I'm an Adventurer! ~Musou Skill is Plane Magic~ (web version) - Episode 81

“What! The diversionary forces have been destroyed, and “The Flame” has been captured!?”

　That’s ridiculous, that Lawrence-sensei would be the prisoner of war!

　His sword is one of the most skilled swords in the empire, and he is a fire magic user with high attack power. He is such a warrior that His Majesty personally gave him the second names of “The Flame” for his flame-clad swordsmanship, which is so beautiful that it looks like a performance.

　He is also well versed in military strategy, so much so that he understood the importance of the diversionary forces and volunteered to play a low profile role in this invasion. He’s going to be a great general in a few years, and he’s the only person I respect in this world.

　I can’t believe that teacher was helplessly overwhelmed!

　Recently arrived on the board finally, prompting the soldier to continue with the report in a pompous attitude to the best of his ability.

“Forgive me, tell me more.”

“Ha, according to the reports of the remaining soldiers who returned, the enemy took advantage of the darkness and seized almost all of the weapons and ammunition. Probably at that time, the Viscount was also attacked in his sleep and captured. At dawn, they were attacked so forcefully that our troops, without a commander, were helplessly scattered.”

“What! They even took the guns and ammunition!? And all of it!?”

　The first general on the right, sitting to my right, stood up from his chair and was surprised. No wonder, in this operation, we needed to have the diversionary forces to show their firepower. That’s why he had deposited about half of the precious child’s guns. If that was taken away in its entirety, our military superiority would be lost. It was a huge miscalculation.

　At the very least, Sensei should have been able to destroy the guns, or at least dispose of all the ammunition and reduce the guns to mere sticks. It sounds like the enemy has quite a few tricks up their sleeve to take all of that away from us.

“What a mess, as expected of Dantes the Whirlwind. If the coup had failed, we would have been blinded by this.“

　The right general sits down in his chair, stroking his long white beard with pride. A soldier who bowed across the long table leaves.

　Yes, it’s not over yet. The operation is as good as a success as soon as the foolish prince of the kingdom staged a coup d’etat. Soon a ceasefire will be ordered followed by the return of the prisoners and weapons. Our victory is assured.

　This is the Strategic Cabinet Room, located in the heart of the Imperial City Tailroad, on the outer wall of the Imperial City. All resolutions regarding the use of force by the Empire are decided in this room. Therefore, anyone who enters this room can never be exposed. A calm and collected attitude is required at all times. But even with that preparedness, this report was a shock to everyone.

　But still, Dantes, the hero of the kingdom, sounds like he’s more capable than I’ve heard. I’m sure he was also the one who crushed the mercenary group that was ordered to raid the area around Bordersetts. It was reported that he was the head of a frontier village, but it looks like he’s still active and viable.

“I’ve heard that there are no soldiers left in the kingdom, but he looks like he’s doing it. He could be the biggest obstacle to the capture of the kingdom.“

“As you wish. Bad buds should be plucked early.“

　The left general, sitting to my left, who had been silent until then, opened his mouth. Unlike the hard-driving general on the right, the left general comes from a low profile, or espionage origin, and it is said that he was able to achieve the generalship in his forties thanks to his skills in laying the groundwork and behind the scenes maneuvering. There are some bad rumors, but I don’t have any proof, and he hasn’t done anything to harm me so far, so I’m keeping him close by. It’s a little scary, but I think it’s probably safe.

“Left General, do you have a plan?”

“Unfortunately, nothing at the moment. We have a handful of people searching for clues. As soon as we have more information…“

　A man in a robe there? comes and whispers something to the left general.

“…what? … Well, okay. Step back. Your Highness, I have bad news. The pirates and mercenaries we have sent to the south of the kingdom have been captured.”

““Hmmm, after all, a biter and a barbarian of the Nolan, did they get carried away and misjudged their moment of triumph?”“

“Perhaps. Both seem to have been defeated by the ruffians who call themselves adventurers.“

　Rear disturbance and disruption of distribution. It’s a common practice in war, but in this case, the quality of the soldiers was poor. Well, they were disposable anyway. It doesn’t hurt much.

“Also, there is an urgent message from Central spy. ‘Prince dead, revolution failed’.“

“”What!?””

　Both the right general and I scream in surprise. I don’t get it! The coup should have been successful and all opponents should have been eliminated. The internal workings of the collaborators would have been perfect. So why!?

“What do you mean, tell me in detail!”

　The right general leans forward with his hands on the table, and closes in on the left general. This is the part that will determine the success or failure of this operation. Its importance is nothing compared to that of pirates and others.

“Details are still unknown, but the prince is definitely dead. The country girl has been captured and placed in a dungeon, and her parents have been ordered to be captured. For their own safety, the spy and the other members of the group will refrain from further activities after this report.“

“What the hell is that …”

　The right general sinks into his chair helplessly.

　I was beaten, and the game board, which I had won 90% of the time, was turned upside down. Moreover, they hit our vital point with too much pinpoint accuracy.

　I was not on my guard. That’s why he was a collaborator in the palace operations. There should no longer be any enemies in the royal city. That castle, so damned robust, should have been a safe barrier for the foolish prince, and yet! Who the hell? How?

“Your Highness! There is an urgent call for you!”

　A messenger jumps through the door briskly. Again! What else will happen!

“… Tell me.”

““Ha! The main unit heading to Central was attacked by the Royal Army and lost its Transportation Corps and most of its arms, ammunition, and food! The general has decided to retreat and is now in retreat, sir!”“

“Huh! Why! Transportation Corps must have been provided by the elite cavalry escort! Then how did that happen!?”

“The reason was that the Royal Guard used the guns, sir. The cavalry was helpless before that firing…“

“Gun! Which means Dantes! Yes, what an abomination to use the weapons from our possession!”

　The right general slams his fists on the table with both hands.

　The fact that they immediately incorporated the seized guns into their tactics means that they are also top-notch strategists. It’s a formidable move. Even so, allocating guns to horses is like the Battle of Nagashino…no way!

“Right General, lead ten thousand men to cover the retreat. Left General, I want you to intensify your intelligence gathering of the kingdom. Especially watch out for Dantes Weissman’s movements.”

“” Ha,ha! “”

“Dantes Weissman…I’m going to give you the win this time. But there will be no second time.”

　I should have realized this earlier. The dungeons, the frontier exploration, the precise use of guns. It’s all the things that a person with a previous life memory would have done. Just as I was. And perhaps even the murder of the Prince…

　Dantes Weissman, Crown Prince of the Jerkin Empire, Clois Saint-Tailroad, considers you an irreconcilable enemy. I don’t know if you are a reincarnated or a transferee, but I will not allow anyone to stand in my way. Absolutely.