271 - Dead Soldiers
――Bread had his army advance toward the target location, avoiding the well-maintained highways.
However, just as he thought he had approached South Banseime, what came into view was an enemy force of over forty thousand, prepared and waiting for them.
It was now midday on the battlefield, and the elite units and the soldiers gathered from the various lords were exhausted. They had been unable to rest properly due to daily raids and noise. To make matters worse, their horses had been driven away, and they were further worn down by having to carry their luggage by hand.
Under these circumstances, Bread looked around him. The two Baronets who had approached from Redant Fortress――and the Knighted lords who had followed them had, one by one, made excuses to withdraw their units from the army before he noticed.
The worst part was that they had run off with precious supplies. In addition to arrows, they took spare equipment. However, it was not to the point where they could not fight. No, rather, Bread possessed the power to overturn this disadvantage.
This was because the elites Bread led were those who had sworn absolute loyalty to Celes. They were men who would throw away their lives for Celes's sake.
With this level of numerical difference and even in such an unfavorable situation, they would likely break through easily with their piercing power. However, there was something Bread could not forgive.
Because the one looking down at them from a fortified defense, built on a slope like a fortress, was Lariel, wearing white and blue armor.
"...You set this up! You deceived me... You!!"
Bread's rage was tremendous. More than the Baronets who had betrayed him, he could not forgive the fact that he had been dancing in the palm of Lariel's hand. This was because, to Bread, Lariel was the very embodiment of everything he hated.
He hated him simply for being from a Count's house. Furthermore, hearing that he was an incompetent who had been cast out, he looked down on him even more. However, in the past, Lariel had defeated the Griffon and acted as if he had no interest in the credit. The achievement that Bread and his peers had desperately wanted had been handed over to him.
It was as if he were receiving leftovers――no, in reality, it was by chance that Bread had obtained his current position. By chance, he had simply stabbed a knight from the side whom Celes had failed to finish off.
The black armor was the armor that knight had been wearing. A brave knight who rode a horse and wielded a spear upon it――the kind of knight Bread had admired. Wanting to be close to that knight, he had repaired and donned the armor.
Bread, wearing armor of colors contrasting with Lariel's, reached for the hilt of the sword at his waist. Though exhausted, the elite unit's will to fight did not waver in the slightest upon seeing the enemy before them.
"You useless failure!! I, the Captain of the Imperial Guard――Bread Bumper, will teach you what a true knight is! Charge!!"
There was no strategy. Bread simply chose the option of charging toward the enemy in front of him. It was certainly a foolish move. However, because he possessed an elite unit, it was the method of fighting with the highest probability of success.
"Uoooooh!!"
Everyone took out the medicine they had hidden in their clothes――they opened the lids and chewed and swallowed the solid lumps――.
The first of the defensive fences, prepared in haste, was breached by soldiers who charged through arrows, guns, and magic.
The sight of a force of over thirty thousand charging was overwhelming, but now was not the time for such observations. I muttered while watching the scene.
"What... what is wrong with these guys!"
Soldiers gladly stepped forward into the line of fire of the units wielding guns. Using those soldiers as shields, the soldiers behind them pressed against the fences and clung to them. Even when pierced by spears or slashed by swords, they seemed to think of nothing but breaking through the fences.
Soldiers who did not die immediately even after sustaining fatal wounds clung to our soldiers, creating openings for their allies. In the end, they fought in a way that didn't hesitate to sacrifice their own allies.
Their breakthrough power could only be described as abnormal.
"...Do they have no fear?"
The units deployed in the front were being attacked by enemy units who breached the fences while drenched in blood. Moreover, they were fighting while laughing.
From within the orb, the Fifth Head clicked his tongue.
"Tch... Lariel, pull the units back. These guys are worse than I imagined."
Since the danger level was higher than the Fifth Head had anticipated, I decided to pull the units back. To create the opening for that, I would deploy two people.
"Glacia, Eliza, go out. Do not let the soldiers get close! Just blow them away!"
The two units, originally planned to be deployed when the enemy's advance stopped, were now deployed to buy time for the front units to retreat.
The two on horseback led their respective units from both flanks to rescue their allies. When magic was unleashed upon the enemy, soldiers were blown away.
However, even seeing that sight, the enemy did not stop advancing. They deployed magic shields to minimize damage, but they were not afraid at all of the magic of the two that pierced through them.
Soldiers were burned by Glacia's pale blue flames. They leaped over those gaps, running through and continuing forward even as they became balls of fire.
Enemy soldiers frozen by Eliza's ice were shattered and trampled over by the soldiers charging from behind, who advanced without a second thought.
Facing an enemy unit that possessed only the will to move forward――only the will to kill the enemy before them, I clenched my fist.
Despite being exhausted, the enemy army did not stop their charge even when night fell. Normally, under such overwhelmingly advantageous conditions, we were the ones being pushed to the psychological brink.
Night.
While the fighting continued at the front line, I stepped back slightly and gathered the main members.
Inside the tent, I asked for the opinions of the key members who had actually seen the enemy.
"We have the numerical advantage. The enemy's casualties are greater than ours. However, we are being pushed back psychologically. I want to do something about this."
In response to my opinion, Maxim-san crossed his arms.
"I have fought with the enemy soldiers several times. But those are truly Dead Soldiers. For an army of over thirty thousand to charge with the resolve to die... with this level of numerical difference and the advantage of the terrain, we might still be overturned. The enemy's casualties have not yet reached ten thousand, and even if they did, their spirits would not break. Before that, if we continue to take casualties like this..."
Maxim-san didn't say it to the end, that our spirits would break first. However, everyone who had been on the battlefield understood. We had prepared thinking they were a force with breakthrough power, but we never imagined they would be that abnormal.
No, if it were just abnormal, it wouldn't be a problem, but every single soldier was undoubtedly an elite with a certain level of skill.
Glacia, who had defeated many of the enemies, also had a gloomy expression.
"Are all the soldiers of Banseime like that? It's abnormal. To just advance without thinking about the damage they'll take..."
Eliza agreed.
"I can understand that they intend to die here. But for that many of them to be able to execute it is certainly abnormal. You said Celes, right? They are truly dangerous."
Internally, I wondered if Celes had done something to the elite unit. Dead Soldiers are certainly a threat. However, I couldn't understand this level of breakthrough power.
Then, Monica entered the tent.
"Excuse me. Chicken coward, there is something I wish to tell you."
"What is it?"
I turned my gaze toward Monica. Monica straightened her back and, as usual, did not make any jokes.
"...Regarding the soldiers on the Banseime side, it has been discovered that they are taking a kind of drug. As a result of the analysis, it seems to put them in a state of excitement. Analysis regarding magic power is outside my specialty, but according to Professor Damian, there is a possibility they are using a pseudo-skill."
Everyone's eyes widened. I had never heard of such a drug even in Beime. And if such a convenient drug existed, every country would seek it.
However, Monica continued.
"At the same time, it appears to have strong toxicity. It is thought that they are not obtaining even ten to twenty percent of a skill's effect, but after use, the body certainly fails to adapt and dies. It is highly likely that monster materials are used as ingredients for the drug."
I had heard of making drugs using monster materials. However, from Monica's tone, it meant they were using things that could not be used as medicine, shortening their lives to wage war.
The expression of Novem, who was in my sight, distorted, and he grit his teeth.
"...How much time until death? A day or two?"
Monica shook her head.
"No, it is estimated to take at least three months. Literally, they are soldiers whose deaths have been decided."
From within the orb, the voices of the Third Head and Seventh Head were heard.
"...They're really doing it. I can't believe they'd go that far. Using an elite unit as disposables."
"To intend to kill nearly thirty thousand soldiers from the start..."
The Third Head's voice was lower than usual, and it was scary. The Fifth Head seemed to be thinking about something, then spoke to me.
"Lariel, buy some time. This will be over quickly."
Mireia-san let out a surprised voice.
"Father!"
The Fifth Head said.
"Do not stop me. Now is the time. ...It seems my way of living has finally gained some meaning."
――A ship had arrived from Beime to South Banseime.
It was a ship managed by the Trace family, and the ones who boarded were Roland and Gina. The two, who had brought guild executives from Beime, had come to South Banseime to seek aid.
At the Trace mansion prepared in South Banseime, Fidel and Vera were negotiating in front of the three.
Facing each other across a desk, they were both seated in chairs. Roland and Gina kept their eyes down, while the guild executive desperately appealed the current situation.
"Lord Fidel, I ask that you save Beime from its predicament. Is that young lady not Lord Lariel's lover? This is a chance for the Trace family to return to Beime!"
The other party promised that if Lariel were made to rescue Beime, he would be reinstated as an adventurer with preferential treatment and a huge reward. At the same time, they said they would lift the ban on the Trace family's exile from Beime.
Vera remained silent. However, Fidel was different. He responded with a smile.
"That sounds good. If we can return to Beime, it would be incomparable to before, as there is a firmer foundation there than here. Business would be easier as well."
Seeing the smiling Fidel, the executive also smiled. However, Fidel's face became serious.
"...However, it is meaningless for only the status I lost in Beime to be restored. Many of the merchants and customers I had dealt with for a long time have already left. Are you saying you can restore all of that to how it was?"
"T-that would be difficult. However, we will make every possible effort――"
"――Making an effort is a given. And? Do you think you'll be evaluated for something as obvious as that?"
As the other party was troubled, Vera looked at Gina and Roland and spoke.
"...I've heard the rumors at the port. You two were treated quite well by those around you, weren't you? What did you want to achieve by making the scale of the Trace family mid-tier even in Beime?"
Gina spoke to Vera.
"I just wanted to be number one! To maintain that, I didn't want to marry someone I didn't even like! I just wanted to live in a merchant house suited to my standing with Roland!"
Vera spoke to Gina.
"Can you say those words to the subordinates who are working for you? You are now in a position where you must protect the subordinates working in the merchant house!"
"N-now, both of you, that's enough."
As the executive calmed Gina, he spoke to Fidel once more.
"There is no more time. I ask that you call back Lord Lariel. Beime needs his power."
Fidel placed both elbows on the table, clasping his hands and hiding his mouth.
"...Sorry, but I cannot do that."
"Lord Fidel!"
Roland stood up abruptly. His eyes were accusing, as if asking if it was alright for his hometown of Beime to be engulfed in a sea of fire. However, it seemed he still had enough reason not to say it.
Fidel laughed through his nose.
"Hmph, I have no decision-making power. This place is different from Beime. Everything is managed by that brat. And currently, acting on his behalf――"
"――Excuse me."
A woman with fluttering pink hair, with black-haired maids positioned around her, opened the door and entered the room. The woman greeted the three before her.
"I am Rianne, entrusted with the management of South Banseime. As for my surname... it will eventually become Walt, so there is no point in saying it."
Fidel spoke to the guild executive.
"We do not govern here in the same way as in Beime. Therefore, no matter how much you beg me, it is impossible. However, I have provided an opportunity. Why not try making your request here?"
As Fidel and Vera stood up from their seats, the Valkyries, dressed in maid uniforms, seated Rianne in front of the three. Rianne leaned forward and smiled.
"Since it's a waste of time, shall we begin? So, exactly how much are you willing to do for us?"
The executive, though flustered, replied.
"T-that, as I said before, the reinstatement of Lord Lariel as an adventurer and――"
"――Rejected. I have no desire for the status of an adventurer at this late stage. This is a problem that precedes negotiation. Go back and tell them immediately. ...Offer everything. Money, status, honor, land, and rights! Offer everything, and from now on, let everything in Beime kneel before Lariel Wolt. Do you understand? Now, go back and tell them. We aren't doing any negotiating. Either accept the conditions, or refuse and perish. Choose whichever you prefer. We wouldn't mind if Beime perished. In fact, it would be better if it did. After all... weren't you the ones who cast him out?"
As the executive tried to say something, Roland spoke to Rianne.
"We understand that. That is why Beime promises the maximum treatment――"
Rianne leaned back against the backrest of the chair.
"――If that is your 'maximum,' then Beime is not much of anything. If you cannot protect yourselves, you have no choice but to perish. The world is simple. If you are weak, you perish. It is your responsibility that you looked down on those around you and failed to gain cooperation, and that your former allies betrayed you. It would be best if the responsible parties simply took responsibility."
Faced with Rianne's smile, the three abandoned any further negotiation――.