Reclaiming the Imperial Throne (3)
About Arthur... just watching should be enough for now. For the time being, I'll focus on what I need to do.
First things first: keeping the Imperial Knights in check. To counter the forces marching alongside Vivi, the Imperial Knights have ventured beyond Sirius's walls. Well, more accurately, they had no choice but to leave.
In large-scale battles like wars, defense usually holds the advantage over offense—especially with fortifications like walls. But... that's only if you have sufficient defensive forces.
In a situation like this civil war over imperial succession... especially when most of the defenders have lost their will to fight aggressively due to all the virtuous deeds, journeys, and rumors... holding the walls won't be easy.
Particularly for a knight order that specializes in cavalry charges across open plains.
They're abandoning their strengths to hunker down in defense. And another reason: with their numbers, they couldn't possibly replace the wall defenders anyway. You can't ride horses up on the battlements, after all.
So, for those reasons... the Imperial Knights slipped out beyond the walls to deal with Vivi's advancing forces. To hold terrain favorable for defense. To leverage their cavalry advantages. To repel the attackers on the capital.
Just as I'd anticipated.
Honestly, holing up in Sirius for a siege wouldn't have been a problem... but what can you do? Arthur doesn't want blood spilled.
If they're loyal to the emperor, they'll surely block Arthur's path, and their blood flowing is inevitable. Frankly, a little blood wouldn't hurt... but oh well. Arthur wishes otherwise.
So, facing Vivi's advancing forces, the Imperial Knights plan to standoff against troops with no intent to fight. Dragging out time fulfills their role adequately, and even if they catch on and swiftly retreat... I can handle that.
They'll probably turn back with high likelihood, though. I've ordered the forces with Vivi to camp across the river and hold position.
Avoid fighting if possible; if unavoidable, minimize sacrifices with harassment tactics only. No blood spilled.
Of course, there's a bridge over the river, but it's not wide enough for the entire knight order to cross quickly. Unless it's some reckless fool, it won't escalate to battle.
In that scenario, what choice will the Imperial Knights make? Obviously, retreat.
With only the knights dispatched ahead, facing off against forces camped across the river? Holding a prolonged standoff? Seeing the signal fires rise and knights rushing out the gates in haste... they probably didn't pack much food.
For them to drag out a standoff against Vivi's forces without provisions? Unlikely. They won't insist on field operations while starving for days. They'll turn back soon.
No soldiers can fight on empty stomachs.
That's why I'm standing at a spot fairly distant from Sirius's walls.
Let's see... hmm. This distance should work.
A location well removed from Sirius's walls—far enough that the entire city could fit between here and there with room to spare. This might just do the trick.
Alright, then. I don't know how well this rock body will hold up to my power, but... shall I erect a wall here?
I lightly kick the ground beneath my toes a couple times.
The rock at my feet begins to rise slowly.
Hmm. Rough stone should suffice for now. If it needs polishing, I can always mobilize the populace later to stack bricks.
With that, the earth on either side of the rising rock follows suit, then the earth beside that, and beside that.
A line of rocks rising in sequence. A continuously ascending wall of stone.
A wall tracing a vastly larger circle centered on the same point as Sirius.
If there's a flaw, it's the shallow river flowing in and out of Sirius—there's no wall there. Eh, minor issue. We can ignore it.
It's overkill as a barrier against the Imperial Knights, but if I think of it as a gift for the emperor-to-be, Arthur... hmm, not overkill at all.
Sirius's defenders start to stir at the sight of the rising wall.
Natural reaction, seeing a massive wall sprout up far from the one they're guarding.
Whatever. Ignoring them, I gaze into the distance from atop the wall—gate-less, for now.
Let's see. The Imperial Knights have spotted the waiting forces and are on alert.
They're not charging first... either a competent commander, or Vivi's formation deters easy attacks?
Well, with Vivi there, reckless charges wouldn't work anyway.
Still, minimize the blood. Better none at all.
Vivi alone could annihilate the knights with a barrage of magic arrows. Once battle starts, she won't hold back... so massive bloodshed is certain.
I'd hoped otherwise... ah.
The Imperial Knights are turning back.
They must've judged Vivi's camped forces too risky to assault.
A bit of time passes, and upon retreat, they encounter my wall.
"What... is this...?"
Oho. They're flustered. No wall before they exited, and now one stands tall—worthy of panic.
"A ghost's lament, truly. A wall that wasn't there before we left has risen..."
"What now? We can't return to Sirius like this."
"Grr... We can't ride up a rock wall like this... Scout around it first. There might be a gap somewhere!"
"A bare rock wall like this—we might climb it on foot!"
"You gonna abandon the horses and go in? Find another path first! Scaling on foot comes after!"
At the commander's words, the flustered Imperial Knights quickly regroup and begin circling the wall, searching for a passage.
Hmm. The gap... well, the shallow river section is open. Not deep, so they could probably ford it.
Hmm... no helping it. Time for another wall.
This one accounting for the river.
I position myself midway between Sirius's walls and my new one, then kick the ground a couple times again.
Rocks rise once more, forming a wall. Faster this time, since I've done it before.
Differing from the first: the surface is incredibly smooth, like stacked masonry.
And I've addressed the river: an arched bridge connects upstream to the wall, supported below by... stone pillars rising from the riverbed to hold the arch. More precisely, pillars thrusting up from the bottom to brace the bridge.
Anyway, this setup blocks river passage.
The new wall, midway between the two—shall we call it the intermediate wall?
From atop it, I watch the knights spot the river gap, confirm no wall there, send a man to test the depth, realize it's shallow, and start crossing via the river toward the outer wall.
Hmm. Quick thinkers. Competent bunch... but how about against another wall?
The intermediate one's smooth surface should thwart easy climbs...
The knights can be left as is for now.
Now, what about Arthur?
I glance toward him.
Arthur, face grim, glaring at someone. A middle-aged man boldly addressing him—Immortal Crown on his head marks him as the emperor.
The emperor points accusingly at Arthur, bellowing. Arthur glares back, hand on his sword hilt.
Their exchange doesn't drag on. The emperor has no means left to guard against Arthur's blade.
He'd kept a few elite knights close besides the order, but all lie beheaded by Arthur.
Arthur, averse to needless blood, didn't spare those dying to shield the emperor—his vengeance unblunted.
Among the fallen were well-trained knights, but none could best Arthur.
Thus, defenseless, the emperor met a hollow end by Arthur's sword.
The futile death of one who stole his nephew's seat to claim the throne.
