Chapter 432 - Episode 415: Return and Relief
The battle against a swarm of orcs so massive it would leave a mark on the kingdom's history was expected to be an extreme ordeal even during the cleanup.
After all, transporting the corpse of a single adult orc required either two golems, or twenty humans and one wagon. Immediately after the battle, both the puppet mages and the soldiers were exhausted to the point where they were in no state to begin cleaning up; it seemed the day would end with only the recovery of the dead and the treatment of the wounded.
The disposal of orc corpses. The removal of moats, obstacles, and ballista positions. Ensuring the safety of villages and processing plants within the forests ravaged by the orcs. These tasks were estimated to take a week, and it was anticipated that the schedule for this subjugation would be extended by about a week beyond the original plan.
Noein, who had pushed his personal giant golem to fight fiercely, was also exhausted, his magical and mental strength heavily depleted, and he rested inside a camp tent while Matilda cuddled close to him.
"Your Excellency Arqvist, excuse me."
Pence's voice called out from outside the tent. Feeling his body was heavy, Noein rose from the simple bed and stepped outside the tent accompanied by Matilda.
"It seems the casualties for the entire subjugation force have been tallied; a soldier from the Marquis's army came to report just now. There were twenty-six dead and forty-eight seriously injured in today's battle."
"I see... well, considering the opponent was over a hundred orcs, it can't be helped."
"I suppose so. Since she managed to operate a ragtag subjugation force without letting it collapse until the end, the position of that next Marquis should be secure for the time being, wouldn't you say?"
When war breaks out, the ability to lead and unify the forces of the Northwest Faction is one of the most sought-after skills for a faction leader. In this regard, it could be said that Edelgard, who fulfilled the role of general commander for the subjugation force, demonstrated a certain level of talent.
"What about our wounded?"
"According to the doctor's diagnosis, first, Radley has bruises. It didn't go as far as a broken rib, but there might be a crack, so he was told to rest for about a month without engaging in combat or training. Also, as for the Guard soldiers, one has bruises and the other has a broken arm... It's thanks to the jet-black armor that it ended with only this much."
In this battle, there were three injured from the Grand Duchy of Arqvist's army. Radley, who was blown away by an orc's attack, and two Guard soldiers caught up in a golem thrown by the Orc Kaiser. Both had seemed to be flamboyantly injured, but the actual injuries were relatively light.
"That guy Radley is already walking around and eating, spending his time however he likes."
"Ahaha, that's Radley for you... well, I'm just glad there were no deaths this time."
Leaving instructions with Pence to ensure the puppet mages and soldiers rested well today, Noein returned to the tent to get some sleep.
...
"My lords, thank you for your hard work in this battle. And Your Excellency the Grand Duke of Arqvist, I offer my thanks once again as general commander for the reinforcements from the Grand Duchy and for the participation of Your Excellency yourself as their sovereign."
One day, when the cleanup of the battlefield was mostly finished and the subjugation force was finally nearing disbandment, Edelgard spoke to the commanders gathered in the headquarters tent. Each of them gave a slight bow, and Noein, having been thanked individually, nodded back to her with a smile.
"Now then... let us divide the spoils of war."
"Finally, the time for the greatest pleasure."
When Edelgard spoke with a smirk, Baron Oggoren replied in a cheerful voice. A small ripple of laughter occurred.
Including those from the opening battle, about a hundred orcs had been slain. If this had been a hunt, it would be an unprecedented achievement.
Setting aside the meat, which had already passed a week, the profits from the pelts and magic stones alone were a fortune. The profits from bones and tusks, which serve as raw materials for fertilizer, ornaments, and magical paints, were also significant when multiplied by a hundred.
These would be divided among the noble territories that participated in the subjugation, according to the amount of military force they contributed. Aside from the prestige of having "triumphed over the great horde of orcs led by the Orc Kaiser," this was the only tangible benefit. Everyone's mood was inevitably uplifted.
Regarding the distribution of the obtained spoils, Edelgard had thought of a reasonable ratio in advance and proposed it as is.
The representatives of the high-ranking noble houses were not so greedy for money, and those from the lower-ranking noble houses could not possibly be so selfish in front of the faction's heavyweights, so the distribution proceeded smoothly.
"And so, Your Excellency the Grand Duke of Arqvist. Regarding Your Excellency's share... the Orc Kaiser's magic stone and corpse. Are you truly satisfied with only those?"
"Yes. The honor of having slain the Orc Kaiser—if I have the proof of that, it is enough. Besides, there are the gratuities I will receive from everyone."
Since Noein had mobilized an army from a foreign land, gratuities were to be paid to him by each of the high-ranking noble houses that participated in the subjugation.
Though they were tokens of appreciation, the heavyweights such as the Marquis and Earl houses, and especially the Viscount Ludo house whose territory had been saved, were expected to pay substantial amounts. When piled up, it would be an amount sufficient to cover the actual costs of the expedition and provide special rewards to the participants.
Additionally, he had the Orc Kaiser's magic stone and the entire corpse. The magic stone would be a memento of the subjugation and an asset for emergencies. The pelt and bones, especially the skull, could be turned into decorations and placed in the mansion to boast to guests about having slain the Orc Kaiser.
Since he had participated in the subjugation not to gain new profits, but to protect the common interest of the Northwest—the Limnee Forest where Semirawood is produced—there was no benefit in being greedy. This was more than enough. That was what Noein thought.
"...I am grateful, Your Excellency."
Edelgard bowed to Noein with a solemn expression, and the others followed suit.
The discussion ended quickly, and a few days later. After finishing the cleanup and resting for about two nights in Perve, the capital of Viscount Ludo's territory to recover their strength, the subjugation force was disbanded.
Upon the return of Noein, who had participated as a guest general, the main figures gathered to see him off.
"Your Excellency the Grand Duke of Arqvist. Once again, I thank you for your assistance this time."
"I am originally a member of the Northwest Faction as well, so I have merely done what was natural. Your command was wonderful. You showed your talent as the next faction leader to the fullest. I would be happy if the Grand Duchy of Arqvist and you could remain on good terms for a long time to come."
"Of course. I look forward to our continued relationship."
After shaking hands with Edelgard, Noein next shook hands with Earl Marcel.
"It was an honor to fight alongside you again, Lord Marcel. Please stay well until we meet again."
"...Hmph."
Earl Marcel only gave a short answer and a nod.
"Lord Oggoren, thank you for your hard work. Let us meet again. Please come visit anytime."
"Of course, Your Excellency. Please come to my territory anytime as well. If you are passing nearby, please do stop by. You will be welcome."
He hugged Baron Oggoren with a smile, and they lightly patted each other's backs. It was a friendly greeting, possible because they were personal friends.
After that, he finished his greetings by shaking hands with the other nobles and mounted his own horse.
The one who approached him then was Earl Marcel, who should have already finished his greetings.
"Lord Marcel? Is something the matter?"
"No... there is just one thing that caught my attention. The armor worn by Your Excellency's soldiers..."
As he began, Noein almost let his expression stiffen, but he held it back at the last moment and maintained his smile.
"My army's equipment? I don't believe there is anything particularly different from the norm..."
Noein looked around at his own soldiers. The jet-black armor they wore, combined with its lack of luster and the light movements of the wearers, looked like black-painted leather armor at first glance. Perhaps due to the characteristics of the jet-black steel, there was almost none of the clashing sound characteristic of metal armor.
The shields had dents that made it impossible to hide that they were made of metal, but since they were loaded on wagons and covered with cloth during the march, they were not visible now.
While Earl Marcel had an unsatisfied expression, he did not commit the rudeness of approaching the soldiers to stare closely at the armor.
"Even when receiving attacks from the orcs, the soldiers of the Grand Duchy's army seemed to have relatively few casualties... something... no, it must be due to their high level of training. Forgive me, I spoke strangely. Please be careful on your way home."
Still with an unsatisfied face, Earl Marcel walked away.
"............Did it leak?"
"I wonder. He seemed to feel a sense of incongruity... but Earl Marcel surely wouldn't reach the conclusion that it's magical metal armor using the technology of an ancient great nation."
Yuri, riding alongside him, answered Noein's mutter.
"Well, I guess so... if it leaks, it leaks. It's not something that can be hidden forever."
The equipment of the Grand Duchy of Arqvist's army was being updated to jet-black steel. Once the update was complete, he would not be averse to disclosing the manufacturing method, exporting the materials, and spreading jet-black steel to friendly nations.
Noein decided not to worry too much about it and ordered the departure.
...
"Buaaaaaah!"
"Waaa~! Father, that's amaaaaazing!"
When Noein, having returned to the mansion in the capital city of Noeina, showed the corpse of the Orc Kaiser to his family, he received a reaction from the children similar to when he had shown them the wyvern's head before. That is to say, Philia burst into tears before the terrifying monster, and Eleos stared with sparkling eyes.
Noein gave a wry smile and ruffled Eleos's head, then walked toward Clara, who was holding the sobbing Philia. Matilda followed behind him.
"I'm home, Clara."
"I have returned, Lady Clara."
"Welcome home, dear, Matilda-san... it seems you were very active this time as well. I've heard the rumors of your fighting style."
"It's already a rumor?"
As Noein opened his eyes slightly, Clara nodded with a laugh.
"After the subjugation ended, the wounded soldiers of the territorial army who returned immediately to Earl Koenitz's territory spread the rumors, and they flowed into the Grand Duchy of Arqvist. Apparently, you used your personal golem to forcibly pin down an Orc Kaiser who was two heads larger than a normal one, and then you ripped its head out by sheer force to kill it, is that right?"
"Ahaha! They're just telling it however they like..."
Noein couldn't help but burst out laughing. As expected, tales of bravery seemed to spread with great exaggeration.
"The hero who saved the nation, the wyvern killer, and now the Orc Kaiser killer... your aliases are increasing rapidly."
"True... if possible, I'd like to live peacefully without standing out too much, but I suppose it's too late for that now."
Considering his achievements so far, it was unreasonable to wish to live quietly and inconspicuously in the frontier. Thinking this, Noein muttered.
"For now, I'm tired. Let's all rest slowly as a family for a while."
Noein took Eleos's hand and, with Matilda by his side, entered the mansion alongside Clara, who held Philia.
The season was already at the entrance of winter. At least until spring arrives, the peaceful days Noein desired were waiting.
[Author's Note]
Volume 2 of the book version "The Happiness Tale of the Twisted Lord" is finally on sale today.
With significant additions and beautiful illustrations by Takashima Shoa-sensei, I believe the content will be enjoyable even for those who have read the web version.
I would be happy if you could pick up a copy. Thank you very much.
Also, as information was released on the wrap-around band of Volume 2, a manga adaptation project for this work is also underway. Please look forward to further news.