279 - The Prodigy of House Walt
――In the Banseime camp, the commanders were clutching their heads in frustration at the reports flooding in one after another.
「Why? Why can't we overwhelm them with numbers!」
「The enemy should be fewer than us!」
「Wait, they'll run out of steam soon. Force the soldiers of the lord-nobles into a formation, even if you have to do it by force――」
The cause of the confusion was that Beim had launched a coordinated counterattack. In urban combat, no matter how advantageous it is for adventurers, the difference in numbers is significant. It was only natural that they struggled where they thought they could simply push through with numbers.
They immediately reorganized the units, swapped equipment, and ordered a charge. Yet, the reports reaching the Banseime side were of their own units being annihilated.
「...Could it be that reinforcements have arrived? Just as South Banseime received reinforcements from Cartaphus, perhaps Beim has as well.」
A count, one of the lord-nobles who had retreated after suffering casualties, affirmed the words of one general. However, he was quite irritated.
「That is why I reported it! You were the ones who ignored me. Have you forgotten that I said the Four-Nation Alliance couldn't produce a significant number of troops!」
The Four-Nation Alliance――a collection of small nations. Their total military strength might reach tens of thousands, but from Banseime's perspective, they were hardly a threat. They were simply opponents they didn't want getting in the way while they fought Beim.
「Could a mere few tens of thousands of reinforcements break us this much! There must be a possibility that reinforcements from elsewhere have arrived. If Cartaphus gets serious, they could send a hundred thousand...」
At that moment, the commander-in-chief slammed his fist onto the table.
「Stop this nonsense. Is it even possible to transport that many troops from Cartaphus? Certainly, it would be possible if they used every ship in Beim, but Cartaphus is staring down Banseime in the north. They don't have the luxury of dispatching that many soldiers to another country!」
The tent fell silent. In fact, they had investigated the surrounding situation before the invasion. The relationship between the Four-Nation Alliance and Beim was cold. So cold that it wouldn't be strange if they went to war.
Even if Cartaphus had a deal, they didn't think they would go that far.
「Regardless, we cannot just sit here with our arms crossed――」
「Messenger! A large-scale unit has begun an invasion from within Beim! Th-they... they intend to attack us!」
The generals, the lord-nobles, and the commander-in-chief all stood up. They immediately began preparations to intercept, but their expressions varied.
「They've grown impatient and come out. In a field battle, the advantage is ours! We'll crush them.」
「Why? Why did they come out... Why would they abandon the battlefield they are best at...」
Each holding their own thoughts, they stepped out of the tent.
Then, the Beim cavalry broke through the units guarding the gate and emerged. However, their numbers continued to grow, showing no sign of stopping.
More than that, the flags they flew were unbelievable to the generals.
「Why... Why are Cartaphus and the Four-Nation Alliance... and even Jampea participating!」
A large flag with a blue circle and silver decorations, which they had never seen before, fluttered in the center――.
From atop the walls of Beim, looking down at the battlefield while riding Mei, I gazed at the enemy of over a hundred thousand before me.
In contrast, our numbers didn't reach a hundred thousand. In terms of numbers alone, we were at a slight disadvantage. However, now that reinforcements from Jampea had arrived, there was no point in spending any more time.
Beside me, a sun-burnt general from Jampea spoke to me.
「Beim is cold. It seems we need to make them wear thicker clothes.」
I laughed.
「True, it's not as far south as Jampea. Well then, shall I go as well?」
It's not that I'm leading the charge. There's simply no need for it.
I gripped the jewel, tore it away, and made a halberd appear in my right hand. It's the weapon that consumes the least mana and is the most conspicuous.
Then, as I raised my left hand, the blue jewel embedded in the halberd began to glow.
「I should use it properly once in a while――[Select]」
Using the second generation's skill [Select], I designated the allies who had charged and applied my own skill to them. Since there were so many, I couldn't use a skill that was too powerful, but...
「[Full Over][Speed]」
I applied the first generation's skill [Full Over] and the fourth generation's skill [Speed] to the entire army. Even though my mana had increased, using it on an army of tens of thousands consumes a considerable amount of mana. However, I could withstand it now.
On the opposite side of me from the Jampea general, Novem raised a staff.
「They are coming. I will block them.」
As Novem deployed a magic shield to protect the allies, the enemy's magic and arrows were blocked, likely because their abilities had been enhanced by my skill. Under the umbrella of the wide-range magic shield, the allies charged into the enemy lines.
Their breakthrough power was tremendous.
「Lord Lyell has excellent pawns as well. That man named Maxim――even in Jampea, I have heard his name.」
The one carving the path at the front was Maxim-san. Aside from Aria and Miranda, the Valkyries were also participating.
「Since it's a coalition army, we can't choose complex formations. We can only charge. I'd like to improve the coordination a bit more in the actual event... Well, shall I go too?」
Novem said to me.
「Lord Lyell, is it not fine if you do not take the field yourself?」
I nodded.
「It's not necessary. But it's important to let the Banseime side know of my existence, right? Besides... it's not necessary, but the more results, the better.」
I lightly kicked Mei's belly, and Mei raised her front legs and dashed forward. Seeing me dash across the top of the wall, the Jampea general looked a bit surprised. Even knowing that a kirin can run through the sky, he must have been surprised.
「Just straight ahead, right?」
「That's right. Right now, our allies have penetrated the main camp, so there's no worry about being surrounded!」
「...Lyell, you're kind of cheap.」
「Cheap? Call me cowardly.」
As I had that conversation with Mei in the sky, Mei headed straight for the enemy's main camp. The skills of the fifth and sixth generations accurately conveyed the state of the battlefield to me.
I swung the halberd and cut down the knights guarding the tent. As Mei blew away the tent with magic, the Banseime commander-in-chief was there.
Sitting on my horse and shouldering the halberd, I looked down at the commander-in-chief.
「Excuse me for speaking from horseback. I am the new ruler of Beim――Lyell Walt. I've come for your heads. Now... is there anyone who wishes to surrender... no, I guess not.」
The generals were indignant upon seeing me and drew the weapons at their waists. Soldiers began to gather around, but allies were approaching the tent, and it was only a matter of time before they were surrounded.
The commander-in-chief stood up and picked up a decorated sword nearby.
「I heard you were Celes-sama's older brother, but I see... so you are the mastermind.」
The surrounding generals were the same. Upon hearing my name, they spoke Celes's name.
「...You've been captivated by Celes.」
It was as expected. The core of the army must also be under Celes's control. And the people in Central are the ones most captivated. I leaped from Mei's back and swung the halberd down upon the commander-in-chief.
I cleaved him in two along with the decorated sword, and then swung the halberd at the approaching generals. The surroundings were stained in blood, and the halberd absorbed the mana.
The surrounding soldiers were unable to move.
It was partly because it happened in an instant, but also because the commander-in-chief they were supposed to protect had died in battle. Confusion would spread instantly.
Just as I thought that, Aria arrived at the tent on horseback, leading the allies.
「Wait! Why did you go out in front again!」
Perhaps because she rushed here, Aria was out of breath, having pushed herself a bit.
「Don't worry. I won't lose. More importantly... let's raise a shout of victory.」
I took a deep breath and shouted at the top of my lungs.
「The Banseime commander-in-chief... has been slain by this Lyell Walt!!」
A soldier who had been hiding behind a pillar of the torn tent was watching us, so I threw the halberd. It cleaved the soldier who had been aiming at me while rotating, and then returned to my hand.
Aria spread my shout of victory, and the surrounding soldiers and knights repeated it. Then, the Banseime soldiers began to flee or surrender one after another――and some charged in, prepared to die in a final stand.
I looked down at the Banseime commander-in-chief.
「...Should I say, curse your misfortune for making me your enemy?」
Aria, who had dismounted from her horse, told her subordinates to protect my surroundings. Then, perhaps hearing my mutter.
「You're definitely going to regret this.」
――Novem was watching the Banseime army being overrun from atop the wall.
The wind blew, and as she pushed the hair covering her face back into place with her finger, she looked at where Lyell was with her purple eyes.
「Lord Lyell... you have become quite magnificent.」
Possessing the jewels that recorded the skills from the first to the seventh generation, and handling the weapons of the successive heads, the current Lyell was a source of pride for Novem.
Novem watched Lyell, who had grown into a young man fitting to inherit the special house that was House Walt.
「Standing on your own feet. And that figure as you fight... Lord Lyell, Novem is happy.」
Tens of thousands of casualties occurred. While looking at such a battlefield, Novem was smiling――.
Night.
At the Beim Adventurers' Guild――in its east branch, I had rented a conference room.
Baldor was reporting the current situation to me.
「The number of Banseime soldiers who fled is in the tens of thousands. I don't think all of them will rejoin the remaining forces, but for the time being, the number of bandits will be astronomical. Furthermore, the absorbed Beim soldiers are assaulting the Banseime soldiers who are prisoners. The soldiers of the Four-Nation Alliance also don't seem to have very good feelings toward the Beim side... the fighting never stops. Um, Lord Lyell?」
Baldor looked at me with a troubled expression.
「What is it?」
「...No, well... I just thought that attire might be a bit much. I know you're tired, so if possible, I'd like you to return to your room... I don't know where to look.」
Seeing Baldor blush, I looked at both my sides.
Aria and Miranda, who had taken a bath to wash off the dirt, were sitting beside me in attire close to underwear. A sofa had been brought in, I sat in the center, and the two of them were leaning against me from both sides.
「Cute, right? Shall I introduce someone to you too? Ah, one person came to mind. How about the Princess of Rolfis?」
「Please stop. She's in a different league. I mean, what are you really going to do about Rolfis? Within the Four-Nation Alliance, the only one who doesn't seem likely to enter a marriage with Lord Lyell is Rolfis, right?」
「That's because Novem refused. Even I can't force her to be my bride. I can't go against Novem. I mean, that one is... yeah, somehow no good.」
「Please don't try to push someone who is no good onto me! ...Sigh, I wish Lord Maxim would return soon.」
I remembered Maxim-san. Holding his best friend's helmet, he had shut himself in his room with alcohol. I told Adele-san to comfort him, but I don't know what happened to them.
Baldor looked at the report.
「We need to organize units and fight the remaining forces within a few days. What will Lord Lyell do?」
I looked at the faces of the two leaning against me.
「...I can't leave Beim just yet. Those who are making unstable movements need to be crushed at this stage. It would be troublesome to draw in the merchants.」
Baldor seemed a bit relieved after hearing my opinion.
「I'm a bit relieved. I was anxious because of your appearance, but you do what needs to be done. I suppose that's what it means to be of House Walt.」
「I don't hate platitudes, though. I always have ideals. Eventually, I will unite the continent, reduce war, and aim for a peaceful world!」
「...Um, surely that's a bit much.」
「Keep your ideals high! And I will take that first step. Do you hate platitudes?」
Baldor smiled a little.
「I liked them when I was a child. But to be honest, as I became an adult, I was made to realize how unattainable those ideals were. Lord Lyell, you truly believe in them, don't you?」
I looked at Baldor's face.
「I think it's impossible in the current situation. But, in a few hundred years. Or maybe a few thousand. I'll take the first step for such a distant future!」
I don't think conflict will completely vanish. But I don't think it's bad to seek peace.
「Besides, don't I need a goal that big? Because I'm that big of a man. See, a man like me has to work hard for the sake of the world.」
Baldor gave a wry smile. I could hear voices that sounded like they were bursting out from within the jewel, but they were far fewer than before.
「A few thousand years. That makes one feel dizzy.」
The seventh generation also agreed with Baldor's opinion.
『Well, it's been a life of constant fighting from the first generation to Lyell. Even if told it's peace... it's a fact that it would feel like nothing more than a state of tension.』
The third generation was also laughing. However, it wasn't mocking laughter.
『Peace, huh. It depends on what state Lyell calls peace. In fact, Beim, which spread sparks to surrounding countries to make money, was peaceful in its own way.』
Certainly, I feel that kind of peace is different.
「If you take that much time, the ideal might actually become reality.」
When Baldor said that, I nodded. However, looking at Aria and Miranda.
「Well, my harem is also in a state of daily conflict. First, I want to do something about this situation. Baldor, do you have any advice?」
Baldor looked at me.
「...Why can't you just end it while it's still a good story? I don't have any good ideas. I mean, there are too many of them. Please exercise some self-restraint. The former Saintess-sama is in her thirties, right?」
I tilted my head while looking at Baldor.
「Hey now, age has nothing to do with love. Besides, my love is unyielding――!」
As I laughed, I was pinched from both sides. It seems Aria and Miranda had woken up. To be jealous, how cute.
Baldor covered his face with his left hand.
「For now, I've certainly understood that Lord Lyell's ideal is difficult to realize. Please start by working hard in your own surroundings.」
I wonder why? I've been looked down upon by Baldor.