Kuro no Senki (LN)

Mid-December of Empire Calendar 433 - Due to the rain that continued to fall until dawn, the Aleos Mountains were covered in fog.

Claude looked up at the mountain and narrowed his eyes, but no matter how narrow his eyes, he could not foresee the fog.

"... I guess I'm not freezing"

Claude shuddered and grinned bitterly.

I used to be wary of barbarians - Lu raids, but now I'm worried.

One of the bitter laughs is leaking.

He walks on muddy ground with a bitter smile and stops in front of Marutai.

It's round about the thickness of the torso.

There are countless scratches engraved on the surface.

Looking next door, there was Marutai there too.

Next to it, plus its neighbor - countless round-tails are punched into the ground at equal intervals.

Claude is in the squad.

Ten thousand soldiers here - five thousand for the Southern Border Garrison and five thousand for the Veterans, including those from the Southern Border - are encouraging training.

Among them is Gaul, son of Count Taur Hernato, head of the Second Kingsguard Knights.

Rebels, no, to discuss false emperor Alfort as an Imperial Army.

"... that's a big story."

Claude stroked his jaw.

As of October, I had no intention of fighting the Empire.

I indicated my willingness to be dissatisfied with the idiots telling me to give them the wheat, and I was going to respond if the other person showed a concessional attitude.

But the situation changed when Orto, who is in Imperial Capital, contacted his son - Chrono - that he was suspected of conspiracy.

The other person is a good person who makes up sins and plunders the wealth of others.

If I give in, I'll just step in for what I give in.

Then we have to fight.

It was military personnel from the southern border and their men, including Baron Gillant's son Dragon, who supported that decision.

Furthermore, the situation changed dramatically when Chrono flipped the anti-flag by holding Empress Tilia.

"Ten, eighty-nine, it would be the price of that opium..."

I don't think Chrono has the nerve to antagonize the Empire.

That opium - it's more natural to think that Empress Tilia instigated it.

"We had a boat to cross."

I was able to take in the garrison thanks to a letter sent to me by Empress Tilia.

There is something called pride even when military spending is shredded and you are hungry.

I needed a big father-in-law to receive the meal offered.

And then there's the post-war profit?

"... sir"

"What?"

When I was called upon to look back, Myra stood in maid clothes.

I hold a carefully folded cape.

Black cloak.

In my active life - when I was a mercenary, I preferred this color.

Why, is it black?

When they asked me that question, I threw up a well-dressed dialogue.

Well, actually, because it's convenient to be confused in the shade of the night.

It was cloaked in darkness and chased many times by enemies.

"Give me your cape."

"I don't need it."

"... sir"

Pushing back at the cloak, Myra sighed deeply.

"Do you know the term old man's cold water?

"... but I know."

Claude stared at Myra.

What she's wearing is made-up clothes - pretentious, cute, made-up clothes.

It is worn by a woman who is no older than herself.

I don't have to put myself on the shelf to wonder what I'm talking about.

"So what about that armor and the Great Sword?

"You've made up your mind. I pulled it out of the warehouse."

Claude looked down at himself.

I was worried I wouldn't be able to wear it, but my stomach's a little tight.

"But you're a little uncomfortable."

"... sir"

Myra sighed again.

"What is it?

"The time has come for us to fight."

It was a tone of speech.

I didn't think it was over.

"... sir"

When Claude argued, Myra frowned.

"As I said, the time has passed when we can fight. If you stand on the battlefield, you'll just waste your life."

"... I guess so"

Claude answered after putting aside a moment.

Myra's words are true.

In my active life, I couldn't imagine myself being killed, but now I can imagine myself being killed.

"Was it a month before you met Nege?

"I didn't feel alive"

"Son of a bitch, I can't win right now. I'm so disappointed."

"It's true."

"I guess. I think so too."

"What?"

When Claude agreed, Myra gave a look like a dove had eaten a bean cannon.

"Dude, there's no way you can fight that bucket and win. He said he could have won the whole season, but he couldn't."

"Ha, ha"

Myra frowned like she was in trouble.

"Mostly, I know it's too late to fight."

Claude gently touched the pattern of the Great Sword.

When did you notice that?

Son - when Chrono was dying in The Trial of Death?

Wife - when Elua died?

At the end of the development of the southern border?

"Maybe it's time you reconsidered trying to start a revolt. I was a warrior by then."

At that time, if there had been a revolt, I might have been able to resume as a warrior.

But the inhabitants admiring themselves were more important than that.

I think there have been precursors since before now.

Perhaps it's...

"My strength must have been because I had nothing."

The strength of the unworthy.

That's why they lost it when they had something important.

"So why?

"That's because now is the time to fight. By and large, you don't fight because you have power, do you?

When you first took the weapon, were you sure you could beat the enemy?

No, there's no reason for that.

I was freaking out.

The bottom of my heart, I was freaking out.

Still, I took the weapon because I was learning that if I didn't fight, they would take it away.

"I used to say I'd punch you because you're annoyed..."

"You haven't changed now. I don't want to obey you. You tell me to obey you. I just have to tell you more with my fist."

"I was wondering if the bottom would be too shallow to antagonize the Empire"

"Idiot or..."

"I'm a woman, though?

"Does being an idiot woman or an idiot amah make the nuance different?

I feel more abusive than an idiot.

"Well, then, you stupid bastard"

"You idiot. Mochi -"

"I felt a weaker tone than earlier?

"I can't talk about it."

Claude exhaled a deep sigh.

"Damn, it used to be easier to handle."

"Because I used to be a slave"

"He's not the same as he was before."

"Please continue"

Claude sighed again as he grew old and smelled like trouble.

"Well, I'm not just gonna punch you because you're annoyed."

"Was it the Civilian and the Lordship Society?

"Oh, it's in our interest."

"I wish I had more power"

"Even if I had the strength, I wouldn't have time."

In the first place, the Claudes can't get the Empire.

There's not enough time to take the territory one by one.

"No, because I can still live"

"I'm telling you I won't keep it. Besides, we should end this mess with Chrono's money."

"Really?"

I don't know how serious I am, but Myra sighed unfortunately.

"The rest is for personal reasons."

"Is this about Master Elua?

"No, it's personal."

Elua suffered that she was an unwanted body and died apologizing for it.

The days I spent with Elua were happy.

But when I think back to her end, regret springs up.

How could I not care more about Elua?

How could I have been so insensitive?

Why, that woman...

"Sir?

"Nothing."

Pulled back into reality with Myra's voice, she shakes her head gently.

"Again, is this about Master Elua"

"I'm telling you it's personal."

I'm sure Elua doesn't want revenge.

So this is personal.

"Okay. My husband says he fights for personal reasons."

"The priorities are high."

I don't want to fight empires for just personal reasons on boulders.

But I don't even want to fight just for the big name.

"But, well, you know what? Everyone is riding on the ideals of Empress Tilia for their own benefit and ambition."

"Looks like Johnny's not?

"He is."

I'll do my best for my brother, sss! Gun-ho! Gun-ho! and motivated.

What is gun-ho?

It would be like a hanging voice because I couldn't translate using a magic item.

"Why does he admire Chrono so much?

"I thought it might be the fruit of my training."

"Didn't you just leave it in the Aleos Mountains?"

"Didn't you stipulate there as the Lord to serve?

"Really?

"I can't think of anything else"

Myra said it out forcefully.

I don't seem to have had such a religious experience, but I'll keep my mouth shut because I'm the one who gets denied it.

"Aside from Johnny, even Gaul's guys are fighting for personal reasons."

"He said it was his duty as a nobleman to join the Imperial Army? And then I promised Mr. Chrono."

"You don't believe me, do you?

"I thought I should pretend I believed you."

When Claude inquired, Myra agreed lightly.

The connection between Chrono and Gaul is thin.

I don't do frequent pick-ups.

I've sent a birthday celebration, but on the contrary, there's only that degree of connection.

"I understand the circumstances..."

"I'm not going to take your life. I just want to talk."

Claude laughed, though I'll leave it up to you afterwards.

"Less than 10,000 soldiers returned? It's something to come back to."

Ralph put the finished report on his desk and leaned against the back of his chair.

Two weeks after Lucas was defeated - he's regrouping his army to counter the rebels.

Naturally, the burden on Ralph, the military director, has become considerable.

I may say it's intense, but I feel comfortable with the fatigue that's pushing me over.

"Obstacles made of wire, horse fences, new bows, crossbows, night raids, destruction of military stations, participation of the Fifth Kingsguard Knights...... and poison"

The contents of a report made on the basis of the testimony of the returning soldier - I will say the words that impressed me among them.

How dare you, and impressed by the many tactics used by the rebels.

However, none of them are novel.

Obstacle made of wire that disabled the cavalry and held the infantry storm back.

This and similar to the old literature are described.

I have the feeling that I missaw the power of the rebels.

But...

"It was a battle you could win, you Lucas fool."

Ralph threw up small.

If you look at the number of war dead, it's the Imperial Army's great defeat, but it was the rebels who were at a disadvantage.

That's what the rebels thought, so they tried to deprive the Imperial Army of its ability to continue fighting.

I mean, if we had fought without fear of sacrifice from the start, we could have won.

I could have inflicted pain even if I didn't win.

No, and I shake my head small.

Lucas had an incompetent group called the Eighth Kingsguard Knights.

The army must be a single rock.

If the incompetent and the disobedient are intertwined there, both the measures of victory and the correct exploitation lose their meaning.

"... right. That's not my fault."

More than thirty years ago - humiliation during the civil unrest comes to life vividly.

The Libra family was a lineage of knights serving the emperor.

My father, my grandfather, and my great-grandfather are heard to have fought valiantly for the Emperor.

It does not appear to have been active, since no item given to the emperor or the name of the Libra family has been left in the literature.

In short, it was a family of knights like anywhere else.

The oxen give rise to eagles.

Even though excellent children are born from ordinary parents, the Libra family created Ralph at the end of mediocre history.

Parents, grandparents said the clan existed to give birth to Ralph, who himself thought so.

From an early age, the people around me only looked stupid.

In fact, by the time I was six, no one could beat Ralph in chess.

By the time I was ten, I had read all the books I had at home and was called a prodigy.

Earlier the emperor heard the rumors, enough to invite Ralph to a tea party.

He was already treated as a staff officer when he received his first line at the age of fifteen.

Ralph worked shamelessly on the title.

The rebellion of the local lords, the battle against the Holy Kingdom of Argo - there were some unfavourable battles, but they led all of them to victory.

Ralph was singing the spring of my world under the emperor of the generations earlier.

He could also have married a highly qualified noble daughter if he wanted, but Ralph pierced his celibacy.

Sometimes I wasn't interested in women, but I didn't want to be bothered by the extra chores.

Make a name for history.

That's all Ralph wanted.

If things went well, you should have kept your name in history, but it didn't.

That civil unrest ruined everything.

"Come on, you incompetents."

Even now I remember, my bowels boil back.

Ralph was promoted by Ramal V to the rank of warrior - chief officer of the army, but the army to be commanded was the U.N. crowd.

At the time, the lord led the army, but it was poorly equipped and trained.

And -.

"If you do what you're told, the civil unrest will be over soon."

The lord did not obey Ralph's orders.

Rooting was indispensable in order to move them, and even if they did, they remained defying orders.

Plus they hated the sacrifice.

If you are prepared for a small sacrifice, you will spare your own life in a war situation that will yield a great deal of results.

I don't remember winning with this.

No, it was even difficult to maintain the army.

Because food arrangements and other things that had been readily possible in the days of the previous emperors could no longer be done.

Ralph became gradually lightened, and instead Claude and Alcor became heavily used.

The civil unrest ended and he became the leader of the Seventh Kingsguard Knights, but this is a de facto left transition.

At least that's what Ralph had in mind.

I was likewise told that I was no better than a mercenary or a wooden official who didn't know where I was a horsebone.

I also thought about leaving the army, but I chose to stick around.

I wanted a chance.

Start over - I wanted a chance to show my excellence.

I don't care what happens to the Empire.

I didn't want to die without my name engraved in history.

More than thirty years have passed and opportunities have finally come to pass.

"No, let's think about things"

The defeat of the first battle was painful, but it truncated incompetence.

It should be separated from the necessary sacrifices.

Lucas lost, but his chances remain.

Rather, it's that victory in a cornered situation increases fame.

"... intercept rebels in the western plains"

It will be what it deserves to be called a showdown.

But there are some things that are distracting.

I call on the Hordes in the name of the Emperor, but the soldiers gather poorly.

Supplies - Arrangements for food are also delayed.

"... I don't have a choice"

Ralph stood up slowly.

I didn't want to rely on the petty worker, but sometimes I need to bend the creed.

Not my favorite word, but now is the time to respond ad hoc.

"Count Cairon... let me help you one last time"

It could have killed that man's son, but still, it would have won for once.

"Again, this place is cramped."

Whimpering as Tilia watches the soldiers encourage training on the practice field.

That number is roughly five thousand.

The quality of the equipment is poor, but blaming it would be harsh.

They were soldiers defending Viscount Hamal, Viscount Sheratan, Baron Trace, Baron Mesartim and Baron Bossain.

Naturally, the quality of the equipment changes depending on how much the lord was involved in the operation of the troops.

Currently, they are learning how to fight using field positions protected by communications magic items, crossbows, and iron tsu.

It looks confusing because it's different from the traditional way of fighting, but if you don't learn how to fight it, you can't beat the Empire.

"Chrono?

Tilia sounded worried.

"Ready Vision (Dejab)"

"It's not a ready-to-see. You weren't listening to me again."

Tilia exhaled a small sigh.

"What did you say?

"After all, I told you this place was cramped."

"I've expanded this, or..."

"Why are you back?

"Isn't that a little exciting?

"Whose, don't worry about what you expanded. Very concerned."

Tilia pounded her fingers.

"Well, good. We'll talk about this later."

"I have a bad feeling."

"Sharp."

Tilia's tone was tender, but that stirs fear.

"We'll talk about this later..."

"I've said it twice"

"It's important, so I said it twice."

Tilia put her arms together and laughed niggly.

Maybe this is what a carnivore would look like if he laughed.

"Anyway, now you can fight."

"We need to boil down some more maneuvers."

The original operation consisted of marching south from Count Cado territory and, after occupying the harbour under Emperor Kai's direct authority, building a field position in the meadow area near the Imperial Capital to intercept the Imperial Army.

However, the operation was modified by the participation of Baron Trace, Baron Mesartim, Baron Bosain and Brad.

There are two changes.

One is to predominate in regular soldiers when going south, the other is to be disturbed backwards by cavalry.

Basically, it takes the form of giving advance notice and letting them declare defenseless before passing through the territory, but if it comes down to battle, the proselytizing soldier becomes a foothold.

Then after occupying the harbour under Emperor Kai's direct authority, it was better to move the prostitutes by sea.

The purpose of the rear disturbance is to block distribution.

"And then there's the front carriage and super long distance communication magic items."

"The artisans are delighted."

Front carriages are a means of transport for soldiers, and ultra-long distance communication magic items are a means of efficiently handling limited combat power.

The installation of ultra-long distance communication magic items requires manpower, so there is also an increase in non-artisan employment.

I wonder if you mean war special needs, Krono scratched his head.

"... Eryl became a zombie though"

"Send him back to the humans by the south."

"I know. Nevertheless…"

"What's going on?

"I didn't expect you to approve the installation of ultra-long distance communication magic items in two replies."

When he explained that the installation of ultra-long range communication magic items would allow him to handle limited combat power efficiently, the five lords granted the installation lightly.

"I didn't expect the installation costs to be half as expensive as they would have been."

"Probably because there was something about Baron Trace"

Tilia crouches on the spot and draws a picture with the branches of a tree that was falling.

"Was it like this?

"Well, that sounds like it."

Chrono peeked behind his back at the expected completion of the communications network.

"It's a mistake to go through our territory."

"Yeah, well, yeah"

Tilia laid down the branches of the tree and stood up.

"Is there something you want to say too?

"Marriage blue, right?"

"What's wrong with me?"

I thought they would yell at me, but Tilia said it in the face.

"It's..."

"Sure, I have a bit of a violent part"

"I was aware."

"There's a little bit of my misery, and my appetite for exclusivity is stronger."

But! and Tilia opened her eyes.

"I didn't tell you to break up with your mistress!

"I think that's a starting line"

"What happens if I tell you to break up with your mistress?

……

"I know. I wouldn't say that."

Apparently, you guessed my intentions from a smile.

"How could I fall in love with a man like you"

Tilia sighed deeply.

"By the way, they think we're getting married to the surrounding lords and to our father."

"They think so. Get married."

"Marriage?"

Chrono looked up to heaven.

"I was wondering if we were still ahead of us - even though marriage will be the default route at some point"

"What? It's your default route by the time you get your hands on me."

……

"I know. I'm the one who hit you."

When Chrono stared silently, Tilia flipped the foreword.

Honest and good.

"Forget about marriage, what's going on with the food?

"You're reading the report, aren't you?

I want to hear it from your mouth.

When Chrono inquired, Tilia said in a murky tone.

"What kind of blow?

"I have a bad feeling"

"Wait a minute."

"I have a feeling I'll never see you again."

"Wait a minute. I told you!

Block the words of Tilia.

"What's going on?

"Because that joke is not funny"

"Even if it's a joke, I really want to take care of my time with you."

"It's not funny anymore."

I mean, that's assuming Chrono dies.

It's something that cuts out talk about marriage, says I have a bad feeling about it, well, it flags me all over.

I could really die if they told me I was pregnant or something.

"By and large, it doesn't mean you're gonna die, does it?

"If Tilia dies, that's where the game ends. After all, aren't you going to rethink it?

"That's your idea, huh?

"Yes, it is."

"It's up to me to accompany you."

"Because I'm stubborn."

Chrono sighed.

"I have Manchausen and Alonso... with the knights on it, I'm fine"

"It'll stand out."

"That's in the aim, too. Unless you get the impression that I'm here."

"Right."

Chrono had to snort.

I remember a letter I received from my adoptive father.

"With that said, I'm talking about the letter, do you really swallow that condition?

"Swallow"

Tilia's answer was concise, but not pale.

To a lesser extent than pale faces.

"It said we'd work together either way."

"Considering what happened after the war."

Although there is a grace period, the Empire introduces a senatorial system.

It is possible that cooperation will not be obtained after the introduction of the parliamentary system due to failure to swallow the conditions.

"Well, and it's my sown seed"

"You're dry."

"I think so."

Tilia put her arms together and frowned hard.

"Wounded?

"No, that's not the point. By the way, do you think a mother loves her children?

"Isn't that up to people?

"... right"

Tilia nodded small.

People who have become parents should love their children - no, I want them to.

This is a wish.

Not everyone can love a child.

"Right. I guess that's what it's all about."

"Don't convince yourself. We're going to be a family."

"Family?"

"It's my family. I think it's going to be a big place..."

I'm getting a headache.

Tilia held her temples so she could have a headache.

"Well, isn't it good to suffer headaches after the war is over?

"I also feel like I'm just sending the problem forward..."

Tilia stretched her spine and stared at the squad field.

The wind blew and my blonde hair rocked.