Episode 71: Where the Responsibility Lies

“Th-that can’t be true!?”

“L-Lord Gregor!?”

“He’s the head of a count’s family!? T-To think he’d be killed so easily like this…!”

　At Gregor’s death, his subordinate soldiers showed tremendous shock.

　And then, a new development arose in the chaotic battlefield.

“Wh-what…!”

　The soldiers of Gregor’s army raised their voices in surprise.

　From between the buildings, soldiers of Siegfried’s army began appearing one after another.

　Moreover… it wasn’t from just one direction.

　In the central square surrounded by buildings, Siegfried’s army emerged from all directions, completely encircling them.

“As ordered, the encirclement is complete.”

　The one who appeared leading the soldiers was the deputy commander of the Kreving family’s infantry unit—Dominik.

　Having received Siegfried’s orders, he had completely surrounded the square while the enemies were distracted by Siegfried’s battle.

“U… uh, ah…”

　With both Gregor and Reginald already dead, there was no escape.

　The soldiers of Gregor’s army had no options left.

“W-We surrender! Count Kreving!”

　One soldier threw down his weapon, knelt on the ground, and showed his intent to submit.

“I-I surrender as well!”

“I… I won’t resist either!”

　Following the first one, the soldiers one after another discarded their weapons and knelt.

　It spread like a chain reaction, and in the blink of an eye, all the soldiers declared their surrender to Siegfried.

 

◇

 

　A short while later.

　All the knights and soldiers of Gregor’s army had been disarmed, their arms bound with ropes, and they were restrained.

　One among them asked Siegfried in a frightened voice.

“Wh-what’s going to happen to us…? Y-You wouldn’t… hold a court-martial or anything like that, right?”

　The soldier wore a flattering smile toward Siegfried.

　If it came to a court-martial, they would likely be charged with crimes as well. But they had surrendered.

　It shouldn’t lead to such harsh punishment.

　Please, anything but a court-martial. It was a desperate smile like that.

　However, Siegfried’s response was merciless.

“You all, who didn’t stop the unreasonable requisitions, are equally guilty as Gregor. Furthermore, you turned your blades against us who pointed it out. According to kingdom law, this falls under ‘military disturbance crime.’ Considering these two offenses… a court-martial followed by the death penalty—that seems appropriate.”

“N-No way…! W-We had no choice! We were forced to obey!”

“Oh… no choice, huh.”

　Siegfried muttered coldly.

“In other words, it’s all Gregor and Reginald’s fault?”

“Y-Yes, exactly! We were just following orders!”

　To that answer, Siegfried nodded with a cold smile.

　Then, he approached the bound knights and spoke quietly.

“According to the soldiers, the blame lies with Gregor and Reginald. But—you knights should have been able to stop them. Am I wrong?”

　Knights under a noble house are essentially the family’s executives. It’s common for them to have a certain degree of influence.

“N-No, that’s…!”

“Not doing so means—I have no choice but to see you as actively cooperating with the requisitions. You forced reluctant soldiers to carry them out. This is a clear violation of military regulations and kingdom law.”

“Th-That’s not true!”

　To the knight desperately denying it, Siegfried questioned.

“Oh… what’s not true? Didn’t you drive the unwilling soldiers forcefully?”

“Th-That’s what I’m saying is wrong! …Th-Those soldiers were happily doing the requisitions!”

　Shouting that, the knight pointed at the soldiers.

　The soldiers pointed at clearly showed agitation, their faces stiffening.

“Th-That’s a lie! As if we’d do something like that…”

“Who’s the one lying here! You said it with such glee, ‘Make sure to give us our share too’!”

“Wh-What…! If you’re going to say that, then you… you were the one egging on Knight Commander Reginald! ‘Why don’t we requisition from some village around here to blow off some steam’…”

“D-Don’t spout nonsense…!”

　Starting with that ugly exchange, the blame-shifting began between the knights and soldiers of Gregor’s army.

　No, it wasn’t just that. Even among the knights themselves and the soldiers themselves, they shouted their own innocence and tried to pin the blame on others.

　As for Siegfried, he pretended to listen earnestly to their arguments, nodding as if to say “I see.”

　And then—.

“—I understand what you’re all trying to say.”

　Siegfried announced in a calm voice. At those words, both knights and soldiers stopped their arguing and turned their gazes toward him.

“All of you—the death penalty.”

““Wh-what…!””

　At Siegfried’s declaration, both knights and soldiers gasped.

“Putting together what you’ve said—everyone was eagerly participating in the requisitions. It’s not the first time I’ve seen such ugly blame-shifting… but with a scale of 100 people, it’s quite a spectacle. It was splendid third-rate villainy. For that effort, I’ll give you a reward from me.”

　Siegfried quietly channeled magic into his arm.

　Then, he slammed his fist into the abdomen of the knight in front of him.

“Gah…! Ugaaaaaaah!”

　Magic Penetration Strike— a technique that uses magic to destroy the target from the inside.

　A technique that infuses magic into the body and destroys it from within.

　Siegfried was holding back the power.

　Therefore, it wouldn’t lead to death.

　But they would suffer pain that couldn’t be healed even by recovery magic, over a long period.

　With an expressionless face, Siegfried continued to drive magic into the knights and soldiers one by one.

“This is your reward for exposing your ugliness as third-rate villains—. I won’t kill you here and now. Instead, you’ll be court-martialed and sentenced to death. Until then—suffer plenty from the fear of death and the magic in your bodies.”

“Wh-Why! I-I’m not at fault…!”

　Then, one soldier screamed. At those words, Siegfried stopped his hand.

“Oh… even now, you still claim innocence?”

“Y-Yes! I really was just forced to go along with it…”

　To the soldier desperately listing excuses, Siegfried quietly asked.

“Then—why were you smiling?”

“Eh…?”

“When Reginald said ‘Hand over the women.’ You were smiling. Furthermore, you egged him on with ‘Let’s kill one villager or so as an example.’”

“Wh-Why do you…!”

　Indeed, that was the truth. And it wouldn’t be strange if Siegfried had been watching that scene from the shadows of the houses.

　However, there were over 100 soldiers there. To pick him out from among them and even remember his words—that was impossible by common sense.

　But for Siegfried, it was only natural.

“Let me tell you one thing. I—never overlook villains.”

　Whether there are a hundred or a thousand.

　Siegfried’s eyes discern evil and remember it.

　Because—he loves the existence of villains more than anyone.

　Something he loves—he could never misjudge.

“I was watching all of you. Among you—there wasn’t a single one with an expression trying to stop Gregor or Reginald. Rather, everyone was enjoying it eagerly. You were one of them too.”

　Without hesitation, Siegfried clenched his fist and slammed it into the soldier’s abdomen.

“Gaah! Guaaaaaa!”

　The screams of despair and agony echoed through the village square.