Chapter 81 – The Tragic News Reaches the Imperial Capital

The next day, we left the Diltrack territory…with the same thirteen people as when we arrived.

“Vi-Vilgard-dono…! I can ride a horse by myself…!”

“Don’t say that. Since we’re going to be husband and wife, it’s important to show that we’re close, right? Besides, this horse won’t slow down with just the two of us.”

“Good grief…”

I had Elfilia seated in front of me and we were riding the same horse. It was a great opportunity to deepen our bond as well.

The first-class warhorses bred by the Gagaru tribe are very large and they have a powerful stride when running at full speed. I didn’t feel comfortable having Elfilia ride one without any practice.

For now, we’re not pushing the horse to its full speed to conserve energy.

“I never thought the king would gain a new consort during the trip to Diltrack territory.”

“Neither did I. It was only decided yesterday, after all.”

When I think about it, my marriages have always been sudden. With Rina and Mayo, it was decided on the same day as well. Normally, there would be more arrangements, but given the current times, it can’t be helped.

By the way, we left Shamia and her horse in Mardkrald. She is to infiltrate the Mardclard territory and gather information. However, I made it clear that she shouldn’t push herself too hard. She’ll likely wrap up her mission and return at the right moment.

“King! Have we decided on a name for our group of ten?”

“Ah… not yet. What should we call ourselves…?”

“…A name?”

Elfilia asked curiously. I explained the situation to her. She was surprised to learn that we had such a concentration of general-level talents.

“Of course, it must be the 『Five Flashes Five Gleams』!”

“Eh!? I think 『Ten Tiger Generals』 is better.”

“What about 『The Ten Contracted Generals』?”

Various opinions were being voiced. What is Garshin’s 『The Ten Contracted Generals』? Who made what kind of contract?

Is he referring to the contract that is passed down among the eight clans…?

“We’re not reaching a consensus…Elfilia, do you have any ideas?”

“M-me!? …Let’s see. Everyone here is a general who has gathered under the prince, right? How about 『Imperial Generals』…?”

“Ooo…”

“…There are similar groups in the capital.”

I think the emperor’s guard has a name like that. Maybe I should ask Mayo for her opinion. Mayo might come up with a good name in the Imperial language.

As we discussed, we arrived back in the capital of the Kamurakku territory. Then, we headed straight to the Clostova territory, where we were welcomed by the lords and set about dealing with the accumulated work.

■

With Vilgard’s invasion of the Kamurakku territory, Bandred had urgently sent for aid to the imperial capital.

Upon hearing this report, Arloston felt a deep sense of urgency as events were progressing much faster than he had anticipated.

‘This can’t be…! It’s too soon…!’

Vilgard’s movements were the issue. The presence of Vilgard’s army in Kamurakku was immediately clear in its significance.

It meant that Vilgard had already united the Lords Alliance.

‘A coalition of powerful lords who banded together to protect their own interests, even defying the emperor…! And he managed to unite them in such a short time…!?’

Arloston had expected the negotiations with the coalition to be difficult, making this turn of events quite unexpected.

But then he remembered. Recently, a knight who had taken over his father’s faction had mentioned something.

He speculated that Vilgard might have already seized control of most of the northern territories.

‘Was I the one who underestimated the situation…!’

He couldn’t deploy the Imperial Knights stationed across various regions. If they hurried, they could prepare the knights stationed in the imperial capital and send them to Kamurakku.

However, this would take time and as an immediate response, they should call upon the nearby lords to send troops.

With this in mind, Arloston sent out orders to the lords near Kamurakku to dispatch their soldiers. But whether they could prepare quickly…or how many soldiers they would send was uncertain.

Lords generally preferred not to use their forces outside their own territories, fearing that weakening their own defences could provide opportunities for neighbouring lords to exploit.

Some might even come up with various excuses to delay sending reinforcements.

‘No…They must understand that if Kamurakku falls, they will be next. They should cooperate here.’

In such moments, Arloston felt his own shortcomings for not laying better groundwork beforehand. But now was the time to act swiftly.

With the elite Silver Spear Knights, led by Bandred, stationed in Kamurakku, it was expected they would hold out until reinforcements arrived. However,

“What do you mean we can’t enter Kamurakku!?”

“Yes! The fortress on the border with Kamurakku has been occupied by Prince Vilgard’s army…! Their number is about 20,000! We need time to prepare to break through them…!”

“…!!”

Arloston considered the situation. Bandred had already called for help.

Vilgard must have shown himself to divert attention east, allowing a separate force to capture the southern fortress, cutting off aid and supplies, isolating the Silver Spear Knights.

“He intends to capture Kamurakku swiftly…!”

In a fortress assault, it is generally preferable to have double the opposing force, along with specialised equipment and well-trained soldiers.

Preparing such a force would take days.

In an emergency council, Arloston attempted to dispatch the knights but was met with resistance, an unusual sight.

Arloston had not intended to send troops without a plan. Over the past few months, he had been stockpiling supplies.

Consequently, the knights, now mostly loyal to Arloston, urged caution.

“What if we deplete our hard-earned resources and troops and end up losing them…!?”

“But losing Kamurakku would be disastrous…!”

“The Kamurakku territory has the Silver Spear Knights and a force of 40,000. They have been stockpiling supplies for a possible invasion from the lords’ alliance. Bandred should be able to hold out.”

If the opponent were rebellious lords, the decision to deploy forces would have been swift.

But with Vilgard leading the army, there was an unspoken fear of potential consequences.

Vilgard had become a significant threat, partly due to the Empire Knights’ previous defeats and rumours spread by the Muga tribe.

“First, we must prepare to take the fortress. We cannot afford to weaken our forces by rashly attempting to breach it”

Indeed, Kamurakku had sufficient supplies. The Empire Knights had planned to launch a full-scale attack on the lords’ alliance once preparations were complete.

In that scenario, Kamurakku, deep within enemy territory, would be crucial. Hence, they had been stockpiling supplies.

‘Indeed, they could hold out for years if they lay siege…’

Yet, it was a passive strategy. Whether this was the right approach against Vilgard remained uncertain.

As the council stalled, the situation progressed, bringing more reports.

“The Silver Spear Knights have been destroyed!”

“Bandred is leading his remaining forces towards the capital!”

“…!!”

While the council deliberated, Vilgard defeated the Silver Spear Knights and captured Kamurakku.

However, even if the council had sent troops earlier, it’s uncertain if this outcome could have been prevented.

‘We must not let my brother take the initiative…! We can’t keep reacting to his moves…!’

But how to take the initiative and how to unite the council and the lords’ army, remained challenges.