Loda Kingdom’s capital.
This metropolis with a population of over 100,000 people was now facing an unprecedented crisis.
“The enemy army has made it even here in the capital…”
With despair on their face, a soldier stationed on top of the capital’s huge walls muttered so when they caught sight of the large army far off in the distance.
“Does that mean that all our other cities and forts have fallen, and now only the capital is left standing? …even then, how can they have done all that so quickly…”
The Loda Kingdom’s army had prided themselves to be the strongest in the world.
But then, they suffered a series of defeats. In no time at all, that led to their enemies marching all the way to their capital. If their capital was to be taken too, that would mark the end for their nation. Unsurprisingly, their morale wasn’t just low, it was at rock bottom.
The enemy to drive them into this corner was none other than the Cranzel Empire, the southern superpower which had now already conquered almost half of the continent. The Loda Kingdom wasn’t the only one to be subjected to an invasion; many other nations, both small and large, had fallen prey to the empire.
The most significant factor behind the empire’s steady advance and thus the empire’s growth so far was their possession of an extremely powerful weapon.
“T-that’s the empire’s [Giant Soldier]…!”
When the soldier on top of the walls identified a large figure approaching alongside the enemy army, they unintentionally let out a scream. That figure resembled a man, but compared to the size its torso, it had a somewhat larger head, long arms, and short feet. Its short and stout physique was probably closer to that of a large ape’s.
This weapon—which was operated by riding inside of it—was called the Giant Soldier. According to rumors, the empire excavated it from some ancient ruins and restored it. It was also said to have overwhelming offensive and defensive capabilities that even elite soldiers couldn’t hope to compete with. Additionally…
“…! It’s attacking!?”
“Ahh! Get downnn!”’
*DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNN!!*
The Giant Soldier fired a magical projectile and it made a direct hit on the capital’s wall.
There was a thunderous roar as well as a violent tremor. Countless debris rained down for quite some time. And when the soldiers were finally able to stand up, what greeted them was the state of the wall: a large portion of it was destroyed.
“I-in just one attack…”
Before the Giant Soldier, even such mighty walls might as well not be there.
And against that incarnation of destruction which didn’t even let them fight a siege battle, the soldiers’ already rock-bottom morale just found a new bottom.
“The only thing to do…is surrender, isn’t it?”
◇ ◇ ◇
“And that’s why…”
“Ehh…”
One day, the Loda Kingdom’s envoys were no longer talking in their patronizing attitude but instead as though they were crying for help. When I asked them on what actually was going on, they told me that their nation was facing a crisis that could spell its doom.
“According to the last report we received, the enemy army is already at the doorsteps of our capital…what happened since then, however, I do not know…”
So that’s why they wanted to borrow my power no matter what…
“We came here hoping that, with your Gift, we could overturn this impending catastrophe…”
“You should have said something sooner then…huh? Wait, does that mean…?”
Then, I put things together in my head.
That maybe the other nations from before had the same goal…
“There can be no mistaking it. If the empire is left unchecked, it would soon devour Gobaldo, Ateri, and the many nations along the mediterranean coast. I imagine that, like us, other nations are currying favor with you using whatever means as a measure against the empire.”
That explained all the expensive presents from the envoys back then, as well as the warm welcome their nations gave us when we visited.
“Naturally, those nations must have been skeptical about the rumors of you that they heard from merchants. And thinking there was no drawback in trying, they sent envoys your way. We did the same. But when we actually saw your city…err, your village, we were convinced. Convinced that we could survive as long we could borrow your strength.”
Gaius-san then knelt down and silently bowed his head.
“I beg you…please lend us your strength so that we could save our kingdom…!”
Loda Kingdom’s capital.
This metropolis with a population of over 100,000 people was now facing an unprecedented crisis.
“The enemy army has made it even here in the capital…”
With despair on their face, a soldier stationed on top of the capital’s huge walls muttered so when they caught sight of the large army far off in the distance.
“Does that mean that all our other cities and forts have fallen, and now only the capital is left standing? …even then, how can they have done all that so quickly…”
The Loda Kingdom’s army had prided themselves to be the strongest in the world.
But then, they suffered a series of defeats. In no time at all, that led to their enemies marching all the way to their capital. If their capital was to be taken too, that would mark the end for their nation. Unsurprisingly, their morale wasn’t just low, it was at rock bottom.
The enemy to drive them into this corner was none other than the Cranzel Empire, the southern superpower which had now already conquered almost half of the continent. The Loda Kingdom wasn’t the only one to be subjected to an invasion; many other nations, both small and large, had fallen prey to the empire.
The most significant factor behind the empire’s steady advance and thus the empire’s growth so far was their possession of an extremely powerful weapon.
“T-that’s the empire’s [Giant Soldier]…!”
When the soldier on top of the walls identified a large figure approaching alongside the enemy army, they unintentionally let out a scream. That figure resembled a man, but compared to the size its torso, it had a somewhat larger head, long arms, and short feet. Its short and stout physique was probably closer to that of a large ape’s.
This weapon—which was operated by riding inside of it—was called the Giant Soldier. According to rumors, the empire excavated it from some ancient ruins and restored it. It was also said to have overwhelming offensive and defensive capabilities that even elite soldiers couldn’t hope to compete with. Additionally…
“…! It’s attacking!?”
“Ahh! Get downnn!”’
*DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNN!!*
The Giant Soldier fired a magical projectile and it made a direct hit on the capital’s wall.
There was a thunderous roar as well as a violent tremor. Countless debris rained down for quite some time. And when the soldiers were finally able to stand up, what greeted them was the state of the wall: a large portion of it was destroyed.
“I-in just one attack…”
Before the Giant Soldier, even such mighty walls might as well not be there.
And against that incarnation of destruction which didn’t even let them fight a siege battle, the soldiers’ already rock-bottom morale just found a new bottom.
“The only thing to do…is surrender, isn’t it?”
◇ ◇ ◇
“And that’s why…”
“Ehh…”
One day, the Loda Kingdom’s envoys were no longer talking in their patronizing attitude but instead as though they were crying for help. When I asked them on what actually was going on, they told me that their nation was facing a crisis that could spell its doom.
“According to the last report we received, the enemy army is already at the doorsteps of our capital…what happened since then, however, I do not know…”
So that’s why they wanted to borrow my power no matter what…
“We came here hoping that, with your Gift, we could overturn this impending catastrophe…”
“You should have said something sooner then…huh? Wait, does that mean…?”
Then, I put things together in my head.
That maybe the other nations from before had the same goal…
“There can be no mistaking it. If the empire is left unchecked, it would soon devour Gobaldo, Ateri, and the many nations along the mediterranean coast. I imagine that, like us, other nations are currying favor with you using whatever means as a measure against the empire.”
That explained all the expensive presents from the envoys back then, as well as the warm welcome their nations gave us when we visited.
“Naturally, those nations must have been skeptical about the rumors of you that they heard from merchants. And thinking there was no drawback in trying, they sent envoys your way. We did the same. But when we actually saw your city…err, your village, we were convinced. Convinced that we could survive as long we could borrow your strength.”
Gaius-san then knelt down and silently bowed his head.
“I beg you…please lend us your strength so that we could save our kingdom…!”
