CH 64

Here’s the chapter, enjoy~

“…How’s your condition?”

“Last night was too much for me. I can’t stand.”

“That’s why I’m carrying her.”

“…..”

“…Danan, I’m sorry about yesterday.”

Danan interrupted me when I appeared in the conference room carrying Isla in a princess’s carry early in the morning, and when he heard what Isla and I had said, he fell silent. Then he looked away. He’s going to pretend he didn’t see it.

Sylphy apologized for yesterday’s party, and Danan just shook his head in response. It seems that he does not really mind it.

“Ah… now that we have gathered, I would like to propose a change of plans for today.”

Danan, who pretended not to have seen Isla and me, began the conversation with a serious face. Oops, the guy who just turned his back on reality has a very serious face! Well, yeah, we’re the ones who are at fault, aren’t we?

“Change of plans, huh? What exactly are you planning to do?”

“Umu, due to Kosuke’s plan, the Holy Kingdom’s army stationed in the Merinard Kingdom suffered a major blow. Perhaps the situation is that they cannot grasp the current situation, and the fortresses bordering the Great Omit Wilderness are almost empty of strength. So, I’m thinking that we should change our plan to take out the forts on the border of the territory first by setting up an aggressive attack from here.”

“Fumu…”

“Fumu…”

“Hmm…”

The people gathered in the conference room, including Sylphy, were all thinking about it.

Well, it seems to me that the first plan was to hide in the Great Omit Wilderness to accumulate strength and then gradually liberate remote villages to increase manpower little by little.

The reason for doing so was that we were too small in number. Even if we had conquered the enemy’s base, we didn’t have the strength to maintain it. However, by liberating the rock salt mine, we were able to secure an unexpectedly large number of men. Not all of them would fight as soldiers, but the number was already more than four times that of the time when the total number of soldiers was only about three hundred.

The enemy’s strength has been drastically reduced, so they won’t be able to fight back as much, and the more we win, the more our influence will increase, and the less influence the Holy Kingdom’s army will have in the Merinard Kingdom. As a result, the number of Merinard citizens who would come to our side would increase.

Normally, a sudden increase in population could cause severe starvation, but we can make up for it with my abilities. As for the attack on the fortress, Danan must be confident that he can manage to take out the almost empty fort.

In fact, it would probably be easy for him to break into the fort if I were to help him. If I could just get to the bottom of the fort through a quick underground passage, I could just send the troops inside and take control.

The other participants seemed to have thought of what I had thought of, and looking around at the participants’ faces, they all seemed to be positive about Danan’s proposal.

“How many people can we actually mobilize?”

“The most we can mobilize right away is about two hundred people. But if we only need to shoot crossbows, we can add another two hundred men in a week.”

Danan replied to Sylphy’s question without hesitation. Hmm, four hundred, huh?

“Four hundred, huh…? I believe there are three forts on the border of the territory, right?”

“Yes, that’s right. If we have enough crossbows, arrows, and supplies, we should be able to maintain them. In addition, the three forts that Harpy’s scouts confirmed prior to this assault had a total troop strength of about 6500. If we subtract the 5500 that was destroyed this time, there are only about 1000 left. The strength of each of the forts should drop to less than 400 by a simple calculation.”

“Isn’t it something that can be calculated simply like that? Much less, the enemy is holed up in the fort. Considering the melee force is 200, I don’t think it’s going to be that easy.”

Sylphy’s concern was understandable. Obviously, the defender has the advantage, and in the first place, the opponent is holed up in the fort. It is quite impossible to destroy and subdue them with less than the same number of soldiers. Well, that’s if you think about it normally.

“It’s not a problem because we can use the weapons that Kosuke made to our advantage. In particular, the bombing by the Harpies will quickly make defense tactics using forts obsolete.”

If the two sides are shooting within range of each other’s arrows, the Goatsfoot crossbow, which uses the principle of leverage, should be able to compete quite well against the bow used by the Holy Kingdom’s army. Even considering the fact that the other side is camped on top of a protective wall, the power and range should be more than evenly matched.

Furthermore, if the Harpy Bombing Squad launches aerial bombardment on the walls and gates, the Holy Kingdom’s forces will hardly be able to take advantage of the fort’s defense. And no matter how much the fort is destroyed, it can be easily repaired by me.

“Fumu… This strategy. You are assuming that Kosuke is going to be on the front lines, right?”

“…Yes.”

Sylphy narrowed her eyes at Danan’s words. Is it possible to call it intimidation? Sylphy emits a kind of intense pressure that makes those who see it feel a chill. It’s not actually directed at me, but it’s making me shiver.

“Do you think I’ll allow it?”

“No. But it’s necessary.”

Danan replies, accepting the pressure of Sylphy’s words without hesitation. As the tension between the two increases, another person speaks up.

“I agree with Danan. I think we have to start taking a stand at some point. Otherwise, I don’t think we can turn the situation around. And if we want to win, we should do it quickly before they take countermeasures.”

It was Sir Leonard. Just like Danan, he is unfazed by the deadly pressure from Sylphy. You guys are amazing.

“Countermeasures, huh? Isla, what do you think?”

“It’s difficult. When it comes to Harpy’s aerial bombardment, a single shot can be defended with advanced earth magic. I think if they use their precious materials to make defensive magic tools, they can defend against one-shot as well.”

“Do you think the Holy Kingdom’s army will be able to take perfect countermeasures with that method?”

“Impossible. I don’t think it’s possible to secure such a large number of mages who can use advanced earth magic, and it’s not practical to deploy such magic tools to all 10,000 units of soldiers. If I were them, I would think more in the direction of shooting down harpies and falling bombs than defending against aerial bombardment. Wind magic or combined attribute lightning magic with longer range could be a possibility.”

“How long would that take to counter?”

“They would have to create whole new magic. It will take a long time. Probably several years.”

“I see. What about the crossbow?”

“It is powerful, but not so powerful that magic barriers can’t protect it. The bolt action rifle is impossible to prevent with magic. It has too much penetrating power and can easily penetrate.”

“Fumu…”

Overall, based on what Isla said, there is a possibility that in a few years, the aerial bombardment by Harpy will be countered in some way. Whether you see it as having a few years or only a few years.

“…It can’t be helped. However, if Kosuke goes to the front, I’ll go to the front too. I will not accept any objections.”

“Your Highness…”

“As for the importance of our bodies, will there be much difference between Kosuke and me? If either of us dies, the Liberation Army will not be able to stand. Then, if I protect Kosuke and Kosuke protects me, the survival rate will increase greatly. Isn’t that right?”

It’s true that with Sylphy by my side, I’ll be able to manage even if enemy soldiers surround me on the battlefield. On the contrary, there must be a certain amount of situations where I can help her by being with her. It will definitely be more survivable than taking me to the front alone.

“In the first place, do you think I can be easily beaten? When did I become a weak and fragile princess in your mind? Danan.”

“…As you wish.”

The result of the argument was a painful split. Danan agreed to let Sylphy accompany me to the front, while Sylphy agreed to let Danan accompany her.

The only problem was that they decided to send me to the front without asking my opinion at all! No, it’s fine, but… isn’t it good? It’s not good. Yeah. But I guess it can’t be helped. That’s how much they expect from me. I’ll do my best not to drag them down… I’m scared of the battlefield, though.

The decision was made to go on the offensive, and each of us had to move in a hurry. I had to increase food production, mass-produce various equipment, mass-produce arrowheads, and mine the mineral resources scattered in the wilderness. And at night, I’ll make love with Sylphy and Isla.

Yeah, I want them to go a little easier on me. I feel like I’m going to dry out. Also, Isla, don’t use that potion. I can’t keep up with it. Do you have a potion for me, too? First of all, let’s not even think about using that potion. Okay?

Isla was working tirelessly with the research and development department on various research and development projects. There seemed to be no inventions that would be ready in time for the mission.

Yes, the magic-related materials that everyone had brought in were collected, and a new workbench was added to the list of crafting items.

・Granting workbench ― Materials: Mithril x 5, Gemstones x 12, Magicalized Stone x 20, Magicalized Wood x 10, Magicalized Clay x 10 ※There are no materials!

Yeah, it’s as you can see. I can manage mithril and gemstones, but I don’t have enough of the various magicalized materials to make it. It was decided to have them made using the magic power of the vein hole in the main base. It seems to take a long time, and I don’t think I’ll be able to make it in time for the mission.

However, I’m looking forward to the granting workbench… and to what it can do. Is it possible to add some kind of magical effect to weapons?

Sylphy, Danan, Sir Leonard, Pirna, and others seem to be busy with training and meetings. They seem to be actively communicating with the main base using golem communication devices. There’s Melty, Ms. Zamir, Gerda, and Shumer over there. They are probably communicating about the training of soldiers and the movement of supplies.

It was one day, about a week after I had been busy.

“What’s the situation here?”

“Kosuke, when you come back, you will say “I’m home,” right?”

“Oh, I’m sorry. I’m home. So, what’s the situation here?”

I apologize to Sylphy, who was sitting on the couch and ask her to explain again. Why did I ask that you say?

“Welcome back, Kosuke-san.”

“Welcome back.”

“W-welcome back! Danna-sama!”

“Hmm.”

Pirna, Pessar, and Flamme were standing in the kitchen with Isla. They are the three harpies who witnessed the explosion of the temporary fort last time. It seems that Isla is taking the lead in cooking dinner. I wondered if they could cook with their harpy wings. I thought, but they’re handling the utensils with more dexterity than I expected.

“Before we go to the battlefield.”

“Yeah?”

“They want to have that kind of relationship with Kosuke.”

“That’s pretty straightforward.”

“You never know when you’re going to die on the battlefield.”

I was shocked as if I had been hit on the head. I had been taking it easy, but what we were heading now was a battlefield. A real battlefield where people kill each other. No one knows what will happen or who will die there.

When I looked at Sylphy, her mouth twisted into a grin. I haven’t seen that smile in a while. I’m sure she saw through my agitation.

“We Harpies are especially hated by the people of the Holy Kingdom.”

“I-if we fall in the middle of the enemy army…”

“It would be lucky if we were killed right away.”

Pirna smiled bitterly, Flamme shuddered, and Pessar laughed indifferently. Isla stared at them without saying a word.

“Sylphy…”

“Two, three, four, five, or more is the same thing, isn’t it?”

“I don’t think it’s the same.”

And no, it’s not. That’s not what I’m saying.

“You’re a troublesome fellow, Kosuke.”

Sylphy grinned and slurped down a ceramic mug filled with honey wine. What’s the fun in that?

“I’m having a rather serious problem.”

“Kosuke, you are indeed a marebito with rare abilities, but you only have two arms, and they are of limited length. Besides, we’re warriors. Me, Pirna, Pessar, Flamme and Isla. We can take care of ourselves, and if we fall because of our inability to do so, it’s our own fault. There is nothing for Kosuke to feel responsible for who lives or dies on the battlefield.”

“But if you don’t go into battle, you won’t die.”

“How can that be? Even if I stay holed up in the Great Omit Wilderness, they’ll come for me.”

“They’re fighting the empire, aren’t they? They can’t afford to touch you here.”

“That’s not true, Kosuke. We are safe because there is a war going on with the empire. If they make peace with the empire and can allocate their forces elsewhere, the Holy Kingdom will start expanding to the western part of the continent again. If they do that, they will surely try to cross the Great Omit Wilderness and invade the Black Forest. I guarantee that.”

“The war with the empire has been going on for a long time. Both sides are exhausted. They could move to make peace at any moment.”

Isla, who came from the kitchen carrying a large pot, said so. Pirna and the others nodded nervously.

“Anyway, let’s have dinner.”

With a single word from Sylphy, everyone was seated at the table, and Isla poured the contents of the pot into bowls and started serving it to everyone. Today’s menu is some kind of porridge. It was probably made of wheat. It was yellowish in color and had a sweet aroma. It’s a strange soup-like porridge.

“What is this?”

“It’s a traditional Harpy dish. It is good for nourishment and digestion.”

“Fumu… itadakimasu…”

I scooped it up with a spoon and put it in my mouth. It was like a slightly sweet porridge. It had a strange texture… somewhere between soup and porridge. It’s not powdery, and it’s thicker than I expected. I wondered if there was an egg in it.

“What do you think?”

“It’s delicious. It’s more like a sweet than a meal.”

Corn potage soup is sweet, but it’s sweeter than that. But it’s not as sweet as candy. It has a pleasant aftertaste, and it also has a refreshing feeling, as if it contains some kind of herb. The feeling of it going into my stomach smoothly was also quite pleasant.

“Yeah, it feels a lot more like cooking than the random dishes I make. It’s a traditional dish.”

“Is that so? I’m glad!”

“I-I’m glad you like it.”

“Well, I’m glad you enjoyed it since I gave birth to it.”

“What?”

Did she give birth? Did she give birth to it? What? Eat… eggs! Eggs?

“C-could it be?”

“Kukuku… yes, this dish is made with Pirna’s eggs.”

“What… did you say?”

Eh? Seriously? Is that okay? No, is it ethically acceptable? I mean, you guys are eating it without a care in the world. Eh? Eeh?

“It’s a fertilized egg, after all.”

“It’s a waste if you don’t eat it.”

“I-it’s fine, you know.”

“Delicious.”

I was struck by culture shock. It’s such a shock that I don’t care if I’m going to a battlefield or not. They eat the eggs they’ve laid. Oh… is that the culture? I see.

“You don’t eat fertilized eggs, right?”

“Yes, we do.”

“O-of course.”

“O-oh.”

That’s a problem, right…? I mean, how do you tell the difference between a fertilized egg and an unfertilized egg?

“Fertilized eggs don’t come out of the belly.”

“Huh?”

“Because when you’re pregnant, your belly grows.”

“What?”

“Kosuke’s got a funny look on his face.”

“Isla used to make that face when she first met Kosuke.”

So you’re saying that unfertilized eggs grow inside the belly as fetuses, and fertilized eggs come out as eggs? That’s messed-up biology, Harpy. I don’t know what’s going on. Or, in the case of this theory, this unfertilized egg is an… egg, so let’s not think about it too much. I feel like I’m opening a bad door.

“Would you like a refill?”

“P-please eat a lot.”

“Since it’s a special occasion, don’t forget to eat all of it!”

In spite of my anguish, Pirna and the others smilingly offered me a refill.