Chapter 149: The Hierarchy of Life
Lyle Laertius, the military strategist of the Kingdom of Silesie, was unexpectedly forced into a difficult battle against the landing forces of Castilia.
In the royal domain of Silesie, there are no good harbors where fleets can dock. At the main fishing ports, volunteer armies line up artillery, repelling enemy fleets with bombardment from land if they approach.
Still, Lyle did not consider this a sufficient countermeasure. However, there is the reality that it is impossible to cover the entire western coastline. If one were to transfer to a shallow-draft vessel or a small boat, they could land anywhere.
And so, the feared situation finally occurred—an offensive from an area with thin defenses after climbing up sheer cliffs.
Of course, it wasn’t entirely unforeseen, but Lyle had not expected an attack so audacious as to be carried out by a corps of over two thousand men.
Moreover, it was reported that the enemy army included a Reptilian unit.
The fact that the enemy was using reptilian mercenaries was information included in the report made directly to Lyle by Vice General Milk, a young man who had been defeated in the Battle of Nant. However, he did not anticipate that this would unfold so quickly on their side as well.
The enemy did not attack Nant by land after successfully defending it; instead, they used sea routes for much faster deployment.
Lyle’s meticulously crafted defense network for the capital was not designed to withstand an invasion of robust lizardmen.
Now, Lyle herself is leading the fourth and fifth corps as a general towards the site. Although surprised by the ambush, Ginny’s artillery squad is present in Galley Village along the coastline, and volunteer armies are also deployed. If they respond calmly, Lyle believes they will undoubtedly win. However, she is concerned about the thinning defenses of Silesie’s capital.
No, the enemy strategist’s aim is not merely local battle victories but rather the royal capital itself. It’s all a matter of timing now.
Even knowing this, there is a bitterness in having to send troops to defend if attacked and their land ravaged. Otherwise, Silesie’s royal army would lose the trust of its people.
That’s why Lyle herself is also heading to the battlefield as a general in a covered wagon… But Lyle sighed deeply, feeling profound fatigue.
Perhaps due to mental exhaustion, Lyle’s body felt unusually heavy lately.
「I’ve been completely toyed with.」
Lyle said with a bitter smile.
「There is a strategist of some caliber among the enemy…」
Lyle Laertius, who rose from a mere secretary to the regent of the Kingdom of Silesie, is a grand military strategist cheat. She prides himself on her strategic prowess, which is among the best on the Eura continent.
Probably, the only one in the Kingdom of Castilia who can match wits with Lyle is Ferdinand Castilia Asturias himself, known as the ‘Hikikomori Study King’.
King Ferdinand, who never steps out of his room, is a mole who judges everything solely based on data without ever seeing the field. His strategy method may seem reckless at first glance, but that’s what makes him formidable.
Unswayed by defeat or victory, he adheres only to the principles he believes in, relentlessly attacking and scheming without end.
Facing King Ferdinand’s inhuman strategy feels like battling an untiring mechanical golem.
They are forced to fight a one-sided, nerve-wracking battle.
「But this is different. It feels… unsettling.」
The strategy directed by that Study King feels strangely sticky and lukewarm.
Having troops climb sheer cliffs to attack seems too tricky for a tactic conceived by King Ferdinand.
Moreover, there’s a meticulous consideration that reptilian people, who live in harsh environments suitable for climbing cliffs, are well-suited for such an outlandish tactic.
She understands it’s a feint tactic, but how bold it is to calmly disperse troops in enemy territory. It’s as if they’re saying it doesn’t matter how many of their own soldiers are sacrificed. Ignoring the common practice of avoiding troop dispersion is exhausting to deal with.
Whoever it is, they’re an opponent not to be underestimated—unconventional and unscrupulous yet with a touch of delicacy.
Even pondering who the strategist could be, there was no general among the Castilian front-line commanders in Lyle’s memory who would employ such unconventional tactics.
She did consider the possibility of a new military advisor or general. But even Lyle, with all her foresight, couldn’t predict that Revenant Arima, an advance mage, would be granted command authority to lead the attack.
「This battle has too many uncertain elements, too many irregulars.」
Inside the carriage racing towards the battlefield, Lyle gripped a short staff while looking over the strategic map.
The Battle of Nant. It was an impulsive act by Acting General Sarah to lead an assault on the port of Nant. However, Lyle had anticipated that the enemy would counter with an advance mage.
Even if Sarah’s forces were defeated, as long as Milk, acting on Lyle’s intent, could kill one advance mage, it should have been worth it.
But what appeared was a martial artist from the legendary race of Dragon Maid.
As a guest general, she was said to be siding with the Kingdom of Castilia. In Eura continent, they are considered a mythical race; their true capabilities are unknown and immeasurable.
No, considering that Milk’s magical rifle was ineffective against her, it can be assumed that this Dragon Maid warrior is on par with Fist Emperor Dyson in close combat. A formidable foe indeed. She must not be allowed near Takeru in the royal capital.
It’s also concerning that Dyson was not seen among the enemy forces that attacked Lanct Duchy.
The whereabouts of the strongest fist fighter being unknown is unsettling. Fist Slave Emperor Dyson was also unpredictable.
It’s an unpleasant thought, but there’s a possibility that Emperor Dyson himself might launch a surprise attack on the royal capital where Takeru is. He must want to retrieve the old emperor and his granddaughter at all costs. And what if Castilia’s advance mage and Dragon Maid were to coordinate?
This is bad.
She’s already considering the worst-case scenario.
If all forces converge on the royal capital of Silesie and launch a concentrated attack, can their forces withstand it?
The royal capital being attacked, Queen Silhouette and the old emperor being assaulted—such things cannot be allowed. They must somehow capture the enemy and devise defensive measures.
「Ah, what to do about these invisible, unknown irregulars…」
Her thoughts are unusually dull. Normally, just by looking at the strategic map, she can see through the enemy’s movements, but today, it’s as if unknowns are writhing in the mist. Her head feels heavy.
As Takeru-dono’s military advisor, what should I do in such a situation? I try to rouse myself. My heart is pounding, my breathing is rough. Cold sweat trickles down from Lyle’s forehead to her cheek.
「Huff… Huff…」
At this rate, we might not be able to fully protect the royal capital. Should we narrow our focus even more?
Since we couldn’t hold back the enemy at the coastline, we should move the defense line backward, or rather concentrate it to a point. That’s right, as long as we can protect the royal capital where the royal family resides…
Sarah, taken hostage, will likely be used for bargaining. It would be good if she appears on this battlefield, but she must not encounter Takeru-dono.
That’s why Lyle came alone. Takeru is weak towards women. He’s a man who cannot be ruthless.
If there’s a chance to save Sarah, that would be good.
If that’s impossible and she becomes a hindrance as a hostage, then perhaps… No, that’s why I’m prepared to kill her with my own hands.
Thinking this way, Lyle took away Milk’s magical rifle and magic-resistant cloak—items he had sworn to use to ‘rescue Sarah’ while crying—saying coldly that she ‘can’t entrust them to him anymore’ given his state.
If I kill Sarah, will that young man hate me? Will Takeru despise me?
Still, if it must be done, I will do it. That is my role—Lyle thought as she gripped the magic rifle.
Trying to stand up with determination, Lyle collapsed on the spot. Her strength drained from her body; her consciousness faded away.
「At a time like this…」
No matter how much they called out, there was no response.
It was shortly after that the volunteer battalion commander Mars discovered the fallen strategist Lyle inside the covered wagon.
※※※
Hearing that Lyle-sensei had collapsed on the battlefield, Oracle-chan carried me and we flew to the scene. Normally, Kaara would carry me, but due to the need to defend the capital, I had Oracle, who is pregnant with child, make the effort.
In a simple bed at the village chief’s house near the battlefield, Lyle-sensei lay with a slightly pale face.
Fortunately, thanks to sensei’s prior preparations, we were able to ambush and defeat the Castilian landing force with the combined effort of the volunteer army and the corps. However, the severe situation of the enemy penetrating deep into the royal territory remained critical.
The war situation is dire, but if sensei overexerts herself and collapses, everything will be lost. I placed my hand on her forehead but found no fever.
「Are you alright?」
「Yes, I apologize, Takeru-dono, for collapsing at such a time…」
Has sensei been unwell recently? Now that I think about it, she did seem a bit off. Despite having no appetite and a pale face, she suddenly ate a lot of strange, bitter fruits.
Oracle-chan gently pushed my hand away from sensei’s forehead and stepped in. Oracle, whose pregnancy was now quite noticeable, should not exert herself, but today she flew for the first time in a while.
Leaving Kaara behind to defend the capital was necessary, as there was a significant risk of an attack during my absence.
「This… looks like a happy event. You’re experiencing nausea, aren’t you?」
「N-no, that can’t be!」
As Lyle-sensei tried to stand, Oracle gently pressed him back down. Being an Ancient Succubus, Oracle is an expert in matters of the body.
「It is. You are pregnant.」
「No way, I can’t be pregnant.」
Oracle chuckled softly, shaking her head.
「Sensei-san was just under a misconception. Since you had the natural functions of a woman, it’s not surprising at all that you became pregnant.」
「This can’t be happening, especially not now…」
Lyle-sensei looked troubled.
It’s good news, then why is it a problem?
「Takeru, when a female mage is pregnant, her condition worsens, making it hard to use her magic. I’m sure sensei-san was aware of her symptoms.」
「Really? Is that true?」
I asked how that made sense, and she explained that for a mage to manifest magical power, they must attune their mana accordingly. If there’s a child with magical power in the womb, their mana interferes with each other.
「In other words, Takeru, the child in sensei-san’s womb is evidently a mage. It’s wonderful news.」
「This is not wonderful at all right now!」
Lyle-sensei got up from the bed, unsteady on her feet, so I hurried to support her.
「You can’t use my magic, and with your body in that state, you can’t go to the battlefield. You must stay in the castle at the royal capital.」
「She’s right, please take care of yourself, sensei.」
She suddenly buried her face in her hands and began to cry.
Why is she crying?
「I can’t be of any help at a time like this.」
「I share the responsibility for this.」
Though it wasn’t the first time, it wasn’t surprising that sensei got pregnant considering the frequency. She wasn’t the most enthusiastic, but my eagerness for making children led to this. I can’t complain about the timing.
「No, it’s my fault… I never thought I’d get pregnant, so I carelessly agreed.」
The tone of sensei’s voice had a certain allure. I realized I had made her truly feel like a woman. Despite her pale face and the tears streaming from her brown eyes, there was something enticing about her. I wanted to hold her, but with her being pregnant, that was out of the question for now.
No, this is no time for such foolish thoughts. The enemy is closing in.
「Oracle, please take sensei to the castle. Rest there, sensei. I’ll handle the chaos here and return to the capital.」
「No, wait! Please wait… the enemy here is too confusing.」
Lyle-sensei lay back on the bed, her long hair disheveled as she gasped for breath, clutching a map of the battlefield tightly, her eyes fixed on it. Her hands were trembling violently, as if she were fighting something unseen. Her heavy breaths eventually grew quiet. Was she really alright?
「Sensei…」
「I will return to the capital, but by carriage. Takeru-dono, you need to hurry back. Listen carefully. The royal capital is going to be attacked.」
She suddenly said something unbelievable.
Usually, she explained things logically, but this was too abrupt, almost like a delirious ramble.
「The royal capital will be attacked!」
「There is no time for detailed explanations. From the enemy’s unexpected movements, we’ve realized they are a formidable foe. Trust me, the volunteer forces and the battalion can handle this battlefield.」
Sensei grabbed the pitcher of water beside the bed and drank it in one gulp.
She didn’t care that water dribbled down her face, gulping noisily. Once she finished, she began to speak again.
「Give my magic rifle and the magic resistant cloak to Milk, and tell him to rescue Sarah.」
「What? Didn’t you take those away from Milk and tell him not to rescue Sarah?」
「The situation has changed… Since they haven’t come here, Sarah will be used as a bargaining chip in the attack on the capital. When that happens, Milk should handle the rescue. Takeru, you must not be lured out. If you go, you might be killed.」
「…..Understood.」
Sensei, breathless and desperate, clung to my neck and screamed.
All I could do was nod and follow her instructions.
「Takeru-dono, I’m worried about you.」
「Sensei…」
Tears streamed uncontrollably from her eyes. This was the first time I had seen Lyle-sensei so emotional and serious. It might be partly due to her pregnancy and emotional instability, but knowing her, it must be more than that. The situation must be dire.
「Listen carefully. Lives have hierarchies. The most important is yours. Next, protect Silhouette and the Germania royalty. They are valuable and won’t be killed immediately even if captured. Rescue Sarah only after ensuring their safety. If necessary, you must abandon her.」
「……Understood.」
Her intensity left me no choice but to agree.
I couldn’t imagine abandoning Sarah-chan, but I wouldn’t know until the moment came.
「The hierarchy of lives… even after I’ve explained it so clearly, I doubt you truly understand, Takeru-dono. You’re too kind-hearted. But know this: if you die, I won’t survive either. You carry that responsibility. If you die, I’ll resent you forever.」
「I understand!」
「It’s frustrating not to be able to go with you in times like these. Oracle-san, please take care of Takeru-dono.」
「Understood, leave it to me.」
As Oracle carried me back to the capital, I felt a sense of urgency tightening around my chest.
If sensei’s prediction was correct, formidable enemies would soon attack the capital.
When I asked how Oracle could fly so easily despite her pregnancy, she simply replied, ‘Demons aren’t as fragile as humans’.
That was reassuring.
Suppressing my anxiety, I hurried back to the capital, hoping to arrive before the enemy.