第１９７掘：砦攻略後の話 (Part1)
**Chapter 197: After the Fort’s Capture**
**Side: Yuki**
I’ve been given a room in the fort, where I’m currently lounging and processing paperwork. Beside me, Ria is, as always, providing support—sorting documents by priority and handling the tasks she can manage on her own.
Even though we’ve come to the New Continent, I am the leader of this mercenary unit, so I have to handle the practical management. On top of that, I have to deal with the military-related paperwork for Weed. There are also reports coming in from the Weed members currently scattered across the region.
"Still, while we’ve made progress here by capturing the fort, things are pretty stagnant elsewhere."
"It can't be helped. We’ve been conducting thorough investigations in the Zilba Empire and the data is being sent over, and we’re seeing results from the experiments in the dungeon—or rather, the demi-human village. Results are appearing, albeit slowly."
"I know, but maybe it’s because we’ve had so many events lately that I’m just wishing things would move forward all at once," I said, voicing a hopeful opinion.
It’s been nearly a year since Weed declared itself a nation, and with the wives’ due dates only a month away, it’s been a whirlwind year for me. I haven't even had the time to hold a "Happy First Anniversary of Arriving in This World" celebration.
"That’s true. Everyone’s delivery is approaching, and once we get a breather here, we can settle down and be there for them."
Ria seems worried about everyone as well; she clearly wants to spend some time relaxing with the family. I pick up my tea and take a sip.
"Phew. Well, the 'events' are still currently in progress, though."
"After we took the fort, three days later, the army meant to lay siege arrived, just as Light-san and the captured fort commander said they would."
Ria says this and slides a document over to me.
"Regarding the incorporation of the surrounding towns... huh. Why are they sending this to us?"
"Who knows? Perhaps they have high expectations for your capabilities, Yuki-san?"
"They’ve already surrendered, haven't they? It seems problematic to keep asking an outsider like me for input on every little thing."
As the contents of the document reveal, the siege armies that emerged from the two towns readily showed their submission following the fall of the fort and the defeat of the Holy Sword User.
In truth, since no actual battle took place at the fort, the representatives of the army, who were puzzled, approached the fort only to be surrounded by us and forced into a rout. There wasn't even a trace of a real battle. The gates were blown off and a section of the wall had crumbled, but since it was only in one spot rather than from all sides, the siege army must have been confused. Usually, a fort siege leaves the ground and walls in tatters, but this time, the initial bombardment from the tank cannons and mortars had ended everything.
With the siege army scattered so easily and the high-ranking officers who led them taken as prisoners, the enemy was forced to recognize that the force attacking the fort was something monstrous. As a result, the next two target towns surrendered just as we had hoped.
Of course, a town with defensive capabilities inferior to the fort couldn't possibly withstand an opponent that had taken the fort in a single day and defeated a Holy Sword User. Therefore, the lords agreed to join us on the condition that we wouldn't commit atrocities against their people. For us, it’s a huge win since we don't have to spend the manpower or time.
"It seems they are short on hands. While the two towns have shown submission, there are still castles and forts deeper within the Holy Kingdom of Enaria. Defending against the armies coming from those locations will be difficult."
Just as Ria says, the documents I have mention exactly that. Capturing one fort and two towns in just a week is a massive achievement, but it’s meaningless if we can’t hold them.
That’s where the three princesses of the Magic Sword Users—I’m calling them that because calling them out by name one by one is a pain—come in. They seem to want to send occupation forces to the two towns as proof that they have become our territory. That’s only natural. No one believes in a surrender to an enemy territory without an occupation force present.
The problem is that our force that attacked the fort is only about 25,000 strong. As you can tell from the numbers, we can’t afford to split our troops from the fort. We’ve sent out fast riders to request a garrison force, but the earliest they can arrive is in two months. Unfortunately, the enemy’s castles and forts are overwhelmingly closer than our reinforcements. If we’re unlucky and they decide to launch an early recapture, we’ll have to defend the two towns with our meager forces.
We’re planning to station 2,500 troops in each town, but it’s clear that number is insufficient. 20,000 at the fort and 2,500 at each town—this is the best deployment we can manage right now. We could hire mercenaries, but the mainstream options are the ones who were our enemies last time. It’s hard to integrate them. Apparently, they plan to incorporate them if things get truly dire.
"For now, it was Mist who created this document."
"Indeed. Marly-san and Olive-san aren't the type for this kind of work."
"It really shows why Mist wanted an adjutant like Jessica or Hivia. Poor thing."
"Talent is important, isn't it?"
"In that sense, Marly certainly seems to have an eye for people."
"With Jessica-san, Hivia-san, and then you and me, Yuki-san... yes, she certainly has an eye for talent."
Though, in the case of Ria and me, we weren't exactly the type of people one could "control."
While chatting, I look through the countermeasures for the towns that have submitted. It’s a very steady, practical approach—very much like Mist. In an era where the mainstream is still "charge in and shout 'Eiei-oh!'" without any means of communication, she is desperately trying to take the best possible approach. I honestly think that even without the magic sword business, Mist could have become a prominent general on this continent. Marly and Olive are too specialized for combat; they’re best suited as leaders of an invasion force like this.
"Ah, I see. So they want to use us for this."
Reading the final sentence, I realized why Mist had handed this document to me.
"As expected of Mist-san. It seems she wants us to act as messengers."
She must have guessed that we have the technology to receive information instantly from a distance, given that we’ve been operating together to some extent. It’s quite bold of her to ask us to use that for their benefit so readily.
"Should I take this as a sign of trust in us?"
"I believe so."
*Knock, knock.*
A knock at the door interrupts our conversation.
"It’s Jessica."
"Hm? She could have just walked in without worrying about it."
As I say that, Jessica enters, leading Mist behind her.
"Excuse the intrusion."
"Ah, Mist. I just read through the documents. You want us to act as messengers and couriers?"
"If you’ve read them, then this will be quick. I would like you to assist with visiting the two towns as my escort and messengers, and I would like you to be stationed in one of the towns."
"Is one town fine?"
"I would prefer both if possible, but is that doable?"
"No, that’s impossible. I’ll have to decline."
"I thought as much. If there were at least one more human, I think they would have been accepted..."
The leaders accompanying our invasion force are me, Ria, Riel, Tori, Kaya, Shera, Aslin, Labyris, and Filia. Among them, Tori, Riel, and Kaya are demi-humans, so I don't think they’d be treated as equals in negotiations. Furthermore, Shera, Labyris, and Filia are also demi-humans, and while Aslin is human, she looks like a child.
And as for splitting me and Ria up? All the wives would oppose that, so that’s off the table.