Rebirth in a Ruined Nation! The Life of a New Strategist Starting From Now - Chapter 52

The New Knights’ Welcoming Ceremony, The Mock Battle (1) – How Did Things Become Like This? 

“How did things become like this…” 

Today was the day of the mock battle between the 10th and 6th Divisions, in which the new knights would fight on the front lines. 

The mock battle would take place on a training ground near the capital. It was a flat area with no distinguishing features, save for a man-made hill where the two sides’ military camps were established.

The 10th Division, led by Rays-sama, was on the east side, with their backs facing the capital. 

In contrast, the 6th Division on the west side was led by me, Roa. 

The battle was scheduled to begin at noon, so there was still time. 

I, alongside the captains of the 6th Division, Diku, Luzel, Frein, as well as the two court officials Nelfia and Sazabi, were gathered in the camp. 

In this mock battle, I became the temporary commander of the 6th Division… 

The seat of the Commander of the 6th Division was currently vacant. Wickharlt, the former commander, ended up as my subordinate, but Wickarlt was adamant that he wasn’t going to participate in the mock battle. He also didn’t watch the mock battle due to the obvious repercussions of his presence. 

Normally, a temporary commander for the mock battle would be chosen from among the 6th Division captains, but the veteran captains of the 6th Division, including Scuderia-san and other captains who had been active since the previous commander’s era, had all been demoted or were currently under house arrest. 

After all, these veteran captains had put the entire 6th Division in danger for their own gain. As a result, these veteran captains declined the role of temporary commander. 

What about the young knights who opposed the surprise attack strategy at Hakusha? Because their opponent would be the famed Rays Stein, they all declined to be the temporary commander, claiming “I can’t disgrace the 6th Division by showing a sloppy battle in front of Rays-sama.” In short, they were terrified of Rays-sama. Raimaru-san, the leader of the young knights, was already dead, and it appeared that Raimaru-san’s void was quite big. 

The current 6th Division was in shambles. Perhaps it was a good thing that they were now tasked with constructing the road. I didn’t think they were in good enough shape to fight on the front lines. 

Long story short, the 6th Division struggled to choose a temporary commander from among themselves. 

Unexpectedly, Rays-sama said, “Then you can just become the temporary commander, Roa. The knights of the 6th Division must have a lot of faith in you after the battle at Hakusha Plain.” 

Of course, I declined. I told Rays-sama that Grantz-sama and Lapilia-sama were better qualified for the job than me. 

But Grantz-sama refused indirectly, stating, “I, who have dedicated my sword to Rays-sama, can’t point my sword towards him, even if it’s only a mock battle.” 

Lapilia-sama responded, “Of course, me too.”

Before Grantz-sama expressed his refusal, I was pretty sure Lapilia-sama looked excited at the prospect of being a temporary commander! 

Rays-sama eventually kind of forced me to become the temporary commander. All of this happened three days ago. 

Rays-sama also said, “I guess it will be difficult for you to suddenly lead the 6th Division, so I will send some units to you,” then dispatched the Luzel and Frein units to our side. 

Diku was my subordinate, so he would naturally stay with me, but Nelfia and Sazabi were court officials, so they shouldn’t have participated in the mock combat, but they did. 

The reason for this was the conversation we had at the Tranza Inn’s celebratory party for the launch day. 

“I’d also like to watch the mock battle up close, so can I join you at your side, Roa-sama?” Nelfia said at the lively table. 

Without hesitation, I said, “Sure.” 

At that time, I had no idea I’d end up as the temporary commander of the 6th Division. I was only going to be a spectator, so I readily agreed to Nelfia’s request. 

But, once it was decided that I would be the temporary commander, I informed Nelfia and Sazabi of the situation, and they both responded with, “Oh, okay. No problem.” 

“No problem? It’s dangerous for a court official to take part in a battle, even if it’s a mock battle!”

I knew this better than anyone since I was a former court official who had participated in a real war. I was concerned for their safety, but my words had little effect on the two of them. 

“But it’s pretty common for a King’s secretary to go to the battlefield. I may not look like it but I’m an excellent archer. Sazabi’s spearmanship is also superior to your average soldier.” 

Whoah. Being the King’s secretary was a demanding job. 

While I was convinced that I would not be able to become the King’s secretary, Nelfia and Sazabi insisted, and they, too, ended up participating in the mock battle. 

That’s how the current group of people came to be. I was about to inform everyone about my strategy after everyone had done introducing themselves when one of the few 6th Division senior captains who participated in this mock raised his hand. 

“We troubled you in the Hakusha Plain, and now we’ve burdened you with this duty. Please accept our sincere apologies, Roa-sama.”

The veteran captain bowed his head, and the other captains followed suit. 

“Please, raise your head!” I said, flustered, but they all kept bowing their heads. 

After that, I didn’t say anything else. 

I just couldn’t think of anything to say. 

Wickharlt was a sensitive topic, so I didn’t want to talk about him, but I also think that saying Rays-sama forced me was wrong

The camp went silent for a moment. 

As the captains kept bowing their heads to me, I thought for a moment then said, “I can’t say we’ll win… But I will do my best so that we can win.” 

The captains raised their heads and laughed after I stated that. 

T/N: Even before Roa was chosen to be the temporary commander, he planned to participate in the mock battle, but he’s probably planning to just stay in the camp and watch the battle. That’s why Roa said ‘as a spectator’ in this chapter.