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 89

MAP

Chapter 89   Rescue Rageta Castle!?

Late May, Year 567 of the Unified Calendar—

Our detachment, part of the 10,000-strong relief force of the kingdom’s army, set up camp on a mountain peak overlooking the city fortress of Rageta.

The city of Rageta, under the kingdom’s control, was protected by high walls. To sustain their attack on Rageta, the merchant nation’s army had constructed several fortresses around it. In turn, we had positioned ourselves on a nearby mountain peak to attack these fortresses, creating a complex strategic situation.

The Rageta defense force consisted of 1,500 soldiers. However, due to the siege, their food supplies were running low, and the city was on the brink of falling. The merchant nation had three fortresses, each garrisoned with 1,500 troops, totaling 4,500. Surprisingly, these fortresses were rather simple in construction.

This was the extent of the information we had.

At the main camp of the Owen Alliance Kingdom’s relief force, Earl Pan, acting as a strategist, offered his opinion to the supreme commander, Alcock.

“Although the enemy holds a defensive advantage, our information suggests that Rageta’s food supplies are nearly exhausted. We must act soon.”

“Indeed. Does anyone have a good plan?”

“…”

Alcock and the gathered commanders all wore grim expressions. No one seemed to have any good ideas.

This was understandable. The kingdom’s high command had strictly ordered us not to annihilate the enemy fortresses.

The mastermind behind this operation was Sauer, the Grand Chamberlain.

His plan was to lure the main merchant nation’s army out from their homeland to save the fortresses surrounding Rageta. Then, the kingdom’s main force, hidden in a valley to the east of Rageta, would join the relief force in a pincer attack to crush them—this was the decisive strategy.

Therefore, until the enemy’s main force was drawn out, we were forbidden from attacking the fortresses. Additionally, we had information that a rebellion was ongoing in the northern part of the merchant nation, meaning they could not mobilize a significant force.

“We can’t let Rageta fall, but we also can’t attack the fortresses. And we can’t afford to be defeated ourselves. This is a truly difficult battle.”

“But where is the enemy’s main force? If they don’t arrive soon, Rageta will fall!”

The discontent among the accompanying local nobles grew, and they began to voice their complaints one after another.

That evening—

A brave soldier who had escaped from Rageta appeared at Alcock’s main camp.

His appearance was ragged, with arrow wounds visible, and it was clear to everyone that he had barely managed to break through the enemy’s siege.

“What are you all doing? Please, save Rageta quickly! The city is starving, and there’s nothing left to eat!”

“…”

Not only Alcock, but all the assembled commanders fell silent. None of them wanted to abandon Rageta.

“I… I have a plan!”

I quietly raised my hand.

“Hm? You, with the noticeable burn scars on your face, what was your name again?”

“General, this is Baronet Reister,” Earl Pan informed General Alcock.

“I see. Then, state your plan!”

“Yes, sir. Under the cover of tomorrow night’s darkness, I propose we smuggle food into the city.”

Despite my suggestion, Alcock and the other commanders didn’t seem pleased.

“Are you serious? Rageta is under enemy siege! You’ll be discovered immediately!”

“Well, why not? Let’s leave it to him. Even if he fails, it won’t cost us anything,” Earl Pan said, supporting the idea.

“…Alright, we’ll leave it to you. The supplies will be ready by noon.”

“Understood.”

And so, with Alcock’s approval, my resupply plan was set in motion.

◇◇◇◇◇

Early that morning—

Inside Baronet Reister’s tent.

“Nataraja, are you here?”

“Yes, I am,” she replied.

I quietly summoned Nataraja.

“The truth is…”

I discreetly shared the key details of the plan with Nataraja.

During the previous siege of Rageta, I had dug several tunnels. One of them remained undiscovered by the enemy and was still usable.

Thus, the plan was to transport the food under the cover of night to the area near the tunnel and, from there, carry it into the fortress by hand through the tunnel.

“And, tomorrow night, it will rain!”

“How can you be so sure?” she asked, peering curiously at my face.

“Do you remember when we searched through Rageta’s library? I found a book that mentioned this: when jellyfish-shaped clouds drift over the western sea at night, it’s a sign that rain will follow…”

“I see, understood. Leave it to me!” she said, glancing westward and seemingly satisfied with what she saw.

“I’m counting on you!”

I had only revealed my true identity to a select few, and of course, not to any of our allies on this campaign. Therefore, she needed to take the lead in executing the plan.

“Prepare immediately!”

“Yes, sir!”

At noon, we received the supplies from General Alcock, which were then loaded onto wagons pulled by horses.

Incidentally, these wagons had never been used in combat, only for transportation purposes.

“Make sure the horses have cloth in their mouths so they don’t neigh!”

“Understood!”

Nataraja efficiently proceeded with the preparations.

And then, on the night of the operation—

Just as the book predicted, it began to rain in the evening.

By nightfall, thunder roared, and a thin mist covered the ground as a bonus.

Nataraja, mounted on a dragonet slightly larger than a horse, took command of the entire operation. I, meanwhile, rode on the back of a wagon pulled by horses, taking responsibility for the transport unit.

“Go!”

She gave the quiet command, and the transport unit moved forward. A sorcerer traveling with us cast a fog spell, further obscuring the enemy’s already poor visibility.

“Poko~♪”

“Commander! We’ve found the tunnel!”

Pokorina led the way through the dark path, guiding the soldiers at the front into the tunnel. The transport unit followed closely behind.

“Unload the cargo!”

“Yes, sir!”

“Gau!”

Gau, Pokorina’s adopted son, played a vital role in unloading the supplies. He handed the cargo over to the soldiers in charge of the tunnel, one after another.

“Let’s move!”

“Yes, sir!”

I advanced through the dark tunnel with Pokorina leading the way.

…This operation will succeed!

It was at that moment that I felt certain of our success.

“Enemy! Kill them!”

“Don’t let them leave alive!”

Men’s shouts echoed within the tunnel.