***Arc 8 One Who Spread Death, Chapter 192 The Stillness of Night***
The target was quickly found.
About 200 Elderant soldiers were making a loud noise, accompanied by more than a dozen women from the village.
It was easy to destroy them with a surprise attack as they were making a lot of noise while camping.
Apparently, it was a unit whose role was to monitor the south, but it seems that they were convinced that it was impossible for Alberan to appear from the south as Gulshan's large army was approaching them.
They were completely unaware of the situation and were enjoying attacking travelers and villages, and that village was the second one.
Originally, the western part of Alberan was based on the strategy of Aurugorn Hilkintos――in short, the land was always ravaged by attracting and repelling the enemy.
For many years, the situation where the people paid taxes but were abandoned by the military had continued, and it was said that there were many people who pay no taxes and live in seclusion deep in the forests.
That village was probably one of them.
They were from tribes in the southeastern part of Elderant, and were familiar with the situation in western Alberan to the extent that even Krische was impressed.
The silver-haired girl was inside the tent, holding the longsword of an Elderant soldier in her hand, and she nodded with an impressed face at their words.
The language spoken in Elderant had a strong accent, but it was basically the same as Western common language.
The story would be different if they went deeper into the western region, but there was no need to learn the language in this area, the same went for the invasion force.
Although Krische had learned most of the languages that exist in written form, it was difficult for her to hear and speak them, and she was not very good at conversing in the first place.
It would be more convenient if it were the Western common language, so there’s no discrepancies.
They left behind about ten survivors, including a man who seemed to be of relatively high rank.
One of them was cut off in front of the remaining nine, all of his fingers were cut off, his eyes were plucked out, his nose cut off, and both his arms and legs severed――not asking a single question to the man who said that he would tell them anything, setting him as an example.
The purpose of questioning them individually was to scrutinize the information.
A broken soldiers ignoring their military duties indulging in pillage and rape――She didn't think they would lie in this situation, but that kind of logic didn’t work on Krische.
Krische didn't really understand people who enjoy killing people.
She was always "serious", thinking that they might have their own aesthetics in their actions.
"Please…save please save me…I-I’ve said, everything I know…"
After the interrogation was over, the commander of the last squad Krische had left behind pleaded.
He was a warrior chief of a small tribe, but he was also a real scoundrel.
At least he was not a "fundamentally insane human being" like Krische, and he cannot understand an abnormal person who can dismember humans while enjoying candy without any change in facial expressions.
Although he knew many who took pleasure in killing, what he saw before him was clearly something different.
"Hmm, Krische had heard everything Krische wanted to hear, it's all done. Krische keeps her word. You answered Krische honestly, Krische won't cut off your fingers or shave off your nose. "
"Then..."
The man looked relieved, a hopeful look on his face.
"Bald Eagle, it’s over."
"Ha. Take him."
"Fugh!?"
The man was gagged and blindfolded again, and the two soldiers took him out of the tent.
All that was left was to kill him.
Just like the men outside digging their own graves, they had no intention of letting him live.
He had no choice but to either die in pain or speak honestly, and Krische didn't even remember promising to let him live.
Dagra, Aleha, and Dagris were the only ones who watched it from beginning to end.
Others leave feeling sick in the middle of the Krische human dismember show.
"Dagris, give the information we heard to General Keithriton and Skeleton. Then, three days later, on the night of the new moon, crush their right wing and finish it off. And if there’s nothing else after that, you can just go back to the capital."
"Understood. Well then, please excuse me first."
Dagris, who had been Krische’s "torture teacher," left the tent.
While seeing him off, Krische traced her lips with her fingertips.
"The soldiers in Elderant are of poor quality. They seem to be a gathering of bandits. Are they all like this?"
"Maybe not all of them... but it's true that their quality is worse than Alberan's army. Many of them use the war as a just cause and just like wild beasts, follow their desires."
Dagra answered.
The bad feeling he felt during the torture had finally subsided.
"This is another aspect of war. In extreme situations where death is so close, the true nature that we usually hide is exposed."
"...Guess that's how it is. Krische knew it, but was a little surprised. So there are people who can really enjoy doing something like that. Krische village too, it might have turned out like that if Krische made a few mistakes..."
Krische narrowed her eyes as she recalled the bandits who came to Kalka.
The reason she brutally killed others was because it was her job.
Someone who purely enjoys destroying people was beyond Krische’s understanding.
She knew that in war there was looting.
The Holy Spirit Covenant could be interpreted as conveniently as one like――it would be easy to wipe out an entire village just because it showed an intention to rebel if one wanted to.
There was no explicit prohibition against pillaging villages, and the only text that was written was that civilians who are not resisting may not be intentionally harmed or killed.
The argument that the villagers resisted during the process of stealing supplies and that they had no choice but to kill or execute them would be sufficient if it could be logically explained that it was not a violation of the Holy Spirit Pact.
However, they were in the act of abducting and assaulting the women in the village――they were in a situation where there was no way they could get away with it, so it was convenient for Krische.
However, Krische was confused by what she had heard.
She understood that the looting of an occupied village would naturally be violent, yet their actions were distinctly different.
The killing and violence itself, rather than the necessity of military action, was the goal.
Again and again she asked them for what purpose they had done such a thing, and their answer was that it was for entertainment.
The complete opposite of Krische’s idea of goodness――they were a completely different species of human.
"It's not a good idea to leave something like that unchecked. It's a good opportunity to think about the future, so as expected we should wipe them out at this time."
Clearly.
The two men did not differ in the meaning of the words.
They knew her words were not metaphorical.
A scream was heard outside. The men from earlier were probably killed.
"This is quite a painful story to hear. In the Holy Empire, something like this was done on purpose after all."
"Purposely?"
"If people were satisfied under the law, there would not be many people who would commit crimes. However, the reality is that socially vulnerable people do exist. It seems to be convenient for them to plunder other countries in order to relieve their frustration of not being satisfied within their own country."
Aleha was smiling bitterly, but his eyes didn't smile.
"Also to thin out the unscrupulous elements. If you invade an enemy country, you can rampage in that land. It's a good excuse to boost the morale of soldiers who have no real cause. The logic is no different this time."
He said and turned his gaze outside the tent.
"……I see"
"Logistics is probably a big reason why Alberan's soldiers seem to be excellent and disciplined. Alberan always places emphasis on bringing merchants with the military, satisfying the needs of their soldiers. ...Maybe it’s also because there are so many female soldiers, but it's a good system."
No matter what, Alberan was affluent and stable.
And it was only when people were affluent that they could remain human.
The financial costs involved were enormous, but this was probably the source of Alberan soldier's strength.
By satisfying their animalistic desires, they transform humans into military components who sacrifice their lives for a noble mission.
Soldiers embraced by formless dreams and ideals――that's why they were known as strong soldiers who never lost control.
Differences in methodology.
No one can say which one was right, and it wasn’t like Elderant or Elsren’s way were completely wrong, but if it’s preference then it’s different.
At least the one Aleha preferred was Alberan’s.
"Hmm...Selene also told Krische to be careful about that. Telling Krische to listen to the opinions of Ojii-sama and Keith. Krische, don’t quite understand it, so Krische will leave that to you."
"Kuku, that's fine. All of your commanders are excellent."
Cliché thought about it for a bit, then said, ‘Well, it's fine’, and immediately threw it away.
She didn't think she could fully understand the soldiers' reasoning, and that's not Krische’s role, it's the role of the people below her.
"Well, in any case, our plans went a bit awry in Gulshan, and it seems true that the quality of the Elderant army is poor."
Krische just said that and,
"Now Krische can eliminate them without any worry .Let's use this as an opportunity to completely crush them, so that they never attack Alberan again."
She smiled and nodded.
――The day after the battle.
Ledo was walking through the camp when he heard a scream and stopped.
The destination he headed to was Kirs, a tribe affiliated with Veeze.
"...Aaron, what are you doing?"
"Huh? What are you complaining about?"
The one who pulls up his pants with a satisfied look on his face is Aron-Chirus――the chief warrior of Kirs.
Although he was slender, he was tall――with a smile on his frivolous face, he looked at Ledo with amusement.
The tent was a temporary camp for prisoners of war, and the people inside were female soldiers of the kingdom.
"It's just an interrogation. It's my freedom to do whatever I want with the prisoners captured by my unit."
"Don't be silly! What part of what you're doing is an interrogation, you bastard?"
"Hey, stop it, Ledo, are you trying to sow internal discord?"
Ledo, who was about to pull out his sword, was stopped by a man in his prime――his adjutant, Bez, and Aron, who was watching, laughed.
"Oh, that's scary. Are you really trying to pick a fight with Kirs for Alberan's captivity?"
"...You're violating the Holy Spirit Covenant, you bastard. Do you really think I can't replace your head?"
"I think so. If you think about it calmly, you'll understand."
Aron looks at the man beside him with amusement.
Aron's follower――the ugly meat Daruma laughed like a pig.
"...Internal quarrels on the battlefield are the worst crime of all, Chief Warrior Ledo. Kirs has sent out 7,000 soldiers this time, so there's no benefit to either of us if we quarrel over something as trivial as this."
"It's a question of logic. There's no reason to play with non-resisting prisoners."
"That's a child's logic. Well, you may be legitimately having fun with Shelna-sama every night, but we don't even have a woman to fall in love with. Or will you bless us with Shelna-sama instead of that prisoner? "
"...I'm seriously going to kill you."
He shook off Bez and pulled out the giant sword from his back.
Aron spread his hand, exasperated.
"I'm not making fun of you, you know? I'm just asking what's obvious. If we don't start sourcing locally, what are we actually going to do about it?"
Then Aaron drew from his waist――a great curved sword, which had been bent into <, and put it on his shoulder.
"It's a useless just cause. The soldiers won't obey unless they can take the profit. It's not me who's crazy, it's you who's crazy."
Aron pointed to his head and laughed.
"If you just shut up and watch, the world will go on and on, and it will all turn out to be for your benefit. Why don't you just be smarter?"
"Don't be silly. The just cause may be only a pretense, but if you don't protect it, the war will be like a territorial fight between beasts. Or are you just like a dog and a beast?"
"Hahaha, that's a difference of opinion. I've never thought that humans are better than dogs and beasts."
"You――...!?"
Chestnut hair appeared from overhead.
With an astonished look on their face, they landed between Ledo and Aaron, their cloak fluttering.
‘That’s it’, she said.
"Ledo, Aron, stop it."
"...tsk"
Aron clicked his tongue but sheathed his sword.
Shelna glared at Ledo.
"I told you to behave, right, geez...Sheath your sword."
"……I know"
Ledo reluctantly fastened his giant sword to his back with a band.
Shelna looked at Aron with a sigh, and then at the tent of the captives.
"The prisoners will be managed by us from now on. Aron, please transport them immediately."
"...The soldiers will complain though. But there are already many dead. If you don't turn a blind eye, it will affect the morale and control of the soldiers, you know?"
"We’re attacking Alberan for violating the Holy Spirit Covenant. You do understand that there's no way we can openly violate it, right? ...If we defeat Keithriton, there'll have a fairly large town. Veeze will pay for it and let Kirs play as a priority. On the condition that you obey me obediently."
Shelna said, tapping the long sword on her hip.
"Or do you want to duel with me as the warrior chief? Hehe, I don't mind that. If you win, I'll sleep with you as much as you want."
"...No. I overstepped my bound. I will follow the Strong Sword, Shelna-sama."
Despite his displeasure, Aron kneeled one knee and bowed his head.
In Elderant, there was nothing more important than a duel as a warrior.
The weak follow the strong.
The rules from ancient times were still strongly rooted in this world.
"And don’t make excuses like they ran away during transport. Be respectful as a prisoner, or I will order you to a duel and kill you."
"……ha"
Just as Alberan's nobles value the oaths made in their names, as warriors they also value the results of duels and oaths above all else.
You only face the same opponent once in your life――and it's a rule that you can't refuse a duel from a superior.
When the duel was brought up, Aron had no choice but to obey.
The Sword Princess of Veeze had never lost a duel, and the previous chief warrior of Kirs was defeated when she was thirteen, losing their honor and committing suicide.
"That's it, we'll have a meeting tomorrow night to discuss our next steps. Let's go, Ledo."
"……yeah"
He sighed as he looked at Aron, who continued to lower her head, and follow Shelna as she began to walk away.
‘I wish he would stop that, really’, Bez muttered.
"I understand how you feel, but what are you going to do if there is internal discord in the middle of a war?"
"Really. I thought I told you to stop arguing."
"Shut up...I know."
Seeing Shelna following, Ledo scratched his head in irritation.
Then he sighed.
"I don't dislike your directness, but as a soldier, it’s no good. I guess it’s as foolish as throwing water on a forest fire."
"...Are you going to overlook it?"
"That's right. At least for now, we need Kirs, and it's not a good time to get into trouble. ...If this battle fails, unification of Elderant is just a dream. Please think about it calmly."
Shelna said and Bez nodded.
"It's as Shelna-sama said. Nothing will change unless we change the fundamentals, and if we make a mistake here, Elderant will remain as it is a hundred years from now. ...We have to support Shelna-sama. What are you going to do if you're still acting like a kid?"
"Hehe, you sure said something good Bez. I like you."
"Haha, thank you for that."
With a smile on his manly face, Bez hugged Ledo's shoulders.
"Your father...what did Radia entrust you with? Calm down and think about it, and look back at what you've done. Can you proudly say that to Radia?"
Rani's previous chief warrior――Ledo's father Radia, died five years ago as a decoy to help Shelna and Ledo escape.
Entrusting the future of Elderant to these two.
"...I'm sorry, Bez."
Bez was a close friend of Radia.
Ever since Radia died, he had always supported Ledo, acting as a substitute parent and older brother.
When Ledo apologized honestly, Bez laughed.
"If you have the composure to apologize, that's fine. I like that naive side of you, too, but save that naive ideal for the future."
Bez looks up at the sky.
A faint moon was floating in the sky.
"...Even if it's incorrect now, it will eventually become correct. You and Shelna-sama still have a future."
"...Bez is also still young. Saying things like that will make you look even older."
"You… even though I took the trouble to look cool."
"Uah...!?"
Bez laughed and wrapped his thick arms around Ledo's head, pressing his fist against his temple.
Shelna gave an exasperated smile and slumped her shoulders.
"Well, maybe Ledo is right. ...Bez, you can die anytime, but please live long enough until my wedding. I want you to offer me flowers."
"It's an honor. Certainly."
"Fufu, for that, We'd have to start with Keithriton. ...He's a troublesome opponent."
Felworth-Keithriton took the initiative against their invasion, and dealt a severe blow to the northern――Arkaz army, which stuck out.
Then, he stopped their feet and attacked Shelna and the others in the center――the Veeze army from the side.
He must have understood that the three armies were on bad terms and were not coordinating very well.
Although he should have been away from the battlefield for a long time until the recent civil war, Felworth Keithriton name as a general has not rusted.
He was bold, yet extremely calm――a man they could never let their guard down against.
"If you get hit in the nose, and get angry and approach him, he will set up a trap, and when you calm down, he will take the superior terrain and defend...gradual retreat. He's like a flower swaying in the wind."
They had military superiority.
It's true that if they push it, they'll eventually be able to defeat him, but if they do something reckless, they'll likely lose the military strength needed to capture the royal capital.
Against Gulshan in the south, Dougleen Garhka made his army retreat significantly.
Likewise, Felworth Keithriton was retreating from his army.
Strategy of war of attrition――probably in Alberan’s east, their army was retreating as well.
"...I guess they saw it as impossible to protect the entire kingdom, so they gave up leaving only the northern and central areas...However, for Alberan it’s too passive."
"Actually, looking at this situation, it isn't a bad strategy right? It's doubtful that these three kingdoms will be able to fight hand in hand forever. We were fighting with Gulshan just the other day, right?"
Shelna frowned at Ledo's words and nodded.
This alliance wouldn't last long. If they couldn’t capture the royal capital in a short period of time, and then made peace――cut off Alberan's territory, the three countries will use that as their compromise point this time.
"Even if Alberan is in perfect condition, they are exhausted after the civil war and are in a situation where they have just changed their head and invaded the three countries. No matter how you look at it, they have no chance of winning. I guess they have no choice but to go on the defensive due to the situation."
"Well, it's not fun to be pointed out by an idiot, but it's a valid opinion."
"...You."
"...Arna from the north is scary. I guess it's strictly forbidden to be reckless."
If they push too far into the center, Arna's army, which was deployed in the northwestern part of Alberan, would definitely aim for their flank.
There was also talk that they have opened diplomatic relations with Kreisharana, so there were some concerns about that as well.
This retreat was probably an invitation.
It was probably a wise decision to evacuate residents from most of the villages.
Not only Aron, but the outlaws are also filled with dissatisfaction. Rather than for humanitarian reasons, the aim was there.
There is no doubt that if the war were to last a long time, it would be difficult to control them.
"...Prime Minister Klorus said we should not underestimate Queen Alberan as a child."
"...?"
"He said he saw it at the conference the other day and thought so. That her eyes are from Alberan’s abominable bloodline or something..."
Shelna gestured to his own indigo eyes.
A deep blue that almost looks purple.
"It's a beautiful purple color."
"…Is it like your Celestial Eye?"
"I wonder?"
Deep blue eyes were a gift of genius.
There was such a legend in Elderant, and in fact, Shelna was such a person.
She excels at everything she did and learned it quickly.
Of course, it was just a matter of color――there were many people who didn't think so, and it could be said that it was just a superstition.
However, it seems that the shaman――priests still believe in such legends.
Klorus was also a priest, so there was probably a similar legend about Alberan.
"I don't think there's much of a difference depending on the color of the eyes, but...it seems like it had quite a presence. He was making a lot of noise about how it would be in trouble if we didn't get rid of it quickly."
"...Well, she won the civil war by 12, 13. She must be a great queen."
Alberan's black lion.
Gildanstein's name was also known in Elderant.
Even though Christand was on her side, they didn’t think the queen who defeated him and ascended the throne was just a decoration.
"And then there’s her right hand, the rumored Alberinea-sama, huh?"
It was said that the Christand's daughter, the Marshal of Alberan, was a girl younger than Shelna.
Then, under the command of Eluga Faren as assistant marshal, the old man who was a former Christand’s Corps Commander, and Alberinea――Krische Christand.
They didn’t really know about Alberan's personal affairs.
It was rumored that she simply surrounded herself with pro-Queen supporters.
However, placing a person who was only young enough to be a girl as the marshal in charge of the military will naturally cause some backlash.
Even if she were to appoint a relative for the purpose of being a puppet, it was too sloppy and forced――they couldn't find any rational reason for it.
"That he had made a pact with the Holy Spirit and was next only to the Marshal. I half believe it."
"……seriously?"
"If Prime Minister Krolus’ concerns are correct."
A great warrior in the civil war and a Dragon's Contractor.
――Alberan's two Cursed Children.
All of them were rumors. If one heard it, one would probably just laugh it off.
"Otherwise, Queen Alberan will be just a child. Prime Minister Klorus is a hard-headed and noisy person, but he has a good eye for people. If Prime Minister Krolus says she’s dangerous, then I think she had a reason for that appointment that we don't understand."
‘Though it’s not definite,’ Shelna said.
"And if there's a reason, I think there's a plan."
"……what kind?"
"At least it'll turn this situation around. Fortunately, it doesn't seem like it's here."
Shelna narrowed her eyes and said seriously.
In the western part of Alberan, they have sprinkled spies in advance.
They were ordered to let them know if there was any major movement that was not expected.
Keithriton’s Army, Central Army, and Assistant Field Marshal Farrn's Corps.
If there were any other reinforcements, they would have already been informed.
Either they headed east or south.
Shelna was calm throughout.
She was overly cautious and considered the other person's intentions.
"...If you think about it normally, we're in a situation where we want to break through somehow. However, this obvious stance of a sustained battle... I guess they’re thinking that if they can at least make it into a long-term battle, they'll be able to manage."
"Is he trying to cause discord between the three countries through some kind of plot and then aim for a counterattack?"
"That's one possibility."
Ledo thought for a moment and asked.
"...That’s why you're scared and give up?"
"Are we satisfied with just a cut, or are we aiming for a breakthrough? I just think we should come to a conclusion as soon as possible. ...We'll be serious about the next attack. We'll use the best formation we can now."
Shelna answered,
"And if I can't defeat Keithriton, I'll give up. Before the other party tried some tricks...If you think about what will happen after the war, it wouldn't be a bad idea to stop here and prioritize governance."
she sighed.
"The ideal would be a big victory, of course, but the overall atmosphere isn't very good. I'm afraid of stupid people like Aron...If you're thinking about the stability of post-war governance, getting angry and prolonging the war for too long is full of disadvantages. I'm sure the priests won't like it, but I'll try to convince them somehow.''
Shelna narrowed her eyes at him.
"As it stands now, we can get Veeze in this western central area. It might take longer than the best result, but I thought for a moment that it might not be so bad as long as the final path is the same. I feel like the anxiety factor is bigger than I thought."
"…Next huh?"
"Yes. If it ends now, Veeze wins based on the current superiority, and even if we fail, we can manage."
On a small hill――in her tent.
She stood in front of it, spread her arms, and looked up at the sky.
"...I want to go home early. I'm afraid I'll miss seeing the Kirume I'm raising blooming again."
"...That's right. Well, even if you miss it this year, there will be next year."
"Don't give up from the beginning."
Shelna glared at Ledo and smiled bitterly.
"...If it fails, we'll switch. But that said, Ledo, please don't push yourself too hard and die."
"……aah"
"And Bez."
"...Just when I wondered if I'd forgotten."
Bez laughed dejectedly and scratched his cheek.
"I haven't forgotten how rude. Anyway, just a little more. Let's do our best, okay?"
Shelna points her fist at each of them.
Ledo and Bez put out their right fists and bump them together.
It was a night with a faint moon in the sky.
