Chapter 44

Somehow, we managed to wipe out the Kionis cavalry pursuit unit, but we also suffered casualties. We couldn't just leave the enemy's bodies as they were.

But there was something I had to do first. I started rummaging through their belongings.

At the military academy, we were repeatedly taught that the enemy's possessions are valuable. Just the condition of their equipment can give us insights into their logistics. If all their weapons are damaged, it means they can't maintain or replace them. If their food and ammunition are scarce, it suggests supply issues.

“Emotionally and hygienically, I don't like it...”

I had no choice but to search the bodies, but these guys had killed three of our brigade's soldiers. I didn't want them to die like this. My hatred and resentment towards the Kionis cavalry couldn't be erased.

The Kionis cavalry are not regular soldiers but clan warriors. As such, their possessions are varied, and there is little information that connects to the Kionis army. The only thing I could determine was the name of this clan. It would be better if I could find maps or letters between clans.

Thinking this, I searched the body of one of the fallen and found a folded piece of paper at the bottom of his belongings. Maybe this is it.

When I opened it, it was something completely unexpected.

“Huh?”

A crude drawing made by a small child, using charcoal. A bearded man was smiling on a horse. Another small human, presumably a child, was also on the horse, smiling.

“You...”

I looked down at the body. It was the bearded man. He had resisted fiercely, and I couldn't finish him with just a bayonet, so I had to shoot him.

I folded the paper back up and returned it to the bottom of his belongings.

“Stupid bastard.”

Why did you come to pursue us?

But then again, all this happened because the Schwaidel army invaded Kionis territory. It's natural for the Kionis people to attack. For them, it's a war of self-defense.

If anything, we are the villains, and that makes me feel depressed.

As I continued to search the bodies, I found items that reminded me of the deceased's personalities, and I continued the inspection with a dead heart. I wanted to return to the brigade headquarters as soon as possible. Even though it's a crappy room without air conditioning or internet, I missed my own room terribly.

As I sighed, Colonel Altsaer approached.

“You’ve done well. Did you find anything useful?”

“I didn’t find anything significant. However, I did learn the name of the clan. According to Sergeant Satyra, it’s ‘Pergenkshoon,’ which means ‘the dry wind that blows over the winter wasteland’ in Kionis.”

Fortunately or unfortunately, they were not the clan that the Satyra clan had destroyed.

“They are believed to be from a clan far from the border region in southwestern Kionis, based on the design of their possessions.”

“Then we should assume that a large-scale mobilization is underway.”

“That’s a good assessment. Also, regarding the grenades I was worried about, it seems this clan didn’t have any. I couldn’t find any.”

If I had known they didn’t have grenades, we could have fought in a less risky way. It’s all because of the Duke of Retrau.

The colonel seemed to notice something as she looked at my face.

“Are you tired?”

“I found a child’s drawing and some crude embroidery while searching the bodies.”

Upon hearing this, the colonel looked relieved.

“I see. I understand, but...”

“What is it?”

“It seems you still have a heart, after all.”

Of course, I do. I lived as an ordinary civilian in 21st-century Japan.

I put on a deeply hurt expression.

“I, too, have a human heart.”

“You do. Yes, you do. I’m sorry. You are a kind man.”

Why are you patting my back so much? It’s kind of comforting, but it also hurts.

Then she sighed deeply.

“I’m glad you are a kind man.”

Why does she say it so deeply?

But talking to the colonel as usual made me feel like my fractured humanity was being repaired a little.

The colonel said to me with an unusually gentle expression.

“Now, we need to conceal the enemy’s bodies. We need to hide the signs of battle, but we can also pray for their souls without violating military regulations.”

“That’s true.”

It’s good to have a kind superior.

The squad leaders were giving orders to the soldiers.

“Cover the enemy’s bodies with canvas! Hurry!”

“What about the horses?”

“Of course. Cover them with canvas and secure them with stakes! Make sure they don’t get blown away by the wind!”

I would like to bury the enemy, but we are a small force on the run. We don’t have the time or energy to dig in the dry ground.

Even if we dig shallowly, animals will dig them up, so it’s better to cover them with canvas. This way, it’s quick.

Fortunately, the canvas we brought is the same color as the ground. We bought it dyed specifically for camouflage.

The large canvas can be used as a tent or a sheet and can also serve as material for stretchers. It’s a necessity for marching.

We gathered the cavalry’s bodies in one place and covered each one with canvas to prevent their belongings from mixing. Many of the enemies had jewels and gold coins, but looting was forbidden.

The dead horses were too heavy to move, so we covered them with canvas on the spot. We finished by securing the corners with stakes.

“Will this really not be noticeable?”

“However, spending too much time is dangerous. We don’t have the energy to fight if we encounter new enemies.”

Time is precious. The longer we stay, the higher the chance of encountering the enemy. Even if we don’t encounter them, our soldiers’ strength and supplies will surely be depleted.

We wrapped our fallen comrades in canvas and loaded them onto wagons. Leaving them here would give the enemy information. We would at least try to bring them closer to home.

We marched until sunset to gain distance, and after crossing several hills, we set up camp.

We set up several large tents, and the battle-weary girls wrapped themselves in rough blankets to rest.

We recruited a few from each unit to stand watch, and the rest slept like mud. The watch would get to sleep in the wagons tomorrow.

But I couldn’t fall asleep and sat on a wooden box, staring blankly.

We couldn’t use any lights as it would attract the enemy. The starlight was our only guide, but it wasn’t too bad once I got used to it.

As I listened to the cold night wind blowing across the wilderness, I heard footsteps nearby.

I placed my hand on the hilt of my saber and asked quietly.

“Who’s there?”

“You have good ears, Lieutenant Chrombertz.”

It was Colonel Altsaer’s voice.

I relaxed my guard and saluted in the dark.

“Colonel, you’re still awake?”

“That’s my line. Can’t you sleep?”

“No.”

The colonel sat down next to me with a thud. Her feet didn’t touch the ground.

“I was impressed with today’s operation. It was a brilliant cavalry tactic.”

“Thank you. I just followed the textbook and tried to ‘contain the cavalry’s movement.’”

But the colonel shook her head.

“I could only think of a phalanx formation to meet the enemy. Using the wagons as a token shield. If we had fought that way, we would be the ones buried there.”

That’s probably true. The enemy was large in scale, and their morale and training were high.

The colonel looked at my face intently and then asked.

“Was the wagon formation you devised to lure and kill the enemy cavalry?”

“Yes. In a battle with cavalry, it’s all about how to contain their mobility and impact. If you can lure them into a confined space and contain both, their threat level drops significantly.”

“You make it sound easy, but you did a great job.”

The colonel said this with a half-astonished tone, so I scratched my head.

“Yes. There was a risk that they would see through our intentions if they observed our position carefully.”

“So you, as a staff officer, did such a dangerous charade?”

I don’t like being called a charade.

“The enemy attacked the main camp of Duke Zihitoberg at the Battle of Jarakud. When they have the chance, they go for the enemy commander’s head.”

This is one of the basic tactics of cavalry, emphasizing mobility over impact.

“This brigade only has one man, me. Given the Kionis people’s values, they would recognize me as the commander-in-chief. As expected, they charged at my rear.”

“I’ve never heard of a staff officer using themselves as bait.”

I haven’t either.

Then the colonel chuckled.

“It seems you can’t rest until you put yourself in danger. Do you think it’s unfair to expose only your subordinates to danger?”

“I don’t really think that way...”

But now that she mentions it, maybe it’s my way of atoning. Looking back, I always led the charge as a squad leader.

Could it be that I can’t bear to see my subordinates die?

No, no. I’m fine. I’ve let many die before.

“I am prepared to die in battle as an imperial soldier. I believe everyone is the same. Death in battle is just a result.”

Whether it’s an officer or a soldier, an enemy or an ally, everyone must be prepared to become the soil of the wilderness.

But the colonel, swinging her legs, smiled in a troubled way.

“In theory, yes. But like you, I can’t reconcile it. Perhaps it would have been better for them to remain in their hometown, living in poverty and fear of violence, rather than dying in this foreign wilderness.”

“That’s not something you should worry about. It’s just that my strategic planning wasn’t good enough.”

Then the colonel smiled.

“That’s not something to worry about. No one in this brigade has better strategic planning skills than you. The fact that I and the others are still alive is solely due to your strategy.”

“Colonel...”

So the colonel started this conversation to say this?

The small colonel looked up at me and continued.

“You have done your best for the brigade, fought bravely without regard for your own safety, and led us to victory. Your achievements are real. There’s no need to feel ashamed.”

The colonel then said hesitantly.

“Humans are not omniscient. Don’t dwell on things you can’t change. Focus on what you can do. I will do the same.”

The colonel is only twenty-two. She hasn’t lived as long as I did in my previous life. To me, she’s just a young girl.

To have her worry so much and give me such warm words...

I was unsure how to respond but said what I felt most honestly.

“I am fortunate. I have the best superior.”

The colonel looked a bit surprised and then smiled.

“I am the lucky one. I have the best staff officer.”

I can’t compete with her. In the darkness, I saluted silently.

The colonel also saluted silently with a smile.

Thanks to this conversation, I was able to sleep soundly that night.

I will follow this person, no matter what lies ahead.