Chapter 370 - Episode 362: Unplanned
The discussions regarding tactical matters were settled safely, albeit with some clashes, and work on constructing the encampment began at the fortress north of Luzul.
"At this rate, the completion of the position will be cutting it close."
"It seems so. With the work ethic of the Marquis Dale's people being like this..."
On the afternoon of the day approximately one week after work had begun, Noein, who had finished transporting another log to be used as a defensive wall by manipulating a golem himself, muttered. Pence, who was on guard duty, answered him.
At the work site they were looking at, the conscripted soldiers of the Marquis Dale's country were primarily handling the civil engineering work. However, their movements were slow, and they did not seem to have much spirit. To begin with, perhaps they did not live good lives normally, as many were thin, and everyone wore a uniformly exhausted expression.
Some of the Claymores were also assisting in the construction of the position using golems, but there was a limit to what a few people could do. Other members of the Grand Duchy's army were preparing and adjusting weaponry, and those of the Kingdom of Revelant's army were performing tasks such as cutting timber in the forest, so they could not allocate too many personnel solely to the civil engineering work at the position.
In truth, he wanted to set several traps in front of the position and, if possible, perform work such as slightly altering the surrounding terrain, but at this rate, they would be fully occupied just with the construction of the position. In the current situation, he could not help but think so.
'Excellency Arqvist, this is Konrad.'
At that moment, a 'Far-Talk' connection came through from Konrad, who was standing by at the Luzul manor as a liaison.
"What is it, Konrad?"
'The spy who was investigating the movements of the Kingdom of Virgoa has reportedly returned. According to that report, it seems the enemy's invasion will be accelerated... The monarchs of each country wish to gather and discuss this, so please return immediately.'
"...I see, understood."
As Noein answered with a bitter expression, the 'Far-Talk' disconnected. When he shared the current report exactly as it was with Pence, he too distorted his expression.
"This is a bit bad."
"It is... I'll return to Luzul, but Pence, can I ask you to continue supervising here? I want to push the work forward as much as possible right now. Matilda is here for protection, so it'll be fine."
"Understood. Please take care."
Leaving the site to Pence, Noein set out on horseback with Matilda.
While receiving a slightly more detailed report from Konrad, who had connected the 'Far-Talk' again, he arrived at Luzul in about two hours and went straight to the Marquis Dale's manor.
Upon joining Yuri and entering the hall, Gabriel, Evelina, and their aides were already assembled.
"My apologies for keeping you waiting."
"Do not worry about it, Grand Duke Arqvist. You have heard the news, yes?"
At Gabriel's inquiry, Noein nodded.
"Yes. Apparently, the arrival of the Kingdom of Virgoa's forces is likely to be accelerated by about a week..."
"That is correct. The enemy army's number is currently approximately four thousand. It is expected that they will arrive at the plains north of the fortress in another week."
"That is not all. Among the enemy forces confirmed by the spy, the flags of several vassal states and friendly nations could not be confirmed. There is a high possibility that those countries are taking a different route and will merge with the Kingdom of Virgoa's army at the northern plains. The enemy's numbers will increase further. It is beyond the initial assumptions."
Both Gabriel and Evelina had grim expressions.
"...That is a considerably severe situation."
"Is the construction of the position not yet finished?"
"Yes, I thought we still had time. In this case, the position will have to be considerably simplified compared to the plan."
He had planned to surround the fortress with log fences and create a moat in front of the fences, but he would have no choice but to reduce the width and depth of that moat. He had intended to install sharpened wooden stakes inside the moat, but he would likely have to scrap that as well. He would also have to reduce the number of platforms built behind the log fences. To begin with, the cutting of timber would likely not be in time, so some of the walls would have to be reinforced by piling up earth. The work of leveling the ground to make it easy to move within the position would also be omitted.
Noein ran such calculations in his head.
"Hmph, I entrusted the construction of this so-called defensive position to you because you said you could make it, yet it seems you were acting quite leisurely."
Enduring the urge to snap back that it was because the work of her people was poor, Noein directed only a cold gaze toward Evelina.
"Grand Duke Arqvist, to what extent do you think you can fight with that simplified position?"
"...It is somewhat precarious, but even so, it is far better than having nothing. Since it is difficult to make all parts of the position strong, it would be best to concentrate the fragile points in one area, lure the enemy there, and strike them. It will be a slightly risky tactic."
As he spoke, Noein shifted his gaze to Yuri beside him, and he also nodded. Even from the perspective of Yuri, a military expert, there were no supplements.
"Without resorting to such roundabout fighting, why not simply strike out from here!"
Evelina said loudly. At that, Noein, and furthermore Gabriel and the two aides, widened their eyes.
"The enemy is approaching at a hurried pace with the intention of a surprise attack! If so, conversely, we should return a surprise attack to them! We shall show the northern barbarians the way of the knight's combat!"
"What are you saying! This is absurd! Such a thing is mere reckless bravery!"
Noein reflexively shot back with strong words. Then, Evelina and her knights became visibly murderous.
"What did you just say! To call our pride reckless bravery, for lack of any other words!?"
"...Please think carefully. To the north of the fortress, plains stretch out, with only a few forests and hills. A surprise attack on an enemy marching through such terrain is impossible. Although we are outnumbered, we still count fifteen hundred in total. Moreover, conscripted soldiers who were originally peasants cannot perform complex surprise attack maneuvers."
"Then we should just leave the peasant soldiers behind! To begin with, dragging peasants into war is itself contrary to the way of the knight! War is not for peasants!"
"No matter how you put it, this is unreasonable. Even combining three countries, the regular army does not even reach five hundred people. Especially our country's equipment is not made for conducting mobile warfare on the plains."
As Noein piled up calm rebuttals, Evelina fell silent while wearing a demonic expression. At the intensity that seemed as if she might actually raise her hand if things went poorly, Matilda and Yuri braced themselves so they could protect their lord at any moment.
"Tch! What on earth did the Grand Duchy of Arqvist's army come here for! Bringing nothing but sluggish golems and weaponry that cannot even run. Is this not simply being a hindrance!"
"...If you go that far, we would not be loath to return to our own country. There is no reason to continue risking our lives while being spoken to in such a manner. Truly, it seems this was a complete waste of a trip."
Noein declared in a dismissive tone. For Noein, he was not serious and it was merely intended as a sarcasm, but the one who panicked at those words was Gabriel. He stepped between Noein and Evelina and opened his mouth.
"...Both of you, please calm down. Marquis Dale, please mind your words. The enemy is not the opponent before you. It is the forces of the Kingdom of Virgoa approaching from the north even at this moment. It is for the common purpose of preventing the harm of that country from reaching our own that we should have gathered."
" "..." "
Both Noein and Evelina stopped arguing, while expressing dissatisfaction on their faces.
"Regardless, there is no time. There are likely no new actions we can take from now. We have no choice but to accomplish what must be accomplished before us. Marquis Evelina Dale. If you wish to protect what you inherited from your ancestors as the ruler of a country, then let us accept Grand Duke Arqvist's proposal."
"...Very well."
Though she clearly still had thoughts on the matter, Evelina at least answered so in words.
.....
Two days after the discussion that had nearly reached a breaking point was somehow settled.
Amidst days of striving for a slightly better position construction while driven by impatience, Noein, who was sleeping exhausted in the guest room assigned to him at the Luzul manor, was shaken awake by Matilda.
"Lord Noein, please wake up."
"...Good morning, Matilda."
Opening his eyes and looking up at Matilda, Noein felt a sense of incongruity that for some reason she already had an expression as if she were on military duty.
"Good morning. Lord Pence is calling for you. He is waiting in the hallway."
"...!"
Told by Matilda, Noein hurriedly sat up. To come and call him specifically at this hour. Something significant must have happened.
As he fastened the buttons of the shirt Matilda had draped over his back and opened the room door, Pence was there, and furthermore, Helga Revelant.
"Pence, sorry for making you wait. What happened?"
"...I was just informed by Knight Revelant-dono as well,"
Pence's complexion was poor as he began to speak. Helga beside him was also pale.
"It seems the Marquis Dale's country's army left Luzul on their own during the middle of the night. Apparently, they went to launch a surprise attack on the Kingdom of Virgoa's army."
"...Ah, geez."
Hearing that, Noein let out a deep sigh while hanging his head.