The Girl Who Eats the God of Death
Chapter 05 - Carrots Shape Good, Delicious Taste

The headquarters of the Royal Capital Liberation Army, Fort Salvador

The leaders of all the officers on duty are holding a war meeting aimed at the cooperation that will take place in the near future.

"According to the information from our spies, as expected, the main enemy forces moved into the Alucia Plain. It's not wrong anymore because the information from the rebels also indicates this."

"That's the same way you say, it's a frontal attack. Their ambush in the forest had failed, and they also had to cross the river. Judging from the personality of General Yalder, someone who believed in [Strength in Numbers], he was thinking of coming at us from the front."

Deiner the Tactician muttered uninterestedly as he placed a piece of horse, representing a unit, on a map stretched out on a table.

"How is construction progressing?"

"We've done development work on all the enemy's estimated attack routes. We'll be done soon, that's how he says."

"We do tricks on them, what they might think. Our troops are in reality weaker than their troops. This would be a suitable decoy to defeat the Royal army."

"Now that master Tactics has estimated so far, the rest is the work of our officers and men. My arms are tingling!"

Said the 50-year-old senior commander, Behrouz. Unhappy with the deterioration of the Kingdom, he was a man of great morality who led his men to join the Liberation Army. Big battles were common to him, and he could calmly assess the progress of the battle.

"So it's all done."

"However, we cannot limit ourselves to proceed as planned. We don't know what's gonna happen. This is a battleground."

Deiner slightly warned Altura who nodded her head in satisfaction. Altura spontaneously smiled bitterly and replied,

"I know. Even a moment of hesitation is taboo. I feel that anyway."

"When the position is favorable to progress, reinforcement is necessary. Looking at history until now, there have been many cases of people who have great merit that has fallen and been destroyed. For the sake of the citizens, we must not allow the same mistake to be repeated."

The officers silently agreed to the words. The incompetent statesman. Rough arbitrary government. A widespread public security mess. They will liberate the citizens from all that and once again restore the Kingdom to its former prosperity. That was the mission of the Royal Capital Liberation Army, their raison d'etre[2].

"We are also supported with the full power of the Empire. By the time the Princess takes the throne, you will bring eternal peace to the continent of Mundo Novo."

"We thank you, Prince Alan. We are constantly receiving care packages, volunteer soldiers, and we are even well equipped with magic weapons. We were able to stand up to this extent all thanks to you."

"We only work according to the orders of His Majesty the Emperor. And what moves His Majesty's heart is your loyalty to the citizens. It's not a trivial thing. No one can lead the Liberation Army but you."

"......Thank you, Prince Alan."

True Motives or Public Fraud. It's clear which one. It was impossible that the supreme leader of the Keyland Empire who supported would be manipulated by the naive ideal of 'For the sake of citizens'.

Although the Empire had been hit by the effects of crop failures, their frenetic internal regulation had not changed. Increased rebellion, increased banditry, swelling war expenditure–The empire barely failed to maintain control a step before discontent exploded and nothing else would remain.

However, their sworn enemy, the Kingdom side grew rougher. His incompetent king lacked the ability to suppress discontent, and it would be appropriate to say that it was too late to improve the public order that had been shattered. Plus now are the times of rebellion of the Royal Capital Liberation Army.

This was the best opportunity for the Empire to increase its liberation army, aggressively support it, and send it to overthrow the Kingdom.

They organized a volunteer army, designed further additions to the war potential by sending the Second Prince to the liberation force, and once this was accomplished, they would gain the initiative.

Alan, the commander of the Liberation Army, had no strange thoughts to that extent. She had fallen by Altura's charm, and she thought of earnestly helping Altura as an individual.

After all, the one who would inherit the imperial throne was the eldest son, and he was nothing more than a reserve.

"Sorry! I came with urgent information!"

In the strategy conference room, came a soldier with a confused appearance. One group of generals scowled, but they had deduced from the soldier's appearance that it was bad news.

".....It's very disrespectful. Calm down and report. You're wasting your time and stamina."

"Well-well! Please forgive me! Just now, the members of the Intelligence Corps sent to spy on Antigua Branch Castle had been repatriated, but—!"

"If I'm not mistaken, Voleur should have been there to observe the enemy's movements last night."

"Y-Yes but. According to the enemy soldier who is now a deserter, Colonel Voleur has been killed."

"……….."

Alan displayed a doubtful expression. He could not believe that the formidable warrior had been killed so suddenly. Judging that it might be a mistake from the wrong report, he opened his mouth.

"It doesn't make sense. Voleur's spearmanship was the best in the entire Empire. He wouldn't be killed by something like a royal soldier. Go in search of certainty once again, there is a possibility that this is just a joke."

"....Colonel Ma-Mayat has been brought here. I-I have made sure of it with my own eyes. That was Colonel Voleur's performance. The members of the Intelligence Corps also witnessed the entire incident from beginning to end, so it is unmistakable."

On Voleur's body there were many wounds. His head had been severed, and it was unknown what kind of expression he had when he met his end.

".....Is it known who killed him?"

"About that, the members of the army were in a very unstable state. They just repeatedly said that it was done by a Death God, and we couldn't make them say any more detailed situations. Also, the defectors who happened to be in the CTF have also been questioned. According to them, the one who did it was a young girl carrying a huge scythe—."

"Soon me there soon. I'll make sure of it myself with my own eyes. By a Death God, the little girl holding a large scythe? It doesn't make sense. It's completely incomprehensible."

"Please, this way. The Colonel's body is right over here."

Everyone from the Empire who came to help, even Alan, came along, guided by that soldier. After seeing them off, Deiner the Tactician opened his mouth.

"Mr Princess. This is a battlefield. There is a danger of death coming to anyone and at any time. Friend, lover, brother. They could all become corpses all of a sudden. Do you have the determination to feel this great sadness from now on?"

"—That's for sure. On top of the corpses and the large amount of blood I stood. At the same time, I will minimize the number of casualties. That is my duty, as a commander of the Liberation Army, and my title as a royal family. I'll never run away."

Altura closed her eyes and placed her hand on her chest.

"We are officers, generals, and even soldiers. We devote our soul and body to realizing the dream of the Princess."

Deiner silently lowered his head, and the military officers raised their hands above their heads and shouted,

"FOR THE VICTORY OF THE LIBERATION ARMY"

"FOR THE PUBLIC SAFETY OF THE ROYAL CITIZENS"

"LIVE YOUR MAJESTY PRINCESS ALTURA"

—The Royal Capital Liberation Army is moving towards Alucia Plain.

****************

Sidamo gave a report to General Yalder

"According to the information from our spies, the main enemy forces have departed for the Plains of Alucia."

"I understand. So rather than being cooped up and destroyed, they chose to be destroyed on the plains. They've saved our efforts!"

"There have been reports that enemy spy units have been doing work on the plain. However, we don't have any details."

"Did they dig a trap hole?"

"Unknown, however, it seems that they have deployed a large number of people."

To come to the Salvadoran Fortress, one had to traverse the plain, pass through the forest, or take a detour and cross the Alucia River.

The Jira Division that had been annihilated a few days ago had launched a surprise attack through the forest. If they were to do the same, it would probably require several times of the time required if they were to be wary of traps or take detours.

For the Third Army who had no surplus of food, it was a route they did not want to take. Moreover, the known danger of crossing a river was something they did not want to face.

"There's no point in taking a detour. We, the heavily armored Steel Division, will destroy everything, look at us!"

"Right, they use a trick or a trap is proof that they are in a difficult moment. A simple frontal attack would be to our advantage."

It was suggested that Major General Kyros led the cavalry and Major General Dhanush led the heavy infantry. They were both born from famous families and would definitely be promoted in the future. For the sake of being at the peak of factional strife, they wanted to obtain achievements no matter what the cost. Jira, who was one of their rivals, went and was killed for her own actions, and they laughed in their hearts.

"Your. Surely, we won't do as far as taking a detour. To be more precise, a detour like crossing a river was extremely dangerous. As in the art of war, we might be attacked while off guard."

"For sure."

"I've decided. There is no need to stray from our path and waste more time."

".....By the way, Sidamo. What about the troops you've assembled?"

"Each pack-under supervision, 3,000 light cavalry have been deployed. They came out of the forest a few days ago and were tasked with an attack on the enemy's food warehouse."

An organized army of just 3,000 light cavalry had taken a route separate from the main force and was given the task of attacking the food warehouse. After being defeated by a surprise attack, the enemy would not expect them to do the same, they planned to fool the enemy.

On the other hand, if the enemy already knows their movements, then they can divide the main army of the enemy. This is a plan without gaps.

"good job. It's good if it goes according to plan, and even if it gets caught, we can at least split the enemy forces. Without any loss, what an extraordinary plan, Chief Officer Sidamo. Our victory has been confirmed."

"I am honored to receive such praise. Also, the soldier who had killed General Voleur of the Empire had also been appointed Second Lieutenant according to my recommendation. He has little experience in leading, but he has considerable strength. He will probably prove how useful he is after this to the Honorable Major General."

It was unprecedented, but the rank of Second Lieutenant had been given to the vice-leader of the other forces. Not because of his leadership ability, but because of his combat power, or so Sidamo predicted.

"Hohhhhhhhhh. I look forward to. After this battle, I will promote him. However, being able to be killed by a single soldier alone, it seemed that the people who came as supporters were no big deal. Or is it because of our incredible Kingdom?"

Yalder let out a carefree laugh. Remembering Voleur's head had cleared the humiliation of defeat a few days ago. Being in a good mood after kicking that head as much as he wanted, he even went drunk.

"Our royal soldiers are far superior. They are the result of regular and rigorous training and the leadership of the Honorable Major General."

"After all, the rebel army is just a chaotic army. That's not going to change because they're just rounding up thieves. Also, most of those who came to support the rebels were just sissy soldiers and brainless commanders. There is no way to victory against us, the greatest elite kingdom. Moreover, we are at the end of a battle by the Honorable Major General, the most eminent general of the army."

"Haha-h! You gave a very nice compliment!! After we successfully annihilate the rebel forces, the next one is the Empire. Then, once again, we will join forces, and our Yuze Kingdom will then unite the continents, right?!"

"The Honorable Promotion of Major General Yalder to the Marshal (commander-in-chief) has been confirmed. After all, the proof was that the Third Army Corps was the most elite army of the Kingdom."

"Marshal Sharov is old enough. No one is suitable but you to be the key to the Kingdom after this. We swear our allegiance to you."

Kyros and Danush.

"The Honorable Major General will undoubtedly become a Hero of the Kingdom."

Sidamo said, not wanting to lose. For the awakening of the Arte Family that had fallen and broken, she must have reached the highest attainment of her Yalder—pastinya, in order to clear the humiliation of her late brother.

For that sake, he would throw away his pride and advance to the peak of this social position.

"I will never forget your efforts for me. Let's achieve greatness together!"

"Ready sir-!"

—Royal Forces, Third Corps of Forces, proceed as planned to advance to Alucia Plain.

******************

The cavalry assigned to Schera had come out of the Northern Forest and slid towards the Liberation Army's food warehouse. They numbered 3,000 people.

"Hey, Second Lieutenant Schera. What if you don't eat while riding a horse?"

Shouted a young man, turning towards Schera who was riding a horse next to him.

"Eat whenever there is an opportunity. That's motoku. If I am a lager, I cannot fight to the fullest. This can't be forgiven, but I can't follow your orders."

"No, that's not an order.... Well whatever. Your power over Voleur, I have high hopes. I received a recommendation from Officer Sidamo's Chief of Staff directly. I want you to try your best."

The officer commanding the cavalry unit hesitated, but the Chief Staff Officer had spoken to him, so there might be no mistake.

Schera's riding ability radiated completely from his body, and he was not an obstacle to move. Even compared to the members of that Cavalry unit, he was quite good. He was curious where Schera gained such abilities, yet he did not dare to ask anything, because as a commander, Schera was nothing more than an outstanding subordinate. Once Schera is no longer useful, or killed, she will soon forget about Schera.

"Ready sir-!"

While saluting, Schera took out her carrot which was cut into a uniform and started chewing it like a rabbit. The horse that Schera was riding on looked pale as the sunlight and sweat made his body sparkle.

****************

Note :

Raison d'etre:' a French term often used in English, meaning the reason for existence