Rebirth in a Ruined Nation! The Life of a New Strategist Starting From Now - Chapter 56

The New Knights’ Welcoming Ceremony, The Mock Battle (5) – Rays’s Sword

Because Grantz-sama’s army moved to the south, a new path directly to Ryas-sama’s camp was opened.

There were 500 knights from my side going to Ryas-sama’s camp, but there were only 300 soldiers in Rays-sama’s camp, and both Lapilia-sama and Grantz-sama were tied down, so they couldn’t help.

If this continues, we have a strong chance of winning this mock battle.

Of course, it wouldn’t be that simple.

The vertical formation formed by the knights of the 6th Division was broken through from the rear by Lapilia-sama’s attack.

She had just been fighting with Luzel and Frein’s units in the north, but now she was already at the center, and her army appeared to be in good shape. Incredible.

Only our side’s 100 cavalry, who were in the front ranks were not disrupted by Lapilia-sama’s attack. They just looked back for a split second before continuing on their way to Rays-sama’s camp.

Lapilia-sama paid no heed to the cavalry that managed to get past her. She instead attacked the rear of the soldiers who were fighting Grantz-sama.

The unexpected onslaught from behind shook the soldiers. Grantz-sama took advantage of the opportunity to go on the offensive. A furious battle erupted in the center in an instant.

The Lapilia-sama movement stood out in the heated battle.

The dance of the Warrior Princess.

I’d read many books that utilized that terminology to describe Lapilia-sama’s movement on the battlefield, but this was the first time I witnessed it with my own eyes. It made me feel goosebumps.

Soon after, our central side was driven back. With this, only the 100 cavalry would fight against Rays-sama’s 300 soldiers.

The battle abruptly shifted against us.

The knights in Rays-sama’s camp then began to move.

I glanced towards Rays-sama’s camp, desperately praying in my heart.

Rays-sama dispatched 200…no, maybe 250 knights to face our 100 cavalry. So he left the bare minimum of 50 people to protect his camp and sent the remainder to crush our cavalry. 

I ignored the chaotic battle in the center and concentrated my attention on the 250 knights approaching our cavalry.

Those 250 knights would soon meet with our cavalry in combat.

Our cavalry moved at a leisurely pace. Slow, as though expecting something.

Just when the 250 knights and our cavalry were about to collide…I noticed them.

“We won!!!”

I yelled.

It was because I saw a group of knights in the north charging toward Rays-sama.

That group of knights was Luzel and Frein’s units.

I intended to use the two units as my trump card from the start.

Creating a path to Rays-sama’s camp, and dispatching Fogord-san, everything was done for the sake of the Luzel and Frein units. I utilized the rest of the soldiers as decoys to get Lapilia-sama to relax her guard toward the two units. 

Both the Luzel and Frein units were not exactly in perfect shape, with less than 150 people remaining. After all, they were just fighting against that Lapilia-sama. But this was enough because Rays-sama’s camp only had 50 soldiers.

However, the battlefield altered abruptly once more.

The 250 knights who were about to clash with our cavalry abruptly changed course and charged the Luzel and Frein units.

What!? How!? I didn’t see Rays-sama give them any kind of instruction, so how did they know!?

I wasn’t the only one who was surprised.

Our cavalry was similarly taken aback, and they came to a halt for a moment. Grantz-sama saw this as an opportunity and sent soldiers their way. As a result, our cavalry was annihilated.

The Luzel and Frein units were isolated, while the center remained chaotic.

Meanwhile, in the middle of the chaos, I noticed Lapilia-sama leading her army toward our camp.

***

“Damn it! We were so close!” (Frein)

“Yeah, I thought we’d win as well.” (Luzel) 

Luzel agreed with the irritated Frein.

Following the end of the mock battle, a drinking party was conducted on the practice ground.

We lost. Just like Frein, at first, I thought we were close to winning.

But, after giving it some thought, I realized that I made a critical mistake that cost us the battle, but I couldn’t pinpoint what it was.

“It’s all because of our incompetence, my apologies,” Fogord-san replied, bowing his head toward me.

“Please don’t apologize. It must be upsetting to be used as a decoy, but you did an excellent job. It was my fault that we lost…I apologize.”

“No, you have nothing to apologize for. If only we were a little quicker…”

“No, I should have planned everything better…”

As a result, a back-and-forth argument about who was to blame for our loss followed. 

“There’s no need for you two to blame yourselves, Roa-sama and Fogord-dono. It was a great battle,” Nelfia chimed in during our ‘apology’ exchange.

“That’s right. Given that the 6th Division is still in the middle of being rebuilt and that this is also the first time Roa-sama has led the 6th Division, I think you all put up a great fight,” Sazabi continued.

While we were drinking and talking, a familiar messenger approached me.

“Rays-sama has summoned you. Can you come?”

I stood up after exchanging glances with others around me. Following that, I went to Rays-sama.