CH 112

Episode 112: The Capital Trembles

We were in the grand conference room located in a corner of Longonia Castle, the central place that can be called the heart of the capital of Dragonia, Longonia.

Everyone here, including myself, are powerful nobles and high-ranking members of knight orders. Among the gathered individuals, there are even members of opposing factions who would never normally act together, and there are also individuals who have such bad relationships that it would be impossible for them to cooperate.

However, for now, all of these individuals were silent inside the conference room. A large map depicting our country was spread out on the table in the grand conference room. And standing beside the table was a knight with a tense expression.

“So, what is the situation in the town of Tatsutron?”

The knight was questioned by the representative of the emperor, who is the highest authority in our country. Not the emperor himself, but the representative of the emperor. However, that position is synonymous with the emperor.

And the knight who was questioned by the representative of the emperor began explaining with a tense demeanor.

“Yes! Currently, the town of Tatsutron is surrounded by a large horde of monsters.”

Yes, this conference was hastily convened upon receiving information that the town of Tatsutron near Dragon Peak Ronride was being surrounded by a large horde of monsters.

The one who brought the information is Count Userule, who rules the neighboring territory of Barony of Isorbe where the town of Tatsutron is located, and the knight who is explaining is also a subordinate of Count Userule.

The count himself is organizing an army for rescue along with Baron Isolve, so he is not in the capital. However, judging from the situation in the town of Tatsutron, it was determined that they would not be able to save the town on their own, so they sent their knights to the capital.

“The monsters have approached close to the defensive wall of the town of Tatsutron, and it seems that the town’s defense force has already started fighting against them. As for the size of the horde of monsters…”

Saying that, the knight placed pieces representing the monsters on the map. The pieces formed two circles, one small circle surrounding the town of Tatsutron and one large circle spreading from the side of the forest located away from the town, surrounding the town. It was as if they were forming two encirclement formations.

“Why are the monsters forming a double circle? Doesn’t this mean they are dispersing their forces?”

Indeed, as the representative of the emperor said, even if they have a large number, if they concentrate their forces on one corner of the encirclement formation, it seems that the damage can be avoided and there is a possibility of escape.

The knight denied the words of the representative of the emperor with a desperate face.

“No, this is not a double circle. From the inner circle to the outer circle, everything is filled with monsters.”

“What?”

The representative of the emperor let out a crazy voice. But we were all the same.

“The entire area from the town to the forest is filled with monsters? No, no, that can’t be. It may look like just a few centimeters on the map, but in reality, it’s over several hundred meters away.”

The knight commander of the Dragonia Knight Order, who protects our country’s capital, interjected. His words, as an expert, caught the attention of the nobles.

“To gather that many monsters to fill such a range, we would have to gather not only the monsters in our country but also the monsters from the surrounding countries. It’s impossible.”

“If that’s the case, then the knight commander must be right.”

It’s only natural for the knight commander to deny it. If you are a noble with a territory, you would understand that the occurrence of a large number of monsters is at most several tens to a hundred.

In the first place, most monsters are constantly being thinned out by adventurers. Therefore, the phenomenon of a large number of monsters appearing is not something that happens often. There are stories of even larger numbers of monsters causing havoc in the past, but they are dubious tales of the past.

And if the knight’s report is accurate, it means that a horde of monsters that far exceeds the usual occurrence of a large number of monsters is surrounding the town. It could be in the thousands.

“We have received reports from many travelers who were on their way to the town of Tatsutron. Our reconnaissance unit that we sent also confirmed the information. Moreover, all the monsters that were confirmed were powerful monsters of Rank C or higher.”

“Wha-! Are you kidding?”

“Unbelievable… A horde of monsters of Rank C or higher?”

The knight commander and others showed expressions of disbelief at the knight’s report.

If they are monsters of Rank C or higher, they are monsters that trained knights would need to fight against with several people. It’s hard to believe that there would be thousands of such monsters.

“In any case, we cannot afford not to send reinforcements to the town of Tatsutron. If the monsters destroy the town, the next target will be the neighboring towns and villages.”

While everyone was confused, the representative of the emperor told the knight commander to gather troops. Yes, if it were a human army, they would either conquer the town or negotiate with us, but monsters only have their appetite.

If the gathered monsters are not satisfied with just the residents of the town of Tatsutron, thousands of hungry monsters will be unleashed throughout the country.

Well, if there are that many monsters, it might be better to disperse them and reduce the number of individual groups. If the monsters were to unite and head to other towns, the towns with only a small defense force would be defenseless.

“Yes, representative of the emperor! We must mobilize the knight order as soon as possible!”

“We must exterminate the monsters before the damage becomes too great!”

The nobles who own territories pushed for the mobilization of the knight order, knowing that they cannot allow the monsters to come to their territories.

“Yes, gather as many troops as possible to eliminate the monsters before the damage becomes too great!”

The foreign minister spoke up, saying that those who fight at the border are sensitive to any changes. If the number of soldiers at the fortress decreases, it will be immediately noticed.

“Yes, knight commander. Gather troops quickly and send reinforcements to the town of Tatsutron.”

“Yes, I will immediately organize a unit and set out! However, if it is a horde of monsters of Rank C or higher, it may be difficult to handle with just the troops stationed in the capital. We may need to urgently request troops from units scattered throughout the country and from the territories of the nobles.”

“Even troops from the nobles?”

The nobles who own territories made displeased faces upon hearing that their own troops would be gathered. But if they own territories, it is only natural for them to send troops for defense.

“If the number of high-ranking monsters reported is true, we will also need to allocate troops from the knight orders that guard the borders.”

“Even the border troops?”

The representative of the emperor raised his voice, saying that it would be bad. The knight orders stationed at the border are there to deter other countries that may have intentions of invading our country.

If those knight orders suddenly disappear, the enemies would be delighted and eager to attack. Of course, it is impossible to withdraw all the troops, but if the number of knights decreases, it will be easier for the enemy to attack.

“Those who fight at the border are sensitive to any changes. If the number of soldiers at the fortress decreases, it will be immediately noticed.”

The foreign minister said something painful to hear, but it was the opinion of an expert. They wanted to imply that it would definitely be noticed. Understanding that, both the representative of the emperor and the knight commander had grim expressions.

“Be careful not to be detected by the enemy and gather as many troops as possible.”

“Understood.”

The foreign minister bowed to the unreasonable order of the representative of the emperor. Even though it should be obvious from the conversation just now, it seems that they want to pretend that the enemy didn’t notice. That’s the job of the foreign minister.

“Now, gather troops quickly and send reinforcements to the town of Tatsutron!”

“Yes!”

As the knight order and the nobles were about to leave the conference room to gather troops, the door was suddenly knocked.

“Excuse me. An envoy from Count Userule has arrived.”

The person who entered was a civil servant working in the castle and a knight wearing armor stained with mud and blood.

“What!? Count Userule?”

The gaze of everyone in the conference room was focused on the knight who had just finished explaining. A new envoy at this moment!?

“Yes, they bring urgent news!”

The face of the representative of the emperor twisted with displeasure. However, his expression showed more confusion than anger. It’s only natural, as this situation is definitely not something trivial.

“Speak.”

The determined representative of the emperor urged the knight who had just arrived to report.

“Yes! The horde of monsters that was surrounding the town of Tatsutron has been exterminated!”

“…………”

“……?”

“……….Huh?”

For a moment, no one understood what was being said, and everyone present tilted their heads in confusion.

“The… the horde of monsters that was surrounding the town of Tatsutron has been exterminated.”

The confused knight, being questioned by everyone, repeated the same thing again.

“……….”

“……….”

“Wha-what!?”