If I can be someone’s support

 
 
 ☆
 
 
 ——— an anti-slope encampment.
 
 In defensive battles on hills, an encampment is made not on the front slope where the enemy attacks, but on the reverse slope, and because they’re not directly seen by the enemy, it has the advantage of being difficult to get attacked.
 
 It became known for its use by the Japanese Army during the Battle of Okinawa during the end of the Pacific War, where it was used against the US Army in the tremendous defensive battle that unfolded.
 
 In the Battle of Kakzu, they faced off against 30 US Army tanks that pushed forward through the gap between the hill and the hill’s encampment, and crushed them by making good use of flanking attacks, rear attacks, and also things like infantrymen fighting in close-quarters, and only 8 of those tanks were able to return back.
 
 Although, since placing an encampment on the opposite slope had been done before, I believe that their successful battle was largely due to their wisdom, thorough advance preparation, and dedication at the cost of lives.
 
 Their only mistake was that they failed to evacuate civilians after the US Army landed, resulting in a large number of casualties.
 
 Of course, the evacuation of citizens is the government’s duty.
 
 
 ——— so then, what will I do?
 
 
 I decided.
 I shall protect everyone in my territory till the end.
 
 
 This time, the encampment is below the embankment so strictly speaking, it is not an anti-slope.
 However, we can apply the idea of an anti-slope encampment to it.
 
 The encampment will be in the enemy’s blind spot.
 I will make the most of this advantage.
 
 
 ☆
 
 
 “Snipe monsters coming up the embankment from the city walls. As for enemies that climb over the embankment and fall into the killzone between there and the city walls, annihilate them with an offensive from the encampment set up below the embankment and the flanking encampments.”
 
 Having explained, everyone yet again froze up.
 
 Lionel, for example, looked at me with a startled expression.
 
 “Ojou-sama, that’s truly…”
 
 The territory soldier’s commander was at a loss for words.
 
 “Any objections?”
 
 Everyone present shook their heads.
 
 “The monster’s raid will probably be in two or three days. In that time, we’ll have everyone that can move assist with getting the defence system prepared.”
 
 I looked at Lionel and Commander Virgil.
 
 “Until tomorrow afternoon, please put the defensive encampment I just explained onto construction diagrams. The embankments of the northwest and northeast corners will connect to the adjacent forest and hills so that they are not broken through. Next, so that the non-combatants can evacuate safely, I’ll also ask for the construction^[1] of defensive encampments and an evacuation route via embankments and trenches in the space between the city’s south gate and the bridge.”
 
 “… I’ll somehow get it done in time.”
 
 “Got it.”
 
 Hearing their reply, I nodded.
 
 “Please take care of it.”
 
 
 
 Next I looked at Duncan.
 
 “Of the people assigned to you, have them use their full strength in increasing production of the prototype bullets we mentioned earlier. Since that one can still only be made in this workshop. The other ammo will have production increased in the main territory, and each day we’ll have as much sent as possible.”
 
 “’Kay.”
 
 One side of Duncan’s face raised, seemingly confident.
 It seems he’s still got some leeway.
 
 “After that, remodel the current magic rifles to enable rapid fire. Since I have the concept diagram I drew up previously and the draft for the magic circuit, can you complete the manufacturing diagram within the next day?”
 
 “Seriously?!”
 
 “Seriously. For as long as we have till the monsters attack… we will remodel even a single gun more. We currently won’t be able to contend in a defensive battle without a machine gun^[2]. Attach a bipod to it to make it a light machine gun, and crush the enemy’s frontal attack. ——— If it’s you, you can do it, right?”
 
 “-…!!”
 
 A pause.
 And then,
 “Ugh, whatever, fine. I’ll do it! I’ll finish the diagram by noon tomorrow. Then, I’ll get all the craftsmen to do remodelling!!”
 
 “Thanks.”
 
 I smiled at the workshop chief, who at present was my right-hand man for making magic tools.
 
 
 
 I looked at Sophia last.
 
 “I wonder if you could gather people to help out with construction work and weapons making.”
 
 “I’ll make arrangements from within the local defence units and women’s associations.”
 
 “Next, for all of the villages in the southern region, communicate so that we can begin preparations for accepting evacuees.”
 
 “Understood. We will proceed so as to begin accepting them the day after tomorrow.”
 
 With her expression unchanging, her indifferent response was dependable.
 
 “Got it. Please do.”
 
 When I said that, Sofia stared at my face.
 
 “…”
 
 “?”
 
 Seeing Sofia hesitate, I tilted my head in confusion.
 
 Then, Sofia made this proposal.
 
 “Ojou-sama. If it’s alright, could you cheer everyone on with your own words?”
 
 “With my own words?”
 
 “Yes. So far only two villages-worth of people have arrived at Cocomel, but, everyone, having come with nothing but the clothes on their backs, must be very anxious. In order to relieve them, and also to increase the number of people helping out, Ojou-sama should definitely give a word or two.”
 
 ——— I see.
 
 The sudden evacuation order.
 Not knowing when the monster horde will attack.
 
 That must also have made them worried.
 
 “I understand. Tomorrow, I’ll directly explain to them the situation.”
 
 “Thank you very much. This should also put everyone at ease.”
 
 Sofia’s expression, which had barely changed, suddenly slackened.
 
 
 ☆
 
 
 After the special meeting.
 
 I communicated through magic communication to various places.
 
 The fact that the monster horde was several times larger than the initial report.
 The fact that the horde was predicted to reach Cocomel in 2-3 days.
 And, the fact that Cocomel would be engaging the enemy.
 
 On top of reporting these things, I once again requested reinforcements and resource support.
 
 The response to my request was swift.
 
 From Otou-sama who was in the royal capital, I was told that permission was given by His Majesty to transfer half of the new territory’s soldiers to Cocomel, and that 500 cavalry of the Unified Knights Order have been dispatched.
 
 I also got the message that, from the Owleyes Main Territory, they had already dispatched all cavalry and were headed for Cocomel, as well as that the current weaponry and ammo loaded on carriages were being sent off after them.
 
 I was told that half of all cavalry in the new territory for now would depart tomorrow morning.
 
 These reinforcements ought to arrive the day after tomorrow.
 
 Till then, we’ll have to do what we can ourselves.
 
 
 ——— Furthermore.
 It seems Otou-sama will come here tomorrow.
 
 When I asked what would happen with Theo and the others from the Elarion Kingdom’s delegation, I heard that they would cut short their plans in consideration of the state of emergency we were having, and that they were leaving for home tomorrow.
 
 (In the end, I never got to make up with Theo…)
 
 Although I entrusted Brandon with Theo’s present, I wonder how he received it?
 
 (Once this is over and things have calmed down, let’s write him a letter. And then I’ll go visit Theo.)
 
 In the meeting room where everyone else was going ahead with the hectic battle preparations, I alone was thinking of such things.
 
 
 ☆
 
 
 Early morning the next day.
 
 As the light of the sun began to peak past the eastern mountain ridge, Anna and I took off for a second aerial scouting.
 
 The photos from the previous day had been successfully printed, and those in the headquarters analysed it last night.
 
 The scale of the monsters were at least no less than 6000.
 That was the scale gathered yesterday afternoon.
 
 Had they actually expanded overnight, to what extent, and how close had they approached.
 Had they caught up with the evacuees.
 
 Burdened with these fears, the two of us set our sights north.
 
 
 
 “Ojou-sama. Are you sure you’re fine with only taking photos again?”
 
 I nodded at Anna’s question, who was flying beside me.
 
 “Although we’ll help if people are attacked, let’s not think about defeating the enemy. Returning safely comes first. Next comes taking just one photo and bringing it back. Let’s only think about that.”
 
 “Understood!”
 
 With a huff, Anna pumped both fists.
 
 Thus, we went on with our reconnaissance.
 
 
 ☆
 
 
 In conclusion, my number one concern did not occur.
 
 Once we had flown from Cocomel for about 15 minutes, we encountered the people of the northern most village, Nakuha.
 
 Incidentally, the two soldiers we saved yesterday were also being transported in a carriage.
 
 They must have walked all this way by taking a forced march both yesterday and today.
 
 Although signs of fatigue showed on everyone’s faces, when everyone saw me, they joyfully called out to me.
 
 “Is everyone alright?”
 
 When I asked that, the village chief nodded deeply.
 
 “Yes. It is as you can see. Everyone is somewhat exhausted, but the children and healthy people are walking, and the adults take turns resting.”
 
 “I see… The sudden evacuation must have been hard on everyone.”
 
 “No matter. Seeing as Leticia-sama is watching over us like this, we too must do our best.”
 
 Hearing the village chief’s words, the villagers nodded their heads, going 『Yeah, that’s right』.
 Seeing them, I felt my body tremble.
 
 I was being someone’s support.
 
 During my time before the redo, as well as when I was Miyahara Mitsuki, I had never felt this before.
 
 Putting up with my overwhelming emotions, I flashed a smile at them.
 
 “Don’t worry. Because, I will protect you all!”
 
 ““Ok!!””^[3]
 
 Thus, with the villagers cheering Anna and I on and our determination renewed, we headed further north and flew away.
 
 
 ☆
 
 
 Ten minutes later.
 We encountered the monster horde.
 
 “Anna! We’re flying through them!!”
 
 “Ok!!”
 
 While being chased by a flock of Devil Crows that was likely double that of yesterday, we flew through the skies above the monster horde blanketing the earth.
 
 Snap, snap, snap.
 
 
 With the camera aimed at the ground, Anna kept snapping the shutter.
 
 “Somehow, hasn’t it increased a lot?!”
 
 “… there’s more!!”^[4]
 
 At a glance, you could tell that their numbers had swelled up by about double.
 
 And the force of the crows chasing after us as well, wasn’t something you could compare with yesterday’s.
 
 “If they’re increasing at this rate, just how much will they be by the time they reach Cocomel?!”
 
 I unintentionally shouted that out as I increased my speed in order to shake off the crows.
 
 
 ☆
 
 
 Returning to the mansion, we sent the photos to be developed and were informed of the result that afternoon.
 
 
 
 ——— The monsters’ numbers had exceeded 15 thousand.