Ossan Saikyō Chapter 14 Part 17
“To be honest, I have absolutely no idea what happened on the battlefield today. Arslin, what about you?”
When Marquis Raghantz asked, her trusted aide Arslin quietly shook his head.
“No, I have no idea either. One moment the undead were being wiped out before our eyes, and the next thing I knew, the enemy army had completely lost the will to fight…”
“I thought so. To decide the outcome without even exchanging arrows is simply unheard of.”
We were currently inside the command tent at the center of the Marquis’ army.
There was a table inside the large tent, with 10 people seated around it.
The Marquis, Ryūsha, Arslin, 5 commanders of various divisions, General Durack, whom we had captured today, and me.
Actually, I wasn’t sure it made sense for me to be here.
The Marquis glanced at me, then looked around at everyone present.
“Thanks to that, however, General Durack and his 30,000 soldiers have joined our side. I believe this is an excellent opportunity to take the Royal Capital, but I would like to hear everyone’s opinions.”
“Considering the soldiers’ morale, I believe we should continue marching and settle this in one stroke.”
“We do not have enough provisions in the territory to sustain the additional 30,000 soldiers for an extended period. In that case, we should march on the Royal Capital before their own provisions run out.”
“However, a siege would become a prolonged affair. Even if we can secure the supply lines, obtaining enough provisions to feed an army of more than 50,000 will be difficult.”
“That is where we should rely on the other territories as well. We should not think of this as a matter concerning Raghantz territory alone.”
The Marquis’ staff began exchanging various opinions.
Although this battle had been a defensive one, it seemed that the original plan had included marching on the Royal Capital immediately if we won.
The armies from other territories would apparently join us tomorrow, and it seemed they had sent their troops with the same intention.
The issue was that General Durack, a man of loyalty, had surrendered along with the 30,000 soldiers under his command.
Not only had they surrendered, they had also agreed to join us in taking the Royal Capital.
I had never heard of an entire army that had been dispatched somewhere, defecting to the enemy intact, but perhaps that was simply how little support King Giselpha had.
Incidentally, the General’s decision to join the Marquis’ side also seemed to have been heavily influenced by Ryūsha’s presence.
Apparently, the boy had begged him for help, and the General had agreed through tears to obey his command.
Stories of this kind of loyalty moved me as a middle-aged man, while at the same time, I was amazed that such a world actually existed.
“By the way, Grand Hero Soushi-dono, there is something I would like to ask you.”
Once the discussion had reached a stopping point, the Marquis spoke to me. I did feel that, as a result of today’s battle, I might have gone a little too far myself, but even so,『Great Hero』seemed like an exaggeration.
“What might that be?”
“Can you break through a city wall?”
“If the enemy fortifies the city walls and defends from there, I believe I can.”
I was probably saying something completely absurd. Arslin, General Durack, and everyone else stared at me with blank expressions. Only Ryūsha was looking at me with sparkling eyes.
“What happens if the enemy comes out to fight?”
“It would make reaching the walls a little more troublesome. I would prefer not to blow away ordinary soldiers if I can avoid it.”
An adventurer seriously injuring an ordinary person was a grave offense, and such things were properly recorded on their Adventurer Card.
Apparently, if it happened unavoidably during a war, the rules somehow judged it acceptable. Even so, ordinary soldiers were basically just innocent civilians, and my own sense of ethics made me hesitate to kill or injure them.
“It sounds as though you mean that no matter how large the army is, you can ultimately break through the city walls.”
“It might be difficult if they have several A-Rank adventurers on their side.”
“General Durack, do you know how many adventurers are in the Royal Capital?”
When the Marquis asked, the General’s blank expression changed back into a stern one as he shook his head.
“There should be nearly 10 A-Rank adventurers if all the adventurers in the Royal Capital were gathered together, but I doubt they would participate in the fighting.
…
There are also 2 former A-Rank adventurers among the Royal Guard Knights, but neither would be a match for Soushi-dono.”
“I heard that you were also formerly A-Rank, General?”
“Verily so, although, I still consider myself an active adventurer. Yet I was treated like a helpless child. He is not someone any ordinary human being can contend with.”
“So you really are that powerful…”
(E/N: Marquis monologues, referring to Ossan, not Durack.)
With that, the Marquis leaned back in her chair and let out a long breath.
“So we had unknowingly come to know someone both terrifying and dependable. But precisely because that is the case, we should regard this as an unparalleled opportunity.”
“I believe there can be no doubt about that.”
Arslin answered, and the other members of the Marquis’ staff unanimously expressed their agreement.
The Marquis nodded, stood up, then turned toward Ryūsha and bowed respectfully. Everyone except the boy stood up along with her, so I reflexively stood as well.
“Ryuusha-sama, as we have just discussed, beginning tomorrow, our army intends to march on the Royal Capital.
…
We humbly request your permission to strike down Duke Giselpha, who unjustly seized the throne and governs against the will of the people. Please grant us your command.”
“Very well. I hereby grant you, Marquis Raghantz, permission to subjugate Duke Giselpha. Bring this situation to a swift conclusion and strive to ensure that rightful governance is restored.”
“Yes. Even at the cost of my own life, I shall fulfill your command.”
Everyone bowed along with the Marquis.
Of course, I bowed as well, but when I raised my head, my eyes happened to meet Ryūsha’s. The anxiety that had been in his eyes when the war began was already gone.
If anything, there was even a dreamlike quality to his expression. Perhaps the outcome of this battle, which had shifted the situation so dramatically in the Marquis’ favor, had eased his mind somewhat.
In any case, it looked like I would be able to reunite with my party in just a few more days. The only remaining concern was whether King Giselpha had any more hidden cards up his sleeve…
I supposed I should at least be prepared for them.
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E/N:
Next activity, Castle Breaking!
Stay tuned!
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