Volume 6 - CH 6

Chapter 6 – Soldier Transport and Completion of Request

We arrived at the naval base of the empire. The imperial side has also gathered magic ships from all over to confront us.

“Everyone is having a strategy meeting, right?”

“Yes, Master was also invited, but I declined the invitation.”

“Thanks, the naval battle won’t be a problem, but can we take down this base? I think they have people on the base as well as on the ship.”

“What do you think? Alessia said that the soldiers of the Beast Kingdom are getting excited, so maybe they’ll be okay?”

“Perhaps, Master, but even if they are gathering people, I heard that the Beast Kingdom is also going to attack from its borders, and considering that they are sending a large army to confront the Kingdom of Brescia, it seems unlikely that the empire will be able to gather that many soldiers on the border.”

“I guess that’s right. The empire can’t concentrate its troops in one place. If we can get past that wall, I think we can make it.”

“Yes, I suppose so.”

“Well, we have nothing to do, so let’s just relax and hope for victory.”

“”Yes.””

I play with Rimu and kill time with Reversi and Jenga. It hurts that I watched all of the DVDs by the time I got here. I should have rented a lot more.

“Mage-sama, the naval battle is over. Please open the door.”

“Alessia-san and the others have returned. Open the door.”

“Yes.”

“Welcome back. Thank you for your hard work. Did you encounter any problems?”

“Yes, everything was fine. We sank the large and medium-sized galleys, and then we supported our allies by sinking the smaller galleys. A few of our galleys were hit, but we were able to rescue them. We are going to attack the base now, so they want you to open the boarding ramp.”

“I understand. …I already opened it.”

Imagining the boarding ramp, I reminded myself to open it. That’s all I had to do, so it was convenient.

“Thank you very much. I’ll go tell them.”

“Alessia, I’ll be the one to go.”

“You will? Thank you.”

Marina-san goes out to announce it. Speaking of which, Marina-san is very active as a messenger, isn’t she? I wonder if that is also the role of a scout?

“You are not taking part in the land battle, are you?”

“Yes, if it becomes dangerous, we might be asked to do so, but we took all the credit for the naval battle, so we decided to be on standby.”

They sank a lot of magic ships, and that’s a major feat. In this naval battle, the empire only sunk non-military magic ships as well, and I’m sure the bright crown prince would have trashed the coastline as well. Come to think of it, the empire has a friendly nation, too. Will they join the war?

“Haha, well, that’s what happens when you’ve sunk a bunch of magic ships. Alessia-san, I have a question. Are there any friendly countries of the empire coming to join the war?”

“The crown prince mentioned that in the military council. He said that the friendly countries of the empire are fighting with their neighbors for human supremacy and that even if they could send support, it would be few.”

“I see. So we’re safe for the time being.”

“Yes.”

“Well, if you’re not going to go out, I’ll give you some snacks, and we can relax over a cup of tea.”

“Yes, thank you very much.”

Marina-san, who has returned, joins us for a leisurely tea party. I’m sure there will be a lot of killing going on outside, but I wouldn’t be able to take care of myself if I cared too much.

Three days after arriving at the Imperial Navy headquarters, the Allied forces successfully captured the Imperial Navy headquarters. It is said that it was difficult to attack because of the walls, but as expected, the number of soldiers was small, and the victory was decided when the Beast Kingdom troops, who were experienced in warfare, broke through the walls after a fierce attack.

Incidentally, as we were holed up in our room, we were of no help to them.

It was decided that the Imperial Navy headquarters would be taken down, and this place would be used as the base for the Allied forces. At the request of the crown prince, we made two round trips between Lucca and the base, carrying the wounded and another 10,000 soldiers.

A month has passed since then, and the Allied Forces have been raiding the coastline of the empire, and the imperial army, which has lost most of its magic ships, can only watch as the Allied Forces do whatever they please.

The Allied strongholds are being reinforced with each passing day, and with their large numbers of soldiers, magic ships, and reinforced bases, they have secured a firm foothold in empire territory.

The crown prince would casually request my participation during victory celebrations and other such events. Although he does not force me to attend if I refuse, I find it hard to refuse his invitations again and again. I am afraid that he is trying to get me to join him.

I have nothing more to do, so I decide to return to Lucca. I asked Alessia-san to go and tell him about it, and he rewarded Girasole and me with ten platinum coins each.

I was told that the reward would actually be given out after a thorough inspection, but since I refused the title and the party in the royal capital, it seems that he gave me the reward first. They said it would take some time to decide on the real reward and that they would give it to me the next time I came to the royal capital. Let’s give up on that.

I set the autopilot to Lucca and leisurely left the room.

“Whew, now that there is no one here, I can walk freely around the ship. Let’s get the facilities back to normal. It’s nice to have a big bath for the first time in a while.”

“That sounds good, Wataru-san. After that, why don’t we watch a movie for the first time in a while?”

Alessia-san is also in a good mood. The other members also seem to be happy to use the ship’s facilities for the first time in a long time.

“I guess so. Let’s take a bath, have dinner at the restaurant, and watch a movie.”

“Fufu, I’m looking forward to it.”

I headed to the bathroom and took a bath with Ines, Felicia, and Rimu. We spent a long time washing each other’s bodies, having a lovey-dovey time, and playing sandwiches in the bathtub and thoroughly enjoyed the bath.

After the bath, we had a beer and headed for the restaurant. I ate my meal with my eyes burning in the sight of a T-shirt with no bra after taking a bath for the first time in a long time. We watched a movie in the theater room.

Well, it is fun to use the ferry’s facilities to the fullest when there is no one to bother you. There is still the luxury liner on top of this. Let’s hire a maid, too. My dreams are expanding.

We headed for Lucca, enjoying a carefree boat trip for the first time in a while.

After the leisurely boat ride, Lucca came into sight.

“Wataru-san, there are no imperial troops in Lucca.”

Unusually, Marina-san comes to inform me in a panicked and loud voice.

“…It’s hard to imagine Lucca being dropped under those circumstances. Could it be that the Imperial Army has retreated?”

“Yes, that’s right. I’ll go and inform everyone else.”

“Ufufu, Master. It’s very rare to see Marina like that.”

“Yeah, she must be very happy. Shall we go out on deck to see Lucca, too?”

“”Yes.””

There was a cheer in the dining room where Marina-san ran, and the sound of running could be heard. Girasole must be coming to check on Lucca, too.

I go out on the deck and look around Lucca.

“The imperial army is definitely gone. Does that mean the contract is done?”

“Yes, that’s right. The contract is now complete since it was either Lucca’s defense or escape. I have a feeling we did things very differently than planned.”

“Yes, it was not part of the plan to carry the soldiers to the empire. And also, the prince got down on his knees.”

“Yes, that’s right. There was no plan for the prince to get down on his knees.”

Girasole also came out on the deck and cheered loudly when they saw Lucca.

“Wataru-san, there is no imperial army here anymore. Thank you so much.”

Alessia-san and the others thanked me one after the other. When they thank me like this, I suspect the possibility of a twist of fate. I try not to think about the ominous possibility… that Lucca was actually occupied by the imperial army when we arrived here.

As we pass by the Fortress, a Lucca soldier waves to us. Yeah, there seems to be no problem. Lucca must have been freed.

I anchor the Stronghold just short of running aground and head for the cafeteria with a group of excited women. I order tea and coffee for everyone to calm down and take a breather.

“There is no doubt that Lucca has been rescued by now. I would like all of you in Girasole to go now and inform the marquis about Lucca and tell him to prepare to withdraw from the Fortress and then go gather information. Is that all right?”

“It’s okay. Thank you, Wataru-san. I will go and get a lot of information. Also, what should I do if he asks me to give him the Fortress or ask for an extension of the loan period?”

“Oh, yes, that’s right. Just refuse all of them. Tell them to have it ready for return as soon as possible.”

“Yes, I understand. Then, I’ll be off.”

That dazzling smile. It’s radiant. They must have gone through a lot of hard work, and they must be really happy.

～From Alessia’s point of view～

Ness drives me to the port, and we enter the city. I thought it was a little brighter now that the port had been freed up, but this sight shows that it was all still a bit downcast.

Businesses are everywhere, and children are running around. Housewives are shopping in a good mood, and guards patrol the streets in a relaxed atmosphere. The reinforcements have arrived, so perhaps it is livelier than it was before the war.

“Fufu, everyone seems to be having a good time.”

“Yes, come to think of it, this is probably the first time since we’ve been back that I’ve seen kids running around.”

“Yes, they can now let their children play in peace.”

Dorothea’s words were happily answered by Claretta. I think Claretta must have been relieved because she, too, was worried about the children at the orphanage.

Dorothea and I headed for the castle, and the rest of the group split up to gather information. We arrived at the castle in a lively atmosphere, our steps light. I was immediately taken to the office, perhaps because they had heard that the Stronghold had arrived at the port.

“Welcome back. As you probably know by now, Lucca has been freed. If you hadn’t brought the mage with you, Lucca wouldn’t have lasted. I thank you for that.”

I feel like we caused a lot of trouble with the blockade of the port and all, but if they are happy, then is that good?

“No, we only relied on Mage-sama’s help.”

“Hmm, that may be the best achievement of all. And as for your reward, are you interested in serving me and becoming a noble?”

“I apologize, but it is too much for us.”

Commander Dumun twitched, but I didn’t want to be a nobleman. There’s no need to jump all the way into the world of intrigue.

“Well, I expected you to say so. Tell the mage to visit the castle when he feels like it, and I’ll treat him with the best hospitality. It may or may not please him. The reward will take some time, so give me a few days.”

I don’t think Mage-sama would like that; even with the best treatment, he would be more comfortable on the ferry.

“Thank you, sir. So, Mage-sama wants to know how the imperial army’s retreat is going. Also, please prepare for the return of the Fortress.”

“Fumu, Dumun will tell you how the retreat is progressing. As for the Fortress, it would be reassuring to have it there. Can you negotiate with him to give it to us?”

I knew he would do that. But we have to say no. It would be very encouraging for us to have the Fortress in Lucca, but we will be punished if we hope for too much.

“I am sorry, Marquis-sama. Mage-sama wishes for its prompt return.”

“I see…”

“Alessia, Marquis-sama is asking for it. Can’t you at least negotiate?”

“I’m sorry, Commander-sama, but it’s impossible.”

“That’s all right, Dumun. Please tell him that I do not intend to force him and that I will have all the men and weapons moved out in two days.”

“Understood, sir.”

“And now, Dumun, you will explain to them about the imperial army.”

“Yes, sir. Do you want to start when the imperial army begins its retreat? Until then, not much will change.”

“Yes, please.”

“First of all, the imperial army started retreating after Mage-dono left for the second time to transport the troops. The imperial army surrounding Lucca began to gather. I had heard about the results of the Allied Forces, so I knew immediately that the imperial army had decided to retreat. The imperial army formed a mass and slowly moved away from Lucca. We avoided a direct collision and chased the retreating imperial army with only our cavalry and interfered to slow their march. Well, we didn’t achieve much since the imperial army was not defeated in the battle, and they retreated in a solid formation. Is everything clear so far?”

“Yes, everything is fine.”

“From there, we continued to pursue the imperial army, making minor obstructions. On the way, a large force of the imperial army and the imperial army that had retreated from Lucca joined forces. The rest retreated to Fort Lughorn, where they fortified their defenses. It seems that it was the imperial army that had attacked the royal capital, and the safety of the royal capital was confirmed. Unlike Lucca, however, the city seemed to be under continuous serious attack, and even after the imperial army retreated, there were no proper soldiers to operate the city. Currently, supplies are being sent, and priority is being given to the reconstruction of the capital itself. The southern nobles are on their way to Fort Lughorn to watch out for the imperial army. The Beast Kingdom will attack the borderline, and the Kingdom of Brescia will move to recapture Fort Lughorn. The empire’s seacoast is being attacked by Allied forces. The empire will probably lose a lot of power in this war.”

“I understand. Thank you, Knight Commander-sama.”

I don’t think Lucca will be in danger anymore if the situation is as it is now. I don’t know what the future holds for the war, but as long as Lucca is safe, that’s all that matters. After the discussion is over, we return to the Stronghold.