Chapter 10 – Two countries on the brink of conflict

Upon receiving urgent news from the imperial capital, a meeting was convened at the fortress, gathering all the warriors. Kai, a high-ranking warrior responsible for leading the warriors in this fortress, ascended the platform.

“Kai-san, what is the meaning of this…?”

“Prepare for war with the empire—what exactly has happened?”

“Does it have any relation to the envoy we sent the other day…?”

Kai sighed once and lifted his face.

“The empire has presented our country with an outrageously unreasonable demand. His Imperial Majesty has taken a resolute stance in response.”

Kai then proceeded to explain the sequence of events. It seemed that the empire had sought unequal trade deals with the imperial nation.

Furthermore, horses offered by the nomadic people of the grasslands, which were originally meant to be presented to the empire, were demanded to be handed over entirely.

“Foolish…!”

“Do they mistakenly believe the Amatsuki Empire is a vassal state of the empire…!?”

“The source of the current chaos on the continent…!”

This is troublesome. I’ve learned a bit about the empire’s methods since then. There’s no doubt that the empire intends to invade the imperial nation.

They start by presenting somewhat unreasonable conditions and testing whether they comply. If resistance is shown, they find a reason to initiate an invasion, relying on military strength. If they comply, they continue with even more unreasonable demands.

“Calm down. That was a story from quite some time ago.”

“”Eh…?”

“His Imperial Majesty had no intention of dealing with them seriously from the beginning and hadn’t replied. In the midst of this, the envoy from earlier appeared…”

According to the envoy, the imperial nation had entered imperial territory and unilaterally massacred local residents.

In compensation, they demanded the surrender of the princess of the imperial family, Mayo-sama, payment of reparations, and the transfer of some other rights.

“What!?”

“What are you saying!?”

“Are they claiming that we invaded imperial territory and committed slaughter!?”

“Nonsense! Proud warriors like us wouldn’t engage in slaughter!”

They’re probably referring to the bandits we cut down. It’s a stretch, but when a great power calls black white, even white turns black. And the empire must have regained enough power to do just that.

Within the empire, there’s a growing sentiment that retaliation against the imperial nation for the deaths of many of their people is necessary. If we accept their conditions now, we can suppress the voices of those nobles… that’s what the envoy said. But the decision the imperial king made in response…

“He ordered the envoy’s head to be cut off and sent it back to the empire.”

“……!”

The envoy’s head…! Has the imperial king made up his mind…!?

But if we go to war with the empire, the imperial nation won’t emerge unscathed either. They must know that.

I had hoped there might be more room for negotiation… but all the warriors around me are in agreement with the imperial king’s actions.

“Of course!”

“Such insolence…! Surrendering Mayo-sama is out of the question!”

“They’re treating us like a vassal state…! Who do they think they are…!”

…That’s right. When the imperial family is involved, people of the imperial nation don’t back down. Surrendering Mayo-sama would undoubtedly be considered a hostage situation, and sending her into the hands of the empire would likely lead to a grim fate; that much is foreseeable.

If the empire was intentionally provoking, knowing this, it would be a significant move. However, it’s likely just a coincidence. But then I spoke up.

“The empire’s numbers in terms of soldiers undoubtedly surpass those of the imperial nation. While the quality may favour the imperial nation…”

When it comes to actual combat, winning might be quite challenging. However, the warriors raised their eyebrows at whatever I was about to say.

“The empire’s soldiers are nothing to fear!”

“That’s right! Whether it’s a few regular soldiers or whatever, we warriors won’t fall behind!”

“We’ll show those imperial scoundrels… the strength of the imperial nation’s warriors!”

I acknowledge their strength. I have no intention of losing to their average soldier.

But no matter how superior individual martial skills may be, there’s a substantial risk of being overwhelmed by sheer numbers. It’s because there are limits to physical stamina.

Moreover, the empire’s vast territory and large population play a role. Naturally, they have a greater number of nobles and individuals with insignias.

Even if not all insignia holders are suited for combat, there’s no denying that, on average, they become a more potent force than regular soldiers.

“Vyril! You’re a warrior of the imperial nation now. Believe in the strength you’ve honed until today!”

It seems they thought I was losing confidence in my own abilities. That’s not the case, but for now, it’s certain that I am a warrior of the imperial nation.

Perhaps a battle is inevitable at this point. In any case, the people of the imperial nation have no intention of avoiding it. If it comes to this, they are determined to resist fiercely.

“…………….”

This is probably the moment when I need to steel myself.

To ensure I won’t lose my place again. To use the strength I’ve acquired for that purpose. The moment when I go all out and confront the situation head-on!

“…I apologise for appearing hesitant. My determination is set. Let’s do this…!”

“Oooooo!!”

“A military force with supplies is heading from the imperial capital. The empire will likely attack directly. Let’s build defensive fortifications!”

“Understood!”

Come to think of it, what about Karan-san? Has he already left the imperial capital?

It bothered me a bit, but from that day on, I worked with the soldiers to build fences and contribute to the creation of defensive fortifications.

■

Maibar Caldo welcomed the imperial knight order that arrived at the Caldo  territory at the lord’s mansion. Currently, both of them, the knight order leader and Maibar , were exchanging drinks in a room.

While both were sitting on luxurious sofas facing each other, scantily clad women, wrapped in thin cloth, attended to them on either side.

The cleavage revealed prominently protruding nipples, and the transparency allowed a clear view of the feminine form. From behind, their backs and buttocks were fully exposed.

All the women serving drinks and food were dressed similarly.

“Adrldon-dono, you’ve come from a distant place. Well, please relax and heal your fatigue at my home.”

Adrldon Nogrest, the leader of the Ionclad Knight Order, one of the many imperial knight orders, was a large-built man. Small scars adorned his face and arms, indicating a seasoned knight who had been in the frontline for a long time.

“…What about them?”

“Do you find them to your liking? I brought them from nearby villages to welcome you. Feel free to take as many as you like for the commanders’ comfort.”

Unusual noises could be heard from outside the mansion. Knights and soldiers who infiltrated the capital were enjoying the food and drinks Maibar provided.

“But for Adrldon-dono, who played an active role in the previous war, to visit… The central command is quite serious, aren’t they?”

“As one of the knights in the past, I once invaded a country in these lands. They said I should have a good sense of the terrain…though I’ve never been to the imperial nation.”

Adrldon chuckled. Before becoming the leader of the knight order, he had fought in this land. He reminisced about that time, rubbing the scars on his arms.

Maibar, with a woman sitting beside him, ran his fingers into her chest. The woman displayed a pained expression but she remained seated without leaving.

“However… I don’t see many cavalry troops. What’s the reason?”

“Ah, it’s not that we haven’t organised them. We’ve heard that the imperial nation has many mountains and forests. We thought infantry would be more suitable for battle. Besides, our Ironclad Knight Order boasts heavily armoured infantry, providing an impenetrable defence.”

“The renowned Ironclad Heavy Infantry..I see.”

Pouring alcohol into the now-empty cup, the woman did so with a frightened expression. Adrldon nodded in agreement.

“It’s the result of reforms carried out by the current knight representative. With the combined forces of our knight order and Maibar-dono’s territorial forces, we have around 25,000 troops. It should be enough to bring down the imperial nation.”

Maibar, releasing his grip on the woman’s chest, now slid his fingers into her private parts. Though she displayed a frightened expression, she remained in her seat.

“Yes! …But the warriors of the imperial nation are said to be highly skilled. They haven’t faced invasion from other nations for a long time.”

Geopolitically, there was always only one neighbouring country, and they had never invaded or been invaded. In terms of historical length, the imperial nation had been around longer than the empire.

It was a small country, but there might be some trouble…Maibar pondered. However, Adrldon quietly smiled.

“This time, I was honoured with the mission from His Majesty to lead the knight order invading the imperial nation. I’ve done some research about the imperial nation.”

“Oh…?”

“That country essentially maintained independence by not expanding its territory. It has managed to preserve its independence by maintaining reasonable relations with neighbouring countries. It has never sent royal family members for marriage, which, in turn, has allowed them to establish an effective governance system centred around the royal family… But, it’s all possible because it’s a small nation.”

In the first place, the imperial nation had never bordered a great power in its history. When it finally bordered the empire, an internal conflict had just begun. Thus, the imperial nation had not deeply interacted with the empire.

“In other words…they are unfamiliar with the kind of war that involves mobilising large armies. Certainly, they have many skilled warriors. However, when it comes to individual martial prowess deciding the outcome on the battlefield… except for some insignia holders, it’s impossible.”

The imperial nation had faced armies from other countries before. However, those countries did not possess the same level of national strength as the empire.

Also, the connections between nations were thin, and while blood ties were strong, the number of nobles was low. Even if the warriors were formidable, victory or defeat on the battlefield did not hinge solely on that.

“His Majesty seeks the princess of the royal family. If we can obtain their princess, the warriors will have no choice but to serve His Majesty.”

“Yes. Moreover, the imperial nation has accumulated various things for its size. The empire’s finances will surely flourish.”

Adrldon, as part of the invasion, had received strict orders to capture the princess, Mayo, alive at the very least. For the other members of the royal family, the judgement was left to the discretion of those on-site.

“Maibar-dono, let’s hold a war council tomorrow. …Is it acceptable to take these women from this room?”

“Oooo… yes, of course!”

With that, Adrldon took two women for himself and handed over the rest to his subordinates before returning to his room.