Battle of the Haksha Plains (5): The Promise

"Only those taking part in the surprise attack know about this. I wasn't told either."

Within the dimly lit command tent, Laimar-san squeezed the words out bitterly.

"How did you find out, Laimar-san?"

"I went to the tent to advise Wickhart-sama that things should remain as they were until the Tenth Knight Order arrived, even after tomorrow. There, I happened to overhear the two of them talking... After that, I secretly investigated the situation, and when it became clear that the deployment was definitely going ahead, I..."

"Then why did you come to our camp?"

"...To be honest, I don't know who I can trust regarding this matter..."

Even in the darkness, I could tell that Laimar-san was dejected.

"To be honest, I can't bring myself to blame Skudelia-dono. If I had been in that position, I have no doubt I would have supported the surprise attack as well," Captain Ryuzel said, showing his understanding, but that was a separate matter.

"I think Wickhart-sama is in a very difficult position right now..." Laimar-san's shoulders jerked at my words.

Wickhart-sama had once accepted the proposal Roays-sama had brought on behalf of the Knight Order directly under the king, only to go back on it. If he were then defeated and inflicted serious damage on his own country...