The Count Hart’s army advanced into Cresta, but instead of resistance, the gates were opened, and the city’s top official, the Magistrate, came out to greet them.
One might have expected discontent at being placed under Count Hart’s rule, but they were reportedly pleased that taxes would be reduced. It seemed our work was done, but a request for city guard duty came in.
“I expected this, but I want to go home,” I said.
“Why? Guard duty is easy work.”
“We’ll retake Cresta within a month. The State Knights were here before Marquis Fugen, who is the lord of this land. I believe attacking Count Hart’s territory was the will of the Harm Kingdom, but Marquis Fugen will attack quickly to gain favor with the kingdom.”
“How much is Marquis Fugen’s fighting strength?”
“At most, a thousand. I hope Count Hart will be satisfied leaving behind the fact that he could take Cresta and retreat.”
“Will there be reinforcements from Count Hart?”
“Even if there are, a hundred would be generous. Count Hart’s territory is behind in military matters.”
“Are there no reinforcements from Count Hart’s Keibeck Kingdom?”
“Count Hart started this war on his own. The kingdom’s forces won’t move unless Count Hart’s territory is attacked.”
“…”
Christine and the others offered their opinions, but only Sophia remained silent.
“Sophia, do you have something to say?”
“I’d prefer to stay as things are…”
She wants to stay as things are?! Did I hear that right?! Lately, Sophia has been appearing in my dreams too. The White Lily Corps often appears in my dreams, but I wake up with the image of them just smiling “Nihahaha” for no reason.
Even with things progressing so badly, what is Sophia so fixated on? She could still finish her Dress in time.
“Um, can I say something strange?”
“Please, Sophia.”
“Until now, I’ve just followed everyone else, but this time I have pride in taking Cresta. It’s not so much that I took Cresta, but rather that we took it by defeating the State Knights… So I don’t want to hand this city over so easily.”
I felt a strong will from Sophia. Perhaps she always felt inadequate being in the rear. I, for one, am safely in the carriage at the very back.
Hearing her say that makes it hard to suggest we leave. But it’s also hard to say “Let’s fight.” What can we do in the meantime…
“Let’s do it! It’s just a thousand people! If we kill them all, it’s zero!”
That’s some theory, Priscilla! I almost want to learn from your positive attitude. Positive, or rather… how have you survived this long?
“Shall we fight then…”
Unlike someone else, I’m not saying this without thinking. Of course, I want to respect Sophia’s feelings, but maybe things will work out if we handle it well.
“Whoa! Shut-in! That was a quick decision!”
Who are you calling a shut-in! It’s true I’m just riding in a carriage, but I’m responsible for important supply lines!
Who prepares the food?! Who devises the strategies?! Who… Forget it. This guy is going to drive me crazy.
“What about everyone else? We can’t expect reinforcements, but I have an idea.”
“I don’t want to waste Sister Sophia’s achievements!”
Alana is always so straightforward.
“If a thousand die, I will create a thousand Zombies.”
“We’ll casually whip them up with BC Alchemy~”
You two, be quiet.
“…”
Christine, please say something.
“Let’s do it, Mikael.”
Oh, she called me by my name. It’s Priscilla’s turn today. This is going to be tough until morning.
We, the White Lily Corps, ended up renting an empty house in Cresta. Staying at an inn for an extended period would be too expensive, so the Baron arranged for houses to be provided. Barracks would mean a lack of privacy, and it’s privacy we need.
“Alana, if Marquis Fugen prepares an army, it will likely be from Hardenber, the capital city next to Cresta. Go there and gather information, especially regarding supplies. Take the zombie birds Rufina made; use those for communication. Also, be careful, as demi-humans are often treated as slaves in this kingdom.”
“What should I do if I’m about to become a slave?”
“We can’t reach you in time to help, so eliminate the enemy with your own strength.”
“Is it okay to kill them?”
“It’s fine. But be sure to escape if you’re in danger.”
“I like making an entrance! What does the Baron say?”
“I wouldn’t call him incompetent, but he’s not exactly competent either. He seems to think all we need to do is defend. He doesn’t even think Marquis Fugen will attack.”
“What is he thinking?”
“He thinks the Harm Kingdom will make a move. He’s not entirely wrong, but Marquis Fugen will likely attack first, before Harm’s State Knights.”
“That’s scary~”
What was so scary? The Baron, who will soon be my superior? Harm’s State Knights? Sophia…?
“Rufina, you may go to the town’s graveyard as much as you like.”
“Kukuku. I can go as much as I like.”
“As much as you like.”
“Understood. Kukuku.”
Her normal smile is cute, though. Are all Necromancers like this? She seems to enjoy making Zombies, but wouldn’t it be better if she took up knitting like a normal girl?
“Orietta, I’d like the things I asked for soon.”
“It will still take some time~. I think it’s almost done~.”
“Which is it? Please complete it before the next guard duty rotation. If not, I’ll skip your rotation.”
“Eeeeeh! I’ll start making it right away~!”
She must have really hated the idea of skipping her rotation, because she left the room immediately after speaking. If it were Priscilla, guard duty would probably take priority over my requests.
“Priscilla and Christine, please handle the city’s guard duty, as requested by the Baron.”
“Can I also ask, ‘Is it okay to kill them?'”
“Of course not! Only enemies can be killed.”
“…”
Can I take Christine’s silence as consent? She maintains eye contact but says nothing. That makes me want to either break her gaze or try to make her say something.
“Sophia, let’s go look for clothes now. We need to do some shopping too.”
“I don’t think the clothes will be ready yet…”
“If they’re not ready, we’ll make them hurry. For shopping, please gather information from traveling merchants and people from other towns.”
“Understood…”
She seems a little disappointed, but it can’t be helped. We need to find out *when* and *who* will attack Cresta.
Sophia’s measurements dragged on without being taken, and there was an incident where I had to hastily stop the shopkeeper from being attacked. According to Sophia, it was a matter of him touching her or not, completely disregarding the trouble I would have later.
As a mercenary, I bought Sophia an expensive comb she didn’t need. It was expensive, the shopkeeper won, Sophia seemed pleased, and my gold coins disappeared.
I’ve heard of win-win situations, but I wish they had a term for when only one person wins. If everyone wins, mercenaries wouldn’t be needed.
As night fell, I managed to get on guard duty. I wanted to include Alana, who will be fighting alone for a while, separated from the White Lily Corps.
“Captain, are you lonely without me?”
“Yes, Alana. I get energy from you, so I’ll miss you.”
“I’ll give you lots of energy!”
We hugged. Tightly and gently, being careful of Alana’s sharp claws. Her silver-grey fur was beautiful, and the way her whole body swayed with my movements was something only a demi-human could achieve.
“In-incredible…! Ah, like this…”
I’ve trained regularly. As long as she doesn’t extend her claws, Alana isn’t scary. Stroking the soft fur on Alana’s back, I thrust my Petty knife forward.
The vast grain belt from Cresta to the capital, Hardenber, enriched Marquis Fugen. However, with the loss of Cresta, his wealth was halved.
“Retake Cresta! Gather as many troops as you can. Hire mercenaries in addition to the local army. We must retake it before the kingdom’s army does, or it will be stationed there and become theirs!”
Marquis Paulino Menhe Fugen of Hardenber, enraged, gave orders to his subordinates. He was also angry at his own foolishness in believing the Regent’s words, which had led him to divert his own troops to other fronts, believing Cresta, in his territory, would be no concern.
“Your Excellency, it will take about two weeks to recall the troops from the other front lines. Another week for rest and preparation. In the meantime, mercenaries will be gathered, and departure will be in three weeks.”
Elicio Toldra, Marquis Fugen’s confidant, bowed his head respectfully.
“Toldra, can’t it be done any faster? How many troops will there be?”
“The Regent has deployed our troops to distant fronts, so it will inevitably take time. Since it will take time, we can also prepare mercenaries. We plan for a total of nine hundred troops.”
“Who will be the commander?”
“Viscount Cipriano Balcheno Pinar, who is currently commanding the local army, would be suitable.”
“Pinar should be fine…”
“However, Your Excellency, what should we do if the State Knights appear, as you mentioned earlier?”
“…Crush them.”
“As you wish.”
Elicio Toldra, Marquis Fugen’s confidant, smiled at the mere thought of how to deal with the State Knights.
