Chapter 104
The snow that had begun falling around midnight continued steadily, until by morning it had lightly dusted the fortress in white.
"Roa-dono, just as you said, it snowed." The commander of the Fourth Knight Order, Boldras-sama, came up beside me and spoke quietly.
"...Yes. I'm glad I was right. Besides, it's not over yet."
"Indeed. It isn't over yet. Once we've made it through today, I shall praise your strategic insight."
The Golbel side must understand that, because of this snow, today will be the final battle here. It will be an all-out battle.
"Roa, we're ready." Ryuzel and Frein approached. For today, I had Hock-san return his troops to me. The 1,800 soldiers of the Roa Unit now waited for that moment, their fighting spirit held within.
I had done everything I could.
The Roa Unit and the members of the Fourth Knight Order were gathered near the western gate. The twins were there too. The garrison had been pared to the bare minimum, leaving 4,000 soldiers in all, including us.
By now, Lapilia-sama should be waiting at the eastern gate for it to open. Hock-san had taken charge of the eastern-gate sector today as well.
"The enemy has begun to move! The entire army is coming this way. Rodelight is moving to circle around! It looks like he's heading east!"
The sentry's words caused a slight stir.
"Just as planned," Wickhart muttered, and Sazaby, standing beside him, joked, "That's because we worked so hard."
"Roa, be careful." Many soldiers approached Rufa one after another and knelt, saying, "May you have the protection of Waldwort-sama."
Rufa's prophecy had come true, and snow had fallen. That was enough to earn her the complete trust of the soldiers sheltering inside the fortress.
Although Rufa was a little bewildered, she accepted that this was her role and prayed over each person: "May the Goddess of Fate grant you good fortune."
Watching her, I too prayed to Waldwort-sama that as many people as possible would survive. After all, our original plan hadn't involved sallying forth with nearly our entire army.
Originally, Lapilia-sama was to draw Rodelight toward the eastern gate, while the Roa Unit alone made a decisive charge and withdrew immediately.
However, when I presented the plan at last night's war council, the Fourth Knight Order objected.
"...Rodelight will probably take the bait in the form of Lapilia-dono, just as you predict. If the stratagem works and Rodelight is isolated, it follows that only Rodelight's forces would be stationed in the east. No—even putting the stratagem aside, Rodelight would act alone, so he'd take up position there by himself."
No one voiced an objection to Boldras-sama's words.
Rodelight... The fact that even the enemy commanders have him figured out this well is impressive in its own way. As far as name recognition goes, he might rank among the five most famous people on the continent.
"However, that means the remaining three units, more than 10,000 strong, will gather at the western gate."
"That's right. So if we fail, we'll withdraw immediately, regroup with Lapilia-sama at the eastern gate, and return to the fortress depending on the circumstances."
"Do you really think it will go so smoothly?" Boldras-sama asked. I had no answer. That was something I simply couldn't know.
The other day, Raiz-sama told me to take care of myself, but even if it meant taking some risks, this was something I had to do. If we didn't, we'd be wiped out. Besides, unlike before, I now had many comrades around me. If we sallied forth and I judged it impossible, I intended to withdraw.
I wasn't planning to risk my life here.
"...I don't know whether it will work."
"But if we don't take the gamble, we'll probably lose. That's what you believe, isn't it?"
"...Yes."
"Then shouldn't we of the Fourth Knight Order steel ourselves as well?"
His words made me catch my breath.
"No, that's going too far! Even if my plan fails, we can hole up in the fortress and wait for the snow to accumulate..."
"If we keep Roa-dono and Lapilia-sama inside the fortress, we'll have to hold off a large army bent on attacking us for an entire day. The battle has already reached its fourth day. Given our soldiers' morale and stamina, the longer it lasts, the more the odds turn against us. Now, what if we entrust the sortie to the two of you? Among the Fourth Knight Order left behind, only about 2,500 would be able to fight; even if we forced the wounded to fight, we could hardly reach 3,000. If Roa-dono's plan failed and you had to withdraw temporarily, we'd have to defend against an attack by more than 10,000 with fewer than 3,000 soldiers. We likely couldn't hold out. Either way, we have no choice but to sally forth and fight."
"But if we sally forth, we'd essentially leave the fortress undefended, wouldn't we?"
"What a foolish question." After hearing Boldras-sama, I looked around at the other officers. Every one of them wore a resolute expression.
"Hey, Roa,
"Are you planning to keep all the glory for yourself?"
The twins teased me with fearless smiles.
"Roa-dono's strategy and judgment have worked well so far. We of the Fourth Knight Order have no objection to placing our trust in your wisdom."
After Boldras-sama said this and bowed his head, every commanding officer of the Fourth Knight Order present did the same.
I stood there flustered, not knowing what to do, when Lapilia-sama placed a hand on my shoulder.
"Roa, let me tell you something. At times like these, you should simply let them help you."
Encouraged by Lapilia-sama, I managed to squeeze out just, "I'm counting on you."
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The moment had come.
The rubble had already been cleared from the western gate.
At Boldras-sama's shout of "Open the gate!", the doors slowly opened.
Beyond the snow-white expanse, untouched by a single footprint, Golbel's great army lay waiting.