Chapter 93
Not long after Hock-san's arrival, word came that the main force of the Tenth Knight Order had safely departed the royal capital. Apart from a few units, they were expected to reach their positions with less delay than anticipated, which was reassuring.
To be honest, at this point, I was feeling a little optimistic about the battle.
The future I knew was less favorable to Rudek, our deployments had been decided, and our preparations were complete. The situation was looking quite good. And then, at last, the day arrived.
"Nearly 20,000 troops have gathered at Heath Fortress! And more reinforcements are arriving!"
There had been major movement at the fortress on Golbel's front line early one morning—the coldest morning of the year.
"Here we go." Boldras-sama spoke gravely as he slowly rotated his right arm.
"At last." Hock-san, meanwhile, was calmly drinking tea. This woman had never once returned to the Second Knight Order. Instead, she had spent her time pursuing YuiMei around Kitzar Fortress, then Lufa. Was that really all right?
"We hold off the enemy here, then reinforcements from the north and south pincer them. That's the basic plan, right?"
"Yes. We haven't received any notice of a change, so I believe we should proceed as planned."
The encirclement of Golbel was already beginning to take shape. Against an army that would likely number around 30,000, we would call in the 3,000 soldiers stationed at Ellen in addition to the roughly 7,000 troops here, then use the fortress to buy time.
Then we would wait for reinforcements from the Second and Tenth Knight Orders and settle the matter in one decisive blow. Our total forces were slightly smaller, but the terrain was in our favor.
If we held the fortress securely and hit them from both sides, Golbel would have a difficult fight ahead.
We had already sent word of Golbel's advance to all the relevant locations. All we had to do now was use the fortress as a shield and hold out for a little while.
"Then, Lufa-dono, may I ask you to perform your duty as a war maiden?" At Boldras-sama's words, Lufa gave a small nod.
Soon, a large number of soldiers had gathered in the plaza in front of the central building. Everyone was brimming with fighting spirit for the battle to come, and their surging fervor was almost visible.
"Listen up!" Boldras-sama shouted in a fierce voice completely unlike his usual one, and the soldiers fell silent all at once.
"As you all know, Golbel's weaklings are coming to attack us again without learning their lesson! But do not be afraid! This is a battle we have already prepared for! Moreover, we have with us a war maiden who has received the favor of Waldwart-sama, the goddess of fate! Know that there is no chance of defeat! War Maiden, give us words of good fortune!"
Prompted by Boldras-sama, Lufa stepped forward and took a small breath.
"I'm Lufa Rodel! May Waldwart-sama's protection be upon all of you!"
When Lufa finished speaking, cheers loud enough to shake the ground echoed throughout the fortress.
Even though it was plenty cold outside, the heat of the crowd made me feel a little sweaty.
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The information reached us while we were discussing the details of our deployment.
"Enemy soldiers at Ellen Fortress?" Boldras-sama furrowed his brow.
"Yes, sir! Ten thousand of them!"
"Ten thousand!? That's a lot."
It was an urgent report from Ellen Fortress. A large number of Golbel soldiers had appeared there early that morning.
"Can you identify their banners?" I asked.
"We identified a stag's antlers with a thistle, three swords arranged side by side, and thorns and wheat," came the reply.
"Those are the units of General Fais, General Redul, and General Seeker. Then General Fais is probably the senior commander, huh? That general is as persistent as a snake, so this could be troublesome. He may really be planning to capture Ellen Fortress. Hock-san, perhaps we should send the Second Knight Order to Ellen."
When I glanced at Hock-san, she was watching me with a slightly surprised expression.
"Roa-chan, did you identify the units from their banners alone? Or did you just happen to know those banners?"
"No, I have a general grasp of the banners used by the generals of Golbel and the surrounding countries."
It's a hobby of mine.
"You're kidding..." Hock-san was still suspicious, so Wickhart added an explanation.
"That is simply the sort of person Roa-dono is: well versed not only in the generals of the northern continent, but even those of the southern continent." That was true of the generals of Fezaris, but I wasn't that familiar with the southern continent. I only knew the famous ones.
Regardless of my unspoken objection, Hock-san seemed a little convinced by Wickhart's words. "I suppose that makes sense. If even Rays has taken an interest in you, you must be no ordinary person."
"Then, following Roa-dono's recommendation, shall we send the Second Knight Order to Ellen?"
"Yes. Could you have Boldras-chan send a messenger? I'll stay here a little longer."
"Understood. You there, prepare a messenger at once!" The two knight commanders reached an agreement, and a soldier hurried away.
However, Ellen... It looked like a good move at first glance, but something about it seemed questionable.
Golbel's total forces were supposed to number around 30,000. If they diverted 10,000 of them to Ellen, that would leave 20,000.
Certainly, Ellen would no longer be able to send us reinforcements, and the Second Knight Order's movements would be tied down. In exchange, the Zetta Plains would have 20,000 Golbel troops against the Fourth Knight Order and our 7,000. But as time passed, the Tenth Knight Order would assemble, bringing nearly 20,000 troops to the field.
Once the numbers were nearly even, the defenders would have an overwhelming advantage. The attackers' chances of taking the fortress would drop sharply.
Furthermore, Ellen would probably be able to hold out. Three thousand soldiers from the Fourth Knight Order were entrenched there, and an elite cavalry corps would be coming to their aid. I couldn't imagine the fortress falling anytime soon.
If Golbel had any chance of winning, it was to use their 30,000 troops to overwhelm Kitzar Fortress while only 7,000 soldiers were stationed here. That should have been their only option.
"How many troops are at Heath Fortress?"
"We've received word that the number hasn't grown much beyond 20,000."
Just as I expected.
I was still thinking that when the next messenger's report made me doubt my ears.
"An urgent dispatch from Schwaba Fortress!"
"Schwaba Fortress?"
It was a small fortress on Rudek's side, south of Kitzar Fortress. A unit of the Tenth Knight Order was supposed to be stationed there.
"Enemy soldiers at Schwaba Fortress! Approximately 10,000 troops are attacking!"
With an enemy force of 10,000 that I knew nothing about suddenly appearing, the situation on the battlefield began to turn chaotic.