Chapter 405 (1/2)

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Translator: Nat

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–Third Person POV–

Trisnia – South Yuguria Army Headquarters.

A single high-ranking staff officer wearing epaulettes stands in front of a map and breaks the solemn silence.

「N-now then, allow me to explain the overall situation.」

He is normally the one who makes soldiers nervous, but this time, the middle-aged staff officer is stiff with fear like he was a new recruit.

「Please begin.」

「Go on.」

That was natural, as not only was the Supreme Commander Zaphnes part of this war council, Her Imperial Majesty Wilhelmina was also present.

Wilhelmina urged with a polite tone and an unchanging expression while Zaphnes seemed to be somewhat uncomfortable. In the perspective of South Yuguria, the present state of affairs was not very satisfactory.

「F-firstly, the advance of the western army led by Acevedo crossed the west coast of North Teries successfully, and although there was some resistance with the Magrado General Governorate of the Goldonia Kingdom, the internal division quickly led to their surrender. Both the time spent and amount of casualties are fewer than what was planned initially.」

Everyone nods slightly.

They didn't have any problems as of yet with what was said.

「Next, regarding the central army led by Maestus, after they took down Arkland and looked further north towards the capital of Goldonia……」

The staff officer drew several arrows on the map, all of them red, which indicated the enemy.

「They battled a few times and have not yet been able to get through the enemy's line of defense. Of course, they are not losing, rather they can not gain a decisive victory.」

Hearing that, the partic.i.p.ants had something to say.

「That is to be expected. If we could penetrate through head-on attacks, we would have done so from the start.」

「We prepared the western army and the eastern army to flank from the sides.」

Nodding, the staff officer points to the west and continues on.

「We took complete control of the west coast, which forced the enemy to deploy troops along the entire sh.o.r.e. Everything up to this part is as we originally planned……」

The staff officer cut his words short when Zaphnes cleared his throat, then proceeds after confirming he was allowed.

「But the amount of deployed troops were far below our expectations. That meant a greater number of soldiers were left in front where the central army was located, resulting in a more difficult march.」

A sigh could be heard from somewhere.

「Of course, Acevedo carried out a forced landing operation when it was known that the enemy was short-handed.」

The staff officer draws an arrow extending from the west coast to the port city, Patena…… then crosses it out with a large red X.

「The landing operation failed due to the enemy's scheme. It was a disaster. Out of the 5000 soldiers, more than 4000 were lost and a significant number of transport s.h.i.+ps were destroyed. Further, Goldonia committed a cruel act in this fight――」

Wilhelmina raises her small hand to interrupt.

「You can denounce the enemy on a different occasion. For now, focus on explaining the current situation.」

「……my apologies. As I was saying, the attacks in the west and central regions have stagnated.」

The staff officer pauses to drink the water given to him by his attendant.

Although everyone scowled, none of them lost their composure.

They were all veteran soldiers who followed Zaphnes from the Empire and knew that war does not always work out the way they want.

「I understand the state of the west and central areas. Now, shall we move on to the real issue?」

All of a sudden, the air seemed to get heavier and the bitter-faced Zaphnes exhaled a large breath audibly.

「Next is the eastern front and the most problematic situation. New commander Raleigh battled multiple times with the greatest feudal lord in the east, Hardlett, which resulted in――a loss of more than 90% of forces, and the emergency reinforcements directed from the Malt invasion army…… was similarly annihilated horribly. Far from maintaining the war front, the eastern army barely even exists at this point.」

There was a collective groan from the partic.i.p.ants.

Some had a rough idea about the crisis in the east, but the specifics surpa.s.sed their imaginations of how bad the situation was.

「Over 90%, you said!? Not of the soldiers who fought in battle, but 90% of the entire eastern army?」

「Goldonia's army should be concentrated within the capital and on the coast of North Teries. In other words, are you saying the 50 000-strong eastern army lost……no, annihilated by the feudal lord of a remote region?」

「We can't simply move forward with the plan then! Call commander Raleigh back!」

Wilhelmina is expressionless like a beautiful ice sculpture, meanwhile Zaphnes gradually moves his chair away.

「The whereabouts of most of the headquarters personnel under commander Raleigh are unknown…… based on the situation, they are presumed to have died in battle.」

The room stirs.

With the exception of Patricia, the staff officers and high-ranking commanders were followers of Zaphnes from the Empire.

If they all died, that would mean a considerable portion of the talented and trustworthy personnel disappeared in an instant.

After clearing his throat, the staff officer raised his voice and said what the speechless members of the council were probably all thinking.

「What happened in the east was catastrophic. Instead of being able to advance in the east, we can't even defend Malt and the territory Her Majesty recaptured through negotiations. If the enemy was so inclined, they could invade further or perhaps even target Vandola.」

Something similar to a shriek escaped the mouths of the attending members.

Leaving this battle aside, South Yuguria already has half of Goldonia's land under its control and can be considered to have overwhelming superiority.

On the other hand, South Yuguria has sent close to the maximum number of available soldiers to the front lines and has none to spare.

It was uncertain how the situation would develop if the enemy cut through the east all the way to their central hub.

「Is there no choice other than to call back troops from the central and western armies?」

「If we do that, our strategy will completely fall apart! The enemy shouldn't have any leeway to invade that deep, so we should continue pus.h.i.+ng from the west!」

「Isn't that wishful thinking? If the enemy has the logistics――」

Wilhelmina puts a stop to the chaos.

「The――」

Her polite yet clear voice rings out through the disorder.

「Next move has already been made.」

Wilhelmina promptly stands up.

「Today, I will declare for a total mobilization from all the regions in the Empire. All the young men will be part of the military and the females will a.s.sist the Empire if necessary.」

A mix of shocked gasps and cheers erupt.

「A total mobilization…… it's here at last.」

「This is certainly a critical time. Soldiers are more important at this moment even at the cost of national power and popular sentiment.」

「If we recruit additional soldiers, we can form a provisional force and close the hole in the east…… it's quite a distance from the east to aim for any major cities. The enemy can't ama.s.s forces in the east while the capital is being attacked either.」

Wilhelmina waits for the room to settle down before continuing on.

「I will tell the citizens again myself since a great deal of casualties is inevitable. Zaphnes, follow along.」

Zaphnes twitches when he heard his name called, clears his throat, and then stands up.

「A major change to our strategy is needed. We must target the capital of Goldonia while protecting the east.」

「That will be tough to……」

Zaphnes holds his hand up to quiet his subordinate's remark.

「I know. I will select the recruits with military or mercenary experience and organize a force around them to strengthen our numbers…… I will take command of the front. I can guarantee victory since I will personally be heading there.」

Sounds of shock and awe come from the other members.

「While the first landing was a failure, it's not like Goldonia has a surface fleet. We will win as long as we dominate the river. I expect all of you to do well.」

With that said, Zaphnes stands.

Everyone felt a sense of relief from Zaphnes's confident words and saluted or applauded him.

「……」

Wilhelmina modestly clapped her hands like the others and kept her gaze on Zaphnes without saying anything.

Zaphnes summons his most trusted aide after he returned to his own room.

「You are sure about this?」

「Yessir! According to testimonies, the individual's behavior, and most of all the tricks to stop a landing…… there's no mistake about it.」

Zaphnes nods emphatically.

「I knew it, Sekrit is also in the central plains…… and being kept in the Goldonia army of all things. I can understand how Acevedo was defeated.」

He thinks of Acevedo as a highly capable subordinate, except when it comes to fights involving s.h.i.+ps, he doesn't believe anyone would stand a chance against 'her'.

「This is a chance though. If Sekrit finds out about my existence, there's no way she won't change sides. Then, if I can persuade her well enough, the Goldonian army will be a mess. After betraying them and learning of my rank as Supreme commander, she will……」

Zaphnes's breathing becomes rough.

「Your Excellency, it is an unrelated matter, but there are reports of Commander Patricia Raleigh being kept alive as a prisoner of war……」

Zaphnes snorts.

「Who cares about her! That d.a.m.n woman…… talking big and this is what happens? Because of that, Her Majesty lost some faith in me―― screw her, let some enemy soldier turn her into their plaything or whatever!」

「S-so, are you saying not to continue the search and rescue operation for Commander Raleigh……」

「Of course! More importantly, mobilize the spies and find some way of contacting Sekrt.」

「Right away, sir!」

South Yuguria and Zaphnes gear up for the decisive battle ahead.

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–Aegir POV–

Two Weeks Later. Port City, Patena.

I wait for Sekrit and Erich after arriving at Patena.

I'm meeting Sekrit because she's acting as my proxy, but Erich also told me he was coming here with something to say to me.

「I don't know what's going on overall and there's also this woman to deal with so I guess it makes sense to talk.」

I glance at the aforementioned woman whose hands are bound.

It goes without saying that it's Patricia.

To prevent her from running away, iron handcuffs――would be too cruel, so cloth was wrapped around her wrists not very tightly, and an iron ball――would be painful if attached to her foot, so cloth was similarly tied around her legs and attached to Irijina.

「Hey.」

I call out to Patricia to try and discuss what will happen next, but……

「U……uuueeeeh!! Fueeehh!!」

The moment I did so, she jumps into the corner of the room and starts wailing loudly, with large tear drops streaming down her face.

「It's because of this. I can't even talk to her.」

Patricia's been this way ever since she was captured.

When I tried to taste her before heading out, she cried as soon as I entered the room.

Even when I tried to soothe her or reason with her, she kept screaming how scared she was.

「Naturally, I didn't feel like sleeping with a sobbing woman.」

There are certain times, depending on my mood, that the crying excites me.

However, when she's literally crying like a child, I can't do anything except try to comfort her.

「Hic…… hic……」

Patricia, having ran out of breath, stopped sobbing and her body simply trembled in fear.

「I won't treat you poorly. Relax……」

In a coaxing voice, I try to touch her shoulder, but she starts shaking like I have some kind of disease and her voice quavers.

「This isn't going to work.」

I sigh and move away from Patricia.

Even though I brought her along, I'll have to leave her alone for a while.

From the viewpoint of her abnormal fright, if I question her too hard, her heart might break or she might even die from the shock.

「I don't understand how Leopolt could be outmaneuvered by this.」

When I was about to return Patricia to her room, Celia stands in the way.

「Aegir-sama is too lenient! You should just violate a girl like this! If you seal her mouth and forcibly take her from behind, she would just let you!」

”Or I'll f.u.c.k her myself”, Celia adds as she takes out a black-l.u.s.tred, wooden d.i.l.d.o and attempt to pin down Patricia from behind.

Stop it, she's running around on all fours.

Celia's become a proper adult woman too, seeing her walk around with a d.i.l.d.o like that.

In the commotion, Leopolt appears beside me out of nowhere.

「If you allow me to do it, it will take a few days.」

「Not now. I'll do it if it's needed.」

After replying as such, Leopolt bows and stands down.

That's only if absolutely necessary. Now is not the time.

「How scary.」

Tristan smiles bitterly and draws his body away.

Suddenly, someone knocked on the door and at the same time, it was swung open violently with a bang.

「Lord Hardlett, sorry for keeping you waiting.」

The one who appeared was Erich.

For someone of his standing to arrive without prior announcement, he must be in a hurry.

「Mm.」

Sekrit is also behind him.

She seems miffed and is glaring at Erich's back.

I guess it just so happens they arrived simultaneously.

「I apologize, but there is no time for idle chatter. Let us begin the war council immed――」

I wonder what Erich thinks of the situation.

In the middle of the room, Celia is holding a d.i.l.d.o and chasing the tearful Patricia around.

I'm sitting casually on the bed, along with Leopolt and Tristan, appreciating the scene…… or that's what it should look like.

Irijina devouring her meal by herself should be irrelevant.

「Celia, stop that.」

「Hauu!」

Celia hastily stuffs the d.i.l.d.o in her pocket――finds that it won't fit, and hides it in Irijina's chest instead.

「Ooh, you want me to partic.i.p.ate too? I'm eating now though, so you'll have to wait until I'm finished!」

「……」

Even though I'm not part of the fuss, Erich is glaring at me.

Oh, so this is the boss's responsibility? How unreasonable of him.

d.a.m.n Sekrit, she's looking down and laughing.

The war council with Erich progressed peacefully.

Erich simply told me about the overall situation, while I reported to him the state of the east.

Because of that, there were no complications.

Erich could not hide his happiness after hearing of the annihilation of the enemy eastern army.

「I knew that you could stop the enemy. However, I didn't think you could destroy a force of 50 000! With that, the anxiety in the east has disappeared and I have some leeway to think of a counteroffensive strategy.」

He excitedly pats me on the shoulder.

「Normally, I would want to continue crus.h.i.+ng the enemy from the east…… unfortunately, I can't spare any troops from the center. The enemy commander is more skilled than ever before. If I carelessly disperse my forces, they'll break through for sure. It's all over if the capital falls, so I can't take any risks.」

That's true.

There's also quite a distance to the enemy's center even if he were to go from the east, so it would be a rather poor gamble.

Since I knew that, I brought soldiers and came here.

「Anyways, you have quite an incredible army…… you have 30 000 here, plus you also kept some back to guard your territory, right?」

「Well, a certain amount.」

That much is obvious.

If I allow a second surprise attack, that would make me a total moron.

「No, rather than the army size, should I be more impressed at the capable personnel you can entrust soldiers to?」

Now that he mentions it, I've been blessed with talented individuals.

Leopolt, Tristan, and Myla are not only staff officers, they are each tasked with leading an army.

Luna can also lead a few thousand bow cavalry, and Jim has sufficient leaders.h.i.+p abilities once he gets accustomed to my army.

I've done well to find as many people as I have.

「You also have some with strong peculiarities too.」

Erich looks at Sekrit who is leaning against the wall of the room.

Did Sekrit do something again?

In the report, I only heard that she drove back the enemy who tried to cross the river and land.

「He complains when the enemy is killed?」

I pull Sekrit close and soothe her.

I don't want her to sulk and I don't want Erich to snap at me.

「It was due to her efforts that the enemy's landing was stopped though. I hear it was a brilliant display of skill.」

「Good work.」

Sekrit doesn't react when Erich praises her and turns away from me in an unfriendly manner when I pat her.

It's not a reaction of a bad mood.

It's a similar reaction to the times Celia puffs up when she's sulking.

「……defending against the landing is great, but unless the enemy is a boundless idiot, they will eventually see the hole we have. The weather will also turn into our enemy. If we don't crush the enemy's navy soon, who knows what will happen.」

Sekrit states as her eyes are turned to the side, causing Erich to make a troubled face.

「I am fully aware…… except we don't have enough manpower. Besides, we don't have proper wars.h.i.+ps and we don't have the luxury of leisurely constructing them in the port city. His Majesty seems to have requested support from the Federation…… but I don't know how much we can rely on them.」

「Fuu, aside from selling us second-hand s.h.i.+ps, I doubt they'll give us experienced navy soldiers along with them. Even if we can gather the required number of s.h.i.+ps, what good are they if the men operating them are amateurs?」

Erich showed frustration when Sekrit spoke sarcastically, but regrettably agreed with what she said and shook his head.

「I don't have any clue when it comes to surface warfare. In the end, our only choice is to prepare for their landing.」

We can't do anything without the s.h.i.+ps or the men.

「I'll think of what I can, so until then, make sure you stop their landing no matter what. If the enemy lands while we are squaring off in the center, it's over.」

「Leave it to me.」

Erich and I exchange a firm handshake.

After that, Erich's attendant quickly starts to gather their things.

I guess he's going to go back without eating.

「The situation is very strained at the moment. I don't have time to be carefree.」