Episode 133: March into Deadly Ground

　Right after declaring his intent to subjugate Siegfried to the soldiers. Returning indoors from the balcony, Luverios and Joachim exchanged words quietly.

“That was truly a magnificent speech. Under Your Majesty’s radiant authority and exceptional leadership, the annihilation of Siegfried is inevitable.”

“Spare me the transparent flattery, Joachim.”

　With a sharp gaze, Luverios cut off Joachim’s words.

“Allying with the Holy Church and crushing Siegfried with overwhelming forces—that’s all there is to it. It’s not as if we’ll win through my authority or leadership. I’m well aware of that much.”

　Then, after a brief pause, he continued in a low voice.

“More importantly… is there no chance the Holy Church will turn against us? After all, we’re making use of the power of Lugdura, one of the ‘Seven Great Calamities.’ If that reaches the Holy Church’s ears—we ourselves could become targets for subjugation.”

　Siegfried had pulled off the remarkable feat of allying with Garfilia during the overthrow of Volfirio. If something similar happened and the Holy Church joined hands with Siegfried, it would be the worst possible development.

“Rest assured. The Kirchhen royal family has maintained favorable relations with the Holy Church for many years. No matter what Siegfried might scheme, the Holy Church will not side with him.”

　Kirchhen always sends envoys to offer congratulations at the Holy Church’s ceremonies. Donations from the royal family to the Holy Church are made without fail every year.

　This is nothing more than a calculated diplomatic maneuver to avoid making the massive religious power an enemy. —Yet, that accumulation has indeed built a solid foundation of trust.

　Even if Siegfried were to expose that “Luverios and his allies are utilizing the power of Lugdura, one of the ‘Seven Great Calamities,’” it was hard to imagine the Holy Church would take it seriously.

“If anything—it would be convenient if the Holy Church and Siegfried ended up destroying each other.”

　No matter how amicable the relations, the Holy Church’s growing power day by day was becoming an obstacle for Kirchhen. If both sides fell together, nothing could be better.

“I doubt things will go that conveniently. Likely… the matter will be settled before any fighting begins. The majority of the Eastern Front Army will surrender to us early on.”

　The combined forces of Kirchhen and the Holy Church versus the Eastern Front Army. The disparity in strength is clear. Defectors will likely emerge en masse before the war even starts, making it highly probable that it won’t amount to a proper battle.

“In any case, the Holy Church’s forces won’t arrive for some time yet. We must prepare thoroughly for deployment in the meantime.”

“…If possible, you would have preferred to declare the subjugation of Count Kreving after joining with the Holy Church.”

　Keeping the plan secret until the last moment, then launching the army all at once to strike Siegfried once everything was ready. That would have been the ideal scenario.

“That’s impossible. We must first clearly state our intent to subjugate, and only then can the Holy Church move as reinforcements—without that form, the Holy Church can’t act easily. They aren’t monolithic, after all.”

　The Holy Church has seven cardinals, and important decisions are made through their council.

　If Kirchhen doesn’t show its intent to act first, some cardinals would likely object to dispatching troops.

“In any event… with such an overwhelming difference in forces, Siegfried has no chance of success.”

 

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　Three days after Luverios issued the order to subjugate Siegfried—.

　In the throne room of the royal palace. A report was brought to Luverios, seated on the throne.

“Siegfried has led his forces out of Dagrom Fortress City…?”

　Luverios furrowed his brow at the court secretary’s report.

“To be precise… Count Kreving began his advance three days ago. It’s only today that the report has finally reached us. And his army is heading straight toward the capital.”

　The one who said this was the white-haired court secretary, Shemhazai.

　Luverios had spies placed throughout the kingdom, ordered to report any anomalies immediately. They utilized various means of communication, mobilizing smoke signals, carrier pigeons, and horseback messengers.

　—That said, there was inevitably a time lag before the information reached the palace.

“Three days ago… meaning, on the very day I issued the subjugation order against Siegfried, he was already on the move—”

　Luverios clicked his tongue once. It felt as if Siegfried had seen through their intentions, leaving him inwardly unsettled.

“For Count Kreving, it must have been entirely predictable that we would move to subjugate him.”

　It was Joachim who stated this.

“Becoming the general of over ten thousand soldiers, engaged to a Serodonia princess. Moreover, the murder of Commander Bertram has been revealed through a soldier’s testimony. —In this situation, it’s only natural to assume we would act. And rather than be subjugated, he chose to strike first… that seems to be it. Though, the timing aligning so perfectly does feel like a product of coincidence.”

　Moving before being subjugated—it’s an action very much like Siegfried.

“And in the current situation, with him on the move, the Holy Church’s arrival won’t make it in time.”

　The one interjecting was the white-haired court secretary, Shemhazai.

“…Mind your unnecessary comments, Shemhazai.”

　Joachim glared at the white-haired secretary.

　Shemhazai showed a formal gesture of apology without seeming particularly remorseful.

　Glancing at that scene from the side, Joachim continued.

“Indeed, if we engage Siegfried at this point… joining with the Holy Church won’t happen in time.”

　The Holy Church’s center—the Papal States—is located far to the west of the Kirchhen Kingdom. It will take a bit more time for the reinforcements to arrive.

“In other words, we, the Kirchhen Kingdom army alone, must fight the Eastern Front Army led by Siegfried… is that it?”

“That’s correct. But—so what?”

　Luverios responded calmly, in a coldly indifferent tone.

“Currently, the capital has all three of the kingdom’s great knights, led by Zefard. Above all—this capital is protected by the Magical Barrier Wall, Magia Valm. Breaching that is impossible even for Celestina, one of the ‘Seven Great Calamities.’ Siegfried taking the capital is out of the question. I declare it plainly—there are no factors that could lead to our defeat.”

　After all, Luverios holds command over the entire Kirchhen Kingdom army. Siegfried is merely the commander of one front army. The difference in power is evident even without the Holy Church’s aid.

The reason for allying with the Holy Church anyway was largely to prevent interference from surrounding nations, including Serodonia.

“Even if the Holy Church army doesn’t arrive in time, the fact remains that the Holy Church is on our side. In other words… Serodonia cannot move to reinforce Siegfried. He must challenge us with only the Eastern Front Army. The situation hasn’t changed. No… if anything, they’ve stepped into deadly ground of their own accord!”

　An icy gleam settled in Luverios’s eyes.

　Indeed, Siegfried’s move had caught him somewhat off guard. But being caught off guard doesn’t overturn a decisive difference in power.

(Don’t lump me in with the small fry you’ve crushed so far… Siegfried.)

　Luverios murmured quietly in his heart.

(I am the king of this nation. And… seven years ago, I seized the throne with my own hands. I’ll make you realize—the decisive difference in status between you and me!)

“Prepare to intercept the Eastern Front Army! Summon Grandmaster Zefard, the knight commander; Grand Caster Ignas, the head court mage; and all others in key military positions at once!”