Episode 129 Iberica – Campaign begins
The short voyage to Iberica ended quickly.
…No, it felt really short.
When I was heading to Krafte, struggling with motion sickness, I felt like I was really going to arrive, but I lost track of time and came to my senses and arrived.
I was out on deck with Christine watching the Libre slowly slowing down and entering the port.
Bilbao, which we arrived at, is a basin surrounded by mountains and has a deep sea area.
“It certainly looks good to be used as a port city.”
“yes. “There was an iron mine nearby, so King Crocs recommended this location, and I went there and approved it right away.”
It is only now in the stage of being established as a port thanks to Christine’s investment, but given its location, it will grow well as a hub city for trade between Franzia and Iberica over time.
In the future, won’t we end up like Aquitaine in Iberica?
While I was chatting lightly with Christine, the Libre docked at the port and a plank was put down for disembarkation.
There I was able to meet a familiar face for the first time in a long time.
“ah. “It’s been a while, Hassan.”
“Hassan, King Crocs’ second henchman, meets with your brother, the Marquis Pierre de Lafayette.”
Hassan smiled lightly and bowed politely to me.
* * *
Libre was the first to dock, but other ships began to dock one after another.
“See you later, Admiral.”
“okay. “I’ll leave it to you.”
Because the port was still insufficient in size, the largest Libre had to leave as soon as the transport personnel disembarked.
After seeing the Libre leaving the port under Duheng’s command, I slowly turned my head to look at Hassan, who was talking to Christine.
“Congratulations on becoming an admiral, Count of Aquitaine.”
“thank you. It’s great to see Bilbao improving so quickly. “It must be your resourcefulness.”
Christine doesn’t seem to care that much, but I’m still a little concerned.
There’s something about Hassan, whom I haven’t seen in a long time…
“Pahahahaha!”
Everyone’s eyes turned to the sound of laughter that came out of nowhere.
Where everyone’s eyes were focused, Shandra, with tears in her eyes, pointed her finger at Hassan and shouted loudly.
“My poor brother is 10 years older!”
…Yeah, that one.
As far as I know, Hassan is still in his late 20s, but looking at his handsome beard and slightly wrinkled face, it looks like he is over 40.
It’s not easy to lay the foundation for a nation that has just been established, and Hassan must have had a hard time since his role was apparently that of Prime Minister of Crocs… Not only me, but
everyone’s expressions were pitiful, and even Christine’s smile was a bit stiff. I kept my mouth shut.
Hassan’s expression distorted, and instead of responding to Shandra, he bowed his head to me.
“I’m sorry, Marquis. I think that immature kid who doesn’t know manners must have made a lot of mistakes in Franzia-”
“No, he was good.”
To be honest, I wasn’t worried that the overly free-spirited Shandra would cause problems, but Shandra was well-received in Lumiere because she was a strong warrior and had quite a synergy with her affable personality.
Crocs himself led the army to help us when we were in crisis, but thanks to Shandra’s friendly army, the perception of the Iberica brothers, who used to be barbarians, has now been upgraded to that of neighbors who are different from us but not bad.
When Hassan heard what I said, his face became shocked, as if he had just heard something unbelievable.
“Pahahahaha, your expression is really funny!”
Hassan looked at Shandra, who was pointing at him and smiling with a shiny face, in contrast to him, who was worn out after suffering, and then sighed and said.
“…The world is coming to an end.”
Well…
they are good siblings.
* * *
Due to limitations in port capacity, it took nearly half a day to unload troops and equipment.
“You’re coming back right away. Since you have come this far, it would be nice if you could meet the king at Dilus. “The King was quite satisfied with the port built with the investment of the Count of Aquitaine and the results of the transaction.”
Christine nodded slightly at Hassan’s words, which seemed a little regretful.
“Yes, the Marquis de Lafayette and I are both away from the capital because the shorter the better. “We have discussed business-related matters with Mr. Hassan, so please pass them on to His Majesty.”
“Of course, Count of Aquitaine.”
As Hassan politely bowed and bowed lightly, Christine turned to me.
I won’t be able to see you for a while now.
After making eye contact for a moment, Christine saluted me.
“Then, I wish you good luck and good luck, Commander Lafayette.”
“I hope the sea is calm on your way home, Admiral Aquitaine.”
After exchanging simple greetings, Christine and I smiled lightly and turned our backs.
We shared enough personal time together, and I believe that she and I will do our best in our respective positions.
Still, as Libre and the fleet sailed away little by little, Christine was on the deck looking at me.
Finally, when Libre was completely far away, I took a deep breath and turned my back to look at my men.
Gaston has a loyal face as always, but he looks a little tired thanks to Shandra chattering next to him.
And even Damien de Mirbeau, who was crying, and Giselle Davy, his commander Peter de Casel’s deputy.
“Okay then. Head to Dilus. “Help King Crocs and end this long war on the Iberica Peninsula.”
* * *
“First of all, the number of troops is 3000.”
After hearing Hassan’s words, I nodded.
“Yes, the number is not that large, but it is the most elite standing army in Francia. Since they were accompanied by the Revolutionary Guards and Cuirassier Cavalry, their strength must have been quite sufficient. “An additional 2,000 will arrive with time.”
If you move by sea, the time will be much shorter and supply will be relatively easier, but it has not yet been possible to move simultaneously due to Iberica’s port capacity issues.
The remaining 2000 will be led by Nicola Ney and Jerome Morel. Unlike a count somewhere, those two are battle fanatics, so I volunteered to take them with me.
“I feel confident, Marquis. Even so, Shandra posted a very favorable report on the Revolutionary Guards and Cuirassiers of Francia, and King Crocs was also curious about it.”
“You won’t be disappointed.”
I answered confidently. Because they are the powerful forces of Francia who most directly received the results of the Grande École process.
“By the way, what’s the situation like?”
“As you have heard, the enemy has been quite passive. “The king has taken control of a considerable amount of territory, and now all that remains is Porto and the surrounding southwest region.”
“Hmm, okay.”
At best, the situation looks good despite our arrival…
“But that’s not all, right?”
“That’s right.”
Hassan nodded calmly.
“Since the Marquis’s visit, there has not been a single battle involving demons. If the devils had intervened, the war wouldn’t have gone so smoothly. Also, this is what the king said.”
“hmm?”
“…He said it didn’t feel good.”
“indeed.”
I don’t know if it’s someone else, I don’t know if it’s an Orc trait or a Crocs trait, but it’s not just a feeling, it’s closer to a wild intuition.
It must be trustworthy that he could sense Christine’s danger using only his senses.
“Putting aside Crocs’ feelings, strategically, the devils cannot take their hands off Iberica like this. “The places they had previously invested in failed and other investment sources were also rejected.”
It is clear that demons were intervening in the war between the Empire and Francia.
However, unlike King Louis’ Frangia, the Empire, as a puppet of the devil, gave up the option of continuing the war until it reached its limit and, in effect, summoned Krafte instead of withdrawing from the war.
Judging from the great king’s words about inviting the devils to war, it seems that the devils also reached out to Krafte, but the great king did not respond to them.
The Northern United Kingdom was originally only in a position to help the empire a little, but the army it sent was defeated by us in vain, and ultimately, it was out of the question because it was disgusted by Francia’s new navy built by Aquitaine.
“Now the only place where demons can influence the central continent is the Iberica Peninsula. “I don’t know if the reason they’ve been quiet so far is because they still have other options left and are measuring the angle at which they can take their hands off, or because they’re preparing for something else.”
Hassan smoothed his beard with his hand and answered.
“Hmm indeed. “We are relatively in the dark about the situation of other Central Continent countries, but it seems like the Marquis has provided timely support.”
“We too have been helped by your king in our most desperate moment, so we must do something worthy.”
I answered lightly and looked at the rugged land of Iberica, full of ridges and mountains, unlike the horizon that led to the wide plains of Francia.
What comes to mind is a demon with blood-red hair and a golden succubus who approached me through Christine’s fantasy.
“I hope I never see those damn bastards again…”
* * *
Porto, a port city in the southern part of the Iberica Peninsula.
People in the port city of Porto arrived through the port and were filled with astonishment and fear when they saw the things lined up in an orderly manner.
Gremory, the golden succubus and CEO of Lust, who was watching the scene, also trembled and muttered.
“It’s crazy, it’s crazy. They brought these horrible things to the Central Continent. “Bael gave permission for this crazy thing?”
Paimon, the CEO of Sloth Corporation, who was the one who brought them in, asked curiously.
“Have you given up on the concept?”
Gremory looked with a straight face.
“Is that important now? Are you going to show this to the Marquis de Lafayette, to the people of Francia?”
“What do you think? “Once you’ve created a product, isn’t it natural to test it?”
Paimon looked down at the fruits of his masterpiece, the Industrial Revolution, with a satisfied smile on his face.
“Bael also approved it. In the end, all the other ‘material’ suppliers that Pride tried to develop failed, so couldn’t we just hand over the last remaining place?”
“I was against it!”
Gremory jumped, but Paimon smiled and answered.
“When they incited King Louis to eliminate the Marquis de Lafayette, I also opposed it. “You agreed.”
Gremory was speechless.
The succubus, who usually leisurely flew through the air and played pranks, frowned and fell silent, then sighed and said.
“Because I didn’t know about the Marquis de Lafayette at that time. This is crazy. This is really crazy. “Paimon, what on earth do you want?”
Instead of answering Gremory’s question, Paimon smiled brightly and raised his right hand.
In response, the ‘drones’ that were lined up in an orderly manner at the port pretended to take a step in unison.
The people in Porto Port who saw the scene trembled in fear and astonishment.
Beings who have realized negligence in the true sense of moving while being free from all labor and pain.
A look of joy appeared on Paimon’s lips as he looked at the army that was in human form but was no longer human.
“Oh, absolutely perfect.”
“Crazy guy.”
Paimon smiled and responded to Gremory’s insults.
“What’s strange about the devil going crazy?”
Paimon recalled a moment several years ago when he was putting a video recorded in a crystal ball to send to Pierre de Lafayette, who was still a minor marquis.
-The invitation to the headquarters is usually a courtesy, but I am sincere when it comes to the Marquis. Then, I hope to be able to meet you in person as soon as possible.
I invited him with great care, but Pierre de Lafayette flatly ignored him.
It was a sight I wanted to show in person by inviting them to the headquarters, but after some time, I was able to show it to them even though it was so late.
“It’s so creepy I can’t stand it.”
Paimon trembled, hugging himself with both arms, and muttered.
“I’m really looking forward to what the Marquis de Lafayette will say when he sees this.”
