Merchant Noble is out (3/4 chapters for today)
Place to Die
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Tyr, who leads the rear guard, quietly retreated.
They splendidly repelled the enemy’s pursuit and succeeded in the retreat battle. However, what drifts among them was a heavy and sinking atmosphere, as if they had lost the battle. Even though they had not lost, there was no longer a person to scold them for becoming gloomy. The figure of Hal, who was second to Tyr as the army’s commander and the soldiers’ mental support, was no longer there.
“Tyr-sama.” (Soldier)
“….” (Tyr)
One of the soldiers speaks to Tyr, but he does not respond. As if his heart had died, he blankly gazes into the void.
“Tyr-sama. Tyr-sama.” (Soldier)
“Hm? What is it?” (Tyr)
With the soldier persistently speaking to him, Tyr finally returns to himself. The soldier pointed at the slightly large mountain spreading before them and spoke.
“Please look at that mountain. According to the map, if we cross that mountain, it is the former territory of the House of Duke Edel.” (Soldier)
“I see.” (Tyr)
“A report has arrived from General Laika and General Randal, who had advanced earlier. Both armies have safely reached the port. They are currently preparing for evacuation.” (Soldier)
“Alright. That is good.” (Tyr)
It seemed he was at least listening to the report, but his response was half-hearted. The kind of commands that foresaw several steps ahead, which he used to give, did not return. Tyr was already like a lost puppet.
Meanwhile, they reached the mountain gorge. If they passed through this mountain, they could finally escape to the House of Duke Edel’s territory.
“Please be careful.” (Soldier)
The soldiers carefully led the horse Tyr was riding. Since it was between mountains, rocks and large stones rolled about, and the path was narrow and the footing extremely poor.
“This place is quite narrow.” (Tyr)
“According to the residents, it is a shortcut to the House of Duke Edel’s territory. If we do not pass through this mountain gorge, we must make a large detour around the mountain.” (Soldier)
“Tyr-sama! Report, sir!” (Urt)
Urt, who had gone to scout various places, hurriedly came to report. Up until now, he had followed Tyr, and no matter how dire the situation, he always came to report with a smirk. For such a man to be this flustered meant that an extraordinary threat must be approaching.
“King Rudolf leading 30000 of the Kali army is pursuing us. In a few hours, they will arrive here.” (Urt)
Had Tyr’s ability to think deteriorated over the past few days?
Absentmindedly, he listened to Urt’s report. Then, taking ten times the usual silence, he swallowed the words. And in a leisurely voice, he muttered.
“That is right. Our enemies were not just Jeanne and Sanya.” (Tyr)
Normally, he would have come up with defensive measures foreseeing various enemy patterns one after another. For such a man to simply mutter a sentiment—how deep must the soldiers’ disappointment have been?
However, the soldiers had fought alongside Tyr for many years. Not a few among them had learned tactics from Tyr at the university of the First City.
“Let us build a defensive position.” (Soldier)
As expected of Tyr’s direct soldiers.
A sudden enemy attack, and a commander, Tyr, who had lost his brilliance. For ordinary people, this would be a despair-inducing situation, yet the soldiers, at least on the surface, showed no major agitation and began preparing the best counterattack measures on their own initiative. However, Tyr slowly stood before them and quietly commanded.
“You all go ahead.” (Tyr)
“Huh?” (Soldier)
The soldiers are shaken and reflexively ask back.
“Join up with Randal and Laika at the port and return to Mikanda.” (Tyr)
Tyr, contrary to his absentminded expression, spoke in an unexpectedly severe tone.
The soldiers perceived it. Tyr intended to sacrifice himself and ensure that at least they made it back alive. They knelt all at once. They could not leave their teacher alone in the death ground. Tyr’s time of death was their time of death.
“Please wait! General Tyr is staying here, right? Then we will also remain.” (Soldier)
“We will fight with all our might until the last person!” (Soldier)
“No.” (Tyr)
Tyr dismissed the determination of his subordinates, who were resolved to fight with their lives on the line.
“The enemy is a large army. Their formation is also well-established. This time, we will surely be trampled by the difference in numbers.” (Tyr)
Tyr understood well. Up until now, they had been able to repel the enemy because the enemy had been impatient for achievements and lacked coordination. However, King Rudolf would not be like that. As someone who already holds the throne, he has no reason to thirst for merit, and there is no need to rush out of fear of having his achievements stolen. In a purely numerical contest, they could no longer compete.
“I will use this life to buy time. Until then, you all must return to Mikanda.” (Tyr)
The soldiers kneel while shedding tears.
“Tyr-sama! We cannot flee while leaving you, our teacher, behind!” (Soldier)
“Teacher! Please let us die with you!” (Soldier)
When they had begun their escape, they had led a force of one thousand, but now it had dwindled to 400. Tyr dismissed the resolve of his subordinates, who vowed to die with him.
“No. You all are still young. I cannot allow your lives to be wasted in such a lost battle.” (Tyr)
And then, Tyr himself knelt on both knees, and instead, he made a request to the soldiers.
“From here on, great trials will come to Mikanda. At that time, please lend your strength to Arc and the Warden House.” (Tyr)
“Tyr-sama…” (Soldier)
“Recorder. I will dictate my last will, so write it down.” (Tyr)
Tyr called for the recorder. Their duty was literally to record, summarizing the personal battle histories. Due to that role, they carried paper and had excellent shorthand skills.
“Since it’s a will, it’s better if I use ‘ware’ or ‘watashi’ instead of ‘ore,’ right?” (Tyr)
Tyr spoke jokingly to lighten the atmosphere, but the soldiers surrounding him only cried, and no one laughed. Taking a deep breath, Tyr returned to a serious expression and began to speak.
“Before long, the 30000 large army of Kali is coming this way. As the supreme commander, I intend to use my final strength to intercept them and exhaust all my power to meet my end.
The responsibility for this defeat is entirely mine. I prolonged the battle by going against the admonitions of my elder sister and younger sister, which led to Casablanca’s betrayal. The soldiers have fought valiantly to the very end, and I wish to express my deepest gratitude.
In this battle, I have lost many outstanding commanders and soldiers. This is entirely due to my own lack of virtue, and I deeply feel the weight of that responsibility. I do not possess more wealth than necessary, and my surplus funds are by no means abundant, but my inheritance shall be distributed to the families of the fallen soldiers…” (Tyr)
Tyr’s will continued for a long time. Not only the recorder but all the soldiers strained their ears, not wanting to miss a single word. Having finished everything, Tyr smiled in satisfaction, took off his helmet, and handed it to a nearby soldier.
“Give this to Arc… It is my memento.” (Tyr)
“Teacher…” (Soldier)
And then, Tyr arranged the soldiers in formation. For him and his subordinates, this would likely be their final formation. He apologized to each of the weeping soldiers and expressed his gratitude for their efforts.
“Everyone. I leave the future of Mikanda in your hands. Now, go.” (Tyr)
He ended with a smile.
Turning back, turning back, Tyr, who was watching the soldiers moving away with a peaceful smile, returned his gaze to the place that would likely become his death ground.
“Are you all fine with this?” (Tyr)
There were those who, unlike the soldiers, chose not to retreat and remained here.
“Yes. The 100 mercenaries will face the end together.” (Atlas)
It was the mercenary leader Atlas, who stepped forward in response to Tyr’s words. Of the roughly 200 mercenaries who had survived, half of them would share the death ground with Tyr.
“Are you sure? For me, this is reassuring, but isn’t being a mercenary a profession that is about surviving?” (Tyr)
While expressing his gratitude, Tyr hesitantly asked.
In response, Atlas said.
“Tyr-sama. We, you know, fight carelessly and survive. We buy alcohol and women with the money we earn, and when the money runs out, we become mercenaries again. We’ve been repeating such a boring life. But, after participating in this battle, it feels like we found our true place in life. To throw our lives away for a hero like Tyr-sama. The instinct that was deep inside our hearts as warriors is shouting.” (Atlas)
The other mercenaries also spoke up.
“Our end will be as warriors. We were given an honor that we never could have imagined from our previous days of inertia, and honestly, we feel grateful.” (Mercenary)
“I thought risking my life was uncool, but I didn’t know I had such feelings. Thank you, General.” (Mercenary)
Their faces were bright and cheerful.
—
Meanwhile, the 30,000-strong Kali army, led by King Rudolf, was steadily approaching the mountain pass where Tyr and his men were.
“I wondered what would happen for a while, but in the end, I’ll be the one who laughs last.” (Rudolf)
King Rudolf was in peak spirits. He never imagined that the opportunity to defeat Tyr would come to him.
“The Royal Guard of the Laplace Kingdom, Sanya, is dead, Jeanne is injured, and General Renoir is staying in the rear to care for Jeanne. I will defeat Tyr!” (Rudolf)
“If Your Majesty can defeat Tyr, it will have a significant positive impact on the power balance with the Laplace Kingdom going forward.” (Officer)
“Yes. I’ll make a big favor with Queen Casablanca.” (Rudolf)
Rudolf’s eyes were already focused on the aftermath of the battle. In order to maintain a good relationship with Casablanca, he absolutely wanted to defeat Tyr with his own hands.
“Your Majesty! The 30,000 warriors are eagerly waiting for the chance to avenge Tyr! Please give the order for battle!” (Soldier)
“Alright.” (Rudolf)
Rudolf issued the order to the warriors filled with fighting spirit.
“All units, launch a full-scale attack! Charge!” (Rudolf)
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