The Girl Who Bore the Flame Ring

Chapter 24: Crossing Yonder?Mountain

Entering the recently captured Rhine, Noel was taken to the local lord’s mansion. Total control of the city had been taken by Barbas at the head of the flying column.

“Hey, didn’t you burn down the mansion?”

“Ah, we thought of it, but they didn’t seem like they’d come out. So we had to burn down a warehouse. They take their jobs seriously, or they’re just stubborn.”

“I see.”

She scratched her head and looked at Barbas, along with the other nervous people who were lined up alongside the road. They were attendants, servants, maids and the like. Having never apparently intended on running, it seemed like they were rather devoted to their jobs, though they hadn’t particularly resisted much. Baharans were famous for being brave to a man, and resisting invaders, but, as expected, not everyone was the same. It wouldn’t be practical in reality to fixate on the local character. That was how Noel felt, having no idea what her homeland was like.

Now that I think about it, where am I from? Was I born in that church after all?

“Hmmm…”

Noel’s humming and hawing had no particular meaning, but one of the servants timidly spoke up, “Um, would it be acceptable to ask a question?”

“What is it?”

“What has become of our Count Berotte?”

“Oh. I asked him to surrender, but he tried to kill me instead, so I killed him. We have his head, actually. Do you want to see it?”

Noel lifted up the bundle she held in her hand. The attendants stepped back, gasping slightly under their breaths.

“I might want to give give him a funeral, but I can’t right now.”

“Is that so? That’s unfortunate.”

“Um, well, I don’t really want to kill you all, and I won’t attack the people of the city, so just do whatever you want.”

“E-even if you say that, we don’t know what to do now that Count Berotte is gone.”

“It’s fine, it’s fine. We’ll leave soon enough. I’ll ask Lord Grohl to properly send some people.”

“I, I see.”

Noel looked at the vaguely relieved servants.

“By the way, I would like to meet with the most well informed person around here. There are some things I would like to ask.”

“That isn’t a problem, but… the area around here is a tad unspecific. Where exactly are you thinking of?”

“The nearby mountains. Could you send me a hunter or woodsman or someone who frequents the Balkes mountain range? As quickly as possible, if you can.”

Noel patted the shoulder of the servant as she spoke, then she asked Barbas about where she could go and rest. He led her to Berotte’s office. Decorated with pots and paintings, it was a fairly pretty room. Noel’s eyes were particularly drawn to the Baharan silk rug.

“Woah, this is amazing. It’s super pretty, it’s like the design is glowing. How does that work?”

“It is exquisite. Buying one outside of Bahar would cost so much your eyes would hurt from looking at the price. We have similar ones in the mansions of Gemb.”

While Kai was speaking his thoughts, an old servant began explaining with a proud expression, “They are one of the city’s specialities. They are sewn from the cocoons of a special bug, and are created over a long period of time.”

It seems that they may have taken more pride in their craftsmanship than their military.

“I see. As expected of Baharan silks. I am very impressed.”

“Thank you very much. Count Berotte had used the very best, and he particularly liked this one.”

It seemed to have been one of his treasures. Noel started to want it, though it would usually offend people to take another person’s treasure. She wondered if it was different in some way regarding the dead. It was probably still bad, but she had received glasses that belonged to Cynthia’s late brother. Noel decided to try asking.

“Hey, if —and only if— I said I wanted to sell this, would you get mad?”

After she asked, the old man slowly shook his head, “No, the Count is already gone, and his wife died an early death before bearing any children. Which is why it might be best for the rug to be used by you, even an enemy. In exchange for that, I have a request: please do not bring violence to the people of the Rhine.”

“Okay, it’s a promise. Barbas, we’ll only be here a short while, but don’t pillage anything. Harsh punishment to those who violate the order. To be specific, I’ll smash their heads in.”

“Yes sir! If that’s what the Captain says, we’ll be gentle with the trembling lot. That aside, what’dya want to do with this rug?”

“I’ll have somebody take it to Madress. I want to take care of it in my room. I bet it’d feel great to have an afternoon nap on it… let’s try that out…”

Noel rolled onto the carpet, looking rather comfortable as she stretched out spread-eagle on it, gushing about it’s splendour. The thought it would be a waste to walk over it with shoes on, but she saw some truth in how the elderly attendant explained that its value was in its use. If a tool wasn’t used, it would detract from its value.

“Excuse me… wait, what exactly are you doing? No way… Are you acting like the tramp now? How filthy.”

Having entered the room, Riglette looked down on Noel as a fool. She looked at Barbas to emphasise the word tramp, and again began to play out their usual performance.

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“Who’s a tramp? It’s about time I teach that body of yours that there’s a limit to my patience.”

“How rude of me. I accidentally spoke the truth. Also, is not the rapidity at which you resort to violence mere proof of your going wild?”

“You fucking bitch!”

“Okay, okay, that’s enough.”

Noel, as she didn’t have much of a choice, stood to break up the fight. If they tried to kill eachother, the lovely carpet would become dirty in a pitifully short period of time.

“Let’s collect our thoughts. Now, come here too, Riglette, let’s have a meeting.”

At Noel’s insistence, Barbas, Riglette, and Kai sat down around an oblong table after the old attendant had politely taken his leave.

“That old man’s a nice guy isn’t he.”

“He’s probably just afraid that if he bothers you, you’ll kill everyone.”

“Well, that’s true.”

Noel didn’t particularly object to Riglette’s statement.

“More importantly, you said you wanted to hold a meeting, but I don’t even understand why we took the Rhine. To gain renown?”

“I’m sure that Sir Noel has something in mind. Either way, I am deeply impressed that the Rhine was taken in less than a day after the initial attack.”

Kai’s soldiers had been assigned to Barbas’ flying column, and had assisted with the capture, and partial razing of the city. Most importantly, they served as light infantry for the particularly rough White Ant Bloc. That was why Noel had sent them along.

“You two did well, after all. The timing was perfect. Thanks.”

“I cannot accept your praise. We just happened to break through at the right moment.”

“Hehe, thank you very much. You did a good job o’ rilin’ them up, by runnin’ away, Captain.”

“Honestly, I just pretended to be Riglette. When I did, the enemy got super angry and really chased us. It had a brilliant effect!”

Having completely heard that, Riglette piped up with a cramped expression, “You just said something I can’t overlook. Who were you pretending to be?”

It seemed like she was going to ask again in a much louder voice when Barbas interrupted her, “I’m sure it’s all your imagination. More importantly, how was it?”

“Oh, it was great. Much better than having to burn down the entire city.”

Noel was tapping the desk with her finger. There was no deeper meaning other than trying to look cool. Being neurotic, Riglette was bothered by it already, and had even tutted twice knowing that she couldn’t do anything about it. With one great, final tut, her irritation boiled over into speech. It seemed she had gotten angry.

“In the first place, when did you get those things? I didn’t know about them at all. Acting like that gets in the way of my ability to do my job as aide.”

She was wondering about the combustion stones that had been used to burn Berotte’s soldiers in the grove. It was the red mineral that had been mined in stead of gold in the Balkes mountain range which was powdered, mixed with water, and when fully processed, became a clay-like substance. When soaked in oil it would produce intense flames before finally exploding. It was the secret weapon that the White Ant Bloc had made many sacrifices to develop as the only way to process them without causing an explosion was to do so underwater.

“Even if you knew, it wouldn’t help, you bastard. After all, I was the one who proposed their use. It had to be an absolute secret to surprise those idiots. Hehe…”

“You’re the idiot. Hmph, it is something that a lowborn would think of, isn’t it.”

“And, did it surprise you?”

“It was more unpleasant than surprising. If you don’t tell me everything concerning the corps, I won’t be able to help if something comes up. For example, if you were to suddenly die in battle, it would cause problems, as I would have to take over command.”

Riglette was trying to provoke her, but Noel didn’t mind much. It was true even if she didn’t say anything.

“That’s true. Sorry, Riglette.”

“Ha, thinking about what happens if the captain dies, you really are a bitch. Hey, Captain, nobody’d complain if you killed her right now. Why don’t we do her in right here, burn the body and throw it away?”

“Try it if you can, you white haired monkey!”

Barbas’s hand was already on his sword. Flinching slightly, Riglette quickly regained her composure and glared at him while preparing to draw her own blade. If they actually fought, Barbas would probably win rather easily, but apologising was not in Riglette’s nature.

“Hey, we’re companions so there shouldn’t be any reason to try and kill each other, right? Barbas is the head of the White Ant Bloc, and Riglette is my precious aide. I need you both. So, please get along.”

At Noel’s words, the two of them venomously took their hands from their hilts and looked aside. Kai looked on in amusement as he had no reason to take a side.

“So, Captain Noel, what do you intend to do from here? I believe I said so earlier, but I don’t think there is any real strategic use to this remote location.”

“Ahaha, what are you saying, Riglette? The real thing starts now. We’ll send up a lovely burnt offering!”

“What? I have no idea what you are talking about. You’re a commander, but I don’t think you have the free time to joke around.”

Noel changed her tone of voice and ordered Riglette, who had her eyes still cast aside, that if she didn’t carefully follow through with her instructions, it would cause problems. Cynthia had taught her to be decisive when she had to be.

“Riglette, I’m sending you to the viceroy with Berotte’s head. When you are there, tell him this: Noel Corps has opened a secret path through the Balkes mountain range, and will raid the Baharan capital of Vesta. If we are successful in our arson attacks, provided we receive reinforcements, it should be possible to take the city. If possible, please send Cynthia’s unit to reinforce, as it would be troublesome for two commanders with no understanding of eachother to work together.”

“How foolish. I doubt that something so ridiculous will be approved. Didn’t you get laughed at the last time you said something like this?”

“I have seven hundred men, and Kai has one hundred, totalling eight hundred. If combined with Cynthia’s thousand, we should be able to deal a devastating blow to Vesta. We’d use all of the combustion stones that Barbas brought. We’ll burn down all the farms surrounding the castle.”

“Another daring plan… but, if you do it like that, it’ll rile people up. Are you ready for that, Captain? You’ll probably get stuck with a worse nickname than fiend.”

Noel responded calmly, “The Baharans laid waste to Coimbran cities and villages, so they can’t complain when we take revenge. At the end of the day, the winner is right, after all. That’s how everyone thinks, and they’ll let it slide. Such is the way of the world, and so it can’t be helped. And so I will do it.”

Barbas was stunned for a moment, but after he was told about what happened to Rockbell, he didn’t harbour any more objections. Attacking the weak would make him want to vomit, but that was only limited to his fellow Coimbrans.

“Karma has long been taught in Gemb. It means that good things come of good deeds, but evil ends come of evil deeds; however, that rarely proves to be the case. The world is truly a complicated and mysterious place.”

Kai closed his eyes and repeatedly muttered to himself with his eyes closed. Noel could hardly understand what he had said. It was truly complicated and mysterious.

“Well, I’m a fiend prone to heinous acts, after all, so whatever sins I commit from here on out won’t matter much. Oh, should I paint the face of a demon on a flag to use this time? I’m sure everyone would be surprised!”

Riglette struck the table in opposition, “Please stop! As long as I’m here, do not raise such a flag! I don’t want to be seen as a fool!”

It seemed that she had taken the joke seriously.

“Hahaha! That’s a rather Gembi thing to do. Sir Noel, if you are ostracised in Coimbra, feel free to emigrate to Gemb. I would welcome you with open arms. I’m sure our viceroy, Siden wouldn’t mind either.”

Kai had invited her with a serious expression, and, slightly troubling over her reply, Noel responded with, “I’ll consider it,” but she did so while looking at the map spread out upon the table.

It was about time for their local guide to arrive. A hunter or a woodsman would know the Balkes mountain range like the back of his hand. They had to get useful military intelligence out of him.

“It would be good if he obediently answers my questions. If he doesn’t, will you draw out the answers, Riglette?”

“I’m very sorry, but there is no way that I will approve of a surprise attack on Vesta. Please tell me why you are so fixated on it.”

Riglette’s question had been posed with a tut, and a disapproving face.

“Sure, okay. I’m only telling you the truth because the Viceroy and the Major Generals aren’t here, though. If you ask me, I have no idea why everyone is fussing over taking so much Baharan territory.”

“Wouldn’t that be to seize Baharan assets after Amil has been made to take responsibility? Though unlikely, if we defeat Amil, Grohl will become the most powerful candidate for emperor. That’s just nonsense, though.”

Both Kai and Riglette agreed with Barbas’ words.

“That’s if we win, eh? There’s no point if we don’t win. In the first place, the goal of this operation is to prevent the inauguration of Amil as crown prince.”

“Well, that’s true, I suppose. I don’t think it is unusual to stop the enemy’s progress in an attempt to win, though, is it?”

“It is important, but I don’t think it is worth the time. I’m most worried about whether or not the local lords are really in the imperial capital. I want to strike Vesta to confirm my suspicions. I also can’t pretend to ignore the provincial capital if I want to protect my reputation.”

“You keep saying those kinds of things… There shouldn’t be any problems with the reports from my father and Lord Gaddis’ spies…”

“I’m still curious about it; Major Generals Wilm and Gaddis, and Leue going as an envoy to Ribeldam. They all propose that the armies advance slowly and carefully despite the fact that the last thing the Baharan administration should want is for Coimbra to accept some sacrifices and advance rapidly. It’d be no laughing matter if the fortress at Vesta falls before they get back.”

Kai nodded slightly, “Hmm, you have a point. If I was in charge of Bahar, I wouldn’t be able to stand it if the capital I put so much effort into fell.”

“I know, right? If it was me, I’d provoke Coimbra into making the first move, and prepare for a righteous counter attack. After that, I’d use hidden troops to cut off their escape, and trap the entire army. The hidden troops would be the lords pretending to go to the imperial capital. Oh, and should the Baharan navy cooperate with Ribeldam’s? If they can buy enough time for the lords to return, victory is practically guaranteed. The most important thing would be to give the Coimbran commanders the sense that they could win right up until the very end.”

Having managed to put her glasses on at some point, Noel adjusted them proudly. Her throat had gotten dry from so much talk, and so she drank a glass of water. It was warm from the heat, and not very refreshing.

“Captain, it might not be a good idea to talk about this in a loud voice. More importantly, it’s dangerous to spout off about your speculations. We don’t know who might be listening in after all. There’s always a rat.”

Barbas looked like he was going to continue, but he shut his mouth, though his gaze drifted over to Riglette. He was sure she was with Wilm, and she didn’t even try to hide her discomfort. That much was obvious, as Noel had blatantly brought up her qualms with Wilm and Gaddis’ plan, but that wasn’t the only reason for her disquiet. She had already guessed that her father was fostering relations with Amil. She had seen the many messengers coming from and going to Bahar, and so there was no mistaking where he lay; however, there was nobody who would have believed her if she brought it up. At best, she would be locked up under house arrest under the pretense of insanity which was why she had no choice but to obediently follow along with their schemes. She had no choice if she wanted to survive. Noel was going against the flow of events, and so she had been sent to her. Riglette had no idea what would be best for her to do. Her discomfort was unbearable.

“T-then I have something I want to ask. Aren’t all your thoughts based on speculation?”

Noel responded definitively, “Yup!”

She had no proof. She wanted to send out scouts, but if Noel was correct, there would be no need to. It would be good if they could confirm the force of the nearby enemy local lords, but it couldn’t be done.

“In that case, I think it is incredibly foolish to make a hasty plan based on unreliable rumors. On top of that, is there even any evidence that we can win?”

Again, Noel proclaimed assertively, “Ahaha, you’re talking just like your dad, but there’s no way to prove that we can win. You can’t know until you try.”

No matter how much thinking was done, the plan would have to be implemented to know if it was a success or a failure. If everything went exactly according to plan, they could even change who would become the next emperor.

“How incredibly foolish. It’ll bring shame to and become the laughing stock of the Coimbran army. If you call yourself a knight, you should at least have some common sense!”

“Who needs common sense? It doesn’t matter how much they laugh if I win. In the first place, there can never be any ‘definitive proof of victory.’ If there is any, it’s probably only a trap. War is about getting behind the enemy and deceiving them, isn’t it? That’s what they taught me, after all.”

Riglette ignored her own faults, and spoke ill of Noel, “T-that’s sophistry. It’s because you only run your mouth that your superiors want you watched!”

She, in fact, was the one who habitually said too much and irritated Wilm. She distanced herself from superiors, equals, and subordinates alike. Even though she knew it, she couldn’t stop. She was deeply afraid that someday soon she would call a superior officer a fiend and be beaten to a pulp because of it. Not being able to stop herself even then must have been some kind of disease.

“In any case, I can’t ignore any more orders. If the viceroy absolutely refuses to start the attack, I’ll call it off as it doesn’t comply with military regulations, or the orders of my superiors.”

She would only call off the assault, and continue with her razing of the countryside. If she couldn’t do that much, everything would have been a waste.

“W-why are you saying such obvious things so arrogantly?”

“I’m entrusting the message for the viceroy to you. Barbas, let me know when the woodsman or hunter arrives. You can do whatever you want to, Kai. We’ll let the troops rest a while.”

“Understood!”

“Well then, I’ll just laze about.”

Once Noel had seen everyone off, she began rolling around on the silk rug. She wondered how fortuna’s wheel would spin. Noel couldn’t predict what would happen at all, which was why she could only focus on the task at hand and do it as well as possible. Noel thought uncomplicated thoughts. She wanted Cynthia to come if she could. They wouldn’t lose if they fought together. The capture of Vesta would surely go well.

At a certain campsite in Bahar, Amil’s forces were having a short rest on the way back from the imperial capital. They numbered around thirty thousand. They were on their way towards the twenty thousand men under Major General Varzeck with the intention of coordinating a pincer attack from both the north and the south. There were approximately ten thousand guards remaining in Bahar. Naturally, the defence was rather thin in each city. The plan aside, it was unbearable to give up the cities to the enemy. Amil fought hard to stifle the horrible sensation in his stomach, but was still troubled by it.

“Lord Amil. A message from fort Carness. Commander of One Thousand Hoslo fought to the end, and died heroically in battle.”

“I see. Hoslo completed his mission? At the dawn of my time as emperor, I must make sure to return his body to his family.”

Amil’s most wise advisor Mills gave his report, reading from the papers in one hand, “There is one more piece of bad news. The Rhine, in the Balkes mountain range, has fallen. Count Berotte died sallying forth from the city which now appears to be under enemy control.”

With tousled hair, he had a face that was gentle and kind. At first glance, he was merely a man of gentle manners, but all of the plans he proposed were diabolical. He was a man who could not be judged by his appearance. If Falid’s Black Sun Cavalry were in charge of the army, Mills was in charge of the plan. Harnessing the two’s maximum potential had brought Amil to the verge of taking the imperial throne. They were men who would not fail to bring about Amil’s military rule.

“Did you say that the Rhine has fallen? Things have gotten slightly troublesome.”

Amil looked at the map spread out across the table. If the Coimbran army was aiming for the Baharan capital city of Vesta, they would have to take the central highway, but if they accepted the risks and crossed the mountains, the Rhine would be the closest base of operations.

“I’m sorry, but isn’t it possible that they’ve simply attacked somewhere that was lightly defended without any particular plans? It wouldn’t be a surprising move for those Coimbran fools.”

The one officer had been optimistic, but Mills wouldn’t have any of it. Naturally, Amil thought the same.

“We cannot afford to underestimate our enemy. The greatest weakness of the military might of Bahar is how quickly it lowers its guard. In war the situation is always changing, and commanders must take such changes into account when making moves. The commander who took the Rhine is probably hoping to cross the mountains without issue. It wouldn’t be surprising if the locals knew one or two ways through.”

After ruffling his hair, Mills, placed a piece on the map with the Coimbran scales, and slid it towards the Balkes mountain range.

“However, I doubt this is my brother’s doing. Since the decline of Coimbra, he has become obsessive over his reputation to the point of despising risks. I can’t imagine him quickly devising this kind of plan.”

Doing so would pen Amil in, but betting everything on baseless rumors would cause his reputation to completely dissolve. The development of Bahar in contrast to Coimbra’s decline had planted the idea in the minds of the plebeians that Amil had surpassed Grohl. It was underhanded, but that much was only natural when aiming for the imperial throne, and Grohl was retaliating in any way that he could, so he was in no position to criticize them.

“In that case, he must have unfortunately gained a wise ally.”

“I haven’t heard of such a thing.”

“Which means that this commander may have done this of his own accord.”

“That’s the problem. He’s gallivanting about on his horse, splashing water on our brotherly competition. Isn’t that right, Mills?”

Amil turned his eyes to Mills who, smiling, took another piece of paper from his breast pocket.

“I fully agree. My spies reported that the one who took the Rhine is a certain Noel Bosheit, a commander of one hundred leading fewer than one thousand men. They seem to be resting there in preparation for something.”

“Only a thousand won’t be an issue, but the problem lies in any potential reinforcements. It probably isn’t possible for the current garrison in and around Vesta to defend the city.

“Exactly. It is like a knife held at our throats. I would like us to retake it immediately, Lord Amil.”

Another officer submitted his opinion, but Amil shook his head.

“We are moving secretly. If we send troops to take it back, it will reveal the true position of our main force, I’m afraid. If that happens, everything will come to nothing. It would be the pinnacle of folly for us to do that if we ever want to end things in a single decisive battle… honestly, that Noel has gone and done something annoying.”

“About that, it seems that Noel has recently come to serve Coimbra. Furthermore, she is a woman, and has come to be feared as the fiend for her military prowess. In fact, she is the one who killed Sir Hoslo. Good gracious, to think that the famously weak Coimbran soldiery could produce a fiend… it really happened.”

Mills was brought to his knees in his obvious dramatization. He was already beginning to formulate a plan to bring her down for Amil could not afford to become negligent. If all went well, his plans would bring Amil to the throne. That kind of man had to be used to attain it, such was the fate of those on top.

A smile floated freely across Amil’s face as he turned to talk to the silent Falid beside him, “Hehe, a woman is the fiend. Falid, it seems somebody has beaten you at your own game.”

Falid furrowed his eyebrows, and carefully stated his opinion, “Haha, this Noel woman could certainly become a threat to us. She was the one who not only captured Sir Ristih earlier, but also killed Geb and Ned. Both of whom were good soldiers. While there is no reason to buy into the rumors, we can’t afford to ignore her.”

He was sure of his own abilities, but would not look down on the enemy. Living with too much pride was the first step on the road to defeat. It had been thoroughly beaten into his head at that place.

“That’s quite amazing. In that case, we must do something about it, mustn’t we?”

“Then why don’t we take the best of the Black Sun Cavalry and send them to raid the Rhine? It won’t be too difficult to simply drive Noel out of the region. If our numbers are few, I don’t think that we’ll raise much suspicion.”

“Yes, that’s one option. Playing it by the book would have us quickly remove the hindrance as it might grow into something unpleasant if given too much time.”

Amil began to think as he stared off into the distance, and Mills began to laugh sickeningly.

“Fffupht haa haffph, what, what? There’s no need to worry. This is why we’ve spent time and money fostering cooperative Coimbrans. We’ve even sent them notes promising fame and rewards after the war. It’s sudden, but why don’t we set our Major General into action!”

“Do you intend to use Wilm? If he does too much, my brother will surely notice.”

“That is true, but we need to use whomever we can. We’ve sacrificed a great amount to gain him for the future of Bahar. We can use this method in war as well as domestic affairs.”

Mills showed his teeth as he smiled, his mild expression transforming into one of a devilish schemer in an instant. It was the true nature of the two-faced man. His mastery of both hard and soft methods had been put to good use for Amil who intended to appoint him as prime minister at the dawn of his reign. He would make Falid the general of the army. Amil had no intentions of letting go of Bahar, wanting to leave behind a magistrate so that he could rule over it exactly as he wanted. Keeping the brave soldiers of Bahar at his side was something he wanted to do.

“That makes sense. It is certainly as you say. We had better use everyone that we can. It doesn’t matter if we have to discard them afterwards. We should sow disorder in my brother’s camp.”

“Huehe, thank you very much. Lord Amil, I, Mills, will take care of everything! Let’s remove this female demon of Coimbra with a single piece of paper. Fuahahaheehua haa!”

“Okay, I’ll entrust the matter of exterminating the demon to you. Instruct Wilm as you please. Everything is permissible. Falid, we’ll proceed with the troops as planned.”

“Your will is mine. Fuaaahaha, I, Mills, am extremely honoured to be the herald of Lord Amil’s reign!”

“I leave it to you!”

Falid and Mills nodded and bowed deeply. Seeing it, Amil too nodded in satisfaction.

Author’s Note:

For the moment I will be brief in my comments, as it would turn into a spoiler no matter what. I will quickly get to fixing my typoes.