Chapter 355
(Kyle Calendar Year 515: Age 22)
Oath to Goddess Ishtar
Translator : PolterGlast
Behind Gail,
who commanded the left wing army closest to the border, the Supreme Commander Alexis
was standing by with the central army. Gail rode his horse alone through
the left wing formation and headed to the Supreme Commander Alexis. As
soon as he arrived, he was guided to the tent of the main camp, but Marquis Solis
had already visited there. The purpose was probably the same: to inquire about
how to deal with the invading people.
Thinking so, Gail
bowed to his former master, Marquis Solis, and then turned back to the Supreme
Commander Alexis. Already in this place, not only the two of them but
also generals hailing from the Imperial Kingdom had been summoned.
「I know
the reason everyone came asking. There was contact from the espionage unit
network as well. Even so, the enemy has splendidly struck the two weaknesses we
have.」
Saying so with a wry
smile, Alexis let out a heavy
sigh. That was something anyone could understand. That is precisely why Alexis
probably dared to call the generals hailing from the Imperial Kingdom as
well. The person in question, Alexis, looked around at everyone, then
used his baton to point to a large map spread out before him showing the entire
northern frontier area of the Empire territory.
「To put
it simply, we will first buy time through harassment. Here, here, and here—we
are going to set up mechanisms to block their projected paths of advance.」
As Alexis said this,
the locations he pointed out were all situated about a half-day's retreat from their current positions, and
every single one of them featured distinct terrain. He was pointing exclusively
to places like spots where bridges crossed rivers that could not be forded on
foot, or narrow chokepoints where dense forests and marshlands sprawled
alongside the main highways.
「Actually,
the place where Gail-san is encamped is also a perfect point, but
unfortunately we don't have enough time.」
「Are you
saying we retreat without fighting?」
Marquis Solis
asked back with a dubious expression. Not because he was dissatisfied with the
order, but because he hadn't fully read its intent.
「Yeah...
I think it depends on how you look at it. If they intend to effectively deploy
a 'human wall', they need to move clustered together to some extent. And,
behind them?」
「The
main unit is standing by.」
「Exactly
as you say. Our opponent is the main unit. But they are hiding in the back.
Then we just need to put them at the very front.」
「I see,
when marching they are at the very rear, but when the path is blocked and they
can neither advance nor detour, and they retreat to change direction, the very
rear becomes the very front row. You mean closing the exit and setting a trap?」
「Yes,
after hearing the report, I immediately issued instructions to all Mages.
It's rushed construction, but if it's a narrow, limited place... we can
probably somehow make it in time.」
「When
the people advancing at the front lose their place to go and have no choice but
to retreat temporarily, that is the decisive moment, is it not?」
「Yes,
that is the chance of winning without causing meaningless sacrifices for us.
Just in case, we will probably need additional countermeasures on their assumed
route all the way to Izumo ahead.」
Surprised by that, Gail
unintentionally voiced his doubt.
「All
the way to Izumo? If we threaten them a little with intimidating attacks
and such, won't they pull back too?」
「Just
in case. It's not guaranteed they will proceed along the path I assumed. Let's
have Masrur-san thoroughly evacuate the territory residents by saying
the highways will be closed. It would be fine if we threaten the invading
people and they cower or run away there, but... If they turn into a mob and
fall into a state of panic, they will truly become unmanageable.」
There, Alexis
completely changed from his usual relaxed state and looked at the two with a
serious gaze.
「As the
Supreme Commander, I order you. If the people of Istoria turn into a
mob, if they attack the people of the Empire
or the Dukedom, or if you judge that
our soldiers will be harmed, immediately carry out an attack with full force! I
will shoulder the entirety of the blame—therefore, I leave the decisions on the
ground to the discretion of the frontline.」
Saying so, he next
directed his gaze to the generals hailing from the Istoria Imperial Kingdom.
「I
think it's painful for you too. However, I cannot permit you to protect them
out of compassion and conversely fall yourselves. Even without weapons, they
have already violated the border of a belligerent nation. This fact alone is a
reason for them to be punished. I will do my utmost best... but please forgive
me.」
Saying so, he bowed
his head.
「First,
allow me to express my deepest gratitude for the Commander’s profound
consideration for the people. We, too, were once among those who called the Kyle
Kingdom apostles of the devil and pointed our blades at you. They, too, are
merely acting on false information—or rather, they are being instigated by
agitators.」
Saying so, Glenn
looked around at his compatriots in the back row. Every single one of them
nodded back to Glenn with eyes showing their resolve.
「However,
we are already the Archduke's people, soldiers bearing the duty to protect our
new motherland with the Demon Territory Dukedom as our final home. To restrain our former
brethren and loose our arrows to defend this new country is our duty. Should
that time come, we beg you to grant us the honor of the vanguard!」
「「「We
swear to our God, Goddess Ishtar!」」」
Along with Glenn's
words, they said so and pressed their foreheads to the ground all at once.
Seeing that, a single memory floated into Alexis's mind. The people of
the Istoria Imperial Kingdom believe in Ishtar, the Goddess of
Bows and Healing. Therefore, the people of the Imperial Kingdom deeply
revered Wind Mages who
symbolize the bow, and Holy Mages
who symbolize healing, especially the women among the divine messengers who exercised these
attributes. That is precisely why Glenn and the others treated Marianne
and Lanatoria with extraordinary reverence and respect, more than just
for having their lives saved.
「I
see... in the Special Fire Corps, Aura-san also remained, didn't she.
Shall we have her play a part too...」
He muttered so
quietly. Then he stood up and issued a new order.
「We
have no more time to lose! Especially
the left wing vanguard is closest to the enemy and must be eagerly awaiting
orders. The left wing shall retreat leaving only those who have horses ready;
the right wing shall retreat after observing the marching status of the people!
Masrur's unit shall cease persuasion before sunset today and shift to
evacuation advisories for the areas to the rear from here. We who retreat will
ultimately assemble in the center of the region where we will hold them up, and
take a posture for a flank attack!」
「「「「「Ooh!」」」」」
Receiving this
instruction, Gail and Marquis Solis returned to their respective
posts.
「Now
then... it would be good if they responded to persuasion, but it will probably
be difficult... The problem is the 20,000 standing by behind them, huh. I'm
sorry, but I'll be going unreservedly against you guys.」
Muttering so, Alexis
began moving busily based on the new operational plan.
※
Shortly after
sunset, bonfires were being lit grandly around the left wing barricade where Gail
and his men had initially holed up. But of course, these were not done by Gail
and the others. When the sun set and the entire surrounding area was enveloped
in darkness, songs praising God echoed from various places.
But that was merely
a deception. Even though it was far away, as a result of refusing evacuation,
they were merely making the people sing songs so they wouldn't hear the screams
and voices of resentment from the territory residents of the Empire captured by them.
「Good
work, everyone. No No matter how fierce the Demon King's Army may be, they will
surely be utterly helpless against the march of the Gods' Apostles. Since the grace of the Goddess Ishtar is upon you all,
take today's sustenance first, and prepare for the march starting tomorrow.」
Receiving meals from
the men who said so and thanked them for their efforts, the people who had
marched a long way returned to their assigned campsites. While feeling the
satisfaction of having accomplished a journey walking toward God's side without
weapons, and being thankful for the provisions that were a gift from God...
After that, songs
praising God continued to be sung hither and thither in the campsite, echoing
into the darkness of the night. Within that darkness of the night, there were
men who laid low and slipped into the campsite. One of them approached a man
who was keeping watch without sleeping beside a bonfire, with a particularly
conspicuous bright red cloth tied around his waist.
「Yo,
isn't it Reim. Sorry you have to keep watch without sleeping. If just
keeping watch is enough, shall I take your place?」
「Hahaha,
I just switched a moment ago too. I'd appreciate it if you could be my
conversation partner if you have free time.」
「That's
a cheap request. After all, if we accumulate even a little merit here, we can
get closer to Ishtar-sama's side.」
After saying so, the
man sat next to Reim and checked the surroundings. And confirming that
there were no figures or hiding spots, he began speaking in a small voice
again.
「Boss
(Vice Captain), I was looking for you. Why have you taken off the marker hood?」
「Hahaha,
it stands out for better or worse. Besides, if I wear something like that, I'd end up with a bandit
face like the Boss (Raphael). I wouldn't look like a pious believer,
would I?」
「Hahaha,
a bandit and a heavy drinker; looking at our unit, we certainly have a bad
vibe, don't we.」
「I
don't want to be told that by you.」
The man who
suppressed his voice and laughed at Reim also had the appearance of a
ruffian at first glance. He and the unit he led were also former Istoria
Imperial Kingdom soldiers, and because they joined the espionage unit
adoring Raphael, it would be no exaggeration to call them birds of a
feather.
「So,
how is the situation in the neighboring villages?」
「A
terrible state... The 20,000 following behind, they attacked all the villages
south of here. They snatched everything away by the roots.」
The man conveyed the
information he had grasped so far with an expression of bitterness. The fate
awaiting the villages along the path the 20,000 regular army advanced was
harsh.
·
To those who accepted conversion and provided
supplies, no looting was conducted, and their fields were secured until
harvest.
·
For those who accepted conversion but had no
supplies to provide, the men were forcibly reduced to serfs, and the women and
children were made to participate in the march as hostages.
·
Those who refused conversion were all stripped
of their wealth and food by the roots, and on top of that, many of the men were
killed, and the women and children were taken away to be sold off.
「What a
horrific story. With this, to the people of the Empire, the Imperial Kingdom would look like the devil's
minions, wouldn't it?」
「Yes...
Even if we had to use force, we should have taken them away with us. Those who
fled into the mountainous regions might have escaped the disaster and managed
to survive in small numbers, but...」
「Even
so, they are people of the Empire.
There's nothing we can do but help them evacuate. So, how many are in the march
praising God?」
「About
100 people. Of course, all of them are guys from the Imperial Kingdom.
All of them are those who understand the prayers to Ishtar and the
doctrines.」
Yes, precisely
because they were a motley crew of refugees driven out to act as shields
normally, there was an opening for them to infiltrate. If they are Imperial
Kingdom people who believe in the same Goddess Ishtar, no one can
see through them as spies.
「Hmm...
we will rescue as many of our compatriots as possible, those who were made to
believe falsehoods without knowing anything, just like us in the past. But if
they turn into a mob...」
「I
know. We must correct the sins of our compatriots.」
They nodded to each other with eyes hiding resolve, and drawn by the song heard from around them, began to offer a song to God. As if to apologize to their compatriots...
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