262 - Fortress Conquest
――Choosing a rugged mountain path to bypass Redant Fortress, the elite Central unit led by Bread was advancing, with local guides and hired mercenaries leading the way.
The line of people moving along the narrow path stretched endlessly, and since a large force was marching through roads that were not normally used, they were in an extremely dangerous state.
To the point where the mercenary captain and local people would swarm Bread while he was searching for a place to rest and resting in his tent, demanding that they retreat and rejoin the main army.
"It's impossible to go any further. A few hundred might be manageable, but an army of over ten thousand... I've gone ahead to investigate, and there are many dangerous spots. I don't believe this many people can move through here."
Facing the mercenary group――an organization that seemed to be a collection of adventurers, Bread looked irritated.
Scum. Can't they be grateful that I'm even using them?
Once, having been worked to the bone by Lyell and subsequently having his achievements handed over, Bread had developed a sense of rivalry toward Lyell. Because of that, he also hated adventurers. Before meeting Lyell, he had looked down on adventurers.
However, now Lyell had become an opponent he hated. Still, the reason he used mercenaries and adventurers was that he believed he had the capacity to do the same as Lyell, or even more.
The local guide was a man who hunted in the mountains. He hunted in a small group and only had experience moving in small numbers.
"Knight-sama, moving this many people is impossible. We already have injured people, and since there are many narrow places, I don't think I can guide you by the deadline."
Bread was sitting in a chair inside the tent, and upon hearing the two opinions...
"I am aware it is reckless. But is it not by accomplishing such things that we leave our names in history? If we break through and get behind the fortress, we can greatly reduce the damage to Banseime."
While he spoke plausible opinions with his mouth, in his heart, the memory of hunting a Griffon with Lyell resurfaced. He thought he could have worked harder. But Lyell had left him as a reserve force the entire time.
Originally, he was a member of a superior Count's house. An incompetent who had been kicked out. Yet, the one who excelled on the battlefield was Lyell, and Bread had risen in rank by having those achievements handed to him.
――He did not want to admit that fact. More than being ordered by Celes, Bread harbored emotions toward Lyell that could be called spite.
The mercenary captain said to such a Bread...
"It's impossible to go any further! We can still turn back now, and if we rejoin the main army, we'll make it in time! If we're unlucky, the conquest of the fortress will be over before we even clear the mountains!"
At those words, Bread's eyebrows twitched. While making sure the other didn't realize he was irritated, he nodded several times.
"I understand. Then, let us divide the army into several groups. We will proceed with five thousand leading the way. That way, we should arrive earlier than planned."
The guide hunter still looked dissatisfied. The mercenary captain felt the same, but since the decision-making power lay with Bread, they had no choice but to comply.
Seeing the attitude of those two, Bread thought in his heart...
Incompetents. Why can't they understand the importance of my strategy? If I make this operation a success, I will gain an advantage among those in a position to command an army of three hundred thousand. If I do that, Celes-sama will be pleased, and I will become a man who can surpass Lyell.
Burning with a rivalry toward Lyell, who had repelled a monster army larger than his own with a strange tactic, Bread had become blind to his surroundings――.
――Meanwhile.
In the direction of Redant Fortress, an army of over two hundred thousand was advancing along a narrow road. It was a terrain where the advantage of numbers could not be utilized from the start, and additionally, it was a battle in a location where the opponent held the advantage.
Cannons spat fire from the fortress, and magic and arrows rained down upon the Banseime army.
However, Bloah, who was commanding the front line, rested his hand on his chin while watching the attacks from Redant Fortress.
"I can't believe they repelled the monster army with just this level of effort. As I thought, the presence or absence of a commander is important. If there were a commander who knew the basics, they surely would have caused much more damage."
While laughing, Bloah hid behind a large shield he had prepared, and his fully armed adjutant looked at him in exasperation.
"General, stop laughing and let's break through quickly. We've already fully investigated the placement of traps and decided on the march route. Once we clear the traps for those following us and move forward, our job will be done."
The role of the unit led by Bloah was to precede the army and eliminate traps. They had bought information at a high price through mercenary groups that had flowed in from Beime. And even now, they were sending personnel inside the fortress to gather internal information.
Bloah took off his helmet and ran his hand through his hair. Since it would be bad to leave it off, he immediately put it back on.
"Now then, since they're giving us such a grand, sporadic welcome, I thought I'd aim to exhaust the opponent for the sake of those following. However, the cannons are actually quite troublesome."
To prevent direct hits from cannonballs, they used magic shields to kill the momentum, but since the iron lumps were on a gentle slope, they would roll and sweep up the soldiers.
"Hmm, maybe I'll dig holes at the impact points. Let's make it so they gather there if they roll."
As soon as Bloah came up with a countermeasure, magic hit the defensive fence made of lined-up large shields. Dust flew up, and Bloah coughed, perhaps having inhaled some.
The adjutant gave instructions to the subordinates around him, and they decided to begin the work when night fell.
"Well, before the ones following tell us to do our jobs, shall we advance modestly? Let's avoid the places where traps are set. Also, there are preparations for rockfalls on the cliff side, so we have to make sure not to get close until the separate unit eliminates the traps."
Bloah's unit of Banseime advanced steadily. They proceeded to clear traps one after another, preparing the path for the main army to follow.
The adjutant looked up at the top of the fortress.
"...But it really is terrible. I think we would be in trouble if they organized better, or if they fired without interruption."
There were scenes where arrows that were fired were burned by magic that was also fired. They were attacking blindly, and it didn't seem like they had received proper training. In fact, when Bloah looked at the scene the adjutant was seeing――.
"Oh, they're arguing on top of the fortress. However, considering that they have enough personnel and consumables to not even need to fire magic and arrows efficiently... as expected, Beime is a threat."
The adjutant looked at Bloah and laughed slightly.
"Are you revising your evaluation? You said that they're more terrifying in peacetime, didn't you?"
At those words, Bloah shook his head.
"Sorry, but I have no intention of changing my evaluation. Look, it seems the trap removal is finished. Let's advance."
Giving instructions to his subordinates, Bloah advanced modestly once again――.
South Banseime.
Around the time the Banseime army arrived at Redant Fortress, I was summarizing the gathered information together with Monica.
In the place I use as my office, there is a sofa. Sitting there and drinking tea was Launo-san, who had returned from Redant Fortress.
"Sigh, alcohol would have been better."
Monica said with a smile.
"Thinking that, I've put a little bit of alcohol in the tea. However, we are currently working, so please be serious."
Leaning his back against the sofa's backrest and shrugging his shoulders, Launo-san put down his cup and leaned forward. His gaze became serious.
"The information on this end is summarized, so you can just read it. However, regarding Redant Fortress, where I stopped by, that place will be broken through faster than imagined. Mercenary group people have already infiltrated the interior. The one who did it was Bloah Cadell. You know, the General who governed the neighboring land safely."
While looking at Launo-san's materials, I nodded several times.
"A former Central General who isn't charmed by Celes. I heard he volunteered and is working in his current post?"
Monica also looked through the materials and told me the interesting points from the contents.
"He's not gathering his entire unit from Central, but from other places. It's interesting that it's from places unrelated to Celes."
Launo-san nodded.
"If you intend to poach someone, General Bloah is a good target. His reputation in Central is bad, but looking at his work, he's not incompetent. It's reasonable to think he fled from Celes and transferred east. However, among those sent in, only the Central elite unit is no good. It's a unit solidified with people charmed by Celes. Poaching them would be impossible."
Other personnel who were thought to be charmed by Celes were also picked out. It was determined that General Bloah was safe. He didn't seem to be acting for Celes.
Also, even if he were pretending to be that way, there were many unnatural points. Monica, while looking at the materials, said...
"The main members are charmed. Thirty thousand of the elite soldiers are charmed, and others are lords, generals, knight commanders... chicken cowards, there is an overwhelming lack of commanders."
When the number of people increases, the shortage of personnel on the management side becomes a problem. Borrowing them from elsewhere is also a problem. If you poach them, problems will occur in the place you poached them from.
Inside the Orb, the Fifth Head listened to Monica's opinion and thought deeply.
Even if you just gather numbers, they're useless unless you educate people to lead the units. There are quite a few who can manage a small number of people, but as you go above that, they become few. And above that... those who can lead on a scale of thousands are even fewer.
With Baldoor's joining, the number of personnel capable of a certain level of command had increased. However, just adding one person didn't solve everything.
"The best would be to poach General Bloah's unit as a whole, I suppose."
Launo-san agreed with that opinion.
"That's right. That would be best. With that General, since his subordinates are already gathered, wouldn't he be able to lead up to fifty thousand?"
Launo-san was speaking casually, but in reality, he should have the ability and subordinates to move a force of that scale. After all, when he entered the chaotic neighboring country, he had led tens of thousands of soldiers.
I recalled the faces of my companions.
"Novem is specialized in magic. It's possible to lead and fight, but I'd prefer to keep them in the rear. Clara is definitely in the rear. Shannon is out of the question. Eva can lead up to a small number... no, could I have her lead fellow elves? Mei would be impossible..."
The members who could lead and fight on a reasonable scale were quite limited.
"It would be Aria and Miranda. Maxim-san also said the number he led was a few hundred, but in this case, let's have him lead a few thousand."
Monica gave me advice.
"I think if you attach the Valkyries as adjutants, they'll be able to lead to some extent. Well, it seems those pieces of junk have become slightly useful with the version update. Though, the only one needed by the chicken coward is this Monica."
I ignored the latter half, which was Monica's playful talk.
Then, Launo-san said to me finally.
"Also, I investigated the place you told me to. Certainly, if you're going to fight, it would be there, but... there are people invading, and the war has only just begun, you know? I think it's too early to think about things further ahead."
I looked at Launo-san.
"I suppose so. But it has already begun. The end will be until either I or Celes... one of us dies, which will be a major turning point."
The battle with Celes had already begun.
――Inside the Orb.
Having given his chair to Mireia and sitting on the round table, the Fifth Head turned his gaze toward Mireia.
Hey, until when can't I hand over my skill to Lyell? I think it's better to hand it over now.
While the battle between Lyell and Banseime had begun, the Fifth Head was thinking about handing his skill to Lyell. However, Mireia had stopped him, saying there was something she hadn't told him before.
However――.
...Eh?
Mireia looked at the Fifth Head's face as if she had just realized something. Then, she averted her gaze and broke into a sweat.
Hey... Hey!
The Fifth Head stepped down from the round table, approached Mireia, and grabbed both her shoulders. Mireia was only smiling with the corners of her mouth.
N-No, Father... didn't I already say that I've lifted the restriction?
The Third Head and the Seventh Head watched this exchange between father and daughter. And they were directing sympathetic gazes toward the Fifth Head.
The Third Head, for instance...
I wonder. I feel like the timing was way off. If the Fifth Head had let him inherit the skill earlier, it would have been a nice feeling.
There's no rule that the parting must be cool. However, clearly, until now, each had their own drama and had parted with Lyell in a beautiful form.
The Seventh Head also...
Cruel. Aunt is cruel. Well, she's always cruel.
Perhaps Mireia understood this, as she didn't take the action of shooting the Seventh Head with a handgun today. The Seventh Head looked a little lonely at that.
However, the Fifth Head let go of Mireia's shoulders.
S-Say things like that sooner. Certainly, it feels a bit too late now, but I can fulfill my purpose. Then, I'll let him inherit the skill when it's convenient for Lyell.
The Fifth Head took an attitude of not caring, but he clearly did. Seeing this, Mireia broke into a cold sweat.
...I-I'll do something about it. Since it's Father's important departure, I, Mireia, will provide an emotional production!
Then, the Third Head muttered.
That kind of thing actually doesn't build excitement, or rather, it gives a feeling of being forced. Isn't it a nuisance to both Lyell and the Fifth Head?
The Fifth Head also imagined the scene failing and put his left hand to his face.
...Mireia, that's enough. This level is just right for me. I beg you, just leave me alone.
Then, Mireia, who was being blamed by three men, stood up.
I cannot stay silent after being told that much! In that case, I'll throw a grand party!
The Fifth Head, in a panic, grabbed Mireia's shoulders again.
That's enough! I beg you, stop! It seems like it'll become even worse!
Inside the Orb, a major problem had occurred separately from the war――.