Chapter 108: Reunion with Ria
After our flight, we touched down in Ares. The palace complex here was far larger in footprint than the royal capital’s, but for now most of that footprint was just graded earth. Charitably, it looked like a park. Less charitably, a field camp. To be blunt, everything inside the inner moat was still mostly open grass.
Someday, Ares would grow into a metropolis of a million, worthy of a planetary capital. In that future, this central site would probably demand a palace. For now, though, we’d prioritized function over form—barracks over grandeur—using Gantz’s base as the model. Even after the palace is finished, this block would remain as the Satellite members’ quarters. We’d built several identical buildings; one was assigned to the civil officials. Everyone would get a house in the city proper, but we still needed ready rooms where they could bunk while on duty.
We did decide a monument was necessary. So Iris had already raised a stately stone building patterned more on a capitol than a palace. It sat just inside the inner moat where the palace would be. ‘Parliament’ as a concept wasn’t familiar here, but when we explained it as a House of Lords and a Great Hall for gathering the realm’s nobles, people understood.
For the time being, we were using that Assembly Hall as Ares’s central command post. We’d brought in tables to make a working floor where Ria and Roberto could process state business.
At the moment, the inner moat area felt entirely like a living quarter, but as a castle layout it wasn’t strange. The moat was an excellent barrier to protect the royal family’s residence.
Gloria landed inside the inner moat. Since few people here knew how to handle her yet, I left her in Sharon’s care. Elna and I walked down one tier and made for the Assembly Hall. With the sun still up, Ria should be there.
The lookouts had clearly passed word of the dragon’s arrival—Ria came running out of the hall.
「Alan! Elna!」
「Ria-sama!」
Elna and Ria rushed to each other. Even if splitting them made tactical sense, maybe prying them apart hasn’t been my finest call. I watched the two of them and promised myself I’d avoid that whenever possible from here on.
「So—how did it go?」
「All clear. We took Count Gantz’s head in the Great Demon Forest.」
「I’ve read Elna’s letter. The prisoners and the infantry column arrived on foot, so I knew at least that much, Alan.」
「Yesterday, Alan negotiated Gantz into a bloodless surrender.」
「That’s incredible—you really did it.」
「And today we flew to the royal capital on Gloria and got the king to recognize our possession of Gantz for three years.」
「You already flew a round trip to the capital?!」
「Let’s not do this on the steps. Let’s go inside and talk.」
In a corner of the Assembly Hall, we briefed Ria and Roberto. We covered the audience with the king, and the chance things could turn hot with Count Khalifa or Marquis Burke. But we also explained that now we had the king’s warrant, defying royal authority was unlikely; they’d more likely pull their troops back.
The clerks took everything down. Roberto, as Ares’s magistrate, would issue a public notice to the citizenry. With the royal warrant in hand, it was the right time to announce broadly.
「When I heard Count Gantz was marching on us, I didn’t imagine things would go this smoothly.」
「I even thought we might have to mount Gloria and head for the Cecilio Kingdom.」
Right—back then we’d said if we couldn’t secure noble status in the Belta Kingdom, we’d go to Cecilio.
「So when’s the victory feast?」
「About that, Ria—we need to decide Gantz’s next steps. Could you and Roberto come to Gantz now?」
「Me as well?」
「You know Ares’s situation best. We can’t leave you out.」
「But leaving no one here in Ares doesn’t sound wise.」
「If we ride Gloria, it’s less than an hour. I won’t force it, but if it’s possible, I’d like you there.」
「In that case—」
The column including the prisoners has already arrived, but their morale isn’t high. We’ve already issued them 3 days of rations. Even if they got it into their heads to attack, Ares’s walls won’t fall that easily, and if we’re back by nightfall, there shouldn’t be time for trouble to brew.
「Alan, I still think Roberto should remain.」
「Cautious as ever, Ria.」
「Even with Gantz secured, Ares is precious. Losing it would be irreparable. A dragon in the air draws eyes. If no one’s here to issue orders, we’re asking for trouble.」
She has a point. Given her past—having once lost a country—her warning carries weight.
「Roberto, sorry—I’m retracting that. I’ll take only Ria to Gantz.」
「Please, there’s no need to apologize, Alan-sama. I know my duty.」
「We’ll settle Gantz’s governance and come back with most Satellite members. Likely a few days. It could run longer, depending on Count Khalifa’s moves.」
We decided Roberto would issue the detailed public notice tomorrow. We also set a morning contact with Baron Kael.
「Let’s have Baron Kael come to Gantz.」
They started drafting multiple copies of the royal order now. We’d hand him one and let him judge on the ground.
With our current troop shortfall, I don’t want to admit his force into Ares. Even from outside the walls, he’s already seen that Ares isn’t a façade but a functioning city.
「And we still don’t want to reveal too many details about Ares.」
Everyone nodded. Three months from now, when the king’s envoys arrive—that will be Ares’s unveiling.
「Roberto, when you have time starting tomorrow, inspect the tribute to the king that should be in storage. Once confirmed, secure it. I’ll leave you the list.」
「Understood.」
The goods should be there, but better to verify early.
「If there’s nothing else, Ria, shall we go?」
「Please wait—we still need time to finish these copies.」
「I only brought my sword. I’d like to grab my lugagge as well.」
Hmm. It might be faster if I spoke to Baron Kael myself right now.
「All right. I’ll use this window to speak to Baron Kael directly. It’ll go quicker if I talk with him in person. Ria, I’ll go meet him with Gloria and Sharon. When you’re ready, rendezvous at Gloria’s landing spot. Elna knows it. Elna, stay with Ria.」
「Understood.」
「That’ll let me pack in peace.」
「Roberto, sorry—rush those copies. I’ll brief Baron Kael first, then when I come back to pick up Ria and Elna I’ll take the papers from you. Make the duplicates and deliver them to Baron Kael by then. Elna, take someone along to handle the document handoff.」
「At once.」
「I’ll go speak to Baron Kael. Ria, Elna—see you soon. Roberto, I’m counting on you.」
As I moved out at a clip, I pinged Sharon and Selena.
「Selena, Sharon—we’re going to finalize terms with Baron Kael to relocate to Gantz. After that, we’ll take Ria and Elna and head back to Gantz. Sharon, get Gloria prepped for immediate launch. Selena, assume I’ll be back by evening and assemble the squad leaders. I want a quick after-action brief.」
「Understood.」
「Roger. I’ll have today’s feast ready, too.」
It seems Selena will get the victory party prep rolling. I linked up with Sharon and flew on Gloria to Baron Kael’s camp.
The men were in a stir, but they knew me and Gloria by now. Having accepted surrender, they understood we weren’t here to strike them.
Baron Kael burst out, flanked by several nobles.
「Your Excellency, Lord Protector.」
Baron Kael and the others bowed deeply.
「Sorry to drop in without notice. Has the food been distributed?」
「Yes, every man has been issued 3 days of rations.」
On foot, it was 5 days between Ares and Gantz. Three days of food would be barely enough to cover the trip back to Gantz, but the situation wouldn’t be pretty. With us holding Gantz now, anyone deserting would only get lost in the forest.
Then again, Baron Kael didn’t fight. We’d also handed them wagon supplies. If he preserved his logistics and avoided losses, they might have enough for their own men aside from the prisoners.
「First off—as you’ve seen, I’ve tamed a dragon. You saw it in the last fight, too.」
「Yes, my lord.」
Baron Kael answered with a touch of unease.
「Today I flew to the royal capital on her back and obtained His Majesty’s warrant.」
「What—」
Usually, you need four weeks to arrive at the capital on foot. He probably didn’t expect we’d go and come back this fast. But with me dismounting from a dragon right in front of him, denial wasn’t really an option.
「We forced Gantz to open its gates. His Majesty authorized me to rule Gantz for three years until a successor is named. All who served Count Gantz will, for those three years, heed my orders.」
「Understood. We will follow the Lord Protector’s command.」
「A copy of the royal warrant will reach you tomorrow morning. Upon receipt, move your force to Gantz. I’ll fly there as well and wait. If there are no issues, I’ll have lodgings for your men prepared in the city. While you remain in Gantz, I’ll cover the costs.」
A cheer rose from the ranks. They’d had their fill of camping.
「I’ll also have ample rations delivered tomorrow morning to cover the march to Gantz. If you need anything, we’ll coordinate there.」
「My lord, what of the prisoners we’re holding?」
「If possible, escort them to Gantz. I’ll, of course, issue rations for them as well. If any wish to remain in Ares, we’ll receive them tomorrow morning. They can enlist as soldiers or settle as pioneers.」
「As you command.」
I need to hash out the details with Roberto.
I made a quick appointment to meet again in Gantz and took my leave. With a dragon looming overhead, soldiers couldn’t relax; it wasn’t the atmosphere for a long chat.
「Gloria, sorry to run you ragged, but I want to take Ria and Elna and get back to Gantz. Help me out.」
「Understood.」
Gloria had been working hard these two days, but she didn’t show any signs of fatigue. In that bright, girlish voice of hers, she buoyed me and Sharon both.
「You sure you’re not tired, Gloria? Once we drive off Count Khalifa’s army, take a few days’ leave.」
「No way! This is the most fun I’ve had in ages. I want more! Forget leave!」
I see, for a dragon, going on a long flight and letting loose in the battlefield is fun. Sometimes you see humans who like war, but dragons apparently like it as a rule—cut loose, fly far, and help their people. If you see it like that, it does indeed sound fun.
「All right. Things might stay busy like this, so if you ever want a break, tell me early. I’m not great at picking the right timing for a dragon’s day off.」
「Thank you! But I want more war!」
Back at the inner moat’s landing pad, we found Roberto waiting with Ria and Elna—and a handful of clerks.
「Roberto, thanks—that helps.」
I accepted King Amado’s warrant copies and voiced my thanks.
「I need to keep tabs on Baron Kael’s movements as well.」
「Right. Your quick judgment saves us time, as always.」
「It’s my role to support Alan-sama and Ria-sama.」
He smiled faintly—pleased, no doubt. I quickly shared my exchange with Baron Kael.
「So there’s a chance we’ll keep the prisoners here?」
「Possibly. But even all together they’re only a few dozen. If we disarm them, there should be no harm in admitting them. If that worries you, keep them at the current camp until we’re back.」
The camp had been built for receiving pioneers. Compared to Ares’s walls it was simple, but it had ditch and palisade. Besides kitchens and huts, it had a well and latrines. It ought to be safe enough.
「Until you return, even if we admit them, I’ll have them under guard and isolated somewhere.」
「I’ll leave it to you. But if any want to join us, treat them well.」
「Recruitment, then.」
With the king’s official approval, we can now recruit openly. Even if we are the ones who defeated them, Count Gantz’s men were mostly locals, so their loyalty should be to the city of Gantz, not the count—and trained soldiers are hard to get without special circumstances like these.
Whatever became of House Gantz, if we raise our banner within three years, the old house would likely end. They have more than enough reasons to accept our coin.
「Not all will pass the loyalty check, but some will enlist for a living. I’d like to take them.」
「If gold can buy their loyalty, that may be safer for us in the end.」
Our aim is to place Ria on the throne and conquer the Alois Kingdom—restoring Starveek. Men who fight for pay would be easier to align with that aim.
「I’ll trust your eye on people, Roberto.」
「As you wish. With that trust, I’ll make it work.」
We’ll guarantee the same pay and conditions Count Gantz had offered—rank excepted. Without rank guarantees, some will drop a grade. That suits us, though. We want foot soldiers more than officers, and promotions will go to those who prove themselves.
With that, I left the rest to Roberto—he’d handle it well.
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