Dragon Knight Chronicles ~ From a mere mercenary, rise to success through tactics! A small harem with the princess and the lord's daughter!? I'll also develop my territory! ~ - Chapter 76

Chapter 76   Opal is born

“What should we do?”

Domel, the Viceroy of the Cade Confederation, casually asked this as he gazed at Caliburn Castle, which boasted an extensive defensive perimeter. The Fletcher Republic’s soldiers were certainly weak.

However, when they were entrenched in such a fortified castle, the difference in skill level between the two armies quickly diminished. The attacking force numbered 45,000 soldiers, while the defending side was estimated to have an equivalent number, making it difficult to find a way to breach the defenses.

“Take them away!”

“Yes, sir.”

But there was a reason why Viceroy Domel and Commander Alcock of the Royal Guard were not in a hurry. The soldiers were deeply engrossed in looting and slave hunting in the city, leaving little focus for the assault.

A similar situation had unfolded when the outer walls of the royal capital, Shampur, had fallen. Without the right to loot or capture slaves after a victory, no one would risk their lives for a meager salary. Allowing soldiers and lower nobles to profit financially in this way was an important part of state governance.

“Indeed, the capital of the great Fletcher Republic is vast!”

“Yeah, there’s plenty to loot!”

The Kingdom’s soldiers continued their plundering throughout the night. If this provoked the enemy into coming out, it would play right into the attackers’ hands. Looting in enemy territory was a legitimate siege tactic.

“Move along, quickly!”

The citizens of Caliburn, who had been reduced to the status of slaves, were led in a long line to the nearest slave market. However, the wealthy class, who held most of the assets, had taken refuge within the inner walls of the castle. Perhaps, in any era, true equality is an illusion in the world of humans.

◇◇◇◇◇

Late July, 566

The Owen Kingdom temporarily halted its looting activities and reorganized its forces to launch an assault.

“Charge! Don’t falter!”

Arrows filled the sky, and magical projectiles exploded at their feet. The lower-ranked soldiers were tasked with filling in the moat, but they were met with a fierce counterattack from the castle, resulting in nothing but senseless sacrifices.

“Move the siege towers forward, and bring in the catapults!”

“Yes, sir!”

The kingdom’s forces had constructed numerous siege weapons, but despite deploying them on the battlefield, the castle had the advantage. The elevated positions of the catapults and other defenses on the castle walls allowed the Republic to destroy the Kingdom’s siege equipment with ease, exploiting the height difference to their advantage.

“…Damn it!”

Alcock, the commander, was frustrated, but they were facing a massive fortress with high walls. Even after sending scouts, they couldn’t find any weaknesses.

Moreover, the Cade Confederation soldiers, on whom they had pinned their hopes, were not participating in the siege. They had realized the disadvantage of assaulting the castle and instead went off to raid the small farms and estates of minor nobles in the countryside.

Seeing the stalemate, I sought an audience with Her Majesty the Queen.

“Your Majesty, I believe this is as far as we can go. We’ve burned the capital’s city to the ground and avenged Shampur. It might be time to pull back.”

“Hmm, if that’s what the Marshal advises, then it must be time. Very well. Tell Alcock to withdraw! Gather the entire army. We will return triumphantly to Shampur!”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

Her Majesty accepted my advice and decided to retreat. While my unit and a detachment from Cade stayed behind to guard against a possible counterattack from the castle, there were no signs of the enemy making a move.

Afterward, the Kingdom’s forces advanced westward with great pride. By early August, they had triumphantly returned to the capital, Shampur.

“Long live Her Majesty the Queen!” “Long live Queen Charlotte!”

The citizens of the kingdom praised the success of the recent campaign. Queen Charlotte’s martial prowess, which had cornered the great Fletcher Republic, resounded widely across many nations.

◇◇◇◇◇

August 566 Unified Calendar

The lush greenery thrived, and the occasional rain brought by towering cumulonimbus clouds further nourished the plants. It was on such a blessed rainy day that the cry of a newborn echoed through the lord’s chambers.

Children born to mothers with magical powers develop quickly in the womb. And on this day, Io gave birth to our first child.

“How did it go?”

A man is considered a taboo presence during childbirth, so I waited in the adjacent room, listening for a report from the maid.

“W-Well…”

“Was it a stillbirth?”

“No, she was a healthy baby girl.”

The maid spoke with an apologetic tone. In noble families, boys are often valued more.

But I came from a humble background. That didn’t matter to me at all…

“Io, you did well!”

I hurried into the room where Io was resting and offered her words of comfort.

“My lord, I am sorry.”

“No need to worry. With enough bribes to the royal court, even a girl can become a lord. Don’t fret.”

There she was, our child, sleeping peacefully in a small cradle. How adorable she was. I was already eager to see her grow.

“…Huh?”

Her eyes were red. She had inherited magical powers! This might actually be a stroke of good fortune.

“My lord, please give this child a name.”

I had been thinking of a name for this moment. If it were a girl…

“Her name will be Opal. Is that alright?”

“Yes, I think it’s a beautiful name.”

The recent horrors at Caliburn Castle had left me feeling uneasy. But now, this brought a joy that lifted my spirits to the heavens.

I returned to my study, daydreaming about Opal’s future. What a lovely girl she would grow into.

“Someone, summon Moltke!”

“Yes, sir.”

At my command, Moltke hurriedly came. He was an elderly warrior and one of the most senior among the old retainers.

“Moltke! I appoint you as the guardian of my daughter, Opal!”

In noble families, the guardian of the eldest child is unmistakably considered one of the household’s most trusted retainers. Therefore, it was a role of great honor.

“…Y-Yes! I am deeply honored! I will fulfill this important duty even at the cost of my life!”

After this, I drafted a document declaring Opal as my heir and sent it swiftly to the royal court.

…With this, even if I were to die, the family would be secure. I felt a profound sense of relief and satisfaction.