Chapter 425 - Episode 408: Surprise Attack
After the military council, several nobles questioned Noein regarding the magic tools for offensive magic possessed by the Grand Duchy of Arqvist's army, but Noein gave a brief explanation, stating that "about ten were found in ruins within the territory," and further limited his response by saying that he had already reported this to Oscar Roadberg III.
Hearing that the monarchs of the respective nations had already reached an agreement, the nobles felt that pressing Grand Duke Noein with too many questions would be rude, and thus they did not pry any further.
And several days after the military council. The joint army for the Orc subjugation moved to the entrance of the Limnee Forest, which was approximately half a day's distance from Perve, the capital of the Viscount Ludo territory.
They estimated that it would take about a week to set up camp to intercept the Orc horde, carry out the subjugation, and finish cleaning up before withdrawing. Therefore, the first step was the establishment of a campsite for two thousand people to spend a week.
"...I was aware of the Limnee Forest, but this is the first time I have seen it firsthand. It is a lush and beautiful forest."
Regarding the practical work of setting up the camp, Noein left the tasks to his subordinates and soldiers, leaving him with nothing to do. While feeling restless, he gazed at the forest and murmured those words.
"I am honored. The House of Viscount Ludo has made it its duty to protect and manage this forest for generations. It is a precious forest that provides blessings not only to my house but to the entire northwestern part of the kingdom. I find it lamentable that it has been occupied by a horde of Orcs."
The one responding to Noein's murmur was Viscount Ludo, who was similarly idle. As usual, with an expression lacking confidence, he could not be said to look particularly fitting in his armor.
"I sympathize with your feelings. For the Claymore held by the Grand Ducal House of Arqvist, and for myself as a puppet mage, the Semirawood produced from this Limnee Forest is a resource of the utmost importance. Let us do our utmost so that the forest can be reclaimed from the hands of the Orcs as soon as possible."
"I am most grateful. Having Your Excellency here is truly like having a hundred men. I find it heartening from the bottom of my heart."
Even while Noein and the others spoke, the preparations for the camp progressed steadily by the hands of the soldiers and the officers commanding them.
Soon, the construction of the headquarters tent was completed, and the primary commanders gathered.
"The establishment of the campsite is progressing faster than planned. I thank you for your cooperation, lords... Until we lure out the Orcs, what we must do is establish a defensive line using ditches and obstacles, and assemble the ballistas and set up their positions. All of this will be heavy labor. I ask for special effort from Excellency Arqvist and the puppet mage unit."
"We are happy if we can be of use."
When Noein answered, Edelgard gave a small, silent bow.
"That said, both the lords and the soldiers are tired from the half-day march. We will stop at the establishment of the campsite for today, and the construction of the positions for combat will—"
At that moment. From the direction of the forest, outside the tent, a high-pitched sound echoed.
"...!"
It was a signal reporting an anomaly from the soldiers who had entered the forest on sentry duty. Edelgard cut off her words and gasped, and the others also turned toward the forest with surprise showing on their faces. Only Count Marcel remained unfazed, merely narrowing his eyes sharply.
The sound of the signal arrow did not end with just one. It seemed that multiple squads dispersed within the forest had each recognized an anomaly and fired signal arrows, as high-pitched sounds rang out in succession.
"T-this is..."
"We should view this as an enemy attack. Move!"
Count Marcel said this and was the first to exit the tent. Edelgard, who had been momentarily thrown off by the multiple signal arrows, tightened her expression and followed him, and Noein and the others followed as well.
The officers and soldiers were equally surprised by the signal arrows. Visible agitation spread among the territorial soldiers and conscripts who were proceeding with the camp setup, and the officer-class individuals, such as lower nobles and squires, attempted to calm them.
Those on sentry duty were running back from the forest one after another, each shouting something. Among them were the figures of Knight Bachelor Radley Nordheim, an officer of the Grand Duchy of Arqvist's army, and his subordinates.
"The Orcs are coming! They're attacking from their side! It's a huge horde! It's not ten or twenty!"
Radley's loud voice, as he relayed the news to the soldiers, reached Noein and the others, further heightening the tension.
"Damn it, the infantry units... no, assemble the crossbow units immediately and deploy them to the front! If 'Angel's Nectar' won't make it in time, don't bother coating the arrows! Any mages from each army who can deploy, get to the front! Excellency Arqvist! A defensive line with golems!"
"Understood!"
"Lord Oggoren, prepare the infantry units for combat behind the crossbow units! Also, Lord Marcel, depending on the situation, we may have to rely on the destructive power of a mounted charge. Assemble the cavalry!"
"I have noted it!"
"Acknowledged."
With an infantry force that was a hodgepodge from various territories and included conscripts, and was currently in chaos, it would be impossible to solidify a formation before the Orcs arrived. Deploying a fragile line to the front would only allow the Orcs to trample them. Judging this, Edelgard's decision to move the Claymore and the crossbow units first to kill the momentum of the Orcs' surprise attack was quite swift and appropriate for this emergency.
As expected of the heir to the House of Marquis Bechtolsheim, she is indeed excellent. Thinking this, Noein ran toward the forest, bringing his guards, Matilda and Pence. There, the members of the Grand Duchy's army joined them.
"Excellency!"
"For now, I'll solidify the front with golems! With me at the center, Gustav line up on the right wing, and Alain on the left wing! The infantry units and Radley's squad will guard the Claymore! Rick's squad will provide support for that! Also, Yuri, since Count Marcel is organizing the cavalry, take one squad from the Guard and join them!"
"""Yes, sir!"""
As Noein barked orders, the officers gave brisk responses.
While the Grand Duchy of Arqvist's army began to act, the soldiers of the Northwest Faction also began to move little by little. However, it could hardly be said that they were moving agilely overall. No one had thought that the Orcs would possess the wit to launch a surprise attack by coming out from the forest before the preparations on this side were complete.
The sentry soldiers continued to run back from the forest—and in the midst of that, the war cries of the Orcs were finally heard.
"BUGOOOOOH!"
"BOGOAH! GOOAAAH!"
Multiple overlapping cries shook the air, and in response, the human side fell silent for a moment. When the air began to move again, it was heavily mixed with confusion and fear.
"Damn it! How could this happen!"
"We weren't supposed to fight today..."
"It's no use saying that to monsters! Come on, hurry!"
Amidst the curses and complaints of the soldiers from various territories and the voices scolding them, Noein ran while leading his subordinates.
However, before Noein and the others could reach the front of the forest and build a defensive line with golems, numerous writhing shadows appeared from within the slightly dim forest, where the branches and leaves of the trees blocked the light.
"! Damn it, they're already here!"
Noein instinctively cursed. It was already too late.
A few sentry soldiers who remained in the forest ran out, and immediately behind them, several Orcs leaped out.
"Hie, hieee! Help—"
The soldier, who let out a voice while his face was wet with tears of terror, was unable to scream until the end.
The soldier was caught by an Orc, and fell silent as his head was crushed. Other soldiers were also caught by Orcs, their bodies broken by strikes from clubs or stones held by the Orcs, or they screamed as their limbs and organs were torn apart by sharp fangs.
"U-uwaaaaah!"
"Run!"
"Don't come! Don't come hereeee!"
The soldiers who were near the forest were instantly enveloped in terror upon seeing the Orcs slaughtering humans before their eyes. Those who fell into a state of panic and fled collided with the crossbowmen who were trying to move to the front under their superiors' orders, and they pushed against each other, obstructing each other's paths.
"Hey, get out of the way! We can't escape!"
"Let us through quickly! We're moving on the orders of the Commander-in-Chief!"
"The Orcs! The Orcs are right behind—gyaaaaah!"
"Idiot! Don't load the arrows yet! It's dan—"
The Orcs who had approached from behind the soldiers trying to flee began to trample those at the rear. Meanwhile, accidents such as the accidental discharge of crossbows occurred amidst the crowd of people.
"Clear the way! At this rate, the number of dead will keep increasing!"
The Guard, including Pence who surrounded Noein, and the Grand Duchy's army soldiers assigned to guard the Claymore, tried to push the Northwest Faction soldiers aside to clear a path for the golems, but in the midst of the confusion, even that was not possible. The golems, which were already large and took up space, became unable to move properly, caught in the pushing match between the fleeing soldiers and the soldiers moving forward.
Even during this, the Orcs attacked the soldiers one after another, and subsequent Orcs continued to emerge from the forest. Their number reached dozens.
"Tch, this is getting nowhere... Excellency, it might be better to force our way through, even if it causes some minor injuries. At this rate, the dead will only increase."
"...I understand, it can't be helped. I'll pray that no one is crushed to death."
Forcing the soldiers aside with the golems' arms to move forward would result in fewer casualties than continuing to fumble and allowing the Orcs to trample them. Nodding at Pence's suggestion, Noein made the golems move forward, using their arms to push the soldiers blocking the path to the left and right.
Though he moderated the force, the soldiers pushed aside by the log-like arms of the golems fell and collided with one another. Some fell like dominoes, but still, a path wide enough for the golems to pass opened up.
Noein passed through with his two golems leading the way, and the other puppet mages followed, bringing their own golems while pushing aside the soldiers flowing in from the sides.
And finally, Noein and the others reached the Orc horde.
The Orcs, who had been unilaterally attacking the fleeing soldiers, showed reactions of surprise and caution at the group of golems that appeared before them.
"As per the prior plan, two golems will take on one Orc! Don't let your guard down! Do it!"
"""Yes, sir!"""
As Noein raised his voice, the puppet mages and soldiers responded.
The Grand Duchy of Arqvist's army formed a semi-circular formation and collided with the Orc horde.