***Arc 5 The One Who Obstructed, Chapter 100 Cage of Hatred***
In the large tent, Nozan was seated at the top.
And the corps commanders sit in two lines around the long side of the long table.
Krische and Grunmeld sat closest to Nozan, the rest, four people took their seats in the order of their corps number.
One of Nozan’s opponents in the first battle――the corps commander who was under Kuraray Marcellus, has been added, and the Fifth Corps has been newly established.
A large number of recruits――how to distribute them to each corps was a problem.
The total number of soldiers was 33,000, excluding Krische's 4,000.
There was also a suggestion to increase each corps number to about 7000, with Nozan commanding 5000, but fundamentally increasing the number of soldiers in a corps wouldn’t bring about the effect of numbers.
The 5,000 per corps――that was a fixed number that had been hand-crafted over the course of many years of history.
Although it fluctuates with the times, it was a figure that has been determined by continuous searching for the most efficient number of personnel in a corps, the basic movements and tactics of the corps were built on the premise of 5000 soldiers.
An increase in the number of soldiers would create disorder in command and accelerate the difficulty of control――as a result, there is a possibility of disrupting the cohesion of the entire organization and causing a decline in its capabilities.
Rather, the increased manpower will weaken the corps unless it had the capability to swallow it and maneuver easily.
In particular, Noxan has been assigned to the eastern part of the country as a general only for a short period of time and was participating in this civil war with no time to let his force mature.
There was some concern about the proficiency of both commanders and soldiers, so Nozan thought that it would be better to solidify Kuraray's defeated army to some extent and incorporate it in the form of a new unit.
The former remnants of the defeated soldiers would feel differently if they were incorporated in such an independent manner.
As long as they showed competence and loyalty, this general would accept them even if they had once opposed him, and he would have the depth to appoint them to command positions――if he could make them think that way, then their morale would naturally rise.
In fact, the morale of the newly established corps members was good, and they felt that they could be operated adequately as a solid military force.
Nozan looked at the commander of the Fifth Corps.
He has good posture but was not nervous.
He was an experienced corps commander by nature, and he was showing composure in the face of the impending decisive battle.
‘Not bad’, he nodded and looked at Krische.
"It looks like everyone is ready. …Krische-sama, shall we start? ”
"Yes, Krische is ready anytime"
Krische nodded as Elvena made her a cup of tea.
Nozan was more loyal to Christand as a nobleman than as a soldier.
In terms of position, Northern is a general, and Krische was just a corps commander――he had the power to make all the decisions in this army, but she's the one to whom he allegiance.
As he does with royalty, Nozan first checked with her.
There also had the implication to make her position known.
Her childish looks and the rumors surrounding her――many of them weren't very positive, which was why he had to show them where she stands here.
――Regardless of rumors, She is the one to whom Nozan Verreich, the supreme commander of the place, owes allegiance.
By first getting her consent, he implied that he would not tolerate disrespect to Krische Christand.
This way, even if anyone had any dissatisfaction or ill feelings toward her, they would not be able to express them outwardly.
He deliberately showed an overt attitude on this occasion, as a check and a pose to keep things moving smoothly.
Especially since Krische was completely indifferent to such aspects, even a small word like that was important.
She was the strongest as a warrior――a genius without equal, but as a soldier, she has many dangerous points, and it was Nozan’s role to follow her up on that.
Nozan looked over the corps commanders and Krische’s battalion commanders who were allowed to participate in the conference.
While some were surprised, they probably understood Nozan’s intentions.
‘Why did he ask Krische?’ the girl wondered.
They looked at Krische who was like that, then immediately put on the face of a soldier without any personal feelings, as they should have.
Nozan was pleased to see that, and now he opened his mouth to the whole group.
“First of all, as it is currently confirmed, His Royal Highness’ army consists of ten corps. The second in command is Felworth Keithriton. I think everyone is familiar with that name but…”
He was a little older than Skeleton――Krische searched her memory.
Even among the old veteran generals he was on the older side. At over a hundred years old, he was the oldest general in the kingdom.
It had been thirty years since he had appeared on the battlefield like this――
“Two generations ago, he was the right-hand man of His Majesty King Alvarza, famed as the Martial King, and built an era. It has been a long time since he has been out of the public eye, but I hear that even in his old age, he has not lost a shred of his intelligence and skill. Like His Royal Highness, he is a formidable opponent.”
In an era of fiercer turmoil than now—the king of two generations ago, Alvarza, took up the sword himself and defended the kingdom's territory to the end.
Felworth was a fierce general who made a name for himself at that time.
Although he has long since retired, his name is still mentioned by the generals and soldiers of the kingdom as an outstanding warrior to aspire to, and he was the best commander that Gildanstein could bring.
Although he was in the position of second in command of the army, it was practically like facing two independent armies.
In some cases, it was expected that the other side would divide its forces and move independently as two armies led by powerful generals.
"We should be happy that they didn’t head to Selene-sama. I think it's safe to assume with the current situation that they’re not Selene's opponent, but our’s."
Northern looks at Krische.
Krische nodded.
"Looking at the current situation, probably. …However, depending on the situation, there’s a possibility they divided the army to stall us.”
"Yes. The place of the planned decisive battle was the Dorval Plains――we’re aiming for a hill here, but there’s a concern that His Highness would have brought out all his soldiers here."
Nozan pointed to the map――at a hill on the Dogra Plain and from there to the north.
He pointed to the area where the tent is now located.
This camp also exists on a gentle hill.
“…We will lose our tactical superiority, but I think it would be best to avoid going further south and stay here.”
The further south they went, the greater the distance between them and Selene’s Christand forces, and the more difficult it would be for them to respond if the enemy split their forces.
If you go south from here, the road gets a little worse, and it is difficult to move quickly in an emergency.
It was a sound decision.
The closer the distance between the two armies, the narrower the options for detours.
It was not a bad option in that it would make it easier to deal with the situation, and he had originally intended to make a decision on whether or not to proceed south after seeing the scale of the enemy.
No one interfered.
"Messenger, entering!"
Along with the whine of horses.
A messenger entered the tent with a loud voice.
Breathing heavily, he saluted and looked at Nozan.
"What is it?"
“This morning, about 120 ri (48 km) south, the enemy changed course to the east with a corps of about 5,000. It seems that they are aiming to detour here and reinforce towards Kielzaran, or to cut off the supply route with Kielzaran.”
"... one corps. What about His Royal Highness?"
“We have since confirmed that as of just before noon, he was acting together with General Keithriton. Looking at the flag, the commander of the divided corps must be the commander of the Nakirus Felizar corps…”
“...Felizar”
Nozan folded his arms and thinks.
Strong-armed Nakirus Felizar.
He was not the best commander, but he was known for his bravery.
He's a natural combat maniac who likes to wield his blade on the front line――similar to Granmeld in that respect.
He was recognized for his military exploits in the eastern invasion led by Gildanstein, and was a person who ran up from a centurion to a corps commander.
The rear division—its line was thin.
Cutting lines of communication was an action that required a high degree of strategic judgment and flexibility.
He didn’t think Nakirus, a pure fighter, would be able to do such a thing.
"It's better to see it as reinforcement. Send a messenger to Selene-sama. Have her prepare first, and tell her to come here as soon as she’s ready."
“Yes sir!”
One of the men saluted and runs out of the tent.
"Other than that?"
“All right, thank you. Get some rest.”
“Yes sir!”
And when the messenger also left, Krische who was thinking asked Nozan.
"... which one do you think?"
“Reinforcements. The objective is to catch us by surprise and confuse us. Felizer is good at fighting, but he's not good at discerning weak points. It's not an impossible story to cut off, but..."
Which one was the real deal?
It was a shake that made them think so.
Krische looked down at her tea and squinted.
“General Werreich, shall we stop the transportation this time? We currently have 20 days worth of provisions, so Krische doesn’t feel the need to replenish. If threy try to block it, the current escort will die in vain. It's insignificant, but let's use it as Selene's military strength from now on."
"... hmm. Any reinforcements from here?"
"Let's go without them. The increase of about 2,000 troops used for transportation is sufficient.
Although there was no lack of anxiety, Selene only needed to prevent the enemy's offensive.
Selene's role is essentially to deal with the enemy's rear disturbances, not to destroy them.
“With this, the enemy sent 40,000 toward Selene. Conversely, Krische and the others have become much easier to do. Since the purpose is to kill His Highness here, there is no strategic problem. With this, they can no longer pull back from us.”
The greatest fear was that the enemy would use a thorough delaying action against them and cut off the rear.
For that reason, the army was divided into two, with the Christand’s army left behind in Kielzaran and the Verreich army going south.
If she fight, she would win――Krischehad no doubts about her ability.
Gildanstein had no choice of retreating, as he had sent 40,000 soldiers against them.
If Gildanstein were to retreat, they would be able to wipe out those 40,000 with their two armies.
Now all she had to think about was how to crush the Gildanstein army standing in front of meher
The biggest question is whether the Kurishtand army will be able to hold out until we win, but Kuriche does not underestimate its ability against Serene and the other corps leaders, not to mention Eluga.
The biggest question was whether the Christand army would be able to hold out until they win, but of course, Krische was not underestimating Selene or the other corps leaders, not to mention Eluga’s ability.
Defending against the opponent's offensive――if she thought in terms of that one thing, she thought there would be no problem for a while.
If they could strike a major blow before the reinforcements arrived, Selene and her team could win the war.
Krische, who was overprotective toward Selene, was not without concerns, but she judged that it was inevitable as long as she was on the battlefield and her calm side judged that it would be fine.
In short, it would be better to end it quickly.
"...Certainly, we have 37,000, and the enemy has 45,000. The difference in strength has been greatly reduced. Although I don't think it's a good idea to impose a burden on Selene-sama, I also agree with that opinion. ... anyone have any objections? "
"Yes sir. There isn’t, but if we're going to set up a camp here, I'd like to prepare a defensive formation to some extent tonight."
It was Sardan, commander of the Second Corps.
Nozan thought for a moment and ordered.
"Yes. Send out soldiers from each corps, but don't tire them out."
“Yes, sir.”
A voice calling for messengers and ordering their men.
Listening to these voices, Krischesipped her tea.
Tomorrow, the battle will be decided. This battle will be the last.
It feels like it's been a long time, but it's the end.
――This time, she will not let him get away.
Remembering Gildanstein's face, her inorganic eyes turn cold.
"General Verreich, where will Woof Woof be assigned?"
"... For now, I'm going to put him in front of His Highness."
The name ‘Woof Woof’ almost made him feel something for a moment, but he held his ground.
The name Woof Woof――Granmeld noticed his superiors' question, but tries to ignore them.
“Krische will also accompany Woof Woof. The enemy has gathered this much, in other words, the enemy will surely lacks training. In terms of quality, they will be far inferior to the Woof Woof’s soldiers.”
"...then the purpose is"
Grammeld's consciousness was directed not toward the nickname (verbal abuse), but rather what she was saying
Like a wolf, a smile appeared at the corners of his mouth.
“It depends on when the battle starts… but before the field becomes a stalemate before the soldiers get tired, we should make a quick decision.”
Krische puts the tea on the table,
"--Frontal assault. If possible, on the first day, Krische will take His Royal Highness’s head.
She said this as if it were a matter of course.
The sun begins to tilt from the zenith and dusk approaches.
The time when the shadow stretches out as if blotting out the sky.
Verreich's army of 37,000 troops was positioned on the hill.
Surrounding them in a slight semicircle was Guilderstein's army of 45,000.
And in the center, between the two armies, were four people.
In the center was a young general, Nozan Verreich, wearing silver winged armor.
On the other side was Felworth Keithriton, an old general with a large body wrapped in a dragon-shaped helmet and armor.
“..It's been a long time, General Keithriton.”
“Umu, it’s been a while, Verreich. The last time we met before--"
"It's the victory party fifteen years ago."
"Right. You forget it as soon as you get old… Your youthful countenance is now gone, you've got a good face just like Bogan."
A blade wound extending from his forehead through his eyebrows to his cheek.
Under the deep wrinkles of his face, there were countless such scars.
A scar of military exploits that only those who survived fierce battles can obtain.
He was playing with his long white beard and looking at Nozan with narrow eyes that may or may not be open.
“What is the cause and effect of facing each other in such a different position? Even after reaching this age, how troubling. … Anyway, now that we’re facing each other like this, I won’t cut corners.”
And then he looked at the girl next to Nozan.
"――It doesn't seem like she's the kind of opponent you can cut corners with."
There were two more people there.
One was a man who wore a black iron lion armor, showing his dignified appearance――
“…It was since the Drago’s Maw, Cursed Child.”
――Gildenstein, the king's younger brother.
The edge of his mouth hangs up with malice on his beautiful face.
"Yeah, it's been a while, Your Royal Highness."
Standing in front of him was the most unsuitable girl in this place, wearing no armor.
Exposing her beautiful silver hair, her cloak highlighting her delicate shoulder line.
A dagger on each side of her hips, and a small barbarian sword for self-defense slung behind her hips――it was a figure of a girl that shouldn’t have been on the battlefield, but no one had any doubts of her being here.
Just standing there like that, if you are familiar with her skill, you would understand.
There was no fear there, yet there was also no carelessness or conceit there.
A cold purple that seems to see through everything.
It was a feeling that had long since gone.
Like how he felt about his master when he first held a sword.
An opponent who is far stronger than himself――that's what happens when you see it.
The girl just smiled.
“Krische is glad to see that you are well.”
As if playing with the hilt of her savage sword on her waist,
"――As promised, this time Krischewill kill you."
Krische said.
"Kuku, I'm just going to say that my spine shivered. I'm also happy that you came out to this place like this. ...lured by the bait, me."
Gildanstein sneered.
Krische frowned displeased at his response.
"I won't fall for that anymore...Selene's army is more than enough for your miss-mass army."
“...... not a very interesting one, are you? I thought you’re a little more fun to tease with.”
“Krische will not make the same mistake.”
“If only it was a mistake this time.”
A nasty man――a grating voice.
The anxiety that Krische tried not to think about.
The man's words stimulated it.
The last time this man spoke to her like that, Krische let him go.
She got scared and ran away.
She remembered herself the other day and the image of Selene with tears in her eyes.
The man who was just smiling with amusement――the most unpleasant person Krischehad ever met.
Despite his hostility toward Krische and those around her, this man was not dead yet.
He was still laughing as if mocking Krische.
The distance between them was only two ken (~4m).
She wanted to silence him if possible.
――No, should Krische do it right away?
As soon as she thought that, Krische stepped forward and drew her blade to his neck――it was only a split second.
With the blade perfectly aligned, she traced a gap in the armor.
Gildanstein did not move. And neither did the two men who were there.
Only the soldiers who had been watching from afar rustled.
"...Krische is stronger than you."
Purple eyes pierced Gildanstein's eyes.
Gildanstein smiled calmly.
"I guess so. ... Let's admit it, you're the one who's stronger with the sword."
"Your Highness sill calm huh. Do you really want Krische to kill you like this?"
Krische was not lying.
Really, right now, she could kill him in the blink of an eye.
But this man was not afraid.
"Try it, if you kill me and Keithriton here, you win. Just hold thr head up high and shout that you won, if you want to do it."
Krische looked annoyed, her eyes turned even colder.
"... you are a beast. That mixed in among humans."
This place was created by mutual consent through the Holy Spirit Covenant.
If she killed him here, she would irrevocably stain Christand’s name.
The Holy Spirit Covenant was a rule that is deeply rooted in the military and cannot be separated from it.
Taking advantage of it to take a life was unforgivable, and it would certainly have an uncontrollable negative impact not only on the Christand but also on those around her.
“No matter how strong a beast you are, you are still a beast. No one will recognize you. You are a twisted deviant and should not be in a human society. You understand that, don't you?"
"...Krische doesn't care what anyone thinks about Krische."
"Kuku, everyone you loved will go away if they noticed it... Selene, and that servant. They’re just misunderstanding you now."
Discomfort swirled in her chest.
She couldn't help but want to kill him――how nice it would be if she could do that.
“Ah, no――there’s still Kreschenta. As for that one, she's your kind, you may rest assured."
Gildanstein laughed merrily,
“...that's enough of that, Your Royal Highness."
Nozan said.
"From my point of view, there is no other beast like you… In your heart you’re afraid. That you couldn't win against Krische-sama in a straight fight, so you taunted her like that――it's deplorable."
Nozan drew out his sword and pointed it at Gildanstein.
"I can understand without looking. It's you we’re talking about. You must have taken the General's life with such a cowardly means, but...Whatever further impudence you have shown, you will dishonor even the General's name."
“...Hmm.”
“If you would rather cling to your filthy life and show even more unsightly than that――take up your sword and fight me. I will give you an honorable death as a warrior at least in your final moments.”
He turned his eyes full of hatred and his words full of anger.
Gildanstein's cheeks lifted in amusement.
“Do you think you can beat me, Verreich?”
"Yeah, of course....I'm Christand’s sword. If I had been there, I wouldn't have let someone like you take the General's life. If you doubt it, let’s do it now. I'll show you that with this sword."
What stopped the two of them, glaring at each other was a quiet voice that seems to even echo through the earth.
"Stop it, Werreich. …You too Your Highness.”
Felworth said with a wry smile and continued.
"While leading such a large army, do you intend to settle the matter simply by swinging a stick? It's not just a brawl between kids."
Those narrow eyes that are hidden by the long eyebrows become even sharper.
"Despicable if fine――a soldier is only there to win. At least Christand would say so."
Nozan furrowed his brow, Felworth nodded.
Then continued.
"The beliefs are different, the means are different. And of course, I don't deny the resentment and hatred that arises there. But we are soldiers――and together we are here as generals to lead the army. If Put your wits into action, mobilize your soldiers, and settle the fate that arises on the battlefield under the pressure of that――shouldn't you settle the matter on the battlefield as the commander who unifies the soldiers?"
He seems to tell Nozan, but also as if directed at Gildanstein.
A moment passes, and Felworth smiles wryly again.
‘That's all I can say’, he then turned his gaze to Gildanstein.
“Your Highness. Putting aside the reason, I followed you and entered the battlefield. I won't deny your way of doing things, but... if you do thing that even I can’t let go, then I will also have an idea. It would be better to stop there."
"... you're a still nagging old man."
"There is no one left to scold you after all."
Saying that it's his role, he turned his gaze to Krische.
Krische, who hadn't lowered his sword yet, sheathed it and looked back at the old man with cold eyes.
"... I met you once when you were a baby. You've grown quite a bit."
Krische furrowed her brow. She didn't remember.
However, her vision as a baby was uncertain, and she spent most of her time asleep.
It was no mystery.
“Please allow me to point my blade at you from a different standpoint, Her Royal Highness the First Princess.”
"You don't have to worry about it... If you get in my way, Krishce will just kill you."
Her voice was flatter than usual.
Unpleasant――Krishce only felt unpleasant.
She couldn't help but want to do something about the discomfort that crawled in her chest.
All she could think about was how good it would be ifsheI could kill the two of them right here.
“Haha. that's so simple and clear. I will do my best to avoid being killed.”
"... if it's that’s true, then it won’t take a long time."
Krische turned his gaze to Nozan.
‘Krische doesn't want to stay here any longer.’
Was he thinking the same thing or did he read that intention?
He nodded back at her gaze.
"... I created a place just for the sake of courtesy, but it was a waste of time. General Keithriton, godspeed. I hope His Highness will try not to humiliate himself on this occasion."
Nozan turned on his heel.
Krische glared at Gildanstein one last time.
Gildanstein only laughed in amusement.
Not much time remained until nightfall, and her mind was in turmoil.
Concerned about Krische’s state of mind and the possibility that the battle might drag on into the night, Nozan decided to let the day run its course, and Gildanstein remained on the defensive as well.
The day ended with neither side making a significant move.
The battle was set to begin the next day.
