Chapter 21

I am currently having tea with my superior.

"The aroma is about second-grade Dillimo, but the taste is somehow stuck in my throat."

The one evaluating the tea leaves is our regimental commander, Colonel Altsar.

I can't really tell the taste of the tea. Since my reincarnation, I feel my sense of smell and taste have dulled, but it might also be because the empire's food culture is impoverished.

Well, never mind. More importantly, there's been a shell landing near the fort. Something is flying around.

"Even just being able to boil water is a luxury. The battlefield is far cleaner and more comfortable than the alleys of my hometown."

This isn't a lie. As a soldier, I receive the minimum treatment. Officers get even better treatment. Even in a war zone, it's much better than being a street child.

The colonel chuckles.

"I'm impressed by your toughness. Even in this rain of shells?"

As he says this, another shell lands near the fort, but the 'Scythe of Death' remains silent.

I take a sip of the cheap tea and smile.

"It's not raining hard enough to need an umbrella yet."

"Indeed."

Another shell lands somewhere.

"Sir, are you sure it's safe to be here?"

"Would you be doing this if you didn't think it was safe?"

Well, that's true.

Actually, it's safer to be near me.

The colonel glares at me slightly.

"Whether I'm here or there, the probability is the same. I perform to the best of my ability to boost the morale of the troops. Drinking tea here makes me look bold. Any soldier would respect that."

"That's right."

I am a selfish and calculating person, so in situations like this, I try to earn points bit by bit. This is a common survival tactic for ordinary people.

But it seems that Hanna, who is sitting with us, doesn't think so, and her large body is trembling.

"Sir, shouldn't we move to a safer place?"

"If there were a safer place, I would have moved there already..."

A large shell from the fort's cannon would easily collapse these walls and ceilings. It might be more dangerous inside.

Since Hanna is still trembling, I try to encourage her.

"Don't worry. You never know what will happen on the battlefield."

That's why trying to make perfect plans can be exhausting. A bit of toughness is necessary.

...That's what I wanted to say.

The next moment, a huge explosion occurs at Godo Fort. The sound shakes the tea in the cup.

Part of the stone structure of the fort collapses, and fire spews from the gun ports and windows. It's a disaster.

Debris flies this way. Something hit my cap.

"Whaaat!?"

Hanna is leaning back.

"What's that!?"

I want to know too. What is that?

But there's no point in being surprised, so I drink my tea and say nonchalantly.

"Huh?"

"Could it be your doing, Lieutenant?"

No way.

I shake my head and then observe Godo Fort with a telescope.

"The gun emplacements are blown up spectacularly. It's not from artillery fire. Probably the ammunition exploded."

Cannons are ignited with a spark, so if the gunpowder is poorly managed, this can happen. I don't know if that's the case here.

From what I can see, all the gun emplacements facing us seem to have gone silent. Inside, it's probably a mess of charred bodies. There might not be any functional guns left.

This was completely unexpected for me, but now I understand why the 'Scythe of Death' didn't say anything.

I stand up and put my cap back on.

"Break's over. Let's get to work."

"Yes, sir! But what does this mean?"

Hanna salutes, looking very confused.

The colonel speaks up.

"Now that we don't have to worry about being hit by the fort's artillery, the enemy will send out infantry. There's no other way to capture the fort."

That's right. Even for a first-time commander, he's a noble. He has the textbook content memorized.

I nod and tell the colonel.

"We should assess the damage to the fort and immediately prepare the defenses."

"I understand. Tell me what to watch out for."

I wish I could use my pre-reincarnation knowledge, but my only experience with sieges is post-reincarnation.

Even that experience isn't great.

"Try to act as reassuring as possible. If the morale of the defenders collapses, it will be a hellish situation. There's no place to run."

"Maintaining morale is hard when the arrival of reinforcements is uncertain. Well, I'll do my best."

He says this casually, with a smile. He's reliable.

The colonel puts on his coat, tilts his cap slightly, and says to Hanna with a grin.

"The first squad, guard the gun ports. The second squad, scout the walls. Show them we're not just decorative dolls."

"Understood!"

What should I do...? I'm the colonel's advisor, not the commander of the infantry. I'll be a bit idle once the battle starts.

Just as I'm thinking this, the colonel approaches me.

"Stay by my side. I need your advice."

"Yes, sir."

Of course. I was a bit spaced out.

The colonel adds:

"If my behavior seems strange, let me know. I'm pushing myself quite hard right now."

She says this while trembling slightly, and I can't help but laugh.

"Hahaha!"

"Don't laugh."

Colonel Altsar glares at me. He doesn't seem to be seriously angry, but he looks a bit resentful. No matter how brave he is, he's still a human being, and he seems to have some anxiety about his first command.

"Sorry."

He has a cute side, this superior.

Alright, I'll do my best to assist him.

After the artillery fire from Godo Fort stops, the enemy's presence is soon detected in front of Zepher Fort. Something is visible through the trees, and the bushes are moving unnaturally.

As expected. The mountain path is too steep for cannons, so if they come, it will be a light reconnaissance.

I check the positions of the first and second squads and give them instructions.

First, to the first squad.

"This gun port was originally an arrow slit. It's long and narrow, so don't stand up."

The arrow slit is designed for effective use of bows, with a long, narrow slit. It's similar to a gun port but different. It's a bit scary.

And one more thing.

"Don't forget the division of labor between loaders and shooters. If a shooter is hit, send them back and bring a new shooter from the second squad."

They form teams of one shooter and two loaders. The shooter fires continuously with three guns, while the loaders keep loading the guns.

It's similar to the famous 'three-rank volley' in fiction, but this is more refined. The best shooter in the team can fire three shots in succession.

This is a common practice in both my original world and this one, not something extraordinary. If you fight with muskets, you'll inevitably end up with this method.

I run up the stairs and give instructions to the second squad.

I'll be a bit strict with them.

"Everyone, have your bayonets fixed. The enemy will climb the walls while hiding. Stab them with your bayonets! Show no mercy! If they get in, you'll be killed without mercy!"

Their mental state is still that of ordinary people, and they are not used to killing. At close range with bayonets, they will hesitate to kill. This is a normal human reaction.

There's nothing I can do about it, so I prepare for it.

"Captain Midona, if any soldiers can't fight, send them down to help the first squad as loaders."

"Understood."

Midona, a sergeant who used to be the colonel's maid, salutes with a tense expression.

Soon, something starts to appear and disappear at the edge of the cleared forest at the foot of the mountain where Godo Fort is located.

Here they come.