Chapter 45 (1/2)

45.THE LION CUBS; THE KEY PIECES OF THE OFFENSIVE

Both troops were glaring at each other from each side of the Lulia river. The part in the area that stood out the most was the mountainous region at the direction of the upstream of the river. Battle has already happened in this place. Attacking and retreating, retreating and attacking; this has been repeating many times. With the river showing signs of calming down and the flat ground under it revealing itself, if the day that Arcadia gets careless and let the enemy built their base within their borders comes, it was inevitable they would greatly lose ground. Because of that, all they could do was to spare reserve soldiers.

Willian´s squad was deployed to the mountain area as an active force. The ones at the surroundings of their encampment were Arcadia´s lion cubs. For each of them, one could only wonder whether it was that they were far ahead from Karl or that it was just that their experience was simply much greater. (TL note:->いずれも格としてはカールよりも遥かに上であるか、経験値が上かのどちらかである。<-  too=”” hard=”” x_x=”” not=””>

“Yo, Karl. There really isn´t a fragment of ardor in you. As to be expected, the undefeated Karl-sama is really different from us.”

Both Gregour and Anzerm, who outdid themselves at the party, were also called to the borders. You could also see Gilberto a little far back there. Walking along with him were his centurion followers.

“Unfortunately, Hilda is in a campaign at our opposite direction in the east, so she isn´t here.”

Seeing Karl lost, timidly looking around, Gregour came up to him. Then, Karl made a weird expression that was as if he was relieved, but at the same time as if he was bored. Behind him, Frank and Ignahts were smiling.

“As always, impressive battle results. As to be expected of Willian-dono.”

Anzerm raised his hand to give Willian a handshake. Willian answered him with a troubled face.

“Those are Karl-sama´s achievements.”

“…Don´t be humble.”

There was n.o.body that heard his muttered words. Anzerm didn´t want anyone to hear them either.

Anzerm was the only one that noticed it. He noticed a peculiarity about Willian.

“Though mountain warfare is where you specialize at, I would still like to ask you how you would fight here, sir Karl.”

“Hmm….. I still didn´t think about it. We still don´t know the enemy´s formation after all.”

“We should go soon, Karl-sama. We need to meet the regiment commander. The two of you, we will have to see you later. We still have many things to talk to the commander.”

They pulled out before their pretense was exposed. Karl learned the basics of military strategy to some point, but the times he could think of a proper and suitable plan for the actual battle were still few. His current situation was that he didn´t have neither enough knowledge or experience to command a hundred-man squad, the core composition of the military. It would be problematic if people were to notice that.

“Yeah, see you later Karl! Next time, please let me have meal together with Lutogarde! I will be counting on you, aniki!”