Episode 124: Dagrom Fortress City

　Upon returning to the Eastern Front Army’s encampment, Siegfried promptly set about relocating their base.

　Up until now, they had been camping in a valley along the border between Kirchhen and Serodonia.

　However, he withdrew the army all the way back to Dagrom Fortress City, away from there.

　The reason was simple and straightforward. Dagrom was far more livable for the soldiers.

　When he informed the officers of this, Siegfried explained it like so.

“Summer is approaching soon, but that valley gets especially hot. It’s due to the foehn effect.”

“Eh, me?”

　Fen asked.

“No, not you.”

　Siegfried calmly denied it.

“To put it simply, it’s a weather phenomenon where wind releases latent heat through rainfall and such as it ascends the mountain, and then, as it descends, the temperature rises due to adiabatic compression. That said, there seem to be other interpretations as well.”

“Ah, ahh… I see. Yeah, got it. So that’s how it is.”

　Fen nodded repeatedly, as if understanding.

“Nah, no need to pretend you get it… I don’t understand it either.”

　Leon chimed in.

　Siegfried continued his explanation.

“In any case—now that peace has been established with the Serodonia Kingdom, there’s no need to keep the Eastern Front Army stationed there. We’ll retreat to Dagrom Fortress City.”

　After a brief pause following those words, Beatrice quietly inquired.

“May I ask about the outlook going forward? …With the peace agreement in place, the Eastern Front Army’s original role has essentially been lost. Should we assume there will be a large-scale reorganization?”

　That seemed like a reasonable assessment.

　The possibility that Serodonia might suddenly break the peace and invade Kirchhen existed in theory, but it was unlikely in reality.

　In that case, it would be natural for the Eastern Front Army’s personnel to be reduced, with the surplus forces redistributed to other fronts.

“The disposition of the Eastern Front Army will likely be decided by an order from His Majesty King Luverios in due time. Until then, as commander, I’ll act within my authority. First, training. And I plan to deploy soldiers for civil engineering work and such to aid in the reconstruction of the devastated surrounding villages. —I haven’t touched on the core of Beatrice’s question, but this is all I can say for now.”

“…So, in other words, you’re not gonna tell us how things are gonna shake out.”

　Dominik shrugged his shoulders.

“As the one leading you all—I’ll disclose all information I deem necessary. The reason I’m not revealing it now is because the time hasn’t come yet.”

“Playing it close to the chest, huh.”

“If you really want the information that badly, try taking it by force. No, it’s not limited to information. If you want to take something from me—come and seize it with your own hands anytime. I’ll be waiting.”

　Siegfried’s eyes were as cold as ice, yet the smile playing on his lips was thoroughly amused.

“…Nah, nah, you’re joking, right? No matter how many lives I had, it wouldn’t be enough.”

　Dominik gave a wry smile and lightly raised both hands in surrender.

 

◇

 

　By Siegfried’s orders, the Eastern Front Army relocated to Dagrom Fortress City.

　This city served as a defensive stronghold anticipating an invasion from the Serodonian forces, and it also functioned as a supply depot.

　It was essentially the counterpart to Pastrier Fortress City on the Serodonian side.

　The soldiers were assigned barracks within the city as their living quarters.

　The rooms weren’t particularly spacious, but compared to life in the encampment, the comfort level was worlds apart.

　On top of that, Siegfried divided the troops into two groups, granting them alternating leave, and even provided temporary bonuses.

　Needless to say, the source of these bonuses was Bertram’s inheritance.

“Humans are driven by desires. If you reward victory with money and time off, they’ll fight with their lives on the line next time too.”

　Those were Siegfried’s words.

　That said, Siegfried had also declared this.

“Those who break discipline will receive appropriate punishment.”

　And so.

　Several days after the Eastern Front Army’s base was moved to Dagrom, on a certain night—.

“Gahahahaha!”

“Ahyahyahya!”

　Vulgar laughter echoed from a tavern in Dagrom Fortress City.

　Then, the tavern door swung open, and about five men stumbled out onto the street.

　All of them were soldiers from the Eastern Front Army, their faces flushed from having drunk their fill.

“Hyahaha, feels great…”

“Nah, I’m not done drinking at all!”

“Huh? You wanna keep going? There ain’t any places open anymore, y’know? Should we head back to the barracks and continue?”

“That ain’t bad, but… it feels lacking somehow…”

“What does?”

“We’re missing the key thing… Women, y’know.”

“Yeah… that’s true.”

　In a major city like the capital Kirchherion, there were women who would entertain men for a price.

　But in this Dagrom Fortress City, such women didn’t exist.

　That said, it wasn’t as if there were no women at all.

　This city functioned not only as a military base but also as a town in its own right.

　A certain number of women lived here, working in various occupations—but they were accustomed to being approached by soldiers.

　They wouldn’t easily fall for pickup lines just because they were flirted with.

“Tch, no women around… kinda kills the vibe.”

　Many of the Eastern Front Army soldiers came from commoner backgrounds. However, looking closer at their origins, they weren’t all the same.

　Some were former thugs who caused trouble back home, lost their place, and ended up drifting into the military.

　These five were of that sort.

“Anything fun to do… Oh!”

　One of the men raised his voice.

“Hey, look… over there.”

　The man lowered his voice and pointed to an alley ahead.

　Even though it was already the hot season, a figure completely enveloped in a hooded cloak was walking quietly.

　From the way they moved and carried themselves, it was highly likely a woman.

　And in the instant they turned the corner of the alley—a profile peeked out from the gap in the hood.

　Pale skin, blue eyes. Well-defined features.

　It was just a glimpse of the side of their face, but the beauty was enough to take one’s breath away.

　The men whispered to each other.

“…Hey, that woman. She’s top-tier, ain’t she?”

“—Yeah.”

“Let’s have a little fun with her.”

“You mean attack her? Breaking discipline… that’s harsh punishment, y’know?”

“As long as we don’t get caught, no problem.”

“…Right.”

　They exchanged sharp glances and nodded silently to each other.

　Muffling their footsteps, they followed after the hooded figure.

　And the moment the figure reached a deserted, dark spot.

“Hey, miss—wanna play with us a bit?”

　The men closed in all at once, surrounding the figure from all sides and blocking the way.

　The hooded figure lowered their head, quickly hiding their face.

“Heh… Too late to hide now. You’re… a young woman, right?”

“…No, I’m not.”

　A faint, whispering voice came from deep within the hood.

“Don’t lie.”

“C’mon, little lady. Just a bit is fine, entertain us and we’ll be good.”

“Hehe… Don’t be so against it.”

　One of the men approached, reaching out to grab the hooded figure’s arm. —At that moment.

“Oi, you bastards! What the hell are you doing!”

　Suddenly, a sharp voice echoed through the back alley.

　The startled men all turned toward it at once.

　Emerging from the dim depths of the alley was a tall man with a rugged build evident even through his clothes.

“L-Leon… Infantry Captain!”

　The men all froze in place like statues.

“W-Why is Infantry Captain Leon here!?”

“I’m patrolling to make sure punks like you ain’t causing trouble!”

“W-We weren’t causing any trouble…!”

　One of the men tried to explain with a sycophantic smile.

“We were just, uh… asking this woman for directions…!”

“Don’t give me that lame excuse! Anyway, get away from that person right now…”

　There, Leon’s movements stopped.

　As if realizing something, his eyes widened. A short silence.

　Then—a big sigh escaped his lips.

“Ah… Never mind. Do whatever you want.”

“…Huh?”

　At Leon’s unexpected words, the men looked around at each other.

　And—the one who spoke up was the hooded figure.

　Different from the earlier whisper… a quiet, composed, low voice.

“…What, you’re not going to help?”

“You don’t need it, do you?”

“—True enough.”

　Muttering that, the figure quietly removed the face-concealing hood.

　What appeared was… silver hair shining in the night darkness, and cool blue eyes.

“I’m not some damsel princess, but a villain—indeed, I don’t need rescuing.”

　Siegfried wore a smile as cold as ice.