Chapter 424 - Episode 407: Preparations and Military Council
"Now, the problem is the composition of the units providing assistance..."
After finishing the meeting with Marquis Bechtolsheim and returning to his own office, Noein had summoned his close aides, Baronet Yuri Granat and Knight Pence Schoenberg, to discuss the matter.
"For now, we should deploy as many Claymore personnel as possible."
"I agree. Golems are likely what they want most."
"Even if this is assistance heavily influenced by political circumstances, if it's merely a token gesture, the other side will be disappointed. We must go with a composition that can actually serve as a combat force."
Both Pence and Noein nodded at Yuri's statement.
"That said, considering the defense of the country, we can't take everyone... would four squads, about sixteen people, be just right? If I join, that's eighteen golems' worth, so combined with the soldiers mobilized by the Northwest Faction, we shouldn't lack frontal combat power, right?"
"Yes, that should be sufficient. We've already wrapped up the dispatch of one Claymore squad to the Kingdom of Levrant this summer. Leaving two squads within the country will be no problem."
Yuri, agreeing to Noein's proposal in his capacity as Chief of Military Affairs, continued speaking while resting his hand on his chin in thought.
"As for the rest... three squads of the Guard and Pence for Noein-sama's escort. Two squads of infantry to escort the puppet mages. Also, since the location is the Limnee Forest, it would be better to take about twenty people from Radley's unit, who are accustomed to the forest, including Rick's sniping unit. Of course, I will also go as Noein-sama's strategist and coordinator for practical affairs."
"Just the combat personnel alone make nearly sixty people. It's quite a large entourage, but the Claymores absolutely require accompanying forces, so it can't be helped... Ah, who will handle the command of Aspida while Radley and Rick are pulled away?"
"I'll leave Jeremy behind. He is now a capable deputy commander of Aspida's security force. He can sufficiently handle Radley's duties as a proxy."
"...I see. Then there's no problem."
Noein also recognized Yuri's suggestion as appropriate.
"Oh, and let's take the magic tools for attack magic as well. Let the infantry assigned to escort the puppet mages carry them. However, since we cannot use fire magic this time, we'll take the other seven."
Since living trees contain a lot of moisture, the possibility of them bursting into flames just from being hit by attack magic is low, but there is still a one-in-a-million chance. He could not risk accidentally burning the production site of the precious Semirawood. Thinking this, Noein spoke.
"Is that alright? For the time being, the Grand Duchy of Arqvist is officially supposed to not possess magic tools for attack magic."
Noein gave a small laugh at Yuri, who asked while raising an eyebrow.
"It seems rumors of the flashy use of attack magic tools in the Kingdom of Levrant have already begun to spread to the Kingdom of Roadberg via northern continental routes. In such a situation, it's impossible to keep this many weapons hidden, and if we stubbornly try to conceal them, it will invite distrust from those around us. It's actually convenient that we have an opportunity to unveil them in the Kingdom of Roadberg."
"...Understood. Then we shall include the attack magic tools in the deployed forces."
Yuri answered thus, seemingly convinced by Noein's reasoning.
"What about the jet-black steel equipment and arrows? Also, the undiluted 'Angel's Honey'?"
"Regarding the undiluted 'Angel's Honey,' the Northwest Faction says each house will bring the amount held by their territorial army. We shall also bring a certain amount. As for the jet-black steel equipment and arrows... I wonder?"
When Noein asked for an opinion after being questioned by Pence, Yuri opened his mouth after thinking for a moment again.
"Regarding armaments such as armor, there is little worry about them being noticed. Jet-black steel has little luster, so there is no great difference in appearance from black-painted leather armaments. Even if someone is knocked away by an Orc and avoids a fatal wound thanks to the jet-black armor, we can deceive them by saying they were lucky... The problem is the arrows. We don't need to bring the ones for the Ballista, but for the Crossbows, it would be better to have jet-black steel arrows. If the opponent is the boss, the Orc König, there's a possibility that normal arrows will only inflict light wounds."
Looking at Yuri speaking with a grim face, both Noein and Pence wore the same expression.
"However, even if we bring jet-black steel arrows, they should basically be used only against the Orc König in actual combat. Furthermore, unless we kill it with the Grand Duchy of Arqvist army and secure the corpse, the special nature of the arrows will likely be noticed... Even so, the abnormal performance, including the jet-black armor, will be noticed when it is noticed. Considering that possibility, Noein-sama, please decide whether to deploy them in actual combat."
Asked this, Noein lowered his gaze and thought for a while, then looked up and nodded.
"Let's deploy them. Increasing the survival probability of the soldiers is more important. If it's leaked, then it's leaked. Since it'll be known eventually anyway, there's no point in being stingy."
Hearing that answer, which was typical of Noein, Yuri and Pence laughed softly.
"Understood... Then, following the wishes of His Grace the Grand Duke of Arqvist, we will immediately begin the specific selection of personnel and preparations for departure."
"I'm counting on you. I rely on you both."
Yuri and Pence stood up, gave a magnificent salute, and left the room.
.....
The northwestern part of the Kingdom of Roadberg. The Viscountcy of Ludo is located further southeast from the Marquisate of Bechtolsheim, which is east of the Earldom of Koenitz.
The population is approximately eight thousand. It is a unique noble territory where the Limnee Forest occupies about half of the land area, and the primary industry is, of course, forestry. In the northwest, the types of timber that can only be obtained from this forest are the source of the House of Ludo's wealth.
Regarding the appearance of the Orc horde this time, strictly speaking, the House of Ludo should be the one responsible for the response. Due to such political circumstances and simply because it was geographically convenient, the assembly point for the army to subjugate the Orcs was set as Perve, the capital of the Viscountcy of Ludo.
Since the number of mobilized troops and the distance from each territory to Perve differed, the date and time of assembly were roughly set for late October, and the Grand Duchy of Arqvist army led by Noein arrived around the middle of that period.
"Your Grace the Grand Duke of Arqvist! It has been a long time!"
"Lord Oggoren! It has indeed been a while. I am glad to see you are doing well."
During the waiting period after assembly, the soldiers would set up camp adjacent to Perve to sleep and wake, but commanders like Noein would stay at the House of Ludo's mansion due to their status.
Having left the command of the expeditionary force's camp setup to Radley for the time being, Noein entered the Viscount's mansion accompanied by Matilda, Yuri, and Pence. The first person to greet him was Baron Tobias Oggoren, who was one of Noein's few personal friends.
"I heard Your Grace would arrive today. On behalf of Viscount Ludo, who is extremely busy with preparations for the Orc subjugation operation, I have come to welcome you."
"Thank you for that. It's been a while since I've been within the circle of the Northwest Faction, so I feel relieved to be greeted by a close friend."
"Hahaha, that's the best. If it is none other than Your Grace Arqvist, we nobles of the northwest all welcome you wholeheartedly."
Upon asking, it seemed the current Viscount Ludo was a second cousin to Baron Oggoren, and he had visited this mansion several times and knew the layout.
Guided by Baron Oggoren, Noein moved to first finish his greetings to Viscount Ludo.
.....
Three days after Noein's arrival in the Viscountcy of Ludo, all the territorial armies of the nobles planning to participate in the subjugation of the Orc horde had assembled.
Participants began with the House of Viscount Ludo, followed by the House of Marquis Bechtolsheim, the House of Earl Marcel, the House of Earl Shuvalov, the House of Earl Koenitz, the House of Baron Oggoren, and additionally two viscountcies, four baronies, and about forty other lower noble houses of various sizes. Including the Grand Duchy of Arqvist army, the total number of troops was over two thousand.
However, not every noble house had sent the head of the family or someone of equivalent status as the commander.
Edelgard, the eldest daughter of the House of Marquis Bechtolsheim and close to the succession, was there as the proxy for the leader; Earl Marcel was leading his own territorial army as one of the faction's foremost militants; and Baron Oggoren was leading his own as a close relative of Viscount Ludo. However, since the House of Earl Shuvalov and the House of Earl Koenitz had weak ties with the House of Viscount Ludo, they had sent their chief retainers as commanders.
Additionally, especially among the high-ranking noble houses, there were many that placed young children or chief retainers in charge.
This involved the concerns of various lords that "it would be seen as being too eager if the head of a high-ranking noble house appeared to assist in the subjugation of monsters," as well as the desire to let young children gain experience on the battlefield while they were at it.
Other reasons included the fact that if too many high-ranking nobles gathered, the chain of command would become troublesome, and the consideration of avoiding placing a burden on Viscount Ludo by welcoming many nobles of equal or higher rank.
"Then, although we are within the territory of the House of Viscount Ludo, as the eldest daughter of the House of Marquis Bechtolsheim, the leader of the Northwest Faction, I shall take command. I ask for Lord Ludo's understanding."
Standing at the front of the conference table in the meeting room of the House of Viscount Ludo, where the main members of the subjugation army had gathered, the one who spoke was Edelgard Bechtolsheim. She, too, was in a position sent by her father Siegfried to gain experience in combat command, and her future ability to attract followers would be decided by whether she could carry out this subjugation without incident.
"I... I do not mind that."
Viscount Ludo did not seem dissatisfied with having the command held by a member of another noble house within his own territory, and he nodded with a somewhat anxious expression.
Noein's evaluation of the current Viscount Ludo, whom he had met several times, was that he was "a man capable of maintaining the status quo of his own territory." He was not a vessel capable of dealing with a major event like the appearance of an Orc horde of dozens on his own, nor was he a vessel capable of leading an army of two thousand alone. Looking at his words and actions, it was clear that he himself was aware of his own limitations.
"I thank you for your understanding and cooperation... First, I am the commander-in-chief. I will have Lord Marcel serve as strategist and take command of the rear Ballista unit. Overall command of the Crossbow unit will go to Lord Ludo, and overall command of the infantry units to Lord Oggoren. And I request the command of the puppet mages who will stand at the front to be handled by His Grace the Grand Duke of Arqvist. My lords, is that acceptable?"
The high-ranking nobles who were asked each showed their agreement, and Noein, who was present in the position of a guest general, answered with a smile, "I do not mind."
After that, roles were assigned to the children and chief retainers sent from the high-ranking noble houses, as well as the heads and children of the lower noble houses who had come to participate, deciding on company commanders and squad leaders to organize the chain of command.
Then, the conversation moved to specific tactics.
"The opponents are Orcs, although they are swarming. No matter how much they are led by an Orc König, I do not believe they move with such complex thought. Therefore, there is one tactic... I intend to use a lure-and-ambush."
Lure-and-ambush. That is, a tactic where a decoy makes contact with the enemy once and then pretends to retreat to lure the enemy deep into one's own lines, then strikes them together with a separate force that was lying in wait.
Because it is necessary to perform a natural retreat so that the enemy does not see through it as a trap, it cannot be called a tactic that succeeds easily, despite its simplicity. However, Orcs do not have the intelligence to see through an opponent's retreat as a trap, so there is no need to worry about that.
First, soldiers accustomed to walking in the forest (if they are from the territorial armies of high-ranking noble houses, every one of them has forces specialized in forest activities to a greater or lesser extent) would enter the Limnee Forest and lure the Orc horde out of the forest.
The Claymores, the Crossbow unit, the Ballista unit, and furthermore, the mages sent from each noble territory would wait there and wipe out the lured Orcs in one fell swoop. That was the tactic Edelgard described.
At that stage, the existence of the attack magic tools possessed by the Grand Duchy of Arqvist army, which Noein had previously informed the commanders of, was also revealed. Although some stirring occurred, rumors of the use of magic tools in the Kingdom of Levrant had already spread, and since they were in the middle of a military council, the room soon became quiet at Edelgard's call.
"Once we drag them out of the forest, there is no reason for us, who overwhelm them in number and are well-equipped, to lose. I believe it is a steady tactic, but if anyone has an opinion, please speak."
Regarding the basic tactic, besides Edelgard, Earl Marcel, Baron Oggoren, Viscount Ludo, and Noein had already shared information beforehand, so they had nothing to opine on now.
If there were an exceptionally useful suggestion, the commanders including Noein would consider it, but no particular statements came from the others.
"...It seems there are none. Then we shall proceed with this tactic. I look forward to the strenuous efforts of my lords."
With those words from Edelgard, the military council was closed.