Episode 8: First Campaign
Someone once said, people are born by the stars and perish by the stars.
Once, humans, possessing no special power and merely existing in countless numbers, were nothing more than “Dust” drifting through the universe.
However, even “Dust” crawling on the ground can gather and take shape. Just as villages are formed and livelihoods are born, beings with power emerged from the “Dust.” They named them “Satella.”
Perhaps it was too monotonous with just that, for a Stella fell upon the land of Atra. An existence appeared on the land of Atra that even engulfed the “Satella,” drawing them into its immense gravitational sphere.
Possessing superhuman powers beyond human comprehension, people called this existence, which twinkled in the night sky, a “Stella.”
Did people gain power because a Stella fell, or does the Stella gain power from people?
When Stella collide with Stella…
“We have detected one Stella-Class.”
Zacharian Empire Calendar, Year 152, July 10th.
Our Ortenos territory, located in the far east of the Zacharian Empire, borders many countries. To the north lies the Tsetia Khanate, to the east the Kingdom of Naia, and to the southeast the Azarash City-States.
On this day, upon my father’s command, I departed Ortenatris, the capital of the Ortenos territory, and set up camp on a small hill near the village of Pekion, closest to the border with the Kingdom of Naia.
The order was to subjugate the two thousand Naia soldiers stationed near Pekion village.
I had been marching with high spirits, expecting to easily rout them as the rumors suggested, but a problem arose.
Suddenly, a large army of the Kingdom of Naia appeared from the east.
I immediately ordered a retreat and fled like a rabbit to the hill where we are now.
Being few in number, we are currently glaring at the large Naia army from our elevated position.
It was then that a female officer with a blank expression ran to me and reported the aforementioned, unsettling information.
“A Stella-Class…? Is there anyone else?”
I desperately tried to hide the anxiety welling up from the depths of my being, asking the female officer with a blank expression.
“No, there are no others. The Stella-Class is Barbat von Naia, the second son of Karlina, who carries the detestable blood of the Naia vixen.”
I see, the Second Prince of the Kingdom of Naia, a surprisingly big shot has appeared.
My Detection Magic yields the same result, so there is no mistake in the report.
However, the timing is a little too good for my liking.
“Explain the situation.”
Although shaken by the appearance of the Stella-Class, I urged the female officer with a blank expression to continue.
“Yes, sir. Against our Ortenos Army of five thousand, the enemy Naia army, including one Stella-Class, numbers twenty thousand. The Naia army began marching from Bangwall Fort this morning and is heading this way. If we are surrounded as we are, a clash is unavoidable.”
Seriously? This is completely different from what Father said.
It was supposed to be just subjugating a mixed unit of about two thousand Satella and Dust that had invaded the territory, but why has it increased to twenty thousand, and now even a Stella-Class has appeared?
“The existence of a Stella-Class should not have been confirmed in previous reports, correct?”
“We, too, are bewildered by the sudden change in circumstances. The reconnaissance unit reported that as of yesterday, the presence of a Stella-Class could not be confirmed at Bangwall Fort.”
Then, when did Barbat arrive at Bangwall Fort?
I can only assume that he entered Bangwall Fort just as I arrived here.
(Is this a coincidence?… No, it’s possible that our movements were leaked.)
However, I feel it would be unwise to speak based on strange speculation.
Right now, I must consider how to deal with the army before me, including one Stella-Class.
Speaking of which, I wonder if my grandfather in the northern fort is alright.
In this situation where we continue to be one step behind, I have a bad feeling.
“How is my grandfather?”
“Yes, sir. Lord War God is facing off against a mixed unit of thirty thousand Naia soldiers and Marquis Hoshiros’s army, including three Stella-Class, at Fort Ronchant, about one hundred and fifty kels northwest of here. We have about three thousand soldiers, but he says reinforcements are not needed.”
My grandfather is known as the “War God of Ortenos” and is feared both inside and outside the Empire. Even in overwhelmingly disadvantageous situations, he swings his massive halberd and achieves results worthy of a thousand men, making him strong not only as a commander but also as an individual.
However, surrounded by three Stella-Class, he won’t have the余裕 to worry about us.
“Is my grandfather really alright?”
“Yes, sir. If the worst comes to the worst, he can cross the Ortena River behind Fort Ronchant and escape into Nevilim territory, so I believe he will be fine.”
I see, if they have thought that far ahead, then that’s good, but it seems a little too optimistic considering he is surrounded by three Stella-Class…
“I understand. To face three Stella-Class, as expected of my grandfather. Fort Ronchant will not fall as long as my grandfather is there.”
There are some concerns, but it’s better to keep in step with them rather than cause unnecessary worry.
Now, I should probably decide what to do from now on.
(Should I kill Barbat, or should I escape?)
Given that we have fallen into a situation completely different from my father’s prior information, I can think of plenty of reasons to escape.
However, that would be a disgrace to House Ortenos.
On the other hand, problems will also arise if I kill Barbat.
The Ortenos Marquisate succession issue could reignite.
There is not much time to think.
I calculate in my head which option is more acceptable for Ortenos and for me.
About ten seconds pass, and I let out a short, strong breath.
(Alright, I’ve decided.)
Suddenly, I take out a single imperial gold coin from my pocket and flick it high into the air with my thumb.
Instead of stopping the falling coin with the back of my hand, I simply catch it with my right hand.
There is no great significance to this performance.
It’s just that I do this when making a slightly big decision.
Well, it’s like a prayer.
(I have no choice but to kill Barbat here and now.)
The rumors of fleeing from the Naia Kingdom army would cause overwhelmingly more damage than the outbreak of the succession issue.
I can evade the former by playing dumb, but the latter will definitely leave a mark.
By the way, there is no need to discuss whether I can kill Barbat or not.
Because that is self-evident to me.