Chapter 57

"We cannot yet break through the post town. Due to the unsuitable terrain for deploying a large army, we cannot fully utilize our numerical advantage..."

"The enemy seems to be a force of about five hundred, centered around the light infantry of Haiselk, and incorporating the remnants of Myard's defeated troops."

"Even if we try to open a breakthrough, the magic soldiers have exhausted their magic power in previous battles, and support is lacking."

The knight commander of Rihazen, Gran, quietly listened to the grim reports from the military advisors.

"Haiselk's light infantry, huh. It's no wonder that Raired was defeated."

The senior knight Raired, who had been ordered to scout the main force, had been killed in battle. Even with the newly deployed troops, they could not capture a single post town. Although it was one of the few powerful units of Haiselk, a force of about two hundred light infantry should have been overwhelmed by numbers. Prioritizing the securing of the landing site, the hastily gathered remnants of the defeated defense force had become an obstacle. Unlike mobile warfare, which required meticulous coordination and training, positional warfare could be faked even if the defending side's skills were poor. They had been shown a model of its application.

"The more I learn about them, the more I dislike them. An aggressive empire, yet they excel at defensive actions. No, considering the nature of their state, it makes sense."

Counterattacks from defensive positions, whether mobile or positional, and subsequent annexation and expansion were their forte. The Haiselk soldiers were making up for the unevenness and lack of morale in the mixed forces. The spread of madness was one of the Haiselk people's specialties. Even the weak soldiers of Myard, who had been fleeing all along, were thoroughly infected.

"We have relied on the advantages of concentration of numbers and surprise attacks, but the fact is that the Kingdom of Creist is also overextending itself. We implemented a formation operation under the guise of a feint to prevent the enemy from realizing our main attack. We dispersed the enemy reserve forces widely and kept the troublesome enemies in check. On top of that, we pulled out soldiers with water affinity from each unit, squeezed out the magic power of foreign magic soldiers, and even Makoto's, to create a path to Lake Selta."

"Just one more hour and we could have broken through."

"What will you do?"

"It's too late for that. Call Yuto."

"Yes, immediately."

In short, the lack of firepower support from the magic soldiers. Additionally, the magic soldiers had been overused at the landing site. This desperate situation was due to the influence of the Haiselk Empire and, by extension, the Liberato Commercial Federation.

"Was this within your expectations? Burned face."

There was no objection to the joint rule of the Principality of Myard and the Haiselk Empire. The foreign minister of the Liberato Commercial Federation, Hugo Evens, argued that dividing the northern countries into two was the way to go. However, at its core, it was a push and pull between the wounded beast, the Haiselk Imperial Army.

The provisions and magic soldiers provided with a polite apology for the incomplete war preparations were ostensibly to proclaim the friendship of the two countries. But it was all to make the Kingdom of Creist pick the chestnuts out of the fire. If both countries had declared war simultaneously, the empire would not have been able to reinforce the Principality of Myard.

Although it was a malicious invitation, Gran had no choice but to accept it. His homeland, originally lacking in national power, had swallowed and suffered from indigestion after incorporating the territory and people of the former Ferris Kingdom. The fact that the former Ferris Kingdom's farmland had been devastated by the great rampage and war was also fatal. Even if the population was reduced by cutting off the magic territories, the number of people who could be supported was limited. Many of the militia chose a sudden and uncertain death over a slow and certain starvation. Everyone wanted to choose their own fate, even if it led to the same end.

Thus, the Kingdom of Creist desired war. However, a decisive battle in the field with reinforcements from the Haiselk Empire was out of the question. Even if they won, only the Liberato Commercial Federation would rejoice. That was why they had to capture the Selta Peninsula before the reinforcements arrived. Reaffirming his resolve, Gran faced the young man running towards him.

"Listen carefully, Yuto. It's unexpected, but I'm deploying you here."

"Weren't you going to use me for the capture of the naval port city?"

"The situation has changed. The enemy is small in number, but our main force is being held back. Their aim is to buy time."

He gave Yuto the information without holding back. Although he had potential, unlike Makoto, his original character was not suited for battle. The knight commander needed to spur him on, mixing truth and falsehood.

"I've already sent a small number of soldiers and knights through other paths to the hospital to protect Ayane and Mia. They should be able to rescue them, but there's always a possibility. If they are abducted to Haiselk territory by ship, it will be difficult to intervene. Make it like the Sarevo fortress battle."

This young man must deeply regret not being able to save his childhood friend at the hospital set up in the bailey. After all, the knight commander himself had rescued him from the scene where he was weeping bitterly. Yuto, whose bitter memories were stirred, gnashed his teeth fiercely.

"Damn, I won't let them separate again. If I blow up that wall, it'll be fine, right?"

Vitality returned to his face, which had been worn out from previous battles. Gran placed his hand on Yuto's shoulder and said gently, as if to give him one more push.

"You're the only one I can rely on. Save them from the Haiselk Empire."

"…Yes, this time, I'll save them."

"Johana, you will take command of the front line in place of the fallen Raired. We need a leader. The soldiers are getting restless."

"What about Yuto's guard?"

"Release it for now. Renato and Efsei will take over the guard duty. It should be sufficient."

"Yes, I'll take care of it."

"Let's go, Johana!!"

Yuto, who nodded vigorously, ran off with Johana. Gran watched their backs and muttered.

"That's right. Yuto, just swing your sword without thinking or hesitating."

At first glance, it might seem like a beautiful scene of the knight commander entrusting hope to the young man known as one of the three heroes. Even if it was filled with falsehoods and deception.

"Do you not need to tell Johana about Ayane?"

One of the knights asked Gran.

"Johana is trapped in an old-fashioned knightly ideal. It's as if he's stuck in a musty knightly tale... He will be less resistant to reality as he gains experience on the battlefield and grows older. Now is not the time."

"For the commander of the Rihazen Knights to be so relaxed..."

The knight was indirectly suggesting that he should not be so lenient.

"Developing talent takes time. Besides, I don't dislike troublesome young people. If they are under my control, that is. Besides, there is a prior agreement."

"Makoto?"

"To try to kill a childhood friend to win the heart of a loved one is mad, selfish, and yet pitiful."

"...Sir Gran, you have bad taste."

Gran is human too. He intends to reward the girl who works hard under him. However, Gran is not well-versed in women's hearts, and when he tried to assign a woman he had trained to Yuto, he nearly died. Makoto, who had realized the sweet trap, was enraged and tried to blow up the headquarters and the knight commander. It was such an obsessive love, and the previous life in the war zone had made killing an easy choice in everyday life. Since then, Gran has been working with the girl as a collaborator in both war and love.

"What about those who went to the hospital?"

The knight commander asked the attendant.

"They are already surrounded. They are trying to fortify, but we will deal with them quickly."

"That's good. Make sure to finish them off."

If his pawns could benefit the state, Gran intended to reward them. The knight commander glanced at the young man who was rising to the challenge and watched him with satisfaction. Then, a dazzling flash of light ran through the post town, and debris, people, and leaves danced in the air.