Chapter 148 – Thriller (1/2)

Behind the mounted Nelgal the soldiers of Orsongrande were replaced by those of Horant before anyone really noticed. They, including many magic soldiers as well, are firmly staring at their fellow countrymen in front.

Ahead of their gazes was also the figure of Tannin who was was waiting and watching the situation on horseback.

“I give up, that’s too much.” (Tannin)

Tannin smiled bitterly at himself having miscalculated.

Nelgal was probably given a permit to depart the country signed by the former king Suprangel as something that proves his identity, but I didn’t think that a person, who opposes Kuzemu with only that much, will be able to rally such numbers.

“Good grief, I expected that uncle has aspects where he lacks in popularity, but… should I praise Nelgal’s side on top of that? He brought along a considerable number of soldiers.” (Tannin)

Although he is playing the fool, the sweat doesn’t stop flowing down his cheeks.

According to Tannin’s analysis, the soldiers directly commanded by Nelgal, who are currently confronting the 3.000 soldiers strong side of Kuzemu, are exceeding 2.000 in numbers. The rest of the soldiers, who were at the border, and most of the military forces lent by almost all nobles of Horant, who swore their allegiance to Nelgal, along the road to the capital.

The nobles’ thoughts are simple. Nelgal, who has a friendly relation to Orsongrande, is superior due to his economical future prospects. Of course, that also includes the meaning that they don’t want to fight with Orsongrande.

Naturally they haven’t explained it as anything but a simple battle for justice to the soldiers.

“If you are intelligent soldiers of Horant, you will be able to judge which side is just! You would know about me and you would choose to fight together with me! Me being here is proof of this. It’s evidence of me standing here as legal successor!” (Nelgal)

Nelgal’s voice can be even heard by Tannin.

Of course that speech is also heard by those in the surroundings. Their looks, which are from time to time examining each other uneasily, are gloomy.

“This will be harsh.” (Tannin)

Tannin’s small mutter wasn’t heard by anyone, for good or bad.

“I will look at the situation for a bit. Once I give the signal, ((send)) those gross ((things)) to the front line… no, release them behind the front row.” (Tannin)

The soldier, who heard the order, gives his opinion to Tannin in panic.

“Please wait. In that case the soldiers in the front row will end up getting dragged into it.”

“It’s what I decided.” (Tannin)

“However…”

“Those are uncontrollable things anyway. Besides, the lot in the front row will betray us no matter what.” (Tannin)

“Well, watch it”, while glaring at the state of the soldiers who are in his and Nelgal’s surroundings, Tannin snorted atop the horseback.

◆◆◆

With people appearing in front of their eyes whom they obviously know as they are soldiers from the same country, the soldiers of Tannin’s side, and especially the group in the front row, were confused.

“Those are, without a doubt, soldiers from Horant, aren’t they?”

“But, the order is…”

“The king is higher ranked than the prime minister, right!?”

“Ain’t it different since he still ain’t the king?”

With several of them exchanging words and letting their opinions freely adrift, they wait for an answer by someone. They are excellent soldiers thus they won’t make a judgement by themselves.

“As someone who will become king.” (Nelgal)

Nelgal’s words incite them.

“If you open the way, I shall treat you as my people. However, if you fall as low as being underlings of someone who monopolizes our state, there’s no way I can forgive you.” (Nelgal)

However, by no means is it easy.

“Though I don’t wish for battle, I will never hesitate to fight for the sake of guiding Horant towards being a righteous country!” (Nelgal)

The spears from Tannin’s side stopped and the magic barrier was released.

When Nelgal slowly advances his horse, his military forces advance as well.

The soldiers, who are bewildered and puzzled, retreated while breaking the ranks due to his pressure.

◆◆◆

The things, which Tannin “transported” from the capital, were creatures which stopped being human.

They were even hidden from Suprangel. Kuzemu took over the research, which was ordered by the dead Crown Prince Veldore, and brought them even to a state where they can be used albeit being incomplete.

Apparently Veldore planned to apply this to all regular soldiers in the event this research was successful.

That research was called “Immortal Soldiers Project” at the time when Veldore was still alive.

“It’s Tannin-sama’s order. Prepare their release.”

“… Is that really alright?”

A soldier of the carriage, which transports… no, quarantines the immortal soldiers, knows about the carriage’s contents and therefore asks in return with a frightened expression.

“You are still better of. You know the timing to run away. But…”

The soldier, who conveyed the order, made a twisted face while watching his allies who are confused at the close vicinity of the front line. He was easily able to imagine the outcome once the immortal soldiers were released.

“It’s still only an order to prepare them. That doesn’t mean it was decided to release them at all.”

“That’s mere consolation”, anyone could comprehend that.

◆◆◆

“I-I will stop! Do you know where I should go!?”

A single soldier, unable to endure Nelgal’s pressure, discarded his weapon.

“I-In that case I will quit as well!”

Once they lost all restraints, weapons are tossed away one after the other by the soldiers at the front.

“Wait! Deserting is a heavy crime!”

Once people, who leave the ranks towards outside the highway, start appearing one after another, the commanding officer orders all soldiers to return in panic, but even if there are those who are perplexed by his voice, there’s only few who abide.

“It’s much better than treason!”

When someone yells that, the surroundings agree to it and approving voices spread like a ripple on the water.

By now even Nelgal has stopped his advance and is watching the situation.

“… Even if they don’t become our allies, it will be fine as long as ((their ranks)) collapse like this.” (Nelgal)

At the preparatory meeting with Imeraria, she approved of Nelgal’s speech and consented to the soldiers accompanying him. They would head for the capital by passing through while being thoroughly cautious as long as they don’t become hindrances by not obeying.

If it seemed that a part of them would attack, it would deliver a considerable shock.

The attacks of Fokalore soldiers, who came into contact with the enemy first, were completely irregular, but Nelgal feels relieved in his mind as he was able to develop the situation according to his hypothesis.

Even now the chaos is lasting, but with the state of files and ranks apparently already gone, the soldiers, who escape, are gradually increasing. If it goes on like that, the front line will lose its function as army. Once that happens, any general, if they are decent, will likely return to the capital to retreat for a moment.

However, Nelgal saw a single matter that bothered him. On the other side of the enemy’s front line, which began to crumble, there was a strange, square carriage.

Nelgal has no recollections of a carriage that had such a shape. He pondered whether it might be a box-shaped carriage which was made for someone in the higher governmental service, but considering that no window can be found, even not a small one to degree of being pitiful.

It’s a critical moment, Nelgal was overly concerned. However, even so he won’t understand something he can’t see. He won’t see the box’ contents unless he doesn’t try to open it.

☺☻☺

“Huh?”

Mingling with Nelgal’s soldiers who have fortified the front line, several soldiers of Fokalore have taken up position in a part of the ranks and Alyssa was there as their commander as well. It turned into such situation once they ended up being pushed out at the time when suddenly a great number of allied soldiers of Horant headed to the front.

At the preparatory meeting it was originally decided that Fokalore’s and Orsongrande’s soldiers would yield their spot once Horant’s soldiers head to the front, but Alyssa and only around 20 soldiers have remained in order to grasp the state of affairs.

“Did you see anything, Director?”

The soldier, who gave Alyssa, who said that she can’t see well as there are many adults, a shoulder ride, asks with a smile while being watched with resentful eyes by his colleagues in the vicinity.

“The other side has been mixed up, but there’s some large carriage.” (Alyssa)

“Carriage? Has the son of a noble come here?”

“It’s not that gaudy. How to call it? It looks just like a big box.” (Alyssa)

While watching the other side through a pipe made with both hands, once Alyssa tilted her head to the side, the door attached to that box was opened.

“Ueh…” (Alyssa)

Seeing the things that came out, Alyssa grimaced while extending her tongue out.

With far-sightedness soldiers, who wore a simple armour, could be seen at first. They weren’t tall or muscular but rather thin.

Their bizarreness was visible on their faces which could be observed beneath their smooth helmets.