Chapter 60
(Kyle Calendar
Year 506: Age 13)
Youth Knight
Order March Out to Battle
Translator : PolterGlast
In the Kyle Kingdom's
capital city, Kylar, two newly established knight corps were now preparing to
depart for the battlefield.
The citizens of the
capital lined the streets and cheered them on as the column of warhorses set
out from the capital.
"Look! That's the
Second Youth Knight Corps, which our Kingdom boasts. From junior nobles to
commoners, all gathered together, just looking at them tells you the martial
might of the Kingdom."
"They must be
carrying turnips in those baggage trains."
"Looking at that
uncouth army, the Kingdom's nobles might even receive praise, not just from the
enemy but also from allies, for being unable to even properly equip
themselves."
The members of the
First Youth Knight Corps sneered.
On the day the
Headmaster summoned him, Darek had no choice but to represent and lead the
Second Youth Knight Corps.
Therefore, he hastily
changed his schedule and rushed around preparing.
He sent a fast horse
to his home to report the situation.
And as a member of the
Second Youth Knight Corps, he summoned about 20 direct subordinate cavalrymen
from his territory and had them join the Second Youth Knight Corps along with
Kran.
From then on, it was a
race against time for Darek.
A brave warrior who
had his first battle at 12 and achieved military honors in annihilating the
enemy.
A young swordsman who
held the title of Sword Saint, close to the pinnacle in the Kingdom.
A rising lord who was
already a Baronet at the age of 16.
He knew that such a
reputation was being used for political purposes.
Some harbored ulterior
motives, such as:
Using this dangerous
mission as an opportunity to suppress those who stood out.
Utilizing him as a
hostage to extract help from his family during difficult times.
In his current
position, he unwillingly had no choice but to go along with their schemes.
"I'll just do
what I can."
Darek gave up and
focused on the task at hand.
He couldn't wait for
all the soldiers to be gathered. He called up those who had assembled and began
training them in marching, group combat, formations, and maneuvers.
"On the
battlefield, those who can't even make basic movements won't be able to protect
their own lives!"
Darek's shouts of encouragement
flew.
Rapid training was
unavoidable. But if they couldn't function as a group, they would just be
fodder for the enemy army on the battlefield.
Under Darek's
guidance, the Second Youth Knight Corps gradually became able to move to some
extent as a combat unit.
The Royal Capital
Knights Commander, who observed their training, involuntarily let out a cry of
admiration.
"Hoh, those brats
are moving like proper soldiers. Their inexperience from accelerated training
is noticeable, but... I want them."
The Royal Capital
Knights Commander further raised Darek's evaluation.
Thus, intense training
continued day by day until the day of departure.
※
By the day before
departure, the Second Youth Knight Corps had grown to a force of 500,
incorporating the gathered children of junior nobles, commoners, and their
accompanying retainers.
Darek's good fortune
lay in the fact that many of the members of the Second Youth Knight Corps
(lower-ranking nobles connected to baronial families, baronet and knightly families,
and commoners attending the academy) were of low status but possessed
considerable ability.
The purpose of many
junior nobles and commoners attending the academy was primarily two goals:
To aspire to become
civil officials or to aspire to join the Royal Capital Knights.
Many students who
followed Darek aimed to join the Knights after graduation and originally had
inherent strength.
In addition, there
were also those who had already achieved military honors, those with combat
experience, and those with recognized skills.
"To obey the
command of such a brat! What kind of personnel decisions is the Kingdom
making!"
Those with high
abilities and recognized skills initially rebelled against Darek, with some
challenging his command and others refusing to obey orders.
Darek, as always,
faced them without panicking.
And those who rebelled
came to understand Darek's true abilities through sword duels (discussions)
with him and combat training (discussions) such as mock battles, and they began
to obey him.
Once blades were
crossed, no one could stand against Darek, the [Sword Saint]. His military
strategy was self-proclaimed and universally recognized as the best disciple of
the Commander (Weiss).
He united the Second
Youth Knight Corps through his own power.
※
The armor and weapons
they wore for the campaign were practical, well-used, unadorned, and
rough-hewn.
Therefore, they didn't
mind being ridiculed for their appearance by the members of the First Youth
Knight Corps, who knew nothing of real combat.
Rather, they pitied
those who wore glittering, unblemished armor and laughed ignorantly.
The weakness of the
Second Youth Knight Corps was their sheer numbers.
No one had arranged
for more than 20 subordinates to accompany them, like Darek.
At most, there were
around 10, and many participated alone.
As a result, compared
to the First Youth Knight Corps, which boasted 2,000 men, they were only a
quarter of the strength, a mere 500 riders.
This also further
fueled the First Youth Knight Corps' pride and became one of the reasons they
looked down on the Second Youth Knight Corps.
On the other hand, the
First Youth Knight Corps was primarily composed of children of high-ranking
nobles, and their accompanying subordinates also wore glittering armor and
weapons.
Many of their items
had ornate decorations unsuitable for actual combat.
And each of them led
many attendants.
Some had even called
up nearly 100 subordinates to accompany them.
"Are those guys
dressed up to have a dinner party on the battlefield?"
"Bringing a cook
to the battlefield makes no sense!"
"Are those
decorations meant to display treasure and attract the attention of the foot
soldiers to die?"
"Are they going
on a picnic, bringing along useless attendants?"
The members of the
Second Youth Knight Corps were not to be outdone.
However... it couldn't
be helped that they were saying these things in low voices, so as not to be
heard by the other side.
"The First Youth
Knight Corps, their actual combat personnel are only about 1,000 to at most
1,500."
Kran, who was riding
beside him, pushed his horse closer and whispered with a wry smile.
"That's right.
For them, it must be a carefree picnic.
Kran, once we leave
the royal capital, we will increase our marching speed. Please relay this to
each unit.
After that, I'm sorry,
but could we go ahead and confirm locations and terrain suitable for training,
such as formation deployment and changes, while marching?"
"Understood. So,
we'll do that while riding on horseback?"
"Yes, we need to
increase our chances of returning alive, even if only a little."
Darek had already
received permission that once they departed, the Second Youth Knight Corps
could act as an independent separate unit.
He had also informed
the First Youth Knight Corps that they would train while marching towards the
battlefield.
Therefore, there was
no need to match their slow pace.
The distance to the
battlefield was long.
Marching with them
would be unpleasant, and it would be disastrous to arrive late to the battlefield
as a result of marching at their pace.
He wanted to arrive as
early as possible before the war began and have them learn at least the minimum
necessary training and formations on site.
Because that would
lead to more of them returning alive.
Darek was filled with
anxiety, wondering how many of these still young boys he could safely bring
back.
Darek's struggle
continued.
"After we cross
the next hill, immediately change formation! From the front, shift into a
fish-scale formation, and maintain that formation as you advance orderly to the
next hill!"
And at another time...
"We will rescue
our allies who are surrounded by the enemy beyond this hill. All units, charge
formation! Full speed ahead while shifting into a spindle formation!"
Furthermore...
"Now we will
conduct a retreat battle. Replace the rearguard in sequence, and gradually
retreat in the direction of advance! The first unit, pursue the retreating
enemy unit!"
Darek's advance was
relentless.
It was just like
Commander Weiss's rigorousness.
His self-proclaimed
and universally recognized best disciple was not just for show.
Not a few of them had
received training in unit deployment and formation changes, and group combat as
part of their academy curriculum.
And some had experienced
actual combat on the battlefield.
They were leading
their subordinate units as commanders of small-scale and medium-scale groups.
And then...
"It's about
Father and Takuhir. They must have brought that 'thing' to the battlefield.
With that 'thing,' training can be done in a short time."
"Indeed. We still
need to keep it secret, though."
"They will likely
have the soldiers carry that 'thing' until just before the battle. And then, it
will become unnecessary in the actual battle. So, we will use it.
If we do that, even
the Second Youth Knight Corps, with little combat experience, can be expected
to be a decent fighting force."
"That's right.
The power of numbers is great."
"And then, how
many mages my younger brother is bringing, right?"
"Yes, I'm sure
Takuhir-sama is bringing many comrades with him."
"If so, even they
can fight decently. If they can exert the power of numbers, they will surely be
useful."
Darek muttered with
words full of expectation.
"Hmph, relying on
others, that's not like me."
Darek muttered
sullenly, then regained his composure and issued a command.
"All units!
Shorten the usual seven-day march to Southern Gate Fortress as much as
possible!
Understand that
arriving at the battlefield even one day earlier will help you distinguish
yourselves and ensure your survival!"
Darek spurred his
horse forward, rushing the advance as much as possible.
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