Chapter 248 - Episode 241: Information Sharing
Leaving the care of Julian's family to Clara and Kimberly, Noein departed the Arqvist territory the following day as planned.
He had hastily added one more carriage to the party to bring along Julian, a survivor of the Kivileft family, and his guard, Ernst.
Because they had fled Laden in such haste, they possessed no useful information, but since he had taken them under his protection, he could not simply fail to inform the King. He decided to bring them along for the time being so that they could at least provide a formal report.
They traveled the road that usually took half a day with even greater urgency than usual, first linking up with his stepfather, Viscount Arnold Koenitz. Two days later, they joined forces with Marquis Siegfried Bechtolsheim, forming a convoy of carriages from the three houses and escorting cavalry as they headed further east toward the Duchy of Halsberg.
They did not waste the time spent on the journey. Marquis Bechtolsheim, Arnold, and Noein shared a carriage belonging to the Marquis's house, striving to share information. Or rather, Noein and Arnold received information from Marquis Bechtolsheim.
The "Far-Talk" communication network with the south had been severed for a long time; currently, if one wanted to gather detailed information quickly, there was no choice but to move one's own personnel. In such a situation, the great nobles with larger territorial armies and wider information networks were the most powerful sources of intelligence.
"...To think that the family of Count Kivileft's legitimate heir was alive. And of all places, to flee to Lord Arqvist's side."
"I was surprised, or perhaps appalled... well, the fact that Julian Kivileft and the others are alive isn't exactly useful for the war effort. They didn't possess any beneficial information."
Noein answered Marquis Bechtolsheim's words with a sigh.
"He is your half-brother, is he not? You are harsh."
"Does Arnold-sama say the same things as Julian... give me a break. There has been no brotherly interaction or courtesy until now, so I'm exhausted by the way he's suddenly relying on me so smoothly."
As Noein grumbled with a tired expression, both Marquis Bechtolsheim and Arnold laughed slightly.
"Now... to the main point. There are several things I wish to share, but basically, it is nothing but bad news."
Inside the carriage containing only the three men, Marquis Bechtolsheim abruptly shifted the conversation in an ominous manner.
"First, regarding the situation in the southern part of the kingdom, more than half of the south has fallen under the control of the Republic of Betumia. Marquis Bittenfeld in the southeast has holed up in his capital and is reportedly still holding out... but the territory of Marquis Galdwin in the southwest has fallen into enemy hands."
Hearing that dire news, both Noein and Arnold gasped.
"While they also holed up in the capital, it seems they collapsed from within because food reserves were insufficient due to the famine. As a result of the capital's fall... Marquis Galdwin and his family were all slaughtered. It seems everyone died except for a few legitimate grandchildren who had been sent outside the territory in advance."
"...That is..."
"...How cruel."
Both Noein and Arnold had met and spoken with Marquis Galdwin. While there had been friction between the northwestern faction and the southwestern faction, Marquis Galdwin was, at the very least, a rational person worthy of respect and fitting as a leader of the noble factions.
"Marquis Bittenfeld is preparing his siege by collecting food from the people with considerable ruthlessness, but Marquis Galdwin reportedly did not go that far. That became the dividing line between life and death for the two houses... With this, the situation in the southwest has likely worsened even further."
"...The situation is more severe than I thought," Noein managed to mutter.
"Additionally, we have learned a few things about the enemy's equipment. The reason Betumia's invasion speed has been abnormally fast is apparently because they have modified their carriages. It is believed that they have carved magic patterns into them to assist the undercarriage with magical power. In essence, the entire carriage has become a magic tool."
"I see... they have thought of it well," Arnold let slip words of admiration with a complex expression.
"Regarding those carriages, would it not be possible to capture one, decipher the mechanism, and manufacture the same for ourselves?"
It was Noein who asked. In response, Marquis Bechtolsheim showed a grim expression.
"I wonder. If we could show the actual object to a skilled blacksmith or magic tool crafter, it might be possible... but there is likely not enough time to mass-produce and put them into practical use. Even if we steal the technology, that is a matter for after the war. First, we must consider whether the kingdom will still exist after the war ends."
"...Indeed, you are correct."
Noein nodded in agreement with the Marquis's words.
"Also, this will be news for Lord Koenitz... we tried to ascertain the safety of the House of Baron Hancock in the southwest, but it remains unknown. My apologies."
"...Given the circumstances, it cannot be helped. It is not something for Your Excellency to apologize for. Rather, I am grateful for your concern for my sake."
From the perspective of Arnold's eldest daughter, Clara, the House of Baron Hancock was the home where an older sister—even older than Lory—had married. Considering the current state of the southwest, they had to consider the possibility that she was not safe.
However, Arnold answered Marquis Bechtolsheim with a calm voice and expression. Noein thought that Arnold had prepared himself in his own way.
"Lastly... a preliminary meeting prior to the full-scale military council in the ducal territory. Given the situation, there will be nobles who cannot arrive by the day of the council, but the heads of the major houses in the northwest and northeast should make it in time. From there, His Majesty is likely expecting a good strategy to emerge."
Having said that much, Marquis Bechtolsheim let out a small sigh.
"To be blunt, the war situation is desperate. From here, I want a strategy where victory is realistically visible... even if it's not a miracle move. At this rate, the northern nobles will all perish in a final charge, deal one blow to Betumia, and that will be the end. It is honorable, but there is no meaning in losing and having the country perish."
"That said, it likely won't go so smoothly. A plan to overturn this war situation..."
"..."
Marquis Bechtolsheim and Arnold discussed the matter with gloomy faces. Beside them, Noein remained silent.
"...Lord Arqvist, you are intelligent. Have you thought of any good ideas?"
Without expecting too much, but with an expression containing a sliver of hope that perhaps... Marquis Bechtolsheim asked.
Noein looked back at the Marquis, then turned his gaze to Arnold, and opened his mouth with a smile.
"I have thought of one. There is no guarantee it will work... but it might possibly be a move to turn the tide."
"What?"
"Is that true? Please, let us hear it."
At Noein's words, the two widened their eyes. While maintaining his smile, Noein recounted the plan he had devised.
The more Noein's explanation progressed, the wider Marquis Bechtolsheim and Arnold's eyes grew. Their faces turned pale.
By the time Noein finished speaking, both had lost their words. It was that terrifying of a plan, one far removed from the general values and ethics of the Roadberg Kingdom's nobility.
"With my brain, this was the only thing I could think of."
"...No, I believe it is an effective strategy. I do... but that is, far too..."
As Noein spoke with a faint, bitter smile, Arnold muttered with a stern expression.
"...However, we no longer have the luxury of choosing our means. If we shun an effective strategy based on emotion, the country will perish. I do not know how His Majesty will decide... but as soon as we arrive at the ducal territory, I will arrange it so that you can petition His Majesty."
After showing an expression of deep thought for a while, Marquis Bechtolsheim spoke.
A few days later, the party including Noein, Arnold, Marquis Bechtolsheim, and additionally Julian, arrived safely in the Duchy of Halsberg.