Chapter 59 - The Arrival of the Storm
After that, reports from the hamlets at the edge of the forest continued to pour in. From hamlets equipped with communication magitech tools, updates came frequently. From those without, messengers arrived carrying letters. Wherever new reports emerged, we laid down new magic communication lines.
The repeated notifications allowed us to expand the communication network to the point where it could cover most hamlets near the Demonic Forest. Though calling it a network might be a stretch. All the magic communication lines were single, one-to-one connections, directly linked to the communication room in the Fortress. The number of communication desks where the female communicators sat increased, and we even had to recruit more communicators to handle the workload.
It was a joy to see the first group of communicators I hired become role models for the newcomers. Some of the young widows among them even received marriage proposals from the younger soldiers. For those working in such a harsh environment, this could be considered a good thing, in a way.
Though I had no personal interest in such matters, I couldn’t help but feel that their smiling faces were something worth protecting.
――――
One day, I was summoned to the main estate. Father wanted to discuss something important in his office. Since My Friend had fled the capital, I hadn’t received any news from there. I had no idea what was happening in the royal capital, so I had no context for this summons.
In Father’s office, the three brothers gathered. Neither Mother nor Sister-in-law were present, which meant this wasn’t about internal family affairs. Was it military matters? Father, with a stern expression, began to speak.
“The high comital family has requested our military contribution. It seems war is about to break out. Our enemy is the North Kingdom... According to the declaration of war, the northern kingdom annexed neighboring countries and now call themselves an empire. They’ve amassed a significant force near the northeastern part of the Demonic Forest—where it lay thin— where the northern trade route used to pass until recently. In response, the royal command has ordered domestic forces to mobilize. As part of this, the high comital house has been commanded to join the campaign, and we, as her vassals, are also required to send troops. We cannot refuse, but...”
“What about the Demonic Forest? They are also demanding forces there. Only our main force can handle that...”
“...Indeed. It will place a heavy burden on the guerilla unit, but we have no other choice. We’ll send the main force to the warfront and assign the guerilla unit to the Demonic Forest. The guard unit will handle logistics and medical support for the guerilla unit. If anything happens, the main force will be pulled out, so evacuation will be our top priority. Understood?”
“““Understood.”””
It had finally begun. Though I didn’t know the full extent of the situation, My Friend’s letters had hinted that war could break out within two or three years. Furthermore, preparations had been visible here and there, and even reckless land exchanges had taken place to unify the nation.
The changing of the seasons had become a reality.
――――― § ―――――
We moved to Eldest Brother’s office to organize the knightly family’s military forces. Father had effectively handed over the role of family head to him, delegating most of the responsibilities of managing the knightly household. Father now acted more as a guardian, likely wanting to clearly define the division of roles as part of the succession process.
Second Brother wasn’t enthusiastic about this deployment. He was worried about the frequent reports of “encounters with monsters” from the Demonic Forest. Perhaps he felt I was still too inexperienced. It couldn’t be helped. Since Old Man left the guerilla unit, the morale of the infantry had undeniably dropped.
But the current situation wouldn’t wait for us to adjust.
The requests for assistance from the hamlets at the edge of the forest were increasing daily. It was clear that the situation in the Demonic Forest was becoming precarious. Father’s words showed a hint of compassion for the guerilla unit, who would face even harsher conditions. If the guard unit could provide logistics and medic soldiers, it would make our operations significantly easier.
Having strong support from behind meant nothing less than boosting the fighting strength of the guerilla unit.
Though grateful, the severity of the situation and the weight of the responsibility resting on my shoulders made my heart tighten. Second Brother asked for my opinion on the kingdom’s intentions regarding this deployment. While the official information was scarce, combining the state of the capital My Friend had sent before fleeing and the rumors from merchants, I could make some educated guesses.
There was nothing to hide, so I shared my thoughts based on my military knowledge. That must have been why I was called to Eldest Brother’s office. The map on the wall had been replaced—it now covered not only our knightly family’s territory but also the vast northern region of the kingdom.
The troops requested from various regions of the kingdom were heading to a trading city at the eastern edge of the northern territory. Just a few years ago, it had been a hub for trade with northern nations. Now, with that trade routes closed, it served as a center for gathering and distributing supplies in the northern region.
“Brother, according to behind-the-scenes information, the forces calling themselves the Imperial Army seem to be a coalition of nations north of the Demonic Forest. There are reports that the North Kingdom, using unknown methods, conquered several neighboring countries and wiped out their royal families.”
“Is this about the sudden invasion, where the royal castle was taken before the national army could do anything? Is that information reliable? It’s hard to believe.”
“My friend’s merchant contact barely escaped that country with his life, which lends credibility to the story. Details are unclear, but apparently, the peaceful capital was burned to the ground overnight, and the royal family’s corpses were displayed at the city gates. Leaving the country was strictly forbidden, but he managed to sneak through uncharted paths to a neighboring country and eventually made it here. My friend mentioned that the high comital family protected this merchant, so the information is likely true.”
“I see. And?”
“They beheaded the ruling class, took control of the population, and turned the national army into their own pawns. It seems like an impossible feat, but there are signs that they used some kind of strategy to complete their plan. However, there’s also a rumor in the capital that members of the Northern Kingdom’s royal family have been secretly studying in our kingdom under disguised identities.”
“Ah, that one. I thought it was a bit dubious.”
“No, it’s true. At the Royal Magic Academy, there were several individuals receiving special treatment. They clearly weren’t nobles from our kingdom, and their titles were vague. While I can’t say I was close to them, mid- to high-ranking officials in foreign affairs were often seen around them. So, I believe the rumor is also true.”
“Hmm... If that information is accurate, we’ll need to think carefully.”
“Second Brother, you’ll be leading the troops from the central part of the northern territory. My concern is the possibility of ambushes along the way. The declaration of war has been made. It wouldn’t be surprising if skirmishes broke out at any moment. If the self-proclaimed empire has indeed invaded and annexed a neighboring country, it seems the Demonic Forest lies between the empire and that country. Yet, they managed to cross it to carry out the invasion. It raises the possibility that somehow... they have found a way to suppress the threat of the forest.”
“...We can’t afford to march leisurely to the assembly point... huh? Understood. We’ll maintain strict vigilance. What else should we be cautious of?”
Eldest Brother crossed his arms and stared intently at the large map. Second Brother, while observing him, also seemed deep in thought, his eyes scanning the roads leading to the assembly point. I could see the possible scenarios unfolding vividly in their minds...
I was certain of it.
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