Chapter 163: Let’s Be a Hero a Little More (2)
“So, the current situation is everything that’s been mentioned here. In order to capture the fortress and conclude this with the Kingdom Army’s victory, we need a proper plan. Let’s discuss this. First, here’s the plan I’ve drawn up.”
Even if I’ve traveled back in time, even with advantageous circumstances, there are bound to be loopholes. The key is how to utilize them, and racking my brains alone won’t be enough to overcome multiple opponents.
As usual, I started explaining the plan I had devised to seek advice from everyone.
May 8th, Imperial Year 377.
“Average water level 40 centimeters. It will be difficult for the infantry to move, and the cavalry will also face difficulties. The charging power will be reduced, so if we fight there, it will definitely become a mudslinging fight.”
“But why did they set up camp on the opposite side with that intention?”
“It’s the path to the fortress. It means they’ll defend even if they can’t attack, and they won’t let us interfere with their busy day.”
“Hmm, I see.”
First Sword Hickson Toledo seemed convinced. He was to take command here while I was away. He pointed to the entrance leading from the west towards the fortress army’s defensive line.
“How about heading that way?”
“See the soldiers moving over there? They’re probably planning to drive stakes and tie ropes between them. Forget cavalry charges, even infantry charges will be difficult. They’re likely betting on how many arrows they can stick into a single person while they’re clumsily running towards them.”
Unfortunately, I conveyed the regrettable information that even First Sword Martin’s eccentric troops would find it difficult to target the enemy’s defensive line from our current position.
The terrain near Hanah South is shaped like a dish, and water was collected in this dish. It would be great if we could move along the edge of the dish, but the enemy has already taken control of it.
The day before yesterday, a portion of the fortress army came to the gate between Hanah and the fortress, which was guarded by the 1144th and 1099th Battalions, and politely knocked. Seeing them bring a battering ram from the start, it was clear that the commander had a gentlemanly personality and preferred a direct approach. We also learned that he preferred to clearly convey his intentions by preparing numerous arrows.
Anyway, since it was an anticipated attack, the two stationed battalions unlocked the gate and retreated to Hanah in a leisurely manner, surrendering the gate. This went as I expected, and I was pleased.
The next plan couldn’t be executed for some reason. I lowered my gaze for a moment.
Beneath the southern wall, clear water glistened calmly under the warm May sunshine. Fish that had flowed in from the river could occasionally be seen in the artificially created pond.
I observed the scene and then brought my gaze closer.
“First Sword Martin, are you enjoying yourself?”
“Yes! This is quite nice! I’m thinking of making a small one when I buy a house later!”
The 1024th Battalion of the Herduke Kingdom Army’s 8th Legion was currently enjoying a resort-like atmosphere. The soldiers, who had rolled up their pants and entered the knee-deep water, had instantly transformed into mischievous children, splashing water on each other.
Originally, I had planned to have them perform their specialty, “shoot and run,” but before that, they were showered with a rain of arrows, and we realized that the Narvis Fortress army also had an automatic ballista unit.
First Sword Martin immediately declared a day off, and I didn’t stop him. They’re probably looking at us with a puzzled expression, wondering what our guys are doing.
“It’s unlikely, but if the enemy comes in from the south, First Sword Martin will handle it.”
“I have no doubt about it. He will, as long as he’s not too tired from playing. Is the passage complete?”
“It was completed yesterday. You remember the plan, right?”
“Of course. I’ll repeat it.”
First Sword Toledo remembered the entire plan even though I had only explained it once. He’s a smart soldier, to the point where I wonder why he hasn’t been promoted yet.
“That’s all.”
“Good. Then I’ll leave it to you.”
I nodded with a satisfied expression. First Sword Toledo saluted me and said.
“Then I’ll see you at Narvis Fortress.”
“I’ll open the gates for you. March in proudly.”
By now, the main force of the conquest army would be having a hectic time welcoming the Western Army. And I will capture Narvis Fortress through the underground ruins.
While descending the wall, I briefly raised my head to look at the sky. The brightly shining sun provided warmth. The sky showed no signs of clouds.
1:30 PM.
The Narvis Fortress siege began.
Excluding Joey, Aila, and Namia, the remaining friends and 80% of the infantry entered the ruins.
The 1104th Battalion and several other battalions, in company units, took turns digging a long tunnel, 300 meters in total length, for three days and twelve hours.
The biggest concern when digging a tunnel was the risk of collapse, but the 1,250 logs that had been used as sleds for the infantry to quickly cross the frozen river were readily used as supports. Although the commander of the 2006th Chariot Division, who transported the soil and wood, grumbled a bit.
Leaving only the troops deployed on the third day of construction, the remaining 12,000 infantry entered the ruins in a long line.
Once the risk of collapse was eliminated, the next biggest concern was lack of oxygen, but Lucy was diligently blowing wind from the entrance of the cave.
Light? We don’t have to worry about light. There’s usually at least one mage attached to a legion.
Billed Shujie, the military mage who had become Lucy’s follower, almost obsessed with his abilities, said he had diligently memorized only light-producing magic for today.
When we arrived at the ruins, Billed created the biggest light he could.
“Like the Sun!”
Literally, a sun-like light rose high and began to illuminate the ruins from the center of the cavity.
The soldiers couldn’t close their mouths as the ancient secrets that had been hidden for hundreds of years were revealed before their eyes. Al, too, was speechless with his mouth wide open.
Beneath the city, there was a proper city.
The stone buildings were covered in dust, but they still displayed a rustic charm. I never imagined that the phrase “antique beauty” would be so fitting for this sight.
Levidian, looking at the gray city revealed under the white light, said:
“It’s an overwhelming sight. Why was such a city buried?”
“I wonder. And…… the interior is quite dry? It’s strange. For the underground right next to the river to be dry……”
Perhaps it was ancient technology or some other factor.
More importantly, we’re not here to excavate ruins.
“Greyman Chief.”
“Yes? Yes, General-nim.”
“Do you see the plaza over there? It’s quite spacious. It could easily accommodate 10,000 for a parade. That’s the first assembly point. Inform those following behind and have the rear guard follow suit.”
“Yes. Understood.”
The height of the cavity was about 50 meters, which meant the floor of the ruins was 80 meters below ground level.
The air had a distinctly old feel to it, but it felt fresher than the air from hundreds of years ago. Perhaps there was a formal entrance to the ruins or ventilation shafts somewhere.
The houses that made up the city were not half-collapsed or reduced to rubble, creating a desolate scene, as one might imagine. An emptiness lingered, as if everyone had simply left the city and it had been left abandoned.
Levidian was looking around with an intrigued expression. She nudged my shoulder and said:
“This is quite interesting.”
“Specifically, what part?”
“The buildings. They’re made of pumice. I haven’t heard of any volcanoes nearby. Could the terrain have been different in ancient times?”
Upon closer inspection, the stones that made up the buildings were indeed pumice, formed by cooled lava.
“Oh, I see. But how did you recognize that?”
“Where is the Hall of Martial Arts located?”
The simple explanation made me nod involuntarily. The Hall of Martial Arts is located at the foot of a dormant volcano. Naturally, there would be many structures made of pumice.
The soldiers’ reactions were varied.
There were expressions of concern on their faces as they gathered amongst themselves, worried about the cavity collapsing or ghosts emerging from the ruins to attack.
The soldiers who were gleefully exchanging information with their comrades about everything that caught their eye would probably never lose their adventurous spirit, even in death.
Or, there were those who simply walked silently with expressionless faces, seemingly without a single thought.
With such diverse reactions, the 12,000 infantry of the Herduke Kingdom Army’s 8th Legion assembled at the plaza I had designated.
This was probably one of the largest plazas in this city. With a size of 2 kilometers by 2 kilometers, it was large enough to be used as a campsite.
I first positioned myself at the southernmost point of the plaza, the direction we would advance in, and then called for a messenger.
“Bring the commander of the 2080th Division.”
“Yes!”
The 2080th Division had a highly skilled scouting unit. It would have been great if First Sword Doreneu Exofi was here, but the 1087th Battalion was currently in charge of Hanah’s security. It was a bit of a shame.
A short while later, the commander of the 2080th Division arrived.
“Guide Girmina Asin. I have arrived at your command, General-nim.”
“Guide Asin, I need to use your scouting unit urgently.”
“Yes.”
“From here to the southern end of the ruins, your unit will scout the fastest route for the entire army to move through. And find out the exact shape of the end of the ruins. Starting now…… I’ll give you 2 hours.”
“Yes, General-nim.”
Guide Asin saluted and returned to her division. I also summoned several other officers and gave them various orders, and in the meantime, a tent was set up behind me.
“General-nim, the tent setup is complete.”
“Good. Orderly, I’d like a cup of tea until the inspection is over.”
“Yes. I’ll prepare it right away.”
Aila had chosen an orderly, saying I would need someone to be in charge of my tea while she was away. As expected, Aila’s judgment was accurate, and the orderly, who possessed skills comparable to a master, was delighted at the opportunity to showcase his abilities and headed towards my tent. He seemed happy to have something to do.
“You there, officer.”
“Yes! First Lieutenant Kitz Akan, Company Commander of the 1st Company, 1053rd Battalion!”
“First Lieutenant, do you remember the mage who was at the entrance? Good. When he arrives, tell him to come into the tent.”
“Yes, understood!”
“Levidian, Al, let’s go in.”
With 12,000 men, we can arrange them in a 120×100 grid, and although it may not seem like much, it’s actually a considerable number. It will take some time for everyone to gather.
Hmm, the general’s position is quite comfortable, isn’t it?
During the capture of Atzuma and earlier this year, I was swamped with work, but now I’m feeling quite relaxed, ordering my subordinates around. Of course, it comes with a corresponding amount of responsibility.
While waiting for Lucy, Levidian, Al, and I sipped our tea, praising Aila’s eye for talent, and the conversation naturally shifted to the fortress attack strategy.
“How do you plan to enter Narvis Fortress?”
“First, I need to collapse the ground a bit, and I’m thinking about that. It needs to be collapsed in a slope so the soldiers can easily climb up. Destroying things isn’t my specialty as much as creating them……”
“Are you telling me you came here with a ‘whatever happens, happens’ attitude again?”
“Hey, do I look like someone who lives life that carelessly?”
I can’t deny that there’s a part of me that appears that way, but it’s not like I haven’t thought about anything.
First of all, this cavity, although it may not seem like it, is shaped like a dome. The reason it hasn’t collapsed easily until now is because the shape of the cavity is designed to withstand pressure.
The southern end of the dome overlaps with a part of the fortress, and I plan to collapse that section.
The problem is what comes after. After the collapse, the sky should be visible, and a slope should be created that allows us to rush outside.
A rather complex demolition technique is required, and I’ve gathered talented individuals from within the legion to calculate it. I’ve also asked my sponsor to gather special items.
Once the 2080th Division’s scouting unit returns, we’ll be able to formulate a rough plan.
“We need to attack the fortress before sunset. Once it gets dark, the fortress army, familiar with the fortress’s layout, will launch an organized counterattack.”
“But the number of soldiers is the same, right? Then wouldn’t the fortress army have the advantage regardless of whether we’re visible or not?”
I smiled faintly. She was right, but I could be certain of one thing.
“If the operation goes well, they’ll be quite surprised.”
“Yes. They will.”
“Surprise within a group turns into agitation. And what would happen if this occurred while a large army is attacking them from the outside?”
“Aha.”
She nodded, and for some reason, Al also nodded solemnly with a hardened expression.
Anyone would be shaken if an enemy suddenly appeared from an unexpected location. This is why surprise attacks are effective, regardless of the era.
Agitation assassinates composure.
Most of the reasons why surprise attacks fail are when the opponent is prepared in advance. In such cases, agitation arises on the attacking side instead, causing them to lose their composure.
While we were having such a conversation, Lucy entered, parting the tent flap with an exaggeratedly exhausted expression.
“Hey! I’m here! Oh, I’m so tired. No matter how much I prepare, simple tasks are tiring both physically and mentally. Give me a cup of tea too!”
It was so like Lucy to skillfully treat someone else’s orderly like a teahouse employee. He plopped down next to Al.
“What were you talking about?”
“Just this and that. But are you really that tired?”
“To be honest, no. I’ve grown compared to before. Although not as drastically as our mighty Shrine Knight army, if I prepare properly, I can use Delete twice in a row.”
“Delete, is that the magic from before?”
Lucy thought for a moment and then nodded. He was probably trying to remember when he had used that magic.
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