383. Snare (2)
383. Snare (2)
- 1 -
I had been thinking about a 'holiday from my original world' that was now just a week away.
Christmas.
A day when streets were filled with red ribbons, warm colors, and sweet scents.
But for me, at some point, it had become a day when I worried more about bonuses and gift sets to distribute to my subordinates than about presents for anyone else.
Of course, there was no holiday like 'Christmas' in this world.
Yet I had suddenly recalled it for two reasons.
'Will they like it?'
First, concern over what gifts to give my close aides once the war ended.
'Accessories that would suit them... what would be good?'
I planned to make the gifts myself.
They would like anything I gave, but it was human nature to want to see them weep with joy if possible.
Anyway, the other reason I recalled this 'gift-sales-boosting holiday' was...
"Yes. The Archbishops have appeared on the battlefield."
Because this news I had been waiting for had come to me like a gift at the perfect moment.
"Yes. Master."
Saya bowed her head once, then gazed at me.
I met her crimson eyes of Fate (緣).
As always, her gaze was filled with absolute faith in me.
Anticipation for this battle was evident as well.
Swish
In the midst of that, I felt her gaze shift.
Her eyes flicked downward once.
A glance that passed quickly, yet was persistently covetous.
There was no need to say anything about it.
Sarak
I simply crossed my legs the other way once, and that was that.
"M-Master..."
Saya's cheeks flushed red as she realized her gaze had been caught.
As she lowered her eyes, her long lashes cast a shadow.
'Is this the kind of gaze women supposedly feel?'
A chuckle escaped me. She looked utterly adorable.
But now was the time to focus on strategy.
'Where are they moving, I wonder.'
I lifted my teacup and sent mana flowing into the table.
The tea table began to transform.
The surface rose up in uneven lumps, morphing until a topographic map of the Grakheizen Alliance was completed.
Seven flags were planted on the three-dimensional map.
They marked the current positions of my subordinates.
Esther and Daniel, guarding the north and northeast of Kiza and Hysen.
Shue and Orea in the east, Nirvana and Echidna in the south, and Kamaya in the west.
'If the Archbishops' Holy War Army comes, our current forces will be insufficient.'
Holy Power.
A force that held superiority over demons and monsters alike.
One could say it was a celestial nemesis to all dark beings, whether undead, demon, or beastman.
'But in truth, the reverse is equally true.'
The power of the demon tribe and the power of the heavens should correctly be seen as 'glass cannons' against each other.
Holy Power was simply known to hold the advantage because, on this surface world, the clergy had been stronger.
"Listen carefully. I will designate where you shall go."
""Yes.""
I looked over the women standing before me, then extended a finger toward one first.
"To the north, Ran. You will go."
Ran and Esther were close friends.
Until now, I had deployed them separately due to differing roles, but this time Ran's combat power was needed.
"Fufu. I shall go and teach them the meaning of regret, my lord husband."
Ran answered, bowing in the Han-style salute.
Her characteristic elegant yet deadly smile graced her lips.
Next, I looked beyond the communications orb.
There, the image of a woman with long dark-brown hair, Elena, had appeared.
"Elena, the time has come for you to take the field again."
- I have waited. I shall return after thoroughly crushing them.
"And Serica."
"Mm?"
"I'm counting on you."
Leophere's soldiers were strong, but their overall numbers were insufficient.
She was a Dungeon Lord who could replenish additional forces, and furthermore, her personal martial prowess was not lacking, making her the perfect fit.
"Got it. I'll sweep them away."
Serica answered in a prim voice, brimming with confidence and cruelty.
With her, Elena, and Kamaya together, there would be no need to worry about the western front.
"To the south, Evangeline. You shall go."
"I will return swiftly, Master."
Ever-reliable Evangeline answered in a calm voice.
Having ascended to Monarch-grade, she would be capable of handling whatever might happen in the south.
"To Hilsa, Sonia. You shall go."
"Leave it to me, Teacher."
I nodded as I listened to her firm reply.
The vanguard on the Hilsa front was very robust, but the rear lacked the ability to respond to various situations.
My first disciple would be more than sufficient as a support specialist.
"What about you, Teacher?"
Sonia asked cautiously.
Her voice was tinged with concern. She had apparently guessed that I intended to go personally.
"I..."
I smiled and fixed my gaze on one spot on the map.
The border between Hysen and Elieniessi.
The white flag, indicating enemy forces, was coming there.
"I shall go and see their leader."
The Central Archbishop of the Holy Kingdom.
Anselm Mel Heidelberg, regarded as the Crown Prince of the Holy Emperor.
That was where he was coming.
"Now then, be off."
""Yes!""
A week at most.
That was how long it would take for them to realize the magnitude of their mistake.
- 2 -
The news that the Alliance was being pushed back on all fronts spread across the entire continent.
In Kakia, they were striking the north of Hysen and Kiza, pushing back the border.
In Elieniessi, the border was being yielded to the Holy Kingdom and the Royal Army of Rugnisah.
In Zenota, hearing of Elena's absence, they were belatedly organizing an expeditionary force.
Everyone was almost certain of the Alliance's victory, and even the citizens within the Alliance thought the same.
"...Should we move elsewhere from here too?"
"If we go there, is there any guarantee we'll live well?"
"Right. This place was the best to live in..."
In a tavern in Kiza, several merchants had gathered and were talking.
They were all outsiders from different regions, people who had come here seeking a better life after the Alliance was formed.
"Honestly, do you think we could enjoy the same life elsewhere that we've had here?"
"That... wouldn't be easy."
But even in this situation, there were not many who intended to leave the Alliance.
"Should I try supporting with weapons even now?"
"If we offer a little more to the nation, wouldn't it help?"
"...All I can do is shoot a bow. I'll head to the royal castle first."
No, rather, there were even those trying to enlist in the military.
It was because of how vastly different life here was from anywhere else.
Despite the influx of refugees from the border into the cities, there was not even a sign that their lives, or their families' lives, were worsening.
There was no reason for them to suddenly worsen either.
Because the moment war broke out, the luxury goods that royalty and nobles had hoarded had poured into the market.
It was accomplished under the strong advocacy of Philia Elskopf.
Gold, silver, and jewels became food; silk and gems turned into daily necessities and spread among the people.
Residences for war refugees had been prepared in advance, and what was more, security was reinforced even during wartime.
"Look. Even during war, the price of bread hasn't risen. No, it's actually gone down."
"That's right. I can even afford my kid's medicine without worry now."
In the end, the conversations citizens shared on the streets were mostly favorable.
In times of peace, what Libertas had given them was not simple peace.
A better life.
She returned the wealth monopolized by royalty and nobles to the citizens, created new jobs where monsters and humans could work together, and improved administrative services while reducing the tax burden.
The one who led all those changes was a beautiful woman with black hair and purple eyes.
Whenever the most beautiful person in the Alliance was discussed, she was a figure inevitably mentioned.
Known externally as a power holder, but internally famous as a wise chancellor among the nobility.
"As long as Lady Philia is here, we'll be safe."
"She does everything for us. She's doing everything for us."
"Yes. Being pushed back now is just a temporary situation."
Philia Elskopf.
The people's faith in her was absolute.
To them, Philia, Libertas, was not just a noble.
She was a savior, or a prophet.
The people knew.
That nowhere else on this continent could they live as well as they did now.
And they were wishing.
For the Alliance's victory.
And that wish...
"Everyone!! News has come from the front lines!!"
...was already coming true.
- 3 -
Damaretret, the great southern city of Hilsa that the Alliance had completely evacuated and emptied of citizens.
The encampment of the Norn Imperial Expeditionary Force, set within its walls.
"News of another victory!"
Cheers erupted.
Imperial soldiers clapped each other on the shoulders and rejoiced; the morale of the Norn Imperial Army was sky-high.
In truth, it wasn't just the Imperial Army—the entire Holy War Army was the same.
Because the Alliance's borders were being pushed back relentlessly.
Inward, and further inward.
The Alliance had held on desperately enough to retreat after evacuating its citizens, but it could not withstand the combined might of the Holy War Army and the Allied forces.
Or so it seemed.
The Leophere side was barely holding on, but once Zenota's forces arrived, it would only be a matter of time there as well.
"Keukeukeu. This is the taste of victory!"
Cornelius Mel Braert, the Financial Archbishop of the Holy Kingdom, laughed as he slapped his mountainous belly.
His round face was flushed red with joy and the effects of alcohol.
This was clearly the encampment of the Holy Kingdom army that had reinforced the Norn Imperial Army.
Yet before him, a feast was laid out.
Beside him were a woman in Norn traditional dress and a woman in modified priestess robes, one on each side.
And across the table, there was even a general of the Norn Empire, thoroughly enjoying a similar situation.
"You have worked truly hard again today, General Ulrich."
"Far from it. This victory was not made alone. Thanks to Archbishop Cornelius's presence, there was no need to worry over the wounds of the Empire's young soldiers."
Ulrich en Stomhagen, Grand General of the 2nd Army, one of the Empire's three expeditionary forces that had come up here, a master of rapid mobile tactics centered on cavalry—the very man who usually led the vanguard with powerful martial force at the front lines—was now sharing drinks with Cornelius.
"Hahaha! The Alliance, was it? What ridiculous fellows they are."
Ulrich tilted his glass and burst into scornful laughter.
He was slightly disappointed by how much easier the victory was than he had expected.
"Monsters and humans join hands? There's no way that could last. In the end, collapsing from internal division is the natural outcome."
"Indeed, indeed. The end of those who defy God's will is always obvious."
Cornelius nodded in agreement.
His expression was profoundly solemn. Solemn enough that, based on his face alone, he might appear to be a devout clergyman.
If only it weren't for the hands caressing the bodies of the women beside him.
"To celebrate this victory, enjoy yourself to the fullest tonight, Archbishop! For we must march again tomorrow."
"A fine idea. It is a victory bestowed by God; it would be discourteous not to rejoice."
The two men clinked glasses and laughed heartily.
The officers and clergy around them burst into laughter as well.
In their eyes, the complete defeat of the Alliance was already pictured.
The glorious image of occupying the Alliance's capitals within days and capturing the kings of each nation and the wicked witch, Philia Elskopf.
It was right then.
Kung!
"It's an emergency!"
Along with a tremor, a desperate cry came from outside the barracks.
It was the voice of the messenger who usually announced victories.
But unlike earlier, the voice was filled with terror.
"What is it? Another victory report?"
Already drunk, Ulrich failed to grasp the situation and asked in good humor, laughing.
But soon, his face froze cold.
"The enemy has counterattacked! The gate... the gate is—!"
"What?"
Cornelius shot to his feet.
The color had already drained completely from his round face, which had been oozing grease moments before.
"Let us go and confirm!"
Ulrich rose, snatching up his sword.
But before they could even step out of the barracks, it happened.
Kwaang —— !!!!
An explosion rocked the barracks.