266 - Duty
――Near the border between Beime and Zain, troops had been dispatched from the Zain side.
Crate Benini was entrusted with the command of a force exceeding a thousand men. With his hair neatly set, he waited on horseback near the border. This was in anticipation that Banseime would begin to move and carry out acts of plunder.
However, they were not deployed to protect the villages of Beime, but to protect the territory of Zain—to protect the people of Zain.
One of Crate's subordinates approached on horseback.
"Captain Crate!"
"What is it?"
"More people have flowed in from Beime. They are asking for protection."
And it was also to prevent the people flowing in from Beime. It was not that they were refusing to accept them. It was simply that the treatment of the people differed between Beime and Zain. The Beime side did not understand this.
"Send them back! We cannot advance any further."
Seeing Crate's frustrated face, the subordinate galloped away. Initially, Zain had rescued the people who flowed in from Beime. However, Beime was a land of a peculiar nature. Merchants ruled, and the military strength consisted of adventurers... their values were far too different.
What they called "protection" was a request for the villages to be guarded. And they believed that if they paid a reward, they would be helped.
"...We are knights of Zain now. Why can't they understand that?"
Unlike Crate, who had longed to be a knight, the people of Beime did not understand much about kings, knights, or other countries—.
――The Temple of Zain.
There, Aura Zain sat in a luxurious chair as the Saint. To her sides were the previous Saint, Selma Zain, and on the opposite side, High Priest Gastone Bonini. In a place like a conference room with a table, the person before the three of them was a merchant who had owned a shop in a large city in Beime.
Perhaps acting in a role similar to a village chief, he was a man who did business in a relatively large city in the north. And because Zain was closer than the urban areas of Beime, he had come seeking help.
His status was lower than that of the merchants who dealt with the Saint in Zain, and since he only did business in Beime, his attitude was problematic.
"Why! I will pay the reward. The surrounding villages have already been attacked, and some have been completely slaughtered! I am not asking for thousands. Five hundred will do. I want you to deploy soldiers!"
He was likely desperate to protect his own life and property, but facing such a merchant, Aura rested her elbow on the armrest and placed her cheek in her hand. She slumped her posture, and while Gastone rebuked her with his gaze, she ignored him.
Aura believed that it was fine to treat those who lacked manners with a similar attitude.
"I understand that the situation is dire. We have also deployed troops to the border to prepare. Because of that situation, we cannot send soldiers over there. Also... there's no way we can just send soldiers into Beime's territory without permission! And another thing, you... why is there any reason for me to send soldiers for your sake?"
Then, Selma, who was beside her, stepped in to stop Aura.
"Aura! ...My apologies. However, please understand our position as well. Crossing the border without permission would be to Zain's detriment. People who have lost their place to go are also flowing into Zain, and we are in the process of accepting them. But that is the best we can do."
The merchant, unable to accept Selma's explanation, struck the table and explained the current situation.
"Why can't you understand! If Beime is destroyed, Zain might be targeted next! Is it the will of the Goddess to overlook Banseime's atrocities here!"
The merchant's words had a point.
If Banseime were left alone, Zain would also be put in danger. But even so, would saving one city and several villages in Beime change the situation? It would not.
Gastone spoke.
"I sympathize with your feelings. And the point you just made certainly cannot be ignored. It cannot, but... it was Beime that incurred Banseime's wrath. What do you intend by dragging us into this? Do you think we can send troops against an army of over three hundred thousand and win? We do not wish to stimulate Banseime carelessly. I ask for your understanding."
The merchant's face turned bright red.
"Then what should I do! Are you telling me to just be killed! While worshipping the Goddess, are you telling us to die!"
Aura laughed at the merchant through her nose. After all, what the merchant before her was saying was correct. And precisely because it was correct, she could only laugh.
"...You certainly are spirited. The people of Beime, who earned their living for years using Zain as a battlefield, say different things now. You tell us to go out and fight a battle with no chance of victory for your sake. It's almost refreshing how arrogant you are."
The merchant averted his gaze from Aura. Perhaps the things they had done until now crossed his mind.
Then, Selma threw out a lifeline.
"...However, we cannot leave Banseime's atrocities alone. In that case, I shall set a condition."
"A condition? What is it! If it's money, I can prepare as much as—"
Selma spoke with a smile.
"Accept the rule of Zain. If you do, we will have a reason to move Zain's soldiers. For it would be to protect our own country."
Hearing Selma's words, the merchant was left speechless—.
――Before the city that the plundering force had set as its next destination, they stopped their march and held a discussion.
Having prepared a tent, the ones discussing were a Baron and his retainers. They had summoned the leader of the mercenary group to confirm the circumstances.
"Was that not Beime's territory? I can see the flag of Zain."
The mercenary leader shook his head.
"Until a short while ago, it was definitely Beime's territory! Moreover, it is located across the river. It is unnatural for Zain to have pushed in this far!"
The Baron heard this and listened to the opinions of his retainers.
"Now, it seems that is the situation... if the opponent is truly Zain, it will become troublesome."
A retainer with the rank of Knight gave a bellicose opinion.
"We should just attack. We have a great army of three hundred thousand. There is no need to worry about a small country like Zain."
However, another retainer—an elderly knight—proposed opposition.
"We should retreat. We have confirmed that soldiers are present. If we fight, there will be casualties, and I hear Zain has an alliance called the Four-Nation Coalition. Besides, we do not have the great army of three hundred thousand here; it is only us."
The mercenary leader spoke to those knights.
"It's a bluff. We should just attack. Besides, that city is close to the border with Zain and has stored up quite a lot."
However, the answer the Baron gave was a safe one.
"...The date for the rendezvous is close. It is out of the question to not make it in time. If it takes time, I will prioritize the rendezvous."
"What!"
The mercenary leader looked dissatisfied, unable to carry out the plundering in the city he had anticipated—.
Having returned to South Beime, I heard the information that Banseime had scattered into Beime to carry out plundering, and I moved the operation to the next stage.
In the conference room, I called Miranda and Aria, and had Adele-san and Maxim-san attend as well.
"What about the requests for help from the surrounding villages?"
Adele-san shook her head.
"Liel-san made enemies of the Beime upper management. I don't think the surrounding villages will seek help."
Aria looked a bit frustrated.
"Why? The rumors have already spread."
She was likely frustrated that they couldn't help, but from our perspective, there was a necessity for the people of Beime to shed blood. However, personal feelings were a separate matter. Helping them was possible. We could just evacuate them and accept them.
But the people of Beime were not accepting that. And their movements were surprisingly slow. Miranda, while exasperated, said,
"Being too peaceful is also something to consider. Whether they still can't believe it or they are underestimating the situation, their movements are slow."
Maxim-san, with his arms crossed, added,
"...The situation is different from Banseime, where there are skirmishes somewhere almost every year. Even so, nearly one hundred and fifty thousand soldiers are not participating in the plundering, huh. A surprise attack on the main force is a no-go."
I had no intention of doing it from the start, but it was certainly troublesome. However, the fact that people remained in the main force meant that the remaining nearly one hundred and fifty thousand in motion were the forces of the lord nobles. It was just right for defeating them one by one. The Seventh Generation looked at the map spread on the table and the placement of the pieces.
If we go around crushing the units that moved to plunder, the main force will either move toward us first, or they will send a number we cannot handle... If possible, I want to firmly strike the elite units. There should be movement soon—
While the Seventh Generation waited for movement, the Valkyries entered the conference room. The mass-produced Valkyries all wore blue armor and had black hair. However, there were changes in the armor and mechanical parts compared to before.
Thanks to Damian and old man Latata, their performance had improved. Together with those Valkyries was Shannon, who had brought tea to the conference room. Everyone was busy, so Shannon was helping out.
"Even though they're automatons, they're working me to the bone."
Shannon turned teary eyes toward Miranda. However, Miranda responded with a smile.
"Get to work, Shannon."
Shannon, while placing the tea she brought on the table, said,
"I am working! I'm already working like crazy!"
Huffing in anger, she placed the tea for everyone and left the room. After the Valkyries confirmed that everyone had laughed and seen Shannon off, they spoke to me.
"Master, a letter from the fortress."
"It's here!"
Upon receiving it, I read the contents of the letter aloud.
"Contact successful. Target is isolated... the main target is impatient for achievement! This is it!"
Rejoicing, I turned a smile toward Aria and Miranda.
"We'll save the neighboring villages. Aria, Miranda, and... let's deploy Baldor too! We'll create a pretext for the enemy, who is impatient for achievement, to head this way. Let's prepare to surround and strike the enemy. We'll also place traps."
The Valkyries looked at me.
"What about our allies inside the fortress? We must inform them, or there is a risk they will be caught in the crossfire."
Without even having to think, I replied,
"Inform them of the trap placements and have them detour. If they merge with us as they are, we can significantly reduce Banseime's military strength!"
Then, Adele-san looked worried.
"...Will it really go that smoothly? As for me, even though I was the one who made contact, there are quite a few people who are anxious."
Adele-san was worried. Everyone in the conference room turned their gaze toward Maxim-san. Then, Maxim-san noticed and cheered Adele-san up. Amidst the fierce battle that awaited, I felt a little relieved.
――Redant Fortress.
There, Bread, who had opened Liel's letter, was laughing before the two Baronets.
"It seems Liel cannot overlook this situation and is moving. He likely thinks we are impatient, or he has calculated that the military force moving is small. Moreover, the trap placements are written in detail."
The two Baronets praised Bread.
"This is also thanks to the Captain of the Imperial Guard. It was worth moving the Knight who acted for Liel's plan, and spreading the rumor that General Broa was trying to oust the other generals."
"Because the rumor started, Broa has been suspected. This level is enough for now. Once the Captain of the Imperial Guard achieves a feat and formally prepares evidence there..."
Bread stopped the two Baronets with a smile and a wave of his hand.
"That makes it sound as if I am forging the evidence. It would be troublesome if you misunderstood. My crossing of the mountains was something Broa recommended."
Bread had prepared a script stating that because he chose to cross the mountains due to Broa's plan, it was Broa's responsibility that he did not make it to the battlefield in time.
Bread had eliminated the Knight who had contacted the generals claiming it was a letter from Liel, and had isolated Broa. The letter stated that they could handle up to a force of five thousand, and seeing that, he couldn't stop laughing.
(In that case, I can defeat Liel with my forces alone. It is five times the strength he expects. No matter how skilled he is at odd strategies, he cannot fight in the face of such numbers.)
Bread, while looking at the letter that detailed the trap placements and the location where Liel and the others were hiding, placed a hand on his chin.
"...Once Liel and the others move and the forces of the lord nobles suffer casualties, I shall volunteer for the subjugation force. Of course, you'll come with me, right?"
The two Baronets nodded with smiles.
"Of course. In that case, if you would just report our achievements to Central."
Bread said he would certainly keep his promise, but inside, he was laughing.
(Liel, this is the difference between you and me. The strategist is drowned by his own strategy, indeed. You probably think you did well, but I am several levels above you.)
Bread was excited, imagining himself knowing Liel's operation and crushing it. Standing up to begin preparations for departure, he moved along with the two Baronets—.