Vol 2 Chapter 36 (1/2)

Chapter 36

Chapter 2 Episode 36

Editor: Tan

Day 180 after being summoned to another world: (Decisive Battle 8)

”Fuuh, thank goodness, I made it in time!”

With a subtle smile on her face, Elena dismounted from her horse and stood before Ryouma.

However, Ryouma could feel the malice hidden behind that smile..

”Elena-san... Shouldn’t you be leading the attack on Irachion?”

”Oh? It looks like you aren’t part of the force yourself either, right? Well...”

Hearing her words, Ryouma couldn’t help showing a bitter smile.

(As expected, even though she is known as the hero who saved the country back in the days.... Despite being old, once she's angry she could still show this kind of expression, huh... She wouldn’t stop at anything until she could kill ‘that person’ by her own hands...)

Ryouma immediately understood her intentions for coming here as soon as he saw the expression on her face.

Just like Ryouma, she also predicted that Hodram will attempt to flee.

Her grudge with Holdram has to be settled sooner than later.

”How many soldiers did you bring?”

”300 of my most trusted men.”

(No room for mercy, huh. But then again, I suppose, it can't be helped...)

Within Elena's heart, revenge has become her reason for living.

The total number of soldiers under her direct control is around 300.

Judging by how she brought almost everyone of her close a.s.sociates, it was clear as day that she has no intention of stopping until Holdram is dead and gone.

Even if Hodram chooses to surrender, she would most definitely execute him regardless.

”So, how's the situation? Has Holdram made his escape?”

Ryouma shook his head.

”Is that so? Regardless, there is no way he chose honorable death in Irachion, right?”

The color of anxiety crossed Elena's face.

This possibility was outside of her expectation.

However, she's not so naive to think that her expectation is always right.

However, she can't afford any mistake this time.

Because her grudge will never be settled if Holdram died that way.

”I doubt he would do something like that. Plus, I’ve heard that he has been securing a large amount of escape funds...”

”... As expected... What else should I have expected of that despicable man.”

Elena said those words as if she was spitting on Hodram.

”Do you know where he's heading?”

Ryouma received a map from Sara and spread it in front of Elena.

”We have narrowed it down to two possibilities... The first is, a.s.suming he uses a horse-drawn carriages to escape and considering that Hodram's family can't go around the dangerous terrain, I think he will flee toward the south.”

Ryouma's traced his index finger around the map.

”I see... Indeed it would be difficult for him to head east. If he were to go that way, he would be caught by the n.o.bles who want to b.u.t.ter up the princess...”

Ryouma nodded his head.

Since Princess Lupis is about to win,

The n.o.bles who were hostile at the beginning will attempt to curry favor with the princess to save themselves.

It would be a suicidal act if Hodram chose

east.

Everyone would want to take Holdram’s head to please the princess.

”West would also be impossible... The terrains toward Zalda's empire are full of mountains... Which left South as the only other option,huh?”

Elena's a.n.a.lysis was similar to what Ryouma has in his mind.

In fact, her expression shows that she is quite sure about it.

Ryouma couldn’t help but wonder if there's a reason behind that.

”Ryouma-kun, you seem worried about which way he is going huh?”

Ryouma nodded his head silently.

”Do not worry. Hodram’s escape route is down south. I'm sure he won't choose the other one.”

Elena said those words with confidence.

”What makes you think that way?”

”Because his wife is a n.o.ble of the Thalluja Kingdom.”

The Thalluja Kingdom.

A country located roughly 100 Km south of Irachion.

Certainly, if his wife is from that country, then it would be a safer choice as an escape destination.

Since his family has such connection, there is a good chance that they would be happy to shelter him.

”I see... Indeed, it would make sense if he chose to escape to the Thalluja Kingdom when he has such connection, but wouldn’t he know that we are aware of this fact?”

Ryouma is by no means trying to find faults with the plan itself.

Elena’s theory is already quite convincing.

However, based on his experience from escaping from the Ortomea Empire, the most ideal solution may not always work out best.

This is because the most ideal option is the easiest to predict.

Hence, a good strategist would usually go with the second best option instead.

”Not choosing the best option on purpose, huh? Worry not. I don’t think that will be the case... After all, if he were to go southeast, he would reach the Britannia Kingdom”

Elena's finger pointed to the territory next to the Thalluja Kingdom.

”It looks like the distance between here and the two places are about the same. Is there a reason preventing him from choosing the Kingdom of Britannia?”

Elena shook her head in response to Ryouma's question.

”That is not the case... Truth is,Thalluja and Britannia Kingdoms are long-standing nemesis... If Hodram intends to escape, he won’t be able to flee to Britannia with his wife who is from the Thalluja Kingdom. Furthermore, Hodram can't just leave his wife either. After all, if he does that, he would lose all of the backings that he has...”

”Does Elena-san think that Hodram will try to make a comeback by borrowing the power of Thalluja Kingdom? Will he keep looking to reinforce his power?”

”Absolutely. He’s not the kind of man who would back off without a fight.”

If what Elena has said is correct, then Hodram would definitely escape to the Thalluja Kingdom.

For Hodram, a country where his wife has some degree of influence is much preferable to one that he has no connection with whatsoever..

However, Ryouma has a new concern after he heard Elena's explanation.

He previously did not have any concern towards Holdram’s wife, since she was not an important factor.

However, Elena's revenge is not just Hodram’s life alone.

She wants to get rid his entire family.

Naturally, that also includes Hodram's wife.

By killing Holdram’s wife, it could create an international dispute between Rozaria and Thalluja kingdom, resulting in a new hostile relations.h.i.+p..