Chapter 269: Fritz Roni*

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“That’s right. During the night, seize all the ships docked at the harbor.” (Fritz)

Fritz was taking command in the large conference room of the government office, which had been temporarily opened as the emergency headquarters.

“Even if we keep them docked, once the Eagles are deployed, they won’t be able to set sail. If they try to depart, they’ll be set ablaze.” (Fritz)

“U-understood… but the port management association…” (??)

The admiral of the Galilia Union Navy spoke hesitantly.

Historically, the port of Galilianin had been widely accessible, and the merchants who controlled the port were given the right to do so in exchange for paying the designated taxes.

The port management association was a coalition of major merchants, wielding significant power in Galilianin. While it was not an entirely inviolable domain for the city administration, it was true that politicians throughout history had respected its independence, occasionally accepting donations.

“Don’t worry about it at all. Use the marines to seize the ships forcefully.” (Fritz)

Anyway, the invaders wouldn’t care about such circumstances. If this system was going to collapse today or tomorrow, there was no need to be concerned about it.

“Use everything, both navy and civilian ships. Get as many citizens as possible to evacuate to Krylafia.” (Fritz)

Krylafia was a city located to the east of Galilianin, separated by a narrow strait.

“Reducing even one mouth to feed means we can hold out longer if a siege is laid against us.” (Fritz)

Originally, Galilianin wasn’t a city designed to withstand a siege.

If they were to go to war with the Kururuan Dragon Empire and lose at sea, causing the port to be blocked, they could still procure food overland. Even if the Tyrellme God-Protected Empire attacked by land, they wouldn’t capture the sea, allowing supplies to be brought in by ship. Losing both the land and the sea was a situation that could typically be avoided through diplomatic efforts. Therefore, if that became impossible, then surrender was the only option. However, such assumptions were shattered with the appearance of the Eagles dropping fire.

As long as they had bombs and feed, ships could be easily destroyed. Then, the port became unusable. If the land could be controlled, it would be able to control over the sea as well.

Of course, they had been aware of this for some time, and they had stored up many provisions, but with Galilianin’s large population, there were limits to how much could be done. If they were to distribute food to all the citizens every day, they would have just over 30 days’ worth, even if they rationed it tightly.

“Understood. So, we’ll proceed with the seizure during the night. May I begin the preparations?” (??)

The admiral asked.

“Please do.” (Fritz)

When Fritz responded formally, the admiral immediately rushed off.

“What should we do here, Consul?” (??)

The commander of the Galilianin local militia was seeking instructions. Due to the issue with the chain of command, he kept glancing over at the secretary-general. Strictly adhering to city law, the secretary-general didn’t hold command authority, but with Berbeo abandoning his duties, it was clear that he was the highest-ranking official on the civic side.

Fritz was part of the national government. While the interests of the nation and the city were not necessarily at odds, as Consul of the Galilia Union, he had to consider the needs of the entire Union and could not prioritize the interests of individual cities. There were some issues with the idea of the local militia answering directly to the Consul, given the very nature of their existence. However, with Berbeo neglecting his duties, there was no room for such arguments.

“Have the local militia leave the minimum number of troops necessary to defend the city walls and then reinforce patrols starting tonight. Enforce a citywide curfew.” (Fritz)

“A curfew? You’re not evacuating them?” (??)

“Tomorrow, at dawn, mobilize all civil officials to visit each home and determine the willingness of the citizens to evacuate. After that, evacuate them by ship in order of their district numbers, starting with the lowest.” (Fritz)

Fortunately, the state of panic among the citizens had begun to subside with the onset of night. Their homes hadn’t been destroyed, so, aside from those who had already fled, most people seemed to have returned to their residences. This was advantageous. The last thing they needed was a repeat of the panic that had erupted during the day, which would make any evacuation impossible.

“…Understood.” (??)

“Thank you. I’m sorry to impose on you because of my humiliating defeat.” (Fritz)

In principle, they were not in a position to take orders from Fritz. It would be wise to show some humility.

“No, not at all. With your permission, I will take my leave.” (??)

The militia commander also gave a respectful bow before quickly departing.

“…You’ve been a great help.” (??)

The secretary-general, who had been watching nearby, spoke up. He had been doing his best in this situation, but he was someone who had become the secretary-general after 40 years of diligently handling administrative work. He was thoroughly knowledgeable about the city’s administrative appointments and the details of each year’s budget allocations, but he was entirely out of his depth when it came to managing wartime measures.

“No, this is all because of my own failures in the first place. Under martial law, would it be acceptable to leave you in charge of coordinating the visits to each household?” (Fritz)

“Yes, of course.” (??)

“Then, I’m counting on you. As for me… I have a few things to take care of.” (Fritz)

Fritz bowed slightly, then got up from his seat.

“Are you going to get some rest?” (??)

“Well, something like that. I haven’t slept at all since the defeat.” (Fritz)

“That’s…” (??)

The secretary-general showed a look of concern. That was a lie. Fritz had managed to get a few hours of sleep in Noimirabel. Though he wasn’t in peak condition, he wasn’t so exhausted that he urgently needed sleep.

“In that case, I’ll take my leave for a bit. I’m counting on all of you.” (Fritz)

Fritz stood up and left the government building. Having fulfilled his duties, Fritz was filled with a strange sense of satisfaction. It felt like the sense of mission within his heart had finally granted him a form of absolution.

—

After completing a long, arduous task, Fritz, driven by a sense of urgency, headed straight to his home, where Nozette and his beloved daughter, Muzette, were waiting.

Nozette was clever. She wouldn’t consider traveling by the dangerous land routes if she had left. She would have used the money Fritz had given her to secure a safer passage by sea. Yet, even if she had chosen to stay, given the way Yuri Hou had managed occupied territories in the past, it wouldn’t necessarily be a poor decision. Either outcome was acceptable, as long as she was safe.

Fritz turned the knob on the front door of his house, but it was locked. He used a spare key he carried with him to unlock it.

As he stepped inside, he heard a man’s voice.

“Shut up—hold her down—” (??)

“—No, please stop!” (Nozette)

Through the thick door, Fritz could faintly hear Nozette’s voice.

Fritz groaned inwardly.

He hadn’t brought any guards to his mistress’s home, as it would have seemed improper. But now, retreating wasn’t an option. Fueled by a surge of emotions, Fritz drew the thin sword he had carried at his side since his deployment for the first time. He kicked the living room door open and quickly scanned the room. Three robbers were there.

Grasping his sword with both hands, Fritz lunged at a large man who was trying to straddle Nozette. He felt the sharp point of the blade cut into the man’s side, piercing deeply into something soft.

“Ugh!?” (??)

“What the—!?” (??)

Fritz pulled his sword out with his whole body, then thrust it again at the man who had shouted.

It was a clumsy move, driven only by raw emotion, but the sword plunged deep into the man’s chest. The man must have been drinking after the deed. He had been reaching for a knife he’d hastily placed on the table.

“Fritz! Watch out!” (Nozette)

Nozette’s voice cried out just as something struck Fritz hard in the back. At first, Fritz thought he’d been hit, but then he felt a foreign sensation in his back and realized something had been stabbed into him.

“Gah!” (Fritz)

As he pulled his sword free and pushed back with his shoulders, the foreign sensation in his back disappeared. Turning around, he saw the last man standing, holding a blood-stained dagger that had been in Fritz’s back moments ago.

“Heh heh…” (??)

The man seemed indifferent to his fallen companions. His gaze was fixed on the box of gold coins Fritz had left for Nozette, his eyes gleaming with greed. Perhaps, he thought he could keep it all for himself.

“…Just hurry up and die. I’ve got things to do.” (??)

The man watched Fritz while holding the knife in his hand with a wary grip. It seemed he intended to wait for Fritz to bleed out from the wound on his back rather than attacking directly.

Fritz felt he had no chance of winning. After all, it was as if this was the first time he had ever held a sword. Though he might have managed to stab an unprepared opponent, this man was ready and prepared to fight. Fritz had no idea how to engage in combat effectively.

“You—” (Nozette)

At that moment, with a small cry from Nozette, a large, familiar vase was thrown from the side, striking the man’s head with a thud.

“Ugh—” (??)

As the man groaned and the vase shattered on the floor, Fritz seized the moment and moved recklessly. Due to the wound on his back, his body was failing to cooperate. He couldn’t muster the strength to launch a powerful attack. He could only swing his sword wildly. The sword struck the man’s shoulder, making a shallow cut before sliding up his neck and deeply cutting through.

“Guh… damn it!” (??)

The man had one hand on his neck and was still clutching the dagger. However, it seemed he had completely severed the blood vessels in his neck, and blood was flowing endlessly from between his fingers. As they kept fighting, the man gradually began to feel unsteady.

“—Damn it” (??)

With one final curse, the man lost his strength and collapsed to the floor.

“…Hah” (Fritz)

Fritz sighed heavily, dropping the sword and staggering two steps to lean against the sofa.

“Fritz!” (Nozette)

Nozette rushed over.

“…Where’s Muzette?” (Fritz)

“She’s safe, hiding in the closet in the next room.” (Nozette)

“…Don’t let her out. Keep her away from this room until everything is sorted.” (Fritz)

He didn’t want Muzette to see such a gruesome scene. He hoped she could live her life free from the horrors of war.

“Understood. I’ll keep her hidden, but… oh, what should I do…?” (Nozette)

“—Do you have thread and a needle?” (Fritz)

“Y-yes…” (Nozette)

“Stitch me up. It might help…” (Fritz)

Fritz began to lose consciousness. Remarkably, the pain from the stab wound was more of a dull ache rather than intense pain.

“I’ll try. Turn around and show me your back.” (Nozette)

His sense of time was fading. He could barely hear the sounds of Nozette preparing the sewing tools. His thoughts were slowing down. Even as the needle pierced his back, he couldn’t fully grasp what was happening to him.

“Nozette.” (Fritz)

“Don’t talk.” (Nozette)

“Nozette, I love you… I love you. I love you.” (Fritz)

Perhaps it was due to the guilt of never having a conventional marriage. With his final, simple thoughts, Fritz desperately wanted to convey his feelings.

“I know. I know you love me.” (Nozette)

“I don’t want to die…” (Fritz)

“I know. You’re not going to die.” (Nozette)

“I don’t want to die. I want to see Muzette grow up…” (Fritz)

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When the stitching was done, Nozette’s face appeared. Perhaps from losing too much blood, everything looked blurred.

“I love you, Nozette.” (Fritz)

“I know. I know, so don’t speak! I’m going to call a doctor now!” (Nozette)

Fritz’s awareness, thin as a spider’s thread, abruptly cut off, and he lost consciousness.

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