Summoned Slaughterer

Chapter 54: Macy’s Day Parade

Early morning.

The Second Knight Order as well as the campaign soldiers gathered at the square in the center of the village.

Surveying their ranks, Stiffels opens his mouth to talk in a serious tone.

Today we will execute an important military operation. It is a strategy to demonstrate that the Second Knight Order is our countrys best knight order. It is absolutely unforgivable to fail it. (Stiffels)

Will it become a full-scale war again? With tensed expressions the knights and soldiers straightened their backs.

However, the vice-captains, knowing about the strategy that will be explained from here on, stiffened in tension for a different meaning.

The operation will be simple. We will provoke the enemy at the national border and lure them into our country. We will then attack the enemy, who will be cut off from Horants territory after they entered our country, from the rear. In a situation, where they wont be able to replenish their troops, we will annihilate the enemy! (Stiffels)

As the soldiers are just standing there as if they arent able to comprehend the mentioned things, the knights are exchanging looks with each other having heard about this strategy for the first time.

Captain, is it allowed to ask a question? (Knight)

What is it? (Stiffels)

You tell us to lure them into our territory, but are we luring the enemy up to this village? (Knight)

Even the soldiers can be seen to be agitated by those words, but Stiffels voice was more intense.

No, we will pass this village and withdraw till Mnster. (Stiffels)

The soldiers began to stir and words of bafflement started to appear from the knights.

Then, arent the people of this village and the citizens of Mnster in danger? (Knight)

The villagers will evacuate. Once the enemy draws near the city of Mnster, they will probably be stopped by the defense of the territorial soldiers. If we attack from the enemys rear, it will be possible to launch a pincer attack (Stiffels)

Listening to the explanation up until here, the knights and soldiers regained their calm and in reverse began to praise Stiffels strategy.

I cant help but to declare this as magnificent ingenuity! (Soldier)

But, different from the soldiers, praising the smiling Stiffels, a part of the knights cant hide a bitter smile.

They are aware of it.

There is a continuation for this operation. After crushing Horants army from the rear, using the momentum, they will assault Earl Biron, either in the Lords mansion or at the front, if he appears there. It is a plan to kill him.

First, have the villagers take refuge. All they have to do is to temporarily escape to the different villages in the vicinity. (Stiffels)

Roger. (Knight)

As the knights received their order, they took a part of the soldiers and left in order to explain the situation to the village headman.

Well then, take care of preparing the other things necessary for battle. We will depart in one hour! (Stiffels)

All present soldiers answered in a chorus towards Stiffels command.

Around the time the Second Knight Order was preparing their military operation, the First Knight Order headed towards Mnster by horse.

Getting ready in the early morning, they left the village. Beirevra, expected to be a prisoner, accompanied Ribezal, who almost didnt talk at all, freely.

Although the orders members were suspicious of him, their major concern was as to what road they should take from here on out. There werent few amongst the order who also considered to leave and return to the capital.

Captain Ribezal, how will we move from now on? (Knight)

As a single knight drew his horse close and uneasily asks him, Ribezal answers in a monotonous voice without even turning towards him.

We will return to Mnster and make camp in the citys vicinity. Sooner or later the Second Knight Order is going to return. At that time I will once again sound them out about joining hands with us. (Ribezal)

After smoothly speaking those lines, he once again became silent as before.

Obeying him in silence since theres no other way, the orders knights precede on their horses while bearing anxiety within their hearts.

Beirevra, walking next to Ribezals horse, chuckles at a spot invisible to everyone.

(It seems the guys from the Second Knight Order are suspecting something, but Horants troops include nothing but disposable, brainwashed soldiers anyway. There isnt any problem if they vanish in a competition with the Second Knight Order either. If we later kill Earl Biron by using Ribezal, we will send in another army to snatch Mnster.) (Beirevra)

If this plan was to turn out well, Beirevra had been promised that the observation by Horant would be lifted and that he would be appointed as feudal lord of the new territory of Horant.

(You lead wars with intellect. Using their head is something only wasted on knights and soldiers. Its better for them to experience it the hard way.) (Beirevra)

Beirevra, not doubting the success of the strategy anymore, thought about receiving the permission to enter Horant in a short while at leisure.

Brother-in-law-san, Im told you have called for me. (Sabnak)

Sabnak, entering Birons office, saw an unknown skinny soldier stand there uprightly.

The soldier shows a worn-out appearance, but he gives Sabnak the impression of being skillful as the soldiers feet are tightly arranged.

Ah, you came. (Biron)

Biron introduced the standing soldier to Sabnak, who sat down on the sofa, without moving from his desk.

He is a territorial soldier called Hack. His strength lies in gathering intelligence. I am relying on him quite a lot. (Biron)

The soldier called Hack straightened his back with a snap due to Birons words.

Gathering intelligence is there something you are interested in? (Sabnak)

Because of Sabnaks question, Biron had Hack do the explanation.

Well then (Hack)

Hack turned his body towards Sabnak, who corrected his seated posture.

The Second Knight Orders captain, Stiffels, moved on to the next stage of his plan of drawing in Horants army, spread out in the vicinity of the border, lure them onto our territory and stand up against them in battle. Evacuating the common villagers at the borders village, they will pull the enemy up until Mnster by having them pass through the village. He plans to do a pincer attack in cooperation with our territorial army. He wants to annihilate the enemy army isolated on Orsangrandes ground. Those are the details. They have already started marching towards the border. I think they should be coming in contact with Horants army right about now. (Hack)

As the details were explained smoothly, Sabnak tilted his head to the side in confusion.

Pincer attack? Brother-in-law-san, are you going to cooperate with the Second Knight Order? (Sabnak)

No, not at all. I havent heard anything about such talks. Its unthinkable for me to follow that plan. (Biron)

Expressing a smile, Biron thrust up the index finger.

I guess most likely they intend to claim the achievement for themselves dragging us into it on their own accord. The story should go like Launching a surprise attack by cowardly methods, the enemy was even allowed to invade the countrys soil. We killed them before Mnster. or something like that? (Biron)

Such a thing (Sabnak)

They will be able to fabricate this, I think, if there isnt anyone to take an opposing opinion. (Biron)

Biron accurately saw through Stiffels aim.

For Stiffels, who has his back to the wall, he will be able to gain power as the head of the prince faction, if he manages to obtain military gains counteracting Hifumi as the First Knight Order is currently in a state close to destruction.

Amongst that, it will also be possible to whittle down the influence of the princess faction if Biron is killed.

In other words, he is planning to kill Brother-in-law-san. (Sabnak)

If he knew about the matter of you being here as well, he would likewise aim at all of you from the Third Knight Order. (Biron)

If the princess faction has no evidence, there will only be the Second Knight Order to verify the flow of the battle, is what Stiffels should be thinking, Biron points out.

Sabnak curbed the inner corners of his eyes.

Fokalore as well as here, there are only things giving him a headache.

And, what will Brother-in-law-san do? (Sabnak)

Certainly, I dont think he will go along with Stiffels plan, Sabnak offered his sympathy.

Naturally, the plans, I mentioned the other day, are for such occasions as well. Well then, there is something our Earl Biron household wants to officially request from the Third Knight Order. (Biron)

Lets hear about it. (Sabnak)

Biron laughed impishly towards Sabnak, whose face became serious.

I want to entrust you with the guarding of all citizens of Mnster. Outside of the city. (Biron)

Ha? (Sabnak)

Stiffels was irritated by unusually not receiving any reports from the messenger soldiers left behind at Mnster.

At this time all of the soldiers affiliated to the Second Knight Order, left behind at Mnster because of Birons order, had already been restrained, but Stiffels had no means to know about this fact.

It cant be helped. Once the enemy floods the gate of the city, the territorial soldiers wont be able to move anyway. (Stiffels)

The provocation unit, led by the vice-captains, has already attacked the border. If all goes by plan, they can expect the unit, dragging the enemy behind, to return to the village soon.

At the time the enemy becomes visible, the main force will show a rushed withdrawal led by Stiffels. They will match their timing of heading towards Mnster along the highway so the enemy can see it.

In front of the citys entrance the soldiers will split to the left and right. Making a large detour, they will attack Horants soldiers from the left, right and back while they should be battling with Birons territorial forces at the gate.

However. only the knight order will remain at the gate. They will make sure to participate in the defense by blending in with the territorial soldiers.

They will forcibly drag the territorial soldiers into the battle.

Meanwhile numerous footsteps, causing the earth to tremble, approached.

They came, huh? (Stiffels)

As there were the familiar armored appearances of the knights and soldiers when he looked towards the border, they were chased by a massive amount of soldiers from Horant as they headed towards this direction.

But, no matter how often I see this, that lot is giving me the creeps. (Stiffels)

The soldiers from Horant dont raise their voices and neither do their faces stiffen.

They are simply running in silence having a face only emitting a feeling of absent-mindedness.

More than about their war potential, he feels a chill in his spine due to the enemy not showing anything resembling an emotion.

This isnt the place to be preoccupied with such matters now, Stiffels shook his head.

The enemy came! Execute the strategy as planned! (Stiffels)

Following his order, the Second Knight Order and the soldiers, albeit slowly at the beginning, move in the direction of Mnster.

(With this Biron is finished. Ribezal is in such a sorry state. The influence within the royal castle will greatly slant towards us. Once Prince Ayperos is enthroned, I think I will aim for an even higher position.) (Stiffels)

Stiffels burns with the ambition, that even becoming the prime minister is in his reach in the future.

Whats this about! (Ayperos)

The chamberlains as well as the guarding soldiers, just looking at each other, none of them is able to reply to the raging Prince Ayperos.

Ayperos passed his time in depravity in the mansion prepared by Biron, but at the time he left the mansion in order to move to the front for having a look, there wasnt any people left within the city anymore.

Not just the prince was trembling. The chamberlains were likewise.

Having their meals and such brought in by the people of the city, the prince and his followers, having indulged in booze and women, didnt even feel like caring about something like the circumstances in the city.

The result is the current situation.

Someone explain it to me! (Ayperos)

A single shadow approached and quickly kneeled in front of the raging prince.

Your Highness, Prince Ayperos, Im at your service. (Ribezal)

Oh, Ribezal, huh? You came at a good time. Even Stiffels isnt here. Good grief, this fellow isnt useful at crucial times at all. (Ayperos)

As Ayperos asks So, whats this about?, Ribezal answers him with his eyes cast down.

Stiffels will probably soon come here. Driven away by Horants soldiers, I expect him to flee in this direction. (Ribezal)

What are you saying! That man, has he been defeated while previously bragging to such an extent!? (Ayperos)

Without even turning his eyes on the prince, who is unsightly stamping his feet, Ribezal continues.

This city was abandoned by Earl Biron. Currently he is leading the citizens escaping towards the capital on the highway. (Ribezal)

Even Earl Biron?! And he even left me behind while escaping!? (Ayperos)

The chamberlains are nothing but flustered due to Ayperos having a fit of anger with a deep red face.

Therefore it is I who came to receive you as soon as possible. (Ribezal)

I-I see! I wont have to worry then. Lets leave the city right away and return to the capital! (Ayperos)

That wont be happening. (Ribezal)

Before they became aware of it, they are surrounded in a circle by the members of the First Knight Order.

Every of them, with a befuddled face as if partially having blacked out, stood still and relaxedly held their swords.

Whats going on here? (Ayperos)

Thats whats going on. Do it. (Ribezal)

Following Ribezals order, the First Knight Order swung down their swords at the chamberlains and guards. Ayperos surroundings transformed into a pool of blood in an instant.

Wh-Wh-Wha (Ayperos)

Ayperos, backing off with quivering legs in a state of barely remaining standing, is easily seized by Ribezal and has his arms being bind behind his back.

S-Stop! What rudeness! D-Doing such a thing to me (Ayperos)

It has been an easy win just because you have panicked at this place. (Beirevra)

The concealed Beirevra gets close in front of Ayperos.

In his hands he is grasping the magic tool that was installed on Ribezal and the other knights.

Who are you bastard!? Whats this!? S-Stop it (Ayperos)

Dont worry, you wont feel any pain. Far from pain, you wont feel anything at all after having it attached. (Beirevra)

S-Stop (Ayperos)

Rolling up the expensive clothes, the magic tool was forced into the abundantly fat chest. The built-in pipes penetrated the interior of Ayperos body one by one.

At the beginning the prince was afraid and spasmed, but before long he became limp and ceased moving.

Upon Beirevras command Stand up the lying down Ayperos stood up unsteadily.

There cant be seen any light in his pupils anymore.

Kukuku (Beirevra)

By no means I expected it to go so smoothly up to this point, Beirevra couldnt hold back his laughter.

On top of capturing the prince alive, Beirevra was able to literally make him a puppet.

I wonder how much appreciation I will earn with this accomplishment?

Isnt it even possible for me to expect the position of a noble?

Accompanied by the living-corpse-like knights, Beirevra escaped from the city and chased after the feudal lord of Mnster for the sake of gaining even more accomplishments.