The Braihahn cavalry unit, which was advancing into the southern region, gathered troops scattered in various places to their base, according to the information received.
It seemed they were going to retreat as one, but that apparently was not the case. It seems they still haven’t given up on the princess of Braihahn.
“――――This is a perfect opportunity. We should annihilate them.”
“Exactly! Let’s kill every last one of them!!”
Brigit suggested the radical annihilation plan, to which Garrison enthusiastically agreed.
“First, it would be best to use Slaha to demand Braihahn’s surrender.”
“Yeah, it would be better to avoid unnecessary battles.”
The suggestion to propose a surrender came from Sariel, and Kei expressed agreement with it.
“Hmmm…”
I was somewhat troubled by this two-option choice.
Both arguments had their logic and benefits.
Braihahn had committed heinous slaughter and pillaging. They have gone too far to settle without a complete massacre; this is an obvious sentiment from the Centaur perspective.
For the Empire Army, crushing one of their enemy’s combat powers brings considerable value.
Launching a surprise attack on the enemy’s gathered base, aiming for a swift annihilation, is certainly not a bad strategy.
On the other hand, if Braihahn surrenders obediently, that would yield the best possible outcome without any fighting.
They are just one of the tribes that have been degraded to a second-class citizens due to conquest by Sinclair, just like Reki and Ursula’s homeland. They have no strong motivation to martyr themselves for the Cross Religion or resist the Demon King.
Slaha, like other Sinclair nobles, seeks to gain territory on this Pandora Continent. They are looking for a new land, as their future holds nothing but being used and discarded as second-class citizens.
If that is the case, depending on negotiations such as the Empire accepting them as refugees, we might be able to turn them to our side.
That said, it would be impossible to fight alongside the Centaurs right now.
“Lord Chrono, they are nothing but barbaric invaders. They hardly deserve your deep mercy.”
“After running rampant till now, how can they expect me to allow their surrender at this point?! Do you have any idea how many have died because of them?!!”
“Strategizing out of mere vengeance isn’t wise. Master, our opponent is the Great Expedition Army. We should avoid even a slight depletion of our forces until the decisive battle.”
“Indeed, our anger alone shouldn’t lead us to hasty combat. The Demon King has a mission to protect not just this Parthia, but all of Pandora. Without a broader perspective, we risk making poor judgments.”
“So you want to let those bastards go without punishment? Ugh!?”
“That’s not what I mean to say――――”
Heated arguments were exchanged under the tent.
The passionate Garrison was getting more worked up, and Kei was starting to feed off that energy when I stepped in between them.
“I understand. Let’s decide which is better, the annihilation plan or the surrender proposal, after asking her.”
“Her, you don’t mean…”
“Yeah, I’ll ask Slaha.”
In any case, if she, the commander, is not inclined, we cannot push for surrender.
If she realizes that it is better to come under the Empire, becoming cooperative and leading her subordinates to follow me, then the surrender proposal becomes feasible. We have no reason to exhaust ourselves just to keep them alive for surrender.
On the other hand, if she sticks to a stance of never submitting to the Demon King, then we would have to declare them irreconcilable enemies and annihilate them.
It is safe to say that Slaha, as the commander, holds the lives of the remaining subordinates in her hands.
“I cannot agree with you meeting her directly, Lord Chrono.”
“There’s no danger, really.”
“I worry that you might harbor unnecessary feelings for a girl bearing the future of her unfortunate clan.”
“There’s no need for that kind of concern.”
“At times like this, women tend to abandon their pride and cling to mercy. I would do so.”
“Hey, Kei, this woman is kind of dangerous.”
“Watch your words.”
Brigit smiled cheerfully as she said that, rough around the edges but captivating all the same.
Thus, while I could agree with what Garrison was whispering, I did not nod. This level of behavior was still well within the realm of common sense.
“In that case, Brigit, you should accompany me. If you’re going to see through a woman’s lies, it’s best done with someone of the same gender, right?”
“Certainly, leave it to me.”
Brigit, wearing a graceful smile, was looked at by Sariel with a gaze suggesting she wanted to say something, yet in the end, no words of restraint were issued.
In the camp set up with tents, there were understandably no well-equipped underground prisons. Instead, a cargo carriage designed for transport served as a makeshift cell.
I took Sariel and Brigit with me to this site.
The guarding soldiers had already prepared, saluting before swiftly opening the door.
“――――So you’ve finally arrived.”
Inside was Slaha, the commander of the Braihahn cavalry unit, tightly bound to a chair.
She wasn’t in this state permanently; this was part of how I planned to interrogate her.
Since she is technically an enemy general, I am treating her with a degree of respect. She is dressed properly, provided with meals, and has only the minimum restraints on her.
However, guards were stationed inside and out, and with no way to gauge the outside situation from this cell, it would normally be quite dreary to be in here for even a day, yet Slaha appeared in perfect health. She showed no signs of exhaustion, her dignified demeanor was truly something, unlike a mere woman leading warriors on an expedition.
“Have you finally figured out how to kill me painfully? Or will you go with the plan to impregnate me for every soldier you’ve killed?”
Bang!
The sound echoed as Brigit struck Slaha across the face with her scabbard.
“Mind your words. You are before the Demon King.”
“Hah, the black-eared woman is getting all worked up in front of a man. You must be old, right?”
Spitting blood, Slaha retaliated with a provocative remark.
Brigit, showing no expression, quietly drew her crescent moon-tipped sword and pointed it at Slaha’s nose.
“Answer only what you are asked. If you say anything unnecessary next, I will slice off your ears. Whether you can leave here with a face worthy of a husband will depend on your attitude.”
After delivering another blow with the scabbard, Brigit sheathed her weapon and stepped back, wearing a composed expression that seemed to say, “I’ve made this more comfortable for you to speak.”
Something about her natural demeanor of intimidation is frightening. It’s exhilarating.
“Is the way of the Braihahn to kill or violate a captured enemy general?”
“……”
Slaha maintained her silence, merely glaring at me. Brigit’s threats seemed to have had an effect.
“The Braihahn cavalry unit seems to be intent on retrieving you. They have gathered their forces and do not appear to be in retreat.”
“Tch, those fools… they should just leave me for dead…”
“It’s commendable that you care for your comrades. A competent commander should not let such good friends die in vain――――Slaha, persuade the remnants of the cavalry unit to surrender.”
“What happens if I refuse?”
“You are invaders. That should be obvious.”
Slaha must understand perfectly that they have no chance of winning. After all, the main force had already been defeated by us, a smaller group.
Even with numerical superiority initially, they ended up in this dire situation. No matter how many they gather now, it won’t change the outcome.
Since they need to attack us to recover her, they will have to engage us in a well-prepared position. This would limit the advantages of the light cavalry’s nimble mobility and surprise attack capabilities.
The only winning move for them would be to retreat and regroup with the Great Expedition Army to prepare for a decisive battle.
“If you surrender quietly, I’ll guarantee your life. If you fall under the Empire’s banner, I may even recognize the entire Braihahn tribe.”
“Hmph, both the Empire and Sinclair are the same, trying to use us as convenient pawns.”
“What has Sinclair ever done for you? Slaha, think carefully about which choice holds hope for you.”
“……Fine. I have already fallen to you. To be killed or violated is the victor’s choice. If the victor commands me to persuade, I shall follow through.”
At Slaha’s declaration, I nodded solemnly and glanced at Brigit, who smiled faintly and nodded back. Sariel appeared to have no particular objections.
If she, being the commander, is cooperative, there is a high chance we can successfully negotiate a surrender. I want to conclude the conflict with the Braihahn cavalry unit cleanly here and now――――
A few days later, I headed towards the Braihahn cavalry unit’s base, which had gathered and shown a readiness to confront us.
Of course, I led a force that was more than capable of annihilating them head-on. While it might seem like overkill against a group of light cavalry who are not holed up in a fortress, having a numerical advantage can be effective, including intimidation.
I had thought that with the overwhelming power difference and Slaha’s own persuasion, they would agree to surrender, but—
“――――What in the world is this?”
As I stood before the scene, I involuntarily stopped Merry’s feet and muttered in shock.
After climbing a gentle hill, I finally could see where the enemy was gathered. Beyond the hill and into the clear view lay a literal mountain of corpses and a river of blood.
A staggering number of dead bodies were strewn about, dying the green grasslands a dark shade. Among the still damp corpses were predominantly Centaurs.
Lying there without weapons or armor, in a state almost naked were people of all ages and genders.
In other words, what lay before me was not the aftermath of a fierce battle, but mere slaughter.
“What are you trying to achieve?”
Showing Slaha, who had been taken out of the escort cart, the hell of blood spreading below, I questioned her.
“What do you mean?”
“Why did you kill them? At this point.”
I had heard of the Braihahn’s methods. They kill flamboyantly, burn, and unleash extreme cruelty, yet they still secure many slaves for themselves.
They could sell those slaves to Sinclair’s slave merchants for money or use them up as labor. For the nomadic Braihahn, Centaurs serve as convenient livestock after horses and sheep.
Yet, the people slaughtered before my eyes were undoubtedly the slaves they had captured. And they had been killed, judging from the appearance of the corpses, either today or at latest yesterday.
Freshly bleeding bodies were swarmed by numerous birds, and insects had already begun to emerge.
“Well, you see, whether we fight or retreat, they were viewed as an obstruction. Or maybe it was out of spite for my capture.”
“There’s no real reason?”
“Is there any need for a significant reason? The Centaurs lost to us. Why should the victors care for the fate of the defeated?”
With a demeanor that almost seemed to express genuine bewilderment at why I would ask for the reasoning behind the massacre, Slaha replied.
“The treatment of the defeated should either be death or enslavement, one of two choices. The Demon King, you have chosen to make us slaves. We chose to kill. That is all there is to it.”
“I see―――― you barbaric fool.”
“Master.”
As I reflexively reached for Slaha’s neck, Sariel gently stopped me.
“You should not carry unnecessary guilt. If necessary, I will…”
Her calm words, gazing at me with crimson eyes, brought back my fleeting rationality.
Indeed, I had just tried to kill Slaha in this moment, even though we were not in a battlefield. That was profoundly terrifying. It should not have happened.
This sense of guilt over what had just happened clamored within me, reminding me of the ethics I carry as a modern individual.
We are at war. But it is not lawless chaos. We are different from the Crusaders――――
“Oh dear, that won’t do, Sariel. It is cruel to make one’s master cease to wish for something out of their own desires.”
Brigit took Sariel’s arm with a gentle smile as if speaking to a child.
She intertwined her fingers with my hand, which had come to an abrupt stop.
“Lord Chrono, that is a rightful anger.”
Like sweet poison, Brigit’s words seeped into my brain from my ears.
“Let us kill, as your heart wishes. Not a single one of those evil invaders shall remain.”
“It’s not necessary for the Master to dirty his hands. I can take care of it here alone.”
“Dirty my hands? No, this is a purification. It is necessary to cleanse the self-blame and anger for having allowed this dreadful slaughter.”
Ah, that’s right.
I should have prevented myself from becoming what I am now, and the guilt and anger toward those who committed such barbarity are overwhelming.
My instincts scream at me. This anger and regret can only be redeemed with enemy blood.
“That is not what the Master truly desires.”
I am sure Sariel is correct.
Just as Mia had seemingly established the intention of protection as a condition for bestowing the Demon King’s blessing. There isn’t any justification to unleash this power merely out of anger and grudge.
That is why Sariel stops me; this is not a power to lash out in such a fit of rage.
“Only to impose correct purity—how cruel. I love your anger and hatred, Lord Chrono, just as you have loved me.”
Brigit’s eyes sparkled with an adoring smile, and she gripped my hand with both of hers.
It’s the complete opposite of when I was in Fahren. At that time, I validated Brigit’s hatred.
So now she is trying to validate my ugly hatred.
“Master.”
Sariel is right. I will later regret that I should have followed her advice.
I will reflect on how I led many subordinates into unnecessary conflict, driven by my own emotions.
“I’m sorry, Sariel… I can no longer stop myself.”
I can’t. Even knowing, I can’t.
There’s no way around it; the sights of slaughter flash through my mind. The figures of those crucified in Irz Village.
Just like back then.
Unconsciously, my hand was already gripping that cursed machete.
“Oh, Lord Chrono, you’re wonderful…”
Brigit gazes at my enraged self with the look of a lovesick maiden, and I can’t help but find her strangely endearing.
Her acceptance of this ugly emotion is like a cursed object itself. Sinful yet beautiful. Her sweet words that endlessly validate hatred make me want to sink deeper.
I can no longer distinguish whether the voice that spurs my murderous intent is the call for “decapitation” or Brigit’s own voice.
“I will annihilate the Braihahn cavalry unit.”
“……Yes, Master.”
“Yes, my lord.”
I notified the entire army. There would be no proposal for surrender; we would launch a surprise attack and utterly crush them.
The knights, unwavering in their loyalty to the Demon King’s command, immediately followed.
“Slaha, bear witness to your kin being slaughtered in disgrace, till the very end.”