Chapter 283: Unusual Report

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It was still slightly bright outside when there was a knock on the door. Shamu and I were lying on the bed after finishing up some things. Shamu, sensitive to sounds, jumped up swiftly with a start.

I put on a gown, took a weapon, and approached the door. I didn’t think an assassin would be polite enough to knock. There was another knock at the door.

“Is the head of the household present?” (??)

It was the head maid’s voice.

While feeling puzzled, I turned the inner lock of the door and opened it.

“Did you ask Lily-san?” (Yuri)

I asked the obvious.

“Yes. Earlier, a messenger sent by Myaro-sama arrived at the annex, requesting you to come immediately. It seems a situation with Emergency Code Class B-2 has occurred. I didn’t quite understand it, though.” (Maid Leader)

“Got it. I’ll head there right away.” (Yuri)

“Forgive my boldness, but is Shamu-sama here?” (Head Maid)

“…” (Yuri)

“Please don’t worry. To me, my only master is Yuri-sama. I won’t speak of what happened today, even if Satsuki-sama interrogates me. I considered pretending I didn’t see anything, but the reason I didn’t is that, if today’s act was a once-in-a-lifetime event for the lady, it would be far too sad if the gentleman left her here alone. In other words… I’ll take care of it.” (Head Maid)

“I see. Then wait for a bit.” (Yuri)

I closed the door once and returned to the bedroom. Shamu was wrapped in a blanket. I sat on the bedside.

“Sorry, it seems like an emergency has occurred, and I’ve been called.” (Yuri)

“Do you really have to go?” (Shamu)

Shamu looked at me with sad eyes.

“It’s not like I have to go. I don’t know the details, but if you really don’t want me to, I’ll stay here.” (Yuri)

“… You’re right. Sorry, please go. You don’t have to stay.” (Shamu)

When I saw that expression, everything suddenly felt ridiculous to me.

In my heart, I weighed the situation. But the scales wavered, without giving me an answer.

“… I’m sorry.” (Yuri)

I hugged Shamu’s head and said with as much feeling as I could.

“It’s fine. But make it up to me later, okay?” (Shamu)

“I will. Look forward to it.” (Yuri)

“Then, go now.” (Shamu) Searᴄh the novёlF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

I released Shamu’s head.

“The one who came to call me is the head maid. Is it okay if I let her in?” (Yuri)

“Sure. She’s helped me change clothes many times.” (Shamu)

“Well, I’ll be off. If possible, I’ll be back by tonight.” (Yuri)

“Okay, I’ll wait without high expectations.” (Shamu)

I patted Shamu’s small head, got dressed, and headed to the royal castle.

—

Riding the Galloping Bird that the head maid had brought, I headed straight to the castle and dismounted in front of the castle gate, where Myaro was waiting.

“Your Excellency Yuri, I apologize for bothering you. But it’s an emergency.” (Myaro)

Since there were people around, she addressed me as “Your Excellency”.

“I figured. Tell me as we walk.” (Yuri)

I said while heading straight to the war council room.

“Yes. A large army suddenly appeared on the border of the Tyrellme front and broke through the border.” (Myaro)

“Whereabouts?” (Yuri)

“Not on the Shantinon side, but on the coastal area on this side. It’s believed to be between 10000 and 30000 soldiers. There’s no information about their nationality yet.” (Myaro)

“That’s an odd number. It’s not a mercenary group.” (Yuri)

“Indeed. At the very least, it’s confirmed that they saw the military flag of the Papal States. The border base was completely overrun in a night attack. There were 200 men stationed there, and they were wiped out in an instant. They barely managed to send out one messenger hawk.” (Myaro)

As we talked, we arrived at the war council room.

“Your Excellency Yuri has arrived! All members, salute!” (Soldiers)

As soon as I stepped through the door, everything stopped, and the soldiers saluted. I returned the salute and immediately lowered my hand. As I approached the central table surrounded by people in the war council room, those around it made space for me.

“When was the night raid on the border?” (Yuri)

“Around 4 a.m. this morning.” (Myaro)

“Who and how did they confirm the scale of the enemy forces?” (Yuri)

“It was first reported by the garrison that was attacked in the night raid. Following that, the second report just arrived from the scouting eagle sent by General Kien. The number seems to be around 10,000. They are advancing inland at a tremendous speed.” (Myaro)

“Without any plundering or city assaults?” (Yuri)

“Yes. It seems they are raiding villages to procure food locally, but taking the food itself is not their objective. Near the location where the enemy forces were spotted in the second report, there is a city that flourishes commercially, but they passed by without paying any attention to it. Given their speed, it doesn’t seem like they’re taking the time to make any detours.” (Myaro)

“Has Kien’s army already moved in full force?” (Yuri)

I have entrusted Kien Rube with the army in that area. His task is to keep watch over the entire western border. There’s another army in the eastern area, around the northern part of Shantinion.

“Yes. They have already begun to move in order to confront the enemy. Given the difference in military strength, we should be able to repel them sufficiently.” (Myaro)

“I see. Then, immediately put the royal guard and the Hou Household’s garrison in the capital on ships, cross the sea, and land in Oranqua to cut off the enemy’s retreat.” (Yuri)

“Myaro, how many people can we transport using the ships in the capital’s port?” (Yuri)

“If we also use the ships at the mouth of the Elwyn River… we can transport about 5,000. If we procure all the food locally, we might be able to transport 7,000.” (Myaro)

“That’s enough. If the main clash hasn’t occurred yet, we’ll work together with Kien’s forces and attack from the northeast and southwest. Even in the unlikely event that Kien’s army is defeated, by that point, the enemy will have suffered considerable losses. With 7,000 men, we’ll have more than enough of an advantage. In that case, we’ll cut off their retreat and slaughter them. There shouldn’t be any major problems, but does anyone have an opinion to share?” (Yuri)

I asked just in case, but no one spoke up.

“It seems like there are no objections. Then, let’s begin the operation immediately. The Hou Household’s garrison is not ready to respond quickly, so we’ll have the royal guard head to Elwyn by land first. The Hou Household’s army will board ships in the capital, depart at dawn tomorrow, and rendezvous with the royal guard at the river mouth. Is that alright?” (Yuri)

The river from Sibyaku to the mouth has many islands, so navigating it at night carries a high risk of running aground. Losing time here would be painful, but sending only the royal guard ahead would result in insufficient strength.

“Yes. Whoever they are, they’ll regret underestimating us when they crossed into our territory.” (Yuri)

—

Three days later, in the evening.

“What?” (Yuri)

An Eagle from the Rube Household, which had flown from Oranqua, landed on the ship, delivering a message. When I read it, I tilted my head in confusion.

“The battle is already over… and they were almost completely wiped out?” (Yuri)

“Yes, that’s correct. It was a fierce battle, with only about 1,000 out of the 10,000 enemy forces remaining, and those 1,000 are now retreating. We are currently pursuing them, but it seems they have already reached near Taltu. Even if we continue the chase, we won’t catch up in time, and they’ll cross the border before we reach them.” (Myaro)

“I see… so it was a wasted trip then.” (Yuri)

By the time we arrived, the war was over, and the enemy’s retreat was almost complete. In other words, we were too late.

“Was the enemy mainly cavalry?” (Yuri)

“Yes. It seems they launched a desperate charge toward the main camp before the Lube Household’s army could even form ranks. After that, it became a chaotic battle, and even General Kien himself was wounded in the fighting.” (Myaro)

“I see. By the way, is this eagle your personal one?” (Yuri)

“No, it belongs to the Oranqua garrison. It’s used for both scouting and sending messages.” (Myaro)

“May I borrow this eagle for now? I want to fly to Neufer immediately.” (Yuri)

“Oh, that’s fine. I’ll come to pick it up later, so please let me know where you leave it.” (Myaro)

“Much appreciated. Hey, once we reach the port, have the soldiers disembark and rest for now.” (Yuri)

I left those instructions with the captain on deck, mounted the eagle, tightened the harness, and soared into the sky.

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