The Tale of the Nation That Banished the Saint - Chapter 13

Episode 13: Skirmish

We are in the eastern town of Alderan’s territory, conducting supplies.

On the way here, we saw Zopondort’s forces besieging Count Alderan’s mansion. The number is indeed around a thousand, as reported.

We circumvented the enemy and made it to this town since there was still time before the diversion attack arranged by the mercenary guild began.

The atmosphere in the town is tense.

Although the full-scale war has not yet begun, troops from other territories have infiltrated and besieged the lord’s mansion. People cannot remain calm in such circumstances.

There are few people in the streets.

In the midst of this, there are about twenty knights riding horses.

If there were enemy scouts among them, our presence would be suspicious and likely reported.

No—sending scouts here wouldn’t make sense—

The enemy has already passed through this town.

There might be troops coming for supplies, but if they do, we’ll either scatter them, hide, or flee, depending on the situation.

It’s best not to be detected by the enemy, but complete stealth is impossible.

If we encounter enemy soldiers, we’ll deal with it when it happens. Anyway, I don’t have meticulous tactics.

Since we’ve come all the way to the town, I arranged for supplies from the Sizers Trading Company, which I’m familiar with.

Since we didn’t bring a supply convoy for speed, we’ll procure locally.

Not only the Sizers Trading Company but also other merchants in this town seem to have been requested for supplies by Zopondort’s advance party.

However, payment hasn’t been made; it’s a free provision.

The merchants had no choice but to accept it.

Therefore, they want us to drive them away quickly.

They won’t betray us.

I met with members of the Information Guild and the Assassination Guild.

Assassinating the enemy general seems impossible, but we can gather information.

The force besieging the enemy consists of about two hundred troops, with the remaining eight hundred deployed in front of the mansion.

Is eight hundred too many for an assault?

If we can reduce their numbers with the diversion by the mercenary force—

Just as I was thinking that, a report came in.

There’s movement in the enemy army.

The mercenary unit arranged in the western town has attacked the besieging enemy as planned and immediately retreated. In response, three hundred enemy troops are engaging in interception and then pursuing.

Furthermore, two hundred troops are moving from the street, starting to move west in a different direction.

It seems they intend to surround and annihilate the fleeing mercenary unit.

Now, what should we do next?

I don’t have the ability to read the enemy’s movements or thoughts.

I used the mercenary force to disperse the enemy, but there’s a possibility they won’t take the bait and move.

In that case, I planned to respond according to the situation.

I’ll observe how the enemy moves and then decide our course of action.

Seize the initiative.

That’s my policy.

And the enemy moved.

Conveniently for us, they dispersed nicely.

Now, how will we fight?

The way to fight is already decided.

All my cavalry can do is charge.

The problem is where to strike…

“Where is the enemy general?”

“There was a flag with the two hundred troops advancing on the street.”

“Good!”

“…Are you planning something reckless again?”

Lieutenant Lisetine, the captain of the guard, looks at us with a look of disbelief.

“Well, don’t say that. It wouldn’t hurt to settle things quickly, right?”

I ordered the guards to prepare for battle.

The enemy force consists of a mixed infantry and cavalry unit.

We’ll catch up soon.

We’ve had enough rest.

Our weapons are ready, and we can depart at any time.

I lead the entire army and head straight for the enemy general.

After about twenty minutes of riding, we can see the rear of the enemy forces on the move.

The enemy on the street hasn’t noticed us yet.

We, with lances ready for cavalry, charge from behind the enemy.

The screams of the enemy and the sound of our horses scattering them echo on the battlefield.

Amidst the chaos, I spot wagons carrying lances.

Were they prepared to fight against cavalry?

However, in this chaotic situation during the march, they don’t have time to set up spear walls for defense.

While scattering the defenseless enemy troops with our horses, I aim my lance at the mounted enemies, targeting them for a charge.

Enemies struck by the lance are thrown off their horses.

To maintain our speed, rather than piercing enemies with full force, I disrupt their balance to make them fall off their horses.

Even amidst the chaos, enemies begin to attack sporadically with spears, swords, and bows and arrows, but I deflect them with my shield.

I then knock back squadron leaders riding horses with my lance.

When the momentum of our cavalry diminishes, the surrounding enemies panic with fear and begin to scatter and flee.

The confusion spreads to the forefront of the enemy army.

After taking a breather, we can launch another assault and annihilate the enemy army.

“You scoundrels! Fight me fairly!”

Even among the enemy troops, a knight with a particularly large physique charges while shouting.

He’s probably the commander of this unit.

While scattering the enemy foot soldiers with my horse, I prepare my lance and charge towards the enemy targeting me.

I also adjust my lance, aiming for the enemy.

Our lances head straight towards each other—

*Clang!*

A loud collision echoes on the battlefield as metal clashes.

I deflect the enemy’s lance with my shield—

My lance knocks away the enemy’s shield.

I didn’t manage to defeat the enemy commander with a single blow, but it’s not a problem.

Lisetine, who had been following behind me like a shadow, thrusts her lance into the chest of the enemy commander, whose posture has been greatly disrupted.

The guards who had charged along with us proceed to slaughter the enemy soldiers.

Thus—

The enemy army, taken by surprise.