The 180th day of summoning other worlds [Decisive Battle] Part 8:

'Phew, good. We made it in time!

Saying that, Elena jumped off her horse in front of Ryoma and said with a thin smile on her face.
Ryoma felt some dark sentiment in her smile.

''Elena-san... why are you here? Shouldn't he have been part of the attack on Iraklion? Isn't it tasteless without you?

'What? You didn't take part in the attack on Heraklion, did you? Even I....hey?

Ryoma smiled bitterly at Elena's words.
(e.g. "I'll be back")
From the look on Elena's face, Ryouma could see why she had come here.
She had read that Hodram was going to flee the country, just like Ryoma.
And she was prepared to settle the matter by herself.

''How many troops do you have?''

"My entourage, 300.

You're totally killing me... well, that's just as well...
The dark flames of revenge dwell in Elena's heart.
The number of troops she has direct command authority over in this battle is approximately 3,000.
The fact that she came to this place with only her own entourage of 300 from among them shows Elena's resolve.
The fact that she had brought only her own entourage with her is nothing more than an indication of her determination to make sure that Hodram is killed by any means necessary.
Even if Hodram chooses to surrender, he must have a mind to ignore it.

''So? What's the situation? I wonder if Hodram has already escaped Iraklion?

Ryoma shook his head in response to Elena's question.

''Well you don't think they would choose to hunker down in Iraklion and crush your balls, do you?

A hint of anxiety crossed Elena's face.
An expectation is only an expectation.
She is not foolish enough to think that her predictions are always correct.
But I can't miss my prediction this time.
I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to get your revenge here.

''It won't happen. From what my people have been able to find out, they're raising funds for the escape.......

I knew it........that's what he would think.

Elena spits out.

'Do you have any idea where you're headed?'

Ryoma takes the map from Saara and spreads it out in front of Elena.

''We've narrowed it down to two options... considering that we have a carriage ready to go and Hodram's family in one place who aren't used to roughing it, I'm thinking that we're going to flee in the southern direction first.

Ryouma's fingers traced the map.

''I see........it would be correct to avoid the east. If we head that way under the circumstances, we'll be targeted by the nobles who want to flirt with the princess.......

Liang Shin nodded.
Now, Princess Lupis's victory was at hand.
Those who had been standing on the sidelines or opposing her are now trying to get into Princess Lupis to somehow protect the family name.
In such a situation, Hodram heading east would be considered suicidal.
It is obvious that everyone is going to try to get into the princess with Hodram's head as a souvenir.

''There's no west either.......the border area with the Kingdom of Zaruda is full of mountains.......and then there's the south......''

Elena's analysis seems to have reached the same conclusion as Ryoma's.
Granted, her face doesn't look troubled.
She must have some kind of conviction.

''Ryoma-kun, you're torn between two choices, south or southwest, right?

Ryoma nodded silently.

Then I'll take care of your problem. Hodram's escape route is to the south. I can't think of any other way.

Elena stated confidently.

'On what basis?'

Because his wife is a nobleman from the Kingdom of Tallujah.

The Kingdom of Tarja.
It's the name of a country about 100 km south of Heraklion.
Certainly, it can be said to be a safe choice for an escape route if it is the country of his wife's origin.
If you have some kind of connection with her, it will be easier to ask for her help.



Ryoma doesn't want to be stingy.
He acknowledges the persuasive power in Elena's words.
But just as he himself chose to do when he escaped from the Oltmere Empire, the best move doesn't always bring good results.
The best move is easily predictable in the eyes of others.
That's why choosing the next best move can mislead the eyes of your opponent.
Ryoma was concerned about that possibility.

You're not doing your best on purpose. But you don't have to worry about that because if you continue on to the southeast from Iraklion, you will reach the Kingdom of Britannia.

Elena's finger points next to the Kingdom of Tallujah.

''In terms of distance, it's about the same as the Kingdom of Tallujah, right? Is there no possibility of escaping to this Britannia kingdom?

Elena shook her head at Liangma's question.

''There's no such thing ... Tallujah and Britannia have been sworn enemies for years. Even if only Hodram could escape, he couldn't take his wife from Tallujah with him. And Hodram can't abandon his wife. If he does, he will have zero forces to help Hodram.

"Elena, do you think Hodram is trying to regain power in the Kingdom of Tallujah? ....still pursuing power?

Yeah, he's definitely not the kind of guy who's going to back down from this he's not such a sweet guy.

If Elena's words were correct, then it could be said that Hodram was certain to go to the Kingdom of Tarja.
It was more convenient for his wife's country of origin to be a place of escape than a country with which he had no connection at all.
But Ryoma had a new concern after hearing Elena's words.
It was about Hodram's wife, which he had never paid attention to before.

Elena's vengeance is not only on Hodram's own life.
The blade will also be directed at his family.
Naturally, Hodram's wife will also...
The problem is the concern that as a result of killing Hodram's wife, he will make a new enemy in the Kingdom of Roselia.
Are you sure it's safe to kill a man like that?
But Ryoma shook off the concerns that were bubbling up.

''I understand. I will follow your command.

Those words were an indication that Elena's revenge was her top priority.
Elena nodded deeply at Ryoma's words.

'So what do you want to do? Will they strike as soon as they leave Heraklion? Or do you want to do it some distance away?

I think it's better here... what do you think?

Elena nodded lightly in response to Ryoma's question and pointed to a point on the map.
According to the map, that place is a forest.
It's a convenient place to put the troops down.

''I see........then it would be better to divide the troops into two hands........well, hey, I'll lead about 200 of them and play the role of a hound? It would be more convenient for you, Elena, wouldn't it?

Ryoma sensed Elena's intentions.
It could be understood by Elena.

''Thank you ... Ryoma-kun.

Those words expressed her heart.
And the fate of Hodram and his family.

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It's Cale. We won't be followed, will we?

At Hodram's words, Cale turned his attention to the rear of the horse.

'Yes, my lord ... for now ... I'm afraid no one has noticed our escape yet.

'Well I guess I was right to follow your advice and try to escape at the right time as Lupis's troops were pushing in, Cale.

'Ha! Thank you!

Cale bowed deeply at Hodram's words.

Hodram cashed in his assets and gathered a small number of his entourage that followed him into the mansion and waited for the right time.
The opportunity, the chance for them to go outside of Iraklion's field.
And it came today.
With the launch of the attack on Heraklion by Princess Lupis' army.

The city of Heraklion was in turmoil.
Although the talk of reverence had already been settled between Gerhardt and Princess Lupis, the talk had not spread to the general public.
As a result, it looked to the residents as if Princess Lupis had only marched her army to purge Duke Gerhardt.
No matter what the ruling class did, the citizens were essentially irrelevant.
However, if the army was to attack the city, the citizens would naturally suffer casualties.
So the residents were forced to flee the city to save their lives and what little property they had.

Hodram and the others took advantage of the confusion.


'Humph! Don't think it's going to go away! For what you have done to me you Lupis! Gerhardt! They will surely remind you of that!

A curse escaped from Hodram's mouth, relieved that his pursuers were not in sight.
He had completely reopened the door.
Calling out the name of the royal family could be considered the height of disrespect.
But he had already resigned himself to his position in the Kingdom of Roselia.
Nobles, knights, and royalty.
Hodram had been cut off from the ruling class of the Roserian Kingdom.
But there is no justification for his resentment.
It's not that Princess Lupis has tricked Hodram or anything like that.
He simply betrayed Princess Lupis and Gerhardt by himself.
Hodram was the one who betrayed her.
But his head doesn't work like that.
The predicament he has fallen into can only be blamed on others.
And because he is such a man, he has fallen to the point where he has fled the country.

How's your wife and daughter doing? Does it look okay?

Hodram turned his attention to the chasing carriage at the rear.
It had his family riding in it.

'Ha! We're doing our best to make sure you're comfortable in the carriage.

Hmm. That's my last card! Listen! Make no mistake about it!

"Rest assured, my lord. We'll make sure you get to Tarja in one piece! ........right?!

Cale urged the knights running alongside him to agree.

'"Leave it to us, my lord!

Hodram's trump card is the trump card of Cale and everyone else in this place.
I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make the most of it.
That is the bill for doing whatever they want with Hodram's prestige as a shield.
That is why they will not betray Hodram.
If Hodram floats, they will float and if Hodram sinks, they will also sink.
It was not a matter of loyalty to Hodram, it was a matter of simple profit and loss.


'Mmm! If I marry my daughter to the prince of Tarja, I'll be a foreign relative and gain power! If that happens, I promise you guys the treatment you deserve!

""Ha!"

The entourage bowed their heads in unison.

Hodram's last bargaining chip was his wife and her daughter, a nobleman in the kingdom of Tallelujah.
He had planned to establish himself by giving his daughter to the prince of Tallujah.
That, however, was still only Hodram's desire.
For he had not yet made any maneuvers against the nobles and the royal family of the Kingdom of Tallelujah.
But there are few options left for him.
Of all of them, Koré is the one with the best chance of returning to the halls of power.

His heart has not yet been broken.
(I ... will not end up like this! (I will surely take power again!)
It may be the karma of a man who has tasted the fruit of power.
It is a pleasure to control people.
It is similar to a drug, and it eats away at people's minds.

It's not going to end like this!

A dark delusional fire flashed in Hodram's eyes.