Chapter 67
Chapter 67
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 67
Chapter Title: The Supply Bases Fall
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Having finished the battle, I remained stationed in the Galran Mountains, keeping watch over the surrounding situation.
"Report! In the clash between Crossing and the Europe forces on the Riatt Plains, Crossing has seized the key position and driven off the enemy!"
"Urgent dispatch! The allied forces of Albad and Bekavia are advancing! Svenner has abandoned the Elon Plains and fallen back significantly! It seems the Svenner army is wary of us striking from the side!"
Victory reports poured in one after another, like a dam breaking.
With this, the tide of this war had turned.
Just as in the main story, the Byulang allied forces would claim victory.
'At this rate, they might even switch to the offensive.'
Sure enough, the Byulang camp was showing signs of preparing an assault.
Even though it was undoubtedly a solid choice, I felt an inexplicable sense of unease.
This war seemed tangled with too many variables for things to proceed so straightforwardly.
'The Western nomads who appeared out of nowhere... They might hold the key to this war.'
With that in mind, I summoned Eonia before any moves could be made.
"Lord Als? You called for me."
"Yes, I have a favor to ask."
"Is it about the operation? Perhaps putting me at the vanguard of the pursuit!"
"No, it's a personal matter. Eonia, I need you to head back to Rainpole right now and fetch me a book."
"A... book?"
"It's a rather special one. It's not in the study—it's behind the wardrobe in my room. The cover should say Athena War Tales. There are upper and lower volumes; bring both."
The book in question was none other than the one where I'd transcribed the main story from my memories, just in case they faded.
It might contain clues about the Three Great Generals that I remembered.
Eonia tilted her head.
"If it's something like that, wouldn't it be better to send Ymir? She's the one who manages your room, after all."
"Ymir... I have other plans for her."
Because it wasn't wise to let anyone else see its contents.
It detailed not just the main story but every personal bond event for each commander. To an outsider, it would seem like a blatant spoiler or the ravings of a madman.
Even if Ymir read it, she'd keep her usual poker face, so I couldn't tell if she had or not.
Eonia, on the other hand, wore everything on her sleeve.
"I'm telling you in advance: do not look at the contents of that book under any circumstances. Can you promise me that?"
"I shall keep it in mind!"
"Good. Then head out right away."
"Yes, sir!"
Even though the war was already tipping in our favor with no major variables left, I decided to make whatever preparations I could for any contingencies.
The next day at lunch, as I was leisurely resting, Duke Helian arrived with a message.
"Wade. Word has come from Byulang's main camp."
"Telling us to advance the front line in step with the Albad forces?"
"Exactly. They're ordering us to push forward to the forward sector of Haksen."
Byulang was showing its intent to prolong the war.
It was the best course of action. The enemy's morale was low, and the Tunkai army had suffered irreparable damage, upsetting the balance of power.
"What shall we do?"
"...Let's wait a bit longer."
"Wait?"
"Our forces on the flank have no need to move hastily. We can advance after the central front has pushed forward sufficiently."
"Byulang won't like that."
"We can tell them we lack the spare capacity to advance due to the sheer number of prisoners and wounded to handle. Which is true, isn't it?"
"Hmm, very well. I'll relay that for now."
And so I chose to remain in the Galran Mountains, but the other fronts were different.
Of the eight fronts, the remaining seven—all except ours—advanced into enemy territory simultaneously. The alliance launched a full offensive.
*
*
*
The allied forces began their swift advance.
The Chimera Alliance, with its front lines collapsing, retreated helplessly, ceding territory.
To me, it looked almost like they were luring us in.
'As I thought, something's up...'
But I couldn't pinpoint what that something was.
'What could possibly create a variable in this war situation?'
At that moment, Duke Helian rushed into my tent and said,
"Wade, urgent word from the main camp. We have to move now, or Caliper's diplomatic position will become awkward."
"Even though the war's turnaround is thanks to our victory?"
"We could certainly use that to deflect, but is there any need? Advancing now is the wise move. Whatever you're worried about, that is."
Had a time limit been imposed?
Unwilling as I was, there were no other options left.
"...Very well. Duke, please oversee the preparations for departure. We'll begin the march in two hours."
"Finally...! I'll get right on it!"
Duke Helian dashed out.
About thirty minutes later, Eonia suddenly appeared.
"Lord Als. I've brought the item you requested."
"Already? Even by carriage, it's a four-day trip."
Far from four days, she'd returned in a day and a half.
"I changed horses and rode through the night!"
"I didn't mean for you to push that hard.... Well, your timing is perfect right now."
Thanks to her, I could align it just before departure.
"By the way, Eonia, you didn't look at the book's contents, right?"
"Of course not!"
It was just to be safe, but her innocent expression held no trace of deceit.
I opened the book and first checked the section on the Chimera War from the prologue.
—Protagonist Cassius Lloyd, deployed in the Chimera War, slays two enemy officers in battle against the Svenner Kingdom and leads a small skirmish to victory.
—The war ends in victory for the Byulang allied forces, shaking up the diplomatic landscape of every nation.
—Cassius Lloyd is scouted by Prince Eldric through this war, securing special admission to Pensylon Academy.
The question that arose now was why the protagonist needed special admission.
I'd attended the academy steadily and secured my spot without issue.
'Probably because he was a slave. He couldn't attend regularly like I did.'
That made sense, but it raised a new question: why had the protagonist been a slave?
I couldn't find that in this book, so I hurriedly searched for the section on the Three Great Generals.
It took some time, as it was near the end of the book.
It was from the latter part of the story.
After founding a new nation on the ruins of the fallen Bekavia Kingdom, the protagonist soon faced a crisis.
The Crossing Republic had amassed a massive force for a punitive expedition.
—Juras Pamillion leads 100,000 troops invading the border. The protagonist faces peril.
It was early in the nation's founding, so proper forces weren't assembled yet.
The protagonist could muster only 60,000 at best. That wasn't enough to repel Crossing.
To devise countermeasures, the protagonist gathered his vassals and held a council.
And there, someone says,
—Don't worry. I've called for reinforcements. The Three Great Generals will come to our aid. With their help, we can drive off Crossing's villains.
My mind reeled.
'One of the protagonist's vassals was colluding with the Western nomads!'
The game hadn't delved deeply into the Westerners. It was probably covered in an upcoming update.
'But who?'
Who had ties to the West?
'Damn, I can't remember who said it.'
In the game, it was just a single line of text, hard to recall in detail.
Even when writing this book, I hadn't remembered, marking it only as 'someone.'
If I'd just entered Als's body, I might have recalled, but five years had passed since then. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't remember who.
'Too many candidates.'
All seven of my vassals had attended that council, no less.
'Could it be one of the seven? But the tone doesn't match the Saintess, Relief Squad, or Master Craftsman...'
The speech pattern resembled my master, Lutger, or perhaps Gaspar.
'No, there were countless others at that council besides the seven vassals. No need to fixate.'
Any of the protagonist's subordinates could be the Western collaborator.
Even Als might have said it.
That would make the Western nomads his backers.
Conversely, it could mean the Westerners were the ones who framed Als.
'Complicated.'
Still, there was progress. One backing faction was the Western nomads. It was reasonable to view the closely linked Svenner Kingdom as another.
The remaining mysteries were the identity of the other backing faction and which side Als was on.
'I'm inching toward the truth. If I uncover what King Parain was hiding, I might get even closer.'
The silhouette of the traitor was gradually emerging.
And with this, Eonia's stock rose anew.
As a conditional participation character, she might not be present depending on playthroughs, so the game devs wouldn't give her such a key line.
At least Eonia was cleared of suspicion.
"Thank you so much, Eonia. The long trip must have been tough."
"Not at all!"
Despite her words, her body was covered in dust. She'd clearly ridden day and night without sleep.
Her lack of flexibility was exasperating, yet appreciated.
I pulled out a handkerchief and wiped her face.
"Seriously. You're the only one I can rely on. But next time, take it easy. I worry if you always push like this."
"Eek...! Y-yes, I'll remember."
Eonia hadn't expected such high praise for just fetching two books and looked stunned.
Soon, she grinned sheepishly.
"Hee hee, is there anything else to fetch? I'll dash anywhere to get it."
"No need. This is plenty."
"But what significance does that book hold? You seemed in such a hurry."
"It holds clues to this war."
"Clues in that book...?"
Eonia tilted her head, wondering how a mere book could have clues.
But in reality, I'd discerned the enemy's intent from its contents.
'Someone colluding with the West. Someone in league with Svenner Kingdom.'
If such a person was on the allied side?
Then the enemy's movements made sense.
'This is bad.'
I shot to my feet. Just then, Duke Helian entered my tent, preparations complete.
"Wade, departure is ready. We can move at any moment..."
"Forget that. Send word to the rear supply bases immediately! Enemy spies have infiltrated them!"
"What?!"
But it was too late.
Soon, a messenger came stumbling in, breathless, and began his report.
"Urgent—!! Yullin, Gerard, Jeran, Cockley, and other rear supply bases have been raided and destroyed by the enemy!"
A total of twenty-two supply bases were lost, with all stockpiled provisions burned to ash.
This was a fatal blow, reversing the allied forces deep in enemy territory into a desperate position.