Mushoku Tensei:Web Chapter 207 Preview - Baka-Tsuki
Ten days have passed since the battle. Thanks to our hostage, the enemy has put forward an offer of truce to Zanoba.
We sent a message back to the capital. We wrote about our victory, taking the hostage, and the possible truce. It's been proven after the fact that there is no force left which can make all out war on Shirone now. If Pax doesn't act like a total moron, I won't complain. Well, we haven't received a reply yet, so I feel a bit uneasy.
Everyone inside the fort is wildly enthusiastic about the battle. To them Roxy and my magic was amazing, Zanoba, who cut through the enemy was also amazing. This place has been filled with relaxed excitement.
Thanks to my part in the success of the battle, or perhaps because I captured the assailant, the soldiers of the fort have softened towards me. Even so, the excessive courtesy they had shown me is still there. But I think their facial expressions aren't as stiff. They have started to smile at me recently and when they come to talk they do it with a bright expression. The magician who they didn't know may have become a fellow soldier to them. At least there wasn't a single man that came to blame me for the death of those who were caught in my saint ranked magic.
Thanks to things like the attitude of the men, the day to day counseling with Roxy, and my concern for Zanoba, my mental state was recovered. I am able to believe that I did not make a mistake; my actions where not at fault.
It's better to not focus on the past's troubles. Here in this world I am a subordinate of Orsted. In order to protect my family I have made an enemy of a god. A time like this was bound to come some day; I should have prepared. It's a fragile calm but this is the path I've chosen.
However, in the future, I probably won't participate in war even if I'm begged. In this other world, how should I say it... It's another universe.
At the same time, perhaps I'll have to kill again. It is tiring if I dwell on each person one by one. If I can avoid killing, then that's what I'll do. This is my decision. It won't pay to worry for days about each person I may have to kill, it would just cause unnecessary mental damage.
Well, let's reorder my thoughts. Even though I have been wary these last ten days, nothing has happened. Both my mental state and my magic have made a full recovery. I'm in perfect condition. The Magic Armor MK-I is still setup and I remain vigilant. I am in a better position now then at the audience with Pax; the Death God should have attacked then if he was going to.
After all, Hitogami may have had nothing to do with this affair. It must be as Orsted said. This event originally happened but was not recorded in the diary. Even without me Zanoba must have somehow handled this. Perhaps he wasn't even summoned.
This may have been a waste of time. However that isn't something I should say. There is still a possibility that Zanoba could have died this time.
Regardless, the war is over. There is no longer an enemy country arrayed against the Shirone kingdom. Zanoba should also be satisfied. I should be able to persuaded him to come home to Sharia now. Thinking of him staying close to Pax is repugnant.
"Mmmnnn ... !"
I stretched myself out in the morning sun. Hitogami is unrelated... probably, I think. If he's done nothing here, then the possibility of a trap is as low as possible. After I thought about it like that I slept soundly for the first time in a long while. And nothing happened while I was sleeping like a log. So, it's not a trap after all.
With this new refreshed attitude, I decided to go wash my face in the nearby river. I could also use water magic, but it isn't the same kind of feeling. At the river the soldiers were washing their faces and brushing their teeth in groups of two and three.
"Oh look, it's Rudeusu-sama."
"Thank you for your good work at watch every night!"
"Iya, I thought that doll must surely be part of Zanoba's hobby, but it was a magic tool after all!"
I had quickly become surrounded. I'm a very popular person. Being pampered day after day like this, it may be my first time. At any rate, the soldiers of Shirone wear a light brown pair of shirt and shorts outside of combat. The uniform in the same for both sexes. Moreoever the women do not seem to wear a bra when they go to bed. The young archer girl who had hugged me is here; potchi rises up a bit. I'm seeing something precious, it's a sight for sore eyes.
"I wondered what caused this croud to gather, it's Shishou."
So Zanoba also comes here. Also this guy, from head to toe is dressed just like the soldiers. There is no hint of royalty here. Because of his skinny limbs and underdeveloped muscles, he gives off the impression of a NEET.
"Zanoba-sama!"
As it is, the soldiers dropped down on one knee for Zanoba.
"Alright, go back to washing your faces."
"B, but..."
"Generally, you don't need to place me on a pedestal. I am the same as you Gentlemen, I'm just sleepily getting up."
While saying so Zanoba makes a deep yawn. Over the last few days Zanoba has been busy with the cleanup after the battle. I don't know the details, but after a large scale battle there are a number of troublesome things that have to be dealt with.
By the way, the dead bodies left on the battlefield had been neglected. During the last few days a bunch of men dressed like bandits appeared out of nowhere, stripping equipment, they slipped away unnoticed. People who specialize in that kind of thing will be drawn to the battlefield. Occupation: looter.
I was mulling all this over while kneeling by the riverside with Zanoba.
"... So, how is the truce proceeding? Is it coming along well?"
Initial persuasion: light jab. If a truce is struck, then there won't be a need for you to be in such a place Zanoba. The war is at an end.
"Yes, Yesterday we got a reply. The rules have not been hammered out yet, but it will all be concluded in time. Now, there will not be another attack for three years at the least."
After hearing Zanoba's words a soldier uttered, "Oh." This might not have been something that should have been heard in a place like this. Since it is good new though, it shouldn't be a problem.
Even so, in three years...
In other words, the North Country, despite it's crushing defeat, has not given up completely on their invasion. If it is assumed that the currant commander will be let go because of his complete defeat, who will his successor be? How do they intend to supplement their diminished troops? Will they just break the recently agreed upon truce without an honorable justification?
Various factors are entangled over those three years. At a minimum it would take three years. So, in reality it will take longer.
"But that's good. In three years time Shirone should be able to rebuild itself."
I see. This could also be seen as stalling. Certainly if its just buying time, that should be more then enough.
"Can he do it, that King Pax?"
"Even I could do it."
Zanoba answered so proudly. I don't know about it myself, but perhaps there is already a plan. In any case, I've seen then end of this war. The whole thing was unsatisfying.
"Anyway, it should quickly become peaceful."
"Yes, it should."
Zanoba said so happily, but his face was sad. Well outside of wartime this guy has no role to serve.
Well now, how to convince him?
"Zanoba, now that this battle is over, what will you do?"
Second jab. Accidentally, it came out like a death flag. This is like the method you would use to break the ice before you propose to your lover. It's already far to late to buy the bouquet. Even I don't have that much self confidence.
"I will return to the capital for now and make ready to receive word from His Majesty. I do not know if I will continue to be assigned to this fort as it is..."
"You intend to remain in this country then?"
"Haha.. Isn't it obvious?"
The magical armor has not been completed. Research of the automatic doll, also has stopped before completion. Our plans to sell dolls with Julie was also just able to finally get a foothold. Won't there be all of those kinds of regrets? No, there definitely should be.
"Zanoba."
"What?"
"Once the truce is signed don't you intend to come back to the Magic City Sharia with me and continue to make dolls just as always?"
Now I've turned it into some kind of marriage proposal. I should have bought that bouquet.
But well, I think it's okay if I say that kind of proposal. We're not getting married. I'm just asking him to discard his country and pick me instead.
With a wet face Zanoba looks at me. He's expressionless. It's hard to believe that until now there was a fun atmosphere. This is bad. I'll be turned down. I've failed. I confessed right from the start without setting the right mood. This is regrettable. This atmosphere says I'm dumped. Oh ah.
"Shishou, could it be.... ummm..?"
"Ummm?"
Right then noise suddenly rose up from the fort. The sound of horses running, clip-clap, can also be heard. We don't have cavalry in this fort. Who is making that sound then? As I thought that, I looked around the edge of the fort and spied a person coming at us on horseback.
"Fumu, that's a messenger from the capital."
At those words from Zanoba I also stand up.
"Probably Pax has sent us a statement about the truce."
"What could it be. Maybe it is a message that instructs us to invade and destroy the enemy nation."
"Oh yeah? But I also feel like we could do it if you are there Shishou."
We wait for the approaching horse while joking. As we watch it approach, we notice that the rider is a familiar person. It's a person I also know.
"Ginger ~ ?"
Ginger rode up to us on the horse with a desperate look. I wonder what's going on.
As soon as Ginger sees us she cranks her neck in our direction and proceeds straight at us. The soldiers form a wall to protect us. Then Zanoba cried out,
"She is my imperial guard! Open the way!"
With those words from Zanoba, the soldiers give way quickly. Before Zanoba can make a move Ginger falls from her horse with a relieved expression.
"Ginger, what happened!?"
"Ha.... haa..."
Zanoba picks up on it as well, Ginger's deep distress. She isn't hurt, but has the dark complexion of sever fatigue. Perhaps she has been riding her horse for 24 hours straight.
"Oh, there is trouble in the imperial city Latakia. The former warlord Jade has become the focal point for an uprising in the name of the 11th princes. They have surrounded the Imperial castle with their forces...."
As she said that, Ginger began to choke and then fainted.
"The 11th prince? Ridiculous, that boy should have had only 10 people within the Shirone royal guard... Ginger! We need a more detail description... oi!"
"Calm down Zanoba, let her rest first."
I get Zanoba to stop shaking Ginger. Then, for the time being, we carry her into a room.
11th Prince Haruha Shirone Three years of age He is the child that former king Palton Shirone sired in his later years. His mother was the daughter of farmers and, as such, he wasn't originally in a social position where he could become king. Therefore Haruha was treated as if he did not exist. He was given an estate in the corner of the Shirone kingdom with his mother, and had been living quietly under the name of a local feudal lord.
There was externally little to know about his existence. The former King Palton Shirone, at the same time, had a sister who is the warlord Jade's mother.
Both of whom were killed during Pax's great purge. That only leaves the warlord Jade. He had formerly sworn allegiance to the king. Jade, in spite of only possessing farmers, was able to raise them up. Because of his talent with tactics in this regarded he was allowed the position of warlord. Thanks to Jade becoming a warlord, the family is no longer hungry; a wealthy life was possible. There was one important factor. The king expected this position to be repaid with Jade's younger sisters when called upon, it was that kind of obligation.
At the time of Pax's coup, Jade had been stationed at Fort Karon. At that time their were nearly 1000 people defending Fort Karon. Jade led 500 of those and went to the capital Latakia. However, it was too late when he arrived. The king had already died. The royal family was waiting with reports of that massacre.
The forces defending that capital at that time numbered 2000. As he marched forth with his soldiers, Jade's force swelled to 1500 with reinforcements for local feudal lords. Factoring in Jade's repute as a tactician, fighting and winning would be possible considering the numbers.
That is if you only looked at the numbers...
The army of Jade, with it's increasing number of commanders, split in two. The reason is that Pax had promised to treat the local lords in the same manner as always. Some of those local lords had rushed in at the spur of the moment. Some where not happy with the former king, some lost their nerve, and some actually agreed with King Pax.
Looking at the noble's disagreement, Jade realized that he could not win. He surrendered to Pax and swore allegiance.
Of course even though Jade took such an action, there was dealings behind the scene. His sister's child, the 11th Prince Haruha Shirone, was alive and he had learned of it. He would endure it for now. Under the banner of Haruha, he would wipe clean his regrets towards the deceased previous king. This was his vow.
Then, under the surface, Jade began to move. He collected dissidents behind closed doors and shored up his forces. He organized the rebels who had been eagerly awaiting a chance since Pax's uprising. Now there was a chance for success.
And then the time came. The north country showed signs of invasion and Pax was forced to move military power into the north to meet them. Because of Jade's head hunting and the after effects of the coup, the Shirone kingdom's troops had dwindled. There would be no reinforcements from the KDK. I do not know if it would fall, but Shirone's strength would now be inferior to the northland. If Fort Karon is penetrated then Pax will be forced to send away his treasure, the Death God. This is what Jade was thinking.
He had miscalculated; the third prince Zanoba Shirone had returned. He had also brought with him the return of Roxy Migurudia who was once court magician, and Rudeus Grayrat who had overthrown the Water God Reida and North Emperor Auber at Asura kingdom. Jade had also planned to contact Zanoba in the event that he had returned to have vengeance upon Pax. However, Zanoba bowed down to Pax and headed to Fort Karon.
Jade's calculations went amiss. Fort Karon fought off the enemy with a historic victory and so the Death God never had to leave for the front. The declining military power was also on its way to a full recovery. The force gathered at the north would also likely return to the capital soon. This may have been his last opportunity.
Considering this, Jade launched his coup. He gathered up all of the soldiers he had left in waiting and took up to occupy the capital. He surrounded the royal capital.
This was the summery that Ginger, who woke up after several hours, told us. Ginger was in town at the time, but escaped by taking advantage of the confusion caused by the revolt. She came straight to Zanoba without stopping.
"When I left the capital, the King seemed to have shut himself up in the castle with a hand full of guards... but I don't know the details or the current situation."
In a calm voice Ginger finished telling us everything she knew.
Apparently Pax is under siege. It's been a few days since the revolt happened. It won't be funny if Pax dies or even if the royal palace is occupied. But the Death God is one of his troops. It wouldn't be surprising if the rebels were annihilated instead. Breaking through the siege shouldn't be hard if he intends to escape. Why a siege?
There is a lot I don't understand. This time we need to be careful of the situation.
"We need to immediately get to the capitol and see things for ourselves."
Zanoba said so as if it was just a walk to the general store then stood up. Ginger made a relieved expression. However after hearing the next words her expression froze stiff.
"I will rescue His Majesty and help him escape here to Fort Karon. If that isn't possible then I will invade using a secret royal path and come to the aid of His Majesty."
"Please, please wait!"
Ginger's body shot up from her resting position. She restrained Zanoba with a desperate look. In regards to this girl, she was entrusted with Zanoba and that's exactly what her expression says.
"What now? Don't worry your little head, Ginger. Just stay here and rest your body."
No Comments Yet
Post a new comment
Register or Login