第１０４９堀：決戦前 (Part1)
**Chapter 1049: Before the Decisive Battle**
**Side: Seraria**
"This will surely be a battle that goes down in history."
"Indeed. It’s such a spectacular sight that I’d be surprised if it didn't."
I replied to my husband’s remark.
We were gathered in the Weed conference room, watching the final showdown between Zurable and Hein, which was being broadcast via drone.
As it turned out, neither side resorted to any petty tricks; they both calmly completed their preparations and finally reached this day of destiny.
Two massive armies stood proudly facing each other on the vast plains.
"That said, it doesn't really look like there are 400,000 soldiers, does it?"
"Well, that figure was either a bluff by the Hein Empire or the limit of the Zurable Empire’s intelligence gathering... and that was back when the full picture of the Hein Empire wasn't clear. Still, just looking at them, there are at least 200,000 on each side. That’s quite a lot."
"As Ratz says, they still have troops left behind for regional defense, so it’s truly impressive."
Milly’s point was well-taken.
Even if it didn't reach the 500,000 we heard about earlier, the fact that they gathered this many while still leaving soldiers to guard various regions is a feat in itself. As a single nation, they likely possess more national power than any country we’ve encountered so far.
However...
"But, Emperor Eupia has monsters on her side, doesn't she? Won't this be over in the blink of an eye?"
"True. With wyverns in the mix, the opposition won't even be able to put up a fight."
"...A battle without air superiority is a losing battle. That is a certainty."
Exactly as Riel and the others said, while the troop numbers are roughly equal, there is a massive difference in quality.
The deployment of monsters—specifically the ability to secure air superiority using wyverns—is the deciding factor.
When I first met my husband, I didn't know this, nor could I have imagined it, but being suppressed from the sky is an incredibly disadvantageous position. You can’t escape, and you’re picked off one by one. I learned that a battle without air superiority is a losing battle.
My husband drills this kind of tactical knowledge into me quite seriously. It’s because I’m precious to him. He really is quite desperate about it.
But setting that aside, as Riel and Tori pointed out, the Hein Empire is going to be crushed from the sky by wyverns without a moment’s reprieve. I even doubt if this will turn into a proper battle at all.
"But won't that cause problems later? This decisive battle is meant to purge the corrupt elements of the Hein Empire. If the result is too one-sided and obvious..."
"That’s true. As Rurua-san says, the soldiers will flee. And when that happens—no, precisely at such times—it’s the corrupt ones who will be the first to scramble and save their own skins."
Indeed. Once they realize they can't win, the soldiers will scatter to preserve their lives. And it’s obvious that the ones who would sacrifice their own allies and leave behind problems for future governance are the ones who will try to run away first.
However...
"Well, I understand your concern. But it’s not as if Emperor Eupia and the Great Strategist Show would fail to account for that. We should just trust them and watch the battle with composure."
"I agree. There’s no way those two wouldn't think of what we can easily predict. And above all, even if they fail, we have preparations in place to follow up. Isn't that right, dear?"
I confirmed this with my husband, who was watching the monitor in a relaxed manner.
"Yeah, that’s right. They went through the trouble of bringing us here, after all. It wouldn't be good for us if they managed to escape and leave behind future roots of trouble. I’ll make sure they’re finished off. Well, there will surely be some stubborn ones who didn't come here, but since they’ve set the stage this well for us..."
As my husband said this and manipulated the controls, a tactical map appeared on the monitor, overlaying the drone footage. We could see blue dots positioned in a surrounding formation.
"Those are the goblin snipers. Though, since they’re sniping while monitoring a ten-kilometer radius, it would be a pain if the enemy scattered like spiders, so I hope Emperor Zurable handles that part well."
It seems hopeless to try and snipe in a place with absolutely nowhere to hide, though.
"Regardless, that worry is unnecessary. The analysis team just brought up some interesting information."
"Interesting information?"
"Yeah. It seems the Hein Empire couldn't manage monsters, but they have assembled an air unit of flying mages. As expected of the nation that stood at the pinnacle of this continent. They’ve properly gathered the strength to suppress other countries."
"Oh? In that case, the outcome of the battle isn't so certain, is it?"
"Yeah, from the outside, it probably looks evenly matched. But internally, the Zurable Empire has the upper hand. After all, we’ve mixed our own wyverns into their wyvern unit."
"You’re quite cunning when it comes to things like that."
"It’s purely a coincidence. We couldn't have used them if the Zurable Empire didn't already use wyverns as a combat force. Well, I’m sure they’ll handle it well."
If Weed’s wyvern air corps is mixed in, there’s almost no need to worry about air superiority.
As expected, when it comes to the battle itself, there really is nothing to worry about.
All that’s left is to wait for the results of this decisive battle.
Just as I was about to settle into "spectator mode," Deryu suddenly raised a question.
"Hmm. But I heard the Emperor of the Hein Empire was bedridden. Were there no successors? It’s strange, even now, to think that the government would cease to function just because the Emperor couldn't move."
"That’s true. Haven't we received any information on that?"
It is indeed a problem if the head of state collapses, but it’s impossible that they wouldn't have considered how to handle such a situation. Since it’s such a large country, surely the support structure and succession plans should be in order?
As I looked at Yuki with that obvious question, he gave a bitter smile.
"Well, that’s true, but... if you say that, the same applies to Emperor Eupia, doesn't it? Have you ever been introduced to a successor?"
"Oh, now that you mention it, I haven't heard of such a thing."
"But Emperor Eupia is immortal, isn't she? So a successor..."
"It’s not like she doesn't need one. Even if she’s immortal, her health might fail. As Seraria said, if you don't decide on someone to handle things when something happens to the head of state, the chaos will be severe. Even we in Weed have a succession order: Seraria, me, then Labyris. As for Emperor Eupia’s successors, they are the Emperors who act as her body doubles. In fact, an immortal emperor could easily become the subject of malicious rumors. That’s why Emperor Eupia doesn't usually appear in public."
Ah, that’s right. Emperor Eupia isn't just immortal. There are certainly those who wouldn't look kindly on that, given her appearance.
"Wait. If that’s the case, then it’s a problem that no successor has appeared for the Hein Empire, isn't it?"
"Deryu is right. Why hasn't there been any talk of a successor?"
"Ah, well, this is just something Kirika heard from Emperor Hans and hasn't been verified yet, but it seems the successors are... useless."
" " "Huh?" " "
Everyone was puzzled by the answer.