Chapter 287 – 287. Duke’s Thirteenth Sabotage (3)

– One –

“Brother. Do you think they will succeed?”

“We’ve already seasoned public opinion, and we’ve done everything we can. If it seems like things are going to get difficult, didn’t they say they’ll come out themselves? So don’t worry.”

“But…”

“I know what you’re worried about. The seasoning isn’t working as well as we thought, and the rebels are much more numerous than we expected, aren’t we?”

“Exactly…”

Whoops, whoops…

Jack and Daniel exhale smoke at the same time.

When she reunited with Monohorn the other day, she took the pipe she had received as a gift from him, and burned the candle that Ada had mixed herself.

They didn’t burn it often, but they would enjoy the scent of the burnt leaves of the plant from time to time when they felt stuffy or nervous.

Of course, in preparation for the bongcho to fall, I even learned the combination of plants that make a harmless, no, rather beneficial bongcho for the body specially made by Ada.

“Actually, what worries me most is whether the strategy they devised really works.”

“That’s right… Even after hearing the whole story, I still can’t believe it, Won…”

Whoops, whoops whoops…

Smoke resembling a sigh rises.

They lower their heads, looking at the view of the islands in the distance, overlooking the plains below.

“If they’re wrong, it’s going to be a bloodbath in a while.”

“Yes. Whether it was the blood of the Imperial Army and the Islands Defense Forces, the blood of the rebels, or the meaningless blood shed by the citizens and commoners… Countless blood flowed and pooled, and finally, that plain should be renamed the Red Plain. It’s something I don’t know what to do.”

“I hope that doesn’t happen, and I only hope.”

“I agree.”

The exhaled smoke disperses.

– 2 –

Chuck, Chuck, Chuck, Chuck, Chuck!
Good!
Chunk.

A group of rebels line up in an orderly fashion.

Who said that a soldier’s fighting power comes from rituals?

It may not be all about combat power, but even if you look at the proficiency in ritual training, it is an indicator that distinguishes elite soldiers from ragtags.

From professional soldiers to ordinary people who have never heard of a long spear, a third party who does not belong to the unit can grasp the elite level at a glance simply by looking at the ceremony.

That’s why the rebels surrounding the system were able to demonstrate that they were the elite with just the perfect ceremony they presented.

Gulp.

Tens of thousands of soldiers from the Imperial Army and the Islands Defense Forces watched the rebels’ movements from the top of the walls, spiers, and watchtowers.

At the same time, more than half of them thought it was a good thing they hadn’t fought a giant battle with them on the plains due to a change in strategy.

Of course, no one was stupid enough to say that.

Climb up, run up, run up, run up.
Hee hee!

In the distance, thousands of mounted soldiers line up.

The sound of the horse’s neighing, the huge lump of dust it raises, and the noise of the horseshoe striking the earth fly all the way to the wall and pierce it.

The horses were well maintained, and the cavalrymen were very well equipped.

As if to publicize the fact that they had been seized here and there, the armaments of all the rebels were different.

However, if there was one thing in common between them, it was the fact that the quality of their armament was very good.

Not a single blade rusted, and the surface of the armor was shiny and reflected the summer sun.

They were new and well-maintained, in perfect condition, without the slightest flaw.

“Thunder…”

Looking down at them, the Imperial sergeant spits out a nutmeg.

He feigned anger to hide his nervousness.

‘It’s not like there’s no siege weapons… Are there any wizards or sorcerers among them? In this way, even the walls are not safe… In this way, it might be safer to charge…’

Looking back, he was waiting for an order from his superiors to open the gates and charge at the enemy.

This is because he was confident in his personal martial arts.

He was not far from him,

Rattle rattle.

A man who appeared to be a corporal was leaning against the spear pole, trembling.

However, the sergeant could not look back at the corporal with pitiful eyes.

It was because it was clear that if he wiped off the fake anger he had spread all over his shell, he would be no different from that corporal.

Swoop.

He turns his head again toward the plain.

In that brief moment when he turns his head, he scans everything that comes into his field of vision with a sidelong glance.

Oh so so.

Goosebumps rise.

There is not a single place where the rebels have not entered.

The island is already completely besieged.

Gu-gu-gu-gu-gu-gu.

An object with a huge mass moves forward, dragging a ship on the ground, screaming.

As if they had finished assembling nearby, catapults to deliver heavy blows to the walls of the island and siege weights to smash the gates could be seen everywhere.

Siege grapes that use gunpowder or mana to trigger iron balls, movable ladders to climb over the walls, and siege towers built to the same height as the walls surrounding the island are also seen.

The rebels may already know that the walls of the system have never been equipped with weapons of mass destruction to destroy large weapons.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have done such a crazy thing with such a bold siege engine.

“That, that, isn’t it really firing…?”

“… For a weapon I brought here just to scare you, don’t you think it’s too good quality…?”

“Well… Even if it doesn’t launch, it’s clear that the ladder and the tower are already in a dangerous situation.”

Senior soldiers gossip.

It seemed that he had had quite a bit of experience on the battlefield before being deployed here, and even though the war had not yet risen, he seemed to have made a rough estimate of the future situation just by looking at the enemy’s arrangement.

The sergeant approached them and said,

Took.

“Hey. Watch your mouth.”

“Ah, yes.”

Force them to be silent

As if they were not aware of it, they immediately changed their attitude and kept their mouth shut.

However, both the sergeant and the senior soldiers were eagerly waiting for this uncomfortable silence to end.

– 3 –

– Brigadier General Glenfiddich. Didn’t you know that the enemy is equipped with siege engines?

“I knew, but I didn’t expect to bring in this amount of siege weapons. It’s all my negligence.”

– Uh…

Viscount Uweboll’s uncomfortable face is displayed on the display panel.

He seemed seriously concerned that the projectiles fired by the siege engines would fly over the walls and damage the property of the island’s subjects.

“For starters, you don’t have to worry about that in the early stages of the war. As you know, the island walls have an extensive projectile defense system.”

– This is a well-known fact, but if the war is prolonged, even that will inevitably reach its limits.

“Probably won’t be long. Since we’ve already entered the fall season, isn’t the season when it’ll be difficult to set up an outdoor camp soon? It is the most realistic way to choose a strategy to break through the walls.”

– Then, do you think it would be reasonable to regard troops other than those where firepower is concentrated as troops for military demonstrations or for forming a siege?

“That’s right. First of all, it would be better to check the gift that Mrs. Margarita sent and then come up with a countermeasure.”

– All right. Please don’t miss our predictions.

“Yes. Then…”

Piririk.

Communication ends.

General Distillery manages to swallow a sigh that bursts out.

“Is it them?”

“Yes, General.”

“Won. There’s only two of us, so call me hyung-nim.”

“War is right around the corner.”

“People are hard…”

Tsutsuk.

Brigadier General Glenfiddich’s older cousin, Major General of the Imperial Army, Glengoyne Distillery, clicks his tongue and criticizes Brigadier General Glenfiddich.

However, as if the criticism he spewed out was not sincere, a gentle smile lingered on his wrinkled lips.

“Our major is a secondary issue. More important than that is the safety of the Imperial Family and its subjects.”

“I’m familiar with it.”

“That’s good. Let’s go back to the command and control room.”

“Yes, General.”

Turning around, their footsteps were firm.

– 4 –

“Smirnoff, are we lucky or bad?”

“Well… That’s ambiguous.”

Mondavi turns his head away from the silver-haired middle-aged man.

I look at the young man on the other side and open my mouth.

“What do you think of Robert?”

“I managed to get into the system, so I should consider myself lucky, but…”

He shuts his mouth, not being able to hold on to his words any longer.

She turns her head back.

I meet eyes with a mature woman who is starting to give birth in middle age.

“What do you think of Sinatra?”

“… She’s from a remote area, so she’s confined to a camp like this, so, hey, I don’t think we’ll be able to carry out our plan properly…”

Ha…

The four of them, the main pillars of the League of Freedom, sigh at the same time.

They weren’t imprisoned, but they were all confined to stone chambers with no windows.

They were deprived of liberty to freely move about the system, although they did not come out harshly on their meals or impose restrictions on the necessary movement for menstrual activity.

As the emergency martial law fell, those who did not have a place to live in Jedo had to wait indefinitely in camps provided by the Jedo Defense Forces, divided into groups of two or three.

It was a measure to prevent rebel spies from leaking into the system and causing trouble.

“But at this rate, I don’t think I can recklessly carry out the plan…”

“But we have to find a way somehow. If the war starts like this, it’s clear that the damage to the poor subjects will only increase.”

At Mondavi’s complaint, Sinatra urges her with her strong tone.

But even as Mondavi, she dared not sneak out of the quarters assigned to them.

“Hmm… If the soldiers can fool the daily personnel checks, it might work somehow…”

But that was just a wishful thinking.

Since the records of their appearance and personal information were already in the hands of the Islands Defense Forces, there was no way for them to get out of there safely, except for escaping by force.

However, it was difficult to run away after killing the National Guard, who were very nervous due to the war.

It was because no matter how much Mondavi tried, it was clear that it would be a process of verifying the word itself as a heavy burden.

Whoa…

They sigh again.

The three of them lowered their heads and looked down at the floor.

However, only Mondavi did not lower his head.

“Just a little… Wait a little longer. I’m sure there will be an opportunity.”

“Hmm? Mondavi, do you have any good moves?”

“Yes, brother Robert. I don’t have it right now, but if we pass the time without being able to step in, and if things go the way I want after that, I’m sure we’ll need Smirnoff.”

“… Me?”

“Yes.”

Mondavi whispers to them.

Their expressions change completely.

Because there was a point in what she said.

“When that time comes, we’ll have a chance to go out together. Even if it takes some sacrifice, I think it’s for the best for now.”

“I see. Then, there is no other way for now, so until the situation changes, take it easy.”

Squeak.
Dump.

Smirnoff lies on the floor.

Mondavi looked at it and let out a silent laugh.

Because we were together, I wasn’t too anxious.

– 5 –

[You rotten nobles and royalty! And to all of you rotten property-class corrupt forces who work with the parasites of the people!]

There were no wizards in the camp of the rebels, but they started their speech using expensive voice-amplifying magic tools.

They even began reciting the same text of speech simultaneously in all directions, east, west, south, and north, as if they had practiced countless times at the same time.

Buzz buzz.
… Are you saying
… You say?
Gibberish.

Soldiers, commanders, everyone starts to shake.

It is most likely due to the absurdity of the absurd speech given by the rebels immediately after the siege of the system.

However, it was clear that their agitation had a significant share of surprise.

From the fact that they were equipped with expensive voice amplifying magic tools that allowed them to hear clearly from such a distance, it was because they realized that the financial power of the supporters behind them was formidable.

In addition to their excellent armament and various siege weapons, enough facts are revealed to make the soldiers in the defensive battle daunted, even the expensive magic tools.

[… Yes! Therefore, know that we have risen up in the name of the Goddess and the Saint to punish you vulgar parasites who turn our people into dogs and pigs! We are the new definition of this continent!]

Whoaaaaa!

The shouts of the rebels cut through the air.

Ring the sky, shake the earth.

Revolutionary creed flows out of their mouths all at once.

While reciting their creed, the morale of the soldiers further declines as they see the sound of over 100,000 soldiers shouting without any error.

Fear grows, fear dwells.

“Tsk, you’ve been completely pushed from the start in the momentum fight.”

Warden Glengoyne grumbles.

However, he regarded the current situation as an insignificant matter.

“Hey, Brother Glenelgin.”

“Now we’re on an operation. Let’s call it right.”

“…It’s hard up and down…”

“What?”

A person called Glen Elgin glared at Warden Glengoyne.

Warden Glengoyne quietly averts his eyes.

“It’s better, Lieutenant General Glen Elgin Distillery. It’s not good for morale if you lose too much momentum in the early battle, so shouldn’t we give a speech against them in order to counterattack? La Boo.”

“… Warden Glengoyne, you go and tease that proud tongue and come back.”

“Keuhehehe. I’ve been waiting for that word.”

Warden Glengoyne looks around.

As if there was no dissatisfaction with the appointment of Lieutenant General Glenn Elgin, all the generals in the command and control room smiled faintly and nodded to Major General Glenn Goyne.

“Everyone seems to have no complaints, so I’ll be back soon!”

Chuck!

Major General Glengoyne gives a courtesy.

Get up,

Bulky!
Jerk, jerk, jerk, jerk.

Move quickly

Head to the communications room next to the command and control room.

“Yeah. I’m here to kill the rebels.”

Chuck!

An officer who had been frowning in front of the communications equipment stood up and bowed.

“Ah, welcome, General Glengoyne!”

There was joy on his face.

Apparently, he too felt the need to respond with a speech.

“It’s done greetings. Prepare a voice amplification magic tool. I’ll tease them with an impromptu speech right away.”

“Yes, General!”

While the communication officer prepares the magic tools, Warden Glengoyne looks at the display panels that fill one side of the wall.

There, beyond the walls, the appearance of a group of rebels besieging the islands was projected in real time.

The rebels were shouting as if their spirits had risen, holding blades that shone with cold brilliance above their heads.

“Oh, you bastard bastards…”

Pood deude deuk.

As Major General Glengoyne grinds his teeth, the soldiers around him smile.

His eloquence was famous even within the Imperial Army, so everyone in the communication room believed he would crush the rebels’ noses.

“The preparations are complete, general. You can give a speech while pressing the button attached to this voice collecting magic tool here. When you take a moment to catch your breath or finish your speech, just release the button.”

“Okay.”

Tup.

Warden Glengoyne receives a stick-shaped magic tool from the officer.

His mouth twists wildly.

“You, ignorant and oblivious ones who oppose the imperial system and the rule of His Majesty the Emperor, listen.”

From his mouth, an unusually noble tone flowed.

Anticipation rises on the faces of the soldiers looking at him.

“The main building,”

As he was about to begin his speech,

[Pupper puppuppuppung!]

[Wheeyiik!]

In the camp of the rebels, siege engines fire projectiles at once.

Warden Glengoyne’s eyes widened.

“All forces, activate the projectile defense system immediately!”

Instead of continuing his speech, he gives orders in response to emergencies at his own discretion.

A cold sweat forms on his forehead.

Pop.

A drop of sweat runs down the bridge of your nose.

Geeeee
Woo woo woo!

“Done…!”

The Imperial Army and Islands Defense Forces seemed to have gathered only the elite of the elite, and succeeded in activating the projectile defense system before the projectile reached the wall.

It was a semi-permanent magic circle that created a barrier that blocked objects with a certain volume and mass.

It was also the best gatekeeper that Jedo boasted of, having made a remarkable contribution to stopping external enemies since the city walls were completed.

Shit.

Warden Glengoyne smiles.

His smile mixed with relief and confidence,

Wow!

“Uh…?”

The moment the projectile penetrated the shield, it disappeared in an instant.

It penetrates the barrier without any resistance, as if it had no physical substance,

Kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwak!
Aaaaa!
Kujiji job!

They began destroying houses and structures beyond the walls of the islands.

I was so flustered that I forgot to release my hand from the button attached to the voice collecting magic tool.

“This, this, Sea Pearl…”

The nutmeg uttered by Warden Glengoyne reverberated across the Isles.

For the first time in the empire’s history of more than 500 years, a projectile launched by a foreign enemy arrived inside the system.

It happened in the early morning of late summer in the year 5001 of the goddess calendar.