Chapter 75 - The Monster of the Northernmost Territory II_008_Defense and Offensive
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008_Defense and Offensive
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It was two days after Sora's reconnaissance that the reconnaissance unit of the Tunnel Sector Defense Force encountered and engaged in combat with the Jabaru Kingdom Army's Tunnel Defense Force (provisional).
"It's natural it would turn out like this"
Upon hearing this, Sora spat out the words so no one could hear.
The enemy likely also had reconnaissance units out. Finding a unit of this size would not be that difficult. If they captured or annihilated that reconnaissance unit, that alone would reveal the presence of the Kuodo Kingdom Army in the area.
"So, how will the Jabaru Kingdom Army defending the tunnel act?"
"The best case for us is that they go on the offensive"
"And the worst?"
"The worst is that they solidify their defenses. It would be extremely troublesome if they hole up in those defensive positions."
Even just being in the forest and difficult to attack was troublesome enough, but they had also built defensive positions. If they had deployed many soldiers with source power suited for defense, it would be unthinkable.
"I prefer to clash head-on, it suits my nature"
Sora sighed, thinking that Knight Elbert's thinking ultimately went there.
"So, Sora-sama, what would you do?"
To Elbert, who looked at him with childlike, curious eyes, Sora declared firmly.
"Of course, I will attack"
He did not like defense. There was nothing good about defending. If he moved, it would be best to seize the initiative and catch the enemy off guard as much as possible.
"However, since the enemy has already noticed that we know about the tunnel, it will end up being a frontal assault, won't it?"
This came with the condition of 'if we attack.'
What could be done would change depending on how the command staff judged and responded. He wanted to do what he could, but Sora didn't have that authority. That was frustrating.
While the Kuodo Kingdom side was standing by, the Jabaru Kingdom Army increased the personnel defending the tunnel. Now that they had been discovered, they could expand the defensive positions without restraint. The palisades were extended, earthen walls were built, and they even dug a moat. The defensive positions, already showing a firm defense, became even more fortified.
Building a moat was easier than digging a tunnel. There was no need to worry about collapse, and they wouldn't be troubled by groundwater. If water had appeared while digging the moat, it would have been a bonus, but no water came, so it was a dry moat. The moat construction progressed much faster than tunnel digging.
"Reinforcements from the home country arrive in 10 days. We cannot move until then."
That was the main camp's view. The Tunnel Sector Defense Force also strengthened their defenses.
Such days continued, and around the time when reinforcements were to join in two days, it happened. The Jabaru Kingdom Army had moved.
And with overwhelming force.
"What!?"
Upon receiving the report that the Jabaru Kingdom Army defending the tunnel had mobilized 20,000 troops and begun an invasion, Colonel Strebas stood up. The stool he had been sitting on fell over, and he ground his teeth.
"Did we not make it in time... Send a message to the main camp. The enemy has ten times our numbers. We will focus entirely on defense and await reinforcements!"
The difference in strength was too great to go on the offensive.
The Kuodo Kingdom Army's Tunnel Sector Defense Force also had defensive positions. However, their defensive positions were quite poor compared to those the Jabaru Kingdom Army had built in front of the tunnel.
Not having as many engineers as the Jabaru Kingdom Army, they were limited in what they could do.
Moreover, since they had built their defensive positions on flat ground, the enemy could attack from 360 degrees. If the forces were equal or slightly different, it would be fine, but they could not withstand a tenfold difference.
"Commander-dono, may I offer a suggestion?"
"Go ahead."
"This difference in strength is fatal. We should retreat and rendezvous with the main army here."
Colonel Strebas wanted to do that if possible, but his order was to hold this position at all costs. He could not simply retreat.
"Sorry, but I cannot retreat. Even if we retreat and join the main army, we will likely be caught in a pincer attack. If that happens, the main army itself will face destruction."
"With a tenfold difference in strength, we won't last even half a day. The result will be the same."
"But we can buy half a day's time. That may prevent the main army from being annihilated."
If he were not a soldier, he would want to run away right now. But Colonel Strebas had been in the military for many years. Even knowing it was a foolish act, sometimes a soldier had to show their pride. That time was now.
Colonel Strebas carefully persuaded his subordinates. Giving orders was easy, but in this life-or-death situation, he didn't want to be overbearing. Later, Colonel Strebas would say that this feeling was contradictory for a soldier.
His subordinates accepted his resolve and said they would support him. In his heart, he bowed apologetically, and prepared to face the ten-fold enemy army from their defensive positions.
"You've got to be joking. You expect us to die in vain here!?"
The non-military nobles began to clamor. Most of them insisted that they should retreat.
The nobles made such a commotion that it was uncontrollable. Colonel Strebas thought that even if such hesitant nobles remained, the defense would not hold. So he permitted the nobles to leave.
Normally this would be unthinkable, but most of the nobles departed. As a result, the Tunnel Sector Defense Force's numbers dropped from 2000 to 1700. At this point, this was painful.
Colonel Strebas and his men watched the departing nobles with bitter resentment.
"Now, this makes defense even more difficult. What shall we do?"
Sadam, Colonel Strebas's adjutant, was not particularly highly regarded as a lieutenant at age 25. But he was a steady soldier who had experienced several fierce battles. When standing next to the dark brown-haired Colonel Strebas, his platinum-like blond hair stood out.
"What would you do?"
"As for me..."
"It doesn't matter. This defensive position will fall anyway. In that case, I'll do whatever I can. I'll listen to anything except running away."
"In that case, I will use that gentleman over there."
At the end of Lieutenant Sadam's gaze was Sora, chatting and laughing with the large knight Elbert. He was a rare presence who had remained in this hopeless defensive position without fleeing with the other nobles.
"Forstei-dono, is it? The general himself acknowledged his abilities, but..."
"Commander-dono said you would do anything. Please look at Forstei-dono's expression. In this defensive position right now, the only ones who are smiling are the people of the Forstei house."
"...I see. He's either a complete fool or has considerable confidence."
"Yes. So please use Forstei-dono. A miracle might happen."
Accepting Lieutenant Sadam's suggestion, Colonel Strebas called for Sora.
In an atmosphere like a funeral wake, Colonel Strebas said.
"I will take all responsibility. Forstei-dono, do as you please."
The eyes of the command staff all focused on Sora. Sora was like a straw floating in the ocean. Maybe he could do something. He was the grandson of that hero. That was their thin thread of hope.
"As I please...?"
Sora himself was taken aback. He never expected to be told that. He had come expecting to be told to be part of some unit.
"Now that we have stayed here, we are bound by fate. I have decided to bet on Sora Forstei-dono. Let us mock those nobles who ran away."
"...Understood. Then I will do as I please."
Sora stood up and bowed deeply to Colonel Strebas and the others.
"Right away, but the enemy will surround us in about three hours. Forstei-dono, what will you do?"
"I will attack."
It was a clear and straightforward statement. The confident words spread, sinking into the hearts of the command staff.
"What should we do?"
"First, I will launch a large-scale attack. Once the enemy is in disarray from that attack, I want you to launch an all-out assault. However, attack only one point. Charge straight towards the location where the enemy commander-in-chief is likely to be."
"You're saying we'll take down the commander-in-chief."
"Yes."
"Understood. Then let's work out the details."
Defending meant annihilation. Attacking meant annihilation. In that case, they would attack, betting on Sora. Colonel Strebas felt no strain, anxiety, or self-abandonment. After hearing Sora's words, he found himself thinking they could win. He himself didn't know the reason for that thought. But there was something about the boy with an innocent face before him that made him believe that he would let them survive.
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