Royal Road of the Extra Scribe

44

A simple prisoner-of-war camp set up within the military camp.

I headed towards the area where Eo was, who had caught a significant number of prisoners.

“You’ve caught quite a lot.”

The number of prisoners had reached 9,000. With wounded soldiers defecting in droves, the number had increased exponentially.

“Eo, where did he say he was?”

“….”

“Eo?”

“I’m sorry, Lord Als.”

Eo suddenly apologized, for a reason that seemed trivial.

“I should have been the only one to understand the operation you set up…”

“You didn’t say, so it couldn’t be helped.”

“But…!”

“I’m not asking that from you. So, you don’t have to be sullen.”

It seemed like she felt ignored by the other officers. She appeared disappointed that I hadn’t properly defended her in that situation.

“If it bothers you that much, come to my room later. I’ll teach you some basic medical skills.”

“To Sir Alst’s room!?”

“When I have time. Come anytime; it would be awkward for me too.”

“Y-yes, I will definitely come!”

With that, I managed to calm Eo down, and as we walked a bit, we came face to face with the person we were aiming for.

“Ugh…!”

A man kneeling down. It was Madon’s Grand Marshal, Julian Craig.

He looked up at me and gritted his teeth.

“So, you must be Wade…!”

“So, it’s Julian Craig, who betrayed Albad and defected to Madon. Quite the plan to collaborate with Albad, wasn’t it?”

“Hmph, when it comes to winning a war, sentimental loyalty or principles are meaningless. The Master knew that, which is why he reached out to me.”

“Well, I agree on that part too. That’s why I came to find you.”

“You wouldn’t…!”

“I would indeed. Now, provide me with insider information.”

“I underestimated you. Julian Craig, resorting to such treachery. I am the Grand Marshal of Madon! Do you think I would divulge insider information?”

“I’m not asking for Madon’s insider information. I want Albad’s insider information. Since you’ve already betrayed once, it shouldn’t be hard to do it twice, right?”

“Ridiculous. I have nothing to say to you.”

“Is that so? Very well then. Ready, execute.”

Upon my command, the executioner stepped forward with an axe. Julian’s eyes widened.

“W-wait! E-execution! I demanded to be treated as a prisoner! Executing a high-ranking prisoner before prisoner negotiations…!”

“Are you sure about that? I am a mercenary, remember? I don’t care for such trivial debates. What are you waiting for, execute him quickly!”

“Wait! Wait!”

Julian shouted desperately. He must have sensed that I wasn’t bluffing.

As the situation turned dire, he changed his stance as if turning his palm upside down.

“Fine, I’ll give you information! If it’s about Albad, not Madon, I’ll tell you everything! So stop!”

“Alright. Lower the axe… now.”

“Hmph. Raise the axe.”

Julian began to spill everything he had, true or false.

I decided to make my final move based on that information.

The outcome of the battle at Setes Crossroads quickly spread to other battlefields.

The first to hear this news was the Poldek Mountains, closest to the Setes Plains.

“S-say that again.”

Albad’s General Yussis Goldray couldn’t help but doubt his ears.

“The Caliphe Army crushed Madon’s forces! With their command structure compromised, Madon’s army is scattered and in retreat!”

“How is that even possible!”

Madon had more troops. Moreover, the plains were a terrain where tactical entanglements were likely to occur. It’s difficult for either side to overwhelm the other unilaterally in such terrain.

“Darn it! This means we’re in danger here! Officer! Quickly, concentrate our forces towards the southern direction!”

“Yeet!”

And likewise, the news reached the Caliper encampment in the Foldic Mountains where Caliper was stationed.

Rutger let out a bewildered laugh.

“Is that really true? Not false information?”

“Yes!”

“I can’t believe it. Julian’s skills must have been top-notch. When can we expect a detailed report? I’m curious.”

“I believe a detailed report on the battle will arrive around dawn tomorrow!”

Anton, who had been listening quietly, spoke up.

“Sir Rutger, if the situation unfolds this way, the enemy in front of us will undoubtedly have to consider the southern direction.”

“Indeed. If the army that defeated Madon marches north, the Foldic Mountains will soon become the target.”

“Shouldn’t we move in alignment with that then?”

“Normally, yes, but… Wade seems not to desire that.”

“What? Your lordship?”

“If he wanted that, he would have informed me in advance. But he only instructed me to guard this place and said nothing else.”

“Is it possible that your lordship has other plans?”

“I can’t say for certain, but it’s a possibility.”

“But even if there are other plans, is there anything better we can do now than driving out the army in the Foldic Mountains?”

“Well, there is one. A more adventurous approach.”

“What approach would that be?”

“Well….”

Upon hearing the plan, Anton was momentarily speechless.

***

Due to issues with the roads, this news was arriving slightly later in the northern regions.

Having received the report first at Moro Plateau, Giliath Melburn set off with a messenger towards Kaien in the Godin Valley.

Kaien, upon receiving the report, let out a deep sigh.

“To handle Julian so easily. Mercenary Wade… seems to possess skills comparable to the Ten Warriors.”

“T-ten Warriors! That guy who defeated Julian couldn’t even make it into the ranks of the Twenty Heroes!”

“Giliath, you know Julian’s abilities better than anyone. His skills can rival even the Heroes.”

“Grr…!”

Giliath gritted his teeth and said, “Master, please allocate 10,000 troops to me! I will go straight to the Foldic Mountains, prepare with Yusis, and buy us some time!”

If Kaien could break through the north during that time, the situation would become more balanced.

Already, Kaien was employing tactics to deal with the enemy. In three days, those tactics would be ready to deliver a severe blow to Caliper’s army led by Dunan.

However, Kaien shook his head.

“No, it’s already a checkmate.”

“What?”

“Mercenary Wade. If that guy is eyeing the same thing I am, he won’t bother coming up to the Foldic Mountains. He has a more deadly strategy in mind.”

“What strategy are you referring to exactly?”

It was none other than that.

A few hours later, a messenger rushed in breathlessly.

“Urgent──!! The Southern Caliper Army has crossed the border and is invading our territory!”

This was the reason Alz urged Ilya to forcefully deal with the enemy’s cavalry unit.

As he himself had already marched into Albade’s territory beyond the border.

“That, that bastard…! Quickly issue an emergency order to the East! Lock down the gates, fortify the defenses! If we stall for time…!”

“It’s already too late.”

“What? But if we delay at the gates…?”

“They probably have detailed intelligence. The Salion faction’s army has entered our territory, gathering information… and Julian, that guy, doesn’t seem like he’ll keep his mouth shut.”

Kayen was convinced that Julian had leaked all the internal information. The internal information would have included everything about supply routes and depots.

“We must retreat as soon as possible.”

Kayen immediately issued a tactical retreat order.

It meant the defeat of Albade.

The key was that, after the Caliper army achieved a significant victory at the Setes Crossroads battle, they had enough strength left to proceed with a counteroffensive.

Furthermore, due to the defeated Madon’s army fleeing to the Southern Madon territory instead of the Western Albade territory, even the exhausted soldiers couldn’t be mobilized for defense.

Alz swiftly crossed the border and invaded Albade’s territory.

Three military fortresses fell due to their swift movements, and a surprise attack led to the capture of one castle city. They swiftly exploited weaknesses based on Julian’s leaked information and launched a quick assault.

This threw the Albade Kingdom into chaos.

Albade immediately tried to control traffic between cities and urgently conscript soldiers in major cities to respond.

However, by this point, the Caliper army had already achieved its goal.

They had successfully paralyzed Albade’s Eastern territory, which meant a complete halt in supply.

Supply routes heading to the Poldic Highlands, supply routes to the Moro Highlands, and supplies destined for the Northern Kayen army were all abruptly cut off.

Alz didn’t just see the trees but the forest.

By cutting off the source of supply rather than just destroying supply routes or depots, they pushed the entire Albade army to the brink of collapse.

The Albade army, which had marched into Caliper territory, had no choice but to hastily retreat.

In this process, Alz led all 20,000 troops to intercept the retreat of Yusis Goldray’s army from the Poldic Highlands.

“Damn it…!”

Yusis dropped his head. In front, Lutger’s army was tightening the noose, while behind, Alz had cut off the retreat route.

In a situation with no supplies and no escape route, the battle was desperate.

“It’s over.”

He had only one choice left.

Unconditional surrender. Giving up the fight and surrendering.

Normally, there were hardly any cases of surrender without fighting, as the fate of prisoners was uncertain, but this war was different.

The Albade and Madon coalition forces already held over 10,000 Caliper prisoners.

It was natural that, under the circumstances, surrendering increased the chances of survival, as there would likely be a prisoner exchange in the post-war treaty.

“Drop your weapons, all of you. I can’t let you meet your end here.”

Albade soldiers, tears in their eyes, laid down their weapons at Yusis’s command.

Lutger, who had taken all of them as prisoners, eventually came face to face with Yusis.

Snap! Yusis bit his lip. Part of his lip was torn off, showing how hard he had bitten.

“Indeed, it was you! Lord Lutger…!”

“Long time no see, Yusis. I never expected to reunite in such a manner.”

“Argh! How dare you, having left Albade, show up on this battlefield in such a disgraceful manner! And even wielding a blade against Albade under Caliper’s banner!”

“No, Albad betrayed me. I still can’t forget it. The nobles who changed their expressions, threw stones at my daughter, and cursed mercilessly. Those nobles who coldly brushed aside my plea for help!”

“Master Kyan didn’t turn away! Have you forgotten that he promised to find a solution?”

“So what? After believing those words, what solution did Master Kyan provide after I waited in Kalon for six years?”

“Master did his best!”

“Fine, but the outcome is all that matters. Wade truly healed my daughter.”

“What…!? Is that, is that really true? How did he cure that dreadful illness?”

“Yussis. The Lutger Rosenburg you knew is dead. I have nothing left of that era’s pride or honor.”

Abandoning his homeland, his subordinates. He lost everything. Nothing remained in his life except his daughter.

“For my daughter, to repay Wade for the favor, I’ve decided to live out the rest of my days. If that interferes… I’ll even sacrifice Master Kyan.”

“Sincerely… Is that so? Are you truly willing to abandon your homeland, your teacher?”

“Yes, relay that to Master too. If we meet on the battlefield next time, I’ll take his life!”

Alus found the conversation between the two intriguing to watch.

“Eo, quickly bring some popcorn.”

“What!? Popcorn…?”

Eonia seriously ponders what popcorn actually is.

Alus smiled while casually munching on the emergency rations he had brought.

“Five out of the seven gods are still left.”

Alus decided on one thing for certain.

He had succeeded as much as in recruiting one of the seven gods, Lutger Rosenburg.

* * *

Albad began the task of stabilizing the Eastern territory, which had been paralyzed by Alus, by driving back all the forces that had invaded Caliper.

Alus judged that he could be isolated by Albad’s forces. After devouring Yussis’s troops, he hurried back to Caliper’s territory.

Both sides pushed back their armies, leading to a stalemate in the war.

At that point, Alus received a request to attend a military council. The location was Granthel, the midpoint between the Northern and Southern battlefields.

After granting his soldiers rest, Alus headed straight to the military council room with only Eonia.

“General Wade is entering!”

The noisy military council room fell silent as if a mouse had died.

“….”

A reverent gaze as if looking at an unknown creature.

Alus walked in confidently and took a seat on the lectern. Then he spoke.

“Continue with what you were doing.”

As if it didn’t concern him at all.

At this, Duke Helian chuckled.

From Noble mtl dot com

“Could be. The main actor has arrived. Wade, that was quite a splendid performance. No one expected you to crush Julian Craig to that extent. It took everyone by surprise.”

“It was just luck.”

“Luck… Is that so? Well then, I’d like to borrow that luck for the upcoming battle.”

Helian pointed to the battlefield situation.

“Now is the perfect opportunity to corner Albad. Wade, lend us your strength too.”

“…hahahaha.”

“What’s with that laughter?”

“I’m sorry. Please continue.”

“Hmm, currently we have captured Marshal Julian Craig of Madon and General Ucis Goldray of Albard as prisoners. Even in terms of military strength, the enemy forces have noticeably weakened. If we push forward, we should be able to easily push back the enemy. Don’t you think so, Wade?”

“It’s not entirely incorrect, but it might not be as easy as you suggest. Due to my actions in the eastern territories, Albard is now under urgent conscription. If we launch another attack, those conscripted soldiers will be strategically positioned. This will naturally lead to a standoff and prolong the war. That is not desirable for Albard or Calipher.”

“Hmm.”

“Furthermore, I hate to say this, but some territories in the southwest have been ravaged and burned. Humanitarian aid measures are needed for those territories and their inhabitants.”

“Huh, like ‘Rebel’ perhaps?”

“….”

“Well, fine. Anyway, there will be a temporary agreement for a prisoner exchange before any renewed hostilities. If that agreement falls through, we might have to renegotiate with you. Keep that in mind.”

“Is there even a possibility of that agreement failing? The leader of the Salion faction is being held captive. The nobles of the Salion faction will do whatever it takes to ensure the agreement goes through. You will use that as leverage to squeeze them. So, talking about continuing the war here, isn’t that just empty talk?”

Duke Helian raised an eyebrow.

“What do you mean?”

“If you push too hard, it will make the prisoner exchange difficult, and as a result, the Salion faction nobles will have to offer more. You are playing out an obvious drama for that purpose.”

“So, you knew all along. That’s why you laughed earlier. Huh, Wade, you impress me even more. You have skills in politics as well.”

“Even children would know that much.”

“Well, let’s just pretend no one heard this conversation for now.”

All the officers present, being figures of the Helian faction, silently nodded their heads.

“Can I take my leave now?”

“You may. You have met my expectations excellently.”

“Yes, then, Duke… about that promise. I hope you keep it.”

“Don’t worry. I’m not as petty as the Salion bunch.”

As Als left the military conference room, General Dugnan, who had been silent all along, spoke up.

“Duke, are you sure about this?”

“Sure about what?”

“Judging by the author’s skill, if he were to defect to another country, it could pose a significant threat.”

“So, you suggest we should hold onto a weakness? Stop it. The more you corner such a person, the sharper their fangs become. We cannot fathom what lies within that person, but at least they didn’t seem inclined to be hostile towards our Calipher. They didn’t seem to have any intention of joining forces with Crossing sincerely.”

“Then…”

“Maintaining this relationship right now is the most ideal.”

“If he were to join forces with the Salion faction, what would you do?”

“That’s something we can prevent in advance. Even if the author were to truly join the Salion faction, in the end, they would be working for Calipher, so we might tolerate it for the greater good.”

Helian looked down at the map and said, “Dugnan, the international situation is about to change drastically. The Tri-War initiated by Crossing and this current war are just the beginning. For our Calipher to survive in that turbulent flow, we need such talent.”

Helian had a strong premonition.

That soon, a massive war would shake the entire continent.