Chapter 355 (2/2)

「……was I really out that long?」

I can hear my precious Myla’s voice coming from inside the carriage .

To be honest, I have imagined her death countless times .

Those moments are now in the past, she has woken up now .

「Myla!!」

I open…… no, destroy the carriage door .

「Wah, Lord Hardlett, why are you in such a hurry…… kyaaaaaah!!」

She screams when I hug her .

「Why are you naked!? Why are you hard!? Let me guess, you were in the middle of―― mmgh!」

I pull Myla close and steal her lips .

「Myla, you survived! You did well to endure!」

I rub the back of her head and squeeze her cheeks .

「Abbbh…… aah, enough! More importantly . 」

Myla hangs her head .

「This injury is my own fault, for letting my guard down . If I caused any trouble―― aabbh!」

Without saying anything, I hold her tightly to my chest .

「Aah, Myla, my Myla! I’m not going to let you go!」

Celia and Irijina rush over when they heard the commotion .

Everyone is relieved .

Celia’s cheeks are puffed up, but please let me care for Myla right now .

「Lord Hardlett, isn’t this a bit excessive? I’ve only just recovered, you know? Also, cover your front . 」

My attention s.h.i.+fts to the doctor .

Whoops, I went overboard .

「You’ve regained consciousness and your wound did not fester . Do you have anything else that doesn’t feel right? About the front……」

Myla shyly looks at my face before answering the doctor’s question .

「I feel a little dizzy maybe…… also my stomach…… is completely empty……」

This is the first time I saw the doctor smile .

「It looks like you’re fine then . Your eyes are spinning because you don’t have enough blood in your body, so eat plenty of food that helps boost production of blood . And also, Lord Hardlett if you could please wear something . 」

I stand up at once .

「I’ll bring a bunch of food for you . Eat as much as Claudia does . 」

「No, stop! I would choose death than to look like that!」

Myla is safe .

My worries have disappeared .

「I’ve caused you trouble too, haven’t I . 」

「You sure have . Making Aegir-sama worry like that . 」

Celia and Myla both end up smiling after exchanging words .

「This is good . 」

Luna also smiles .

「What a relief . 」

Gido rubs his chest to comfort himself .

「Happy day!」

Pipi exclaims, accompanied by a pleasant cry from Pochi as well .

「Fuu, now she’s experienced the brink of death maybe she’ll be less strict . 」

Sekrit is her usual self .

「There’s nothing to be afraid of now!」

That’s right Irijina . No more fear .

And now that Myla has come back, my d.i.c.k has been revived as well .

All the forgotten stimulation has gotten me so aroused that my pants can tear at any moment .

「Then let me take care of it . There’s a perfect little shed over there . 」

Myla shouts when Celia tries to pull my hand .

「You can’t! It’s my fault that you ended up so pent up so isn’t it logical for me to bear the consequences? My energy will recover soon so please wait until then . No laying your hands on the other girls . 」

Myla quickly scarfs down the porridge prepared for her .

At this rate, she’ll get back on her feet in no time .

「Wet dreams aren’t allowed either . 」

「Nuu . 」

It looks like I also need to put in some effort .

–Third Person POV–

South Yuguria Capital City: Alteria .

「It appears the First Division army has failed to bring down Melisbark . 」

Zaphnes reports to Wilhelmina .

The young queen does not smile nor does she express any anger . She only asks a question while staring at her map .

「And the reason for that is?」

Zaphnes answers matter-of-factly .

「Reinforcements from Goldonia intervened . They had a little short of 20 000, but were quite resilient . We can force another fight with them, although our losses will further increase . I don’t want to lose the First Division here . 」

Wilhelmina nods slowly .

「I do not disagree with your judgment . Goldonia was formidable . Picking Libatis was the right choice then, wasn’t it . 」

「…… we are currently insufficiently prepared . If we gather a little more troops and equipment, we won’t fall behind . 」

Wilhelmina’s face seems to relax slightly after seeing Zaphnes’s willpower .

The staff officers under him actually, before invading Libatis, proposed a plan to invade and recapture the area northeast of former Vandolea territory as well as the minor country Malt which is temporarily occupied by a feudal lord of Goldonia, Margrave Hardlett .

However Wilhelmina determined the possibility of a clash directly with Goldonia and rejected the proposal for being a little premature .

Wilhelmina continues as she uses the mirror in front of her to apply lipstick .

「Despite being driven away, we learned of Goldonia’s composition and competency, as well as Margrave Hardlett’s tactics . I would consider being able to obtain such information at a cost of a few thousand casualties as a fine purchase . 」

「……that may be so . For the time being, those with minimum training will be sent as a replacement from Ilkstar . The First Division can’t move for twenty days . 」

Zaphnes comments as he scratches his head .

In his Empire days, that amount of casualties can be scoffed at, but when his resources are scarce like they are now, it hurts .

「So――」

Wilhelmina, after applying her makeup, turns to Zaphnes with her complete beauty .

The man’s brow twitched slightly .

「In twenty days, how will you leverage this defeat?」

Zaphnes grins at the queen’s provocative question .

「Let’s see…… should I make the Second Division army in the south lose too? The Third Division has halted their march too . 」

Wilhelmina smirks .

「That would be awful . That would change the battle state . 」

「Right, it would finally be the perfect time for the Libatis army to counterattack . I want them to come at us with the largest force to defeat us . 」

Zaphnes calls one of his subordinates into the room .

「Move up the training of the special squad and deploy them…… oh right, also hasten the gathering in Martophia, have it completed within twenty days . 」

「Yessir!」

「Thanks for your hard work . For the sake of our nation, I’m counting on you . 」

Wilhelmina smiles as she lowers her head, while Zaphnes’s subordinate bows gratefully with his back parallel to the ground .

When the door shuts completely, Zaphnes speaks up without looking at Wilhelmina .

「I’ve read the enemy’s movements . I think I know how they’ll act next . Our chances are good . ……but it isn’t perfect . Are you fine with it being a huge gamble?」

Wilhelmina answers without looking at him .

「If I lose a bet, then that just means my time has come to an end . It’s not a problem . 」

The queen turns her eyes to Zaphnes and continues .

「I don’t think this time will be a bet though . 」

Wilhelmina walks out onto the balcony .

She was about to begin the biweekly speech to the nation’s people on the status of her military campaign .

–Aegir POV–

Libatis Capital City: Tortoent – War Council Room .

「Good work taking care of the western army! Not to mention you did it in only two days…… the staff officers were wide-eyed . 」

Brian, the Secretary of Defense, grabs my hand firmly .

Although I’ve experienced unpleasant emotions in Melisbark, being praised in such a straightforward manner isn’t bad .

It would have been the best to get praised by a beautiful woman and offered s.e.x as a reward .

c.r.a.p, I can’t be imagining women right now .

I have to stay abstinent until Myla’s complete recovery, so my d.i.c.k is extremely sensitive now .

If my erection tears through my pants, I’ll instantly be thought of as a pervert .

「You can allow your soldiers to rest for now . We will take responsibility to treat the injured…… as for the deceased, we will courteously transport them to Goldonia, and wrap a little something from us to the families . 」

War expenditures and compensation costs for damages will be paid to Goldonia by Libatis as a reward for providing reinforcements .

An extra gift will apparently be delivered directly to the families of the deceased too .

They must be pretty well-off to do that .

Leopolt looks at me .

His face seems to be telling me to ask if there is a reason for calling us back .

「So why did you call us back……」

「Aah . 」

Brian spreads open a map .

Leopolt turns his eyes away from me and focuses on the map .

「Three days after Hardlett-dono pushed back the enemy’s western army in Melisbark, we also finished fighting a defensive battle and successfully repelled the enemy southern army . South Yuguria’s advance has finally been stopped!」

So the Libatis army has been fighting hard too .

David, the fake Leopolt, adds his own comment in a plain tone .

「The army approaching from the east has also begun to retreat . Our opponent’s offensive has been halted on all fronts . 」

The enemy’s advancement in the war which started from their surprise attack has been stopped .

This can be seen as the South Yuguria army finally running out of steam .

「Now is our chance to counterattack! It is time to reclaim our free people and land from the dastardly South Yugurians!」

Jim stands up and exclaims pa.s.sionately .

I feel like he’s going to drip sweat everywhere, gross .

Brian nods and pours a pile of tokens onto the map .

「We will be conducting a full counterattack strategy soon . The strategy will require mobilizing as much of our force as possible down to the south in order to defeat the enemy’s main force all at once . I want Commander Hardlett to partic.i.p.ate as well . That being the case, I want to have specific discussions with you regarding the operation . 」

I see, a plan which will secure victory by routing the enemy after they exhausted themselves .

An easily understandable approach which is also suitable for me……

However Leopolt looks like he has something to say .

Might as well hear him out .

「What do you think, Leopolt?」

He stands up with his usual emotionless face .

「Do you know how many casualties you and the opponent suffered in the southern battle? I don’t mind a rough estimate . 」

He looks over the doc.u.ment which they handed to him .

「……judging based on what I can see, both sides have suffered equal losses, though if we consider the total amount of forces held by the enemy, they should still be in good shape . Doesn’t it seem like they decided to retreat spontaneously rather than being driven off?」

Brian and Jim both scowl .

A slight twitch of David’s brow disrupted his stone-faced expression . He still isn’t good enough .

「The eastern army retreated unscathed . If the enemy really suffered a serious blow, then wouldn’t the eastern army move towards the southern army to provide reinforcements? Purely retreating is an order which doesn’t make much sense . 」

「A battle cannot be gauged simply by the number of losses! It’s possible for an army to be routed and only suffer a small number of casualties!」

Jim rebuts .

Fufufu, talking to Leopolt can be frustrating, right?

When I argue with him, it always feels bad, but when other people do it, it’s pretty funny .

「I don’t believe they’re that weak of enemy to retreat after minor damage . The likelihood of the enemy retreating so they can reserve their strength is pretty big . Isn’t it premature to challenge them in a battle with all our forces?」

Leopolt and David talked about something after that too .

Secretary Brian closed his eyes and folded his arms .

「Our initial plan was to take the supply base Ilkstar after stopping the enemy’s advance . Why did we suddenly switch to attacking the enemy’s main force?」

「War is about momentum――」

Brian holds Jim back and then speaks up .

「Leopolt-dono, Commander Hardlett, I understand what you’re trying to say . But I want the discussion to be about the contents of the strategy . The merits of executing the strategy…… have already been determined by the President . 」

「Haah . 」

So he’s saying that the “King” has already given his orders .

「Well, we still have time to get ready . Why don’t we use today to accept our situation and deepen our friends.h.i.+p?」

Brian offers me a gla.s.s of expensive-looking wine, then whispers in my ear .

「The President…… no, the people of Libatis want a quick resolution . If war ravages our land, our economy will decline . Soldiers like us are here to serve the citizens and their representative, so we have no choice but to give our all . 」

He has it rough .

I guess it’s pretty much the same everywhere you go .

If the King decides something, I have to obey .

Thinking about it that way makes me feel annoyed .

「Besides, the President and I have…… no, I apologize for my slip of the tongue . Pretend you didn’t hear anything . 」

Brian smiles sheepishly .

I can see an inexplicable unease behind that expression of his .

「We’re ultimately reinforcements after all . 」

We’ll leave the fundamental strategy to them .

If things go wrong, we could always run .

I’ll talk to Leopolt about it later .

And so everyone was treated to drinks to celebrate our successful defense .

「Aegir-sama, this is pretty delicious . 」

「You drank it all already? It’s good, but it’s also pretty strong so you might wet yourself if you’re not careful . 」

When I pat the red-faced Celia, she wobbles unsteadily .

「Hm?」

Jim is looking suspiciously at me, but I don’t pay him any attention .

「Pardon me master, would you allow me to refill your gla.s.s?」

Marta blushes and pours me more alcohol .

Being my attendant, she naturally hasn’t drank .

Apparently, that day Marta was unconscious for the whole day while Myla was left alone in the confusion of the moment .

According to her, she climaxed nearly a hundred times and turns red just by getting close to me .

「It doesn’t seem like he’s forcing them in any way…… umumu . 」

Jim is muttering something to himself .

「Um……」

I hear a voice from outside of the room .

When I open the door, I see Myla standing up with support from Luna .

She’s trying her best to stand up straight even though her legs can’t hold her body up .

Her strength hasn’t completely returned yet .

「Hey dummy, you’re supposed to be sleeping . 」

I quickly run over to Myla and prop her arm up on my shoulder .

「I heard you were having a joint war council so I thought it would be polite to at least show up,」

「Your health is more important than that!」

I pick Myla up and gently rest her on a chair .

「I-I apologize for showing this pathetic side of me . 」

「Do not taint your honor . Please conduct yourself confidently . 」

I follow up when Myla lowers her head to the members of Libatis .

If anyone has complaints, I’ll gladly give them an earful .

「You’ll catch a cold if you only wear your uniform . Here, I’ll lend you my cloak . 」

I take off my cloak and wrap it carefully around Myla .

Although her mouth is expressing her discretion, she allows herself to be covered .

「Umumu…… am I misunderstanding something here……?」

Jim is once again mumbling something, which I choose not to pay attention to because Myla is way more precious to me .

「Now then, Commander Hardlett . 」

Brian is smiling cheerfully now, unlike before .

「Since you will be partic.i.p.ating in our operation, we need to improve our cooperation . I want to leave an officer with you to act as a liaison . 」

That makes sense .

It’s necessary for us to have someone to communicate with who has the knowledge of both sides .

「The officer in question may be a fresh recruit from the academy, but has shown outstanding results . Let me introduce you . 」

Hmm, a talented student huh? An overly diligent and boring guy is probably going to show up .

He’ll say “that isn’t written in the textbook”, or something along those lines .

The door opens and the officer steps in .

The officer is standing 160 cm tall and has long blonde hair which dances in the wind .

Fitted neatly on the officer’s body is a brand new military uniform―― which doesn’t seem like it has been worn at all .

「Eh?」

Celia lets out a weird gasp .

Decorating the officer’s face are pretty green eyes, long eyelashes and lips painted with a vivid pink lipstick .

「Haaah?」

Myla also seems shocked .

The liaison officer stands in front of me and takes a deep breath .

「My name is Suzy~ Nice to meet you~ Chuu……nfu . 」

She stretches out the end of her sentences and blows a kiss at me to finish her greeting .

「Wh-wawawa . 」

Marta’s dumbfounded too .

「Hey, this is totally different than what’s written . Who is this?」

「The name and registered number matches though . She is the correct person……」

Brian and David whisper to each other .

「I’m not good at doing difficult things~, but I’ll give it my all~, so please treat me kindly~」

The girl named Suzy twists her body as she speaks, gives my chest a little poke with her finger, then says “oh my, what amazing muscles~ ahahaha~”, giggling playfully .

「T-this girl……」

「How rude……」

「If only I was in better shape, I would take her down!」

Celia and Marta both turn red for a different reason .

Myla tries hard to stand on her wobbly legs .

I give Suzy a once-over before clearing my throat in preparation to say something .

Brian and David, and even Jim, tilt their heads curiously .

「You’re called Suzy, right?」

「That’s right~」

She smiles, tapping my abs lightly .

My eyes dart open and fixate on her as I declare .

「The pleasure is mine . Aah, it is such an honor to work with a beauty like you . 」

「Ahaha, I get that a lot~」

「「「Eh……」」」

I hear the girls groan disapprovingly .

She behaves impolite enough that it’s obvious to me and she doesn’t seem like she can do any work .

It can’t be helped .

Suzy is an eye-catching beauty and more importantly I can see the valley of her b.r.e.a.s.t.s from the gap in her military uniform .

Not to mention she made her skirt extra short so her thick thighs are showing and the shape of her tight a.s.s is visible through her clothes .

Who cares if she can’t work .

Someone else can work harder to make up for it .

「How kind~ Men are pretty lovely~」

Suzy smiles as she holds an upward gaze toward me .

「Yeah . Men have to be nice to girls after all . 」

My face loosens up and a rather annoyingly ingratiating voice comes out .

Looks like our strategy prep will be fun .

「「「Buu……」」」

Before that though, I’ll have to come up with an excuse for Celia and the others .

Protagonist: Aegir Hardlett . 24 years old . Winter . Wartime .

Libatis Reinforcement Army Supreme Commander

Subordinate Squad:

Goldonia Royal Army – Seventh Division Army Corps

Infantry: 9000

Archers: 1500

Cavalry: 1800

Hardlett Army

Bow Cavalry: 3800

Escort: 180

Chariots: 75

(wounded soldiers returned)

Subordinates: Leopolt (staff officer), Celia (adjutant), Myla (recovering), Irijina (commander), Luna (commander)

Gido (escort unit), Pipi (lizard rider), Pochi (lizard), Marta (captive), Keith (corps commander), Sekrit (temporary squad member)

Suzy (liaison)

Current Location: Tortoent

Achievements: Defeated siege army, Successful defense of Melisbark

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