Chapter 179: Battle of Isoir
In the heart of the Southern Noble Alliance, within the towered city of Isoir, lay the grand central keep—Bergfried Castle. Isoir, a seemingly modest town nestled between the two major domains of the Southern nobility—the Nant Marquisate and the Agené County—was, in truth, governed by a collateral branch of the Silesie royal family: House Blanc, the unifying force among the Southern nobles.
Now, let’s delve into the real players. Leading the remnants of the Nant Marquisate forces—those who had lost their lands—was the third son, Boltaigne. And standing as the de facto ruler was none other than Countess Joséphine of the Agené domain.
But there was another figure, less noble by birth but steadfast in duty. The seasoned mercenary captain, loyal even after the demise of his employer, Marquis Pipin, now took command on the front lines in place of the inexperienced third son.
The Southern Noble Alliance, bolstered by its inherent strength, had rallied ten thousand troops from the remaining territories. Yet, these forces were a patchwork of defeated remnants and hastily conscripted peasants—hardly a formidable assembly.
In stark contrast, the Sarah-chan Volunteer Army grew with each advance. Though numbering seven thousand, their fervor set them apart.
Numbers favored the Southern nobles, but the difference in morale was palpable even among their inexperienced conscripts. Why? Because Acting General Sarah, a farmer’s daughter, had promised the entire Southern lands a year of tax exemption.
The slogan hung in villages across the region: 「Tax Exemption for Volunteers!」 It ignited passion among the people.
Deserters from the noble army flocked to Sarah-chan’s cause, and soon enough, the tide would turn. Even weaker local nobles, cornered by adversity, found themselves defecting to Sarah-chan’s side.
As for me, the conqueror of Nant, I had journeyed to Isoir. But before my arrival, Sarah-chan’s volunteer forces had already swept through Vienne and Castor, securing the Nant Marquisate entirely.
Ah, the clash of armies—the grand confrontation at Isoir, the Southern Noble Alliance’s stronghold. As I stepped into the heart of the Sarah-chan Volunteer Army’s encampment, the air buzzed with activity. It seems that nobles and knights who had forsaken the declining Southern Noble Alliance were now flocking to Sarah-chan’s side.
The evil rulers of villages were punished and killed but surprisingly….the enemy nobles who have switched sides seem to have been accepted by the people.
Sarah-chan had a way of handling things—sometimes with a firm hand, other times with a blade—that surprised everyone.
Inside the lavish tent where Sarah-chan held court, she sat regally upon an opulent chair. Despite her youth, she exuded the authority of a seasoned commander. The Silesie Volunteer Army saw her as more than just their leader; she was the embodiment of Southern peasant resilience.
The tent itself was a spectacle—a crimson velvet carpet stretched across the floor, turning it into a makeshift audience chamber. Nearby, a hastily assembled throne stood. Around it, Sarah-chan’s lieutenants gathered: Milk Rossa, the golden-haired deputy, and Corps Commander Zawa Haruto, the grizzled silver-haired commander, huddled over a strategic map.
Sarah-chan’s staff was an eclectic mix, as I’d heard. Yet, somehow, the balance worked: spirited young volunteers paired with experienced, weathered commanders. A curious harmony.
As I observed their interactions, three aristocratic-looking men who had been currying favor around Sarah-chan suddenly noticed me. They hurried over, their obsequiousness palpable.
「Behold, His Excellency, King General!」「Most honored to meet you!」 「We bow before the kishimojin!」
Kishi what? Was there such a god in Silesie? These eccentric nobles all slid into synchronized prostration at my feet.
「Sarah-chan are these gentlemen nobles?」
Their elaborate ceremonial attire bore family crests—certainly not mere knights. But their groveling lacked the dignity one would expect from nobility. They seemed better at supplication than scheming.
「Yes. My new retainers. From left to right: Baron Hestor, Baron Pator, and Baron Dastor—the ‘Three Crows of Castor,’ or so what they’re called.」
Sarah-chan proudly introduced the three barons, who were in all five.
Their names are both easy and hard to remember. I don’t know.
Picture it: black-haired, stubble-chinned, and with faces that could be interchangeable. Their most distinguishing feature? Their physiques. From left to right: the lanky beanpole, the portly dwarf, and the nondescript middleweight.
Oddly enough, it reminds me of the phrase: ‘Good child, naughty child, and the one in between.’
But here’s the twist: these are barons—with their own territory.
Yet, their humility is striking.
Sure, I’m the king consort, and nobles generally bow their heads. But to see haughty Silesie aristocrats practically kiss the ground—well, that’s a first.
And then they spill their desperate pleas: 「We were coerced by Marquis Pipin!」 「Please spare our lands, Your Majesty!」 「We pledge eternal loyalty to Queen-sama, Hero-sama, and Acting General-sama forever!」
Their fervent bowing has them doing impromptu yoga poses—crab walks and push-ups. It’s almost comical. But I get it—they defected to our side, worried that their lands might be forfeit.
If salvation lies in groveling, they’ll polish the earth with their foreheads. Ask them to dance, and they’d pirouette without hesitation.
Their claim of being coerced by Marquis Pipin might not be entirely false. After all, local nobles care more about their own domains than who sits atop the distant kingdom.
「Shall we let their fiefdoms be? They’re surprisingly resourceful.」
「Well, Acting General Sarah-chan has been leading the charge on the Southern front. As for their fate, I’ll let Sarah-chan decide. If they’ve switched allegiances, grant them land. But we won’t take lives—even from the most resistant nobles.」
At first glance, the three crows appeared rather unremarkable, their faces thin and seemingly skilled only in flattery. Yet, if Sarah-chan vouched for them, there must be something intriguing about them.
Frankly, a minor lord with small territory mattered little to me.
「Truly, the hero-sama of Silesie!」 「What generosity!」 「Humanity’s hope!」
Their praise flowed comically as I promised them their rightful domains.
They were an audacious bunch—more suited to being court jesters than nobles.
「Still as sweet as sugar, Takeri. But I wouldn’t spare any noble or knight who resisted until the end.」
「True. But think about it, there should be useful men among the stubbornly resisting nobles.」
Among those I’d brought was Magistrate Geoffrey.
The Nant Marquisate, part of the Southern Noble Alliance, I intended to annex most of its lands as royal territory. However, my true desire lay solely with Nant—the grandest port city in the Silesie Kingdom. I planned to use it as our naval stronghold.
And Nant’s harbor would be entrusted directly to Geoffrey as it is.
Only if he wants to. His abilities—useful both in peace and war—shouldn’t go to waste.
「Well, Takeru is our king, after all. We must obey. As for me, perhaps this is my final stint as the acting general.」
「No. Sarah-chan will continue leading. You can even use the troops I’ve brought. You’ll take all the credit. It’s what Lyle-sensei desires.」
I hadn’t yet told Sarah-chan, but once the Southern turmoil settled completely…
In recognition of her extraordinary efforts—beyond even my and Lyle-sensei’s expectations—I planned to grant her the County of Ajene.
She had her reckless tendencies, but rewarding valor was only fair.
Indeed, the prospect of Sarah-chan becoming a Countess seems fitting. Her strong independence might serve her well in governance.
To achieve that, we must swiftly end the civil war in Silesie.
※※※
The enemy, despite clumsily attempting to wield cannons and muskets, lacks effective tactical knowledge.
There are ample vulnerabilities to exploit.
「Very well, let’s begin—」
「Nation’s father, may I interrupt?」
Before I could complete what I’m trying to say and show Sarah-chan and the others that I could take command without Lyle-sensei, Kaara, who was looking at the map as if peeking at me from behind, interrupted.
「What is it, Kaara?」
「The enemy’s formation—it’s rather crude.」
True, their formation appeared rigid, yet overly dense. They possessed firearms, including cannons, but seemed oblivious to the devastation of coordinated volleys.
「Exactly. That’s why I intend to teach Sarah-chan and the others modern tactics.」
「What if our Fire Dragon Corps launches an airborne assault on their main stronghold?」
「Ah, an aerial tactic.」
「Similar to the airborne assault employed by nation’s father in our previous battle. In this case, I concur that it will be the most effective. Of course, I believe you’ve already considered such strategic nuances.」
…..While I hadn’t initially thought of it, the Fire Dragons were indeed part of my plan. However, facing an enemy prepared even with artillery and musketeers, I’d assumed a conventional battle.
But now I realized: our Fire Dragons had demonstrated that ordinary cannons couldn’t reach them. So why not leap over the enemy lines and seize the heart of their stronghold—the Bergfried Tower?
We will win no matter what strategy we’ll use but Kaara’s proposed strategy minimize casualties—a most effective approach.
Our unsuspecting foes would soon learn the power of aerial assault.
「Very well, shall we launch an aerial assault and swiftly sever the enemy’s head?」
「With all due respect!」
Before I could even articulate my intention to demonstrate my command capabilities independently of Lyle-sensei, one of the loyal Burgundian retainers—Magistrate Geoffrey—prostrated himself before me.
「What is it, Geoffrey?」
「Our adversary is our rightful lord. May I propose a surrender?」
「So, you want to negotiate surrender?」
「Yes.」
Ah, yes.
That was his purpose here—to facilitate surrender. Yet, as I surveyed the battlefield, victory seemed assured.
Honestly, beheading the enemy commander right away would be far simpler. But Geoffrey had come this far, and his position mattered. It was wiser to accept surrender and minimize casualties rather than spill blood needlessly.
Despite being rebels, these soldiers were still Silesien citizens.
「Very well, I’ll accompany you. Let’s go together.」
「Are you suggesting this old man ride a dragon and soar through the skies….?」
I’m saying I’ll take you with me but, why are you backing out?
Of course, it was a daunting prospect for someone unaccustomed to such flights. Even Germania’s renowned knight, ‘Ironclad’ Herman, had been wary of flying in the sky.
It is understandable that an elder would hesitate.
「Ah, Magistrate Geoffrey. If it’s too much, don’t worry. For the sake of your young master, I’ll kill as little as possible.」
「No, if it’s for the young master, I shall go.」
Despite trembling legs and near-teary eyes, he clung to the Fire Dragon’s back. His loyalty, unwavering even in the face of death, was admirable.
As we flew toward Isoir Castle, I couldn’t help but hear odd exclamations from behind—Geoffrey’s unique cries of ‘Eek!’ and ‘Whoa!’ Yet, I paid them no mind.
The enemy forces within the main tower, Bergfried, had mostly lost their will to fight upon seeing the sky filled with countless dragons. Still, a few knights dared to lose arrows.
But Kaara’s wind magic deflected those arrows effortlessly.
The shockwaves, deftly deflecting without needless bloodshed—Kaara has indeed become quite compassionate.
The knights flung away by the impact might have fallen from the high tower’s windows, perhaps meeting an untimely end. But in war, we mustn’t dwell on such details.
「This is Sawatari Takeru, King General of Silesie! The disparity in strength is evident. Cease futile resistance and surrender—I grant you mercy!」
My stern proclamation, amplified by Kaara’s magic, compelled the enemy soldiers to raise their hands as we advanced toward the throne room.
Most knights and foot soldiers had lost their will to fight, but there were a few obstinate ones.
「What kind of hero are you? Who would bow to an upstart king?」
「Your defiance is pointless.」
Those who charged or aimed bows our way met the unyielding fire of my magical rifle. Each shot, flames erupting, shattered enemy skulls, eliciting horrified cries from the surrounding troops.
Among the surrendered soldiers, murmurs arose: ‘So this is the lightning magic of Silesie’s hero…’ Well, it was quite different. After all, hadn’t their own forces wielded muskets?
Observing the absence of cannons or gun-wielding soldiers within Bergfried, the main tower, it seemed the conservative knights struggled with modern weaponry. Ironically, newcomers—peasants or mercenaries—adapted more swiftly, unburdened by outdated training.
※
With minimal resistance, we reached the summit of Bergfried, where the audience chamber awaited.
Seated upon the throne was Bonjour Isoir Blanc, nominal head of the Southern Noble Alliance forces.
His face powdered white, Bonjour-kun appeared no older than twelve. However, the true power lay with the heir of House Burgund—the third son of Marquis Pipin—Boltaigne Nant Burgund, standing nearby. Funny how titles and reality diverged.
Boltaigne-kun, still bearing traces of youth on his face at the tender age of eighteen, resides atop this castle—a privileged scion. However, his mediocrity and tendency to be a hindrance keep him confined to this lofty perch.
The Southern Noble Alliance, it seems, has truly lost its leadership. A dire situation, indeed.
The Alliance’s military functions precariously, sustained only by the diligent mercenary captain, Zephyranzas Silva, who was once in the employ of the late Marquis Pipin. Should the Burgund family admit defeat, Zephyranzas’s contract would also come to an end. Thus, if we can subdue this young lord, our victory is assured.
「Insolent hero of Silesie… To ascend this far!」
Boltaigne draws his sword, but I no longer harbor any intention of raising my gun. A single glance reveals whether he possesses combat experience.
Boltaigne’s awkward movements resemble those of an untrained peasant more than a seasoned warrior. Above all, there’s no trace of a killer’s intent. Perhaps he has yet to face real combat; truthfully, even if I stand here motionless, he won’t strike me down.
He clings to the hilt of his sword, trembling. Despite his initial bold approach, it’s clear he hadn’t thought beyond this point. I find myself more amused than concerned about this young warrior’s intentions.
Suddenly, a white-haired elder rushes in, panting. It’s Geoffrey, the loyal retainer of House Burgund. Lucky for you, Boltaigne-kun, help has arrived.
「Ah, there you are! Young master, the hero of Silesie has decreed that for now, only your lands shall be confiscated—neither your residence nor your life. I implore you to surrender, relying on the hero’s mercy.」
「And what of our beloved city of Nant?」
「Everything has fallen into the hero’s hands; there is no longer any trace of the Marquis of Nant’s domain. Young master, your duty now lies in preserving the Burgund lineage, in staying alive!」
「But gramps, even though I’ve tarnished the illustrious Burgund name, I am still the last legitimate heir! Despite achieving the rank of general, I have accomplished nothing. How can I beg for my life without even having fought?」
「Young master, if you truly wish to wield your sword, then please strike me down first. I, an inept knight who failed to protect our cherished city, should be the one to pay the price.」
「It’s inconceivable that you would harm an old man like me…」
As the Boltaigne-kun gazes upon the prostrate elderly knight before him, he seems genuinely moved. Tears well up in the eyes of this inexperienced warrior.
「Young master! Please reconsider!」
「Very well, gramps, say no more! Your excellency, the King General. The House of Burgund has surrendered. I implore you to extend your mercy not only to us but also to our young sovereign.」
With those words, Boltaigne bows alongside the oblivious young king.
And so, one matter is resolved.
「By young sovereign are you referring to this young lad?」
「And who might you be? I am Bonjour Isoir Blanc of the House of Blanc…..Silesie Albert, yeah?. The rightful king of Silesie!」
Draped in a flimsy robe adorned with gold leaf and wearing a cheap crown, his face powdered white, he is the very embodiment of ornamentation.
This child is related to Brynie, the former Count of Lorraine and head of the Blanc family. Now, as Lord Isoir, he leads the Blanc family.
「Can you recognize the title of King General of Silesie? Well, Bonjour-kun, unfortunately, you won’t become a king. The Burgund family’s surrender means our defeat.」
「Is that so? Then I suppose I won’t be a king after all.」
Ah, Bonjour-kun. Surprisingly compliant.
I half-expected some token resistance, but instead, he seems genuinely disheartened. Still a boy with an unchanged voice, quite endearing.
「Indeed, you won’t become a king, and your lands are forfeit. I’ll allow you to keep your residence; from now on, live quietly.」
「Is that so? Very well, I understand. May it be as you say.」
He doesn’t seem to grasp the situation fully, but then again, children often parrot what they’re taught by adults.
Now, why is it that the Blanc family, ostensibly ruling the southern reaches of the Kingdom of Silesie, all resemble cherubic youths? Their powdered faces and delicate brows are almost charming.
Will this winsome lad eventually transform into an arrogant, despicable noble like Brynie?
I guess that will be dependent on his education.
While I won’t stoop to harming this mere child, naturally, we’ll seize the entire Isoir Barony—the key southern stronghold.
The Blanc family, having lost their entire domain, are no longer even nobles, let alone a prestigious house. They’re no longer cause for concern.
Word has reached the front lines that the enemy’s main bastion, Fort Bergfried, has surrendered, its white flag raised. Most soldiers promptly laid down their arms.
With the Zephyranzas Mercenaries—whose contract had expired—being the linchpin of the enemy forces, continuing the war was simply impossible.
When a home base falls, armies reveal their true fragility.