Chapter 170: Dire News
“Just now, what did you say…?”
Cassandra, utterly aghast, somehow managed to ask the messenger soldier again. She wished it were a lie. Her gaze, fixed on the soldier, was filled with that desperate hope.
The messenger soldier, for his part, also wished the report he’d received via telepathy was false. However, having been asked again, he had no choice but to convey the truth.
“Moments ago, telepathic contact with the messenger soldier assigned to Count Huebner’s household was severed. The final telepathic message reported the annihilation of Count Huebner’s forces… Count Huebner’s status is unknown.”
“How could this be…”
The House of Count Huebner, formerly a Margraviate, was geopolitically situated in a key position for the defense of this eastern frontier territory. If Count Huebner’s domain were to fall, the eastern defense line would be forced to retreat significantly.
This meant the isolation of the Baumgarten Territory.
The Baumgarten Territory was already in an exposed, protruding position. Cassandra had heard ill rumors about Count Huebner as well. She had considered this possibility. But this was far, far too soon.
“What of General Altmeier?”
“He plans to regroup at the fortress in the Viscount Androsch Territory, located behind Count Huebner’s domain…”
“I see…”
“Androsch? Where’s that?”
Perhaps not yet grasping the gravity of the situation, Zuzana, who was assigned as Cassandra’s guard, voiced her question.
“It is about ten ri further back from here, the Baumgarten Territory…”
“Ten ri!?”
Zuzana reacted with exaggerated surprise to Cassandra’s answer. One ri was approximately four kilometers. Ten ri, therefore, was about forty kilometers. Moreover, that was forty kilometers as the crow flies. The actual distance from the Baumgarten Territory, surrounded by mountains as it was, would likely be even greater.
“I had anticipated this, but for it to happen so quickly… With this, the Baumgarten Territory is completely isolated. Please, do not reveal this information to anyone.”
“Yes…”
“Understood.”
“Roger.”
“Understood.”
Zuzana, Kurt, Rudolf, and the messenger soldier each nodded. Including Cassandra, only five people knew this truth. They could not afford to let such despairing information leak out.
“Lady Cassandra, there is something I wish to discuss with you in private.”
“What is it, Rudolf?”
“It is somewhat difficult to speak of it here…” Rudolf said, glancing at Kurt and Zuzana. He was likely requesting that the others be dismissed. Sensing this, Cassandra nodded to Rudolf.
“Very well. Everyone, please leave us for a moment.”
“Thank you, My Lady.”
Once everyone else had departed from the strategy room, Rudolf spoke to Cassandra, his tone urgent.
“My Lady, the tide of war has already turned. Continuing this siege is now meaningless. I implore you to make a swift retreat. If you so decide, My Lady, we of the Third Army will take full responsibility for escorting you to General Altmeier.”
“Rudolf…”
Cassandra understood what Rudolf was implying. Throughout all of history, there had never been a successful defense in a siege without reinforcements. This time, reinforcements existed. However, it was highly probable they would not arrive in time. For the national army, tasked with the kingdom’s defense, preventing further monster incursions was the utmost priority. She also knew there was a high probability that the Baumgarten Territory, now an isolated exclave, would be abandoned.
In that case, choosing to retreat was an understandable, logical decision.
But…
“Are you telling me to abandon my people and survive alone?”
To retreat from the Baumgarten Territory, encircled by mountains, one would naturally have to traverse those same mountains. These were mountain paths where monster attacks occurred even in times of peace. If they attempted to retreat through such areas with the people of Baumgarten, they would undoubtedly be assailed by monsters.
And beyond the mountains lay Count Huebner’s territory, already fallen into monster hands. Combat was to be expected there as well.
Even setting that aside, it would be a retreating battle, with a massive horde of monsters in pursuit.
In such a situation, it would be impossible to adequately protect the populace. Surely, not even ten percent would survive. While it might be preferable to complete annihilation, it was tantamount to abandoning a sturdy fortress only to march willingly to their deaths.
And from Rudolf’s tone, Cassandra could infer that he was even considering the worst-case scenario: using the people as bait to ensure her survival.
She could never, under any circumstances, agree to such a thing.
“Rudolf, retreat is out of the question. Do not speak of it again.”
“But My Lady! This territory no longer has a future! You are still young, My Lady. You will surely find another suitable marriage. Why do you dedicate yourself so completely to Baumgarten!?”
To Rudolf, who pressed her almost angrily, Cassandra, however, offered a smile.
“Because I love it, you see.”
“Huh? Wha-?”
“I love them. Dietfried, Claudia, my new little sisters, and this Baumgarten too! My dreams can only bloom here, you understand.”
“My Lady…”
“Rudolf, I am now the second wife of Margrave Baumgarten. You would do well to remember that.”
“……Yes, Ma’am! In that case, please utilize the Third Army to your heart’s content for the sake of Baumgarten.”
“That was my intention from the very beginning. Rudolf, you mustn’t die so easily, alright? For you are the one who will perform my kaishaku in the end.”
“……Yes, Ma’am!”