Chapter 17: The Crisis of Crow Fortress (1) (2/2)
Really, Marez wanted to tell Louis to reconsider his decision, but he said it in this roundabout way as it seemed like he would follow in Butland’s footsteps if he said it as is He did not expect much of an answer However, Louis replied with confidence
“Do not worry, for I have already played my hand”
“What do youinto Marez’s ear And Marez was greatly astonished upon hearing his words
“Don’t tell me… is that for real?”
“The preparations have already been completed”
Marez no that Louis ell and truly set on defection
a scene, huh’</e on cru away, but there was no escape anymore
That day, Nelson Cardinal felt a sense of unease Could it be said to be the internal state of things? Or could it be said to be the ater on it, but so in the air that only he, who had served at the Crow Fortress for decades, could detect it
He immediately sent out an internal patrol to inspect the fort’s situation As a result, he was able to discern as so strange The fortress was empty of a considerable number of its internal personnel
“Francis, where did all the other coo with only you left here?”
Nelson called on Kerber Francis, the only co inside the fort, to ask the reason for this development
“Sir Forrest left to replenish the supplies, sir”
“I too am aware of that But what about the other three?”
“Sir Walker said he was heading out to reconnoiter the surroundings And indeed, the other two also left after hi a reconnaissance of the surroundings”
“All three of thee”
Nelson looked puzzled
“Is there a problee of recon we can do in winter is considerably narrowed So hat reason would there need to be a mobilization of three 100-man commanders?”
“That’s…”
Kerber was about to retort, but there was nothing he could answer back with
“In which direction did the three of theo out to recon?”
“They… did not inform me of that”
“Youus know of their scouting direction? When did they leave?”
“I, too, did not see the I’m inclined to believe that they ”
“……”
Nelson was struck with a considerable feeling of discomfort There were a few conjectures that entered his head – and none of theood At that moment, the sentry atop the fort’s watchtower bellowed
“The allied forces that left for reconnaissance are returning through the back gate”
At the sentry’s notice, the troops stationed at the fort’s back gate began opening the defensive wall
“The back gates are opening!”
But witnessing this scene, Nelson suddenly hurried to the top of the watchtower He had turned deathly pale
“Close the gates! At once!”
Taken aback, Kerber trailed behind Nelson as frantically shouting, and asked for an explanation
“What’s the , so why…”
“They’re not our allies!”
“What?!”
Nelson glared intensely at Kerber’s astonished question and rashly barked at him
“For what reason would the forces who entered the ate? How has a force that was 300 strong when they left grown by that much?!”
“Uh…oooh…”
“All troops prepare for battle immediately! It’s the enemy!”
An arro past theby his face
“It’s… it’s the enemy!”
“All men prepare for battle!”
All men in Crow Fortress were fully aware now The enee in
“Tch, did that not hit?”
Frederic clicked his tongue as the gates of Crow Fortress sealed shut By his side, Louis Walker chiry expression
“It appears that they have caught on somehow”
“Hah… I wanted to take care of this smoothly if possible, but looks like that was too much to ask for”
Frederic ain
As Nelson had assessed, the soldiers that had appeared at the back gate were the enemy Not only that, but these were the coinally affiliated with Crow Fortress, led by Louis Walker
In exchange for defecting to the Republic, Louis was intending to hand over Crow Fortress to the eneh Louis’ position had been no different to an exile in the Grey Mountains, he could still issue orders using the Walker faed a secret rendezvous with the Republic to request that he be allowed to defect to the him, he claiantroops into the Grey Mountains in this winter was suicidal However, it was possible to cross the border by going all the way around instead of cli over the Grey Mountains
Of course, there was a proble discovered by the enemy as one had to cut across the internal territory of the Strabus Kingdom But it was this part where Louis came in with his solution
The Republican soldiers could be disguised as a detachment of the Walker House’s private are nu the troops in 100-h the heart of the enemy state without a hitch In this manner, Frederic had split up his forces and successfully infiltrated the Strabus Kingdo forces of Louis that he had hastily withdrawn yesterday
They were intending to enter the fortress under the guise of a reconnaissance tea from their mission, but…