Hachinan tte, Sore wa Nai Deshou! - CH 103

Chapter 103: The Invading Force is Sent Out

“Wow, that’s big.”

“What a beautiful shell.”

The giant tortoise that was shot dead by Wilma was being admired by Ina and Louise.

They hadn’t expected the two Tortoise King Rainbow Assaults.

Normally, only one of the tortoises would be out in the open, and guru couldn’t sense the presence of two.

“Because of the shell, I couldn’t detect any magic power.”

One of the troublesome points of the tortoise is that the when the tortoise retracts into its shell, it becomes impossible to detect.

Unless the shell was attacked, there was no way of knowing whether the tortoise was hiding somewhere.

The shell will shine with rainbow light, so it’s easy to see visually, but if the tortoise were hidden, nothing could be seen.

“We have been successfully tricked for the past few months.”

“Even if only one was visible, I wish you’d have noticed the varying sizes.”

“You’ll live longer if you don’t sweat the small stuff, Burkhart.”

“One will live longer if they care…”

Burkhart responded his tone laced with complaints, but the guru, whose spirit was as strong as a wire rope, was not remorseful.

“Another one, eh? Makes it harder to dismantle?”

“How laborious.”

If we made a triumphant return to the town of Sirkat with it, the Emperor might just attack us.

We didn’t want to raise any alarms, so we decided to dismantle it and put it in a magic bag and when necessary Peter will show it to the subjects of the Imperial City to prove his prowess.

“Wend, this shell is pretty special, isn’t it? Can Your Highness afford it?”

“I can pay you. It’s promotional for me,” Peter answered Louise with pride.

So far, he had been hiding and saving his money with his comrades, but of course the degree was but a sparrow’s nest, so he had amassed debt.

However, he was better off than many.

“I hope Peter is as magnanimous as Julius Caesar.” [1]

[1] Julius Caesar has a reputation for being magnanimous to his opponent, and generally having a ‘generous spirit’.

After a while, the dismantling of the two tortoise shells began.

Although we were working in the realm, most of the demons had been defeated, so we were safe.

The meat would be secured as food and the other materials would be sold to fund the war effort.

“Whoa, that looks delicious. As expected of Elise.”

To test out the food, Elise cooked up a dinner for some of the materials.

This was her first-time cooking with tortoise meat and our first time eating it.

She made umami stewed with vegetables and meat grilled in soy sauce and miso.

“It’s delicious.”

“You can eat as much as you want.”

“Wend, the big man.”

Wilma had already eaten, but she was the person of honor this time.

She gets to eat as much as she wants.

Elise was serving another bowl of grilled meet and umami to Wilma.

“So yummy.”

“It was a good day, but a tough one.”

While eating a large amount of tortoise mean, the guru recalled the events of the day.

He didn’t talk about the fact that he didn’t notice the two tortoises, due to his focus on hunting the other demons.

Partly because of the force exerted and partly because of the guru’s fighting, the army hadn’t suffered too many casualties.

“The other demons will be rounded up again tomorrow and wiped out.”

“I’ll use ‘Wind Cutter’ to chop down the other trees on the way.”

Katarina, who was unable to participate in the battle with the Tortoise King Rainbow Assault, was scheduled to take care of the remaining demons and undertake the task of cutting down the trees in the area.

“I hear you’re going to build a farming village here.”

“Some kind of rural coalition that supplies the town of Sirkat with food?”

This demon realm existed as a blockade between the town of Sirkat and the territory of the Union of Small Lords in the north.

The demon’s attracted adventurers, but because of the small size, it acted as more of an obstacle to development and passage.

“With the liberation of this demon realm, the town of Sirkat and the northern region of the central part of the Empire will be connection with each other and development will be promoted. The rainbow-colored shell, a rare and valuable object, is in my possession, and I will return to the Imperial City with it.”

“That’s good to hear.”

I nodded and handed Peter the detailed invoice for the work we had done so far while he made an empathetic statement.

“Hmm. Lady Therese is too lenient with Wendelin”

Peter looked at the money and criticized Therese for not paying me until now.

“His Highness can’t say much.”

“Emera, you can’t even stand up for me in a situation like this…” Peter chuckled lightly at Emera’s comments.

“Sometimes, it’s the job of a vassal to say harsh things to their lord.”

“You’re right.  I’ll pay for everything. Of course, I’ll pay a bit later.”

“Paying me later, that’s what Therese and the Emperor said as well.”

Those two did not formally refuse to pay.

However, it led me to question their potential abilities as emperors.

“Of course, it will be split. I have a comrade who is excellent in finance, so I’ll have him calculate it when he enters the Imperial City. I’ll make sure to pay you back soon. Because if I don’t pay you back, the Empire will be economically controlled by you, Wendelin, and the Helmut Kingdom behind you.”

“Ho…”

If he knows that, it’s no problem.

If he can’t pay, we’ll take the collateral that he sets up, which is the Empires territory and the rights to mines and ports and so on.

So, if he doesn’t return it, the Empire will be invaded by the Helmut Kingdom.

“I’m sure I’ll be called a ‘Debt Emperor’ later in life,” Peter laughed as he ate his tortoise meat.

The next day, although we were still in the midst of cleaning up the demon realm, the Royal Army, five thousand men from the Imperial Army, and five thousand men from High Earl Mizuho’s Army, for a total of fifteen thousand men, had begun the march to the Imperial City.

The Imperial Army was commanded by Gilbert himself, while the Kingdom Army was led by Philip, and Elle also led a thousand.

High Earl Mizuho’s army was commanded by a senior minister named Munekaz Tatibana Mizuho.

The guru, Burkhart, Elise, and the others would also accompany me. The administration of the town of Sirkat was entrusted to the deputies, Christoph, and Count Schultz.

The leadership of the remaining troops would not be a problem if we leave the leadership to Mr. Poppek and the people recruited by him.

“They’ll all have to come to the Imperial City soon…”

As expected, due to the effects of the training, the army was quickly and orderly set up near the Imperial City.

I was immediately called to see the Emperor, but it wasn’t important.

He only called me out to remind me to stay behind and remain quiet and behaved as they set out.

His tone was a bit more polite than usual, but he seemed intent on leaving us behind.

“I’m sure your father is excited about the completion of his gorgeous special palanquin.”

“If only he had practiced riding his horse.”

Even I, as expected, could ride a horse normally.

The emperor didn’t even make an effort, which was in itself amazing.

And he is already nearing old age.

“That palanquin will soon become a coffin.”

On the evening of the day I had an audience with the Emperor, we had dinner at our camp on the outskirts of the Imperial City.

Peter, who followed us, seemed to have obtained information from a colleague who lives in the Imperial City in secret.

According to him, the emperor had a smile on his face when he saw the flamboyantly decorated custom-made carriage.

“How is it that the supreme commander won’t even ride a horse, Peter?”

“Very true. It looks bad even if he were an old soldier who fought in many battles.”

In the past there were such soldiers in the Imperial Army.

But the emperor had never participated in any military training.

Even the training of the armies under the Imperial Family had been left to the sons.

“Peter’s brothers are excellent, aren’t they?”

“Are they excellent or good at doing what they’re told without a hitch?  If their supreme commander can’t ride a horse, how can they beat the Duke of Nuremberg.”

The current Imperial City is enveloped in a feverish atmosphere because the departure of the invading army.

The soldiers received a lump sum of money, which they used to improve their lives.

Some of the soldiers will survive, so it’s not useless.

But many are certain to be die.

Ideally this could have been prevented, but in the end advice from some nobles and Peter was disregarded based on the fact that the Empire has many soldiers.

I feel sorry for them, but it’s inevitable and I couldn’t help but have mixed feelings.

“Things will be fine at first, I suppose.”

“Oh, Wendelin’s theory. Let’s hear it.”

“It’s not much. It would be easier for the Duke of Nuremberg if he took out the Emperor and inflicted damage at the same time. So, it would be best to draw the invading army into the Duke’s territory and strike them down at once when they have the advantage of ground.”

The Duke of Nuremberg has more than enough ability to do this, although the timing of the counterattack is difficult since there are three invasion routes.

But he would not fail first.

He’d likely want to capture the high-class nobles and sons of high-class individuals.

The more sacrifices that are made, the more chaos the Imperial City will be in.

If he thought it might be possible to enter the city bloodlessly if they were successful, he will focus their efforts on destroying the invading army.

“The leaders of the invading army are well aware of this. ‘Are we incompetent?’ If you ask me…” I paused, “We’ll have to wait and see.”

In any case, a part of me expects the emperor to die in battle too.

I can’t give Peter good advice.

“Peter. You should do your best to use Count Baumeister well so that the Imperial City remains calm. That’s exactly what you, the third son, are to do.”

At last, the invading army rushed out from the huge front gate of the Imperial City.

First the cavalry, the elite of the Imperial Army, walked in a line, followed by the emperor, riding in a luxurious palanquin who responded by waving to the noble subjects who saw him off.

Peter was among the observers, but he looked and said nothing.

As the march continued, the emperor’s successors, the eldest and second son, Peter’s brothers, showed up on horseback.

They were commanding the Imperial Lord’s Army and were quite spirited.

They were not the next in line for emperor, but they were the successors of the Imperial Family.

However, due to the chaos of the other elected Imperial Families, they are aiming for the continued succession of their Imperial Family to the throne, so they cannot fail at this time.

One of Peter’s brothers seemed to be dreaming of the sweet victory and looked at Peter with a smile.

“I wish my brothers victory.

“Our glory will benefit you.”

With that, Peter bowed reverently to his two brothers as they returned to the march and faded out of sight.

“I can’t be mad at them. My brothers’ mother was a daughter of a great nobleman and my mother was a commoner, I’m used to it.”

As he said this, Peter lifted his lowered head and stuck out his tongue, causing Ina to looked stunned and sad.

He’s been playing the role of the bad brother while misrepresenting and putting up with their attitudes, so I guess he doesn’t have any particular sadness at this moment.

“So, what are we doing?”  Burkhart asked Peter as we watch the tail end of the invading army.

“We can’t let them get into the Imperial City, so we have a lot of work to do. Officially, you will be in charge of security?”

After the Duke of Nuremberg had abandoned the Imperial City, the emperor, who had been imprisoned, returned to power for about six months, but there were areas where security was weak and deteriorating.

We decided to take action to resolve the security issues.

“There are injured over here.”

“The bones are healed, but you’ll need to rest for a few days.”

“Is there no cure?”

Katarina, Elise, and the guru were travelling around to rural villages and the City to provide medical treatment.

“You can’t steal crops; you need to buy them. Oh, you want to resist? Then, I’m going to knock you out.”

“Crop thieves, in my opinion, are villains.”

“What can you two weak girls do?”

Louise and Wilma were busy catching criminals.

“You’re getting pretty good at this.”

“Yes, Elle.”

“Elle, this food application, your math is wrong.”

“What? Really?”

“This last one is wrong, here.”

“You’re right…”

Elle and Haruka were working hard to train the troops under Philip.

Ina was helping to run the army.

“Straight down this road…it’s a long one…”

“How long do you think we’ll be doing construction?”

“What?”

Burkhart and I are living the life of a civil engineers.

It may not seem to have much to do with security, but it will affect the situation of the invading army.

For now, battle results are coming in one after another, such as the crossing of the borderline unscathed, or successful liberation of several villages and towns.

Perhaps it is because they want to overwhelm with achievements, but when I asked for details, I found out there wasn’t much fighting.

The idea from the leaders of the invading army seems to be that they will gather almost their entire army deep in the territory for the final battle.

And when that takes place, it will likely not be their victory, even with three times the strength.

“It’s frustrating just waiting for results.”

“Yes…”

Still, I’m glad I didn’t follow the emperor into the war.

When I was working on civil engineering projects, I heard some grim rumors from the servants helping out.

“I understand that the Duke of Nuremberg is a traitor and it’s necessary to defeat him, but…”

“What’s going on?”

“A friend of mine tells me the occupied villages and towns were destroyed.”

“That’s…”

“That’s what I mean. Don’t say that in front of anyone.”

The invading army was made up of various troops, so they weren’t well controlled.

Apparently, there is standard warfare and the looting and slaughtering of civilians.

“I knew that would happen,” Peter commented naturally when I reported the news to him.

“Didn’t the emperor issue a notice of prohibition.”

“Of course, but rules are hardest for people to follow.

“Yes, I’ve actually had to slay a few soldiers myself.”

Philip is having a hard time enforcing his Kingdom’s military in the distant empire.

Because they were fearing for their lives, some soldiers turned to robbery and rape to avenge their resentment.

This is something that Gilbert, the leader of the Imperial Army, has experienced.

“Even if we are all Imperials, if we live in different territories and regions, we don’t feel united.”

In the older days of warfare, people were more conscious of this.

However, in today’s world, there are many who put their own families, hometowns, and themselves first and in times of emergency, there are those who are willing to do wrong.

This was an inevitable reality for armies everywhere.

“There are ways to reduce it, though.”

Philip and Gilbert personally beheaded some soldiers in front of the inhabitants of the town of Sirkat.

“It’s cruel but it was necessary for the town. If we didn’t correct our military discipline, these crimes will increase.”

“I guess my dad and brothers made the big talk but aren’t actually doing anything about it.”

The emperor’s people would not listen to these reports for fear of reprimand and punishment from the emperor.

If they were disqualified because of giving such information, they could miss out on the glory of the victory.

As a result, they came to the conclusion that such inconvenient scandal swill is not to heard by them.

“The guru is going to talk to His Majesty the King.”

“I’m sure he’s not afraid to.”

“I envy His Majesty the King.”

Guru and His Majesty the King are good friends.

That’s why the guru can tell his friend the difficult news without fear.

But the emperor has no such person.

Perhaps it is because he knows this that Peter feels a little pity for his father.

“The Duke of Nuremberg’s machinations spread smoothly, don’t they?”

“You’re right, Wendelin. Even though the invading army has done bad things, such scandals wouldn’t leak out from our allies.”

The remaining agents left behind from the Duke of Nuremberg are gradually allowing the emperor’s evil deeds to spread throughout the empire.

“Will we lose?”

“Elise, there are churches in those towns and villages. You must not ignore the network of priests.”

The Church has taken a stand against the Duke of Nuremberg’s rebellion and many priests joined the liberation and invading army.

Bu there are also many priests in the southern churches who have joined in the rebellion, or who have declared neutrality and continue on normally.

“What do you think they will think when they head of the misdeeds of the invading army that the churches in the Imperial City believe to be righteous? There will be a lot of upset.”

“Well…”

“He’s quite good, the Duke of Nuremberg is. It would be hard to defeat with Therese. So, he returned the throne and split the forces to win…”

“The Duke of Nuremberg was born in the wrong century.”

“Maybe he’s not well suited to a turbulent time.”

Peter seems to be frustrated that he can’t do anything about the situation right now.

I find my mouth twisting up in a smile.

However, if I intervene poorly and help the emperor, we’ll have to fight the Duke of Nuremberg while being held in check.

We must close our eyes to the temporary sacrifice to let the emperor die.

“And what of that Emperor, Your Highness?”

“I heard that in three days, the main force will clash with the troops led by the Duke of Nuremberg himself. With half a dozen or so troops waiting for them, they need to take a lot of countermeasures.

“What of the artifacts from the underground ruins?”

Before, even the guru was at the mercy of the Exploding Golem.

With the number of quality wizards decreasing, the invading army might be delayed in making countermeasures and receive a fatal blow.

“For now, we can only wait.”

It’s hard to wait for the outcome of a battle that you know you’re about to lose.

Even so, the outcome comes with time.

Ten days later, in the night, an agent sent by Peter to the invading army came galloping back on a horse.

“Your side has been defeated! The Emperor is dead!”

“I knew it…so what are the details?”

We hastily gathered in a tent; the breathless agent started giving a detailed report.

“Here…”

“Thank you, miss.”

The clandestine reconnaissance begins to report after drinking the hastily brewed yerba tea from Elise.

It’s a small matter, but as expected of Elise, to deliberately brew lukewarm tea at a time like this.

“The enemy has been depleted, as we made an assault with our entire army…”

“Were we disrupted by suicide Bombing Golem?”

“That happened later. There was a metal Dragon Golem…”

“I didn’t know they even dug up that stuff!”

As long as it was found in the underground ruins of that area, it meant it could be unearthed in the underground ruins in the Empire as well.

And after placing it in position, the spy reported that the thousands of attacking invading troops melted away with a few breaths.

“After that, a large number of self-destructing golems.”

Even though he had a large army of 100,000 men, it would only collapse.

Then the Duke of Nuremberg personally attacked the Emperor and forced the Emperor of the palanquin he was riding.

The mud-soaked emperor pleaded with the sword-wielding Duke of Nuremberg for his life, but he was beheaded with a disgraceful blow.

“How do you know that much?”

“I was at the rear, but one of my agents came running to me with a very pale face.”

His men were nobles, so they managed to remain in the area with the emperor after the disappearing army.

The noble agent had jumped of his horse and fled.

“It was a brilliant escape. Gatla’s quick skills are commendable.”

The agent’s name was apparently Gatla.

“What about my brothers.”

“If they were in command of other armies, it probably ended the same way.”

“I know.”

It was expected.

The reason why the Duke of Nuremberg withdrew his troops from the Imperial City was because he was confident he could win with the relics of the underground ruins if he lured them into the local area.

The Dragon Golem was heavy, so if he wanted to install it, he would need the local manpower for construction.

Of course, the other two armies and their commanders, Peter’s brothers, would not be safe.

“It turned out just as expected, didn’t it?”

Peter was right.

Most of the people have been moving for months, expecting this result.

“Do you think half of the invading army would have survived?”

“I hope that much survived. Because if we reorganize, we can somehow compete with the Duke of Nuremberg.”

From now on, the Duke of Nuremberg, who had succeeded in his territory, would advance his army to the Imperial City.

By then, Peter will have taken over the Imperial City and reorganized the army.

“The ones we can rely on for now are the remaining Imperial City and the comrades behind. And then there’s Wendelin.”

Peter placed his hands on my shoulder.

“The Royal Army and the Imperial Army. And I’m counting on High Earl Mizuho’s Army. I know a lot of idiots are going to make a fuss about it being a foreign army, but speed is the name of the game right now. We’ll announce the death of my father and take power in one fell sweep.”

After all, it seems we won’t be able to sleep for a while.

The order to mobilize the troops has been given, and the clamor of soldier’s spreads throughout the camp.

“Gatla.”

“Yes!”

“Go to the Imperial City and report to Count Beierlein and Count Landsberg”

“Yes, sir.”

“Wendelin, do you mind? Since they are my comrades, I will open the front gate of the Imperial City, which is now closed.”

As soon as the main gates opened, the entire army seized the Imperial Palace, the facilities Imperial Army, and allowed Peter to take over.

This was also a coup, but this time, there was no way around it.

As long as the emperor was dead, someone had to inherit power of the Duke of Nuremberg would take over the Imperial City again.

“Wendelin, you will have to be seen with me. As expected, we need to do this kind of work.”

“I see. But with me around…”

Even if I knew we would do this…

The preliminary plan was that we were supposed to be on standby.

“When it comes to making things happen, you want more cards in your hand. We have a change of plans.”

Peter’s ready to take advantage of me.

“I’ll pay you to make this a zero frills affair.”

“Of course. Let’s go then.”

A few minutes later, the preparations are ready, and the entire army heads to the main gate of the Imperial City, leaving only a small number of detainees in the field camp

After the coup, the poor Emperor Urquhart XVII, controlled by the Duke of Nuremberg until his death, ended his short reign of about six months.

I later would find out that it only lasted 278 days.

It was the second shortest reign of any emperor in history.

Incidentally, the emperor with the shortest reign, Urquhart III collapsed from a stroke after 17 days on the throne, about a thousand and one hundred years ago.