Chapter 119: (Self Edited) Strategy Meeting

“Carol, come on in.” (Yuri)When I called her out a bit louder, Carol, who seemed to be waiting in the hallway, opened the door and came in. She somehow had an uncheerful expression.

“Your Highness. I’m glad that you’re safe.” (Myaro)

Myaro turned around and greeted her.

“Ah, yeah… I’m also glad that you’re safe, Myaro.” (Carol)

“??” (Myaro)

Myaro was looking at Carol with a wondering face. She would have thought that Carol was different than usual.

“Carol, Myaro, have a seat.” (Yuri)

“Yes.” (Myaro)

When I said that, they parted, sat on a chair and on a sofa respectively.

“We’re missing a person, but this is an executive meeting.” (Yuri)

“Liao-san is currently handling the unit. They will get confused if there isn’t a leader.” (Myaro)

‘Hmm. Well, can he come and explain about the current situation of the unit? Rather, I would need to tell him something before listening to the report.’

“I was told by the prince consort that he would like to talk to me when I returned earlier. Then…” (Yuri)

I looked at the watch.

“It will be three hours from now. Until then, I can’t move from this place. I can’t really refuse. Carol will also have to participate because of her status.” (Yuri)

‘Perhaps, this will be the last opportunity to meet the Kilghina royal family. From Carol’s standpoint, it’s too rude to return home immediately without seeing the queen even though she just met the prince consort. Although, that meeting was due to the timing. It can’t be that way.’

“Is that so? In any case, preparations for withdrawal of the unit will take place until tomorrow morning. The departure should be early tomorrow morning.” (Myaro)

“That’s right. You should return to them as soon as this meeting is over and get ready.” (Yuri)

“Understood.” (Myaro)

‘It goes without saying for Myaro.’

“For your information, Carol and I both have one leg injured. We can’t run.” (Yuri)

“Injured, is it…? It’s not like you can’t ride a bird or a horse, right?” (Myaro)

“That’s fine. We need crutches though, and… I’d be grateful if there’s assistance in getting on and off.” (Yuri)

“Don’t worry about it. Do you have any obstacles left?” (Myaro)

“Maybe not.” (Yuri)

“Then, uhmm… can you tell me in brief what happened after the crash?” (Myaro)

“Are you concerned?” (Yuri)

‘I don’t think it’s necessary to talk about it right now.’

“It’s not that important, but… it’s the most interesting topic for the unit members. I think it makes sense to tell them.” (Myaro)

‘Is that it? We, leaders, are thinking only about the future, but the soldiers are different. When Myaro returns to the unit, they will want to hear that story the most. It’s not good to let unnecessary delusions or rumors spread.’

“Well then, I’ll explain briefly.” (Yuri)

“Yes.” (Myaro)

For some reason, Myaro seemed to be interested and her eyes were shining.

“When I crashed, Carol twisted her leg so badly that she couldn’t walk. So, we walk to the Nyukka village with Carol on my back. That’s when I found the letters… about four days ago? Then, we waited for a few days, lure the reconnaissance that came with horses. We crushed the whole hose, stole the horses, and then, the Queen’s Sword rushed to the noise… something like that.” (Yuri)

‘That’s a really sloppy explanation.’

“What about Yuri-kun’s leg injury?” (Myaro)

“The enemies pursued us madly because their supply provisions were burned by our eagles. I was injured while fighting the pursuit.” (Yuri)

“According to the story, it was Count Drain’s unit that was chasing you. I heard that it was a unit of 200 people.” (Myaro)

‘She doubted her ears. There was such a name in the information that I obtained and heard because I tortured them. Count Drain. He was Canker’s boss… or rather, his manager, but his existence is quite unexpected. I’m familiar with it.’

“Why do you know that?” (Yuri)

“That is… I was planning to report it later, but we were also searching the seaside. I heard it from the scout of the Peninsula Kingdom that we caught at that time. He was from the unit that was still looking for you.” (Myaro)

‘It looks like she got the information from a prisoner of war, similar to the way I got by fighting them, but… I don’t know how much they hurt that guy, but they seemed to get the information.’

“Was there a battle?” (Yuri)

“Yes.” (Myaro)

“How many casualties?” (Yuri)

“None. However, two birds were lost and three were injured.” (Myaro)

“Is it serious?” (Yuri)

“None. All were arrow wounds, bruises and broken bones. Even if it was serious, none has lost their legs or arms.” (Myaro)

“I see…” (Yuri)

“…Are you angry?” (Myaro)

‘Am I angry?’

I couldn’t see the expression of remorse or regret from Myaro, who asked that strange question.

‘She may not be asking for forgiveness of the failure. For her, she doesn’t feel negative about that decision. There must be a reason to convince me.’

“No, I wish there were no casualties or disabled people. I want to hear more about the situation.” (Yuri)

“We were doing it without a proper plan. That was because we didn’t expect results.” (Myaro)

‘Is that so?  For the most part, those who couldn’t stand just waiting were going out of control. Even if they can’t act recklessly, they will pressure the leaders… something like that. Such a sign were subtly drifting even before the decisive battle, especially among the Galloping Bird riders.’

‘Originally, it may be to offset those who became afraid before the decisive battle, but all unit members are volunteers. In addition to that, all of them are proud of their excellence. It would be nice if they were moving purely with a desire for career advancement and ambition, but in this situation, the sense of justice would still be more stimulating.’

“Is Liao also conscious of that?” (Yuri)

“Yes.” (Myaro)

“Then, that’s fine… I think you need that kind of thing in the military.” (Yuri)

‘If it was a real military, it would be something absurd though.’

“Yes. Thank you very much.” (Myaro)

“I’ll hear more about it later. Let’s continue our talk.” (Yuri)

“Understood. Then… how many pursuers had come for you?” (Myaro)

“The ones who were actually chasing us… well, there were eleven in all… but if includes the people who came before that, there were thirteen of them.” (Yuri)

“You’ve escaped well.” (Myaro)

“You can’t run away when you carry a person on your back…” (Yuri)

‘To begin with, I knew I couldn’t escape, so I walked in the forest. If I could escape, I could use the main road.’

“Well… did you defeat some of them?” (Myaro)

“Uhm…” (Yuri)

I counted my fingers.

“Nine, ten people… but if includes those who I killed before and after that…” (Yuri)

I counted the Dragon Knight, and the four scouts as I put down five more fingers.

“15, I think?” (Yuri)

‘Kill or be killed.’

“So, 15 is it… as one would expect.” (Myaro)

“That’s not true.” (Yuri)

Myaro had a face that was a mixture of surprise and joy. I couldn’t feel the difference.

“No, but…” (Myaro)

“The only ones who are proud of the number of kills are those thugs there.” (Yuri)

‘That’s not something pleasant. If Kilghina has attachment or sense patriotism because of that, I’m also detesting it. They may feel refreshed because they hate their enemy, but as long as that isn’t the case, it isn’t fun to kill people.’

“But, it’s the war that honors us.” (Myaro)

“I’m not proud of that.” (Yuri)

“It doesn’t matter, you know. Others praise you, and the Hou Household is proud. There’s the difference from the killing by the thugs in the towns.” (Myaro)

“…Well, that’s true.” (Yuri)

‘I understand what Myaro is saying, but I don’t really feel it. Is it because I was in the world where killing people in the war wasn’t the honor for a warrior? However, what Myaro said was definitely correct. It must be an honor for the Hou Household to have killed fifteen people.’

“But, it’s nice not to brag. That is even from the perspective of others.” (Yuri)

‘Doesn’t it seem to be a low standard if you feel proud about violence? It doesn’t matter.’

“Please explain it appropriately. I hope there will be no animosity against me.” (Yuri)

‘Needless to say, Myaro would do a good job. For some reason, it seems that there are many people who are not seeing it in a good way about the fact that I caused such a situation because I did something extra. However, it has an effect of silencing people.’

“I understand. I think it would be easy to explain with these much information.” (Myaro)

“That is all about is. More importantly, I would like to hear about the current situation.” (Yuri)

“Yes. I’m sorry I missed the opportunity to explain that.” (Myaro)

—

“First off, I would like to start with the matter of the enemy…” (Myaro)

“Please.” (Yuri)

“Given the speed of enemy’s march, it seems that they will take another four days for the main force to reach Reform. If they take a day to complete the siege and set up encampment, a full-scale attack will be around six days later.” (Myaro)

‘Four days, huh?’

“What is the number?” (Yuri)

“The highest number would be the eagles from the Kilghina side. Currently, three out of four Kilghina’s General households are in Reform, which is effectively under the command of the prince consort. The last one is acting independently and has entered Kuonam.” (Myaro)

“Did they enter Kuonam? Then, does the enemy need to hit that first?” (Yuri)

‘Kuonam is a city located on the north side of Reform, and if a large enemy is placed there, the enemy has  a risk of being attack from the rear during the siege. The area around Reform is by the sea and main roads, so the retreat and supply provisions aren’t not going to be cut off, but it would be unpleasant to have an enemy on the back.’

“It seems that another army was sent there. The force of the Euphos Federation is heading there. However, it looks like that they aren’t planning to fight aggressively since their forces aren’t big enough to capture Kuonam.” (Myaro)

‘Hmm. Are they planning not to siege, but to defeat them when they come out from Kuonam? Is it often said that a siege requires three times as many soldiers as those who defend, so if they don’t attack the castle, those people won’t come out. If that’s the case, that theory doesn’t hold.’

‘Kuonam is an inland city in the north, and unlike the Verdun Great Fortress, that place doesn’t exist at a position where the supply line is cut off. Dividing the number would be disadvantageous to capture Reform, but it wouldn’t be a fatal burden for the enemy army.’

‘Even if they seclude themselves, they probably have at most a thousand people, but in the first place, they are still a remnant that was defeated in the field battle. The meaning is different if the same thousand people are completely organized thousand people. These people are a thousand people unit that is confused due to the defeat.’

“I see. Anyhow, if we can leave tomorrow, I think we can return without getting involved. If we go to Honon from Mesyal by the sea, we will be in the Rube Household territory once we cross the Hot Bridge.’

‘The Hot Bridge is a commonly used bridge when travelling by land from Shaalta to Kilghina. The road is wider than the Zuk Bridge on the upstream side, and the river is widened on the downstream side. If we leave Reform and follow the road while looking at the sea, there is an estuary of the river that borders Shaalta and Kilghina, it extends to upstream slightly.’

“The hot Bridge seems to be in heavy traffic, and it’s about three days waiting in line. I was thinking of the Zuk Bridge on the upstream side.” (Myaro)

“Three days? Why is that happening?” (Yuri)

‘The Hot Bridge is a bit over three meters wide, unlike the Zuk Bridge, which only one carriage can pass through, and the carriages can’t easily passed each other. It seems to be really crowded  because it can only be used as one-way street. So, people have to wait for three days.’

“I heard stories of former reinforcements of Shaalta who were withdrawing, causing the flow of refugees stuck.” (Myaro)

“Aah…” (Yuri)

‘That’s pathetic. The army was trying to push the refugees away, and I wonder which side is getting ahead first. This is problematic.’

“Well, let’s think about it later. When you reach the crossroads, you can send an eagle to check it out.” (Yuri)

‘There is a fork in the upstream direction just before going from the road along the sea to the Hot Bridge, and if you go there, you will find the Zuk Bridge. It takes about a whole day because it is fairly steep climb, but it’s better than joining the crowd that cause unnecessary commotion. I don’t really want to push away the refugees.’

“I agree. Then, can I talk about the current state of the unit?” (Myaro)

“Yes.” (Yuri)

“The unit was scheduled to withdraw tomorrow or the day after tomorrow. Because of that, our packing has finished.” (Myaro)

‘That’s probably it. Based on the story I’ve heard, we will get involved if the timing is delayed for another three days.’

“The injured in the battle that I mentioned earlier are put on a carriage. At the same time, we have named these three as the people who are having significant decline in morale. They may stuck in the traffic jam at the Zuk Bridge now, but they will be able to go home first.” (Myaro)

“So, six people? Then, we have 24 Galloping Birds left.” (Yuri)

“No, there is one more. One of the injured was injured only by the ride.” (Myaro)

“Aah, I see.” (Yuri)

‘I wonder if I should borrow that. If it were true, I would like to put Carol alone on an eagle and let her return quickly.’

“So, we have 26 eagles with 26 riders, and 25 birds with 24 riders, right?” (Yuri)

“Yes. However, the eagles were used for search missions, so there are some eagles in bad conditions.” (Myaro) Sᴇaʀᴄh the N0vᴇlFirᴇ.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of nøvels early and in the highest quality.

“Is that so… aah, that’s difficult.” (Yuri)

‘With eagle, it’s quick to return by crossing the strait, just like when we came here. However, if it has become worse, there is a risk in using it when crossing the strait on the way back. I left some of them when I came, but if it couldn’t fly on the way, the future of drowning for both rider and eagle is waiting.’

“Well, it’s fine. It’s expected to be that way.” (Yuri)

‘Even if we can get off by the eagle, it’s good if we can return by land.’

“This is the end of the report. Do you have any questions?” (Myaro)

“No, not at the moment.” (Yuri)

‘I guess that’s the end of the reporting.’

“Well then, please rest until you are summoned by the prince consort.” (Myaro)

“Aah, yes.” (Yuri)

‘I forgot. Rather than going there and leave immediately after, I thought we would just meet and talk, but when I think about it, she may want to say something. Myaro’s opinion would be valuable. She is a professional in politics and political strife.’

“When it comes to a press conference at this time, you may be able to place some awkward orders, but I honestly don’t know what it is. After all, it is because the situation like this, there is no time to think about the worst, so…” (Myaro)

“Which area do you think is the worst?” (Yuri)

‘Let me ask her one more time.’

“Eh? Well… the pressure from the Kilghina’s General households is intense. In fact, the prince consort is compliant to them. They may even request us to leave the soldiers of observation unit behind. Aah, they may take Her Highness Carol hostage, and demand a large reinforcement from Shaalta.” (Myaro)

‘It’s a bit unrealistic, but it’s not impossible. A human standing on a cliff is willing to do things that wouldn’t possible if you think in a normal situation. It’s like a  cornered mouse bites a cat. It’s dangerous to let a ruler becomes a cornered mouse.’

“…That’s the worst thing can happen, right? However, even though they were in need, they weren’t foolish. If they’re going to go that far, they will tie us up from now on so that we don’t run away. If they do that, they have already foresee that we are running away.” (Yuri)

“That’s true. However, your return was sudden, and there’s a possibility that the situation is progressing a bit now…” (Myaro)

“Aah, that may be true.” (Yuri)

‘For the time being, various kinds of idiots are talking about stupid things, and while I’m relaxing, things are steadily getting worse behind the scenes. Now or an hour later, soldiers may come to capture me and Carol. That’s possible.’

“But it is likely they won’t ask too much, or they won’t ask for anything. That is probably the highest possibility.” (Myaro)

“That may be also true. That’s why there is no way to reject the invitation and go home. In this situation where you say ‘I’m afraid of being threatened, so I’m going home without seeing you’, that will make me beyond a normal jerk.” (Yuri)

“Hehe, I also thought of the same thing.” (Myaro)

Myaro was smiling. It seemed that she found out that was a bit funny.

“But if they ask you for something, such as searching for someone, I think you’ll probably benefit from helping them.” (Myaro)

“You’re right, but I don’t feel that they had helped me too much though.” (Yuri)

‘Since I passed through the forest, I couldn’t get help from the other side. For now, I’m grateful that they prepared a room and called a doctor.’

“I don’t think they have done anything that would benefit your escape, either directly or indirectly.” (Myaro)

“That’s probably right.” (Yuri)

‘In fact, I didn’t meet anyone other than the Queen’s Sword. Unless it was possible to prevent the pursuit even partially, that wouldn’t be the case either.’

“However, if they insist that they had given you a favor, you will be ask to give it back.” (Myaro)

“That’s right. It’s something that a gangster would do.” (Yuri)

“Yes. This is a technique that my parents often do.” (Myaro)

‘Her household is the eighth Witch.’

“Hmm… so, what about the soldiers’ provision? Is it coming from Reform?” (Yuri)

“We are using what is left behind when the Rube Household withdrew.” (Myaro)

“I see.” (Yuri)

‘As expected, if they supply us the provision, it couldn’t be helped. However, it seems that we are still doing it on our own.’

“So, in fact, your assault… delayed the advance of the other side.” (Myaro)

“…Haa? Really?” (Yuri)

‘That’s my first time hearing it. It seems that the outcomes of the war were so good that the Papal States that they got cut off. So, I supposed it’s true that they are delayed for a bit.’

“Yes. It seems that all the provisions brought by the Papal States were burnt, so it was very difficult to manage the condition. Apparently, they were out of pace, and there was a delay. If they don’t have the supplies, they can’t replenish them, so they will be left behind. For other countries, it would be difficult to leave the Papal States and march ahead.” (Myaro)

“That’s true.” (Yuri)

‘From the perspective of the Crusaders as a whole, the loss of supplies would be about ten percent or so when the Papal States’ supplies were burnt. It would be good to carry a large amount by ship and replenish it while getting accommodation from other countries, but the allied forces aren’t so flexible. Each country’s largest unit has different senses of purpose.’

‘It’s not like a limb that is controlled by the brain and lives with the same heart. There is also another concern and that is the national honor. It’s not easy to keep your head down and go around with your country on your back.’

“Of course, earning time in these situations is extremely valuable. Besides, there’s a view that the turmoil caused the pursuit to slow down when withdrawing from the decisive battle.” (Myaro)

“You’re saying things. I don’t like to take credit whether that’s true or not.” (Yuri)

‘It’s kind of unpleasant. Even from the enemy’s point of view, the siege of the Great Fortress took more than a week. So, it can be said that there was some confusion during the pursuit battle, but burning supplies could be compensated by waiting while surrounding the fortress. There must have been a great deal of confusion as a whole, but it seems too much to say that I’m the driving force behind that achievement.’

“That will be the story if the other side pressures you. If they say that they have given you a favor, you can say that you have already paid it through that. No matter how peculiar the story is, if they are silencing us, it means that they have a reason.” (Myaro)

‘That’s certainly the case. In short, did she prepare the counter-argument so that I wouldn’t be overwhelmed when the other side tries to pressure me?’

“That’s right. I’ll use it as a reference.” (Yuri)

“Yes. Well then, please do your best.” (Myaro)

Myaro quickly stood up as soon as the explanation was over.

“Are you going already?” (Yuri)

‘Don’t be too impatient.’

“Yes. I’m here as a representative, so everyone in the unit is waiting for the long news to see that you have returned.” (Myaro)

“Oh yeah. Well, give them my best regards.” (Yuri)

“Yes.” (Myaro)

Myaro nodded.

“Well, please excuse me.” (Myaro)