232 - Tiger at the Front Gate, Wolf at the Back Gate
――By the time they realized it, it was too late.
The units in the rear had been annihilated.
Furthermore, individuals who were not in the plans were participating at the forward fortress, and the enemies inside the fortress easily numbered over a thousand.
"What happened to Marina!"
The commander roared, demanding confirmation from those around him, but no one grasped the situation. Things had gone too well, and they had let their guard down.
By the time the commander himself realized he had also been careless, it was too late.
He looked up at the fortress walls. The area above the central gate was slightly elevated. Flanking that spot, to the left, stood a woman in white clothes with light blue hair and a cold expression.
The subordinates who had placed ladders against the wall and tried to climb were being frozen solid.
On the opposite side, adventurers from an adventurer party were being burned by a woman with silver-white hair.
A few days.
They had spent too much time at this fortress. Lyell and the others had arrived at the site three days after departing. Two days after that, they attacked, taking two fortresses in two days.
"I reported that once they entered the depths of the forest, two people wouldn't be able to chase them—"
"When! When did you report that to me!"
The commander grabbed his subordinate by the collar. He seemed to know it was unreasonable, but facing the current situation, he could not remain calm.
"Th-three days ago! At that time, you told me to let Marina-san do as she pleased—"
Throwing the subordinate aside, the commander sank into thought.
(If Marina had lost, the Kirin would be with us by now. We should have been able to pinch them. Why didn't she? What does this mean?)
Even if a single Kirin attacked them, they could win, even if they took casualties. It would be impossible for the mercenary group alone, but there were adventurers whose individual strength had increased in the labyrinth.
The commander had thought it wouldn't be bad to push through as they were, and then deal with a battered Kirin after Marina had defeated it.
However, comrades who were supposed to be in the rear, now battered, had informed him that the rear array had been annihilated.
And when they launched an offensive against the weakened fortress, those who emerged were—.
"Don't screw with me! Why are those people here? Even so, they're representatives of their respective nations!!"
The commander looked at the top of the wall. There stood Eliza and Glacia, looking down upon them. The flags of both nations were hoisted around them, and even knights and soldiers were participating.
He didn't know the exact number, but judging by their response, they were not few. Every spell they cast was blocked, and since they had fewer options, they were beginning to be pushed back—.
――Novem looked down at the opponents from atop the wall.
"It's about time. The Valkyries did a good job."
Dispersion of forces.
It was a bad move, but Novem had executed it to buy time. Mei had also returned a few days ago, and perhaps because she was tired, she had fallen asleep after stuffing a massive amount of food into her stomach.
The achievement of defeating Marina, a talent like a trump card for the Eastern Branch, and bringing her back alive was significant.
Because of that, those around her asked nothing more of Mei. Moreover, Mei's job was finished; all that remained was to keep watch over Marina.
The Valkyries were tasked with stalling and wearing down the enemy camp's equipment, buying two days across two fortresses and inducing complacency in the opponent.
All that was left was to endure at the main base, the real target. By blocking magical attacks and making them appear tired, they bought several more days.
Monica, standing near Novem, spoke with a listless expression.
"...For a while now, I've done nothing but take care of knights and soldiers inside the labyrinth. What on earth am I doing, instead of taking care of that chicken coward..."
He had asked them to hide inside the labyrinth and entrusted their care to Monica and the remaining Valkyries. It seemed there were adventurers capable of scouting, as the opponent had a good understanding of the movements inside the fortress.
However, it appeared they had not checked inside the labyrinth.
Novem thought.
(Well, I was worried about what means they would use for scouting, but I'm glad the opponent didn't notice.)
Whether the opponent was shaken or not, there was no sign of them attacking. After seeing dozens of those who charged get frozen and burned, they likely lost their motivation.
Those who charged were what they called their elite. But even such elites were defeated before Eliza and Glacia.
"Clara-san, the light, please."
When Novem said that, Clara, who was below the wall, lit her staff. She then swung the staff wide, throwing the light into the sky.
The light soared upward, splitting to illuminate the surroundings. That was how they secured light in the fortress within the forest.
The surrounding scenery became clearly visible. Mercenaries and adventurers fleeing. Novem spoke while looking at the forest.
"That decision is not wrong... but your mistake was opposing Lyell-sama following the Guild's instructions. Do you seriously think we will let you escape? No, I suppose some of you do."
In a place like Beim, which seemed to be the center of the world, there are things one cannot see when belonging to a giant organization. Because they possessed great power, they blindly trusted the Guild.
As Novem began to move, Eliza and Glacia walked toward her.
"...Sorry, but about that matter."
Glacia asked for confirmation, brushing her hair up slightly with her fingertips as if a bit embarrassed. Novem replied with a smile.
"Yes, it's fine. You've been a great help with the rescue and the port matter this time, so I'll mention it to Lyell-sama myself."
Seeing Glacia relieved, Elsa also spoke, sounding hurried.
"What about me!"
"I know. Lyell-sama will have some free time in a while, so at that time, I'll have him go to the Four-Nation Alliance. I'll make the stay in Galleria and Lusworth longer. I'll shorten the stay in Rolfis by that amount."
Novem treated Rolfis the worst, but there were reasons for this. The Princess had not given up on Lyell, and those around her were moving to close in on him by observing the situation of the Four-Nation Alliance.
For Novem, a marriage between the Princess, who did not pass the Walt family's house rules, and Lyell was absolutely unacceptable.
"I-I see! Then, I'll proceed with that matter as told... but is it really okay? I don't think it will lead to a very good result for your side?"
When Eliza said that, Novem nodded and spoke. Monica, sighing, climbed down from the wall to move. She grumbled things like, "I want to see that chicken coward. I've only been treated like this lately."
"There is no problem. After all, what's important is the Trace Family, where Fidel-dono is."
Saying so, Novem began to walk—.
――Inside the forest.
Miranda was restraining the fleeing mercenaries and adventurers with sticky threads.
Eva and Aria were also acting together, and dozens of elves were following Eva.
Facing the mercenary men trying to escape, Miranda felt the threads extending from her right hand pull.
"Caught another one. Do they really think the path they came from is safe?"
She had set traps on the path they used during their invasion and waited. Anticipating their escape, she had set other traps as well.
However, since most returned the way they came, the others weren't used much.
Eva brushed her hair back.
"I think it'd be tough for anyone other than elves, though? With this darkness, it's inevitable."
The reason she had asked for the elves' cooperation was to counter other elves. They were elves living in the forest, and Eva had negotiated to bring them to their side. Furthermore, they all had brown skin.
An elf with a youthful appearance spoke to Eva in a voice that sounded elderly.
"Daughter of Nihil. As promised, my youths have captured the elves. Were they from the Eastern Branch? They were all different, so I disposed of them."
Miranda asked that elf—a Dark Elf.
"I thought you'd get along better as the same race. Don't elves have a strong sense of racial kinship?"
Eva laughed through her nose.
"They'd lose to humans."
The Dark Elf elder seemed to agree.
"I will help if cooperation is needed. But if they are enemies, I kill them. Simple, right? I'm not good at complex interactions like humans, but elves and dwarves fight if necessary. It's true that it's extremely rare compared to humans, though."
Hearing the elder's story, Aria sighed.
"That ruins the image. I thought you were closer. Elven singers and the like seem to get along well."
The elder laughed.
"You can't survive in human society if you're constantly bickering, right? They only do it because it's necessary."
While convinced, Miranda confirmed once more.
"Please don't kill the people from the Eastern Branch if possible. Also, prepare some people to let escape on purpose. And then—"
The Dark Elf elder interrupted Miranda's words.
"――Let them escape after showing them that only the people of the Eastern Branch are permitted, right? I know. It's to obtain your own forest. I will keep the promise. But if you break your promise... "
Not Miranda, but Eva made the promise to the elder.
"In the name of the Nihil clan, I'll make Lyell keep the promise. We'll provide a part of the forest as a village for the Dark Elves. But since we're expanding the current base, it'll be further inside."
The elder nodded.
"That is fine. We also prefer a relationship with humans that keeps some distance. Let us respect each other's rules."
Elves who live in the forest. However, even if they manage their own forests, there are clans who lose their forests due to the labyrinth's rampage. Such clans had drifted in, and Eva had met them while they were searching for a different way of life.
Due to an incident where the labyrinth rampaged in a neighboring country, they had lost the forest they lived in. And Lyell had given them an empty promise to bring them in.
He had offered to provide the elves with a place that wasn't even his own land.
Miranda knew this, but she didn't say it aloud.
"Then, shall we look for others? Ah, those people—"
Before Miranda could give instructions, the Dark Elves had stopped the mercenaries' breathing. Looking at them, who were desperate after losing their home, Miranda thought.
(Lyell, is it really going to be okay? If it's impossible, we'll have to prepare some other land... but in most cases, the good spots are already inhabited by elves.)
One could also say it's a good place because elves are there. This is because elves are a race that manages the forest.
Feeling a bit anxious, Miranda hurried forward—.
Near the base for the labyrinth subjugation, there was a place suitable for a port.
That's why they had moved the ships there instead of Beim, but...
"What is this fleet?"
Looking back, several ships followed behind the Vera Trace, making it look like a fleet. In fact, there were warships with cannons, so it wasn't wrong. The Vera Trace also carried cannons, and it could be called a state-of-the-art warship.
As I returned my gaze to the group aiming to land one after another using small boats on the deck, Ludmila-san, wearing a white coat, put her arm around my shoulder.
"You're quite versatile. Even if it's just support-type, looking at the effects, you're the kind of talent I'd want desperately. Hey, come to Cartaphus when the work is done. I'll hold the ceremony immediately and give you the throne."
I averted my gaze, enduring the sensation of Ludmila-san's chest.
"U-um... I'm from the Walt family of Ban Beim, and moreover, I've been kicked out."
When she comes at me this aggressively, I'm at a loss for how to handle it. A voice of complaint rose from inside the Jewel. The Third Generation.
『Why are you backing off!? You should attack from your end! Maybe she's just acting tough!』
However, Mireia-san immediately denied it.
『No, this child will bite right back if you push. She's a beast, a beast! I want Lyell's precious first time to go to Miranda, whom I recommend. So, Lyell... keep this ambiguous and go back to embrace Miranda.』
The Fifth Generation was completely appalled.
『You... were you that kind of person? I mean, until now, or rather, in your lifetime, you were much more refined.』
Mireia-san laughed.
『Hah? There's no need to pretend when Big Brother isn't around. Well, I couldn't show my true self to Big Brother because I felt guilty. He was just... kind of cute in the way he tried so hard but kept spinning his wheels.』
However, from the Seventh Generation's perspective, a marriage between me and Ludmila-san seemed well-matched.
『Isn't it fine? After all, she is the Queen of Cartaphus, the great northern nation. Is she not suitable for Lyell, who carries the royal blood? In terms of rank, she's the highest, so she's the top candidate for the first wife—』
Inside the Jewel. A sound like gunpowder exploding was heard, and it became quiet. I've noticed recently that the interaction between the Seventh Generation and Mireia-san is almost like physical intimacy... no, maybe I'm overthinking it.
"The Walt family of Ban Beim, right? That's fine. Ban Beim is a strong enemy for Cartaphus. Among them, the Walt family is a prestigious one. Moreover, we've never fought directly. The part about being kicked out is a bit concerning, but if that hadn't happened, I wouldn't have met you. If you think of this as fate, it's not so bad. If you want, you can become King and overrun Ban Beim."
I'm not fighting Ban Beim for the purpose of revenge, but I certainly needed Cartaphus's help.
As I was thinking this, a voice called out from behind.
"Hey, I know there's a lot going on, but could you explain it to me?"
Looking back, there was Erhart, carrying a large black sword on his back.
Behind him were Erhart's companions. Plus, the female adventurers who had been Larc's companions.
"...No, I already explained. That large sword is a special reward. I didn't know Larc would be outside at that timing, so it's an apology. And as for the women, it's difficult to grant them full immunity in Cartaphus, but since there's room for extenuating circumstances, I'll take them in at Beim."
Erhart shouted from the ship.
"Then why are they in my party! You could have just made them independent!"
I shook my head. Ludmila-san also seemed to think she was interfering with the conversation and stepped away from me.
"It's also for monitoring, and since you have the strength, Erhart and the others are fine. Besides, the women said they're okay with that."
The reason the women chose Erhart seemed to be that they were liberated from Larc. And, having watched the battle, the women felt attracted to Erhart's stoic? side as an adventurer, which was different from Larc.
So, when I invited them to join Erhart's party, they responded quite enthusiastically.
To be honest, strengthening Erhart's combat power was also a move for the future. It's uncertain if it will succeed, but there was a possibility. That's why I did it.
It's not that I hated taking care of them. Absolutely not.
"I... I don't know what to do! Forming a party with girls... the difficulty is too high!"
While listening to Erhart's true feelings, I placed a hand on his shoulder. He had been desperate to bring women into his party before, but now that he knew the reality, he had shrunk. I decided to encourage Erhart.
Giving a thumbs-up with a smile.
"Do your best. I... wanted an adventurer comrade who shares the same worries."
When I said that, Erhart grabbed me. He grabbed me by the collar and shook me violently back and forth, but no one around stopped him; they just watched and laughed.