Chapter 324
Time rewinds a little.
The night before the departure of the forces, decided for the subjugation of Boldrinde.
"Lord Shizuma, why have you gathered everyone?"
In the mansion that Liberta had asked Duke Edelgard to prepare for them, everyone who had migrated from the eastern continent was gathered in the great hall.
The one who had called them was Genjiro Shizuma, now the head of the organization known as the Otoban-shu.
"Everyone, I have something I need you to hear."
The man who had called them together was seated formally, his expression severe as he waited for everyone to assemble. Once he confirmed all were present, he opened his tightly sealed lips.
"It is about what our Lord has done for us."
His expression was so serious, it gave off a dangerous atmosphere that seemed to say anyone making a joke would be cut down without mercy.
"Our Lord provided us with food, clothing, and shelter. He pays us a salary, even though we have yet to accomplish any military exploits. For a child who fell ill from the fatigue of travel, he arranged a doctor and provided medicine."
What came from his mouth, with that earnest expression, were tales of their daily life after arriving from the eastern continent.
For Genjiro and his people, who had been looked down upon, if not outright persecuted, in their original home, their loyalty to Liberta, who treated them with more than just 'good' treatment, was skyrocketing.
One of Genjiro's subordinates, who had a sick child, nodded vigorously, recalling how Liberta had immediately arranged for a doctor when he heard the child had caught a cold.
"He mediated relations for us, who have no acquaintances here, with Duke Edelgard's soldiers, creating opportunities for us to interact and bond through martial prowess."
He had even arranged mock battles to dispel any discontent that might arise from this preferential treatment, allowing both sides to understand each other's strength and making clear to all the reason why Liberta treated them so well.
Now, they were rivals, competing in strength with Duke Edelgard's private soldiers.
"And above all, he has made us stronger."
Furthermore, thanks to Liberta's knowledge, their levels had risen to unprecedented heights, they had gained new skills, and they were equipped with fine weapons and armor of a quality they had never used or worn before.
Neatly arranged behind Genjiro was the armor they would don tomorrow.According to Liberta's taste, "If they're samurai, it's gotta be the Red Armor, right?", a splendid set of vermilion-colored armor.He had prepared eastern-style armor familiar to Genjiro and his men, prioritizing their ease of use.
To Liberta himself, it was purely a matter of personal taste, the result of prioritizing his personal sentiment of "I like Sanada Yukimura's Red Armor," but to Genjiro and his men, it felt like they had been given equipment so generous they should weep with gratitude.
Just this much was a story so fantastical that if their past selves heard it, they'd likely laugh, thinking they were drunk. Yet, it was all reality.
And everything up to this point was known by everyone present.
No one voiced a question as to why he was repeating this now, but expressions of not quite grasping the intention behind his words were visible on their faces.
"But that is not all."
Answering that unspoken question, Genjiro slowly recalled the story Liberta had told him when he wasn't in this very room, carefully choosing his words to convey it to those present.
"Our Lord has promised to grant us a land of permanent settlement."**" " " " " "What!?" " " " " "**
Those who heard this stirred as one.Genjiro had heard this story just the other day.
He had been summoned to Liberta's private room during a break in training.
That day's training had been lightened in preparation for the upcoming battle, something Genjiro found unsatisfying.Even if he were exhausted, he was resolved to answer Liberta's summons no matter what, so he went to see him with light steps.
* `'Thank you for coming after your training.'`* `'Not at all. If our Lord calls, I come running immediately.'`
In the room were Liberta himself, who had summoned him, and his maid, Ingrid.He entered as Liberta was holding a brush, writing various things on a large piece of paper.
His previous lord would have taken his immediate arrival for granted, without a word of thanks.Thus, Liberta's words felt fresh, further increasing his loyalty—something Liberta remained unaware of—as he temporarily moved away from the large paper and faced Genjiro.
* `'Right, I called you because there's something I wanted to ask you, Genjiro.'`* `'Something you wish to ask me?'`
He had thought that since he was summoned, there must be some business.However, Genjiro, who had assumed the content would be about conveying orders for a military exploit or something similar, found it a little strange but asked in return what the question was.
* `'I said before that if we defeat Azhdaha in this battle, I'd get land from His Majesty no matter what and create an independent city, right?'`* `'Yes. You said that, and asked for our help. We also promised to offer our meager assistance.'`* `'Right. I was thinking about the reward for that assistance.'`* `'We are already more than sufficiently rewarded. To receive anything beyond that...'`* `'No—absolutely not. Faithful rewards for service. If I have you work, I must pay proper compensation, or your motivation won't rise, right?'`
Food, clothing, shelter, payment of gold, bestowal of weapons and armor.From Genjiro's perspective, he felt he was receiving too much, and at the same time, he began to feel inwardly frantic, thinking that the words Con said jokingly to lighten the mood—"If we're given this much and can't accomplish anything, we're incompetent"—were becoming increasingly real.
From Liberta's perspective, having never been shown such loyalty before, he didn't know how to respond, so he had asked Lady Esmeralda, the daughter of a ruler, how he should reward them.
* `'So, I've decided to create a village for Genjiro and your people within my independent city.'`* `'......What did you just say?'`
Lady Esmeralda had said that the greatest anxiety for immigrants is having no place to belong, so why not give them that? Liberta, convinced by her "I see," modified the specifications of the independent city blueprint he was designing.
* `'I'm planning to have Genjiro and your people maintain public order in the independent city. In that case, it's better to create a place within the city where you can live and manage your affairs, prepare fields near the city, and ensure your clan can live properly, right? Huh!? Genjiro, why are you crying!?'`
As Liberta showed Genjiro the draft of that blueprint, Genjiro couldn't look directly at him through his tears.Why does this person keep giving us what we desire? The question arose in Genjiro's heart.He wondered why Liberta would do this for a man like himself, whose only skill was swinging a sword, but that doubt was quickly blown away.Wiping his tears, he saw the draft depicted a village designed in the style of the eastern continent.
It was the scenery of the homeland he thought he had discarded.Even if he had resigned himself to it, he hadn't abandoned his feelings for his homeland.
The thought that he could have it again made Genjiro kneel on the spot.
* `'If you would bestow such an excessive reward upon us, then this Genjiro Shizuma shall answer any command you give!'`
He pledged his loyalty anew to Liberta, who would grant his clan peace and stability.We shall omit the part where, after this pledge of loyalty, Liberta reportedly showed him the blueprint with a wry smile and tried to ask for his preferences, causing Genjiro to shed even more copious tears.
"Everyone, in this upcoming battle. We, the Otoban-shu, have been honored with the role of the First Spear."
Just hearing that story was enough to make the great hall overflow with people sniffling and shedding tears.Yet, not a single one lowered their face, unwilling to miss a word of Genjiro's voice.
"Then, you understand."
Seeing those tears, Genjiro continued, weaving his words as if impressing them upon everyone.
"It would be a disgrace to receive such generous rewards from our Lord and offer nothing in return."
At these words, not just the samurai, but everyone present, including their families, nodded simultaneously.
"We must distinguish ourselves, take heads. For our Lord's plans to proceed smoothly in all matters, we must perform military exploits."
The samurai, their eyes red, nodded.
"Listen well, listen carefully. The battlefield is not just here. From now on, and forever after, calamities will likely rain down upon our Lord. If that is so, then this battle is merely a prelude. To support our Lord's future glory that lies ahead, not a single one of you is permitted to die on this battlefield!"
They would normally say that death is honorable.But Genjiro, thinking that dying on the battlefield would mean they could not fully repay the debt they owed Liberta, forbade both himself and his subordinates from dying carelessly.
"In this battle, we shall offer our Lord nothing less than total victory! Understood! To die in this battle is a disgrace!"**" " " " " "OU!" " " " " "**
If Liberta were to see this scene, he would probably understand why the Evil God cult valued them so highly.
At the same time, he would probably be breaking into a cold sweat, thinking, "Isn't this loyalty a bit too heavy?"
However, Liberta was not present here.
Pumped up by Genjiro's words, everyone went to sleep early.For Genjiro and his men, being too excited to sleep was unthinkable; the next morning, not a single one overslept. They clad themselves in their familiar Red Armor.
Mounted on their Griffons, they became denizens of the sky.Quietly, yes, quietly, they suppressed the inner heat and waited for the time of battle.
"We've arrived."
The battlefield came into view.Genjiro looked down from the sky upon the bandits' hideout.
He had heard that a man named Boldrinde was there, and he had confirmed his face from a painting.
He could see the enemy lookouts noticing the massive force in the air, becoming noisy.
Uncrossing his arms, he placed a hand on the sword at his hip.
He waited for the time indicated by Liberta.
As the wyverns and griffons carrying Edelgard's private soldiers circled and began to take up positions surrounding the ruins, they entered their landing posture.
But Genjiro and his men waited in place.
Hundreds of soldiers descended, and a few minutes after the ruins were surrounded, it happened.
"Magnificent."
Genjiro let out a sigh of admiration at the sight.
A white barrier deployed from eight points of origin.
The Purification Barrier, a barrier that imbues the area within with the effects of Purify and Turn Undead.
A countermeasure to prevent souls from being absorbed by Azhdaha by purifying them and sending them to heaven.
A sphere of light moved into the air above the barrier, and a gentle song, unbefitting of a battlefield, began to flow.
Amina's singing of the 'Hymn' strengthened the effects of Purify and Turn Undead even further.
So, what happens then?
"Everyone! Charge!!"**" " " " "OU!!!" " " " "**
Now, even if they fight and kill here, there's no worry of the souls being absorbed by Azhdaha.
Guiding their Griffons, the group in red armor charged in a steep dive.
"The Apostle of the Goddess of Wisdom! Liberta-sama's First Spear! Genjiro Shizuma! Advancing upon you!!"
Leaping from his Griffon even before it landed, he weaved through the arrows fired by the lookouts.
"One!!"
In the moment he passed, he beheaded a man who looked like a bandit.
"Two!"
Genjiro and his men showed no mercy to the panicking bandits.The pleas for mercy of thieves were not worth hearing.
"Three!!"
After cutting down all the bandits on the spot, they tried to proceed to the castle gate, but...
"Stop them!!"
Genjiro spotted soldiers wearing fine armor standing in their way.
"That head is miiine!!!!"
Without hesitation, he flung himself into the midst of the enemy soldiers.
"Leave it! That head! Leave it behind!!"
The soldier, momentarily cowed by the ferocious fighting spirit, had his head reaped by Genjiro.
"Become a feat for our Lord!!"
And thus, the atmosphere of the battlefield was dyed in their color all at once.