Chapter 395
(Kyle Calendar Year 515: Age 22)
Southern Front ⑪ –What is the
New Hope?
Translator : PolterGlast
Having won the Second
Siege of Big Bridge, Takuhir and the others holed up in
the fort for a while even after entering the castle. There were, of course,
several reasons for that. What they needed to prioritize the most was post-war
processing. Around the fort, the corpses of the enemy army amounting to 12,000 were left abandoned, and leaving them as is would bring
about a severe disaster at a later date. Because in the fort, which mainly
obtained its water supply from abundant groundwater, there was a concern about
the influence corpse poison seeping underground would have on the drinking
water and becoming a source of an epidemic breakout. Moreover, a great number
of injured were also left behind on the battlefield.
Faced with this, Sieghart gathered that enormous number of corpses in one place,
cremated them, and politely mourned them. On the other hand, upon recovering
the injured amounting to 3,000, Takuhir
had the accompanying Holy Mages
treat them. Regarding this matter, because the circumstances of the enemy
army's invasion this time were what they were, there were some on the Empire side who raised slight voices of objection, but Sieghart
countered them.
「How are their actions any different
from the Empire Army that invaded from the border as invaders time and time
again? Is it not an overly selfish claim towards those who have continued to
take a response overflowing with affection even towards us?」
With these words, the objectors disappeared. After that, it
was just Takuhir and the others continuing their normal operations.
Starting with Marianne and Lanatoria, the
number of Holy Mages who
participated in the war as directly-controlled units was incomparable to
before. Since founding the Demon
Territory Dukedom, a major change was the natural increase of Mages.
Because Mages from all over the Kyle Kingdom had begun to gather under Takuhir.
The first reason was that a success story of meritocratic
social advancement and rising in the world had spread. Under him, those who
originally were nothing more than commoner Mages successively attained noble
titles. Not only that, they were exercising their abilities as commanders and
administrative department heads in various fields. With the start of the Royal Command Mage system, their
treatment had changed drastically from being treated as a sideshow previously,
but now they had begun to dream of prosperity and the future.
The second reason was that due to the academy's system, a
portion of the classes for the magic combat training course was held in Teigoon.
As a result of visiting the Demon
Territory Dukedom, coming into contact with a culture not found in the Kyle
Kingdom and the enterprising spirit
of the people, the number of Mages wishing to immigrate or be dispatched also
increased.
The third reason was the Magic Knights Order formed in preparation for the past great war.
The ones deeply involved in its formation were Yuka and Chrisia,
the wife of the Archduke and the one bearing the next
generation of the greatest Marquis house supporting the Dukedom. The Magic Knights Order itself had already
disbanded due to the end of the war, but the people at its core, the sons and
daughters of nobles, gathered admiring them.
The respective noble houses on the sending side also had an
intention. Because in the newly rising Demon
Territory Dukedom, there was a possibility that even those unable to
succeed their houses would be newly granted status according to their work and
merit.
Due to such circumstances as well, starting with Marianne
and Lanatoria, the number of Holy Mages Takuhir had accompany the
expeditionary force was incomparable to before. If handled by 10 Holy Mages, even 3,000 injured could be dealt with swiftly. Recovery treatments
were performed one after another, and Big
Bridge Fort overflowed with the enemy country's soldiers raising cheers and
tears of gratitude.
「Hahaha, this is already... nothing
but laughable. That is exactly why Lord Takuhir's army is terrifying.
Because those who were enemies until just a moment ago become allies one after
another... I understood anew watching nearby.」
It is said Sieghart said so while turning slightly
pale, gazing at their active roles.
Of course, post-war processing wasn't only that. Even though
the Turncoat Kingdom army retreated
east, they possessed a military force of over 10,000.
Because there was a possibility they would reorganize and turn back, he
arranged to dispatch a small unit to the east to scout and inform of an enemy
attack using a signal fire in an emergency.
And then, war councils to determine future trajectories were also held several times. Regarding that, during the
umpteenth war council, Takuhir and Sieghart intentionally made a
certain attempt. They purposely didn't state their own opinions and let each
other's staff officers have a free discussion. Because they thought that since
they would fight together from now on, a certain degree of mutual understanding
and consensus among the staff officers was necessary.
「The enemies besieging this fort are
gone. Now is the exact time we should strike out.」
「They have dispersed and scattered to
various places to advance the effective control of the new territory. It would
be fine if we united and crushed them one by one.」
「They will definitely return. Rather
than wasting on just a small communication unit, shouldn't we dispatch an
army outside the fort to lie in ambush, and attack the bastards who besiege the
fort from the rear?」
There was a reason why there were many aggressive arguments
from the Empire Army. Their lord's whereabouts were still unknown,
restoring the communication line with the southern frontier region was the top
priority, and if possible, they wanted to reduce the numbers of the Sura Principality army scattered to the south even by a little.
「That being said, if we simply strike
out, we are a small force. Unless a concrete plan is shown, I can only think
we'll end up as bait for the enemy army before our very eyes, though?」
「Defeating them individually sounds
nice, but you should keep in mind that the possibility of being dragged out
into the midst of the enemy and besieged and annihilated is equally present.」
「Lie in ambush outside the fort? It
sounds nice, but what happens if this fort is being monitored? We are widening
our eyes for monitoring, but isn't the enemy army the same? An army that went
outside intending to hide will reliably be annihilated if exposed; is that fine
with you?」
Against Sieghart's spirited staff officers, starting
with Christoph, Gord, and Heitz countered. The Commander, same with me, remained intentionally silent.
「Then I would like to ask everyone
from the Demon Territory Dukedom.
Are you saying we should sit idly, pass the time, and wait to be besieged
again?」
「I believe I understand that you
lords are concerned for His Highness's safety and speaking of aggressive
arguments. That is exactly why we should preserve our strength, and strike out
when His Highness's location is confirmed. Since the encirclement network has
been broken with much effort, we should dispatch scouts not only to the east
but in all four directions, and increase the accuracy of our information.」
Yeah, Christoph's words certainly have a point. In
response to that, one of the Empire Army's
staff officers answered.
「But time is not an ally for us.
Furthermore, it pains our hearts to continue keeping the ultimate elites of the
Demon Territory Dukedom tied down to
the southern front at this crucial phase. Of course, we are grateful, and we
may be laughed at for what we are saying while still in a position where we
must borrow your strength...」
I see, there was also this kind of underlying motive to
their aggressive arguments. Christoph and the others also had slightly
surprised faces. Sieghart also smiled bitterly and looked at me. 'It's about time, is it?' When I
nodded, Sieghart began to speak.
「I understand everyone's feelings.
But right now when information across the entire southern region of the new
territory is cut off, it's difficult to make contact with His Highness too,
right? And right now, I think it's still dangerous to slip through the enemy
army's patrol network and send a reconnaissance unit south. Therefore, we'll
have them besiege this fort one more time, and scouts will secure a
communication line with His Highness by striking the gap when the southern wall
opens. I want to make this point the top priority.」
「That's right, one thing from me as
well. As a major premise, even if we are besieged by an army of 80,000, one corner would be about 20,000.
In a siege battle, a mere 20,000 troops
are of no consequence to us. They would probably be torn to shreds in an
instant and annihilated. And on top of that, without us losing a single allied
soldier!」
I said so and laughed at them. However, unlike the Commander,
Christoph, and the others who nodded with satisfaction, the reaction of
our allied staff officers was delicate.
「Hii, De-D...」
You don't have to be so put off. No, just now... you were
about to say 'Demon King', weren't
you? Well... it's fine though. In reality, if it's the ultimate attack of a
four-consecutive Diffusion Magic Cannon
firing, along with terrifying war results, a gruesome scene enough that it
can't be helped even if I'm called the Demon
King would spread out. It's a weapon that requires a certain amount of
resolve to use, but I have no intention of easily giving permission to use it.
Because if the place to use it is mistaken, it will no longer be a battle but
simply a massacre. And this time, there is also a concealed weapon that can be
expected to yield exceeding war results in a further different meaning.
It was at that time. Footsteps rushing to the conference
room resounded. The messenger who hurriedly entered the council chamber
bowed once to Takuhir and the others before speaking.
「Reporting! Far off in the eastern
sky, a signal fire indicating His Highness Grat's main force has been raised! It is believed to have gone
through relays in several locations, and details are unknown due to the distance,
but His Highness... His Highness seems to be alive and well!」
「What did you say!」
「In that case!」
「Your Excellency!」
All the Imperial Army staff officers stood up from their
seats with faces of delight. Everyone must definitely want to climb onto the
outer wall right now and look at the eastern sky. It was as if they were
seeking Sieghart's permission for that.
「From which direction in the east is
the signal fire continuing? Where is the starting point?」
Sieghart, who
asked that, just sat with his arms crossed and his eyes closed.
「Sir, it is going through multiple
locations so I cannot say accurately, but it is believed to be likely around Gaitei.」
「There, huh... if so, it's quite bad.」
「Your Excellency?」
「...The time and the place, both of
them are the absolute worst. Right about now, pursuing the retreating Turncoat Kingdom army, the Sura Principality army from various
parts of the south must be gathering in the east.」
Sieghart,
suppressing the joy that welled up in his heart upon receiving the first
report, was analyzing the situation cool-headedly. Likely, the Sura Principality army, upon hearing
the circumstances from the soldiers who narrowly escaped, would not forgive the
cowardly traitors. While besieging us again with a certain amount of numbers,
they should direct a decent number to pursue the traitors. And the Gaitei
signal fire tower has a good view of the surroundings and is right beside the
main highway leading from the south. If the Sura Principality army had entered the pursuit of the Turncoat Kingdom army, they would
undoubtedly notice that signal fire. Probably, Gaitei is located in the
most convenient place on the path of the highway they would take from the south
aiming east. As a result, the signal fire His Highness raised from the east
side ends up becoming the trigger luring not only allies but the enemy Sura Principality army. For His
Highness who doesn't know any of the circumstances, it was rather a natural
action, but that timing and direction are the worst.
Here, Sieghart opened his eyes wide and stood up,
stepped forward in front of Takuhir, and knelt.
「I am truly terribly sorry to make a
selfish request due to our circumstances to His Majesty the Archduke, but I knelt myself
and say this. The report announcing hope that was finally delivered to us, it
is however now nothing more than a precarious castle built on sand. Soon, my
lord will end up confronting the Sura
Principality army that has advanced east. You do not even have to win the
battle. Please, first of all, lend us your strength to rescue my lord.」
Saying so, Sieghart deeply bowed his head. There, for
the first time, the staff officers also sensed Sieghart's concern,
turned pale for a moment, and then hurriedly knelt in unison and bowed their
heads deeply.
「No need for reservations. We came to
fight to save a friend. That, by extension, becomes a battle to win our own
future. Entire cavalry, immediately prepare to sortie!」
「「「「Yeah!」」」」
Takuhir's staff
officers like Weiss, Christoph, and Gord responded with
loud voices all at once.
「We only have about 2,000 cavalry as combat strength capable of keeping up with His
Majesty the Archduke's cavalry, but I will have them accompany you as guides.
They are familiar with the geography of the eastern region and will guide Your
Majesty's army to the signal fire tower. If by any chance you encounter the
enemy army, please use those two thousand cavalry without reservation as Your
Majesty's shield.」
「Leave it to me, I will go welcome
His Highness Grat from here
on. I leave the dinner preparations to you!」
Saying so, Takuhir led the Demon Territory Knights Order and departed the fort together with the 2,000 cavalry selected from the Empire Army. To acquire the key indispensable for the new battle, and for the victory ahead...
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