Gacha Kingdom Building-Chapter 227: Moving Pieces (07)

---This Chapter was written using Ellie's POV---

The capture of the man responsible for the death of our soldiers brought us a lot of valuable information.

For starters, the man himself wasn't a nobody. He had participated in a few campaigns in the past. Though they were not enough to establish himself like Mercoler, he was seen as a potential candidate for a General in case the position became available.

Perhaps the most interesting discovery we made from him was that he didn't volunteer or plan for this task.

According to Miwen and the others, Hamperlon's king handpicked him for this task after they took back the city without facing any resistance, and he has been planted in the cave since.

This confirmed that sometime between its retaking and our following attack, King Gerbil had predicted how we would move, but...

I don't think he knew we would strike and defeat Terith next, so what Miwen said about him being a few steps behind still held.

In any case.... While they didn't let me see the interrogations, the results spoke for themselves.

We had captured him during the night, and the afternoon after, Bea already had a good idea of the theory being used by the city mages to erect their barriers.

With the rough sketch of the two magic circles responsible for the barriers she was handed, she quickly prepared rooms to replicate them on a smaller scale and test how to best interfere with them.

With the culprit captured, the mood and morale in the camp started to improve too.

The soldiers who had become paranoid quieted down a little when the news reached them, but it was only after the first attack on the city passed without incident that they finally calmed enough to enjoy resting throughout the night with peace of mind.

Things were looking bright for us, which affected our siege against the city. They weren't receiving reinforcements, and every attack of ours was more effective than the previous one.

It was just a matter of time before we won this battle, but right before Bea's deadline came...

Paul: "You're sure about this, yes?"

Miwen: "Have I ever let you down?"

Paul: "Right..."

As always, Paul seemed a little careful with Miwen, and his attitude didn't help too much, but at least there was no friction between them. Isabella trusted them both, and that was enough for the two of them to work together.

Hopefully, today was going to be our last attack.

Bea told Miwen she was confident about destabilizing their magic, and even in our attempts, we had already managed to pierce both barriers, creating a small window of opportunity for the army to invade.

This wasn't enough to confidently attack the city, and most armies would wait a little more before fully committing, but...

Miwen seemed to trust Bea's words.

For him, there were no questions about it. This attack was bound to succeed.

Paul: "...Ready your weapons! We'll charge in 10!"

The knights relayed Paul's words to the soldiers...

In hushed tones, our mages started to chant their spells.

As for our warriors, some lifted their weapons to the sky, challenging fate itself, while others grabbed them tightly, placing their trust in their skills and lifeless metal partners.

Paul: "Forward!"

The soldiers were all tense, and the air was heavy, but as soon as the countdown ended, all that tension that had built up was released in a deafening roar as they charged against the enemy, the ground trembling as every step of each man carried all of their strength with it.

Ellie: "...!"

I tried to follow them, but Miwen extended his arm, blocking my path.

Miwen: "No need to rush. You might fall, you know?"

Ellie: "W-What?"

I'm not sure, but...

His expression was the same as when he's teasing us. That infuriating smile that says he has everything under his control, and that we are all dancing to his tune.

Still, seeing him like this relieved me a little.

I knew it meant we had won.

Bea also seemed confident as she prepared her magic and we calmly walked forward...

She focused on hitting the right timing, but I couldn't help but notice something strange was happening.

At this point in the battle, the enemy should fire against our army to reduce our numbers and scare our soldiers, but that wasn't happening.

I figured they might have chosen to focus solely on their barriers since they had already failed a few times; however, when our mages hit them with their spells, the two barriers were easily pierced.

And even though we had prepared for it, no third barrier was erected...

Still, this was the opportunity Bea had been waiting for.

The method she devised to bring down their barriers for good was based on the theories she explained to me before, like how chalk can easily be spread...

I had thought about it before too, but... While a lightweight material like this works well for testing mana input and confirming the mana flow, for a final, lasting magic circle, you'd probably want something more robust...

Unfortunately for them, they either rushed things or never thought someone would be able to understand and infiltrate their system to disrupt it, and so... They never made it as robust as it should've been.

Once the barriers were down and she could inject her mana into the system, the only thing left was to disrupt the most difficult to repair parts of the formula.

Thanks to the information we got, and her own research, she also carved onto the ground a few "adjustments" using wind magic.

Apparently, it was meant to reverse the magic flow once the system was tampered with again, potentially destroying it and, due to the mana overflow from everyone who contributed to the system, killing whichever mage was responsible for fixing it.

She was so precise and meticulous that I couldn't even feel her mana as it left her body.

However, the results spoke for themselves.

New barriers weren't being erected, and the system that should repair the second layer wasn't working.

Looking at Bea, I could see her...

Confused?

Bea: "...What... Did you... But how? What did you do, Miwen?"

I expected her to be proud of winning their little feud, but instead, she looked completely shocked.

On the other hand...

Miwen: "I have no idea what you're talking about. I said I wasn't going to do anything~"

Bea: "Haah... Ellie, can you please convince him?"

...That would be hard since I had no idea what was happening either.

All I could tell was that things didn't go like Bea wanted them to, and seeing how Miwen was having the time of his life about her distress, he probably already expected whatever happened to happen.

I suppose there's one thing I could do though...

Ellie: "...Won't you tell me?"

I approached him slowly and spoke calmly as we walked towards the city, looking directly into his eyes and making my best pleading face.

The source of this c𝓸ntent is frёeweɓηovel.coɱ.

Miwen: "...Such a terrifying combo. You know this is unfair to my heart, right?"

Ellie: "Pretty please?"

Miwen: "...Fine."

Victory!

Miwen: "Look, we are about to reach the gate. What do you think will happen?"

Ellie: "Hm... If they don't reestablish the barriers, we will fight the soldiers inside... Right?"

Miwen: "The barriers aren't going to come up again. And no, we won't have to fight anymore."

...Huh?

I didn't really understand it, but... It ended up being like Miwen said.

There was no resistance at the gate or after it.

The soldiers destroyed portions of the wall and invaded the city, but instead of meeting the opposing army, all we saw was...

The lifeless, blank stare of dozens of decapitated heads on pikes lined up, waiting for us.

Ellie: "...What happened here?"

It was a grotesque sight. One I would've liked to avoid, but... It was so unmistakable... So hard to miss.

This was definitely a deliberate decision.

The people responsible knew where we'd come from and wanted us to see this before anything else.

But... This wasn't a scheme.

At least not one prepared by the enemy general, Mercoler.

As for how I knew this... He was one of the deceased, his skull highlighted in the front and center...

The man who gave Anna and Miwen so much trouble... A face I recognized... He was...

I felt a little sick... But...

The... The people... Citizens and remaining soldiers... They were standing in front of the houses, silently watching us without saying a word.

There were weapons around them, but... They were all left abandoned in the ground.

Miwen: "Oh, woah... Sorry, I wasn't expecting it to be like this. They could've cleaned up a little."

...!

Suddenly, Bea's hands blocked my eyes.

It was a little late since the damage had already been done, but I appreciated her intention...

Bea: "They gave up? No... They revolted? Why?"

Miwen: "Yes, well... Last time we were here, we planted a few seeds. We allowed them to ransack the houses of those resourceful enough to leave the city, but once we left and the rich and nobles came back, what do you think happened?"

Bea: "...I can imagine."

Yes... They probably took back what they could get with the help of the army. Even forcibly...

There must've been a lot of problems...

Bea: "So there was resentment, sure. But enough to betray their own army? Their kingdom sent a General, you know? They are the most respected in this country."

Miwen: "...Hamperlon is a warring nation. They've participated in many campaigns throughout the decades, and most nations dislike them for it. This place is no exception; they were once their own nation, until they were invaded. For them, there's no such thing as loyalty to the crown. How many do you think suffered because of this nation's rulers? Do you really think they'd protect them? After they experienced a better life under our rule?"

They are taking back what was theirs, even if for a moment...

He used their greed and resentment...

But... Was that all?

I can't believe this would be enough.

I... Don't want to believe people can be bought so easily...

Miwen: "No need to lose your faith, Ellie. There's more to it. Remember, the common folk believe Hamperlon to be the aggressors. They think they have kidnapped the Saint. I've told Elizabeth and the North Dragon to advance, and we've already had a few towns eternally frozen like the north of the continent. Now, most citizens of this nation believe this to be karma, or punishment by the Gods for their actions. The people of this city, though... They had one hope. If they were to surrender to us, then maybe they could avoid this destiny. It was an act of desperation."

...

Bea: "Do you want me to believe in such a convenient story?"

Hm?

I believed it...

I thought it was enough incentive... Desperation, greed, resentment... I'm not as innocent as they think I am.

I don't want to believe in the worst of people, but I know it's inevitable to a certain degree...

Miwen: "For someone antisocial, you're quite good at reading people, huh?"

Bea: "Yes. Out with it."

Miwen: "Haha... Well... What do you think is the most important thing a person can have? Like... When all else fails, what do you think they'll cling to... their last straw?"

Bea: "...?"

...Bea couldn't answer it, but...

I heard him say this before.

In a very different context, and to a girl who really needed to hear it.

Isabella, the girl who refused to give up no matter how harsh her life was...

There was one thing Miwen told her to cling to, no matter what.

Ellie: "...Hope?"

Miwen: "Yes. And in this case, they hoped that their General would be able to protect them. From us, from the dragon... From our perspective, he was doing a good job. But from theirs? Every single day, we came closer, killed more. And then, he returned to them after a failed raid... Even the strongest among them must've been pushed to the edge after that."

So that's why he wanted to keep up the attacks so much...

Miwen: "I'll be honest, I wasn't expecting them to do this much. Sending a General to protect this city was way overkill. However... They picked wrong. This guy's Gift... It's very strong, isn't it? If the people volunteered and received his blessing for being on his side... Promising to help in this last struggle... They would become a dangerous force. Too dangerous for him to handle."

Ellie: "Wait... You're not saying..."

Miwen: "Sorry, Ellie, but I can't see him losing a one-on-one. For now, let's head inside the castle. We need to bring back order, and I think the soldiers would like to celebrate."

The realization was a bitter pill to swallow for me.

I always... We always knew Miwen was strong. In a way very unique to him.

But while Beatrice blocked my view and he patted my head, choosing euphemisms to disturb me as little as possible, I became so much more aware of the person he is.

And I felt like it was a little tragic.

I don't believe he was happy with this... That he liked it...

This is a result he is always holding back from achieving.

He doesn't seek this. But he was provoked into it...

The gentle and caring man I love... This is what happens when he releases the reins.

This is the man he fights not to be...

We knew about this...

We thought we had seen the worst he could do after his sister was attacked, but...

Evretis, Terith and Hamperlon...

Three nations, all just... pieces on his board.

The sentiments of the people, from the righteous to the sinful... All of them are under his control. He moves them as he pleases, and his name is not even known to them.

During the celebration, I couldn't shake off this chilling feeling from my chest.

And then, as expected, the man responsible for this reached out to me after noticing I was alone.

As is typical of him, he was worried...

Miwen: "...Sorry. Was it too much? I really didn't expect that..."

Ellie: "No, it's not that... I've seen worse... I'm just a little..."

I couldn't put my feelings into words.

I didn't fear Miwen.

There wasn't anything for me to fear in him.

It was more like...

I wanted to extend my hand to him.

And... save him.

But I couldn't understand this.

He was in control, as always.

He didn't need help, he was doing fine...

And yet... Even though we were winning, I felt like he was losing...

Ellie: "Mm... If you don't mind me asking, I thought you said you didn't have any schemes against Hamperlon... But this... Is going to continue, right? Elizabeth and the Dragon won't attack this city, so the word will spread that if they surrender, they will be spared..."

Miwen: "Yes, well... I didn't have a scheme on the same level, but I did have a plan or two... It's going to take us a little more effort, but we will win."

Such a warm touch and a gentle smile...

That's right... This is the person he is.

That's why, like Licia does, I should-

Miwen: "...! Angelica! Come here, now! We are going to the north!"

W-Wha...

The sudden change scared me. Miwen is never this loud...

As expected, I wasn't the only one surprised by this, and the ever-so-loyal Angelica came rushing from nearby.

She is always ready to help Miwen, but considering the opposite positions they had, I thought that maybe she was trying to approach me too before he came...

In any case, she only glanced at me briefly, with the most worried expression, before turning into her dragon form.

However, I also had no idea of what was happening.

Ellie: "Is everything-"

Miwen: "Sorry, Ellie. Tell the others to rest, but be ready. We might need to fight."

He didn't explain anything, and the two disappeared in the blink of an eye.

However, there were only a few things that could make Miwen this worried, and judging by his words and the direction they were heading...

Ellie: "The girls...?"

My hopes for this war were being shattered one by one, and I started to fear a future in which I couldn't be for the man I loved what he was for me and everyone else...

I saw his figure, leaving my sight incredibly quickly, and that felt foreboding...

If the people I loved were in danger...

I knew what he would do... I could rest assured that he would protect them...

And yet, while I wanted them to be safe, I feared what it would mean for him...

Caught in this dilemma, I could only hope for the best.

That this was going to end quickly, and that we could go back to smiling honestly at the good things.

That Miwen could go back to being the man he likes to be.