Chapter Twenty-Three "Surrender"
The plains were brightly lit by the moon, and in their midst was a military field camp. No, it couldn't be called a field camp. A military field camp was supposed to be something temporary but still contain the bare essential such as a place for soldiers to sleep for the night. There were no tents or even any sign of fortification to protect the soldiers from an enemy attack. It would be more accurate to say that there was a military unit on the grass.
Soldiers were lying on the ground, immobile from fatigue. The winter air was cold enough to dye their exhaled breath white, but the fact that they could sleep in conditions like these without bedrolls or the like was a sign of how tired they really were.
Amidst all these people, who had collapsed like puppets whose strings had been cut, one man was walking. He was the general of the defeated army, Barbro.
"Dammit, how did this happen?! What is the point of being alive if I am only delaying the inevitable?!" Barbos growled.
Barbos surveyed what little of his army survived. He found it hard to believe his army of fifty-thousand soldiers had been annihilated. Yes, a great deal of his army had been made of conscripted commoners that had little combat training but still fifty thousand soldiers. Part of the fifty thousand soldiers being professional soldiers that had trained for years.
"It seems, High Humans truly live up to their mythical status… No wonder the Evil Deities wiped them out if they were this powerful and a threat to their reign…" Barbos muttered.
His worries about his army and defeat disappeared as a notion that he hadn't thought of before came to the forefront of his mind. Carne was supposed to be an ordinary village like so many on the frontier of the Re-Estize Kingdom's borders. It was supposed to be a farming village with very little importance. How the Kingdom had missed that there was a village full of High Humans was baffling. Barbos' thoughts became even more distraught when he reminded himself it was not just a village that had escaped the notice of the Kingdom. An entire army of High Humans – a potential enemy force of incredible destructive power – dwelled within the Kingdom's borders. An army that had hidden for who knows how long to finally show themselves and bring their might against the Kingdom.
He needed figure out the mystery of the High Humans.
Several possibilities run through the First Prince's mind. The most concrete theory he had about the High Humans lived in the nearby forest known as the Great Forest of Tob. The dense woodland (located at the southern borders of Re-Estize Kingdom) considered by many too dangerous to dangerous that only adventurers and explorers dare tread at great risk. To Barbos, the Great Forest of Tob seemed like an ideal place to have a place or population center if certain assumptions were accepted. That the inhabitants had the knowledge or some sort of method to safely transverse the Great Forest of Tob despite the forest infamous reputation.
"The assumption that the Great Forest of Tob could be a secret home to the High Humans actually makes senses," said Barbos as he rubbed his beard. "The Great Forest of Tob is supposed to be filled with monsters that make it unsuitable for humans to live, but High Humans are physically and mentally superior to regular humans. It wouldn't be within the realm of impossibility that they lived in the Great Forest of Tob. They could also be the ones responsible of the Great Forest of Tob's infamous reputation to protect the secret that they lived there."
Barbos stopped thinking when he felt a presence. It did not come from the men lying on the ground, but from the direction they had fled from. He shifted his line of sight and he became puzzled by what he saw.
"Who are you?! Identify yourself!" Barbos shouted as his hand reached for his weapon.
Not far away ─ 20 meters at the most ─ stood a ravishing beauty. A beautiful blonde-haired and emerald eyed woman. What made her stand out the most was not her beauty as Barbos had seen many more beautiful women in the past. It was her strange appearance and the manner she carried herself that made the woman different from any he had seen before. She carried herself in a manner similar to himself. The regal standing of royalty, but she was also different from him as she reminded her more of his far wiser father. Yet, Barbos doubted even his father in his prime could carry the same amount of charisma and power as the woman did.
"Hello," said the beauty. "My name is Arturia Pendragon. I come to discuss the terms of your surrender."
"Surrender?!" Barbos shouted in surprise. "Why would you demand…?"
"I am a representative of the forces that fought your army." Arturia replied.
He reached for the sword at his waist. It was an instinct drilled into him before he let go of his sword. There was no point in drawing his sword. Barbos was facing a High Human and from the amount of power that the woman projected, and her equipment showed that he was out of his league. There was no way that he was going to be able to defeat a physically and mentally superior opponent. Not when he had seen firsthand how dangerous a high human was.
It seems that I have taken the right choice… Barbos noted as he saw that his personal guards and the surrounding soldiers had been all taken out by means unknown to him.
"You do not have to worry about the lives those around you. They have been knocked out unconscious by sleeping magic." Arturia spoke.
Barbos shivered as how casually the act of his soldiers being knocked unconscious was treated. It was like they were bugs that were no way in a threat but they had been eliminated because they a nuisance. A show of how powerful and confident his enemy was to simply explain what they had done to him.
"What… do you want?" Barbos asked politely.
"First Prince of the Re-Estize Kingdom, Barbro Andrean Ield Ryle Vaiself," said Arturia in a respectful tone as she addressed Barbos by formal manner. "I am here to negotiate the surrender of your forces."
"Surrender…?" Barbos said in disbelief. "What point is there in surrendering when you have won? My army has been annihilated and regrouping would impossible as the morale shattering defeat that they suffered."
"You might be wrong," said Arturia. "I have seen and heard many things. Rallying your forces doesn't seem an impossible task as you imply. I know through personal experience because I have done it many times…"
The First Prince of the Kingdom didn't doubt the words he heard from Arturia. They seemed genuine and not a hint of boasting. Something told him that the women before him was underselling herself greatly. She reminded him of his father during his prime, maybe even surpass his father.
"I wish for your surrender so that further bloodshed could be stopped," Arturia continued. "Tell your men to throw their weapons away and give themselves up. I swear on my honor as a knight and king that they will be treated fairly as prisoners of war."
"All of them? Not just the nobles?" Barbos raised a brow.
"Yes, not just nobility, but also the commoners." Arturia replied. "What is your response?"
"I would like to know a bit more of my enemy before I think about doing anything," said Barbos.
"You do understand the more time you waste means more of your men will be hunted down and killed…" Arturia spoke in a very displeased tone. She shook her head and sighed. "I will answer your questions to the best of my ability."
"Are you really High Humans? The supposed extinct cousins of ours?" Barbos inquired.
"What do you…?" Arturia frowned before she stopped speaking as if heard a voice. "What did he mean by that…? Oh…? Is that the situation…? Thank you… I understand." She spoke to someone that Barbos couldn't see. Arturia turned her attention to Barbos and said, "You are correct. I am a High Human alongside all the soldiers that your forces fought. Do you have any other questions?"
"What is the nation or group that you and your forces belong to? Who is your leader?" Barbos asked.
"I and my forces answer to the Chaldea Order. Our leader is someone that you have probably heard of. He is Shirou Emiya."
Just as I thought… This makes it both easier and difficult going forward… Barbos thought. He turned his attention to Arturia and asked. "Why have you and your group hidden yourself all this time? Why rebel of a sudden? Do you not respect and recognize the sovereignty of the Re-Estize Kingdom? The nation that your people are wrongfully living upon."
"First of, no one owns Carne or the Great Forest of Tob. Three separate nations make similar claims, which are the Slane Theocracy, the Baharuth Empire and your own nation. None have done anything besides make claims. No one has established military outposts/bases or population centers to reinforce said claims." Arturia corrected. "Second, the Chaldea Order refuses to acknowledge claims to our territory!"
Barbos fell silent as he analyzed what he had learned so far. The more he thought about what he learned the more disturbed and alarmed he became. He shivered at the very thought that not just his country, but the Theocracy and Empire had remained ignorant of the Chaldea Order. The Chaldea Order was not an organization, but a nation in Barbos' mind. A secret nation that had remained hidden until now. How old or powerful the Chaldea Order was unknown, but Barbos had seen part of the Chaldea's Order's military and economic power. His army of fifty thousand had been annihilated by force several times smaller (no more than five thousand at best), and Barbos doubted that the force that his army had been destroyed by was all of Chaldea's military might.
"I cannot make such a hefty decision such as surrendering so quickly," said Barbos. "I must consult with my officers and advisers before I make such an enormous decision."
"I understand," Arturia nodded. "I will give you a day to decide."
"Thank you," said Barbos gratefully. "You would kindly lift the sleeping magic that has placed on my soldiers. I cannot get the advice of my subordinates if they are all unconscious…"
- O -
"…So, this is the situation," said Barbos as he finished his explanation to the remaining surviving of his commanders and advisors.
"We cannot surrender! To do so will make us a laughing stock!"
"How can you worry about your reputation right now?! There is no point in worrying about our reputation if we are dead!"
"Squis is right! Who cares about our reputation. As lords we should be concerned about the lives of our men!"
"You are one of those nobles?! Commoners are not nothing. They are tools for us nobles. It is their duty to serve their lords whatever way they can."
"Even if they are tools, wasting what tools you have is foolish thing to do! How are you supposed to govern or maintain our livelihood if all you are left with is are useless tools?!"
"Not this again…" Barbos groaned as he saw many of his commanders and advisors get into useless conversation that held no relevance with the situation at hand. "I need to get more level-headed and rational subordinates after this…"
"Not everyone are fools like the ones that are wasting their time on irrelevant matters," said one of Barbos' subordinates that didn't seem to be irrational as their fellow nobles.
"Some of us understand the situation that we are facing."
"I wish our ranks were larger. My Prince, I suggest after your purge that you introduce something similar to the meritocracy system that the Empire uses to produce such competent military commanders."
"I will take your advice to heart," Barbos nodded gratefully. "Felix…"
"Yes, my Prince?" Felix replied as he walked to Barbos' side. "What do you require of me?"
"You are the most knowledgeable about the threat that we face given your background as a former adventurer," said Barbos. "What is your assessment and advise on how to proceed?"
"I suggest that we treat the enemy, 'Chaldea', as we would the Slane Theocracy. We are facing a very small military, but well trained and equipped one. Better than any military unit that either the Kingdom or the Empire fields." Felix replied.
"What?!" The formerly arguing nobles that had been distracted before shouted collectively in disbelief at what they heard as Felix's words cut any discussion they had like hot knife through butter.
"Silence!" Barbos shouted as he shut down any further interference. He turned back to Felix and said, "Continue with your assessment."
"Chaldea plays heavily emphasis on small unit tactics with many different specialist military units to provide abilities that regular soldiers do not have. We see this in the form dedicated units filled with mages, summoners and monster tamers/riders. As a result, we are facing a military that the Kingdom is unsuited to fight as we are neither trained and equipped to deal with such a foe." Felix continued. "I suggest that we either surrender or retreat even if it means the loss of more units."
"Damn…" Barbos cursed. I had been so foolish like so many nobles when the issue of fighting the Slane Theocracy was brought up! If only we had established a token force designed to fight against the Slane Theocracy or researched methods in fighting them that we wouldn't be in such a dire situation. I am going to take the suggestion of any threat to the Kingdom more seriously if I make it out of this.
"Your Highness?" Several voices asked in concern and Barbos snapped out of his musing as he remembered where he was.
"If we decide to continue fighting despite our perilous situation, do we have any hope of victory?" Barbos half asked and pleaded for a miracle.
"We might be able to win a few skirmishes here and there but not a drawn-out battle with large number of combatants." Felix shook his head. "As I said before, our forces are ill-equipped and trained to handle the foe we face."
There was an eerie silence as people took in Felix's words. The silence continued as no one knew what to do, or if they did they didn't want to take the first step to suggest anything. Everyone turned their eyes to Barbos expecting him to lead. He didn't want to take the task that everyone was trying to delegate to him, but he saw no one else willingly to step up.
"Thank you, Felix for your words," said Barbos as he composed his thoughts. "We have plenty of time to discuss what to do later. I would like to discuss what we have learned have upon the Kingdom. What are everyone's thoughts regarding Chaldea?"
"I suggest we take the path of appeasement."
"Appeasement?! Are you out of your mind? That is outright admitting defeat and opening ourselves to further exploitation as Chaldea will become emboldened with our perceived weakness."
"What do you suggest?! Our army of fifty thousand might be a fraction of our military might, but it was a large part. We also haven't taken into account that the army that we faced might, but a small fraction of what Chaldea is capable of fielding."
The room became silent at said suggestion. A cold shudder ran through their bodies as they realized that what had been said was likely true. Something that made them incredible uncomfortable with and wonder about what they truly faced. Only fear was what they felt and that fear became stronger as they had no idea what kind of threat that truly faced given how little they knew about Chaldea.
"I dislike the notion of appeasement, but I believe it is our only choice," said Barbos. Many of the room protested his decision and tried to speak up when he gestured for silence. "I am not saying that we should capitulate into every demand that Chaldea might have. Only what is absolutely necessary to prevent further conflict while we gather our strength."
"You think the rest of our standing 200,000 army in E-Rantel is not enough to face Chaldea?"
"Consider how large the Great Forest of Tob is gentlemen," said Felix as he rushed to the aid of his friend/superior. "It a dense and vast woodland that covers that the area between the Kingdom and the Empire. An area that so large and hostile separates the territories between the Kingdom and Empire as a natural buffer zone. If a nation exists within the Great Forest of Tob than they must be very powerful militarily if they can survive dense and large woodland infested with monsters. I don't think it is outside the realm of possibility that the current 200,000 strong Kingdom army at E-Rantel might not have the strength with a military that constantly deals with monsters on a daily basis…"
The collective threat assessment that the room regarding Chaldea went from incredible dangerous to possibly outside the ability of the Kingdom to deal with. There were many monsters within the Great Forest of Tob that could be dealt with very easily. It was why adventurers and explorers often risked their lives to venture into the Great Forest of Tob. A completely different arose when groups larger than a small team tried to enter the Great Forest of Tob. The monsters would seemingly unite to fight against a common threat. Both the Kingdom and Empire had tried for centuries to establish villages and towns near or within the Great Forest of Tob. Every attempt had ended in failure as every military expedition disappeared and destroyed or it was not viable in terms of manpower and resources invested with such little returns.
The notion that a nation or group could not only survive and thrive within the Great Forest of Tob was a terrifying thought. It spoke with just the sheer amount of military competence needed to constantly fight monsters that were often far superior to humans.
"Anyone that disagree with my opinion? That we should take a path of appeasement while we gather the strength and the means to defeat Chaldea." Barbos asked as he looked around the room. He saw no one that seemed to disagree with him. "If everyone agrees than this is what I suggest. I hope everyone adds their thoughts to point out flaws or make amendments of my proposal that I wish to give to my father, the King…"
- O -
Good work, Arturia, said Shirou over the telepathic link that he shared with Arturia.
Why did you set free the Re-Estize Kingdom's forces after they surrendered? Arturia asked in a concerned tone. I still strongly advise against that decision that you have made regarding not pursuing and eliminating any surviving units of the Barbos' army. You are allowing the enemy to gain access to information on our abilities by allowing them to escape. Something that should be afforded as it will give time for the enemy to analyze our abilities and formulate methods to reduce the effectiveness or outright eliminate our military advantage.
Prince Barbos and everyone in his army signed a magic contract. I have special conditions written into the magic contract that I can use in the future. Shirou replied. Besides…Fighting a desperate enemy is a difficult thing. They will often use tactics and strategies that no one expects. That makes them both difficult to predict and counter. Also, an enemy that has nothing to lose will fight to the very last and that will result in unnecessary causalities to our forces that could be avoided.
Shirou… Arturia projected the feeling of annoyance through her mind with Shirou. Who is the one with real experience leading an army? I might not be as accomplished as the likes of Alexander the Great, Hannibal and many other great military commanders, but I still very capable. After all, my legend as King Arthur didn't just come from my abilities as a knight, but also my ability as a military commander.
Shirou had to agree that Arturia's words had merit. She was more experienced and as she said an accomplished military commander that cemented her legend as King Arthur. Yet, there were several things that Arturia didn't know. She didn't have the knowledge that he had. Arturia was limited only to her own experience or the knowledge of tactics and strategies of her time. He had a wealth of military knowledge relating to tactics and strategies that Arturia didn't know of. He had access to the entire breath of known military history of Earth reaching from the dawn of recorded human civilization to the 22nd century in the form of Chaldea's libraries.
Arturia… I am using psychological warfare to sow fear amongst any that think of opposing us. To make the enemy rethink of ever fighting us and if they do that it will be incredibly costly to them. Shirou replied. How would you react if you were to hear that an army of fifty thousand was annihilated by a smaller force of five thousand? I would be terrified if I was the enemy. I would reconsider fighting against Chaldea as if an army that defeated ten times larger would be a horrifying enemy to face on the battlefield.
You are planning to use the deployable tactics that Genghis Khan and the Mongols was known for? Arturia asked with a slightly disproving tone.
If it means that less casualties of my military and loss of resources, then I am more than happy to use terror and psychological warfare to my advantage. Shirou nodded. Do you not agree? I believe that you have done something similar in the past as your time as King Arthur.
I can understand your logic and have also been forced to do many despicable things in the name of my people… Arturia grudgingly agreed. That doesn't mean I agree to what you're doing.
Noted, said Shirou. Arturia can you handle the rest? I need to focus on matters at home.
I am more than capable of handling the situation going on outside of Chaldea. Arturia nodded. If I need help than I will ask for it.
Thanks, said Shirou. Good luck with your work.
The same to you, Shirou, Arturia replied before she broke the telepathic connection that she had with Shirou.
"You can come in!" Shirou called out as he sensed a presence outside his room.
"Greetings, Shirou-sama," said Enri as she entered the room. "You called for me?"
"Yes, I did," Shirou nodded his head. "How is it? Do you think that capable of the task that Arturia chose you for?"
"I am honored that Arturia-sama has chosen me as her protégée." Enri bowed in gratitude. "Yet, I am unsure if I am suited to the role as a military commander. So many died because I was not capable of formulating better plans."
Shirou resisted the urge to mention that no one had really died. All of the "deaths" that Enri mentioned was temporary. No more than fifty-some of Carne's militia had killed. None of them were dead anymore as they had been resurrected. So, Shirou found it hard to sympathize with Enri. That was until Shirou shivered as he recalled that the people that he had resurrected were often mentally traumatized by the experience of death.
"Arturia saw great potential in you and I trust her judgement," said Shirou with confidence. "Besides, you have done an excellent job. You managed to hold against an enemy that outnumbered by several thousand times for so long without being eliminated. That was a miracle and a testament of your skills."
"Thank you, Shirou-sama. I am honored that you regard my skills so highly," said Enri as she bowed. "I would like to ask, what happened here in Chaldea to prevent help immediately to Carne?"
Shirou resisted the urge chew his lips or show any sign that he was uncomfortable with answering the question. There was no way in hell that he could tell the truth. It would be so easy for others to misunderstand his intentions and take him for a ruthless and careless individual. He needed to think of something.
"There was an unexpected situation with Chaldea's teleportation system. Any attempts to teleport in or out became very dangerous that any attempts to use the teleportation magic could have resulted in the injury or death." Shirou replied. "As much as I wanted to help immediately to your aid, I couldn't let people use a teleportation magic that was likely going to result in their deaths. Thus, the situation where you received no help from Chaldea."
"The teleportation system that you created can malfunction or fail?" Enri asked with widened eyes of disbelief.
Good, Shirou thought as he saw that his lie can worked, and he had also created a situation that he had absolutely wanted. So many of his followers had come to regard him as a deity. A being that was infallible and always right. This situation would perfectly in getting his constantly ignored messages that he was just as capable of failure just as any human despite his immense powers.
"Is that even possible?" Enri muttered, but Shirou's sharp hearing picked up her words as if she had said it loudly to him.
"As I have said in the past, I am powerful and very capable of many things, but I am no god. Take the situation where Chaldea's teleportation system malfunctioning as evidence of that." Shirou replied. Enri nodded her head. "Now, Enri… I wanted to ask you. How do you feel after using the Horn of the High Human General? Do you feel any different? Anything that I should know of?"
"I am terrified," Enri admitted. Shirou raised a curious brow and gestured at her to continue. "I am terrified the amount of power that I now wield. The soldiers… They are so powerful…" She shuddered. "I am scared of what I might be able to do with the army that had appeared out of nowhere after I blew the horn."
Shirou leaned over onto his left hand and rubbed his chin thoughtfully. The Horn of the Human High Human had far surpassed what he had thought about the YGGDRASIL item. It was another reminder that his ability to comprehend the abilities and history of YGGDRASIL items were not as flawless as he had expected. He had not expected an entire army of five thousand Lvl 40s High Humans soldiers. What he had thought at best had been something along the lines of hundred Lvl 20 High Humans.
Another thing that he hadn't been expecting was how the Horn of the High Human would work in the New World. In YGGDRASIL, summons of items like the Horn of the High Human General were controlled in a manner similar to pet where it needs to be told what to do and if you wanted them to complex things that complex commands must be given. That had not been the case with Enri. She had provided little to no orders to the army that she had summoned and they had seemingly reacted her thoughts and emotions to carry out complex military maneuvers without any of her input.
Shirou's musing ceased as he realized that Enri was staring at him. As if she was waiting a response from him.
"There is nothing wrong with you in feeling horror. If you didn't than I would be incredible concerned as that is a sign of someone that is power-hungry." Shirou replied with warming smile. "The fact that you're afraid at the complications of the power that you now wield is a good sign."
"Is that so…" Enri sighed in relief. "There is something that I forgot to mention. Something that I feel that you must know. The soldiers that I had… summoned. They… are incredible loyal to me. I have heard from them that they will be to the ends of the earth and will carry out any orders that I give. Even if that means to rebel against you, Shirou-sama."
That information concerned Shirou. If he was still in YGGDRASIL than he wouldn't be worried. A hundred Lvl 40s or any number of more wasn't a threat to him. His passive skills of his character/body would make any attacks from Level 50's and below unable to even scratch on his body or reduce his HP by even a single digit. The physical laws that governed the New World was a combination of game physics of the YGGDRASIL and physical laws of Earth. An attack from anyone or think had the ability to injury him and if thousands of people tried to kill him than it was quite possible that he could die.
The soldiers were a threat to him if they turned on him, but Shirou didn't have to worry about that. They seemed to answer only to Enri from what she had said. He doubted that Enri would ever betray him in the current circumstance as she was just to loyal to him for his act of saving her sister and resurrecting her killed family.
"Thank you for letting me know about this," said Shirou in grateful tone. "Although, I am not that concerned about the soldiers as long as they answer to you."
"That is relieving to hear… Shirou-sama, the soldiers are awaiting my commands. What should I tell them?" Enri inquired.
Shirou tapped his face. If he was still in YGGDRASIL and dealing with NPCs than he would order for Enri's army to be integrated with Chaldea's growing military as he wouldn't have to worry about the possibility of spies and betrayal. That changed when he considered the effects of real world. Enri's army was loyal only to her. They might act out on their own without even her knowledge if it meant for the good of their master. There was no way he was going to allow soldiers into his base without him being absolutely sure of their loyalty. He could dedicate manpower and resources to keep a watch over Enri's forces but that was manpower and resources that could be used elsewhere such as growing Chaldea.
"Chaldea has more than enough manpower and resources to secure our own security. I suggest that you have your army to protect Carne. As things currently stand, it is likely more soldiers will be sent to Carne to investigate what happened to Prince Barbos and his army. I think both of us will sleep with ease knowing that Carne is protecting by such a capable army." Shirou replied.
Enri nodded. "I agree. I will tell…" She frowned in confusion. "This is so strange… I didn't even need to give them orders… It is like…"
"That they can read your thoughts?" Shirou spoke the exact words that Enri had about to say. "Tell Nigan to teach you about familiars. He will explain any confusions you have about the phenomena that you just experienced."
"I will do that right away," Enri replied with gratitude at the advice. "Is there anything more that I can do for you, Shirou-sama?"
"No, there is nothing." Shirou shook his head. "There is no need to worry about Carne. Arturia is currently dealing with the situation. You can now rest easy."
"That is good to know," Enri smiled. "…Then please enjoy the rest of your day."
Shirou watched Enri turned around and walk out of the room. It was when he heard the door shut and click behind Enri that he snapped his figure. Several figures materialized him. Each one a Heroic Spirit. Powerful individuals that had become legends with either their own merit or with the help of others to ascend the cycle of life and death to claim a spot in the Throne of Heroes.
"Now…" Shirou addressed the Heroic Spirits. "Let us discuss our plans about the future of Chaldea and what we will do moving forward…"
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