Wortenia Senki (LN) - Volume 17 - Chapter 4

Chapter 4: The Battle of the Cannat Plains

The Cannat Plains was a strip of flatland located past the northeastern highway from the capital and was under the royal family’s direct control. With the boon of the Bronze River, which wound across the mountain range that ran along the border with Xarooda, it was a fertile, productive land, albeit not as vast as the grain-producing regions in Rhoadseria’s south. It would take several days to cross the plains by foot from its west to its east, but less than a day to walk from its south to its north.

Ryoma was currently in a tent he’d set up in the Cannat Plains. His expression was severe and his brow was furrowed as he gazed at the maps on the desk. Lione and the others stood around him, their expressions as grave as his, indicating the severity of the situation.

“Well? Any word from the scouts yet?” Ryoma asked, to which Sara shook her head.

He’d asked this question several times already, and four times over the last ten minutes. His impatience was natural; Helena was scheduled to regroup with them, but the allotted time had long since passed.

I did account for delays in my schedule, but still, she’s late. Too late.

Three days had passed since Ryoma escaped Pireas and reached the Cannat Plains, and the impatience was starting to eat away at him. Since Counts Bergstone and Zeleph had sworn their loyalty to him, Ryoma was hoping to transport them and their families to Sirius. They were about to oppose Queen Lupis directly from now on, so it was necessary he secured their and their families’ safety. Of course, Rhoadseria’s Ivory Goddess of War was included as well.

In truth, Helena’s situation wasn’t as dire as the counts’. They were too close to Ryoma, after all. While they’d sworn fealty to him only recently, they’d been under the Mikoshiba barony’s umbrella, or at least in a cooperative relationship with it, ever since the conclusion of the civil war.

In addition, they were too capable for Queen Lupis’s regime, one where the sovereign held power. A sword that was too sharp must be handled with skill and care. If one failed to do so, it would become a dangerous weapon that threatened themselves more than anything.

Even if the counts hadn’t sided with Ryoma, Queen Lupis would have suspected them and their actions. Then, overcome with doubt and distrust, she would have eventually elected to expel them altogether. That much was obvious to Count Bergstone and Count Zeleph, which was why Ryoma had to ensure their families’ safety.

More than anything, however, Ryoma wanted to ensure Helena’s safety.

Is it strange that I feel this way?

Helena was a highly capable woman and a powerful ally, but Ryoma couldn’t help but feel that there was more to their relationship than just that. His desire to keep her safe felt more like a feeling one harbored for their family or friends. It was similar to how he felt about Laura and Sara.

It’s possible she got the meetup spot wrong, but...

Communication in this world was limited, and keeping in touch with others was a constant concern. There were no phones with GPS tracking, nor any landline phones, which made it virtually impossible to confirm someone’s position in real time. Nonetheless, they were on the plains without anything obstructing them from sight. Unless Helena greatly missed their meetup spot, she should have been able to find them.

Which means that, possibly...

A few ominous theories crossed Ryoma’s mind. The first was that something unexpected had happened to Helena. Helena was set to gather her most trusted subordinates and regroup with Ryoma, so perhaps one of her subordinates had heard her plan to defect and rebelled against her.

That doesn’t sound too likely, though.

In order to defend against the O’ltromea Empire invading Xarooda again, Helena was stationed in a border city with a garrison of five thousand men. This time, she was to choose a thousand loyal to her from among that garrison.

So long as Chris is serving as her right hand, we’d have heard something by now if some kind of delay happened.

Ryoma held Chris Morgan in high regard, but not as a powerful warrior who could cut through enemy lines, like Robert and Signus. Ryoma knew that Chris’s skills with a spear were exceptional and that he was among Rhoadseria’s most talented warriors, but his years of mistreatment by General Albrecht meant he lacked the Twin Blades’ combat experience.

Chris’s true value lay not in his strength as a warrior, but in his political prowess and leadership skills—his ability to command and maintain unity in an army. Both were exceedingly important for keeping other people under one’s control. Indeed, during the last civil war, Helena had managed to convince many of the knights’ faction to turn from General Albrecht’s side to hers, and she could have only achieved that with Chris’s assistance. Helena herself had admitted that.

Chris’s value lay not in his strength as a vanguard fighting on the front lines, but in his martial expertise and leadership savvy. He was a talented commander on all fronts, and because of that, he was valuable to Helena as her right-hand man. What’s more, Chris’s loyalty lay more with Helena as a person than with Rhoadseria as a country. A man like that wouldn’t betray her. If anything unexpected had happened, they wouldn’t have neglected to send Ryoma a messenger.

It’s possible they did and they all got silenced, but more probable than that...

As another possibility crossed Ryoma’s mind, they heard noise coming from outside the tent, then an Igasaki ninja they’d sent out to scout hurried inside and whispered into Ryoma’s ear.

Sara and Laura saw Ryoma’s expression stiffen and realized the severity of the report.

“Understood. Bring him in,” Ryoma ordered.

The ninja nodded briefly, turned around, and left. Before long, another man was escorted into the tent. All eyes fixed on him.

No dirt or injuries to speak of. Yeah, that just about settles it.

Seeing that the man’s attire was practically pristine, Ryoma was able to affirm that his grim suspicion was right, yet he spoke to the man as calmly as he could.

“It’s been a while, Sir Chris.”

“Yes, quite some time, Baron Mikoshiba,” Chris replied, but his expression was as hard as steel. He wasn’t masking any bloodlust or enmity, but it was clear it had taken Chris a great deal of courage to come here.

The two looked at each other wordlessly for a few seconds, and the air in the tent froze with suspense. Eventually, Ryoma let out a loud sigh.

“I see... So that’s what happened, and that’s why you came.”

There was no need to explain why Chris was here. The fact that Helena’s army wasn’t at the meetup spot and that Chris came alone with his clothes undisturbed made his business here self-evident.

“Yes. Lady Helena wished to come herself, but I stopped her,” Chris said, bowing his head deeply to Ryoma. He then reached into his pocket, took out a letter, and presented it to Ryoma. “It’s a letter from Lady Helena. Please read it.”

“Of course. Thank you for going to the trouble of delivering it.” Ryoma took the letter from Chris and studied the wax seal on it.

It’s the same emblem I saw on the other letters Helena sent me, so it’s unlikely it’s a fake.

Although his mind already knew the answer, his heart couldn’t help but deny it. Realizing this, Ryoma cracked a self-deprecating smile. He ripped the wax seal off and scanned the letter inside. The contents were straightforward and succinct, but Ryoma had to read it a few times. He then looked at Chris and spoke slowly.

“I’ve read the letter, and I acknowledge its contents.”

“Thank you, and I’m sorry. So...?” Chris asked hesitantly. He probably wasn’t expecting Ryoma’s response to be as restrained as it was.

In contrast to Chris, Ryoma was perfectly calm. “I don’t have time to write a reply. Is it necessary?”

Chris shook his head. Given Ryoma’s position, he didn’t have time to compose a response, and Chris didn’t assume he’d have to deliver one. All the same, Ryoma carried on without regard for Chris’s shaken attitude.

“Give her my response verbally, then. Tell her I look forward to the day we meet again.”

Chris’s face washed over with surprise. He realized what Ryoma was saying, and he hung his head deeply.

“Understood. I will deliver your message, on my honor as a knight.”

Helena’s letter was a farewell to Ryoma, which meant that she, Helena Steiner, would become Ryoma’s enemy.

This was the moment the cogs began to move. Allowing the messenger to live was a gesture of respect in this world, but during a war, such niceties weren’t always upheld. Ryoma, however, seemed willing to let the traitor’s subordinate leave safely.

“I will take my leave, then. May we meet again, someday...” Chris bowed his head again to Ryoma, who then escorted Chris out of the tent.

Ryoma nodded. “Yes, someday...”

Chris rode off on his horse toward the capital, and Ryoma watched wordlessly as the knight disappeared into the distance.

Lione, who’d held her tongue so far, called out from behind him, “Boy, are ya sure we should’ve let him go? Helena’s turned against us, right? She’s tricky enough on her own.”

Ryoma was the only one who’d read Helena’s letter, but based on his exchange with Chris, everyone present had caught on to its contents. Most of them, like Lione, were apprehensive about Ryoma’s choice to let Chris go. Laura and Sara were the only ones who didn’t doubt Ryoma’s decision.

“Disposing of him now would be the correct choice, in the sense that it weakens the enemy’s forces,” Laura said.

“If Laura and I were to attack,” Sara added, “we would almost surely beat him. And with everyone present here, including Master Ryoma, we’d absolutely overcome him.”

Robert and Signus both nodded. All Ryoma had to do was give the signal, and the two of them would move in to attack.

“But if we’d attacked him here, Chris wouldn’t have gone down without a fight,” Laura stated. “He didn’t have his spear, but he’s a skilled warrior even without it. We would have at least gotten hurt trying to kill him.”

“Yes. If nothing else, killing him now, when the enemy’s movements are still uncertain...” Sara trailed off.

The others groaned in understanding. The fact that Helena had defected to the enemy’s side meant things had changed considerably. If this were a game of chess, Chris would be a bishop or knight stranded on the enemy’s side of the board. Normally, it would have made sense to take him, but doing so could have left their side open to an attack by another bishop or a rook. Therefore, they couldn’t take that risk.

“Also,” Laura began, “I believe Master Ryoma meant...”

Everyone looked to Ryoma, who neither denied nor confirmed what the Malfist sisters had said.

“I see,” Lione murmured.

In the mercenary life, someone could be a friend one day and an enemy the next. Yet it wasn’t too late to investigate why Helena had turned her back on Ryoma, now of all times, and decide what to do next.

Suddenly, Kikoku let out a resonant screech, like it was trying to warn Ryoma of something.

What happened?!

Kikoku had warned Ryoma in the past, but right now they were in an open field with no enemies in sight. Even if soldiers were lying in wait to ambush them, it was doubtful they could break through Ryoma’s defensive perimeter undetected.

Be that as it may, Ryoma abided by his survival instincts and activated the fourth chakra, the Anahata chakra located in his chest, triggering his martial thaumaturgy. Doing so ended up saving his life too, because the next second, an intense shock wave blasted into Ryoma’s abdomen.

The pain felt like someone had thrust a stake into his body, and Ryoma coughed up the blood surging into his mouth. An instant later, a thunderous rumbling from afar reached his ears. The sound of the blast coming so long after its impact could only mean one thing.

The Malfist sisters noticed that something had happened and immediately threw themselves over Ryoma’s body, shielding him.

“Boy!”

Lione hurried over to Ryoma, while Robert and Signus ordered the nearby troops to scout the area for the attackers. Soldiers carrying shields swiftly surrounded Ryoma, preparing for another surprise attack. No one could hide their confusion at this sudden occurrence. Even so, under the Twin Blades’ capable command, their confusion soon died down.

Unaware of all this, Ryoma was trying to think through the agonizing pain in an attempt to make sense of what had just happened.

I was careless. I didn’t think this world had long-distance sniping. Dammit... The martial thaumaturgy and the armor made from monster materials kept me from dying, but the force of that shot was absurd.

Ryoma was no military enthusiast, but he had an above-average knowledge of guns, since his grandfather’s training had included countermeasures against firearms. When a bullet hit a bulletproof vest, it could protect against direct penetration, but it didn’t protect from the kinetic energy of the shot. It would reduce it somewhat, but not even Type IV body armor, worn by American soldiers and considered top-rank equipment, completely absorbed the impact. Also, the force could still damage internal organs and cause bone fractures. Even in modern society, one would need an ambulance.

I’ll have to thank Nelcius. Endowed thaumaturgy that triggers automatically upon impact... 

Most clothes in this world were made of linen or cotton, while the wealthy wore clothes of silk. The only difference between here and Ryoma’s world was that this world didn’t have synthetic fiber. There were other factors that set the two worlds apart, though, like the existence of powerful life-forms called monsters, from which one could gather materials, and thaumaturgy. The leather armor he’d received from the Malfist sisters when they escaped the House of Lords had both.

On the surface, it looked like ordinary leather armor—meticulously made but otherwise no different from what one could purchase in any city. However, any warrior who knew the true powers of this armor would greedily seek it out. Not only was the material both light and durable, but it was made of monster skin, which was fireproof and resistant to electricity. On top of that, the dark elves had imbued it with powerful endowed thaumaturgical seals that made it much harder than plate armor. Besides his armor, Ryoma was also protected by his own guardian deity.

I think the pain’s starting to die down.

The fact that he’d coughed up blood implied that some of his internal organs must have been damaged by the impact, but since he wasn’t coughing up any more, Kikoku’s powers had already begun healing him. Ryoma also felt a dull pain in his ribs, but that was starting to abate. At the rate it was improving, he figured the pain would completely disappear later today or tomorrow.

That must be its power at play.

Kikoku was a katana crafted by the first master of the Igasaki clan. It was a cursed blade that drained all the prana of any who tried to draw it but were unworthy of being its master. It could use the prana it amassed to exhibit all sorts of supernatural effects too. Ryoma wasn’t Kikoku’s true master quite yet, but the fact he was able to safely grip the katana implied that it acknowledged him as worthy.

You saved me. Thank you, Ryoma thought, expressing his gratitude to Kikoku.

He tapped the Malfist sisters, who were laying unmoving over his body, reassuringly on the back. Ryoma then got to his feet and wordlessly returned to the tent, resolved to find a way to oppose those who threatened both his life and those of the allies following him.

♱

A full moon hung above, its surface red. The ominous sky seemed to herald the gruesome battle about to take place.

That night, Ryoma attentively listened to the Igasaki scouts give their report. Lione and the others, who were present as well, also listened. Sitting in the corner, away from the table at the center of the tent, were three people, watching over the affair with cloth masks covering their mouths.

“They really had soldiers lying in ambush.” Ryoma clicked his tongue as he moved three white game pieces, symbolizing his enemies, around on the map.

One piece was located a few hours away from his camp. This army, stationed in the center of the Cannat Plains, was about the same size as Ryoma’s army, if not slightly larger. They were clearly positioned there to impede Ryoma’s advance.

Ryoma had predicted that such an army might be there. The Kingdom of Rhoadseria wasn’t going to ignore his killing Marquis Halcyon and the other members of the House of Lords in Pireas.

This was related to the reasoning Ryoma had given Queen Lupis. The reasons he did it, or whether it was right or wrong, were irrelevant here. Ryoma’s actions had shaken Rhoadseria to its core and struck a blow against its might and influence, so it was to be expected that the kingdom would dispatch soldiers to prevent him from returning to his stronghold in Wortenia.

I figured it’d be difficult for them to organize in time, but I guess with fast horses and smoke signals they were able to send directives to the nobles near the Cannat Plains.

Still, while it was doable, it certainly was easier said than done. Even if the nobles had received orders from the capital to dispatch troops, organizing an army on the spot was impossible. They weren’t dealing with a group of a few dozen bandits either.

Forming an army of a thousand soldiers meant they would need to gather a minimal amount of weapons and rations, and that alone took time, to say nothing of calling in the soldiers themselves. Moreover, most nobles didn’t have that many knights, so the majority of their forces consisted of commoner conscripts.

With all those factors in mind, expecting the preparations to go smoothly on such short notice was a tall order, and engaging a renowned national hero like Ryoma with an ill-prepared army would be suicide. Upon receiving such an order from the capital, most nobles would have adopted a wait-and-see approach, but that was assuming that the nobles remained calm and acted as calculating and self-serving as ever. People weren’t always able to remain collected.

I killed people close to them, after all.

Rhoadseria’s nobles were all bound together by a complicated, winding web of blood ties. It could even be said that regardless of if the relation was close, all of Rhoadseria’s nobles were related by blood on some level.

Of course, even if they were related, that didn’t mean a noble recognized all other nobles as their family. People in Japan could look through their family tree and discover they were related to someone else because their families had wed together centuries ago, but they didn’t see those people as family.

That said, the House of Lords’ top brass consisted of mostly influential aristocrats, and they were interconnected with many other nobles through marriage. The head of House Halcyon, Marquis Arthur Halcyon, had many siblings, and those alone tied his house by marriage to four other noble houses situated around the Cannat Plains. If one counted his aunts, uncles, and his grandparents’ generation, it was hard to tell how many houses in the area had connections with Marquis Halcyon.

It wasn’t limited to just House Halcyon either. The Eisenbach and Hamilton counties, as well as other nobles of similar rank, all increased these numbers. If all of them felt spurred to defend themselves against Ryoma, that would inspire them to organize armies faster than usual.

As far as the Igasaki scouts could tell, the central army carried the banners of multiple noble houses. It was likely that the army stationed in the Cannat Plains was the main enemy force, made up of the nearby house leaders’ armies.

Ryoma had expected that an army would be there—it made sense, at least on the surface—but the fact that there were two other forces stationed elsewhere made Ryoma question his suspicions. One was positioned deeper into the Cannat Plains, while the other was hiding in the forested area between the Cannat Plains and the country’s northeast. Their presence shook Ryoma’s heart.

Just who planned this scenario?

That singular doubt filled his mind. The two smaller detachments were five hundred troops each. Together, they formed a triangle with the forces stationed in the center of the Cannat Plains, the latter being the apex. In total, the enemy army numbered two thousand to twenty-five hundred soldiers. It was nearly twice the size of Ryoma’s army.

In addition, two detachments stood at the rear of the battlefield. They looked like forces who hadn’t made it in time to join the main force and were relegated to serving as ambush soldiers. They also served as insurance in case Ryoma tried to avoid an encounter with the main army through the center of the plains.

Despite this setup, Ryoma believed the enemy’s true intentions lay elsewhere.

They probably split up so they could attack me from two directions.

While the main army held Ryoma’s army in check, the ambush detachments would move in to attack him from the flank. At that point, Ryoma would be surrounded and crushed.

That really was dangerous. If I didn’t have this information, I’d have gone forward to face the enemy head-on...

He’d been close to walking into the worst possible scenario. Thanks to this warning, he’d avoided mortal danger by the skin of his teeth. He couldn’t thank the unexpected guests who’d delivered this precious information enough, but he could express his gratitude after he came up with a countermeasure to this predicament.

Ryoma glanced at the guests standing in the corner of his tent, then back to the game pieces on the map.

Not a bad plan...

This strategy even took Ryoma’s temperament and personality into account. He’d have complimented his enemies for their ingenuity if he could. Nonetheless there were still some peculiar aspects to this.

The biggest peculiarity is that implementing this plan would have taken time.

It was impossible that this army had been organized due to an urgent missive from the capital. In other words, someone had predicted Ryoma’s actions ahead of time.

And the governors’ army is a mixed force, so establishing a chain of command should have been too difficult. 

Relying on the surrounding governors to unite and form the numbers necessary was a valid play, but it produced a disjointed force. If all they wanted to do was charge the enemy, that would be enough, but they would be unstable and would fall into disarray as soon as the situation swung against them. Yet the enemy force hidden in the forest area denied that possibility.

All this in mind, I’m starting to doubt that the main force is an unorganized alliance formed by the nearby governors. 

Questioning everything would be foolish, but with the information the Igasaki clan had gathered, Ryoma’s intuition came up with just one answer.

That means...the main force is made up of elites flying fake banners.

Banners, an important tool used by armies, were meant to signify each unit’s affiliation. By examining the banners, commanders could distinguish friend from foe and estimate the battle’s situation. This was absolutely necessary for all units on the battlefield, regardless of if they were trained knights or a mercenary band. In a sense, their unit’s banner was more important to a knight than their life.

However, no matter how important the banner was, in the end, it was just a flag. A dirty banner could be replaced, and it wasn’t unheard of for an army to fly another unit’s banner. It wasn’t even that sophisticated or original of a ploy. Any person with some talent in tactics could come up with it. This was precisely why Ryoma found the person who’d planned this scenario so fearsome, though. This basic tactic had been this close to driving Ryoma and his comrades to their ruin.

“The sniping incident, Helena turning her back on me... Someone’s trying to trip me up,” Ryoma said with a deep sigh. Anger and humiliation brewed in his heart. He’d never felt so defeated since the day he was summoned here.

Not that I was underestimating this world in particular, but still...

Ryoma had never intended to underestimate his foes, not once since the day he’d been summoned here from Japan. Making light of the enemy was foolish, and one would eventually find the rug swept out from under them. Nevertheless, since coming to this world, Ryoma had always been victorious. He’d won too many times, and all those victories might have made Ryoma careless.

“Is Meltina Lecter behind this? Or is it Mikhail Vanash?” Lione asked, breaking the silence.

Others had apparently come to the same conclusion. Those were the same people whom Laura and Sara, who likewise remained quiet, had in mind.

Ryoma shook his head. “It’s hard to say right now, but if the army at the center of the plains isn’t an allied army formed by the surrounding governors, the only option is that they’re knights in service to the kingdom. In which case, I doubt those two are unrelated.”

The others all nodded.

“So we should assume we’re going up against the kingdom’s knights?” Sara muttered.

“Aye,” Lione agreed. “That would be the safest assumption we can make.”

This was an important distinction to make; whether they were up against the governors’ allied army or the kingdom’s knights changed which tactics they should employ. It was like preparing against an amateur baseball team, only to find out moments before the match that they were actually professional baseball players. Realizing they were going up against someone much stronger than expected would greatly shake their spirits too.

This was also a surprise attack, in a sense. To begin with, they wouldn’t have been able to exhibit their full strength against an unexpected enemy, but if they knew what they were facing ahead of time, things were different.

“So, Chief, what are you gonna have us do?” Robert asked provocatively. “If you want to sic Signus and me on the enemy, we’ll be glad to tear through their ranks. I won’t lie, we’ve been itching for a chance to stretch our legs and snap some necks.” He must have been very confident in his and Signus’s might, because it was apparently a serious offer.

In truth, the two of them hadn’t had much work to speak of recently. The most they’d done was handling the security around Count Salzberg’s estate a few days ago, and that job was much more dull than fighting on the front lines. And even then, Ryoma and the Igasaki ninjas had been the ones to actually dispose of the attackers in that case. For all Robert was concerned, all they’d done was take a leisurely walk on the estate’s lawn.

All in all, warriors like Robert needed the battlefield. It was their workplace—the place where they belonged—so Robert relished this tense situation. If Ryoma only gave the word, he’d charge headlong into the enemy even if he was all alone.

Signus, of course, couldn’t help but be disturbed that his name had been brought up without his permission.

“Bloody hell, Robert, what’s wrong with you! We’re in the middle of a war council here!”

Signus hit him with common sense, but Robert didn’t seem the slightest bit bothered. He unapologetically picked his ear with his pinky. After digging in it for a second, he took his finger out, showed Signus the loot he’d found, and punctuated it by blowing it at him.

“What’s wrong, Signus? You getting cold feet?”

Signus tolerated his best friend’s taunting words, although his fist was quivering. If they hadn’t been in the presence of their lord, Signus would have sunk his clenched fist into Robert’s face.

Ryoma laughed at their exchange. He wasn’t trying to stop them, nor was he going to blame them for their behavior. Both Robert, with his cheeky courage, and Signus, with his calm, collected demeanor, were important blades in his arsenal. When all was said and done, swords were for taking human life, and weapons only had meaning when they saw use.

They’re definitely swords that choose their master.

Knowing this, Ryoma decided to grant Robert’s wish.

“You know what? Yeah. I’ll take you up on that offer. It’ll be a risky gamble for sure, but I’ll bet on you, Robert. You too, Signus. I want you to pick 150 knights each from your respective baronies and tear into the enemy’s ranks.”

Robert hadn’t expected Ryoma to agree, and he glanced at Signus, who sat beside him. Robert then laughed out loud. He realized the intent behind Ryoma’s words, and rather than surprise or confusion, his expression was full of joy.

“You seeing this, Signus?! This is the greatness of the master we serve and respect! Aaah, for how young you are, you do understand how I think.”

Signus, who was also asked to go, remained calm. “Are you telling us to break through the central army’s lines then, Chief?”

It made sense that Ryoma would ask them to do just that, but Signus sensed something else in Ryoma’s words.

Ryoma nodded and placed three black game pieces over the central army’s position on the map. Two of the game pieces were cavalry, and the remaining one was infantry. Ryoma then began moving the pieces over the map. Everyone remained silent. They were all considering whether the strategy Ryoma was proposing was possible.

“I see,” Lione said, her voice full of amazement and approval. “You always come up with the most interesting strategies, boy.”

Everyone seemed to feel the same way, including Robert and Signus, who were the core of this tactic.

Ryoma nodded. “Then, everyone, prepare to move out tomorrow.”

Lione and the others left the tent one by one to organize the units. The last one to leave was Sakuya, who glanced at Ryoma. Ryoma nodded briefly at her, to which she looked away and left the tent quickly.

“Now then,” Ryoma said, looking around the tent.

“Master Ryoma, should we leave too?” asked Laura, who was still standing behind Ryoma.

Ryoma shook his head.

Might be better to have Laura and Sara here.

Honestly, Ryoma had no idea how to approach this situation, and he couldn’t imagine which way things might go. He knew one thing for sure, though; whichever way it went, it was bound to have repercussions for the Mikoshiba barony’s future. If so, Ryoma wanted the twins, who’d been his companions for as long as he’d been in this world, to listen in on this. They might not have been connected to him by blood, but they were family.

Sensing Ryoma’s feelings on the matter, the twins took a step back. The three people waiting in the tent’s corner saw this as a signal to step forward and approach Ryoma. The elderly man leading the trio took another step forward.

Ryoma knew his face very well, but at the same time, this man couldn’t possibly be here.

“I looked time and again, but it still hasn’t sunk in.” Ryoma sighed. “Really, what are you doing here, grandpa?”

The man smiling at him shouldn’t have been here.

I can’t believe I’ve lived to see him again.

When the O’ltromea Empire’s court thaumaturgist, Gaius Valkland, summoned him to this world, Ryoma had made peace with the fact that he would never see his grandfather’s face again, so Ryoma’s mind was torn between joy and confusion. Even he, with his nerves of steel, struggled to keep himself composed at this moment.

Having anticipated his grandson’s reaction, Koichiro Mikoshiba nodded. “It’s been too long, my grandchild.”

His first words to Ryoma were all too brief.

♱

The following day, at noon...

As the sun shone down upon the land, Ryoma engaged the enemy army at the heart of the Cannat Plains. They moved in an arrowhead formation, with Lione’s heavy infantry leading the charge and Ryoma’s cavalry bringing up the rear. As the name implied, the formation was in the shape of an arrow. Deployed all around them were Igasaki warrior ninjas, who’d set up a barrier and defensive perimeter meant to shield Ryoma’s army from enemy scouts and ambush units.

The enemy army, by contrast, set up an orthodox defensive perimeter, with impediments stationed to form a wall meant to stop horses and heavy infantry. For how simple it was, the formation was effective and as sturdy as iron.

Ryoma had chosen an arrowhead formation, which prioritized offense, while the enemy commander had picked a defensive formation. Together, the two armies were like a spear hurtling toward a stout shield.

Two hours had passed since the battle started. Lione was gradually beginning to pressure the enemy army. Typically, heavy infantry weren’t suited for an arrowhead formation because, although it was an offensive formation that crushed enemies in a frontal assault, it was weak to attacks from the flank. The heavy infantry also lacked the mobility required to break through the enemy’s ranks.

Despite this, Lione’s skillful command was able to turn those flaws into an advantage. By arranging the heavy infantry all across their formation, she prioritized defensive power rather than mobility and force, which allowed her to gradually press forward and overpower the enemy.

Her advance struck fear into the enemy army; they all felt a noose slowly tightening around their necks.

We broke through the first and second defensive lines, but there’s still a few more before we reach the enemy camp, Lione thought.

Although the battle was going in their favor, Lione wasn’t pleased with the situation.

“It’s like the boy predicted,” Lione whispered as she led the vanguard. “It would’ve been ideal if we could’ve broken through to the enemy’s front quickly, but it’s not gonna be that easy.”

In terms of equipment, Lione’s infantry unit had much better gear than the enemy. True, Ryoma’s army was at a numerical disadvantage, and the enemy encampment was fortified to protect against cavalry, but the enemy was stationed in a provisional camp with impromptu fortifications. They couldn’t easily overturn the advantage that the equipment gave Ryoma’s army.

Be that as it may, the enemy soldiers fought with such ferocity that the difference in gear was hardly felt. It was proof that they were skilled and motivated. Their performance made it hard to believe that they were just a cobbled-together alliance of governor armies with no real chain of command.

From the feel of things, it really is likely they’re flyin’ fake banners. I swear, knights pullin’ the same kind of tricks mercenaries would... Chivalry ain’t worth a damn anymore, is it?

Lione glanced at the multiple banners and the family crests drawn on them.

Which means they’re plannin’ on us cuttin’ into the enemy’s back lines. They’re probably lettin’ us hollow out their formation to buy time for the other two units to swoop in on us.

Lione’s heavy infantry was advancing slowly but surely, and under the pressure of their charge, the enemy formation was spreading out horizontally. It was starting to take the shape of a crescent arc.

Not a bad formation...

Normally, this would’ve been the time to send in Ryoma’s cavalry unit to break through the enemy lines. There was the possibility of a trap, but the army Ryoma had nurtured was strong enough to handle it. Their chances of winning were good enough to warrant gambling on a charge. If nothing else, as leader of the Crimson Lions, Lione wouldn’t let this golden chance slip her by.

Be that as it may, Lione didn’t act. There was a good chance it would work, yes, but she wasn’t absolutely sure. Even if she did emerge from this engagement victorious, her forces would take considerable losses. Most of all, Lione wasn’t the captain of a mercenary group anymore; she was now a knight and senior commander of the Mikoshiba barony’s forces.

No need to hurry. We just need to listen to what the boy says and keep things steady.

Lione decided to let time march by and minimize her soldiers’ losses—at least, she did, until she heard the beast howl...

♱

At around the same time that thought crossed Lione’s mind, Clay Nilsen, the commander of the enemy army, silently listened to the countless reports coming in from the runners. Once he’d heard them all, he rapidly started giving orders.

“I see. So unit thirteen has retreated to the back. Then order their captain to return to the battlefield and secure the center of the formation once they’re done replacing their injured soldiers.”

Clay was a large man in his fifties, with a receding hairline but a magnificent beard. He stood at an imposing 190 centimeters, and his facial features were the very image of terror. He’d lost his right ear years ago in battle, and his personal armor was covered in countless scratches. At a glance, it was obvious that he was the type of knight who’d charge into the enemy’s lines; he wasn’t one to bark commands from the safety of the camp.

Contrary to appearances, however, Clay stuck to his role as commander without complaint. He wasn’t doing it begrudgingly either; his presence in the back of the army, calmly responding to reports, soothed the hearts of those around him. He was as firm and imposing as a mountain.

“It seems they’re pushing back a little. As I was told, the man we’re up against is something special,” Clay murmured as he moved game pieces on the map before him.

“Yes. We anticipated that the enemy army would attempt to break through the center, but we never expected them to use heavy infantry at the front,” his lieutenant said, frustrated.

Everyone present felt the same frustration, but Clay, trying to assuage his lieutenant, said, “Don’t let it trouble you. Unforeseen developments are par for the course. Even though they are pushing against us a little, it’s nothing we didn’t expect.”

Clay looked at the two game pieces on the map, which were placed on the forested area spanning above their headquarters.

“And? Any word from the other units?” Clay asked. It was clear they hadn’t made it yet, but this wasn’t what Clay was asking.

“No, sir. We’ve sent runners to give them frequent updates on the situation, but nothing yet.”

Clay had expected that response. “I see. Keep your wits about you. Lady Meltina and Sir Mikhail came up with this plan, so we cannot afford a single mistake.”

After giving his lieutenant a nod, Clay crossed his thick arms in front of him and closed his eyes. This was a quirk of his, one he’d developed over many years on the battlefield. Although he seemed calm and composed, a human heart did beat in Clay, and he couldn’t completely contain his emotions. What’s more, the tactic they’d chosen this time split their forces to attack from two fronts and to encircle and wipe out the enemy. It was a daring strategy, one that could decide whether they won or lost in one fell swoop.

Once surrounded, not even a national hero like Ryoma Mikoshiba, the so-called Devil of Heraklion, would be able to win. That was assuming the plan worked, though. Such daring strategies were incredibly effective if they succeeded, but if they failed, they’d throw whoever tried them into a precarious situation.

Clay was betting everything on this risky gamble, which was why he was listening to his heart.

Am I worrying too much? No. If we just wait a while longer, we’ll get the information we need.

Since communication methods were limited in this world, relaying information to and from other units was difficult. That was especially true when an allied army was marching their way. In order for their allies to strike the Mikoshiba army from the flank, they’d have to take major detours.

With that in mind, sending runners was tricky. Since their allies were on the move, the runners had no way of tracking where they were, meaning it was a matter of luck whether they actually found the allied units and delivered their messages. At worst, the runners could keep wandering the Cannat Plains in search of the allied forces even hours after the battle ended.

Knowing this, Clay couldn’t shake the ominous premonition that gripped his heart, but the die had already been cast. Although he had a bad feeling, there was no stopping the plan now. His only recourse was to wait for the time to come.

With no other option, Clay ordered, “Carry on as is. Let them push into our formation bit by bit and wait for the right time!”

Unfortunately, his decision would become a painful mistake.

♱

The sun began sinking from the roof of the sky into the mountains spanning the Xaroodian border. The battle was finally approaching its climax. Robert Bertrand glared at the enemy army standing before him, swinging his long-handled war axe overhead.

At his back were his brothers-in-arms, who’d fought at his side for many years. Their numbers weren’t large, a mere 150 or so knights, but they were all brave, seasoned warriors. When they attacked the enemy detachment earlier, they’d stolen the enemy’s Rhoadserian banners, which they then used to approach the enemy’s main force as “allies.”

Seriously, for how young he is, the chief is sharp. Using the same tactic he almost fell for to dupe the enemy... 

What was about to happen next was a pincer maneuver that would end in a massacre—except the roles would be reversed. Ryoma’s army would be the attacker, while Clay Nilsen’s army would be the victims.

Letting victory slip away after they cast away their pride as knights... I feel bad for them, even if they are my enemies, but I guess that’s on them for siding against the chief.

The Igasaki clan’s spies had already informed Robert that Signus’s unit was prepared to strike, so there was no need for Robert to hold back. All that remained was to finish the job.

“Hold up our banners!” Robert ordered.

His comrades lowered all the banners they were holding, and in their place, they raised banners with the Mikoshiba barony’s emblem on them—a silver and gold two-headed snake coiled around a sword.

“Chaaaaarge!” Robert yelled, swinging his war axe down with vigor.

He stirred his horse into a gallop and began his charge into the exposed rear of the enemy formation. He was like a catastrophe in human form, and that catastrophe was about to reap the lives of enemy soldiers who’d believed just moments ago that he was an ally.

“Go, go, go! Where’s the enemy commander?! Come on out, you coward!”

Shouts roared in every direction. Blood spurted and danced in the wind, scattering over the ground like flower petals. Robert’s axe howled as it cut through the air, and each time it did, screams filled the battlefield.

On the other side of the enemy army, Robert could hear cheers rising.

“Looks like Signus finally got going too!”

Robert continued his charge, imagining the way Signus had likely swung his favored weapon, his iron staff, in all directions. He was determined not to let his brother-in-arms outshine him. He knew this was his duty to his new lord.

After Robert’s charge, Lione handled the front lines, allowing Ryoma and his cavalry unit to break the enemy’s ranks. Following that, Signus launched an attack on the enemy headquarters, claiming the head of Clay Nilsen.

So ended the battle of the Cannat Plains. However, it was only the prelude for the next battle.

Several days later, upon learning of her army’s defeat, Lupis Rhoadserians officially branded Ryoma Mikoshiba as a traitor against the kingdom. She also ordered that the entire kingdom form a subjugation army and march on the Wortenia Peninsula.