Chapter 57

Ha, now that I've come this far, there's no turning back. I'll ask what I can.

First, when, if possible. I want as clear information as possible.

The two past exceptions in the records converged around next month.

"I've reviewed the records. Based on past exceptions, the situation is expected to converge around next month. I'll ask again, when do you expect this to happen with a high degree of certainty?"

"We expect it to converge in about a month. This time, we estimate there will be about a week of leeway. We've also sent scouts from the guild, so we'll know two days before they arrive."

A week, huh? That's a short time to prepare.

"When will the knights arrive?"

"When we sent the horses to the viscount, we also requested the formation. However, since this is an unexpected event, we expect them to arrive just in time."

Will they make it in time or not? But if they can come without delay, the morale can be maintained.

"When will the adventurers gather?"

"Some have already arrived. We've sent horses to the surrounding guilds."

Ah, I thought this village had a lot of adventurers for its population, but that's why.

When asked, it was said that if the number increases, tents will be set up near the river, away from the village.

It was also said that firewood, water, and food are already starting to flow in from the town.

However, in such cases, merchants tend to raise prices, but the guild will use the materials they have prepared.

They will stock up while prices are low and release the stock when prices start to rise.

It might be possible once, but merchants also have their information networks.

Alright. That's about when.

Next, where, right?

"Where do you expect the actual battle to take place?"

"At the plain between the northern forest and the village. In the forest, adventurers can't maintain control as a group."

Well, they're not soldiers. I've only experienced group battles in large-scale guild wars in games.

In reality, the largest group would be like a soccer team?

Maintaining a group is really difficult, so I can understand.

That place is supposed to be about 5 km square. I wonder if the scouts' information will come together.

"Does the command individual develop any knowledge? For example, do they set traps or devise schemes?"

"Neither. They just gather and attack the shortest route. Also, we don't have enough personnel to set traps."

Ah, they just charge in without thinking and go back. I can't take it at face value, but I'll believe it for now. Only guild members know the detailed past information.

Setting a trap, even a simple pit, costs a lot. Even if we know the general route, there's a high chance the preparation will be wasted.

Alright. That's good for where.

Next is who, right? I need to understand our combat strength.

"Please tell me about the knights' military formation, especially the composition."

"It's not finalized, but I'll explain what I know."

I listened to the explanation.

The smallest unit is a squad.

It consists of 10 people: 1 squad leader, 1 deputy leader, 6 members, and 2 apprentices.

I thought the number was high without communication means, but I soon realized.

This is a unit designed for immediate response of 6th level and above.

When divided, 3 members form a party, and each squad leader commands them. The apprentices are for support and reserve strength.

That's two parties. Since the recommended level is 6th, the actual combat strength is probably higher.

Even when camping, 2 people can take turns every 4 hours, excluding the squad leader.

A platoon is led by a knight and a deputy knight, consisting of 4 squads.

If divided, the main group is 12 people, targeting 5th level and above.

Above that, there are deputy commanders and commanders, but they won't come this time. It's said that the knights will be assigned priority.

There are also about 10 people for messengers, miscellaneous tasks, and cooks, and about 10 scouts.

Scouts have the authority of a squad leader and are directly under the king.

Honestly, I was surprised that scouts are independent from the units.

In games, they are often depicted as inferior warriors or assassins, but in reality, it's different.

The job of a scout is like the eyes of the army. Just as you can't fight with your eyes closed, the army can't get accurate information without scouts.

They are also generally smart because they need to select and sometimes judge information.

Since they report to the king, they probably handle some intelligence as well. When I asked, it was said that they are an elite group.

Their pay system is also independent. I feel like the god of governance is giving them some advice.

I thought there were few messengers, but considering the scouts' abilities, they probably cover for it.

Ah, I want a good scout.

Well, that's fine. Next is the adventurers.

"How many adventurers do you expect to come?"

"We expect about 50 to be on the front lines. The rest will be reserve forces, rotating as needed. They will also serve as substitutes in case of unexpected events."

It can't be helped that they are mixed. In the worst case, 50 might have to face 400.

Even if it's just to buy time, it seems difficult without a strategy.

"What will the guild do during this time?"

"Manage the adventurers and act as a liaison with the knights."

It's necessary to have someone in a management position, so it's good that the guild will take on this role.

Alright. That's good for who.

Next is what, right? I want to know about the opponent.

"What is the command individual of the goblins?"

"Based on past information, it's only that it has more strength than a goblin. However, it varies by year, and there are cases where magic doesn't work."

Wow. That's a problem. I'll try to avoid getting too close.

Is this what Alecto meant by resistance?

<Understood. There is a possibility. However, due to insufficient information about the target, I cannot answer.>

Yeah, it's okay. I can't tell until I see it. Basic. Basic.

"Does the goblin group change when they gather?"

"Not really. There are rare cases where goblins around the command individual become more ferocious, but these are subjective reports and have low credibility."

I can't tell until I see it, either.

For now, this is good for what.

Next is why, right? Since the premise is that the goblins will attack, the final victory condition is probably this.

"What is the condition for resolving this issue?"

"Ultimately, it's to annihilate the goblins near the entrance of the forest. In the short term, if the command individual is defeated, the group will disintegrate and return to the forest."

"What about the pursuit at that time?"

"If possible, we will pursue. However, it's not easy to organize a group of adventurers in a state of confusion. We expect the knights to handle the pursuit and ask the adventurers to deal with the stragglers later."

Hmm. That's good for why. For now, it's just to defeat the command individual.

Finally, how, right?

"How will the knights and adventurers actually fight?"

"There are two scenarios."

One is if the knights arrive in time, and the other is if they don't.

If they arrive in time, the knights will form a line to protect the town. There's no choice since there are no walls or cover. Then, the adventurers will form lines by party and advance. Honestly, there's nothing else they can do.

If they don't arrive in time, the adventurers will form lines by party to protect the town. The knights will arrive and break through from the side in a square formation.

The adventurers will practice forming these lines at some point.

They plan to do it 2 or 3 days before the arrival.

Hmm, I'll ask some detailed questions.

"Is there a reward?"

"Since it's a national response, the guild will treat it as a regular goblin hunt. For the command individual, we plan to offer 1 million wahl. This is an annual tradition, and it only applies if the adventurers defeat it. We've also talked with the government."

There's no extra money, so it can't be helped. I'll try to negotiate at some point. If the disadvantage is significant, for example.

"What was the situation during the first attack?"

"I don't have the authority to view the records. According to rumors, there were many casualties at the beginning of the reclamation, and the villagers scattered."

We've talked for a long time. Looking outside, it's getting dark.

This is probably the last question.

"Excuse me, who is your superior?"

"The guild master of this guild."

"Do you mean your direct superior?"

"Yes."

Ah, this person is important.

We exchanged greetings and walked towards Ast's house, thinking.

Even as an annual event, if the timing is off, it costs money.

At least, the places that should be moving are moving.

The rest is up to me.

Ah, I'm glad it's goblins.

A group battle with schemes is impossible in the civilian world.

It's a common scenario in games, but I realized that even with all the information, it's not enough. You can't get it.

It's like a beginner's war training for a salaryman.

While thinking that it's not funny, I looked at the fading light of the setting sun and headed home.