Volume 1 Chapter 59 Genderbend Female Knight, Sending a Letter
"A night attack with just 200 soldiers."
"I've already made an impact with today's events, so now it's just about spreading fear."
Leonardo looked amazed, but Eleonora answered briefly and kept writing on three sheets of sheep parchment.
"And then, you'll let the Suno people handle the response to the incoming imperial army?"
"Are you planning to cut me down for overstepping diplomatic authority?"
"No way. Sure, you're violating royal territory, but if it's possible, you might as well do it."
The documents given to the Suno people were almost identical. The only difference was that the regions to be handed over were listed separately on each of the three sheets.
They stated that, after conquering Netoriaus, Kenranf, and Nyubtarl regions, the imperial army would fight under the condition of transferring governing rights to the three tribes, excluding the Wethen tribe of Erik.
"So, how many soldiers can the Suno people send?"
"At least 1,500, and for the largest tribe, around 5,000 should be certain."
"Eight thousand soldiers—even if it's a small force, I'd like to get as many as I can."
But Leonardo stopped speaking.
"Still, before those soldiers reach Loriengita, the imperial army will ravage Ashreach."
"Then we will limit the battlefield and use delaying tactics. I want to borrow all the knights who can use fire magic."
"What are you planning to do?"
"Land mines... Ah, I'll carve spells into the ground that explode when stepped on."
After thinking for a moment, Eleonora mentioned what she would prepare.
"Also, burlap sacks and shovels. The soldiers will dig holes—trenches, to be precise."
The chosen battlefield was the mountain path's exit leading into Ashreach.
They'd carve spells into the ground as landmines and create makeshift defenses with sandbags and trenches.
The trenches behind the sandbags sloped diagonally, with spears pointed toward anyone climbing over.
Archers would shoot into this kill zone.
Ideally, they'd also launch harassment attacks with cannons and catapults from behind the trench line.
"I don't know about that, trench, but I'll prepare it. Still, was it really okay not to pursue further?"
"That group can't return to Loriengita anymore. They'll soon turn to banditry. We'll defeat them eventually, but now isn't the time. If they're an enemy we'll face later, the priority is to prepare defenses against the imperial army that's surely coming. More than that, we must reward the soldiers as a backup plan."
"So, it's from His Highness..."
"Well, I'm sure you understand."
Second Prince Arlecchino is still a minor, and in this battle, he's nothing more than a figurehead commander.
Still, being of royal blood, awarding rewards is both an obligation and a privilege.
"The greatest achievement of merit is yours."
"Then, if I could be excused from interfering in this diplomacy──"
"You lack ambition. Otherwise, it would be hard to hand out rewards when evaluated by others."
Eleonora's hand paused as she wrote, then sealed the letter with wax and stood up.
"After all, I'm just a proxy."
The two walked together, overlooking the battlefield they couldn't see in the midnight, now illuminated by the morning light.
The enemy and allied corpses were being cleaned up.
Allied soldiers carefully carried their fallen comrades, washed off the mud with clear water, closed their eyes, and prayed.
On the other hand, enemy soldiers were treated roughly.
Pairs of soldiers threw limbs and bodies into one spot.
Some Ashreach soldiers stole not only usable gear but also rings and valuables from the dead.
Among them, only five corpses were treated specially.
Prince Louis and the four of the Twelve Sacred Blades were surrounded by Kamitafira and Vidilva soldiers, with Ashreach royal army soldiers beyond.
"Oh! They've come! Without you, there's no hope!"
The clear voice, fit for a singer in Lord Poniète's opera troupe, echoed.
Everyone present looked at Eleonora. The Kamitafira side felt relief, while the royal army felt envy.
"What happened?"
"Lady Eleonora, the royal army soldiers are ordering to loot those five relics."
"Fools! If you actually fought, that's one thing, but you have no right since you were ordered to defend! Disperse!"
At Leonardo's angry shout, the soldiers fled, and the Kamitafira side glared at their backs.
"The defense war is self-supported, so I understand the urge to strip the bodies of noble status."
"It's also because you quickly took your share."
"Lord Poniète."
Baron Vidilva, who couldn't understand Lord Poniète's inconsistent stance, sighed.
"Shall we send their bodies to the Papal States Maro?"
"Or send them back via Loriengita?"
"No, it's a message that it's your turn next."
* * *
Prince Arlecchino looked restless in a field-style audience.
He had won a battle he thought he'd lose, and the soldiers couldn't hide their excitement.
Arlecchino, forced into this role due to his older brother Fabiano's political disgrace, couldn't hide his tension.
"Acting Knight of Kamitafira."
Eleonora advanced and knelt before Arlecchino in response to the call from Second Guard Knight Order Commander Orlando.
"Your achievements this time are greater than anyone's, and so... uh..."
Arlecchino glanced at Leonardo, but he shook his head.
He sought help on how to handle the reward but was refused because it would cause trouble if a vassal interfered with a lord's duty.
"...Is there anything you wish for?"
Here, Arlecchino's lack of political education showed.
A lord shouldn't ask what a vassal expects; who would obey a king who can't evaluate achievements and provide appropriate compensation?
"..."
"..."
For a moment, Eleonora and Arlecchino exchanged glances.
Seeing no way, Eleonora spoke.
"First, I'd like to ask for your forgiveness for my sins."
"Sins?"
"I took the liberty of using a connection to request reinforcements from the Suno people."
The nobles became restless, mainly wondering, "How do you have such a connection?"
"You asked for help, didn't you? If that's a crime, then I, the Prince, am indeed a sinner seeking forgiveness. After all, I just entrusted everything to the Imperial Knights and was trembling..."
*That's not the kind of story I wanted to hear!* Eleonora thought, but she continued.
"If that can't be considered a reward, I'd like to request two rights."
"Which are?"
"Command authority for the upcoming interception against Emperor Loriengita's army, and... Your Highness accompanying us then."
Arlecchino's throat bobbed as he swallowed.
"Understood. I'll grant Lady Kamitafira command authority for the next battle. And I'll stand beside you then."
"And then..."
"──Are you still demanding more!?"
One noble spoke up, but Leonardo placed his hand on the noble's shoulder.
"Lady Kamitafira, please continue."
Responding to Orlando's words, Eleonora answered.
"Your Highness, please act a little more nobly."
"Was it really okay for that to be your reward?"
"More like taking responsibility, isn't it?"
"Responsibility?"
"Sending the letter and selling off another country's territory without permission—at the very least, I must fight as the responsible party until that succeeds."
"──Constantly bearing burdens, even though that doesn't mean the lord will gain land."
Eleonora sighed at Leonardo's words.
"Even if I get land, it's uncertain whether my brother can govern. So, I want to keep things manageable now and pass it to my brother."
"If only you were a man, there wouldn't be any problem."
* * *
After that,
Eleonora picked up a small stone and threw it toward the river. It sank with a splash, causing ripples on the surface.
"I just want to live comfortably."
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