154 - The Holy Knight
Inside the fort.
In a place that seemed to be a conference room, I moved the pieces on the map based on information received from Mei, who had gone out for reconnaissance.
In the conference room where the main members were gathered, there were three large pieces on the map.
Crate-san shouted.
"T-Three thousand! N-No, but there are also soldiers gathered from the surrounding areas in this fort. There are three hundred people who can fight. In that case, with this number...!"
Crate-san put his hand to his mouth and fell into thought, as if trying to say that they could somehow manage.
I looked at the map.
(Three thousand soldiers are elites who departed from the capital... and they have plenty of siege weapons to boot. Are they the crown jewels?)
I turned my gaze toward Selma-san. Upon hearing the number three thousand, she had clasped her hands in front of her chest. It looked like a gesture of prayer.
"Selma-san, is three thousand most of Zain's military strength? Ah, I mean the strength currently in the capital."
Selma-san spoke to me.
"I cannot say it is a critical number. Because wars decreased drastically during my generation, the population increased. I believe we were able to maintain four thousand by gathering people from the surrounding areas."
Gastone-san added.
"Regional units will be added to that, so the total will be fifteen thousand. They didn't pull from the borders, then."
He seemed to think we wouldn't be able to fulfill our role, but I shook my head.
"That's plenty. Is the quality of the capital's units higher than the regional units?"
The visual information sent by Mei, and my [Real Spec] skill, informed me in numerical values that the opponent was superior in terms of equipment.
Selma-san told me.
"The training and quality of equipment are higher than in the regions. However, during my generation, I kept it limited to one thousand."
Military buildup is necessary, but at the same time, the maintenance costs are high. Even if that many are gathered from the people of the territory, how much recklessness is required to provide training and equipment...
(Even if we fight a defensive battle at the fort, it's not like we can't win.)
As I thought that, a deliberate voice came from within the jewel orb. It was the Third Generation.
'How terrible! The enemy has sent three thousand elites our way!'
The Fourth Generation followed.
'Normally, I thought they'd think we had a thousand at most if they knew our numbers. I wonder if the enemy commander is competent, or not.'
The Fifth Generation said.
'This... we can win if we defend, but we'll lose the war.'
I wouldn't say we couldn't defeat three thousand enemies. However, we wouldn't be able to move on to the next action. If that happened, we practically wouldn't obtain the result we desired.
The Seventh Generation also spoke.
'If they evaluated us correctly, they're quite a commander. In fact, with three thousand, they probably think they can repel us even if they're ambushed in a field battle.'
Yes, the land continues to be flat until Fort Noineel. In other words, in a field battle, numbers inevitably speak for themselves.
But the Third Generation and the others—
'Then we just don't have to fight! Leaving the home base empty is quite bold! I would absolutely never do it!'
'Abandon the fort! And our goal is—'
'—The capital. Considering the remaining forces, that's better.'
'Let's increase our soldiers at villages we pass through on the way and proceed. It seems there's a difference in consciousness between the capital and the regions.'
—We decided to abandon the fort.
When I touched the jewel orb, the Third Generation explained.
'It's not that we can't win, but casualties would increase and there's a possibility we'd become unable to move, right? Besides, they've brought out siege weapons, so their movement speed is slow. In contrast, we are few... there are several roads leading to the capital, and the opponent is complacent because of their numbers. Wow, the conditions are so perfectly aligned it's actually scary.'
My skill accurately displayed the information sent by Mei in my head. They seemed to be cautious of the surroundings for the time being, but their movements showed they were underestimating us.
The Fifth Generation said.
'Furthermore. If we let the people of Zain fight each other until they're battered, it'll be a pain later. Also... if the elite units are mostly from the capital, it'll be advantageous for us to go on the defensive there.'
I thought.
(Even though the opponent has the home-field advantage? Besides, even if we take the capital, will they move exactly according to our intentions? If the people resist, it's over.)
Then, the surrounding members looked at me anxiously as I fell into thought. The Seventh Generation's voice sounded.
'Liel, do not forget the words of the Sixth Generation. Have confidence... do not make your subordinates anxious. Besides, this battle is proceeding quite advantageously.'
Although it differed from my own opinion, I decided to trust the words of the successive heads of the family. Raising my head and smiling, I spoke to everyone.
"We will abandon the fort. Then, we'll recruit soldiers at various villages and towns and head straight for the capital. Gastone-san, could you tell me which villages would be easy to win over? Ah, please avoid the direction the enemy is advancing."
When I said that, everyone was stunned.
Aria, looking at me, spoke on behalf of everyone's opinion.
"Eh, the capital... are you serious? I mean, the defenses there are even more amazing than here, right?"
The one who answered was Aura-san. Looking at me.
"Normally, wouldn't you take the surrounding forts before going there?"
Then, the Third Generation's voice came from the jewel orb.
'That's not right. No matter how much of a figurehead she is... the King... no, in this case, the Saintess. If we take the Saintess, we win the moment that happens. Whether she's a figurehead or not doesn't matter to the people. Now, the plan has changed, but let's have some fun!'
I said with a smile.
"It's fine. It just became easier than planned. Also, let's head to the capital in the form of a mercenary group. Now, let's get to the preparations."
When I clapped my hands twice, everyone's expressions changed to ones of realization.
And then, to lighten the mood with a light joke—
"Now, let's enjoy ourselves."
When I said that, the expressions around me were completely put off. I thought I'd make them feel more relaxed, but it seems jokes really aren't for me.
—It was a town near the border of Zain and Rolfis.
Mercenary groups that had sided with Zain were gathered, waiting with bated breath to set out.
However, when the news arrived, it was that the Knight Commander, the general-in-chief, had headed to Fort Noineel to subjugate the former Saintesses who had risen up.
With this, another postponement was decided.
Many mercenary groups had signed contracts for cheap amounts. The reason was that looting in Rolfis was permitted, and they were free to take as much as they wanted.
However, if they didn't invade, they couldn't loot. They couldn't earn properly from skirmishes, and the frustration of the mercenary groups grew day by day.
In such a place, Albano was talking with one of the mercenary group leaders.
"Damn it! I should have gone somewhere else!"
Slamming a cup onto a small round table, the leader voiced his frustration. Albano felt the same.
"Right. Hired for cheap and then put on standby. It'd be better to work elsewhere."
The leader seemed to share the same opinion. However, there was a reason why he was drinking with Albano.
"Albano, were you really in the Holy Knights in Beime? And the former Saintess who formed it only has about a hundred soldiers?"
It was to gather information.
"Yeah, no mistake. That's the number in Beime. However, there's a pretty famous person there. That guy is a sharp one."
The leader showed no reaction upon hearing that. So, Albano said.
"Maybe the Knight Commander will lose."
The leader laughed.
"That'd be great! If the pseudo-noble Holy Knights lose, it'll be our turn."
Then, Albano said with exasperation.
"You're an idiot. If the de facto Knight Commander loses, it's over. If the three thousand elites of the capital lose, how are we going to win against Rolfis?"
Hearing that, the leader put his hand to his chin. In terms of numbers, they were at an advantage, but Rolfis was in a national crisis.
He could predict that the resistance would be fierce.
Albano continued—
"Besides, just a hundred. Would they send three thousand against four or five hundred at most? Rumor has it the top brass of Zain are desperate for the former Saintess to disappear. They're wondering if there's something shady going on."
Hearing that, the leader slammed his palm down in front of Albano. When he moved his hand, there were several silver coins.
"Tell me. Depending on the content, I'll pay you more."
The man who was a leader entrusted with the lives of his members wanted to know facts he didn't know. Depending on the situation, there was a possibility of suffering terribly because of it.
Albano took them, took a sip of alcohol, and then said.
"You're generous. Then, I'll tell you a special one. According to information I got in Beime, Selva is strangely inactive. Even though the Second Prince was sent there as a son-in-law? Moreover, before the former Saintess fled to Beime, the elites of the Holy Knights moved to dispose of her."
The leader asked.
"Proof?"
Albano drew the sword hanging from his waist and placed it on the table. It was a dagger with no crest engraved on it. A dagger that the Holy Knights had possessed.
However, weapons held by assassination squads have nothing to reveal their identity. It was weak as proof.
"I got it from an acquaintance who defeated them. The former Saintess might have held some very troublesome information."
"That's not proof."
(Right. But with this, I just want him to think there's a connection between me and Liel. After that—)
"Don't rush me. In reality, it's true that they were attacked. It's a fact that she fled to Beime, and it's a fact that she gathered people. That's probably why the elites were sent to Fort Noineel. ...This war, it might be Selva pulling the strings from behind. They might be planning to strike down us, who dealt damage to Rolfis, in a flashy way."
The leader asked.
"For what purpose?"
"Who knows... but if they help a battered Rolfis, wouldn't Selva's influence increase?"
Albano implicitly conveyed that we mercenaries were about to be made scapegoats—
—Fort Noineel.
There was Arman, looking stunned from atop his horse.
"...What is the meaning of this?"
They had surrounded the fort, assembled siege weapons, and begun the attack. Since arrival, no sign of the enemy had been seen, so he had also ordered reconnaissance of the surroundings to see if they were hiding.
However, there was no reaction even when they launched an attack on the fort. The gates were easily destroyed, and when the soldiers rushed in, it was completely empty.
The messenger who came to report said.
"Knight Commander! They left this."
What the messenger brought was a single piece of paper.
On it was written.
'We'll be taking the capital. Let's see if you can make it back before it falls.'
Arman crushed the paper in his grip.
"That wicked woman! All forces, return to the capital immediately!"
Wicked woman—that was referring to Selma.
Then, the knight who was his adjutant said.
"Please wait! It has been a forced march to get here. The soldiers are showing fatigue. Besides, if we dismantle the siege weapons and move—"
"You fool! Only those who can move immediately are enough! At this rate, the capital will fall!"
Then, the adjutant said.
"Impossible. The enemy has five hundred at most. Besides, the capital still has nearly a thousand soldiers. It won't be that easy."
Arman muttered "True" upon hearing that, but he had anxiety.
"...Even so! Return immediately! Hurry the reorganization of the units!"
The adjutant replied, but his expression was one that seemed to doubt Arman—
—The capital of Zain.
The castle gates should have been firmly closed.
However, the gates were open. Enemy soldiers had entered. Yet, there were no signs that the gates had been forced open.
Partly due to carelessness, the enemy had slipped in and opened the gates before they knew it.
They had allowed an intrusion into the temple.
Knights clad in armor were pointing their weapons at the enemies who had entered the temple. The knights were protecting Remis—the Saintess.
The enemy in front of them had blood splattered on armor colored blue and white. They wore a helmet, and because of a mask, their face was not visible.
Remis was trembling as she looked at the knight leading the unit.
"What, who the hell are youuuu!!"
At Remis's words, the knights slashed at the enemy, but they were cut down by the enemy holding a saber in their right hand.
The enemy knight in the most conspicuous attire swung the saber to shake off the blood and spoke to Remis, who was surrounded by shrine maidens.
"Remis Zain, I presume."
As the trembling Remis remained silent, a familiar girl walked up from behind the enemy knight. The enemies cleared the path, and the one who walked out boldly in front of her was Aura.
"No mistake. It's Remis..."
Seeing Aura, who had a slightly sad expression, Remis said.
"Do you know what you've done! This is rebellion! Doing this out of spite because you lost to me... don't think you'll get away with this!"
Then, Aura said.
"I wonder if you're counting on Selva?"
Remis jumped, and her gaze wavered. Aura didn't seem to miss that.
"...I know that you've teamed up with Selva."
Then, Remis flew into a rage.
"So what! I don't know about that old hag, but that's how Zain is! It's always been that way!"
Aura let out a sigh.
"I thought so."
Remis hurriedly averted her gaze from Aura.
(What's going on? Didn't Arman head for the fort? Did these people perhaps defeat Arman?)
The terrified Remis was considering the scale of the opponent.
(They defeated three thousand and invaded? What does this mean... didn't you need three times the troops for a castle siege!)
Then, a knight who appeared to be a woman produced threads from her fingertips and restrained Remis and the shrine maidens. Falling to the floor, Remis looked up at Aura.
"Hah, what's with those nymphomaniac clothes! Your pathetic chest is completely visible!"
To Remis, who maintained a defiant attitude, Aura, who leaned down, said.
"Sorry, but you're going to have to die."
"...Eh?"
Remis looked at the smiling face of Aura with a pale face—
After locking the Saintesses in a room, we made a bold declaration in the temple.
"Saintess Remis has fallen before the true Saintess—Aura Zain! Drop your weapons! If you surrender, your lives will be spared!"
When Gastone-san made the declaration in the plaza in front of the temple, the people gathered. And they listened in stunned silence to the conclusion of the rebellion that had ended in an instant.
The soldiers stationed on the castle walls had returned to the temple upon hearing the commotion, only to find that everything was already over.
While watching that, I kept a lookout for anyone making strange movements.
Wearing light—very light, purely for appearance armor, I communicated with my comrades in the separate unit using the [Connection] skill.
'Aria, how's it going on your end?'
A reply came from Aria.
'The knights have been disarmed. Or rather, they don't seem to know how many troops we have.'
Before dawn, Mei had carried the intrusion unit—us—onto the castle walls, and then opened the castle gates.
We rushed in just like that and pushed through to the temple.
From dawn until everything ended, it didn't take much time.
I checked with Eva.
'Eva, how about the castle walls?'
'The castle gates are closed, and for that matter, no enemies have come. Well, no matter how much they hurry to return, it'll probably take a few days, right?'
Inside the temple.
There were still some people holed up, and Crate-san and the others were dealing with them.
I had Novem and Miranda act as guides, and I informed them of the positions where the enemies were hiding.
'Miranda, there are guys hiding in the next room.'
'Understood.'
In my head, red, blue, and yellow were moving around on a map. It's possible to show that information to everyone, but since they're not used to it, it causes headaches.
I conveyed the information and cleaned up the inside of the temple.
'Don't kill too many.'
When I said that, Miranda replied.
'As long as they don't resist.'
Then, Selma-san stepped out before the people and began a speech. To persuade them, she was trying to introduce Aura-san.
I decided to concentrate on that.
(There are around six hundred people here... no matter what, we have to hold this place.)
We gathered soldiers while moving, and that's how we stormed the capital.
The armor I'm wearing is a fake one Monica prepared. The reason it's so light is that it's just made to look the part using wood as well as metal.
After all, there was no time to prepare.
(Damn, why is the situation so tight?)
Internally I was panicking, but I watched Selma-san and Aura-san's speeches with a dignified air.
Voices came from the jewel orb.
Starting from the Third Generation.
'With this, the Saintess is in our hands.'
'The national treasury is secured as well.'
'In that case, the movements of the mercenaries will change.'
'Hmm... we must go and notify Rolfis. That the time has come.'
They were enthusiastic. As always, they're reliable at times like this.
However, the voices I could hear had decreased. Feeling a sense of loneliness, I listened to the speech and kept a lookout of the surroundings.