Chapter 412
(Kyle Calendar Year 515: Age 22)
What the True Bad News Is
Translator : PolterGlast
Ever since leaving Big Bridge, our return journey had
been exceedingly smooth. Part of it was because Ende and the entire
southern region of the Empire were within the First Prince's
sphere of influence, but supplies were stockpiled at various places along the
highway, and resting places had been prepared in advance at regular intervals.
Because of this, the march was so surprisingly smooth that one wouldn't think a
military force totaling 26,000 cavalry was on the move. Well, this too... I
believe is because while we were waiting for the time of our return at Big
Bridge, Sieghart had sent word to the guards and merchants at
various places along the highway and made preparations in advance. But even
so...
「Just like the outward journey, being
able to make such perfect arrangements for the return journey is not to be
underestimated. A military force being able to move swiftly is a result of the
power supporting it. Unfortunately, the Kyle Kingdom would likely not be
able to make preparations to this extent.」
I also felt it was exactly as the Commander said,
speaking with half admiration and half vigilance. That is exactly why we,
limited to within the Demon Territory Dukedom, have established roadside
stations on the main highways to serve as bases for supply and rest, taking
care to make movement even a little smoother.
「Perhaps it's because the Empire,
to begin with, possesses a vast national territory and has a national character
of frequent foreign expeditions? Also, Sieghart-dono having a firm grip
on the reins of the merchants might be a big factor.」
「At this rate, even moving as an army
corps, will we be able to arrive in about 15 days?」
「That's right, this time it's a well-maintained
main highway stretching straight, and we have plenty of replacement horses.
It's also a blessing not having to worry about food and encampments.」
For this movement, Sieghart's adjutant, Accelerata,
has gone ahead to arrange encampments at the maximum daily travel distance.
Therefore, we only needed to move without thinking about anything.
※
After several days of movement, the army column split into
two at a particularly large highway junction. One heading east, and the other
continuing straight north...
「Takuhir-dono, once things settle down, I wish to invite our hero
once more, Archduke-heika who
has achieved unparalleled meritorious deeds, and the Demon Territory Knight
Division to the Imperial Capital Griffin as state guests. Will you
accept my invitation when that time comes?」
「Of course. It's a place I wanted to
visit at least once, too. Together with the Commander, of course.」
「Gladly!」
「Then, as heralds and guides, I
apologize for the small number, but I will assign 200 cavalry to you. Now then,
looking forward to our reunion at a later date!」
「May Denka stay in good health as well!」
After exchanging such greetings, we led eleven thousand
cavalry and once again galloped straight north. More than half the journey
still remained, but the further north we went, the more eager and impatient we
felt.
※
By the time we had digested more than half the journey, the
war situation of the northern front began to reach us through the merchants as
well. However, they were all things that made us feel anxiety rather than being
good news.
「S-Sixty-five thousand, they say!
Such a number... is impossible!」
I was left at a loss for words at the unexpected number we
learned along the way, the total number of troops that had invaded the northern
front. That was because it was 15,000 more than the worst-case scenario and
maximum assumed number we had thought of beforehand. The allied residual forces
that undertook the interception were 16,700 men; even adding the 8,000 men led by
Viscount Durul, it was merely a total of 24,700 men. While not quite a
third of the enemy army, it was a difference in fighting strength close to
that. Relying on the defensive walls of Izumo for a siege battle, it was
a number they could somehow endure, but...
「The reinforcements of the Royal
Capital Knights should have rushed over as well, so if they retreat to the Izumo
defense line and fight, they should be able to defend it. However... the
problem is the outside of Izumo.」
They probably had to abandon a large portion of the
territory. That meant forcing a ruthless decision upon Alexis; wouldn't
they have forced tremendous sacrifices on the territory residents who had gone
through the trouble of settling, the new residents from the former Empire,
and... the many people living in the Empire? And above all... is
everyone safe? If push comes to shove, as long as they pull back to the former
kingdom territory exactly as we discussed beforehand... At the gateway of Izanami,
they should be able to hold out sufficiently even against sixty thousand
enemies, but...
「Takuhir-sama.」
Addressed by the Commander, I suddenly realized. That
I was unconsciously hastening my horse's pace, and moreover, trying to push
further and further to the front of the army column.
「Commander, even if it's just a portion, increase the movement speed
and get an advance unit to Kusanagi even a little faster...」
At my words, the Commander shook his head silently.
And then he deliberately spoke to me slowly.
「Our feelings are the same.
However... If a mere few hundred troops were to rush over, what use would they
be against tens of thousands of enemies? Besides, this expedition was decided
with equal resolve by everyone, both those who remained and those who went on
the expedition.」
Yeah... but. I was the one who brought it up. Even though I
left saying 『I'll leave
it to you』, I know
full well myself that it's highly hypocritical to say such things at this late
stage. But...
「Originally this would be Anne-sama's role, but... I will dare to say this myself. What
are you doing making a face like that as the king of a nation? If you trusted
and left it to them, then trust them until the very end.」
Kuh... that is certainly true. If Anne were here right now, I'm sure she would definitely say that
for me. Making the Commander say it is nothing other than my own
weakness. I almost looked down, but managed to look forward and fix my eyes on
the Commander's face.
「Alexis-dono once fought and won in Ishtar despite being in
a harsher situation than now. For the defense of the homeland, there are
battle-hardened generals who have survived bitter battles, starting with
Marquis Gorman and Marquis Solis, who can be trusted with troop
deployment. As well as the comrades who have survived hardships together with Archduke-heika, starting with Gale... Let
us believe in them for now.」
「......」
That's certainly true... I have my role, and they have
theirs. It's my duty to believe that, and isn't that exactly why I entrusted
them with holding the fort while I was away?
「Commander, thank you. Please continue to support my pathetic self
without change from now on. I am always lost, and sometimes I end up not
knowing what was best, you see.」
If we hadn't gone south, the Third Prince's camp
might have collapsed due to that situation. With the matter of the Eral
Knight Kingdom as well, even if Sieghart won tactically, what about
strategically? Their tactical victory only comes to life because they have the
banner that is the Third Prince. And if we hadn't rushed to that Third
Prince... If that had happened, even if we won the battle in the north, the
First Prince, having won strategically and unified the Empire,
would turn his army next and advance north. In that case, facing an
overwhelmingly large Imperial Army and a First Prince driven by
revenge, we would have ended up continuing a quagmire of a war. That is exactly
why I believed in my comrades and made the decision at that time! There is no
point agonizing over it now.
「Well, shall we... increase the
marching speed just a little? Within a reasonable limit... though. Let us say I
will go forward and lead the way.」
Saying so, the Commander lightly kicked his mount's
flanks and disappeared toward the front of the formation.
『In the end, I can't laugh at Grat-denka either. I made the Commander
『babysit』 me too, after all.』
Muttering so in my heart, I stared at the Commander's
large back and was grateful for his presence anew.
※
And the next day, as we galloped north along the highway, we
conversely passed by a column of the Imperial Army that seemed to be
returning to their territory from the north. Moreover, everyone was wounded and
battered, looking just like a line of defeated remnants.
「Where is the commander of the Imperial
Army? This is the army led by Archduke-heika, Takuhir of the Demon Territory Dukedom, who
fought on the southern front as reinforcements for Grat-denka!」
The moment they saw Grat-denka's military banner fluttering at our lead, they had pulled to
the left and right to make way, but at the Commander's words, they
raised a cheer all at once.
「Ohh! Archduke-heika, you say? Where is Heika?」
「!!!」
My eyes were glued to a single military commander who, led
by the Commander, rushed over on horseback while raising a loud voice.
Could this be... his army?
「Viscount Kamin? I am right
here! What on earth is this army... what is the war situation?」
「Ooooh! Archduke-heika, I am glad you are safe. From the
looks of it, you have won the battle in the south as well?」
Hm? In the south 『as well』, he said? Which means!
「The northern front is also a great
victory for the Demon Territory Dukedom Army! Our allies completely
defeated the thirty-five thousand-strong allied army of the Kingdom of Lute,
Vile, and Cain, took ten thousand militia of the Istoria
Orthodox Theocracy prisoner, and pushed back twenty thousand of their
regular army beyond the national border!」
「What!」 「Seriously...」
The Commander and I were left speechless, only
uttering short words. That is... an incredible battle result! It's so amazing
I'm shocked.
「First of all, I offer my heartfelt
thanks for your assistance in our defensive battle! The expeditionary force led
by Archduke-heika also
supported Grat-denka's army,
defeated all of the sixty thousand Principality of Sura Army, thirty
thousand Turncoat Kingdom Army, and thirty thousand rebel army, and are
currently on a triumphant return; Grat-denka is also returning in triumph to the Imperial Capital,
and I believe there will be words of appreciation from Denka for everyone in due time!」
「「「「「Ooooh!」」」」」
In response to the Commander's words, a great cheer
rose from the officers and soldiers of the Imperial Army who had opened
the path as well. The armies heading in their respective directions of north
and south halted for a while, raising voices of joy to each other.
「Viscount Kamin, my thanks
anew. Part of it is that we were rushing our march, but from midway on, we
didn't pass by a single merchant caravan heading south, and furthermore, there
were no highway guard soldiers in this vicinity... I was feeling anxious,
completely unaware of any information including the war situation in the north.」
When I said so, the Viscount laughed as if to say
'naturally', but... Does he have something in mind?
「Not at all, we too offer our
heartfelt gratitude for your assistance in the crisis of the Empire's
survival, even casting aside the safety of your own territory.」
Dismounting his horse once more and bowing deeply, the
Viscount continued his words again.
「Incidentally, regarding your
concern, the reason is clear. All the merchants from around here onwards are
running north loaded with cargo and are devoting themselves to business in Kusanagi.
Therefore, it is only natural that you wouldn't pass by them.」
「To business? What do you mean?」
「Right now, the entire northern
frontier region is undergoing reconstruction with tremendous momentum,
overflowing with business opportunities. In addition to that, having gained
nearly twenty thousand prisoners and ten thousand new immigrants, Kusanagi
is in a festive uproar with special demand for provisions and the like. The new
workforce is being allocated to reconstruction and development, transforming it
at a remarkable pace.」
「???」
Nearly twenty thousand prisoners? What is this about ten
thousand immigrants? It feels like an incomprehensible situation is
progressing, but... What does this mean?
「I have also sent the soldiers I led
back to my territory once, and am currently on the way to deliver the wounded
soldiers who participated from neighboring territories. After that, I intend to
return leading the Bottakurina
Trading Company. Letting only the merchants make a
profit is a wasteful tale, so...」
Hahaha, it seems an unprecedented event exceeding even my imagination is occurring in Kusanagi right now. When I let out a sigh of relief for the time being, seeing the Viscount already keeping an eye on business, the Commander and I looked at each other and smiled wryly. Now that we've come this far, Kusanagi is just a little further! Finally... I can reunite with everyone! Such a great battle result... I won't be able to hold my head up in front of everyone for a while. Thus, I advanced the army toward Kusanagi with a bright and clear heart. Still unaware of the true bad news...
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