Genjitsushugi Yuusha no Oukoku Saikenki

Chapter 3: The Negotiation B

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Translator Corner

This is Yukkuri demasu!

As always, Yukkuri is swamped by real life… Icouldn’t get any break in my work schedule until October… But I prioritizeGenjitsu translations, since I feel bad for Larvyde.

The translations will be finished… As soonas I can breathe…… I miss my hikkiNEET days…. working is such a pain……

DISCLAIMER: There is noguarantee that my translation is 100% correct. Please correct me if I waswrong.

Author:

Dozeumaru(どぜう丸)

Translator:

Yukkuri Oniisan

Editor, Proofreader:

So-Chintzy

Postwar Arc

Chapter 3: The Negotiation B

「Whoa,what a superb view.」(Souma)

Looking down from the ramparts ofVan, I could see the formation of fifty thousand soldiers from the ElfriedenArmy around Amidonia, and on the opposite side, I could see the formation of aboutfifty thousand soldiers from the Grand Chaos Empire Army. By the Empire’s sidewas the five thousand men strong Amidonian Army, so the total was close to aboutsixty thousand men. The number of soldiers was more numerous than the previousbattle and were all gathered right beneath my eyes.

「Ifyou look around, the gathering of an incoming large enemy army, how fun♪」[1](Souma)

「What’swith that song?」(Liscia)

「It’sa modified form of a song from a war period in my country……something like that.」(Souma)

The melody is 『closeand open』. My granny once said, 「『closeand open』was originally a foreign folk song. When it firstarrived in j.a.pan the lyric is 『If you look around, the green willow mixed togetherwith the sakura flower』」. The song I sang just now was a modified version ofthe 『If you look around』 song. Liscia, who stood beside me, replied inastonishment.

「Whatwas the occasion for that song? If that army really came to attack, what wouldhappen?」(Liscia)

「First,without a doubt, we will lose. Right, Hakuya?」(Souma)

Hakuya who also stood beside menodded at my question.

「Justas you said, Your Majesty. Regarding the in the number of soldiers, generals,equipment, experience and moral…… Our country loses to the Empire in everyfield. If this becomes a battle, then our Army has no chance to prevail.」(Hakuya)

「……Ofcourse, right.」(Souma)

Battles are driven by 『Heaven,Earth, Man』[2], that is 『Heavenly opportunities (timingof attack), Earthly advantage (geographical advantage),and the Harmony of Man』. The Empire, leader of the anti-Demon Lord Army, hasthe timing of attack and the Amidonian Army has the geographical advantage. However,if I was asked if the Kingdom has the People’s Harmony to oppose the Empire,then I can only answer: no. I could only dispatch the soldiers from the Armyand the Air Force, so that they could be exempted from their treasonousrebellion. It was not that bad when the enemy was just Amidonia by itself, butwhen the enemy is the superior in all fields, aka the Imperial Army, then ofcourse we couldn’t expect any fighting spirit from our men.

「Ifwe could at least win in equipments……」(Souma)

Even when looking from thisplace, I could see the Rhinosaurus corps that are attached with the FieldCannons. I had heard that Rhinosauruses were used in castle sieges, but itseems that the Empire has used them even further as mobile artillery. Actually,I also had this kind of idea, but for a Rhinosaurus to be able to be equipped withcannons, it was necessary to “train”[3]them, so they wouldn’t be spooked by the sound of gunpowder explosions. Sincethe Rhinosauruses on our side were gathered by Tomoe-chan’s “please”, I had shelvedthe prospect of “training” them.

It was vexing to see that theEmpire had already implemented the corps that I had in mind. But well, if any militarylayman thought about it for a bit, then they would hit upon the same idea, too.As long as there is a demand, then most of these ideas will be implemented. Ofcourse there doesn’t need to be a battle, just making a stance that it could beused in battle could become a negotiation card. On the contrary, it could besaid that the Army spread before my eyes is the card prepared by the Empire. Eventhough I knew about this, this situation is quite a conundrum.

「”My Liege (陛下/heika), there is an unfamiliar “legion” (兵科/heika).」[4](Aisha)

At a place not far from me, Aisha,who was looking at the enemy army, spoke out.

「What’swith that lousy pun?」(Souma)

「N-no,you’re wrong, Your Majesty! I meant the enemy’s corps! I can see that there isa group of soldiers wearing completely black full plated armor!」(Aisha)

「Completelyblack? …… I can’t see any human-sized troops too well from this distance.」(Souma)

「Darkelves have good eyes. That group carries very long weapons.」(Aisha)

「Ithink that perhaps they are the 『Magic Armored Corps』.」(Hakuya)

Hakuya appended his words onAisha’s. it is a new phrase for me.

「MagicArmored Corps?」(Souma)

「Perhapsit can be explained as a heavily-armored pike infantry specializing inanti-magic combat. That black helmet and armor constantly generates a barrier thatcould withstand any kind of magic. There is a saying that the Empire’sterritory extends just as far as these soldier files could march, so they arethe Empire’s treasured army that they are the most proud of.」(Hakuya)

Oh, really…… Certainly pikeinfantry is a type of soldier carrying long spears for anti-cavalry combat. Although,I only know about this from games, they would make a dense phalanx formation tooppose the charging cavalry. So they are a corps that sticks out their spear tocounter an attack. Certainly, I believe that depending on the situation, theycould be a powerful corps…… But is it to the extent where they could be calleda treasured army? I asked Hakuya about this.

「YourMajesty, do you remember the reason why gunpowder infantry never appeared bothin this Continent and outside this Continent?」(Hakuya)

He asked me back.

「Becausemagic’s attack power is higher and its firing range is longer, so gunpowderweapons are unnecessary, right? That’s why large ma.s.s projectile cannons areused only in naval battles or when attacking wall reinforced with magic.」(Souma)

「That’scorrect. In addition, the creatures living on this Continent have hard skins,so the average gunpowder infantry wouldn’t be able to damage them.」(Hakuya)

In other words, since theycouldn’t even use it as hunting weapons, there were no reasons to develop guns.But then, they should have developed rifling or armor-piercing bullet, right?Even a musket that could only fire a literally round pellet should have beenwidespread (the j.a.panese domestic harquebus is an early form of musket). If atone point, we could produce such a rifle, then it should have increased the country’spower. But even if I knew about the musket’s history, as expected, I didn’tknow about its construction. Hakuya continued his explanation.

「Furthermore,depending on its suitability, the armoTr could also be enchanted with a damagereduction effect. Conversely, to break through this, it is normal for a weaponto also be enchanted with a damage increase effect.」(Hakuya)

「Ah, avicious circle……」 [5](Souma)

「Yes.There also the fact that the enchantment arts for armors and weapons are morepowerful on objects with a greater ma.s.s. In other words, in this world, the arroware stronger than a bullet, but the arrow is weaker than the lance.」[6](Hakuya)

So does that mean, even if wedevelop a rifle, the small bullet wouldn’t have much power? The day for the implementationof gun corps becomes increasingly distant……

「Evenin this world, using magic or a wyvern knight bombardment wouldn’t be effectiveagainst them and a cavalry charge would simply be countered. Also it is notpossible to aim the cannons to shoot at them (the sh.e.l.ls are not explosive)[7],so in the end, that ma.s.s of black helmets and armors would still slowly be approaching.For the enemy’s side, it will be……」(Hakuya)

「Quitea horror. They would only see them as h.e.l.l’s Army.」(Souma)

If they are fighting on the flatplains, they will be invincible. So perhaps battling them on a hilly region orwetlands that have bad footholds, luring them towards the traps, or surroundingthem and creating chaos in their formation…… was something that I had thought,but these plans were only applicable in a defensive battle. It will be hard forthe invader to battle on the place that they choose. So the phrase 『Territoryas far as the Magic Armored Corps have marched』 wasreally suitable.

「Furthermore,the Imperial Army also has strong units besides the Magic Armored Corps.」(Liscia)

Liscia told me as she looked atthe enemy lines.

「Notto mention the Wyvern Knights, they also have Griffon Knights that are said tobe as strong as the Dragon Knights. Magician Corps that overwhelm our own in termsof both number and quality, battle-specialized Rhinosaurus Corps…… If we battlewith the Empire, then we will need to take on all of them.」(Liscia)

Ah…… She’s right. The enemy’sarmy didn’t only have the Magic Armored Corps. So my thinking about battlingthem in a place that I chose was foolish.

「……Asexpected, we couldn’t win against the Empire.」(Souma)

「Souma……」(Liscia)

「YourMajesty……」(Aisha)

Because Liscia and Aisha made worriedfaces, I smiled a bit.

「Notyet, for now.」(Souma)

「「!?」」(Liscia)(Aisha)

「Nowthen, shall we greet Jeanne and Julius?」(Souma)

When I made this order, the otherthree answered vigorously.

「「「Yes,Your Majesty!」」」(Liscia)(Aisha)(Hakuya)

◇　◇　◇

Van’s Castle’sAudience Room.

In an audience room that had bothpaint and decor more glamorous than the one in Parnam Castle, I sat on thethrone. Standing on the carpet several steps below me were the younger sisterof the Grand Chaos Empire’s Empress, Jeanne Euphoria, and the eldest son of thelate Amidonian Duke Gaius VIII, Julius. Julius, who I met now for the firsttime, was a handsome man in his twenties and had a cold feeling similar to Hakuya’s,but his eyes, that seemed to see others as beneath him, gave me an unpleasant feeling.He is an ikemen who I couldn’t be liked, or for short, an “eerikemen” type of feeling.[8]

Our lineup for facing them had asonly Liscia and Hakuya at both of my sides, and Aisha, who served as the bodyguard,behind me. Seeing this, Jeanne tilted her head.

「Howunexpected. I would have imagined that the negotiations would be watched by alot of soldiers.」(Jeanne)

「Soldiersshouldn’t be needed for the audience with only the both of you, right? It willbe discourteous.」(Souma)

「Indeed.An admirable insight.」(Jeanne)

Said Jeanne in admiration, butinside my mind, I stuck out my tongue. I simply believe that if a ruler in the Romanceof the Three Kingdoms had done what Jeanne had pointed out, then there will bea shameful scene where the envoy says, 『You only have an audience of two people, but is it he Kingdom’setiquette to be surrounded by soldiers?』 or 『Do you not feel secure if there are no soldiersprotecting you?』…… So I did this to shut her up.

「Well……As long as there is that lady behind you, you will feel safe, right?」(Jeanne)

Jeanne’s sharp eyes looked atAisha. Did military people give off an aura or something? She could accuratelysee through Aisha’s capabilities. Aisha made a bow while staying in silent.

「Anexcellent soldier you have there. I wanted to have one bout with her, but Ithink it will be hard for me to win. As expected from King Souma, you haveexcellent retainers.」(Jeanne)

What a compliment. I couldn’t seehow much truth was in it. She shouldn’t be someone who would back down just byseeing Aisha’s vigilant appearance, right?

「Soare you, you are bold not to take any companions even though you are going toface the king of a country. Aren’t you worried about being a.s.sa.s.sinated?」(Souma)

「I amcoming to this place as an envoy of peace. Why should I worry about being killed?」(Jeanne)

Jeanne, who said this whilesmiling, was quite an actress. She didn’t “bring any companions”, but wouldn’tthe Imperial spy corps who had already infiltrated this castle were protectingher? Perhaps right now, they were rattling blades with Juna-san’s Marine Corpswho were guarding this conference. Next, I shifted my attention to Julius.

「It isa pleasure to have finally met with you. I am Souma Kazuya.」(Souma)

「……AmidonianDuke Julius.」(Julius)

Julius called himself as the Dukewhile not concealing the hostility in his eyes. He couldn’t perform thecoronation ceremony since we had occupied Van, so he shouldn’t be able to introducehimself as th Duke, but I couldn’t point this out since I was also in the samesituation as him.[9]

「Then,what is the purpose of your current visit?」(Souma)

「……Whata farce. Return Van promptly!」(Julius)

「Julius-dono……」(Jeanne)

Jeanne made a sour face as if shehad swollen a bug, but Julius ignored her and kept on talking.

「OurAmidonia Dukedom is a partic.i.p.ant in the 『Humanity Declaration』.There is a provision where 『Borderchanges due to military action would not be recognized』! Elfrieden’saction of dispossessing Van using military action is in violation of thisprovision, so I demand a prompt return of Van!」(Julius)

「Saywhat you like, but...」(Souma)

I rest my hand on the throne andplaced my chin on it before continuing.[10]

「Theone who invaded Elfrieden Kingdom not long ago was your side, right? Your side isthe one who schemed first to change the border with military power, but whenyou lost the war, you complained about the provision violation. Isn’t that ratherunreasonable?」(Souma)

「……Theinvasion to Elfrieden Kingdom was Father’s…… Gaius’ own arbitrary action.」(Julius)

「Butyou had also gone with the same campaign, then that’s why you have the same crime.To begin with, before doing negotiations about territory returns, you ought toapologize for invading our country first, right?」(Souma)

「Kugh……」(Julius)

「Julius-dono,what King Souma said is true. Since our current position is asking for a territoryreturn, we must begin to show our goodwill by apologizing first.」(Jeanne)

Julius was completely vexed inhis heart, but since this was something that his last ray of hope, Jeanne, hadsaid, then although he hated it… no, real~ly hated it, he lowered his head.

「……Eventhough it was the previous Duke Gaius’ own actions to invade your country, itis my fault for not being able to stop him. I ask for forgiveness in this.」(Julius)

「Iwonder why I am not hearing any apologetic words……」(Souma)

「However,the current situation is that our country has been invaded by your country. Sincewe are a partic.i.p.ant in the Humanity Declaration, we have the right to appealtowards the Empire, to request the return of this territory.」(Julius)

「Sucha proud way of “I’ll leave it to others”. Julius might have said this, but whatis the Empire’s opinion about this?」(Souma)

Seeing I had brought her intothis matter, Jeanne shrugged her shoulders.

「The Empiredoesn’t want to support Amidonia since they reaped what they had sowed. However,since they are a partic.i.p.ant nation of the Humanity Declaration, we couldn’treject their request.」(Jeanne)

「Inother words, the Empire wishes for us to return the territories we capturedduring the war, beginning with Van?」(Souma)

「That’scorrect.」(Jeanne)

Well, I had guessed that theEmpire would take such a position. I was getting irritated at Julius, who stoodbeside her while making a face as if saying: this is justified. But thisprogressed just like a.s.sumed. Therefore, I answered just like in thea.s.sumptions.

「Irefuse.」(Souma)

☾☽☾☽☾☽☾☽☾☽☾☽☾☽☾☽☾☽☾☽

Souma: Not yet, for now… Waiting for theimplication of this line…

The chapter should have ended like this:

Jeanne: Become mine Hero!

Souma: I re-

Liscia, Aisha, Juna: We refuse!

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