
before we finally departed Termira and moved to Kusanagi leading
the military forces.
When I was introduced by Christoph to those who were
particularly exceptionally talented even with the crossbow, and furthermore
those among them who wished to undergo the Mage aptitude confirmation, I
could only be speechless.
「Don't tell me... this many?」
「For now, we selected 25 people
possessing skills to the extent of entering the top 10 among us. Of these,
there are 5 we recommend for the Mage aptitude confirmation...」
Saying so, Christoph smiled wryly.
「This is the first group. Our
investigation is not yet sufficient, and we have not reached the point of
confirming everyone...」
「Hahaha... my senses are going to get
a little weird. The hand-picked elites of a nation, and the hand-picked elites
among them, huh...」
Even so, they are lined up in a strange order. Is there some
meaning to it? There are 3 people in the very front row, 5 lined up behind
them, and 17 lined up behind them.
「The 3 in the front row seem to have
a particularly good affinity with the crossbow. They are people who have the
potential to transform into the same level as Carleen, or even Aura
if handled poorly.」
The ones introduced saying so were, for some reason, all 3
women. To me with a puzzled face, Christoph supplemented.
「They are all people introduced by
the Imperial Kingdom Liaison Council. Although they originally possessed
a natural talent for shooting skills, they had bad affinity with the longbow
which requires considerable physical strength, and never saw the light of day.
Even so, unable to give up, they discarded power and range, focused their aim
on precision shooting, and polished their skills, I'm told.」
「At such a time, they encountered the
crossbow in our country, and came across a place where their talent could be
utilized?」
「Yes, exactly as you say. To add to
that, all 3 are candidates for Wind Mages.」
Christoph
spoke only the last words in a low voice so that only I could hear.
「The ones waiting in the second row
are hand-picked outstanding talents even among the longbow soldiers. Once they
get used to the crossbow, they will probably be able to use it to the same
extent as me or better.」
Saying so, Christoph showed a fearless smile. If the
steadfast him says that much, he must have considerable confidence.
「Seriously...」
I muttered so unintentionally, and looked over the 5
kneeling men. I see... they have good visages.
「The 17 at the very back, if it were
the level of past tournaments, anyone of them is at a level to aim for victory
in the individual match. Well... they need getting used to the crossbow,
especially handling it for moving targets.」
「Right. From the perspective of
people used to the bow, they would probably be bewildered by that area. Since
we're at it, please open the military-exclusive training facility established
in Aegis to them as well. Accommodate them with the operation of the
shooting range in Ishtar too.」
「Lord Takuhir, if I may?」
The Commander, who had been listening silently until here,
raised his hand. Confirming that I nodded silently, the Commander continued his
words.
「Since we're at it, how about having
the former Empire soldiers also tackle crossbow training?」
I see, that's also a possibility. Especially those from the
Iron Cavalry are an elite group excelling in martial arts even within the
Empire.
「Are you saying to excavate talented
individuals from there too?」
「Hahaha, I wasn't thinking that far,
but I am thinking of having them tackle it in earnest taking this opportunity.
Originally, the Iron Cavalry adopted the tactic of charging in heavy armor and
trampling the enemy army. But with just that, the operation is simple, lacks
breadth in tactics, and isn't interesting. Besides...」
「You mean our strategy is based
precisely on mobility, right?」
「Exactly as you say. The Iron Cavalry
is outstanding in breakthrough power, but lacks maneuverability. Because of
that, we were also able to prepare a trap for them. I myself have no intention
of abolishing the Iron Cavalry, but I also have no intention of adhering to it.」
「Understood. While maintaining the
appearance of the Iron Cavalry, we will flexibly change its operation. Meaning,
to the extent that they can serve as horse archers in an emergency? Of course,
I want to entrust everything to the Commander.」
「Thank you very much.」
※
It had already been 4 months since such an exchange.
Therefore, for us right now, although we should have reduced the options of
people to participate in the tournament, depending on how you look at it, the
options have increased many times over.
Entrusting several meetings and military responses to the
Commander and Christoph, and internal affairs responses to the Minister
of Internal Affairs (Raymond) and Alexis, we headed to the Royal
Capital.
With new motives and purposes...
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