702 - - 第七百二话 とまどい
The Seyfant Empire - long from north to south and surrounded by steep mountains on all sides, the climate is diverse, with heavy snowfall in the north and relatively mild temperatures in the south, due to the difference in elevation. The territory is vast and fertile, and a variety of crops can be harvested from the land.
Another characteristic of this country is its abundant water resources, which is also known as the "Land of Water. There are many rivers of various sizes in the country, and many landforms where each river has eroded the mountains. The empire was making good use of these natural blessings and steadily increasing its national power.
The current emperor, Safand Cain Laud IV, was rough, uncompromising, quick-tempered, and quarrelsome. He is what is called an emotional person, and he is very determined to make sense out of logic. He was exclusive and did not mind hurting others, but he was sensitive and lacked tenacity, but he was supported by his excellent retainers. His father, Kolanid Kain Safand, who had violent temper tantrums, had chosen to put on his retainers men who were rational, scientific, reasonable thinkers, and responsible.
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"Did we hear back from Heedata!"
Emperor Koranid hurled his words at his retainers with a blue streak on his forehead. He was irritated. One of his retainers, who was standing by his side, opened his mouth in a calm voice.
"No, sir."
"...... or send another messenger!"
"With all due respect, Your Majesty. I believe that the messenger we sent earlier has finally reached Heedata. We have asked for reinforcements not only from Heedata but also from Agartha through that nation. It will take a few days for Heedata to decide whether or not to send reinforcements, and a few more days for Agartha to decide whether or not to send reinforcements after sending a messenger to Agartha. Then, it will take a few more weeks to receive your reply, no matter how hurriedly. Besides, our country and the Hereditary Empire, which had a marriage relationship in the days of our predecessors, have already been disbanded. We should not repeatedly urge that country."
It was a perfectly honest opinion. However, this sound argument had struck a nerve with Emperor Koranid.
"The emperor of Heedata and the empress of Agartha share the same blood as I do. We are of the same blood, so to speak. My words cannot be taken lightly. If those nations move, we can win this war without losing a single soldier!
Not a single person agreed with his words. He was over forty years old, but his complexion was white and his face was graceful, with the appearance of a beautiful boy in his childhood. His slender, well-trimmed beard around his mouth enhanced his dignity. His retainers all thought he was a waste. If he had kept his mouth shut, he would have looked like an emperor of a great kingdom.
Koranid, on the other hand, was going through various numbers in his head.
Rescuing the castle of Khaza was a simple matter. He already had an army of 10,000 men on the way. NONO's army was tenacious and persistent. But we have an overwhelming advantage in numbers. We will take some damage, but we will be able to control them. The problem is the army of Elsmo, which is closing in from behind. Their number is said to be as many as 20,000. If we attack them with our full strength, we will not be defeated, but we must be prepared for a fair amount of damage.
I had miscalculated that Elsmo would make a move. It was unthinkable that a small country like NONO would move Elsmo, but now more than 20,000 soldiers are heading for the Karza castle. If they were careless, they would overtake Castle Khaza and turn the Seifand Empire into a battlefield. If this happens, he will be labeled a foolish king by his subjects.
He knew that those around him saw him as not competent, but rather incompetent as an emperor. However, his pride would not allow him to be so regarded. He wanted to be called a great ruler because of his position as an emperor. He had always held this thought in his heart. The current attack and defense of the Karza Castle was the perfect opportunity for him to show his excellence. If he could not only win the battle, but also complete it without losing a single soldier, his reputation would be greatly enhanced.
Emperor Koranid had a strategy in his mind. It was the strategy that Pope Vieille of the Church of Crimiana had used when he recaptured the capital, Aphrodite. She managed to open the rebel-held city of Aphrodite without bloodshed, without losing a single soldier. This was due to the prestige of Agartha and Heedata. Fortunately, she has blood ties with both countries. If I can take advantage of this and open Karza Castle without bloodshed, I will not let my soldiers die in vain, and I will not waste money. It was truly a two birds with one stone strategy.
However, the retainers were skeptical about both countries sending reinforcements. Even if they did, they would be small and of no use in the battle. In particular, the likelihood of Agartha sending an army was estimated to be extremely low. This was because of the past rejection of a marriage proposal between Likolet, Empress of Agartha, and Slanid, son of Koranid, the current crown prince, and because Likolet herself thought that the image of the Safanid Empire would not be a good one.
Of course, Koranid himself was well aware of this. But he thought differently. The past is the past. Lycorette herself had already settled down as Empress of Agartha, the most powerful country in the world. Her mind should be focused on how to develop Agartha in the future, not on the legacies of the past. Then, it would not be a loss for Agartha to have a friendship with our country. A letter approved by the Emperor himself would surely catch her attention. A good reply from both countries would show Emperor Koranid's diplomatic prowess. He eagerly awaited the return of the messenger.
Nevertheless, a mistake in the management of the army would be an irreversible blow. Reports indicate that Elsmo's army is advancing at a slow pace and has only just crossed the border of the Kingdom of NONO. My guess is that they will decide on their move depending on the situation at the Karza castle. It was clear that the battle would be settled as soon as the enemy forces surrounding Karza Castle were dispersed with all their strength.
Can't we at least get the fact that ...... Heedata and Agartha will provide reinforcements?
Koranid muttered to himself. Even if both countries send reinforcements, it will take a long time for them to arrive. I know that. However, the news that both countries were moving at this point would be a great boost to the morale of the allies. In addition, it would put silent pressure on NONO's army surrounding the castle of KAZA and on the army of ELSMO. With these thoughts in mind, I looked at my retainer who was standing by my side. He shook his head from side to side with a blank expression on his face, as if he knew what was going through Koranid's mind. He gave a small click of his tongue, as if he were dissatisfied with the situation.
At that moment, a security guard came running up to him.
"Excuse me, sir."
"What?"
"There is a letter like this at the gate of the castle: ......"
With a puzzled look on his face, the soldier handed a letter to Kolanid's aide. The retainer opened it and read it with the same puzzled expression on his face.
"What is it?"
"No, it's ......."
"Give it to me!"
He snatches the letter from his retainer's hand as if he is trying to snatch it. Koranid looked it over with a wrinkled brow and shouted in a deranged voice.
"......What is this?
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