Chapter 61 - The Results of Training
I returned to the Fortress and entered my office.
As I was engrossed in some paperwork, Master came in. Without a word, he plopped down on the reception chair, crossed his thick arms, and glared at me. His demeanor suggested that he had been holding back a lot of things he wanted to say. After letting out a sigh, I asked him...
“What is it?”
“You know exactly what it is. It’s been tough,” he replied.
“...I was confident that you, Master, could handle it.”
“That’s why I had to carefully select people who could keep secrets and make arrangements in a hurry. What the hell was that?”
“I discovered that the color of the artificial magic ore changes depending on what you mix with it. To achieve a color similar to black iron, you need to mix in the horns of a certain small-sized magical beast. I realized that, so I urgently requested the Adventurer Guild to hunt them down and gather the materials.”
“Even so, that was too much.”
“There are many things that need to be kept hidden. You understand that it needs people who can keep secrets, don’t you, Master? That artificial magic ore is something that could disrupt the kingdom’s economy.”
“Young Master... I knew you’d be worried about the main force commander and his troops. That’s why I also received a top-secret order from you. Something outrageous, like changing the armor to one made of artificial magic ore without them noticing. It was done under the pretext of regular weapon and armor maintenance, but it really meant swapping them for magic ore armor plates. The color matches that of black iron, so I understand the need for secrecy. Since it’s not for battles against monsters and magical beasts, there’s no need for them to become magitech devices. I get that too. But time was short. If it weren’t for the confidentiality requirement, we could have prepared more extensively.”
“I know... but it’s difficult. We couldn’t risk disrupting the economies of our country’s other territories. The reason my mother kept it under wraps was largely for that purpose.”
“But still... I’m exhausted.”
“I’m sorry for putting you through this.”
“Even hiding it from your brother... hey... I don’t know what’s going on in your mind, but make sure you have an honest sibling talk.”
“......You’re right. That’s true. I’ll talk to Second Brother when he returns. I mean, once he equips that and draws his sword even once, he’ll see through my foolish thoughts and laugh heartily.”
“Being kept in the dark can mess with your feelings, you know?”
“......Understood.”
“Alright, I’ll come back later. You better pay me handsomely.”
Master left as abruptly as he had arrived. He must have had something weighing on his mind. It seemed like venting his frustrations helped him come to terms with it. ...I’m sorry. I just couldn’t bear it. Creating something that could hurt people... To betray my own beliefs... I couldn’t tell my brothers. I understand the immense burden I placed on Master and his followers.
All I can do is offer my gratitude... Thank you, Master.
――――
After Master left, I thought about the war. I left my desk and walked over to the large map hanging on the wall. I stared at the map that included the northern Demonic Forest. Many pins were stuck in it, marking sightings, discoveries, and subjugations of monsters and magical beasts. A sense of unease enveloped me. It was the distribution of the pins...
―――There was clearly a pattern.
After Old Man’s heroic end, I too had worked hard. The extension of the magic communication lines was a prime example. Now, they even reached the huts near the Middle Forest, built by the engineers of the guerilla unit as semi-underground shelters for hunters. I presented these to the hunters in the hamlets as safe havens with sufficient strength.
The hunters and gatherers were delighted to have a place you could call a safe zone in the perilous forest and used it accordingly. In return, I made it their duty to report every detail, no matter how small, about the situation of the beasts they encountered in the forest.
The communication room in the Fortress, where information gathered, became a bustling place. The female communicators, having learned from past bitter experiences, were determined not to let such events spread again and approached their work with sincerity. Thus, the pins on this large map were the culmination of everyone’s efforts.
I assigned the task of updating the map with information to the Sergeant Major and the sergeants who were skilled squad leaders, aiming to share what was happening in the Demonic Forest with the entire guerilla unit. The soldiers knew my purpose and often exchanged opinions in front of the map.
Combat lessons should always be updated, and biased information can’t correct mistaken lessons. It’s unfortunate for the soldiers sweating in the field, but those who can only handle field operations have their limits. That’s why I wanted the sergeants leading them to have not just tactical but also a somewhat strategic perspective.
While my practical skills weren’t particularly noteworthy, I deeply studied military history in theory. A strong army isn’t just a gathering of powerful soldiers. It’s a group led by someone who can see the entire battlefield from a bird’s-eye view and possesses the strategic insight to determine the envisioned battlefield itself. That’s what makes a true elite force.
I wanted to follow that example.
I pondered deeply in front of the large map. What was clear was a blank zone stretching from the depths of the forest to the shallow layers. While reports were coming in from the surrounding areas, the center had a line where reports were scarce. It seemed as if the monsters and magical beasts were fleeing to the sides, afraid of something... That was the only explanation.
This phenomenon was something I could only understand because of the detailed reports and records I had been keeping.
It had become particularly noticeable in the past few weeks. Sergeant Major stood beside me.
“I’d like to offer my opinion. Or rather, it might just be my imagination...”
“I’m listening.”
“Yes. As you’ve probably noticed, something is coming straight down from the Deep Forest. The movements of the monsters and magical beasts are often driven by panic, with many signs suggesting they're being chased by something. The hunters also unanimously reported anomalies in the ecosystem of the forest’s monsters and magical beasts. That something... I can’t help but think it’s a super-large monster.”
“Based on the width of the blank zone?”
“Someone is deliberately guiding a super-large monster. That’s the thought that won’t leave my mind.”
“Where should we intercept it?”
“You believe in my imagination?!”
“This isn’t something to dismiss as mere imagination. In fact, anyone looking at the movements of the monsters and magical beasts on this map would likely think the same. I’ve tried to guide you all to see things that way. The knowledge I gained at the Magic Academy’s Knight Department isn’t something I should keep to myself. We need to gather collective wisdom to maintain peace in the frontier. So, what do you think? Where would you set the battlefield?”
Sergeant Major’s eyes widened in surprise. But my words seemed to strike a chord, and without saying more, he began to immerse himself in tactical thinking. The means of attack we possessed, and the threat of a super-large monster—a natural disaster-level menace from the Demonic Forest. What we needed to consider were the time, distance, and what we could do to confront it.
Sergeant Major had the same information I did. I had been formulating plans, under the assumption that it was just a possibility. So, what about Sergeant Major? Had he already been thinking about it? Even in this crisis, I found it intriguing. Sergeant Major was muttering to himself, a habit of his when deep in thought. Standing close to him, I could naturally understand his thoughts.
He would never fit into noble society. A faint smile crossed my face. This earnestness and diligence were the essence of a frontier man. He still had a long way to go before becoming a seasoned veteran like the aged Old Man. I realized he was still growing.
His murmured words matched the location I had in mind.
That was a relief. The issue was the effective range for attacks using enhanced rounds. There was also the question of whether the line of sight would be clear. While ample space was necessary, it couldn’t be a location where the enemy’s forces could fully deploy. The key was analyzing the terrain to secure an advantageous position and luring them there.
The waterfall in the Shallow Forest near the Middle Forest was the agreed-upon location for the envisioned battlefield.
All creatures, whether monsters or magical beasts, require water to survive. A massive body requires a substantial amount of water. Why did I focus on that location? The reason lay in the trajectory of the blank zone. We had no information from the Deep Forest, but conversely, the hunters were familiar with the terrain of the Middle Forest.
Extending the blank zone led to a river that flowed to the waterfall. The area around the waterfall had fewer trees, providing enough space. A super-large monster would find it difficult to stop without sufficient room. And if there was a place where they could drink water en masse, it would be foolish not to use it. This would also solve the water supply issue for any accompanying forces.
Considering the hassle of dismounting from what seemed to be marching super-large monsters, fetching water, and then boarding again, it was likely that the monster army would stop their march and resupply at the same time. The same procedure would typically be followed during a standard marching procedure, so this assumption wasn’t far off the mark.
In other words, if we assumed that multiple super-large monsters were being mobilized, this location would be the anticipated point where the entire unit would come to a complete halt. Moreover, combined with the fact that it’s a waterfall, it provides a vantage point from higher ground—making it an ideal spot for sniping.
“Are you considering sniping as the main form of attack?”
“Yes, based on the performance of the guns and the new bullets developed from the lessons of the Austra battle. Setting traps near the water source could also be effective in stalling them.”
“You’ve considered not just the monsters and magical beasts but also the movements of the enemy troops, huh? I agree. We’ll set traps around the waterfall to prepare for the worst.”
“As you command.”
After Old Man passed away, Sergeant Major became my adjutant. Given his personality, it was clear he would diligently fulfill his duties. Moreover, he was highly trusted by the sergeants and squad leaders. Thus, I could confide in him about many things.
It would be presumptuous to say he was a replacement for Old Man, but he understood his position and strived to fulfill his role as adjutant.
In a way, all the pieces of the guerilla unit had now been fully assembled, thanks to Old Man’s training. I felt his presence more strongly than ever. It made me feel both lonely... and proud. Old Man, your children are living strong. Please rest assured and watch over us.
I felt as if my head was being patted, just like when I was a child, and that he was watching over me from very close by.
Along the extension of the blank zone, near the waterfall. If such a creature existed, we had to be prepared against a fictitious enemy. If we didn’t, we might regret it later. I immediately ordered Sergeant Major to deploy, incorporating reconnaissance as part of the task.
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