27 The Invasion of Laird

I was still being hosted at the castle. 

I'm staying in the capital for a while at Dean and Louise's request, but the castle seems oddly bustling today. 

Asking about the commotion, I'm told Roland Kingdom's army crossed the border. Their likely destination is Lard.

"Sir Dean, I'm heading to Lard immediately."

"It's dangerous alone, Sir Yoshinobu. 

The knights have already been dispatched, please remain calm."

"No, even just me can help. 

Please let me go! Miss Sarina is in that town too."

Seeing me panic, Dean asks.

"Sir Yoshinobu, do you have the power to battle armies?"

"Yeah, I should be able to defeat a small force."

"I see, please go then."

"Brother!"

Louise reprimands her brother, but

"Louise, men have duties they must carry out.

Yoshinobu has the eyes of one resolved.

As his future wife, see him off is your duty."

"...Sir Yoshinobu, will you really be alright?"

"Yeah, I can just fly away if it gets dangerous."

"Then I'm going too. It's my duty to ensure your standing, Sir Yoshinobu." 

"W-wait, Louise, it's too perilous."

"You said it would be fine right? Then please protect me.

And I will take responsibility no matter what happens.

Is that alright, brother?"

"You won't listen to me anyway.

Yoshinobu, I leave my sister to you."

"But..."

"We're short on time right, Sir Yoshinobu? Let's hurry."

As Louise says, arriving quickly is best.

"Got it. But it's dangerous so listen to what I say."

"I understand."

Taking Louise along, I fly towards the town of Lard.

This time I summon the AH-64D Apache combat helicopter. 

While I head for Lard, a messenger had come from Roland Kingdom to Lard's lord, Cheese.

"Quite rude to come with troops unannounced!"

"My apologies, we bear no ill will to your country.

We only ask you hand over Yoshinobu, a criminal of our country."

"Criminal?"

"Yes. He is a dangerous man who destroyed the royal capital's gate and fled.

These troops have come to capture him."

"And if I refuse?"

"We have been ordered to capture him.

...Even if it comes to conflict."

"So you will invade?"

"Oh no, I'm sure Marquess Cheese will make a prudent decision.

Let us wait until dawn tomorrow. If there is no answer by sunrise then..."

Leaving that threat, the messenger takes his leave.

Left behind, Cheese asks his men.

"Can we defend the town?"

"...It will be difficult. This town is poorly suited for defense. And they likely have 3,000 men.

Our 500 troops cannot match them."

"Then you say hand him over?"

"We've little choice. And if he is a criminal, we've no reason to shelter him."

"I see, no choice then? Do we know his whereabouts?"

Cheese didn't remember Yoshinobu.

He recalled the Horn incident, but not Yoshinobu's name.

"Wasn't that the one who defeated Horn?"

"That man... Anna has been bedridden since then...

Very well, send word to Lucas to hand over Yoshinobu."

"Please wait! Capturing a guest of Lucas Company could greatly impact this town's governance. 

And bending to another country's threats would bring eternal shame. I beseech you reconsider!"

"What are you saying! It's fine if the townspeople become sacrifices!?"

"Lord Cheese, please hand over Yoshinobu."

"Lord Cheese, please don't!"

Unable to decide with his retainers' opinions split, morning came.