CH 100

That day, a festival was being celebrated in the Rosyth Kingdom.

The first of the good news was three days ago.

It seems Bartolo, who had been granted Imperium, had destroyed the enemy army – all with a damage to their side below 200.

After this news was first sent to King Rosyth, it was immediately made known to the great clansmen after which it was made public to the commoners.

Since the Rosyth Kingdom had been on the defensive in wars for several tens of years, this news was music to the ears of the people and brought them great joy.

If they had won the war, then it would mean that they’d been able to plunder considerably and that large numbers of slaves would enter the country.

Even the commoners stand to gain much profit from this victory.

The next good news came the following day.

The United Army successfully captured the DeMorgal Kingdom’s capital bloodlessly. It seems Prince Aldo has abandoned the defense of the capital and fled.

As such, today, King Rosyth is receiving information that most of the great clansmen of the Aldo faction is now, one by one, defecting to the Carlo faction.

“It seems 70% of the great clansmen have defected on our side. Just a week more is what it should all take before we complete the subjugation of the enemy.”

As I said so while surveying the great clansmen, they give off large cheers.

I also want to join these men in their cheers.

As expected of Bartolo. It’s a great victory much more than what I had imagined.

It seems it was a great decision to appoint him Imperator.

If this keeps up, the civil war is sure to end soon.

Not only did I get more territory and a vassal, I managed to get them with pretty much no damage. It’s the best outcome.

The war costs money for the meantime……..however, if it’s just for a short period, then it wouldn’t be that much of a huge cost.

Basically, it’s fine to recognize that the war is beyond what we can handle if it stretches on for more than three months.

A month still hasn’t even passed since this war began so we still have financial leeway.

“Raymond, how is it with the Belvedere and Eville Kingdoms?”

“Both kingdoms show no sign of movement. …..In any case, right now, it’s easy to see that they’d get the tables turned on them once General Bartolo returns after all.”

In otherwords, vigilance against both countries is needless anxiety, huh.

For the present, once this war ends, protection against the north would be flawless since, in any case, the DeMorgal Kingdom, once our greatest enemy, has been bound in an alliance with us.

Next is to take down the Belvedere Kingdom, and after that the Eville Kingdom…….I wonder if such an order is good?

Obtaining an official alliance with Lezzad might go smoothly after all if we attack the Belvedere Kingdom.

If we manage to take down these two countries, then countries that would be able to oppose us would cease to exist.

After that, we’d advance south and if we manage to absorb the small to medium kingdoms there………then it’s easy to see the unification of the Adernia Peninsula.

“For the meantime, shall we bring the news to the people? That should probably quell any dissatisfaction after all.”

Having few people dead is an achievement.

No matter how much you win and advance, if the dead numbered high, then dissatisfaction would swell.

“Are the preparations for the Triumph advancing? As promised, prepare liquor.”

But before that, I need to think about the territory I need to give Bartolo as reward, huh…….

Right now, we’ve been blinded by the thought of victory that we completely neglected the problem that Prince Aldo has yet to be caught.

This would later call forth a great catastrophe…….

“Ugaaaaaaaa!!!”

Just about the same time, Mari is tearing her head out in frustration.

According to Mari’s plan:

To give Prince Pax achievements, the DeMorgal Kingdom would attack the Rosyth Kingdom.

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They would choose at their discretion the moment when the Equus tribe provides reinforcements and install Ledus as head of the tribe.

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If everything went as planned, then they would certainly have both Eville and Belvedere Kingdoms participate in the war.

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The moment the Rosyth Kingdom is weakened, the Rozel Kingdom will attack the DeMorgal Kingdom from behind. After that, as payment for the help, the Rosyth Kingdom shall become their vassal.

That’s how things were supposed to go.

From the very beginning, this plan got destroyed.

By a strange twist of fate, King DeMorgal died and a civil war broke out. There, the Rosyth Kingdom intervened and secured a huge victory……

“Ummm…..Lady Merlin……..It couldn’t be helped, yes? There’s no way anyone could’ve expected that King DeMorgal would’ve died that…….”

“No…….I was careless. Even though just by looking at that belly, it wouldn’t be strange for him to get one or two illnesses from his habits……I didn’t even try to check it.”

That said, as expected, it would be difficult to plant a Rozel sorcerer into the directly supervised King DeMorgal’s doctors.

Therefore, it really couldn’t be helped. Perhaps, it was mischief of the heavens…….

“His Majesty has said that you shouldn’t mind it, you know?”

“…….Well, of course, he’d say that. There’s no person in this country capable of giving me punishment, you know.”

Basically, in the Rozel Kingdom, the upper stratum of the Rozel Kingdom’s society consists of the capable people Mari herself had chosen. Mari also holds the important right to decide who the next King Rozel would be.

Mari had saved the first King Rozel even before he had founded the Rozel Kingdom.

No person holds any doubt in Mari’s authority.

It couldn’t be helped if that Lady Merlin had failed……. such an atmosphere permeated the kingdom.

Besides, it’s not like you’d lose the interests you hold now just because you lost the interests you should’ve been able to take now.

Therefore, instead of critizising her, King Rozel had instead encouraged Mari. However……..

That gentleness was painful.

“So, what did you come here fore?”

“General Curio has returned from his campaign.”

“Curio, huh. Didn’t he say that, according to schedule, it would take around two weeks?”

General Curio.

He’s the greatest amongst the great generals – a pride of the Rozel Kingdom. Just a little more than a year ago, he was in a campaign for the unification of Gaul’s northern regions.

Skillfully using two divine protections, he’ll certainly bring in victory.

His forte is assault tactics, giving him the name “Piercing Demon.”

No Gallian does not know the name “Piercing Demon Curio.”

“It seems he had heard that Lady Merlin had failed so had returned with ten thousand of his elites via forced march. According to him, it was still too early to give up.”

“………Ah, I see.”

A plan to break the deadlock pops up on the back of Mari’s mind.

It’s quite a difficult strategy so much so that it’s a bet of sorts but…..it’s a strategy that would be able to raise the gains much more than what was first estimated.

“Haa…….I understand. I’ll go now.”

Mari heads for General Curio’s whereabouts while dragging her heavy feet.

“For the present, Congratulations, Curio. Thanks to you, the unification of Gaul advances a step.”

Mari gives Curio words of congratulations.

Curio broadly smiles in a good mood.

“Wahahahahahahaha, this is what happens when you rely on me.  Now then, Lady Mariruri, what else do you have to say to me?”

Mari raised her eyes. That said, it’s true that Mari is not in a position right now where she can take the high ground.

“It’s not Mariruri, It’s Merlin. …….I made a mistake in the strategy. With how things are going, the Rosyth Kingdom will get greatly strengthened. I want your help in protecting against that.”

“In other words, we’ll march towards the DeMorgal Kingdom while hoisting Prince Aldo’s position.”

“Yes.”

The fortunate thing is Prince Aldo is yet to be captured.

He’s running from place to place while continuing his resistance.

Getting captured is only a matter of time but…….they should still be able to make it.

Mari has a meands of high speed travel called Elly. Using Elly, securing Prince Aldo would be a walk in the park.

“The goods we’d be able to bring out would be…….the 10,000 I brought home plus the 5,000 battle slaves for a total of 15,000, huh. It’s about the same number as the enemy. Well, victory is certain under my leadership, right?……. However, I’m tired. Up until recently, I’ve been in the cold north of Gaul, after all… What to do, I wonder…”

Curio looks at Mari while grinning.

Mari looks as if she had swallowed a thousand bitter bugs.

“………Please. I’m asking you so please cover up for my mistake.”

“Alright, I understand! It’s Lady Mariru’s request. I’ll happily take it up!!”

Curio smiles with a grin.

Mari glares at Curio.

“It’s Merlin, not Mariru!! Otherwise, just Mari!! Jeez……even though you were just a bed-wetting brat just a little while ago…..”

“I’m already 40, you know? To consider 40 years as just “a little while ago”…..for an old woman, it’s amazing, huh.”

“Aren’t you considered as middle aged this year? You’re the stereotypical old geezer you know. Besides, I look 17 years old. Furthermore, my hymen would immediately restore thanks to my divine protection so I’m an eternal virgin. I’m a beautiful girl that would make unicorns cry with joy, you know.” [TLN1]

Mari, who had gotten back to her usual rhythm, laughs through her nose.

Curio shrugs.

For what it’s worth, these two had known each other for a long time so they get along well. Although the two themselves would certainly deny it.

“Now then, let’s strike while the iron is hot. After the proposal to His Majesty the King, let us depart immediately. Even Krillin should want some company. Just you flying up should have enough of an effect.”

“……That one should be Ruril, not Krillin, right?…..”[TLN2]

While making a bitter smile, Mari heads for the palace with Curio.

“Shit!! Why, why!!”

“……….

Ten minutes have passed since Aldo began hitting Alice.

It’s about time it’ll become really painful and difficult.

Alice is quite different from an ordinary person so she’s quite alright but painful things are painful.

“……..Uhm, could you please let me off now?”

“Shut up!! Why the fuck, why the fuck!!”

Even if you keep asking that, there’s nothing Alice could answer. Alice is completely clueless regarding politics and military matters after all.

“For the meantime, we should think about what to do from now on. Like for example…..defecting to the Rozel Kingdom or the like.”

Currently, that’s the best realistic answer. Even if they surrendered, it’s easy to see that they’d just get killed.

If they escaped to the Rozel Kingdom, there’s a possibility that they’d be able to borrow Rozel soldiers after all, and at the worst, they’d at least save their lives.

“By what means can you even say that!! We’re already surrounded, you know? Right now, the only card I have is you!!”

Aldo’s popularity has completely disappeared thanks to his flight and abandonment of the capital.

His escorts have also fled one by one and they even began selling information to the enemy to settle.

In short, after they had thought that they had finally arrived at an ally great clansman’s territory, they’d get served poisoned food, assaulted in their sleep……etc, etc.

Aldo’s at a point where, in his viewpoint, he only has his slave Alice left.

In otherwords, Aldo’s life is in Alice’s hands but he keeps on hitting Alice without noticing that.

All you can say is that it’s very much like Aldo.

Furthermore, it’s very much like Alice to not have even an atom of thought about selling Aldo out.

But then again, Alice is protecting Aldo not out of good will nor loyalty but out of pure fear and misplaced preconception that she couldn’t go against him.

“AA!! Why the hell is this happening!!”

Aldo shouts while hitting Alice’s face, his eyes are tearing.

The one who wants to cry is me, Alice thought.

Well, the last time Alice cried was more than ten years ago, however…….

Right now, the two are at the manor of an Aldo faction great clansman.

At the very least, this place has offered them meals and bath as if they were Aldo’s allies.

However, Alice thought that time is a problem.

The winds of favor are totally on Rosyth’s side. Nobles choose stronger people as allies.

Besides, Aldo has the sin of murdering his brother and his father (although the latter is a false charge). Betraying him is pretty much a just cause.

“Lord Aldo, if you don’t stop soon then I won’t be able to answer.”

“I don’t need the advice of a spider woman!!”

Aldo hits Alice’s face with all his might.

Then don’t ask! Alice thought. Naturally, she didn’t say it out loud.

“Aa, Shit…..what should I do to break the deadlock…….”

Aldo separates from Alice and starts walking back and forth around the room.

His face is completely deep blue.

It’s easy to see that his freshly severed head would be displayed to the public even if he did an earnest apology this late. It’s as if the only thing he could do is die.

The word death keeps flashing on the back of Aldo’s mind.

“Oi, Alice!! Can’t you kill Carlo?”

“……Won’t they just get another person for the job if First Prince Carlo gets killed?

There’s lots of royalty out there. It’s possible enough that they’d also resort to set up a great clansman with high enough influence as the next king. Actually, there’s a great number of people in the Adernia Peninsula that had become kings by dominating their seniors and superiors.

If things meant that Aldo would have to become king, then an immature child that popped up from somewhere that became king after being divinated as chosen by god would’ve been a much less objectionable choice.

“Uu…….what to do, what to do…….”

While Aldo was worrying over what to do, a loud knocking sound emanates from the door.

The great clansman protecting Aldo opens the door with great vigor.

“Oi! What is it! Opening the door without my permission….”

“Lord Aldo, I bring great news!!! King Rozel has, King Rozel has!!!!!!”

Aldo also opens his eyes wide.

He claps his hands with the great clansman and the two celebrate.

Aldo DeMorgal. He seems to have extreme bad luck.

“Haa……”

Alice takes a deep sigh.