CH 273

Chapter 273 – Xday-1

In the end, the commanders of both the Duchy of Dihart and the Royal Army of Tigris left the discussion for now, promising only to evacuate the wounded and the dead and to withdraw from the war.

“Was it all right?”

“Yes, it was good. We are supposed to take a firm stand against this act of aggression. Also, taking prisoners of war would be troublesome.”

“I see.”

In fact, the reason why we did not take POWs this time is not only because it is troublesome to manage but also because it is difficult to manage POWs in units of 1,000 people with personnel at the northern base. Even if we had someone from Mesotherium, it would be difficult to manage such a large number of prisoners. If we could take knights and nobles as hostages, we might be able to expect a reasonable ransom, but, well, I think I’ll pass this time.

“So, are you really going to destroy the fort as well?”

“Yes, I’m going to do it. Though I’ll take care of that, so there’s no chance for the magic rifle battalion.”

“Is that so?”

“I’m going to literally blow the place to smithereens. Well, I guess it’s okay to watch from afar.”

I had planned to take along an elite rifleman, half of the harpy bombers, and some of my escort Shumel and the others, but it might be better to take at least Worg and one of the company commanders with me.

“Yes, you may observe if you wish. But only as many as can fit on one air board so that we can escape immediately in case of emergency. Also, please leave the commander behind so that the base can continue to function.”

“Yeah, okay. In two weeks, right?”

“Yes, in two weeks.”

I’ll have the harpies do a reconnaissance the day before, and if they are still there, I’ll have them drop a warning message. If they withdraw with that, that would be good, but, well. The commander of the Duchy of Dihart seems to be getting away somehow, but I’m not sure about the old man from the Kingdom of Tigris. I’m afraid I’m going to have to blow that one up.

☆★☆

Thirteen days have passed since we repelled the invasion by the Duchy of Dihart and the Kingdom of Tigris. Tomorrow is the X-Day for the destruction of the border forts. The Duchy of Dihart’s fort is scheduled to be destroyed at noon tomorrow, and the Tigris Kingdom’s fort is scheduled to be destroyed at sunset tomorrow.

The method of destruction will be by rock golems with built-in magic sparkling stone bombs. Three rock golems will be assigned to escort the magic sparkling stone bomb rock golem as it charges into the fort, smashes through the gate, and detonates itself once inside the fort.

Magic sparkling stone bomb rock golem―that’s a long name; let’s call it a self-destruct golem. The self-destruct golem has several conditions that lead to its detonation. One is to reach the target point, and the other is to strand due to the destruction of the legs, etc. And the last one is when the golem core is destroyed.

If the magic sparkling stone bomb itself is physically destroyed with pinpoint accuracy, it may be neutralized, but it is virtually impossible to destroy the rock golem’s solid body and the magic sparkling stone bomb with a single blow, so there is almost no risk of it being deflected.

Grande or Melty might be able to one-shot it, but if they fail, they’ll be caught in a self-destruct, so, well, it’s not going to happen. Maybe even I can’t stop it. If I had a state-of-the-art mainline tank, maybe I could manage it? Or a powerful air bomb to destroy it in one hit? That’s pretty tough.

I think I could destroy it with anti-tank grenades, but sniping a magic sparkling stone bomb with an anti-tank grenade is close to impossible, and if I fail in time with an anti-tank grenade and it self-destructs, I won’t be saved… Yeah, impossible.

By the way, if you destroy it with a magic attack, it will probably explode. I say probably because it’s too dangerous to actually try. Isla says that, theoretically, it would. Grande’s breath can destroy it from a long distance, so I’ll ask her to try it next time. Experimentation is important.

“I’m back.”

While I was holed up in the workroom, thinking about various things and working on the craft, Pessar, who had been sent to fly to the forts of the Duchy of Dihart and the Kingdom of Tigris for reconnaissance and warning, appeared. Today, her fashionable outfit (heavy bombing frame) was supposed to have a warning letter set in a metal tube, but it was all gone. That must mean.

“They’re still there?”

“Yes, they were. But the fort in Tigris was almost empty. There were a lot of soldiers in the fortress of the Duchy of Dihart, though.”

“Mm, I see. I thought that commander would do well, but I guess not. Or maybe he changed his mind…”

I think about it as I pat Pessar’s head, who came in through the window and approached me trotting. I wonder if the Tigris Kingdom actually suffered so much damage that they thought I was really going to do it, and the Duchy of Dihart, which didn’t actually suffer any damage at all, thought I was bluffing to the higher-ups. I think the hearts of the soldiers who witnessed that battle were broken… Good grief.

“Sad to say, but it’s war.”

“Danna-san is so kind. I don’t think you need to worry about it since they attacked us, and we already gave them a two-week break.”

Pessar says radical things while being maturely petted by me. Pessar, a small species of a harpy, is as petite as a child, but she is a grown woman who has grown up properly with this. Moreover, she is an old soldier who has been fighting as a member of the liberation army since the beginning. She usually appears innocent, but her comments about the war are quite serious.

“Can’t we be a little more civilized and friendly?”

“I think it would be difficult. The Holy Kingdom and its friends are difficult to deal with.”

The petite Pessar climbs up onto my lap in my chair and settles into my lap. Hmm, her feathers are nice and fluffy. Also, she is very light. Grande is quite heavy despite her small size, but the harpies are all lighter than they look. I wonder if their bone structure and density are different.

“Are you depressed?”

“It’s not like I’m depressed, but my tension is down. If possible, it would be better if there were fewer deaths.”

“Yeah, I guess so.”

With a nod, Pessar strokes my cheek and head with her winged arms. Hmm, the image looks bad when the small-bodied Pessar comforts me like this. No, I’m doing what I’m supposed to do, so it’s too late for that.

“Anyway, I’m going to call the relevant authorities. Pessar, follow me.”

“Yeah.”

Before leaving the craft room with Pessar, who I put down on my lap, I first need to wake up Bella, who is asleep on the sofa for the oni tribe in the corner of the craft room. I wonder if this fellow knows what the word “escort” means?