by Hyougetsu
The first person to officially bring up the possibility that Krauhen was up to something shady would likely be tasked with the unenviable responsibility of figuring out what. It was for that reason that members of the Senate tended to purposely ignore subtle hints that something was wrong. As a result, most people working for the Senators were yes-men who rarely ever spoke their own opinions. The company I’d worked for back in Japan had been similar, so I could understand Kite’s disgust. Even if I tried to tip the Senate off about Rolmund’s impending invasion, my message would likely never reach any of the Senators.
On the other hand, the Commonwealth made as many preparations as it could during the winter. Naturally, training more soldiers was part of those preparations, but we also tried to raise as many talented leaders as possible. Today I was teaching Shatina about the state of affairs within Meraldia.
“Within the Northern Federation, Bahen, Schverm and Aryoug have likely switched sides and joined Rolmund.”
Shatina raised her hand to ask a question.
“Master, how come Rolmund only negotiated with those three cities? Wouldn’t it have been easier for them to convince all the cities to join them?”
“I imagine they didn’t have enough people. From the looks of it, Princess Eleora only brought a few subordinates with her. Of which, even fewer are diplomats.”
Shatina nodded in understanding, and I added, “Besides, if they try to sway every city, the chances of their plot being exposed to the Senate rise exponentially. So they limited their targets to those cities they thought could be convinced.”
I pointed to three cities on the map.
“These three cities were once occupied by the demon army, so they feel they can’t trust the Senate to protect them. They also know that demons are a bigger threat than they anticipated. Furthermore, they’re still in the middle of repairing their walls, so they’re in no shape to fight.”
“So the last thing they would want is negotiations to break down and get invaded by Rolmund while they’re vulnerable?”
“Correct. No one wants to suffer two invasions in quick succession.”
Whether they’d actually turned or not depended on Eleora’s diplomatic prowess, but it was best to prepare for the worst, and assume all three cities had been converted as well. Shatina looked down at the map and nodded.
“In that case, Rolmund controls five cities, the Northern Federation four, and us eight. Wouldn’t that make us the strongest power in the region?”
“No, not necessarily.” I shook my head. “Thanks to the Federation’s policies, the north has more population than the south. Our cities are much smaller than theirs. That, plus the fact that they have a more experienced army means there isn’t much difference between us.”
In fact, we were at a disadvantage since we had so much more land we needed to protect than the other two factions. We had to cover the most territory with the least amount of troops. Our two biggest cities, Beluza and Lotz, focused more on their navy than their army, so the demon army would have to make up the difference somehow. If it really came to war, we’d be in a tight spot.
After Shatina’s lesson, I returned to Ryunheit and sought an audience with Master. I gave her a sharp salute, then explained the situation to her.
“Which is why I humbly request that you continue adding to our troop count.”
Exhausted, Master sat in the corner of her workshop and munched on the snacks I’d brought her. She gave me a reproachful look and said, “Is this any way to treat your Demon Lord?”
Surely a mere 12,000 skeletons is a piece of cake for the almighty Demon Lord Gomoviroa. After finishing her snacks, Master flopped down on a pile of cushions she used as a makeshift bed and grumbled, “So this is what being a leader is like...”
“That’s right.”
That wasn’t exactly true, but seeing as she’d pushed all of the bureaucratic duties of government onto us, she had to earn her keep somehow.
“By the way, Master, do you know what a Blast Grimoire is?”
Crawling even deeper into the cushions, where no one could bother her, Master replied, “I’m afraid not.”
“From what I can tell, it’s some kind of shooting weapon that uses magic.”
As I discussed Eleora’s weapon with Master, I heard Jerrick’s panicked voice in the distance.
“Hold on, Monza, I just went along as boss’s guard!”
“Hah, you’re supposed to stop him when he gets like that. Alright, you’re coming with me to see Fahn.”
“If you’re going to lecture someone, lecture him, not me!”
“Yeah, the problem is he doesn’t listen to any of us.”
I wanted to argue back, but I didn’t have the courage to go outside and get roped into Fahn’s lecture as well. I already had to listen to one when I got back, I don’t want to go through another. Master poked her head out of the mountain of cushions and replied, “I am a necromancer first and foremost, so my knowledge of magical artifacts extends only to those related to necromancy. Moreover, I cannot analyze this weapon for you unless I have it in front of me.”
“Do you think Ryucco would be able to figure something out?”
Ryucco wasn’t part of the demon army, but he was another one of Master’s disciples. His specialty was creating magical tools. Master shook her head and replied, “Unfortunately, even Ryucco would need to see it at least... Though I do plan to call him over to Ryunheit in the near future, so if you’re still curious, ask him yourselves.”
“Gotcha.”
None of the spies the various viceroys sent out had been able to discover anything about Blast Grimoires or Eleora’s mage corps either. I had more or less figured out it was a gun of some sort, but I really wanted to know the specifics of its functionality.
* * * *
—Fahn’s Lecture—
“Jerrick.”
“Yes?”
Jerrick’s sitting meekly in front of me.
“Do you know why I called you here?”
“Yeah... I mean, yes.” He looks resigned to his fate. “But I just did my job and guarded the boss. How come I’m the one you’re yelling at...”
“See, you don’t know why I called you here after all!”
I slam my hands down on the table. Even though I hold back, the sturdy wood creaks.
“Veight’s one of the most important people in the demon army. You realize that, right?”
“I know. His life’s way more important than mine.”
“That’s not what I’m trying to get at here.”
Jerrick might worship Veight a little too much. Though I can get where he’s coming from. Jerrick was like the odd one out in our village, but Veight respected him anyway so now he has total faith in him. But you know, even I think it’s weird for a werewolf to be a blacksmith. Like, what’s the point in any of us having swords? Anyway, that’s not important right now.
“Veight is the Demon Lord Gomoviroa’s Vice-Commander. Not only that, he’s a councilor on the Commonwealth Council. Do you get what that means?”
“He’s important?”
“Exactly. Which is why we need to keep him in a safe place where he can give orders to other people.”
Even werewolves like us don’t send our leaders out onto the frontlines. Their job is to direct the pack and make sure the hunt succeeds. Except Veight never acts like that.
“Veight needs to realize how important he’s become already...”
He’s a smart man, so I’m sure he knows that in his head. But on some level, he probably just doesn’t want to accept it. At least, that’s what it feels like to me. Jerrick observes my face for a few seconds, then finally says, “But you know, Fahn. It’s because boss takes on all the most dangerous jobs that none of us have died yet.”
“Well...”
He has a point. All 56 of us werewolves have participated in numerous fierce battles since joining the demon army. Veight’s cautious enough that we’ve never found ourselves i
n a truly desperate fight. But still, you would think after these many months we’d have lost a werewolf or two. But all 56 of us are still alive and well. Not a single one of us has died. And the reason for that is exactly as Jerrick says. Veight handles all of the most dangerous fighting so none of us have to. He’s stronger and smarter than the rest of us, a true werewolf Champion. But that’s exactly what the problem is. The things Veight’s thinking about are way too complicated for me to understand. At this point I kind of get that humans have a very complex society with a bunch of rules. Both conquering Ryunheit and convincing all those other viceroys to join us would have been impossible if Veight hadn’t been with us, fighting on the frontlines. Which makes me wonder, is trying to take Veight off the front lines truly the right thing to do? I’m not sure anymore. Seeing me go silent, Jerrick looks up and says, “Hey, can I leave now?”
Sorry, but I’m not done with you yet.
* * * *
Afterwards, Lacy came into my office to complain as well.
“If you were going to Krauhen you should have taken me with you! It’s my hometown!”
“It was too dangerous to take you.”
You seem to have forgotten, but you’re wanted by the Senate, you know. Lacy’s illusion magic was potent, but if her disguise was seen through, she’d been finished. I doubt she’d have been noticed too easily, but it was a long trip. I tried to explain that to her, but she wouldn’t budge. Eventually, she started talking about the fond memories she had of the city.
“You have a point, but still... Oh, Lord Belken was the one who wrote my recommendation letter for the magic academy.”
Apparently Belken had valued Lacy’s skills as a sorcerer highly, and had been the one who pushed her to go to the magic academy in Ioro Lange. It seemed Lacy had been quite the honor student back home. As I was listening to her berate me for not bringing her, Parker walked into my office.
“Hello there, Lacy. Master Gomoviroa is in need of an assistant, and I have come to take your place in the break room.”
Master was shy, but she also got lonely easily, which was why she preferred always having at least one disciple by her side. Which was why Parker, who had no real duties to speak of, was often on talking to Master duty. I was in the middle of a mountain of paperwork, so I impatiently tried to shoo him out of my office.
“Why is everyone coming here to take their break? I’m busy, so get out.”
Parker shrugged his shoulders and sighed, feigning umbrage.
“You realize humans often need breaks to empty their heads and relax, right?”
“You’re neither human nor get tired, so get out before I blow a hole into that empty head of yours.”
Parker smiled and gleefully said, “Nice retort!”
God this guy annoys me.
Chances were that scary princess from Rolmund was plotting something in Krauhen right now. There was no doubt she’d move once spring came, but it was possible she’d also try something during the winter. We needed to strengthen the defenses of the four cities bordering the north, and build up a larger army. Furthermore, we needed to keep an eye on the Senate’s movements. There was so much work to be done. I would have liked Eleora to stay put until spring at least, but she moved as fast as I’d anticipated.
“The mining city of Krauhen, the city of peaks, Draulight, the fortress city Schverm, and the agricultural cities of Aryoug and Bahen have all announced their independence from the Meraldian Federation.”
Airia’s report one day confirmed that the enemy had begun to move. The entire northern and western sections of Meraldia had left the Senate. However, the details of their secession were different than I’d expected.
“These five cities have announced the formation of the Meraldian Liberation Army. And the Princess Eleora you mentioned before has officially declared herself its sponsor.”
“They’re not announcing an alliance with Rolmund’s military?”
Airia shook her head, her expression pensive.
“Correct. Their official position is that this is a Meraldian rebellion, with Rolmund only providing support and nothing more.”
It appeared Eleora had a rather crafty plan for her invasion of Meraldia. According to the information the Sonnenlicht pilgrims had brought us, Rolmund’s army was only officially there to provide logistic and non-military support.
“Meraldia’s citizens were originally subjects of the Rolmund Empire. Rolmund’s only objective as Meraldia’s patron empire is to let the independent people of Meraldia live under a just, merciful, and moral system of government. The sixth auxiliary princess of the Holy Rolmund Empire, Eleora Kastoniev Originia Rolmund hereby declares that she will strike down the corrupt Meraldian Senate and bring peace and prosperity to the region.”
One of the pilgrims who could read and write had recorded Eleora’s proclamation for us, which was what Airia read aloud. It was wonderful propaganda. I had to applaud her attempts to sway the northern populace to her side. I really admired how she’d just casually added in the “independent” bit. Unfortunately, speeches like this tended to be effective. Airia sighed and said, “Bahen, Schverm, and Aryoug hold a deep grudge against both the Senate and the demon army. They’ll be willing to support a leader from a third party, especially one who has the endorsement of the viceroys.”
“That princess doesn’t look like the kind of person you’d want to cross, either.”
Curious, Airia looked over at me.
“Did she seem that imposing?”
“Like I said before, if you drop your guard around her for even a second, there’s no telling what she’ll try. But I imagine for her allies, she’s a reliable leader to have around.”
She had the charisma and force of personality to revamp the entire political and military structure of those cities within a few months. Airia smiled bitterly and said, “You seem quite interested in her, Councilor Veight.”
“Well, she seems like a tough enemy.”
I didn’t really want to meet her on the battlefield, but I wasn’t sure I could beat her in a diplomatic battle either. Airia’s expression grew even more dissatisfied.
“Perhaps I should grow stronger, then...”
“Trust me, you’re already strong enough.”
Airia appeared docile, but I would be willing to bet she was the most decisive and determined viceroy in Meraldia. She had been the first to declare independence from the Senate after all.
“Believe me, I am eternally grateful that we are allies and not enemies, Demon Ambassador Airia.”
“Fufu, I’m honored you think so.” Grinning, Airia plopped a stack of documents onto my desk. “Then I’m sure you won’t mind helping this strong Demon Ambassador with something.”
“What do you have in mind?”
Airia pointed to the stack of documents and said, “I think we should stop exporting food to the north. I consulted with the merchant guilds and they are willing to assist us in this. I plan to bring the motion up during the next council meeting.”
“Hold on a second.”
While that certainly would hurt the north, it would also affect our profits, and the people in the agriculture industry down here. However, Airia didn’t budge.
“We will need food to feed our expanding armies, so I was thinking of buying the surplus produce with the money in the council’s joint treasury. Grain and preserved foods will last us years, so there’s no harm in procuring extra.”
“Food reserves certainly are essential in wartime.”
Perishable goods went bad too quickly to trade, so most merchants dealt in grains and dried or preserved foods. Both of which were perfect for an army. With how close war is, it probably would be better to stop giving food to the enemy. I looked down at the map. Since the northern half of Meraldia didn’t border any large bodies of water, they had a harder time obtaining food. It was for that reason that they kept their breadbasket cities Bahen, Aryoug, and Welheim, well-protected and well-maintained. But now that t
wo of the three northern cities had defected to Rolmund, the Northern Federation had only Welheim to rely on. If we stopped providing food to them, they’d likely be unable to feed their populace, breeding resentment toward the Senate within the cities. But if we did this, we’d harm not just the Senate, but also innocent civilians. It was for that reason that I’d been hesitant to adopt such a strategy. However, Airia had no such misgivings. She really is decisive. Seeing my hesitation, Airia added, “Naturally, I am not proposing we starve the citizens of the north. I intend to bring this conflict to a close before that can happen.”
It was this combination of decisiveness and kindness that made her such an alluring leader. I looked up at Airia with renewed respect.
“You truly are a powerful woman, Lady Airia.”
“Thank you very much, Sir Veight.”
Airia smiled happily.
Eleora and the Meraldian Liberation Army moved rapidly. A few days later, Airia brought me a report from one of the Commonwealth’s spies.
“The religious capital of Meraldia, Ioro Lange is under siege by the Meraldian Liberation Army.”
Not even ten days had passed since the Meraldian Liberation Army’s founding.
“They’re fast... What are their chances of success?”
Airia flipped through the report.
“The majority of the liberation army’s troops are militia, but they also have members of the regular army who were stationed in Schverm. They’re posing quite a threat.”
Ioro Lange was a holy city for members of the Sonnenlicht Order, and quite possibly the most important city in Meraldia. Honestly, this came as a bit of a surprise to me. I’d thought with their salt maneuvers in Krauhen, they’d been planning for a long-term diplomatic and economic war.
The next day, as we were discussing the implications of this invasion with the other viceroys, another report came in.
“Ioro Lange has surrendered to the Meraldian Liberation Army! They managed to achieve a bloodless victory!”
The moment the messenger, who’d arrived here by fast horse, said that, the entire meeting room fell into an uproar.