SWNOVELXO Chapter 146
“This can’t be happening. What is this, why, why?!”
King Benito, Andrea II, repeatedly let out a wailing scream filled with despair.
Although he had suffered a crushing defeat that made the nation stagger, he had managed to stabilize things a bit.
He had even recovered enough to mount a counterattack against the Empire.
He had overcome a dire situation. Now he could lend some help to Dedorant.
He thought he had won everything, but now there could be another mess stirred up by the Empire.
He had sworn not to let this golden opportunity slip away again.
But what is this? Why is this happening at exactly this moment?
Soldiers who should be out fighting were groaning, unable to even manage their own bodies.
They were throwing up. Fighting. Unable to eat properly and simply lying down like corpses was their daily life.
“It’s not even the end of winter yet! What is going on? This can’t be right!”
The situation on Benito’s side took note of how the southern winter was easing up far quicker than expected.
With the warm weather came an outbreak of illness that was certainly out of season.
Moreover, Benito’s various strongholds were being attacked, and far too many people had gathered in each castle.
Soldiers were gathering. Refugees were gathering. The livestock they brought, horses and cattle, were gathering too.
The resulting trash and filth had reached an unmanageable level.
This was a great misfortune for Benito. It was as if the gods had become angry.
The people of Benito whispered that this was the punishment for attacking the Holy Kingdom.
They claimed that only by repenting and apologizing could this curse be lifted.
But could this truly be a punishment from the gods? No one knew for sure.
Perhaps the powerful fortune someone had brought had become misfortune for them.
*
“Contact the Ghost Legion and instruct them to enter the left wing of the Dedorant front. We should at least manipulate it to make it appear like reinforcements were sent.”
“Understood, Chief of Staff.”
I never imagined things would turn out like this.
Even with all its claws pulled out, a beast remains a beast.
To attack and topple Benito would surely require huge sacrifices.
In fact, the headquarters predicted that the southern front could be as fierce as Dedorant.
But the moment I arrived in the south with the princess, everything exploded.
An early plague broke out in Benito, knocking down soldiers and commanders alike.
Even some of the informants secretly planted within had caught it, leaving their fates unknown.
“If we summarize the current situation, we can eye the Royal Capital of Benito with the 4th Legion and the newly joined reinforcements.”
“Does that mean the situation is that serious?”
No. Just how many are incapacitated, how deep does the illness run?
In response to my words, the commander of the 4th Legion, who had been monitoring Benito’s situation, answered.
He said that at least 60% would struggle not even to lift their weapon.
Especially since every fortress was packed with enemies, that impact would only increase.
Just looking at the numbers, it matched the level of the previous crushing defeat the Empire suffered.
It was beyond words, unspeakable levels of devastation.
“We could aim for the Royal Capital? But before that, the contagion may spread to our Imperial Army, infecting a large number.”
“We are being as cautious as we can. While completely preventing it is impossible, we are focusing on quarantine and sanitation, and most importantly, we are doing our best to supply clean water.”
If we could just attack and capture Benito’s Royal Capital, everything would be resolved.
Benito, already on the verge of collapse, would surely crumble at that news.
Even if the king fled, it wouldn’t matter much. Convincing the nobles to join would suffice.
“Let’s prepare to attack the Royal Capital, Legion Commander.”
“Understood.”
“And make it known far and wide. This is the last chance. The singular moment when you can avoid boarding a fast track to hell with Dedorant. We will accept the surrender of anyone, soldiers, commanders, nobles—everyone, so let them knock on our doors quickly.”
I wanted to cleanly wrap things up with Benito, but the risk is too great.
Passing all the responsibility to one king would be beneficial for multiple reasons.
In fact, unlike the berserk nobles who accompanied Dedorant, the nobles of Benito are more cunning.
“After accepting those who request surrender, what then?”
“Well, I don’t know how many cunning ones will choose to collaborate. But if a reasonable number gather, I plan to use them to fight against the existing Kingdom of Benito.”
“Is that feasible?”
“It is doable if we trust them to some extent without fully believing in them. They must know their own positions, so they will probably fight fiercely. Perhaps—”
As I looked at the map of Benito spread before me, I picked up a pen.
Without a moment’s hesitation, I drew a line from the south to the north of Benito.
“It would be great if we could wield half of it bordered by the Royal Capital.”
In recalling memories from my past life, this is a very common scenario.
Separating those who resist from the collaborators to let them quarrel among themselves.
However, there is no ideology here; we share the same faith, so both cannot be exploited.
Thus, we need to use something different. That way, we can see effects. Something like…
“Legion Commander of the 4th, could you possibly find someone knowledgeable about Benito’s history?”
“Eh? Well… If we interrogate the prisoners or inquire in the occupied areas, we might be able to find someone. Why do you ask so suddenly?”
“Isn’t it so common? The direct line vanishes due to various circumstances. A side branch becomes the king, and then that side branch can become the direct line, and vice versa.”
While there’s no ideology, the monarchy is more solid here than anywhere else.
The surrendered nobles would likely harbor anxieties regarding that fact.
To hold them firmly, they need justification.
Yes, a justification they cannot raise their hands against. Loyalty.
“Wait. Are you trying to establish a new king?”
“If possible.”
“Hmm. I’ve been stationed at the southern border for quite a while, and I know that King Benito, Andrea II’s great-grandfather was not the official heir at that time.”
“Is that so? Do you know anything more specific?”
“I’m sorry, Chief of Staff. I don’t have much more than that… I’ll promptly look for informants in the occupied areas and prisoners to find someone knowledgeable about the Royal Family of Benito.”
King Benito, Andrea II. Should I really raise questions about his legitimacy?
Even just a bit would do. Even a forced claim would be fine.
After all, the one who wins is the one who dispenses justice. That’s the order and truth of this world.
“…Hmm. Kael, I feel like I might have come here for no reason.”
After concluding my discussions with the 4th Legion Commander, the princess approached me quietly.
She had come to contribute to the battle, but it seemed a bit puzzling given how things had turned out.
“I didn’t foresee a plague breaking out. We might have been causing trouble back at the palace.”
“Still, your Highness coming here might be what makes things go so well.”
“Huh? Why would that be thanks to me?”
“Perhaps the gods were moved by your concern for the Empire and have poured their wrath onto Benito.”
I accidentally let that slip out, feeling a pang of sympathy as she looked so downcast.
But it seemed to hit home since she burst into a fit of giggles.
“That’s true. Well, thanks to that, I was able to see how much Kael thinks of me.”
“Uh, ahem, I am speaking purely as the Chief of Staff regarding your safety…”
“Does that mean I could really end up on the front line?”
“You absolutely cannot! How does that even make sense when you’re telling me that, and then you, your Highness, say that!”
*
Dedorant had fled in tatters, while Benito staggered under the plague.
In such a situation, only Atria remained. The Empire would never just sit back and watch.
[ Members of the Northern Legion from the Empire’s 1st Mobile Legion are to return as instructed. ]
[ The remaining augmented mobile units will move to the northern front and cooperate with the Nobogord forces. ]
[ The negotiations with the Imperial Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Nobogord have reached an agreement. Additionally, the deployment of Nobogord troops has been confirmed, so a large-scale offensive will commence in the northern front. ]
While attacking Dedorant, things had been relatively calm toward Atria for a while.
This meant that the Demon Tribe soldiers of Nobogord had been resting and fortifying their strength.
The time had come again for those horned demons (though in reality, they were helmets) to rampage across the battlefield.
Additionally, this time, an extra troop deployment had been confirmed.
Now, not just heavy infantry, but cavalry from the Demon Tribe and navy would also rush in.
Upon hearing this news, Atria urgently requested support from Dedorant.
“You’ve taken all our soldiers and resources! While we were covering the northern front, we were severely impacted. You can’t just leave us hanging like this!”
“Why on earth did we ever unite with Dedorant? We thought we would receive something! Now, they’re taking from us without giving anything in return! Are they truly calling us brothers?!”
Atria expressed unprecedented anger, but it was practically meaningless echoes.
Those noble voices had already acknowledged Dedorant’s dominance in the past.
Pretending to be awake now would only seem strange if it actually worked.
Dedorant was well aware of this too. That a person from Atria could never bow down to Nobogord.
Whether it was pride, hatred, or anger, they would surely choose to fight for any reason.
Even in such blind desperation, there was really nothing Atria could do about it.
Maybe they could question how to handle the Empire instead.
Atria’s nobles had indeed not ignored that possibility.
However, the Empire’s response to Atria was also quite apathetic.
Dedorant had continuously referred to them as brothers, so they may even have started to identify them as Dedorant itself.
“…So, here’s the thing.”
In the midst of it all, a secret discussion was underway among the nobles of Atria.
“How about if we surrendered the areas under our control to the Empire?”
“If we say we will do what Nobogord is doing, the Empire may show at least some mercy. Unlike Dedorant, of course.”
It didn’t sound like a bad idea. It seemed somewhat plausible.
The problem was that hidden among them was a mole that Dedorant had planted.