CH 96.2

Chapter 96.2 – Bonfire of Victory

The next day, I attacked the City of Spike with an army of 11000; 3000 volunteer corps, 4000 mercenaries, 2000 soldiers, and 2000 citizen soldiers.

The citizen soldiers should have already been paid and disbanded but many of them wanted to fight to the end and watch our victory so I decided to take them with me.

The knights of the Oracle territory and the 1st volunteer battalion, who were holed up in the Oracle’s Great Cave threatened the enemy from behind.

The less than a thousand of them surrounded the City of Spike.

The small City of Spike is garrisoned by 10000 imperial troops who have escaped.

As if there were overflowing from the city, there is a formation in front of the outer wall. There are only 10000 of them from the should have been 70000 remaining imperial army but that can still be considered as a big army.

According to the report from a spy, the 10000 reserve soldiers in the rear and the 20000 territory soldiers have returned to their own countries.

Many of the soldiers and mercenaries have also scattered and fled and may have not reported back.

The 10000 imperial troops who fled to the City of Spike were a defeated army.

Morale must be at its lowest but even so, they are still standing in formation with spears ready, waiting to charge at the army of Silesie.

「Silesie’s Hero Sawatari Takeru, I wish to see you!」

A familiar blonde-haired, blue-eyed princess knight galloped towards us alone on her splendid white horse so I pushed my way forward to meet her.

Well, Eleonora is probably the only princess knight in this world.

「Yow, it’s been a while.」

「It hasn’t been that long. Let me tell you this now, I’m the general of this 10000 imperial army.」

「Ah, I guess so.」

「I’m the general because you have defeated all his highness’ most trusted generals and his highness himself. Frankly speaking, I’d say we already lost.」

「Eh?」

「What’s with the surprised look on your face?」

Oh, I’m sure there’s no word like “defeat” in the dictionary of the stubborn princess knight even if she is in a “situation where it is impossible to win….”.

Is she really the Princess Knight Eleonora?

「No, it’s nothing. So, are you here to admit defeat and surrender?」

「I can’t do that….」

Good, it looks like she’s the real Eleonora.

No, not good.

After all, that means we have to take out the remaining imperial troops too.

Well, there is no way we’ll lose to the 10000 troops commanded by Eleonora so our victory is guaranteed.

「That means we can only settle things with who will win on the battlefield.」

「Wait a minute, that’s not the reason why I’m here!」

「Oh, you still have something to say?」

「We can’t just accept defeat so I’ve come to tell you to settle this with a one-on-one duel between generals!」

Eleonora dismounted from her horse.

From the saddle of her horse, she pulled out two wooden swords.

「Ah, black cedar swords.」

The wooden swords I have were gone before I knew it when we went to the “White Tower of Trials”.

I was wondering when I had put them but it looks like she has them.

「There are still a few who are still clinging to their pride as knights saying that this is a battle in honor for his highness. However, we need to get our men back home as soon as possible so let’s end it this way.」

「All right, come at me if you mean it.」

I received a wooden sword from Eleonora and faced her as both armies watched.

Eleonora was in a high stance while I’m in a straight one.

「Of course, I’m serious so here I go!」

「Oh」

As soon as she said so, Eleonora swung down the sword with all her might.

If we’re only going to talk about power, it’s a good, heavy slash but it’s too straightforward.

I just parried it casually and thrust my wooden sword at Eleonora.

Eleonora panicked and swung her sword from below, trying to leap away from my sword.

I swung my sword at Eleonora to ward off her attack.

Eleonora’s moves are too straightforward so she can be caught with a simple feint.

I quickly withdrew my swing and slashed the sword as hard as I could at Eleonora’s sword.

Eleonora let the sword go because of the impact.

「Do you still want to continue?」

「No, I lost. You are strong, Takeru….」

Eleonora conceded defeat and sent out a signal to her army, declaring her surrender and allegiance. The imperial army, which had opened the City of Spike, followed Eleonora’s instructions, and began preparing to return home without further ado.

What happened to Eleonora? She doesn’t have her usual high spirits and she’s acting like a totally different person.

I was expecting to be pestered again but I feel weird as if I’ve been feinted at.

「Terms and negotiations for peace will be done by the high-ranking officials through diplomatic routes. For now, believe in our declaration of allegiance. I want to take the soldiers and return home immediately. It will be a big problem if something happened to our territory if we can’t return immediately.」

「I don’t mind but…..」

This is so straightforward that I’m already wondering if this is some kind of trap.

「What’s the matter? I’m truly in a hurry. Tell me if there’s a problem. If you want money, I’ll personally pay the ransom at the price you ask.」

「No….」

I don’t know what to say.

What Eleonora says is the best choice for both the Kingdom of Silesie and the Germania Empire.

We have no intention to invade Germania Empire.

Even if we continue this futile struggle and stall the remaining imperial forces, the Kingdom of Roland or the Britanian Union will simply take over the territory of the empire and there is nothing for us to gain.

There is nothing for me to say about that reasonable proposal except for the fierce discomfort that the Princess Knight Eleonora is giving me.

「…..understood. I accept the surrender of the imperial army and allow them to return home.」

「I’m glad you understand. May I say one last thing with you?」

Eleonora smiled and brought her lips close to my ear and whispered.

「I only said all of that due to my responsibility as the last general of Germania. I personally never admit that I was defeated by you. As soon as I get my soldiers back home and stabilize the Duchy of Lanct, I’ll come back and compete with you again so wash your neck and wait for me.」

Eleonora said that much and, perhaps already satisfied, mounted her horse, flipped her red cape, and galloped off.

As I watched her back, I wondered if the saddle of the horse was imbued with fireproofing magic or else the horse would be burning because of her flaming armor or some other nonsense.