Volume 3, Chapter 191: Diplomatic War (1/2)
After forcing the goblin army away, Elrain Kingdom returned to Pena with the Order of the Blue Knights. They left behind 3,000 soldiers to construct a fortress that would keep watch over the borderlands.
The reason the Red King could not attack the goblins was because Vilan Do Zul of the Kushain believers was able to quickly conclude the battle in the north and return to Cultidian.
The goal of the Red King is Pena. If they were to force an attack against the goblins and suffer heavy casualties, they would risk being attacked by the Kushain believers from the north.
Especially since the saint, Mira, was currently itching for vengeance after being made a fool of. No matter how low the odds were, a ‘holy war’ while fighting in the borders was simply disastrous, as it would put all of their efforts until now to waste.
Because of that the Red King could not attack the goblins.
In contrast, the goblin forces suffered heavy losses after their battle with the Order of the Blue Knights. Even the Goblin King himself incurred heavy wounds, so they avoided facing off against the Red King, and after gathering their soldiers, returned to the borders.
They couldn’t even afford to station the minimum number of soldiers required to repel the construction of the fortress as they were left wondering: Why? Why did the enemy suddenly appear? How did this get past them?
It was then that they got word from their spies at Cultidian.
That intel contained information regarding the movement of Fatina’s Army, but unfortunately, it was a little too late. To make things
worse, the information did not even come directly from Fatina, but was instead leaked by Cultidian.
Then while they were still busy with that ‘new’ information, word of Mira’s proclamation to the people reached them.
“The Kushain Believers are undoubtedly hostile toward Elrain Kingdom, but…” Zaurosh said as he scrutinized the new intel.
“The enemy of an enemy is a friend, I suppose,” the Goblin King nodded.
The Kushain Believers were manipulated by the Red King, then the goblins and the forces of Pena were made to fight each other, greatly reducing their respective strength within a short time.
“If we are to make a come back, we’ll have to start from here,” the Goblin King said without the slightest signs of discouragement. “Can we pass a rumor to the Kushain spies?”
Zaurosh made a troubled face. “…Unfortunately, that is currently beyond the capabilities of our intelligence department.”
When it comes to a battle of information, a draw against one’s opponent is quite painful. It leaves one at a grave disadvantage during diplomacy.
One saving grace was that Gi Gu Verbena’s forces have finally rendezvoused with the Goblin King, bringing their numbers up to 1,800. But even that wasn’t enough.
Their enemy had an army of over 10,000 soldiers. At this rate, the Goblin King might have to part with the borderlands.
“Gi Zu is wounded, so we’ll send him back to the west and have Gi Ba fill in,” the Goblin King said.
If the borderlands were to fall, they won’t have the leisure to protect it. Its fall would also mean that all of their efforts here would be put to waste, but at the very least, the Goblin King wanted to ensure Gi Zu’s safety.
The Goblin King believed that the one edge the goblins had over the humans are their fertility and ability to become stronger via evolution (class promotion). He believed that as long as he could protect his forces, even in the worst case scenario, they should be able to recover.
“What of the small feudal lords?” The Goblin King asked.
“They don’t seem to be panicking. We may have had to retreat, but Razuel still stands, and reinforcements came almost immediately after, so they’re not feeling the heat just yet,” Zaurosh said.
“So at least we don’t have to worry about that front,” the Goblin King said.
The Goblin King was still worried, however. After all, they were dealing with an army about 10 times their size. Moreover, they did not have a trick up their sleeves like they did when facing the Kushain Believers. To make things worse, this army of 15,000 is renowned for defeating the Kushain Believers and conquering Fatina.
It was doubtful they’d be able to win in a straight-up fight.
The Goblin King decided they currently had no other card to play but to recover their forces, but unfortunately, he would be forced to change that decision the very next day.
“A demand to surrender from the Kushain Believers?” the Goblin King asked.
“Yes. It arrived at the mansion of Shirak Territory a few days ago,” Zaurosh said.
Zaurosh could see the Kushain Believers annexing the borderlands and striking against the weakened goblins.
After their battle with the Order of the Blue Knights, word has been spreading due to the Red King. Originally, it was the bravery of the Blue Knights that was talked about, but with the passing of the renowned knight commander, the attention turned to the Red King. It wasn’t hard to see what the people were expecting.
“They plan to ride this momentum and swallow us, huh,” the Goblin King folded his arms.
They could defeat them if it were just the Kushain Believers, but the problem was that a fortress was currently being built in the southern part of the borders. If they were to make use of that and Elrain Kingdom were to appear, then they could be kicked out of the borders right there and then.
Still… They couldn’t surrender.
The Goblin King had a difficult decision to make.
Vilan, who had just returned from war, was summoned by Saint Mira to the late Kushain Patriarch’s bedroom.
“His Highness is also worried…” Vilan said.
“I won’t, I won’t! I won’t come back! If you try and take me back by force, then I’ll hate you! …Tell that to my father,” Mira said.
“What if his lungs get worse again? Like when we were kids…”
“J-Just how long do you intend to drag that old story!? That illness only happens once. Once you’ve had it, you can’t get it again! And since he’s been healed already, I’m sure he’ll be fine!”
Mira was as selfish as a child, but she had the authority and the charm that made others tolerate her.
Vilan scratched his head, looking troubled, as he nodded in response.
“More importantly, I’m sorry to ask this of you so soon after your return, but I will have to dispatch you to the borderlands.”
“If that is your bidding…”
“Unsatisfied?”
“Not at all. The likes of me could never possibly contest the princess’ wisdom.”
Pooh! Mira snorted as she puffed out her chest.
“Then let me explain to you the saint’s treasured sword, Koufushen.”
“Sigh… What is that Koufushen?”
“It’s a play that’s been in vogue recently. A troupe from the east has recently been getting around, and it’s quite interesting.”
Hearing Mira laugh dryly like that, Vilan sighed, unsure if this was really going to be alright.
In response, Mira pulled his ears and said, “listen,” then she brought him so close to her face that he could feel her breath.
Naturally, that sent Vilan’s heart going pitter-patter, but Mira did not seem to mind one bit as she boldly spoke of her ambitions.
“The reason the Red King was able to make a fool of me was because of their strategist, Carlion. But that strategist is currently in Germion Kingdom, so… As the saying goes, when the demon is away…”
“…Princess, I’ve pointed this time and time again, but you really need to do something about your choice of words— Uu!?”
Seeing Vilan about to give a sermon, the princess gave his ear another harsh tug.
“I’ve sent a messenger to the goblins to demand their surrender. Now, you’re going to take 30,000 soldiers with you and annex Elrain Kingdom’s various cities as you make your way toward the borders.”
“Your demands for a surrender is a decoy then, I take it?”
“But of course. Although, it wouldn’t hurt if they did surrender. In that case, we could work together and take out Elrain Kingdom. But I doubt the likes of monsters could properly assess profits and losses, and even then it would be enough as long as you take out a few cities. With so many Kushain Believers, as long as you implement martial law, there shouldn’t be any problems keeping order.”
“What if Elrain Kingdom shows up?”
“If they’re hostile, then denounce them for heretics who’ve sided with monsters. If they refuse to make a move and persist in observing you, then make them move. Take care not to give them an
opening when you do. I’ve specifically picked out young soldiers for your army, so it should be easy to lead them around.”
“I see you’ve thought this through, but you know, princess, treating war like a game simply because of your emotio— Uu!?”
Vilan groaned in pain as Mira pulled on his ears once more.
Mira protested with a pout. “I may be personally invested in this, but that doesn’t mean I’m treating it like a game.”
When Vilan saw the tears in Mira’s eyes, he immediately panicked.
“M-My deepest apologies!”
One week later, Mira gave a bold proclamation toward the goblins as she dispatched her army.
When the spies in Cultidian got word that Vilan’s army was split in four and was now advancing toward the borders, they immediately went into a panic, trying to send word of this new intel back as soon as possible.
After Saint Mira saw the army off, she met with a lone adventurer in secret.
“Lift your face. You’re not the docile sort, are you?” Mira said.
“And that’s not how one would expect the saint to talk,” the plainly dressed female adventurer said.
Mira laughed. “I want some mice hunted. I take it you’re up to the task?”
Not a trace of that young girl’s face that Mira often showed to Vilan could be seen now. Saint Mira’s face was completely devoid of expression as she emanated a chill accompanied with a frightening composure.
“If it is your command.”
“I’ll pay you as much as you want, so make those Red King bastards pay.”
“With the power of the inverse moon’s shadow, so shall it be done.” As the female adventurer bowed, Mira smiled with satisfaction.
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