The Great Battle of Zetta (11): Day Two: Poison

Rewinding a little, we return to the war council on the morning of the second day of the battle.

"Set them against each other? Rodelight and Zegabain? How?"

That was the first reaction to the plan I had proposed.

"We'll arrange for a mole from our side. We'll have them tell Zegabain that Rodelight is secretly in contact with Rudek."

"That's easy to say, but..." One unit commander implicitly dismissed the idea as mere armchair theorizing, but "Well, wait. Let's hear him out," Boldras-sama said, giving the room a slightly more serious air.

After looking around at everyone's faces, I began with the most basic question. "First of all, do you think Rodelight and Zegabain are on good terms?"

Everyone looked dubious and said nothing. I continued.

"Let me put it another way. Suppose, for example, that in this battle the Tenth Knight Order swooped in at the very end and took all the glory, or that word was spread throughout the royal capital that 'we won thanks to the Tenth Knight Order.' How would you feel?"

That got my point across.

Rodelight was, in a word, "good at publicity." Of course, he was probably good at warfare too, but the fact that opinions of him were so divided in later generations suggested that he was not well regarded by anyone beyond the common people.

In fact, whether it was Raiz-sama, Hock-san, or Boldras-sama, their assessment of Rodelight as a general was lukewarm. He seemed to have particular shortcomings when it came to strategy and seeing the bigger picture.

If that was the case, then although he acted like an undefeated general, it would hardly be surprising if there were commanders and units paying the price behind the scenes.

Even in this battle, Zegabain was supposed to be the supreme commander, yet Rodelight had clearly ignored his orders. Otherwise, there was no explaining how he had fought on the first day.

On the first day, despite being assigned to the eastern gate, Rodelight had barely attacked at all, simply watching and preparing for a night raid.

If a night raid had been the strategy from the start, there would have been no need to do anything but keep Rodelight's forces in reserve. The night raid had ultimately proved effective, so perhaps he had changed course, but I could imagine Zegabain grimacing.

Rather than there being a rift specifically between Rodelight and Zegabain, perhaps there was a gulf between Rodelight and the other generals. That was the basic idea behind my proposal: exploit it.

"However, even if Rodelight is disliked as you say, I doubt Zegabain would so readily believe the words of an informant we provided." At Boldras-sama's words, the other generals nodded as well.

"It would have to be someone of a certain standing. Regardless of the actual circumstances, they would need to appear deeply dissatisfied with the current situation and influential enough to matter to the enemy."

"Does such a person exist?" the officers murmured, exchanging glances.

There was one.

There was one person so perfectly suited to the role that it was almost laughable. However, this plan rested on the premise that Rodelight and Zegabain were on bad terms—or at the very least, that Zegabain did not like Rodelight.

Taking into account the assessments I had seen in the future, I thought that premise was fairly likely. But had I ever seen anything saying that Rodelight and Zegabain were on bad terms? No, I had not.

In other words, if that premise proved false, our informant might be arrested on the spot and executed.

That was why I had hesitated until the very last moment.

"I see... So that is my role."

Wickhart gazed at me with a gentle expression.

To outsiders, the Azure Bow had been driven from his post as commander of the Sixth Knight Order and, in the Tenth Knight Order, placed under an unknown general rather than even serving as Raiz-sama's aide.

If I were a Golbel general trying to recruit someone through subterfuge, Wickhart would be my first candidate.

"That is, if my assessment is correct... But if I'm wrong, you may be killed outright."

"Perhaps. But either way, aren't the chances high that we will all be wiped out along with the fortress if we continue like this? If I'm going to die anyway, let it be while carrying out the order of the lord to whom I've pledged my bow."

When I looked around, the other officers were watching our exchange with bated breath.

For an instant, Raimal-san's face flashed through my mind.

My chest tightened slightly.

I might make the same kind of mistake again.

But...

"Please, Wickhart. Turn Zegabain to our side. I place our fate on your shoulders."

"Yes, sir!"

And so, my plan quietly began to unfold.

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On the night of the second day of the battle, at Golbel's main camp.

"I have heard as well that you've been treated unfairly. However, I cannot trust you so easily."

Inside Zegabain's command tent, Wickhart sat calmly with a blade pressed to his neck.

"Your concerns are entirely reasonable, Zegabain-sama. I did not come here to defect empty-handed."

"Oh? Then what have you brought?"

"Tomorrow... no, by the day after tomorrow, I will open the western gate from the inside for you."

"The day after tomorrow? Would tomorrow be impossible?"

"Indeed. If we are to ensure success, the day after tomorrow is best. By then, the soldiers inside the fortress will be at the limits of their endurance. Then the soldiers who share my cause and I..."

At that, Zegabain showed some reluctance.

"But Kitzar Fortress may fall tomorrow. I would not want you joining the winning side only after that happens."

"If that happens, you may judge that fortune has deserted me, and I will have no choice but to prove my loyalty by taking at least one fortress soldier's head."

Looking at Wickhart's composed, almost serene face, which suggested he had steeled himself, Zegabain considered the matter.

A trap was entirely possible. But if it was a trap, what harm would Golbel actually suffer?

If the western gate did not open the day after tomorrow... To be honest, Zegabain did not think they would be in much trouble. They might even break through with tomorrow's offensive, and if the siege continued into a fourth day, he felt certain of victory.

However, if Wickhart opened the western gate, they could conserve more of the troops under his command. And besides, having the Azure Bow surrender to them would be a favorable outcome.

Even if it was a trap, they would win with the attack as planned. There would be no problem.

It might be worth trying as insurance, though he could not trust Wickhart in the slightest.

Having reached that conclusion, Zegabain said, "Then report the situation inside the fortress as it develops," and lowered the blade from Wickhart's neck.

"Understood. And, since what I am about to say is rather sensitive, I would be grateful if you kept it strictly between us..."

Wickhart remained where he was, hesitating over something. "What is it? Out with it," Zegabain ordered.

"It concerns Rodelight-sama. There is something I would like to tell you..."

The poison was quietly administered.