Chapter 137: Discarded Pawn
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 137: Discarded Pawn
Raised under his father, a high-ranking commander, the young lord of House Ruthenia lived by one firm conviction:
War was a game of numbers.
No matter how brilliant a knight or how heroic a warrior might be, they were nothing more than a single digit in the face of total war.
As a man who had studied to be a commander, Ruthenia had experienced and internalized this truth through his own service. Had he possessed a deeper knowledge of monsters, he might have even edged out Olivia to become the chief of staff.
However, three factors on this particular battlefield had left him utterly stunned.
Dragon Spawn.
The first factor was the Dragon Spawns.
Ruri, the attendant of Valdrova, and Isabella, the administrator.
Because of the long era of peace and the fact that he had spent most of his life within the capital’s walls, Ruthenia had never witnessed their power firsthand. He knew that Ruri had arrived like a comet, shattering the Imperial magic circles. Rumors claimed her martial prowess was immense and that she could exert Dragon Fear similar to a true dragon; many believed that anyone facing her would be hard-pressed to survive.
How many Imperial mages and officials had been executed because of that incident?
As expected of a descendant of Silverwind, she is incredibly fast and strong.
In truth, she seemed capable of handling the monsters all on her own. Even though she moved more conservatively compared to the humans, her dominance was undeniable.
He then turned his gaze toward the other Dragon Spawn, Isabella.
As expected of a descendant of Iorga, she is precise and skillful.
Wielding water magic, she reinforced the weak points of their formation, ensuring the line never broke.
Ruri and Isabella.
He felt as though these two alone could resolve the monster threat in no time. However, the reason they didn't was clear.
This was a human war.
The core of this operation was the Magitech tactical infantry. The goal was to confirm the effectiveness of tactical infantry—soldiers armed with Magitech Rifles—in a human conflict.
Magitech Rifles... their power is certainly impressive.
That was the second factor.
He had rated them highly when he first saw them, but their performance here made his initial assessment look like an understatement. It meant that even without high-level assets like knights or mages, the most crucial roles in war could be fulfilled.
That alone held astronomical value.
If they can be modified just a bit more and simplified...
They wouldn't just be for killing monsters; they would play a massive role in wars between humans. True to his lineage of commanders, a sense of conquest began to swell within him.
And the man leading all of this.
He shifted his gaze slightly to the third factor.
There, a man with gray hair and blue eyes sat atop a horse, weaving magic.
Ferda Valdrova...
The Dragon Spawns and the value of the tactical infantry were surprising, but neither compared to Ferda. He was the one managing all of it.
And he’s only nineteen...
The Archduchess of Valdrova’s fiancé. By all accounts, he should have been a social outcast—a failure. Yet, Dragon Spawns followed him, and he had even created weapons capable of opposing the Demon Race.
Was that all?
Ferda himself was an excellent mage. Not only had he reached the 4th Circle in a mere year, but he had also mobilized 1st and 2nd Circle mages—those usually dismissed as worthless—and extracted true value from them.
These aren't things a mere 'failure' could do.
What kind of place was House Rosnova that they would cast out such a man? His curiosity was so piqued that he almost struck up a casual conversation.
"Commander Ruthenia."
Ferda’s voice broke his train of thought. Caught off guard, Ruthenia let out a rather dazed response.
"Ye—yes?"
"Shall we advance now? It seems things have been cleared out to a certain extent."
Ferda asked politely. As he said, the number of monsters had dwindled significantly, and the 'mothers' were now exposed. If they were to march, now was the time.
The young lord of Ruthenia raised his sword and shouted.
"Two battalions, split and advance! Secure the mothers!"
Thus, they succeeded in securing two of the super-sized monsters. Isabella sent this news via Telepathy to Ferda and the staff officers.
"It seems the 1st Regiment has also completed their occupation smoothly."
"What about the other locations?"
"The Far East Union and the Eri Adventurer Party have also secured their targets and are awaiting orders."
Everything was ready. Ruthenia gave the command.
"Tell them to begin."
"Understood."
Small units were dispatched to bring down the super-sized monsters. A 5th Circle mage was required to deliver the Supernova, and five knights were assigned to each mage to protect them and peel away the thick hides of the beasts.
The 5th Circle mages for the 2nd Regiment were the gloomy witch, Echidna, and the administrator, Isabella.
Isabella, being a Dragon Spawn, caused no issues due to her naturally friendly aura, but Echidna was a different story.
"Ehehe... since they're from the Empire, there are so many handsome men here..."
The gloomy, sinister laughter of the witch was far from that of a shy maiden. The knights were horrified.
I never thought I'd live to see the day I'd be guarding a witch.
O Light of Purification, protect me from this wicked witch's curse.
Still, being professionals, they protected her without showing their disgust. They all wore the anti-magic amulets received from the Tower Master of the Blue Eye and completed their preparations.
"Everything depends on your roles from here on out! I wish you good fortune!"
The designated mages and knights approached their respective super-sized monsters. After forming a perimeter, the elite knights' sharp Aura smoothly sliced through the hides.
And then, at the border of the Archduchy, six stars exploded.
* * *
While the soldiers were basking in the victory of their first battle, the staff officers held a meeting. They had won a battle, but the war was far from over.
Given the distance, they communicated via crystal balls. Olivia spoke with a satisfied tone.
—Phase one of the operation has been completed successfully.
Phase one was the plan to boost morale through overwhelming firepower.
—Is it a festival atmosphere over there as well?
"It’s like a second Start of Spring Festival. If we keep up this momentum, it seems we can eliminate them all without significant casualties."
—I agree.
However, Olivia sounded as if something was still lacking. Sensing this, Ruthenia asked her tactfully.
"If the Chief of Staff has a better plan, I am ready to accept it at any time."
—This is a matter worth discussing with the tactical staff, so I’ll speak plainly. Based on what I’m feeling now, I believe our current troop concentration is excessive.
"Looking at the results, it is indeed a bit much."
Ruthenia felt the same. The troops here were elite knights; even if they practiced different styles, they were masters of the basics. Once the command was given, they became a single, obedient entity.
—That’s why I believe we need to be more daring with our strategy.
"What do you mean?"
—As feared, the super-sized monsters are exhibiting abnormal behavior.
It was an expected development. Striking six of them simultaneously was a measure to minimize damage should they act unpredictably.
—The difference is that the monsters are dispersing. Unlike before, when they headed straight for the Empire, they are now spreading out in all directions.
"Spreading out instead of clustering... they’re like a plague."
"They are a plague. Things that eat away at the continent."
Olivia’s voice was laced with anger.
—Fortunately, things are proceeding according to my predictions.
Unlike those who argued the monsters would protect their 'mothers,' Olivia had insisted they would disperse. This was a scenario she had predicted after a month of ceaseless study and research into monster habits and records.
—Which means we can respond. The current situation is excellent. It’s the right time to be ambitious.
Ambitious.
She already had command over the army and the tactical infantry; what more was she after?
"What kind of ambition are you talking about?"
—If the monsters aren't clustering, I intend to split the forces once more. We will have subjugation battalions to eliminate the super-sized monsters and pursuit battalions to hunt down and destroy the monsters spreading toward the small villages.
They were already split into groups of a thousand; she wanted to divide them even further.
—Based on my confirmation, the value of the tactical infantry is so high that even with only four hundred men, they can safely engage the monsters.
"In the worst-case scenario..."
—That number was chosen specifically with the worst-case scenario in mind. The main force can sufficiently hold its ground.
If Olivia guaranteed the main force's safety, then Ruthenia’s position was safe as well.
"I personally have no objections, but..."
Ruthenia turned to look at his platoon leaders. To a man, they avoided his gaze. It was a chance to earn merit, but no one wanted to step forward.
It was obvious why. It was far safer and more prestigious to hunt a super-sized monster than to save a few dozen villagers. To them, the small villages were discarded pawns; even if a few hundred peasants died, it wouldn't be a problem.
—If the 2nd Regiment objects, I won't press the matter further.
Had Olivia stopped there, Ruthenia might have dropped it immediately.
—However, as a Princess and as a commander who took up the sword to protect this land, I simply do not wish to see a single life lost in vain.
Despite her gentle tone, her words were a direct appeal to their duties as nobles and knights. She had likely persuaded the 1st Regiment the same way.
In the silence where no one dared to speak, someone finally stepped forward.
"The 2nd Regiment will go as well."
The one who volunteered was Ferda.
—Regent Ferda, you’re going personally? Your absence might weaken the main force...
"The tactical staff is handling the command anyway. I don't believe my or Ruri’s absence will cause any major issues."
Since he had been moving conservatively with that in mind, he judged that the tactical infantry alone would be enough to handle things.
"As you said, before being the Regent of an Archduchy, I am a subject of the Empire. I cannot simply stand by and watch my fellow subjects die."
—Thank you, Regent. Then I will consider it settled that the 2nd Regiment will also form a pursuit battalion to repel the monsters.
The conversation continued for a while longer, but it was mostly formalities. Once the meeting concluded, everyone returned to their tents to prepare for the next day's march.
When Ferda returned to his tent, his personal crystal ball began to glow.
—Can you hear me?
It was Olivia.
Perhaps because he had been listening to 'Chief of Staff Olivia' for so long, her current, more feminine tone felt quite different.
"I hear you clearly."
—It’s just as I expected, but they really are a bunch of cowards. I don't know how they expect to win my favor when they lack such spirit.
Men who are all talk, Olivia muttered under her breath.
"Did you contact me just to gossip?"
—I’m breaking the ice with a shared interest. Let’s have our own private follow-up meeting.
A private meeting. He actually had something he wanted to ask her.
"You said you wanted to protect the small villages. Is that really your true intention?"
Olivia was faster than anyone when it came to calculating profit and loss. She knew well that the small villages offered little benefit. Proposing this operation meant she was after something else.
—Of course not.
As expected.
—I have a different target.
"What are you aiming for?"
—They say that when chaos descends, a transcendent appears. I intend to draw out a transcendent who has been in hiding.
Did she think such a person was in one of those small villages?
"Who is it?"
—The Sage of Water, Helus Fobidas.
"Ah."
Ferda let out a small exclamation the moment he heard the name. Helus, the sage who had appeared like a comet. How much effort had people spent trying to win his favor? The Empire was no different. The Princes vying for the throne had all struggled desperately to recruit him.
It seemed Olivia intended to snatch him up using this opportunity.
"Now that I think about it, he did live in the East."
—It seems Regent Ferda knows of him as well.
"I do."
—Usually, people get excited or nervous when they hear the name of the Sage of Water, but you seem rather indifferent, Regent. Is he not a significant figure to you?
Well, Ferda had long since extracted the 'essence' of that man. Hearing Olivia’s words, it seemed she didn't yet know that Helus was merely a puppet, so he brushed the question aside.
"If you want to recruit this 'sage,' wouldn't it be better for you to go yourself rather than me, Princess?"
—Based on my analysis, he does seem to have a bit of a lecherous side. I heard he’s quite fond of women with blonde hair, blue eyes, and... large chests. Does that description remind you of anyone? Hehe.
"..."
—It’s a joke, a joke. It’s embarrassing when you stay silent after I tell a joke you’re supposed to laugh off. Do you act like this when you talk to the Archduchess?
"I do find myself at a loss for words quite often."
That was mostly Ferda’s own issue. Silence often fell while he was choosing his words.
—Since the sage is there, I wanted you to go, Regent. I thought you might have calculated something when you accepted, but it seems you weren't aiming for the sage after all?
"No."
He already had the real deal; bringing in that greedy glutton would only increase his food expenses.
—Then why did you step forward?
"It’s exactly as I said. I’m just going to protect the villages."
He had no hidden agenda. Or rather, he had one, but it wasn't something he would blabber about to Olivia.
—I see. You intend to firmly establish your image as the benevolent ruler of Hestia Village.
Olivia spoke in a satisfied tone.
—Do you know something?
"What is it?"
—I’m lying down. In bed.
It was a sudden, random comment.
"I am sitting."
—I’m lying down, listening to your voice, Mr. Ferda.
"Your behavior is quite contrary to etiquette."
—Fufu. I want to just fall asleep like this. But I’m having a hard time drifting off.
Olivia let out a long sigh. The rustling sound of silk blankets tickled his ears.
"It means you haven't relaxed yet."
—I suppose so, yes. A war like this is quite harsh for someone like me.
To say such a thing while living in the even harsher world of politics.
—I am the Chief of Staff.
"You are."
—If I don't lead properly, there will be setbacks.
"Correct."
—You wouldn't want me to give a wrong order, causing chaos and leading to our annihilation, would you?
"...I suppose not?"
What was this woman trying to say?
—So, can I ask for one favor?
"Go ahead."
—Won't you tell me to sleep well?
"...Is that really necessary?" Ferda asked, sounding reluctant.
—Yes. It is.
Ferda thought for a moment before shaking his head. It wasn't something that required much thought in the first place. It wasn't like she was asking him to recite a magic incantation; a simple phrase was enough.
"Good night."
—Yes. Good night to you too, Regent.
With a final, satisfied breath, the light faded from the crystal ball.
Ferda also lay down. He was just as busy as anyone else. The monsters were moving even at this very moment. To catch up to them, he had to prepare for tomorrow.
* * *
The strategy room of the Imperial Palace.
"What do you mean by that?!"
Alexander’s roar echoed through the room, sharp as a scream.
"My legion was annihilated by monsters?!"