episode_0014

*

“23,000 people… … .”

The generals gathered in the castle were Kane, Tifa, and me.

In addition to the usual members, including the monarch Luna, this time the leaders of two mercenary groups, Gustav and Aaron, were also gathered here.

“We will also join.”

“Although we are behind in terms of the total number of soldiers, I think we have a good chance of winning as it is a defensive battle.”

Of course I agree with what they say, but… …

In fact, in this game, such minor elements often depended on who the enemy was.

Since it is basically a world based on character games where SSS-level generals play a major role rather than factors such as number of soldiers, strategy, and strategy, I felt that this part should not be overlooked.

“Can you tell who the enemy commander is?”

“Ah! Yes, that… … !”

The messenger standing next to me hesitated for a moment, probably surprised by my use of an honorific word, but then answered in a cheerful voice.

“I heard that there is a woman who appears to be Irene Juliette at the vanguard of the enemy.”

‘Eh? ‘You’re using Irene?’

Irene Juliette.

As someone who played this game for 10,000 hours, it was a longevity that I couldn’t help but know.

An S-class weapon and a siege specialist with the ‘siege’ specialty.

He had a very upright personality, and was a loyal subject who served his master Lin Brans, ignoring all scouting offers and not being able to lose his loyalty no matter what he did.

However, he was not compatible with Lin Brans, so he was a miserable character who was not used seriously by Lin and was destined to be executed and killed by Lin in the end on unfair charges.

Here, ‘the compatibility is not right’ was not just a phrase written in a settings book.

In this game, there was something called ‘matching values’. To put it simply, there are those that match the texture and those that do not.

If the compatibility is good, hiring becomes easy, and working together creates a synergy effect.

If it didn’t fit well, it was the opposite. In some cases, it was better not to have them work together.

Unusually, the compatibility between Irene Juliet and her master Lyn Brans was -100.

This was the worst compatibility value in the game.

This meant that no other character was as misaligned as these two.

Therefore, unless the player catches Lin Brans himself and uses Airen in some way-

CPU Lynn Brans killed Irene Juliet unconditionally. If you play the game 100 times, you will behead your talent with your own hands every 100 times.

So I can’t help but be astonished.

The fact that she is referring to Irene Juliet here.

‘Enough to break through the worst compatibility… … Was the last defeat humiliating?’

Well, from Brans’s point of view, it seemed like there would be no such disappointment.

They took 8,000 soldiers and were defeated by a weak country ruled by 3,000 people.

He must have been thinking only about taking over the central continent as quickly as possible and confronting Serpina in the north and various warlords in the south, but how angry would he be because he was caught in the middle of conquering the central continent?

Anyway-

This decision by Lynn Brans was the worst for us.

Kane, Tifa, Gustav, and Aaron also seemed to have heard of Iren’s reputation as their faces began to look sad.

‘… … I think it will definitely break through.”

Our troops number about 3,000.

Excluding the wounded soldiers who have not yet recovered, the number will be a little over 2,000.

This was the same for mercenary groups.

The Raven mercenary group had a total of 7,000 troops, and the Chilean mercenary group had a total of 6,000 troops, but excluding the wounded soldiers from the last battle, it would be correct to assume that the total number was around 10,000.

If that were the case, it meant that 12,000 troops would have to block 23,000 people.

It was a sufficiently threatening figure given Iren’s characteristic of dealing more damage to the troops in the castle as he possesses the ‘siege’ specialty, which allows him to attack soldiers stationed in the castle much better than other generals.

‘As expected, they are pushing without mercy.’

In a stormy advance, our military suddenly sprinkled red pepper powder on us.

“Swen, what should I do with this?”

Luna looked at me and said with a very worried expression.

“How to deal with it… … Can this war be won?”

Should I really say Luna?

I really liked how he asked me exactly the right questions at the right time.

I typed Luna’s question into my head.

And the result is-

“… … .”

… … hmm?

Is this right… … ?

I paused for a moment and then slowly shook my head.

‘no. Is this right.’

My intelligence is 100. There is no doubt about this now.

So, my prediction is absolutely correct.

No matter how unbelievable the advice is, you must first have confidence that it is right.

With that mindset – with both eyes open, I delivered my mantra to everyone.

“First of all, it is Mercury. Take as much time as possible to defend yourself.”

“But you can’t do anything with just defense!”

When Tifa spoke, I looked at her and said.

“That’s right. If you keep defending yourself like this, it will eventually break through. This is even more true if the enemy is Iren. But, it’s okay. If you give me some time, I will personally grant you an audience with Lin Brans of Brans County.”

“The word audience means… … ?”

“Yes.”

I nodded at Luna’s words.

“I, Swen, will have an audience with Lin Brans and conclude an armistice.”

“… … Armistice, agreement… … ?”

Everyone who heard me couldn’t hide their surprise.

By the way, are you saying that you are going to sign an armistice agreement because there is something to give to the army that is only thinking of taking 23,000 soldiers to somehow avenge the previous humiliation and take over our castle?

Agreements were only made when there was something that could be gained from the other side.

okay. Since you are fighting the military, I will defeat you. So, in the question, “What can you give?”, it meant that it was a way to think about something that could be clearly presented.

“Master. How much gold is currently available for our military to operate?”

“… … In total, it will be about 1,300.”

“That’s enough. I will come back after making an agreement with 1,300 gold.”

Kane spoke in a pleading tone, as if persuading me.

“Look here. Swen County. I approve of you. I know very well that he is an extraordinary man. but… … Isn’t this too unrealistic? Rather than that, wouldn’t it be more realistic to use that money to borrow troops from other countries around you? Since it is a water-based battle, wouldn’t this side have an advantage if it had a little more troops?”

His words were correct.

If we lose here anyway, our country will be destroyed.

If you’re going to save up all the money you have left, wouldn’t it be wise to create a situation where you can survive a little longer?

But I spoke in a firm tone.

“No. Doing so will only lead to destruction in the end. You can’t overcome it by holding on for one or two more days. I will risk my life to achieve this armistice agreement, so please protect this castle at all costs during this time.”

I could have risked my life as many times as I wanted.

I wasn’t afraid at all.

I was confident in my words.

That’s right, my 100-strong brain advised me to ‘sign an armistice.’

“Master. Decision.”

“… … .”

Runarien didn’t seem to worry too much this time.

Her complete trust in me came to me without difficulty.

I too am a little confident.

She will trust me unconditionally.

“Swen hopes that 1,300 gold will be used to sign an armistice with the Brans army.”

“Old!”

“And the remaining generals will join me in defending this castle. There will be no special interception squad organized. I think Tifa and I will be able to defend the eastern gate through which the enemy will enter, and the mercenaries will be able to defend the remaining gates. If anyone has an opinion, please speak without hesitation.”

“No opinion.”

“I will follow!”

“You just have to stop it! Then what separate opinion is needed?”

The generals who heard Luna’s command dispersed and prepared for defense.

This is it.

I’m not too worried because what I say is absolutely correct – but we still have to move as quickly as possible.

The fact that advice changes depending on the situation is the same in this game.

If you ask the same question tomorrow for advice, you could get completely different advice.

“Okay then, I’ll get off to a quick start. We will resolve this as quickly as possible, so please be patient. Then.”

“… … Mr. Swen.”

That moment.

Runarien grabbed my shoulder.

And then… … The strong appearance he had shown just now was gone, and he looked at me with pitiful eyes that made me feel like he would collapse if I touched him.

“… … You have to come back alive. Did you know?”

As expected, are you overly nervous?

I’m grateful that you follow my advice to ‘appear appropriately dignified in front of everyone,’ but… … It seemed like there were various difficulties due to her personality.

I spoke in a playful tone, trying to make her relax.

“Is this an order?”

but.

Instead of laughing at my joke in the slightest, she responded in a very serious voice.

“Yes. It’s a command. If you don’t come back alive… … Even if I die and lose my body… … Even if I become a ghost, I will follow you around. If you die arbitrarily… … I will never forgive you.”

?

It felt a bit strong, but… … In any case, this person had no intention of dying either.

I want to return to my original world safely. for now. I also wanted to see my family.

“Okay. I’ll have a nice trip. Please give me your last name.”

After hearing what I said, she nodded with a faint smile.

*

“Everyone, march as fast as possible! If you fall behind, you will be left behind! If you want to avoid being miserable, you’d better not lose weight in your steps!”

Irene was on a forced march with a large army of about 23,000 men in tow.

Naturally, many soldiers failed in this process.

Even though the distance from Zeeland Castle was not that far, it was obvious that at this rate, as many as two or three thousand troops would be eliminated.

‘It’s a week. ‘The castle must be brought down within a week.’

Although she herself was not conscious of it, she was called a siege specialist by those around her.

Even if there was a slight deviation in the number of soldiers, he felt that the only advantageous way was to attack the castle as quickly as possible as long as supplies were insufficient.

A week was a really, really short time. He instinctively understood that this was the only way to show something to Lin Brans, who had put him in the spotlight again.

Did her urging work?

Before the sun went down, the east gate of Zeeland Castle appeared before my eyes.

The castle walls were packed with archers.

And there was a fairly large army stationed in front of the door.

The leader at the front is… … A female general holding an axe.

According to the information he had, it was clearly a person named Tifa.

“… … .”

Irene slowly stretched out her hand.

At the same time, catapults slowly appeared on both sides.

Isn’t it natural to prepare siege weapons before a siege?

And perhaps he expected this –

“Let’s go, guys!!”

They started charging towards us from that side first.

In order for the catapult to be within attack range, it had to go further.

If we went any further, the enemy army, who was inevitably raining arrows from the castle walls, would have a much greater advantage in the fight.

Still, there are 20,000 people here.

once. If only I could break through the castle gate once… … It’s a victory for this side!

Iren let out a roar like lightning.

“All units, charge!!!!”