Chapter 24

The enemy's small reconnaissance unit never returned after their mission. We set up sentries even at night to guard against any attacks. I decided to re-examine the structure of the fort while I had the chance.

"Hmm..."

I rubbed the stone of the defensive tower with another stone, reaching a conclusion.

"What are you doing?"

Hanna, passing by, looked puzzled, so I explained.

"The stones of this fort and the defensive tower are different colors. The way they are assembled is also different, so they were likely built at different times."

The Mildor territory is mountainous, so there's no shortage of stone. A fort of this size could be built with stone from the nearest quarry. The difference in color is a bit odd.

"Also, the defensive tower has an independent structure. It doesn't seem to distribute stress to the walls, and there are arrow slits on the inner courtyard side at the same intervals as the outer side. It was probably built as a standalone structure initially."

"Hmm... I see?"

Hanna tilted her head, clearly not understanding.

I chuckled and said to her, "Thinking is my job, so don't worry about it. Sergeant Hayden, get some rest while you can. Once the shooting starts, the squad leaders will be very busy."

It's a desperate measure, but I'll at least take some precautions. I'll consult with the colonels.

* * *

Just before dawn, one of the brigade's girls woke me up.

"Adviser, Adviser!"

"Huh? Mmm?"

"Are you mumbling in your sleep? Wake up! The enemy is here!"

"Wha!?"

I jumped up quickly and saluted with a dazed head.

"Good morning!"

"Yes, sir!"

I was laughed at. As an officer, I need to set a better example.

I hid my bedhead under my cap and put on my coat. My head gradually cleared.

"Tell me the situation."

"There's movement on the eastern side of the fort. The numbers are unclear, but there are quite a few."

They must have circled around and come from the east. That's what I expected.

There's no defensive tower on the eastern side. Compared to the west, it's much weaker. There are no cannon ports, only gun slits.

Moreover, it's at the end of the oval-shaped wall, making it narrow, and there are very few gun slits that can target the eastern side.

"Are there any enemies on the other sides?"

"They're not very visible, but there's some movement on the west and north sides."

It seems we are surrounded. The enemy is serious.

By the time I heard this, I was fully dressed. I stepped out of the tent and asked the soldier following me.

"How are our troops?"

"Following your instructions."

"Good."

I climbed up the wall and checked the eastern side with a telescope. The sky was gradually brightening, and the enemy's formation was vaguely visible. It looks like there are about three to six hundred of them? Probably not a thousand.

The distance is about five hundred meters. They seem to be wary of our cannons.

I was a bit relieved that the enemy doesn't seem to have cannons. If they did, it would be tough.

It would be difficult to transport cannons here in one night, and if they had cannons, it would be faster to attack from the gate.

However, even if the Bluejacket army doesn't have an artillery corps, they still have cannons. Mountain riflemen usually carry small, portable cannons called "shoulder mortars." If they fire those, the thin parts of the wall with gun slits could be shattered.

"Second Lieutenant, you're here too?"

Turning at the voice, I saw the colonel, bundled up in a thick coat. She's small, so she looks like a child.

The colonel, bundled up, smiled coolly.

"Good morning, it's cold this morning."

She looks like a child, but her courage is extraordinary. I'm surprised she can make such a greeting.

I'll try to mimic her.

"It is cold. The enemy soldiers who marched through the night must be quite cold too. We should warm them up."

"Ha ha ha!"

The colonel laughed heartily, then shivered slightly and whispered.

"You know, I'm actually scared?"

"Me too, sir."

It's impossible not to be scared when a battle is about to start.

The colonel and I exchanged subtle smiles as Second Squad Leader Midna approached.

"Ma'am, all the squads are in their designated positions, and the defense team is ready."

"Good. But call me Colonel."

"I apologize."

Midna was grinning. She used to be the colonel's nanny, so she's probably teasing her even now. The colonel is trying to maintain a poker face, but her cheeks are a bit red.

"Second Lieutenant, is there anything else we can do?"

"No, the biggest enemy now is fatigue. Even if your mind can't rest, at least let your body rest."

I have experience with sieges, and being surrounded by enemies is incredibly stressful. You get tired just by standing still, so the most important thing now is to avoid accumulating fatigue.

I smiled to ease the tension for the colonel and others.

"I can't tell everyone this, but in the worst case, we can surrender or negotiate a withdrawal in exchange for opening the gates. There's no need to be too rigid."

Unlike medieval times, modern wars have established rules. There are outcomes other than a massacre. ...Although massacres do happen often.

The colonel chuckled.

"Thank you, Second Lieutenant. I'll command from the defensive tower. Are you really going to the eastern wall?"

"Since Captain Dumbur is there, it wouldn't be right for no officers from our brigade to go."

Captain Dumbur is planning to meet the enemy's main force on the eastern wall. Since I don't have any troops to command, I decided to assist Captain Dumbur.

Oh, I should emphasize this to Colonel Altsar.

"Only warning shots are necessary for enemies who don't approach. Be careful not to waste ammunition. Once we run out, it's over."

The enemy is scary, but running out of ammunition is also scary. Once we can't shoot, we can't prolong the fight.

The colonel looked at me straight in the eye and smiled.

"Don't die, okay?"

"I'll do my best not to."

I can't guarantee it, though.

* * *

I went to the eastern wall and joined Captain Dumbur and the others.

"Ah, you're here, Lieutenant Chrombertz."

"I'm here."

"I moved one cannon here overnight. This is the only one that can fire directly."

There are five cannons in the defensive tower, but the building and the wall obstruct indirect fire. Once the enemy gets close, even indirect fire will be impossible.

This cannon we set up isn't very reliable either. Since there are no cannon ports, it's placed on top of the wall, and the angle of depression for firing is quite difficult. It won't be able to fire if the enemy gets too close.

"Having only one cannon is tough, and this height is also a problem."

"Yes. But there's no place to put a cannon on the wall. On the bright side, the artillerymen here are all selected brave souls."

That's one way to put it. The artillerymen in the defense team who can handle dangerous missions are mostly here.

"How are the infantry guards?"

"They're eager. You'll see their efforts."

I'm not so sure...

Just before dawn, the enemy started moving.

The sound of drums and fifes from the Bluejacket army echoed. I don't know the tune, but it's probably their march. I prefer it to the Agan army's march.

The line of infantry approached the wall like a wave. The black formation cast long shadows in the rising sun.

"They... they're here..."

A small voice from one of the artillerymen on the wall, and someone else swallowed hard.

I leaned against the parapet and pulled my cap down low.

"Shall we start, Captain?"

"Yes. Gentlemen, let's teach the Bluejacket country bumpkins how to wage war."

Captain Dumbur drew his saber and announced in a calm voice.

"Target, the left rear of the enemy formation. Fire!"

The cannon roared.