The citizens overhear the soldiers' chatter and gradually begin to show up. Knogen sees them,
"It's all right, everyone. It's over."
He replies casually. Everyone looks relieved. When I asked them to tell the others, they disappeared as if they had been spidered.
"Who was the enemy that attacked you? Those knights..."
The man who spoke to us was a mature man named Doki, who was becoming a representative among the gathering of the people of King's Landing.
We are going to find out more about our enemies. These knights are from the Heedata Empire. Without their help, we would not have won this complete victory.
...for your protection of this royal city.
"You can thank General Lafayence over there. He's the one who won the war.
Dawki goes to Lafayence and politely thanks him. The old general waves his hand shyly at the big telegram. Perhaps he is a bit shy.
After the wounded are healed, Ferris and Ruara are ordered to cook up some food, and we head for the interrogation of the POWs. The location is the building where the headquarters of the Royal Army used to be. Incidentally, Matkal and his party are under house arrest here.
When we enter the building, we see five men kneeling before us with their hands tied behind their backs. One of them sees me and shouts.
Hey, you! What are you doing! Your head must be high! Kneel down! Kneel down!"
The unexpected words were so unexpected that I was startled.
"Don't you understand a word I'm saying? You are a rude man who doesn't know how to be polite! Kneel down like a man!
"...What is this guy? Are you introducing yourself?"
"... Rinos. You did not forget to look at me, by any chance! You are rude to me!"
I'm sorry. Who is it?"
It's me! Don't tell me you've forgotten!"
"... I've looked in every possible direction... and I don't remember anything."
"You idiot! It's Lady Sigea Briand! It's Mr. Briand!"
"Briand?"
I think for a moment.
"You said Shigea, right? Maybe they're part of the Karugi family or something?"
"I am the son of Marshal Sigea Kargi! You were the captain of the royal guard!"
".......come to think of it, there was a cool guy like that....... Was that you? Sorry, I don't remember much."
"So, Briand, huh? Why did you attack King's Landing?"
"How dare you talk to me like a slave! You have no idea where you stand!"
You're not good at this.
Lafayence interrupts in a sweet baritone voice.
"This is Bertham Darke Rinos. He is the brother-in-law of the Emperor of the Heedata Empire and a Marquis of the Empire. Whatever his former status may have been, he is now related to the family of His Majesty the Emperor of the Empire. You are now a prisoner of war. Your father, Marshal Kargi, is a great general whose name we all know. Your behavior will damage your father's reputation. The words you are uttering apply to you as they do to me."
Lafayence's calm, yet powerful delivery overwhelmed the air. Briand is clenching his teeth so hard you'd think his teeth would crack.
Who are you?
"My name is Lafayence Aug, Commander of the Northern Legion of the Heedata Empire."
"No way, General Lafayence..."
The old general laughs. This old man is so cool.
"Now, I ask you all. What is the reason for this attack on King's Landing? Depending on the answer, I may consider taking action in the future."
A moment of silence ensues.
"...my daughter... has been taken... and I've come to get her back."
"What?"
"Lamaron's army has taken food and women from our lands. The food is good. If we make it, we'll get it again. But our families...
"I see."
As we learned more about them, we learned that all four of them, except Briand, were former servants of the nobility of the Kingdom of Juka and leaders of the mercenary companies they employed. They had been the first to unite the territory and protect it after the collapse of the kingdom, which had been in a state of civil war. Some of their employers, the nobles, have fled, some have remained in the territory but have become a nuisance and a hindrance, and some are under house arrest.
Just as the country was beginning to emerge from the civil war and the territory was beginning to settle down, Lamaron's army invaded. They plundered food, killed the people, and kidnapped the women almost without question. They were helpless against the overwhelming military power, but when they heard that Lamaron's army had been destroyed, they immediately decided to take action. Briand took advantage of them.
He seduced the lords and organized an allied army to seize the capital. However, the army was so unorganized that there was no strategy at all. As a result, they rushed into the capital like beasts that have found their prey, and were easily defeated by us.
"Well, the biggest reason we lost this battle, Briand, was your lack of leadership.
"I thought it was strange. They didn't send out scouts, they didn't lay siege to the capital, and they didn't try any political maneuvering. I see... If they were a mob, it would have been a foolish assault operation."
"Well, okay. Let them all go, except Briand. Bring back the kidnapped girls. And bring them back some food. And the soup kitchen will be open soon, so eat and go home. Kunogen, can I count on you?"
The four prisoners of war bowed to us as they were released from their bonds and left.
"Well, Brienne. You've been no better than a bandit, haven't you?"
I had already completed my appraisal of Briand.
"..."
"It's good that you've kept your territory together since the fall of the kingdom. But you can't invade the surrounding territories. It is no exaggeration to say that you started the civil war in Juka. You need to cool your head for a while, just like that full-figured son of a b*tc* in Ramallon."
Briand was being hauled away, leaving us all with a look of tremendous hatred in our eyes.
"Speaking of Ramallon, I hear the commander of an elite unit is being held captive."
Suddenly, Lafayence opens his mouth.
"Yes, we have him under house arrest in the room above here."
"I'd like to talk to him once."
What do you mean?
"Only three thousand, well equipped though they were, I think they were pretty good commanders to bring down the capital of the Kingdom of Juka in such a short time. Conversation with such a good man, even if he is an enemy, makes you grow. Mister Linos, I will not be a nuisance, so can I meet with you?"
"Yes..."
It's hard to say no when you hear it from someone with such sparkling eyes. I lead Lafayence up the stairs to Matkal and the others' room.
"How did the battle go?"
As soon as she sees me, Matocalu starts talking to me. She is wearing a man's adventurer's outfit. At first glance, she looks like any other young woman.
"Yeah, we got rid of them without any problem, not even a single death.
"And not a single death...what's going on in your army?"
"No, this time it wasn't us, it was General Lafayence here with his reinforcements."
Lafayence of the Heedata Empire."
The sweet uncle voice is pleasant to the ear.
This is Matkal, commander of the Ramallon forces.
"Well, you are quite young. It's quite a feat to lead an army of 3,000 men and bring down the capital of Juka at such a young age.
Matkal looks down.
"What do you intend to do with Matkal, Lord Linos?"
I haven't thought about it yet.
"Then let him live, but do not take his life."
What do you mean?
He's a soldier with such a general's skill, and he's a young man. It would be a shame to take his life.
"It is not a decision I can make on my own..."
"Well, that's true. I will consult with His Majesty about the treatment of Mr. Matkal.
"No mercy for me, sir!
Matocalu says firmly.
"Well, don't say that. Even I cannot guarantee your status. We will talk about it later. Speaking of which, aren't you hungry? I hear the food here is good. That's what I came here to enjoy. If you don't mind, let's have a meal and chat over it.
Casually, Lafayence placed the sword at his waist in my hand and looked at me. I took the sword and walked out of the room and went to the transfer area set up in the royal army barracks near the north gate to pick up the food.
I took Matkal's food and moved to the front of the room again. Then I heard the laughter of women coming from inside the door.
"Uh-huh, I don't like it, General.
"No, no, no, I was not a young man myself, you know."
"Still... I don't like it. Hahahahaha."
I gently open the door. The conversation is so lively that I am afraid to speak. I put my meal on a small desk nearby. Lafayence slowly turns around, looks at me and throws me a wink. The women at the table, even Matkal's face broke into a smile. I bowed quietly and left the room.
"But, General..."
"No, no, you can call me Osama from now on, not Shogun."
"Yes, ma'am."
The sound of women's laughter escaped from the room.
With an indescribable feeling in my heart, I walked out of the building, and was struck by the scene that unfolded there. To my surprise, the soldiers of Lafayette's unit were surrounded by the women of King's Landing. Upon closer inspection, I found that the soldiers were all good-looking men.
"I guess the world is full of good-looking men. I wonder if Lafayence and his men have taken everything..."