Editing Rakuin no Monshou:Volume4 Chapter6 (section)

=== Part 2 ===

A force led by Eric Amon Doria crossed over the border.

As stated by the information that had already reached Garbera, from the two thousand soldiers Eric had with him, he had left six hundred at the border with Mephius. Appointed to command them was Belmor Plutos. During the ritual at the Water Shrine, he had displayed his 'cute' voice, but of course that wasn't his only accomplishment and, as was to be expected of the second son of the Plutos family which had for generations crossed swords with the Northern barbarians, he was a man whose dauntless courage in battle had earned him Eric's trust.

Naturally it was Eric himself who was leading the main force of a thousand four hundred. They were currently moving southwards along the eastern bank of the river Yunos. The river that formed the border with Mephius flowed west and passed by Zaim.

Majestically flying constant above Eric's troops was the large dragonstone battleship "Venu". It was of a scale to be able to carry eight hundred soldiers but Eric had allowed neither men nor goods to be loaded within it. If the ship was made unwieldy from weight, it would have to be covered in light armour. The soldiers were therefore advancing on horseback while the supplies were being transported down the river by barge. And the heavily armoured ship was like a fortress in the sky.

"Garbera is a country that is certainly used to handling airships." Such was Eric's assessment. They would also be proficient at bombing and attacking ships. An empty warship was easier to control.

On the other hand, the cruiser-class Dragonstone ship "Regin" that had been left with Belmor was unarmoured and made of almost nothing but dragonstone, having been prepared with speed in mind.

"Garbera", a young warrior serving the Plutos family laughed while on the march, "must be convinced that Belmor's group is being used to keep a sharp watch on Mephius."

"That's what I'm hoping." Jolted atop his horse, Eric answered shortly. On his brow was a circlet in the shape of a helmet. When the time came, he would obtain consent from Mephius' Emperor Guhl to cross the Mephian border. If Garbera sent troops to confront them, Belmor's unit would be able to escape that way. The enemy would not be able to hinder them, nor could they ignore them, and their forces would be split in two in vain.
[[Image:Rakuin no Monshou v04 227.jpg|thumb]]

Furthermore, Belmor's troops were ready to attack Garbera's main force from behind when they crossed the Nouzen mountains. Conversely, they would have the opportunity to perform a pincer attack.

"But... it's galling that there appears to have been a disturbance on Mephius' side."

There was the issue of the reinforcements sent by the crown prince being halted by General Odyne. However, the young warriors usually stationed in Dairan didn't pay it any mind,

"With this, we have proof that the emperor is keeping his promise. There is no need to worry."

"Let's thoroughly show off our Dairan spirit to that insolent Garbera and to our own country of Ende, grown poor through indolence."
Eric grinned broadly at the gossip.

He was a man who had spent his infancy and adolescence in Dairan, an area fervent with military spirit. Rather than holding rites and banquets in the capital, immersed in Ende's somewhat decadent customs, he preferred to be as he was now with trusted companions, spurring their warhorses towards battle. And he believed that he had thus the ability to expand the country of Ende.

Their current target was the fort that Noue Salzantes had hastily had constructed. According to the scouts, about three hundred soldiers were crammed in there. They would start with that.

''Does Garbera mean to halt us with this then have its main force sortie from Zaim?''

Before departing for the front lines, Eric had committed a simple topographical map to memory.

''But Zaim is known for being a strong fort. Staying in place and conducting a defensive war would be sure way of playing things, however...''

In the meantime, Eric didn't intend to scatter his soldiers any more than this. If the main force made a sortie from Zaim, he would have Belmor's troop go through Mephius and attack the enemy from the west. In that case, even though the enemy would further reduce their soldiers, they would not be able to turn back. With the fortress filled with soldiers, this was advantageous in terms of number of troops.


Noue Salzantes received the information that Eric was ascending towards the mountain fort.

After sending back the messenger from Zans of the Order of the Knights of Black Steel, he folded his arms. Eric was marching by the banks of the Wendt, along a path at the bottom of a gorge over which steep cliffs towered on either side. From their speed, he could garner that even at the cost of sacrificing their ether, they were thoroughly investigating the terrain by means of airships.

It meant that the reserve unit was laid out to cover every contingency,

''He is quite able''.

Regarding Eric Amon Doria, rumour had it that although he was gifted in the military arts, he was utterly devoid of prudence. But whatever his political ability might be, when it related to warfare, a singular intuition kicked in.

There had still been no communication from Mephius. It would take too much time even if he sent out a messenger from here to Apta. Besides, the real lord of Zaim, Zenon Owell, had from the outset held no expectations of Mephius.

''That we are about to directly cross swords with Ende is already the mark of my defeat''.

This being Noue, such were his thoughts. In this war, there was by its nature no other way to victory other than that of taking the path of not fighting. Garbera had little to gain from this conflict, as even if they somehow pushed away Prince Eric Amon Doria's army, they would not have the reserve force to advance their troops over the enemy's borders.

''And furthermore... if the centre of the continent were once more to be at war, that major power, Allion, might see a chance to strike out from the East. The relationship between Allion and Ende runs deep''.

It was for this reason that Noue had deliberately acted to create a debt of gratitude from Mephius' Gil, in the expectation of reinforcements from his country. Since the enemy had probably planned to be in communication with Mephius, it would certainly cause considerable alarm if troops came from that same Mephius. Ende had set his strategy back to square one, and Noue judged that they should withdraw their troops after all.                                 

''It's unlikely that Mephius can make it on time''.

Although he thought it shameful, Noue was already half prepared. Naturally he wasn't one to forget to make preparations once war had begun.

"Even Eric can't want a drawn-out war."

Noue stroked his glossy hair and focussed his almond-shaped eyes on the river Wendt below. Awaiting nearby, the cavalry captain Rogier briefly looked his way but didn't say anything since Noue muttering to himself was proof that he was engrossed in his thoughts.

"It should be possible to limit the enemy's movements at the double forts. Surely Mephius wouldn't be so shameless as to not only not send reinforcements but also to join Ende in attacking from our flank."

Of course, if the reinforcements from Gil were on time, there would be no need to cross the mountains. It was not Noue's creed to incorporate unreliable elements into his strategies, but he remembered Gil's fearless expression.

''No matter how bad the situation, there is the possibility of rescue appearing so suddenly as to be anti-climactic''. He could not so easily throw away his expectations.


Two days before Ende's troops crossed over the border...

"What did you say?"

Solon, capital of Mephius.

While he had been heading towards an inspection of the construction work at the Dragon God shrine, Emperor Guhl's angry voice suddenly resounded. His surroundings instantly went deathly silent.

The vassal kneeling at Guhl's feet went as pale as though he himself was about to be killed. However, the brunt of Guhl's fury was aimed not at the one who had hurried with the news, but at his own son, Gil Mephius.

"So not only has he not yet pulled back the reinforcements, but he has flown the Dhum out of Apta!"

"Y-Yes."

The Dhum was the flagship of the Imperial Guards that Prince Gil had been given on the occasion of his first campaign. That it had left Apta naturally meant that it was going to send relief to Garbera.

Guhl hastily returned to the palace and gave orders for an aerial unit to also depart from Solon. The one he sent was one of Mephius' twelve generals and the linchpin of the air force, the leader of the Crested Ibis Arrow Division, Yuriah Mattah. 

As soon as he heard about it, Simon Rodloom hurried to the audience hall.

"Your Majesty!"

"What are you being so noisy about?"

"What orders did you give Sir Yuriah?"

"That damn Gil's wilful behaviour has become intolerable. Although I put up with his acting as he pleased with regards to Taúlia, this time I clearly gave him an order in the emperor's name. It is a matter of course that he should be reprimanded for such flagrant disregard. Therefore, I ordered Yuriah to halt the Dhum. Where is the problem? Nor do I think it is something that warrants such agitation from the former Chairman of the Council."

"Prince Gil must feel responsible."

"Responsible in what way?"

"Sometime soon he will take Princess Vileena, the proof of this alliance, as his wife. He cannot abandon our ally Garbera in its distress. In what way is this mere wilful behaviour? By no means is the prince making light of you, Your Majesty. Please, I, Simon Rodloom beg of you on my name. Can you not grant His Highness your forgiveness?"

"Ho. The Rodloom family name is something to be held this cheap, is it?"

Sensing that something unusual was occurring between the two, the nobles and chamberlains who were present in the audience hall exchanged glances. There were also those who, fearing to become embroiled, could only blurt out their greetings and leave.

"It isn't criticism towards me. It is dissatisfaction that relief has not been sent to Garbera?"

"It is likely that when the prince found himself in a difficult situation in Apta, the Garberan troops hurried back to help. Such is "honour" between alliance partners. It should be our turn to display it next."

"Idiocy", Guhl snorted through his white moustache. "I hear that Prince Eric is alone in leading the troops of the Duchy of Ende. It will not become a war in which each bet their very existence; it will result in no more than dividing up the territory around Zaim. Besides Simon, you must be forgetting that there is a relationship between Ende and Allion. If we nonchalantly stick our noses in, it may give Ende's friend Allion an excuse to extend its reach in this direction. This time, there is no other choice but to have Garbera struggle through as best it can."

Nowadays, when he gave someone an order, Emperor Guhl was short and decisive in his commands. Right now, even though he enumerated relatively plausible explanations, the one he was talking to being Simon, he was of course well aware that his decision this time was lacking in terms of the obligation owed to an alliance partner.

The audience was engulfed in an ever greater feeling of tension, not knowing what kind of punishment would be visited on Lord Simon who was clearly opposing him on this. A number of the men heard something like a purr.

As Simon remained silent, the emperor continued,

"I am at this country's helm. With two helmsmen, a ship will soon lose direction. The sailors will also lose their morale. That Gil is not sufficiently aware of this. I will remove his authority to use military force. Never again will I allow Gil even for a moment to reassess the duties of the imperial family."

"Your Majesty is the one who should reassess them."

"What?"

His eyes glaring, Guhl was about to rise from his seat. Wearing audacity like a garment, Simon kept his expressionless face lowered.

"Please forgive my impudent tongue. I am prepared to receive any punishment. Although unmannerly, I would say this once. Please, on my name, Simon Rodloom."

"Be silent!" Guhl stood up and thrust a finger before him. "It appears Simon that somehow or another you favour a single helmsman other than me. One such as you stirs up unnecessary waves and throws the country into disarray. Get out! Never show your face before me again!"

"Y-Your Majesty!"

"Lord Simon, what impertinence. H-Hurry and apologise to His Majesty that he may grant you mercy."

Even the minor vassals <ref> Literally, the 'rear vassals' (baishin, 陪臣), which in the Edo period were the vassals of feudal lords and so only indirect vassals of the shogun.</ref> raised a clamour. The only one not making a fuss was the interested party, Simon, who stood stock still, his face still turned downwards.

When after a short while Simon departed from before the emperor, watching him intently from the side was the old general, Rogue Saian. He too had been going to enter the audience hall but had stopped upon hearing the emperor's angry voice coming from inside. In the end, telling the herald in charge of proclaiming entrances to call off the notice of his arrival, he went towards Simon as he was leaving. His shoulders neither drooping nor his back stooped, Simon was walking entirely as usual.

He wanted to call out to him but seeing the state Simon was in, he couldn't utter a word.

In terms of age, Rogue was five years older. However, he had always had the utmost respect for Simon. That was because unlike himself, who had no skills outside of handling weapons or piloting airships, he recognised that Simon was a man with the talent to face every one of Mephius' difficulties.

And so this time too...

At a distance so close their shoulders could touch, the two passed by each other in silence.

For the occasion of his waiting on the palace, Rogue was clad in armour passed down by successive generations of his ancestors, and he brought his fist to his armoured chest in salute.


The flagship of the prince's Imperial Guards was the large dragonstone ship 'Dhum'.

Despite being a large battleship-class ship, surprisingly there was little room for more than two hundred soldiers. Above the framework made of weightless metal, sheets of iron had repeatedly been added for defence while for propulsion, it had on board nearly three times more ether engines than was usual. As such, the Dhum combined defence and speed. Ordinarily, its cruising speed was about twenty kilometres per hour but by sacrificing defence and prioritising velocity, it could go over seventy kilometres per hour. For a battleship-class vessel, that number was exceptional.

In order to intercept the ship after it had left Apta, Yuriah Mattah's fleet, taking off from a base between Solon and Birac, had immediately spread out in a net around Birac's environs. It was two days after Simon had clashed with the emperor in Solon that the Dhum's gigantic shadow was seized upon. Just as Odyne's troops had done by the Garberan border, Yuriah sent out airships to first stop the Dhum.

Knowing of how the prince had recently been, Yuriah's expression as tense as it was possible that he would try to force his way through, but unexpectedly, the Dhum readily obeyed the order to halt.

Yuriah crossed over in person to the ship and let his large frame down into the Dhum. However, when he stepped onto the bridge, he was left dumbfounded. There was not a single soldier within. There was only the bare minimum of officers needed for the ship to move and the one in charge of handling it from the bridge was...

"Princess Vileena!?" Yuriah's voice unintentionally escaped from him.

The fourteen-year-old princess looked at him in complete bewilderment.

"Have I done something that violates Mephian laws?" She tilted her head to one side. "I asked Krau here for practice in steering a large ship.... I see, there is not but one single sky. Mephius' sky must have its own particular rules. I apologise for my rash behaviour."

"N-No. That kind of thing..."

The fat woman standing next to Vileena looked at her and the embarrassed Yuriah in turns. Having been allowed to search on board, his subordinates unsurprisingly found not a single armed soldier. Of course, the same held true for Prince Gil.

''We've been had''.

Yuriah was in his early thirties and was the second youngest among the twelve generals. He clenched his teeth with a grinding sound. Right now, the prince was probably headed to Garbera by a different route.

That or could it be that the princess in front of him was feigning innocence and had instigated the prince to send reinforcements to her native country – while Yuriah also considered that, there was currently nothing he could do in this situation.

"Ships are interesting. To think that one can dance in the sky as one pleases with something so big. Say, Krau. I wonder if one day people will be able to live in the sky." In the meantime, Princess Vileena was acting all innocence, although of course neither Yuriah nor Krau, who couldn't help but be discomfited at being called out to, realised that the model for that act was Princess Ineli.