Chapter 102
The morning of the battle's third day.
I ended up standing watch on the watchtower atop the wall without sleeping a wink since last night.
Wickhart and the others told me to rest, but even if I took a short break, I couldn't close my eyes in peace without keeping an eye on Golbel's movements.
The worst possible outcome for us right now would be for them to ignore Wickhart's recommendation and attack us with their entire army today.
Golbel's various units have suffered casualties in the thousands after two days of fierce attacks. Even so, they should still have well over fifteen thousand troops left.
If they attack with their entire force, they must mean to settle this today. If they keep attacking relentlessly until nightfall, it will be very difficult. We probably won't be able to hold out.
That's why we have this plan. If we can hold out for one more day, it should snow... or at least, that's what should happen. The sky was overcast, but there was no sign that anything was about to fall. The only thing we could rely on now was the weather—or, more precisely, the enemy strategist Sacri's reading of it.
So it would be no exaggeration to say that how Golbel attacks today will determine the fate of Kitzar Fortress.
That's why I couldn't afford to fall asleep now.
If they come at us with their whole army, I have to recommend retreating. If they won't listen, we in the Roa Unit will flee on our own.
No matter what anyone says, I can't die here. Even if everyone else objects, I'll flee alone if I have to. This is my resolve—and mine alone.
If we're going to consider fleeing, we have to confirm Golbel's movements first.
But the Golbel army was slow to move. On previous days, Golbel's forces would already have set out by now, yet they still remained motionless before me.
"What do you think?"
Hock-san and Boldras-sama had come up to the watchtower as well.
If there were a way to destroy this watchtower right now, Kitzar Fortress's fall would be certain. The thought crossed my mind, and I found it oddly amusing.
"Roa-chan... why don't you get some rest?"
Apparently, I'd been smiling without realizing it. Hock-san peered at my face, looking a little worried.
"I'm fine. Once I confirm Golbel's movements, I'll rest a little."
Even as I said that, I kept my eyes on the enemy camp.
"Ah..."
At last, Golbel's army began to move.
The Zegabain unit and one other unit advanced under their banners.
We watched with bated breath, but the remaining two units showed no sign of moving.
"It looks like Wickhart's life-or-death plan worked... That gives us a little more ti...me..."
I didn't know whether the words had actually made it out of my mouth. I lost consciousness right then.
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"Oh, you're finally awake. Sleeping like a log at a time like this? You've got some nerve."
When I opened my eyes and confirmed who had spoken, I decided I was still dreaming.
"Lapilia-sama? ... No, she can't be here. If only she were, things would be so much easier..."
As I tried to close my eyes again, someone flicked me sharply on the forehead.
"Don't keep lying there half-asleep. Wake up already!"
This time, I was fully awake. Lapilia-sama was unmistakably standing before me.
"Huh? Why is Lapilia-sama here?"
"Why? Obviously I came to help, didn't I?"
"Then the Tenth Knight Order is here too?!" I sprang to my feet, but Lapilia-sama shook her head. "Sorry to disappoint you, but only the Lapilia Unit came to the fortress," she replied. I had no idea what was going on.
"To begin with, right now..."
"It's already night," Wickhart explained. Had I slept through the entire day?
"What's the situation?! What's happened?!"
As I panicked, Lapilia-sama snorted in exasperation and said, "Are you still half-asleep? The fact that I'm here means we obviously held out, doesn't it?"
"There were no major losses today, and the enemy didn't launch any reckless attacks. I believe that's thanks to Roa-dono's plan."
Wickhart added to Lapilia-sama's explanation.
"I see... That's a relief... Then, Lapilia-sama, why are you here?"
"I told you, didn't I? I came to help."
"But if Raiz-sama isn't here, doesn't that mean the fighting is still going on in the south...?"
"On Raiz-sama's orders, I was originally supposed to bring supplies to Kitzar Fortress later. The supplies took longer than expected to prepare, so I ended up being the last to leave Rudectrad. Even so, I was already nearby yesterday. I was at a loss because there was no opening for me to enter the fortress."
"I see..."
"At worst, I was prepared to abandon the supplies and attempt a rescue if the fortress was in danger. Today, the enemy finally slackened its attacks enough to create an opening, so I was able to get inside."
Something about that didn't sit right with me. A unit led by Lapilia-sama should have been able to force its way into the fortress, mowing down the enemies at the gate even if necessary.
Seeing my unconvinced expression, Lapilia-sama raised one corner of her mouth in a smirk, just like Raiz-sama, and said, "I didn't want to break the souvenir I'd gone to the trouble of bringing."
"A souvenir?"
"Yes. This."
Lapilia-sama held out her left hand.
A crossbow was firmly clenched in it.