435 - Regressor of the Fallen Family

Chapter 435 - The vigilantes return to their original positions, joining the basic forces left in each territory to maintain the kingdom's order. – We will provide the utmost possible compensation from the kingdom to the bereaved families of fallen soldiers and vigilantes. Though the proclamation did not specify any exact figures, the majority of the citizens felt greatly reassured. "The war is finally over." "Now it feels real." "Sigh..." Both those who survived safely and those who lost their loved ones were busy sighing in relief. Due to this, the follow-up proclamation did not receive as much attention. – We will reorganize the kingdom's army. This information was swiftly conveyed to the two fortresses in the north and south. The main point was to integrate Luther's 4th Corps, which defended the northeastern part of the kingdom, into the Sword Master's 2nd Corps, and Wiken's 5th Corps, which guarded the southeast, into Ronian's 3rd Corps, transforming the kingdom into a three-corps system. Since the corps were already stationed at the same fortresses with high-ranking leadership like the Sword Master, a mentor to the king, and the king's brother, the reorganization proceeded without a hitch following quick approval from Luther and Wiken. Additionally... – The reorganized corps will remain stationed for a period to adapt and train. This subsequent order was naturally accepted, under the guise of post-war clearance, amid the ambiance of war's end. Around that time, the king and his tactician at Kyle Castle were fervently discussing something entirely different from the rumors outside. "The first thing we must handle are the remnants of the 8th Eastern Legion." When Damian spoke with a glint in his eye, a puzzled expression crossed Logan's face. "Are you saying we should seek out and crush the Imperial troops scattered near the eastern border?" "Of course, it'd be ideal if the Imperial forces gathered at Lusfelheim or Panna when we occupied those places, but we must also consider the worst-case scenario." "The worst-case scenario?" "The eastern corps could choose not to engage us directly and instead advance into the kingdom's heartland." "So then, can't we head towards the Empire's capital, Aserian? Surely they wouldn't prioritize a counterattack on the periphery over defending their own heart." Logan recalled past experiences and spoke thus, but the tactician, sensing the intent behind his words, shook his head. He'd heard too many warnings about the result of that reckless battle before coming to Maclaine. "This is slightly different from the battle of Bifrost, Your Majesty. The Eastern Legion does not represent the Empire’s full strength." "…You’re suggesting the Emperor’s central army will try to block us and then counterattack?" "Yes." At Damian's firm assertion, Logan's expression twisted slightly. "In a situation where the Western Ten Kingdoms' offensive shows no sign of halting, could the Imperial forces really withdraw? They wouldn’t be able to react immediately." "I'm referring to the reaction of the Eastern Legion. To them, the Emperor is a deity. Just as we place our faith in Your Majesty." Saying something slightly embarrassing without hesitation, Damian. Logan deflected the topic with a chuckle. "Regardless of actual events, there's a possibility they might advance on our home soil trusting in the Emperor." "Yes, that’s what I believe." Tsk. "…We need to crush the Eastern Legion while also carrying out an occupation battle. All before the Imperial forces return from devastating the Western kingdoms. It seems like time is really tight." "It’s quite feasible. Given that the Empire’s strength is reduced to the point that having eight legions is a mere formality. The 7th Legion is essentially disbanded, and the remaining legions only have about twenty thousand troops each." "This is assuming that the forces of Teronan and Liberty are incorporated into the punitive expedition?" Even so, the scattered Imperial forces collectively amassed an army of two hundred thousand, equivalent to four legions. The Maclaine Kingdom's army, now restructured into three corps, was numerically inferior. Of course, given their overwhelming superiority in elite forces, it wasn't impossible, but the disparity in knight ratios would result in considerable sacrifices. Hence, they needed comrades to share that burden. As Logan's meaningful smile lingered, Damian mirrored the expression with a similar grin. "…Preparations are already complete." * * * "An Imperial conquest? Are you thinking clearly?!" [Indeed.] At the nonchalant answer from Maclaine's tactician, Ty­mon Liberty, the new king of the Liberty Kingdom, held his head in his hands. Groaning inwardly. ’They said it was confidential, yet this talk is absurd...’ His uncle, and the kingdom’s sole superhuman, Gunther Liberty, had already fallen in a foreign war. Listening to such ridiculous proposals from those who enforced such sacrifices, an irrepressible fury welled up from the depths of his chest. After all, wasn't it the army that forced him half-heartedly to lead while being held as a hostage in Grand? "Don’t talk such nonsense! Consider the sacrifices we've already made! Let Maclaine take on such a reckless effort alone!" Given his brothers were still held as hostages in Maclaine, it wasn't a conversation he could genuinely have, yet his anger got the better of him, momentarily costing him his composure. Just as Ty­mon realized his mistake. [Are you truly all right with this?] An unexpected retort came his way. "…What?" [Are you truly content to return after only bearing sacrifices? Isn't it regrettable? The sacrifices of Archduke Gunther and your forces?] To put it like that... ‘Whose fault do you think that is?!’ Rage surged within him. If Maclaine fell, next would be the turn of the allied kingdoms. Yes, he wasn’t unaware of that reality. However, after all the glory of defeating the Empire went to Maclaine, the reality Liberty faced was nothing but the death of their only superhuman and the decrease in their forces. Considering that Teronan, another ally, still had both its superhumans, Liberty's position within the alliance would only weaken over time. "Hoo." Ty­mon took a deep breath to settle his boiling emotions. Striving to maintain composure, he continued calmly. "We’ve already defeated the Empire. Liberty will not partake in another war lacking clear justification." Right, this was the best course. ‘No matter what they say, I won’t be swayed.’ He reaffirmed his resolve, cutting off Maclaine's tactician's unreasonable proposition with exactness. The response that came back was unexpected. [...If that's your decision, then there's no choice.] Are they really backing off that easily? Advertisements It was so surprising that he momentarily paused, yet what followed was even stranger. [Since the King of Teronan has expressed a strong intent to participate, it appears that there will be a noticeable divergence between your two nations in the future.] "What do you mean...?" The King of Teronan? Why? Have they gone mad? His mind was a whirl of questions, but his interlocutor seemed uninterested in providing clarification. [We appreciate Your Highness' cooperation thus far and wish you all the best moving forward.] "Wa-wait a moment...!" It's a bait. Surely it is. Yet, despite feeling uneasy, Ty­mon found himself nibbling at the bait. The disparity in national strength between Liberty and Teronan was already bound to widen, and to let it enlarge further? That would be irreparable. "...What is the price for cooperation in the war?" In the end, he had no choice but to ask, and the person within the crystal sphere flashed a knowing smile. * * * "As soon as we conveyed Liberty’s participation, the King of Teronan immediately pledged their involvement too." "…So, it wasn’t that you baited Liberty with Teronan?" "Ah, does the order really matter?" Logan looked at Damian with an exasperated glance at his nonchalant remark. "If they ever talk, won’t everything get exposed?" "How could it? They’re rivals." "Rivals?" "Teronan harbors rivalry towards Liberty, and vice versa. Naturally, this competition has intensified since the alliance split in two. In such a situation, would the kings really confide in one another? Moreover, neither have been on the throne for very long." Damian’s explanation was certainly convincing. "If the other commits, even a vague promise of dividing occupied territories would be something they’d have to trust?" "That's not exactly vague, is it? Isn’t that what you intended to do?" With a curious smile on his face, Damian's words made Logan chuckle and nod. "Right, exactly. To suppress the Empire's expansionist policy into silence, we’re prepared to offer whatever it takes." Yes, whatever it takes. Why would Gerard’s proposal for brainwashing the helm be necessary? Not with such a reliable tactician. "Good work, Damian." As Logan praised him and patted his shoulder, Damian looked sheepish as he bowed slightly. "You flatter me. I merely employed a trick due to urgency. With the right compensation assured, both nations would have participated all the same." "But they wouldn't have synchronized their timings. If either turned back, it surely would have delayed the process." "Ahem, yes. The military supplies, crossbow magazines, and Liberatio are still stored in wartime capacities, abundant for usage. All that remains is for Your Majesty to recover. The Sword Master has reportedly already begun training." Advertisements Feeling abashed by the constant praise, Damian quickly shifted topics, prompting Logan to smile and nod in agreement. "Of course. It won’t take me long either." "I will inform the legion commanders about the departure preparations. And advise them to continue thorough training using the army reorganization as an excuse." "Yes, do so, and let’s put on a fitting show for the Empire." Understanding the implication at once, Damian grinned. "Though the vigilantes have disbanded, the legions remain stationed, and increasing the intensity of their training will surely cause confusion." "Indeed. The uncertainty they’ll experience works to our advantage. If the entire Eastern 8th Legion returns to their garrisons, it will take us too long to crush them." "Correct. It's best if they remain moderately aware and moderately prepared." The well-aligned lord and tactician shared a smile. And in the days that followed, the Imperial Eastern forces began showing the ambiguous movements they had anticipated. * * * "Maclaine's movements are unsettling. I worry they might seize the chaos in the West as an opportunity to strike an offensive." At Bering’s remarks, faces within the two crystal spheres creased. It seemed they couldn’t believe their ears. It had been a long time since Bering had his words disregarded, but he couldn’t rebuke them as he usually might. No matter if he was the commander of the 8th Eastern Legion who survived the fierce battles at Maclaine's southern fortress, the ranks of those listening were certainly no less, if not higher. In fact, hierarchy-wise, they were almost superiors. [Isn't this an over-exaggeration, Bering? Even though we've suffered losses, how could a minor nation dare invade a great nation? It's as nonsensical as rivers flowing backward.] Despite having suffered so much, still clueless. Bering clicked his tongue inwardly, but fortunately, the other figure in the crystal wasn’t mere brawn without brains. [When you think about it... if they’ve grown bold, there’s nothing they wouldn’t dare attempt. It’s true our Empire suffered losses in this battle; they might try to attack under a mad rage.] The 4th Legion Commander, Drexler, sided with Bering. Contradicting opinions among the three legion commanders who survived the battle against Maclaine. Naturally, the two's opinion should prevail, but seniority rules in decades nevertheless stifled that difference. [Reports indicate that Kyle Castle's forces have already scattered throughout the region. Don't say nonsensical things and focus on replenishing our forces. Once His Majesty has dealt with the Western disturbance, the opportunity for retribution will come.] Bering felt as if he might explode at Ziffen's words. ‘Do you think the enemy isn’t aware of this, you fool?’ Despite having been battered and retreating just recently, to already adopt such careless thinking. Bering barely restrained his urge to shout and continued in a composed manner. "But there might be that one-in-a-million chance. I hope we'll be prepared in advance." [His Majesty the Emperor has entrusted us with the defense of the East. With the Western King, Northern King, and Southern King all focused on the West, we have no other support available. I believe it is prudent to prepare, even for a slim chance.] Thankfully, Drexler once again supported Bering's perspective. However, Ziffen's unjustified complacency persisted. "Ha, ha, would those preparing for war really disband their forces? You all worry too much." "The only forces disbanded were the conscripts. The regular army remains stationed at every fortress!" "Regular army? Even if you combine all their forces, it's only about the size of three legions." You fool, it was that very force that defeated us! Bering felt an intense urge to slap Ziffen if he had been standing before him. At least there was one ally, slightly more direct than himself. "Lord Ziffen, that force was the one that caused our defeat." “…That was just luck... I mean, an odd phenomenon... Anyway, if you're so worried, you go ahead and prepare. I'll handle gathering the rest of our forces." ‘The central army was the one affected by those phenomena, not us... we were defeated regardless.’ Bering wanted to correct Ziffen's distorted recollection, but held back. Advertisements Bering wasn’t entirely certain that Maclaine would take a counterattack. Firstly, he had his own doubts about the battle capabilities of Maclaine's army once outside their great magical formation. He was simply ensuring utmost readiness for the Eastern defense, a responsibility delegated by His Majesty the Emperor. "I'll proceed accordingly. Then, Lord Drexler, shall we continue our discussion?" "Indeed. These young people do worry quite a bit." As Ziffen's communication sphere went dark, leaving Bering to wonder if he had left his brain in Maclaine, he bowed his head respectfully towards Drexler’s remaining light. "…Thank you for supporting my opinion, Lord Drexler." "It seems Lord Ziffen, having become the head of the Eastern forces, wishes to assert his authority. He would have opposed you regardless of your stance. Pay it no mind." ‘In such dire circumstances, they still want to squabble over hierarchy among commanders?’ Instead of venting his simmering frustration, Bering chose to focus on practical matters. "If Maclaine were to advance, where do you think they'd strike first? Although I suspect our thoughts align…" "Of course, it would be Lusfelheim." Fortunately, Drexler shared the same thoughts. And on that day, remnants of the Eastern Empire's 4th, 5th, 7th, and 8th legions began to converge on the major Eastern city, Lusfelheim. Meanwhile, the remnants of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 6th legions began returning to their garrisons to regroup their forces. Two distinct paths clearly formed. Upon hearing this news, a satisfied smile appeared on Logan’s face.