Chapter 434
Chapter 434. Predictability
Northwest of the Hamilton Duchy, at the border with the Kaizaan Empire――
At the break in the mountain range separating both countries, a cobblestone road leading into the Empire stretched across the gently rolling hills of the mountainous region.
Normally, merchants and travelers would be bustling around, but for the past few days, a tense atmosphere hung in the air, and the shadows of people were sparse.
This was because an overwhelming army of over ten thousand had gathered in the lands of the Empire.
“Those guys… are they trying to pick a fight with the Duchy?”
Inside the fortress on the Duchy’s side, atop a watchtower, a soldier named Katobas grumbled while keeping his eyes on the Imperial Army.
The Empire claimed that this large army had gathered only for military exercises. There had only been occasional cavalry scouts crossing the border, and nothing significant had occurred so far.
“Who knows? If it is a fight, it seems like it’ll be costly…”
Katobas’s partner, a soldier with a bow slung over his shoulder, grimaced in reply.
The garrison of this fortress numbered over 500. As a defense facility that had been keeping an eye on the border for many years, it boasted decent barriers and equipment, but against such a force, they would stand no chance.
“…I seriously hope not.”
Katobas’s murmuring was directed at no one in particular, not even himself.
But—both Katobas and his partner felt a vague sense of unease.
The Empire had showcased its military power by staging military exercises at the border every few years. However, this time the scale was unprecedented.
“That… is really just an exercise, right?”
Katobas looked anxiously at his partner.
“Well, it should be. That’s what they say.”
Nervously stroking his bow, his partner replied.
“But normally, if it’s an exercise, there are supposed to be clearly defined enemy and friend forces, right? With that many people…”
“…That’s true.”
“But they’re all grouped together and not doing anything that looks like an exercise…”
“………”
“It feels like… they’re forming ranks aimed right at the Duchy…”
The moment Katobas had spoken those half-muttered words, they struck a chilling truth.
―And then.
From a distance, something remarkably grand and enormous, a flashy carriage, glided forward and halted in front of the army.
“What the heck is that gaudy carriage?”
Katobas muttered incredulously, while his partner, the archer, rubbed his eyes furiously.
“Hey, what’s wrong?”
Katobas asked, either puzzled or concerned. He knew his partner’s keen eyesight came from being born into a hunter’s family.
“This is strange. Unless my eyes have gone bad, on top of that carriage——”
Katobas could see it faintly too. On the upper deck of the two-story carriage, a person was standing, making gestures like they were giving a speech.
“—That guy up there, he looks like he’s wearing a crown or something…”
An overwhelming cheer, like the rumble of the earth, drowned out his partner’s words.
It was the roar of the massive army. “Ohhh, ohhh, ohhh!” the cheers continued three times――
The Imperial Army, which had been stalled for days, finally began to move.
“…Hey.”
“…Yeah.”
“…They’re coming this way, aren’t they?”
“It looks that way.”
“Hey! They’re crossing the border!”
“Come on, don’t joke about that……!”
Please, don’t let anything happen—while they continued to keep watch, their prayers went unanswered, and the Imperial Army crossed the border.
With their hair standing on end, Katobas and his partner exchanged glances.
“……Enemy attack! Enemy attack――!”
His partner, the archer, rang the watchtower bell. But even before that, it seemed the soldiers throughout the fortress had already sensed something was amiss.
Suddenly, the fortress was enveloped in a flurry of activity.
Katobas quickly descended the watchtower, almost jumping down as he followed the rope to the ground. As predetermined, he ran to the stables, grabbed the reins of his beloved horse, and swiftly mounted.
――Katobas was a messenger.
“Hey! Wait for the gates to close!”
The fortress gates were already swinging shut. Just in time, he slipped through the gap and turned his horse toward the nearby town, galloping down the highway.
“Yeehaw! Let’s go fast!”
If there’s something odd at the border, his role was to relay the news at full speed――that was Katobas’s duty.
Bouncing vigorously on horseback, Katobas glanced back at the fortress with anxiety. He could see fire and light from offensive magic flying and getting twisted by the fortress’s barriers, redirected into all sorts of directions.
The barriers appeared to be functioning normally and were protecting the fortress, but—dealing with the assault from such a massive army was beyond what was anticipated. How long would they hold out—hours? No, would it even last minutes…?
And while he had managed to escape for the sake of relaying the message, what about his comrades? What about his partner, the archer?
“…Damn it!”
Gripping the reins tightly, Katobas turned forward again.
He would deliver the enemy attack message as quickly as possible and return with reinforcements.
That was all he could do――
†††
Not long after, Katobas successfully arrived at the nearby town.
The news of the Empire’s invasion would soon spread throughout the Duchy.
†††
Meanwhile, at the capital of the Hamilton Duchy, “Mito Han.”
The peculiar sounds of “kiko… kiko… kiko…” echoed through the palace corridors.
It was the sound of wheels turning.
“Yo, ho, ha!”
There was a man.
Dressed flamboyantly in bright crimson robes and sporting the light makeup of the Empire, a middle-aged man.
He was straddling a bizarre, absurd vehicle that looked like a chair attached to a single wheel, wobbling as he progressed through the corridor.
“Wow, this unicycle is so fun! I think I’ll mass-produce these!?”
With a cheer of “Woohoo!” the middle-aged man pedaled faster.
A ridiculously dressed guy gallivanting through the palace corridors on a unicycle.
But what was most shocking was that on the man’s head——a crown glimmered.
“Your Majesty, if you go any faster, you might fall again,” said the butler dressed in a butler’s outfit who was trailing behind him, speaking in a condescending tone that felt somewhat mocking.
“I’m fine! I have impeccable coordination! I’m used to this by now, and falling doesn’t hurt that much!”
He answered playfully, laughing.
However, he immediately slipped and crashed hard onto the floor of the corridor.
“Ouch! …Ugh, what the heck is this vehicle! Is it a joke? It’s not funny at all!”
Lamenting, he sprang to his feet and began taking his frustration out on the unicycle. But as he kicked it, he ended up hitting his shin hard and yelped again.
An emotionally unstable middle-aged man.
His name was Oranio = Audrey = Pinocchio = Hamilton.
――The current head of state of the Hamilton Duchy, the king himself.
