Rebirth in a Ruined Nation! The Life of a New Strategist Starting From Now - Chapter 58

The New Knights’ Welcoming Ceremony, The Mock Battle (7) – My Brigade

T/N: To distinguish between unit led by captains like Luzel and Frein and the ‘big unit’ led by Lapilia and Grantz, I changed Grantz’s unit and Lapilia’s unit to Grantz Brigade and Lapilia Brigade I’ll also change words such as Luzel’s unit to Luzel Unit, Frein’s unit to Frein Unit, and so on. Anyway, I just finished my midterm. I’ll make up the chapter I missed starting from next week, or more like, tomorrow. Tomorrow is Monday here.

***

When several of the ten units needed to work together, like in the mock battle, they would be led by either Grantz-sama or Lapilia-sama, forming the ‘Grantz Brigade’ or ‘Lapilia Brigade.’

These two brigades would likewise be deployed on a mission that didn’t need Rays-sama’s presence.

The two brigades were important parts of the 10th Division and now Rays-sama offered me to be the leader of the third brigade.

Although I was flattered by the offer, I didn’t believe I could lead the third brigade. Or, more precisely, I believe the brigade system worked because Lapilia-sama and Grantz-sama were leading them.

Leading a brigade meant you could lead the 10th Division in Rays-sama’s stead. It was a duty that required complete faith from the captains and other knights.

“I’ll be blunt, Sir. I don’t think the captains trusted me enough to let me lead them,” I said honestly.

“You think so?” Rays-sama inquired in a nonchalant tone.

“Yes, I believe so,” I said firmly.

Rays-sama then turned to Grantz-sama and Lapilia-sama and asked, “What do you both think?”

“I believe that forming another brigade for him would yield an interesting result. Despite his self-sacrificing nature, Roa showed exceptional insight in the Eren Village, and with his strategy and bold judgment, Roa also accomplished a great result in Hakusha. In the mock battle, he also demonstrated that he had no problem… skilled, even, at controlling many soldiers. He is skilled enough,” Grantz-sama said as he showered me with compliments.

“Although he’s no match for Rays-sama, Grantz-sama, or me, I believe he’s better at leading an army than a captain. But, Roa, don’t get too carried away,” Lapilia-sama cautioned.

“But…”

“For now, you can just ask the captains you want to put in your brigade if they are willing. Of course, except for Bekrad, Harth, Sarg, and Juno.”

A brigade has two units that are always theirs. The other six units would be assigned to either of the two brigades as needed. The Grantz Brigade has the Bekrad and Harth Units, whereas the Lapilia Brigade has Sarg and Juno Units.

If I formed my brigade, I would have to choose two of the remaining six units to join me. I already knew who I was going to ask, and I was sure Rays-sama did as well, but he still ordered me to ask them…

…Wait, don’t tell me he’s been planning this for a long time and that was why he put Luzel and Frein Units under my command for the mock battle!? How far has this person planned?

I realized how amazing the General named Rays Stein was for the first time.

***

“Join your brigade? Sure.” (Frein)

“I’m also fine with it.” (Luzel)

I went to where I had been drinking after leaving the tent and asked Luzel and Frein to join my brigade, and they both accepted.

They agreed so easily that I was taken aback.

“Really? I mean, it’s me, you know? I‘ll be leading the brigade! You’re fine with that?”

“Yeah. I figured this might happen when Rays-sama told us to join your side of the army,” Frein said while eating his meat

“You know, units that belong to a brigade are basically fixed and I’ve always admired them a bit,” stated Luzel.

“If you’re okay with joining my brigade, Rays-sama told me to bring you two with me….”

“Then let’s go.” (Frein)

“Are you both really okay with this? I mean, it’s going to be me leading the brigade, you know?” (Roa)

When I questioned them again, they both exchanged glances before turning toward me, smirking. 

“And? What’s wrong with that? With us and the Blue Bow, Wickharlt, I think we’ll be a pretty strong brigade.” (Luzel)

I think… I might cry…

***

And we were now back in the camp.

“All right. With this, I formally announce the formation of the Roa Brigade.”

“Thank you very much!” We all bowed at the same time.

Luzel then raised his hand and said, “May I?”

“What is it?” (Rays)

“I have no objection to being a member of the Roa Brigade, but my unit is the 10th Division’s only cavalry unit. What will happen to my unit’s position as an advance guard now that I am a member of the Roa Brigade?”

“About that, I’m planning to increase the cavalry that we have, that’s also why I called you two.”

“Increasing our cavalry?”

“Yeah. We have too few cavalry, so I think now would be a perfect time to add some.”

According to Rays-sama’s explanation, the 10th Division had fewer cavalry than other divisions because of its brief history.

Rays-sama essentially created the 10th Division. Because it was founded so recently in comparison to other divisions, the 10th Division has prioritized the easier-to-train infantry. Rays-sama told us that now that the 10th Division had enough infantry, there was a plan to train additional cavalry, but because the existing balance of cavalry and infantry in the 10th Division was strong enough, that plan had been postponed.

“But in the future, there may be a battle where we need more mobility, like the battle in Hakusha before, so we can’t continue to rely solely on the Luzel Unit. That’s why, Frein,”

“Yes?”

“I want to make your unit into a cavalry unit, but what do you think?”

“My unit!? Into a cavalry unit?? Yes! Yes! Please do so!!” Frein, he was really excited. Well, he loves horses after all.

“Good. Then I’ll convert Frein Unit and one other unit into cavalry units,” Rays-sama replied, pleased.

“But that mean the Roa Brigade will be a cavalry?” (Roa)

“That’s right. Do you have any problem with that? I believe a cavalry would better fit your combat style.” (Rays)

“No, it’s not a problem, it’s just…I feel like we’ve just been given a huge responsibility…”(Roa)

“You ARE being given a huge responsibility. You and the rest of the Roa Brigade will be the most agile soldiers in the 10th Division, so be prepared!”

“Yes, sir!”