第１７４２堀：一瞬 (Part1)
Chapter 1742: An Instant
An instant.
Side: Hovis
"Well then, the time has come. I suppose it’s time to ask for a surrender... or rather, a discussion and the release of the hostages."
Saying this, Yuki-sama steps out onto the ramparts without a hint of hesitation.
I can see that Aurelia and Yayui, and of course myself, have faces stiffened by tension.
No, there is no longer any room to chat idly.
After all, it wouldn't be strange if arrows or magic came flying at us at any moment.
We must protect Yuki-sama.
Of course, with Tori-sama and Stasia-sama present, perhaps it won't come to that, but we cannot afford to let our guard down.
"Yuki. Honestly, I find your nerves baffling. Even I would find that many enemies troublesome to deal with, and more importantly, there are hostages involved."
As Holly-san says, if it were just a matter of fighting, I believe we could overwhelm them with the power of our weapons.
But this time, the lives of civilians are at stake.
One wrong move, and the lives of innocent people will literally be extinguished.
And yet...
"Panicking won't help. Besides, that kind of impatience transmits not only to your subordinates but also to the ordinary people watching us. In times like these..."
He averts his gaze from us toward the interior of the ramparts—toward the troops Weed brought, the anxious Ohe soldiers, and the large crowd of commoners.
Since he is about to announce what is to come, the civilians, unlike the standing soldiers, are preparing to flee, wondering if they will truly be safe.
Yuki-sama then pulls out a megaphone he had produced from nowhere...
"Hello there. I am Yuki of Weed, and I have come to negotiate the release of the hostages. I apologize for the anxiety this has caused the people of the northern town. However, your safety will be ensured by the brave soldiers of Ohe and Weed gathered here. I believe supplies from Weed are being distributed by Ratz as we speak, and we have also prepared food stalls. Today is on me, so please, enjoy yourselves to the fullest. Oh, and please share them properly so everyone gets a portion."
With a war about to break out, I, Aurelia, and Yayui are left dumbfounded, wondering what on earth Yuki-sama is saying. The civilians and soldiers are equally stunned; the murmuring crowd falls silent in an instant, and after a beat...
"Come one, come all! It’s on General Yuki today! Takoyaki, yakisoba, taiyaki, cotton candy, candied apples—we’ve got it all! Eat up, eat up!"
Before I knew it, the goblin unit had set up stalls, and for some reason, the food was already laid out.
Wait, were these pre-made?
As I’m thinking this...
" " "Oooooh...!" " "
The crowd erupts in cheers.
"Well then, I’ll get to work as well."
"Good luck, big brother!"
"I’m gonna eat a ton!"
"My child was so hungry! Thank you so much!"
Carrying those cheers—or perhaps they are something else—on his back, Yuki-sama turns back to face us.
"Ahaha, he’s the same as ever, isn't he?"
"Well, he is Yuki-san."
"...I’m speechless. Well, it’s better than them being terrified and chaotic... but I wonder if they’re still chaotic?"
"No, thanks to that, I think we can hear Yuki-sama’s voice quite clearly now."
We are stunned, but it seems the Mistress and Holly-san still have room to speak.
"Yuki-sama, that was magnificent."
Prol-san is as calm as ever, praising Yuki-sama in work mode.
Truly, he is either living at his own pace or just loves Yuki-sama too much.
"Right. Still, we’re about to negotiate, so I’ll need your support."
" " "Yes!" " "
We respond firmly, as expected, and stand by Yuki-sama’s side.
The front line is a bit far, but we can clearly see a large number of armed men.
Not through a screen, but at a distance where, if we went there, we could touch them...
Furthermore, the sight of people bound and unable to move, with spears pressed against them, makes my anger boil over.
No, in a typical war of aggression, this is how it goes. It’s to the point where it wouldn't be strange if hostages were killed instantly and their bodies tossed aside...
The only reason they are alive is because of our battle intent, warnings to other nations, and various other motives.
Even I can tell that the policy of Yuki-sama and the people of Weed is soft.
As I am thinking this, Yuki-sama walks to the edge of the ramparts...
"Nice to meet you. I am Yuki, the Prince Consort of Weed, currently cooperating with the Kingdom of Ohe. I have questions regarding this war, and I request a discussion and the release of the hostages. What is your response?"
The one who reacts to the voice projected through the megaphone is not the soldiers in the back, but a scout who had been near the ramparts, who immediately returns to the main camp.
Honestly, a part of me hopes it goes well and ends in a discussion, while another part tells me to discard such naive thoughts—if they were willing to talk, there wouldn't be a war.
And the answer comes quickly.
It seems the warning through the megaphone was heard by the main camp as well...
They drag the hostages out.
"I’ve never heard of a country called Weed! You demi-humans, surrender at once! If you do, then like this..."
Saying this, the man who looks like an envoy grabs the arm of a small child he had dragged along and lifts it.
The way he’s holding the child, it wouldn't be strange if the shoulder dislocated.
He holds the child as carelessly as a hunter holds his prey.
"Aah... Aah...!"
The child lets out a voiceless cry, not even looking toward us, but desperately reaching out with the hand left behind. I couldn't help but see it.
Beyond that, there is the figure of a woman collapsed in a pool of blood.
Thanks to the power Yuki-sama gave me, I can see clearly—the woman, the mother, still reaching out toward her child. My vision turns red with rage.
"Like this, I’ll let..."
The sword the man was holding is never swung down; for some reason, it freezes mid-motion.
Why? As I think this...
"Yes, yes. The negotiations have broken down. In that case, Weed, having received a declaration of war, will take action to save the demi-humans who are citizens of our allied nation, the Kingdom of Ohe."
Yuki-sama is smiling, as always... Wait?
"Now, save the hostages and strike them down completely!"
" " "Ooh!" " "
Yuki-sama? Uh, strike them down completely?
I thought we were supposed to leave some... as I think this,
*BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!*
Explosions echo in succession.
Ah, that’s right.
We were supposed to attack on his signal.
And because the distance is short, the artillery fire hits immediately, and the enemy is engulfed in explosions.
"Wait, Yuki-sama, even the hostages!"
Yayui shouts, and I realize it too.
Indeed, the smoke from the blast covers the area where the hostages were, and I fear they have been caught in it...
" " "Huh?" " "