Chapter 36 – Towards the battle

The seizure of Dockward Territory went more smoothly than imagined. This made me appreciate just how impressive the intelligence gathered by the Muga tribe is.

“Thank you. We have continued gathering information from various places in preparation for this time.”

The Muga tribe acts as merchant spies, collecting all sorts of intelligence from across the land – terrain, troop strengths, commanders’ preferences and recent interests, blood relations, and more.  

Among the eight tribes, they are particularly adept at the soft-spoken persuasion needed for intelligence gathering in other territories.

Using their information, we determined the march routes for the three armies. Each unit used Doga tribe messengers to exchange information in near real-time as they converged on the capital.    

With damage reports pouring in from multiple fronts, the lord became flustered over how to respond, allowing us to swiftly force a resolution.

We had already taken many of his soldiers prisoner, leaving him without military strength to resist, so he surrendered. I just had him swear fealty to me as a Zeltreich heir.

How binding such fear-induced loyalty will prove remains to be seen…but it cannot be helped for now. I still lack sufficient achievements.  

The deeds to proclaim my conquest of the empire will be forged in the next battle. However…

“60,000…”

A council was being held at the occupied lord’s manor, where we were analysing the intelligence gathered by the Muga and Utt tribes.

The young girl Shamia from the Utt tribe spoke up nonchalantly.

“Yes. Two knight orders departed from the capital – the Holy Echo Knights and the Thunderstrike Knights. 20,000 troops each. They’re heading straight to the neighboring territory of Alcarol.”

“So they’ll resupply in Alcarol, join up with 20,000 territorial troops and attack Dockward with a combined force of 60,000.”

It seems I underestimated how severely the imperial government views the threat I pose…

I didn’t expect them to be so heavily alerted at this stage. Impressive that they could mobilise reinforcements this quickly without internal opposition.

Roban handed me some additional documents.

“Here are the details on the Holy Echo Knights, Thunderstrike Knights and Alcarol’s territorial army.”

“Let’s see…”

The documents listed the three forces’ compositions, commander names, and personalities.

The Holy Echo Knights have quite a long history… while the Thunderstrike Knights are a relatively new order formed recently.

“So their plan is to simply barrel through with 60,000 troops, sealing off the route to Alcarol…”

However, to coordinate with the Lord’s Alliance, occupying Alcarol is imperative.

From the empire’s perspective, this is the eastern frontier. Without also taking the territory to the west, they cannot utilise the continental roadways. And a new path to the northern Lord’s Alliance would open up.

“Rabua.”

“Yes, here is the inventory of supplies that were stockpiled in Dockward Territory.”

Rabua is a man from the Kyamura tribe put in charge of managing supplies. I looked over again the vast amount of resources amassed here.

‘As expected, they have plentiful food and weaponry. Hmm..’

I then examined the map spread out on the table.

Taking into account the surrounding terrain, reinforcements still gathering and the composition of the enemy forces now heading this way, I began formulating several potential strategies.

“It has played out just as you predicted, Vilgard-sama.”

“That the battle after seizing this place would be a brutal one, was it not?”

That’s right. I already knew this battle was coming. And if I don’t achieve victory here, I will be disposed of as just another rebel, failing to fulfil my vow and being erased from history.

A narrow victory won’t suffice either. That would only invite contempt from the Lord’s Alliance and opportunistic imperial nobles. The imperial government would then immediately form a punitive force to finish us off.

An undisputed, resounding triumph – that is what will decide my fate. Whether I can achieve that or not is the crux.

‘There are also the soldiers we took prisoner, but…’

“The key question is indeed where we will engage this large force…”

Waiting here for them to come would be an absolute mistake. It would surrender the initiative on the battlefield to the enemy. Moreover, this town is ill-suited for defence.  

Taking the offensive is a certainty. The question is choosing the battlefield location.

“…Is there a place surrounded by ravines or rivers on the sides, somewhat limiting the formations they can deploy horizontally?”

“If so, then perhaps this area along the Schleitock Road connecting the two territories?”

Roban indicated a spot just inside Dockward from the Alcarol border.

To the west were mountains, with a river to the east. As a major road, their large army would surely march along this route when invading.

“No doubt they’ll come through here.”

“Yes, there’s nowhere else viable for such a massive force to advance. But the same is true for us – if they seize that area, we’ll be trapped in this territory.”

That’s right. If I were in their position, I’d station 10,000 troops past that road chokepoint, then advance to eliminate the rebels with the remaining 50,000.

“They don’t seem to have many cavalry…”

“They must have been in a great hurry. While they have draft horses for supplies, assembling quality warhorses would have been difficult on short notice.”

We use horses of many breeds ourselves. But those suitable for military use as warhorses are relatively precious.

They must remain unfazed by shouts and battle, while also being strong and sturdy. Raising just one requires considerable time and effort.

“Even if their numbers are low, they still have 10,000 cavalry troops.”

“That’s true…”

Out of 60,000, 10,000 seemed small. But just looking at the number, it is still quite substantial.

Our forces can serve equally well as cavalry or infantry, but our specialty is archery. Different from the enemy’s cavalry type.

I turned my gaze to Garshin, a young Ruto tribe warrior.

“Garshin.”

“Yes!”

“Could 2,000 elite heavy cavalry pin down the enemy’s 5,000 cavalry? Ah, of course not on an open plain. In a situation like this…”

As I envisioned our potential deployments facing the enemy, I posed this hypothetical scenario to Garshin.

“…In terms of enduring, it is possible.”

“I see. Then next, is there anyone among us who could lead 8,000 cavalry to break through the enemy’s 5,000, given the situation described?”

“Then leave it to me!” 

The one raising his hand was Crudo, a warrior of the Muria tribe. I had observed his fighting skills and like Garshin, he showed good judgement.

“Crudo, huh… Can you also dismount and engage as infantry?”

“Of course!”

“Then I can entrust this to you, Crudo.”

“Yes! But then what is your strategy? From what you described, it seems you intend to have the cavalry strike their flanks. But the enemy’s main force is 50,000 infantry, correct?”

As the flow of battle became clearer, I looked again at the stockpile of weaponry here.  

“Gather as many shields and heavy armor as you can find. We’ll use the prisoners too – have them form the front ranks, but offer high rewards for any who survive and join our forces. Also, tell me how many we have well-trained enough to move effectively even in heavy armor…or those bearing engravings.”

“All us plainsmen bear engravings. Depending on the weight, most should meet your requirements.”

“Then sort out 5,000 fitting that description. As for the concrete strategy…”

I outlined the general plan and location where we would make our stand. But this was mere theoretical planning – the actual feasibility could only be judged by surveying the site directly.

And the enemy’s deployment on the day could also necessitate changes.

“I’ll provide further instructions after personally inspecting the intended battlefield area. Prepare horses, I’m going for reconnaissance.”  

“I’ll accompany you, Your Majesty.”

“Me too!”

“Very well, Garshin and Crudo, you’re with me.”

As I gave successive orders, Rabua also nodded.

“Then I’ll begin transporting the supplies from each location.”

“I’m counting on you. This will be our first all-out battle…entrust your lives to me.”

“You don’t need to say it.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

Expressing my gratitude to everyone, I departed.