Translator: Nat Editor: Nefarian
In the plaza in front of the palace, the stage where the fierce battle to suppress the rebellion occurred, 3000 soldiers are lined up neatly. Today is the founding sponsored by the new king, the establishment of the central army is going to held.
「Gentlemen, to this gallant person I…」
King Alexandro the 1st's speech continued. The central army, right now, is finally three times larger in size. In order to get it operating as soon as possible in the present, it was established with its current war potential.
「The 1st division cavalry company is pretty much decided.」
Beside me is Celia, on the other side Agor is lined up on horseback. He is now officially listed and entered my squad as my adjutant. Celia looks dissatisfied but as one would expect I couldn't give the position to her.
「I have placed the army commander preferentially in the cavalry after all.」
My company with 200 cavalries will certainly be used as the main force out of this army which hasn't yet gathered all the numbers it needs. Moreover, with heavy cavalry of 180 that are wielding the same equipment as the knights and 20 light cavalry for scouting, using a formation with just the cavalry is clearly assuming that the fights will not be against monsters or bandits.
「The numbers have been gathered, but in terms of skill there is still uncertainty. For now, there is nothing to do but training.」
For Agor who has seen the completed army in the Federation, this squad is still far from being complete. The infantry and cavalry were quite selfish and thought they were different but even the most amateurish of amateurs are far better. He himself has a serious nature and for the sake of the squad is giving his best, I did well in picking him up.
「Our first mission is to break through the enemy's encampment. Firstly you should prioritize training towards that breakthrough.」
「Yessir!」
The king's speech finished, the army left the plaza and turned to march to the capital. The march is happening in an area where there are noble mansions lined up in the center, the purpose is obvious that the goal is to show the majesty of the central army to those in addition to the foreign enemies. Among them, the sounds of the horseshoes of the 200 cavalry resounding is tremendous, an innocent kid waving his hand and contrastingly a noble who is making a sour face expression as if he bit his tongue, these were the kind of people standing around.
The establishment of the central army was proclaimed throughout the entire nation, and under the army commander Baronet Erich Radhalde, the soldiers were given a position directly under the king and also comprise the main force of Goldonia.
「Well, this is tiring! But this is an unbelievably armed squad isn't it~」
「Watch your mouth! You're just a private soldier!」
The ceremony ended, Christoph is using a light tone to talk while Agor is controlling him. Celia is also glaring at him with narrow eyes.
「We-well I'm sorry…going crazy…」
He is truly a man who has a private's disposition. However, it doesn't seem like he has the skill to be a commander. Even though he's a private, honestly he is below that of an average soldier, it's something like balancing the numbers.
「You are really are an idiot aren't you?」
Former Wings of Dawn member Carl added. He is someone who can't do anything but military occupations so he was left in the squad. The two of them who gets carried away easily and has a frivolous nature got along well together. The difference between them is whether or not they have skill.
「Well Carl, that's because up till now I have been talking normally, I still haven't gotten used to saluting yet.」
「Mercenaries would salute if you just give them money…you're really just a rookie huh?」
「But the captain is also a bad person. It would have been fine if he just made me platoon captain.」
I couldn't do such cruel things to the soldiers. The most Christoph could do is be captain for parties.
「If you're going to say something like that, why don't you be your own platoon, then you'll become number one.」
To become a company commander and above, it is quite common in many situations where commanding ability is more important than individual military prowess, whereas it is normally the strongest guy who becomes the platoon captain. A person who is just for show and gets carried away has no chance to get subordinates to follow him.
It seems Agor will start increasing the skill of the squad by training hard immediately. The noble's captain will occasionally come watch so it will be just the right time. He is certainly a captain, but showing his noisy face and darting here and there, it would be hard to do training.
「Then, I will leave the training to Agor. If anything happens let me know.」
Among the sound of the horse running, I saw them off with salutes and left the training grounds.
「Hey…is that the noble captain? Will it extend to the brothel in the daytime?」
「Idiot! He'll hear you.」
「Even if he heard me he doesn't have the courage to come at me.」
「You haven't heard? That captain is dangerous! In the last rebellion, he's a brave warrior who cut up 20 of the Imperial guards and became a new noble!」
「On top of that I heard that he cut the Imperial guard captain in half.」
「The rumor is that he has a hobby of taking the guy and skewering him while bathing in the lifeblood of his victims.」
「There's also the story where he surrounds himself with a large amount of women in his mansion and does them all day.」
「It seems that he haphazardly fucks women and his dick is all bloody.」
「There's the story that robbers who enter his mansion are killed and he eats their intestines…」
What kind of monster have I become, but it's better than being belittled so I'll leave it alone. There is no way that all the soldiers would really believe all of it. And I don't want to spend a lot of time on meaningless things, I have things I want to do. On the way home, I stopped by the store to pick up the things I ordered.
「That is… What could it be?」
Unsurprisingly following me in leaving the training grounds is Celia, who is curiously peeking around here and there. This is for your sake but I'll keep it a secret until we reach the house.
「Carla, Melissa, do you have time?」
「Nn? Are we making a baby?」
「Yes~ It's alright」
Even so this mansion I bought is huge, I've prepared personal rooms for the household members and also rooms for servants but there is still an empty room. In that room was a small table and chair that I bought and carried there…with several books spread out.
「This is…what is it?」
「I can't read. Read it to me~」
「This is… Practicing characters?」
That's what it is. Out of all of us, the ones who can't read are only Celia and Carla. Celia is curious about not being able to read the letters, and there are also times where it will be useful in the future. Carla doesn't really care and is only focusing on making babies just like an animal, I'd like to give her some intelligence.
「That's right, Celia, Carla, you guys should also be able to read and write. I'm counting on Melissa, to be their instructor.」
Melissa can not only read and write but she can also do calculations. Nonna can also read and write well but she doesn't get along well with Carla, and Celia is not good with her type either.
「If you're okay with me, I'd be happy to do it, let's work hard you two.」
「Aegir-sama…thank you very much…」
「Eeeeh, so annoying.」
Celia is so moved that it brought tears to her eyes, while Carla, as I thought doesn't really care.
The appearance of Celia desperately studying to somehow absorb all the knowledge brings a smile to my face, but seeing Carla's appearance who is unwilling to study and bringing snacks and lazing around I felt a sense of affinity with.
Past: In the forest
「Look, you got it wrong again.」
「This stuff is so small and fiddly it's hard to remember it.」
「Good grief…I understand, if you copy it without making mistakes next time I'll do something amazing to your penis.」
「Something amazing?」
「Yeah, look my tongue is quite long isn't it? What do you think about this?」
「………」
「If you get it right 3 times in a row I'll be your slave for a day. Whenever you want, wherever you want…even humiliating things or painful things, whatever you can think of.」
「……..」
「Getting naked and being a dog all day while crawling maybe? Or perhaps tying me all spread out on the bed? This is a radish isn't it, not only that but it still has dirt on it…if you screw me while it's like that wouldn't it be doing something inhumane? Ufufu」
「I want to concentrate so please be quiet.」
「Ara ara, what a cute kid~♪」
「At that time it was drilled into my head in one shot quite well, did we pretend to be sweet lovers?」
From that point the efficiency of the studying rapidly improved.
「Aegir-sama? I don't understand this part…」
「Celia, you write it like this.」
「Th-thank you very much!」
Nonna doubted whether we were studying or flirting and came to check on us, which started a fight with Carla, but studying resumed after.
「Heey~ Aegir-san. It's if there is time available.」
「You want to teach the kids how to write. Right?」
「Ah…yeah.」
「It's after chores and heating the bath are done. I'll tell Maria that it won't be until everything is done. She's kind after all. so she may be willing to compromise a lot.」
「Yeah!」
I myself don't read much but why don't we buy and collect some bookshelves. I pay no attention to Carla and Nonna's argument, and while watching the quietly copying Celia such thoughts came to mind.
1 month later
「Company squadron–Line up!!」
Metallic clanks rang out as the 180 heavy cavalry lined up in a box-like formation. The degree of difficulty in having cavalry line up is much higher than that of having infantry line up. Thus the goal is to see the speed in which you are able to do so, which will determine how fast you will be able to change formations on the battlefield and how fast you are able to move around.
My first division cavalry company is able to establish a perfect formation in no time at all. Unmistakably within the newly formed central army it is the fastest.
「Brilliant. In one month's time you are able to train them up this much.」
「No, we still have a long way to go. I can reduce the time by half.」
Agor is aiming for the elite standards of the Federation army. It is common sense to know that the skill of the Olga Federation Army cannot be compared to those countries in the Central Plains, and is even superior to that of the Empire.
「The training for group breakthrough is shaping up nicely. Next it would be nice if we could also train for a real-life scenario where we charge while shielding from arrows.」
A heavily armed cavalry is the biggest threat to infantry. Of course, it will be the top priority to aim for archers and other long-ranged weapons, whether or not we can charge while blocking arrows will absolutely change the degree of our activities on the battlefield.
「Yes. We will practice our charge while holding up shields but…」
「Cover the tip of the arrows with cloth and shoot them. I will let the archers know. With that much armor on even if you get hit nothing too bad will happen.」
「Then let's add to the training by using the paints over there to those who get hit in the head and chest.」
「That's a good idea.」
The central army was allotted a comparatively abundant budget. The tools used in training can be supplied quite sufficiently.
「I can't say that it is quite complete, but I'm proud that the squad is rather prepared.」
「I guess so, can they already be used in battle?」
「I don't know.」
I glare at Agor for giving an anti-climactic answer but he quickly resumes talking.
「Within the central army we may be excellent, but we will only know if they can be used in battle when we are actually on the battlefield. No matter how much they practice, a squad without actual experience will not amount to even half a man.」
The Wings of Dawn which has gathered veteran mercenaries have broken through the Imperial Army who were proud of their highest skill level. What Agor said is reasonable, but this is not something that Erich or I could do anything about. There is no way that we would send a squad into war just because we trained them up.
「That is out of our scope. Get ready for the practice with raining arrows we mentioned earlier, I'm expecting you to continue for a while.」
「Yessir!」
For the joint training I need to pass it by Erich…Lord Radhalde.
「And that's how it is, will you give us the permission?」
「Yeah, to have the cavalry get showered in arrows you have certainly thought enough about it. It's a necessary training, I'll grant the permission.」
「Thank you very much. And also one more thing…」
「Actual experience huh…As expected I cannot start a war at my own discretion…It has been spreading that the central army is elite amongst those in the capital after all, so we became unable to move out to do useless bandit or monster extermination.」
「For the present, do we have nothing else to do but training?」
「Yeah, the number of soldiers are certainly increasing. If we continue like this…」
All of a sudden a visitor shouted.
「Hmm, I have also thought about that.」
「If it isn't Your Majesty!」
Erich was the first to start while everyone followed him in lowering their knees.
「Stand, I have no intention of interfering with your training.」
「Everyone stand! Continue!」
The soldiers resumed their training with even more fervor.
「I would like to see just how brittle an army with actual experience is. The move has already been played.」
「Is it fine to let them hear this in fear?」
The king confirmed that there was nobody around except for myself and Erich before opening his mouth.
「As I have declared during the coronation ceremony, in order to reinforce the army there are necessary costs which I have requested for the nobles in each territory to pay a temporary tax, but there are many nobles who are hesitant.」
No wonder, with a sudden increase in taxes, the nobles won't just agree and say 'yes, is that so' and accept it.
「Especially Margrave Alnode and the peripheral nobles have written a protest with signatures and sent it to me.」
Margrave is a noble who is given a large amount of territory around the nation's borders, and has the same status as Marquess. Due to its nature of placement, and having a particularly large military power, along with the high status and the surrounding nobles it is often that it becomes the core.
「It is there that I will set one month as the time limit and charge three times the temporary tax, if it isn't paid then I will notify them that the iron mine located in their territory will become state property.」
It is unreasonable. Not only three times increase in tax, but also the iron mine is beside the gold and silver mines and is an important interest. If that is taken out it is equivalent to confiscating their territory.
「Your Majesty…then」
An unreasonable demand from the new king, there are surrounding nobles that are their friends, and they have a peculiar military force. Thus this restricts what they can think about.
「It will be fine if they offer the tax and the mine. If they have foolish thoughts we will give the central army its actual war experience, I only have to beget a large amount of land.」
The king has always wanted to diminish some of the senior nobles' power. He probably thinks that this time is a good opportunity.
「I have probably given you gentlemen a stage to work. Do not neglect your preparations.」
The king leaves, Erich and I decided to move up the schedule for training for preparations of actual war.
Southern Goldonia Margrave Alnode Territory Mansion
「What is this!? What a foolish king!」
The man tore the letter with the royal family seal attached to it and slammed the desk.
「Master, doing that to the royal seal」
「Quiet! I don't remember acknowledging such a youngster as the king. He is a foolish man who doesn't understand reason!」
The middle-aged man who was yelling was Margrave Alnode, in the southern part of Goldonia, a senior noble who owns land in the borders of Arkland.
「Is Count Roland here?」
「Such a large voice, what is wrong?」
Count Roland is a noble with territory adjacent to Margrave Alnode and the two families has had very close ties to one another for many generations. He has already passed the age of 55, but he was once a famous and very capable tactician in the royal palace.
「It's not what's wrong! I followed the Count's advice and sent the written protest with the signatures but his reply is this!」
Margrave Alnode thrusted the torn letter at Count Roland and showed him. The old count had to catch his breath at the sight of just a little of its contents.
「Ts-!? This is…an excessively outrageous detail isn't it. I do not believe that His Majesty is serious about taking from us. Isn't it probably a threat to get us to pay the temporary tax increase?」
Alnode regained a little of his cool but he shook his head.
「He's the guy who murdered Prince Beltorius and Duke Allens you know. He may plot to make us disappear in the same way.」
It is implied that all the high-class nobles understood the earlier rebellious conflict was a plot to fight for the throne.
「Certainly, I cannot deny the possibility…but if we give an excuse on this matter as soon as we leave for the capital it may be in their calculations to round us all up….」
「Then what! Do you mean to say that we should continue to ignore it?」
「No, I have an even better plan. We will gather the troops that are held in the palm of the Margrave's hand.」
Alnode has an expectedly frightened look floating on his face. Even if he is disliked, the king is the king, for a senior noble high treason is a heavy crime.
「Count…do you understand what you are saying?」
But Count Roland's expression doesn't change.
「I am not proposing that we overthrow the royal family. We will show our resolve to the king and get him to compromise. The nobles surrounding our territory have all had close relationships with us for many generations, if we can get them to help we can gather quite a number of troops.」
「But, the king will not stay silent. Would he not send troops to face us?」
「The royal army numbers about 10,000 but security is placed in each region, he cannot afford to send any troops towards us. If Margrave and the surrounding nobles scrape together the farmers we can get around 5,000 to 6,000 in no time.」
「Certainly…but my troops are primarily stationed around the borders. If we were to gather them the borders will become wide open.」
「That is also a part of the plan. If the chaos is prolonged the King should understand that Arkland's borders would be in a dangerous state. That is why, if we can create a stalemate in the war, the King's side would break. If the King forgives us, it will not become high treason.」
「The capital also has an army called the central army or something that has just been established, numbers are around 5,000.」
「Margrave Alnode, think about this calmly. Such a gathering of troops cannot be decent in battle. After all they are just the King's plaything, we have the advantageous position, there is nothing to fear.」
「But…alright.」
Alnode understood everything in his head, while thinking about the fact that if this fails everything will be lost, he made his decision.
「This time's issue, even if we break and settle with them, the royal family's surveillance will get stronger. The income of our territory, it would be fine if we just report it to the royal family but…」
The distance from the margrave's territory to the capital is far. In the places where it was hard for the surveillance to reach, illegal slave trading, and trade without tariffs is partly the reason why the Alnode family is prosperous.
The next day, Margrave Alnode sent a portion of nobles from his family as a representative to the king to protest that he had abused his authoritative power, he declared that until his advice is heard he will not be ruled by the king and he gathered troops within his territory.
Name : Aegir Hardlett 19 years old Early Summer
Annual Salary 80 gold
Weapon : Dual Crater (long sword), Large Bardiche (spear)
Companions : Celia, Nonna Elektra, Melissa, Maria, Carla
Subordinates : Agor (adjutant), Christoph, Carl, Schwartz (Horse),
Sexual Partners Count : 28
Translator: Nat Editor: Nefarian
「Southern Noble's Rebellion」 「Margrave Alnode's Uprising」
Shocking news flew all over the capital in an instant, whether you were a commoner or a noble, it became a hot topic. It is no exception within the palace, in the bureaucracy the cabinet minister is comically flustered and panicking while running around.
「Then we will hold the emergency Imperial Council. The topic for discussion this time is…」
「Don't do those unnecessary things! What else is there but determining the steps to suppress the rebellion!?」
One yell from the king caused the place to fall silent.
「Normally this council is not necessary either. The rebels are rousing their troops, and we are going to suppress that. Isn't that all there is!?」
The king stood up from his seat as if the conversation was over but the ministers hung on.
「But Your Majesty, even you ask to suppress them, the Margrave has already gathered a few thousand troops. The soldiers are gathered from the border zone so the border security is in a critical situation…」
「They are not planning to overturn the king's authority. They are just baffled by Your Majesty's, um, severe directive…」
The ministers' attitudes are indecisive.
「What are you trying to say? You want me to compromise with the rebels, lowering your heads in the hope that you will be forgiven?」
「But, at the present time our country does not have a method to suppress them, if this is prolonged there will be a gap for Arkland to be taken advantage of!」
These foolish ministers, isn't it due to your incompetency that has caused the situation in Arkland to get more severe!
「Your fears are unnecessary. It is for that reason we have the central army.」
「But…something that was gathered in such a way-」 「You there!」
Publicly repudiating the army that the king sponsored is taboo, there is no minister with enough courage to rock the boat so to speak.
「Let's first have the central army head towards those guys and try to suppress them. If the army is defeated, we will think of something new. This council is over! I will give the departure order myself!」
The king said nothing else and flew out.
「Oh dear, what a troublesome guy…」
「Going himself is just like the rebellion for the throne.」
「Well, if his toy that he boasts about gets broken maybe he will be able to look at reality a little.」
It is unthinkable to expect victory from an army that has just been established and existed for less than two months and is now being sent into enemy territory. I can only hope that they fight a decent fight and still maintain the authority and power after the battle.
The ministers breathed out a sigh and thought to themselves about the peace conditions after the battle.
「Radhalde…I mean Erich. The first campaign is finally upon us.」
「Yes. I will do my utmost to meet His Majesty's expectations.」
The king spoke in a calmness without showing an ounce of passion on his expression to the ministers. The appearance of him being agitated is also all an act, we all knew what he was like in the first place.
「This time's purpose for departure is not only that of victory. We need a prompt and overwhelming victory. One that not only makes the rebels tremble in fear but also all the nobles.」
「I understand.」
「It was just revealed to me, but once we have finished cleaning up the inside we should prepare for Arkland getting attacked. For that reason we cannot spend time on a small rebellion like this.」
「Arkland is it?」
「Crush those nobles so utterly and completely that there will be no one who would think of opposing me again.」
Erich nods silently.There is no need for mercy, what we are seeking is impact and fear.
「Let's depart!!」
The army commander Erich gave the command at the front with his sword drawn. The leaders of each squad repeated the order and the central army started marching in a neat column. The troops that have expanded up to 5000 people are well-ordered and marched beautifully, the residents in the capital all stopped their work and gathered in the main street.
「Agor, don't be so nervous. Other than giving the order to depart, the captain is me. You just need to assist me with all you've got.」
「Yessir! This isn't good, the weaknesses of the company keep coming to mind and causing me to worry.」
「For you it's been awhile since your last experience?」
「Yeah, when I was young I participated in a tournament in the empire but I was a private that time, I have no actual experience in leading people.」
「Even so it's important that you have gotten to feel the atmosphere of the battlefield. If you find a gap in the command feel free to tell me.」
Agor nods and joins the other cavalry, giving out orders.
Presently, the central army has three cavalry companies, with the 180 heavy cavalry and excellent skill and my company as the main force we will not be shaken. Depending on the timing of the order it is possible that we may be able to influence the state of battle of the whole army.
Either way I am quite sleepy. Before leaving from being on standby yesterday, since the girls would be unable to see me for a while, Carla and Nonna especially, have been asking for me so I have not been able to sleep at all.
As a farewell gift I splendidly made love to the girls, when they finally they got to a dangerous state they fainted and I told Miti and Alma to wipe them down, but the kids didn't know the result of interactions between men and women.
「Onee-chan, what is this sticky stuff?」
「Th-that is…a man's love so to speak…or seed if you will…」
「What a weird smell.」
「Don't do that Alma! If you sit there you will get pregnant!」
「Eh?」
As I remember such things I start to laugh. I don't directly deal with children, but I can't say that it is a good environment for children to learn.
「Aegir-sama. What's wrong?」
All of a sudden Celia is lined up beside me. The cavalry is assigned large warhorses so even when lined up beside Schwartz there is not much difference in height as before. Yesterday, she was asleep in the corner of the bed so she doesn't look sleepy.
「I tried too hard yesterday and I didn't get much sleep.」
Celia's face instantly reddened.
「I-I even told you to take care of yourself yesterday…no it's because those two were seeking you out so desperately! I know we're friends and all, but losing consciousness and screaming is just like a sexual beast!」
「Don't say that. It's because I went at them too hard that they became like that, it's usually the guy who is in the wrong when you look on top of the bed.」
「Uu~, and also it's about those two but recently, it seems like they haven't been using 'that medicine', are you aware?」
Celia is sharp, she is properly paying attention to our movements before and after our conducts.
「Ah, I know about it. It seems they want children so that's why, I already bought a house and thought it was fine. We have mutual understanding so don't worry.」
Celia makes a complicated face and thinks about it.
「So that's why those two were like that…I would also do that if I grow up a little more…」
「You would be fine being pregnant and waiting at home?」
「I wouldn't want that.」
Schwartz, as if saying he's had enough, neighed. That voice caused the surrounding horses of the nobles to get slightly disturbed. Schwartz's size is still special even amongst the large warhorses that the 1st division cavalry has gathered. His love for women is still apparent from before and he would not let the squad touch him so Celia was taking care of him in the meantime, but now he has an exclusive female caretaker looking after him.
「Celia it's a war this time.」
「Yessir! I will show you my performance.」
「That would be nice…」
It would trouble me if you sought achievements and ended up dying for it.
「When you become an adult woman you will bear children. So don't die on me.」
「Fue! I-It's a great privilege!」
Getting to the enemy headquarters of the rebel army of Margrave Alnode with a regular march would take 7 days. But the Margrave's territory is within a wide area so to reach the city it would take another 2 days. The geographical advantage is completely in the enemy's favor so we have to have remarkably strong vigilance. Until then let's pet Celia's ass as we comfortably head there.
7 days later Margrave Alnode territory Erich main force
「It's out of our expectations to conduct field battle right? I surely thought that it would be confined within the city.」
The Margrave's army will be in a place close to the interior's entrance, spread across a small hill.
「They should want to avoid burning the city during the confusion of the war. But it is convenient for us.」
From what I saw the Margrave's army is mainly infantry and has few cavalries. Capturing the city is assumed but the ones who will fight in the field will do so with an advantage.
「Quickly assemble our formation. Their position is high; their arrows will reach first so be careful. Those who have shields should go to the front.」
I don't know if it's because of the results of training but they are moving while taking the orders and made the formation. It did not look like the movements of an army that has been established for just two months.
On the other hand, the Margrave's army has the same amount of numbers but is disorderly, it looks like they are clumping together like a dumpling. Seeing how we have assembled a formation and is starting to advance, they are hurriedly rearranging their ranks. But their movement is sluggish, if you look carefully their ranks are like a crooked line.
Even so camping on top of a hill is a big advantage, for the approaching infantry the falling arrows cause them to fall apart, the soldiers who failed to be block the arrows with their shields fall down. Firing arrows from the top of a mountain would also extend the range, and because the difference in height will also increase the power it will easily penetrate the leather armor that the normal infantry wear.
For a while, the allies in vanguard were being shot one-sidedly but without dropping the speed of our march and continuing to advance, the enemy is also in range of our own archer squad.
「Continuously fire, shoot ceaselessly!」
Arrows from our ally archer squad were also fired and a shootout between both armies' archers began. The arrows from the Margrave's army are pouring down spread over a wide range, whereas our ally archers match the timing of firing their arrows and their aim with each other, focusing on piercing a single area.
Different from the infantry, the archers could not protect themselves with shields so they were exposed to the attacks defenselessly. The archers of the Margrave's army who were hit by effective concentrated firing fell one by one, the counterattacking arrows are visibly decreasing.
Gathering together, the enemy archer squad fell back. They are probably hiding under the large shield in the back, if it's according to the theory then the long spear unit who has superior defense will come out now.
「Now, give the order for the first division cavalry company to charge at the center of the enemy. Maximum speed!」
The order was told immediately using hand signals.
「Captain, it's the order to charge.」
Agor straightened his back and reported.
「All units form the wedge formation and charge! Follow me!」
「M-me too!」
Because breakthrough training was prioritized, the formation specialized for breaking through is the wedge formation due to its fast expansion. The distance to the enemy is just a little, it will not be a problem if we sprint at full speed. Even amongst a company that has gathered horses that excel in speed, Schwartz shakes them off and continues to accelerate.
The allied infantry and archer squads deployed in the front quickly open up a path, slipping past that gap 200 units broke through like a hurricane.
「Look! The enemy's switching of the archers and the spear units won't make it in time. Let's breakthrough just like this, don't slow down!」
The Margrave's army vanguard consists of a mixture of the escaping archers and the long spear units which have gone to the front, but they are not forming a decent rank. In addition, the archers who were afraid of the oncoming heavy cavalry, without obeying orders, arbitrarily fired arrows which spurred on chaos. There is no way to miss this opportunity.
Sometimes sporadic arrows come flying at us but they pose no problem. The distance is 50 meters, when it became a few seconds before contact the entire squad yelled together.
Ooooooooh!!!
To the enemy army, the voice that reached them was like hearing the screams of the demons.
Southern Noble Camp
「I haven't heard of any of this!」
We shouted unanimously while pointing the spears at them. The nobles that have been conscripted from the village was only told to bring a spear, and also to feed yourself. It was the same when the king's army were advancing towards us, as long as I didn't get careless during the faceoff everything would be fine!
During the shootout with the arrows in the beginning, I was hiding under the shield but my allies were all falling over. I also borrowed a bow to use, but those who are shooting from a high place are definitely at an advantage!
The archer squad ran away, so we were ordered to set up our spears and head out. We went out in a hurry, but the archers who were running away got in the way so we couldn't set up decently! While we were doing so the enemy cavalry came running at us. Everyone wore their own rugged armor arbitrarily like noble knights and came at the place where I'm at in a straight line. Damn it! It would have been fine if you went a little to the left or right before!
Those guys in the archer squad are panicking and shooting away but there is no effect, moreover those that stop to stand to aim their arrows are getting in the way of our long spears and we cannot properly set up.
「Move faster! You're in the way!」 「Don't push!」 「They've already coming!!」
Those guys shouted their war cries, and the surrounding allies all got scared and prepared to run away.
Is it no good? As I thought that, there was a guy amongst those flying at us riding a large black horse cutting those in the front and moving ahead towards us. The guys who tried to block his path were trampled and crushed by his horse, making croaking noises like a frog. They died a pitiful and quick death. My comrades from the same area surrounded him with spears and tried to pierce him, but they were chopped in half by an axe-like spear. Momos and Tyler…even though they were good guys.
「That guy's the commander! Shoot him down!」
A noble drew his sword and was going to say something but one thrust from a spear killed him. The other cavalry came one after the other like an avalanche and defeated my friends.
There's no way we can win! I threw my weapon and my heavy armor and everything away and ran as fast as I could. I don't want to die in a place like this! I have a wife and son waiting for me in the village!
Erich Headquarters
「Commander! The first division cavalry company has broken through the enemy's center completely, the enemy is crumbling!」
「The difference in skill is showing, if they can assemble their spears in a line quickly it won't go so easily.」
Even so, it's amazing. In one hit, the enemy's formation is torn to pieces. Especially Aegir who is cutting down the people around him in the front, people and their parts are flying around in the air like dancing leaves. Disgusting screams rose from the scene. His fighting style is to break the enemy's heart.
「From the looks of their armor they should be farmers that were conscripted or recruited. If something like that was happening in front of their eyes, they would have no choice but to run away.」
The staff officer was impressed as he said it.
「That's right. Even I would run away if something like that came out, I wouldn't want to die.」
The enemy's formation was punched through by the cavalry and the center is collapsing just like a cave-in. In order to save the center, the right wing and left wing of the army change their directions.
「It's here. Infantry unit advance, crush the enemies.」
「There is no longer a need for any tricks. The enemy is already preparing to flee. We can just use strength to push them out.」
「That's right. Let's order the whole army to conduct a full scale attack! Let's draw the curtain on this thing.」
The time the entire infantry unit starts advancing, my first division cavalry company has already broken through the enemy's formation, and coming out from the back.
「I have completely broken through the enemy! Let's change direction and charge at the enemy again!」
Celia talks excitedly about her merits in battle.
「No, We will go to the back just like this.」
「Why?! Even though the enemy is exposed and in a defenseless state…」
「If we rush in again it will be a free-for-all and they won't be able to use the bows, on top of that there is also the danger of hitting each other and the infantry will not be able to move as they wished. It'll be fine if we remain here, just by having enemies on their ass will be enough of a threat for them.」
Agor also nodded, it was correct as a tactic. But, it's boring to wait and do nothing.
「All troops, hit the transportation unit at the back but do it while not leaving the enemy headquarters!」
Seeing the result and before running away it wouldn't hurt to take the supplies.
The transportation unit would typically have escorts along with them when carrying goods on missions but troops of that caliber cannot stop our heavily armed cavalry. If they wanted to run away it would be without pulling the slow horse-drawn carriage, the driver and the escort troops were flung around in a festival of blood and the large amounts of foods fell into our hands.
Destroying the transportation unit, and while returning to our ranks, the enemy retreated on top of the hill. The main force of the central army should be pushing them back, to take flight or to retreat those who are unable to make a decision are those that will fall down. Let's make it easier for them to understand soon, why don't we?
「Is it about time, let's go one more time Agor. Let's settle this.」
There's already a standard free-for-all going on so there won't be any arrows being fired. The allies have remaining strength and so they could send several people bouncing and flying around, but if we settle things quickly it would result in reduced damage.
「Everyone, take a horizontal position. Crush the enemies haphazardly.」
The soldiers have high morale and raised their weapons and shouted, they charged in a single horizontal line.
The cavalry broke open the center, in addition to retreating while taking the entire infantry unit's attack, the Margrave's army is completely destroyed by the cavalry that charged at them from behind after having been pierced through once already. As a result of the ferocious pursuit of the entire central army, out of all 5000 of the troops over 2000 were turned into corpses and they suffered a crushing defeat.
Even the supreme commander, Margrave Alnode's eldest son, Viscount Dodoria has died and many nobles followed after. In one battle the southern noble alliance suffered a large and fatal blow.
The march of the central army does not stop. Straight ahead, towards the southern city Zaal where Margrave Alnode set up his residence, they resume their advances.
Name : Aegir Hardlett 19 years old Early Summer
Annual Salary 80 gold
Weapon : Dual Crater (long sword), Large Bardiche (spear)
Companions : Celia, Nonna Elektra, Melissa, Maria, Carla
Subordinates : Agor (adjutant), Christoph, Carl, Schwartz (Horse),
Sexual Partners Count : 28
Translator: Nat Editor: Nefarian
「Count Roland! Where?! Where are you?!」
Raising his voice with his hair disheveled while running around in his mansion, the appearance of the male noble in the south, Margrave Alnode, was not at all dignified.
「Roland-sama has just returned to his own mansion for an emergency…」
One of the followers of a lower noble answered timidly as he watched Alnode's sudden change in appearance.
「That stupid geezer just won't die! You only ran away!!」
「Th-that baseless way of speaking! What on earth is it?」
Alnode kicks his desk away forcefully.
「Our army has been beaten by the king's army, and my son died! The troops have also been mostly killed off or ran off! ….How dare he! How dare he! What was it about the king's plaything, what was it about being gathered randomly! With this my house will!」
Roland was the one who urged Margrave Alnode to start the rebellion, and yet Roland has already escaped; Margrave Alnode hurled all the abuse he could think of in anger. But no matter how much he says it won't change the fact that he's the ringleader, he understood that there is no way to come up with an excuse for the royal family. It is possible to simply run away, but he has the pride of a well-known noble. There is no way that he could live by throwing everything away and living as a peddler or farmer.
The nobles that have gathered in the mansion could not hide their unrest. It is clear that the king's army is heading here after being able to break the battle. But there is no place in their own territory to run to where they can oppose the king's army. In the end, there is no other way but to rely on the Margrave, this is a sinking ship….
In the gloomy atmosphere, the gatekeepers come running with strained voices.
「A messenger from the king's army has arrived!」
Everyone stood up, Alnode suppressed his fury and regained his calmness.
「Call him here.」
「I will tell you the words from the king.」
Alnode doesn't hide the discouraged expression. When negotiating with nobles of higher status it is normal to send a representative with equal standing. To send a messenger with a message in hand, means that there is no room for negotiations.
「I wish for peace.」
The nobles have relieved expressions, having broken the army, not wishing for further warfare is common knowledge. It is inevitable that more or less territory and interest be forfeited at this point.
「However other than what I've said, it would not be done for free. The conditions for peace is to have Margrave Alnode as well as all nobles who joint signed to be executed! All peerage will be lifted; territory will be confiscated! Your son is held in the capital and his safety is guaranteed.」1
「Is there such a stupid thing?!」 「This is no different from the crime of high treason!」
「Fu, fufufu…that's right…if it's this…a messenger is good enough…」
Margrave Alnode is not a complete idiot. He understood everything now. The king intended to do this from the beginning. To make an example of the nobles who did not pay the tax and make me into an offering.
「A-Margrave Alnode…this is some kind of mistake. If the king sent a messenger to us it means」
「It's enough, I've had enough.」
Standing up unsteadily, he took a sword from the wall into his hand. Nobody knew what was going to happen and while everyone looked on dumbfounded, Alnode swung his sword down, and cut down the messenger.
「Aah!!」 「What did you do!?」 「Are you going mad!?」
The nobles' faces turned pale and shouted, if you cut the king's messenger, nothing you say will go through. It is the same as signing the execution order for all the nobles here and their families.
「What a foolish person, you still don't understand. The king intended to erase us from the beginning! It was from the time when we said we were unhappy with the temporary tax…Everything else after that was for the sake of getting us agitated and provoking us. After the conclusion was out, there is nothing we can do now…」
「No way! Then we should look for someone to help…」 「Who would be willing to help traitors like us?」
The nobles were clamoring hysterically.
Alnode was strangely quiet.When you are unable to do anything, people cane become unexpectedly calm. And he thought of the one way to escape.
「Calm down, we still have an option. To get someone to help us who suffered a hit from the king's army that is pushing us back.」
「Is there anyone who would become our ally and help us…」
「There is. In the south, it falls under the oath that we swore to the king of Arkland.」
Everyone was at a loss for words, it was exactly the deed for traitors, it is the worst disgrace.
「Think about it, if we continue like this, then we can only choose death, and our house destroyed. Then even if we must cover ourselves with shame we can extend our lives and our children and grandchildren will have an opportunity to take revenge.」
There is already only one way left. The choice is whether we stop or continue.
Some did it for their children, some did it to live on, all the nobles were determined to continue.
「Is Viscount Bellido here?」
「I'm here.」
A warrior wrapped in silver armor, age is around 30 years old, appearance is gallantly organized and he's handsome enough that one word from him can get any woman to open her crotch.
「You have been brought into my family and I will have you fulfill your duty as my child. I'm sorry but I'll have you see this to the end.」
「Yes, when I took your daughter Catherine as my wife I was willing to accompany her to the depths of hell.」
「I see, I will have you lead my knights. My son has already gone off…if you are able to earn some merits you will become an adopted son of the Alnode family and will succeed it as the heir.」
「Oh, that would be wonderful.」
「Your military feats resound in the kingdom, if it's Viscount Bellido then brushing aside the king's army would be a simple task.」
Smiles returned to a few of the nobles' faces. But their pale complexion still remained.
Central Army Campsite
The central army has Zaal, the base city of Margrave Alnode, in front of them and set up their campsite. The remaining forces of the enemy are few. Their only option is to hole themselves up in the city but even that will not continue for long. It is there that a report came in.
「The messenger was cut down? That's it?」
I ask Erich if that's a big deal. Even I would cut him down if I was told something ridiculous from the enemy.
「That means that they pulled the bow against the royal family. There will be no peace negotiations and we will have to fight until the end.」
「You wouldn't expect this to be something a losing army would do.」
「It might have been done on impulse, perhaps he is trying to rely on Arkland.」
Certainly if they have nothing afterwards they would call for help haphazardly. And the closest in terms of geography would be Arkland.
「But that is an impractical theory on top of the desk. Once night falls we will launch a full attack, show no mercy to those who hole up in the city. If we shoot flaming arrows like a mountain the city would change from a fortress into a kettle in hell.」
Even if we reduce the city to scorched earth it would not change our objective for victory.
「I will have you work tomorrow as well but…there is another secret mission from the Majesty himself.」
Erich and I leave the tent by ourselves and enter the forest. Celia wanted to tag along but I held her back. It seems that nobody but myself can know about it.
In the pitch black darkness, waiting for a little bit, four torches wavering in the shape of the character '八' came closer.
「That's the signal.」
From the darkness shadows of people appeared. Two of them are apparently escort and brawny men, two are nobles wearing expensive looking clothes.
「Why this is Lord Radhalde, the army commander going out of his way to personally meet us, I'm sorry for the trouble.」
The elder nobles respectfully lowered their heads.
「Count Roland, it is good that everything went well.」
Count Roland is one of the people who sent the written protest with joint signatures, the southern noble aligned with Margrave Alnode and essentially his number 2.
「No well, Margrave Alnode isn't too proficient with tricks so it went easily…sorry I'm late to introduce. This is my son. Once the matter this time is cleaned up it was my intention for him to inherit…」
I see, from the sending of the written protest to the rebellion, everything done was a race.
「Well let's hear the course of events.」
Erich urges to cease the useless small talk.
「Yes, the Alnode faction has put soldiers in the city, trying to desperately defend. In addition at this time there is no evidence that the foreign troops are there.」
「Is that so, then it is as planned that their fate will end from tomorrow's attack.」
「So…after crushing Alnode, have you heard from his Majesty regarding crossing our land? There is a dangerous bridge that has been crossed over multiple times…」
The land of the crushed southern noble being turned into national property; Roland would take the leftovers. The king had said something like that, this elder as well as his Majesty is quite the tactician.
Erich didn't change his expression at all.
「It is just as you have heard from his Majesty. Then this time's tactic, the household has not been talked about right?」
The old Count stretched his hands exaggeratedly.
「That is already! In any case if there is a chance that it will leak I will without a doubt kill the Margrave. The only thing I know is about your son, I only knew about your escorts just now.」
「Well that's good.」
Erich and I signaled with our eyes.
I pull the Dual Crater from my back, and slash the two escorts.The escorts who let their guard down couldn't do a thing, they crumbled down while still having a shocked expression.
「What are you!?」
The next person who looks like a threat would be the younger one, he may not be reliable but he would have more power than the elder.
「Hiih! Hiiih! Why, damn it!」
The man desperately tries to pull out his sword but he forgot to remove the fastening string so he couldn't draw his sword. While making sure not to get in his way I use my sword to stab deeply into his chest, the man loses his strength.
「P-punk! Why is it like this-It's different than what we said!」
Erich draws his sword and approaches Count Roland.
「Traitors will lose their life for their betrayal. It has been something that was said a few hundred years ago.」
Erich thrusts his sword into Count Roland's eye. The poor elder in that time convulsed, and would never move again for eternity.
「The cowardly Count Roland saw that he was in an unfavorable situation, he went to escape with his son but was killed by bandits at night. It was something like that.」
Erich took the expensive looking things from the Count and his son and threw them deep into the woods. If by any chance the corpses get discovered it is to make it look like it was the work of bandits.
「It's pretty scary. This is what you call tactics huh.」
「I don't like this either but without tactics there would be no politics.」
I wipe the blood off my sword with the clothes from the pathetic corpses, and go back without saying anything.
「With you here, I'm thankful that I don't have to worry about military strength in these kinds of missions.」
I'm confident that I won't lose in a death match between a few people.
「One day I may be murdered someday too huh.」
「His Majesty believes that you are some kind of new wind. There will be no such thing…but if there is a chance of assassination, a squadron is necessary or else it wouldn't be possible.」
We prepare for tomorrow's fight and drink alcohol, also enjoying the cool air we left to take a walk outdoors. That was all there was.
Simultaneously with the dawn, the central army began their all-out attack on the city of Zaal.
The city Zaal is the center city in the south, where the Margrave set up his residence but with the opposing violent Arkland close to them, the commerce and business did not develop outstandingly, and its population was only 3000 so it wasn't that big.
The Margrave's soldiers fired arrows from the top of the city's walls, we threw stones to counter attack, but as soon as the archer squad fired their flaming arrows all at once, the town was engulfed in flames. They would not be able to hold on and would quickly leave the walls to retreat, the central army did not sacrifice anything important and was able to invade the city successfully.
「We did not have our turn in this siege warfare. Should we be quiet in the back so as to not get in the way?」
Of course attacks against a wall, in a narrow street with houses extending along the inner city, the cavalry cannot do much. Different from the capital, there is not much space for the cavalry to line up neatly in the main road or the plaza, Agor suggests that we split into smaller squadrons, and each help the neighboring squads by providing back-up.
「Aegir-sama, I have returned.」
Celia who went out to scout has returned.
「There are sporadic resistance in each place, but there are no large squads. They all seem like clean-up fights.」
「…Isn't it strange? Although they have taken a hit in the last fight this is their headquarters. 1000 or 2000 troops should be here though.」
Agor twists his neck. But I see the answer.
「They're escaping aren't they, I don't know how much of a reserve army the Margrave has but normally he would have at least a few thousand. Due to the defeat of their rebellion, the recruited farmers and mercenaries have definitely run away.」
To get on a sinking ship means that he has no more room to breathe. Agor who was in the Federation's army may not know, but to the mercenaries and farmers the first thing they care about is their rewards, in a situation where they are sure to lose they will absolutely run away.
「The soldiers who came out from the city walls earlier have no intention of resisting.」
「I see, then inversely if those soldiers who are continuing to resist now are still here…」
「Those who have sworn their absolute allegiance to the Margrave, or those who have no place to run. Those who have resolved to die are tough though.」
Whether my intuition correct or not, the squad that has advanced to the lord's mansion has reported that they have ran off.
「Agor, we won't be able to do anything decent anyways. Why don't we check up on the enemy's last squad?」
「The captain is a curious fellow isn't he…I'll go along with you.」
「What's wrong you inferior dogs!? Is this the end!?」
The man who was raising his voice in victory was surrounded by heavily armed knights lined up, the corpses of the soldiers of the central army rolled around. The one with a bitter face is Bruno, formerly Knight Bruno Renster is the supreme commander of the infantry.
「Bruno, what happened?」
「When I tried to invade the lord's mansion he suddenly appeared, this is pretty tough.」
「My name is Cecil Bellido! Those of you want my head as a trophy, come fight me!」
A man who looks like a commander shouted loudly. It seems he has a lot of confidence. The cavalry that have challenged him to a duel earlier have all been instantly cut down.
「Is he strong?」
「Viscount Bellido is number 1 in the kingdom, and is famous man as a knight who competed twice. The troops under his command are most likely Margrave Alnode's personal knights, he's the Margrave's adopted son and son-in-law after all.」
Having a hero lead an elite group of knights and protecting the mansion's gates, this is problematic.
「Should I shoot an arrow?」
My thoughts coincide with Agor and Bruno. If you think about it normally you would not want to duel and lose your subordinates meaninglessly. Unfortunately, we are above normal soldiers, more than wanting to protect a knight's honor we want to win comfortably.
Raining arrows from the bow gun squad's attacks caused the knights and their horses to fall down one by one.
「Cowards! What do you take a knight's pride to be!?」
Didn't you say that we were inferior dogs earlier, being so naive as to line up in front of the gate you guys get a failing grade in terms of being a warmonger. There are not many knights who could move satisfactorily but Viscount Bellido has good fortune and has not been hit with an arrow.
「Now that it has come to this, I propose a duel with your hero! Now Step forward!」
Me and Bruno look at each other and laugh spontaneously. A fight that has been settled and asking for a duel, this guy is definitely not fit to be in the army. Bruno looks like he wants to shoot him, he gave orders to the bow gun squad, but Agor stepped forward.
「He is not fit to be in the army but, he wasn't hesitant to be stabbed by the raining arrows. A fitting warrior should be given a fitting end…」
「Are you going to accept the challenge?」
「Yessir!」
Agor is strong but looking at that guy simply he looks to be pretty good too. Honestly speaking he is several times stronger than Agor. Losing a skilled adjutant here would not be good. I may also not be fit to be in the army.
「I will go, is it alright Bruno?」
「Hey hey…are you serious?…」
It's been awhile since I've had a duel. I know it's a foolish idea but I don't care.
「My name is Aegir Hardlett, I will read you your last rites.」
I got off Schwartz and went forward. Bellido smiled with joy, he may have thought that arrows would come flying at him from the bottom of his heart.
「What a waste for this man to be placed amongst the trash! Now come!」
It wasn't a charge, both of us got on our horses and a jousting match has started.
His spear was quite an ornament and he had his trophies unnecessarily attached to his extravagant spear, but it had weight and it moved pretty sharply.
Receiving my attack, he was skilled in turning and counter attacking quickly and he the name of number one in the kingdom was not just for show.
But I have no intention of losing. I am done checking his skill, I'll hit him with full force with my spear.
One hit, two hits, three hits, his posture broke down and the fourth attack finally caused him to fall off his horse.
「Ugh! …It is not settled yet!」
He got up quickly and pointed his spear at me. I also got off Schwartz and drew my spear, I took a posture for thrusting.
We slowly closed the distance, when he entered my range I unleashed a strong thrust. He predicted that his armor would break, and predicts that I would aim at his neck so he protects that area but he's wrong. I aim at his center, I thrust at the hardest part of the armor protecting his chest. Of course, I could not penetrate it, but with a super heavy-weighted weapon, one strike is enough to blow him away.
He rolled on the ground, he was about to get up but I put my blade through his throat.
Blood sprayed out and indicated the end of the fight.
「Raise your voices!」
「Ooooooo–!」
Bruno took the lead and took a portion of the large squad that was the support and a portion of my squad also shouted their war cries. The knights that have lost their commander threw their weapons away and surrendered, when we were cheering in victory from the lord's mansion, the enemies scattered around the city also stopped their resistance and the base of the rebelling nobles, the city of Zaal has fallen completely.
Name : Aegir Hardlett 19 years old Summer
Annual Salary 80 gold
Weapon : Dual Crater (long sword), Large Bardiche (spear)
Companions :