by Hyougetsu
Now they were even discussing business that had nothing to do with me in my office. Before I could start complaining, Fahn strode in as well. For some reason, she was carrying Master on her back.
“Veight, the Demon Lord fell asleep while she was playing around with us so I brought her back here, but...”
So that’s where she’d gone. Parker got to his feet, elated.
“I knew Master would wind up here eventually!”
“Hey, stop shouting, Parker. You’ll wake her up.”
But it was too late. Rubbing her eyes, Master drowsily raised her head.
“Mmmm... What... is it?”
She must have been really tired if she was still half out of it. Parker bounded up to her like a loyal dog and started jabbering excitedly.
“Master, if you wish to rest, please do so on the bed! I’ll sing you the lullaby I came up with to ward off evil spirits. Come, let me serenade you!”
Barely conscious, Master looked up at Parker.
“Mmmm? Hrm?”
She leaned closer, but when she realized she was staring at a skeleton’s face, her lips twisted into a grimace.
“Begone.”
She jabbed a finger toward him and unleashed a flurry of ethereal blades in his direction. Her spell harmed only the undead, and passed through all other creatures.
“Waaaah!?”
Parker hurriedly broke apart into individual bones and fell to the ground to avoid being sliced to ribbons. Lying on the floor, he shouted, “Master, it’s me! Your disciple Parker! I may be undead, but I’m not an evil spirit!”
“No, you definitely are.”
“Be quiet, Veight!”
It was rare that I was the one poking fun at Parker and not the other way around. I brewed Master a cup of strong black tea to help her wake up, then sighed.
“How am I going to get any work done if you guys are all hanging around in my office?”
My office had already become a de facto break room for the members of the demon army, but now humans had started using it like one too. It was starting to get too crowded.
Thanks to that, I couldn’t get any work done at all. And since six people apparently wasn’t enough, Lacy also walked into my room. She glanced around the perimeter until finally she spotted Kite sweeping up Parker off the floor with a broom.
“Mister Kite, I found the grimoire you were searching for. Oh no, actually this isn’t the right one...”
“You got the wrong one again!? Wait, isn’t that a cookbook!? How on earth did you mistake a cookbook for a grimoire, Lacy!?”
Just as I thought my office couldn’t possibly fit any more people, Airia walked in.
“Wonderful, everyone’s already here. Master Mao was kind enough to bring us all a bribe, so why don’t we enjoy his gift with some tea?”
By bribe, do you mean that ridiculously huge pound cake you’re holding? Mao walked in behind Airia, sulking.
“Thanks to a certain someone, my business has been suffering. I brought this bribe to convince you to fix things. But your viceroy here brushed me off.”
Who could that certain someone possibly be? I have no clue. Well, I guess it is at least partly my fault Mao’s business is hurting.
“Mao, since Garsh is already here, how about you take up the saltpan issue with him? Now that they’ve got the foundations set, they should be able to increase production to meet demand.”
Mao’s eyebrows twitched and he smiled sardonically.
“Oh, you don’t mind me negotiating directly?”
“Seeing as you know everything about my administration I’d rather keep you happy than have you betray me. But if you try and unfairly monopolize profits, I’ll bite your head off.”
Mao shrugged his shoulders in an exaggerated fashion.
“You really are a tyrant, o’ Black Werewolf King.”
And don’t you forget it. Mao then suddenly grew serious and said, “I reported this to Lady Airia already, but there are rumors that Princess Eleora has begun mobilizing the troops stationed in Vongang.”
“Are you sure?”
Eleora didn’t strike me as the kind of fool who’d rush headlong into war like this. As far as I could tell, she had very few Rolmund troops with her. And there was no telling if her Meraldian proxy army would be willing to fight fellow Meraldians. Mobilizing her army this early struck me as a foolhardy move. However, Mao didn’t look like he was joking.
“She’s bought up large stores of food and salt. That’s all I was able to investigate, so if you wish for further proof, you’ll need to perform your own reconnaissance.”
Most generals in this world seemed not to have a good grasp on military logistics, but Eleora was different. As a result, though, it was easy to predict her movements by watching the flow of goods within her domain.
“Understood, I’ve met with Vongang’s viceroy before. I’ll ask Dunieva for more details.”
I looked around and saw a hodgepodge of humans and demons mingling together in my cramped office, eating snacks. In one corner a skeleton mage and a human mage were discussing magic. In another, a dragonkin engineer and a human viceroy were making plans for new facilities within the city. When I first crashed through the window of this room so many months ago, I never even dreamed a day like this would come. While the crowd was making it hard for me to get my own work done, at least everyone else was able to exchange information and make plans. Fortunately, this meant the southern cities would continue developing and advancing even while I went on another trip to the north. Thinking about it that way, I was glad my office was getting use.
“Vice-Commander Veight, leave the planning for later and come eat with us!”
A canine soldier tugged at my sleeve, bringing me back to the present.
“Oh, yeah. That sounds like a good idea.”
“Here, have some cake!”
“Thanks.”
It was only after I took the plate from him that I realized they hadn’t been here a minute ago. How many more people is this room going to get?
* * * *
—Eleora’s War Record: Part 6—
Eleora sat in her room in Krauhen and listened to her adjutant’s report. Once Borsche finished, she nodded.
“Sorry, Borsche. You always hated these kinds of missions, didn’t you?”
Borsche smiled sadly, then gave her a salute.
“I believe I was the one who always lectured you not to be picky with your missions or your food. So I’m afraid I have no right to complain, Your Highness.”
“Don’t try to distract me with old childhood stories,” Eleora replied with a smile. Borsche’s expression grew serious.
“But Your Highness, are you sure this will suffice?”
“If we move too overtly, that werewolf will sniff out our true intentions.”
She stashed the stack of documents detailing the provisions she’d ordered in a box and grinned wolfishly.
“Knowing him, he’s probably taken note of even this. After all, if he understands how the Rolmund army normally handles logistics, the movement of goods should have made it obvious.”
“You seem to hold that man in high esteem.”
“He’s likely the most accomplished general Meraldia has. Even the slightest of hints are enough for him to read our moves and plan a counter-strategy.”
Borsche nodded in agreement.
“We certainly cannot afford to let our guard down around him. Furthermore, from what we’ve learned, the demon army is as modernized as Rolmund’s.”
“Exactly. They’re nothing like the Senate’s pathetic knights,” Eleora replied, her smile turned self-deprecating. “Unfortunately, I lack the men to scout out the enemy. But even without reconnaissance, it’s obvious our position is precarious.”
Because most of the mage corps had fallen ill, Eleora couldn’t send them out to keep an eye on the northern viceroys. They weren’t especially skilled in spying to begin with either, so dispatching them in their conditi
on would be pushing it.
“By the way, you’re sure no one has discovered the spare battalion we’re training?”
“Fear not, we’re proceeding with the utmost secrecy. We’ve taken great care to ensure their new equipment arrived disguised so that no one noticed.”
“Let’s just hope that’s enough.”
Eleora glanced outside the window. Summer would soon be arriving in Meraldia.
“This is going to be the hardest season for us, Borsche.”
“Indeed. The heat might be bearable in loose clothing, but we can hardly have our troops march unarmored.”
The increasing temperature had brought with it an increase in the number of Rolmund soldiers who were falling ill. Not only did they have to deal with unfamiliar weather, but they were under constant stress. It was little wonder they were exhausted. Eleora also had to deal with one other problem which was even more dangerous than the weather.
“The difference in our diplomatic abilities is quickly becoming clear. While the north is ostensibly under our control, it would be wise to assume none of the northern viceroys are our allies.”
“The Commonwealth’s council has won them over then?”
“Yes. At this rate, the north might openly revolt soon.”
Eleora knew she had no time left.
Around the same time, in Ioro Lange, a holy city for Meraldia’s Sonnenlicht followers, a new edict was about to be put into place. And that edict was going to have a big impact on the city. Within Ioro Lange’s cathedral, Yuhit bowed to an assembled council of bishops.
“Thank you for granting me this audience.”
The other bishops clapped enthusiastically. Over the past few hours, there had been a fierce theological debate between the bishops and cardinals of the faith. In the end, it had been Yuhit’s fervent speech that had swayed the others to accept his point of view. High Cardinal Obenius, the highest-ranking member of the Sonnenlicht church in Meraldia, nodded solemnly.
“Your speech has moved me, Father Yuhit. I apologize for my impolite words earlier.”
Obenius then placed two scriptures on the long rectangular table in front of him. The thick one was Rolmund’s holy text, while the thin one was Meraldia’s holy text. When the slaves had escaped from Rolmund, they had only brought a few of their home country’s holy texts with them.
“I have read the scripture given to us by Princess Eleora many times, yet not once has it struck me as divine. How are we to preach this text to others when we ourselves do not believe in it?”
After fleeing Rolmund, the slaves had needed to band together to survive in the harsh and unfamiliar land of Meraldia. Both demons and nature had been their enemies. If they’d started fighting amongst themselves too, they wouldn’t have survived. As a result, Meraldia’s sect of Sonnenlicht evolved into one that valued equality and bonds between fellow members more than anything. On the other hand, Rolmund’s version of Sonnenlicht had evolved into a tool used by the government to suppress revolt. So it valued obedience and authority above all else. These differences became obvious when one read the two scriptures side-by-side. High Cardinal Obenius smiled.
“Father Yuhit, your speech has resonated with me. You spoke from the heart, and I could sense both your devotion to Sonnenlicht, and the people of Meraldia.”
“Thank you for your kind words.”
Despite the glowing praise, Yuhit remained humble. The other bishops and cardinals smiled as well. They shared a moment of comfortable silence, glad that they had come to an agreement as fellow philosophers and theologians. Obenius took Meraldia’s scripture in one hand, then placed the other over his breast.
“I, Obenius Ioro Yupiteum the third, hereby proclaim that Bishop Yuhit’s interpretations of Sonnenlicht scripture are true and canon. In deference to his contributions to the Sonnenlicht Order, and to his vast religious knowledge, I hereby nominate him to the position of cardinal. If there are any who object, stand now or forever hold your peace.”
No one got to their feet. Everyone unanimously approved of Yuhit’s promotion. Few bishops living outside Ioro Lange were ever promoted to the position of cardinal. And Yuhit was the first to ever become cardinal while presiding over a southern city. Cardinal Yuhit bowed reverently and said, “Truly, you flatter me. I do not believe a sinful, powerless man such as myself is worthy of this lofty title, but nevertheless, I shall endeavor to bring light and salvation to as many as I can.”
Smiling, Obenius removed his cap and robe.
“I am expecting great things from you, Father Yuhit.”
After a few seconds, his smile faded a little and his tone became more pragmatic.
“That was a rousing debate, gentlemen, but let us put matters of doctrine to the side now. We must still decide who will be our messenger to the Commonwealth Council. Father Yuhit, would you be willing to accept this duty?”
“With pleasure.”
Yuhit bowed, accepting the orders of Ioro Lange’s viceroy, Obenius.
Back in Krauhen, Eleora had gathered her mage corps.
“As I said before, the situation’s serious. We don’t have much time.”
Eleora’s men remained expressionless, but she could sense they were tense.
“From a military standpoint, our actions are the height of folly. Honestly, we should wait for reinforcements before doing anything. But our reinforcements won’t arrive until fall.”
Eleora’s troops nodded. Furrowing her brow, she continued, “But from a political standpoint, this plan is necessary. If the emperor passes away before we complete our conquest of Meraldia, our position will become tenuous.”
“Uhh, what exactly is going to happen if he does die?” Natalia asked, timidly raising her hand into the air.
“We have yet to complete our mission. Were the emperor to pass away before we do, it is highly likely that we will be recalled to the homeland.”
“And then we’ll be punished for our failure?”
“Correct. There will likely be a tribunal.”
Even if she survived the tribunal, Eleora’s reputation would be ruined, and her privileges stripped. After all, it would be in the next emperor’s best interests to discredit any potential contestants for the throne.
Eleora pointed to the map of Meraldia she’d laid out in front of her. It wasn’t as accurate as the ones in Ryunheit, but it was the best her men had been able to procure.
“The plan is as I explained to you before. If it fails, I want all of you to immediately retreat to Vongang. From there, we’ll regroup with the main army and head to Krauhen. If the main army isn’t there, then head for Krauhen immediately.”
Eleora then turned to Borsche.
“We have ninety-eight men who are still completely fit and healthy, correct, Borsche?”
“I’m afraid that number has dropped to ninety-seven. Snietz broke out in a fever last night.”
“So that brings the number of sick up to ten. We’ll need someone to look after the ill.”
Eleora weighed her options.
“Alright, we’ll leave two people behind in Krauhen. Sergeant Eskaya, Zetol, you two take care of everyone here and make sure the viceroy prepares somewhere for them to rest.”
“Yes, ma’am!”
Eleora’s officers saluted her. Eleora nodded back to them, then addressed her rank and file troops.
“The remaining ninety-five of you, along with the new battalion we’ve trained, will rendezvous with the main army in Vongang. Prepare to depart at once!”
“Yes, ma’am!”
The rest of Eleora’s troops saluted her as well.
* * * *
I grabbed the Garney brothers by the scruff of their necks and started giving them a scolding. These two were a real handful. The moment you took your eyes off them, they ended up doing something stupid. Today they’d started a bonfire in the city’s old residential district because they’d wanted to make some smoked chicken.
“What’s the problem with starting a fir
e!?”
I put the older Garney brother in a headlock and shouted, “Open fires are banned in the old district!”
The younger Garney brother, who was currently pinned under my ass, gave me a confused look and said, “I thought it was okay now?”
“Yeah, it’s okay in the newer districts, not here!”
Thanks to the dragonkin engineers, the city’s newer districts had been constructed with fire-resistant materials, and had nearby cisterns that could be used in case of a fire. The roads had been widened as well, making it hard for fires to spread. Just as I was about to hit the older Garney brother with a magic-enhanced German suplex, Monza came over.
“Hah, that looks like fun. Can I join in?”
“Sure, but didn’t you come here because you have business with me?”
Monza beat up the older Garney brother for a few seconds before turning and saying, “Oh yeah. Airia’s looking for you. She said something about Rolmund.”
“You should have said that sooner!”
“Rolmund’s army has departed Vongang and is advancing southward. According to our intelligence, they’ve split into four squads.”
Kite pointed to the map on the wall. I’d gathered everyone I could find for an emergency meeting. Airia immediately asked, “The first rule of military strategy is to keep your forces together. So why would they split them?”
Sieging a fortified city required an overwhelming advantage in numbers. It would have been one thing if Eleora had so many troops she could afford to siege multiple cities simultaneously, but she barely had 200 men under her direct command. I turned to Kite and asked, “How many troops has she mustered?”
“Schverm and Vongang had seven thousand troops stationed between them. Most of which were knights or mercenaries. It’s safe to assume that’s the entirety of the north’s forces.”
Seven thousand men would be enough to overrun one of the south’s smaller cities, so why did she split her forces in four? Kite continued his report, “Also, this is unconfirmed, but there are reports that Eleora is traveling with a mage corps five hundred men strong.”
