Alice Tale in Phantasmagoria Vol 2 Chapter 48

Interlude: The Princess Knight's Order

―― Strange.

Due to the riot within the castle, we took off late to the frontlines on the first day of the month.
And to that extent we indefinitely rushed, still it was likely the time lost cannot be regained. 
Nevertheless, the scheduled arrangements for the battle formation at the first site was made.
From the hill, one could see that the endeared line of troops was perfect. 
Was this due to the other party's march being late?
In other words —— is it the incompetence of the enemy commander?
Three days after the departure from the royal capital, during that morning 8000 troops expanded before the Arsène Wetlands district.
Here the encompa.s.sing mountain area fenced us in, and to march across the ruthless quagmire of the wetlands area is the hopelessly worst terrain to do so. 
To head towards Ostia from the royal capital, there is no other choice.

Though the bridge is maintained, going on such a narrow-s.p.a.ced bridge is a gamble. 
This is a place where crossing midway one can be attacked from with long-range, amid the crossing then would be a possible ambush.
The platoon lined up.
I am not an optimistic person who would take this as good fortune.
Self-deprecating thoughts continued.

"...Why..on earth."

War is one of many means used in 'roundabout politics'.
However, this fight is a terrorist extermination.
We will win thanks to the enemy's non-existent defense force so anything other than absolute winning is impossible.
The coup d’état were idiots who conducted the foolish terrorist act, that much is understood.
Strategic preparations were made.
Within the soldiers that numbered 8000, archers were responsible for long-range attacks.
The pride of our strongest offensive power was the fire crystal held for the Pitching-corps. 

Heavy cavalry for a light cavalryman.
The foot soldier skills were utilized as much as possible too.
For example at a numerical disadvantage, geography, company provisioning, equipment, supply train, minimizing mistakes, is what it comes down to.
5000 from the private army of the reserves remained in the royal capital.
In the worst-case scenario, [A hand that beats is a hand beaten]
There's nothing to worry, supposedly.

―― No worries …… but telling yourself that is unsightly, Klancesca Wilmington.

I self-depreciated at myself.
Nothing can be done, already the strategy pa.s.sed the stage of brainstorming and are in effect
Next is to maintain the military strategy, and crush the enemy.

―― If the strategy had Tilbell Ainshura... ... or something, and I would have been at ease.
That one holds tremendous power though turns a blind eye to most things. 
Even though this is war, soldiers die.
This is a priori beyond doubt.
Given that, why must genuine warriors bear the full brunt of it?
Alice would come if I asked, but myself don't want to give any hint of imposing on her.
Can I expect the wandering elf to be strict after all.
On the otherhand, that disciple-ko for our using was suppose to be used here but......

―― I haven't yet talked enough with Alice-wa.

Defeat the stupid terrorists quickly, have black tea, then fun girl talk with that Alice-ko.
Myself has gotten a scarce friend.
When it's Alice, no matter the reasons, Wilmington is bound with you.
―― That and more, myself cold-heartedly orchestrated that -ko to be with us, I guess you could say.

"Even if you could say that, things that I want, I want-wa!"

For the gloominess before the war, a chat with Alice blows it away lik
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
e a tonic.

"―― Enemy forces, confirmed."

From a scout, a report entered through a magic stone.

"......OK! Side-by-side Line Formation!! Archers shoot to the front! Exhaust long-range to dissipate the enemy!"

Similarly I notify each and every military unit to commence operations.
Overlooking my team from the hill, mobilization began. 
Before the marshes, how exhausted will we be.
This is the game.
If they slip past the volley, the opposition will draw close, the Pitching-Corps will launch all at once causing multiplied damage.
Then the infantry unit will swap and provide the front. Seeing a chance, the cavalry unit will break into columns.
When the a.s.sault divides the opposition, comes a crus.h.i.+ng concentrated attack.

―― All right, it will surely go well-wa!

With a pathetic and shaky hand trembling with excitement, or what I convinced myself, I grasped the rapier.

It is a battle began ――――

When did I start hating my own politics?
From when I was younger, and proud of the family who supported a country.
No, that still hasn't changed.
Distantly related of the imperial Wilmington house.
The grandfather, that begged the prime minister of the kingdom to pa.s.s responsibility, and the former king placed heavy confidence in our pride. 
Father and mother peacefully governed the country and the people of Wilmington as a master of the dukedoms, too.
Managing necessary taxation and their limits was also given, flood control and agricultural administration also given, and a great effort was put forth for the people and the Wilmingtons duly created said, paradise, yet the result was large amounts of refugees were decidedly invited in.
After the Wilmingtons became the next multiethnic nation, came the dawn of a disaster.
The crowding of people contributed to this effect.
Commerce also developed, employment openings became difficult as appointments based on species ―― Human-beast species ―― to war and etc. was made, civil unrest revitalized.
This, perhaps was consequence from Ostia's wrath.
People of lower cla.s.s that came close were ran over by the whims of the aristocrats.
The labour union of workers, so called, expanded military forces as if coerced.
The trust of the late king transformed to jealousy.
The numerous mines of Ostia unilaterally p.r.o.nounced export restrictions, disarmament of all weapons, affecting everyday life for farming and created all sorts of hindrances.
Somehow father was able to renegotiate yet, the reopening of trade set new outrageous tariffs.
Excessive violence erupted, and under the pretext of a conference between king and council members, in the midst journeying to the royal capital.

―― Father and mother were murdered.

An a.s.sa.s.sination.
Ostensibly it was an accident ... as stated in absurd closing report.
However, the murder was simple to see and understand after looking.
Moreover, the Human-beasts had a hand in it.
The people of my country did not hold discrimination.
That was what I thought.
..That was what I thought, but, at that time, inside me the spontaneous emotions were clear.
If one has money, everything is possible, I say.
Republic, monarchy, Ostia dukedom, Sacramento dukedom, Wilmington dukedom.
Which country is easiest for you all to live?
The thought simply turned into anger as I thought about it.
Public government power is by succession in the first place so I, without being crowned, was enthroned at that instant.
At the persuasion of my grandfather, the objective of the nation was to pa.s.s management to me, I was hesitant.

―― Therefore Maria is your "pal" for the time and is your bounded attendant.
I think.
Maria was a someone we found collapsed in the streets and let in.
A wanderer at its end that drifted its way to Wilmington, a life that collapsed in the streets.
Because she was a chaperon candidate for the castle that I invited, mum and dad were supposed to be open minded with lifted eyes.
From that time, I still remember the words that were thrown.

―― Every person's life, is made equal.
After that, the parents faced each other and breathed a sigh, then acknowledged my selfishness.
And then after that, what is it that I feel after 8 years have pa.s.sed?
Can the person that I am now, repeat those same words?

―― Such sentiment was lost by the cutting roar of the battlefield.

From the hill I could comprehend the bodies around me.
The roar that roars up to and past the sky.
A mysterious jewel. 
Bows do not work.
The explosion of the fire crystal, even, the heat was blown away like a breeze.
Both foot soldier and cavalry soldiers were trampled upon.
Our plan, single-handedly smashed to pieces by a hidden card!

"That is ... a white dragon? Never have I heard of this -wa!"

Is it a fire dragon?a
Is it an ice dragon?
a ground dragon?
a winged dragon?
It's different from all of those!
What is that?
In addition, why does a dragon appear in such a place?
The dragons and elves are rare species.
Public appearances in front of people, more rare.
However, could it be that, they employed a dragon.
My initial vision was that our gathering of troops and equipment would be enough to deal with this.

―― Now, nothing is on the table.

The dragon tore apart the formation, and the accompanying a.s.sault army came at us.
The frontline began to crumble.
To stop that, I must take matters to myself!
Should I consider making use of the reserves?
No, it won't make much of a difference.
The soldier of the partner charges at the break of the camp which a dragon cut.
Serious damage will be taken even if we withdraw.
Succ.u.mbing to terrorism!
From that alone――！

"―― I am heading to the front -wa! I, shall hold it back!" 

I grasped the cursed blade that was a family treasure, and rose with a rea.s.suring cry.