Chapter 241: I Will Present a New Paradigm of Warfare (1)
Chapter 241: I Will Present a New Paradigm of Warfare (1)
The death of Irmiri Sirjosia.
The death of Queen Messalina.
Everyone knows how futile it is to try and weigh the value of a human life, yet the deaths of a Vice-Viscount and a Queen carried undeniably different weights.
"Is Fermaton about to descend into total chaos?"
A great frost was about to sweep over Fermaton.
No one could hide their grim expectations, and sure enough, the one to pull back the curtain on this grand upheaval was Irmiri’s older brother, Irsenti Sirjosia.
—I shall punish Ruji Fermaton, who slandered and murdered my brother!
Though he didn't dare openly declare he would kill a Fermaton, Irsenti raised a massive army under the pretext of "punishment." Without a formal declaration of war, he led his soldiers across the border into the Fermaton territory.
While territorial wars between two lords were common enough, the fact that the target was Fermaton made it a matter of continental concern.
However, in a cruel twist of fate, the Queen—who would normally have mediated such a clash—had passed away. The royal family had no room to spare for Fermaton’s troubles.
Even if they had wanted to send a mediator, Irsenti had already invaded the territory and slaughtered Fermaton’s people.
War was now an absolute certainty.
Regardless of the reason, a member of the Sirjosia family had been killed by Fermaton’s hand. A territorial war was the natural consequence.
—We came to the Infinite Labyrinth to earn a living, not to throw our lives away in some petty war!
—Dying while raiding the Infinite Labyrinth is one thing, but dying in a territorial dispute like this? There’s no honor in that!
—It’s not like I’ll starve to death without Fermaton. I’ll just be an adventurer somewhere else!
The adventurers of Fermaton refused to participate in the war.
—Don't think mercenaries will always fight just because you throw money at them. Even we won't join a meaningless war like this.
—Maybe if the pay was astronomical, but if you’re paying in Ruji Coins, forget it.
—I heard the Sirjosia side is emptying their coffers to pay their troops. Wouldn't it be more profitable to just take their down payment and run?
The mercenaries of Fermaton did not side with the territory either.
—The Magic Tower is an institution for researching magic. We cannot officially intervene in territorial wars.
—Assisting in warfare is also impossible. Unless it is a great crisis threatening the extinction of humanity, we will not use magic to kill people.
—Even if the Tower Master gives the order, we mages are individuals who must be respected. The Count of Fermaton cannot simply issue us commands.
The mages of Fermaton’s Magic Tower also maintained a neutral stance.
No one was coming to Fermaton’s aid.
—Is Fermaton really finished this time?
Common sense dictated that in a battle between a County and a Viscounty, the County should hold the advantage.
But Fermaton was an exception.
—Does Fermaton even have five hundred soldiers they can mobilize?
—Fermaton is a place forbidden from possessing 'military force,' so it’s probably even less than that. They’re a Count’s family, yet they don't even have thirty knights.
The Kingdom was extremely wary of Fermaton possessing military power, and the number of their private soldiers and knights was strictly limited.
By the 'Law' of the Kingdom.
In contrast, how many troops had Sirjosia mobilized?
—Hey, I heard Sirjosia called up five thousand men.
Over five thousand.
One might wonder how a Viscounty could gather such a number, but Sirjosia had mobilized every single resource the family possessed.
—What? Did they even put spears in the hands of frail old men?
—The guy lost his mind because his brother died.
—Still, can they secure military funds that quickly?
—Sirjosia has always received heavy support from the Kingdom. They were meant to be the spear and shield that would strike immediately if Fermaton ever rebelled. That’s how it is.
—There’s that, but I heard they’ve staked the very fate of their house on this army! To the point where the Sirjosia Viscounty might vanish even if they win!
Truly every resource.
Staking the very fate of his noble house, Irsenti had drawn his sword for his brother’s revenge.
—Damn, coming for Fermaton with everything he has just because his brother died... that’s actually a bit admirable.
—Right? But didn't they say the brother died because he messed with the Count’s property? I heard it was a Succubus and a Siren!
—What? No way. Killing a noble over a few beasts?
Public sympathy, even among the people of Fermaton, was leaning toward Irsenti.
—It’ll be a problem if Fermaton actually goes under, though.
People simply hoped that Ruji Fermaton wouldn't die.
Not because he was the Count.
—Ruji Fermaton doesn't have an heir yet, does he?
Simply because he was the only Fermaton without a child.
—Then they can't just kill Ruji Fermaton, can they?
—You idiot. There’s always been a protocol for when a Fermaton gets out of line.
—Ah, that?
If there was ever a Fermaton who dared to run wild and reckless...
—Cut off his limbs, leave only his reproductive functions intact, and kill him the moment he produces an heir?
—Exactly.
It would be enough to raise someone with Fermaton blood from a young age as a mere tool for the 'Greater Good.'
* * *
Bwaaaaaaa—!
The sound of a horn echoed loudly.
While the soldiers and 'workers' in the midst of war preparations headed outside, I moved flags across a map of the area where we would face the Sirjosia troops, reviewing our strategy.
"Our forces are severely lacking. Is this all we could hire with money?"
"My deepest apologies, Your Excellency."
Lambert, the commander-in-chief for this battle, bowed his head in apology.
"It is my failure. Public opinion has soured because I carried out the executions too severely."
"No. I was the one who gave you the orders. If there is responsibility to be had, it lies with me."
"Your Excellency..."
The moving gaze Lambert sent my way was honestly a bit burdensome, but I was truly grateful to him right now.
"And haven't you volunteered to go out to the front lines yourself to take responsibility? That alone is a great help to me."
Thanks to Lambert volunteering as the field commander, I wouldn't have to directly deploy all my women into the war—a selfish thought, perhaps, but a relief nonetheless.
"Serica and Yoanna will be of great help."
Of course, I had sent a minimum amount of support.
Yoanna, who was more well-versed in territorial warfare than in Labyrinth combat, was lending her wisdom without reservation, and Serica was currently waiting impatiently for the enemy to arrive.
"Remember. Minimize our casualties and annihilate the enemy."
"I will keep it in mind, over and over. However, I doubt much of our blood will need to be spilled."
Lambert wore a thin, cold smile.
"With the revolutionary tactics born from your brilliant mind, Your Excellency... we might just wipe them all out without getting a single drop of blood on our hands."
"I hope so."
The number of human soldiers we could mobilize was limited, but we could use as many 'Demonkind' as we had captured as slaves.
"If we properly utilize the powers of the Succubus and the Siren, there’s no reason we can't stop them. I will take full responsibility for deploying demons in war, so you focus only on victory."
"May I think about what comes after victory as well?"
Lambert bowed his head with the loyal posture of a true knight.
"If we win this battle, please give Viscount Irsenti Sirjosia to me."
"Give him to you? You mean you want him as a slave?"
"Ah, what I meant was that I wish to send him to the same place his brother went, in the same manner."
"Good."
At times like this, he was truly reliable.
It was a bit of a contradiction to call him a reliable 'Gay Knight,' but since he proved his competence so clearly, it was hard to complain.
"Sir Lambert. I feel a bit burdened by physical proximity with you, but in spirit, I truly wish to pat you on the shoulder."
"The words alone are an honor. Truly, for the son of that man to come this far..."
"Enough. Let’s not speak of that."
I cut Lambert off before my stomach could turn.
"One more thing: kill the enemies without mercy, but capture as many as you can. While the core of this tactic is capturing the enemy, one can never be too sure."
"What should be done with the women?"
"The women and the elderly will be taken as prisoners and then made into Fermaton citizens. They won't live inside the Inner Castle; they’ll form a settlement near the Water Park and live there."
"Then... the men?"
"Do as you wish."
"...Heh."
Lambert licked his lips, but quickly remembering he was in my presence, he corrected his expression.
"My apologies, Your Excellency."
"It’s fine. Maintaining your composure like that in front of me is very desirable."
The way Sir Lambert was changing was quite reassuring.
"If the Kingdom ever tries to shame Fermaton in the future, and we happen to capture the Crown Prince, I’ll give him to you."
"......."
Ah.
Was that going a bit too far?
"It’s just a 'what if.' A 'what if.' Surely the royal family wouldn't actually try to strike our Fermaton? Hahaha."
"I, Lambert—"
Lambert saluted me with perfect form and shouted.
"I shall pierce every man who dares eye Your Excellency’s women with this spear!!"
"Right. Then, first, over there."
Bwaaaaaaa—!
"Go and show Irsenti Sirjosia exactly what the power of 'Fermaton's Golden Spear' looks like."
The enemy had entered the tactical zone.