“This cannot be. This, this is. Why. Why!”
Andrea II, the King of Benito, let out continuous, tear-filled screams.
Though the country had staggered from the Great Defeat, he had succeeded in finding a Balance.
Afterward, they had recovered enough to mount a counter-attack against the Empire.
He had overcome a desperate situation. Now he could help Thedorant.
He could once again splash filth on the Empire, which thought it had won everything.
He had sworn never to miss this golden opportunity he had barely seized.
But what is this? Why, of all times, at this very moment.
The soldiers who should be fighting are ailing and unable to support their own bodies.
Vomiting. Soiling themselves. Unable to eat properly. Lying around like corpses is their daily routine.
‘Winter hasn't even fully passed yet, what is happening? Does this, does this make any sense!’
The Benito side noted that this southern winter had thawed earlier than expected.
It was clear that as the weather warmed, an unseasonable disease had broken out.
On top of that, as various parts of Benito were attacked, too many people had flocked to each Castle.
Soldiers gathered. Refugees gathered. The cattle and horses they brought also gathered.
The garbage and filth resulting from that had become too much to handle.
This was a great misfortune for Benito. It was as if the gods themselves were enraged.
The people of Benito whispered that this was punishment for attacking the Holy Church.
They clamored that this curse would only end if they repented and made an Apology now.
But was this really a punishment sent by the gods? No one knew.
Perhaps the powerful luck someone had brought with them had become misfortune for their opponent.
*
“Contact the Ghost Legion and tell them to enter Thedorant's entire left flank as they are. That's how we can at least make them think we've reinforced our full power.”
“Understood, Commander-in-Chief.”
I really couldn't have imagined things would turn out like this.
Although all its claws were pulled out, a Beast is still a Beast.
It was expected that attacking and defeating Benito would require many sacrifices.
In fact, the Chief of Staff Office had also said that the southern front could be as fierce as Thedorant's.
But as soon as I came south with the Princess, something happened.
An unseasonable epidemic had broken out in Benito, and it was said to be striking down everyone from soldiers to commanders.
Moreover, a few informants secretly embedded inside were also said to have caught it, and their fate was unknown.
“To summarize the current situation, with the 4th Legion and the newly joined recruits and reserve unit, we can even aim for Benito's Royal Capital.”
“Is the situation that serious?”
No. Just how much has the disease spread, and how many have become unfit for battle?
At my words, the 4th Corps Commander, who had been continuously monitoring Benito's situation, answered.
At the very least, about 60 percent of them would find it difficult to even lift a weapon, let alone fight.
Since each castle was packed with enemies, the impact would be even greater, he said.
Looking at the numbers alone, it's at the level of the great defeat our Empire suffered before.
It's to the point where the word 'devastating' can't even begin to describe it.
“You say we can even aim for the royal capital. Before that, the contagion could spread to our imperial army and many could become infected.”
“We are being as careful as possible. It might be impossible to prevent it completely, but we are paying attention to quarantine and isolation, and above all, we are doing our best to supply clean water.”
Benito's royal capital. If we can just attack and capture that place, everything will be solved.
Benito, already on the brink, would probably collapse at that news.
It doesn't really matter if the king runs away. It's enough to persuade the nobles and bring them in.
“Let's prepare for the attack on the royal capital, Corps Commander.”
“Understood.”
“And announce it far and wide. That this is the last chance. The one and only moment not to get on the express carriage to hell with Thedorant. Tell them to hurry and knock on the door, as we will accept all who surrender, be they soldier, commander, or noble.”
If I had my way, I'd want to organize Benito smoothly as well, but the risk is too great.
From this perspective, it's better in many post-war aspects to shift responsibility to the King.
In fact, unlike the Thedorant nobles who joined them in their madness, the Benito nobles are mostly opportunists.
“What are your plans after receiving those who request to surrender?”
“Well, I don't know exactly how many opportunists will become collaborators. Still, if a decent number gathers, I plan to have them fight against the existing Benito Kingdom.”
“Will that be possible?”
“It's possible if we trust them moderately, but not entirely. They themselves will know their position, so they'll be even more fierce. Probably—”
Looking down at the map of Benito spread out below, I picked up a pen beside me.
And then, without a trace of hesitation, I drew a line across southern and northern Benito.
“It would be good if we could wield about half of it, with the Royal Capital as the border.”
Looking back at the memories of my previous life, it's a very common case.
Separating the resistors and collaborators and making them fight each other.
However, there is no ideology to speak of here, and the religion is the same, so neither can be used.
Therefore, something else must be used. Only then can it be effective. For example...
“4th Corps Commander. Can you find people who are well-versed in Benito's history?”
“Pardon? Uh... If I interrogate the prisoners or make inquiries in the occupied territories, I should be able to find them. Why do you suddenly ask?”
“Isn't it like that for everyone? The direct line disappears due to various circumstances. A collateral branch becomes King. Then that collateral branch becomes the direct line, and conversely, the direct line becomes a collateral branch.”
There is no ideology, but one thing, monarchism, is more firmly established than anywhere else.
The surrendered nobles must be feeling anxious about that fact.
To hold them more securely, they must be given a justification.
Yes. A justification that any noble would have to welcome with open arms. That is, loyalty.
“Don't tell me. Are you planning to establish a new King?”
“If possible.”
“Hmm. I've been stationed at the southern border for quite some time, so I know. It is said that the great-grandfather of Andrea II, the current King of Benito, was not the official successor to the King at the time.”
“Is that so? Do you happen to know any more details?”
“I am sorry, Commander-in-Chief. I don't know much more than that... I will quickly make inquiries in the occupied territories and among the prisoners to find someone who knows the Benito royal family well.”
The King of Benito, Andrea II. Can his legitimacy truly be questioned?
Even a little bit is fine. Even if it's a stretch, it's not a problem.
In any case, the winner is the just one. That is the logic and truth of this world.
“…Hmm. Kael. I think I came here for nothing, don't you?”
After finishing the discussion with the 4th Corps Commander, the Princess stealthily approached.
She seemed a bit bewildered that things had turned out this way, having come all this way to help with the Battle.
“I didn't think an epidemic would break out. It seems we bickered in the Imperial Palace for nothing.”
“Still, it's possible that things worked out so well because Your Highness came here.”
“Huh? Why is that my doing?”
“Perhaps the gods were moved by Your Highness's concern for the Empire, and so they unleashed their wrath upon that Benito.”
Seeing her looking somewhat down, I just blurted it out without thinking.
But it seems to have worked well, as the Princess chuckles.
“Right. Well, thanks to that, I was able to find out how much Kael thinks of me.”
“Excuse me, ahem. I was merely expressing my opinion on Your Highness's movements as the Commander-in-Chief—”
“Should I really stand on the front line then?”
“Absolutely not. What you said to me. Does it make sense for you to do the Same, Your Highness!”
*
Thedorant retreated in defeat, and Benito is staggering from an epidemic.
In this situation, only Atria remains. There is no way the Empire would leave it alone.
[ The existing northern Legion contingent of the Empire's 1st Mobile Legion is to return to its main force. ]
[ The remaining augmented mobile force is to move to the northern front and cooperate with the Novgorod Military. ]
[ Agreement reached on the negotiation proposal between the Empire's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Novgorod side. Additional deployment of Novgorod troops has been confirmed, so a large-scale Offensive will begin on the northern front. ]
During the attack on Thedorant, the Atria side had been in a lull for some time.
That means the Demon soldiers of Novgorod had rested well and reinforced their Full Power.
Now that the time had come again, it was the turn of those horned devils (though they were actually helmets) to rampage on the Battlefield.
This time, an additional dispatch has been confirmed.
Now, not only heavy infantry but also the Demon's cavalry and navy are swarming in.
Atria, upon hearing this news, urgently requested support from Thedorant.
“You took all our soldiers and used them up. You even swept away our military Resources! We've been holding down the northern front all this time and suffered great Damage, yet you can't even help us. What is this!”
“Why did we rejoice at becoming one with Thedorant? We rejoiced because we thought we could receive something! But instead of giving us anything, you only take from us! And you call us brothers after this?!”
Atria showed unprecedented anger, but it was merely a powerless echo.
The very nobles raising their voices had previously acknowledged Thedorant's rule.
For them to act as if they were enlightened now, it would be strange if it worked.
Thedorant also knows that the people of Atria cannot Surrender to Novgorod.
Whether it's Pride, hate, or anger, they are confident that for whatever reason, they will choose to fight.
Even if Thedorant acted so arbitrarily, there wasn't much Atria could do.
Then one might ask if they could work something out with the Empire.
It's not that the various nobles of Atria hadn't considered that possibility.
However, the Empire also showed an indifferent Reaction towards Atria.
Since Thedorant keeps calling them brothers, it seems they are practically equating them with Thedorant.
“…So, I'm saying.”
Meanwhile, a Secret discussion was proceeding among the nobles of Atria.
“If we were to take the regions under our control and surrender to the Empire, what would happen?”
“If we say that our Atria will do as much as Novgorod does, the Empire will at least show a minimum of mercy, unlike Thedorant.”
It seemed like a reasonable opinion. The feasibility also seemed somewhat evident.
The only problem was a mole planted by Thedorant was hiding among them.