Chapter 295 - Episode 288: To the East
Twenty days had passed since the ceasefire agreement was signed. Without any particular disputes, the withdrawal operations of the Betumia Republic Army in the west were proceeding.
Of the nearly sixty thousand soldiers remaining in Betumia's western invasion force, nearly forty thousand had already boarded transport ships and were on their way home. By now, the Lordberg Kingdom's Western Army and the Lancel Kingdom's Army had also entered the capital of Count Ahatz's territory, overseeing the withdrawal of the Betumia soldiers.
"...That General Patterson really intends to be the last Betumia soldier to withdraw from the west, doesn't he?"
"It seems so. Even as an enemy, he is a magnificent general with nerves of steel."
In the office of the Ahatz family estate, which had been returned to the Lordberg Kingdom, Noein exchanged these words with Count Marcel while gazing at the port.
General Donald Patterson had stated that he would never leave until every Betumia soldier who had returned to this port had boarded their ships. In other words, if the withdrawal was not completed within the deadline, he was prepared to die under a renewed attack from the Lordberg Kingdom's Western Army.
To stake his own life as a general on the completion of this withdrawal operation. Noein and the others could not help but show respect for his personal resolve.
Incidentally, Grand Army Commander Irene Foster had already returned to the home country to report, acting on General Patterson's orders. To Grand Army Commander Foster, who had come to say her farewells at the end, Noein had carefully instilled what she should achieve after her return.
"Well, at this rate, it looks like they'll be able to achieve a complete withdrawal within the deadline..."
As Noein muttered this, the Chief Attendant Yuri entered the room with a knock.
"Your Excellency, preparations for departure are complete."
"I understand, thank you for your hard work... Excellency Marcel, I am heading toward the Kivileft Earldom."
"Yes. I believe there is no longer any danger, but please be careful on your journey."
"Yes, thank you. Then... as of this moment, I, Viscount Noein Arqvist, delegate all authority of the Commander-in-Chief of the Lordberg Kingdom's Western Army to Count Edmund Marcel."
"I, Count Edmund Marcel, have duly received all authority of the Commander-in-Chief of the Lordberg Kingdom's Western Army. From here on, I shall take all command of the Western Army... Now, you may go. I will responsibly fulfill my duties until the Western Army is disbanded."
"Yes. Then, I shall see you again at the ceremony for rewards and promotions."
Leaving the office, Noein departed the Ahatz family estate accompanied by Yuri and Matilda. In the front garden, which had a wide space that could also serve as a military assembly point, the escort unit accompanying Noein—and the primary figures of the Western Army—were lined up.
The eldest son of Viscount Frederick Koenitz's house, Baron Viowulf Rosbroke, Baron Tobias Oggoren, Baron Noah Wikander, Viscount Snelson Barassen, and Baronet Bellad Adrau. Along with them, hundreds of people, including other lower nobles, regular soldiers, and those who appeared to be peasant soldiers, were lined up.
"...What is this?"
"The members of the Western Army wished to see Your Excellency off on your departure. The main officers and those among the soldiers who were free have gathered."
Yuri explained the situation to Noein, who had a blank look on his face.
Furthermore, Frederick stepped forward from the line and gave a salute to Noein.
"Viscount Noein Arqvist-sama. It is only because Your Excellency took command that we are able to end this war alive. I am honored to have faced this battle under Your Excellency."
Following Frederick, everyone in the line saluted. It was charming that the imitation salutes of the peasant soldiers didn't quite look right.
"...Thank you. I am also proud to have fought with you all."
Noein smiled for a moment, then tightened his expression and returned the salute.
...
Having left the capital of Count Ahatz's territory, Noein's party proceeded along the highway, seeing the sea far to their right, and plains, hills, and forests to their left.
"...Still, this magic carriage is amazing. If it could be mass-produced in the kingdom, transportation and distribution would develop greatly."
Noein muttered while bathed in a breeze that faintly carried the scent of the tide.
For the travel to Laden in the Kivileft Earldom, magic carriages captured from the Betumia Republic Army were being used.
Noein and Matilda, Yuri, the Guard led by Pence, the sniping unit led by Rick, and a single platoon of the Claymore led by Alain were divided among six two-horse magic carriages.
Radley, Dant, and Gustav were not here, as they were serving as commanders for the Arqvist territory army remaining in Count Ahatz's territory.
"I heard there are over fifty captured magic carriages in the west alone. There should be some that the Betumia Republic Army leaves behind because transport isn't in time. It should be sufficient as research material for mass production."
"True... I want a few for my own territory. I want to give them to Damian and Daphne to have them analyzed. Besides, for a while after the war, my business going outside the territory will likely increase, so I want to use them for travel."
"Considering Noein-sama's achievements, if you told the King or the Minister of Military Affairs that you wanted some, they'd probably give them to you readily."
Swaying in the cargo bed of the second magic carriage from the front, Noein had this conversation with Yuri. Matilda stayed quietly by Noein's side, and several members of the Guard, including Pence, were also riding in the same carriage.
From the capital of Count Ahatz's territory to Laden in the Kivileft Earldom, it would normally take ten days even if rushing. However, thanks to the magic carriages, it was expected that the journey could be shortened to about a week.
There were post towns at regular intervals along the highway, and since it was a transportation hub, it was said that the Betumia Republic Army had not ravaged it much. With no trouble finding a place to sleep and few dangers on the road since the ceasefire, it was a peaceful journey of simply swaying in a carriage.
"...! A signal to stop from the front. We are stopping."
The Guard soldier serving as the driver called out and stopped the carriage. Immediately, Pence and the others disembarked and surrounded the carriage, taking a defensive posture.
"Betumia soldiers ahead to the left. About ten of them."
A soldier from the lead carriage reported. When Noein and the others looked that way, a group of Betumia soldiers was indeed running toward them.
"An attack... no, that can't be."
"We're a convoy of magic carriages. They probably mistook us for the Betumia Republic Army."
Just as Yuri predicted, the Betumia soldiers ran toward them with expressions of joy, but stopped in their tracks when they realized those in the magic carriages were not friendly forces.
Then, they approached anyway, throwing away their weapons and raising both hands.
"Surrender! Please let us surrender! Take us as prisoners!"
A Betumia soldier who seemed to be the leader of that small unit shouted and knelt near Noein and the others. The other Betumia soldiers followed suit.
A cloth stained with painful-looking blood was wrapped around the leader's arm, and it was clear even through the cloth that several fingers were missing. The other Betumia soldiers were also injured, and those wounds were clearly sustained in the last few days, after the ceasefire.
"...Attacked by peasants, I assume."
Muttering this, Noein stepped down from the carriage. Matilda and Yuri followed behind him.
Recently, remnants hunting had been carried out by kingdom citizens who harbored growing resentment toward the Betumia Republic Army. As retribution for the assaults, rapes, and looting they had carried out as they pleased, it was said that Betumia soldiers captured by the people were being killed in gruesome ways.
It was only natural that they thought it would be better to be captured by the regular army.
"We are currently traveling for important military business. I'm sorry, but we don't have the leeway to take you as prisoners."
When Noein said this, the Betumia soldiers' expressions became desperate.
"Follow this highway west and return to the port where you landed. A ceasefire agreement has already been concluded between both armies, and the Betumia Republic Army is preparing to return to the home country. The cities are already under the management of the Lordberg Kingdom, but if you say you are returning, you should be able to enter without problem."
Hearing this, the Betumia soldiers' expressions brightened instantly. Noein suddenly thought of something and added.
"...I don't think there are many days left until the last transport ship departs. Aside from important persons and their acquaintances, regular soldiers who don't make it in time might be left behind without mercy. If you aren't close relatives of Betumia's politicians or bureaucrats, you'd better hurry."
"Tch! U-understood. We are grateful!"
The Betumia soldiers stood up as if sprung, and ran west without even picking up the weapons they had discarded.
"...Same as always."
"Ahaha, thank you."
Noein answered with a laugh to Yuri, who was smiling wryly with an exasperated face.
...
The journey to Laden in the Kivileft Earldom proceeded without incident, and on the evening of the seventh day, as Noein was swaying in the cargo bed of the carriage as he had every day, the soldier serving as the driver raised his voice.
"The stone walls of Laden are in sight! We will arrive in about twenty minutes!"
Hearing this, Noein leaned out from the cargo bed of the carriage and looked ahead. Even with Noein's somewhat poor eyesight due to his reading habits during childhood, he could see the outline of the stone walls surrounding the giant port city.
The others also looked ahead while remaining seated. Matilda placed her hand on Noein's waist so that he wouldn't fall while leaning out.
"...To think I'd end up returning in this manner."
Noein muttered. A little strength entered Matilda's hand resting on his waist.
Yuri and Pence said nothing, but complex emotions surfaced in their expressions.
For Noein, Laden was the hometown he was never supposed to see again. It was a loathsome land ruled by the opponent he had to spend his life avenging.
But now, he was facing that Laden. The opponent to be avenged was no longer there.
Matilda, Yuri, and Pence all shared the same grudge against the Kivileft Earldom.
The magic carriage carrying Noein and the others proceeded quietly, and the stone walls of Laden gradually drew closer.