by Ryota Hori
Ryoma was confident he achieved the best result possible given the circumstances. He almost wanted to compliment himself for reducing the damage this much under Princess Lupis’s emotional drunkenness.
“Would five years be enough?” Sara asked.
“Who knows?” Ryoma shrugged again. “Honestly, I can’t be bothered to care about them for that long.”
Ryoma’s actions in that conference were effectively a granting of borrowed time. If this entire matter could be summarized in medicinal terms, then Duke Gelhart and General Albrecht were fatal diseases eating away at the Kingdom of Rhoadseria.
But Princess Lupis, the so-called patient in need of surgery, didn’t want to have Duke Gelhart removed, or rather, rejected the cost of it being removed. The cost could be likened to the doctor’s fee or the time spent in the hospital. To gain something, one had to give up on something else, and that was true regardless of whether it was this world or Ryoma’s.
So since the patient, Lupis, rejected the operation, Ryoma had no choice but to take the second best course of action while being well aware of the risks. He’d contained the outbreak of the disease called Duke Gelhart for five years, hoping that during that time the patient would gain the vitality needed to fight this disease off.
He had no other choice. All he could do was hope that Princess Lupis would use the five years he’d bought her wisely. That was something the people of Rhoadseria would have to worry about, though. It wasn’t something Ryoma, who had only become involved with this country by coincidence, should be concerned about.
“I suppose that means the only enemy we have left to defeat is General Albrecht and his two thousand knights... Now that Duke Gelhart has turned to self-defense, the other nobles will be scrambling to preserve their positions.”
Lione and the others nodded at Ryoma’s smirk. The nobles were a considerable presence because of the financial and military force of their territories, but they had one major flaw. The nobles were a gathering of individual rulers, and so once the situation turned against them, they would rush to defend their territory no matter how bad it made them look, even if they had to push their so-called allies, the other nobles, out of the way to do it.
And Ryoma had already planted the story that would make them rush to defend themselves.
“So General Albrecht will be the one stuck with the Old Maid in hand, eh...?”
“Even fellow nobles would sacrifice each other if they have to, so they’d never prioritize General Albrecht, who was originally their enemy. But forget that, the general will have his hands full protecting himself and won’t even care about what goes on around him. It’d be essentially impossible for him to stay in Rhoadseria’s territory now. His only option would be to flee to another country. Well, we can assume we already have Albrecht checked. Question is, how many nobles will we be able to cull...?”
With General Albrecht dead, the current war will come to a close. But in terms of what will happen to the kingdom going forward, it would only mark the start of the postwar measures.
“I’d like to have at least a third of them gone, but can that princess make such a decisive choice...? Who knows.”
“All according to yer script, boy... Chills me to the bone,” Lione said jokingly, shrugging her shoulders.
“I had to make a lot of changes to my plan halfway through, though,” Ryoma replied with a bitter smile.
Helena’s participation, Mikhail’s disobedience, General Albrecht’s betrayal and Duke Gelhart’s allegiance. Ryoma couldn’t very well say everything happened exactly as he planned it. But it would all end soon.
“Either tomorrow or the day after that...”
“We’ll be attacking Heraklion,” Laura said.
“Yeah. And that’s the final battle!” Ryoma nodded.
And so the Kingdom of Rhoadseria’s final battle approached its climax, in a way unlike what Ryoma had initially conceived.
Chapter 3: Clash
“Everyone! We have finally reached this battlefield...! The last confrontation is about to begin. This battle will decide the fate of the kingdom of Rhoadseria. The enemy’s numbers are few. I am confident that if each and every one of you will fight to the best of your ability, our victory will be unshakeable. I believe in your loyalty and strength...! Let victory be upon us! Glory to the kingdom of Rhoadseria!”
Princess Lupis stood upon a platform, speaking before the knights. They responded to her oration with cheering that shook Heraklion’s plains.
“““Victory! Let victory be upon us! Glory to the kingdom of Rhoadseria!”””
Raising their fists to the heavens, the knights cheered as they clicked the butt-ends of their spears into the ground. The grudges General Albrecht had built up over the years among the knights were now on the verge of erupting like a volcano. Finally, they had their chance for revenge.
And under such overwhelmingly favorable conditions, at that. The effects of Duke Gelhart’s defection to Princess Lupis’s side were swift and noticeable. It wasn’t for nothing that he’d spent his years in the palace, embroiled in political power struggles.
Duke Gelhart accepted all of Ryoma’s conditions, and immediately began working to undermine the other nobles, namely the ones beneath Count Adelheit. Coupled with Ryoma’s own efforts, the results of the endeavor were exceedingly potent.
It all happened the day before Lupis gave the knights her speech. Count Adelheit was unable to contain his surprise upon learning of an unexpected visit from Duke Gelhart, but still greeted him out of polite courtesy.
“Ah, Duke Gelhart... My apologies for the other day...”
Count Adelheit was currently in a camp outside of Heraklion, gathering his forces to meet Princess Lupis’s. Count Adelheit was quite surprised to find Duke Gelhart had left the safety of Heraklion’s walls for the dangerous areas of the battlefield.
“Oh, no, pardon my sudden intrusion.”
Saying this much was the kind of lip service one would expect. There was no denying that Duke Gelhart felt quite bitterly over Count Adelheit’s betrayal. He did serve alongside him for many years in the nobles’ faction. It was only natural he’d be upset.
However, one couldn’t see that anger burning in Duke Gelhart’s eyes. He was a haughty man, to be sure, but was capable of deprecating himself as much as necessary if it suited his needs. Perhaps one would call him a good actor. Or simply an adult.
Of course, he couldn’t quite fool Count Adelheit, who had served as his number two for years, but it still served to ease up the conversation. People were more prone to listen to someone when they spoke calmly, and not listen when they were being looked down upon.
“Still, to see you come all the way here... I must wonder what business you could have with me. We’re preparing to battle as General Albrecht ordered, so I haven’t much in the way of free time... Our battle with Princess Lupis is set to begin soon...”
Count Adelheit’s words were correct, but carried their implications. In other words, he didn’t have the time to spare for Duke Gelhart, a man in his decline.
“Ah, I’m sorry to hear I’ve found you at a bad time... But Count Adelheit, have you heard of the steep measures Princess Lupis is taking right now?” Duke Gelhart asked ominously.
Count Adelheit knew what Duke Gelhart was going for, but he still couldn’t help but ask.
“Steep measures...? Just what is the princess plotting?”
“You’re interested to hear?”
“Of course. Do tell.”
If Princess Lupis was trying some kind of tactic, Count Adelheit couldn’t ignore it, even if it was Duke Gelhart who delivered the news. The nobles’ instincts spurred them to keep their households safe, and so being driven by emotion and ignoring this wouldn’t do. He would simply have to confirm the truth of what he heard here later.
Duke Gelhart spoke abruptly, with Count Adelheit eyeing him suspiciously, trying to ascertain the authenticity of his words.
“Princess Lupis
has sent small groups of her knights to burn down the territories of the nobles associated with General Albrecht.”
At that moment, Count Adelheit became completely pale.
“I-It can’t be! That’s impossible... Princess Lupis isn’t one to allow such conduct!”
Adelheit couldn’t help but raise his voice. True, burning down territories was a viable tactic in prolonged wars. Ravaging the enemy’s territories chipped away at their financial prowess and applied psychological pressure. It also allowed for the other side to acquire more goods to fund their war effort. It was a truly effective strategy.
But this war was different. It was a war between fellow Rhoadserians. Princess Lupis burning down the nobles’ territories would be dealing a blow to her own country’s economy. It was effectively a suicidal tactic that dealt as much damage to her as it did to her foes.
And to begin with, would Lupis Rhoadserians, known for being merciful, employ a tactic that burdened her commoners?
“I find it hard to believe... The princess wouldn’t do that... Are you sure you haven’t heard wrong?”
Count Adelheit’s question was understandable. He’d seen her in a few audiences, and didn’t think she was a person of that caliber. That very thought was what Duke Gelhart was aiming for. He was confident he’d managed to fool Count Adelheit with his words.
“True. Princess Lupis is a kind one, as you say...”
“She is, so you must be somehow mistaken. She would never agree to hurting Rhoadseria’s citizens!”
His tone seemed to imply that despite siding with the rebels, Count Adelheit didn’t seem to quite understand that he was opposed to Princess Lupis. This was perhaps proof that he didn’t understand the true meaning of this war. In conventional war, attacking the enemy’s territories when they’re relatively unguarded is an obvious tactic.
But Count Adelheit’s somewhat complacent perception was one most nobles who’ve met Princess Lupis in her audiences would share. Put another way, her kind and merciful nature is what spurred them to rebel in the first place.
Yes, the count’s perspective would’ve in fact been correct... Until now.
Duke Gelhart suppressed the smirk rising to his lips and continued speaking with a humble expression.
“However... That man serving under the princess wouldn’t shrink away from such foul means...”
Count Adelheit’s expression stiffened. He had guessed at what Duke Gelhart was trying to say.
“That man... You mean, that rumored devil...”
“Indeed...” Duke Gelhart nodded slowly. “The Devil of Heraklion, they call him.”
“Ryoma Mikoshiba...” Count Adelheit spoke his name fearfully.
Duke Gelhart nodded silently.
Ryoma Mikoshiba. The man who drowned thousands with a flooding attack and viciously slew the survivors. The people living in Heraklion and its surroundings had fearfully dubbed him the “Devil of Heraklion.”
This was a false image that resulted from the rumors Ryoma spread being greatly exaggerated, but the uneducated masses believed them. Indeed, even in this world of endless strife, a commander who accepts no surrenders and takes no prisoners is unusual. Most would take all the prisoners they could in hopes of demanding ransoms for them, or sell them to slave merchants.
The rumors had already reached Count Adelheit’s ears. Many commoners brought them up when they begged to be allowed to go back home, after all.
“But... Those are just rumors, right? You’re not saying he’s a real devil, are you?”
Duke Gelhart laughed loudly and shook his head.
“I didn’t expect to hear such nonsense from a count such as yourself. The only ones who would believe him to be a devil are the lowly masses.”
But he then stopped laughing, and all emotion left his face. He looked around, as if worried that this devil might be hiding nearby.
“But I certainly think that Mikoshiba fellow is cruel and merciless enough to be called a devil. That flood attack and his actions after that make it clear to me that he won’t hesitate to burn any territories down.”
His whisper was full of terror toward Ryoma. He was no real devil, of course. Ruthless though he may be, he didn’t gain any kind of sick pleasure from killing. But that image of a devil was important, and Duke Gelhart did harbor actual fear toward Ryoma. He was only half-acting here. The other half was his honest feelings.
“Well, yes, I suppose that’s something the Devil of Heraklion might do, but... Are you sure what you’re telling me is true?”
Count Adelheit didn’t seem to believe it yet. Or rather, didn’t want to believe. And Duke Gelhart understood his feelings perfectly well. But he’d only come here to sow the seeds of fear and suspicion in his heart.
“Oh, I’ve simply heard this rumor and thought I should share it with you. Whether you believe it or not is up to you, good Count... Now then. I suppose I shouldn’t take up any more of your precious time. I will take my leave.”
“H-Huh... G-Going back already? You shouldn’t have to hurry!”
Count Adelheit seemed to have forgotten what he said at first and now tried to get the Duke to stay. A part of him felt he couldn’t simply let him leave after he had left him in so much anxiety. He wanted more clear information.
“Oh, no, I couldn’t dare impose on you any longer... Ah, I know. If you want to hear more about this, ask the town’s merchants. That’s where I learned of this rumor. I’m sure they’ll be able to give you a clearer answer.”
Count Adelheit couldn’t keep him any longer after he’d said this much.
“I see. Thank you for sharing this information with me.”
“Oh, no, pardon me for intruding when you’re so busy. I bid you farewell, then.”
With that said, Duke Gelhart left the tent. As he watched the man leave, Count Adelheit’s mind started accelerating.
“Come! I need someone!”
He rang a bell, which prompted an aide to run in. Count Adelheit ordered him to gather his army’s commanders. He would send them to investigate the authenticity of Duke Gelhart’s rumors.
The information would reach him that very night. Apparently, some of his subordinates caught wind of the rumors and were looking into them already.
“Then it’s true?!”
Count Adelheit was taken aback by his subordinates’ report.
“It’s hard to say if it’s true, but... That’s certainly what the merchants in Heraklion say...”
His aides’ words viciously knocked down his heart. Nobles were always ones to only bet on the winning horse. Preserving their family’s prestige, wealth, and territory was always the first thing on their mind. They clung stubbornly to their territories, and even if they didn’t cherish their subjects, no governor would sit back and let his land burn.
Nobles produced nothing, after all. They lived by feasting on the wealth produced by their people. So they couldn’t afford to have their lands put to the flame. And to top it off, this dispatch of soldiers took most of their lands’ men, leaving only the women and children there. Setting up a defensive line like that was unthinkable, and any nobles that left their estates behind to come here would be hit particularly hard.
This is awful... Terrible, even... But... What do I do...?
Count Adelheit felt the anxiety wash over him. If the rumors were true, he had only one choice: to pull back his army, and use it to defend his territory and family. But if they were to turn back and go back home with nothing to show for it, all they would have left is debt. His own men hadn’t locked swords with the enemy yet, but they were still putting their lives on the line. Not offering them any recompense would be too much.
The same held true for the commoners. They put aside their daily livelihood to enlist. They didn’t require any actual prize, but he would need to at least exempt them from next year’s tax. So no matter what he did, going back empty-handed would only result in dissatisfaction.
But if it’s true, my family... My wife
and grandchildren...
If they were to be taken captive, he would pay off their ransoms. If they were sold off to slavers, he would buy their freedom back. But if they fell to the hands of the Devil of Heraklion... That man would ignore all dignity shown toward nobles and slaughter woman and child alike.
Count Adelheit’s heart was shackled with fear. His sons, who were standing at his side, understood the reason behind their father’s complicated expression perfectly, but couldn’t find any words. No, it was likely that everyone present in the tent wanted nothing more than to leave this place to help their families...
“Sir count! My apologies!” A soldier entered their tent, apparently to report something.
“What is this?!” Count Adelheit glanced at him coldly, annoyed at having been distracted from his thoughts, and dismissively waved his hand. “I said that we are not to be disturbed!”
“Y-Yes, I am aware, but...” the soldier stammered timidly. “Viscount Romane and several other nobles have arrived, saying they seek an audience with you... I’ve informed them of your orders, but they insist that it is urgent... Erm... What say you?”
The count sighed. He probably knew the reason Viscount Romane arrived.
“Very well. Guide them in...”
Watching the soldier leave, Count Adelheit spoke to his eldest son.
“What do you think? So it really is...”
“My opinion is likely the same as yours, Father...”
“So you think so, too... What are we to do?”
Count Adelheit prided himself on having raised his eldest son into a wise man.
He’s of the same opinion as me. So if nothing else, he’s no fool... However...
“It’s probably for the best if we pull back our numbers, even if by force... Staying here won’t raise our morale and I don’t believe we’ll win. And the longer we draw this out, the greater the chance our conscripted soldiers rise up in rebellion.”
They wanted to go back home if they could, but the nobles couldn’t simply withdraw from this battle so easily. Doing it thoughtlessly would simply mark them as traitors and turn the rest of the nobles’ faction against them. But his son suggested they retreat, even with that in mind.