Diamond Legion! Sortie!
They stayed in the village to recuperate from their tiredness and fatigue. They were introduced to a merchant who was heading to a neighboring town.
“Be careful out there, okay?”
Muzic shouted as they left.
Mia waved back at Muzic.
“We’re completely indebted to him. I wish there was a way we can repay him.”
Mia said to Sion. However, she did not get a response from him. She looked at him and heard him muttering…
“I hope Keithwood, and the others are safe…”
Sion muttered. Mia noticed his slightly anxious appearance… and remembers.
Ah! That’s right! Of course…
The reason they fell into the river was because their carriage was attacked by assassins. After that, they don’t know what happened to the carriage or whether Keithwood and Tiona were safe.
Hm? Why does it matter to me whether those two are safe?
After all, those two were her enemies. Still…
Well, I guess I can spare a moment to pray for their safety.
Mia thinks again. Keithwood is an important person for Sion. Just like how Anne is an important vassal for her.
I’m surprised that Sion has a human-like quality…
The earnestness of their friendship struck a chord with her and so she spares a little time to pray for their safety.
They were using the Forkroad wagons. I’d feel terrible for Chloe if something happened to it. I also pray for the driver, I suppose. Keithwood helped me with the sandwich, and the same goes for Tiona. So, I can spare them a bit of prayer, I guess…
“…if we run into those assassins again, it’s going to be tough on my own.”
Suddenly, Sion’s silent mutterings reached Mia’s ears.
“Well, I’d like to ask you something. How tough exactly are we talking about?”
“…I will make every effort so that you can escape safely.”
It dawned on Mia how serious the situation was. And so…
Keithwood! Sweet moons! Please be safe!
Mia offered another prayer. This time, it was a more earnest one compared to the last.
“It looks peaceful around here.”
Half a day out of the forest and they were on the highway. During that time, there were no major problems. It was the normal idyllic landscape of the countryside. The passers-by looked incredibly carefree seemingly unaware about the conflict in their country.
“There are no bandits around here. So, it’s a place that is easy for us, merchants, to do business.”
“But there is a civil war going on, right?”
The merchant shrugged with disinterest.
“It doesn’t mean much to us. I’ve heard that there was a riot in a town of Count Donovan. It’s rumored that the Diamond Legion was sent out to quash the rebellion.”
“The Diamond Legion? Aren’t they the elite troops? If they were sent, then it wouldn’t be much of a battle. It would be a one-sided slaughter.”
Sion muttered in astonishment.
“What is this Diamond Legion?”
Sion grimaced at Mia’s innocent question.
“It is an elite unit under the direct command of the king.”
The Diamond Legion is an army unit created by the decree of the current King Remno: “It shall be the strongest heavy infantry unit in the world. It shall be composed only of soldiers who are each a match for a thousand man.”
It was ten years ago that the recruitment began in response to the king’s decree. They recruited regardless of status, nationality, or even criminal background. They searched everywhere for people of immense stature; bringing in people who are gigantic. Successful candidates were put through rigorous military training to drill them into elite soldiers. The result of all this was the creation of a terrifying army of hulking muscleman. Each built like a tank.
“I heard that they wear all-metal body armor. And they hold huge battles axes in one hand as if it’s weight is nothing.”
Sion explained this with a grim seriousness. Mia, on the other hand, had a dreamy sparkle in her eyes.
That… looks really strong!
Mia doesn’t hate big guys. In fact, she had a positive impression of them. This is obvious with her previous experience with Captain Dion and his deputy.
I wonder if I can recruit some of them to join as my Princess Guard.
“By the sun, the magnitude of the damage they can do will be unimaginable.”
Even though it is a revolutionary army, they are still citizens of this country. These are the people who stood up because they couldn’t bear the heavy tax. The king has decided instead to supress them with the most brutal force. Sion felt anger towards that king.
He understood that rebellions need to be quashed to protect the sovereignty of the royalty. He also understood that it was necessary to use overwhelming force to minimize casualties in the army’s side. But there must be a limit to these things.
The opponent to whom such strong force should be directed should also be a trained regular army of another country. Moreover, in Sion’s memory, this is their first campaign. Morale should be quite high. They would be hungry for glory and blood.
Sion looked at Mia who was still smiling. He could not understand why Mia was still in a good mood even after hearing everything. He could glean no further insight from her face. So, he turned back to the merchant to ask a question. To Sion’s surprise, it was where he got his answer to Mia’s behavior.
“So how much damage is there?”
“From the stories that I’ve heard, none whatsoever.”
“…What?”
“Apparently, there hasn’t been any actual fighting yet. I mean they are the Diamond Legion after all. And diamonds are pricey. You can’t field them willy-nilly.”
That was all Sion needed to hear to put all the pieces together. He finally realized what’s happening. At the same time, a chill of a shock ran down his spine.
N-No way… Did Mia figure all of this out already? So, this was the reason why she was just smiling even after hearing what I said?
Things, however, were rolling in a direction that no one expected.
