261 - Musketeers
――Before the invasion of Beim, which mobilized nearly three hundred thousand personnel, the key figures had gathered for a meeting.
Participating were the lords and nobles of Baron rank and above, generals and knight commanders dispatched from Central, and Bread, a member of Celes's Imperial Guard.
As expected, the topic of the meeting focused on Redant Fortress. Unless they broke through here, the march alone would increase the number of casualties. The opinion of most participants was that rather than sending in a half-hearted number and incurring losses, they should break through the fortress and push straight through to Beim.
Broa, who was participating with five thousand men under his command, thought about various aspects of this invasion of Beim while listening to the meeting.
(Now then, most of the key figures are people who seem to worship Celes-sama, and the most troublesome one is the Imperial Guard Captain.)
The Imperial Guard. Celes had simply gathered people in Central who admired her and given them that name. They didn't really have a specific job; they were just people who stayed by Celes's side. While they were inferior to the beautiful men Celes kept around her, they were people she had gathered because they had good faces.
Among them, Bread had achieved some merits, so he acted as something of an Imperial Guard Captain.
He had participated in the suppression of several internal rebellions and had achievements, so there were no particular complaints. No, even if there were, no one would say anything. Because that was what Celes had decided.
However, such a man as Bread was participating in the invasion of Beim leading thirty thousand men. A certain amount of power――the backing of being Celes's Imperial Guard was a significant thing in the current Banseime.
Broa was fed up with Bread, who offered opinions more than was necessary during the meeting.
"I believe it would be most effective to lead a separate detachment over the mountains, circle around to the rear, and launch a pincer attack."
If a pincer attack were possible, someone would have suggested it from the start.
(That's why we're saying let's attack from the front. Even if we crossed the mountains, just how many casualties would occur... and just how much time does he think it would take?)
Bread lacked experience in leading troops, and he was the type to always push himself to the front. If he had the ability, it would be helpful, but unfortunately, the problem was that Bread lacked that level of ability.
The other generals, knight commanders, and lords listened to Bread's opinion.
"That is wonderful. However, we do not have the equipment to cross the mountains. Even if we wished to volunteer, we cannot."
"I feel the same. I wonder how many units possess the training level capable of such a feat? The elites of Central are truly different."
"In that case, shall we have Bread-dono cross the mountains and circle around to the rear of the fortress? We shall attack the front of the fortress as originally planned."
Bread, who had been lightly brushed off, changed his expression upon hearing these opinions. He glared at those around him.
(With this many numbers, we could normally win just by going straight in. Or rather, Bread-dono has a tendency to prefer eccentric strategies. It's difficult to defeat a majority with a minority...)
Basically, war is about numbers. Occasionally there are existences that can overturn the difference in numbers, but Broa's opinion was that such existences were weak against indirect tactics. Because they were strong, they tended to become conceited.
Bread slammed the table, drawing everyone's attention.
"Very well. I shall show you that the elites of Central can circle to the rear of the fortress. You all may cling to your frontal breakthrough while incurring casualties!"
Broa placed a hand on his chin while looking at Bread.
(I heard he had achievements in the Griffon hunt, but was the commander excellent? I believe it was a commander called Norma... though rumors say they can't be called that excellent. I wonder if someone from the Walt family was involved after all.)
The unit that had accomplished the great task of slaying the Griffon. Because of that, there was a period when the royal palace was somewhat panicked.
Broa still remembered that time and had ordered a re-investigation because he was curious about Bread. However, for someone with achievements, he seemed hopelessly lacking in actual ability.
(He's not particularly superior in martial prowess either. No, on paper, he's a relatively excellent knight...)
Because Liel and the others had handed over the credit, and Bread had delivered the finishing blow to a knight that Celes had mostly defeated, Bread's evaluation had risen.
(He's more troublesome than I expected.)
Thinking this, Broa continued to listen to the meeting――.
――Redant Fortress.
There, adventurers, Beim soldiers, and over fifty thousand soldiers gathered through a method of seeking volunteers from residents, something Beim had not done until now.
The reinforced fortress had reduced its previously three walls to two. However, the maintenance had progressed more than before, and both its strength and functionality had been sufficiently enhanced.
Maintaining fifty thousand personnel was admittedly difficult, but it was sufficiently possible for a temporary period.
And the Beim side seemed relieved by the fortress and the number of soldiers.
"The fortress's strength has increased more than before, and the number of soldiers is high. Previously, we repelled a monster army that was larger than the Banseime forces. We'll win this time too."
"The frustrating part is that the situation was too severe before, so even if we win now, it'll be hard to get recognized, right?"
"Reinforcements are coming from the urban areas too. We'll just drive Banseime back here and be done with it. I wish they'd shift more forces from the urban areas to our side."
The volunteers wore armor and weapons prepared by Beim's craftsmen. However, their appearance varied depending on the craftsman――the shop, and their weapons were not standardized.
It gave the impression of a gathering of mercenary bands.
Watching this was Launo, wearing equipment found inside the fortress. Because the security was too lax and the soldiers lacked tension and cohesion, he had been able to easily infiltrate the interior of the fortress.
Sitting on a wooden crate, he gathered information while drinking alcohol with soldiers whose faces he didn't know.
"Heh, so information on Banseime is coming in?"
When Launo acted surprised, one of the soldiers, his face red with drink, mocked him.
"You don't even know that? There are mercenary bands over there. Because they're acquaintances or owe a debt to Beim, they leak information to us. The Banseime army will just run away before the miracle of Redant Fortress!"
The miracle of Redant Fortress――that was a heroic tale spread by singers because Liel had annihilated hundreds of thousands of monster troops.
Launo shifted his gaze here and there so as not to be noticed. While sipping his drink, he observed the movements around him.
(...They've infiltrated quite deeply. It's possible the breakthrough will happen sooner than planned. I'm impressed that the Banseime lot didn't forget this kind of groundwork even while leading a massive army.)
Having gathered information from Cartaphus to northern Banseime and primarily the eastern region, and then infiltrating the fortress, Launo was collecting internal information before returning to South Beim.
(The equipment is sorted, but the atmosphere and chain of command are terrible. This will proceed exactly as Liel and the others think.)
Beim had soldiers too. However, those soldiers had not received proper training. And the volunteers were people who had done nothing more than defeat monsters appearing around their villages.
Even if the equipment was good, the quality of the people inside was poor.
While playing the drunk to blend in with his surroundings, Launo felt the danger in the lack of a sense of crisis inside the fortress――.
South Beim.
There, I had met a young man named Baldor Landburg, the heir to the main Landburg family.
"It has been a long time, Liel-sama."
Baldor-san――no, Baldor, who was dressed as a knight and knelt to swear his loyalty, seemed to have met me eight or nine years ago.
From then, he had left home to train. Furthermore, even after returning home, he spent his time in the territory assisting the head of the house, and he was a person who had not been charmed by Celes.
Even with the sixth generation's skill, Baldor's reaction was displayed in blue.
"I'm glad you came, Baldor. Sorry, but I'll have you work for me."
Baldor stood up.
"Please leave it to me. I have been told by the head of the house to fight for Liel-sama. Furthermore, the Landburg family is a house that owes a debt to the Walt family. I will certainly prove myself useful. Please give me any command."
I had no memory of meeting him before, and I felt bad for not remembering. I didn't have the luxury to tell him that honestly, as I was busy right now.
"I'm relieved to hear that. Then, the three hundred and fifty soldiers you brought will be under my direct command. Sorry, but I'll have you exchange the equipment you brought. I'll return the original equipment properly, and you can do whatever you like with what I give you. However, don't sell it."
Baldor looked slightly perplexed in the office of my simple mansion in South Beim.
"I understand that the number of soldiers is small, but is this truly alright? If you have the money to provide equipment for three hundred and fifty men, would it not be better to increase the number of people?"
I was sitting in a chair, facing the desk. I was organizing a mountain of piled-up documents, and after finishing one sheet, I turned my gaze to Baldor.
"It's no problem. I'll procure the missing soldiers from the Eastern Army. Besides, I've managed to gather equipment for up to three thousand."
I had already placed orders with the craftsmen Old Man Ratata had, the craftsmen who had migrated, and the craftsmen from the Four-Nation Alliance and Cartaphus.
I was curious about how many had been prepared by the time I returned, but I had somehow managed to secure three thousand sets.
"By the way, there's a weapon I want to entrust to you. I want you to begin training with the three hundred and fifty men immediately."
Baldor nodded vigorously.
"The Landburg family has never neglected basic training. Whether it be the sword, spear, or bow, we shall handle them."
Too bad. What I had prepared were not swords, spears, or bows.
"That's a bit different. Actually, I'll have you use this."
I handed a gun to Baldor.
"...Liel-sama, is this... a gun?"
"What, you knew about them? Then this will be quick. To be honest, Baldor's unit is at the limit in terms of numbers. I don't have the leeway to operate any more than that, so this helps. Your training level is high, so I can entrust this to you with peace of mind. Now then, shall we enter training immediately?"
Baldor held the gun with both hands.
"Rather than saying I know, the previous head of the Walt family tried to introduce them, so my family also possessed a few guns. However... there were many problems and they were unusable, so during Maisel-sama's generation, the decision was made not to use them..."
There were many problems. The fact that they could be defended against with magic shields was one of them. And the biggest problem was money. Because live ammunition was used for training the soldiers, money disappeared one after another.
"It's fine. These are magic tools with skills engraved in them. Also... as for the money, I've borrowed it from an acquaintance, so don't worry."
Seeing me avert my gaze, Baldor looked worried.
At the same time Baldor knew about guns, the seventh generation let out a complex voice upon hearing that the father had banned their use.
...In any era, those who go ahead are not understood by ordinary people.
To that seventh generation, the fifth generation spoke in an exasperated tone.
It was only realized because we had Beim's craftsmen and a labyrinth. Normally, you should assume this many wouldn't have been gathered. On top of costing an unbearable amount of money, the effect is too subtle. Maisel's judgment was appropriate.
Money alone wasn't enough to maintain them. They couldn't be operated unless craftsmen and knowledgeable people who could collect and maintain that many consumables were gathered.
Baldor, holding the gun carefully, confirmed with me.
"By the way, Liel-sama. How much military force has been gathered other than us?"
I returned to my paperwork.
"Thirty to forty thousand for the Four-Nation Alliance as a whole. I've already borrowed nearly ten thousand from Cartaphus. Including Baldor, I have about five hundred men on hand. In all of South Beim, there aren't even two thousand."
Hearing those words, Baldor shouted.
"Please wait! Do you intend to fight the Banseime army with that number!"
Indeed, it was an army exceeding three hundred thousand. Fighting with just that would make victory a dream within a dream.
"Eh? No way. Sorry, but I don't fight battles where a small force defeats a great enemy."
Baldor was bewildered.
"Then, do you intend to aim for defeat in detail? But with such a difference in numbers..."
This war also had the meaning of supplementing the military force I lacked. Above all, there was meaning in using Banseime's soldiers.
If I were to borrow soldiers from other countries, I would incur a great debt after the war. The worst part was the fact that it directly linked to the power balance of the harem. No, that wasn't relevant for now.
"Defeat in detail is the basic. However, Banseime's main target isn't me, but Beim. There's a way. Well, I won't do any reckless charges."
Then, Baldor smiled slightly.
"What?"
"No. I just thought that Liel-sama is also a splendid member of the Walt family."
For some reason, I felt that Baldor's words didn't sound like a compliment.