Chapter 166 - Episode 161: The Operation
Once the confirmation of the situation in Karenu Village was complete, they moved on to the concrete discussion of how to recapture the fortified village.
"For now, from our side, including the lower nobles who are dependents, we can mobilize a maximum of just under 200 troops."
"200 people... that is quite a lot."
Noein had heard that the population of Baron Wikander's territory, even including Karenu Village, was around 3,000 people. Even adding the dependents and their retinues, mobilizing more than 5% of the population was a considerable scale.
"That said, the actual soldiers, including my own territorial army, are only about 50. The rest are conscripts gathered from the men of the territory, so we cannot expect much in terms of training."
Considering the scale of the barony, that composition was reasonable. Rather, it was Noein who was unusual, being able to bring more than 30 regular soldiers as reinforcements from a territory with a population of less than 1,500.
"However, since many refugees from Karenu Village and those with relatives or acquaintances in that village will gather, morale should be high."
"I see, that is encouraging."
Since their families, relatives, and friends were being held by the army of an unknown noble, they would likely fight fiercely in a rage.
"Yes. In fact, when we once launched an all-out attack to recapture it, the conscripts fought quite bravely... but the opponent consisted entirely of nobles and their retinues, and their training was high. On top of that, they were holed up in the fortified village. At that time, we mobilized over 200 people, but we couldn't deliver a decisive blow, only ended up with many injured, and in the end, we couldn't take it back."
Having spoken that far, the Baron cast his eyes down.
"...Shortly after succeeding the Baron's house, a single village was snatched away, and it has been occupied for months now, yet I am in a state where I can do nothing. At this rate, neither the soldiers nor the people will follow me..."
"..."
Noein remained silent, unsure of how to respond to the Baron who spoke with such pain.
Noein had heard from Arnold that the previous Baron Wikander had retired due to illness, and this Noah Wikander had succeeded him at a young age last year. It was no wonder he was mentally pushed to the brink, having to deal with such a troublesome matter immediately after becoming the head of the house.
Seeking help from a brother-in-law with whom he had almost no previous interaction was likely something he truly found reluctant to do.
"...Ah, my apologies. I have let you hear unnecessary weakness."
Admonished by his own chief attendant with a "Your Excellency," Baron Wikander looked up and smiled as if to hide his embarrassment.
"No, please do not let it concern you."
"Thank you... So, the soldiers of Lord Arqvist are all equipped with those, what did you call them, scatter-shot arrows?"
"Yes. With these, we should be able to easily neutralize the enemy without killing them."
Noein nodded in response to Baron Wikander's question.
"Furthermore, there are four golems, including my own. There is also new equipment specifically for golems. With these, it will be easy to open a breach in the fortified village."
Baron Wikander's expression brightened after hearing Noein's explanation of the castle-breaking shields.
"I see... in that case, no matter how much it has been reinforced, it seems a village fence would be easily destroyed."
"Yes. Based on this, may I explain the operation we have devised?"
"...Yes. Please, by all means."
After confirming Baron Wikander's consent, Noein looked toward Yuri and nodded.
"Then, I shall explain. First, Baron Wikander-kakka's army will act as the main force and attack the front of Karenu Village, at the gate."
Yuri began to speak while pointing with a finger at the rough map of the interior and surroundings of Karenu Village spread across the conference table.
"Since the enemy is approximately 100 people, if they are attacked by a force of nearly 200, they will likely allocate more than half of their strength there for defense. Necessarily, the defenses other than the gate will become thin... we will take advantage of that gap."
Yuri, who had been pointing to the gate on the north side of Karenu Village, next pointed to the fence on the east side facing the forest.
"A detachment led by Lord Arqvist will move through the forest, circle around to the east side of the village, and launch a surprise attack while the enemy is distracted by the main force. With two golems, we can place a bridge made of assembled logs across the moat, and then two other golems will charge with castle-breaking shields to destroy the wooden fence. Using this as a breach, the crossbow unit will enter the village and neutralize the enemy with scatter-shot arrows."
"I see... if chaos ensues within the village like that, a gap will open in the gate's defense, and it will be possible for us to break through the gate as well."
"That is also one of the detachment's goals. If the main force succeeds in breaking through the gate, that will be the decisive blow and we will be able to win this battle."
In reality, as long as Noein and the others entered the village, they would likely win, but Yuri intentionally spoke as if Baron Wikander's army would be the final deciding factor.
Calling the Arqvist territorial army the detachment and Baron Wikander's army—which was effectively just a decoy—the main force was Noein's consideration to yield the position of the primary strength to Baron Wikander, even if only in name. By doing this, it could be made to look as though the Baron had taken the center and driven back the Southwest nobles.
Behind this was not mere kindness, but the calculation that having Baron Wikander build a track record and increase his appeal as a lord would be in the Arqvist family's interest in the long run. The logic was that it would be convenient in various ways to have a relative who is a powerful noble in a distant land.
"Also... I would like my chief attendant to accompany Baron Wikander's main force. He possesses a talent for dialogue magic, albeit imperfectly, so by using his 'Far-Talk,' it will be possible to maintain communication between the main force and the detachment. That would be more convenient."
"That would be a help, but... is it alright? To, well, pull away your strategist role."
"Yes, it is fine. I have experienced battle several times now, and I have grown enough to lead troops without having a close aide protect me. Isn't that right, Yuri?"
"Yes. With the current Kakka, I believe there will be no problem even if I am not by your side helping with the command."
To Noein's playful tone, Yuri responded with a joke while maintaining a serious expression, and seeing this, small laughs broke out among the lower nobles on Baron Wikander's side.
"No, I certainly didn't mean it that way... I understand. Then, let the chief attendant act together with us."
Baron Wikander, who had ended up sounding as if he doubted Noein's command ability, said so with a slightly awkward look on his face.
"When shall we execute the operation?"
"I would like some time to gather the troops and conduct light training. Additionally, we must prepare the bridge for the detachment to cross the moat."
According to the Baron, the depth of the moat was enough to completely bury an average person, and the width was just barely too wide to jump across. At that level, they could easily cross by having golems carry a bridge made of assembled logs.
"We would also like to do a bit of practice assuming the breach of the fence... and since we would like to actually see the state of Karenu Village once, we would like an opportunity for reconnaissance."
"True. Then, considering the time for various preparations and reconnaissance, how about executing the operation in three days?"
"Yes, that is no problem."
Once the discussions for the battle were settled, the Arqvist territorial army and the Wikander territorial army each began to move from that day for their respective preparations.