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Vol 03 Chapter 100: Kuryuu, the Charging Demon

That day, King Rosais’ Country was in a festive uproar.

The first piece of good news dates back three days ago. The news spoke of General Bartolo, who had been granted Imperium by the king, had defeated the enemy forces. The casualties of his army, including the wounded, were less than two hundred…

This report of victory was first sent to King Rosais, then immediately shared with the patricians, and afterwards, it was made public to the plebeians. King Rosais’ Country had been mostly on the receiving end of attacks since the last king fell ill, and this was the country’s first aggression war in decades, so the common folk clapped their hands and rejoiced at this news.

Winning the war not only brought the victor the spoils of plundered enemy villages and the weapons of the defeated army, but also a significant influx of slaves into the country in the form of captives. The victory of the expedition was also of great benefit to the plebeians.

The next good news came the following day. The allied forces had successfully taken the capital of King Domorgal’s Country without bloodshed. Prince Aldo had abandoned the defense of the capital and apparently fled.

And today, it was reported to King Rosais that most of the patricians who supported Aldo were switching sides to support Carlo one after another.

◇

「Seventy percent of the patrician families seem to have sided with us. It looks like the suppression of all the remaining enemies will be complete in another week.」

I said, looking over the patricians. The patricians erupted in a great cheer. I wanted to join in their cheers too.

Bartolo is truly remarkable. I didn’t expect him to win such a major victory. Appointing him as commander of the expedition was the right decision.

At this rate, the civil war in King Domorgal’s Country is likely to end soon. We are going to gain significant territory and a vassal state with minimal damage. It’s the best.

War always costs a lot of money… but if it’s for a short period, the expenses won’t be too significant. Basically, any war that extends beyond three months is dangerous and not profitable.

Since the war started less than a month ago, we still have plenty of financial leeway.

「Raymond, how are Belvedire and Evile doing?」

「Neither country shows signs of movement… If they move now, it’s clear they’d be crushed by General Bartolo upon his return.」

So, it seems our concern about the possible mobilization of both countries was unnecessary. Once this war ends, our defenses to the north will be solidified, and the danger of an encirclement will be greatly reduced. After all, King Domorgal’s Country, our greatest and most dangerous enemy, will have become an ally.

Next, we’ll take down King Belvedire’s Country, followed by King Evile’s Country… that seems to be the best order. Forming an official alliance with Lezado might smooth the process when we attack Belvedire.

With both these countries subdued, no country capable of opposing us will remain in the vicinity. Then, by moving southward and absorbing the smaller city-state clusters… the unification of the Adernian Peninsula will be clearly in sight.

「For now, let’s disclose this information to the plebeians. As long as we’re winning, there shouldn’t be any complaints.」

The low number of casualties is also good. No matter how much we advance, an increase in deaths would lead to the plebeian’s dissatisfaction.

「Shall we proceed with the preparations for the triumph1? As promised, prepare tons of wine for Bartolo.」

Before that, I need to think about Bartolo’s rewards and how much land I’m going to give him…

At this time, we were dazzled by the word ‘victory’ and underestimated the problem that Prince Aldo had not yet been captured. This oversight would later lead to great calamity…

◇

「Ughhhhh!!!」

At that moment, Mari was frantically scratching her head. According to her plan:

Prince Pax would lead the Domorgal army to attack King Rosais’ Country to accumulate merits to succeed the throne.

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While the Equus Tribe sent reinforcements to repel the attack, Mari would install Redus as the chief of the Equus Tribe.

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At this point, King Evile’s Country and King Belvedire’s Country would join the attack on King Rosais’ Country completing the encirclement.

↓

As King Rosais’ Country weakened, the Rozel Kingdom would suddenly attack King Domorgal’s Country from behind and, in return for helping them, subjugate King Rosais’ Country as a vassal state.

But everything fell apart right from the start. For some reason, King Domorgal died, a civil war broke out, and King Rosais’ Country intervened, achieving a massive victory… The situation had become unmanageable.

「Umm… Lady Merlin, isn’t this beyond our control? No one could have predicted that King Domorgal would die.」

「No… It was my lack of attention. It wouldn’t be surprising if he had one or two lifestyle diseases considering his bloated belly… I failed to check even a little.」

However, it would have been difficult to infiltrate Rozel’s magicians among the royal physicians directly appointed by King Domorgal. So, it could be said that it was unavoidable. Truly, a mischief of fate…

「His Majesty said not to worry about it, right?」

「…Well, he would say that. There’s no one in this kingdom who can punish me.」

The upper echelons of the Rozel Kingdom were mainly composed of capable individuals handpicked by Mari. She also held significant decision-making power in choosing the successor to the throne.

Mari had been assisting the Rozel Kingdom’s royal family since before the establishment of the kingdom. No one could question Mari’s authority.

If even Merlin-sama has failed, then it must be inevitable… Such is the main opinion in the Rozel Kingdom. Moreover, this time they only lost potential rights, not the rights they already possessed.

Thus, King Rozel was not blaming Mari, but encouraging her… Yet, his kindness made it harder for her.

「What are you here for?」

「General Kuryuu has returned from his expedition.」

「Kuryuu? Wasn’t he supposed to take another two weeks according to the schedule?」

General Kuryuu. He was among the finest generals of the Rozel Kingdom. He had been on an expedition for over a year in the northwestern part of Gallia to unify it. Using his two blessings skillfully, he always secured victory.

His specialty was the frontal charge. His nickname was ‘Charging Demon’.

There wasn’t a Gallian who didn’t know the name of Kuryuu the Charging Demon.

「It seems he decided to accelerate his return after hearing of your failure, Merlin-sama, he returned with ten thousand elite troops on a forced march. General Kuryuu says it’s too early to give up.」

「…Ah, I see.」

A strategy to turn the situation around began to form in Mari’s mind. It was a somewhat difficult plan, somewhat of a gamble… but it could yield greater results than originally anticipated.

「Alright… I understand. I’m on my way.」

Mari dragged her heavy feet as she headed to meet General Kuryuu.

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「First of all, congratulations, Kuryuu. Your efforts have advanced the unification of Gallia.」

Mari offered her words of celebration. Kuryuu, in a cheerful mood, broke into a wide smile.

「WAHAHAHAHA, conquering barbarian tribes is easy for me. Now, Marilri-dono. Isn’t there something else you need to tell me?」

Mari narrowed her eyes. Even so, the truth was that she was not in a position to act haughty given the current circumstances.

「It’s not Marilri, it’s Merlin. …my plans failed. If things continue this way, King Rosais’ Country will become too powerful. I need your help to prevent that.」

「So you want me to march on King Domorgal’s Country while rallying behind Prince Aldo?」

「That’s right.」

Fortunately, Prince Aldo had not yet been captured. He was still on the run, resisting capture.

It was only a matter of time before he would be caught… but there was still time to intervene. Mari had access to Ellie, a method of rapid transportation. Using it, protecting Prince Aldo would be easy.

「What we can muster is… the ten thousand I brought back plus five thousand combat slaves, totaling fifteen thousand. Roughly the same number as the enemy. Well, I can surely win… But I am tired, you know? I was just in the cold north of Gallia not long ago. What should I do?」

Kuryuu grinned at Mari, who grimaced as if she were chewing on a thousand bitter bugs.

「…Please. I’m begging you, clean up my mess.」

「Alright, I got it! It’s not just anyone asking—it’s Marilri-dono’s request. I’d be delighted to take it on!!」

Kuryuu smiled amiably. Mari glared at Kuryuu.

「It’s not Marilri, it’s Merlin! Or Mari!! Really… how low I have fallen, to be mocked by some brat who was wetting the bed not so long ago…」

「I’m forty now, you know? Forty years is hardly ‘not so long ago’… grandmas sure feel the passing of time differently.」

「You’re practically a grandpa yourself. To the general public, you’re an old man. And I look like a seventeen-year-old girl, and I’m also eternally a virgin. My hymen regenerates instantly thanks to my blessing. I’m the kind of beauty that would make unicorns weep with joy.」

Mari snickered through her nose, having regained her usual demeanor. Kuryuu just shrugged his shoulders.

Despite their disagreements, these two had a long history together and were actually quite close, although they would definitely deny it.

「Then let’s hurry up. After I present our plan to His Majesty, we’ll depart immediately. I’d also like Krillin-dono to accompany us. Just you flying overhead would have a significant impact.」

「…It’s Ruril, not Krillin…」

Mari chuckled wryly as she and Kuryuu headed to the palace.

◇

「Damn it!! Why, why?!」

「…」

Aldo had been hitting Alice for about ten minutes. The pain was starting to intensify and become unbearable.

Alice was far more resilient than the average person, but pain was still pain.

「…Would you please consider forgiving me soon?」

「Shut up!! Why, why?!」

Alice had no answer to his question since she was utterly clueless about politics and military affairs.

「For now, we should consider what to do next. For example… seeking asylum in the Rozel Kingdom.」

At this point, that was the most realistic solution. Surrendering would surely lead to his death. Fleeing to the Rozel Kingdom might allow them to borrow Rozel’s military strength, and at worst, it would save his life.

「How do you suggest we escape?! We’re already surrounded! You’re the only one with me now!!」

When Aldo abandoned the capital and fled, he completely lost the support of his people. His guards began deserting one after another or even started selling information to the enemy.

Just when he thought he had finally reached the territory of a friendly patrician, he was served poisoned food. There were attempts on his life while he slept… and so on. By now, the only ally Aldo had left was Alice, a slave.

In a tragic irony, Aldo’s life was literally in Alice’s hands, yet he continued to strike her, oblivious to this fact. This behavior was quintessential of him.

And Alice, for her part, did not even consider betraying Aldo.

However, Alice’s protection of Aldo was not out of affection or loyalty, but purely out of fear and a deep-seated belief that she couldn’t defy him.

「Ah!! Why has it come to this?!」

As Aldo hit Alice’s face, he screamed, tears welling in his eyes.

I’m the one who wants to cry here, Alice thought.

But the last time Alice cried was over a decade ago…

The two were in the mansion of a patrician family loyal to Aldo. For now, they seemed to be on Aldo’s side, providing them with meals and baths.

But Alice thought it was only a matter of time. The winds were clearly shifting in favor of King Rosais’ Country. Patricians tended to side with the stronger party.

Moreover, Aldo was accused of fratricide and patricide (though the latter was a false charge), which were more than enough justification for betraying him.

「Aldo-sama, I cannot give you an answer if you do not stop.」

「I didn’t ask for advice from a spider!」

Aldo struck Alice’s face with all his might.

Then don’t ask.

Alice thought, naturally keeping her words to herself.

「Ah, damn… how can this be resolved…」

Aldo moved away from Alice and began pacing around the room, his face pale.

At this point, even if he apologized profusely, a public execution would likely be his end. He needed to do something, or he would die.

The word ‘death’ flickered through Aldo’s mind.

「Hey, Alice! Can’t you kill Carlo?」

「…Even if we kill the first prince, wouldn’t someone else just be lifted into his place?」

After all, there were plenty of patricians related by blood to the Domorgal Family. Besides, it was entirely possible to elevate a different powerful patrician family to the throne. In fact, there were many on the Adernian Peninsula who had become kings through coups.

It would probably be better to randomly divine and find a young child from somewhere, proclaiming them the divinely chosen king, rather than making Aldo king.

「Ugh… what should I do…」

As Aldo was agonizing, a loud knock resounded on the door. The patrician who had been sheltering Aldo burst in with force.

「Hey! What is this, coming in without permission…」

「Aldo-sama!! Rejoice!! The Rozel Kingdom has, the Rozel Kingdom has come!!!」

Aldo’s eyes widened. He and the patrician clapped hands and rejoiced together.

Aldo Domorgal. The luck that had helped him survive so far was still strong.

「Sigh…」

Alice sighed deeply.

TN1: A triumph was an elaborate parade held in ancient Rome. In it, the spoils of war, slaves won in the campaign, the soldiers, and the general wearing a laurel crown were paraded through the streets of Rome. Triumphs were reserved for the most significant military victories and were one of the greatest honors bestowed by the Senate.