Episode 79: Ambush

　The 300 troops led by Siegfried von Kreving immediately prepared to depart and began their advance toward Forssa Fort.

　Though the path through the mountains was rugged, the soldiers had undergone training for mountain marches in preparation for such situations.

　This was the result of Beatrice’s diligent efforts in training the Kreving family’s soldiers while Siegfried von Kreving was attending the officers’ academy.

　For them, advancing along the mountain path was hardly a hardship.

　The group proceeded as planned, closing in on a spot just a short distance from Forssa Fort by evening.

　This location was densely wooded, so there was little worry of being spotted by the enemy.

　However, beyond this point lay an open path with exposed rock faces.

　The plan was to wait here until nightfall and launch the assault under the cover of darkness.

“Tonight’s going to be busy. Rest now, and those who can sleep should do so. Taking rest when it’s time to rest is also a soldier’s duty.”

　Siegfried von Kreving issued those orders, commanding the soldiers to take a break.

　In theory, the chances of the enemy discovering this location were infinitesimally low.

　Sentries had been posted around the area, and in the unlikely event of an enemy approach, they should be able to intercept them.

　–He knew that, but even so.

“He tells us to sleep, but… come on, seriously…”

　One of the soldiers muttered that.

　Indeed, they had built up their stamina and skills through training. However, they still lacked real combat experience.

　In this situation, with the enemy’s fort right nearby, they didn’t have the nerve to sleep calmly.

　And above all, in just a few hours, a battle where their lives were on the line would begin–with that thought, there was no way they could sleep.

　The soldiers exchanged glances, wondering what to do.

　That’s when it happened.

“All right then.”

　With a casual voice, someone spread a cloth on the ground and flopped down–it was Dominik, the infantry deputy captain.

“Well, as per the captain’s orders… guess I’ll catch some shut-eye.”

　He said that, closed his eyes, and in no time, began to breathe steadily in sleep.

“Deputy Captain Dominik… is he seriously asleep?”

　Seeing him look as relaxed as if he were napping at home, the soldiers wore dumbfounded expressions.

　Before long–.

“…Ah, whatever. I’m sleeping too.”

　One soldier muttered softly and lay down.

　Watching Dominik sleep so leisurely made their own fear and tension toward the enemy seem foolish.

　Following suit, another one… and then another, the soldiers one by one entrusted their bodies to the ground.

(…Good.)

　Dominik, who had been feigning sleep with his eyes closed, let out a quiet sigh of relief in his heart. –Things were going according to plan.

　Of course, it wasn’t as if Dominik felt no fear.

　But if Siegfried von Kreving said “sleep,” then he believed it was a necessary action.

　In that case, he should demonstrate it himself and put the soldiers at ease.

　He couldn’t be like Beatrice, who excelled in swordsmanship, or the brave Leon.

　Still, he had been given the position of infantry deputy captain–because there was a role that only a cowardly, ordinary person like him could fulfill.

　By thinking that way, Dominik found his own meaning in being the infantry deputy captain.

(…Right, Siegfried von Kreving?)

 

◇

 

　While the soldiers rested and fell asleep, the sun set, and eventually, dusk arrived.

　But the world wasn’t yet enveloped in complete darkness.

　The lingering light faintly illuminated the surroundings, making nearby terrain visible.

　Though the immediate area was discernible, it was difficult to spot them from afar–in that dim twilight, Siegfried von Kreving and his men quietly began to move.

　They emerged from the forest and advanced along the path with exposed rock faces. The destination, Forssa Fort, was less than 30 minutes away.

“…So far, so good.”

　Leon, walking beside Siegfried von Kreving, whispered in a low voice. Since it was a mountain path, everyone was moving on foot.

“Up ahead, we should come to a somewhat open area, right?”

　In addition to observations from afar, Leon mulled over the information obtained from local merchants familiar with the region.

　Currently, they were advancing along a steep slope, but soon the view should open up, leading to a flat area.

“And beside that open area, there’s a sheer cliff…”

　Perhaps due to ancient tectonic shifts, a terraced cliff loomed overlooking the flat ground. Beyond that lay Forssa Fort.

“…Kinda feels like a bad spot. If we got targeted with bows from up on the cliff, it’d be real trouble.”

　The cliff’s height was about 3 meters at its lowest point. It was perfect for looking down, an ideal terrain for shooting arrows from above.

　If they were ambushed there, total annihilation was possible.

“Indeed. If we were targeted, it’d be a disaster. –But do you really think that would happen?”

　Siegfried von Kreving smiled lightly.

“…Nah, probably not.”

　Stationing soldiers constantly at a point where enemy arrival was uncertain would be utterly inefficient.

　The idea of ambushers on the cliff was nothing more than needless worry–that was the sensible judgment.

 

◇

 

“…Captain Suneiras. The enemy forces are approaching the firing position. They’ll be in range soon.”

　Ahead of where Siegfried von Kreving and his men were advancing–on the cliff overlooking the open flat ground. There, shadows stirred.

　Their number, about 300. Blending into the night’s darkness, they kept their eyes sharp, holding their breath as they lay in wait for their prey.

“I see, just as the intel said… Heh heh.”

　The one who spoke was a man belonging to the Serodonia army, leading 300 soldiers… Suneiras.

　His large eyes and long, narrow face somehow evoked a reptile.

　If Almants was a frog, then Suneiras was truly like a snake.

“All right, you lot… prepare to fire.”

““Yes, sir.””

　The 300 soldiers readied their bows and nocked arrows. Their aim was directed at–the flat ground below the cliff.

　Once Siegfried von Kreving’s group reached that spot, a volley would be unleashed immediately.

“Listen up, wait for my signal. If anyone fires prematurely… I’ll kill you.”

　Suneiras reiterated the warning in a chilling tone.

　This volley had to be executed only after the enemy fully reached the target area; otherwise, it would be meaningless.

　Firing too soon would allow obstacles to block it, letting most of the enemy escape.

“Heh heh…”

　Suneiras unconsciously licked his lips with his long, thin tongue. The motion was exactly like a snake eyeing its prey.

(They probably have no idea that we’re from the Serodonia army, waiting right here for them.)

　Yes–Suneiras and his men were in a perfect ambush position, targeting Siegfried von Kreving’s unit.

　Such a setup would be impossible without prior knowledge of the opponent’s movements. And the reason it was possible was just one thing.

(Heh heh… They don’t know, do they? That Bertram, the commander of the Kirchhen Kingdom’s Eastern Front Army, has secretly allied with us in the Serodonia Kingdom army.)

　Bertram was in covert communication with the Serodonia Kingdom army. In other words, collusion with the enemy.

　The reason no large-scale battles had occurred between the two armies until now was because a non-aggression pact had been secretly agreed upon behind the scenes.

　Only a limited number knew this information: the commander and his close aides, and those like Suneiras who had been given special roles.

　That said, Suneiras was merely a field commander. He hadn’t been informed of the detailed reasons why Bertram was colluding.

　But to him, such matters were irrelevant.

　What mattered was–the thrill of taking down prey through his own command.

“If you know your prey’s movements, taking them out is a piece of cake…”

　The words muttered by Suneiras carried… an emotion of delight.

　Luring the enemy into a trap and slaughtering them without giving them a chance to fight back. Such one-sided devastation was the ultimate pleasure for Suneiras.

　Watching helpless prey being trampled–one could say he stood on the battlefield as a commander in the Serodonia army just to witness that sight.

(Come on, come… just a little more, almost there…)

　With his heart pounding in excitement and joy, Suneiras took aim.

　The silver-haired youth leading the enemy forces–Siegfried von Kreving–was just about to step into the firing zone.

　–It was at that very moment.

　–A sharp sound sliced through the air.

　A keen noise grazed his ears. It was the sound of arrows flying.

(Idiot…! Who jumped the gun!?)

　Suneiras immediately assumed one of his allies had fired prematurely in impatience.

　But the next instant, that assumption was overturned.

　The sound cutting through the wind wasn’t just one. Two, three–no, more than that. Countless arrows tore through the sky, and in the next moment, screams echoed out.

“Gyaaaaah!”

“Guaaaah…!”

　The sources of the screams were none other than Suneiras’s own subordinates.

“Wha!?”

　Even as Suneiras let out a voice of shock, soldiers continued to fall to the ground one after another, struck by arrows.

　Arrows were deeply embedded in their bodies.

(I-Impossible!?)

　These weren’t arrows fired by Siegfried von Kreving and his men. The opponents hadn’t made any such movements.

　(Then… from the opposite side!?)

　Suneiras instantly directed his gaze upward–to the higher levels of the terraced cliffs, even further above.

　Multiple shadows, nearly melting into the night darkness, were faintly revealed by the moonlight.

　They held bows, with gray hair fluttering. And what was most distinctive–were their ears, reminiscent of wolves.

“B-Beastmen…!?”