Madan no Ou to Vanadis - Volume 18 - Chapter 1.1

Chapter 1 – Arma Zirnitra

The rain, which had started at dawn, suddenly intensified around noon.

“We’re really out of luck. This weather, when we’re hurrying over here.”

Elen ─ Eleonora Viltaria ─ brushed up her forelocks in annoyance while riding her horse at the head of Leitmeritz’s army. Looking up, she saw thick clouds blanketing the sky as if a huge amount of soot had been blown into the atmosphere and expanded all over up there. Plagued by the cold winter rain, Elen’s face was dirty, and her silver hair, which extended down to her waist, had lost its luster, heavily sticking to her back. Her breathing was blurred with faint fatigue as it left her mouth.

Right now Elen wasn’t wearing a helmet or hood. All for the sake of ensuring her soldiers of her firmness by clearly showing herself as their commander. Of course her body was covered by a long overcoat from the neck down, but her iron boots had long become mud-caked in the stirrup.

Gently undulating ups and downs sprawled across the area around here. No forests or mountains were nearby, but because of the rain, visibility was bad, and the ground was a slushy mess with pools of water everywhere.

“I think we should allow the soldiers to get some rest. At least until the rain subsides somewhat.” A tall female knight proposed to Elen from behind.

It was Limalisha, Elen’s best friend and adjutant. She was lovingly called Lim by those close to her. Unlike Elen, she was in full armor, including a helmet.

Elen looked back over her shoulder without answering at once.

Her soldiers were silently thudding on, kicking up mud with each step and getting weighed down by the armor covering their bodies. No orderly ranks and files could be seen as it was hard to tread through the sludge, in addition to the fatigue wearing down on them. One of the soldiers trampled into a puddle of water, immediately causing a grand splash of muddy slush.

Feelings of guilt crept into Elen’s ruby eyes. But she immediately shook her head, ridding herself of that emotion. Putting a stern expression on, she turned her face back to the front.

“They’ve got to endure. We must hurry. Under these circumstances they won’t get any decent fires going anyway. Ludmila and the others are likely thinking the same.”

Behind Elen and Leitmeritz’s soldiers marched Olmutz’s army, led by Ludmila Lourie, followed by Lebus’s army which was spearheaded by Elizavetta Fomina and Olga Tamm.

If they were to interrupt the march, Elen would need to inform the three to that effect and all of them would have to pass down deliberate instruction so as to avoid the armies running into each other. And even then, a considerable amount of chaos would remain unavoidable within this rain. Elen feared that some of the soldiers might get left behind or wander astray, a risk she wanted to avoid if possible.

“If something like that hadn’t happened to Sofy…” She spat out with a sigh, muttering something she had worded out countless times up until today.

Four days ago they held the funeral ceremony for Sofy ─ Sofya Obertas, the Vanadis who had governed the principality of Polesia. Although they called it a funeral service, it had been a simple ceremony where several people, including Elen, had offered their prayers.

But, this had been inevitable. Back then Elen and the others were camping on the vast grasslands located at the southeastern edge of Lebus. They didn’t have the time to search the vicinity for settlements to call a priest over.

On the next day, Elen and the others had joined up with Olmutz and Polesia’s armies. The commander of Polesia’s army, who heard about what fate had befallen their mistress, informed them with a calm tone that his army would withdraw.

“We are soldiers of Polesia. We came all the way to this land in order to fight under Lady Sofya. Even though all of you are Vanadis, we would find it difficult to follow the command of one of you.”

Unable to stop them, Elen’s group had no choice but silently watch Polesia’s army break away. As a result, only the armies of Leitmeritz, Olmutz, and Lebus were left.

Sofy had been attacked outside the camp, and no one had witnessed the moment it happened. At the time when the other Vanadis and Tigre had rushed over, she had already been in a state where she couldn’t speak any longer. Because of that, they didn’t know who had done this to her.

However, the group around Elen believed that the assailant had to be Valentina Glinka Estes. The slashing wound reaching from Sofy’s left shoulder to her right flank had been caused by a huge, sharp blade. Valentina’s draconic tool, Ezendeis, was a long-handled scythe, and she possessed a draconic art, allowing her to cross wide distances in an instant.

That very Valentina should be in the capital Silesia together with Osterode’s soldiers. And thus the reason why Elen and the others had been continuing to march on in spite of the heavy downpour was all for the sake of closing the distance to the capital as much as possible and obtaining information. If they couldn’t grasp the current circumstances surrounding Valentina and the strength of the military forces under her, they wouldn’t be able to form any strategies. After all, their military forces fell short of 5,000 soldiers, even after adding all three armies together.

If Sofy had been with them right now, they might have been able to decide on their plan even while on the march. Her capabilities in information gathering and analysis had been outstanding among all Vanadis. This had also been the reason why the late King Viktor had appointed her to be Zhcted’s diplomatic envoy.

Besides, Elen was sure that she’d have been much calmer than she was right now. Even putting aside the matter of both of them having been fellow Vanadis, Sofy was a dear friend for Elen. If Sofy had seen the current Elen, she’d have admonished her, “At this rate, you’re going to catch a cold,” with her usual, gentle smile, and Elen might have obeyed her without being stubborn about it while grimacing.

──I don’t know what to tell the soldiers.

She had staved off the soldiers by promising them to explain the details once they’d reach their destination. However, with Sofy’s sudden disappearance and the departure of Polesia’s army, most of them should have realized that something was amiss.

It’d be simple to lie. If I tell them that Sofy and her army decided to act independently from us in order to achieve a certain objective, the soldiers would likely buy it. But, once they learned that this had been a lie, their consent would change into disappointment and distrust, resulting in a drop in morale.

Besides, Elen and the other Vanadis hid yet another big secret. Namely, that their draconic tools had lost their powers.

Around ten days ago, Elen and the others had a deadly struggle against Maximilian Bennusa Ganelon on a land called Zagan. Elen remembered it as a nightmarish battle. Ganelon had shed his humanity and allowed the Goddess of Night, Darkness, and Death Tir Na Fal to descend into his body. The fact that they had suffered no casualties could only be described as a miracle.

But, the Vanadis’s draconic tools had lost their powers during that battle, transforming into simple stone slabs. According to Tir Na Fal, they would apparently regain their might in seven months, but unlike during peace times, it was unthinkable that they’d be able to keep their current state hidden for a long time. Elen believed that they’d need to inform the soldiers, sooner or later. At the same time, she couldn’t fathom how much of a shock it’d cause to them.

──That’s why we can’t lie about Sofy’s case. If we continue lying and concealing things, the soldiers are going to hold doubts, wondering whether there’s some more to it. A commander, who lost the trust of his subordinates, is miserable. I cannot afford to invite such a situation.

“Even though Ganelon is gone just like those annoying, unusual phenomenons, we’re still bogged down by nothing but headache-inducing problems. If at least the weather could not get in our way, it’d be a start.” Elen roughly wiped her wet face with a palm while grumbling.

It was at that moment that she could hear a bright laughter accompanied by a commotion from behind. Once she looked back, she spotted a hooded pair of people walking next to the soldiers with their bodies hidden underneath overcoats. One of them held a wine cup in their hand while the other lifted a big leather bag, just to pour something into the cup.

“What’s going on there?”

Seemingly noticing Elen’s puzzled look, the pair looked her way.

Elen’s eyes widened, “Tigre and Titta?”

“It looks like they’re treating the soldiers to some drink, but… I wonder whether something happened.” Lim tilted her head in confusion.

Tigrevurmud Vorn and his maid, Titta, should be at the rear of Leitmeritz’s army as guests of honor.

After having exchanged some light banter with the soldiers, Tigre and Titta walked over towards Elen and Lim while splashing mud with every step. Accompanied by several mounted knights, Elen and Lim separated from the army’s file, and stopped their horses.

Leitmeritz’s army fielded around 1,500 men. Even if Elen gave the order, the army wouldn’t be able to halt at once. Thus it was necessary for them to break away from the army’s vanguard to talk with Tigre and Titta.

Tigre stopped his feet in front of Elen, and lightly heaved up the leather bag in his hand.

“It’s vodka. You two, have a drink as well.”

“Please explain the circumstances first, Lord Tigrevurmud.” Lim inquired before Elen could say anything.

Tigre answered with a smile, “Gerard informed me that we had some vodka left. I decided to buy the surplus and share it with everyone. I got enough for around half a cup per person.”

Gerard Augre had taken over the duty of appropriately supplying the three armies with goods such as rations and fuel. Originally he served at Brune’s royal court as secretary, but because he excelled at math and management to begin with, he had enthusiastically thrown himself at the job. To such an extent that they adopted his request to consolidate the management of each army’s provisions into one.

“I’m sorry for not having informed you in advance, but I did talk with Rurick. He happily agreed to the idea. Mila and Liza have also told me that they’d stop the march for a while.”

“──Lim, inform the soldiers that we’re going to take a break for approximately a quarter koku.” Elen told her adjutant, revealing a bright smile that lacked any of her previous stiffness. “We cannot bluntly turn down the kindness of our precious guest. Besides, if Rurick has said that it’s a good idea, we should probably listen to him.”

“As you command. I shall get to it at once.”

After nodding with a cheerful gleam twinkling in her blue eyes, Lim swiftly hurled instructions at the knights who had accompanied them. They turned the necks of their horses, and galloped off towards the rear.

Rurick had obtained a huge achievement. Elen had entrusted her army to him when they had departed for Zagan, ordering him to lead the army east. This had been a move in preparation of Valentina’s movements. However, Rurick had followed that order only for a few days. Encountering one of the cavalry units dispatched by Mila, Rurick had changed the course of the army on his own discretion after wavering for a while, knowing that Mila and the others had also departed for Zagan.

After going all the way back to the spot where Elen and the others had split away from Leitmeritz’s army, he had the soldiers construct a camp, having decided to wait for the return of their mistress. Moreover, he dispatched messengers to Olmutz and Polesia’s armies, requesting them to join up.

His arbitrary decision turned into a big help for Elen and the others. After all, they were completely exhausted and their draconic tools had lost their powers when they left Zagan. Only Tigre’s Black Bow was unaffected, but it’d have likely been a challenge for the youth to travel while protecting his friends all by himself.

“Very well, I guess we’ll take you up on that offer.”

Once Elen and Lim dismounted, Titta held out cups to both of them. On a closer look, several cups had been tied together with a string which was hanging around her neck.

“I sure don’t want to believe so, but it’s not like it’s just you two distributing vodka to all our men, right?” Elen asked while accepting a cup from Titta.

In response, Titta said with a laugh, “No, Mr. Gaspal and Mr. Damad are helping us as well. Mr. Rurick has also gathered many people for us in order to get them to help out.”

Tigre brought the leather bag close, and poured vodka into Elen’s cup. Meanwhile Titta held both her hands above the cup, probably out of consideration to prevent the rain from falling into the cup as much as possible.

Elen drained down the vodka in one gulp. The vodka itself was lukewarm, but it first heated her throat, and then her stomach. Soon after she felt the heat spread across her whole body, causing her to spill a long sigh.

──Maybe I’ve looked at things too gravely.

Staring at the empty cup in her hand, Elen soundlessly muttered, Not only Tigre, but even Titta should be well aware of what a dangerous situation we currently are in. It’s unimaginable that they don’t feel angry and sad about Sofy’s death. But, without putting those feelings into words, those two treat the soldiers to drinks and laugh together with them.

A warmth, which didn’t only originate from the vodka, filled Elen’s heart.

“Thanks. I feel like all exhaustion has been blown out of my body.” Elen grinned at Titta while passing back her cup.

Titta looked up to her with an anxious look. Even during this moment, rain continued to pour down on Elen.

“Lady Eleonora. You will catch a cold if you stay like that.”

“I don’t have such a weak body that I’d get a fever from this little bit of rain. It might strike you as odd, but I do have my own reason for doing this. Still, I’ll gratefully accept your consideration.”

It didn’t look as though Titta could fully go along with Elen’s explanation. But she quickly bowed, and went away to give a cup to someone else. And, as if to trade places with her, Tigre walked up to Elen.

“I’m in no position to say much to others, but…make sure to not go too far, okay?”

“This is a time to prevail with willpower. Right?” Elen proudly thrust out her chest.

Tigre nodded lightly, albeit smiling somewhat awkwardly. If a commander forced his men to push themselves, he had to demonstrate something that would make them agree to go along with it. Both of them, Ellen and Tigre, were fully aware of that.

“Still, your face is a mess. Even your hair…”

Tigre reached out for Elen’s cheek with a hand, and gently swiped a strand of hair clinging to it away. And then he brought his face close in a very natural manner, and stole a quick kiss.

“──Well then, we’re going to head over to the other places.”

Shouldering the bag with the vodka, Tigre walked away as if nothing had happened. Following her lover with her eyes while dumbfounded, Elen needed a moment before she placed a hand on her lips.

“Isn’t that way hotter than any vodka…?”

That mutter fortunately wasn’t heard by anyone as it got drowned out by the rainfall.

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If you walked for around five days northwest from Silesia, you’d reach a town called Lecheneaut. Two big main roads crossed at this town, and because most of those heading for the capital from Legnica and Lebus, and those heading northwest from the capital would stop by here, it was flourishing quite a bit.

The aspect of it being territory under the direct control of the crown might have also played a part in Lecheneaut’s prosperity. After all, no lord would dare to unnecessarily meddle with royal land.

The allied forces of Leitmeritz, Olmutz, and Lebus pitched their camp next to Lecheneaut. This also served as a declaration that their soldiers wouldn’t enter the town. Such consideration was indispensable, especially for the sake of gathering information and resupplying.

The one meeting Lecheneaut’s mayor as representative of the alliance was Elizavetta Fomina. She had already visited this town once in the past.

Around the time when it’d still be too early to hail noon, Liza passed through the town gate while escorted by several knights. Their little party came back to the camp when the stars were already twinkling in the very dim sky.

Liza headed to Tigre’s tent while accompanied by her subordinates.

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————— End of Part 1 —————