Due to the effect of the opened “Hotbed of Corruption and Delusion”, another imperial city was destroyed.
Freed’s mysterious actions are no longer harmful after that.
「If things went according to his plan, Freed should have gotten two new demon king’s core.」
I wonder if he’s three times more powerful.
However, Oracle-chan said that if he really did that, he would only die by being swallowed up by the power of the demon king’s core.
Finally, I heard the news about the resumption of war.
From the imperial capital of Northmark, the Silesie subjugation army, led by Crown Prince Freed himself, began to march.
However, what was puzzling was that the empire now claimed that Count Brynie was not dead and announced that they would continue the war of intervention.
We had thought that they were going to use other noble families as their banner and we had taken measures against them but to use a dead count as their banner was beyond our expectations.
The count is dead. I killed him myself. I beheaded him and displayed his head for the City of Lauren to see.
Why did the empire invade using such inexplicable insistence?
Was it because of the failure of Brynie? Or did they learn their lesson that local nobles of Silesie tend to do whatever they want and are a bad banner?
It is true that a silent dead man might be better to use as a banner.
It is also possible that the cause no longer matters when it comes to this decisive battle.
There was one more thing that surprised us.
The empire spearheaded 50000 troops from the imperial capital and had another 20000 troops at the rear. 70000 troops passed through the City of Lanct, crossed the border, and attacked the territory of the Lauren Knights.
A war using an army as big as 70000 at once was unprecedented even in the history of Eurasia continent.
It could be said that this was the very limit of the Germania Empire’s mobilization power.
At the main camp in the City of Spike, Lyle-sensei is staring at the strategic map and is astonished.
「This is impossible….」
If the army of 70000, the combined strength of the empire, attacks, it will certainly hit us hard. However, emptying the imperial capital and attacking another country with all your might is a strategy far outside the norm.
No, it’s no longer a strategy at all.
The Germania Empire’s territories have been destabilized by successive wars and its diplomatic situation is at its worst. What would they do if someone attacked their defenseless capital?
In particular, the Roland Kingdom, which has troops stationed along its borders, has a long holding desire to recover its former territory that was occupied by the empire 30 years ago.
The empire’s in a situation where it could be invaded any time. The imperial capital Northmark aside, even their territories are in danger of being occupied by neighboring countries.
Kaara, who was staring at the strategic map, made a rare remark.
「This formation….Freed intends to use the “hotbed of corruption and delusion” as defensive measures. If the enemies invade the imperial capital, the army will be hit by monsters from behind and even be surrounded.」
「Is that even possible?」
However, at the end of Silesie’s coup, Gale used the miasma hole of doom when he was in a desperate situation after being cornered.
I’m not certain but it is possible that using the miasma hole of doom was part of his strategy from the start. I don’t think it’s something humans should do.
「It’s not a normal strategy but if you are willing to sacrifice your own people, you can make good use of the miasma holes. It certainly can protect the imperial capital from a small army. Though it is hard to believe that humans would have such a terrible idea. I don’t think they made the imperial capital’s defenses that thin without any measure.」
「That’s true….」
Even Kaara, who is hostile to humans, is slightly taken back.
However, Freed is a man who even thought of using demon king’s core for war. The golden lion prince pulls off the impossible.
「Well, if you are going to attack with all your might, you might as well do as much as you can.」
「Takeru-dono, you seem quite calm.」
Indeed, even sensei doesn’t hide his impatience and confusion this time.
However, I already thought that Freed would do this much so I’m not surprised. Though I never imagined that he would gather an army of 70000.
「Can’t sensei think of something to win against this army of 70000?」
「……I’ve been planning and preparing for this day for a long time. The enemy is about 30000 more than expected. However, thinking about it, the enemy has no choice but to attack swiftly with large numbers.」
Sensei began to rework the plan after unfolding the strategy map.
「What do you think? Do you think we should use this?」
「That is something….I guess we should try anything.」
Sensei smiled thinly but with a sad expression.
If sensei says it’s okay, then I have nothing to worry about.
「Then, let’s go with this. Freed will be coming like this so I’m sure he’ll try to use the “miasma hole of doom”.」
「Takeru-dono’s point is correct. I have a countermeasure for that so I’ll have you do it when the time comes.」
I think sensei had figured it all out.
Looking at sensei’s eyes, it looks like everything is still under control. There’s no need to panic yet.
「Then, let’s get it on!」
「Takeru-dono….」
When I was about to go to the front line with Oracle, sensei stopped me.
「What is it, sensei?」
「No….it’s nothing much. Since you’re going to the front line, I’ll give you this.」
Sensei handed me a gun. The gun was larger and heavier than a flintlock.
Given its shake, it looks like a sophisticated enfield rifle(with an awkward auxiliary magic tool and a retrofit magazine).
「It has been finally completed, this magic rifle. There are twelve bullets in the magazine and if you pull the lever, they will load one after another.」
「Oh, amazing. This totally looks like a rifle.」
I look at the muzzle, it has grooves.
「The grooves probably won’t work but it is powered by a magic gem so it should rotate. The range will be much longer and the trajectory will be more stable.」
「As expected. Even so, it’s amazing that you were able to make a magazine for it.」
「Yeah, I understood the basic structure so I could build it using combined magic tools but only three prototypes were able to shoot. Also, even one magazine costs a lot of money so please don’t shoot in vain.」
I took a test shot out the window at the tree in the distance and heard a crackling sound. A branch fell so I probably hit the target.
When I pulled the lever, the bullet slid in and I could fire immediately again.
The recoil was milder than that of a flintlock, probably due to the use of a magic detonator for ignition.
Bullets can be loaded quickly and the accuracy and range increased.
「Can’t we mass produce this? I think we can overwhelm anyone if we line up soldiers armed with magic rifles.」
「No, not at this time. There have been too many manufacturing failures and it can’t be considered as a stable weapon. It also uses expensive magic tools so building a cannon would be better. Magic rifles are made for self-defense of those who absolutely must not die.」
「I see.」
「Three guns should be enough for now. Takeru-dono, since you promised Wake-dono, you probably need to contact him now.」
It looks like this magic rifle has yet to go beyond the range of roman weapons.
「I want to try the rifle against the imperial army as soon as possible.」
「Takeru-dono is my important general so please don’t go in deeply. Make sure you’ll be able to come back.」
I think I’m cautious enough.
However, since sensei warned me, it might really be dangerous.
Well, we’re going to take on 70000 enemies after all.
If I run out of options, I’ll run into the Oracle’s Great Cave and throw the furukisha at the enemy.
It’s a double-edged sword but it should work as the last resort.
When I told my plan to use the Oracle’s Great Cave against the enemy siege to sensei, sensei asked me if I was insane.
With the dungeon master as our ally, the cave, which now spans ten floors before the ground, is a great stone factory in times of peace.
In war, it is an impregnable fortress that no human castle can compare to.
It should be a perfect base to torment the incoming imperial forces.
And just like that, the war against the empire begins.
-0-
—Scene Change—
-0-
The Lauren Knights territory has been attacked.
In the territory of the Lauren Knights, it seems like Count Brynie faction of the Lauren Knights has risen again so knights are having duels against each other.
The imperial army ignores the futile struggle and passes through them.
This time, they tried to advance their troops directly to the city of Spike without going through the City of Lauren.
However, the narrow mountain roads of the Moke Mountains stood in the way.
I asked Oracle-chan to carry me and we flew through the air to scout out the approaching enemy hordes.
「Amazing, it’s like a scene from the Romance of the Three Kingdoms. 」
I’ve already seen the battle of 10000 troops.
However, seeing the 70000 enemy forces from above, all I could see were crowds, crowds, and more crowds.
The sight of 50000 men trying to cross the mountain road in the Moke Mountains was breathtaking.
It was like a huge army of ants gathering on a pile of sugar.
On the mountain road, the volunteer corps and Viscount Oracle’s troops were desperately trying to reduce the number of approaching enemies by trapping them, dropping rocks and logs, but they were outnumbered, they’re only less than a thousand. They were outnumbered and overpowered.
If we didn’t give the order to retreat at the right moment, they might have been swallowed up by the enemies crossing the mountain.
On the other side of the 50000 imperial troops, a little further away, an army of 20000 strong rear guards is slowly approaching.
That’s also a big army but they are slow since they have the supplies and siege weapons. The troops that surround them are not from the empire but from the territorial army so they will not actively participate in battle. That’s according to sensei’s assessment.
「Hey, do you want to try and attack from above?」
「Yeah, let’s sprinkle these burning stones.」
Oracle-chan hit the enemy’s spearhead with a shockwave. Though we were supposed to only scout, we can’t leave the volunteer corps alone.
I also aimed at the only knight with a luxurious helmet who seems to be the frontline commander using the magic rifle.
The enemies are eager to shoot up using their crossbow and longbows but they will never hit me given the altitude.
We quickly left that place though since there are intermediate mages who shoot us with fireballs.
Even if that hits me, I won’t get hurt since I have high fire resistance but this is how far our one-sided attack will go.
「Takeru, let’s escape as fast as we can.」
「Yeah….」
The trump card of the imperial army, 500 flying dragon knights. Their flock is moving towards us.
The flying dragon knights who are using wyverns as mounts are standard air fighters of a fantasy world. If we were surrounded by them, things would be bad.
The common sense of the art of war “Battles are fought with numbers” doesn’t change even if I’m in another world.
But that’s true. Facing 50000 or 70000 with the power of one is insufficient.
「With that, it’s impossible to launch an aerial battle against the empire.」
「We’ll have to drag them to the ground in order to fight against them.」
Well, how to do that will be sensei’s job.
The flying dragon knights came too. I sent a signal bullet to my allies to make them withdraw before the enemies caught up to them.
Due to the effect of the opened “Hotbed of Corruption and Delusion”, another imperial city was destroyed.
Freed’s mysterious actions are no longer harmful after that.
「If things went according to his plan, Freed should have gotten two new demon king’s core.」
I wonder if he’s three times more powerful.
However, Oracle-chan said that if he really did that, he would only die by being swallowed up by the power of the demon king’s core.
Finally, I heard the news about the resumption of war.
From the imperial capital of Northmark, the Silesie subjugation army, led by Crown Prince Freed himself, began to march.
However, what was puzzling was that the empire now claimed that Count Brynie was not dead and announced that they would continue the war of intervention.
We had thought that they were going to use other noble families as their banner and we had taken measures against them but to use a dead count as their banner was beyond our expectations.
The count is dead. I killed him myself. I beheaded him and displayed his head for the City of Lauren to see.
Why did the empire invade using such inexplicable insistence?
Was it because of the failure of Brynie? Or did they learn their lesson that local nobles of Silesie tend to do whatever they want and are a bad banner?
It is true that a silent dead man might be better to use as a banner.
It is also possible that the cause no longer matters when it comes to this decisive battle.
There was one more thing that surprised us.
The empire spearheaded 50000 troops from the imperial capital and had another 20000 troops at the rear. 70000 troops passed through the City of Lanct, crossed the border, and attacked the territory of the Lauren Knights.
A war using an army as big as 70000 at once was unprecedented even in the history of Eurasia continent.
It could be said that this was the very limit of the Germania Empire’s mobilization power.
At the main camp in the City of Spike, Lyle-sensei is staring at the strategic map and is astonished.
「This is impossible….」
If the army of 70000, the combined strength of the empire, attacks, it will certainly hit us hard. However, emptying the imperial capital and attacking another country with all your might is a strategy far outside the norm.
No, it’s no longer a strategy at all.
The Germania Empire’s territories have been destabilized by successive wars and its diplomatic situation is at its worst. What would they do if someone attacked their defenseless capital?
In particular, the Roland Kingdom, which has troops stationed along its borders, has a long holding desire to recover its former territory that was occupied by the empire 30 years ago.
The empire’s in a situation where it could be invaded any time. The imperial capital Northmark aside, even their territories are in danger of being occupied by neighboring countries.
Kaara, who was staring at the strategic map, made a rare remark.
「This formation….Freed intends to use the “hotbed of corruption and delusion” as defensive measures. If the enemies invade the imperial capital, the army will be hit by monsters from behind and even be surrounded.」
「Is that even possible?」
However, at the end of Silesie’s coup, Gale used the miasma hole of doom when he was in a desperate situation after being cornered.
I’m not certain but it is possible that using the miasma hole of doom was part of his strategy from the start. I don’t think it’s something humans should do.
「It’s not a normal strategy but if you are willing to sacrifice your own people, you can make good use of the miasma holes. It certainly can protect the imperial capital from a small army. Though it is hard to believe that humans would have such a terrible idea. I don’t think they made the imperial capital’s defenses that thin without any measure.」
「That’s true….」
Even Kaara, who is hostile to humans, is slightly taken back.
However, Freed is a man who even thought of using demon king’s core for war. The golden lion prince pulls off the impossible.
「Well, if you are going to attack with all your might, you might as well do as much as you can.」
「Takeru-dono, you seem quite calm.」
Indeed, even sensei doesn’t hide his impatience and confusion this time.
However, I already thought that Freed would do this much so I’m not surprised. Though I never imagined that he would gather an army of 70000.
「Can’t sensei think of something to win against this army of 70000?」
「……I’ve been planning and preparing for this day for a long time. The enemy is about 30000 more than expected. However, thinking about it, the enemy has no choice but to attack swiftly with large numbers.」
Sensei began to rework the plan after unfolding the strategy map.
「What do you think? Do you think we should use this?」
「That is something….I guess we should try anything.」
Sensei smiled thinly but with a sad expression.
If sensei says it’s okay, then I have nothing to worry about.
「Then, let’s go with this. Freed will be coming like this so I’m sure he’ll try to use the “miasma hole of doom”.」
「Takeru-dono’s point is correct. I have a countermeasure for that so I’ll have you do it when the time comes.」
I think sensei had figured it all out.
Looking at sensei’s eyes, it looks like everything is still under control. There’s no need to panic yet.
「Then, let’s get it on!」
「Takeru-dono….」
When I was about to go to the front line with Oracle, sensei stopped me.
「What is it, sensei?」
「No….it’s nothing much. Since you’re going to the front line, I’ll give you this.」
Sensei handed me a gun. The gun was larger and heavier than a flintlock.
Given its shake, it looks like a sophisticated enfield rifle(with an awkward auxiliary magic tool and a retrofit magazine).
「It has been finally completed, this magic rifle. There are twelve bullets in the magazine and if you pull the lever, they will load one after another.」
「Oh, amazing. This totally looks like a rifle.」
I look at the muzzle, it has grooves.
「The grooves probably won’t work but it is powered by a magic gem so it should rotate. The range will be much longer and the trajectory will be more stable.」
「As expected. Even so, it’s amazing that you were able to make a magazine for it.」
「Yeah, I understood the basic structure so I could build it using combined magic tools but only three prototypes were able to shoot. Also, even one magazine costs a lot of money so please don’t shoot in vain.」
I took a test shot out the window at the tree in the distance and heard a crackling sound. A branch fell so I probably hit the target.
When I pulled the lever, the bullet slid in and I could fire immediately again.
The recoil was milder than that of a flintlock, probably due to the use of a magic detonator for ignition.
Bullets can be loaded quickly and the accuracy and range increased.
「Can’t we mass produce this? I think we can overwhelm anyone if we line up soldiers armed with magic rifles.」
「No, not at this time. There have been too many manufacturing failures and it can’t be considered as a stable weapon. It also uses expensive magic tools so building a cannon would be better. Magic rifles are made for self-defense of those who absolutely must not die.」
「I see.」
「Three guns should be enough for now. Takeru-dono, since you promised Wake-dono, you probably need to contact him now.」
It looks like this magic rifle has yet to go beyond the range of roman weapons.
「I want to try the rifle against the imperial army as soon as possible.」
「Takeru-dono is my important general so please don’t go in deeply. Make sure you’ll be able to come back.」
I think I’m cautious enough.
However, since sensei warned me, it might really be dangerous.
Well, we’re going to take on 70000 enemies after all.
If I run out of options, I’ll run into the Oracle’s Great Cave and throw the furukisha at the enemy.
It’s a double-edged sword but it should work as the last resort.
When I told my plan to use the Oracle’s Great Cave against the enemy siege to sensei, sensei asked me if I was insane.
With the dungeon master as our ally, the cave, which now spans ten floors before the ground, is a great stone factory in times of peace.
In war, it is an impregnable fortress that no human castle can compare to.
It should be a perfect base to torment the incoming imperial forces.
And just like that, the war against the empire begins.
-0-
—Scene Change—
-0-
The Lauren Knights territory has been attacked.
In the territory of the Lauren Knights, it seems like Count Brynie faction of the Lauren Knights has risen again so knights are having duels against each other.
The imperial army ignores the futile struggle and passes through them.
This time, they tried to advance their troops directly to the city of Spike without going through the City of Lauren.
However, the narrow mountain roads of the Moke Mountains stood in the way.
I asked Oracle-chan to carry me and we flew through the air to scout out the approaching enemy hordes.
「Amazing, it’s like a scene from the Romance of the Three Kingdoms. 」
I’ve already seen the battle of 10000 troops.
However, seeing the 70000 enemy forces from above, all I could see were crowds, crowds, and more crowds.
The sight of 50000 men trying to cross the mountain road in the Moke Mountains was breathtaking.
It was like a huge army of ants gathering on a pile of sugar.
On the mountain road, the volunteer corps and Viscount Oracle’s troops were desperately trying to reduce the number of approaching enemies by trapping them, dropping rocks and logs, but they were outnumbered, they’re only less than a thousand. They were outnumbered and overpowered.
If we didn’t give the order to retreat at the right moment, they might have been swallowed up by the enemies crossing the mountain.
On the other side of the 50000 imperial troops, a little further away, an army of 20000 strong rear guards is slowly approaching.
That’s also a big army but they are slow since they have the supplies and siege weapons. The troops that surround them are not from the empire but from the territorial army so they will not actively participate in battle. That’s according to sensei’s assessment.
「Hey, do you want to try and attack from above?」
「Yeah, let’s sprinkle these burning stones.」
Oracle-chan hit the enemy’s spearhead with a shockwave. Though we were supposed to only scout, we can’t leave the volunteer corps alone.
I also aimed at the only knight with a luxurious helmet who seems to be the frontline commander using the magic rifle.
The enemies are eager to shoot up using their crossbow and longbows but they will never hit me given the altitude.
We quickly left that place though since there are intermediate mages who shoot us with fireballs.
Even if that hits me, I won’t get hurt since I have high fire resistance but this is how far our one-sided attack will go.
「Takeru, let’s escape as fast as we can.」
「Yeah….」
The trump card of the imperial army, 500 flying dragon knights. Their flock is moving towards us.
The flying dragon knights who are using wyverns as mounts are standard air fighters of a fantasy world. If we were surrounded by them, things would be bad.
The common sense of the art of war “Battles are fought with numbers” doesn’t change even if I’m in another world.
But that’s true. Facing 50000 or 70000 with the power of one is insufficient.
「With that, it’s impossible to launch an aerial battle against the empire.」
「We’ll have to drag them to the ground in order to fight against them.」
Well, how to do that will be sensei’s job.
The flying dragon knights came too. I sent a signal bullet to my allies to make them withdraw before the enemies caught up to them.
