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In tactical theory, before such an encirclement could be completed, commanders must somehow maneuver their forces to prevent it. The army must be in disarray, unable to move properly.

The basic strategy of the Second Army was to defend the royal capital and, if defeated, retreat to the Royal Castle Island and fortify there. This was the traditional tactic of the Royal Guard through generations. Whenever Shibyaku was attacked, they would retreat there.

The Royal Castle Island was originally designed as a short-term refuge pending reinforcements and was not equipped for a prolonged siege. The Castle Island was situated in prime territory in the capital. It housed commercial establishments and government offices. Unlike a remote fortress, it couldn’t stockpile provisions and supplies beyond its capacity, and the provision storehouse, located at the least commercially valuable spot behind the castle, was merely symbolic with very limited supplies. Being on an island, the underground was too damp for food storage, rendering it unusable.

With a combined total of 18,000 soldiers for the First and Second Armies, plus providing for all the Witches’ kin, it was questionable if they could sustain themselves for a month. For these reasons, in past civil conflicts, without exception, the Royals and the Witches opted to confront the enemy outside the royal capital, defending the urban areas.

Though it might sound callous, it was preferable to lose some numbers before entering the Royal Castle Island. Whether they would win or lose was uncertain until the battle, and for the Witches, the royal capital was their source of income. Losing it without a fight was unacceptable. However, this time, the Royal Castle Island fell first.

Thick black smoke rose from the bridge, and the flags of the Hou Family fluttered atop the spires of the castle. With no escape route upon defeat, the soldiers had only a few options, either to fight desperately to the death, surrender, or discard their weapons and flee. These soldiers were not the type to fight to the death. They huddled without fleeing, slowly closing their arms around themselves.

I descended slowly, aiming for the main camp.

—

“Your Excellency! We have been expecting you.” (Dimitri)

When White Sunset stopped flapping its wings and began to descend, Dimitri, who had been running up, spoke up.

“Dimitri, well done. A splendid encirclement.” (Yuri)

“Thank you for the happiness.” (Dimitri)

Dimitri was on his knees, giving an exaggerated salute.

I dismounted from White Sunset while observing his gesture.

“You used the Galloping Bird. The northern road to Boff territory is secured, I presume?” (Yuri)

“Exactly as you instructed. 300 riders are heading that way. We’ve also dispatched about a hundred to the Noza territory.” (Dimitri)

It seemed our plans were proceeding as discussed. Winning the battle meant nothing if the Witches could escape.

‘We need to control the highway and enclose them.’

“It appears the fighting has stopped from above, but what’s the situation? Have they surrendered?” (Yuri)

“There are some complicating factors. Please follow me.” (Dimitri)

“Explain as we walk.” (Yuri)

I said as I stepped away from White Sunset. Without a word, the caretaker took White Sunset’s reins.

“Kieger Carsefit has been brought in, but it’s not a surrender…” (Dimitri)

Kieger Carsefit was the current head of the Carsefit Household. I had heard she was quite elderly. Even so, she had been brought in.

‘Was he already in our hands? This is unfolding too quickly.’

“What?” (Yuri)

“She seems to have been betrayed. She escaped the camp under threat of a dagger at her throat.” (Dimitri)

“Well… that’s also a matter of guts.” (Yuri)

‘Not all of the Second Army had lost their will to fight. Even in defeat, Carsefit’s followers were likely still spirited. They would be urging the soldiers to fight. The fact that Kieger Carsefit was captured and brought in implied someone had made their way through their ranks, a feat that required significant determination.

“Here she is.” (Dimitri)

Dimitri stopped in front of a small tent. He opened the curtain-like entrance.

Inside the tent, there were six people, a frail old woman, a middle-aged man, and four Knights surrounding them. Kieger Carsefit had a gag in her mouth, presumably to prevent suicide.

‘Is this elderly woman the current head of the Carsefit Household? Quite remarkable to be commanding the army at her age. Perhaps she commanded from a palanquin or something similar.’

The middle-aged man wore the Second Army’s gear, but his face was unusually long and his nose large. Quite an unusual face for a Shanti. He was slender but appeared well-trained.

‘So, this was the man who had held a blade to Kieger Carsefit’s throat and broken through the camp. Unexpectedly, there was some determination in the Second Army after all. But that face… Certainly seemed resolute… Ah, I see.’

“Why isn’t that man tied up?” (Yuri)

“We’ve confiscated his weapons. He expressed a desire for a reward. I thought, depending on the situation, it might be acceptable to grant it.” (Dimitri)

‘Well, it was quite an achievement.’

“Hmm. If he causes trouble, make sure you’re the one to restrain him.” (Yuri).

“Yes, I understand.” (Dimitri)

I approached Carsefit, who lifted her gagged face to look at me. I scrutinized her face closely. The old woman glared at me spitefully.

“Hmm… I wonder. Are you a double? Can’t tell them apart. I have never seen you before.” (Yuri)

“If you believe she’s an impostor? I’ve seen Kieger’s face at an event…” (Dimitri).

“Hey.” (Yuri)

Ignoring Dimitri’s words, I glanced at the man who had brought him here.

“You know, these Witches never really trusted the Second Army. In the end, they rely on scoundrels for the important tasks. Well, they’re used to that way of doing things, so I guess it can’t be helped.” (Yuri)

As I spoke, I noticed the man’s eyebrows twitch slightly. If I hadn’t sensed something when I saw Broken Bronx, I might not have noticed.

“Dimitri, there’s an assassin in the capital known as ‘The Silhouette.’ No one has ever seen their true form. It’s like something out of a novel. When I was doing business, this person killed one of my wholesale clients, a man who said he was going to switch from parchment to Hou Paper exclusively. He was young and had a family and I ended up taking them in. His wife is working in Suomi now.”

Dimitri must have understood the implications. He looked down at the man with a stern expression.

‘Still not moving, huh?’

“So, I investigated this ‘Silhouette’ character. There’s a funny story behind it. When they were starting out, they were called ‘Ratface.’ Once they became a big shot, they didn’t like that nickname anymore and started killing anyone who called them that. It’s become taboo in the underworld now. You get it?” (Yuri)

The man had a thin face and a large nose that gave him a rat-like appearance.

“Hey, seize that man!” (Dimitri)

“Kiyeeeyaaah!!” (??)

I heard a strange cry, and something silvery danced in my field of vision.

A hidden weapon. It was long.

Dimitri was in front of me, so I couldn’t see clearly what was being drawn. Again, silver gleamed, and this time there was a clashing sound of metal. It seemed to be a flexible metal blade, cleverly hidden on his belt.

“Kiyeeeyaaah!” (??)

‘However, this weapon has a weakness. Just like a chain, you can’t fight without swinging it, which requires a long preparatory movement.’

Surrounded by five people, it could be effective against multiple attackers simultaneously, but its speed against a single opponent was lacking. Four had spears, and Dimitri had a dagger. It was obvious which was faster. Attacking by swinging a curved sword or stabbing in a straight line with a dagger. Furthermore, if he were to kill me, Dimitri would have to deal with it instantly.

The rat-faced man leaped into the air and aimed a high kick at Dimitri.

“Ugh!” (Dimitri)

Dimitri deftly caught the high kick with the side of his neck, gripping the man’s pant leg firmly with both hands. The dagger he had dropped earlier rolled to the ground.

“Hmph!” (Dimitri)

Turning back towards me with his back bent, Dimitri threw the man aside in a fireman’s carry motion. Anticipating the trajectory towards me, I sidestepped. The rat-faced man, who was thrown without hesitation, hit the ground with such force that his body bounced. Dimitri kept a firm hold on the man’s hand with his leg, watching attentively.

The rat-faced man, visibly shaken from the impact, seemed to be attempting to stand but was only trembling uncontrollably. Dimitri was quite capable indeed. It was decisive of him to discard the dagger and go for the shoulder throw.

“…Shall I kill him?” (Dimitri)

“Strip him naked and tie him up with rope.” (Yuri)

If we could get a testimony from him, we might be able to accuse more Witches and carry out public executions to relieve some of the citizens’ anxiety.

“Very well…” (Dimitri)

Dimitri sounded slightly dissatisfied as he released his grip. Nevertheless, the man was dangerous. It was crucial to keep him immobilized. I delivered a powerful kick to the rat-faced man’s head, imagining it as vengeance for Stasha. His head snapped back, he collapsed, and then lay motionless.

‘Uh oh, did I kill him?’

“…Is he dead?” (Dimitri)

Dimitri seemed to be thinking the same thing, sounding slightly discontented. He probably wanted to be the one to kill him if it came to that.

“…He’s probably alive. I don’t care if he’s dead” (Yuri).

“I see…” (Dimitri)

Dimitri responded nonchalantly.

“Anyway, about this imposter…” (Yuri)

I glanced at the elderly woman glaring at me, still gagged.

“I apologize. I couldn’t see through him.” (Dimitri)

“No, it’s fine. She might be the real deal after all.” (Yuri)

“Is she… really the real deal?” (Dimitri)

He looked at me skeptically.

“It’s a possibility. The Second Army has no chance of winning anymore. So, if they’re going to be captured and defeated, it’s not a bad trade-off to send an assassin close to me…” (Yuri)

“Huh…well, that’s true. But do you think a Witch would do something with such determination?” (Dimitri)

“It’s all hypothetical. Either way, I’ll take care of this one. You, encourage the Second Army to surrender. Time until nightfall is longer than it seems.” (Yuri)

By nightfall, the Witches might try to escape under cover of darkness from the royal capital. Before that happens, I wanted to finish processing the surrender of the Second Army and secure the royal capital with a decent number of troops.

“Understood! Excuse me then.” (Dimitri)

“Go ahead. I’m counting on you.” (Yuri)

I went to fetch Myaro.

—

I rode in a carriage with Myaro and the impostor, heading towards King’s Island. Looking at the clock, it was pointing at three in the afternoon. The battle had started in the morning, but there wasn’t much time left until nightfall. Down south, Dimitri had already begun processing the surrender of the Second Army.

While there was some resistance, the soldiers had completely lost their will to fight. They were being ordered to surrender to the army that had them completely surrounded. At the three designated disarmament sites, surrenders were progressing steadily. They would be charged with crimes and, except for those guilty of serious offenses, exempt from military service for the next year.

As we approached the location where the drawbridge was…

“Stop right there!” (??)

A loud voice called out, and the carriage came to a halt.

I opened the carriage door and stepped out.

“Y-your Excellency Yuri! I apologize for this intrusion!” (??)

“No, it’s fine. I wanted to see the bridge anyway.” (Yuri)

Logs prepared in advance were handed to us, and the bridge was already constructed. Boards were nailed onto the connected logs, and ramps were built at both ends. The bridge was bare, without any paint, but it seemed sturdy enough for passage.

“It looks good. Carry on with the inspections. I’m counting on you.” (Yuri)

I commended the soldiers conducting inspections before returning to the carriage. The coachman cracked the whip, and the carriage resumed its bumpy journey.

“So, His Excellency Yuri desires the cooperation of the Witches.” (Myaro)

Myaro continued to talk while shaking the impostor who was still gagged.

“The city functions of the royal capital are sustained by the Witches. This is evident to anyone. The creation and maintenance of a grand city like Sibyaku are due to the power of the Witches. His Excellency Yuri. This is highly praised. However, there is one concern which is the closed nature of commerce. This does not align with His Excellency Yuri’s belief in liberalizing commerce.” (Myaro)

As expected, Myaro excelled in roles like this. It was impressive how the words flowed effortlessly, even without a script. I made sure to maintain a serious expression rather than a “no way, you’re kidding” face, so I sat there with a straight face.

“Have you understood His Excellency Yuri’s perspective? He has no intention of arresting the Witches en masse. Instead, he seeks their cooperation. He wishes the officials who have worked diligently thus far to continue their duties, and the Witch households to contribute reasonable donations as they have been doing. His Excellency Yuri wants to continue running Sibyaku in its current form, or even better. For that, the cooperation of the Witches is indispensable, isn’t it?” (Myaro)

Myaro directed the conversation towards me.

“Exactly. The Witches and I have had various conflicts, including today’s hostility, but that doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate them. If a strong enemy can become an ally, I’d prefer to have them on our side. That’s my perspective.” (Yuri)

‘Oh well, I had let my guard down inside the tent, and now it was getting complicated.’

“We will unconditionally escort you northward. We hope you will be a messenger of reconciliation. Please, we ask this of you.” (Myaro)

—

The northern bridge was still under construction. It was unexpected. There were only about three logs laid across the bridge, and it was far from complete.

“Your Excellency Yuri! I apologize for the delay in construction…” (??)

“No, it’s fine.” (Yuri)

I got out of the carriage and addressed the carpenter.

“As long as we can pass, it should be fine. The logs seem to be nailed down.” (Yuri)

Three logs lined up on the right were secured with scaffolding and wire, and they appeared stable enough to walk on without rolling off.

“I think it should be fine.” (Myaro)

“Alright then, Myaro. Take her over there.” (Yuri)

“Understood.” (Myaro)

Myaro took the old woman’s hand and led her across the logs to the northern side where the Witch’s Forest lay.

“Watch your step…” (Yuri)

I said as she cautiously proceeded across the logs.

“Hey.” (Tillet)

A woman beside me called out.

“Tillet. You know what’s happening, right?” (Yuri)

I whispered back.

“Yeah, I get it. We’ve got some people waiting on the other side. I’ll be crossing soon.” (Tillet)

Crossing right after the old woman would look suspicious, so it was a deliberate move.

“Got it. No room for error.” (Yuri)

“Who do you think you’re talking to? There won’t be any mistakes.” (Tillet)

Tillet seemed quietly furious, her emotions barely concealed. As we spoke, Myaro returned after seeing the old woman off, holding the gag that had been on her.

“Myaro, good work.” (Yuri)

“Yes.” (Myaro)

“I didn’t confirm, but do you think she’s the real deal?” (Yuri)

In the end, we hadn’t even checked if she was genuine, muzzle and all. I thought it might make the old woman more believable.

“I believe she’s the real one. It must have been difficult to find such a convincing impostor… I didn’t interrogate her, so I can’t say for certain.” (Myaro)

“That’s too bad. I’m a little… worried about what will happen to me if I hear her voice.” (Yuri)

It was my decision to keep her gagged. I was afraid that if I heard her voice and got angry, I might end up killing her right then and there.

“It’s alright. It’s my duty.” (Myaro)

Myaro replied with a smile.

“Our pursuers have started. See you later.” (Tillet)

Tillet bid a brief farewell and crossed the log bridge with a natural stride.