WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: Asakusa
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
◈ Knight Commander of the Doomed Heroes ◈
Chapter 20: Hope (2)
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“Let’s begin right away.”
The moment I said that,
“...”
The room suddenly fell silent.
Like predators watching their prey, the grand dukes seated around the table stopped making even the smallest movements.
Their narrowed eyes busily studied one another.
It felt as though mortal enemies had gathered in one place.
Was the Round Table Council always like this?
The atmosphere was pretty fierce.
Clatter!
Then Halsut, Duke of Might, sprang to his feet, lifted a large leather sack, and emptied it onto the round table.
“...What’s this?”
The other grand dukes remained calm, as if they were used to this. Deputy Commander Keron and I couldn’t do the same.
Rattle. Clack, clack.
Small blocks spilled out of the sack.
They rolled, joined together, and stacked themselves up, beginning to fill the table.
Deputy Commander Keron spoke to me in surprise.
“Commander...! Isn’t this Estel?”
“It is.”
The blocks formed a huge model.
It showed everything from the capital of Estellan at the center to the Great Wall of Existence at the outer edge. Beyond that were the Great Wall of Faith and part of the Great Wall of Ideals, which Sir Soyeon and I had recently scouted. Even the various large and small cities between Estellan and the Great Wall appeared in miniature.
Clatterrr.
Once the model of Estel was complete, the remaining blocks rolled away in a wave and piled up in one corner of the table.
Now we could look down on all of Estel at once.
I was more than surprised. I was a little bewildered.
Could our current magical technology produce such a precise magic device...?
“Wow...”
Deputy Commander Keron was so amazed that his mouth opened and closed.
I gently shut it with telekinetic magic.
“Mmph.”
Being surprised was no reason to show it.
It made us look pathetic.
A glance around told me that we were the only ones who were surprised.
Even Astrid showed no reaction. He must have seen it several times while attending the Round Table Council as Deputy Tribune.
Halsut, Duke of Might, glanced our way and explained bluntly.
“Headmaster Eihen and I improved an imperial treasure once used by the former imperial family of Ionia.”
Hmm. The imperial family of Ionia had collected all kinds of treasures since ancient times. Anything from their collection was bound to be extraordinary.
Add the craftsmanship of Halsut, head of the Reconstruction Corps, who was responsible for all weapon production and fortress construction in Estel, to the magic of Eihen, hailed as the greatest genius of the past hundred years, and it wasn’t strange that they had produced something like this.
Even knowing that, it was still marvelous.
“I’ll explain my proposal first.”
Halsut waved a hand toward the model covering the table.
The leftover blocks piled to one side rolled over.
“The operation is called ‘Starting Line.’ Its core is the construction of a continent-wide defense system.”
Clack, clack, clack.
The blocks joined together and piled up, beginning to build new castles and fortresses across the table.
Castles, fortresses, and the roads connecting them.
As their arrangement became clearer, I recognized a huge magic circle.
“The soft, pliable angel corpses secured by the Knight Commander. And the Three Spirits, Eight Bodies Formation of Severance and Linkage he developed. This continent-wide barrier uses both. The castles and fortresses will form its core. Once it’s complete, we can prevent twisted angels and apostles from descending near our cities. It will also become much easier to eliminate them.”
Halsut grinned, flashing white teeth.
“If we strengthen our defenses and hold out, we can win in the end. We’ve always been losing. Building this barrier will be our starting line, our first step toward victory.”
Thud!
He planted his large hand on the table’s rough, splintered surface. The blocks shook, but none fell.
“We won’t need much for this. A 100% budget increase. Priority allocation of all supplies. Priority cooperation from every organization. And 50% of the total supply of soft angel corpses. Give us that support, and I’ll finish the greatest construction project in history in just five years. I’ve calculated everything. It’s entirely possible. You won’t have an easy time tearing this one apart.”
Had his plan been rejected at a recent meeting? Halsut glared at the other grand dukes one by one, brimming with confidence.
But I felt uneasy.
A defensive barrier covering all of Estel? The idea itself was good.
Honestly, with something like that, no more children would lose both parents to a sudden angel attack as I had.
But...
A 100% budget increase, priority allocation, and priority cooperation?
Was he insane?
Resources were limited.
If we poured that much into his project, I wouldn’t be able to carry out my plan to extend the heroes’ lives.
Then I had no choice.
Even if it meant fighting dirty, I would have to tear down Halsut’s plan and push mine through.
The Round Table Council made its decisions by majority vote.
Underhanded ideas flashed through my mind.
I would watch how things developed, but I wouldn’t hold back.
I would get my plan approved, whatever it took.
As I prepared myself, my old friend and commander-in-chief, Helian, spoke first.
“The Duke of Might’s plan is very appealing. I can see why you were confident enough to present it first. However, I don’t believe it’s as good as the operation our military has prepared. Its name is ‘Advance of Hope.’”
Clatterrr.
Helian reached out, and the blocks moved, dismantling the castles and fortresses Halsut had built. Instead, they took the shape of armies and gathered around the Great Wall of Existence.
“I, too, took inspiration from the Three Spirits, Eight Bodies Formation of Severance and Linkage developed by the Knight Commander. Using the newly secured soft corpses, we’ve developed new weapons and a new battle formation. We call it the Thousand-Layer Formation.”
Clack! Clack! Clack!
The blocks representing armies formed a complex formation that seemed to have thousands of layers. They crossed the Great Wall of Existence and began advancing toward the Great Wall of Faith.
I realized that this Thousand-Layer Formation was a special battle formation imbued with magical power.
Helian directed the armies here and there with small movements of her fingers as she spoke.
“The purpose of the Thousand-Layer Formation is persistent resistance. It can withstand attacks by twisted angels while keeping losses to a minimum. It’s also designed to allow a retreat with minimal losses, no matter what kind of apostle appears. The key is its staying power. Our forces can advance in every direction and, in an emergency, hold out until the Order of Eternity arrives to support them. With this, we can maintain an offensive on every front.”
Thud!
She tossed her heavy longsword onto the round table and spoke solemnly.
“Defense is important, but sometimes offense is the best defense. Therefore, I request the following: a 50% budget increase, priority allocation, priority cooperation, and emergency requisition authority. And a 60% share of the soft angel corpses. With that support, I’ll reclaim the Great Wall of Faith within two years. We will advance toward hope.”
Hmm.
To me, Helian’s operation looked more promising than Halsut’s plan in several ways.
No one could know the future, but probabilities still existed. In a war against such a malevolent end, it seemed better to counterattack quickly when an opportunity arose than to spend time strengthening our defenses. Besides, if we swiftly reclaimed the Great Wall of Faith as planned, Halsut’s continental barrier could be built even stronger.
If I had to score them...
Helian’s operation would get 75 points.
Halsut’s plan would get 60.
But...
I studied Halsut’s expression.
Would he really accept that?
Probably not.
It was human nature to argue over an uncertain future, each person insisting they were right.
Even when the odds favored another option, people believed their own case would be different.
Sure enough, Halsut and Helian glared fiercely at one another.
Gulp.
Behind me, I heard Deputy Commander Keron swallow. He, too, expected a fierce argument and a battle of wills between the grand dukes.
I slowly raised my heart rate.
I would soon have to join this fierce struggle over resources...
“Hmm. The Commander-in-Chief’s operation does seem a little better than my plan. To think you’ve designed such a polished battle formation in so little time. As expected of our youngest-ever Commander-in-Chief.”
“Your plan was impressive as well, Duke Halsut. I’d never even imagined a continental barrier that could defend our entire territory that way. However, I think we should take more time and proceed with it gradually.”
Huh?
Contrary to my expectations, Halsut, head of the Reconstruction Corps, accepted defeat without a fuss.
“Tsk. My last plan lost out to the Commander-in-Chief’s proposal too. And now it’s happened again. I won’t be able to face my subordinates.”
“Hmm. You’ll come back with something sharper next time, so I’ll have to prepare even more thoroughly.”
“You’d better.”
There was no argument or battle of wills. Only a friendly atmosphere.
“Uh...? You’re not even going to debate it...?”
Keron muttered behind me, apparently surprised.
It disrupted the atmosphere of the Round Table Council, but I didn’t bother warning him. I was curious too.
Once again, Halsut and Helian answered the question.
“Why would we need a debate? One look tells you whose proposal is better. The Commander-in-Chief’s operation is worth about 80 points, and my plan is worth about 65. So I should step aside. Only incompetent people argue over something this clear.”
“Exactly. When our very existence is at stake, pointless arguments and political games mean nothing. If there’s a better choice, we should take it.”
“Ah...”
Keron closed his mouth in admiration.
This was quite impressive.
They weren’t wrong. If everyone could see the same right answer, there was no need to fight. The answer was right there.
The standards were clear too. In the face of a threat to our existence, only efficiency and the likelihood of success mattered.
Even so, people always fought. It couldn’t be helped. Most people couldn’t see the right answer or be certain of it. That was what people were like.
Yet the six grand dukes gathered here all saw the same thing.
As if it were only natural.
Right.
So this was the level they were at.
The six most capable humans in Estel.
With destruction approaching, these six had risen to the top through ability and achievements alone.
These were the grand dukes of the Round Table Council.
I felt a little excited.
The people who would fight the end alongside me were this capable.
At the same time, though, I was a little worried.
“The Civil Administration needs angel corpses too. We can use them to make magic devices that will dramatically increase food production and resource extraction.”
“Hmm. I’ve done a few calculations. We’ll follow the Commander-in-Chief’s operation as our overall direction, but if we work out the budget and resource allocations as tightly as possible, I think we can keep advancing, increase the Civil Administration’s output, and build sections of the continental barrier along the way. Take a look.”
“Ah. As expected of you, Headmaster Eihen. Those calculations are truly beautiful.”
Without a single argument, the grand dukes efficiently pieced their plans together in a friendly atmosphere.
There was no room here for trickery or manipulation. That was good, but it also made things difficult.
I had to push my plan through, and my only option was a head-on contest.
But what else could I do? Even if I had to be unreasonable, I would get it approved.
“The Order of Eternity has a plan too.”
Everyone turned toward me.
I could read the tension in their eyes.
Ah.
Now I understood. They had all been waiting.
For my plan.
The grand dukes of the Round Table Council were silently asking me a question.
Could I offer something better than the plan they had put together?
Halsut, Duke of Might, spoke in a low voice.
“A plan from the Order of Eternity. I look forward to it. I know you were bedridden until recently. Still, you have a solid plan, I trust? These are things you should always have prepared in advance.”
“Of course.”
Once again, I felt how high the Round Table Council’s standards were.
There hadn’t been enough time.
There had been special circumstances.
No one here made excuses like those.
Those who led humanity in the face of the end had to be ready at all times, in every situation.
I looked at the blocks on the round table.
“Something like this...?”
I reached out with my magic power and connected myself to them.
As I moved my magic power, the blocks moved swiftly.
Whirrr!
“Hmm...!”
“So fast...”
Halsut gave a low grunt, and Astrid spoke in admiration.
At least when it came to precise control of magic power, no one in Estel could match me. There was a reason even Eihen, the greatest mage of the past hundred years, took beatings from me. If his magic was like a full suit of armor, covering every field, mine was like the tip of an incredibly sharp spear.
Whooosh!
Moving the blocks faster than any other grand duke, I built a huge structure on the round table in an instant.
It was a massive circular structure, with a diameter about half that of the Great Wall of Existence.
I pointed at it.
“This is an artificial ignition reactor. A huge magical research apparatus that reproduces the ignition phenomenon occurring inside a hero’s body and guides it through Unhindered Harmony.”
At my words,
“...”
Halsut fell silent.
“What...?”
Eihen’s eyes widened.
“This is insane...”
Helian’s mouth opened.
“Th-that’s impossible!”
Astrid was horrified.
Chief Justiciar Camellia moved for the first time since the meeting began, quietly turning to look at me.
Yes. Of course they were shocked.
“For this, I request a 200% increase in the Order’s budget, priority allocation, priority cooperation, emergency requisition authority, and unlimited authority to requisition personnel. The Order will have first use of all angel corpses. Any leftovers can be distributed afterward.”
Artificially reproducing a hero’s ignition.
That alone was a challenge far beyond humanity’s reach.
Only after investing an absurd amount of resources could we even begin discussing a slim chance of success.
This plan would require more craftspeople than covering all of Estel in castles and fortresses. It would need a larger budget than rearming every army in Estel.
But I absolutely needed it.
“The plan is called ‘Normalization.’ Through this research, I will save Sir Soyeon, who has only ten months left to live, then find a way to give all heroes normal lifespans. There is a theoretical basis. If Unhindered Harmony can be maintained for forty seconds, it should be possible to maintain it for four minutes. If it can be maintained for four minutes, it should be possible to maintain it for four hours. Then, in theory, there’s no reason it couldn’t be maintained for four years, or forty years. That would give us a way to restore heroes’ lifespans to normal. If we can keep heroes alive longer, their numbers will continue to grow, and our strength will grow with them.”
The moment I finished, Eihen objected.
“Absurd! The chance of success is slim, while the opportunity cost of the resources involved is enormous! It’s awful! If Duke Halsut’s plan was worth 65 points, this one is worth 15. No, 5!”
I agreed.
Eihen really was smart.
Considering both the chances of success and the risks, I would probably give this plan about 5 points too.
Neither defense nor offense.
A plan that began somewhere entirely unrelated to everything the Round Table Council and Estel had achieved so far.
But I was going to be unreasonable.
Of course, the rational grand dukes would call it absurd... Yet precisely because they were rational, they wouldn’t be able to dismiss my unreasonable demand so easily.
Because...
“So? I’ve succeeded with every absurd plan I’ve attempted so far. I made Unhindered Harmony work, allowing a single hero to kill multiple apostles. Using the Three Spirits, Eight Bodies Formation of Severance and Linkage, I killed an angel with human strength alone. And this time, I even found the enemy’s main base beyond the fallen Great Wall of Ideals.”
I had never failed.
“Pwahahaha!”
Someone laughed.
It was Halsut.
His expression had been stiff throughout the meeting. Now he glanced at me, then turned a mocking smile on Eihen.
“Eihen. You need to know your place. Honestly, what have we done this time? This opportunity we’ve been given is entirely the Knight Commander’s achievement, isn’t it? It’s a bit ridiculous to object while living off his work. The plan sounds impossible, but it’s different when the Knight Commander proposes it. He’s proven himself. That’s worth at least 90 bonus points.”
That was a little unexpected. He had been so blunt all this time. Was that what he’d been thinking?
Thanks to him, I felt more confident in my unreasonable demand.
Thud!
Halsut threw down a black jade tablet inscribed with the words “Reconstruction Corps.”
“The Reconstruction Corps supports the Knight Commander’s plan.”
The grand dukes’ eyes wavered.
“Hmm...”
“Hmm...”
“...”
Until now, the Round Table Council had proceeded on rational judgment alone.
At that moment, an entirely new current swept through it.
Beyond questions of existence, faith and ideals offered a new way to score our plans.
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