Chapter 89

The next morning, we immediately began our advance.

We marched north on a wide road that still had plenty of space even when we formed ten columns.

"Marshal Orion, we'll be entering the border soon, won't we?"

Since there was free time during the march, I decided to talk to Father.

"Yes, I suppose so. It's hard to say when they'll notice us, but we'll likely be in battle within three days."

Is that so?

I still get nervous about battles. My stomach was already tightening up.

If I just asked this, it would sound like idle chatter, so I decided to ask about something that was bothering me.

"Is that so... By the way, if the enemy sets up their formation, where do you think would be ideal?"

Father's army has a critical weakness, and the enemy could potentially exploit it by setting up their formation accordingly. That weakness is, "If things go as planned, they'll probably fortify the castle."

I see. Well, if that's the best strategy, then so be it.

"Will we lay siege if they fortify the castle?"

Well, with my buffs, we might manage...

"But we only have thirty thousand troops, and we don't have any siege weapons."

We do have wooden ladders, but no large siege engines like towers.

Actually, now that I think about it, I haven't even heard the purpose of this war.

Is it to drive the enemy out? With this number?

That's impossible. Even a small country is huge compared to a tiny human.

Or are we just going to claim territory?

I don't know, so I'll ask.

"Um, I haven't heard the purpose of this army. What is this army for?"

What can thirty thousand troops accomplish?

When I asked this, Father looked surprised and turned to me.

"Huh?"

Well, I haven't heard it, so I don't know.

"I see, you didn't know. Then think about it. What can an army of thirty thousand accomplish?"

I'm asking because I don't know. Is this part of parenting?

"Eliminating the enemy within Lymion...?"

"Impossible."

Of course, he answered immediately.

"Then, driving them out?"

"We don't even know where they are. Even with thirty thousand, or even sixty thousand, we can't handle over one hundred fifty thousand enemies."

That's what I expected. Next, the real question.

"Is Lymion going to give up and fight for territory?"

"How would we explain that to the world?"

"To the world?"

"How would we explain it to other countries?"

How would we explain it to other countries...

"Protecting the people of Lymion, perhaps?"

What if we take over land and settle the Lymion people there? If we can secure a fertile region near the elves, we'd have a basic food supply.

I thought it was a good idea, but Father looked at me with a "still not there" expression.

"Other countries wouldn't see it that way. It would look like we prioritized our own interests over an alliance with Lymion. It might be acceptable, but ultimately, we need a reason. What is it?"

"A reason..."

"Don't you understand? Giving up on driving the enemy out and taking land near the elves. Then what?"

Then what? Then... then what?

Then what?

And I finally came up with an answer.

"Seize the opportunity to rebuild Lymion, perhaps?"

"Correct. Then, there's something essential for rebuilding Lymion. What is it?"

Something essential for rebuilding?

"Most countries, of course. Including ours."

...Oh! I get it!

"The king!"

"Correct. So, the purpose of this army is..."

"Protecting the royal family?"

"Exactly."

I see, I see.

"Wait, then what about Lymion?"

What will happen to it?

Seeing my confusion, Father gave a straightforward answer with a serious face.

"Let it fall."

"Fall...? Give up?"

"Yes, it's clear we can't save it. But we need to secure the royal family for the future. This army is for that purpose."

He explained.

But...

I can't accept it. My feelings are complicated. Giving up from the start...

Though my face is hidden by a mask, Father must have noticed my silence.

"Rain, you're kind. But don't lose sight of what needs to be protected. Your job now is to help our Pornezia troops achieve their goal and get as many of them back to their homeland as possible. Understand?"

"Yes..."

I understood, even though my feelings were still mixed. I realized what he was asking me to do.

"By the way, Father, my name is Riddle now."

If I use my real name, the mask is pointless.

"Don't nitpick."

I got scolded for stating the obvious.

As we marched, we reached the Riven River, which serves as the border with Lymion. We crossed the bridge and finally arrived in Lymion.

It was... chaotic.

Lymion was already lost, and people were trying to flee to our side.

If we let them in easily, spies and agents could flood in. We can't take in so many people.

So, corruption like taking bribes is probably rampant... I don't know for sure.

Seeing the Orion family's flag, they cheered for us.

"Good luck!"

"Drive the empire out of this country!"

"Your Grace, save our country!"

"Long live Duke Orion! Long live Marshal Orion!"

Such voices came from all around.

It hurt to hear.

I had to leave behind children and others. I couldn't bring everyone into the country. Most of these people would face hell in the occupied land. Thinking about it made me want to cry.

Father must have noticed my mood.

"Don't waste sympathy. There's nothing we can do."

He said sternly.

"Yes, sir."

I barely held back my tears and responded.

We continued marching past the long line of refugees. After a while, a spy reported the enemy's formation.

"Marshal, report! The Badragia and Gallean coalition army is fifty kilometers ahead, waiting for us on the plain!"

A plain? They're waiting on a plain?

I wasn't the only one who found this strange. One of Father's trusted men, the assault captain Baldr, laughed loudly.

"A plain?

Ha ha ha! They must be idiots!

They must really want to be crushed by us!"

He's strong but simple-minded.

Father, calm as ever, asked, "How many?"

The most important number.

If it's fifteen thousand, we'd have to turn back and flee to Pornezia to avoid annihilation.

"Ha! The enemy numbers about sixty thousand in total!"

Sixty thousand!?

We have thirty thousand. Twice our number.

"Sixty thousand?"

Father also seemed skeptical.

"Ha! No mistake!"

No way...

What the hell...

Twice... Twice, you say...

You guys...

There's no way...

Do you really think you can defeat Father with just twice the number?