Chapter 42

As I got off the carriage, the infantrymen were taking out their rifles from the carriage bed.

"Come on, hurry up! Don't forget the paper cartridges!"

"One rifle is missing here!"

"There are spares over there! Take them!"

It seems the enemy is nearby.

I hurriedly rode my horse to the colonel.

"Sir!"

"Ah, you're here, Lieutenant."

Around the colonel were only the drum and bugle corps and a few guards. The sergeants were in the middle of preparing for battle.

"A little while ago, the reconnaissance cavalry reported that a group of Kionis cavalry is approaching from the rear. They seem to be following our tracks."

The carriage tracks were clearly visible on the grassland. The colonel, looking troubled, said,

"I thought about using a couple of carriages as decoys and changing our route."

"That would be difficult. We can't hide the main force's tracks, and we can't hide the carriages on the grassland. The pursuers have a significant advantage."

Since we couldn't hide on the open grassland, we had to accept it and form a line of carriages. It was too late to hide now.

"Then we have no choice but to intercept them."

"Yes. How many are they?"

"They didn't have the time to confirm due to the pursuit, but it seemed to be about a hundred riders."

"That's not good."

Our forces consist of about sixty infantrymen and five field guns. The rest are reconnaissance cavalry, buglers, and supply troops, none of whom can contribute to the fight.

The colonel, with a stern expression, said,

"On such a plain, we can only form a square as per the manual, but I want to use the carriages effectively."

"No, let's not form a square."

"What do you mean?"

The colonel looked at me in surprise.

"Against cavalry, we should form a square, right? Are you suggesting we form a line?"

"Exactly."

"If we form a line, the enemy will definitely attack from the side. That would lead to our destruction."

With no time to waste, I explained briefly.

"A sixty-man square can only place fifteen shooters on each side. Even if the enemy attacks from an angle, only thirty shooters on two sides can fire. It's a complete lack of firepower against a hundred or so cavalry."

A square formation allows for attacks from any direction, but the downside is reduced firepower. When outnumbered, it can't stop a cavalry charge and will be overrun.

"Then, is there a way to prevent being surrounded?"

"Yes. As you said, we'll use the carriages. However, just lining them up won't do. We need to be creative."

The Kionis cavalry is the strongest in the region. A textbook response won't work.

The most troublesome thing is the presence of grenades.

If we use the covered carriages as a barrier, and they throw grenades with oil bags, the carriages might catch fire. The cannons would become too dangerous to use, and even if we win the battle, we'd be stuck due to a lack of supplies.

It's unclear if the enemy has grenades. We could bet on them not having them, but that would defeat the purpose of having a staff officer.

I should check with Satyra, who is from Kionis.

"Satyra, the Kionis cavalry only show mercy to those they recognize as warriors, right?"

"Yes. Are you planning to negotiate and get them to recognize us as warriors?"

"Are you kidding?"

Since we're here, let's think like a staff officer about the possibility.

If we follow Kionis customs and somehow get them to recognize us as warriors, we might have to engage in a duel or some bold negotiation.

"Ah, you are a heretic, yet a true warrior. I respect you and will not pursue you. We shall meet again on the battlefield."

Or something like that.

The question is whether we can retreat based on their word. They are the enemy.

People who change their attitude based on personal feelings during military operations will likely do so again. They can't be trusted.

We can't risk the lives of the entire brigade on a plan that depends on the enemy's mood.

"It would be an honor to fight with chivalry, but I am a staff officer, not a knight. Can you tell me more about the Kionis cavalry's character?"

Satyra, looking troubled, placed her hand on her cheek and said in one breath,

"They are proud and brave, but that's the flip side of arrogance and brutality. They look down on everyone, not just heretics and children, but anyone who isn't a warrior. They also like to show off within their own ranks."

"In other words, they're not much different from Swaidel men."

"Pretty much."

I heard a heavy sigh. It must have been a lot of work.

But thanks to this, our strategy is decided. I turned to the colonel.

"Sir, I will be the envoy for negotiations."

"You still want to negotiate after hearing that?"

The colonel said this with a look of disbelief, but I shook my head.

"I will be the envoy, but I didn't say I would negotiate."

"You're up to something again."

The colonel scratched his head in frustration and then laughed in resignation.

"Fine, do as you please. But don't die recklessly."

"I wouldn't dare."

I smiled wryly and put my cap back on. Even if I'm called the 'Scythe of Death,' I can't control life and death.

"I'll explain the details while setting up the position. Let's start by positioning the carriages."

Another battle we can't afford to lose has begun.

* *

I mounted my horse and advanced with a white flag.

"Can you hear me, brave warriors of Kionis!"

I read out the Kionis words translated by Satyra and gauged their reaction. Fortunately, the 'Scythe of Death' hasn't reacted.

The Kionis cavalry is spread out just beyond the range of bows and muskets, ready to form a charging line. Their width is about the same as our position. There are seventy... no, eighty riders or so.

Next to me is Satyra, a sergeant without a weapon, serving as an interpreter and advisor.

Since there's no response from the enemy, I'll continue.

"We are returning to our homeland! The conflict is meaningless! Stand down your troops!"

Still no response.

Satyra muttered,

"Of course, they're not paying attention to us."

"That's to be expected."

From the perspective of their skilled bowmen, my horse handling is amateurish. Besides, Swaidel soldiers can't use bows. They probably don't see us as warriors or even worth listening to.

But they're not fools. They can see I'm an officer from my uniform. Killing me would be a feat and could unsettle the Swaidel soldiers.

Though I can't see their faces, I can feel they're mocking me. This atmosphere reminds me of my time at the military academy.

Well, let's keep going.

"Let me tell you, we have powerful weapons! And we have hidden troops!"

At that moment, they burst into laughter.

"They're laughing."

"Of course. No enemy commander would reveal the presence of hidden troops."

It seems this is the end of the conversation.

One of their leaders shouted something, and they all drew their bows.

This is bad, the 'Scythe of Death' is reacting.

"Sir, they're coming!"

"I can see that. Let's retreat, Sergeant Satyra."

By the time I said this, Satyra's horse was already ten meters away. She's fast.

"Ha!"

I threw away the white flag and turned my horse, but as soon as my horse started galloping, I heard the whistling of arrows. Fortunately, the 'Scythe of Death' isn't reacting anymore. We must be out of range.

But then, quite a few arrows pierced the ground with force. They would hurt if they hit.

At that moment, the sound of cannon fire came from our position. It's indirect fire support from the field guns.

"Fire!"

Hanna's energetic voice echoed. How reliable.

The shells flew over our heads and rained down on the enemy. With only five guns, it's just a deterrent, but it's enough to slow them down. The Kionis aren't used to artillery.

Now is the time.

"Sir!"

Satyra shouted, looking back, but I shouted back,

"Keep your eyes forward! Don't worry about me!"

I'm also trying my best to make my horse run, but the difference in riding skills is too great. It takes a while to reach top speed.

Meanwhile, the sound of cannons continues, and shells are landing behind me. I don't know if they're hitting, but this is just to buy time.

The sound of hooves from behind. The cavalry charge has begun. Of course, they wouldn't let an unarmed officer in front of them escape.

I shouted to our position,

"Stop the support fire! Start the next phase!"

"Then don't block the line of fire, get out of the way!"

This time, it's the colonel's voice. I understand, but the horse isn't listening to me.

I managed to take a diagonal route,