In a World of Reversed Chastity, I Strive to Become an Honorable Male Knight, but Lustful Women Keep Targeting My Body - 287

Chapter 287: The Kukkoro Male Knight and Preparing for Battle

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Before I knew it, evening had arrived while we were busy with various preparations. If the Vanka faction were to launch a counterattack, it would be at night. In response, we were also planning to launch a night raid on the city of Runga. The elves were apparently a race whose night vision was equal to, or even better than, that of the dragonewts, so nighttime combat was said to be their specialty.

“If possible, I would have preferred to strengthen our defenses during the night and launch a full-scale offensive starting tomorrow morning…”

At the river port dyed in the colors of the sunset, we were conducting our final checks before battle. I was pretending to have a relaxed attitude, but inside I was anything but calm. After all, this was a night battle. It was a far more troublesome operation than fighting in daylight.

In terms of military strength, our side, the joint force of the Liseben army, the Dalaiya faction, and the “Legitimate” faction, held the advantage. However, in nighttime forest combat, the advantage of having a large army could hardly be used. On top of that, the birdfolk who had kindly sided with us could not fly at night because of their poor night vision.

Facing a plan that was practically throwing away our own advantages, I could not help but sigh. If this had been a training exercise at the officer academy, I probably would have received a failing grade.

“As long as there are people we must protect, we cannot plan an operation based solely on military convenience. It cannot be helped.”

Sonia, clad in armor, replied in an equally quiet voice. Well, it was the sort of conversation that would obviously lower the morale of our allies. We could not let the subordinates hear it.

The subordinates… especially the marines, were checking their equipment with tense expressions. If possible, I would have liked to speak to each of them, pat their shoulders, and ease their tension… but that was the job of the officers directly assigned to the marines. It would not be appropriate for a senior commander like me to meddle too much. I had to endure it.

Incidentally, although the plan called for us to launch the attack, there was also the possibility that the enemy might attempt a surprise attack on the river port instead. The operation had not begun yet, but we could not afford to be careless.

“Well, yes. Depending on the situation, there is also the possibility that the noncombatants might be rescued before we reach them. That would be a problem…”

Unlike the “Legitimate,” where almost only members of the warrior class had survived, the “New” faction still had quite a number of people who could not fight. For example, men, the elderly (even immortal elves begin to age once they bear children, and other races age normally), and children.

It was said that a considerable proportion of the men living in Runga City had been abducted from Liseben. If things went well, it might even be possible to rescue them. As the Liseben army, we could not afford to miss this opportunity. We had to secure them before the Vanka faction’s elves took the men somewhere else.

“They are not fools. They must understand that it would be difficult to maintain control of Runga City with their current forces. If we miss the timing, there is a high chance they will simply hoist their sails and flee. The timing to launch a rescue operation is now and only now.”

After all, the enemy commander was probably Lady Vanka. I had heard that, like Lady Dalaiya, she belonged to the generation whose ages reached four digits. She would certainly not be an opponent we could deal with easily. We had to plan our strategy under the assumption that the enemy would always choose the best possible move.

“It is a difficult operation…”

Sonia said that and gave a small smile. Contrary to her words, her expression was filled with confidence. Truly, she was a dependable adjutant.

“Well, we just have to do our best…”

After smiling back, I shrugged slightly. Just then, I saw someone approaching. It was Lady Dalaiya. At first glance, she looked as usual in her poncho, but she was probably wearing leather armor underneath it. The fact that it was hard to distinguish between everyday clothing and battle gear was very elf-like.

Lady Dalaiya, and the other elves as well, maintained their usual relaxed demeanor. It was completely different from the marines, who were tense from head to toe. As expected of veterans, their bearing was different. I felt relieved that they were on our side.

“Blondin-dono, we are fully prepared and ready to march at any time. How about your side?”

“Please wait a little longer. Quite a few of the soldiers have never experienced a full-scale night battle before. Careful preparation is necessary.”

“Mm, understood.”

Lady Dalaiya nodded and then took out an unlit torch from inside her poncho.

“I will ask just in case, but do you have proper lighting prepared? If you need torches, we can spare some.”

“Of course we do.”

Even as I affirmed it, I felt somewhat uneasy. As someone trained in combat by a modern nation, fighting a night battle while holding a light source felt like a suicidal act.

“But still, look at that. The moon is quite bright tonight. Do we really need lights?”

“Of course we do. As you know, Runga City is a city of forests. Even on a full moon night, the light does not reach the ground. Fighting when you cannot even see a step ahead is extremely difficult, even for elves.”

“Hmm, I see…”

If elves, who were masters of forest warfare, said so, then I had no choice but to accept it.

“Well, do not worry. The conditions are the same for the enemy.”

“Do not say something so irresponsible, Dalaiya. For soldiers hiding in the shadows of trees, troops carrying torches are no different from targets. We cannot afford to lower our guard.”

While Lady Dalaiya laughed heartily, Lady Orphan emerged from the darkness and admonished her. Somehow, her tone sounded sharper than usual.

“Well, that may be true. But you know, it is also a woman’s duty to put a man at ease. You should not say things that would worry Blondin-dono.”

“M-mu…”

When Lady Orphan puffed out her cheeks, I could not help but laugh. It was very rare to see such an expression from someone as dignified as her. As I watched with that thought, she noticed my gaze. Her white cheeks turning cherry pink, Lady Orphan looked away. …It felt like her reaction was a little different from usual. I wondered why. The question crossed my mind, but I did not have time to pursue it now.

“I appreciate being reassured, but I cannot accept inaccurate information. At least while we are working, please do not think of me as a man.”

“Oh, my apologies for that. I will be careful from now on. …But you said while working, did you not? That means during private time it would be fine to treat you as a man…”

“If you say anything more unnecessary, I will dislocate every joint in both your arms and legs, you little elf. That includes your fingers as well…”

Sonia threatened in a terrifying voice that sounded as though it came from the depths of hell. Karina, who was standing beside me, let out a shriek-like sound.

“Pya!?”

Why were you the one getting scared?

“Oh, how frightening.”

Meanwhile, the one being threatened looked completely unconcerned. Her thick skin was on a completely different level from my younger stepsister. Well… it was not something I particularly wanted her to imitate either.

“Facing a real battle, that is quite a reassuring attitude.”

“I have not lived for several hundred years for nothing.”

“You mean over a thousand years, right?”

At Lady Orphan’s remark, this time Lady Dalaiya puffed out her cheeks. Her face looked like a baby pufferfish. It was unbelievably cute.

“I-I am not that old. At most, I am only around a thousand years old. Probably. Perhaps.”

Really? That was what I thought, but I did not pursue it. We could not afford too much idle chatter before battle. Letting out a small breath, I turned my gaze toward the marines. It seemed their preparations had just finished, and the captain was running toward us.

“Thank you for waiting, Castellan-sama. The marines are ready to sortie at any time.”

“Very well. …Then everyone, let us begin the operation.”

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