CH 69

It’s Ko-Fi’s Supporters’ chapter (19/60), enjoy~

“Hoeeeeeeek!”

“Uncle, that’s disgusting.”

“Please spare me… hoeekk…”

The inside of the Beta Fort was still, or should I say, very splattered. Human parts are splattered here and there, and the smell of blood and guts fills the air. I think only people who are used to rough stuff like this would be able to handle the smell. In other words, it’s a hard scene for me and the merchants as ordinary people. Even the guards look pale.

“I’m sorry if this was a little harsh. But no one wants to be like that, right?”

Melty smiles at the merchant’s uncle as she says this. The scene on her back is incredibly horrifying. It is a violent horror, colored with blood, violence, and smiles. She’s totally trying to scare him, right?

“Don’t worry. The enemy we should defeat is the Holy Kingdom and its army, not merchants and civilians like you.”

“Y-yes.”

“Of course, if you continue to support the Holy Kingdom’s army to the fullest extent, civilians may not be limited to that.”

“Hyiee…”

I turned away from Melty, who was like a cat shaking a captured rat and immersed myself in cleaning and maintenance work in the fort. Unfortunately, there was nothing I could do about it, though it would make a hole in the merchant’s stomach. There’s nothing I can do. Good luck, Uncle.

This time, the damage inside the fort seemed to be worse than last time. I guess it’s because the aerial bombardment was swept away by the strong winds of spirit magic and fell inside the fort. Either way, though, it won’t make much difference since we’ll be clearing the land, and I’ll be rebuilding the structures.

As I walked around dismantling the half-destroyed structure, I saw bodies draped with cloth and Liberation Army soldiers gathered around them.

“What happened?”

“They’re war casualties. Some knights were quite skilled…”

“We lost three people.”

The quality of the soldiers in the Liberation Army, which is made up of sub-human soldiers with superior physical abilities, is higher than that of the soldiers in the Holy Kingdom Army, which is basically made up of ordinary humans. In particular, the difference is more pronounced in hand-to-hand combat.

However, in the Holy Kingdom’s army, or rather among humans, some possess more magic power than normal humans.

It’s not as if they can use magic as a mage, but those who have a lot of magic power unconsciously use it to strengthen their physical abilities, and they can sometimes display combat abilities that exceed those of ordinary subhumans.

And in the army of the Holy Kingdom, those who have been blessed by the gods are taken up as holy knights and saints. This time, it seems, there was a man who survived the bombing, and he killed three Liberation Army soldiers.

“If it weren’t for Zamir-sama, we would have been struck even harder.”

“But if it were up to Zamir-sama, she would have killed him instantly.”

It is said that the holy knight or saint was killed by Ms. Zamir in two strikes. She used flowing movements to block the attack and then thrust the mithril jumonji spear, Meteor, into the face. Ms Zamir is amazing…

So the Holy Kingdom’s army was shaken up by the fact that their most skilled soldier had been killed, and the Liberation Army pushed in and overran them unilaterally after that.

“Our army is overwhelming, isn’t it?”

“Yes. So far, we’ve been able to create a favorable situation for ourselves and draw the enemy into it.”

“Well, yes. There are no factors to lose at the moment. Especially the Harpies, they are the key to our success.”

It’s great that the Harpies’ eyes can detect the enemy’s information ahead of time, and they can exchange information with the Golem communicator. And the power of their aerial bombardment is vicious. If it weren’t for the Harpies, it wouldn’t be so easy.

“It’s just a matter of how far we can go before the Harpies take action.”

“It’s not that easy to deal with, is it?”

“Hmm, it should be. But I don’t know. There are geniuses among humans, too.”

That’s true, too. There is no possibility that a revolutionary countermeasure against the Harpies will suddenly be devised. We can’t be too careless when I think about it.

After delivering the supplies for the wagons to Fort Beta, the merchants were released. They left Fort Beta as if they were running away. Since Melty had threatened them so much, I’m sure they’ll be very vocal about how dangerous it is to antagonize our liberation army.

As for the Holy Kingdom army prisoners, after treating them and disarming them, we decided to release them with a minimum of water and food. At the same time, they were given a letter of notification from the liberation army.

I didn’t have a chance to look at the contents in detail, but it’s a recommendation to the Holy Kingdom’s army to leave the country ― in other words, it’s almost like a declaration of war.

It said that the Holy Kingdom’s army should leave the Merinard Kingdom and free the Merinard people. It’s the same kind of thing as the sign we put up in front of the temporary fort.

“Will it be all right? Won’t the Holy Kingdom’s army come pouring in at once?”

Danan shook his head as if to dismiss my concern.

“I don’t think they can afford that. If the fortress on the border of the other territory is dropped, the losses incurred for the Holy Kingdom’s army will exceed 7000. This is probably close to half of the Holy Kingdom troops stationed in the Merinard Kingdom. The only thing they can do is to send a request for support to the home country and then fortify their defenses.”

“So we can expand our territory as much as we want?”

“There are limits, though. If we take a city, we’ll have to devote troops to maintain it. Our numbers are small, after all.”

“I see. That will be the problem in the end.”

In order to maintain the fortress and the city, soldiers must be devoted to the maintenance of the city. We can’t just get rid of the Holy Kingdom army and be satisfied afterward.

Among the city residents, there would be enthusiastic supporters of the Holy Kingdom and the Adel religion, as well as the families of the soldiers. These people are potential anti-Merinard and anti-liberation forces, so we have to be prepared to deal with them if they get violent.

“We also need to increase the number of supporters… It’s going to be a tough job.”

“I’d like to think that the original Merinard citizens would be supportive, though…”

Twenty years have already passed since the country was made a vassal state. Many people have already left this world, and of course, some have been born in the Merinard Kingdom, which belongs to the Holy Kingdom.

Twenty years is a long time. There might be some people who would accuse Sylphy, saying that the daughter of a royal family was doing nothing and just hiding in the Black Forest.

In reality, Sylphy probably wasn’t hiding in the Black Forest for so long, and she was probably just a child twenty years ago, so I don’t think she deserves the blame, but I don’t know if the people who have been oppressed for twenty years would feel the same way I do.

Anyway, the control of Beta Fort is over, and the process after this is the same as that of Alpha Fort. Collect the corpses, incinerate them, and repair the fort so that it can be used. The only difference was that there was a funeral for the deceased soldiers of the Liberation Army.

“Is this the funeral of the Merinard Kingdom?”

“It’s more like a warrior’s funeral on the battlefield.”

My question was answered by Sylphy. How can I describe their funeral…? Well, I guess it’s cremation.

Unlike the incineration of the corpses of the soldiers of the Holy Kingdom, the body is placed on a kind of bed made of straw and logs, and offerings of wine, food, flowers, weapons, and a small amount of money, and after praying for the repose of the soul, the offerings are burned.

“It is said that the dead who are sent in this way will reach Omicle and begin a new life there.”

Isla said, pointing to a giant planet in the sky. It’s an earth-shaped planet that takes up about 30% of the sky.

“So that planet is the afterlife for the people of this world?”

“Hmm.”

As she looked at the blazing flames and rising smoke, Isla nodded. The Harpies sang a funeral song. The Lamia played an improvised drum. The Beastmen clapped their hands and played body percussion to create a unique rhythm. I was overwhelmed by the scene.

It looked very primitive, but it was very overwhelming. It even felt solemn. I felt something that appealed to my instincts. It was something completely different from just wearing mourning clothes and listening to scripture that I couldn’t understand.

The fire eventually died out, and only ashes remained. The weapons and the bones of the corpse that had been offered along with the fire were also buried in the ashes, and there was not a shadow of them to be seen. Hmm? Can iron weapons and bones be reduced to ashes by the flames of a bonfire?

I wonder if this ritual might have really sent them to Omicle, that planet in the sky.

“What do you do when the funeral is over?”

“Banquet.”

“We eat and drink and mourn for the dead.”

“Well, that’s not so different from my place.”

“Is that so?”

“Yeah. I guess the customs of similar people, or even races, don’t change that much in a different world.”

“Yes, there are some idioms with similar meanings.”

“Hmm, interesting.”

While talking about this, we entered the banquet. We’re having a special all-you-can-eat steak dinner today! There will be alcohol! And there’s still plenty of Gizma meat left to use!

The day after the fort was conquered and the funeral was held, it was decided that we would take the day off to rest. This was decided because they were probably tired from the march and the attack on the fort. Some of the Liberation Army soldiers are still training. Are you guys okay? You just walked around and shot a few crossbows, so you’re okay? I hope so.

There are less than half a dozen Liberation Army soldiers who seem to be training… No, that’s a lot, huh? Not even half of them, but more than 30% of them are training, right? Seriously… As for me? Well, whatever.

“Here, Kosuke-san. Aahn.”

“Aahn… Yeah, delicious.”

“Aahn.”

“Yeah, yeah. Here.”

“Mmm, delicious.”

“M-me too, Danna-sama, aahhn.”

“I want to feed you, too.”

And like this, I’m spending time with Isla and the Harpies. Don’t you think it’s a very worthwhile rest? I think it’s the best. I can feel my heart being healed after watching the battle.

Sylphy, unfortunately, is in a meeting with Danan and Melty. She’s working hard, and when she comes back, I’m going to spoil her to the fullest — just the two of us. I’ve already talked about this with Isla and the Harpies. And that’s why we’re doing this while we can.

It’s so fun to be flirted with by everyone! I don’t even care about my old world anymore.

I wonder what it’s really like. I wonder how I’m being treated in the original world? Did I actually die suddenly? Or have I mysteriously disappeared? Or am I supposed to have never existed in the first place? If I had to pick one, I’d say the third state is the most preferable. That way, no one will be sad. I don’t have any siblings or parents, but I do have a few close friends. If I were to be treated as dead or missing, I might have caused them some trouble. That’s my only regret.

“Kosuke?”

“Hmm? What is it?”

“You looked kind of sad. What’s wrong?”

“Do I look sad? I was thinking about the world back home.”

Isla and the Harpies’ expressions clouded over at my words.

“Do you want to go back?”

“No, I don’t really think so. Everyone is always with me, and I never feel lonely.”

If anything, Sylphy was always there for me.

“Kosuke-san…”

“Eehheh, we’ll take care of you so much that you won’t even have time to be lonely.”

“That’s right. We’re a family now. Don’t be shy to ask for attention, Danna-san.”

Isla and the Harpies clung to me tightly and stroked me with their wings. Hmm, I think I’d be good for nothing if I were pampered like this. But it’s a man’s nature to lose himself in a woman, isn’t it? I’ll be careful not to do that, though.

“Ah…”

One of the Harpies raised her voice and turned her gaze towards the door.

“…..”

There was Sylphy with a tearful face, and long ears pointed up. She was sad because she felt like she was left out. We all had a very, very hard time comforting her.

“K-Kosuke is mine, you know.”

I stroked her head as she hugged me, tears streaming down her face.

“Hmm, I know. We’re just sharing a little.”

“You’re right. We all know that.”

“Ugh…”

After a while, she came to her senses and wrapped herself in a blanket in the corner of the room, and turned into a caterpillar in embarrassment. I’ll mention again that I had a hard time comforting her.

“You’re pretty, Sylphy.”

“Your Highness, you are so lovely.”

“Stop it!”

“Fufu, don’t tease her too much, or she’ll turn into a caterpillar again.”

I agree with you all, but don’t do it again. She will really turn into a caterpillar again.