BXBX NOVEL 167 - - Art. 167. Monogatariyama Named "Going To The Front"
"Who are you talking to? I\'ve been doing this since I was a kid.
"You idiot, that means me too!"
The soldiers continue to bicker. But there is little tension in the air. If anything, the atmosphere is rather laid-back. On the other hand, in another place, the soldiers are having a relaxed conversation.
"Oh... it\'s so relaxing.
"The changing scenery, the gentle light on the trees.... Flowers blooming here and there... beautiful..."
These are conversations that one would not expect to hear in the midst of a battle, but they are being exchanged by soldiers wearing jet-black helmets, some with swords, some with spears, and some with bows and arrows. At first glance, they look ready for battle, but most of them are enjoying the changing scenery.
"Hey you guys! Don\'t turn over! Even though they are protected by wards, it takes a long time for them to come back if they are tipped over! Use extreme caution!"
Knogen is the one alerting the soldiers. Right next to him is Lafayence, who is smiling, sipping his drink and enjoying the scenery.
"It\'s nice sometimes, isn\'t it? It\'s nice to have a leisurely battle like this.
The old general himself was about to start a tension-free battle that he had never experienced in his long military career.
At that time, Soleil and I had come to the village of Daitus with Ilimo.
"Jimbi, what do you think, how is the Imperial Kingdom moving?"
"There are about 5,000 troops at the foot of the mountain, but there is no sign of any attack. Anyone who tries to enter or leave the mountain is being questioned, but nothing is going on.
"I see. Are there any newcomers to Dytas Village?"
No, sir.
"Who tries to cross the mountain?"
I don\'t think so. You must pass through my village to reach the summit. No one has visited our village since the arrival of Mr. Linos.
"Okay. And just to make sure... Do you have enough food?
"We have enough."
Jimbi replied with a smile. I was relieved to see him, and we left the village for the summit of the mountain. There, I asked Soleil to summon Cradle, the spirit of the forest.
"You wanted to see me, Miss Soleil?"
My master has a favor to ask you. Will you listen to me?
Yes, anything.
"I\'m sorry, but could you please illuminate the Irvezi River at night? No, just have it glow along the Irvezi River."
"No problem. Then, from sunset to dawn, we will illuminate the Irving River for you to see.
"I\'m sorry. I should thank you in some way.
"No. The mere presence of Soleil-sama raises the spirits of our forest. Your presence is enough for us.
With that, Cradle smiled and disappeared. Then we climbed onto Ilimo, used her wings to soar into the sky, and followed the river. Soon we see a big city. I observe it from above. At that moment, a faerie dragon appears in front of me.
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Hearing my instructions, the faerie dragon disappeared in an instant.
"Well, let\'s take a break until the generals get here.
So saying, we went down into the forest.
And when the sun went down. The soldiers of Agartha approached the border of the Kingdom of Lamaron. At that moment a soldier\'s voice comes out.
"Hey, look! The forest..."
"Oh!"
The soldiers cheer. To their surprise, the trees in the forest were glowing and shining brightly on the Irbezi River.
"It\'s beautiful..."
"It\'s wonderful..."
Soldiers were shouting with admiration. The soldiers were lost in this fantastic sight.
"...Master, I see it!
Soleil shouts out. A crackling sound can be heard in the darkness, the scraping of iron against armor. I stand under the bonfire I have prepared.
"Master Linos!
Soldiers who had seen me gathered around me one after another.
"Did you guys have a good trip?"
"It was great! The scenery was nice, the climate was good, the food was delicious, the forests were beautiful... I was very satisfied!
"I see. But we\'re not here just to look around, are we? We\'re going to get to work now, okay?"
"Yes, I\'ll take care of it!"
Lafayence and Knogen are peeking out from among the soldiers.
"General, thank you for your hard work.
"No, I\'ve never seen such a relaxing battle. It\'s nice.
Lafayence looks pleased.
"I\'ve done very little," he says, "so I\'m in good physical condition. I\'m ready to fight now."
Knogen is waving his arms in the air.
"I\'m well rested too. I\'ll let Knogen and the others do the work. I\'m sure it won\'t be long before they\'re done.
I grin. At that moment, a faerie dragon appears before me. I get a report from him.
"Well, it looks like we\'re all set. Is everyone here? Let\'s go then. The target is up those stairs. I\'ll take you there.
With these words, I set out on foot toward the building towering atop the precipice.
In a room of the palace in the capital of the Ramallon Empire, the Empress Dowager, Ramallon Crowe Lacis, and the Emperor, Ramallon Crowe Fraynse, were having a peaceful time.
A sun-drenched afternoon, a leisurely tea time with the ladies around them. It was a peaceful moment, with not the slightest hint of an atmosphere in which tens of thousands of soldiers were invading another country.
The Empress Dowager is looking at the map spread out on her desk in a good mood.
Is it about time for Duke Koenig to reach the border of Agartha? If so, we should be up the Irbezi River this evening ... the capital of Agartha by this time tomorrow. Will the city have fallen by the day after tomorrow? The news will come ... in about five days?"
Pointing to the map with her fan, the Empress Dowager predicted the course that Lamaron\'s army would take. The emperor watched her with narrowed eyes.
"Your mother is a worrier. Since it is Duke Koenig, he might send news earlier, don\'t you think?"
"Oh, then we must prepare to receive the messenger."
"Mother, the messenger will return to Duke Koenig after giving his report. If the messenger does not return, the Duke will be worried.
"Oh, so it\'s not worth getting ready, is it? Ho-ho-ho-ho."
The Empress Dowager\'s laughter triggered everyone to burst into laughter. As if to break the joyous moment, the door to the room is opened violently. And there stood a pale-faced, shivering maid, breathing on her shoulders.
"What\'s going on! Your Majesty will not hear you if you open the door so roughly! Be careful!"
One of the ladies raised her eyes and glared at the attendants. The courtesan, however, does not pay attention to the glare and desperately tries to squeeze out a few words.
I\'m sorry, sir! I... just... just now... a report... a report... has come."
Hearing her voice, the Empress Dowager\'s face lights up with a flash.
"Has Duke Koenig already taken Agartha? No, our imperial army defeated the Agarthans on the border, didn\'t it? You have defeated the king of Agartha!"
The chamberlain swallows his spit, regains his breath, and continues speaking.
"Garbee... the fortress city of Garbee has fallen to the Agarthans.
At that moment, everyone there, including the queen mother, stopped moving.
Time had stopped in the Kingdom of Lamaron.