271. Haisen's Northern Advance
271. Haisen's Northern Advance
- 1 -
Northern Hysen. The plains near the border with the Kiza Kingdom and the Hinness Duchy.
Inside his tent, Daniel pulled out a single letter.
He was waiting for the troops armored in black steel to finish their preparations.
「To my beloved Daniel.」
It was a letter from Francina, the daughter of Marquis Eskaff, who had recently become his new fated partner and fiancée.
「Always be careful. You must be wary not only of the monsters who have gathered under your banner, but also of the many who envy you. Among the nobles, gossip often circulates that you have become Countess Elscopf's loyal dog.」
A bitter smile touched Daniel's lips.
The worried tone in that familiar handwriting was just like the nagging of his former fated partner, Maria, when she had been right beside him.
'What could she be doing right now?'
Like him, she too served Libertas, each growing stronger in their own way.
As the distance between them grew, their hearts naturally grew distant as well, but they still remained good friends who understood each other.
「But I believe in you. I believe that the time has come for this world to change. And that you are one of those standing at the forefront of that change.
- Your Francina.」
Beneath the splendid and elegant handwriting, the crests of the Escaf Family and the Verno Marquisate shone clearly.
"Your Excellency."
Just as he placed the letter into his breast pocket, his adjutant entered the tent, his back bowed.
"General Orea says she has an urgent matter."
"Alright. I'll go at once."
As Daniel was about to leave the tent, the adjutant carefully spoke.
"Sir Daniel."
In a more familiar tone, not the formal speech from moments before.
He and the adjutant had been 'subordinates of Libertas' together since the days when the Twilight Hunters were a mercenary company.
"Are the rumors true that you will become the Escaf Family's son-in-law this time?"
Daniel gave a gentle smile.
Thinking of his fated partner.
"Yes."
The Escaf Family was the house newly elevated to the rank of border margrave when Ironfield became independent as Leophere.
With Hinness's independence increasing the northern threat, Count Escaf, who was responsible for that region and held a position roughly third in the military hierarchy, was granted the title of Marquis of Verno, a promotion to marquis.
'Change comes swiftly like this.'
Of course, all of this was a means to pledge greater loyalty to Libertas.
Since he was now in a position where marrying solely for love was difficult anyway, it was better to ensure everything in Hysen was completely subordinated to his Master.
Of course, that didn't mean he didn't love Francina at all...
'It's not without its political significance, after all...'
When he raised his head, he could see the lines of the army stretching across the wide field to the edge of his vision.
Infantry in black armor and cavalry carrying spears were advancing in calm order.
'A grand army of thirty thousand... That's too many for merely responding to a border disturbance.'
Daniel thought as he watched the endlessly advancing ranks of the army.
Considering Hysen's total military strength was fifty thousand, it was a number sufficient to convince other nations that Hysen had no reserves to spare.
Astride a horse armored in black steel, the Twilight Hunter slowly surveyed the legion he commanded.
Before their eyes, the entrance to the Sosan Mountain Range leading to the Hinness Duchy was approaching.
'This is the first time I've led an army this large...'
Astride his horse armored in black steel, the Twilight Hunter Daniel looked out over the legion he commanded.
Around him were ten thousand regular Hysen troops, five thousand from various human mercenary bands, and...
"Legion Commander."
The female knight waiting for him, the Myrmekian Queen Orea, reported in a low voice.
At a glance, she looked no different from any ordinary knight as she sat on horseback before Daniel.
But the antennae peeking through her helmet and the distinctive physique revealed beneath her armor clearly showed that she was a monster, indeed the queen of the ant-people.
"The ranks are being disrupted."
"Where?"
When Daniel turned his head, Orea pointed a sharp index finger at the rear.
"The rear left. It appears there is friction between humans and monsters."
Daniel bit his lip.
This was the greatest risk factor for this northern expedition army.
The ten thousand monster troops, outwardly similar to humans but monsters in truth.
Constant friction, large and small, kept breaking out between them and the human soldiers.
Most of it was commotion that started with suspicion: 'Doesn't that guy seem a bit strange?'
"Let's go. If we don't firmly address this before a real battle breaks out, it will become a bigger problem."
When Daniel turned his horse, Orea moved alongside him.
"Legion Commander. If necessary, I will separate the monsters along with my soldiers from the human side."
"There's no need. Aren't they the ones who fit best with our legion?"
In this combined army of monsters and humans, Orea's ant legion had already familiarized itself with cooperating with human units through military training.
Their appearance, not greatly different from humans, and their reliability and trustworthiness, exceeding that of humans, allowed them to quickly integrate into human society.
- Kireureureuk...
As they turned around, a massive shadow was cast before them.
They were combat monsters controlled by Orea's ant soldiers.
Armored monsters resembling helmet beetles, and flying monsters similar in form to giant dragonflies, were following the orders of humans and monsters in orderly fashion.
"That's amazing every time I see it."
Daniel said with admiration.
Giant monsters are generally difficult to control. Naturally, using them on the battlefield was even harder.
But Orea's ant soldiers controlled them properly and kept them from acting violently even with humans nearby.
"Because they are our friends."
Orea answered amiably. Her carapace shone red in the setting sun.
"Those are the ones."
When the two commanders arrived at the rear unit, Daniel was able to grasp the situation immediately.
One human mercenary was earnestly explaining something to his comrades around him.
Probably about the 'strange thing' he had seen.
"What is the commotion?"
Everyone turned their heads at Daniel's calm voice.
"Legion Commander, Your Excellency!"
The young mercenary straightened his back.
"I was just about to report something. A strange thing I discovered during night reconnaissance... it is."
"Tell me."
"Some... some of our unit members are showing strange behavior at night. It's as if..."
Daniel let out a sigh. Here we go again.
"What you saw was night reconnaissance training. Our legion also includes nocturnal units."
"But..."
"No further detailed explanation is necessary. Understood?"
Daniel's gaze turned cold. A dangerous glint flickered in his eyes.
The mercenary shut his mouth.
Daniel, who bore the alias Twilight Hunter, was no mere mercenary commander.
He was a monster hunter by origin, a warrior whose lethality had been proven.
"Everyone return to your posts. We must advance. Whatever doubts you may have, anyone who disrupts the army's order will be severely punished from now on. Do not forget that we are on the eve of battle."
""Yes!!""
The mercenaries dispersed in a disorderly fashion.
Under normal circumstances, expecting military discipline from men who were not regular soldiers was asking too much.
"These incidents will continue."
Orea said in a worried voice.
"I know. But for now, it's fine. Change is always difficult. All we can do is bring about that change slowly, but firmly."
Daniel answered, looking back at the army.
While their conversation continued, the legion kept advancing northward.
Though still an imperfect harmony, this was already an event that would be recorded in history.
The news that Hysen's army was heading north spread quickly to the surrounding nations.
- 2 -
The southernmost end of the Kakia Kingdom. Fei Post, a border surveillance fortress.
A cold wind swept over the ramparts.
The lord of the fortress raised his telescope and stared southward.
Far off, beneath the clouded sky, the black silhouette of the Sosan Mountain Range stretched on.
Somewhere beyond it, Hysen's army would be moving.
"The scouts' reports say it's a grand army of thirty thousand."
He murmured, lowering the telescope.
A look of unease crossed the faces of the officers gathered around him.
"What could their objective be?"
One young officer cautiously asked.
"Well. This time they might be trying to reoccupy the Hinness territory of their rebels, or, as they say, to mediate the conflict that has arisen between us."
The lord said, frowning.
Currently, the Hysen army was advancing north, professing 'justice' and an intention to somehow resolve the issues Kiza, Kakia, and Elieniesi were causing over the Hinness territory.
[To spout such nonsense barely two months after those same bastards scorched Hinness to the ground?]
Of course, those who remembered that their previous army had utterly destroyed the Hinness territory snorted in derision, but there was also no one unaware that, even then, Hinness had in fact been the first to betray.
In any case, Hysen had 'acknowledged' their independence.
Even if it was like throwing a rice cake to a guy you hate after you've beaten him up.
"A grand army of thirty thousand. That is a number sufficient not only to overwhelm the divided Kiza forces, but also to keep us and Elieniesi in check..."
Before the lord's words could even finish, an official kicked open the door and rushed in.
"Commander! Word has come from the southeast!"
"What is it?"
It was an old butler who had long served the lord's family.
The lord wore a puzzled expression at his urgent demeanor.
"They say Elieniesi has moved! They are sending troops toward the eastern territory of Hinness!"
He frowned at the butler as if he couldn't believe it.
"Is that confirmed information?"
"Yes! Here... a missive sent by our spies. It says that Elieniesi's knight orders have already crossed the border and entered Hinness territory."
The lord nodded with a serious expression. This was an unexpected situation.
"They must have gotten impatient seeing Hysen coming up."
He looked to the southeast. The direction Elieniesi was in.
"They intend to seize the territory Kiza promised them in advance."
The lord made a decision immediately. His booming voice echoed within the fortress.
"Deliver this news to His Majesty the King at once! We move immediately!"
"Are you not going to wait for orders?"
"His Majesty stationed troops here in advance for just such a situation. I will assume command! Before Elieniesi seizes the east and grows greedier, we advance on the main city of the Hinness Duchy!"
As the lord's order fell, the entire fortress began to bustle into motion.
Not just within the fortress; the Kakia royal army stationed outside began to stir as well.
◆
At the same time, in the Regency Council Chamber of the Elieniesi Kingdom.
"Is the information that Kakia has moved certain?"
An old man seated in one of three giant chairs asked in a heavy voice.
On his shoulder, the crest of a royal collateral family shone clearly on a duke's fortress-backed insignia.
Gray was already mixing into his grayish beard, but his eyes were as sharp as ever.
"Yes, Your Excellency. Kakia's border forces are massing in large numbers. It appears they will soon strike into the northern territory of Hinness."
The man in charge of Elieniesi's intelligence department reported, bowing his head before the three regents.
"And Hysen's army?"
A man slightly younger than the duke, the chancellor of this nation, asked in a cold voice.
His blue ceremonial robes were embroidered with the crest of Elieniesi in silver thread.
"A grand army of thirty thousand is advancing on Hinness. They are probably..."
"It seems the rumors that Hysen has joined hands with heresy are true."
The last regent, the archbishop of this nation who looked comparatively young, cut him off.
Deep worry clouded his face.
"You mean the rumors that Hysen has formed an alliance with monsters?"
"Yes. A dark shadow is falling over our holy continent."
At the archbishop's words, the other two regents exchanged subtle glances.
For words coming from the mouth of an archbishop dispatched from the Holy Kingdom who even held the title of count, it was incredibly hypocritical.
'Pretending not to know what goes on in his own bedroom.'
The chancellor sneered inwardly.
But outwardly, he maintained a serious expression. Because this hypocrite was necessary for now.
... Or so thought the other two nobles, who themselves committed sins just fifty steps removed from the archbishop himself.
"It is time for us to move as well."
The duke spoke first.
"We cannot let them seize Hinness before we do. Besides, the eastern territory of Hinness was our rightful share, was it not."
"I agree."
The chancellor nodded. But concern still loomed on his face.
"However, we must not be hasty. Our military strength, as you know..."
"Would it not be sufficient to attach the army to the Royal Guard Knight Order?"
The duke cut off the chancellor. His voice carried tremendous confidence.
"How do you intend to explain this to His Majesty?"
The archbishop asked.
The upright king, knowing nothing, was closest to the archbishop who loved luxury.
It was an ironic thing.
"To His Majesty... it would be best to report to him after we have made our decision. We should not trouble him with such complicated matters, should we? Let us proceed as we always have."
At the duke's words, the other two regents agreed.
Henricus III was a monarch who loved scholarship and the arts.
Bloody matters like war were best handled by them.
"Then, it is decided. We immediately begin the operation to secure the eastern territory of the Hinness Duchy."
With the duke's declaration, the path of Elieniesi was decided.
◆
The adjutant of Elieniesi's intelligence chief and the old butler of Kakia's lord both wore similar smiles at the same moment.
And those smiles were the same as the smile worn by a shadowy figure sitting somewhere else.
"It proceeded as expected."
Talhan murmured quietly, withdrawing the spirit connection from the two wraiths, the Cerebrum Skulls.
Everything was proceeding according to his Master's plan.