I lost four kilograms in three days. If this work can help me diet, I don’t need a gym.
“Mobilize!”
The total force numbered thirty-eight thousand. The vanguard, Harmonia’s army and Hasuhanto’s mercenaries, totaled twelve thousand. The second wave, Ashtal Empire’s army, numbered eighteen thousand. Rothfar, who lent us siege weapons, brought up the rear with five thousand. After making contact, Keibeck Kingdom, ten thousand troops waiting in Queen Anneliese’s direct territory, began their march towards the Royal Capital Klinshberbach.
The thought of me commanding them sent shivers down my spine. Manon’s logistical prowess was commendable, and the Succubi also did their best. The White Lily Corps, under the guise of training, challenged anyone to sparring matches, leading to a steady stream of injuries and healing magic, but no disruptions to the front lines.
“It’s finally time, Mikael.”
It truly was “finally time.” Queen Anneliese, now a mounted warrior, had her request to wait in Denberg rejected. The White Lily Corps, under the pretext of providing guards, pushed aside the royal guards and surrounded us.
We had been losing and running since the start of this war. After finally winning at Runbergzach, we returned without a victory celebration, only to find the Hero had appeared.
A mere mercenary has become important. Soon I’ll be able to fulfill my promise to God, and I can choose to be a king of a small country, a marquis of a great empire, or even the captain of the White Lily Corps – the choices are endless. Having many options is good. Whichever I choose… if I choose two of them, a brilliant future awaits.
“Since we’re going to win anyway, shall we have the ceremony now?”
“Why are you here, Lady Melissa!? Weren’t you supposed to be guarding Denberg?”
“I found it boring and came along. Guarding it would be mere babysitting. There’s nothing to do. Her Majesty the Queen is also here, so there should be no problem.”
Lady Annelyse insisted, “This is Harmonia’s war,” and adamantly requested to be at the front lines. However, once the battle begins, I want her to retreat to the rear. That’s when the White Lily Corps will be gone.
“So, what about us?”
Even though I’ve explained this repeatedly, Priscilla, the captain of Harmonia’s Second Army, asks every time. Perhaps she has a poor memory, or perhaps she just wants an excuse to talk to me.
Harmonia’s army is divided into four main groups. Queen Anneliese’s Royal Guard. Knights Erberth and Ernst and my White Lily Corps, along with Hasuhanto Trading Company’s mercenary Annihilation Brigade.
Though calling it a brigade is too grand a term, it was at the suggestion of the Hasuhanto mercenaries that we refer to this unit, composed of mercenaries, as such, to avoid being outdone by other Knight Orders.
Within the Annihilation Brigade, I lead the White Lily Corps as the First Army of about a hundred men. Priscilla commands the Second Army of four hundred, and Christine’s Third Army has eight hundred. The rest are divided into units of three hundred, led by Hasuhanto commanders. Christine’s unit has a particularly large number because of the surge in volunteers.
“You want me to explain it again…”
“This time, I want you to explain it in bed.”
Two killing intents flared up. Caught between these three women, I felt so desirable it made me want to die. The sparks were bound to fly my way. Closer than sparks, more like a flamethrower—I’d be charred black.
“Listen carefully, Priscilla. We will change our route mid-way and rendezvous with Keibeck’s expeditionary force. After leaving supply provisions in Keibeck, we will head west of Klinshberbach. Strangely, reports indicate the western castle wall of Klinshberbach remains broken.”
The Knight Order sent for reconnaissance reported that the Demon Army had left the broken western wall unrepaired. They had fixed the North Gate, East Gate, and other breaches, but the wall damaged by the Meteor Strike in the west remained untouched and broken.
“The Allied Forces will break through the East Gate, and Keibeck will attack the South Gate. We will enter the city through the broken western castle wall.”
“It’s a trap. Even a Giant could handle the boulders from a Meteor Strike, and with a Lich, they could use oblivion magic like Rufina. The fact that they haven’t done so means they’re waiting for us.”
“And perhaps they’ve laid down magical traps. Regardless, it’s the only place we can enter without siege weapons.”
As expected from Priscilla, she’s not just a drunkard. After that, stop puffing out your chest as if to say, “How’s that!” I feel like I just want to squeeze you.
“Mikael, you’ll be with me and take command, won’t you?”
That’s how it should be. The commander-in-chief never goes to the front lines. In this world with its poor information network, if the commander dies, the whole army collapses. If possible, I’d prefer to recline on a soft, large chair, with a brandy glass in my right hand and a cigar in my left.
“I will go to the western castle wall with the White Lily Corps. It will likely be the fiercest battleground.”
“No! If you die, we can’t have the ceremony! Or perhaps we should have it now as a pre-celebration?”
“That is unacceptable. We cannot afford to be lax in front of the soldiers.”
“Kids should just go take a dump and sleep.”
“What did you say, you bastard! How dare you be disrespectful to a Viscountess of Ashtal!”
Stop it, this is an important moment. Don’t you have any sense of teamwork to overcome this challenge? Don’t you have any compassion? All people are brothers and sisters.
“Mikael, what do you think!?”
As expected, a flamethrower flew. The hellfire that burns everything was extinguished by even fiercer resentment—involving me…
“Gah!”
“Cough!”
“Ugh!”
“Guegegeh!”
“…Talking about unnecessary things will get you killed.”
Queen Anneliese and Lady Melissa lightly pressed their chests, Priscilla leaned forward, and I almost fell off my horse.
Christine’s support, nobles, the class system, Lycanthropes, and handsome men with Godspeed abilities are completely irrelevant. Did Christine notice that my horse stepped on my foot as she walked forward calmly?
“G-Grizdin…”
Even with Godspeed at Mode Five, one can be caught off guard. The other three only suffered for a moment, but I endured until Christine turned around, her cold eyes piercing my soul.
I was saved by the forced end of the conversation, but not by heart failure. Why is the captain of the Third Army, behind us, at the front? Someday, I want to grab Christine’s heart too, even through her clothes.
Ignoring the concerned knights, I rode my horse calmly. Should I catch up to the four in front as Queen Anneliese’s guard, or maintain my position and retreat to the White Lily Corps from here?
Alright, I’ll retreat. For the sake of fostering camaraderie with the new White Lily Corps, communication is important. We’re about to embark on a dangerous mission like this, so mutual understanding is crucial, you know.
As I tried to turn my horse, a slight pain shot through my chest. It gradually intensified, growing stronger the further I moved away from them. When I tried to catch up, the pain subsided. It seems to be saying, “Come!” Resigned, I spurred my horse forward. Towards the four ahead who I didn’t want to join.
The march proceeded smoothly. Other than the occasional reconnaissance flight of Harpies, there was no attack from the Demon Army. However, the psychological attacks from the White Lily Corps, the Queen, and the Viscountess continued unabated. By the time we changed our route to rendezvous with Keibeck, I had lost one kilogram in weight.
“Then, Your Majesty, I shall see you at Klinshberbach Castle.”
“Mikael, please don’t overexert yourself.”
“Mikael, even if you have to overexert yourself, bring me the Demon Lord’s head!”
“Mikael, let’s go. Don’t lag behind.”
“…”
This is a farewell greeting, and I’d like to give them a hug, but Christine is glaring, and I can’t show the embarrassment of falling off my horse.
“Then, I shall depart. —All riders, charge!”
The next time we meet, it will be as victors at Klinshberbach Castle, or as losers in the town of Denberg. I could consider going to heaven if I die, but I don’t think I have the qualifications.
If we lose, the Demon Army will invade and likely attack Ashtal as well. If we win, we’ll have to rebuild Harmonia’s weakened national strength and then interfere with Lady Annelyse’s marriage plans. I’ll also have to find a way to prevent Melissa’s engagement.
If the war ends, I’ll have to consider the future of the White Lily Corps as mercenaries and think about the White Lilies who joined temporarily… Isn’t winning going to be more troublesome than losing!?
…For now, let’s concentrate solely on winning. If I win, I believe things will work out. If I don’t win, I won’t even be able to “believe.”
For now, I should try to regain the weight I lost…
