Ch.362Chapter 362. Lunarien vs. Brans (4)

* * *

Southern Continent, Iekraida Castle.

“My lord. An envoy from Hesna has arrived.”

“…!”

Ohana, who was sitting in the lord’s seat, flinched as soon as he heard the news.

A moment of choice. Yes. He had already realized that what was given to him now was the ‘ultimate moment of choice’ that would determine everything going forward.

Nevertheless, it was impossible to accept. Even if his mind accepted it, his heart could not acknowledge it!

‘Damn it…!’

Don’t make me laugh!

A time for choice?

When have I ever had the chance to choose…!

“My lord. You must make a decision.”

“Lupio…”

Lupio, who had loyally stood by his side, spoke with a serious expression devoid of any playfulness.

“I believe we were not wrong.”

“…I suppose so.”

Ohana let out a long sigh, then shouted loudly to the soldier.

“Let them in!”

Soon after, the envoy from Hesna stepped onto the red carpet of Iekraida Castle.

“Greetings. Today I have come on behalf of our lord Hesna.”

“…I understand, so state your business quickly.”

The envoy looked at Ohana with a confident expression.

“Would you join us in invading Lunarian? Our Hesna forces will take the vanguard. You, Lord Ohana, just need to strike at Tepelo Castle at the right timing. I would like to emphasize that this is not a bad proposal for the Ohana forces.”

“…”

Ohana appeared deep in thought.

Or rather, he pretended to be. There wasn’t really anything to think about.

‘Aski Hesna…’

Is he struggling in his own way to read the times?

At least within the Southern Continent, his presence was certainly felt, but…

‘…Has he still not realized?’

Ohana slowly nodded and opened his mouth toward the envoy.

* * *

The royal castle in Mertian, the capital of Hesna.

“So, what was the result?”

“Yes! Ohana has accepted our proposed conditions!”

“Oh?”

Hesna showed a slightly surprised expression.

“Were there no additional demands? Like asking for troops, or saying they would deploy a week later or something like that?”

“There was nothing like that. Rather, judging by how quickly they responded, I felt that the Ohana side might have been waiting for our proposal…”

“Reeally?”

Hesna was lost in thought for a moment—but soon shook her head.

It was none other than that petty Ohana. He wasn’t capable of engaging in mind games.

He probably just smelled something that could be profitable.

For example, something valuable in Tepelo Castle that they would be invading.

“I understand. Good work. You must be tired from your journey, so feel free to rest.”

“Yes, thank you!”

After dismissing the envoy, Hesna whispered to her loyal national strategist Tera, who was standing beside her.

“How are the battle preparations?”

“We have 110,000 elite soldiers ready at our Alicaide Castle, which is closest to Arlon Castle, the key strategic point on the border with Lunarian. This number excludes the capital defense forces and reinforcements for the Brans forces. Moreover, these elite soldiers have been trained to freely navigate rough mountainous terrain. Originally, they were trained in preparation for the Rolland forces, but…”

“Whatever works is fine. Come to think of it, didn’t Ohana’s forces have over 300,000 troops? Will about half of them come out?”

“I think that might be the case… though I still find it hard to believe that he gathered a force of 300,000 soldiers. Does that mean he had the funds to operate such a large force in this Southern Continent…?”

“He’s an extremely stingy and petty man. And until the discovery of the mine in Lunarian, the mine behind Iekraida was the largest in the Southern Continent.”

“Still, it concerns me. To agree without making any demands—”

Hesna smiled faintly at Tera’s words.

“Tera, you’re the type who worries about unnecessary things. Don’t worry. Honestly, I would understand your concern if we were dealing with Karelia.”

“Do you mean Makana Karelia?”

“Yes. While his intentions were quite transparent, there was that woman under him.”

“Ah…”

Vanessa Trinity.

A woman like Karelia’s shadow, the complete opposite of Karelia who was widely known for his popularity.

Tera, having studied at the same academy as Vanessa, knew well what kind of person she was—a woman who should never hold power.

It seemed like just yesterday when he was surprised that such a woman had entered the service of Karelia, who was like a symbol of great virtue…

“Well, both of them are gone now.”

With the sudden emergence of Lunarian, their story came to an end.

“Alright. Let’s prepare to march.”

Hesna rose from the throne and stretched lightly.

“Do you intend to lead the march yourself, my lord?”

To Tera’s question, she displayed an extremely confident expression—

“Of course. Entrusting such important command to someone else isn’t my style.”

* * *

“Everyone, focus on maintaining formation rather than increasing speed! This is an order!”

“It’s important that not a single person falls behind! We have a long way to go, so we must not exhaust ourselves excessively!”

The marching speed of the Lunarian forces was not particularly fast.

Charlotte, thinking they could move a bit faster without much strain, discreetly suggested this to Luna—

“I understand your concern, Charlotte. But this pace is just right.”

“But if we move this slowly, there’s a possibility that the border area will already be seized by the Brans forces, and if that happens—”

“We’ll be at a disadvantage in battle?”

Seeing Luna smile as she said this, Charlotte couldn’t hide her bewilderment.

It was an expression too impolite to show before a sovereign, but Luna wasn’t the type to take issue with such things.

Charlotte naturally felt able to inquire further.

“If… if you know that… may I dare ask why you made this decision?”

“Well, it’s difficult to explain in one sentence, but if I had to… winning a war and winning a battle are different things.”

“…?”

“I’m sorry I can’t tell you more than that. Now, would you please return to your duties?”

As Charlotte trudged back with no real answers, Ginor caught up with her.

“Lady Charlotte. There’s no need to worry too much.”

“Advisor…? Do you perhaps know what our lord is thinking?”

“…”

At first it was just a guess.

But now it had turned into certainty.

The reason for deliberately marching so slowly.

What her true aim was.

All he could do was hope that this decision was for the greater good.

* * *

A few days later.

Hesna’s elite forces had positioned themselves near the Lunarian border.

“Give me a brief situation report.”

“Yes! We have confirmed that the lord of Arlon Castle is Francis von Einhart.”

‘Francis, huh…’

The young spearman of royal descent, was it?

He was a novice general just beginning to make a name for himself, but the fact that she knew his name meant he was not a general to be taken lightly.

‘Looks like they’re preparing in their own way.’

“If they form an interception unit, General Metz is expected to serve as deputy commander, and Reynolds Disterd as chief of staff.”

Metz and Reynolds.

Both were military officers from Karelia’s forces.

They weren’t particularly impressive individuals. Just people whose names you might have heard if you lived in the Southern Continent.

“And the soldiers?”

“About 85,000 are stationed there.”

“Is that so?”

If they were to hold out in the castle, it might be slightly… insufficient.

No. They don’t have mages, and Lord Lunarian isn’t there either. Our side has elite troops.

Crucially, we’re not the only ones attacking them. With Ohana’s forces moving together, they’ll surely be bewildered.

‘It’s quite doable.’

“Everyone, prepare for deployment as instructed. We’ll set up camp nearby and respond as soon as their interception unit comes out. Also prepare siege weapons in case they decide to hold the castle. Understood?”

“Yes!”

Having finished the conversation, Hesna displayed a curious smile.

‘Attacking without a declaration of war is certainly a cowardly method… but we’re serious too.’

Well, anyway.

As someone who beheaded her own lord to take his place, she’ll probably forgive this much.

“Now, everyone, deploy!”

* * *

“The Hesna forces have started moving?”

“Yes! Multiple scouts have confirmed that they are advancing toward Arlon Castle with a large force!”

Francis stroked his chin thoughtfully.

‘Just as the advisor said…!’

Ginor’s prediction that if Hesna were to invade, they would come without a declaration of war had proven true.

It was Ginor who had stationed him here in the first place. At that time, with Ohana’s forces still intact, he had wondered if they would really invade…

‘In any case, since this task has been entrusted to me, I must accomplish it.’

‘The advisor told me to stall for time as much as possible. And if possible, to intercept rather than hold the castle.’

85,000 versus 110,000.

Holding the castle would be overwhelmingly advantageous, so why did he tell me to intercept…?

“How will you respond, sir?”

What are tactics and plans anyway?

Francis wasn’t the type of person who “adjusted” such things. He was the type who capably carried out his assigned tasks.

So he complied without unnecessarily asserting his ego.

Anyone could see that Ginor was far superior to him in strategic aspects, so what need was there to deny that?

“We will intercept! Everyone, please prepare to deploy as instructed!”

“Yes!”

And so, the first battle between the Lunarian forces and the Hesna forces was about to begin.