Episode 142: The Two Great Knight Orders

　When heading from the eastern walls toward Kirchhen-Almas Castle, the roads wide enough for an army to pass are limited to two: Eldarele Avenue and Gasnia Avenue.

　Advancing along one of them, Eldarele Avenue, were the infantry battalion led by Leon and the Serodonian prisoners under Ricardo’s command.

　They marched in orderly formation, proceeding down the path to the royal palace.

　The siege battle that began just past noon had gone through a series of events—catapult bombardments with magical projectiles, the uprising of the prisoners, and the Eastern Front Army’s entry into the city—and now it was approaching dusk. The sky was dyed crimson, making the swift passage of time all too apparent.

　Eldarele Avenue, usually overflowing with people, now had no one in front of Leon and his group.

　After all, between the infantry battalion and the Serodonian prisoners, they formed a force nearing ten thousand strong.

　Judging that a small contingent like the guards wouldn’t stand a chance, the enemy wasn’t even attempting to block their way.

“What do you make of it?”

　Leon asked the black-haired young man riding alongside him.

“…It’s obvious they won’t let us proceed this easily.”

　Ricardo replied, directing a sharp gaze ahead.

“Yeah, I figured.”

　Far in the distance along the avenue, atop a gently sloping hill, a group of mounted knights appeared.

　Their silver armor gleamed under the setting sun. Their imposing presence, even from afar, proved they were no ordinary foes.

　The knight at the forefront held a lance in his right hand, exuding a sharp killing intent like a predator eyeing its prey.

“The Kingdom Knights—and Vice Commander Weissmaster, huh.”

 

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　Meanwhile, advancing along Gasnia Avenue were the knight squadron led by Beatrice and the gray wolf beastmen under Fen’s command.

“So this is Kirchherion… It has a different feel from the Serodonian capital, San Serodia, doesn’t it…”

　The one who murmured that was a beastman with light blue hair and dog ears. He appeared to be approaching sixty years old.

　His hair had originally been a deep blue, but half of it had turned white, making it look pale blue from a distance.

　His gentle features gave the impression of a quiet middle-aged man—but a sharp glint undoubtedly lurked in his eyes.

　His name was Luadel. He was a commander serving Sylphirose.

　He had joined up with the Eastern Front Army just before they departed from the fortress city of Dagrom.

　He led a unit of about a thousand. Its composition was entirely beastmen.

　This reinforcement had been prearranged between Siegfried and Sylphirose.

　The ‘gift from the queen’ that Siegfried had mentioned referred to this additional force.

　And this beastman unit was incorporated into Fen’s squad.

　For Fen’s team, which was primarily beastmen, it was a valuable addition to their strength.

“Sure, the layout of the capitals is different, but I think the systems are pretty similar. We’ve been oppressed by humans… Isn’t it the same for you guys?”

　Fen said that while glancing over at Luadel.

　Luadel responded with a slightly sorrowful smile.

“Yes. Even in Serodonia, the treatment of us beastmen… can’t exactly be called favorable.”

　Due to differences in culture and appearance, as well as their smaller population, beastmen were treated coldly in Serodonia as well.

　It wasn’t uncommon for them to be worked like slaves, and there were even beastmen traded as slaves in the black market.

“But—Lady Sylphirose saved us.”

　Luadel and others, who had been in slave-like conditions, were freed by Sylphirose and welcomed as her close aides.

　Even his relatives now worked under her as maids.

　It was unprecedented for royalty to employ a large number of beastmen. Naturally, there was opposition. But Sylphirose never wavered in her convictions.

“Lady Sylphirose is a benefactor to us Serodonian beastmen. And she said this: ‘When you fall under the command of the Eastern Front Army, serve Lord Siegfried just as you serve me.’ I will fight alongside you all with everything I have.”

　That said, marching on the capital Kirchherion was a fateful decision for Luadel and his men.

　If this battle ended in failure, it was inevitable that the repercussions would reach their own lord, Sylphirose.

　After all, her subordinates had joined the forces invading another nation’s capital.

　Honestly, Luadel himself couldn’t gauge how much of this situation Sylphirose had foreseen when she dispatched the reinforcements.

　At one point, he had even thought they should retreat back to Serodonia.

　But—

　When he first met Siegfried face-to-face, Luadel had certainly sensed it.

　—This man is worth following. For our sake… and for the princess’s sake.

　That’s what he had felt.

“…You’re really serious about this.”

　Fen muttered softly.

　She continued with a shrug of her shoulders.

“Well, I’m grateful for the extra allies…”

　Right after that.

　Beatrice, who was advancing ahead of her, noticed something and let out a small voice.

“—The Royal Guard Knights.”

　Just as she said, far ahead on the avenue, a group of mounted knights clad in ornate armor appeared.

　Among them, the knight at the front wore particularly luxurious armor, standing out prominently.

“Hmm… So the Royal Guard Knights came our way. Isn’t this a ‘jackpot’?”

　Fen let out a small, sarcastic remark.

　In terms of skill, the Royal Guard Knights were on par with the Kingdom Knights. However, they adhered to an elite few policy, so their total numbers were around five thousand.

　On the other hand, with Beatrice’s knight squadron, Fen’s beastman unit, and several infantry squads added in, their side’s forces totaled roughly ten thousand.

　Numerically, they had the advantage.

　But deep down, she didn’t truly think it was a ‘jackpot.’

　She had said it merely to boost her allies’ morale.

　Her instincts were already sensing the fierce battle that was about to begin.