Chapter 432 (2/2)
Erich's orders are to remain on standby.
If I rush out, I'll definitely ruin the plan.
「Celia, what would you do if you were the enemy commander?」
「First, I'll have archers whittle down the numbers. Then, I'll target the creatures which are more likely to produce casualties like the bigger hobgoblins, deer and boars. The rest can be ignored.」
Nice.
「Ignore the wolves or goblins even if they get through the fences……after all, they're small and quick enough to run past you. They're not much of a threat individually. Besides, there isn't much to be scared of with plenty of soldiers in the rearguard. In the first place, the creatures are simply trying to flee to safety, so they won't proactively attack unless you attack them.」
Celia's so smart.
I hope she doesn't do anything rash this time.
「Such an answer is not incorrect, but it's not correct either. Currently, I don't think that order would reach the soldiers.」
The mood of the proud Celia was soured.
Appearing from nowhere is the master of souring people's mood, Leopolt. He's back from headquarters.
「A majority of the enemy troops are conscripts, in other words townspeople and farmers. To them, goblins and wolves are a source of fear.」
If Celia and I hear about the emergence of goblins, we would head out to eliminate them immediately.
Irijina would skewer them and eat them up.
However, Mel or Nonna would run away and ask someone else for help.
If they were holding weapons, they would do their best to protect themselves.
Those who did not receive proper training are not soldiers.
They are able to manage battling everyday by relying on the defensive encampment, but once they encounter an unexpected situation, they completely unravel.
「Let's add one more wave.」
At Leopolt's signal, another few boars…… no, pigs were released from wooden cages.
They ran out uncontrollably, most likely from being instigated by a burning iron as they were set free.
What was different this time was the placement of soldiers holding water buckets close to the cages.
With that said, they didn't seem as menacing as the previous wave of beasts and thus were ignored.
「Those pigs, were they carrying something on their backs?」
「Yes. A little over five minutes until they reach the enemy camp――」
A few moments after the pigs ran unseen into the enemy camp, there was a loud explosion and white smoke started to rise.
「Ah, they turned into roast pigs.」
Celia mutters.
So they were carrying gunpowder?
「To be precise, it's a mix of gunpowder and powdered quicklime. The goal is to scatter the quicklime. Constraining the amount was a precaution in case they ran into our camp.」
White clouds form a veil near the enemy camp.
There weren't enough pigs to create a smokescreen to completely block vision.
Even so, the enemy screams seem to get louder.
「I-I can't see……uwah! The enemy cavalry is com―― was that my imagination?」
「I just saw an orc! They're sending orcs at us now!」
「A huge dragon is flying in the sky!」
Unable to see clearly, the enemy panics and see things that aren't there.
I see, so that's the strategy.
「Using monsters was a way to trigger this kind of mayhem.」
And that objective was achieved.
「Next is to spread the chaos.」
Erich's orders were sent and the corresponding ally armies started to move.
It was only the provisional squads of recruits that acted, meanwhile we were still required to stay on standby.
「Uwah…… it's already a mess.」
Tristan draws his head back.
Adding in our own recruits who are p.r.o.ne to lose their cool to an already jumbled situation is a recipe for disaster.
「Really? ……you want us to run into the same place where the goblins were released? ……they're not going to come back at us, right?」
「My brother was killed by a wild boar……for heaven's sake.」
「Visibility is poor too…… d.a.m.n, we had to draw the short end of the stick.」
Despite being nervous, our allies were able to arrive at the enemy defenses without any major complications, partially due to the commotion within enemy ranks. That did not mean the enemy would simply surrender their base, as the monster and beasts did not cause enough physical damage.
A melee broke out.
「Provisional squad three has successfully entered enemy lines!」
「Provisional squad five was repelled by the enemy!」
The battle went back and forth with both sides taking turns to attack and defend.
Such a seesaw was not necessarily a good thing.
It was a mess from the start, so the convoluted melee naturally devolved into a free-for-all.
It got to the point where soldiers became extremely paranoid, mistaking goblins that occasionally appeared for enemies and slas.h.i.+ng them.
Not a trace of organization could be detected and n.o.body could find where the line of defense was anymore.
Three messengers come running again.
「Luna-sama of the bow cavalry asks, ”can we move out now?”」
「Tell her to wait a little longer.」
「Irijina-sama says, ”I want to go now!”」
「Tell her to do some warm-up exercises. Stretching is important.」
「The Aless units says, ”it's time to go”」
「Tell them that if they go, we'll blast them with cannons.」
I have to wait too even though I'm starting to get impatient.
If I was commander, I would have already gone. Fighting under Erich always gives me anxiety.
Anyways, the battlefield has plunged into chaos now.
「Our second objective has been achieved. Behold.」
Leopolt points at the enemy.
Those who were unfazed by the monster attacks――in other words, the enemy's regular army, are s.h.i.+fting because they're trying to support their fl.u.s.tered allies.
「This is our goal. When chaos reaches the limit, the enemy commander is unable to ignore it any longer and he has to mobilize the elite members to a.s.sist the others. And no matter how elite they may be, if they move in the chaos……」
「Reinforcements are here! Leave the goblins alone and focus on fighting whatever's in front of you…… like I said, don't run around unnecessarily!」
「Don't stand in front of the wall of spears! Aargh, fall back 20 meters and reorganize!」
「Don't squeeze in the archer line! If you ignore the rules, you'll be executed!」
「Dragons, orcs, and heavy cavalry!? They're nowhere to be seen! Give accurate reports, you idiots!」
Although the enemy's regular army isn't affected directly, their fellow recruits run around and get in their way, preventing them from moving the way they want. This is probably infuriating to the commander.
「This inevitably results from joining a chaotic battlefield. In addition, the areas they support may still collapse if they pull out, so they can't really move.」
「We've practically attached fetters to the enemy elite.」
Leopolt and Tristan offer their thoughts.
「On the other hand, our elites are free to move and aim at them.」
Finally, the long-awaited order to attack was given by headquarters.
The rest of our army marches forward, accompanied by the loud stomping of military boots.
「This is first war dating back to the start of the Central Plains. I'll definitely increase my accomplishments!」
Celia is cute as she trembles with excitement.
I pose a question to Leopolt as I match the pace of the infantry while riding Schwartz.
「What's our rate of success?」
「If we're looking only at this place, about 50%.」
That's surprisingly low considering how disorganized they are.
「Their state of mind may be compromised, but their army size hasn't changed. They still have the benefits of a large military force and strong defensive encampments.」
I'm sure he's right. Leopolt wouldn't act unless he had pretty much foresaw our victory.
「All possible moves in the present time have been made. If we can't win with that, then we couldn't have won no matter what. It's better to attack now if our chances of victory can go no higher than 50% or if there are no further improvements to the plan. Everything else will depend on the fight on the frontlines.」
Hearing that made me smile.
I pat Leopolt softly on the chest.
「Then we're fine. I'm here.」
Leopolt lowered his head a tiny bit and Tristan smiled nervously.
Celia is breathing deeply and only staring straight at the enemy camp.
「Let's go.」
The Aless unit, bow cavalry, 105th army corps and Celia's battalion all gave a short shout in response.
There was no doubt this battle was one that would decide the fate of Goldonia and South Yuguria.
<hr><hr>