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 90

Chapter 90   The Great Encirclement is Complete!?

“Enemy attack!”

“Prepare to face the enemy!”

The lower-ranking officers commanded the soldiers, but our troops weren’t wearing their heavy armor or carrying weapons because they were busy transporting supplies.

…This is bad.

No matter how elite our soldiers are, they can’t win without weapons.

“Poko~♪”

…Huh?

Pokorina, leading the way, didn’t seem alarmed.

When I looked closely in the direction of the voices with my torch, I realized that what I thought were enemies were actually our allies from the castle.

“Whew, I thought you were the enemy. Thank you for the supplies!”

“We’re relieved you’re friends!”

The people we encountered in the tunnel were our allies, who had been guarding the tunnel’s exit. I was relieved that we had avoided the worst-case scenario of friendly fire. Without a moment to rest, we quickly brought the supplies into the fortress.

Though it was a small amount considering Rageta’s population, it should at least boost the morale of the defenders.

They haven’t been abandoned by their allies.

This thought alone would be enough to lift anyone’s spirits.

The next morning—

The rain cleared, and warm sunlight streamed in from the east.

We had successfully completed our mission and returned to camp in high spirits.

“Well done, Lord Reister!”

The towering General Alcock greeted me with a beaming smile and pulled me into a bear hug with his thick arms.

“Your courage is remarkable! That burn on your face isn’t just for show! Let’s have a drink together sometime. Haha!”

And so, the worst-case scenario of Rageta’s imminent fall was averted.

◇◇◇◇◇

Three days after the forced supply operation to Rageta—

Heavy rain had started again, and thunder roared through the area.

“Reinforcements have arrived for the enemy!”

“Oh, they’ve finally come!”

The scouts reported the arrival of the enemy’s main force. This marked the success of the first phase of the kingdom’s operation.

“Lift the siege on the enemy fortresses! We will stage a feigned retreat!”

“Yes, sir!”

Alcock joyfully informed the commanders.

“And, Lord Reister, quickly inform General Clock that we have succeeded in luring the enemy forces.”

“Yes! I’ll do it immediately!”

It seemed I had earned General Alcock’s favor, as I was assigned the crucial task of delivering this important information.

“Nataraja, I leave the rest to you!”

“Be careful yourself!”

“Yes!”

I entrusted the care of my unit to Nataraja and mounted Comet, riding off swiftly.

The terrain was muddy, but the dragonet’s agility wasn’t greatly hindered. I avoided the marshes and chose grassy paths as much as possible, hurrying to my destination.

A few hours later—

I arrived safely at the hidden position of our allies.

◇◇◇◇◇

In Marquis Clock’s tent—

“Your Excellency! A messenger has arrived!”

“Let him through!”

I hurriedly handed the letter from General Alcock to Marquis Clock. The marquis read the letter and grinned.

“Fools, you’ve fallen for it! Good, come with me.”

The marquis led me to a cleverly hidden observation tower within the camp. From there, we could see the entire surrounding area and the enemy forces.

“The enemy force totals about ten thousand! Their banners are those of the Garland Trading Nation’s royal guard!”

The messenger reported the total number of enemy troops. The number was fewer than expected, but it seemed the king himself had come.

“Ahahaha, we’ve caught a big fish!”

Chamberlain Sauer laughed. If we could defeat the enemy king, the tide of the battle would turn in our favor. I could feel my heartbeat quickening.

“Relay the order to the entire army to form the encirclement as planned!”

“Yes, sir!”

Under the marquis’s command, the camp became bustling with activity. Messengers darted to various locations, and the soldiers buzzed with anticipation of the imminent battle.

“Haha, Alcock’s retreat is quite a sight!”

From the observation tower, we could see Alcock’s forces scattering in retreat. Of course, this was all part of the planned feigned withdrawal.

“Shall we issue the attack orders soon?”

“No, let’s wait a little longer!”

The staff officers asked the marquis whether they should send out attack orders to the allies stationed at various locations. However, the marquis chose to wait until the enemy was further drawn into the trap.

“…Hmm!?”

Suddenly, the enemy changed their advance direction. Instead of pursuing the fleeing Alcock, they were heading towards us—specifically, towards Marquis Clock’s main camp.

“What are they doing? Where are they heading?”

For a moment, both the marquis and his staff were stunned.

…But they quickly realized.

“…Damn it. Quickly, relay the message to all units! Our plan has been exposed. All front-line units must commence the attack immediately! And inform General Alcock as well!”

“Yes, sir!”

General Alcock’s forces were engaged in a feigned retreat to the south. Marquis Clock’s main force was scattered across various locations to form the encirclement. The enemy’s royal guard, numbering around ten thousand, had apparently discerned this and was heading straight for us.

“Fortify the defenses! Do not take the offensive under any circumstances!”

“Yes, sir!”

Chamberlain Sauer issued orders to the units guarding the main camp. The defending force numbered about five thousand.

“Reinforcements from our main army will arrive soon! If we can hold out until then, victory will be ours!”

“Yes!”

Marquis Clock’s elite troops of the kingdom’s army, motivated themselves and quickly prepared to face the advancing enemy.

“Heavy-armored soldiers, forward!”

The weather had turned into a torrential downpour, obscuring the enemy’s appearance. Yet, heavy-armored soldiers were positioned at the front to prepare for the attack.

“They’re coming!”

Though invisible, the thunderous sound of hooves reverberated through the ground. It was the unmistakable charge of the Garland Trading Nation’s esteemed royal cavalry.