Chapter 52

"Are you in your right mind?"

Marukronis's words directed at Sōma were such that even Shemul, who would usually retort, did not reprimand him. They represented the thoughts of everyone present.

"About eight hundred people in Zoan. Even if we add the former slaves we freed, we don't even reach two thousand. To challenge an army of over four thousand with just that is suicidal."

Jahangir alone was bristling with enthusiasm, saying, "I'll drive them away!" but the others all wore bitter expressions and fell silent.

"I also think it's a sure loss if we fight normally," Sōma said. Marukronis could tell that Sōma wasn't just giving up, and he sighed, trying to calm himself.

However, Sōma asked Marukronis with a provocative smile.

"Marukronis, among us, I think you understand the commander of the expeditionary force the most. If you were the commander, would you think we would come out of the city and attack?"

"I would be wary that they might be emboldened by capturing the city and attack recklessly, not fully understanding the disparity in strength."

Marukronis deliberately spoke harshly, intending to dissuade Sōma from rash actions. Sōma, sensing Marukronis's intention, responded with a wry smile.

"I also think it's a dangerous gamble. But our forces are overwhelmingly smaller. We need to take a risk somewhere."

"That's true, but..."

Given the expected disparity in strength, a normal battle would surely end in defeat. Marukronis understood that to win, they would have to take a dangerous gamble.

However, Marukronis thought, even if the expeditionary force were to let their guard down, that alone wouldn't be enough. They needed a way to pull victory from the situation.

"What do you plan to do?"

In response to Marukronis's question, Sōma changed his expression and said,

"Before I explain, I want to confirm something—"

Sōma pointed to a spot on the map.

"Is this a river and a bridge? How deep and how much water is there?"

The map depicted a river flowing south from the northern mountains between Bornis and Luoma, and a bridge over it.

"It's the dry season now, so the water level isn't very high. Especially at this bridge, the river is wide, but the water is only up to the knees."

"That water level won't work. And we don't have the time either..."

What Sōma first thought of was to break a dam built upstream when the expeditionary force was crossing the river, to wash them away with a flood. It's a common tactic in war comics and novels, but even with the advanced civil engineering skills of the dwarves, it would be difficult to build a dam that could hold enough water to wash away an enemy army in a short time.

So, he decided to check if another idea he had could be implemented.

"What kind of bridge is this?"

Marukronis, recalling the scene of the bridge from memory, answered.

"It's a bridge made by laying several split logs across rocks that jut out from the river surface. I believe it's just wide enough for a large cart or a wagon to pass."

Bridges in this era are often simple structures made by laying planks or logs, designed to be destroyed by their own side to stop an enemy's advance when attacked.

"Is it possible for people to cross the river at any other point besides where this bridge is?"

"Yes, it's possible. The current isn't that strong, and if you're willing to get wet up to your waist, you can cross at most places."

This was even more convenient for Sōma.

He added this new information to his plan and rapidly simulated it in his mind.

What would the enemy do in response to our actions?

What are our advantages?

What are the enemy's disadvantages?

Just as everyone was getting anxious because he was lost in thought, Sōma finally looked up.

"I plan to harass the expeditionary force."

As everyone gathered to ask for an explanation, Sōma, instead of answering, asked Marukronis.

"What would be the worst thing for the Kingdom of Holmea if we did this?"

To this sudden question, Marukronis put his hand to his chin and thought carefully before answering.

"Well, I would fear that they would raid defenseless towns and villages, like a swarm of locusts devouring fields."

Shemul retorted.

"Proud Zoans wouldn't do such a thing!"

For Zoans, battle is a place to demonstrate their bravery. Attacking those who cannot fight is nothing but shameful. Just the thought of it is an unbearable humiliation for Shemul, who is so proud that he bears the name "Noble Fang."

Confused by Shemul's outburst, Marukronis was helped by Sōma.

"I believe Zoans wouldn't do such a thing."

"…If that's the case, it's fine."

Though he feigned reluctance, he was clearly trying hard not to smile.

Impressed by Sōma's grasp of Zoan's daughter's heart, Marukronis's gaze made Sōma feel embarrassed, and he cleared his throat to continue.

"But I plan to use this misunderstanding."

Everyone was puzzled by Sōma's words.

"The basic idea of my plan is to use Zoan's mobility for hit-and-run tactics. That is, repeated hit-and-run attacks."

Sōma pointed to the bridge depicted on the map.

"First, when a certain number of the expeditionary force—enough for us to inflict significant damage—has crossed this river, we will attack."

"To use the river to limit the number of enemies we actually engage in combat, I see."

Sōma nodded in response to Marukronis's observation.

"Then, we will burn the bridge at the same time as the attack. Once the bridge is burned, even if the water is only up to the knees, it will slow down the soldiers' crossing. We will retreat quickly before the reinforcements can cross."

Sōma slid his finger over the map to the Bornis side and then moved it upstream in a U-turn.

"Next, while the expeditionary force is rebuilding the bridge, we will find a place upstream or downstream to cross."

Zug raised a question.

"The river isn't that deep, right? Wouldn't they just advance without rebuilding the bridge?"

If that were to happen, the expeditionary force would attack the city of Bornis, where the main Zoan forces are not present.

However, this was immediately refuted.

"That's impossible."

Marukronis stated this definitively.

"The soldiers alone might be fine, but there are supply wagons with food and siege weapons. They wouldn't just let those things be submerged in the river."

In an era where wagons can get stuck in muddy roads, it's unlikely they would force them to cross even knee-deep water. Moreover, with underdeveloped food preservation techniques, they would avoid having their precious supplies soaked in river water.

With Marukronis's approval, Sōma continued, relieved.

"Then, after crossing, we will show ourselves at this fort and then the city."

"Are you not going to attack?"

Garam was surprised that Sōma only planned to show themselves, not attack the city.

"Yes. We will only show that we have come near the fort and the city."

"Why do that?"

"The news of us capturing Bornis has already spread. What would people think if they saw Zoans showing up near their own city?"

Garam understood.

"I see. They would fear that we would raid their towns and villages, just like Marukronis said. And since they know the expeditionary force is nearby, they would first seek help from them."

"The expeditionary force, upon receiving the request for help, would prioritize our elimination over liberating Bornis. They can't afford to let Zoans, who have invaded the country, attack one town after another."

Sōma's gaze met Marukronis's, who nodded in agreement.

"Using the misunderstanding, I see. Yes, if we take back this city but other towns and villages suffer, it would be meaningless. I would immediately turn my army back."

"Then, we will strike again as the expeditionary force returns."

"…I see. That's interesting."

Garam, understanding the plan, turned to Zug, who grinned, showing his fangs.

"I find it interesting too. We will use our speed to toy with the human army."

Sōma looked at the two leaders of the Zoans, who seemed eager, with a sense of relief.

"We will show the Kingdom of Holmea that we can appear anywhere in the country at any time. If we do that, they won't dare to touch this city easily."

However, Sōma's expression turned serious.

"I don't think this alone will defeat the expeditionary force. But it will buy us time. What we need most now is time to build our strength."

Sōma turned and called out to Shahata, who was standing a bit away, not joining the circle.

"Please call Hopkins."

Everyone was puzzled by the mention of the human merchant's name, and Sōma gave a meaningful smile.

"I want to give Hopkins his promised reward and ask him for a favor."

◆◇◆◇◆

King Warius Sadoma Holmeanus of the Kingdom of Holmea sat on a temporary throne on a ceremonial platform set up on a plain outside the capital, looking down at the neatly lined-up national army.

King Warius, who was forty years old this year, was a thin man with hollow cheeks and prominent eyes. The eel mustache he grew to look more authoritative only emphasized his nervousness as he kept stroking it with his fingers.

In front of King Warius, Darius, who had just climbed the steps of the ceremonial platform, placed the helmet he had been carrying under his arm and knelt, bowing his head.

King Warius stood up from the temporary throne, took the ceremonial sword from a servant, and drew it in one breath. The hand holding the sword, which gleamed in the sunlight, trembled under its weight, but no one dared to criticize him.

"Darius Brutus, in my place, strike down the foolish rebels with this sword."

King Warius, in a slightly high-pitched voice, placed the sheathed ceremonial sword on Darius's outstretched hands.

"I humbly accept. All for Your Majesty."

Darius sheathed the sword at his waist, stood up while still bowing, and took a few steps back. He then put on his helmet, flipped his cloak with a sound, and turned to the soldiers watching the ceremony.

With the purple plume on his helmet fluttering in the wind, Darius drew his sword and raised it to the sky.

The soldiers, in response, raised their spears and swords, raising their morale.

"Ooh! Ooh! Ooh!"

The collective shout of thousands of soldiers vibrated the air.

Darius, sensing the high morale of the soldiers, nodded in satisfaction, descended the steps of the ceremonial platform, and boarded the war chariot waiting there.

Of course, this "war chariot" was not a modern armored vehicle with a rotating turret and tracks.

In this world, a war chariot is a wooden box with two wheels, pulled by horses or other animals. The wooden box where people ride is slightly higher at the front and open at the back. It can seat two people, a driver and a soldier, who sit side by side, pulled by two dragon horses or horses. In battle, the driver holds the reins and protects the soldier with a small round shield, while the soldier uses a bow, arrows, or a throwing spear.

There are also four-wheeled chariots pulled by four animals. These are less maneuverable than two-wheeled chariots but can carry one more soldier, making them more offensive.

The chariot Darius boarded was a large six-wheeled chariot pulled by six horses.

The chariot had a roof to protect against arrows, and in the center was a command chair. Behind the chair, a large drum for giving orders was placed on a screen. The crew consisted of a commander, a driver, a soldier on each side of the chariot, and a drummer, totaling five people.

At this point, it was more of a mobile command post than a chariot.

"Beat the drum for the march!"

At Darius's command, the drummer began to beat the drum with all his might.

With a small jolt, Darius's chariot began to move. Behind it, the two-wheeled chariots of the regimental commanders, marked by green plumes on their helmets, and the infantry regiments in two columns followed.

On both sides of the road where the expeditionary force was marching, the nobles who had come to see them off were waving large banners with their coats of arms and cheering.

"What a ridiculous, noisy affair."

Darius, who had said this with a sneer, was pacified by a nearby guard with a wry smile.

"There's no help for it. Parents want to celebrate their children's first battle grandly."

Many of the officers in Darius's army were young nobles on their first campaign.

The nobles had all sent their children, who had not yet seen battle, to join the expeditionary force.

Recently, the war with their archenemy, Romanya, had been in a lull, with no major battles. The campaign to suppress the rebels in Bornis had come up, and the rebels were said to be only a small force of a thousand or so, to be suppressed by the renowned General Darius. There was no element of defeat to be found.

For parents who wanted to see their sons' first battle end in a glorious victory, there was no better campaign.

As a result, the expeditionary force heading to Bornis had grown beyond the initial plan, swelling to a total of ten thousand, or seven thousand in actual numbers, a large army.

Darius himself thought that the campaign to suppress the rebels was a good opportunity for young officers to gain battle experience, but he felt that they were too confident in their numerical superiority. Feeling the need to tighten up the young officers, Darius called over an officer standing by the chariot.

"Take a short break in half an hour, and then reorganize the army's formation."

"Sir! May I ask the soldiers to remove their armor at that time?"

The soldiers were fully equipped for the ceremony, and each carried several days' worth of rations and water bags, making the total weight quite heavy. Just walking would be exhausting.

Therefore, if there was no immediate threat of encountering the enemy, it was common to change to lighter equipment or, in some cases, to load all the equipment onto pack animals to reduce the soldiers' burden.

Given the long distance to the city of Bornis, where the rebels were, the officer's suggestion was quite reasonable.

However, Darius glared at the officer.

"The soldiers will remain fully equipped. The formation will change from two columns to ranks. Also, select a reconnaissance unit from the cavalry and send them ahead."

To march in full armor, in ranks, and with scouts exploring the surroundings was the way to march when an encounter with the enemy could happen at any time. However, this would exhaust the soldiers before the battle even began. It was not something to do when they were still close to the capital.

"…Huh?"

The officer, taken aback by Darius's unexpected order, gave a disrespectful response. Realizing his mistake, he quickly straightened his back.

"Sir! Understood!"

Despite his answer, the officer still looked puzzled. Darius gave a wry smile.

"Along with tightening up the young officers, it will be good training for them to command their subordinates."

The officer nodded in understanding.

As the officer went to relay the order to the units behind, Darius muttered to himself.

"…But that's not all."

Darius's mouth, covered by his mustache, twisted into a meaningful smile.

"Sir!"

A cavalryman from the front of the formation rode up to Darius's chariot.

"A strangely dressed woman gave this letter to you, sir."

Darius recalled the image of a woman dressed as a man, serving a master without arms.

"It's from an acquaintance. Give it to me."

Darius took the letter from the guard on the chariot and opened it. It contained a brief message in Tuto's handwriting.

"The enemy may be the strongest army. Be on your guard."

The strongest army.

These words brought back a memory from when Darius was still a young officer, drinking with his peers and passionately discussing the strongest army he dreamed of.

However, he only indulged in this nostalgia for a moment.

"Whether the enemy is the strongest or the weakest, my actions will not change. I will crush them with all my might, without any complacency or negligence."

With that, Darius tore the letter with a sound.

Summary of Sōma's Plan

Sōma plans to repel the expeditionary force using a hit-and-run tactic that utilizes the river.

Everything seemed to be going according to plan.

However, a subtle sense of unease was brought to Sōma.

"Could it be…?!"

Sōma felt an inexplicable chill.

Next Chapter: "The Chill"

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Explanation of the Setting

About the War Chariots:

In this world, war chariots are more commonly used than cavalry.

Horse equipment has not yet developed in this world, so riding a horse requires a high level of skill. Moreover, dragon horses, which are more common than valuable horses, are even more difficult to ride.

Dragon horses walk on two legs like a certain RPG's Chocobo, making the impact and shaking during a sprint more intense than