142 - Undercover Maneuvers
The forces led by Fumiya—though it was debatable whether calling them the Laurel Kingdom Army was still accurate—had finalized their organization. Four thousand soldiers each from the Kingdom of Lydia and the Kingdom of Aria, brought by Fumiya, and seven thousand from the Laurel Kingdom, totaling fifteen thousand. While the total number was smaller than during the invasion of Nordende, it was nearly the same if one excluded the separate detachment that had provided almost no combat power. The Laurel Kingdom side remained vigilant.
In reality, since they had not grasped the full strength of the Demon King's army, they could not say for certain that this was enough, but this number had been decided with the defense of the royal capital in mind. Those fifteen thousand troops had left the royal capital and were now deployed near the Forest of Bewilderment.
"Isn't there far too little information?"
At the military council, it was General Gerutza of the Kingdom of Lydia who voiced his anxiety over the lack of information regarding the Demon King's army. Though their own force was large, the enemy were of the Demon Race. It was not a situation where victory could be guaranteed.
"It cannot be helped. The Demon King's army is hiding in the forest, and they refuse to reveal their full strength."
The one who answered General Gerutza was Larc, the Commander of the Royal Knights of the Laurel Kingdom. Half of that was an excuse.
"What has been revealed is an undead unit called the Undead Legion numbering three thousand. As for the Demon Race, there are perhaps a hundred at most..."
General Gerutza could accept the number of the Undead Legion. However, he felt the number of the Demon Race was far too low.
"The main body of the Demon King's army might still be remaining in Nordende. Even in the previous battle, the Undead Legion operated on a separate battlefield."
To General Gerutza, who wore a dissatisfied expression, the Commander of the Royal Knights of the Laurel Kingdom mentioned another possibility. He failed to realize that this itself was a sign of the lack of information.
"That possibility exists, but in this case, it is better not to consider it. We cannot afford to underestimate the enemy before us and be caught off guard."
"That is true, but..."
The Commander of the Royal Knights of the Laurel Kingdom also thought General Gerutza was correct, but that would not resolve the anxiety of everyone, including General Gerutza himself.
"In the battle of Nordende, we overwhelmed the enemy with equal numbers. I do not believe they have more numbers than they did then."
To dispel General Gerutza's anxiety—though he was not the only one feeling it—Fumiya explained the battle at Nordende. His reasoning was that the number of the Demon Race holed up in the Forest of Bewilderment could not possibly be greater than those at their base in Nordende. He was not wrong.
"It is still better than a battle at the Demon Race's base, I suppose..."
General Gerutza also thought Fumiya was likely correct. By common sense, that was the case. However, there were gaps in Fumiya's explanation. The fact that the Laurel Kingdom Army had been utterly defeated in the battle among the mountains surrounding Nordende.
Not only that, but the fact that the one leading the entire Demon King's army was Ray. This was not a lack of explanation, but something Fumiya himself did not know.
"Compared to that time, I have also grown. This army is undoubtedly stronger than it was during the previous battle."
This was not bravado. As the Hero, Fumiya exhibited his true value more as a commander than as a common soldier. He knew this himself.
"Still, if possible, I would prefer to fight outside the forest."
The one still voicing anxiety was General Gaston of the Kingdom of Aria. With Fumiya as the commander-in-chief, Larc, the Commander of the Royal Knights of the Laurel Kingdom, General Gerutza of the Kingdom of Lydia, and General Gaston of the Kingdom of Aria would each command their respective national armies.
"That's true... it seems impossible unless we devise a plan."
Fumiya also thought that expecting Ray to simply lead the Undead Legion and attack out of spite was far too naive. Five days had passed since they deployed, but there had been no movement whatsoever.
"I heard there was a proposal to employ a fire attack?"
"Ah... I wonder..."
Fumiya showed a hesitant attitude toward General Gaston's question. The forest stretching out before them. Fumiya felt hesitation at the thought of burning a vast forest whose extent he could not even imagine. Fumiya's only knowledge of forest fires came from news reports, and because of that, he was afraid to make a decision, not knowing what kind of situation it might trigger.
"I hear that many traps have been set within the forest. To neutralize those traps, I believe it would be an effective strategy."
General Gaston simply wanted to minimize the sacrifices of their allies. He was requesting the implementation of the fire attack.
"Even if we execute it, it will be necessary to choose the timing."
General Gerutza was not opposed, but he was more cautious about the fire attack than General Gaston.
"Timing?"
"I believe it should be executed shortly before it rains."
"Before the rain? Wouldn't that reduce the effect?"
Fumiya did not understand the reason for choosing the time before the rain. He thought it would simply be extinguished immediately.
"We cannot burn the entire forest. If destroying the Forest of Bewilderment would mean the Demon Race is wiped out, then there would be room for consideration, but that is not the case."
"I see... you're right."
Rather than the reason for choosing the time before the rain, Fumiya was impressed by the explanation that followed regarding the value of the Forest of Bewilderment to the Demon Race. As General Gerutza said, the Demon Race's base was Nordende. Even if the Forest of Bewilderment were completely burned, they should not be troubled.
In reality, Ray would be troubled. Since the option of retreating to Nordende did not exist, there was no place more suitable for a long-term war than the Forest of Bewilderment.
"In that case, does it come down to either invading the forest with a large army or sending in a decoy unit to lure the enemy out?"
The Commander of the Royal Knights of the Laurel Kingdom mentioned these as mere examples of strategies to use if they did not employ the fire attack.
"...Let's try a decoy operation. Larc, could you organize a unit?"
"Eh?"
Larc showed surprise at Fumiya's words. He had not expected that the decoy unit would be drawn from the Laurel Kingdom Army.
"I'm not telling you to lead the decoy unit yourself. Just pick someone suitable."
"...Understood."
The Commander of the Royal Knights of the Laurel Kingdom understood Fumiya's intention. There were knights in the Laurel Kingdom Army who could not be trusted. He was being told to send such people on a dangerous mission.
However, it would not be only those knights who would participate in the decoy unit. The Commander of the Royal Knights of the Laurel Kingdom was not entirely convinced by this choice, as it would deplete the combat strength of the Laurel Kingdom Army.
This was a point where the interests of the Commander of the Royal Knights of the Laurel Kingdom and Fumiya conflicted. Fumiya, who was trying to solidify his position with the power of the Kingdom of Lydia and Kingdom of Aria armies, and Larc, a pure-blooded citizen of the Laurel Kingdom, had different ways of thinking.
◇◇◇
The slums in the royal capital of the Laurel Kingdom. Ray was in that place, which had become deserted as most of the residents had left the capital. Ray was in no hurry to fight. On the contrary, he intended to prolong it. This was to buy time for the camp of Queen Ekaterina to prepare, including strengthening the defenses of Anfang. And to buy time until every single person who had joined the rebel forces was identified.
His infiltration into the royal capital was for that purpose. This time, the main objective was the strengthening of Queen Ekaterina's camp.
"There are secret passages to escape the royal capital. I have used them this time as well, so their existence should not have been noticed."
The person Ray was explaining to was a spy of the Intelligence Organization. Naturally, a spy for Queen Ekaterina's camp.
"That helps. The secret passages we were using are likely being monitored."
"It seems so."
"Eh?"
The spy was surprised by Ray's words. Ray's words meant that he knew about the secret passages that only those belonging to the Intelligence Organization should know. That was why he was surprised.
"The monitoring is quite strict. However, that is what ends up revealing the existence of the passages. The leader—I mean the deceased leader—would not have allowed such blatant monitoring."
"I see... so the person on the enemy side is only of that level?"
"I might be scolded for saying this, but in the organization, the leader's orders are absolute. Were there not only a few people capable of thinking for themselves?"
"...True."
Self-willed actions were strictly forbidden. The only ones allowed to do so—though even then it was with restrictions—were a few commander-class individuals the leader trusted. That was the kind of organization it was.
"It seems that worked in our favor this time."
The leader would never trust a spy who would join the rebel forces. The person probably thought they were being treated coldly, but the leader had reasons for doing so.
"I intend to have the first group depart in the coming days. I thought it would be better to send them all at once, but it seems it will take time to screen out those who are not related."
In reality, many people had already escaped the royal capital. The "first group" meant that the organization would begin supporting them for the first time.
"I agree... I think it is a good thing to prioritize those related."
Even secret passages that have not been found yet might be noticed if used repeatedly. Rather than that risk, it was better to avoid the danger of the rebel forces intensifying their search for those related to Queen Ekaterina's camp.
"To be honest, screening the civil and military officials is a difficult situation."
Among the civil and military officials who doubted Neil's survival, there were not a few who considered joining Queen Ekaterina's camp. However, it was difficult to confirm if that was their true intention.
"If evidence of betrayal were easy to find, I wouldn't be struggling. I think it's inevitable."
"I intend to strictly monitor whether anyone is taking suspicious actions, even after arriving at Anfang."
"Yes. That is necessary."
To compensate for the shortage of personnel at Anfang, it was absolutely necessary to bring in civil and military officials loyal to the Laurel Kingdom. However, that also meant there was a possibility that rebel forces could infiltrate Anfang. Dealing with that had to be done reliably.
"I will continue to carry out information warfare in the royal capital."
What the spies were doing was not just rescuing related persons. They were also spreading news of Neil's death and Queen Ekaterina's legitimacy to the people.
"Ah, about that."
"Is there some problem?"
"...I've started to think that it might not be a good thing for people to flock to Her Majesty's camp all at once."
"Why is that?"
The spy was bewildered by Ray's words. The shortage of personnel at Anfang was serious. Not just civil and military officials, but the number of people was insufficient. Population and the size of the territory are proportional to tax revenue. To defeat the rebel forces, they must possess national power that exceeds the opponent's.
"For example, if a noble family with land near the royal capital declares their loyalty to Her Majesty and is attacked by the rebel forces, can we help them?"
"...That would be difficult."
If they advanced an army near the royal capital, the rebel forces would undoubtedly send an interception army, even if it meant leaving the Demon King's army alone. In a field battle, the difference in numbers would be great. The army on Queen Ekaterina's side would be at a disadvantage.
"If we act as if we are abandoning them, it will lead to the disappointment of our allies. I thought that would be bad."
That said, the Demon King's army could not provide support, except for shadow support to a degree that people would not notice. The resistance of the Human Race toward the Demon Race would not disappear easily.
"...I will seek Her Majesty's judgment, but until then, I will suspend the information warfare."
Convinced by Ray's explanation, the spy decided to suspend the operations. Seeking Queen Ekaterina's judgment was a way to make it appear as if he were not simply following Ray's orders. In reality, Ray had no intention of ordering him, so it was correct.
"I believe Her Majesty understands, but please tell her anyway. First, solidify the foundation. Overextending is forbidden."
"Understood."
The spy also felt the impatience of Queen Ekaterina—or rather, the entire camp. He felt it himself. He decided to take Ray's words as a warning to themselves.
"Now, I'll return to the forest after one more job."
"One more job... ah, if it's something I don't need to know, then that's fine."
Even while saying this, the spy was curious about what Ray was planning to do. Ray was a person the deceased leader had once considered as his successor.
"I'll reduce the number of enemy spies a bit. Also, I'll cause a bit of a stir in the royal capital. Please tell our allies not to go outside."
"...Understood."
It was grateful that the enemy spies would be reduced. However, he did not understand what "causing a stir in the royal capital" meant. Regardless of the method used, he felt that Ray, who could do such a thing, was indeed someone who should not be made an enemy. He felt once again that their choice—the leader's judgment—had been correct.
◇◇◇
Reducing the number of enemy spies. As for how to do that, it was not such an eccentric method. He knew where the enemy spies were. The secret passages used by the Laurel Kingdom's Intelligence Organization—that was the place. He just had to attack there.
The entrance to the secret passages within the royal capital. Ray appeared there boldly—though he was dressed entirely in black and his face was hidden. Noticing this, the presence around him became noisy. It was the presence of the spies who were keeping watch.
Their goal was to strike down the enemy who had appeared. That enemy had appeared. They moved all at once to fulfill their mission, without even realizing that the enemy was far superior not only in spy abilities but also in pure combat power.
Once he had accurately grasped the positions of the enemy through the presence of their movements, Ray also moved. Toward the annihilation of the enemy. With movements that even they, as spies, could not follow with their eyes, he vanished, hid in the darkness, and killed the enemies one by one. As is common among spies, a silent battle continued. That silent battle ended when...
"Only you remain."
"What!?"
When only one spy remained. At the sound of Ray's voice from behind, the spy hurriedly looked back. However, that reaction was wrong. The moment he thought he had captured Ray's figure, the spy received an impact to the abdomen and crouched down.
"...I'll have you tell me the names of the comrades you know."
"............"
"Not now. I'll ask you slowly and take my time later, so for now, sleep."
Before he finished hearing these words from Ray, the spy jumped far back and attempted to flee. However, Ray would not allow that. The reason he gave the spy the gap to move away was because it didn't matter if he did.
A shadow blocked the path of the spy who tried to run. Before he knew who it was, the spy collapsed to the ground.
"Finished?"
"Of course. It seems there were fewer people on the outside."
The one who appeared was Kai. He had been attacking the enemy spies both inside and outside the passages.
"Then, take them back first."
To Kai, Ray told him to take the captured spies and head toward the Forest of Bewilderment.
"Are you okay? The enemy noticed the intrusion, right?"
If Kai, a member of the Demon Race, intruded into the royal capital, the magic tools that detect them would react. Inside the castle, they must already know of the Demon Race's intrusion and be in an uproar.
"It's intentional, so it would be a problem if they didn't notice."
"I guess so, but..."
"It won't take that much time. I'll just have them make a bit of a fuss."
"...Got it. Then, I'll go on ahead."
Kai knew what Ray was planning to do. There was no point in complaining about something that was according to plan. Thinking that it would only waste time, Kai carried the spies and returned through the passage.
(Now... it's my turn.)
Once Kai was gone, Ray spoke to Kamui in his mind.
(Do spies retain their abilities even as undead?)
(I don't know. Why not try and find out?)
(That's true. Well, shall we begin?)
Kamui began the incantation for necromancy. In response, the corpses around them—the corpses of the spies Ray had killed—began to move.
(...The sensation is no different from ordinary undead soldiers.)
(That's a shame. Well, even if their abilities remained, they wouldn't be necessary.)
In terms of intelligence capabilities, information crows or Information Rats were more useful. A spy is only useful if they have their own will and can operate even when far away. That was impossible for the undead.
(Well, I just need to cause a commotion, so this is enough.)
(Yeah. Just have them make a fuss in a more conspicuous place. It seems it will take time to move, so we should hurry.)
(Understood.)
Following Kamui's orders, the undead began to move. To make the residents of the royal capital notice, they headed toward the center. And that would be a success.
The fact that a few members of the Demon Race and the Undead Legion had intruded into the royal capital. In response to this, the rebel forces would allocate more military strength to solidify the defense of the royal capital. Consequently, the number of troops deployed in the Forest of Bewilderment would decrease.