After Retirement, Living a Stud Life in Another World - 81
Chapter 81: Conclusion of the Siege
“Haaah!”
With a shout of determination from Gretel, the female mage who was about to unleash flames with her hand was blown back about ten meters and lost consciousness. Indeed, once brought into close combat, she was nearly invincible. In response to my extravagant request of “capture without killing as much as possible,” there was even room to spare to just leave her with a few broken bones.
Meanwhile, another mage was struggling as branches and roots entangled around him. Of course, this was Beatrice’s doing. Using traps made of grass to trip them up, she then had trees ensnare them from left and right. The sight of the trees seeming to capture their prey as if they had a will of their own… Some of the watching soldiers were so frightened they nearly lost their footing. Well, even I might have felt uneasy if it weren’t Beatrice controlling them.
Further away, a high-pitched scream echoed. It was the sound of Liese pinning the feet of another mage to the ground with her “Ice Spears.” In the war against the Duchy, Liese had adorned the sky with icicles like chandeliers. At that time, there were tens of thousands of icicles, so we had to let them fall freely due to gravity, but with fewer numbers, they could be accurately directed as desired. Just now, to “neutralize without killing,” she deliberately pierced the enemy’s feet. It was truly commendable. Although her magical power didn’t quite match mother’s, she had continued to train tirelessly, and her ability to control magic was now said to be the best in the country, perhaps even the strongest on the continent.
Originally, the queen and mother, who were considered the twin pillars of the Kingdom’s mages, were leisurely watching the lively girls. They didn’t seem worried about the safety of their daughters, instead indulging in tea.
“If it’s Beatrice’s tea, it would be even more delicious.”
“Certainly, His Highness’s skills are top-notch.”
No, I don’t think that’s the issue. Well, being made to drink tea with these carefree two, I am complicit, too.
“It seems like our era has come to an end.”
“Yes. With those three around, we’re safe for another thirty years.”
Relief colored the gaze of the two. It wasn’t unreasonable… Since the war several decades ago, the survival of the Kingdom had largely depended on their shoulders.
“And because there’s a man here who has a tight grip on those three. He’s a bad man… but I’m relying on him.”
As I was given a mischievous look by Her Majesty, all I could do was shrink back. Have I really done anything that bad? I don’t recall ever doing anything to manipulate them… But, seeing them actively demonstrate their power in front of me, incapacitating enemy after enemy, my heart rate somehow sped up. Except for Liese, the other two are… women who I believe will become my wives, and that thought fills me with pride and excitement.
“Goodness, you’re getting quite ahead of yourself.”
Oops, I was in front of Her Majesty. I hastily straightened my posture and pretended to sip from my cup to cover my embarrassment.
The reason for this relaxed situation is that the only resisting enemies are a few nobles.
Since the negotiations… Prince Maximilian, who brought back the surrender terms, borrowed the power of a wind attribute mage provided by the Kingdom and called out to the entire castle.
The Kingdom side won’t kill the soldiers, and though they’ll be considered slaves, they won’t be sold off. Their livelihoods will be guaranteed. If they work diligently for ten years, they’ll be able to return home. If they choose to remain, they’ll be given citizenship of Belzenbrück. If they stay true to their word and work diligently, they’ll be granted freedom. The soldiers trapped inside the castle were surprised when, as soon as the prince’s recommendation was over, the branches and roots that had been binding them abnormally retracted. The vegetation that had seemed like monsters just a moment ago now looked like an ordinary forest, with the branches stretching towards the sky and the roots pulsating with life in the ground.
The awe that Beatrice’s quiet magic had instilled in the soldiers seemed even more powerful than mother’s flamboyant fire magic, in a way. The fear meticulously carved into their hearts would seep deeply. It wouldn’t be unreasonable for them to feel as if this was a divine miracle that had removed that fear. Thus, almost all the common soldiers of the Empire obediently followed the prince’s instructions, laying down their weapons.
However, it wasn’t so easy for the majority of high-ranking officers who were nobles. Naturally, they were convinced that their families would provide ransom and that only they could return to their homeland. As long as they were fine, they didn’t care if the commoners were slaughtered or sold to infidels.
Of course, there were some noble-minded individuals who spoke of the duty of commanders to share the fate of their troops and obediently surrendered. However, in the end, about half of them refused the recommendation and continued to resist. While it would be convenient to just burn down these troublesome nobles who didn’t care about the people, they were all quite proficient magic users. There aren’t enough mages for the southern expansion, so I definitely want to capture them… That’s why I ended up making the luxurious request to my young aces to “neutralize without killing.”
“This is the end!”
Gretel, who had already taken out over twenty people, delivered a decisive high kick with a graceful and beautiful form, striking the enemy’s temple area with an unwavering speed, bringing the battle to a close.