[Translator - Pot ]

[Proofreader - Kawaii ]

Chapter 313: Whatever, It's Not That

“He’s changed.”

Verdzig looked at the traps left behind by Duke Montera and smirked.

“Is he trying to slow our advance?”

Skella, who had sent her Blood Bats to scout the area, reported back.

“It appears they have conducted a forced march. It seems they will encounter the Fourth Young Master’s forces sooner than expected.”

“Well done, Skella.”

Verdzig gave a small nod to Skella Recrusa, who had become noticeably more cooperative recently.

“Did someone give him advice? This is unexpected.”

After assessing the change in Duke Montera’s response and its potential repercussions, Verdzig spoke.

“This is dangerous.”

“Why is that?” Skella asked.

“Facing them directly, I can confirm the Northern Army’s combat prowess is formidable. They might even have an edge when compared to Grunewald’s army.”

The reason was clear.

“They have far more experience in war.”

That was the truth.

Any army that endured fierce, real-world combat was bound to become stronger.

“An elite army from an era of peace would find it difficult to face a wandering army that has survived an age of chaos.”

From that perspective.

“Allenvert’s army certainly includes the elite of the elite, his Special Operations Division and personal guard unit, but they are few in number.”

Verdzig explained.

“The rest are mountain folk, underworld swordsmen, and warriors from Valkenhain. They are outnumbered, and it’s difficult to say their overall quality is better.”

“…”

This made the situation dangerous.

“Originally, Duke Montera’s spirit was slowly being worn down. We probably could have inflicted heavy damage without much difficulty using ambushes and various deceptive tactics.”

But.

“For some reason, his eyes have been opened. Perhaps some ‘good news’ was delivered to him.”

The tide of battle is like a living creature.

If one does not actively respond to the ever-changing situation…

‘In other words, if I become lazy and complacent.’

…it would be difficult to avoid an unexpected disaster.

“Skella.”

Verdzig gave an order.

“Inform Allen of this situation.”

“…I will.”

It was a display that could truly be called brotherly affection, but Skella did not bother to voice that thought.

***

[…That is the situation. He wanted you to be aware.]

“I see. Thanks.”

I gently stroked the Blood Bat. Now that I’ve seen it a few times, it’s actually kind of cute.

“Tell my brother I said thank you as well.”

[…This feels strangely unfamiliar. I never thought the two of you would have such a heartwarming exchange.]

“I’m having a little trouble adjusting myself.”

[I wish you luck in battle, Young Master.]

“Same to you. Don’t get killed.”

I gathered my comrades.

“We need to change our strategy.”

“Has the situation changed again?” Zizek asked.

“It has. Given who our opponent is, we can’t afford to be complacent.”

I spread a map inside the tent and began to explain.

“…Based on these circumstances, the enemy will likely attempt a single-point breakthrough led by their cavalry.”

“We’ll have to prepare for that first.”

Knut muttered.

“It would be best to set up multiple layers of palisades and traps at our front.”

Siena said.

“If we give them an environment where their cavalry can charge freely, their combat power will be maximized.”

Jeffrey then raised his hand and spoke cautiously.

“That’s a valid point, but considering the enemy’s strength, they could likely blast away any crude traps with sword strikes or magic bombardment.”

“True. If I can do it, so can he.”

I nodded in agreement and added a twist to Siena’s plan.

“In that case, we will wait for the moment after the enemy uses their firepower to clear the traps, when they charge forward with confidence.”

“How so?” Knut asked.

“First, we’ll dig pitfalls. Then, we’ll lay a sheet of ice over them and cover it with a layer of dirt. On top of that, we’ll place the palisades, obstacle carts, and caltrops.”

“…Hm.”

Rudgarda, understanding my meaning, posed a question.

“Are you going to retrieve the icy mana just as the enemy charges?”

“Exactly. From the enemy’s perspective, the ground will suddenly give way, revealing the hidden traps.”

“Trying out a trick you already had fun with once before, Allen.”

Ulbhild said with a slight smile.

“It’s a decent idea, but it’s just a clever trick. It won’t be enough to stop their charge entirely.”

“That's right. In the end, if we can’t stop Duke Montera’s army from pushing through, it will be our defeat.”

This time, Taris raised his hand and asked.

“Young Master. Is your plan to first block the enemy’s offensive, then encircle and attack them?”

“That’s not the best option in this situation.”

I shook my head.

“Attempting to encircle a large army with a smaller one is generally a dangerous strategy. It might be different if our quality was higher than theirs and we had something like a castle wall to reliably block them.”

I waved my command baton around, illustrating how a poorly executed encirclement would lead to us being counter-attacked and annihilated.

“It would end like this. The enemy is more numerous and stronger than us.”

“Hmm.”

“But the important thing to remember is that this isn’t a one-on-one fight between us and Duke Montera’s army.”

It was a blind spot we could not afford to forget.

“The encirclement was my brother Verdzig’s role from the start. We just need to act as the anvil and wait for the hammer to strike from the rear.”

“I see.”

“Everyone, prepare yourselves. Today, we become an iron wall.”

Zamuel, who had been listening quietly, then raised his hand.

“That’s all well and good, but do you intend to hold this position to the very end?”

“That would be ideal, but even if we succeed, our losses would be too great.”

“That is my concern as well.”

“That’s why.”

I said, taking Zamuel’s good question to present my final plan.

“I intend to use the enemy’s suspicion and caution against him.”

“How, Young Master?”

Siena asked.

“After holding out for a day, we will retreat under the cover of night.”

“?”

Siena tilted her head.

“Why would we do that?”

“The fact that even you, my lady, cannot grasp the intent is precisely my objective.”

I explained.

“The Duke will become wary, wondering what our true intention is, and advance with caution, spreading his scouts out wide.”

“Aha!”

Jeffrey slapped his knee in admiration.

“Since it’s a strategy he’s already fallen for once against Young Master Verdzig, the memory will naturally be lingering in his mind.”

“Exactly.”

“Wow, that makes so much sense.”

Zizek chimed in, clapping his hands.

“But in that opening, we run as far as we can and hide.”

“Khahat! Now that’s an exquisite idea.”

Knut clapped and laughed.

“The Duke will be shocked and frightened, wondering where we could have possibly hidden that he can’t even find us.”

“Correct. If he tries to track us using familiars, I’ll have my Eagle Eye active and shoot them down from afar as soon as I detect them.”

“So we buy time like that, then regroup and block them again?”

“Yes. By then, my brother Verdzig will have certainly arrived.”

That would be the completion of the encirclement.

***

“…The above is the final strategy proposed by Young Master Allenvert.”

After hearing Skella’s report, Verdzig smirked.

“Copycat.”

Still, there was no fault to be found in the plan.

“He won’t be defeated pathetically by Duke Montera after all this, will he?”

“Given that he overwhelmed Sir Walter, I doubt it.”

“Yes, you’re probably right.”

Verdzig’s eyes deepened.

“…Talent is talent, after all.”

He had never even imagined it.

Ulbhild, Siena, Knut, Rudgarda, Ghir, Drak.

All those who sided with Allenvert possessed enough talent to be called geniuses of their time, yet he himself possessed the talent and skill to look down on all of them combined.

That was why this was the first, and only, time he had felt this emotion.

‘Is this what it feels like to be jealous of someone’s talent?’

But he had lived as a lion for too long to show any weakness.

…a lion that harbored the heart of a snake.

“Your Highness the Eighth Prince.”

“Yes, Young Master?”

Verdzig gave a languid smile.

“You mentioned that taking this shortcut would save us time, correct?”

“That is correct.”

The Eighth Prince, who had somehow become a high-class guide, thought to himself.

‘…It’s a good thing I brought a map.’

***

Thudududududu!

The sound of hooves shook the earth.

“Your Grace! Look at that!”

Duke Montera, leading the vanguard of the column, sneered at the sight of the densely packed palisades.

“Does he think he can stop us on this open plain with such meager preparations?”

Of course, it was likely the best plan his opponent could come up with, but…

“I shouldn't underestimate him, but if this is all he has prepared, I am disappointed.”

Duke Montera immediately drew his sword.

Vwooooom!

He had mastered the Power Sword of the North, a sword style that combined the spirit to crush enemies with force and the hardness of steel that could block anything.

Kwagagagagagagaga!

Like an avalanche consuming everything in its path, a sword aura containing ferocious power was unleashed.

“Magic corps, begin firing!”

“Yes, sir!”

A group of mages, who, true to their northern origins, were also skilled riders, launched their prepared spells into the sky.

Sheeeeeeeen

The ultimate technique of an 8th-tier superhuman and the firepower of the magic corps pulverized the palisades, flattening the area.

“Allenvert Grunewald, where are you hiding!”

The key to a successful charge is the ferocity and momentum to trample anything in your path.

With Duke Montera at its center, the cavalry charge that had crushed countless monsters, foreign tribes, and enemy armies began.

“Now!”

It was at that exact moment that Ulbhild’s retrieval of her icy mana revealed the hidden trap.

“Aaaaargh!”

“It-it’s a double trap!”

“…The brothers are exactly alike. Cunning bastards.”

This time, however, things were a little different.

As Duke Montera slammed his iron-like fist into the ground, the spears, blades, and magic traps laid below began to shatter indiscriminately.

Kwwaaaaaaang!

Boooooooom!

As a result, the trap prepared by Allenvert and Ulbhild was downgraded in power, becoming little more than a deep hole in the ground.

“…Wow, that’s just brutish.”

Watching from a distance, Allenvert clicked his tongue.

“Brother Knut, would that be possible for you?”

“Impossible. Maybe if I trained for another ten years.”

He was right. It wasn't some special technique; it meant that the power of a simple, improvised fist strike was that immense.

“I suppose it’s time for us to step up.”

“Right.”

Defending the center were Allenvert, Knut, and Siena.

The strongest master of their force, the owner of the toughest body-protection art, and the swordswoman trained in the most defense-oriented martial art, respectively.

“I don’t know if we can hold. I will take Duke Montera first.”

“Don’t overdo it. Just think about blocking the first charge,” Siena advised.

“Thank you, but right now, it would be best for you to focus on steadying your own heart.”

“…”

Siena’s heart must be wavering, no matter how composed she appeared. Follow current ɴᴏᴠᴇʟs on ⓝovelFire.net

“My lady.”

Before I knew it, I had taken Siena’s hand.

It was the hand of a swordswoman: white, calloused, and firm.

“Y-Young Master?”

I channeled the warm energy of the Seven Stars of the Black Sea Technique into her.

Siena’s expression softened slightly.

“…Thank you for your consideration.”

I gently let go of her hand and cleared my throat.

“It was nothing.”

That was kind of embarrassing.

…The face of Adeline suddenly popped into my head, and I made an excuse to myself.

‘No, it’s not that.’

I didn’t know what ‘that’ was, but whatever it was, it wasn’t that.

[Translator - Pot ]

[Proofreader - Kawaii ]