Chapter 24 (1/2)
24.KARL´S UNDEFEATABLE TEN-MAN SQUAD
The mountainous region of southwest Arcadia. Here was where Arcadia bordered with the small kingdom of Taiyar. One may ask why a little country was could border one of the seven kingdoms, but rather than that, it was exactly because it was one of the seven kingdoms, and because Arcadia was such a big kingdom that there were many country borders like this. Even if there was a difference in military power between the countries, it wasn´t possible for Arcadia to perfectly take control of all regions around.
The degree of priority of Taiyar wasn´t high for Arcadia. Because of that, they would fight in skirmishers. No, it used to be that way. Until now, that is…
“Now then, let´s go. You two will guard Karl-sama; leave the rest to me.”
It was a group with green mantles covered in dirt. By looking at them from close on, it looked like the earth and the scenery they a.s.similated with were moving. Throwing away their mantles, they went down the slope all together at once.
“Wha!?”
It was a surprise attack from above. By the time they were noticed, it was already too late. The flank of the enemy formation was caught from above.
“Hyu*”(ひゅ)
There was no way the enemy could do anything. In addition to that…
“Orah!”
Except for the person leading, all were armed with long spears. They had the high ground advantage, the advantage in equipment and also the tactical advantage. Complete and flawless. The formula for a decisive victory. In the end, the battle…
“White mask!?”
“It´s… the end.”
…had ended before it begun.
The amount of corpses in this battlefield at the borders of the kingdom had increased by ten. In an instant, the life of ten people were wiped out.
“Willian! Are you alright!?”
The blonde man who came running was Karl Von Teirah. The white masked man he was running in direction of turned his head to his way.
“Does it look like I am not alright?”
The white masked man, Willian Rivius, showed a refres.h.i.+ng smile and said in irony. Looking like Karl had calmed down, he made a relieved face.
“Alright, let´s move to the next place. It is a mountain battle after all. We need to get a few more achievements.”
“Compared to open-field battles, there is a wider viability of usage of tactics in mountain battles, isn´t it? Because the effectiveness of terrain is huge, just by getting a good position makes great difference in the battle, and because of the limited view, you can make ambushes and surprise attacks, right?”
“You studied well, didn´t you?”
“Ehehe. I did all the homework Willian gave me.”
“…If possible, I would like you to study on your own volition.”
“…I-I will do my best.”
It was the conversation between master and servant that would give inversed impressions their subordinates had already become used to seeing. Karl was the captain of the ten-man squad while Willian would be his counselor, but their relations.h.i.+p was one that Karl looked up to Willian independent of their positions. Of course, it was Karl who stood in public, and they wouldn´t cross that line. However, that relations.h.i.+p was a weird one which Karl was instead dissatisfied about being the one to get the fame.
“Even if we are getting only a few more, in mountain battles, it is easy to raise achievements. The sun is still high, so I still want to take two more heads. Ignahts will be at the front and Frank will be at the flank. If there aren´t any unexpected movement in the battlefield, we should be fine if we follow the same plan from yesterday. Karl-sama will stay in the middle and command the squad while I will protect the rear.”
“Understood.”