It has been settled. The enemies outside the town have been surrounded and annihilated, while the ones still alive are surrendering; they are being bound by rope and led back into the town. And in the premises, after a brief sound of weapons clashing, a man with his face covered comes outside.

"I am Viscount Garocki!" 

The feudal lord that is dragged out is just like I had imagined, an ugly pig. I might have seen someone similar in the past but I can’t quite remember. There are three important personnel including this guy: A scribe and this guy’s only son.

There are a few knights who are believed to be followers, but when asked to announce their noble names and when they are about to raise their sword, it seems the dark elves stabbed them repeatedly. It’s not like they are pointing their swords to cut them up or anything, but there are dozens of dark elves among the Red Army. Dark Elves have grudges against Castall knights. I guess I could teach them a little bit next time, maybe not, but Jascha Alatt would.

"I am Riheet Tirvac, a dark elf who is now a Count under Hezri Kingdom. This town is under the control of Hezri Kingdom!"

The three captured men look at each other cluelessly.

Leonhardt Strauch explains, "It is a new kingdom. It covers Redcliffe and northern Dioral and now northern Castall. That man over there is His Majesty, King Hiro Hezri."

He points at me.

"We..we are invaded by another kingdom?"

"It's true. As part of our expansionary policy, we are conquering Castall. Another reason is to avenge the dark elves and Dalish tribe." Leonhardt Strauch answers firmly.

Meanwhile Riheet holds back the other two from declaring their names with his cue. After all, we don’t want to hear something we don’t care about. Riheet declares,

"First, this town, Glogow, like Torun will be occupied by Hezri Kingdom. You guys will be executed."

The three of them pull back their faces.

"To execute the party that has surrendered, you don’t know the manners of nobles do you!? You uncivilized person!"

"The central army will get you for sure and kill all of you guys. If you keep us alive, they may have compassion for you!"

"That central army.."

I want to learn about what they know. I walk past Leonhardt Strauch and Riheet.

"If you guys want to survive, you need to present me with information that I am interested in. If you can do that and after telling me everything, I might feel like letting you free."

"I can’t do something as treacherous as that!"

The pig seems to be loyal, contrary to his appearance.

"Then as planned, it seems that everyone will be executed. There is no gain or loss for me. I don’t mind, you know?"

The three of them become silent. The pig’s son is visibly scared, but he seems stupid on the surface. Even if he is to talk, he probably wouldn’t give us any decent information.

"The sun is already setting. I’ll at least get you guys something to eat so the three of you should think carefully. If you want to protect your pride then the next morning it will be an execution."

After telling them that, I signal to Leonhardt Strauch who I met up with and left the place. Leonhardt Strauch and I are convinced that the three of them would give in.

***

"Please look here."

I step into something that looks like a large warehouse that belongs to the Viscount Garocki which Scott Aldiss lead me to. There is a large collection of goods, wheat and pickled vegetables, dried meat and more than the eye can see. Thinking from the situation of the villages that we have captured until now, it is an unbelievable amount.

"Perhaps this town has become a place to accumulate goods for Castall."

The vanguard squad that we wiped out did not bring the transportation squad with them, but they were probably going to refill their food from here and then move out.

"This is quite the amount. If it is just us then it would be several months’ worth of food but we can’t carry all of it."

It would be best if we could hand it over to the Red Army. But the main troops have also carried their own supplies. It’s not like they would be troubled by having extra, but it’s not that important either. In the first place, my kingdom’s economy is doing several times better than Castall. It’s fine if we fight without relying on the enemy supplies.

"Then why don’t we celebrate this victory and throw a banquet for the villagers and townspeople."

"Is that alright? Without asking the main troops."

Scott Aldiss is serious after all.

"I don’t mind. Only the town and we would know how ridiculously we ate in one day. The responsibility is mine, so don’t worry about it."

Besides, it might be an overwhelming victory in the bigger picture but if you look at the volunteer soldiers, their life after this is still questionable. It might be nice for them to feel appreciated.

I should go to visit the volunteer soldiers.

"Hey, you guys are alive."

"…it’s a necessary plan for the war, but some people died."

As expected, Nojico is mad. Just like testing whether a horse is ready to mate, having them collide would naturally get them mad.

"For an established army who was being commanded, suffering a defeat like that is suspicious, and may also be thought of to be done on purpose. It’s a plan that works because the soldiers are farmers."

It’s not a lie. But in the bottom of my heart they volunteered to fight, and I also thought it was natural for there to be deaths, even if they were guided by us.

"I won’t say I’m sorry, if necessary, I might order you to do the same thing again."

Nojico is thinking a little but then showed a bright face.

"I know! I’ll do my best next time too. I’ll convince everyone! But…"

Her smile disappears and she looks at me with a serious face.

"When the battle is over, you win, and you control Castall’s territory, please give preferential treatment to Cocoyashi village…"

This is quite direct. It is easier to understand when someone speaks in a roundabout way.

"We were together since the beginning, we fought together, and there were also deaths. That’s why when we win the bet we should have some good feelings."

"I will treat you and your village well. Is that fine with you?"

"Yes! Ah, and also my virginity also comes along with that, so think about that as well."