Chapter 5: Heroine Supplement Plan (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 5: Heroine Supplement Plan (2)
The first place I led my brother was the barracks where the soldiers and knights commanded by the Margrave were stationed.
A pungent scent, a mix of horse manure and the thick body odor of sweaty men, stung the tip of my nose.
The clanging of metal from spears, swords, and armor echoed from every direction.
Soldiers moving busily, knights barking orders…
As soon as he saw the scene, my brother shot me a sharp glare.
“You said we were going out.”
“We are. Along with these people.”
“Hey, you…”
“Don’t worry. No matter how tough our father is, he won’t kick the backsides of a couple of snot-nosed brats.”
“We’re going with Father?!”
Without a word, I took a step into the crowd of soldiers.
Luan seemed to hesitate for a moment, but soon enough, he was trotting along behind me.
No matter what he says, he must be curious about why Father gave up on being human.
“Young Master.”
“Oh, Young Master…”
Every time my brother and I walked past, the soldiers and knights we encountered showed their respect in their own ways.
The knights gave a disciplined military salute.
The soldiers prostrated themselves flat on the ground.
Even when my brother told them there was no need for such formalities since they were busy, the soldiers showed no flexibility whatsoever.
“Father must have really kept them on a tight leash.”
“Tell me about it, Brother. I didn’t expect it to be this much either.”
“Is there actually something you don’t know?”
“Anyone would think I’m some dark-hearted, scheming strategist.”
“Hah, aren’t you?”
As we walked while sharing such trivial banter, the most important building in the barracks soon came into view.
In modern terms, you could call it the staff headquarters.
“Let’s go in.”
“Right… but is it okay for us to just walk in?”
“He’ll be more pleased than anything. No one’s going to complain.”
“I guess…”
Lately, the children of the Empire’s prestigious families—especially the men—tended to instinctively avoid the barracks.
Partly because it was a space for men, far removed from women or wine, but there was a more significant reason.
It was the place where one became acutely aware of their responsibilities and duties.
In that regard, Father could be called a truly exemplary Margrave, and it was also perfectly exemplary for his children to visit the barracks of their own accord.
Even if he didn't think so himself, that’s how those around him would perceive it.
How others think of me, how they look at me… that is more important than anything else.
“…I don’t like it.”
“Doing nothing just because you don’t like it is irresponsible. If you don’t like the way things are run, if you think it’s wrong, then you change it, Brother.”
“How am I supposed to change it…”
“You’re the eldest son. The one who will one day succeed Father as the Margrave.”
In a way, it was a harsh thing to say.
To have how you must live decided from the moment you are born, with no way to ever defy that fate.
Well… there is one way.
“It’s not like there’s no way at all. If you hate this and that, there’s exactly one way to escape your fate.”
“Really? What is it?”
“Run away. Give up all the privileges and the comfortable life you’ve enjoyed until now. Then you can be free.”
“…”
“With power comes responsibility. With rights come duties. Father wasn’t born a cold-blooded Margrave from the start. He had to become one. That was the only way of life he knew.”
As we shared this conversation while walking down the solemn hallway, a large door labeled ‘Command and Control Room’ appeared.
The guards standing at the door saluted as soon as they saw us.
In front of the door, through which Father’s voice could be faintly heard, I turned to my brother.
“Want to go in?”
“…Yeah.”
And so, I stepped into the Command and Control Room with my brother.
*
Inside the Command and Control Room, the atmosphere was busy yet solemn.
On the map of the territory placed in the center, several red pieces representing monsters were laid out, and opposite them, blue pieces representing the Margrave’s forces were lined up.
Father, clad in shimmering armor, was staring intently at the map, while men who appeared to be knights and staff officers were talking incessantly.
“A report from the scouts says a horde of goblins and orcs has been sighted in the western forest.”
“An ogre has also been spotted in the southern plains. A large number of goblins and orcs following it have also been confirmed.”
“What is the size of the western horde?”
“According to the scouts, roughly 100. Fortunately, the majority are goblins, with about 10 orcs.”
“Good. And the situation in the south?”
“Fortunately, only one ogre has been confirmed. However, the number of goblins and orcs is higher than in the west, confirmed at about 150.”
Father stared at the map in silence for a while.
Eventually, he placed a piece bearing the crest of the Margrave on a specific point on the map.
It was a point located between the western forest and the southern plains.
“Gerhardt, I will give you 10 knights and 50 each of infantry and archers. Drive the horde from the western forest and lure them to this point.”
“I obey your command.”
“Otto, you take 20 knights, 200 each of infantry and archers, and a military mage. You will also lure the southern horde to the objective point. Do you understand? It is a lure, not an annihilation.”
“Yes, Your Excellency. I will keep that in mind.”
“The remaining forces will all march to the objective point. The moment the monster hordes are identified, the entire army will encircle and annihilate them.”
Even in the Milfgard I knew, there were events where you encountered monsters.
However, an event where they appeared on such a large scale, requiring the mobilization of an entire army, had never existed.
‘As expected, this world is reality, not a game.’
Sneaking into the military briefing served as an opportunity to sharpen my awareness.
And seeing Luan, whose eyes were shining brighter than ever as he swallowed hard… it seemed it had been a good stimulus for him as well.
Soon, Father’s command followed, concluding the briefing.
“The number of monsters is small, but do not let your guard down. I will personally behead anyone who violates military orders. Do not forget that the well-being and peace of the people depend on this battle.”
“Yes, sir!”
“We march in thirty minutes.”
“We obey your command!”
As the knights and staff officers filed out like a receding tide, only a few people were left in the Command and Control Room.
Naturally, my brother and I caught Father’s eye, and he called out to us in a voice that sounded quite surprised.
“What brings you two here? I did not send for you.”
I gave my brother a light nudge in the ribs.
This is the time to score points; why are you just staring at me like an idiot?
‘Make something up! Say you couldn’t just sit still!’
‘No, why me…’
I took a step back, hiding behind my brother.
Fortunately, just before suspicion could cloud Father’s gaze, my brother spoke up.
“Well… I suppose you could say I became interested… since I heard you were personally heading out to the field, Father…”
“Interested? That is unexpected. I did not think you would be the one to feel that way, rather than Leon.”
Sure enough, the corner of my brother’s mouth twitched.
I don’t know why Father insists on comparing me and my brother at every turn… does he really not realize that it only makes my brother rebel more?
Sigh, anyway, I had to nudge him in the ribs again.
‘Look closely, Father is smiling.’
‘…You call that a smile?’
‘The corners of his mouth went up by about 0.5 degrees. It means he’s in a good mood.’
‘Hah, unbelievable…’
The incident of the profligate eldest son stepping into the barracks of his own accord was likely a pleasant surprise for Father.
As if to support my guess, Father approached us with the clanking sound of footsteps.
“To be honest, I am impressed, Luan. It pleases me that you sought this place out on your own, even without being summoned.”
“Thank you for saying so…”
Because Father’s praise was so foreign to him, Luan’s expression was a sight to behold.
Awkward, hesitant, and embarrassed… yet even so, a faint smile was spreading across his lips.
Good… everything is going according to plan…
“I had planned to send you to the battlefield next year or the year after… but it seems I can move that schedule up a bit.”
“Pardon? What do you mean by that…”
“Do not worry. I will not ask you to command soldiers and subjugate monsters just yet.”
“Ah, yes… I understand.”
Of course not.
What commander would give a mission to someone heading to the battlefield for the first time in their life?
Now then… I’ll just slip away and spend some quality time with Helena Maman…
“You come as well, Leon.”
“…I’m sorry?”
“I know you heard me perfectly. Do not think of playing tricks and follow us. Are you not my son as well?”
“Yes, Father.”
I saw Luan stifling a laugh behind Father’s back.
I know he doesn’t mean any harm, but… it’s still annoying.
Anyway, just as things seemed to be wrapping up, attendants suddenly appeared behind Father.
They were carrying two sets of luxurious armor and two precious swords.
“Um… Father? As you know, my brother and I have absolutely no actual combat experience…”
“I know. But as long as you are heading to the battlefield, you must be properly dressed and equipped. This armor was tailored to my proportions, so it may be somewhat uncomfortable, but put it on.”
Aha, he wants us to be figureheads.
He intends to show off the image of brave and responsible successors who take to the battlefield of their own will despite their young age.
‘Hey, we’re really not going to fight, right?’
‘If he intended for us to fight, he wouldn’t have given us such shiny armor. It’s obviously meant to stand out.’
‘Aha…’
Exchanging these whispers, my brother and I obediently donned Father’s armor.
Of course, we just stood there while the attendants did all the work of putting it on us.
“Come out when you are ready. I shall go ahead.”
“Yes, Father.”
We saw Father off with one voice.
*
My brother wore armor decorated with gold, and I wore armor decorated with silver as we stepped outside.
Under a clear, cloudless sky, our armor shone brilliantly, and before us stood about a thousand soldiers.
Appearing before that many soldiers on horseback, Father shouted in a thunderous voice, the likes of which I had never heard before.
“My sons shall join us in this subjugation operation!”
Immediately, a deafening cheer erupted from the soldiers.
I thought I heard some very propaganda-like whispers from somewhere, like, “To head to the battlefield with his young sons, as expected of His Excellency the Margrave…!”
One way or another, my father is truly an aristocrat and a politician to the bone.
‘Of course, it has nothing to do with me.’
This stage was solely for my brother in his golden armor.
I, in my silver armor, would simply wait for the right time and then disappear quietly.
Soon, a white horse was brought to my brother.
I was given a black horse to contrast with his.
“I don’t know how to ride a horse…”
“I don’t know how to ride either…”
As we stood there hesitantly holding the reins, Father approached and whispered to us.
“They are well-trained horses, so do not worry and just mount.”
“Yes, Father.”
As expected, our horses showed no reaction even when fledgling riders mounted them.
They didn't even make a snorting sound.
Furthermore, they even moved behind the white horse Father was riding on their own.
It seemed Father intended to march with his two children trailing behind him.
Finally, Father’s thunderous command rang out.
“All troops, move out! The main force will pass through the territory and move to the objective point!”
Sigh, I want to get this over with and go see Helena…