The Territorial Capital Capture Battle

View of Karmos-Fivro-Yōntsu, former lord of Yōntsu Territory in the former Lumoria Kingdom

“Those are the orders. Fels-sama desires that you seize the territorial capital without killing any enemy soldiers.”

Right now, I was participating in a war council at the expeditionary army’s headquarters as it attacked Yōntsu’s territorial capital.

I had complicated feelings about invading the territorial capital my ancestors had inherited and defended, but even more than that, I was dumbfounded by the abnormality of what was being conducted here—something like a war council.

The one presiding over this place was Kiriku-dono, who held the post of Strategist in Einheria.

The post of Strategist didn’t exist in the Lumoria Kingdom or neighboring countries, so when I asked what kind of position it was, I was told the main work involved overseeing the drafting of military operations and stratagems, and supporting His Majesty at his side. I understood it as something like a chancellor with a military bent.

It felt strange that someone like Kiriku-dono was at the very front, but no one here seemed to find it odd, so perhaps it was normal in Einheria.

Furthermore, Grand General Arandor-dono was also present, and what impressed me was how he followed Kiriku-dono’s direction without a single word of complaint.

As far as I knew, military officers and civil officers were like oil and water—those who only knew the field, and those who didn’t know the field, mocking each other was the norm. And yet, seeing the Grand General, the top of the military on a battlefield, obeying the words of the clearly civil officer Kiriku-dono without question was a scene that should have been impossible.

But if that was simply how the country of Einheria worked, then perhaps that was just how it was.

However, that wasn’t what left me dumbfounded.

Just as the war council was nearing its conclusion and the placements of each unit had been decided, Kiriku-dono received contact from His Majesty.

When Kiriku-dono suddenly stood from his chair, bowed, and began muttering to himself, I wondered what in the world was happening, but Jōsen-dono beside me explained the situation.

Apparently, even over long distances, His Majesty could use a kind of magic that allowed him to converse with his vassals. That alone was an outrageous story… but what dumbfounded me began here.

After His Majesty and Kiriku-dono conversed for a short while, the situation completely changed. Every procedure decided in the war council was overturned, and it was decided the battle would proceed exactly according to His Majesty’s thinking.

I was a newcomer, and my standing was practically nonexistent.

The only reason I’d been called into the war council was because I had been the lord of Yōntsu Territory. My position as the former lord who knew the city’s strengths and weaknesses was useful for drafting operations, and nothing more. My role was only to answer when asked, and I had no speaking authority from the beginning.

And yet, even so, I couldn’t help but speak up.

His Majesty’s proposed strategy was a single-point breakthrough.

Certainly, considering the difference in our forces, the strategy was correct. The territorial capital’s walls were low and not suited for defense.

Also, among the soldiers remaining in the territorial capital, there was no one capable of using effective magic. If such talent existed, they would have been incorporated into a mage unit and sent to the prior war. That meant the defenders’ attacks would basically be limited to arrows.

On our side, we had ample magical strength. If we simply blocked the arrows and attacked with magic, the gate would collapse easily, and victory would be decided.

If His Majesty’s order had ended there, I would not have spoken. What I desired was the swift capture of the territorial capital.

That placed the least burden on the people. As someone who was no longer a lord of anything, perhaps the only thing I could do for the people who lived here was that much.

Precisely because of that, I had interrupted when I heard His Majesty’s words, conveyed by Kiriku-dono: to conquer the territorial capital without killing a single enemy soldier.

“With respect… Kiriku-dono. May I speak?”

“Go ahead, Karmos-dono.”

“Thank you. His Majesty said ‘without killing a single enemy soldier’… what does that mean?”

“It means exactly what it says. Fels-sama has ordered that you seize the territorial capital without producing a single death.”

“B-but… how, exactly?”

Even if the gate was so flimsy it could barely be called one, a gate was still a gate. Made of stone, it was far sturdier than the human body, and magic of low power would not even make it budge.

Naturally, destroying the gate required high-output magic.

And of course, that was power no human body could withstand. Even if it didn’t hit directly, its lethality was more than sufficient.

If His Majesty ordered that there be no deaths, that wasn’t mere resolve—it was an absolute command. Even in a minor skirmish, there would be at least some dead. And this time, the enemy had taken a stance of holding out. There was no way we could capture it without deaths.

There was no way that heroic ruler failed to understand that… and yet he issued such an order. What intent lay behind it…?

“Karmos-dono, you have not served Fels-sama long. So it’s only natural you cannot yet trust Fels-sama’s far-reaching calculations. I do not intend to demand that you understand all of Fels-sama’s greatness within a few days. However, remember this one thing. Fels-sama’s words are absolute. If Fels-sama says to do it, then we simply obey.”

Kiriku-dono’s eyes as he spoke were serene—and precisely because of that, I felt an unfathomable fear.

Before, when I met His Majesty as a prisoner… I had thought I did not sense fanaticism from those who pledged him absolute loyalty… was I mistaken?

“Kiriku, don’t scare him so much.”

Perhaps unable to bear my stiffened expression, Arandor-dono softened his face and addressed Kiriku-dono.

“Mm…”

“Karmos-dono. Kiriku is right—Fels-sama’s words are absolute. That is our consensus. He has said nothing incorrect. However, Fels-sama sees far ahead into the workings of things. His thinking is a summit so lofty that people like us could never reach it. Of course, it’s not as though even Fels-sama can never be wrong.”

Kiriku-dono reacted faintly to Arandor-dono’s words, but he did not interrupt, and instead listened.

“And yet, I have never once seen Fels-sama be wrong.”

“…Naturally.”

As if he couldn’t endure it, Kiriku-dono replied a little irritably, and Arandor-dono continued with a wry smile.

“When Fels-sama gives us an order, he never commands something that is absolutely impossible. If Fels-sama ordered it, then it means it is possible—nothing more, nothing less. This may look like blind faith… but to us, it is an undeniable truth backed by results.”

“…”

“It may be hard to believe, but for now, why not watch this battle? I’m sure it will bring a result that is not bad for the people of the territorial capital.”

“I apologize, Arandor-dono, Kiriku-dono. I spoke out of turn.”

“You’re invading a city you protected as lord. It’s only natural you have many thoughts. What you’re worried about… is the burden on the people living in the city, yes?”

Arandor-dono asked with a gentle smile that seemed far too mild for someone who stood as the head of the military.

Harris, who still served under me, also carried an aura that put people at ease. Was it something unique to those who led soldiers?

“You are correct. If the battle drags on, the psychological burden on the people will be immense. And if we are to capture it without killing the defenders, it won’t be so simple.”

Simple… or rather, I thought it impossible.

“And with Fels-sama’s instructions, it seems we won’t even use a separate detachment. To think we can capture it quickly…”

“I see. Then let us blow away that anxiety.”

Arandor-dono’s smile changed—strong and forceful, like a veteran warrior.

“Allow this one to take the first charge!”

“…Jōsen. Aren’t you Karmos-dono’s guard? Naturally, you’ll remain at headquarters. Or do you intend to disobey Fels-sama’s order?”

“Ghk…”

Jōsen-dono fell silent. Arandor-dono nodded and continued.

“Then the vanguard for this battle will be…”

At the vanguard Arandor-dono announced, I was left speechless once again.

“Kiriku-dono. Is this truly alright?”

“Yes. With him, there will be no problem.”

Standing beside Kiriku-dono, I watched the back of a single person walking toward the territorial capital’s gate.

Not a unit. A single person.

Earlier, Jōsen-dono and I had gone to the gate as envoys. At that time, we approached while displaying proof of envoy status. That was why we weren’t shot by arrows and could reach the vicinity of the gate… but this person approaching the gate now was different.

In his hand was a drawn sword… a sword with a very broad blade. It didn’t look like a size one could hold with one hand, but he carried it lightly, so perhaps it was lighter than it appeared. And despite having one hand free, he carried no shield. If he entered bow range, wouldn’t he be helpless?

More than anything, his carefree gait—like he was taking a stroll—made it seem as though our anxiety was nothing but needless baggage.

“Arandor is in a good mood, isn’t he?”

Jōsen-dono, standing half a step in front of me, said it in an utterly unburdened tone.

Yes. The one approaching the gate was Grand General Arandor-dono.

Since it was only in my heart, I would say it plainly… I could only think he was out of his mind.

Not only the expeditionary army’s commander-in-chief, but a man who could be called the overall commander of all Einheria was walking toward the enemy alone… there was no way such a thing could exist. And His Majesty’s order earlier, too… was this a dream?

“Arandor has been in the rear since we came here. He’s probably getting excited despite his age.”

“To a warrior, age doesn’t matter. Being ordered by one’s lord to lead the vanguard… there is no joy greater than that.”

“…You’re right. That is true. I am not a warrior, but I can understand that joy.”

Kiriku-dono and Jōsen-dono spoke with deep feeling, but… I could only see it as madness.

“Still, no arrows or magic are flying at him, are they?”

“Firing a rain of arrows at one man is inefficient. They are likely trying to conserve arrows. As for magic, Karmos-dono told us there are no users among the defenders. So it’s only natural none is coming.”

That might be true… but I suspected the enemy was simply confused.

Even if he carried a drawn sword, he was still only one man. And they were territorial troops with little real combat experience, so they likely couldn’t decide whether to intercept.

“At this rate, he’ll reach the gate without any interception.”

“Hm. Well, whether they intercept or not, it likely won’t make much difference.”

As I watched Arandor-dono walk while hearing such carefree conversation… just as Jōsen-dono said, he reached the gate without receiving a single interception.

I never expected him to reach the gate without suffering even one attack… but what would he do from here?

The next instant after I thought that, it looked as though Arandor-dono swung the sword in his hand. It was too far to see clearly, but I was sure.

Why swing his sword there? Did they loose an arrow?

The next moment, a sudden cloud of dust rose, and Arandor-dono disappeared from view.

“What in the world…?”

Almost at the same time as my murmur, the territorial capital suddenly became noisy.

Were they opening the gate and attacking Arandor-dono!?

“Kiriku-dono! Aren’t the defenders opening the gate and rushing Arandor-dono!?”

“No. The ones who opened the gate were not the defenders. And there is no problem.”

When I shouted in panic, Kiriku-dono answered as though it was nothing.

No… that was right. The one acting strangely was me. Because Arandor-dono had walked alone toward the enemy. Of course fighting would occur… of course it would… but was I the one who was wrong?

Seeing my confusion, Harris beside me gave me a sympathetic look. His eyes seemed to say that I wasn’t strange.

After that, I argued with myself for a while, but when I noticed the atmosphere around us had changed, I forced myself to switch gears. Spacing out on a battlefield was, even to myself, nothing but foolishness… but what happened?

“We have received contact from Fels-sama. Arandor has completed the suppression of the defenders. To avoid causing confusion, we will head into the territorial capital with a small number of soldiers.”

With Kiriku-dono’s words, I understood that this battle had ended.