Chapter 112: Imperial Capital Shaken
This is Longonia, the capital of the Dragon Country, Dragonia. We were in the Grand Conference Room located in a corner of Longonia Castle, a place that could be called the very center of the capital.
Those present here, including myself, are all influential nobles and high-ranking officers of the Knight Order. Moreover, among those gathered are members of opposing factions, people who are usually on such bad terms that it would be unthinkable for them to act together.
But even such people were silent in the conference room for now. A large map depicting our country was laid out on the table of the Grand Conference Room. And by the side of the table, a single knight stood with a tense expression.
“So, what is the situation in the town of Tatsutron?”
The Emperor’s Proxy, the highest authority in our country, asked the knight. Not the Emperor, but the Emperor’s Proxy. However, that position is synonymous with the Emperor.
And the knight questioned by the Emperor’s Proxy began to explain with a tense demeanor.
“Yes! Currently, the town of Tatsutron is surrounded by a massive horde of monsters.”
Yes, this meeting was hurriedly convened upon receiving information that the town of Tatsutron, near Dragon Peak Longride, was surrounded by a massive horde of monsters.
The one who brought the information was Count Userule, who governs the territory next to Baron Isolde‘s territory where the town of Tatsutron is located, and the knight explaining is also a subordinate of Count Userule.
The Count himself is organizing an army for relief with Baron Isolde, so he has not come to the Royal Capital. However, judging from the state of Tatsutron, he decided that they could not save the town by themselves and sent his vassal knight to the Royal Capital.
“The monsters have approached close to the ramparts protecting Tatsutron, and it is believed that combat with the town’s guard has already begun. As for the scale of the monster horde…”
Saying that, the knight placed pieces representing monsters on the map. The pieces formed two circles, large and small, surrounding the town of Tatsutron.
The small circle surrounded Tatsutron right by its side, and the large circle spread from the forest located away from the town, surrounding it. It looked as if they were laying two siege formations.
“Why are the monsters laying a double circle formation? Isn’t this like dispersing their forces?”
Indeed, it is as the Emperor’s Proxy says. No matter how numerous they are, if we concentrate our forces on one corner of the circle formation and break through, although casualties would be unavoidable, it seems possible to escape.
Even if another circle formation spreading outside awaits those who escaped, with the formation spread this thin, its thickness shouldn’t be much. In this case, wouldn’t Baron Isolde‘s and Count Userule‘s armies be able to manage somehow?
However, the knight denied the Emperor’s Proxy’s words with a grim face.
“No, these are not two circle formations. From the inner circle to the outer circle, everything is filled with monsters.”
“…What?”
The Emperor’s Proxy raised a bizarre voice. But it was the same for us.
“Everything from the town side to the forest is monsters? No, no, that cannot be. It’s only a few centimeters on the map, but the actual distance is over several hundred meters, you know?”
The one who interjected was the Commander of the Dragonia Knight Order, which protects our country’s Royal Capital. The nobles pricked up their ears at the words of the expert.
“To gather enough monsters to fill that range, you’d have to gather monsters not just from our country but from neighboring countries too? Impossible.”
“For the Knight Commander to say that much…”
It’s natural for the Knight Commander to deny it. Nobles with territories would understand, but a massive outbreak of monsters would be dozens to a hundred at most.
In the first place, most monsters are constantly being thinned out by adventurers. Therefore, the phenomenon of a massive outbreak itself does not happen often. There are stories of more monsters rampaging in the past, but those are old tales of dubious authenticity.
And if this knight’s report is accurate, a massive horde far exceeding a normal massive outbreak is surrounding the town. That would amount to thousands.
“We have received reports from many travelers who were on their way to the town of Tatsutron. Also, the reconnaissance unit we sent has confirmed that the information is factual. Moreover, all the confirmed monsters were powerful monsters of C-rank or higher.”
“Wh-What, impossible!?”
“Unbelievable… a massive horde of monsters C-rank or higher!?”
It’s natural for the Knight Commanders to show expressions of disbelief and confusion at the knight’s report.
A C-rank monster is a monster that several trained knights would have to deal with together. There is no way one can believe there are thousands of such monsters.
“A-Anyway, we cannot help but send reinforcements to the town of Tatsutron. If the monsters destroy Tatsutron, the next to be attacked will be the neighboring towns and villages.”
Amidst everyone’s confusion, the Emperor’s Proxy told the Knight Commander that they should gather soldiers. Yes, if the opponent were a human army, they might conquer the town or negotiate with us, but monsters only have appetite.
If the gathered monsters aren’t satisfied with just the residents of Tatsutron, thousands of starving monsters will be unleashed throughout the country.
No, with that many monsters, maybe it would be easier if they dispersed and the number of individual groups decreased? Rather, if the monsters headed for other towns while united as one, towns with only a small garrison wouldn’t stand a chance.
“Th-That is correct, Emperor’s Proxy! We should dispatch the Knight Order immediately!”
“We must annihilate the monsters while the damage is minimal!”
Nobles with territories, finding it unbearable for monsters to come to their own territories, voiced their support for the dispatch of the Knight Order.
“Umu, Knight Commander. Send reinforcements to the town of Tatsutron immediately.”
“Yes, I will organize a unit and dispatch them immediately! …However, with a massive horde of monsters C-rank or higher, it would be difficult to deal with them with only the units stationed in the Royal Capital. It is necessary to urgently have units scattered in various places and soldiers from each noble territory sent.”
“Even the nobles’ soldiers?”
Hearing that they would gather their own soldiers too, the nobles with territories looked displeased. But as long as they hold territory, it is natural to send soldiers for defense.
“If the number of high-ranking monsters is as reported, we need to spare soldiers even from the Knight Orders guarding the borders.”
“Even the border soldiers!?”
At the Knight Commander’s words, the Emperor’s Proxy raised his voice, saying that was bad. The Knight Orders stationed at the borders are nothing but intimidation against other countries plotting to invade our country.
If those Knight Orders suddenly disappeared, the enemy would rejoice and attack. Of course, it’s impossible to withdraw all soldiers, but even so, if the number of knights decreases, it becomes easier to attack.
“Those fighting at the border are sensitive to abnormalities in their opponents. If the number of soldiers decreases from the fort, it will be detected immediately.”
The Minister of Foreign Affairs immediately said something painful to hear, but it was an expert’s statement. He probably wants to imply that there is no doubt the opponent will notice. Understanding that, both the Emperor’s Proxy and the Knight Commander looked grim.
“Have them send as many soldiers as possible while being careful not to be detected by the enemy.”
“Your will.”
The Minister of Foreign Affairs bowed at the Emperor’s Proxy’s unreasonable order. Listening to the current conversation, there’s no way it won’t be found out no matter how you think about it, but pretending the opponent didn’t notice is also the Minister of Foreign Affairs’ job.
“Then gather soldiers immediately and send reinforcements to the town of Tatsutron!”
“YES!!”
And just when the Knight Order and nobles were about to leave the conference room to gather soldiers, suddenly there was a knock on the door.
“Excuse me. A messenger from Count Userule has arrived.”
Entering were a civil official working at the castle and a knight clad in armor stained with mud and blood.
“What!? Count Userule!?”
The eyes of everyone in the conference room focused on the knight who had been explaining earlier. A new messenger at this point!?
“Yes, he says it is an urgent report!”
The Emperor’s Proxy’s face contorted in displeasure. However, the expression was stronger in confusion than anger. Naturally, an emergency report in this situation would hardly be anything good.
“Speak.”
Making up his mind, the Emperor’s Proxy urged the newly arrived knight to report.
“Yes! The massive horde of monsters surrounding the town of Tatsutron has been annihilated!”
“……”
“……?”
“……Huh?”
For a moment, everyone present tilted their heads, not understanding what was said.
“…Th-The massive horde of monsters surrounding the town of Tatsutron has been annihilated.”
Questioned back by everyone, the perplexed knight repeated the same thing again.
“……”
It seems it wasn’t a mishearing. So it wasn’t a mishearing…
“WAIT, WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT!?”
