In a World of Reversed Chastity, I Strive to Become an Honorable Male Knight, but Lustful Women Keep Targeting My Body - 288

Chapter 288: The Kukkoro Male Knight and the Night March

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We advanced solemnly through the dim twilight forest. The torches glowing faintly like will-o’-the-wisps were clearly not strong enough to illuminate this dense night forest, and many soldiers stumbled over tree roots or fell out of formation. Of course, the Liseben army conducted regular forest warfare training, but once it came to a night march, things were quite different from the daytime.

“It really was fortunate that we managed to gain the support of a considerable number of elves…”

While keeping a watchful eye on the state of my subordinates, I muttered quietly to Sonia, who was walking beside me. Normally I participated in marches on horseback, but this time I was on foot. In a forest, the advantages of cavalry could hardly be used, and horses consumed large amounts of feed and water, placing a heavy burden on logistics. For that reason, we had not brought even a single horse.

And it was not only horses we had left behind. We had also left the cannons. Since this formation was not intended for a full-scale engagement, it could not be helped, but conducting an operation with only infantry units, without support from cavalry or artillery, made me feel quite uneasy. Of course, I did not say that out loud.

“I did not expect there to be such a difference in proficiency between the elves and us. Long-lived races are not something to take lightly.”

It seemed Sonia shared the same opinion. Unlike the rather precarious march of the Liseben army, the elf soldiers of the Dalaiya faction and the “Legitimate” faction moved forward steadily with practiced ease. If we did not occasionally halt the march and have them wait, it felt like they might leave us behind.

My decision to thoroughly avoid fighting the elves had not been wrong. I now felt that deeply. If we had clashed head-on with people like them, the Liseben army would probably have been wiped out in no time. The Galea Kingdom’s reinforcements would surely have ended up in serious trouble as well.

“To be honest, if the elf soldiers were not guarding our front, back, and sides, I would not even want to march.”

“I agree.”

Even on open plains in daylight, marching without losing stragglers was quite a difficult task. In a forest at night, even more so. It would not be strange if, by the time we reached our destination, the number of soldiers had dropped to less than half.

However, in this case, the elf soldiers deployed around us were picking up those who fell behind and returning them to the formation. It was truly helpful support, but at the same time it made me feel rather pathetic. Were we powerless transport ships protected by a convoy escort or something?

“Ow!”

A cry rang out in the dark forest. I braced myself, thinking it might be an enemy attack, but it seemed someone had merely hit their head on a tree. I heard the voice of a noncommissioned officer scolding them.

…Well, the surroundings were already pitch black, and not everyone was carrying a torch. Of course accidents would happen. On top of that, there was also the matter of race. Dragonewts were a race with good night vision, but a considerable proportion of the ordinary soldiers in the Liseben army belonged to other races. After all, most of them were poor people who had answered the call for recruitment in the royal capital. Since the majority had originally been migrant laborers, their races were quite varied. Naturally, many of them did not have good night vision.

“…”

I should not have suggested a night raid. That thought crossed my mind. However, time was not on our side. The protection of the civilians had to be carried out as quickly as possible. Waiting until tomorrow morning would have been far too unreasonable…

“The enemy still has not made a move.”

Keeping a vigilant eye on the surroundings, Sonia said that. Indeed, as she said, we had not received a single report of contact with the enemy so far. Even in the darkness, we were quite a large force. It was impossible that the enemy had no grasp of our movements. According to our earlier expectations, a preliminary skirmish should have already begun by now…

“The main force of the ‘Legitimate’ has joined us, after all. Perhaps the gap in strength became larger than they expected, so they are holding back from attacking…”

After all, the “Legitimate” had committed their entire army. If they were combined with us and the Vanka faction, the difference in strength would come close to two to one. Any sensible commander would hesitate to engage.

If they are sensible, that is.

But Lady Vanka was probably not a sensible commander, and the elf soldiers under her command were certainly not ordinary soldiers either. If anything, I could easily imagine them thinking something like, “The enemy army is marching at night? Bonus time, yay!” and launching an attack. And yet, so far there had been nothing. It was somewhat, no, quite unsettling.

“Still, it is strange that we have had no contact at this stage. The vanguard should be arriving at Runga City soon.”

To begin with, the river port we had been using as a temporary base was not that far from Runga City. Even with the slow pace of a night march, the movement did not take much time… Hmm, this smells like a trap.

“This might be a pattern we often use.”

Perhaps because she had worked with me for so long, Sonia seemed to have reached the same conclusion. Luring the enemy into a kill zone and then pounding them from all directions. It was my tried-and-true tactic. Lady Vanka probably already knew that our destination was Runga City. Setting a trap would not be difficult.

“Challenging a large army with a small force… the tactics that can be used in such a situation are quite limited. At the very least, they will certainly make use of the terrain.”

If that was the case, we could assume the enemy’s main force was positioned around the outskirts of Runga City. For now, we should send a scouting party there. Thinking that, I called out to an elder who was nearby. To be honest, this kind of mission could not be entrusted to Liseben soldiers. If we were unlucky, they might end up getting lost even without being able to attack the enemy at all.

“May I have a moment, Elder-dono?”

“What is it, young lord? Are you letting me take the first strike?”

Grinning, the elder asked back. Even in the darkness of night, the beauty of the elf race remained unmistakable. Her face, illuminated by the faint light, was so beautiful it could make one stare in admiration. Beautiful, yes, but why “young lord”? I felt like questioning it, but we were in the middle of real combat. There was no time for idle chatter, so I let it pass.

“There is a possibility that enemy ambushers are hiding around Runga City. I want to confirm the area is safe before we charge in. Could you handle the scouting?”

“Mm, I see. You mean taking measures so they cannot return the same trick we used during the day, right?”

As expected, an elder understood quickly. I could not help but smile. At this rate, our joint operation with the elves might proceed more smoothly than expected.

“Exactly. They must understand that our objective is Runga City. It would be impossible for them to have prepared nothing.”

“Mm, mm. That is certainly true. However, my own forces alone might be a bit insufficient. Could you lend me a few units?”

“Of course. I am counting on you.”

It was a nighttime reconnaissance mission. Searching for the enemy would be far more difficult than during the day. Rather than sending small groups little by little, it would be more efficient to carry out a sweeping search operation with a large number of people. After all, it was our side that held the advantage in numbers. We should make active use of that advantage.

“Alright, leave it to me!”

With that confident reply, the elder waved one hand lightly and disappeared into the darkness of the night. Watching her back as she left, I fell into thought.

Now then, how would Lady Vanka make her move…?

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