kscans

Chapter 245 - Episode 30: Part One, The Time of Battle

Leaving the small but sturdy encampment on the hill that jutted out over the great river, I descended toward the water.

I could see ships arriving from the Kingdom to the south, unloading one box after another, all of the same size. On the boxes piling up on the barges, I could also spot the familiar mark of a Central Garden company. The destination for this massive quantity of standardized supplies was a cluster of large, newly constructed warehouses. A line of carriages stretched from the barges to the warehouses, transporting goods along a well-maintained road.

Most of it was grain, like wheat, but there was also meat, eggs, and even a small amount of honey.

The foot of the hill, uninhabited just a short time ago, had become a massive logistics base supporting a combined fifty thousand people from both nations. Even with fifty thousand people, only about thirty percent were combatants. Half of those were users of the new model sorcery staves, and the remainder were non-combat personnel.

The base itself was the product of a rush job, and a huge number of people were being employed for transport and other tasks. I heard that until just before I arrived, even Prince Craig himself had been swinging a pickaxe. In other words, they had conscripted everyone down to the knights to get it done by sheer force.

"Good work, Jean-senpai, Dalgan-senpai."

I greeted the two men, my seniors here.

"Seeing it again, I’m amazed. I can’t believe you’ve gotten this much done."

I said, looking anew at the future site of Central Garden City. The surrounding wall was little more than a low mound of packed earth, but the warehouses lined up before me and the road that would lead north to the Empire were fully functional. The road in particular was magnificent, even if it was just a repurposed relic from a fallen old nation. Of course, the maintenance could not possibly extend all the way to the Empire’s entrance at Maldras, but it served as a supply route to the Imperial army’s encampment to the north.

These two things would become the main infrastructure for the city that would one day handle trade between our two nations. Incidentally, the Kingdom’s domestic distribution routes were also being informally consolidated to lead here.

"We really, truly just barely made it. I can’t tell you how many nightmares I had of wheat rotting in open piles. But wow, this is a really good learning experience."

Jean said, looking at a box marked with the Kenwell Company seal.

"Yeah, it is. With this much volume and variety of goods, it’s impossible to manage if the transport standards aren’t all aligned."

Dalgan nodded, his arms still crossed. The skin where his sleeves were rolled up was thoroughly tanned.

"Normally, a project of this scale happens once in a few generations, if at all. It’s the kind of knowledge that’s useless even if you learn it. But this is the city you’re building."

"Besides, when you think that this will be our town in the future, all the hard work feels worth it."

The two said things that were a little problematic. But since they held land bestowed upon them directly by the king, I suppose they were not wrong.

On my way here, I saw plots of land marked with the Kenwell and Dalgan Company names, located on a prime piece of real estate between the warehouses and the road. The reason it was not on the very best lot was because a futures market and convention center were scheduled to be built there.

"Where are Plural-senpai and Natalie?"

"The kitchen. Meat, alcohol, and sweets. It’s quite a feast, even if it’s only once a week. Well, food is important for morale."

"The only thing we have a surplus of is money. We’re short on everything else."

"It just proves that turning paper into gold was worth the effort."

Dalgan laughed heartily. Then, his expression immediately tightened. His gaze turned toward the Blood Mountains, far to the northwest.

"Let’s hurry up and make this a place for business, not for war. For Alfina-sama’s sake, too."

"That’s right. A beautiful princess has braved danger to come to a battlefield. We men can’t exactly hide just because we’re merchants. After all, to us, she is our esteemed junior."

With that, the two headed back toward the warehouses. That last surprise remark nearly made me cry.

After parting with them, I walked past the warehouses and up the hill. At a repair workshop set up next to them, Dolph, who had been dispatched from Bertold, was in front of a carriage with its wheel removed, barking orders at his apprentices.

He was now in a position overseeing all the new-model carriages, yet the sight of him swinging a wooden mallet was unchanged from when I first met him. "If I don’t look after the carriages, who will," he had said. Bowgan had come to the Royal Capital to advise on the handling of the dies for the magic laser barrels, and was now making large bearings. He was supplying bearings for the Empire’s Horse-Dragon carts as well. While the other parts used materials from magic beasts, we had an overwhelming advantage when it came to bearings.

Incidentally, the Empire was allocating many of its Horse-Dragons not to combat, but to logistics using these carts. Thanks to this, the transport of Magic Crystals and other military supplies was extremely efficient. It was useless to say it now, but improving logistics would have a major impact on this city’s future.

Just then, one of those Horse-Dragon carts passed by. It was headed just below the rear base headquarters, to a workshop where Magic Crystals were piled up like pebbles. Red and black Magic Crystals brought from the Empire were stacked high. While the barrels made with dies were durable, the cartridges inside were disposable. Vinaldira and Sherry were in charge of filling them.

I climbed the hill. The Kingdom’s flag, raised when I first came here, was fluttering in the wind. In the center of the headquarters was a stone building with a dome. It was the installation site for the Purple Magic generator. I had taken to calling it the observatory. It was the heart of this entire operation. I was basically assigned to be stationed here as well.

Before heading to the observatory, I walked to the edge of the hill. A magnificent panorama spread out before me. To the northeast was the ominous majesty of the Blood Mountains. Below, the plains of the wyverns’ domain stretched out. Two armies were positioned on the plains, one to the north and one to the east. To the north was Dagobard’s Imperial army. To the east was Craig’s Kingdom army. There were also guerilla units left within the borders of both nations.

I shivered involuntarily. The two armies were literally positioned with this hill as their focal point. I approached a figure in magnificent armor who was also on the hill, looking down at the scene below.

"Thank you for your large purchase of city construction bonds, Lord Tembelg."

I deliberately greeted him as a merchant.

"Don’t you dare let me take a loss."

"Please look forward to what comes after we win this battle."

When I said that, Marquis Tembelg snorted. I heard that the marriage between his eldest son and the second princess was to be announced soon. Indirectly, that would make us "distant" relatives. Distant relatives indeed. Considering the political balance, it was only natural for us to keep our distance.

"Commander."

"Yes, well done. Vice-Commander Fabius."

Marquis Tembelg gave an magnanimous nod to the old man who had come up the hill. He was the single greatest contributor to the creation of the formation below us. Even now, he was dashing between both armies and this rear base, making use of his knowledge of the land.

Incidentally, a baron serving as a Knight Order Vice-Commander was apparently a rank with only one precedent, dating back to the founding of the nation. The man himself laughed, saying he had cheated death.

"The movement of magic in the Blood Mountains has grown larger than ever before."

Fabius reported, speaking loud enough for me to hear. It was a report from the simple observation post closest to the Blood Mountains. I looked at the massive mountain range in the far distance. It seemed they were about to make their move.

Before returning to my post, I looked down one last time at the planned battlefield. The grass of the plains shimmered a verdant green under the early summer sun. The enemy had dutifully kept to the schedule. Thanks to that, we had time to prepare a welcome, but whether they would be satisfied with it remained to be seen.

I headed for the observatory. The surroundings were heavily guarded, and there were antennas pointing in all four directions. Nearby, a sundial I had requested to be made cast a short shadow under the midday sun.

I entered the observatory. In the center of the room was a large, raised platform, and on it sat the Purple Magic generator. Next to it was Alfina. A little farther away, Fulsy was looking at the radar. Mia was beside her, performing calculations.

In the far back was a long cylinder covered by a white cloth. Noel was there, engrossed in her work. For a shy person like me, it was a somewhat comforting sight. However, this was not a situation where I could afford to be sentimental.

"A portion of the magic in the Blood Mountains is boiling."

Fulsy said.

"So they’re finally on the move."

Right before my eyes, a part of the crimson magic began to stir.

The sound of a bell rang out. Outside the window, knights were pointing at the Blood Mountains. I could hear the voices of the laborers around the warehouses as they all began to evacuate at once.

Black specks like poppy seeds were erupting from the Blood Mountains into the sky. They formed an ominous red cloud that was now approaching us.

The sight of a swarm of magic beasts pouring out of the Blood Mountains, a symbol of terror, was a nightmare. I moved away from the window and went to stand before my beloved in the center of the room.

The girl with silver-blue hair looked straight at me. I met her gaze and nodded.

"Alfina, please."

"Yes, Ricardo-kun."

With fluid steps, Alfina stood before the generator. Let us begin the battle to protect ourselves, our comrades, and while we are at it, human society.

Purple Magic was generated. A pillar of purple light burst through the dome’s ceiling and spread out. As if on cue, I could see purple pillars rising from both the northern and eastern encampments.

I headed for the entrance.

"Alright, stay calm. The magic beasts are moving just as we predicted."

Outside, Marquis Tembelg was rallying his subordinates. Far beyond him, the blood-colored cloud was changing shape as it grew larger. Faced with this terrifying sight, I checked the markings on the sundial and recorded the numbers.