Chapter 9: Strategy and Tactics

※No ero scenes this time. Carrying over to next chapter.

The Holy Felcis Kingdom sits in the western-central region of the continent. North lies the hostile Tolmakia Empire. Southeast is the friendly Velos Great Theocracy. West stretches the Atlas Ocean, where naval port city Rhoda stares down the Tolmakia fleet. East runs the continental highway called the “Spice Road,” linking the central lands to eastern city-states. Southwest rise the Alsace Mountains. Beyond them juts a peninsula into the Atlas Ocean—a lawless barbarian zone. Thanks to the range, barbarian incursions are almost zero. At the foothills sprawls the vast Alsace Great Forest, a treasure trove of flora and fauna.

“Like so, the Alsace Great Forest has been hunters’ ground since ancient times. The vast woodland stays largely uncharted, with unmapped zones still out there. One week from now we head to this great forest for marching training with the second-years. Roughly ten days from the royal capital to northern settlement Luca. From there south, then east midway, fanning out toward the kingdom’s southernmost town Ryune. United column until Luca. After that, teams of three Paladins and one Chevalier as core—independent unit action.”

“Instructor.”

Sofia Volfort raised her hand. Crisp knightly tone, fitting her dignified beauty. Professor Ernest, class homeroom teacher, nodded.

“Your earlier explanation said the Alsace Great Forest remains uncharted. Yet this route crosses it lengthwise and widthwise—correct?”

Classroom buzzed. Ernest answered.

“We traverse it, yes. But we avoid the deep zones. Rivers from the mountains cut through the Alsace Great Forest. Opposite bank marks the deep territory. Dangerous beasts confirmed there.”

“Specific beasts?”

“Hunting Guild info lists blood-soaked giant bear—Bloody Evil Bear—and silver-fanged tiger—White Fang Tiger—among others. All sightings over a hundred years ago in deepest zones, never confirmed. Deer and boar normal. Even ordinary bears rare lately. Stay river-side—no danger.”

“Thank you for the explanation.”

Sofia sat. Kaito wondered who to team with. Three months in, he knew he floated alone. He’d only spoken truth and done right, yet friction followed.

“Kaito, think harder about timing, place, wording. Especially with ladies. They get hurt or emotional, you lose in the end, yeah?”

Stefan sometimes acted flashy, but mentally pure noble. Got along with everyone, popular with Paladin candidates. Kaito? More feared than hated. Most candidates beautiful girls, but not all. He’d once asked a certain baron’s second daughter straight-faced, “What do you eat to get that fat?”—earned pure hatred.

“Um… Kaito-kun. If you’d like… that is…”

Roksane approached. Other candidates gave him the cold eye, but three girls talked normal: Elfina and Sofia from first health class pairing, plus Roksane. Elfina—composed honor student. Sofia—knight attitude, sometimes looked straight-up handsome. And Roksane had the richest chest of the three. Timid, soft personality, seemed weak to push. Kaito could talk straight with them. They’d accepted “Kaito’s just that guy.”

“Roksane, I’ll ask first. Team with me for marching training.”

Roksane smiled bright. Cute face. Neck down—body built to please males only. During this march I might finally devour that body. Raw animal lust surged.

“You’re still thinking with your dick, huh?”

Voice from behind. Sofia.

“I’m outstanding Chevalier. Strong sex drive equals strong life force. Take it as compliment.”

Man who boasted drew Sofia’s sigh. Not wrong. But limits existed. Sometimes she wondered if he thought about fucking 24/7.

“Well, you’re skilled—I admit. Stamina tops the year, hell the whole academy. Academics solid too. Mystery how you argue with instructors nonstop yet keep grades.”

“My master was excellent. Anyway—how about it? Sofia, join our party too?”

Sofia scratched cheek awkwardly.

“Sorry. Already invited. Elfina and I join Carlos Rodriguez’s party. My bad. But good chance for you. Heard you barely talk to other girls. Broaden your circle, yeah?”

“If so, I have someone in mind?”

Kaito had zero connections. Leave it to Roksane.

“She’s Sasha Grupp. This is Elsa Phalanx. Different classes, same year Paladin candidates.”

Silver-haired girl who looked twelve, thirteen tops. Red-haired woman with fierce eyes.

“I’m Sasha. No party invited me. So I join yours…”

Sasha—blank face, child body—stated flatly. Elsa, arms crossed, glared hard.

“I’m Elsa. Just so you know I had offers piling up! Roksane begged so I’m joining your party. Be grateful!”

Party unit: one Chevalier, three Paladins. No other connections—Kaito had to accept Roksane’s two.

“Yeah yeah, got it. Thanks. Alright, start prep now.”

Elsa shrieked.

“Huh? What you saying? Departure next week! Intros done—so wait till departure day.”

Kaito shook head.

“You Paladins fine with that. I’m Chevalier. My job—make sure you march easy. You three head back. I got somewhere.”

Three exchanged looks. Kaito pushing ahead—Elsa’s anger flared.

“Wait! Don’t decide alone… For our sake? Who asked?! You just follow quietly!”

“Then tell me—how you securing food water? Forest where you lose all direction—how navigate? Think it works out if we just go?”

“W-what… Teachers prepare…”

“They say that? Only heard from Luca to Ryune we act as teams. Unknown land, unfamiliar woods for days. Why you so optimistic?”

“U-um… Don’t fight…”

Roksane timidly tried to mediate. Sasha looked up at Kaito, blank, gave opinion.

“Kaito is Chevalier—so share properly with us. Hoard info and say ‘just follow’—people won’t move.”

Kaito looked down at Sasha. Child look, but thinking solid. Reliable. Kaito eyed all three.

“Place we go now—Dean’s office. Still coming?”

Heard that—Sasha almost bolted, Elsa turned pale.

“So instead of homeroom, you came to me?”

Royal Knight Academy Dean Reda Factlin rested both elbows on desk, fingers laced.

“Entrance ceremony I said—if anything unclear in academy, come ask. This marching training academy event. Unclear stuff—question fine, right?”

“True. But why me not homeroom?”

“Sensed something off about event. Last year second-years only. This year first-years join. Double participants, double cost. Yet decided anyway. Must be reason.”

Dean clapped lightly, impressed.

“Truly shame. Slightly more decent personality—you’d be legendary Chevalier… Official reason—let first-years taste Paladin-Chevalier harshness early, tighten future academy life.”

“…Real reason?”

“One insolent student. Crush that cocky nose, make him see how shallow he is… perhaps?”

Kaito bitter smile. But opportunity. Unexpected good results here—future academy life comfortable. Small chuckle. Other three tense, frozen. Reda read Kaito’s smile exact.

“Just saying—even first place, not guaranteed happy end. After all, I designed this training…”

“Got it. So nasty… pardon, strict content, huh?”

“Who knows? Can’t special-treat you. Training details under gag order—even professors and third-years. Limited info—do what you can.”

“Once my master said: neglect info gathering—fools. Later regret ‘if only known’—too late. Efficiently doing ‘what can’ = tactics. Increasing ‘what can’ = strategy.”

“…Nostalgic line. When I was student here, heard same from certain Chevalier. Then nothing more from me. You are Chevalier. Fulfill role properly.”

Kaito nodded. Took it as: act not student but Chevalier. Movement way freer now.

Left Dean’s office. Three trailed Kaito. Lounge—Elsa asked. Cheeky face, hint of respect.

“Who the hell are you? Talking Dean like equals—not normal.”

“Well my enrollment special. More used to Dean than you guys.”

“So future plan?”

Sasha cut topic. Four around lounge table. Kaito set two copper coins down.

“Here royal capital Istaloon. Here Luca settlement—training start. Capital to there ten days. Probably two towns on way. Closest town to Luca—procure jerky, dried veg, salt, supplies.”

“Kaito-san. Procure in Luca settlement bad?”

“Four hundred first-second years hit settlement, each one-week food. Rural shops have stock? Even if, I’d hike prices.”

“…Vulgar. Expected of commoner.”

Noble “fourth daughter” Elsa snorted. Sasha nodded Kaito’s view.

“Lots want it—raise price natural. My house does same.”

“…Sasha, family business?”

“Yeah. Grupp Trading Company. Third daughter. Oldest sis took husband, inherits. Second sis married another company. Third me—Paladin, scout path…”

“I-I see. Good luck. …Wait. Grupp Trading? Huge Central Street store?”

“Right. Sasha daughter of kingdom top—Leonard Grupp, company head. I daughter of northern Great General Belgarad Phalanx!”

“See. I eldest son of blacksmith Draig.”

Annoying woman, Kaito thought, but no direct jab—introduced father. Limited experience taught blunt talk breeds friction.

“I-is that? Amazing blacksmith?”

“Not famous, but skills good. Anyway—can Grupp connections set package pickup in Luca?”

“Think so. Main store head clerk Marco sweet on me. Won’t ignore profit, but I ask—he’ll manage.”

“Kaito-san, thinking what?”

Kaito picked coins, explained.

“Simple—fulfill Chevalier role. Order all training supplies in capital. Receive in Luca. Funds—I front. Got some savings.”

“Four people forest week—food not enough. Spare boots, water skins, tents for rain-dew.”

“Food choice careful too. Jerky only—no. Dried veg, bread, salt above all. Butter cheese nice but carry while march—can’t luxury.”

“Kaito-san, earlier multiple Chevaliers move together—impossible?”

“Impossible. Funds aside, we speculate now. If Luca has food ready? Bought stuff waste. No solid material dispel concern.”

Three Paladins glanced. Then why discuss? Kaito smiled, gave reason.

“Can’t imagine that mean disappointing beauty do simple training.”

Dean Reda Factlin recalled the four who just left. When she student, same action Chevalier candidate. He said:

“…Limited choices, best result method = tactics. Increase choices or remove need choose = strategy. Now—increase options all you can…”

Exactly as he said, they blasted forest overwhelming speed. Waited for rest—Ryune sightseeing blast. Best friend bonded with him then. Now through her, candidate who took “that hero’s” training tries same again.

“Fun. Wonder what he shows…”

…Paladin = sword and shield. Power mighty, decides battle. But battlefield only—“tactical weapon” at best. Then Chevalier? Just Paladin weapon caretaker? No. Chevalier must become “strategic weapon.” One who achieves—“true hero”…

Remembering late friend, Reda’s eyelids grew hot.

“Welcome, young miss, honored friends—to Grupp Trading Company main store.”

Manager and head clerk Marco Bolfes—full friendly smile. Slightly short, round face, drooping eyes—genuine good guy. Sasha unusually lifted mouth corners.

“Marco, favor today.”

“Anything I can—command me.”

Led to store back. Self-intros, sat. Kaito started negotiation fast.

“Salt meat, dried veg, hardtack, salt, hard cheese, tents, blankets, short swords… Looks like adventure.”

“Very close. Alsace Great Forest crossing marching training. Extracurricular testing Paladin-Chevalier strength. Depart Luca. Participants double last year. Procure Luca difficult—request arrangement.”

Marco nodded impressed. Normal class—academy prepares supplies. Paladin-Chevalier—teach procurement. Else not hero study.

“Four hundred all buy week food. Luca prices skyrocket temp. Capital procure—avoid. Fair price fine—sell us?”

“Marco, please. Father permission need—I ask…”

“No no, unnecessary. Expected young miss friend. Proper business talk. I agree Kaito-sama judgment correct. Academy prepare—procurement news reach me. No such talk heard. Probably teach battlefield supply difficulty to candidates. Let young miss hungry—chairman fires me. Procurement transport—accepted. Amount…”

Marco clicked abacus. Week food, transport, gear unit prices.

“Including Luca transport short swords—decent sum. Rough—twenty thousand krone.”

Twenty gold. Even noble daughter Elsa shocked. Sasha about speak—Kaito stopped. Silent stare at clerk. Academy student reach—not. Deliberate high quote—reason. Moments later Marco slapped forehead, laughed.

“My fault—forgot info fee.”

Abacus again. Beads click, mutter explain to three others.

“No no—valuable info. Luca prices soar—bring supplies huge profit. First-years decide two weeks ago… Sudden number jump—Luca scramble supplies now. Company move first—big profit. Subtract info fee…”

Fingers stopped. Marco bright smile.

“One silver—100 krone. We take.”

Marco saw off to street. Kaito polite thanks. Story pure speculation. Marco knew—still lowered price. Company twenty thousand—pocket change. Merchants never loss deal. Yet listened mere student—went along.

“Thank you. Won’t forget favor.”

“No no—story interesting. Feel indebted—take care young miss. Chairman and me—precious daughter.”

Kaito firm nod, bowed once more. Later Grupp Trading would soar to continent’s largest. Historians all agree—first spark this deal.