Chapter 450 - Episode 433: The Best Start to a War
The journey from the Grand Duchy of Arqvist to the County of Kivileft was calm and without incident.
After leaving the Grand Duchy, the third wave was also split into two units, moving in groups of several dozen. Since they were hiding their identities, it was actually more relaxing than their usual journeys, where they would attract attention by flying the flags of the Grand Ducal House.
It had been seven years since Noein had last visited the southeastern part of the Kingdom. Moreover, they were traveling via a different route than before. Gazing at unfamiliar scenery, passing through unknown streets, and eating local cuisine, it became a journey that felt like a simple vacation—a reward for themselves before facing the coming great war.
After that, one month later, they safely entered Laden, the capital of the County of Kivileft.
"...Well, from here on, I have to get fired up."
"Yes, Noein-sama."
Noein muttered while gazing through the carriage window at the streets of Laden, where reconstruction had progressed and the vitality from before the Betumia War had been mostly restored. Matilda nodded in response.
It was already the beginning of July. According to the subjects of the Rhodeberg Royal Family who traveled to and from the Republic of Betumia, the invasion force of the Betumia Republic Army would land in the latter half of July. Considering that the timing might shift slightly depending on sea conditions, it would not be strange for the enemy to attack at any moment in two weeks' time.
From now on, Noein and the others must coordinate with the primary nobles constituting the Kingdom's Eastern Army, proceeding with a rapid assembly and the preparation of subsequent operational maneuvers. From today, it is wartime.
The carriage entered the estate of the House of Kivileft, where Noein alighted accompanied by Matilda.
Those who had come to welcome them from the advance party were only officer-class individuals such as Yuri, Radley, Rick, Dant, and Alain.
It would be terribly conspicuous if hundreds of outsiders were moving in a swarm, let alone entering the estate of the House of Kivileft. Therefore, the Grand Duchy Army soldiers who had entered the County of Kivileft ahead of time were staying in Laden and its outskirts in small groups, disguised as merchants, travelers, or mercenaries to avoid drawing attention.
"Your Highness Grand Duke Arqvist, thank you for your hard work during the long journey."
Yuri spoke as a representative while the subordinates saluted.
"Thank you for welcoming me. You all worked hard as well... Were there any problems with the movement of the first and second waves?"
"Yes. We completed the movement without drawing particular attention and without any major problems. Regarding secrecy... since we moved in units of several dozen, we likely stood out to some extent, but I believe it did not reach the point of becoming rumors among the common folk."
"I see, that's good... Now then."
Saying so, Noein shifted their gaze from Yuri to the master of this estate—their half-brother, Count Julian Kivileft.
"Count Kivileft. I am grateful for this. I shall be in your care for a while starting today."
"This is a natural duty as a noble of the Rhodeberg Kingdom. I welcome Your Highness Grand Duke Arqvist and your party from the bottom of my heart."
"Thank you... It's been a while, Julian."
Once the greetings as nobles were finished, Noein spoke as a private individual, and Julian showed a bashful smile.
"Yes, Big Brother. I am glad to see you are doing well."
Even after achieving a certain level of reconciliation, Noein and Julian had met several times. At the banquets hosted by the Rhodeberg Royal Family held in Lichthagen roughly every two years, they had maintained an exchange to the extent of having tea together while attending.
Now, they had become capable of speaking with an atmosphere befitting brothers.
"You have just finished a long journey; are you not tired?"
"I suppose... well, the way was relaxing. But if you say I'm tired from being shaken in a carriage constantly, then I am."
"Then, please rest for the time being. We shall discuss the war after that."
Julian said this and personally guided Noein to the guest room.
.....
After settling in upon arriving at the County of Kivileft, Noein began the war preparations.
Using the 'Far-Talk' communication network, they contacted nobles including Marquis Bittenfeld and confirmed the assembly procedures for after the Republic of Betumia's invasion force landed.
Then, they completed equipment inspections and transport/deployment preparations so that the Grand Duchy of Arqvist Army could move at any time.
The Grand Duchy Army, possessing Ballistas and golems, took up a lot of space just by conducting inspections and formation drills. For the necessary space, Julian lent them a fort near Laden that was currently hardly used.
About one week after Noein's arrival, the Rhodeberg Kingdom Navy set sail from the port of Laden ahead of the arrival of the enemy invasion force. Under the guise of a training voyage, they planned to move east, return via a detour, and strike the flank of the Betumia Republic Army's maritime transport network.
Julian would accompany this navy, bringing a portion of the County of Kivileft Army with him.
While receiving advice from assistants such as Baronet Ernst Alessandri, Julian had reportedly spent several years organizing a unit specialized in naval combat, considering that the County of Kivileft would become a keystone for the defense of the Kingdom's coastal areas. In this operational maneuver, the true value of that unit would also be tested.
When about two more weeks had passed—a report arrived that the silhouettes of the ships of the first wave of the Betumia Republic Army's invasion force had been spotted off the coast of Osterreich.
In response, the Central, Western, and Eastern armies began their movements for assembly. The Grand Duchy of Arqvist Army also began preparations to move to the assembly point set on the side closer to Osterreich, past several noble territories to the west of the County of Kivileft.
Noein watched as the soldiers and puppet mages, totaling just under five hundred people who had been waiting in dispersion, gathered at the assembly point located on a plain behind the shadow of a forest near Laden, where they would not be easily seen.
"In the end, the enemy landed at Osterreich as planned... That is the best result."
"Whether the enemy's landing point matched the secret agent's information was the biggest concern. Now, just as planned, we only have to strike the enemy who have invaded deep into the Rhodeberg Kingdom's territory from three directions."
Yuri nodded at Noein's mutter.
If the enemy had attempted to land at a port city other than Osterreich, their defense plan would have been greatly disrupted. If the enemy had come to this Laden, the Grand Duchy of Arqvist Army, along with the County of Kivileft Army, would have been forced into a desperate urban battle.
The enemy landing at Osterreich. The fact that they had passed this most important stage according to plan was very significant.
"...The assembly is almost complete. Now then, Your Highness Grand Duke Arqvist, a few words to them."
"I understand. Matilda, the Voice Amplification magic item."
"Yes, Noein-sama."
Noein received the Voice Amplification magic item from Matilda and stood upon a simple platform made of bundled wooden crates. Behind Noein, Pence and the Guard raised the flag of the Grand Ducal House of Arqvist.
"Attention everyone! Words from His Highness Grand Duke Arqvist!"
Yuri raised his voice, and the soldiers and puppet mages focused their attention on Noein. Noein looked around at their spirited expressions.
This was an instruction to those who would now face a great battle—a battle to win a long peace for the Grand Duchy of Arqvist and its surrounding regions.
"...Strong soldiers and mages of whom our country is proud. The battle we now face is an unprecedented great war that will decide the future of the Grand Duchy of Arqvist—no, the southern part of the Adleon continent."
Noein's words, carried by the Voice Amplification magic item, shook the silenced air.
"However, there is no need to fear. The situation of this battle is different from the battles we have experienced until now. We are not fighting after being caught in an enemy surprise attack. We are fighting knowing the enemy is coming, after having prepared a perfect system. It is the enemy who will be surprised. We are not outnumbered either. We can confront the enemy with equal or superior combat power."
The battle against the bandit group. The battle to defend the fort in the Southwestern Great War. The battle of Bezel. The Betumia War. The battle against the Kingdom of Virgoa in the northern part of the continent. In every battle, Noein and the others were always required to make a comeback from a disadvantaged position, and they had somehow managed to do so.
However, this time was a battle met under the best possible circumstances. The goal was not merely "not to lose," nor a narrow victory after immense attrition. A complete victory where friendly losses are minimal and the enemy is annihilated. This was a battle where such a victory could truly be aimed for.
"A battle promised victory by God. A battle to protect our homeland. A battle to bring a happy future to our families and our children. Let us overcome this battle and all return to our homeland together. With peace as our spoils of war, and a happy future as our medals. We shall return to our families with those in hand... For that, we fight now. Now, it is time to depart."
When Noein finished speaking, the Grand Duchy Army soldiers and puppet mages saluted all at once. The hard sound of fists striking jet-black steel breastplates echoed as a single mass.
"Form ranks! Prepare for departure! From this moment, we, the Grand Duchy of Arqvist Army, march toward the assembly point of the entire Eastern Army!"
Following the instructions of Chief of Staff Yuri, the army moved as one.