Editing Rakuin no Monshou:Volume6 Chapter2 (section)

=== Part 1 ===

The forest was by no means large and it was filled to overflowing during the rush to withdraw. Some were dragged down by the wave of people and were crushed underfoot by their allies’ horses. Every time a sword was swung, someone’s head flew, but even so, Moldorf ascertained a path of retreat and raced on with his spear in hand, weaving his way through the rain of swords to break through to the forest.

There, Moldorf joined up with the troops who had been sent to detour around the forest and briefly halted his horse in order to personally take up the rear guard. While covering his allies, they gradually retreated. Valiant warriors from all of the allied countries lined up on either side of him. Even now that he had decided they would flee, his spear was not one particle less relentless, and as they chased after their routed enemy, the men from Lasvius' unit were slaughtered one after another.

"Don't chase them too far!" Lasvius himself finally shouted out to restrain his allies. To reiterate, they too were not really in a position that allowed much coordination. It would only serve to increase the number of victims if each attacked haphazardly in order to earn achievements. Better after all to fire bullets or arrows from a distance.

It was quite effective, although Moldorf himself didn't have a single scratch. Before long, the entirety of Garda's army was headed northeast in a cloud of dust. For now, they intended to pass by the eastern side of Lake Soma to escape to Eimen or else to Kadyne.

The remaining Taúlian soldiers both inside and out of the forest raised a cry of triumph and saw in their comrades' faces the pride of knowing that Garda had been thwarted for the first time since the beginning of his invasion. They had won against Garda's forces.

Ax Bazgan heard their cry of victory as he was rubbing his lower back. His blood had of course run cold when he had seen Moldorf's spear approach, but now he struck a grand pose and accepted the soldiers' joyful voices.

Cherik's army withdrew in almost no time at all.

"Don't chase after them," Ax issued a strict command. "I will pass through Cherik's gates personally and in grand style. Even Yamka will have to accept it."

The news wasn't all good. The worst of the damage that the Taúlian forces had suffered had been inflicted when Moldorf had charged alone, but what caused Ax's expression to cloud over was that the strategist Ravan Dol had been caught up in it. Apparently, when the strategist was flung from the dragon’s back, he had slammed into the ground with his entire body and had lost consciousness. He was breathing, but his age was what it was.  It was impossible to say what his condition was.

Because theirs had been a march that privileged speed, there were few non-combatants in the first wave of troops that Ax was leading. The artillery and infantry troops following behind should have doctors with them, so until they arrived, a tent was set up for the strategist to rest in. 

Lasvius went towards Ax. That Taúlia had made a move was largely because of the letter from Bouwen Tedos who had been under Lasvius’ protection.

“As expected of one who has inherited the blood of the Bazgan family. Taúlia’s cooperation was essential for gaining the first military achievements against Garda.”  

“What? The western lands were those ruled by the Bazgan family. We wouldn’t not move to protect them.”

His manner of speaking got on Lasvius’ nerves somewhat and an unpleasant expression crossed his slender face, but no word of criticism passed his lips. Ax didn’t particularly notice.

“It was because the loyal retainers of Helio did not give up on retaking it that we achieved success. You have my thanks.”

So saying, he offered a handshake. 

''What a strange man'', that thought was written on Lasvius’ face as he returned the handshake. He had an arrogant side and an affable side that coexisted without contradicting each other. ''Ah, or isn’t it...'', he almost smiled as a thought struck him. In short, Ax Bazgan was like a child. He was exactly like the swaggering leader of a neighbourhood gang of kids. 

Afterwards, Lasvius issued orders to his subordinates and had them bring Orba over. Shique was with him and Ax recognised his face as that of the messenger who had arrived in Taúlia just a few days ago. Furthermore, that messenger had originally been a mercenary hired by Taúlia and he had heard that before that, he had been a gladiator in Mephius, so Ax’s expression showed somewhat mixed feelings.

However, that did not change the fact that when Bouwen had fled the battle at the Coldrin Hills, they had protected him to the last without abandoning him. Lasvius had wanted to introduce Orba to Taúlia’s governor-general but time was short.

“We’ll hold a party later. I’ll be giving you a reward but if you’re expecting something big, it might be a problem in these troubled times,” Ax smiled jocularly. 

After that, while waiting for the troops following behind, they rested in the area around the forest. Naturally Ax had the soldiers take up battle formations in turn and scout their surroundings at all times. Incidentally, he had sent a messenger post haste to those behind to inform them of the situation and to order a third of them to return to Taúlia. It was not that he was taking Cherik lightly, but it was in case Garda’s temporarily routed army changed its objective and headed there instead.

Meanwhile, Orba was with Shique and Gilliam, who he knew of old, and with the mercenaries Talcott and Stan, when they heard a voice say,

“Mephian dogs.” 

The one who was insulting them so as to be deliberately overheard was a man who was giving instructions to the sentries posted a little way from where they were. Judging from his equipment, he was a soldier from Helio. Moreover, he seemed to be of the rank of battalion commander as he had a tassel attached to the top of his pointed, Taúlian-made helmet and a short mantle hanging from his right shoulder.

“I don’t know if it was on Lasvius’ orders, but they’re getting full of themselves for having commanded the detached force. A man who’s more like a boy and who can’t show his face. Since when has Helio been so short-handed that we need to rely on slaves?”

“Yo, Shique,” said the gigantic Gilliam while poking a finger in his ear. “I can’t make out this western accent. Are they picking a fight with us?”

“Leave it, maybe it’s a mistake,” Shique appeared to chide him in a gentle voice that matched his feminine appearance, but his words as he spoke loud enough to let them hear were far from gentle. “See, if you take out a sword and thrust it at them, they will surely apologise and snivel that ‘It’s a mistake, there’s been a misunderstanding so please forgive us.’ When that happens, we’ll be the ones left feeling awkward.”

That was rare for Shique. As for Orba, he turned his face in Cherik’s direction without saying a word. As was his habit when he was lost in thought, he fixed his eyes on a single point without moving, without even so much as blinking.

“That man, I know him by name,” Talcott said afterwards in a low voice. “Surūr Wyerim, the commander of Helio’s infantry battalion. He seems to be in a bad mood but don’t provoke him too much. Apparently he’s more capable than he looks.” As he was saying that, the look in his eyes seemed somewhat amused by the situation. 

Regardless, no further incident occurred and the troops following behind joined up with the main force. A messenger came galloping up just as Ax was about to start moving. When he heard his report, he snorted loudly.
“So it’s finally come? I was starting to wonder if I would seriously have to march in there.”

An envoy from Cherik had arrived.


Elsewhere, in far distant Taúlia.

“What?” Raswan Bazgan’s cruel-looking face wore an expression of astonishment. “Is this true?” 

“Yes…” As he answered, the old sorcerer raised both his palms to the level of his chest and placed them over a strangely shaped crystal ball. It was in the form a skull that had horns and a somewhat elongated snout. While peering into it, he continued, “It appears that soon after our troops left Helio, the soldiers of Helio’s royal family recaptured the city. From there, it seems that reinforcements rushed to Taúlia’s aid and they probably caught Moldorf’s force in a pincer movement. Although I have not seen the outcome, so it is possible that Moldorf managed to prevail against the odds.”

“Why?”

“It seems that a man named Lasvius hid in the Belgana Summits along with his subordinates…”

“Not that!” Raswan barked with a thoroughly irritated expression. “''Why'' didn’t you convey news of Helio’s fall to Moldorf’s troops? Aren’t you capable of instant communication no matter how far apart you may be? If he had had known that reinforcements were coming from behind, Moldorf could have acted.”

“None of our comrades accompanied Moldorf's force. We too are limited in number,” the sorcerer's answer was concise. It held no impatience nor regret nor apology.

Raswan’s lips trembled, but,

“Do not be hasty,” the old man’s voice was cold.  

Although Raswan's brain was boiling with anger, he froze instantly. However, he was a man who had steeled himself and who was prepared to turn his blade against his own father. He drew his brows together  and scowled deeply at the other.

“If we lose the opportunity to act it will all come to nothing. But with whatever sorcery you lot possess, doing something like changing history is so easy that…”

“Indeed. There is nothing more important than a good opportunity,” the sorcerer interrupted Raswan’s words, “and when it comes to opportunities, there will be as many as one likes later. But it will be over if we fail. My master Garda has great expectations of your assistance, Lord Raswan, so please do not lose your temper and destroy the chance that more opportunities will come your way.”

“S-So you are saying that there is no worry that the countries of the west will join hands and engulf Garda then.”
Raswan was anxious that he not be taken lightly. Garda had said that he would leave Taúlia in his hands but he was not so naive as to leave it at that. In preparation for when he became governor-general, he had to keep in mind how to place himself on equal terms with Garda, who would have subdued most of the western lands. 

''Nnh'', as Raswan’s violent expression shattered, the blood drained from his dark brown skin.

The sorcerer didn’t say a thing. He only laughed. A soundless laugh.

A moment later, he repeated his words, “Do not be hasty.” 

In the end, Raswan Bazgan had no choice but to postpone making his move in Taúlia. As he looked out the window at the streets of Taúlia that were entirely bathed in the light of dawn, Raswan persuaded himself that it was a sign that his luck still held that his notification had not yet reached the soldiers and that they were still unaware of the situation.