Chapter 182 - Episode 176: Questions
"Jeremy, thank you for the useful information earlier. Have you calmed down?"
"...Yes. Please excuse me for showing you such an unsightly side of myself earlier."
Jeremy answered, slightly taken aback by the strangely gentle tone Noein used.
Behind Noein, who had returned to the cell, stood Matilda, Yuri, and Radley.
"Don't worry about it. I understand your feelings well. I have a family I love too... Now then, Jeremy, seeing how you were earlier, it seems you've realized that you harbor a strong grudge against King Cadne. If I told you that I would give you an opportunity for revenge, what would you do?"
"...An opportunity... for revenge?"
"Yes. In exchange, I want you to abandon your country and defect to our side. I want you to tell me everything you know regarding the composition and formation of the invasion force, the locations of their campsites, and their route of advance. If possible, I'd even like you to accompany our scouts. If you do, I'll kill King Cadne... well, I don't know if I can definitely kill him, but at the very least, I'll make his personal campaign end in failure and drag his reputation through the mud."
"Wh-what, you intend to fight!? With... if I may be so bold, you intend to fight King Cadne's army with only a territory that isn't very large?"
Noein laughed at Jeremy, who had spoken the latter part hesitantly.
"Hahaha, of course that's the intention... This is the Arqvist territory. My land. Our home. I have absolutely no intention of letting the soldiers of an enemy nation stomp all over it. A small territory that's just right for a forward base? Don't make me laugh. I'll make them regret coming here so arrogantly."
Looking at Noein's expression, Jeremy sensed his sincerity. While shuddering at the slightly manic smile, he felt a glimmer of hope that this man might actually grant Jeremy's revenge, and might crush King Cadne's greedy personal campaign.
Maintaining that fearless smile, Noein questioned Jeremy.
"Now, choose. Will you maintain your pride as a soldier of the Lancel Kingdom for the sake of King Cadne? Or will you consider your former self in the Lancel Kingdom dead, choose me as your new lord, and start a new life here? I'm sure I'll be a good lord. I promise to reward your loyalty properly."
"...It might be strange for me to say this from my position, but Lord Arqvist is a kind man to both his subordinates and his people. I guarantee that if you show your loyalty through your work under His Lordship, you can lead a life better than most."
Following Noein, Yuri spoke as well.
"...Now that I have lost my wife and daughter, I have no lingering attachments to that country. I cannot serve that king. If I am to use this life, which has survived alone while I failed to protect my family... I wish to serve someone who will respond to my devotion. I swear my loyalty to you, Lord Arqvist."
After pretending to think for a few seconds, Jeremy looked straight into Noein's eyes and answered.
"Very well. I shall welcome you into the Arqvist territory, under my protection."
As Noein said this and gave a hand signal, the soldier serving as Jeremy's guard unlocked the iron chains that had bound him.
"...However, first you must demonstrate your loyalty through action. For the time being, Radley here will be your superior and your overseer. First, I want you to follow his instructions and cooperate in scouting the enemy's campsites and route of advance. Keep in mind that his evaluation of you will be my evaluation, so listen to him carefully."
"If you show any strange behavior, Noein-sama told me I can cut you down at any time. Watch your words and actions."
"Yes, I will keep that firmly in mind, Lord Radley."
When Radley spoke threateningly, Jeremy saluted with a solemn expression. Because the Lancel Kingdom referenced the systems of the Lordberg Kingdom at the time of its founding, the form of the salute was the same as here.
"Now then... there are a few more things I want to hear from Jeremy. Not as an interrogation of a prisoner, but as questions for a new comrade. Let's move to a proper meeting room instead of a cell like this."
.....
In the meeting room of the lord's manor, all the retainers, the platoon leaders of the territorial army, Gustav, the captain of the Claymores, Philip, the representative of the Merchant Guild, and the magic tool craftsman Daphne had been gathered.
As usual, Noein's seat was placed in the center front of the meeting room, with Matilda sitting beside him as an assistant, and Yuri standing nearby as the moderator. Furthermore, at the edge of the room, Jeremy was made to stand as the information provider.
"Now then, let's begin the military council and the discussion regarding the evacuation plan for emergencies. Jeremy, you don't need to be nervous."
"Y-yes. Thank you very much."
Despite saying so, Jeremy was stiff with tension. It was only natural, as he was receiving glances from the retainers that were overtly wary or trying to determine if he was friend or foe, and Radley was glaring at him from right beside him.
"First, regarding the immediate future... today, we will have Jeremy guide Radley out to scout near the enemy's campsites and route of advance to secure observation points. After that, we will continue to station guards to watch for signs of invasion... is that correct?"
"Yes, for now, there's no problem with that."
Yuri confirmed, and Noein nodded.
"After that... we will launch our attack three to five days from now, after the enemy begins to move. If we are to launch a surprise attack, the best time is after the enemy has started their march and their formation has stretched out in the forest, leaving them vulnerable. We will strike there. While attacking the enemy army to cause chaos, we will target King Cadne."
Noein had already approved this policy explained by Yuri... or rather, it was Noein's idea in the first place.
If they devised a plan to pinpoint and kill only the general, Cadne, everything would end the moment that failed. The territory would be trampled by an unscathed enemy army. Therefore, Noein believed they should inflict a certain amount of damage on the invasion force itself while killing Cadne or inflicting a deep wound that would render him incapable of recovery.
"Jeremy, you know what King Cadne looks like, right?"
"Yes, King Cadne came several times to inspect the clearing of the invasion route, and he had entered the campsite before I went out on reconnaissance. I haven't seen him from very close... but King Cadne's armor is conspicuous. You'll notice him instantly upon seeing him."
When Yuri asked, Jeremy answered while nodding.
"...You know what happens if you're lying, right?"
"O-of course."
Jeremy froze as Radley muttered from the side. If he did anything to betray the Arqvist territory, it had been decided that Jeremy would be executed cruelly, to the full extent of Noein's imagination.
"When the invasion force marches, do you know where King Cadne will be in the formation?"
"I wasn't told explicitly... but I believe he will be among the first 500 people at the front."
"...He's coming out quite far forward."
The one who muttered this was Pence. Jeremy answered again.
"King Cadne is praised as a brave king who stands at the front on the battlefield; or to put it poorly, he's described as someone who loves the spotlight. In this personal campaign, he will likely try to flaunt his presence by standing before the soldiers. Furthermore..."
"Furthermore, what?"
When Yuri asked, Jeremy continued, though he seemed to hesitate slightly.
"...It was said that the Arqvist territory, the first place reached after passing through the Bezel Great Forest, is an insignificant small territory. That occupying this territory would be like a warm-up. King Cadne was instructed that everyone should strive, as he would enjoy watching this territory be trampled from the front. Therefore, Cadne will certainly be at the front of the formation."
"...Tch."
Hearing Jeremy's explanation, an unpleasant atmosphere drifted through the meeting room. The martial retainers became bloodthirsty, and the others showed displeased expressions. Rick clicked his tongue overtly and glared at Jeremy.
"Ahahaha, everyone, calm down. It's not as if Jeremy thinks that way... right?"
"Y-yes. Of course."
When Noein asked with a laugh, Jeremy replied in a strained voice.
"If King Cadne is among the first 500 people, we just need to sever those 500 from the rear. With about 500 people, our forces have a sufficient chance of winning."
"As for the method of severance... would it be the explosive flame arrows after all?"
The invasion route carved through the forest was said to not be very wide. If they fired explosive flame arrows in a line to create a wall of fire, severing the formation would be easy.
"Right. We had 8 ballistas currently, didn't we?"
"Four more intended for shipment to other territories are completed! We can use those too!"
Damian, the blacksmith, spoke up from the side.
"Nice. It's an emergency, so let's use them without hesitation."
"What will we do about the 2,500 people in the rear after the severance? Even if we create a wall of fire with explosive flame arrows, they will eventually break through as time passes."
Explosive flame arrows scatter fire over a reasonably wide area and continue to burn for a while after impact, but there is a limit to severing the enemy even if they are landed in a horizontal line. They would likely merge back together in small numbers by circling around from the forests to the left and right of the invasion route.
"About that... I've thought of something. I'd like Daphne's cooperation on this."
"Me? ...I will do anything if I can be of help."
When Noein addressed her, Daphne showed a slightly surprised expression before smiling and saying so.
"Regarding the detailed strategy, those involved with the territorial army will remain and discuss it after this. Everyone else, please prepare for the eventuality... for when we temporarily abandon the Arqvist territory and evacuate to the Viscount Koenitz territory. First, Edgar, Kenooze, and Mai, you three tell the residents to prepare for evacuation. Philip, I want your cooperation as well."
At Yuri's instructions, Edgar and Kenooze, who managed the farmers who made up more than half of the residents, and Mai, who held the wide communication network of the Women's Association, nodded. Philip, the head of the Merchant Guild, also nodded.
"Next, Anna, Christy, and Damian, you three gather the documents and equipment. Ensure essential items can be moved immediately, and make sure non-essential items can be destroyed at any time. Leave the final judgment on what is necessary and unnecessary to Noein-sama."
What the civil officials Anna and Christy, and the technician Damian were to do was prepare for the reconstruction of the territory after the war, in case they had to abandon the Arqvist territory once.
Anna would gather the indispensable financial records of the Arqvist territory. Christy and Damian would gather experimental records of cash crops, workshop materials, and weapon manufacturing tools, and prepare to destroy what could not be carried to prevent information from leaking to the Lancel Kingdom.
"Konrad, continue to convey our situation and requests to the Viscount Koenitz territory via 'Far-Talk'. Bart, head to Retovik once to have more detailed discussions with Viscount Koenitz, and also serve as the liaison with Konrad."
Konrad's 'Far-Talk' was convenient, but for detailed discussions, it was more practical to meet face-to-face, and Bart, who had met with the people of the Viscount Koenitz house many times, was suited for the role.
"That's all for now... Noein-sama, if there is anything else."
Told by Yuri, Noein stood up and looked around the room.
"...In this territory, we have repelled everything that threatened our peaceful lives, whether it be monsters or bandits. It is the same whether it is the army of an enemy nation. We will win. We will win and protect this territory... protect everything that is ours."
In this world, one must protect one's own happiness. Those who cannot protect it do not gain the right to be happy. That is precisely why Noein and the others fight.