Volume 4 Chapter 7 Lightning Strike
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
After meeting Mr. Melset in the Imperial Capital, we headed straight to his hideout to contact the Elf Kingdom. There, Melon picked up the Magic Communication Device.
”Imperial Capital, Desmostown. I’m Second-Class Royal Palace Mage, Melon. Zerlant Kingdom, please respond. Over.”
”Ah… yes, this is Zerlant Kingdom… Wait, MelMel!?”
The voice on the other end was suddenly shocked. That voice… could it really be…?
”Is that… Mama Akari? Ah, go ahead.”
”No way! It really is MelMel!? W-What should I do…? Anyway, we need to contact Sir Yōmo… kyaa!?”
”Ah, ah, don’t panic, Mama Akari. Listen carefully! Yuuta is here with me!! And of course, Ms. Claudel is too.”
”…Eh…” The voice froze.
Melon handed me the device. I spoke into it.
”Akari-san… I’m back.”
”…I-Is it really Yuuta? It’s really you, right? This isn’t a dream?”
”Yes. Genuine, Kashiwagi Yuuta. I’m sorry for being away so long.”
”No… Oh no… What should I do… Yuuta… welcome home…”
Ms. Akari’s tears spilled freely. Melon snatched the device from me and addressed her directly.
”Mama Akari, there’s a lot to catch up on, but right now, there’s an emergency. Is Sir Aaron around? Sir Yōmo would work too!”
”…Sir Yōmo has been sent as a messenger. But Sir Aaron isn’t here.”
”I see. Is he at the Royal Palace? Or did he return to his estate?”
”He… led the army and advanced into Demon Clan territory…”
”What!?”
Ms. Claudel’s expression immediately shifted.
”Advancing… Does that mean he declared war?”
Mama Akari didn’t fully understand, but soon Sir Yōmo arrived at the device.
”Claudel, are you really here!? And Yuuta is with you too? Thank goodness… but we must recall Aaron immediately!”
”Recall him… Sir Yōmo. Are you saying Sir Aaron has actually crossed into Imperial territory with his forces?”
”Yes. Using the pretext of reclaiming Chief Secretary Puruun, he launched a lightning strike on the Imperial Capital. The Demon Clan forces are not fully coordinated, and if we don’t act fast, he could reach Desmostown within days.”
”Um, Sir Yōmo… this is Melon. Could you hold off on stopping Aaron for a moment?”
”Melon, you’re safe… but why let Aaron go unchecked? If the Imperial forces respond, it could escalate into full-scale war.”
”Yes, but if we act now, the Zerlant Kingdom itself might be dragged into total war. Sir Yōmo, can this line reach the Queen?”
About an hour later, the Melon Research Institute technicians linked the magical communication channels between the Imperial Capital, Yōmo Territory, and the Royal Palace. Soon, Queen Asuka’s tearful voice came through.
”Ah, Ms. Melon, I’m so glad you’re safe… and Yuuta and Ms. Claudel too. How did you manage this? I can never thank you enough.”
”Your Majesty, the details can wait. There’s an emergency. The Gate is near the Spirit Clan border on the Imperial west side. For reasons unknown, the Imperial forces and the Spirit Clan intend to use it jointly to invade our country. If Sir Aaron is there, he can handle the Gate directly.”
”Gate… Elder Brother Aaron ordered Ms. Sharlin to destroy it, but perhaps the command didn’t reach her?”
”At least a few days ago, when we escaped, it was intact. Liutenant Reina and I destroyed the power source, so humans can’t use it immediately. Yuuta, Ms. Claudel, and Liutenant Reina’s sister have returned safely, but the Gate itself needs urgent disposal.”
”I see… The Imperial forces have positioned near the border but are poorly coordinated. Elder Brother Aaron is advancing rapidly and will likely reach Desmostown soon. Ms. Melon, you and your group should wait there, rendezvous with him, and plan next steps together. I’ll coordinate with Rainsheyn and Lord Mihail to contain the enemy near the border. Claudel, you’ll command the frontlines, correct?”
”Yes, Your Majesty! I, Claudel, will do my utmost to compensate for my long absence!”
* * *
Under the cover of night, a small elite force began its advance. They encountered little resistance and approached the Imperial Capital, Desmostown, with less than a day remaining. By tomorrow afternoon, they would reach the city.
Although the Imperial Capital’s defenses were expected to be formidable, reports indicated that the palace guards had left, deployed to the west, leaving only local lord troops. This made the lightning strike possible.
”Sir Aaron, this morning about 3,000 Defense Force troops left the Capital. They are reportedly hiding in the forest roughly 20 km ahead…” a messenger reported.
”Hmph. Send 500 men secretly behind them for a night attack. Drive them out.”
”Yes, sir!” The messenger saluted and departed.
This Magic Communication Device truly changed warfare. It allowed us to anticipate enemy movements and act with confidence. With Melon safe, he deserved not just a medal but perhaps a noble title.
”All right, everyone. Tomorrow we enter the Imperial Capital and prepare for a siege behind the walls. The enemy is pitifully few! Continue!”
* * *
With General Peacock and the palace guards absent, the acting commanders of the Imperial Capital were on edge.
”Sir, Sassar’s ambush was defeated in a night attack. The Zerlant army has rapidly closed in. By afternoon, they will reach the city walls!”
”Damn it! How did they anticipate all our moves? Do we have a spy? Even so, with this speed… we can’t hold them. Where is General Peacock? Where are the palace guards!?”
”I’ve already sent a Flying Dragon messenger to Moniera, but there’s been no response yet… Perhaps we should request reinforcements from the allied lords stationed near the border?” the officer suggested, voice cautious.
”Me? Ask the lords myself?” Aaron muttered, rubbing his temple. “Ugh… what a hassle. But… there’s no other choice.”
With the commanding officer absent, the troops defending the Imperial Capital had no time to formulate a proper strategy. Aaron’s forces slipped into the city almost effortlessly. Swiftly, he ordered all the gates of the Imperial Capital closed and addressed the citizens with calm authority.
”We have only one purpose,” Aaron declared, voice echoing through the grand hall. “To rescue our Chief Secretary Puruun, abducted by Balmstra Emperor! Once that is accomplished, we will withdraw immediately. If you value your troops more than conflict with us, release the chief secretary at once!”
Aaron allowed himself a measured pause. This will do. Once the chief secretary appears, the Emperor’s whereabouts will be revealed. Only then will we confront the schemes of the Demon Clan and the Spirit Clan.
He leaned back slightly, eyes narrowing. Patience and precision, that is all this requires.
Notes:
• Melset – A trusted collaborator and spy for the Zerlant Kingdom, embedded in the Apocalypse Empire’s capital, Demonstown. He is a Dark Elf, like Sharlin, and serves as their point of contact for exchanging information. Melset is described as an old man who has been planted in the empire for a long time, likely as part of a network of spies from Zerlant. He is resourceful, cautious, and willing to assist Sharlin and Karin in their mission to rescue Lady Melon and gather intelligence, despite the risks involved.
• Claudel – The elf captain of the royal guard assigned to Princess Asuka. At first, she had a strong dislike for Yuuta, who is human. Now, Yuuta’s saffle.
• Rainsheyn – Male. The prime minister. He assists Asuka in preparing for defense.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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