Chapter 60

With the sword still pressed against his neck, I urge the man to stand up.

The man slowly rose, trembling.

“W-Who do you think I am! I am Baron Barnett von Galzina of the Generate Kingdom!”

Despite his bravado, I can’t help but smile.

…We’ve got a good hostage here.

To be honest, that’s all I can think about. I know from Charlotte and the others that a baron is a fairly high-ranking noble.

“—Then, if you, this important person, tell them to ‘withdraw the troops,’ they will, right? If you can’t—then you’ll just roll around with the others.”

At my words, Barnett’s face contorts.

“I-I understand! I’ll withdraw the troops immediately!! But, spare my life!!”

I take out a rope and hand it to Al, who ties Barnett’s hands behind his back.

“Toya, this should do it!”

After nodding, I send a glance to the soldiers attacking the town. It seems the rear guard has noticed our assault, and about a hundred soldiers are heading our way. I cast a spell to keep them at bay.

“Stop right there! Your boss is in this condition! If anything happens, his head will roll!”

I shout, keeping the sword at his neck.

The soldiers stop in their tracks, swords still drawn, but they seem to be waiting to see what happens.

“Hey! You there! Withdraw the troops! My life is on the line!”

At Barnett’s words, one of the soldiers takes out something like a whistle and starts to blow it. It must be the signal to retreat, as the soldiers marching towards the fort stop and turn around.

We get into the carriage, leaving the reins to Al, while I keep the sword at Barnett’s neck. As a precaution, I have Charlotte and Natalie get inside the carriage.

We slowly move towards the soldiers. With their commander taken hostage, the soldiers can’t move.

“Hey, tell the soldiers to withdraw.”

I press the sword a little harder against his neck, and he nods, shouting for the soldiers to withdraw.

“Withdraw, all of you! My life is on the line!!”

“Do as he says, or—”

I make a gesture as if to cut his throat, and Barnett’s face turns pale.

As we slowly move the carriage forward, the soldiers part to give us space.

We slowly advance towards the fort.

Once we pass the leading soldiers, I give Barnett further instructions.

“Let’s have the soldiers return for now. It wouldn’t make sense to continue the attack, right? Is there anyone who can act as a messenger?”

“It’s… all of my aides… you’ve taken them out, haven’t you?”

“Indeed, that’s true. But there must be a commander for these soldiers. Call him.”

“Grr… Fine… Hey! Bring the battalion commander!!”

At Barnett’s command, the soldiers start moving frantically, and one of them steps forward. He is larger and more heavily armored than the others.

“—My lord, you called… I am Battalion Commander Galdar.”

Barnett, though trembling, gives his orders to Galdar, who is kneeling a short distance away.

“Withdraw the troops! Return to the garrison and await the prince’s orders.”

“Yes, sir.”

At Galdar’s command, the soldiers start to withdraw. As I watch the soldiers retreat, a loud cheer rises from the fort.

Once the soldiers are out of sight, Barnett sighs.

“Is this good enough? You’ll release me, right? Of course…”

“No way… Think about it normally.”

“What!? That’s not what we agreed on!!”

“No, no one ever said they would release you. If we let you go, you’ll just attack again. You’ll be a hostage for a while.”

At my words, Barnett’s shoulders slump in defeat. I tell Al to head for the gate.

As we approach the gate, soldiers above are aiming their bows, and one of them shouts.

“Who are you!?”

I nod to Al, who stands up and responds to the soldiers on the gate.

“It’s me! Altria von Milda, daughter of Garrett von Milda! Princess Charlotte is here too!!”

At Al’s words, a deafening cheer echoes through the air. The soldier who called out opens his eyes wide, and even Barnett, the hostage, looks surprised.

“Princess!? Open the gate immediately. Please wait a moment.”

After a few minutes, the closed gate slowly opens.

Once the gate is fully open, I signal to the driver to slowly move the carriage forward.

As we pass through the gate, the soldiers, who are prepared for battle, stand at attention. The carriage door opens, and Charlotte, dressed in a pure white robe embroidered with gold, steps out.

At the sight of Charlotte, the soldiers drop their weapons, kneel on one knee, and bow their heads.