Episode 435 – The vigilantes return to their original positions and take charge of the kingdom’s security along with the basic troops left in each territory.
– We will provide the highest compensation possible in the kingdom to the families of the sacrificed soldiers and vigilantes.
Even though it was a proclamation that did not specify a specific amount, most of the people who saw it were greatly relieved.
“The war is finally over.”
“Now I finally feel it.”
“Uh huh.”
Those who survived safely and those who lost loved ones were all busy sighing in relief.
And because of that, the subsequent announcement did not receive relatively much attention.
– Reorganize the kingdom’s legions.
The contents were quickly conveyed to the two fortresses in the North and South.
The main goal was to transform the kingdom into a 3-corps system by incorporating Luther’s 4th corps, which nominally guarded the northeastern part of the kingdom, into Geomgong’s 2nd corps, and Wicken’s 5th corps, which guarded the southeastern part, into Ronian’s 3rd corps.
It was a corps already stationed in the same fortress, and it was to be transferred under the king’s teacher, the swordsman, and the king’s younger brother. After a quick agreement between Luther and Wicken, the reorganization work proceeded smoothly.
Also….
– The station will remain stationed for a while for adaptation training of the reorganized corps.
The following order was naturally accepted in the name of post-war cleanup, even in the atmosphere that the war was over.
And around that time, the king and his agent at Kyle Castle were busy telling a story that was completely different from the rumors outside.
“The first thing we need to get rid of are the defeated remnants of the Eastern 8th Corps.”
When Damian said that with shining eyes, a puzzled look appeared on Logan’s face.
“Are you saying that we really need to go and destroy the imperial army that is probably scattered on the eastern border right now?”
“Of course, it would be best for the Imperial Army to rush there when we occupy Ruspelheim or Penna, but we must also keep in mind the worst-case scenario.”
“worst case?”
“Because the eastern legions may not choose to engage with us and may advance to the kingdom’s mainland.”
“Then shouldn’t we head to the Aserian Empire? Perhaps we should prioritize counteroffensives on the border rather than protecting the heart of the Empire?”
Logan said this while ruminating on an old experience, but the salesman, who realized what he was talking about, immediately shook his head. Before I came to McLane, I heard the results of that reckless battle.
“It’s a little different from the time in Bipros, Your Majesty. The Eastern Legion is not the total strength of the Empire.”
“…We will counterattack, believing that the emperor’s central army will stop us?”
“yes.”
Logan’s face frowned slightly at Damian’s assertion.
“Will the imperial army be able to withdraw in a situation where the offensive of the 10 western countries shows no signs of stopping? They won’t be able to react right away.”
“I’m talking about the reaction of the Eastern Legion. To them, the Emperor is their faith. Just like we have faith in Your Majesty.”
Damian doesn’t hesitate to say slightly embarrassing things.
At that, Logan smiled and continued talking.
“In reality, no matter what, they might trust the emperor and advance to our mainland.”
“Yes. I think so.”
Tsk.
“…We need to destroy the Eastern Legion and also conduct an occupation war at the same time. And that too before the Imperial Army returns after destroying the Western Kingdoms. I think time is running out for this.”
“It is quite possible. Now, the strength of the Empire has been reduced to the point where the term ‘8th Legion’ is meaningless. The 7th Legion is virtually disbanded, and the remaining corps only have about 20,000 troops.”
“Under the assumption that Teronan and Liberty’s armies will join the conquest army?”
Even if the imperial army was scattered, the combined forces were as large as 200,004 corps.
The McLane Kingdom army, which was reorganized into the 3rd Corps, was numerically inferior.
Of course, since he had an overwhelming advantage in superhuman power, there was nothing that could not be done, but considering the difference in knight ratio, the sacrifice would have been significant.
Then, a comrade was needed to share that sacrifice.
Damian, who received Logan’s meaningful smile, said with a similar smile.
“…The work is already finished.”
* * *
“Conquer the empire? Are you in your right mind to say this!?”
[Of course.]
Timon Liberty, the new king of the Liberty Kingdom, held his head in response to the nonchalant answer of the man called MacLane’s schemer.
Okay.
‘They said it was top secret, but they said some nonsense…’
His uncle, Gunther Liberty, the kingdom’s only superman, had already died in a war in a foreign country. However, as I listened to those who forced such sacrifices say absurd things, a rage welled up from deep in my heart that I could not hide.
Isn’t this the army that held him hostage and semi-forcibly mobilized him when he was in Grand in the first place?
“Don’t talk nonsense! What sacrifices have we made so far? Do something so reckless on your own!”
It was something I couldn’t say considering my younger siblings who were still held hostage in McLane, but I was so angry that I lost my temper for a moment.
The moment when Timon thinks to himself, “Oops.”
[Are you sure you’re okay?]
came an odd answer.
“…what?”
[I am asking if you are really okay with us returning without making sacrifices. Aren’t you sad? [The sacrifice of Archduke Gunther and his troops?]
That’s what I mean…
‘Who is it all because of!!!’
A thousand dollars arose inside me.
Once McLane collapses, it is time to unite the kingdoms.
okay. It’s not that I didn’t know that fact.
However, after McLane took all the glory of defeating the Empire, the only reality Liberty faced was the death of the only superhuman and a decrease in military strength. Considering that both Terronan superhumans belonging to the same alliance were alive and well, it was clear that their presence in the alliance would gradually decrease in the future.
“Whoa.”
Timon took a deep breath to calm his boiling emotions. And, trying to maintain his senses, he spoke calmly.
“The Empire has already been defeated. Liberty will no longer participate in a war without justification.”
okay. This is best.
‘No matter what I say, I don’t waver.’
He composed himself like that and cut off the sounds that didn’t even sound like Detective McLane’s words like a knife.
But the answer I received was unexpected.
[…If that’s what you’re saying, there’s nothing we can do about it.]
You’re going to back down so obediently?
It was so unexpected that I paused for a moment, but then something even more strange continued.
[The King of Teronan has expressed his active intention to participate in the war, so the differences between the two countries will likely widen in the future.]
“What is that…?”
The King of Teronan?
why?
Are you crazy?
All kinds of questions swirled in my head. However, the other person seemed to have no intention of answering the question.
[I would like to thank His Highness for his cooperation so far. I wish you good luck in the future.]
“Now wait a minute…!”
It’s fishing. It’s definitely fishing.
However, even though Timon felt uncomfortable, he had no choice but to take the bait.
It’s already obvious that the gap in national power with Teronan is going to get worse, but is it going to get even bigger from here?
It is something that cannot be undone.
“…What is the price of cooperation in the war?”
In the end, he had no choice but to ask that question, and the person in the crystal ball smiled.
* * *
“When news of Liberty’s participation in the war was spread, the King of Teronan also immediately promised to participate in the war.”
“…Didn’t you catch Liberty with Terronan?”
“What is the importance of Seonhu?”
Logan looked at Damian with a puzzled look in his eyes.
“And if the two of you even talk, won’t everything be revealed?”
“Is that possible? Between rivals.”
“rival?”
“Teronan is competing with Liberty, and Liberty is competing with Teronan. Of course, it is getting worse after the alliance is split in two. Would the kings reveal their true feelings to each other in such a situation? Moreover, it has not been long since both of them came to the throne. .”
Damian’s words were certainly persuasive.
“If the other party makes it, I have no choice but to believe even vague promises like dividing occupied territories?”
“It wasn’t a vague promise, was it? Weren’t you actually going to do it?”
Logan also smiled and nodded at Damian’s words with a strange smile on his face.
“Yes, that’s right. Can’t we offer any price to suppress and silence the empire’s expansionist policies?”
okay. Anything.
Why is it necessary to take measures such as brainwashing the leadership suggested by Gerrard?
There is such a trustworthy bookkeeper.
“Good job Damian.”
When Logan laughed and tapped his shoulder, Damian lowered his head with an embarrassed expression.
“That’s an overstatement. The situation was urgent, so they resorted to trickery, but if compensation were guaranteed, both countries would have ended up participating in the war.”
“We probably couldn’t have timed it right. If either of us had retreated, it would have definitely been delayed.”
“Hmm, hmm. Well, we are still stocking up on supplies and the Liberatio, a magazine for the repeating crossbow, equivalent to wartime. Now, all that is left is for His Majesty to recover. The swordsman has already started training.”
When Damian hurriedly changed his words, perhaps because he was embarrassed by the repeated praise, Logan smiled and nodded.
“Of course. It won’t take me long either.”
“I will inform the corps commanders in advance about the departure. I will also tell them to conduct thorough training under the pretext of reorganizing the corps for the time being.”
“Yes. Do that and show it to the Empire appropriately.”
Damian, who immediately understood the meaning, grinned.
“The vigilante group has disbanded, but the Legion is still stationed there, and it will be quite confusing if they start to increase the intensity of their training.”
“Yes. This situation of doubt is more advantageous for us. If the entire Eastern 8th Corps returns to its garrison, it will take too long to crush them.”
“That’s right. It’s best for us to be ‘appropriately’ aware and ‘appropriately’ prepared.”
The kings, who were well-matched in rhythm, looked at each other and smiled.
And in those few days, the eastern army of the empire began to show vague movements as expected.
* * *
“McLane’s movements are unusual. I am worried that he may take advantage of the turmoil in the west to launch an offensive.”
At Bering’s words, the faces in the two crystal spheres crumpled. It seemed absurd.
It’s been a long time since Bering saw people ignoring his words, but he couldn’t yell at them like he usually did. Even though he was the commander of the Eastern 8th Corps, who survived the fierce battle at the southern fortress of McLane, the status of those listening was no different.
No, to be exact, they were closer to superiors in terms of rank.
[Isn’t this an over-exaggerated interpretation? Bering. No matter how much we suffered, how dare we…]
2nd Corps Commander Zipen Trey, who can now be said to be the highest ranking member of the Eastern Imperial Army, immediately refuted Bering’s words.
[How can a small country invade a large country once it has won? It makes no sense, like a river flowing backwards.]
Did you still not come to your senses after being treated like that?
Bering clicked his tongue, but fortunately, the person in the other crystal ball didn’t seem to be a strong idiot.
[When I think about it… if my liver is swollen, is there anything I can’t do? It is clear that our empire suffered losses in this battle, so we can act like crazy.]
Drexler, commander of the 4th Corps, sided with Bering.
The opinions of the three corps commanders who survived the battle with McLane were divided.
Naturally, their opinions should have prevailed, but their superiority in seniority weighed down the difference.
[We have received a report that Kyle Castle’s troops have already been scattered throughout the region. Don’t talk nonsense and just focus on replenishing your troops. After His Majesty suppresses the unrest in the West, there will come an opportunity for revenge.]
Bering looked like he was about to burst into anger at Zipen’s words.
‘Do you think the enemy can’t think of that, you idiot?’
It’s been such a careless accident since it’s been so long since I retreated after being treated harshly.
Bering barely suppressed the urge to scream and continued his story calmly.
“But isn’t there something that could happen? I hope we prepare in advance.”
[His Majesty the Emperor has entrusted us with the protection of the East. Now that the King of West, King of Beukgak, and King of Namjo are all focused on the West, we have no place to receive support. I think it is right to prepare even if the probability is low.]
Fortunately, Drexler once again supported Bering’s opinion.
However, G-Pen’s unfounded leeway still persisted.
[Would those preparing for war disband their troops? You guys are too worried.]
“The only troops that have been disbanded are conscripts. Regular troops are still stationed in each fortress!”
[Regular army? Even if all three forces were gathered together, wouldn’t that be only three corps-level troops?]
We were the ones who were defeated by those forces, you idiot!
Bering felt like he wanted to beat Zipen to the punch if he were in front of him.
Fortunately, there was an ally who was a little more straightforward than himself.
[Lord Zipen, those troops defeated us.]
[…That’s because they were lucky and punished them… Huh. No, no. Isn’t this victory achieved thanks to a strange surprise? Well, if you’re so worried, why don’t you prepare yourself? I will take care of the rest of the troops.]
‘It was the Central Army that suffered damage, whether it was a divine punishment or an accident…’
We were defeated regardless.
Bering wanted to bombard Ziffen, who was arbitrarily glorifying his memories, so that he would clearly recognize the facts, but he held back.
In fact, he wasn’t 100% sure of McLane’s counterattack. He was also skeptical about the combat power of the McLane army without the great magic formation that came out of the castle.
However, he was only doing his best to protect the East, which was entrusted to him by His Majesty the Emperor.
“I will do that. Then, Mr. Drexler, please talk some more.”
[I know. [There are too many young people to worry about.]
Suspecting that he might have left his brain behind in McLane, Zipen’s communication port went off, and Bering politely bowed his head as he looked at the one remaining light.
“…Thank you for your input, Lord Drexler.”
[It seems that Lord Zipen wants to maintain discipline now that he has become the head of the Eastern Army. Even if the ball had said the exact opposite, I would have refuted it first. Don’t worry about it.]
‘At this point, are you going to rank the corps commanders among themselves?’
Instead of pouring out his bubbling feelings, Bering brought up a realistic story.
“If McLane advances, where do you think he will attack from? Well, I think they all have similar thoughts…”
[Of course, it would be Ruspelheim.]
Fortunately, Drexler’s thoughts were the same.
And that day.
The remaining troops of the 4th, 5th, 7th, and 8th legions in the eastern part of the empire gathered one by one into Ruspelheim, a large city in the eastern part of the empire.
Meanwhile, the remaining troops of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 6th Corps returned to their garrisons and began to recover their troops.
Two clearly divided movements.
A satisfied smile appeared on Logan’s lips when he heard the news.
