Chapter 77: Counterattack (2)

Since the others had no way of knowing the outside situation, the strategy meeting continued.

"In that case, it seems better for the main force to draw the enemy's troops to the front, and then for the cavalry to strike at the heart."

"Isn't that too dangerous? Even if the main force draws out the enemy, the cavalry will have to head alone into the heart of the enemy lines."

Erendil, who had been listening quietly, asked with a worried look. It wasn't a wrong point.

However, in war, you can't avoid taking risks. Duke Ryurik answered for him.

"If we proceed with a frontal battle, there will be even more casualties."

It's a plan to save the majority by taking a risk with a few. The cavalry might feel wronged, but...

That's what cavalry is for. They are treated better and paid more than regular soldiers.

"Moreover, this is also the duty of the empire's cavalry."

"You're right."

Emmet, who had extensive war experience, added a word, and Erendil nodded in agreement.

The duke, who had been observing the situation, spoke again.

"However, in this case, we need a capable person who can definitely strike at the enemy's core, even if the cavalry suffers significant losses..."

His words were about how to select the person who would take on the most dangerous role.

The other royal knights were also observing the situation.

Without needing to be told, Emmet was already assigned to guard the princess.

So, it means one of us three has to take the role.

There are also the duke's knights, but since this is Erendil's army, it's better for us to take it.

Otherwise, the focus might shift to the duke rather than Erendil.

"One of my knights can take it."

"No, I'll do it."

I immediately rejected the duke's suggestion and turned to Emmet.

"Since you are guarding the princess, it's better for me to take it, don't you think?"

"That seems appropriate."

Emmet, who looked slightly moved, nodded. Erendil seemed uneasy.

"Are you sure? It's a dangerous position."

He must be more worried because he knows my true identity.

"Yes, I'm confident."

"If so, then do it. Your charge with a single horse is still vivid in my mind. Shurtaffen seems suitable."

Ryurik looked at me and said.

"Will 2,000 cavalry be enough?"

"Yes. The main force also needs cavalry resources."

Out of 25,000 troops, 4,000 were cavalry. They were precious forces. The duke had also brought 2,000 more.

At that moment, I sensed someone sent by Lüderen running towards us.

The fact that they came running like this indicated that, as expected, it was a serious matter.

"Your Highness. Sir Lüderen sent me. May I enter?"

"Come in."

A soldier, who had run the short distance at full speed, panted and said,

"Rohalak has crossed the border. Currently, Mibent, Akiten, Omi, Ozan, and San Marti—five cities—are being attacked simultaneously."

"What?"

Although only Duke Ryurik exclaimed, everyone in the room was equally shocked.

Rohalak had launched a preemptive strike.

'Oh no...'

I must have been wrong. The king of Rohalak didn't misunderstand the emperor's character.

He knew that a prearranged war wouldn't happen. This was also part of his plan.

In fact, the emperor, upon receiving the letter, had agreed and set a date for the war.

On the surface, he pretended to agree and feign to exhaust his troops, but planned to push forward suddenly.

That's why Lüderen came as the commander-in-chief, and the empire could prepare a bit more leisurely.

However, that was precisely the westerners' strategy. The king of Rohalak wanted to fight the princes.

'Just by looking at how they spread out the front lines, you can see that.'

If the westerners had started a preemptive strike silently, the empire wouldn't have divided its forces like this.

They would have responded by sending reliable commanders rather than giving troops to the princes.

"Sir Lüderen said to bring you to the central headquarters as quickly as possible."

* * *

"The west has attacked."

Lüderen spoke with a heavy face. Five attacks spread widely along the western border.

To coordinate the same day and time, they must have put in a lot of effort to avoid the empire's notice.

This was a strategy they could use because they knew the empire had given troops to the princes.

Attacking cities at a distance was the best strategy for the west.

'They would rather fight the inexperienced princes than engage in a frontal battle with the main force.'

Four princes and the main force. Five locations, perfectly matched. The west's strategy was quite sharp.

Lüderen continued.

"We have no choice but to divide our forces."

The enemy's army was 170,000. The estimated number of troops divided into five locations was about 34,000.

Of course, they wouldn't be evenly divided. Each city is different in size, so the enemy's troops would vary.

"How do you plan to divide them?"

The first prince asked in a cold voice. His eyes were sharp. The atmosphere was heavy.

Since each prince had a different number of troops, this was an expected issue.

"Divide the main force's troops to at least 35,000 each..."

"That won't work."

The first prince cut Lüderen off, and the second prince nodded.

The first prince had 50,000, and the second prince had 35,000. Dividing like that would put them at a disadvantage.

"Father's intention wasn't equal competition. Dividing the main force's troops is unfair."

"Instead of dividing the main force, the side with insufficient troops should join the main force. If the main force divides arbitrarily, I can understand."

The second prince added.

Since they had gathered their own troops, it was hard to argue against the point of why they should match the numbers.

If the second prince's suggestion was followed, they could give up their achievements and join the main force.

Silence fell. The third prince, overwhelmed by the strong arguments of the first and second princes, remained silent.

"You're not wrong. Let's do it that way."

A staff officer standing behind Lüderen spoke.

A scholar with sharp eyes, he was the de facto commander-in-chief sent by the emperor.

"But we have a difference of nearly 10,000?"

Perhaps because his brothers opposed it, the third prince asked, looking betrayed.

"Then join the main force. We will provide you with troops. Your achievements will be minimal, but it's better than nothing, isn't it?"

The third prince clenched his jaw. His face turned red with anger, barely suppressing his rage.

Well, it's not bad for us.

Among the five cities, one was relatively small. The order was already decided from the previous hunt.

Since the first prince is next, we can choose that one.

One reason Erendil remained calm, unlike the third prince, was that the enemy's forces wouldn't be too large.

"Then, let's choose. We'll follow the order announced by His Majesty."

"Is there any other information?"

The first prince asked the staff officer.

"Currently, we don't know the size of the enemy or the situation in the cities."

"What about the main force?"

"We'll divide into two. One will go to the city chosen by the princes, and the other will remain as a reserve. We might need support."

The first prince smiled in satisfaction.

"Then I'll go to Mibent."

It was the largest city, a good place to earn achievements. A fitting choice for the first prince.

Now it was Erendil's turn.

"I'll go to Akiten."

Erendil glanced at me. I nodded, indicating it was the right choice.

It's the best choice for us.

The third prince looked at the room with a desperate face. Except for Akiten and Mibent, the other cities were similar.

After a long deliberation, the third prince spoke.

"...I'll go to Omi."

He would rather die than join the main force. He couldn't give up his achievements. The outcome is uncertain, but...

Considering the third prince, it won't end well. It's just recklessness.

"Then we'll go to Ozan."

The second prince had a calm expression. Given the order, it was expected.

Ozan wouldn't be a bad place to earn achievements.

"Then the main force will go to San Marti. Time is urgent. Since the empire is under attack, I hope the princes will prepare and depart as soon as possible."

Led by the first prince, who stood up immediately, we all left the central headquarters.

* * *

'This time, two.'

I sharpen the wind blade, just like when I went to Phirri and the snow mountain.

A thin line is drawn over the necks of two soldiers whispering. Death came without them noticing.

I approached the fallen bodies and stabbed them with my sword. To create artificial wounds, just in case.

I checked the time.

Within an hour, our main force will arrive at Akiten.

Reconnaissance showed the enemy's troops to be about 28,000. I confirmed it myself, so the error should be small.

As expected, it's not a small number. The large number in a small city suggests they anticipated our response.

But it's not a big problem. A difference of 3,000 is manageable.

Fortunately, the city hasn't fallen yet. From a distance, it looked almost half-destroyed, but...

Even this much is a blessing. It was worth the non-stop journey.

'There are soldiers inside the city, but they can't expect much support.'

There won't be many, and they would have been exhausted during the defense.

Facing such a large force, they probably didn't even get to sleep. The battle must be concluded by our strength.

Throughout our approach to Akiten, I was on solo reconnaissance.

To eliminate the enemy scouts.

To prevent the enemy from noticing our approach. Only then can we strike from behind while they are besieging the city.

Considering the distance, we took an early rest yesterday and started marching at dawn today.

The enemy might have thought they could block us with scouts...

But observing through the wind, I didn't miss a single scout from dawn.

'It was quite a hassle.'

It wasn't difficult, but it was a challenge to approach stealthily in the open plain.

Still, I approached quietly and carefully, handling them cleanly.

I also checked for any potential ambushes. They might have planned to ambush the reinforcements.

Fortunately, there were none.

It's a perfect situation.

Akiten was close. The sounds of the siege could be heard through my wind senses.

'This should be enough.'

With all the scouts eliminated, I rejoined the main force.

The duke and Erendil were discussing strategy while moving and immediately asked about the situation when they saw me.

"Sir, how is it?"

"Fortunately, the siege is still ongoing. All scouts have been eliminated, and we haven't been detected."

"Honestly, I was skeptical, but I'm amazed. How do you find them all? And how do you handle them?"

Duke Ryurik couldn't hide his admiration. He seemed genuinely impressed.

It's impossible to eliminate all openly placed scouts.

"I was the same. Last time during the hunt, how did you find them so well? You definitely have a talent for this."

Instead of me, Emmet spoke with a faint smile. Erendil nodded in agreement.

I changed the topic. It's not good to dwell too long on the extraordinary.

"Following our initial discussion, I'll take 2,000 cavalry and move to the side."

"The main force will attack the besieging troops and target their rear?"

"Yes. In the confusion of a surprise attack, the panicked enemy will rush towards the main force. The enemy's core will be completely exposed, and we'll crush it."

Duke Ryurik and Emmet nodded simultaneously.

"Good thinking. I didn't know you were so knowledgeable about tactics."

"Sir Emmet has long been concerned about the war with the west, so I studied hard."

I knew this fact, but it was also a way to praise Emmet.

The duke asked Emmet.

"Is that so?"

"The situation was serious."

Ryurik nodded.

"Both the one who predicted and the one who studied are impressive. Not everyone can apply what they learn in real combat."

He smiled slightly and turned to the princess.

"Your Highness has truly excellent talents."

"I have good fortune. Isn't the duke with me?"

Erendil smiled happily.

The atmosphere was perfect, but we needed to move quickly to flank. I sought permission.

"I need to move to the rear, so I'll depart first."

"Do so."

At Erendil's command, I immediately set out with 2,000 cavalry.

To strike from behind without being seen, I had to go quite far around. I spurred my horse.