The Girl Who Eats the God of Death
Chapter 08 - Bread Given As A Gift May Taste Delicious

The capital of Yuze Kingdom, Blanca. After the defeat at the Battle of Alucia and the fall of Antigua Branch Castle, the generals of the First Army held a debate by voicing their policies for the future.

"Although he was given double the number of soldiers, I heard he lost the battle. General Yalder is a disappointment!"

"The survivors of the Third Army, including the guards, numbered 40,000. They're currently recruiting from the area around Belta, but they're nervous about supplies, a request that we have to send things and arrows has come."

"We're not sending anything. Send a directive to them to conduct a recquisition from the nearby plantation villages. The items are here for the First Army defending the Royal Capital. We have sent more supplies to the Third Force than they needed when we deployed that army!"

Exasperated Lieutenant General Barbora hits his desk. He was one of the Generals affiliated with the First Army. He insisted that the subjugation of the rebel forces should be handed over to the First Army from the start. Barbora, who heard the news of the Third Army's defeat, issued harsh criticism of Yalder repeatedly, as if she were in her own camp. He had fallen behind in promotion speed, so he was waiting for an opportunity and a gap to knock Yalder down.

"Worst of all, we should consider leaving the Central Border Zone. In the southeast direction were the Fourth and Fifth Forces. We don't have any reserves to take back Antigua."

The Second Army was responsible for the defense of the southeastern region of the Kingdom. Suppressing the Empire in the northwest were the two Korp Forces, the Fourth and Fifth Forces.

The sturdy walls of the fort were built on the northwestern region which was dangerous enough to block the main road.

The reason why serious consideration was put into the defense of the northwest was very simple. Without that area, one could follow the main road that led directly to the Royal Capital.

"That really doesn't make any sense. The rebel forces will be happy if we just leave. The Central Border Zone with fertile land was an important region for the Kingdom. We must defend it to the end!"

"Stay, isn't it true that we don't have any additional military power anywhere!? You plan on producing soldiers where the hell?"

"We lack money, soldiers, and supplies. We can't just do it! We must report to His Majesty to increase the military budget!"

The senior generals who did not know the current state of financial affairs expressed their own thoughts as they pleased. They were coldly stared at by the civil officers who knew the true state of financial affairs, but they were unaware of it.

"Anu, that is, everything is General Yalder's fault for losing! We have to call him and bring him to justice!"

Barbora was very supportive of that while spitting out.

"I agree with Lieutenant General Barbora! It hurts me a lot, but it's to fix the disruption in military regulation. Your Honor, Sharov, what's your decision?"

They asked, turning to the opinions of the veteran army general who listened to everyone's opinions with both eyes closed. He was an old soldier with white hair and clear wrinkles, but he still maintained his sturdy body. There is no doubt that this man with a serious face was the commander of the First Army, Sharov Bazarov.

In the previous Great War, the only person who overcame resistance from the Empire and the Union after their failed operation and reversed the situation until the armistice agreement was signed was Sharov's great-grandfather.

Therefore, the Bazarov Family continued to produce many warriors, and there were many who were promoted at high positions.

Sharov also freely displayed his intelligence and was promoted to Commander-in-Chief, the highest rank in the Royal Army. Right now, he was the last line of defense belonging to the Royal Capital and carried out the task of observing the Capital's borders.

".....Right now, if we release Yalder's assignment, Belta will fall, we'll have to refrain from reckless behavior."

"However, is it not a problem that Antigua has fallen? I don't think General Yalder can defend Belta!"

"There have been reports that the enemy used a new weapon in the previous battle. There is a high probability of the same outcome no matter who we send. We have underestimated the Rebel Troop."

"What do you mean is the Magic Mine mentioned earlier?"

The mines carried by Schera were sent to the Royal Capital and handed over to the research group. Currently the mine is being dismantled, likely to find a way to replicate it through experimentation. The structure is simple, and dismantling it is not difficult, that is what the report says. The danger lies in the immense magical power. As long as the mine did not explode, it was nothing more than an ordinary iron drum.

"In addition, they lost, but they did not let the enemy approach Belta so far. Yalder may be reckless, but he is a brave general. His name even spread throughout the Central Border Zone. Because of him, the neighboring feudal lords remained loyal to him despite knowing his defeat. .....If we move outposts now and disrupt the chain of command, that gap will be attacked. The Rebels are waiting for an opportunity to destroy us."

"M-Even though!"

"—I'm sure that it's better that I myself set out with the First Army soldiers of the Royal Capital and destroy the enemy together with the Third Army."

"............."

"....These may be the words of the Honorable Commander-in-Chief, but the matter of General Yalder has been reported to the King through the Chief Minister. I'm sure that his discharge is only a matter of time."

"Is that right?"

Barbora questioned the civil officer with a sharp voice.

"Yes, sir, it's not wrong anymore."

Hearing that answer, Barbora giggled. With this, one sight destroyer would disappear. Duty exemption doubtful. He was going to prosecute Yalder militarily, and he even wanted to corner Yalder and take her down. In reality, he wouldn't mind if Yalder died. The rival must be completely destroyed.

"Honored One. With this, it has been decided. His duty release was too tolerant. We have to lift the military regulations and tell them to take proper responsibility!"

“…………”

"Honor Sharov!"

"Honored One! Please make your decision!"

"I will see His Majesty, and confirm it myself. Until then, I will delay the decision on this case!"

Stated sternly, and the mouths of the officers who were fumbling at him instantly fell silent. After a deep******, Sharov left the meeting room.

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

Blanca Royal Palace, Throne Room.

Through the middle of the palace guards marching, Sharov went to meet the King.

Sitting on the throne is the King of Yuze Kingdom, Kristoff Yuze Unimat. He had a bright future waiting for him, and he was a young man who had a lot of wisdom. However, as she gets involved in a sudden heirs scramble, Kristoff has changed. In the midst of a complicated trial, he had sacrificed many humans and obtained the throne.

However, he slowly stopped his worries about politics, and it was like he was isolating himself in the inner palace. After his beloved son died of an illness, he became like that.

He worshipped religiously, and it was around this time that he began pouring vast amounts of wealth into donations and building temples.

He kept away the civil officers who rebuked him, and sometimes held them, and the only people who remained nearby were the palace men who whispered sweet lies to his ears. This skinny man, who stood out beside the King, could be considered the first on the list of palace people.

He was the Chief Minister of the Kingdom, Farzam. The reason why the young man, 35, had obtained the position of the highest civilian officer was simple. This man had been serving the King from a very young age, and he used it to his greatest advantage. He whispered auspicious words and cleared away all that did not follow his thoughts. He revoked their titles of nobility, or banished them, and there was no shortage of people he had killed.

From the beginning, it was this man who opposed the leader of one of the leaders of the Liberation Army, Princess Altura. Sharov is convinced that Farzam is the mastermind behind the domestic conflict.

"—Yang Mulia. I, Sharov, came to the front to inquire about a matter."

Sharov knelt down and asked the King for his opinion. First Minister Farzam stepped forward and asked about his affairs.

"Isn't that Your Honor, Commander-in-Chief Sharov. What business do you have?"

"I'd like to speak to His Majesty directly. I'm sorry, but I want the Chief Minister to step down first."

"That's rude. The Honorable Great Commander, it seems that he recently closed his heart tightly. Please watch yourself."

Farzam said, smiling and lowering his head respectfully. Sharov looked angrily at him with his eyes narrowed and turned his gaze to the King.

"—Yang Mulia. Is it true that Yalder will be relieved?"

"....Thas right. Yalder can't win. Although I sent a letter of encouragement to him a moment ago to maintain morale. There's no point in sending reinforcements if Belta falls."

By all rights, he wanted to immediately release Yalder, but there was a shortage of talented personnel to carry him on. All the Major General rankers of the Third Army had been killed in the battle. They were currently in a difficult situation where there were only officers left. Until a successor can be dispatched, the role can only be entrusted to Yalder alone.

"Is there an opportunity for reconsideration?"

"......There aren't. This matter has been decided."

The King replied in a lethargic tone to Sharov. His face was pale, and there was a dark shadow under his eyes. It was hard to call the King healthy, and it seemed that he was in a habit of neglecting his health.

"Alright then, please point me, Sharov, to the Third Army. Put the blame for losing Alucia to me, Sharov. I, along with Yalder, will definitely destroy the Rebel Army, I will show you."

"Your Majesty. Grand Commander Sharov was the most famous general in the entire kingdom. No one but him could stay to defend the Royal Capital. Moreover, General Yalder is not on par with the Great Commander."

Farzam interrupted, and he advocated that only Yalder be released. Sharov had to be a "decoration" in the Royal Capital. After all, his fame was still useful.

".....Sharovs. You are as good as ever. As for the suppression of the Rebel Forces, the Fourth Army would be withdrawn from the northwestern region and sent to Belta. The Third Army will cooperate with the Fourth Army."

"If so protection in the northwest will not be adequate. It was highly doubtful the Empire would ignore this opportunity. I'm sure it's sad to leave only the Fifth Army to hold on."

"If we annihilate the Rebel Army quickly, then there will be no problem. And also, until now there was no large-scale military movement of the Empire. Is this not proof that they do not have much surplus as well? Even if they move, our pride troops from the fortress, the iron walls, will be able to hold them."

The Chief Minister replaces the King. In the midst of financial difficulties, a large amount of capital is included in this line of defense. "If we don't use them now, when will we use them again?" thought Chief Minister Farzam.

"Main Minister Farzam. The northwestern area is an area with very high tension. If we move our war potential, the Empire will definitely make a move. We have to cover that area. Our solid line of defense is our last line of defense."

"Do you want to say that we should divest all of our valuable taxes on deterrence? Do you think we could just raise the war funds?"

"It was made to block attacks from the Empire. If we fight against the Empire, we have to spend more money. And even more blood will probably be shed."

"First of all, if we don't send reinforcements to Belta, it will keep the Rebel Forces busy at their own discretion. I'd like to hear how you plan to defeat the rebels. I did not expect that such a plan was the thinking of the Great Commander."

Farzam said, acting haughty and pressuring Sharov.

"In that case, I want approval to deploy troops from the Royal Capital. The First Squadron will be a flying squadron. Half of them will be sent to the Central Border Zone. If squeezed by the Third Army and reinforcements from the Royal Capital, even though the enemy did not expect it, they would definitely split their forces."

At Sharov's words, Farzam opened his eyes wide.

"As for the Royal Capital's guard, Blanca, I think you're out of your mind. What do you plan to do if anyone is planning a rebellion in a region lacking soldiers!? —Your Majesty. First Squad really should not be deployed."

—Giant castle walls are built around Blanca, the Royal Capital, encircling it. Around its circumference lay a moat, and it was surrounded even further by high fortresses. To attack it would probably require considerable military forces and weapons of war. Even with all that, surely there will be many casualties. Many lookout towers are built around the outer lines and proper surveillance can be done.

On the high guard line from the Royal Palace to the East towering Sayeh Fort built during the previous Great War. This fort was built in a strategic position, the fort was built in a strategic position, the back of the weak Royal Palace that only invited attacks could be clearly seen.

In an emergency, it would cooperate with the Royal Palace and would display the greatest survivability, or so to speak. If this fortress is ignored, then a pincer attack will come from the back of the enemy. If the enemy decided to attack this fortress with their main army, a lot of time and soldiers would be wasted. It was definitely right to be the last fortress of the Kingdom.

In addition, in the southern mountains there is a small fort under construction, although the fort is not as big as the Sayeh Fort. The Royal Palace, the Sayeh, and then this small fortress will be triangulated and fully protected the Royal Capital.

—Although, a large amount of war funds were put into it.

"Please forgive me, but as the First Minister, I cannot follow your words, Commander-in-Chief. Reducing the defenses of the Royal Capital where His Majesty lives is the worst and most ridiculous plan!"

".....Sharovs. First Squad will standby as they are now. The Fourth Army will head to Belta. Before arrival, we will replace Yalder and call him back. ....This matter, it's decided. You too, give up all your energy and strengthen the defenses of the Royal Capital."

"—Your Majesty."

".......This conversation is over. I'm a little tired. I'll go back to my room. My friend, Farzam, I leave the rest to you."

"Sure, Your Majesty. Enjoy your rest."

".........."

"—Commander-in-Chief Sharov. This meeting has reached a conclusion. Return to your military duties. I also have to handle other matters, so please forgive me."

Farzam stared excessively at Sharov, went with the Royal Guards, and came out of the throne room.

For a while, Sharov continued to kneel in silence.

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

Half a year after the defeat in the Battle of Alucia–Belta Castle, Sidamo Office.

Wearing glasses, Sidamo was seriously taking care of important documents when an uninvited knock disturbed him. Sidamo turned his gaze away from the documents, removed his glasses, and responded, saying,

"—Who?"

"I'm Major Schera Zade. I was told that you have orders for me."

Schera spoke in a way that she herself was still unfamiliar with. It hasn't been long since he had a surname.

"Lake in."

"—Excuse me!"

Unlike the previous one, Schera's physique was completely covered in armor. He entered the room and saluted. As one would have guessed, he was not holding his great scythe.

"I don't mind if you're agitated. ....But I can't say the same thing when it comes to eating. Control yourself in front of a higher officer. How many times do I have to tell you to understand?"

He scolded Schera who had taken out a few nuts after saluting.

"I'm sorry."

"Don't just talk, but do it too. Show the appropriate expression when you apologize. You've been promoted to Major, learn how to associate with others."

“Ready pack-!”

Schera quickly chewed on the nuts and swallowed them.

"You're out on patrol, so I don't know if you're aware of this, but instructions for a large-scale change have come to us."

"How, will it continue?"

"......General Yalder suffered a "sudden" decline in health, and underwent recovery in the Royal Capital. It has been determined that the Third Army will join the Fourth Army of the North. Soon, we'll experience a change in leadership by the time reinforcements arrive."

“....ready.”

General Yalder was very noisy and feisty until yesterday. Yalder, who had received direction from the Royal Capital, found it difficult to bear with her anger and her use and violent rampage. The Sovereign Room of the palace was in a terrible mess, and it was as if an enemy had attacked the place. He finally realized that the letter of encouragement sent from the Kingdom after the defeat was just a solace. As for the Third Army he managed, as for himself as a commander, like finding his own son kidnapped.

"At least he can feel relieved for not being relieved,"

think Schera. To be honest, he doesn't really care, so whatever.

General Yalder spoils Schera as if he were his own grandson, and even makes him inherit the family of Major General Jira who was killed in battle. Yalder, who had the thought that it would be embarrassing for the Jira bloodline that was without a successor to end, had the brilliant idea of making a young and brave warrior a successor.

Sidamo with his intelligence ended up getting more foreign jobs again. From the beginning, Jira Zade had no successor, there were still blood relatives. He entered into a difficult situation as expected, but after continuing to negotiate steadfastly, he gained their approval. After he played his last card, the gold that Yalder had prepared, Zade's relatives, understood the situation, accepted wholeheartedly. The territory of the Zade family had been eliminated, and their surname was now nothing more than a position of honor. This is an age where money is above honor.

(I know that everything is very good. However, there are things that should not be ruled out.)

While booing himself for being manipulated by his surname, Sidamo has completed the core of his heir. Schera did not know that it was such a troublesome matter. Having a surname that he did not even care about given to him, the person in question let out an extremely irritated expression. When he recalled all his hard work to negotiate, Sidamo wanted to slap Schera, but if Schera retorted seriously, Sidamo would probably die, so Sidamo held him back.

".....I will continue to perform my duties as an officer. Although I have lost my rank as the Chief Staff Officer. You also. Keep devoting yourself to the kingdom."

"86."

"And, I have no doubt that you are a great warrior, but I have some doubts about your command of soldiers. Thus, I have already decided that I will assign two aides to assist you in commanding."

"Ajudan?"

"Exactly. They're the ones who want to join your unit. There was a position for the empty Danton, but they rejected it. They were extraordinary people who had learned military strategy from the Royal military academy. I have no doubt that they surpassed you in leadership, tactics and cunning."

Sidamo did not forget to add some insinuations to Schera at the same time he said the superiority of the aides. I want him to have a sense of responsibility, Sidamo thought.

"Yes, I think so too."

Although he was called an idiot indirectly, Schera did not mind. Sidamo furrowed his brows, staring at Schera's face which basically said, "I don't mind, I'm happy as long as I can eat."

"Your cavalry unit has become the most elite and famous here in Belta. So that you don't tarnish that reputation, use those aides well. Take their advice and serve the government even better."

"86."

Schera's attention began to wander as Sidamo continued to pile up statements on top of statements to him. It took everything he had just to squeeze out the word, "86."

"There is never again a lone horseman chasing after the enemy. It was the same as inspecting the 'Speaking Force', and then leading the cavalry units into enemy-held territory. If you fight idiots and get killed, everyone's morale will be affected. That's what it means to be 'elite'. I won't let you die as you please. Do you understand?"

“Understanding sir.”

—Of course he doesn't understand.

Suppose, right in front of his eyes, the enemy's food was being transported slowly, of course he would immediately attack him. He gets a windfall, and his stomach is full. That's a really good thing. Although, after this happened several times, the enemy applied strict guard on the transportation of their food supplies. It was his skill, so there was no problem.

—That is Schera's understanding.

".....Do you really understand? Are you listening to me carefully? If you understand well, then admit it."

Sidamo trained his eyes that told Schera of undeniable doubt. His assessment of Schera was, "He is indeed strong, but his head is dumb." General Yalder, who would soon become the former General Yalder, thought so as well.

An officer's staff needs a lot of courage to handle skilled people. Sidamo, unable to handle them, found the post of Chief of Staff Officer removed from him. After that, the Fourth Army will have supreme power, and it would be appropriate to say that its path to success will be lost. Sidamo's heart was gloomy, but he had not given up. Until his family is restored, he will never give up.

"I, Major Schera, fully understand!"

"I'll put those aides under your watch later. I've talked to them about the future before, so there shouldn't be any problems. You can go."

Mentally exhausted, Sidamo soon returned to work. A kind of fatigue that is different from when Yalder is the interlocutor. If he were to talk to that Death God any longer, he would probably end up the same as his late elder brother. Or maybe, she would go crazy like her older sister.

"Ready sir, I, Major Schera, will return to my duties!"

Schera, who was standing while paying attention to the long conversation, looked dizzy compared to the previous one.

However, perhaps relieved that he no longer had to put up formalities, he issued a long******* after leaving the room. And he said, "Ahh-I'm tired," in a loud voice.

—At that time, a blunt-voiced object was thrown at the office door.

Because the door is strong, there are no cracks.

Perhaps unfortunately, a sense of stress had accumulated within the former Chief of Staff Officer, and he threw a vase of flowers. He was hungry, no doubt. Schera felt sorry for him.

"....As I expected, it seems the head can't work properly and is blunt when hungry."

Schera took out a loaf of bread from the bag she was carrying, left it at the door of the office, and left. It was like feeding an animal, or leaving a offerings for the deceased.

Needless to say that after finding the bread, Sidamo's annoyance grew stronger.

—Third Forces of the Kingdom at Belta Castle and Royal Capital Liberation Army at Antigua Branch Castle are at a standoff. Schera's 3,000 cavalry were once again deployed, and making their best move, their main task was to patrol and subdue the nearest enemy.

That is what happened, but he sometimes took matters into his own hands, conducting reconnaissance, and attacking the transport of supplies belonging to the Liberation Army. By all rights, this was a violation of military regulations, but when he achieved great military achievements, the offense he committed became invalid. The Liberation Army was tormented by this guerrilla warfare which was more troublesome than predicted, and inevitably had to strengthen the guard of the supply shipments.

It was around this time that the name Schera became known to the Liberation Army.