kscans

Chapter 200 - Interlude 2: The Two Nations' Decision

In the Republic's throne room, Bradamante and the Guild Master stood before King Lustolfo, delivering a detailed report of the events that had transpired in the capital.

When they finished, King Lustolfo asked, "Guild Master, how long will the capital's food supply last?"

"Your Majesty," the Guild Master replied with a grim expression, "after setting aside tonight's rations, we have calculated that we have about a week at most. And that is based on a single serving per person for breakfast and dinner."

In other words, while they could last a week with minimal rations, no one would be satisfied with that. This was especially true for those fighting on the front lines. To recover from fatigue, one needed food and sleep. No matter how much sleep they got, they couldn't be satisfied with meager meals. What's more, the nobles in the capital knew no restraint.

They would eat as they pleased. Even with a royal decree from King Lustolfo, it would be easy for them to secretly hoard food. At this rate, the Republic would be destroyed not by monsters, but by the hands of its own people.

As he was contemplating this, Bradamante spoke up. "Your Majesty, if I may be so bold, I would like to propose a counteroffensive for tomorrow."

The Guild Master's expression showed he was of the same mind.

"Do you understand what that means?" Lustolfo asked, his face unreadable. The aura he exuded was one of deadly seriousness; this was no time for jokes.

The Guild Master and Bradamante gasped. It was the first time they had ever felt such intensity from their king.

"Now that obtaining food from our fisheries has become difficult, our defensive line is as good as collapsed," Bradamante said, her face contorted in anguish. "While there is no visible unrest yet, a sense of anxiety is spreading."

"I am of the same opinion," the Guild Master added. "Especially if the nobles start seizing food, distrust will spread throughout the capital, making defense impossible. Fortunately, the ones who would drag us down are all asleep."

He smirked slightly at the last part. It seemed he had been under a great deal of stress. Lustolfo saw it but chose to ignore it.

Setting that aside, the earnestness of their feelings was palpable. The three of them stared at each other.

Lustolfo closed his eyes. "So we have been pushed this far. Bradamante, gather the most trusted captains and their adjutants at the garrison. Together, we will devise a plan for survival."

With that, he rose from his throne.

"B-But Your Majesty, if we just have your permission, we can handle the rest. You should—"

Before Bradamante could finish, Lustolfo interrupted her. "To simply give my permission for a plan that will cost lives and then stand by and watch is unbearably distasteful. Besides, if the plan fails, the capital will be annihilated. I do not wish to have any regrets."

He walked away, leaving the two of them behind. Stunned, they quickly followed. The Republic, too, had run out of time.

At the headquarters of the Saint's Church, in the strategy room, Pope Altorine and her captains were gathered.

Here, too, the food shortage was the main topic of discussion. Surrounded by monsters, they were unable to venture into the forest to gather fruits and medicinal herbs. They had herbs growing on a farm near the church, but it was impossible to supply the entire country with them.

They had stockpiled supplies in case of an emergency, but their warehouse district had been attacked by anacondas in the initial battle. Though they had repelled the attack, the area was still sealed off. They were transporting food from the undamaged sections, but they had been ambushed by anacondas lying in wait.

It was a significant blow. At this rate, they would all starve to death.

"We have no more time," a captain declared. "I propose a counteroffensive."

"I agree," another captain said. "We cannot last long on the defensive."

"But how do you plan to deal with the high-level monster, the Rock Wolf?" a female captain asked hesitantly. "What's more, there have been reports of a monster even larger than a normal bear deeper in the forest..."

The room fell silent.

And for good reason. During the battle that day, just as they had confirmed the presence of multiple Rock Wolves, a roar had echoed through the air. The forest had trembled, and the ground had shaken. While the humans were startled, the monsters had continued their attack, unfazed.

There had been many injuries, but fortunately, no deaths. Still, a sense of unease had spread among the knights and adventurers.

Immediately after hearing the roar, a knight had declared, "I will go and see for myself."

He had entered the forest, ignoring his superior's attempts to stop him. At first, those around him had thought he was simply eager for glory. But his superior had seen it differently.

The knight's eyes had been filled with fear. To fight in that state would mean certain death. He must have thought that by investigating the cause, he could alleviate some of that fear, which in turn would calm his comrades.

Sometime after the monsters had retreated and they were assessing the situation, the knight who had entered the forest returned, gravely injured.

As his superior rushed to his side, the knight gasped, "R-Report... In the... forest... a bear... but... it was huge... and... two... horns..."

With that, he lost consciousness.

This had already been reported to everyone present.

Twice the size of a bear, with two horns. There was only one monster that fit that description.

A high-level bear monster, the Earth Bear. It used Earth Magic and could control trees. It was a monster so powerful that people were told to flee on sight. However, the Earth Bear was a docile creature. It would never attack unless provoked.

Some adventurers went after it for its materials. Its horns, in particular, were extremely valuable, used not only for decoration but also in magical research. But none who had gone to hunt it had ever returned.

There was no one who would not be shaken by the fact that such a creature was now on the attack.

"If it really is an Earth Bear," a captain said, stating the desperate truth, "then a defensive battle is meaningless. That monster's power is immense. The walls will be of no use."

The others felt the same. The Cardinal said nothing, simply watching over them.

"However," Altorine said, "with the possibility of an Earth Bear attacking, we have no time to spare. We will extend our front line and take up positions away from the city."

At this, a captain asked, his voice trembling slightly, "D-Does that mean... we will be fighting the Rock Wolves and the Earth Bear?"

The others, though they did not speak, felt the same way.

Altorine knew how dangerous this idea was. Originally, they were supposed to be buying time until the situation on the Empire's border was resolved. But they had been pushed into a corner where that was no longer possible. Rather than collapse from within, she wanted to fight the monsters and alleviate the people's anxiety even a little.

If they were injured in a large-scale battle, the people of the city would think, "They fought for us, so it can't be helped," even if the knights and adventurers received preferential treatment for medical care and food.

It was proof of how much they were trusted; no one would curse or slander them.

"I... want to protect this country," Altorine declared. "Even if it is dangerous, we must do it. Of course, I will stand and fight on the front lines myself."

At these words, a captain said, "B-But that's... for the Pope to fight herself... We should be the ones to—"

He wanted to say more, but he couldn't.

The only one with a chance of winning against a high-level monster was the Pope herself. The other captains could win, but only in a one-on-one fight with no one to interfere. That was not the case here. Silence filled the room.

"I appreciate the sentiment," Altorine said, her eyes filled with determination. "But I want to keep casualties to a minimum."

She didn't need to say more. Her resolve was that palpable.

The captains could do nothing but fall silent.

"Now then," Altorine said, "let us begin drafting our plan."

The meeting to ensure their survival had begun.

The Cardinal who had been watching this scene prayed silently in his heart.

(Honestly, this is nothing short of reckless. But it is also true that we have no other options. Our God, grant us a miracle.)