Episode 136

Everyone’s gaze, including that of Count Kanosa, turned to me all at once.

“Since the strategy you proposed played a significant role in capturing Villa Hora, I expect much from you this time as well.”

He’s pressuring me to come up with a strategy, and now he’s adding to the pressure by saying he expects a lot? Isn’t that a bit too much?

I really want to say this is going too far.

‘I’ll take it as Count Kanosa showing his trust in me and bear with it.’

I clenched my teeth to suppress my anger momentarily and nodded.

“I will do my best.”

“So, what do you think we need when we are defending the castle?”

With our forces numbering 2,500 and the enemy’s 6,000, it seems he prefers to hold out in the castle and fight a defensive battle.

It’s the most standard and surefire method, so it’s natural for Count Kanosa to lean towards a defensive battle.

‘But fighting a defensive battle in a castle we occupied just a few days ago can’t be a good idea.’

Because even if we try to prepare the castle’s interior for defense with equipment and facilities, it’s impossible to make perfect preparations in just a week.

And since this castle originally belonged to the Rheinfalz Empire, the attackers know its weaknesses very well.

You never know when they might exploit an unexpected weakness.

However, directly opposing the opinion of a high-ranking individual like Count Kanosa would be trampling on his dignity, so I should tactfully redirect the conversation.

“Being outnumbered, holding the castle seems to be the best option. However, since we’re devising a strategy, wouldn’t it be better to consider various aspects?”

Count Kanosa nodded, and the other mercenary leaders chimed in agreement.

“There’s no harm in exploring other options besides a defensive battle.”

A few knights coughed before making a counter-suggestion to the count.

“Shouldn’t we consider all variables? A better alternative might emerge.”

“You’re right, Marriott. While a defensive battle seems most effective, considering various factors to devise a better strategy could help us achieve victory.”

Count Kanosa walked over to the bulletin board with maps attached and placed two wooden pieces with red magnets on it.

One was placed a bit away from the castle on the left, and another on the right of the castle.

“On the left, Baron Maurer is leading about 2,000 troops from Biltz Castle along the road to here, and on the right, Count Grunwald is commanding 4,000 troops coming here via the Grunain Highway. This is quite reliable information obtained from interrogating prisoners.”

Splitting their forces instead of moving all 6,000 together would be more time-efficient.

“Additionally, from interrogating the prisoners, we’ve learned that they are coming here to support Baron Castor, who was originally defending this castle.”

Though a defensive battle allows a small force to handle a larger one…

If the castle is besieged and held out for a year or two, those inside will naturally run out of supplies and starve to death.

Thus, defensive battles usually last until ‘a significant number of allied reinforcements’ arrive.

So, Baron Castor must have been desperately waiting for them, and the reinforcements hurried their march to save those trapped in the castle…

Thinking up to this point, a pretty good strategy came to mind.

My lips naturally began to rise, and Count Kanosa’s long speech was nearing its conclusion.

“So, the tactics we can choose from are to hold out in the castle for a defensive battle, or to go out and attack the scattered enemy. From a practical standpoint, it seems we have no choice but a defensive battle. Do you all agree?”

When everyone nodded, I asked Count Kanosa for permission to speak again.

“May I have permission to speak, Count?”

Honestly, proposing an idea when he just said there seems to be no other way than a defensive battle is indeed madness.

Naturally, everyone’s gaze focused on me, and some knights even clicked their tongues.

‘If I had been lacking in achievements, they would have criticized me for being presumptuous by now, wouldn’t they?’

Even Count Kanosa, surprised by my sudden request to speak, frowned slightly and responded with an annoyed tone.

“Have you suddenly thought of a new strategy? This is quite surprising.”

“Thanks to you pointing out every little thing, Count, a good strategy came to mind.”

“Hmm, I’ll grant you permission to speak, trusting in the tactics that contributed to the capture of Villa Hora.”

Though he said this, if my suggestion doesn’t immediately pique his interest, it will be quickly dismissed, so it’s best to start with a statement that packs a punch.

Pointing to the wooden piece symbolizing Baron Maurer on the left, I said,

“If you could provide our Whitebeard Mercenary Group with about 10 mages and 100 additional troops, I will ensure we can hold back the forces led by Baron Maurer, numbering 2,000.”

Captain Dalton and Vice-Captain Heintz cursed at me with their expressions, and Count Kanosa froze upon hearing this novel strategy of using merely 600 men to hold back 2,000.

Dalton, with anger evident on his face, obtained permission to speak and glared at me as if he were about to kill me, saying,

“What were you thinking to come up with such an innovative strategy? If anything goes slightly wrong, it could lead to the complete annihilation of our mercenary group.”

Speaking so bluntly in front of Count Kanosa was quite impolite, but given the situation, neither the Count nor the knights dared to openly criticize.

“Why would I suggest such a plan if it were to sell out my own position in the strategy?”

Dalton glared at me, grinding his teeth as a warning.

Given our past achievements, I knew I would be given a chance to explain, but the threat was clear: if I spouted nonsense, he would personally see to my end.

‘If I hadn’t had a plan, I would’ve been terrified.’

Fortunately, I knew how to calm Dalton down.

“Baron Maurer and Count Grunwald must be under the impression that Villa Hora hasn’t fallen yet since it’s only been slightly over 20 days since we arrived.”

Our swift capture of the castle was thanks to Baron Castor’s incompetence and his susceptibility to simple tricks, which led him to dismiss his main support, Hilde.

Without that, even in Hilde’s absence, the castle would have held for at least a month.

“Typically, capturing a castle of this size with about 3,000 men would take at least a month, if not two, right?”

This time, the Count responded,

“That’s true. Without your strategy, we probably wouldn’t have captured the castle by now.”

“So, Baron Maurer and Count Grunwald must be marching quickly, thinking that Villa Hora is still holding out. They’re coming to rescue Baron Castor and to overwhelm us.”

A defensive battle typically involves holding out until allied forces arrive, then jointly attacking the enemy.

“That makes sense. So, what then?”

“Count Grunwald is marching across the plains with 4,000 troops, making it difficult to effectively delay them with a small force through surprise attacks.”

Marching through a plain means we can’t easily hide a small force, making it challenging to wear down the enemy through hit-and-run tactics.

“Conversely, the terrain along Baron Maurer’s route is filled with mountains and dense forests, ideal for ambushes. Plus, they are hurrying under orders to assist this castle, so by the time our Whitebeard Mercenary Group encounters Maurer’s forces, they will likely be exhausted from the long march.”

Facing an enemy force more than three times our size on the plains is madness, but a surprise attack on tired troops can lead to a significant victory.

‘Especially with a sudden ambush, they won’t be able to respond effectively.’

“Your point is valid. If you manage to tie down Baron Maurer’s forces, we’ll only need to defend against about 4,000 troops with our 1,900 men. It’s much better than facing 6,000 with 2,500. Alright, let’s do it.”

After achieving what I wanted, I smiled.

“Thank you.”

“Alright, now let’s discuss how to repair the castle’s defensive structures.”

On the way back from the meeting, Dalton grabbed me by the collar.

“I’ve always said you could do as you please if you had a strategy in mind, but this is fucking dangerous, isn’t it? 600 against 2,000?”

Instead of apologizing, I confidently met Dalton’s gaze and replied,

“As I said in the meeting room to Count Kanosa, it’s a strategy with a viable chance of success. And have you forgotten?”

“What?”

“Didn’t I mention that showing how much trouble the Rheinfalz folks would be in without the Whitebeard Mercenary Group on their side increases our chances of becoming nobles of ‘Rheinfalz’?”

Dalton was momentarily speechless at that.

“Simply eliminating Hilde Bauman with my strategy and proving our mercenary group can do more than its share in Soelden isn’t enough. Do you think that’s sufficient for the high-ranking officials of the Rheinfalz Empire to offer the captain a ‘title and vast lands’ just to have us join their side?”

If Dalton leads the Whitebeard Mercenaries to join a faction in the civil war and wins, he’ll easily secure a position as a senior knight.

But they won’t be persuaded to offer a title as high as “Baron” just for that.

“On the other hand, if we, a mere 500-strong mercenary group, independently defeat an army of over 2,000, they’ll think this: if Dalton von Prime becomes our enemy instead of our ally, we’ll suffer tremendous losses. So, we must bring the Whitebeard Mercenary Group to our side, even if it means offering a title. Because…”

I intentionally paused, causing Vice-Captain Heintz and the other captains to swallow hard.

“If he commands a thousand troops, he can achieve the impact of four thousand.”

‘Dalton receiving a baron’s title would be my cue to strike out on my own, leveraging my reputation, but the captain has other ideas.’

“When Captain Dalton receives such recognition and becomes a baron, you, Vice-Captain Heintz, and the other captains will be awarded the title of senior knight. Isn’t it better to be a noble with honor and power than to merely scrape by in some rural village or small town?”

At that, everyone nodded in agreement.

“And from what Count Kanosa showed us on the map, it’s not just about delaying them; we might even be able to annihilate them with our own forces. Let’s give it a proper go.”

Then, our mercenary group, reinforced with the 100 soldiers and 15 mages granted by Count Kanosa, advanced towards the enemy’s location.

‘Let’s achieve a feat here that will earn Hilde’s recognition and make her mine.’