The Man Called Demon Lord in Another World Has Returned! - chapter 8
Chapter 8: The Invasion Force
In the command tent of the Agataria army invasion force:
“We’ve detected an immense magical power signature. This must be the Demon Lord Kiriya. The vanished Kiriya must have revived!”
The observer reports loudly while looking at the magic detection device.
“Just report, your opinions are unnecessary. The observers seem to lack proper training,” thinks Lieutenant General Marquis Eisen, the corps commander, focusing on a matter unrelated to the situation at hand.
“Commander, if we don’t issue retreat orders immediately, our assault force will charge straight into the demon realm where the Demon Lord is waiting. This command post is also in danger and must retreat urgently. We should leave two divisions of your personal army behind. We need to buy as much time as possible.”
The deputy commander states the obvious, assuming the sacrifice of my personal army.
“Understood. Staff officers, quickly draft orders for each division to withdraw to their starting positions. Once the orders are ready, send messengers to each division to retreat immediately! We’ll withdraw our command post as well.”
…
While signing the completed orders, Eisen contemplates his deputy commander.
“This man was sent from central command. He’s a deputy commander in name, but he’s probably here to monitor me. A viscount and colonel, apparently. According to him, taking the Demon Lord’s castle would be easy if the Demon Lord weren’t present.
Our army has deployed smoothly without any interference so far. Has that given him confidence? Doesn’t he know that the Demon Lord’s army won’t interfere with what we do outside the Demon Lord’s domain?
Despite being that kind of man, he seems to have enough sense to withdraw the army. Or perhaps he just wants to save himself. The problem is, the personal army he suggests leaving behind as a rear guard is the one I’ve raised. Does he understand what he’s saying? In my opinion, whether the Demon Lord is present or not, it’s impossible to capture the Demon Lord’s castle with just six infantry divisions and one magic division. We’d need ten times this force. If the Demon Lord is there, even a hundred times wouldn’t be enough. We started the attack because of the king’s orders, but now the six divisions will likely be worn down before completing their withdrawal. No, depending on the Demon Lord’s mood, they might literally vanish. The magic division is arranged to retreat quickly after exhausting their magic, so they have some chance of survival, but that also depends on the Demon Lord’s army – it’s fifty-fifty.
But this viscount colonel deputy has a nasty look. And he’s pudgy to boot. I don’t like him on a gut level. If it weren’t for orders from central command, I wouldn’t have made such a man my deputy.”
“Commander, aren’t you leaving a rear guard?”
“A rear guard is unnecessary. The entire army will withdraw swiftly.”
“Commander, a rear guard is necessary!”
“Enough!”
“Commander, I will report this to the Royal Army Headquarters when we return to the capital.”
Does this fool think he’ll make it back to the capital safely?
“Do as you like. Someone, take this eyesore away somewhere.”
The viscount colonel deputy was led away by the guards.
“Good riddance. I should have gotten rid of him sooner.”
“This might be the end of the 300-year-old Agataria Kingdom. I’ve drawn the short straw just because my territory borders the Demon Lord’s domain, the demon realm. To think that I, who opposed the invasion of the demon realm, would end up as the commander of the invasion force. Two divisions of my personal army, four infantry divisions and one magic division sent from the capital. Including myself, all of these might vanish. Until now, only those who attacked the demon realm were targets for retaliation, but this time it won’t be so simple. We attacked like burglars, counting on the Demon Lord’s absence…
It’s getting noisy outside the command post. The messengers seem to have departed on horseback. Well, I should get moving too. Come to think of it, those so-called ‘heroes’ were here too. Well, let them do as they please.”
…