Chapter 40 – Come To Me (2/2)
“Now that it’s done, let’s go to the village. I think we can let the Lord deal with the rest.”
Everyone agreed on the spot and began to walk without even forming a line.
“Even though it would be nice if the rails were even laid out in the direction of the village.”
For them it was a feeling of the war having already ended.
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“We will soon pass the aforementioned place.” (Origa)
Hifumi only nodded to Origa’s report.
The mass of Vichy soldiers pursuing in the back were completely separated from the cavalry group following.
On top of the rail car which was shaking and rattling, Hifumi was sitting cross-legged having turned his back to the direction of movement staring at them with a fleeting glance.
“Wait! Fight me fair and square! I will kill you!” (Buer)
Besides Buer, who was chasing after them while shouting energetically on top of the horseback, the other Vichy forces didn’t appear to have notice what was awaiting them.
Although the number of Vichy’s cavalry had decreased fast due to the intermittent firing of spears, they deliberately didn’t aim at Buer.
Ascertaining the deployment of the enemy, Hifumi gave directions on the attacks. Then he noticed them passing through the scheduled location.
“Full speed ahead.” (Hifumi)
Origa didn’t miss Hifumi’s brief instruction.
“All members, go forward with full power!” (Origa)
With Origa’s command, the soldiers, holding the handle of the rail car, raised their voices and poured all their strength into it.
“Despite me being the military affairs director …” (Alyssa)
“This is because you didn’t listen to Hifumi-sama’s words.” (Origa)
At the time the Vichy cavalry focused their eyes on the sped-up rail cars, it was one of the chamberlains galloping next to Buer, who fell for the first trap.
The horse’s forefeet tread though the ground of the highway.
It was a small and shallow pitfall, but the horse, missing its footing, quickly fell over.
In succession Vichy soldiers following tumbled and were stepped on.
Even though Buer eased up the speed of the rushing horse and ordered the following soldiers to get off the highway, pitfalls, almost indistinguishable from the grass, were prepared there as well.
For a while Buer continued the pursuit, but at last he fell off the horse as it collapsed.
Since Hifumi also saw him trying to get up, Buer was apparently safe one way or the other.
“I will wait for you in Fokalore!” (Hifumi)
Although his enemy tried to retort something to Hifumi’s call, the rail car was already in a far distance at that time moving away from that location.
“You may lower the speed. We will wait for the enemy at Fokalore afterwards.” (Hifumi)
There still remained many archers and infantry within the Vichy army at this time, but the horses were pretty much wasted.
Buer decided to take a temporary rest waiting for those following, but losing his temper due to the lessened number of soldiers gathered, he found fault with everybody in the vicinity.
Frankly speaking, their large military force was kicked around by a few Orsongrande soldiers. He had expected to grandly march towards Fokalore about now.
After crossing the national border, Orsongrande had arbitrarily established at Rhone, and advancing into this direction, just about everything was rubbing Buer’s nerves the wrong way.
“Without fighting directly, it is just surprise attacks, traps and escaping … To what extent do you plan to make fun of me! Only that youngster, I will definitely kill myself!” (Buer)
While Buer was getting worked up, even at that time, those, sensing the impeding crisis after the magic soldiers disappeared and the horses were lost, broke away one by one and deserted.
Buer got even more enraged about this matter.
As it was now, he would have to return to his country without earning any accomplishments. Generals, who escaped without being able to gather their allies and to decently fight without accidents, never reappeared on the public stage a second time.
It wasn’t unlikely for them to get stuck with spending the rest of their life in a defense unit in a remote farm village.
As far as Buer was concerned, he held a pride of having build up his status by successive victories and his military power, although he never had the chance to participate in a large battle. It was unthinkable for him to do something like retreating without doing anything as long as he was able to fight.
Taking a hurried meal and resting for about an hour, they now advanced orderly.
“We will conquer Fokalore before the enemy’s reinforcements arrive! Start marching!” (Buer)
While the soldiers were sometimes irritated by having their feet sink into the small pitfalls, Buer borrowed a horse from another person. His face was red while burning with the desire for revenge.
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Pajou’s Third Knight Unit led the reinforcements. Quickly finishing the formation of the troops, it was almost as if they were laying in wait. In the early morning 3000 soldiers departed from the royal castle.
The soldiers, heading out for the sake of rescuing the hero from his crisis, were passionately cheered on by the populace.
Although the soldiers, who didn’t find it strange, were joyfully listening to the shouts of joy while advancing forward by walking, all of the Third Knight Unit, leading the troops while riding on horses, erased their facial expressions.
They were given a contradictory mission called ‘if it goes as planned, you will have to fight that man.’ Thus they couldn’t even show something like a smiling face.
As a result of her close relationship to Hifumi, Pajou was elected as leader of the current reinforcements.
Leading the advance, Pajou’s expression was stiff, too.
“Let’s hurry up a bit.” (Pajou)
“If we rush too much, we will leave the soldiers behind. In the first place, it is unthinkable for Fokalore, which has a firm defense being close to the border, to fall easily. Don’t get too impatient.” (Midas)
Towards the voice of Midas, who was moving right behind her, Pajou sighed with a forced smile on her face. She didn’t want to be seen as pathetic in Midas’ eyes.
“Rather than having to show such a face, it would have been fine to not propose such a plan, I think.” (Midas)
“Saying this now? This is also for the sake of Imeraria’s revenge. It is a strategy to stop having this country being dragged into the quagmire of war.” (Pajou)
“Since you understand, get a bit more relaxed. You will end up being worn out before we arrive at Fokalore.” (Midas)
“… Oh well” (Pajou)
Easing up just slightly on the speed, Pajou faced towards the front again and was silent.
While watching that back wearing an armor, Midas felt that he couldn’t foresee where this battle was headed to.
In fact Sabnak had refused the invitation to join the reinforcements.
Even though he had promised to keep the secret, he couldn’t agree to the reason for the hostility against Hifumi no matter what.
I guess, since he is still young, he only sees that dazzling heroic appearance of Hifumi rather than him being someone holding a protruding strength. But even with such an excuse, he still isn’t quite able to comprehend the real intention himself either.
Being young, he is manipulated by a perilous sense of justice due to looking at that radiant appearance. Though I wonder if it isn’t only Sabnak but also Pajou and Princess Imeraria being affected by this?
Although Hifumi certainly killed the king, it doesn’t mean that it wasn’t the king’s fault either.
He caused this country to go to war, but as a result he brought gains.
To be honest, rather than anyone, it is certainly Sabnak, who made a calm and accurate judgement, I guess?
Aren’t we walking ahead into the direction of danger without being able to avert our eyes from such strong words called ‘War’ and ‘King Slayer’?
(I should have tried to talk a bit more with Sabnak …) (Midas)
Personally I don’t hate Hifumi.
But I also believe to understand his danger.
In a state of murky hesitation, Midas headed towards the battlefield alongside the other knights.
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Hifumi was waiting at Fokalore.
Staring at the view of the drawn katana, his heart was leaping in anticipation.