Chapter 62

Through the surveillance network spread across the regions, it was discovered that Duke Litreju had moved from his domain. He seems to join his double, Ricoche, just before entering the capital.

The location is the Imperial Direct Territory. It appears that Duke Litreju has borrowed a mountain villa from a wealthy merchant with whom he is on good terms, located near the capital.

"Even though he is a member of the Five Royal Families, I am once again reminded of the sheer power he wields."

Colonel Altsar chuckled and propped his cheek on his hand.

"To rise in this country, one must get close to one of the Five Royal Families. This applies not only to nobles but also to soldiers and merchants. Therefore, all successful people are dyed in one of the five colors."

The wealthy supporters of the Litreju faction were among the first to be monitored, so the Litreju family's movements were quickly detected by the other families.

Of course, the Litreju side also carried out the utmost concealment, but they could not match the intelligence capabilities of the remaining four families. This time, they were caught by the Mildor family's information network, which was close to the villa, through rumors from suppliers.

This is what happens when you make the Five Royal Families your enemies in this country. That's why no one can defy them.

"It's scary. I wonder which color I am, as a minor official."

"I hope it's the Medilen family's color. I would be troubled if you left, so I'll make sure to dye you more thoroughly."

The colonel's jokes sometimes sound serious, which is troublesome. I smile ambiguously.

We can't afford to joke around all the time. We are about to set out on the largest operation in my career, one that will go down in history regardless of its success or failure.

The colonel, understanding this, becomes serious.

"I want to confirm Duke Litreju's military strength."

"This is a secret meeting with the emperor, so his Fifth Division cannot be officially mobilized, nor is it necessary. However, it seems that some troops within his territory are on the move."

I place markers on the small map on the table, including the latest report.

"The battalion commanders loyal to Duke Litreju are leading their troops to the border with the Imperial Direct Territory. We have confirmed three battalions of infantry, about 1,500 men, under the pretext of exercises and patrol duties."

"They are likely more numerous, aren't they?"

"Since we cannot grasp all their movements, it is natural that there are more. It is reasonable to assume that cavalry is also on the move."

Cavalry movements are difficult to detect because there are limited ways to transmit information faster than on horseback.

"The three battalions we have confirmed are moving separately, but they will probably converge somewhere. Duke Litreju must be considering using this force for a retreat to his territory in case the summons is a trap."

"1,500 line infantry are not enough to prevent the Imperial Guard Division's pursuit, nor would they buy much time. It seems more troops are on the move."

Unlike in chess or shogi, we don't know how many pieces are on the board. We only know about the three battalions.

However, we can make some predictions.

"I have compiled a list of officers loyal to Duke Litreju. Even if they mobilize all the troops they can, it won't reach 10,000. They are mostly young officers of low rank, and even now, most are still battalion or company commanders."

As the military has more administrative rules in the modern era, even royalty cannot make arbitrary personnel decisions. There is a certain order to promoting loyal subordinates.

His loyal subordinates are mostly young noble officers, mostly lieutenants. They are not of the rank to lead regiments or brigades. Commanding a battalion of about 500 men is their limit.

Colonel Altsar smiled.

"It was a good decision not to give that woman more time. If we had left her alone for a few more years, her loyal officers would have become colonels, and the number of troops they could command would have increased significantly. How is our response to this?"

"We cannot openly mobilize troops either. We cannot show even the slightest sign, so all divisions are moving as usual. The exception is us."

The Sixth Special Task Brigade is mobilizing almost all its forces under the pretext of a marching exercise.

"There are no major changes in the movements of the entire army. However, because many units are operating independently without direct command, it will be difficult to respond to unexpected situations."

The colonel nods at my explanation.

"It's worrying, but there's nothing we can do. It would be different if we had a magic mirror for instant communication."

There is one, though. If we develop telegraph technology by advancing the science skill tree.

It's pointless to think about it now, so I nod lightly.

"I have assigned capable non-commissioned officers to each unit. Let's leave it to them."

Of course, in case of a failed operation, I have communicated the criteria for judgment and withdrawal procedures to ensure a swift return. The survival of the majority of the troops is the minimum requirement. I am a staff officer, after all.

The colonel nodded and picked up his coat.

"The arrow has already been released. All I can do is prepare a second arrow. Please follow me with your quiver."

"Yes, sir."

I salute and help the small colonel put on his coat. This is usually the job of the duty soldier, but everyone is busy, so I do it.

It feels like putting a coat on a daughter going to elementary school.

At that moment, the colonel looked up at me.

"Are you thinking something very rude right now?"

"Nothing, sir. Please put on your sleeves properly."

"They're too loose."

"I'll roll them up for you."

It does feel like putting on a school uniform coat.

＊ ＊ ＊

【Vanishing in the Shadows】

"Hmm..."

Ricoche sighs softly in a corner of the spacious room.

Today, she is not in disguise, so there are only two guards. They are probably also monitoring her.

The maids who usually serve the real Duke Litreju are not here.

(While it's relaxing, I'm worried about what the Duke is thinking.)

She received an urgent summons from Duke Litreju while on a mission to subvert the Zihitberg territory and reported on the progress at a mountain villa in the Imperial Direct Territory.

"The subversion is going well. I have already obtained the promise of cooperation from three important ministers."

"Is that so?"

"However, their attitude does not show the desperation typical of traitors."

"You seem to be familiar with the psychology of traitors?"

Sensing the hidden threat in the smile, Ricoche remained calm.

"Only those who are cornered respond to subversion."

"Indeed. Temporarily halt the subversion and remain here until further orders."

"Yes, Your Grace."

After this exchange, Duke Litreju left the villa for somewhere else.

It is probably a noble's or a wealthy person's villa. There are servants, but they are not from the Litreju family. The only Litreju family servants are two silent and unsmiling guards.

(Those two, who were recently assigned, seem to be hiding their true identities.)

There are two types of guards that nobles hire.

One is for status display, to show off how many guards they have.

They are young, tall, and good-looking but have little combat skill. They can be hired cheaply, even from commoners.

The other is practical guards, seasoned veterans.

Most come from knight or samurai families and have undergone rigorous training since childhood. They are skilled in firearms, horsemanship, and swordsmanship and know proper etiquette. They are few in number, and those with high loyalty are irreplaceable.

The two guards here are probably the latter, but something about them seems off to Ricoche, a master of disguise.

(The slight hunch and the way they move suggest they are more skilled in wrestling than swordsmanship. The habit of wearing their helmets low also seems to hide their faces.)

Of course, there are knights who are hunchbacked and skilled in wrestling, and samurai with facial complexes.

But the accumulation of small inconsistencies made Ricoche wary of them.

(If they are not honorable warriors, they are likely dishonorable warriors, mercenaries, or assassins. Considering they have been assigned to me for a long time, the latter is more likely.)

It is unsettling to be monitored by professional killers, but it is the fate of a body double. She has to accept it.

Suddenly, the room outside became noisy.

"What's happening?"

"I don't know, I'll check."

The guards opened the door, and several soldiers with guns rushed in.

"Don't move!"

The voice was that of a young woman, and the distinctive deep brown uniform was unmistakably that of a female line infantry soldier from the Sixth Special Task Brigade.

Ricoche herself was surprised but recognized them.

The moment the guards turned to her, Ricoche crouched behind the sofa and shouted.

"Shoot them!"

"Huh!?"

"What do you mean!?"

Ricoche had intended to ask the Sixth Special Task Brigade soldiers to shoot the guards, but in her panic, her words were incomplete.

Given her position and the situation, it would have sounded like she was asking the guards to shoot the intruders.

Ricoche realized her mistake, but a dry gunshot rang out above her head.

"Ugh!?"

"What are you doing, everyone, shoot! Their job is to silence us!"

A man's scream and a woman's command followed, and the sound of someone falling to the ground was heard, followed by more gunshots.

Peeking out from behind the sofa, Ricoche saw the assassins disguised as guards lying on the floor, hit by several bullets at close range and already dead.

In front of her stood a stern-faced female non-commissioned officer.

"Are you Ricoche? The body double of Duke Litreju?"

"Yes, who are you?"

The female soldier saluted Ricoche.

"I am Laila, a corporal in the Sixth Special Task Brigade. I have been ordered to protect you. We have secured the villa, but we cannot stay long. Get ready immediately."

Ricoche, taken aback by the situation, recognized Laila's face and decided to trust her. Given the extraordinary circumstances, she could no longer continue as a body double.

"I understand. ...But why suddenly?"

While reloading her musket, Laila answered curtly.

"I don't know either. Oh, I have a message from the staff officer."

Laila shouldered her gun and said,

"He said, 'You can be yourself again.' I don't understand what it means."

"I can be myself again..."

Ricoche's eyes welled up with tears at the words.

"Hey, are you okay?"

Laila was concerned, but Ricoche wiped her eyes and smiled.

"It's nothing. I'll get ready quickly. Let's go."

No matter what, she would crawl to Captain Chrombertz if she had to.

With a secret resolve, Ricoche smiled.