The combination of dragons and orcs was terrifying enough to make one’s hair stand on end just to imagine it.
Shrekheimer continued speaking.
“A dragon and orc allied army. Of course, if Trubenia had faced only one race at a time, it would never have fallen. We had countless warriors prepared to throw away their lives like straw if it meant driving a sword into a dragon’s body. Moreover, in battles where dragons did not intervene, the Trubenian army won most of the time. An orc army without dragons was not frightening, no matter how many of them there were. But once the strength of those two races combined, their power swelled severalfold. When a close battle began, the dragons would first wipe out our mage corps and archer units. Because of that, Trubenian soldiers had no choice but to plunge into chaotic melee with the orc infantry. If they wanted to avoid magical attacks, they had to accept the disadvantage. In addition, the medium-sized monsters the dragons brought in also had a great effect on the course of the war. Because of them, the heavy knight orders could rarely display their full power.”
Unable to simply listen any longer, Marquis Williams interrupted.
“By medium-sized monsters, do you mean ogres and trolls?”
“That is correct.”
“Then there is nothing to worry about. In Arcadia, such paltry medium-sized monsters are no more than prey at best.”
Shrekheimer silently shook his head.
“Although the skills of Arcadian knights have improved by leaps and bounds, you must not take it so lightly. In war, one almost never fights one-on-one. Therefore, each medium-sized monster is accompanied on average by ten to twenty orc infantry. They are there to prevent attacks on the vulnerable rear of the medium-sized monster.”
“Ha. Astonishing.”
Marquis Williams quietly closed his mouth. The fact that Trubenia’s orcs had fought so intelligently was something that had never been known. Although the Arcadian knights did indeed have considerable experience hunting medium-sized monsters, that had been based on numerical superiority. As the lich had said, if a medium-sized monster had escort troops attached, dealing with it would inevitably be extremely difficult.
“Thank you for telling us something important.”
The look in Marquis Williams’s eyes as he gazed at Shrekheimer had now changed completely. Naturally so, for the information Shrekheimer had provided was valuable enough to save thousands, even tens of thousands of soldiers. Because of that, he even felt a measure of gratitude toward Shrekheimer.
Shrekheimer replied with a slight bow of his head.
“Not at all… If I can save my compatriots, I will do anything.”
A puzzled light appeared in Marquis Williams’s eyes.
“Compatriots…?”
Theodore, who had been listening, quickly stepped in.
“There are other reasons why we must invade Trubenia. A considerable number of humans still live in Trubenia. Many Trubenians have crossed over at the hands of knights who went out monster hunting, but many humans still remain there. The problem is that they live as slaves of the orc race, lives worse than livestock, and their number is substantial.”
Having finished speaking, Theodore looked at Shrekheimer.
“Would you tell them how those people live?”
Shrekheimer nodded and soon began his explanation. Through his mouth, the wretched lives of the Trubenians flowed out one by one. Mixed into it were no small number of Damon’s own experiences. Since Damon could not speak rashly, Shrekheimer had no choice but to reveal it in his stead. He told them everything about the pitiful people who, after being tormented by hard labor as slaves of the orc race, had to become the orcs’ food once they grew old. None of the key figures listening to the lives of the Trubenians opened their mouths. They simply could not believe that humans with such a cruel fate existed in the world. When Shrekheimer finished his explanation, Theodore stepped forward.
“In order to lead the war to victory, we absolutely must liberate them. Doing so is, in itself, cutting off the enemy’s supply line. In addition, they can resolve the supply issues of our punitive army as it embarks on a long-distance expedition. We can also replenish our troops from among them.”
When Theodore finished, the expressions of the key figures supporting the emperor had changed completely. They had advocated war until now, but in truth, they had not really known the reason they had to fight. They had merely supported the war for political reasons.
But now it was different. Their eyes, having clearly realized why they must fight, were now burning with fighting spirit toward Trubenia. The same was true for the key figures on Duke Perstein’s side. Until now, they had opposed the war for political reasons and for the safety of their houses, but after hearing the detailed situation, they no longer had any justification to oppose it. Amid the silent key figures, Duke Perstein’s voice rang out.
“Because of the tragedy in the central plaza, it can be said that the war has already begun. That provocation was nothing less than a declaration of war against humanity. I have already made up my mind. The knight orders and armies that follow me will be mobilized for the conquest of Trubenia without a single exception.”
Theodore, quick to read the situation, cut in.
“Fortunately, His Grace Duke Perstein has publicly declared that he will take command of the Trubenia punitive army, and His Highness Crown Prince Dviers has also granted his approval. Since he is so well-versed in strategy and tactics, the commanders of the other kingdoms will have no reason to object. Command authority over all knight orders, including the Crosen Knight Order, will also be granted to His Grace the Duke.”
After finishing, Theodore looked cautiously at Marquis Williams. No one knew whether a man as proud as he would willingly place himself under Duke Perstein. But at present, that was the most important issue.
“Marquis Williams. Do you agree to this?”
Marquis Williams looked at Theodore for a moment, then surprisingly nodded readily.
“It seems to be the best method. There is only one person who can serve as supreme commander of the punitive army, and that is Duke Perstein. Very well. The members of the Crosen Knight Order, myself included, will loyally obey the supreme commander’s orders. Provided it is after the punitive army sets foot on Trubenian soil.”
A smile spread across Duke Perstein’s lips. Though they stood as political enemies, what Marquis Williams had just said was no different from acknowledging his ability.
“It seems there are no further objections. Then Regent Theodore, hurry and prepare the coronation. Let the Council of Nobles decide the scale and procedures of the ceremony. We have no time. So we must persuade the other kingdoms as quickly as possible and gather knight orders and armies.”
Theodore nodded as though it were only natural.
“That is correct. During the Second Race War, the dragons used magic to block the sea route between Trubenia and Arcadia. Therefore, before the dragons awaken, we must land the punitive army in Trubenia along with as many supplies as possible. Once the sea route is blocked, we will not be able to consider additional transport of supplies.”
“Since we will have to fight without resupply, it will be an extremely difficult battle. As we have no time, let us end the meeting here. The specific details will have to be discussed again after the coronation.”
Having finished speaking, Duke Perstein looked at Shrekheimer.
“You will come with me. It seems my staff officers and division commanders will desperately need your wealth of experience. I intend to document all your experience and circulate it throughout the corps.”
Shrekheimer silently nodded.
“I will do so.”
When the meeting ended, the key figures rose one by one. Theodore approached Damon.
“I will escort you, Your Highness.”
Damon rose without a word of assent or refusal. As he and Theodore left the office, Duke Perstein turned away with Shrekheimer in tow. The remaining key figures also began leaving the room one by one.
“From now on, don’t drag me to such useless places…”
At Damon’s brusque words, Theodore gave a bitter smile.
“I had no choice. There was no way to bring Master inside otherwise.”
“That problem is solved now. The key figures have realized the true value of High Pontiff Shrekheimer. Anyway, when do you intend to hold the coronation?”
At Damon’s question, Theodore fell into thought for a moment.
“That issue will be discussed at the Council of Nobles tomorrow. If it is soon, I intend to hold the coronation in one week.”
“Do you intend to follow the opinions of those fools who care only about scale and procedures?”
Theodore smiled faintly and shook his head.
“In the Council of Nobles, a majority vote means Duke Perstein’s opinion will be adopted. Most of the members of the House of Nobles can be considered the duke’s loyal men. I cannot say for certain, but the coronation will likely proceed in the simplest manner possible.”
“Naturally, it should.”
Damon nodded and brought his teacup to his lips. They were now sitting in the regent’s office. As Theodore savored the steam rising gently from his cup, he smiled.
“In any case, now that we have joined hands with Duke Perstein, things are truly going smoothly. In a word, his ability alone is extraordinary.”
Damon nodded as if in agreement.
“With ambitions that great, he would need ability to match. In a word, he is undoubtedly a great figure. The problem is that we must always be wary of him. There is a chance we may be struck in the back from an absurd direction. Since we landed a blow on him, he must be harboring resentment, no?”
“I have already been thinking about it. But I will not be taken so easily either.”
“Naturally, you shouldn’t. Anyway…”
An ambiguous light appeared in Damon’s eyes.
“Is there somewhere I can stay? As you know, it will not look very good for the emperor’s elder brother to remain in the imperial palace during the coronation. Especially since he is supposedly an idiot. So I think it would be best for me to leave for a while and return after that Dviers fellow ascends the imperial throne and most of the punitive army has been organized.”
Unexpectedly, Theodore looked troubled.
“But there is no suitable place. There are security issues, and if an unexpected situation occurs…”
Though he trailed off, Damon immediately grasped Theodore’s thoughts.
“I see. There is a possibility that Verkis may break in again, aiming for the leadership… If he sets up a spatial distortion field, I won’t be able to return by warp either, so I suppose I have no choice but to remain in the capital.”
Theodore’s face flushed red at having his inner thoughts exposed.
“I apologize.”
“No, there is nothing to apologize for. Just find me a quiet place.”
“A quiet place…?”
“It must be somewhere untouched by people. I intend to extract mana there and restore the Bone Dragon. Find me a suitable place. To conceal the aura of darkness, underground would be better.”
Damon slowly nodded to himself. Theodore, watching him, cautiously brought up the matter.
“There happens to be a good place.”
“No outsiders must be able to enter at all.”
“Of course. It is a place no one can enter except Damon and His Highness Crown Prince Dviers. It is the imperial memorial hall built to commemorate Emperor Crosen.”
“Emperor Crosen?”
Curiosity deepened in Damon’s eyes. It would have been a lie to say he had no interest in Emperor Crosen, whom he knew to be from the same Central Plains.
“Have you ever been inside?”
Theodore silently shook his head.
“The only ones qualified to enter are the Great Emperor’s direct descendants. Therefore, Lord Damon, you should be able to enter without any difficulty.”
“Do you know what is inside?”
“I do not know well, but they say it contains traces of the path he walked, as well as words left for his descendants. I only heard it briefly from His Highness Crown Prince Dviers.”
“Is that so? Good. Then I can stay there during the coronation.”
“I have heard that there are several enormous underground stone chambers there that were once used as training grounds. The Bone Dragon should probably be able to enter without issue. Moreover, there is no one managing the place at all, so it will be the best place to avoid others’ eyes. I heard that high-level preservation magic has been placed on it, so the interior is always kept clean.”
Having made up his mind, Damon’s expression brightened.
“Good. I will stay there. I likely have almost nothing to do anyway, so I suppose I should hole up there for a month or two.”
“That would be best. I will make preparations so that you experience no inconvenience.”
“Good.”
Perhaps because he was impatient, Damon hurriedly rose. In his heart, all he wanted was to rush there at once and see everything related to Emperor Crosen. The splendid life of the imperial palace only felt uncomfortable to him.
“I intend to go inside immediately. So guide me there.”
Theodore smiled and nodded.
“Understood.”