Torn Asunder by War, A Sword Saint for Tomorrow X The Knight Wizards!! – Chapter 117

Chapter 117: They Say, “To See What Is Right And Not To Do It Is Want Of Courage”
  “What, a dull-colored floating polyhedron in the center of the city?!”
  
  “Yes, this is hearsay from an informant planted by Lady White Fox, but since they are not in a situation to lie, I believe it to be true.”
  
  Of the two scouts disguised as farmers who returned by a narrow margin, the one who arrived later knelt on one knee and reported the situation to Raizes, who had a troubled expression.
  
  They tied their horses in a grove of trees scattered on the outskirts of the city, proceeded on foot, and while observing the movements of the Rigsia territorial army camping in the granary zone with agricultural forks in hand, which served as both camouflage props and weapons, a localized earthquake occurred. Afterward, the soldiers began to panic as if in a chain reaction.
  
  “When I tried to investigate the anomaly and headed towards the sparsely defended west gate of the city walls, there was conveniently a crowd gathered, so I blended in with them.”
  
  At that time, he spotted a suspicious individual and chased after him. When he caught the man leaving alone, it turned out that he was a spy from Zephyrus Domain who had been recruited by Lady White Fox.
  
  Because it was an emergency, he forcefully obtained information from him and visually confirmed the appearance of several giant golems that suddenly appeared from beyond the outer wall. After launching a signal flare as a starting point, he rushed back, concluding his report.
  
  “Thank you for your hard work. Get some rest.”
  “”Yes, sir!””
  
  Raizes briefly thanked and dismissed the scout cavalrymen. He turned to our Clawsolas, but almost simultaneously received a confidential telepathic message from Nina, so he switched communication lines and raised his steel left palm slightly to interrupt the conversation.
  
  It’s not uncommon for fellow knights at a slight distance to send private messages while exchanging words with accompanying soldiers from the regular infantry using standard auditory devices or external loudspeakers. The grizzled Vice-Captain, sensing the intention of the action, stepped back with a slightly dissatisfied look.
  
  『Umm, are you mostly caught up on the situation?』
  『Yeah, I understand that a Spirit Gate has opened at this timing, and we’re being blatantly lured in.』
  
  『Even so, it’s going to be tough to ignore it… I can see from the airship, but the Rigsian soldiers stationed outside the walls have started to enter the city. I can’t abandon those who are fighting for someone precious to them.』
  
  As the kind young lady expressed her concern in a melancholic voice, if we were to ignore the situation and retreat to the forested area along the highway, the damage to the city of Leipzig would be enormous.
  
  In the worst-case scenario, if the surging Aberration forces were to invade the Imperial City of Beril, which is relatively close, the Imperial Faction’s Prime Minister, who is said to have provided Heisel with a few knights, might not be able to wait for reinforcements from other territories and the city could fall quickly.
  
  『In the end, we have no choice but to carry out the rescue, do we?』
  『Yeah, if the interior is ravaged, the western front might collapse.』
  
  Revia’s point, grasped intuitively through the Clawsolas connection, was correct. In addition to the transportation routes for sending supplies from various countries to the three territories bordering the “Hour of Ruin” dominion, the movement routes for dispatched troops were also centered around the Imperial City.
  If the lifeline of the home front were to be destroyed along with them, and the Aberration hordes were to attack while the supply of materials and personnel was stagnating, several defensive cities might be destroyed before we could resist.
  
  『…It’s extremely troublesome that the decline of a neighboring country directly affects our own interests.』
  
  『Huh? Isn’t that what alliances are for?』
  『Fufu, it’s nice that we don’t have to bother thinking about base things.』
  
  While being exasperated by Nina, who for some reason threw in a casual line along with the innocent red-haired mage girl, I checked the number of Aberrations visible from the airship, ended the telepathic conversation, and turned Belphegor’s pseudo-eyeballs towards the Vice-Captain, whom I had just interrupted.
  
  『I apologize for the wait. Most of the enemy’s main force consists of giant golems. Including enemy shadows with different shapes, the total number seems to be slightly more than the combined Clawsolas forces on both sides.』
  
  “What are the other enemy types? It’ll be troublesome if small individuals swarm the Clawsolas.”
  『There are no medium-sized figures within visual range, and the number of small ones seems to be on par with the garrison forces.』
  
  Judging from the current situation, after the large Aberrations are eliminated by the giant knight units, the light infantry of Zephyrus Domain will enter from the south gate of the city walls and defeat the small Aberrations, bringing the entire situation to an end.
  
  Even though it’s frustrating to suffer losses in an unexpected battle, from the perspective of medium- to long-term risk management, it should benefit our country to provide assistance here.
  
  『I’m thinking of coordinating with the allied forces that intend to engage in combat. What do you think, Captain Xenos?』
  『You’re going to leave the decision to me now?… Hmm, Fine, give me some advice.』
  
  『Honestly, you’re such a troublesome foster father. I believe His Majesty’s judgment is largely correct. As it says in a famous book from the Rare Humans’ world, “To see what is right and not to do it is want of courage.”』
  
  The flaxen-haired maiden declared in a calm voice, as usual. After confirming that Raizes, who had been hesitant, also nodded, I connected the telepathy device’s line to the airship above.
  
  As if knowing what to do, the attendant girl quickly mediated with the young lady.
  
  『Claude-dono, have you reached a conclusion?』
  『Yes, I’ve obtained the consent of the Captain and Vice-Captain. Though one of them completely left the decision to his adopted daughter.』
  
  『The Knight Kingdom is quite democratic, isn’t it? Anyway, it would have been reckless to go to the rescue with only our own forces, so I’m very grateful.』
  
  After quickly discussing the details with Nina, who cunningly expressed her joy in her voice, we decided to deploy the giant knights and scout cavalry to the city of Leipzig, and to have the airship and the regular infantry units take up positions 8 km behind the city, close to the forest.
  
  Taking advantage of the short interval while the large Zephyrus force rearranged their column formation, we all received a lecture from the twins about the elf-made giant golems. The Knight Kingdom also finished their simple preparations, and we set out for battle.