Rebirth in a Ruined Nation! The Life of a New Strategist Starting From Now - Chapter 57

The New Knights’ Welcoming Ceremony, The Mock Battle (6) – Rays Stein’s Strategy

“First, good work. Just sit down and relax.” (Rays) 

As I entered the camp Rays-sama used in the mock battle, he greeted me with those words.

“Yes, Thank you,” I said as I sat down.

Rays-sama began questioning me the moment I sat down.

“I have a few questions for you. First, the sasars you used. What were they exactly?”

He inquired about the sasars, as I expected.

“It’s a weapon known as a pike. Pike is a regular spear with a longer handle, but because I didn’t have time to prepare an actual spear, I used sasar as a substitute.”

I made the speartip by stuffing leaves and branches into the sasar’s tip, but after the battle ended, most of the leaves and branches had fallen off, so maybe I should have used something else.

“Pike…Which nation’s weapon is it?”

“It’s a weapon used in a country located beyond the southern continent. Ordinary civilians are often drafted to fight in that country.”

“So a civilian was made to fight on the front lines…”

“Yes. Normal civilians will be afraid to go on the frontlines, so that country invented the pike to alleviate civilian fear by keeping them as far away from the heat of battle as possible, while also being a weapon that is effective on the battlefield with just simple movement so that normal civilians can use them.”

“I see. That makes perfect sense. If that’s the case, I suppose the pike would be hard to utilize in our division…”

“I can’t say much because I used a substitute this time, but it appears that simply hitting it from above consumes a significant amount of stamina. Furthermore, the pike is large and bulky, making it unsuited for the 10th Division, which moves from place to place in battle.”

“Right…but what if we put them to use in the fortress? Isn’t there a chance they could be used for something?”

“It might be worth a shot, but I’m not sure they’ll be useful…”

“How about you try talking to Drew? She might have some interesting ideas.”

Rays-sama was thinking about the practical application of the pike. This had to be how he dealt with all the bizarre things Drew invented. I must imitate his demeanor.

Rays-sama was buried in his thoughts for a time, but he soon came around.

“That’s all I’d like to know about the weapon. Now I’d like to ask about the previous battle. How did you make the straight path to my camp?”

“Regarding that…”

I mentioned Grants-sama’s habit. I mean, it wasn’t like it was something I needed to hide. Mr. Grants heard my explanation and smiled wryly, “To think I have that kind of habit…how embarrassing.”

“In the end, Lapilia-sama can move freely because of your habit, so it’s not that bad…”

“Still, thank you for informing me. I’ll remember that the next time I go into battle.”

Rays-sama, on the other hand, nodded and stated repeatedly, “I see.”

“You even noticed something like that!?” exclaimed the surprised Lapilia-sama.

Part of the reason I noticed Grantz-sama’s habit was because he was a member of the 10th Division.

The 10th Division was so extraordinary that every fight in which they took part became a hot topic among the general public. Aside from the official record, several books and anecdotes concerning the 10th Division circulated among the general people. With so much information about the 10th Division available, it was only natural that I began to notice the habit and pattern of the 10th Division’s movement in battle.

Lapilia-sama appeared even more surprised after hearing my explanation.

“I see. I’ll also be more cautious in the future. Now, I want to ask you another question.”

“Yes?”

“Why did you send all of your soldiers to attack my camp?”

“Why…? Well, I know Lapilia-sama and Grantz-sama will disrupt my plan, so I decided to try to gain as much advantage as possible by sending all of my soldiers…”

“I understand your reasoning, but you should leave some soldiers in your camp to protect you, the commander. You, of all people, should know this, don’t you?”

He wasn’t wrong, but…

“Let me guess. You think it’s okay even if anything happens to you because you’re just a temporary commander, right?” 

“Urgh.”

Bullseye. 

“Roa. I’ve always thought this since your reckless rescue plan in Hakusha. Your major flaw is your severely low self-esteem. If what you did in Hakusha Plain was motivated by your belief in your chances of success and your courage, I applaud you. But that’s not the case for you, is it? Didn’t you also think of sacrificing yourself at that time?”

“…I did.”

“Your life is not as light as you believe. Many people have high hopes for you. Think objectively about your worth when leading an army from now on.”

“…Yes, sir. I understand. Rays-sama, may I also ask you a question?”

“Sure.”

“How far have you read into my strategy? Was everything I did in the mock battle go exactly as you predicted?”

Rays-sama was taken aback for a time by my question, then he smiled bitterly and said, “Roa, I’m not a god.”

He turned his gaze to Lapilia-sama after saying that. He was probably telling Lapilia-sama to explain.

“He only said one thing to us. Roa’s trump card will undoubtedly be the Luzel and Frein units so be careful of the two units’ movement.” Lapilia-sama answered.

“Huh? That’s all?”

“Yeah. That’s why, after reducing their number slightly, I let the two units go. When I noticed the two units were moving, I instantly changed my destination to your camp.”

“What made you think I’d use the two units as my trump card?”

“It’s natural for you to rely on the two units you’re familiar with rather than the 6th Division knights you’re unfamiliar with.” 

Rays-sama was the one who answered my question this time.

“…Wait, does that mean that sending the two units to me was a trap?”

“Yeah. In other words, you’re battling me after ingesting the ‘poison’ I gave you. Of course, Luzel and Frein were unaware of this. I just told Lapilia and Grantz that no matter what strategy you use, the two units will be the focal point of your strategy.”

…I couldn’t compete with him. To think that the winner and loser were already determined before the battle even began.

“…But what if I intended to use the two units defensively rather than offensively?”

“I judged you to be the type of commander who likes to move after what you did in Hakusha Plain. Despite possessing two powerful trump cards, the chances of you holing up in your camp are nearly zero.”

“You even thought that far…It’s a total defeat for me. As expected of you, Rays-sama.”

“Still, you showed me something interesting. It was a great battle.”

“Thank you.”

Our discussion was about to come to a close on a good note when Lapilia-sama interrupted, stating, “You’re 100 years too early to defeat Rays-sama!”

I choose to ignore her. But she stood out and kicked my leg. That hurts!

“Lapilia-sama! You’re awful!”

“Shut up!”

When Rays-sama and Grantz-sama saw the dialogue between Lapilia-sama and me, they burst out laughing. Rays-sama’s expression changed to serious when Lapilia-sama returned to her seat.

“Let’s get to the main topic.”

“Main topic?”

Wasn’t the main topic the mock battle?

“I’m thinking of forming your brigade, Roa, but what do you think?”

Wait, what!?

T/N: I messed up with the chapter’s title in the previous chapter. Sorry!