Dragon Knight Chronicles ~ From a mere mercenary, rise to success through tactics! A small harem with the princess and the lord's daughter!? I'll also develop my territory! ~ - Chapter 69

Chapter 69   The Schemer, Shinker

The Owen Alliance Kingdom Army.
The Rillburn Marquisate’s main camp.

“Urgent news! Urgent news!”

A messenger arrived from the front lines. According to the report, our main army, despite being outnumbered, was advancing favorably in the battle. However, they had not yet managed to completely defeat the enemy’s main forces.

Ideally, I would prefer to move after our main force had secured a victory. But, it had also been confirmed that nearby nobles were gathering at a high ground two days from here.

“I intend to march. What do you all think?”

I asked everyone for their opinion on whether to move out. Remaining holed up in the camp could risk giving the enemy momentum.

“Are you serious? The enemy reportedly has twelve thousand troops, while we have only five thousand!”

Moltke, who has long served the Rillburn family, opposed the idea. Many of the retainers agreed with this view.

“That’s right. If we lose, our supply lines could be cut off.”

Adelheid, the steward and my second-in-command, also opposed it. Indeed, the camp I was defending was crucial in safeguarding our supply lines.

If we firmly defended this fortress, the supply lines might remain secure. However, my unit’s primary mission was to occupy this region.

“What do you think, Nataraja?”

“Sir! No matter how disadvantageous, if ordered to defeat the enemy, I shall comply!”

“Hmm… It seems most are against it. For now, let’s focus on defense. Deepen the moats and set up more barricades.”

“Understood.”

Lacking any strong arguments against my retainers’ opinions, I decided to remain cautious for the time being.

◇◇◇◇◇

Two days later—

I expected the more numerous enemy to rush at us, but they remained holed up on the high ground. Just then, Eclair returned.

“What is the situation with the enemy?”

“The soldiers have no will to fight. If we engage them, there’s a ninety percent chance we’ll win.”

“…Oh? Tell me more details.”

“Yes, sir.”

According to Eclair, the enemy’s main force consisted mostly of poorly equipped peasant soldiers. Furthermore, they had even gathered elderly men and children. It seemed that even the commanders lacked motivation.

“Nataraja, we’re going on a reconnaissance. Come with me!”

“Yes, sir!”

I mounted Comet and rode to a position where I could observe the enemy camp. Since Eclair had only recently joined us, it was too soon to trust her words completely. I carefully observed the enemy camp through a telescope.

“It seems Eclair was telling the truth.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Look at their flags. They’re not properly set up. The tents and barricades look like the work of amateurs.”

“Is that so? I can’t really tell.”

Nataraja seemed unsure, but I had fought alongside unmotivated troops before. From my experience, the way they held their flags and set up barricades revealed the enemy’s lack of will to fight.

When I returned to camp, I gathered my subordinates and issued an order without seeking their opinions.

“All troops, advance! Don’t fall behind!”

“Yes, sir!”

Surprisingly, my men followed the order without hesitation. After two days of marching, my unit set up camp at the base of the high ground where the enemy was entrenched.

Even as we approached, the enemy did not move. However, their defenses appeared solid, and a reckless attack could lead to significant casualties.

◇◇◇◇◇

Fletcher Republic Army,

Margrave Collins Camp.

” Margrave, the enemy is almost upon us!”

“Do not engage! Fortify our defenses and relay the order!”

“Understood.”

It wasn’t that Margrave Collins himself lacked the will to fight. In fact, he would have likely felt relieved to engage in battle.

However, the difference in training and morale between his troops and the enemy’s was like night and day. Engaging in a direct battle would only lead to defeat. The only viable strategy left to him was to stay entrenched in his defensive position.

…If they remained fortified on the high ground, there was a chance of victory. He believed he was being patient. But the Kingdom’s army employed an unusual tactic.

“To the local nobles of the Atago Plains! We have no intention of fighting you! Our target is General Treiber! Withdraw immediately, and we shall not pursue you!”

The Kingdom’s army did not opt for a clash of swords and spears but instead called out loudly, appealing to the enemy.

“Margrave, what shall we do?”

His aide, pale-faced, asked Margrave Collins.

“…I’ve been outsmarted. They are more formidable than we imagined!”

Margrave Collins worst fears were realized as the allied local lords began to retreat down the mountain one by one. Seeing this, General Treiber confronted the Margrave.

“…What are you going to do about this!? It’s your duty to rally our allies!”

“If I could do that, we wouldn’t be in this mess. We have no chance of winning this battle. We should retreat as well…”

“D-damn it…”

That night,

A significant number of soldiers deserted. Witnessing this, Margrave Collins and General Treiber fled the high ground with only a handful of their men.

“You’ll pay for this!” General Treiber spat in anger.

…However, as he fled, a volley of arrows was fired from the bushes along the roadside.

“…Ugh!”

Countless arrows struck his horse, and he himself was hit and fell. He was then captured by a small-statured commander named Momiji.

“Victory cry!”

“Ei ei oh!”

Without a fight, the Owen Alliance Kingdom army, led by Marquis Rillburn, defeated the Fletcher Republic forces and successfully seized the vast amount of supplies stockpiled on the high ground.