Chapter 33
(Kyle Calendar
Year 504: Age 11)
Alteration:
The Phantom First Battle ①
Translator : PolterGlast
【⚔History of the Solis
Barony⚔ The Light Swordsman's First Battle】
Kyle Calendar Year
504: Darek, the eldest son of the Solis baronial family, goes on his first
battle. At the end of this winter, an ominous shadow looms over the land of
Estol. Vagrants overflowing from the neighboring territory band together and
become bandits. The unruly rabble raid villages, torment the people, and commit
all manner of atrocities. The young swordsman of the Solis baronial family
leads the army and defeats them. His swordsmanship excels above the masses, and
his military strategy overwhelms the enemy. The people, with awe and respect,
call him the Light Swordsman and greatly praise him.
***
Spring of Kyle
Calendar Year 504 was approaching.
In the [previous
history], this was the year and time when my brother was supposed to have his
first battle.
However, in the [current
world], my brother had already had his first battle and achieved military
exploits, so history had already diverged...
I also remembered this
time well.
Although no actual
fighting occurred, Father led the army on an expedition in response to reports
of unrest in the neighboring country.
Taking advantage of
this gap, a band of thieves who had come from the Hiyorimi Viscountcy attacked
the villages on the border.
My brother led the
remaining garrison troops, and despite being outnumbered, annihilated the
bandit group, marking his first battle.
But in the [current
world], the Southern Gate Annihilation Battle two years ago had dealt a major
blow, and Margrave Goth would likely not have any leeway. Therefore, Father and
the soldiers were also stationed within the territory, and there should be no
attacks targeting those who were left behind.
"This time, by
order of Margrave Hastburg, we will conduct large-scale exercises on the
Southern Gate Plains."
I doubted my ears at
Father's words.
"Furthermore,
since only cavalry will participate this time, we plan to dispatch all units of
our newly established Iron Cavalry Corps from our territory."
Hold on! Isn't that
extremely bad...?
"What will
Brother Darek be doing this time?"
"Darek will gain
experience overseeing the remaining troops."
"So, he will
remain within the territory?"
"That's
right."
My brother had a
dissatisfied look on his face but said nothing.
He had probably been
told beforehand by Father.
"This exercise
was also proposed by Viscount Hiyorimi. He wants to reorganize and train his
own army, which fought poorly last time."
At Father's
explanation, I felt history trying to balance itself again... a shiver ran down
my spine.
"The Hiyorimi
Viscountcy is in a rather delicate situation due to last year's flood. I hear
there are many who have become displaced persons or bandits..."
I started to put into
words the fears that were arising.
"That's why we
are leaving someone who can command the troops behind."
I see, so Father was
also considering that point.
One day, under the
gentle spring sunlight, Father led 200 riders of the Iron Cavalry Corps out of
the town of Est.
And several uneventful
days followed.
By now, Father's
forces had likely passed through the Hiyorimi territory and moved to the border
region.
"Brother, where
are you going?"
"Ah, I heard that
suspicious individuals have appeared in a village on the border of our
territory. I intend to patrol the villages on the Hiyorimi border with the
remaining cavalry as a demonstration."
"I see. Please be
careful."
At this time, although
there were points that didn't sit right with me, I hadn't yet noticed the
unnatural progression of the situation.
※
~Estol Territory: A
certain frontier region~
In the darkness after
sunset, voices were secretly conversing.
"How is it
going?"
"Yes, we are
moving in a way that we will definitely be discovered."
"Then he will
come as planned?"
"I believe it is
certain that he will leave the town of Est, leading the remaining cavalry."
"And the
remaining forces will be almost completely empty..."
"This time, we'll
make those guys drink boiling water."
Their figures
disappeared back into the darkness.
※
"Commander Weiss,
I have something I'd like to discuss with you today..."
"Takuhir-sama, is
something the matter?"
The Twin-Headed Falcon
Mercenary Corps had been entrusted with the protection of the town of Est at
the request of Father, who was away.
"This exercise,
the whole series of movements... something doesn't feel right to me."
"Various
unnatural situations have been occurring. As expected of brothers! Lord Darek
was also muttering similar things."
"Is it
overthinking to believe that they would deliberately leave the main force away
and target the now wide-open Estol territory?"
"I don't think
so. Lord Darek also put all the towns and villages on alert when he departed
for the border. All the part-time soldiers in the remaining unit are also on
standby."
"Then, the unrest
on the Hiyorimi border is also a danger sign, I suppose."
"If Takuhir-sama
were the enemy, what kind of strategy would you take to raid the Estol
territory?"
"Hmm...
I would cause trouble
on the border and concentrate our forces there. Then, I would make the already
small number of soldiers within the territory head there, and attack the
wide-open center... ah!"
"Correct!"
"But... my
brother has gone out..."
"Lord Darek is my
best disciple in military strategy. There's no way he wouldn't understand
something like this."
"You're right...
I was completely fooled... by my brother.
So, all I have to do
is play the part of the pathetic second son, panicking at an unexpected enemy
attack, right?"
"Well, I don't
think you need to go that far, but the town of Est and its surroundings should
have the maximum security net in place. We need to pay close attention to the
movement of people, especially at night."
"Then, I will
deploy troops discreetly and prepare."
"I believe that
would be wise."
My brother had
secretly discussed with Commander Weiss and deliberately left the town of Est
unguarded.
Or rather, made it
look like it was unguarded.
※
~Outskirts of Est~
"Report! About
200 bandits appear to be moving towards the center of our territory!"
"I see. So our
movements haven't been noticed?"
"Yes, they seem
to believe that the detached unit that went to the border is the main force,
and they are completely confident that the town of Est is empty."
"I see. Little do
they know that the most terrifying man in Est is still there... how
pitiful."
"Then, what about
us?"
"We will remain
on standby in this forest! Don't let them notice us, no matter what!"
They disappeared back
into the depths of the thicket.
※
~Simultaneous time,
within the Estol Territory~
A dirty group of about
50 poorly dressed individuals was moving, avoiding crowded places like roads,
towns, and villages. They moved slowly, with lookouts posted around them,
remaining vigilant...
"Hey, we've gone
quite a long way, but how far are we going?"
"How should I
know?! Ask the underboss!"
"Isn't this area
the Turnip Baron's territory already?"
"What?! Is that
true?"
"Yeah, look at
the position of the sun. We've been avoiding the roads and villages and heading
west the whole time."
Some of them muttered
in low voices.
"That's something
I can't ignore."
"I don't want to
mess with that guy's territory."
"Our family
survived the winter thanks to those people."
"My daughter,
too. They saved her."
"..."
"Should we
run?"
"Then we can't
repay their kindness."
"Then... let's
wait for night and do it."
"I'll call out to
the guys from the other villages too."
"It's decided
then."
They made up their
minds about something and scattered.
※
A little while ago,
they were ordinary farmers.
They had lost their
homes and farmland in the Olgu River flood and were at a loss, but they managed
to survive the winter thanks to relief and food aid from the neighboring
territory.
However, Viscount
Hiyorimi was cruel to the victims.
There were no relief
measures or tax reductions, and they were despondent.
One day, a suspicious
man who visited the village said...
"Let's take the
sustenance we need to live from those who live comfortably without knowing our
suffering."
They had gone along
with those words.
The first job was
easy.
It was to raid the
food warehouse of the soldiers stationed in the disaster area.
There was also
dissatisfaction with the viscountcy, and as they were told, they followed along
and easily obtained food.
The second time was
the same. When they raided as instructed, most of the soldiers were always
away, and the few guards there fled without fighting.
After the raid, they
and their families were able to survive on the generously distributed food.
"Next, we will
squeeze food from the people and use it to strike down those who live
luxuriously. We will distribute the spoils to the needy."
They had fallen for
such an invitation again.
Even if it meant
becoming a thief, they thought that if it was for their families and for the
sake of the needy, they could be of service.
When they joined the
main body of the bandit group, there were over 100 bandits there, and nearly
100 others who had come from various villages in the same way.
Then, the leader of
the bandits who led them shouted.
"The next haul is
big! We're attacking the stronghold of those who monopolize wealth.
They're out right now,
and it's empty. There will be treasures and women unlike anything we've seen
before!"
The genuine bandits
raised vulgar laughter and cheered.
After that, the leader
divided the group into four and ordered them to move while hiding so as not to
be conspicuous.
Were they going to
attack the lord's (Hiyorimi's) mansion? If so, they could get revenge for the
bitterness they had endured.
That's what they
thought.
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