「Whoa, what a superb view.」(Souma)
Looking down from the ramparts of Van, I could see the formation of fifty thousand soldiers from the Elfrieden Army around Amidonia, and on the opposite side, I could see the formation of about fifty thousand soldiers from the Grand Chaos Empire Army. By the Empire’s side was the five thousand men strong Amidonian Army, so the total was close to about sixty thousand men. The number of soldiers was more numerous than the previous battle and were all gathered right beneath my eyes.
「If you look around, the gathering of an incoming large enemy army, how fun♪」[1](Souma)
「What’s with that song?」(Liscia)
「It’s a modified form of a song from a war period in my country……something like that.」(Souma)
The melody is 『close and open』. My granny once said, 「『close and open』was originally a foreign folk song. When it first arrived in Japan the lyric is 『If you look around, the green willow mixed together with the sakura flower』」. The song I sang just now was a modified version of the 『If you look around』 song. Liscia, who stood beside me, replied in astonishment.
「What was the occasion for that song? If that army really came to attack, what would happen?」(Liscia)
「First, without a doubt, we will lose. Right, Hakuya?」(Souma)
Hakuya who also stood beside me nodded at my question.
「Just as you said, Your Majesty. Regarding the in the number of soldiers, generals, equipment, experience and moral…… Our country loses to the Empire in every field. If this becomes a battle, then our Army has no chance to prevail.」(Hakuya)
「……Of course, right.」(Souma)
Battles are driven by 『Heaven, Earth, Man』[2], that is 『Heavenly opportunities (timing of attack), Earthly advantage (geographical advantage), and the Harmony of Man』. The Empire, leader of the anti-Demon Lord Army, has the timing of attack and the Amidonian Army has the geographical advantage. However, if I was asked if the Kingdom has the People’s Harmony to oppose the Empire, then I can only answer: no. I could only dispatch the soldiers from the Army and the Air Force, so that they could be exempted from their treasonous rebellion. It was not that bad when the enemy was just Amidonia by itself, but when the enemy is the superior in all fields, aka the Imperial Army, then of course we couldn’t expect any fighting spirit from our men.
「If we could at least win in equipments……」(Souma)
Even when looking from this place, I could see the Rhinosaurus corps that are attached with the Field Cannons. I had heard that Rhinosauruses were used in castle sieges, but it seems that the Empire has used them even further as mobile artillery. Actually, I also had this kind of idea, but for a Rhinosaurus to be able to be equipped with cannons, it was necessary to “train”[3] them, so they wouldn’t be spooked by the sound of gunpowder explosions. Since the Rhinosauruses on our side were gathered by Tomoe-chan’s “please”, I had shelved the prospect of “training” them.
It was vexing to see that the Empire had already implemented the corps that I had in mind. But well, if any military layman thought about it for a bit, then they would hit upon the same idea, too. As long as there is a demand, then most of these ideas will be implemented. Of course there doesn’t need to be a battle, just making a stance that it could be used in battle could become a negotiation card. On the contrary, it could be said that the Army spread before my eyes is the card prepared by the Empire. Even though I knew about this, this situation is quite a conundrum.
「”My Liege (陛下/heika), there is an unfamiliar “legion” (兵科/heika).」[4](Aisha)
At a place not far from me, Aisha, who was looking at the enemy army, spoke out.
「What’s with that lousy pun?」(Souma)
「N-no, you’re wrong, Your Majesty! I meant the enemy’s corps! I can see that there is a group of soldiers wearing completely black full plated armor!」(Aisha)
「Completely black? …… I can’t see any human-sized troops too well from this distance.」(Souma)
「Dark elves have good eyes. That group carries very long weapons.」(Aisha)
「I think that perhaps they are the 『Magic Armored Corps』.」(Hakuya)
Hakuya appended his words on Aisha’s. it is a new phrase for me.
「Magic Armored Corps?」(Souma)
「Perhaps it can be explained as a heavily-armored pike infantry specializing in anti-magic combat. That black helmet and armor constantly generates a barrier that could withstand any kind of magic. There is a saying that the Empire’s territory extends just as far as these soldier files could march, so they are the Empire’s treasured army that they are the most proud of.」(Hakuya)