Volume 9 Chapter 2 The Season Of Schemes – Part II
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”So, you are Lord Yuri… quite youthful, I see. I expected you to be older, but you are surprisingly young.”
”Surprisingly? That’s a bit disheartening. Well, I suppose it’s all thanks to my master, who ensures I am well-fed with energy.”
Yuri laughed, her vibrant golden locks swaying like a siren’s call.
”By the way, what brings you to me? I must depart for the hunt of Gwain shortly, so time is of the essence…”
”No, no! My master wishes to join forces with Mr. Ugno, a relative of sorts, in the hunt for Gwain. I was sent as a messenger.”
”Relative? Who might be the master of Yuri? Surely, your master has already found rest within the grave?”
It was said that Yuri, the bride of the Demon Lord and the previous Dream Demon’s Black Dagger, had secluded herself after the untimely death of the Demon Lord, returning to the hidden village of Dream Demons.
As I pondered the mystery of how she maintained such youthful charm, Yuri readily answered my unspoken question.
”My new master is none other than Lady Yaalan, who has now become the Queen of True Demon Dukedom. To clarify, my master has always been Lady Yaalan. I only begrudgingly accepted the role of the Demon Lord’s bride upon Lady Yaalan’s insistence.”
Yuri, long having served the previous Demon Lord as his consort, revealed that her true master was Yaalan.
I couldn’t recall the name Yaalan resonating with my memories of the True Demon King.
”Yaalan… isn’t she the True Demon King Rashid’s offspring?”
”Indeed, she is the rightful heir, the daughter of King Rashid, currently acting as regent since her father fell ill.”
I had heard that King Rashid had a son and a daughter, but they rarely visited the court of the Capital City, leaving little to connect with me.
”So, why is it that I am to become kin with this Yaalan? I cannot fathom the reasoning behind it. Have you come to jest at my expense, Lady Yuri?”
A bright smile danced on Yuri’s lips as he directed it toward me.
Yet, that smile sent a chill creeping down my spine.
Perhaps this was a conversation best left unspoken…
”Pardon me for the lack of clarity. My lord Yaalan’s true sister, Princess Flamil, has recently entered into marriage with Sir Kent Blackdagger, the queen of the South District Margrave. Consequently, my master and Sir Ugno have become relatives through this union with the Blackdagger royalty.”
Even I, who struggles with matters of politics, could grasp the severity of the situation from Yuri’s words.
”W-What?! The True Demon Dukedom and the South District Margrave have engaged in a political marriage?!”
”Indeed. Additionally, we have exiled Gwain from our ranks. Our master has declared support for the anti-Gwain coalition. It was also mentioned that we shall covertly assist in the upcoming expedition of the Black Dragon army.”
”Are we to be used as mere pawns to eliminate our foes?”
I strained to decipher the intent behind Yuri’s statements.
Politics swirled like a fog in my mind, but if viewed through the prism of battle, I felt my thoughts begin to align.
As Yaalan began to sway the True Demon Dukedom, I speculated that he had grown wary of Gwain, who had tightened his grip on the realm. It seemed he wished to rid herself of him, and now sought to leverage our expedition to her advantage.
”Naturally, that is precisely my intent. However, rest assured, I shall provide appropriate recompense. I have heard that the target of the Black Dragon army’s raid is Daracallia. If they were to launch their assault through our True Demon Dukedom territory, they could approach their objective without drawing Gwain’s suspicion.”
Hearing that Yuri, who should have been an outsider, already knew the target of our assault made my blood run cold.
It was because secret information, carefully concealed, had somehow been uncovered.
With such a status, pressing forward would likely result in devastating losses.
”When did you find out…? The surrounding Lords were informed that this was merely an exercise for border security… Could it be that information has leaked to Gwain?”
”Indeed, numerous ambushers have already been placed along our route. If we continue as is, the number of troops that can reach Daracallia will hardly be one in ten.”
Yuri had already warned us that the Gwain had laid many traps along the path our Black Dragon army would take.
I immediately issued instructions to a nearby soldier.
”By the gods! Once more, conduct a detection along our advance route! If what Lord Yuri says is true, our annihilation is all but assured!”
””Yes, sir!””
The soldiers who had been standing by rushed forth.
”Lady Yuri, it is certain that your master, Sir Yaalan, will set forth to defeat Gwain, is it not?”
”Yes. Sir Yaalan harbors a deep disdain for Gwain, which has become a parasite in the Dukedom. He has already managed to bind about half of the Lords entrapped by Gwain, and the remaining half will surely be taken down by my master leading the troops. Therefore, I require Sir Ugno to work in order to hold back Gwain’s main forces.”
Yuri revealed that while we, the Black Dragon army, engage with Gwain’s main force, the plan was to eliminate the pro-Gwain Lords within the Dukedom.
It was as if we were being used as mere shields for arrow evasion, but if it meant diminishing Gwain’s power, our nation’s security would increase, so there was no reason to decline.
”Is it true that we will be allowed safe passage through the True Demon Dukedom?”
”Yes. Sir Yaalan guarantees it as the True Demon Dukedom.”
I quickly visualized a route through the True Demon Dukedom to Daracallia, bypassing the enemy forces.
If we could pass through the True Demon Dukedom and reach Daracallia, the enemy would be caught off guard and our invasion would be smooth.
”Understood. When the scouting party you sent out confirms the enemy’s presence, we’ll set up decoy troops here and use the bypass route. Will you be our guide?”
”If you trust me, I’ll safely lead you to Daracallia.”
Yuri straightened up and bowed deeply.
”I know a general path, but Lady Yuri, you surely know the shortcuts too. Let’s make a beeline for Daracallia.”
”I’ll do my best to assist.”
As it turned out, when the Reconnaissance Unit returned, they found many hidden enemies along the invasion route, just as Yuri had said.
We decided to hastily set up wooden decoy troops at the fortress near the border, our original starting point, and leave a small number of soldiers there. Then, under Yuri’s guidance, we ventured into the True DemonDukedom and headed straight for Daracallia.
* * *
*Gwain’s Perspective
I was expelled from the True Demon Kingdom and had taken up residence in Rashid’s True Demon Dukedom, where I was appointed Chancellor. But, becoming Chancellor of the True Demon Dukedom wasn’t enough for me. I aimed to be king.
To achieve that, I used the northern fortress I had reclaimed during the Gertroud War as a base to cultivate power in the many “no-lord” territories of the northeast. I sent my daughters, Austronesia and Lynthia, to establish a puppet organization called the “Kingdom Retro Brigade” and expand our influence.
A letter arrived from Felia, who was in charge of our main base, Daracallia.
The letter contained news that the Black Dragon army was preparing for military action.
”Georgia, what do you think of this letter? It seems the Black Snakes are up to something…”
Since Sven is out on a mission to support the rebellion in the Capital City, the intelligence organization is under Georgia’s care.
She wasn’t originally my cup of tea, being a succubus and low in the ranks.
But when Gertroud annihilated our forces, she was the one who spurred me on and brought me all the way to the True Demon Dukedom. She’s my benefactor.
”From what I hear, it seems Kingdom and Kent are funding this military operation. Black Dragon Army isn’t aiming for the True Demon Dukedom, it’s us they’re after. Daracallia will likely be their target.”
”No way! Daracallia?! Our base being targeted… There are nearly 5 thousand soldiers stationed there!”
Daracallia was the territory I was first entrusted as Lord of, and it housed a treasury filled with the riches I’d gathered during my time as Chancellor of the Kingdom.
It was considered our most important stronghold and heavily fortified, requiring a massive army to conquer.
”However, we are facing the Black Dragon Army. For precaution, Lady Felia has already deployed ambushes along their advance route. Dispatching MildGeneral as a reserve force should solidify our defenses.”
Georgia had already taken steps to prepare for the Black Dragon Army’s attack.
”Very well. Dispatch Mild and have him reinforce the rear.”
”Haa, thank you for your kind consideration.”
”What, he’s just been loafing around anyway. Might as well give him a chance to fight.”
Mild had dedicated himself to training after the Gertroud war, honing his Elite Troops to perfection.
So the soldiers under his command were considered Elite Troops, even amongst my own army.
”You, get this done. The arrangements are already in place. Execute them immediately.”
”Yes, I’ll relay the order for immediate departure.”
Georgia signaled a soldier nearby, and the soldier hurried out of the room.
”That’ll do for Daracallia for now.We need to deal with the rebellion in the Capital City and the situation in the northeast.”
”Yes, sir. I’ll report on those matters as well. First, about the Capital City… Sir Sven has been amassing the dissatisfied nobles who are unhappy with the Kingdom Army’s reorganization. He’s formed a puppet organization called the ‘Noble Brotherhood’ and is using them to plot a coup. Sir Sven thinks the chances of success are low, but he believes they can cause enough chaos in the Capital City to make it worthwhile. That’s what I’ve heard.”
Georgia reported the situation calmly.
She had already been briefed that the plan to disrupt the rebellion in the Capital City was to cut off support for the ‘Kingdom Liberation Front’, a puppet organization Aldo’s men had created in the northeast. It seemed that Sven’s plans were progressing smoothly.
”In that case, I should lead an army myself to quell the rebellion in the northeast. Lynthia and Austronesia are doing their best, but they haven’t achieved a decisive victory yet. It would be more efficient if I led a detachment to conquer the lawless territories.”
I planned to detour north with Lyla and Rhea, subjugating the warlords and bandits who still resisted the ‘Kingdom Retro Brigade’.
”That’s a good idea. If Sir Gwain takes charge in the north, Lynthia and Austronesia can focus on fighting the ‘Kingdom Liberation Front’ without worrying about their backs.”
”Then, I’ll order them to march south and crush the ‘Kingdom Liberation Front’ once the coup in the Capital City begins. I’ll be there soon myself.”
”Haa, I’ll make arrangements right away.”
Georgia bowed and left the room.
That’s how I ended up leading 3,000 soldiers north to eliminate the warlords and bandits who supported the ‘Kingdom Retro Brigade’.
* * *
*Arbalest’s Perspective
”Quenelraa! Why were you hiding this information?! This is blatant embezzlement, is it not?! How did an entire set of equipment for a thousand Kingdom soldiers just vanish into thin air?!”
Quenelra ran a hand through his disheveled hair, visibly irritated.
”How the hell should I know?! The old man shoved the administrative top position onto me, and while I was doing the job, my subordinates stumbled upon it. I sent them to retrieve the equipment from where it was supposed to be, but there wasn’t a single piece left! Damn it! On top of that, the royal castle’s security plans have gaping holes. Something stinks about this whole situation.”
Quenelra slammed a stack of documents onto the desk, spreading them out in frustration.
”What…?”
I scanned the papers he had laid out. The security plans listed the names of individuals connected to high-ranking officers who had been forced into the reserves during the recent reorganization.
”I never approved this security detail! When was this plan implemented?!”
”Today! Judging by the time, the shift change has probably already taken place!”
At that moment, the office doors burst open with a loud bang.
I turned toward the entrance to see twenty or thirty fully armed soldiers lined up in the doorway.
”Kingdom’s Chief Sergeant Arbalest Haydon and Chief Logistics Officer Quenelra Sobe. Sorry, but we’re placing you under arrest. Resist, and your subordinates will pay the price.”
The leader of the intruding soldiers was none other than a former General—one I had personally sent into the reserves during the reorganization.
”Gilbert! Do you even understand what you’re doing?! This is treason against His Majesty!”
”No, you’re wrong! We have risen to eliminate you, Arbalest Haydon, the traitor within the royal court! We bear no ill will toward His Majesty!”
Gilbert had mobilized a rebel faction under the pretense of eliminating me.
”Tch! This is why incompetent nobles are such a headache!”
As Quenelra spat out his disdain, Gilbert retaliated with a vicious punch.
”Don’t you dare underestimate me! Remember, your life is in our hands. Now, behave and let us bind you. As a noble courtesy, we’ll execute you before His Majesty.”
I was dragged out of the room by the men who had burst in, bound and unceremoniously thrown into a waiting carriage.
I… I never thought things would go this badly. To be caught by such a pathetic noble… Kent would laugh his head off… If my men noticed something was wrong and rushed to Konrad’s secluded palace, Kent would surely have found a way to save us…
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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