Chapter 138
Eastern
Border War ② - Various
Thoughts
Translator : PolterGlast
※※※ Before the War
"We are truly
grateful for the reinforcements from Baron Solis, hero of the Southern Gate
battle, whose name echoed even in the Royal Capital. However, the nature of the
battlefield will differ greatly between the South and the East. First, it would
be best for you to calmly observe our battle."
So, it came to this,
as expected!
Upon arriving at the
battlefield, I immediately went to greet Margrave Hamish. I received his
expected polite words, but there was an underlying intention. Even with the
Cadet Knights, we were only 1,000 strong. At Southern Gate, I myself considered
the Cadet Knights to be extra numbers, not a real fighting force.
"This time, we,
the Royal Capital Knights, are also committing 20,000 cavalry to this battle.
The enemy, in contrast, is mainly composed of archers, who are weak in defense.
We shall trample them with our elite cavalry charge! Baron Solis, you may
calmly observe the battle."
Commander Hoffman,
leading the Royal Capital Knights' Second Army, breathed heavily, full of
bluster. Comparing them, Margrave Hamish appeared somewhat thin with a nervous
face, while Commander Hoffman gave the impression of a large, robust, and
open-hearted man. Since he was under Knight Commander Gouras, I wanted to
believe he wasn't incompetent...
"We have been
instructed by His Excellency Gouras to follow Baron Solis's tactics, as he has
superior experience in operating archer units. Please keep that in mind."
Commander Schultz,
leading the Royal Capital Knights' Third Army, conversely, was cautioning the
two of them. I was slightly relieved to realize he was on our side. He was
young, but capable and flexible in his thinking, enough to be appointed
commander of the Royal Capital Knights' Third Army. I had heard that from
Knight Commander Gouras.
"Thank you very
much for your welcoming words and consideration to us, who have come as
uninvited reinforcements. Observing your fighting, I myself, as one who
protects the Kingdom, wish to learn from it for the future. I look forward to
working with you all."
After greeting them, I
participated in the war council. The Istoria Imperial Kingdom's forces were
said to number around 30,000, but it was speculated that the actual number on
the front lines was smaller. Information was shared that currently, a force of
about 5,000 to 6,000 had infiltrated Kyle Kingdom territory and was positioned
in forward camps (fortifications) built on the main road. The Imperial Kingdom
reportedly had an additional 10,000 reserve troops stationed at the border
fort.
Well, on the
not-so-wide border road, the number of archers that could be deployed would be
limited. However, as they advanced, the forest would recede from the road, and
the deployable forces would increase. They likely intended to bring their
reserves to the front lines as the space for deployment expanded. That was
their assessment.
I... was a bit
skeptical of that assessment. I couldn't quite accept them positioning their
forces where they were if they had ample deployable strength.
Istoria
Imperial Kingdom
山山 山山
山山山山山 山山山山山
山山山 山山山
山山山山 山山山山
＜山脈＞ 山山 山山 ＜山脈＞
山山山山 山山山山
山山山森 国境砦 山山山山
山山山 森森 ↓ 森森 山山山
山山山山 森↓森 山山山山
竹 森↓森 竹
竹 森▼▼▼森 竹
＜魔境＞ 竹 森森 森森 竹 ＜魔境＞
竹 森森 森森 竹
竹 森森森 森森森 竹
△△△△
△△△△△△ Kyle Kingdom Army
山 : Mountain
山脈 : Mountain Range
森 : Forest
国境 : Border
砦 : Fort
竹 : Bamboo
魔境 : Demon's Realm
On the other hand,
Kyle Kingdom's army was deployed in an open area, where grasslands and flat
earth stretched out from the forest. If the enemy were allowed to advance
further and take control of the forest's edge, they would have virtually free
access to the Demon Realm. The core of our forces here would be the 20,000
Royal Capital Knights. In addition to this, Margrave Hamish's 4,000 troops and
our 1,000 troops would total 25,000. Even with this alone, we theoretically had
a considerable advantage over the enemy.
However, the ultimate
objective was to retake the border fort, and for that, our forces were still
insufficient. To be frank, weren't our current forces insufficient for that?
That's how it felt.
Perhaps the Kingdom's
side also thought so, because in addition to these 25,000 troops, nobles with
territories in the eastern region had been mobilized, and approximately 10,000
reinforcements had arrived. However, I had learned all too well from the
Southern Gate battle that these troops, unaccustomed to warfare and with
disorganized command structures, were nothing more than a disorganized mob and
would be useless in battle.
"The enemy
currently on the front lines are only infantry and archers. From what I can
see, there are only about 5,000, aren't there? We could easily overrun them
with a cavalry charge. We came here to fight. Is it really right to sit here
and wait?"
The first to speak in
the war council was a Count from the eastern region, who had joined as a
reinforcement. He seemed to possess a fairly wealthy territory and had brought
3,000 cavalry, primarily.
"Count, calm
yourself. Even if we have a numerical advantage, we suffered a painful defeat
last time, blocked by their defensive formation." Margrave Hamish replied
bitterly.
"That sounds like
you're saying there's nothing to be done. Why then did 20,000 Knights from the
Royal Capital rush here this time? With our addition, our forces are numerically
different from last time. Aren't we even overwhelming them now?!"
The nobles who joined
as reinforcements echoed the Count's words. They knew of the achievements and
honor of the nobles who participated as reinforcements in the southern border
campaign last year. Of course, they had no way of knowing the hidden
circumstances or the extent of the casualties, as those details were not
publicly announced. Are they perceiving the Eastern Border campaign as a prime
opportunity to make a name for themselves and gain military distinction?
"Then... do I
understand correctly that you all desire the honor of being the vanguard?"
"Of course!"
"Yes!"
"Exactly what we
want!"
"Since the road
leading to the fort is narrow, and the deployable forces are limited, we shall
yield the vanguard to those who have joined as reinforcements, at your strong
request, and we shall follow as reserves. Is that acceptable? We will report
the battle situation to the Royal Capital, and it will be recorded officially.
May I assume that none of you have any objections?"
"Of course, it's
fine."
"That's precisely
what we want!"
"That is our very
wish!"
Ugh! How brutal! I
inwardly muttered, observing the exchange from the side.
Currently, for
Margrave Hamish, the reinforcements who were unreliable as a fighting force and
merely noisy were a nuisance. One could even say they were an obstruction to
unified command. By making them, at the start of the battle, individuals who
willingly initiated a reckless fight, he aimed to hold them responsible. This
would reduce their influence and wear down their obstructive fighting power,
allowing him to seize the initiative in the battle. That's what I thought the
Margrave was planning.
"If there are no
further opinions, this war council will be concluded here."
When Margrave Hamish
declared that, he noticed someone raising a hand in the back.
"Baron Solis, do
you have any opinions? You, too, have come as a reinforcement. Will you follow
their example?"
"Thank you for
the opportunity to speak. For me, still young and inexperienced, I cannot
compare to the courage of those who desired the vanguard. However, for the sake
of future learning, I would like to request permission to lead a portion of my
unit and participate as part of the reserves led by the Margrave."
"Oh..."
Saying that, the
Margrave stared intently at my face.
"Very well, I
grant permission. The Baron should come to me later to be informed of my unit's
movements."
With that, the war
council concluded.
※
As instructed, after
the war council, I visited the Margrave's tent with Commander Weiss.
"Oh, so you're
the Black Hawk that Margrave Hastburg is so fond of. I've always wanted to meet
you. So, Baron, what are you plotting?"
Margrave Hamish
chuckled as he said this.
"If anything were
to happen to you, Hastburg would resent me. I had intended to put you in the
rear this time, but..."
I see... so that
greeting, Margrave Hamish was being considerate in his own way. That was a bit
unexpected for me.
"I have two
objectives. Firstly, it's likely that they will suffer, just as the Margrave
expects. Nevertheless, they are valuable soldiers of the Kingdom. If possible,
I want to save as many of them as possible.
Secondly, for the next
time we strike their defensive formation, I want to observe their
fortifications as closely as possible and verify the necessary tactics. I,
myself, am still unaware of the full power of their longbows..."
"I see. So you
saw through my thoughts. I, too, made extensive inquiries into the southern campaign.
The battle was not as easy as those reckless brutes, blinded by military
achievements and rewards, imagined. And I am well aware of how much trouble
Hastburg was caused by those who came as 'reinforcements.'"
Saying this, the
Margrave gave a bitter chuckle and sighed.
"Saving them
won't be easy. You yourself might be exposed to a dense rain of arrows and fall
into enemy hands. The same goes for reconnaissance."
"For me, the
Mages' power is indispensable to win this war. To utilize it, I myself must
test the tactics I've devised firsthand. I believe the first battle will be
that opportunity. And above all, I believe in Commander Weiss and the Mages'
power here."
"Please, above
all else, take care of yourself. Promise me that. Knight Baron Weiss, please
take good care of the Baron."
I significantly
revised my preconceived notion of Margrave Hamish.
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