Chapter 262 - Fifth Story: The Medioland Army's Eastern Campaign
The Medioland army, having departed from the Royal Capital, easily broke through the border with Gram and was advancing toward the Gram Royal Capital. They knew that if they moved, Engrio would move as well. It would be best to wrap up the Gram conquest early. James, who led the main force, and his staff thought as much.
Gram, on the other hand, understood this perfectly well, so they repeatedly engaged in delaying actions and conducted raids on enemy supply units with small squads. They aimed to buy time and hope that the overwhelming force would give up and withdraw. The enemy's main force was in a hurry, so their marching speed would be fast. But what about the slow-moving baggage train? That was Gram's target.
Gram was by no means a large country. However, south of the great Gram River, which flowed from the northwest to the southeast along the border with Northern Gram, fertile plains stretched out, and agriculture was well-developed. That farmland was held by nobles on a scale that could be called petty lords, their territories scattered about, and there were many forts that served as bases for these lords. Naturally, there was a certain amount of military force in those forts. Even with a large army, it would take time to pacify them all, yet if they simply passed them by, they would have to constantly be on guard against surprise attacks from the rear.
James was well aware of this, and to minimize damage to the baggage train, he had sent out units on a scale that could be called forced reconnaissance into the surrounding areas.
During a short break, a small magic circle placed in the tent glowed. It was a transmission of a message. One of the staff members handed James the letter that had arrived. It was a transmission from the garrison stationed at a port in Gram. The ships had set sail as soon as the war began, and the units had all fled to the sea. Some of those ships had continued south by sea.
"James-sama. We have a transmission from the ship we sent off the coast of Engrio. It is estimated that Engrio's reinforcements number approximately twenty thousand. Could this be an error?"
"No. It seems they are full-scale reinforcements. That Seldic. He surely doesn't intend to sell off this island."
James glanced at the letter handed to him and then tore it up bitterly.
"Then, truly, a force of twenty thousand..."
"It is likely true. It matches the information from those we dispatched to the continent. It seems over a thousand warships were gathered at the ports of the Kingdom of East Liber. Apparently, many large ships for transporting cavalry were mixed in."
"Which means, land troops?"
If it were a navy, they would head west by sea toward Primordia. If it were an army, they would surely head north.
"Yes. They are likely being sent toward Regnentes and Sertoria."
"Will they not come to our country?"
"They likely won't for now. If Engrio were to attack our Royal Capital with a large army, the fastest route would be from the former Cantas territory. However, even if we were to withdraw now, Gram has no strength left to pursue us. We could turn back and strike the Engrio army's flank just like that. Seldic would not make such a poor tactical move."
"Then?"
"Yes. We shall continue our advance."
"Understood, my lord."
According to the reconnaissance unit's information, there was a fort ahead with a force of several hundred men holed up inside. It was likely that local commoners were mixed in as well.
"We will not force the issue."
Receiving James's instructions, they first sent an envoy with a demand for surrender.
"To the commander of the fort. Surrender and withdraw. Our commander, His Highness Crown Prince James of Medioland, is a merciful man. No harm will come to those who do not resist. Not only your lives but the livelihoods of your people will be guaranteed. You may all return to your homes. Naturally, there will be no looting. I swear this in the name of the Goddess. You are given two hours. All soldiers must withdraw within two hours."
Two hours later, after confirming that not a single person intended to leave the fort, James completely surrounded the castle. Normally, this would be the time to bring out catapults, siege ladders, and towers.
"They are not surrendering."
"I see. It cannot be helped."
He proceeded to the front of the main gate with a few followers; it was not a distance where arrows could reach. Since it was not a full army, there were no stones thrown by catapults. They could easily be blocked with a [Skill: Magic Barrier].
"Magic defenses are deployed at the front. They are likely using [Skill: Magic Barrier] and [Skill: Magic Reflection] as well."
"Is that so?"
Answering the report with a tone that showed no sign of concern, he signaled to the person holding the flag beside him. When the flag was waved vigorously, lightning magic began to strike the garrison from above their heads.
There was nothing in the sky...
The lightning poured down from a corner of the blue sky, shifting locations as it struck one after another.
James began his incantation while watching the scene.
"The magic defenses at the front have vanished."
The mages had been targeted.
"[Skill: Prominence]!"
An orange dragon's head flew toward the main gate. When five holy mages from behind struck the dragon with [Skill: Holy Lance], the color of the flames changed from yellow to an even brighter white.
The soldiers atop the main gate were fleeing in a panic. Even if they weren't hit directly, they would die. Unless it was [Skill: Magic Reflection] used by a priest capable of ultra-high-level magic, it was not something that could be deflected. Gram had lost its influential mages and priests in the battle to defeat the Demon Lord. They didn't have the luxury of stationing them at every small fort.
After piercing the gate, the dragon continued straight ahead, melting the walls of the stone buildings and passing through to the other side. It left a large hole right through the middle of the fort. After a second shot of [Skill: Megiddo Fire] blew a large hole in the wall of the largest stone building, an envoy of surrender, who appeared to be a priest, emerged from the main gate that had become nothing more than a hole.
"We shall indeed surrender, but we demand treatment befitting knights."
The commander of the fort, who held territory and a title, spoke without a hint of shame.
He had bravely faced an enemy twenty times his size, and as a result of the main gate being completely destroyed, he had no choice but to surrender. His justification was established. Afterward, he would spend his time as a prisoner, and once the war was over, the King would pay a ransom to release him. It was the usual way of things. It was only the soldiers who died; the nobility never did.
"You are to depart."
The fort commander, who had expected some degree of ridicule or words of persuasion to join their side, couldn't believe his ears at James's unexpected words.
"I shall provide you with one horse and one carriage. Depart with your family within one hour. However, the soldiers shall be made prisoners."
Leaving those words behind, he departed the scene.
"James-dono, what did he just say?"
The petty noble of Gram, left behind, asked James's staff member standing nearby.
"James-sama has advised you to leave this land with your family within one hour. You would do well to head for the Royal Capital."
"T-To the Royal Capital... Is that true? What a man of little greed."
With an hour, he could take his valuables... especially expensive jewels. Even more so if he had a carriage. The staff member ordered to watch over him looked coldly at the man whose face was breaking into a smile.
The premise is different. James-sama intends to erase the Kingdom of Gram from the map of this island. In that case, someone like you, whose competence is unknown, will either be beheaded or exiled.
The staff member did not say this. If he did, the man would resist at the Royal Capital. He watched in silence.
"As expected of a hero. But just how was that lightning magic released?"
"Are there no ultra-high-level mages among your subordinates?"
"U-Umu. Well, I suppose so."
He brushed off the noble who was trying to probe for information, knowing full well there were none.
"Then, please be on your way. The agreement is within one hour."
"I see. Understood."
While the noble trudged back to the fort, James was giving instructions inside the tent.
"Empty the fort within one hour. Confiscate half of the fort's stored food and release the commoners with the rest. Give the captured soldiers money and let them flee in a different direction from that noble. And have them speak to the people in the villages and forts they reach. The message is this: if you stay holed up and do not interfere with our army, we will not attack. If you raid us, we will crush the entire fort."
One hour later, before the released commoners and the captured soldiers, the group of high-level mages led by the ultra-high-level mage James repeatedly cast spells, turning the fort into a hole-riddled ruin.
The soldiers watching gasped at the sheer intensity of it. What would have happened if they had continued to resist... they shuddered imagining the piles of rubble falling from above. As expected, Medioland, led by the hero James, was strong. That was their unanimous impression.
"That noble headed toward the Gram Royal Capital. We shall pursue him. Follow him, keeping a moderate distance."
After giving the instructions, James looked at the two brothers who were among the youngest of his staff.
"Gram has become weak. There are none with backbone like your father. If Sir Stephens were in the enemy's fort, it would not have fallen so easily."
The brothers looked at each other, thinking, Father would be pleased to hear that.
The soldiers who were let go fled to nearby villages and forts, explaining how strong Engrio was and telling them not to resist. The fact that the commoners were released without harm, even with half their food, was also significant. If they just stayed in their homes instead of fleeing to the forts, they wouldn't be attacked. In the first place, they couldn't win against the great power of Medioland. The commoners feared the power of Engrio that had crushed the fort, and they feared the power of James, who had defeated the Demon Lord. Fortunately, the Gram King's order was to buy time by holed up in the forts. Near the forts, units of a scale that couldn't be beaten in open battle were wandering about. The commanders of each fort, seeing this as a blessing, decided to stay holed up.
Meanwhile, the noble who had safely fled to the next fort reported that the Medioland army was approaching, and at the same time, staked his honor on emphasizing that they were not an opponent that could be matched. In this case, the stronger the Medioland army was, the more the dishonor of his own surrender would be washed away. He couldn't surrender without doing anything, but if he engaged the vanguard in open battle and found they were no match, it was better to surrender before being killed. The original military strength was different to begin with.
"Lightning magic suddenly came from the empty blue sky. And it was [Skill: Lightning]. I don't know how they did it, but the vassal mages who were deploying magic defenses were killed in an instant."
"Hmph. From the blue sky, you say?"
"It's true. The opponent is that James. Do you think I did nothing?"
"Alright, alright. I'll tell them to deploy magic defenses upward as well."
"Do you think that alone will stop it? It's magic that pierces through forts. He will definitely come from above next time."
"Well, we'll see."
Seeing the noble depart indignantly, saying he wouldn't care what happened, his peer snorted.
"Hmph. He probably fell for a woman and had a dream. How could one release magic from the sky?"
The fort that had deployed magic defenses all around, including the top, against the Medioland besieging army was struck by several giant icicles falling from far above, where the magic defenses could not reach.
"We meet again."
James spoke to the fat man standing before him. It seemed the fort commander had been killed in action, and he had come to request surrender as a proxy.
"Regrettably, I have become a prisoner again this time, but I demand treatment befitting a knight."
He replied without shame, as usual.
"Our army's first attack should have targeted the fort's main tower, but where were you?"
"I was underground with the local commoners. I knew James-dono would strike from above."
When he ordered his staff to confirm with the refugees who had survived by evacuating underground, it was revealed that the noble had been steadily evacuating those on the surface to the underground. Despite the fort's structures suffering significant damage, it could be said that the few civilian casualties were thanks to him.
James became interested in this fat man. He had predicted the attack on the fort and minimized the damage. If he had a few high-level mages under his command, the conquest might have taken somewhat more effort.
"The commoners of your territory have all returned to their homes. I wish to treat those you saved in this fort in the same manner. You may depart in peace. I shall have one horse and two carriages prepared. You would do well to depart for the Royal Capital within one hour along with the family of this fort's commander. Naturally, the soldiers shall all be made prisoners."
The fat noble's face broke into a smile.
"James-dono. I am grateful for your consideration. I shall depart within one hour as offered."
In the end, this fat noble acted as a guide for James, sometimes causing forts where allies were holed up to surrender in advance, sometimes surviving by predicting James's attacks, and finally reaching the Royal Capital.
"That man. It would be a waste to kill him."
One of James's staff members said as they watched the fat noble leading a line of nearly ten carriages and three surrendered nobles, heading trudgingly down the road toward the Royal Capital.
"Umu. He predicted every one of James-sama's attacks, skillfully applied defenses, and further guided the people to the safest locations. Come to think of it, the only fort master who survived James-sama's repeated attacks aimed at the commander's location was that man."
"James-sama is launching merciless attacks, but the fact that there are few civilian casualties is likely thanks to that man."
"Yes. He's different from Father, but that is a splendid battle with backbone in its own way."
"Though he doesn't look it at all."
The two brothers laughed out loud.
In June, the Medioland army approached the outskirts of the Gram Royal Capital, a month and a half after departing from their own capital.
James, spreading the map inside the tent and confirming the route he had taken, couldn't help but let out a sigh.
"I followed him to the Royal Capital hoping that man would encourage his allies to surrender, but it seems we were guided all the way here."
James traced the route from the border to the Royal Capital on the map. They were basically heading east, but they had changed direction significantly twice along the way. First, they had headed northeast, then set their course southeast as if returning to their original path.
The reason for those changes in course was noteworthy. At first glance, it seemed they were bypassing the hilly terrain in front of them and heading toward a closer fort, but as a result, they ended up approaching the Royal Capital from the north. In this case, they would be advancing with their left flank constantly pressed against the Gram River, which flowed north of the Royal Capital. Furthermore, hilly terrain stretched out to the south. It was perfect for placing an ambush, and those advancing would be caught between the river and the hills. It wasn't quite a narrow pass, but it was too narrow to spread the entire army out, and both the left and right flanks would be unable to maneuver sufficiently. In other words, an enveloping attack utilizing their numerical advantage would become difficult.
However, if Medioland attacked from the north, Gram would be unable to coordinate with Northern Gram, which could be called its brother nation. This was because they would need to conduct a river-crossing battle. With the difference in military strength, it was no simple matter. Of course, it was possible to cross the river upstream and pincer the Medioland army from the east and west, but the Medioland army had left troops at key points in preparation for that.
However, the Medioland army's invasion of Gram was done in coordination with Northern Gram. They had already formed a Non-Aggression Alliance.
"What is Gram's movement?"
"They are actively transporting provisions into the Royal Capital. There is no sign of them challenging us to an open battle."
"Is there any sign of them sending envoys?"
"Several to Northern Gram. We captured one, and it was an envoy requesting reinforcements."
Do they still not realize they've been abandoned...? That man's desperate secret plan has also ended in vain. But I am still inexperienced. If Eleanor-sama found out about this, I'd get more than just a scolding.
James involuntarily shrugged his shoulders.
"Maintain strict vigilance, advance between the hills and the river, and take up positions at the exit. If you cannot advance, do not try to force it. I will go up. If it comes to an open battle, do not force the issue. Wait for the magic units' attack."
After quickly giving the orders, James boarded his bowl, vanished, and went to scout the hilly terrain himself. He then discovered that three thousand Gram soldiers had already taken up positions on the other side of the hills. They would soon reach the summit. When he observed using a scroll of [Skill: Sight] bought from the Marcelo Company, the one in command seemed to be that fat noble.
He was accompanied by several mages. One of them was an ultra-high-level mage who had participated as a main member of the Demon Lord subjugation force. The unit had suffered great losses after a fierce battle with the demon race, but that mage had survived and brilliantly struck down the demons. A surprise attack with magic would not work. The moment he deactivated [Skill: Magic Reflection] to release magic, he would be noticed.
The Royal Capital could be seen beyond the hills.
Dust was rising. It was the sortie of the King's direct army. Apparently, they had timed their sortie for when the Medioland army was passing between the river and the hills.
If the exit were seized first, they wouldn't be able to surround them.
Moreover, the vital point of the hilly terrain had been seized first. Forcing the issue while deep in enemy territory was forbidden.
That man must have sent an envoy with the strategic proposal before he even arrived. The captured envoy might have also been a decoy to make us lower our guard.
"I've been had. That man. He's quite something."
James couldn't help but click his tongue.