Chapter 70: To the Battlefield, Once Again

Hoho, you came already, grandson-in-law-dono. Bea too, its been a long time. How have you been? Good, I hope.

Of course. What about you, grandfather? How is your health?

(Toto is here too, grandpa.)

The Frontier Count showed the two of them a kind smile, one that he would never show me, as he welcomed us.

How comes Toto isnt afraid to sit on the Counts shoulder? She sure is amazing.

I gathered my soldiers and we were going towards the fortress, but I decided to first stop by at the Frontier Counts castle and give Bea into his custody.

It was because the frontier Count wasnt a part of the current strategy.

Obviously, my master and my foster father would take part in it, but they wouldnt be able to leave the skies above the Frontier Counts domain; they were supposed to protect the border, after all.

And so, the Lord had to remain inside his castle.

Still, he kept on bragging about stuff like how boring the house-watching role was or how he wasnt ready to lose to the young ones just yet.

Even so..

(Grandpa, this is delicious!)

Is that so? I have a lot of that left!

He narrowed his eyes and brushed Totos hair..He was extremely indulgent towards Toto, maybe because she looked like a little Bea.

Listen, Toto-chan, if you eat too much now, you wont be able to eat the dinner later. Be moderate, okay?

Hoho, its all right! Come now, drink some fruit juice.

(Thank you, grandpa!)

He transformed into a foolish old geezer who loved to pamper his granddaughterBut, I certainly could leave them in his care without any worries.

This castle, in which Bea and Toto would live for a while, would be held by the Frontier Count.

Only by imagining it chills ran down my spineA foolishly looking old geezer trampling down the enemies, while smiling towards his granddaughter.

I leave them in your care then. Bea, Toto, Ill be on my way now.

(Dad, take care.)

As I embraced Bea, Toto followed along as well.

She used her entire small body to stubbornly cling to my head and hug me.

Yeah. Ill definitely come back. To wherever you are, Bea

I kissed Bea, who was completely flushed then I left the room.

Right at that moment, I decided inside my heart that I would finish this business as quickly as possible.

Albert, were leaving.

Yes sir! Everyone, begin marching!

We were advancing on the road that led to the fortress.

First, we had to meet with the Empires Main Army.

After 4 days of marching, we arrived at the fortress.

However, this time we were waging a war of occupation, so the number of soldiers did count. It couldnt be helped.

Your Excellency, Duke Zest, its been a long time. Im Raiza.

A knight said to me, as he got out of the fortress.

He was a big man wearing an imposing armor and helmet..His hair was blueAh! Its that man with blue hair!

Long time no see, Count Raiza. Or, it might be better to say, the General Commander of the Empires Main Army.

He was the supreme commander of the Emperors forces, an army of 20.000 soldiers.

He became famous in his youth as a great military man, therefore, the Emperor acknowledged him. He was a viscount, but his Majesty conferred him the count title and entrusted him with leading the Empires Army. Count Raiza was such an excellent man.

Also, he was the Emperors right hand.

Your Excellency, just call me Raiza. For now, you should rest inside the fortress.

No. Well have a meeting first. If we take our time, the Tarminal Kingdom might make a comeback, and that would be troublesome.

Raiza bowed his head in assent and silently led us inside the fortress.

We went straight to the meeting room, since I wanted to make our move as quickly as possible.

What was decided during the meeting was thatIn the invasion of the Tarminal Kingdom, the Supreme Commander Raiza would lead the Empires Main Army to attack, as I provide the rear guard, as I follow after him.

They wanted this fight to be the Main Armys turn to shine, so I was supposed to obediently follow; after all, it was I who went all out protecting the fortress not long ago.

The Tarminal Kingdoms main forces were recently defeated, so it was supposed to be an easy victory.

It seemed it was safe even without me providing the rear guard

But well, since his Majesty asked me in person, I decided to follow them for now.

We stayed in the fortress for the night and began marching the following morning.

The border with the Tarminal Kingdom was very close, but it would take us 10 days to reach the royal capital.

We would be on the road for a while..

Just as we expected, we didnt encounter any enemy during the first 3 days.

But as we passed by a few more villages and towns, we still didnt find any enemy soldiers.

We asked theresidents about this, and were told that no soldiers were seen around after that time a few days ago when a number of worn out soldiers ran past them.

Deserters?

Did we really force the kingdom into a corner to such an extent?

We sent a few more scouts ahead and increased the speed of our march.

Even so, the enemy soldiers werent showing up..It felt a bit weird.

No matter how you looked at it, it was strange.Did something happen?

We found out the answer once we arrived at the royal capital.

I have a message for your Excellency, Duke Zest! The royal capital will raise the white flag, but its gates will remain shut and its cannons ready to fire back! However, we want to capitulate, so well send out a messenger!

Isnt this a trap?.

However, the next words I heard threw me into an unnecessary chaos.

The messenger will be akemonobitoman, the current representative of the royal capital! In order for us to capitulate, he asks to be allowed to do so in the presence of Lord Albert!

.A coup detat?

Yeah, most likely.

Instead of making them fall, I had now to participate in a truly bothersome discussion..

Dear me!

Translation: Nana

DA BEST (among the worst): Mockii