Chapter 118
Chapter 118
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 118
Chapter Title: The Betrayed Marshal Betrays
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"...We'll head there right away."
Upon receiving Gerhard's orders, Roger Fitz, who had been waiting in Jutenbach, hurried toward Phegethon as soon as he heard the news of its activation.
"...It's pretty barren around here."
"The whole area is like this."
"..."
"Lord Victor, I presume?"
"Yes."
Having received prior notice, Roger was able to recognize Victor's group in their black uniforms and approached them as they looked around.
"I'm Roger Fitz, infantry officer with the 7th Legion."
"Victor Stilberg."
Roger shook the hand Victor offered, flinching slightly at how Victor introduced himself with his family name—unlike the rumors he'd heard.
"His Excellency the Field Marshal is leading the troops from Rento. Ah, Rento is..."
In his fluster, he mentioned a local place name as if explaining it to officers from the south.
"Pushing them all the way to the heart of Este Kingdom... the enemy must be fierce."
"...That's right. You're familiar with the south as well?"
Before Roger could correct his slip, Victor responded as if he'd known all along, leaving him stunned despite having heard multiple times from Gerhard just how capable Victor was.
"I know it to some extent. Could you give me a quick rundown of the current situation?"
"Ah... Understood. This isn't something to discuss out in the open, so let me guide you to the barracks."
"Yes."
Roger, who had blurted out the question on impulse, snapped to attention at Victor's response and led the group to the barracks.
A short while later, Roger brought them to his own tent, had them sit, and pulled out a stack of documents from beside his desk, spreading them open.
"Currently, His Excellency the Field Marshal is commanding the 7th Legion in alliance with the forces of Este Kingdom and Ecni Kingdom. We clashed with the enemy at Malacho, but..."
"You said he's at Rento now, so you were pushed back."
"Yes. The Ecni Kingdom troops deemed it impossible to defend Malacho, which is close to open plains, and withdrew first, forcing the Este Kingdom forces to fall back to Rento as well."
"..."
"What are your plans, Lord Victor?"
After hearing the explanation, Victor closed his eyes as if deep in thought.
He stayed silent for a few minutes, then suddenly scowled.
-Thud.
"I am here as the proxy of Her Majesty Luise Zeinburg, to carry out her will."
"...!"
He drew the sword from his side and placed it on the desk.
Roger's eyes widened as he recognized its shape, identical to the one Gerhard occasionally carried.
"I have a duty to resolve this as quickly as possible, so I intend to head to Rento today."
"Ah, understood. We've already coordinated with Este Kingdom, so we can go straight there. Then, the carriage..."
"I'll handle my own transport. No need to prepare anything."
"...Pardon?"
Even more shocking was Victor's declaration that he'd go without a guide, causing Roger to shoot to his feet in surprise.
"Wait a..."
"Let's go."
Victor's group moved so swiftly that Roger's outstretched hand grasped only air.
Roger insisted on guiding them personally and trailed persistently after them. But now that I'd spotted the suspicious movements of the swarming red dots on my minimap, joining at a normal pace would likely leave too little time to reorganize command and respond to enemy attacks. Since even I could check the elves' positions and terrain via the minimap, allowing quicker movement than anyone else, I wrote him a liability waiver stating I wouldn't hold him responsible even if threats arose around me, finally shaking him off.
"Is it that serious?"
"Five days at latest, three at best. We're short on time."
Anna, who'd been with me for so long, picked up on it immediately and moved without hesitation.
"Legion commander—no, Count—uh... argh! Lord Victor!"
"...What's wrong?"
"No guide? What do you mean?!"
Erika came up to me, her face full of confusion.
"..."
"Miss Erika. Calm down."
"Miss Anna?"
"Unfortunately, there's no time for a full explanation. For now, just follow the general's orders."
"...?"
It was tricky to explain, so as I hesitated, Anna stepped in first with a non-explanation for Erika.
"Have you been to Este Kingdom before, miss?"
"No."
"I-I don't know the geography of Este Kingdom at all either!"
"It's fine. The general knows."
"Really?"
"I don't know."
"Huh?"
Erika's mouth kept going despite Anna's utterly illogical response.
"Then, you're not coming?"
"Ugh... Fine, I'll come!"
I had no intention of stopping, so I kept walking in silence, and rather than ask more, she eventually followed behind us. As we filled our canteens and packed our bags to prepare for departure...
"..."
Roger approached with an anxious expression, silently watching our preparations. His gaze kept drifting to the sword at my waist, suggesting he'd given up on stopping me, though he still couldn't shake his unease.
"Don't worry too much. Ah, could I borrow just one flag?"
"...Yes."
To make things more certain, I asked for and took the 7th Legion's flag from him.
"Let's move out."
Once everyone was ready, we set off toward Gerhard, waiting for me in Rento.
Rento could be called the heart of Este Kingdom.
"Hm... See that up ahead? The log palisade."
"Yes, I see it. Have we arrived?"
"Looks like it."
"..."
Not far from the Empire's border, we'd avoided patrolling elves and arrived before sunrise.
"...Seriously, how did you do it?"
"You'd best get used to it. The general's always been like this."
"What, some kind of magic? I mean..."
"Something like that."
"..."
While fumbling to ready the 7th Legion flag, Erika chatted with Anna behind me.
A quick glance showed Erika looking utterly baffled, not understanding a thing.
"Prepare to make contact."
"Got it."
"Miss Erika."
"Eep... Yes."
"Stick close behind me."
"Yep."
I raised the 7th Legion flag high.
"Soldiers of the 7th Legion!"
Emerging from the woods, I shouted loudly toward the sentries.
"What the...!"
"Lower your weapons! I am Victor Stilberg, come here bearing the will of Her Majesty Luise Zeinburg!"
"...Please wait a moment."
"Victor...? Hey, go report it quick!"
Showing the flag and holding my sword out front, some soldiers hurriedly ran inside the palisade.
Maintaining distance from the alert soldiers, I waited for someone to emerge.
-Creak.
Soon after, the palisade gate opened, revealing Gerhard and several Imperial officers.
"!"
Spotting my face, Gerhard strode right up to me.
"You've come! Finally!"
"Greetings, Your Excellency the Field Marshal."
His voice and gestures brimmed with vigor, but up close, exhaustion and stress etched his face.
I dismounted and shook his hand.
"Hm. Victor Stilberg... Count, is it?"
"Yes."
"Hahaha!"
True to the man who'd written my letter of recommendation, Gerhard laughed heartily instead of surprise at my confirmation.
"Good. It hasn't even been long since I requested you, and here you are so swiftly. I'm truly grateful."
"It must be because Her Majesty recognized the gravity of the situation and spared no support."
"True, I'm grateful for Her Majesty's grace, but..."
He leaned in a bit closer.
"At least for now, you're more welcome than she is."
"Haha..."
He whispered the friendly words softly.
"Your adjutant, and... Erika of the Bauer family?"
"Yes, Your Excellency."
"Coming all the way out here—good work. Come, let's go inside."
"Understood."
I walked with him through the palisade gate.
"...I've heard about the situation."
"Oh?"
As we walked, I broached the topic casually, and he gave a faint smile while looking at me.
"Then you know what role I expect you to play?"
Nodding to the man who seemed to grasp the situation well and was asking about next steps.
"Her Majesty always strives for the Empire's interests, so I merely follow her will."
"Hm... And?"
But he seemed to want a more direct answer, so.
"Her Majesty commanded me: 'Show that arrogant Lavria Republic the overwhelming might of the Empire.'"
"Hm."
"She granted me full authority but made no separate mention of Este Kingdom or Ecni Kingdom. Doesn't that align with her intent as well?"
"Oh..."
Declaring my intent to handle the near-hopeless allied forces as best I could.
"That's exactly what I wanted."
Gerhard grinned in satisfaction, reaching to pat my back but instead lowering his hand for another handshake.
"...Count on me."
As I clasped his hand, he nodded with a smile.