The invading forces of Divine Empire Sydnia had finally begun to move. They marched through Triaria Kingdom’s side of its shared border with Lomaria Kingdom. Taking this opportunity to strike Yggurle Kingdom, Triaria Kingdom merged their troops with the invading army in order to make the savage lands their own.
When the Divine Empire Sydnia’s invading army passed through Triaria Kingdom and tread upon the savage lands, the size of the army exceeded 10,000 men. In the scale of wars in this world, an army of 10,000 is classified as a large-scale war. Nevertheless, it may be reasonable in consideration of the fact that mankind’s living space is small so its population is relatively minute in comparison to the size of the continent.
However, should an army of 10,000 men march through the savage lands, it would be an act equivalent to calling in monsters. The Divine Empire Sydnia’s army of people who have almost lost themselves and exceeded the limits of man were trampling down monsters, but that wasn’t the case for Triaria Kingdom. As a result, it became an erratic situation where they marched while taking damage.
The Divine Empire Sydnia’s army decimating monsters with their abnormal strength didn’t mean they were completely without injury though. But, horrifyingly enough, the deceased soldiers became the Undead and continued to march. The soldiers-turned-zombies strangely did not attack the marching troops of the Divine Empire Sydnia and Triaria Kingdom as they walked slowly, continuing the march as an immortal army.
Naturally, the fact that the Divine Empire Sydnia moved their army to the savage lands through Triaria Kingdom became known to the Trination. In particular, with the participation of Triaria Kingdom’s army, Yggurle Kingdom who had justification from the events 50 years prior had immediately mobilized its army. Among the knights deployed was Darphy Von Sylphide, Sophia’s younger brother.
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In the Sanctuary, Sophia rushed to me as I was doing my routine tasks.
「Takumi-sama, Divine Empire Sydnia has begun its invasion. With Triaria’s army joining, their numbers exceed 10,000.」 「Ten thousand men marching in the savage lands, how reckless can they be……」
If an army that large marched, wouldn’t that lure out the monsters from surrounding monster nests? To top it off, Sophia notified me of more important information.
「Furthermore, there is bad news. Information from the intelligence division of Valkyra Kingdom says that the Divine Empire Sydnia’s army are marching soldiers with unimaginable strength and unfearing of death.」 「Isn’t that similar to the attacker that came for me?」 「That dark guild, they must have a connection to it. More importantly, are Akira and Yamato are also together with them?」
Akane gave out the names of her former classmates and friends whom she had transferred to this world with.
「They were unable to verify specific individuals, however, the entire Templar Order is marching. It would be more natural if they were there.」
As Sophia had pointed this out, Akane’s expression darkened. Even if their paths were different, they were fellow Japanese, and they were also classmates in the same high school, so she likely has feelings she can’t cut off so cleanly.
「Akane, can’t you stay here and protect everyone here in the Sanctuary this time? 」 「…………hmm, I’m going too. It’s my duty to see what Akira and Yamato have been doing with my own eyes.」 「Akane-sama……」
Classmates killing each other would be hard, so I suggested that she stay back, but after a bit of thinking, Akane, looking resolute, declared that she would come. Lulu-chan looked at her worriedly.
「Okay. Instead, I’ll have you work hard as a medic. I don’t want you kill people even now… is what I’d like to say, but just this time, it would be best if you go around to support everyone.」 「……fine.」
I don’t want Akane to carry double the burden; Having to kill people, as well as the possible death of her former friends.
「Master, Kaede will go set traps.」 「Takumi-sama, Laeva will also install traps around.」
Kaede and Laeva said they would lay traps meant for interception.
「In that case, we’ll be ready to intercept.」 「Then, as we will be preparing the food in advance, please store them in your Item Box, Master(Husband).」 「I’ll help too.」 「Just to be sure, I will instruct the Sanctuary people to evacuate to the ship in case of an emergency.」
Marnie and Maria disappeared into the kitchen to make food, while Sophia left to inform the inhabitants on how to respond in an emergency.
I also asked Titan to mobilize the golem corps to the two forts located south of Valor. The golem corps exceeded the 240 initially planned and had now become a battalion of 400. This is thanks to Doganbo-san and the Dwarves helping with the full operation. That said, what increased were mostly the Normal Knight-type golems, but there’s strength in numbers, which continue to increase. I handed over the golem cores that I prepared beforehand to the Dwarves and left the assembly to them so production is still ongoing.
For the time being, I instructed Titan to deploy 200 golems to the two forts.
We hurriedly prepared a line of defense. All so that what’s important to us aren’t taken away.