Fortuitous Encounter in the Game Becomes Reality Episode 21
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Fortuitous Encounter in the Game Becomes Reality Episode 21
7. End of War (1)
Week 7 of the war, day 48.
"Alright, Vanguards. Before you head out, have a can of energy drink each."
In the meantime, battles kept breaking out sporadically all over the place without pause.
Along the border facing the Kroysen Empire, explosions rang out constantly, with surprise attacks launched again and again, so fatigue was piling up heavily on both sides.
Naturally, our division was no exception.
By now I had reached the point where I could sleep through the explosions, and just by hearing the sounds I could tell whether it was our side attacking or the enemy.
"Thank you."
Yet even as fatigue weighed heavily on the entire army, the Vanguards of our division were as lively as ever.
"Tastes good no matter when you drink it."
The reason lay in the transparent liquid I was pouring out from the bottle in my hand, one cup for each Vanguard.
A liquid that showed outstanding effects in restoring stamina and relieving fatigue, and greatly helped in aura recovery as well.
So what this water really is...
It is precisely the miraculous panacea "Elixir" that I obtained by clearing stage 4 of the Fortuitous Encounter quest.
"No, to be exact, I should call it diluted Elixir."
After all, the Elixir in those 50 liters of water was just *one single drop*.
But befitting a treasure of the world, even a single drop of Elixir produced a tremendous effect.
Thanks to it, our division's Vanguards swept across the battlefield without any sign of exhaustion, steadily accumulating military merits and becoming famous throughout the provincial army.
"Then we'll go carry out the reconnaissance."
Armed reconnaissance carried out by the Vanguards had now become completely routine.
Billyam, the deputy commander of the knight order, saluted me before heading out.
"Try not to overdo it."
Then the Vanguards followed after Billyam, leaving the position with looks full of enthusiasm.
Four weeks ago, after I rejected Billyam's offer to help with the succession struggle, our relationship seemed to have become slightly strained.
However, as the war dragged on and we went through various situations, our relationship gradually recovered, and now he is once again showing goodwill toward me.
Judging from the fact that he no longer makes sudden proposals like last time, it seems he has decided to first watch how things play out, but perhaps because he is a martial man, he doesn't seem to understand the fear of public scrutiny, which is a problem.
-Tap.
After the Vanguards left, my adjutant Haman and the other staff soldiers nearby glanced sidelong at the water bottle in my hand, but I closed the cap without hesitation.
'There's no way I can just sprinkle this precious stuff around.'
As the tedious siege warfare continued, ordinary energy drinks or healing potions on the market were no longer enough to relieve the Vanguards' fatigue.
At the time when we were seriously considering the use of stimulants, I remembered the three bottles of Elixir lying dormant in a corner of my inventory.
Stimulants came with aftereffects that could not be ignored, and while healing potions were extremely effective in treating wounds, they could not dispel accumulated fatigue.
So I agonized for a long time over whether to use this or not, and in the end decided to use it, wishing that the war would end even a little bit sooner.
The amount of Elixir used so far is about five drops, not even one-tenth of a single bottle.
However, Elixir in the present situation is something that cannot be obtained even for hundreds of billions.
It may not be a large amount, but if you convert its value, it is no different from having used hundreds of billions, so my investment must by no means be taken lightly.
'Oh, my body feels incredibly refreshed!'
I had the Elixir dilution administered under the pretext that it was a special family fatigue recovery tonic from Arcia's household, whose homeland is the holy land Everhill, and the results far exceeded anything I had imagined.
Among the Vanguards of the 3rd Division, 2nd Corps of the provincial army, a miraculous fatigue recovery tonic known as the "drop of god" was born.
"I never imagined Miss Arcia would be of such help."
When Haman smacked his lips, I handed him a potion instead.
"We're almost out of the fatigue recovery tonic now. Our Vanguards' burden will grow heavier and heavier from here on."
Of course I could make as much as I wanted, but lately many people had become curious about how to make the fatigue recovery tonic that was influencing the course of the war, so I made up an excuse like this.
I said, "All the raw materials have already been used up. You can take the liquid and analyze it if you want, but further production is no longer possible."
Since there was nothing to be gained by prying on this side, the higher-ups could only express their regret.
Anyway, Count Otis, whatever the case, placed great significance on the simple fact that his division was distinguished in action.
"Brigade commander, the division commander is asking for you."
"Again?"
Taking advantage of the Vanguards being dispatched, I was sprawled in the command seat taking a rest, and I furrowed my brow at the signalman's message.
The reason was that lately Count Otis had been looking for me noticeably more often.
When I pulled a face tinged with irritation, my adjutant Haman gave a small smile and told me not to be like that.
"Doesn't that just mean you're being trusted that much?"
Since it was a high noble of count rank personally summoning me, there was no helping it even if it was a hassle.
I moved to the rear of the medical train, which was being used as the command headquarters.
At the rear was a car that doubled as a cargo compartment.
As always, Arcia followed at my side like a shadow, with two knights trailing behind her.
"Let's head to division headquarters."
"Understood."
In the carriage, a driver who had been notified in advance was waiting for us, already aboard an armored vehicle.
The nine-seat armored vehicle we boarded lifted into the air, emitting a low hum, and as the outer wall of the medical train opened, it roared off.
-Jiiing.
Seen from Earth, it would be no different from a scene out of a science fiction movie, but in truth this is not such a difficult technology in Rondel, where magic exists.
After all, it only combines a 3rd-circle Float spell, a 2nd-circle Lightening spell, and a 1st-circle Wind spell.
Personally, I think what's truly impressive about Rondel is that they've made such equipment commonplace enough to be widely used.
Through automation they reduced the burden on mages, increased efficiency by combining low-circle spells even for the same drive mechanisms, and succeeded in lowering unit costs through mass production.
Because of that, artifacts were able to penetrate even commoners' households, just like machines and electronics on Earth.
This revolution in the magic industry is what created the Rondel of today.
-Kieeeek!
The sight of our Lawrence territory's medical train, which can transport up to 800 people, lined up with other houses' medical trains in a row is always a spectacular view.
It only takes five minutes to get to the medical train where Count Otis, the division commander, is, but the Black Eagle, as if it had a sixth sense for me stepping out, flew through the sky, lowered its altitude, and landed on top of the vehicle.
-Thud!
"Here you go, Blackie."
I opened the window and rose from my seat, and fed that Black Eagle a strip of jerky.
For reference, Blackie is the fellow's name.
The term Black Eagle felt too impersonal, so I gave it a name that was easy to call.
Blackie, jerky in its beak, beat its wings hard and soared high into the sky.
By now, the people around us must have gotten used to Blackie, as they showed no particular reaction.
"Good work."
A short while later, when I arrived at the Otis household's medical train, I found it odd to see other vehicles carrying unit commanders arriving one after another.
From the situation, it looked like all the senior commanders in the division had been called together.
'If it were something related to the battle, they could just notify us by comms without bothering to summon us in person...'
The other unit commanders, with whom I had grown quite close over time, also seemed at a loss as to what was going on.
Was there some major announcement that couldn't be delivered over communications?
"Come in, everyone."
Inside the medical train was a lavish hall furnished in luxurious style.
This was Count Otis's battlefield office.
The count, now as familiar as the uncle next door, spread his arms wide and warmly welcomed the commanders, and the moment I saw his bright smile, a thought of "Could it be?" crossed my mind.
In the midst of an escalating war, there was only one reason for the count to react like that.
And as if to confirm that my guess was correct, the count picked up a wine bottle from the table and gave it a shake.
"Rejoice, we won't have to listen to that damned bombardment any longer."
"By that, you mean?"
"They say a declaration of armistice is imminent. The foreign ministers of both countries are currently in contact."
It was truly welcome news.
At the count's words, the commanders all let out sighs of relief in unison.
"It seems the Croysen lot never intended to conduct a full-scale war in the first place."
The current war situation was evenly matched, but it was hard to say a truly full-scale war was underway.
No matter how strong the national power of our Kingdom of Reinharts might be, it would have been too much to face the Croysen Empire if they charged at us with their full strength.
If it escalated into a complete, full-scale war, not only our kingdom but our allied nations would also join, and that could soon expand into a continental war.
In the end, it just means that this war, while large in scale, was nothing more than a localized conflict that might as well be an annual event.
"They really are insane. Why on earth are they doing something like this…"
"Isn't it obvious? To strengthen imperial authority, most likely."
It really does seem that wherever you go, politicians all think the same way.
After all, weren't the neighboring countries of the Republic of Korea where I lived in my previous life just like that?
Stirring up tension between nations over trivial matters, using the mass media to incite anti-Korean sentiment and turn people's attention outward.
It was like that in my previous life, and in this life as well I really seem to have no luck when it comes to neighboring countries.
At the count's thoughts, the commanders all let out bitter smiles.
But only for a moment; at the thought that the war would be ending, everyone's expressions relaxed.
"What should we do about the Vanguards we've deployed?"
At my question, the count personally poured wine into a glass, handed it to me, and answered.
"Until the declaration of armistice is officially confirmed, we have to continue this little war game."
A war game, huh…
It was a truly noble-like remark.
If you think about the people who died, it is not a proper thing to say, but it was a metaphor that anyone would have no choice but to nod to in their hearts.
It is always the people below who die because of the decisions of those above.
That's not a story that's all that different just because it's Earth.
"Come now, Brigade Commander Adrian. Relax that face."
At Count Otis's words I came to my senses, quickly corrected my expression, and gave an awkward smile.
Pointing with his hand at the golden medal on my chest, he spoke.
"That Golden Lion Medal of yours is a spoil of war too, isn't it? If the war ends like this, the fringe benefits that fall to you won't be negligible, so enjoy the present in good spirits."
A very convenient way of thinking in many respects.
But every part of it was true.
I had gained far too much in this war to start quibbling about unfairness.
'Right, since when have I ever been that virtuous.'
Clinking my wine glass with the count's, I thought more about my own future than about the victims of this war.
The end of the war meant I would be returning to my family.
'I need to level up even more relentlessly.'
Six weeks had passed since the moment I reached the 6th Circle right before the war began.
My current level is 199.
It had taken a long time because my connection time hadn't been consistent, but now there was only 1 left until I finally reached my first target, level 200.
If I achieve level 200 and complete the fortuitous encounter quest along with it, a new 7th Circle Archmage will be born in the kingdom.