CH Short Story 0.5.3

Chapter Short Story 0.5.3

The Legend of the Dragon 3

NOTE FROM TL: This is rose. I am back! Releases will go as planned with the next one on September 3. I will say otherwise if I am busy again but for now, university requirements have died down so here you go.

: The Legend of the Dragon 2

“News extra! Get your news extra!!!”

A clerk from a store dealing with news and information was shouting. Even though it was early morning for the rest of the capital, Archul, the place was brimming with people.

Shaking his head from side to side to get the drowsiness out, Kitamura gets up.

“Hear this! The Duke Mauli Hanmann is rising up against the kingdom! Mauli Hanmann got together the best mages and while we don’t know how he did it, he got all those legendary beasts in swarms, attacked Waizer, the city of Duke Ioan, and killed everyone!”

The first thing Kitamura hears in the morning is bad news. He listens closely.

“King Brandea has ordered all knight groups to the capital for its defense!!! Mauli Hanmann is coming here! There’s gonna be a fight! There’s gonna be a fight!!! For more details, buy today’s issue from the Molutz paper! The end is nigh! The end is nigh!!!”

Gods, what timing. At this rate we will get caught up in this civil war.

“For fuck’s sake…”

The prospect of temporarily evacuating enters Kitamura’s mind. Without any contacts or assets in the kingdom, getting caught in the civil war was dangerous for them. Since Japan itself can’t afford to get caught up in another heated situation so soon after the Parpaldia conflict, Kitamura entrusted the SDF personnel with him to send word back home.

・・・

The royal castle, Archul

An emergency meeting was being held in the royal castle regarding the uprising of Mauli Hanmann, who had already conducted a massacre at the city of Waizer. Among those in the meeting are King Brandea, Dukes Ioan and Wysk, and nobles that have pledged their allegiances to the king.

“Your Highness, I cannot forgive Mauli Hanmann’s trespasses in inciting an uprising. I can’t stand to hear the reports wherein that filth gruesomely massacred my beloved vassals. While the Phoenix Knights may have been annihilated, I still have the Dragon’s Fang Knights and the Demon’s Seal Knights under my command. Please allow me to lead my forces in an attack on Mauli’s domain!”

The forces under Mauli Hanmann attacked the city of Waizer in the domain of Duke Ioan, annihilating the Phoenix Knights, killing all of the citizens there, ransacking the storehouses and stealing all of the azure magic stones before retreating back to Mauli’s domain. Duke Ioan is well-known for how fair he treats the people under his rule. No semblance of that fair man remained in his face as he seethed with rage at Mauli for violating his domain and massacring his people.

“Lord Ioan, I need you not to give in to your rage. Mauli has done a horrible deed. For that, it will not only be your army that will march to his domain, but all of the forces from all corners of Caluamique. With sufficient preparations, we will be able to rat out that snake from his castle and drag him all the way to the halls of justice. Naturally, the Royal Knights will march with yours.”

“Thank you!”

Everyone let loose. Caluamique’s largest, best-equipped, and best-trained fighters, the Royal Knights, will march. Normally, they alone would be able to single-handedly crush the forces of Mauli in one fell swoop.

“Forgive me, Your Highness. I was blinded by fury. Lead us, Great King! My only wish is to be in the vanguard of Mauli’s punishment!”

“Granted.”

Summing it all up:

First, all forces will gather at the well-fortified capital city before setting off for Mauli’s domain. This will take roughly a week.To prevent spies from Mauli compromising the capital, a strict lockdown will be imposed. No one, not even merchants, are allowed to leave or enter the capital until the armies have brought Mauli to justice.The armies will be split into three: two will head to Mauli’s domain while one will stay behind to defend the capital.

“The ruthless act of murdering non-combat personnel will not be overlooked. I, King Brandea, will take command of the punishment of Duke Mauli Hanmann from here.”

With that, the Caluamique Civil War has begun.

・・・

Wysk Manor, Archul

“So, with that said, we are currently not in the situation to handle diplomatic negotiations. Furthermore, you are not allowed to leave the capital for the time being. I offer my sincerest apologies.”

Duke Wysk was explaining the course of events to Kitamura.

“It has come to this, then… We will evacuate back to our country and once things have calmed down, we will return to resume diplomatic negotiations. This is possible to request, right? We are simply evacuating.”

Duke Wysk’s expression worsened.

“I’m sorry. At the king’s orders, we cannot allow anyone to leave or enter the capital to combat spies. If you were a diplomat with whom we have diplomatic ties, then we would certainly consider it but the kingdom still doesn’t recognize your country. In one week, things will change. I don’t mind your delegation staying here within the manor so please refrain from moving away from the capital.”

“If so, then couldn’t we just borrow a garden for a helicopter to land in so that we can leave by air?”

“Sorry, but Mauli Hanmann is in league with the legendary beasts. If this helicopter flying machine that I saw in the moving pictures you have shown me were to arrive here, the people would only think that it would have come from Mauli. In the midst of such a strict situation, if you pull that off and we resume talks, I don’t think it would work well for you.”

Kitamura reluctantly gave up the prospect of evacuating.

“Don’t fret, Sir Kitamura. The armies of our lords are nothing to scoff at and the walls of this great capital are as hard as steel. It will not fall so easily to the likes of Mauli’s forces.”

The Japanese delegation was forced to stay put within the capital.

・・・

Nine days later, 80km north of Archul

The royal army has approached a high plain roughly 10km south of the city of Tozul, the capital of Mauli’s domain. Trekking almost 80km in a 3 day march, the fast speed was unheard of of any army in the island. Commander Metzil of the Royal Knights ordered his ranks to stay in formation as he glared north. At the other end of his glare was an otherworldly army opposing their advance. It was composed of the legendary beasts, which originally cannot be tamed, let alone formed up into the ranks of an army.

“How… peculiar…”

Not knowing how strong or what kind of fight their foes will bring, the elite troops of the Royal Knights raised their guard to the highest they could.

“Sir Metzil! Sir Metzil!”

A knight under the command of Duke Ioan, the camp which has seen the most destruction from Mauli Hanmann, came to him.

“What is it?”

“We will take point as the first to land a blow on the forces of the traitor Mauli Hanmann!”

“Understood. However, we still don’t know what kind of attacks they will pull this time. I advise you to be on your guard.”

“It doesn’t matter how strong they are, for we alone will crush them!”

The royal army moved forward with its preparations.

・・・

Mauli Hanmann’s camp

The temperature was slightly warm as the great, big blue unfolded above their heads. Since it was a field on a high plain, the trees were short, the grass scant, and visibility good. Had this been any other day, it would have been a comforting vista to take in, however, this time a dark atmosphere set in.

“Oh! Here they come! So many strong warriors! So this is two thirds of the royal army’s strength! Hm? That flag… They even sent in the Royal Knights! They’ve really gone all out in stamping me out. This is good. Oi, Ordo!”

Mauli Hanmann called for the mage Ordo, clad in black armor at his side.

“Yes, my lord!”

“Are our preparations ready?”

“Yes. The beast legions, the lord beast Diobehemoth, the 20 flame-driven tanks, and the 70 airborne knights are all ready.”

“Diobehemoth, the flame-driven tanks, and our airborne knights are all our trump cards. Why don’t we send in the beast legions first.”

“As you wish, my lord!”

“70 airborne knights… That in itself is powerful. We’re lucky to have amassed so many flame-eating birds. Well done!”

“I am overjoyed, my lord! The flame-eating birds are the sole, strongest flying species, capable of carrying the weight of a person while still being able to take flight, and possessing the ability to shoot a fireball at over 20m. Us being able to put these flame-eating birds under our commission using the beast-control techniques and mounting knights on them is none other than the great orders of the unique mind of Lord Mauli Hanmann!”

“Indeed.”

Mauli Hanmann was absolutely confident in the fight to come.

・・・

“Let’s goooooooo!!!”

The rousing cheers of men and the stamping of horses’ hooves on the earth echoed throughout the vicinity. The morale of Duke Ioan’s Dragon’s Fang Knights and Demon’s Seal Knights was high, matched by the height of the clouds of dust being kicked up from their ranks. The group of more than 400 knights are advancing forward to land the first blow on Duke Mauli Hanmann’s 1500-strong beast legions. The Demon’s Seal Knights took to the vanguard.

“Monsters!!! Taste the sting of our arrows!!!”

Together with the sound of hundreds of bows bending at the strain, the knights readied.

“Loose!!!”

With hundreds of arrows cutting into the air, a rain of wood and steel descended on the beasts. After the first strike, the Demon’s Seal Knights took action to try to get around the beasts as they readied to continue their onslaught. Making good use of their horses, the attacks continued. Arrows pierced the reptilian beasts, agitating them as they let out cries of pain and anger. The loose group of beasts readied their spears as they charged into the Demon’s Seal Knights. As sounds of metal clashing against metal rung out, sparks flew, followed by cries of pain. A portion of the horde of beasts was slashed off.

“Haha! You see that?!”

“We’re the elite!!! Keep up your guard!!!”

Vigor enveloped the battlefield.

“Lord Mauli, they may be small fry but they indeed carry the bulk of our forces. At the very least, we will run out of feed for the stronger beasts if we don’t unleash the 12-horned beasts.”

“I leave the timing and the numbers to you then. I don’t want to see a boring battle.”

“As you command!”

The great mage Ordo began to spout orders.

・・・

“It seems that we have the upper hand in this fight. Those beasts may be strong pound for pound but they’re useless without cohesion. Their weapons are also piss-poor. We Royal Knights need not even march as Duke Ioan’s knights seem to be enough to clean up this rabble.”

Royal Knights commander Metzil optimistically stated.

“Indeed… At this rate, we will definitely w-huh?! Sir Metzil!!! Are those what I think they are?!”

Close to the battlefield, 30 beasts came roaring out of holes from the ground. Their hides were black, they had 6 feet, their face was the very definition of hideous, and despite their thick hide, their muscles could be seen. On their heads protruded 12 horns.

“No… 12-horned beasts?! They had such high-threat beasts in their ranks?! Fuck!”

The 12-horned beasts were all racing towards the mounted knights of Duke Ioan’s Demon’s Seal Knights. They were gaining on them with unprecedented speed.

“Fuck!!! Come on! We’ll join the fight!!!”

Commander Metzil, judging that Duke Ioan’s knights were in peril, gave out the orders to the main force to march forth as he led his own Royal Knights down to the fighting. The mounted knights surpassed the infantrymen, emerging out into the front.

・・・

Demon’s Seal Knights

“Attention to the right side!!! A group of beasts are charging us!!!!”

“Ready your arrows!!!”

They pulled back the bowstrings on their bows. The Demon’s Seal Knights, despite being on horseback, couldn’t run away from the charging beasts. The beasts were over 3m long and were the epitome of the adjective disgusting.

The bows twanged.

Hundreds of arrows were propelled into the air. All of the arrows, despite finding their mark on the beasts, bounced off of the steel, needle-like tufts of fur on the beasts.

Unable to stop them, the 12-horned beasts under the command of Mauli Hanmann and released on the orders of the great mage Ordo all crashed into the Demon’s Seal Knights. The knights in front were all successively thrown out of their horses, crashing down on the knights travelling behind them as a great number of men fell from their horses, stopping the knights in their tracks.

“F-fuck!!!”

Losing their mobility, the Demon’s Seal Knights were instantly surrounded by the lower-class beasts.

“Draw your swords!!! Maintain formation!!!”

Covering up for their lack in individual strength against the beasts, the dismounted knights quickly formed up ranks. The 12-horned beasts once again rammed into the formation, killing many as the formation of the knights gave way.

“Aaaargh!!!”

Screams were the order of the day as the knights were individually taken out. It was like a scene from hell…

“Don’t give up!!! Look!!! The Dragon’s Fang Knights are coming!!!”

The commander encouraged his comrades.

At that point, the 12-horned beasts turned and started charging towards the Dragon’s Fang Knights. Readying their lances, they faced the beasts.

Bam.

Hundreds of knights were knocked off their horses. However, they only managed to wound one of the 12-horned beasts. The strength ratio was clear. The Dragon’s Fang Knights began to waver.

“Ho Ho Ho… Lord Mauli, it would seem that the enemy vanguard is close to collapse and we only had to release 30 12-horned beasts. We need not to send in the flame-driven tanks or Diobehemoth.”

“That isn’t to say that the bulk of the royal army still hasn’t reached the fray. I think that the 12-horned beasts alone will have a hard time dealing with all of that.”

“Now that you mention it… Lord Mauli, I want to leave the costly flame-driven tanks behind so that they can be used in the attack on the capital and instead unleash the airborne knights to push the Royal Knights to the edge of annihilation.”

“Hmm… We’re bringing out our trump cards then?”

“Yes. The foe is the main force. If we show to the main force that they absolutely cannot win and let a small portion of them escape, they will tell everyone else in the capital and their morale will plummet. It will be of great use against the well-fortified capital.”

“No wonder you are a great mage! I leave the rest to you!”

Mauli Hanmann has decided to unleash his secret weapon: the airborne knights.

・・・

The Royal Knights have broken out into a run against the beasts to save Duke Ioan’s forces, which have collapsed. However, there was still some distance left and despite being on horseback, they were mortifyingly slow against the speed at which developments occur.

“What the?! What the hell are those?!”

“Woah! No fucking way!”

Commotion ran through the knights. Wondering what’s going on, commander Metzil looked up to the sky.

“N-No! How is that possible?! Flame-eating birds?! A-and there are people riding them?! Shit!”

The flying knights came within 20m above the Royal Knights, unleashing a hail of fireballs at them.

“Aaaaargh!!!”

Fireballs from a total of 70 birds crashed down on the ground. In what is a very powerful attack for the level of civilization on the island, the royal army crumbled.

“How the hell do we even fight against a flying force?! A force of flame-eating birds at that!!! How the hell did they get so many powerful units… Fuck!!!!”

Commander Metzil died in the hellfire brought about by the attack of Mauli Hanmann’s airborne knights. 5,600 men died on the Caluamique Royal Army’s side while the remaining 3,400 took flight.

・・・

On that day, a shock ran through the capital. The flight of the Caluamique Royal Army as well as the tales of the enemy’s power told by the soldiers that had run away was nothing less than unthinkable. The powerful beasts were indeed a threat but far more threatening than those beasts were the conqueror of the skies, the flame-eating birds, being under the command of their enemy. Moreover, there were more than 50 of them, an already unthinkable number. If those flame-eating birds were to attack them now, they have no way of defending against them. It would be nothing less than a one-sided slaughter. If what the soldiers that had survived the battle were saying are indeed true, then there is a critical, unmistakable hole in the otherwise strong fortress city that is the capital. King Brandea struggled to come up with a solution.

・・・

A certain tavern, Archul

Drunkards were talking about the rumors they heard that the royal army had been utterly defeated.

“Man. Even the Royal Knights were dispatched yet they were crushed by a measly duke.”

“Right. But then get this, that Mauli managed to get his hands on some flame-eating birds.”

“Flame-eating birds?! Those batshit-crazy, demonic things?!”

“Yeah… I think… Yeah, pretty sure…”

“Those things can go 100-100km/h easy while carrying the weight of a person and more. Their fireballs are effective up to 20m away. Their wings are tough, their pride similarly tough, enough to carry the weight of the person sitting on top of them. What the hell…”

“If… If what they’re saying is true…”

“Things like attacks from the sky are the stuff of legends. If it’s real, then the royal army is in for a tough fight.”

“How the hell are they gonna do it even?”

The drunkards continued their talk.

・・・

So this is how it is in a world where you can’t get info so easily. Holy shit it’s so frustrating.

Foreign Affairs’ Kitamura lamented their situation. They have so few intel on what’s going on. From their surroundings, they were able to guess from the bloodshot eyes of the soldiers and the tense situation that Mauli’s punishment failed miserably. Even when he went to ask Duke Wysk, the situation was top-secret so his lips were firmly shut. Unable to communicate information reliably back home, he was lost in deciding whether to forcibly call for a helicopter and escape from Caluamique altogether. Looking at the garden from where he is, he sees some people disconnected from the worries of the world.

“Sir Muller, look at these flowers! They’re so pretty!”

“I-indeed.”

“What do you think about this tea and these sweets?”

“Ah, yes… They’re great!”

“I’m so glad! I wasn’t able to sleep last night since I made these for you.”

“Thank you!”

“Ahh… That side of yours… It makes me swoon…”

Kitamura sighed.

“What the hell… How happy-go-lucky could they get?”

It seemed like he was the only one who was suffering. Without intel, whether he worries or not, their situation remains the same. Looking at the field of flowers before him, his worries eased a bit.

“Today’s another day. Why don’t I try to gather more intel…”

He was preparing himself when…

Boom

Like something exploding in the distance, a deep sound echoed throughout the capital. The soldiers began to hurry about. From far off to the distance, screams could be heard. Flames began appearing off in the streets in the distance which gradually spread.

“What the?! What’s going on???”

Kitamura, thinking of asking Duke Wysk, immediately got into his suit and ran for the duke’s study. By the time he reached the study, the duke’s forces had also arrived to report to the duke.

“What happened?!”

Kitamura asked.

Seeing the impatience on the duke’s face, he understood that something out of the ordinary had happened.

“Ah, Sir Kitamura! Mauli had begun his attack on the capital! Gate 1 has already been breached and the beasts are flooding into the streets of the capital! Right now, the royal army is in the midst of hurrying an assembly of troops. Since we are within the bounds of Gate 2, we shouldn’t have suffered any damages for the time being.”

Conveying the situation lightly, Duke Wysk then turned to his subordinates.

“How the hell did Gate 1 fall so easily?!”

“Sir! Earlier this morning, knights riding on flame-eating birds have begun attacking within the gates. While our attention is up towards the skies, the enemy brought forth magical weapons, powerful steel war chariots, to blast open the gate, allowing a large number of beasts into the streets of the capital. These war chariots are impervious to arrows and even the bolts of our ballistae can’t do anything. Without our own magic, we can’t do anything against them. They’ve crushed our resistance down in Gate 1 and are now heading for Gate 2. Since there are two layers of wall reinforcing Gate 2, I don’t think it will fall as easily as Gate 1 did.”

Even as they talked, fires continued to spread throughout the city. As the entire capital was gripped by an air of confusion, Kitamura broke into a run to try to inform the Japanese government.

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