Merchant Noble is out (4/4 chapters for today)
Punitive Force: Tyr and Others (3)
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After several days of marching, Tyr received a report from Urt, informing him that they had reached the frontlines. Tyr decided to set up camp on a hill with a good vantage point and ordered the adventurers who had been pushing the supply carts to take a rest.
Leaving the adventurers in Mia’s care, Tyr and Hal moved to the top of the hill. From there, they had a clear view of the castle that was their target. The fierce battle between the punitive forces and the rebel army had already begun. Soldiers of the punitive forces were firing arrows and attempting to climb the castle walls using ladders. Meanwhile, the rebels, mostly peasants, were throwing stones from the walls and setting the ladders on fire.
Tyr decided to use this opportunity to give Hal a practical lesson. Although it was likely her first time on a battlefield, Hal observed the scene with a calm expression.
“Look at that. There is quite the fight going on. Hal, analyze the situation for me.” (Tyr)
“Understood.” (Hal)
Hal watched the battle for a while, gathering her thoughts, and then nodded confidently before speaking.
“In conclusion, this battle won’t end anytime soon. It’ll become a stalemate.” (Hal)
“Why’s that?” (Tyr)
“The reason is simple. The punitive force lacks sufficient manpower. There are about 10,000 troops here, but to take down a castle of that size, you’d need at least twice that number.” (Hal)
“Shouldn’t you also consider the strength of the rebel force?” (Tyr)
“Not really. With walls that high and a sturdy gate, you can easily knock down any ladders, and the gates won’t be breached. As long as they have around 3,000 defenders, they can hold out.” (Hal)
“Impressive. You’ve got a good eye.” (Tyr)
Tyr nodded approvingly. He shared Hal’s assessment of the situation. While there’s no absolute certainty in warfare, Hal’s analysis was sharp and well-reasoned. He decided to probe further.
“So, Hal, if you were the commander, how would you attack?” (Tyr)
“I wouldn’t.” (Hal)
“What do you mean by that?” (Tyr)
“I’d just lay siege. Eventually, they’ll run out of food. The only thing to worry about is reinforcements.” (Hal)
“Hmm.” (Tyr)
Tyr nodded in satisfaction. There’s no need to forcibly breach an impregnable castle. With enough forces to fend off any reinforcements, the castle would eventually fall due to starvation. Offering food in exchange for surrender could prompt the defenders to open the gates on their own.
She understands the situation well, doesn’t she?
However, Tyr felt that overly praising Hal wouldn’t help her grow, and besides, he suspected it might make her overconfident. So, he decided to add a slight critique.
“Keep in mind, a castle that size likely has a well-stocked food supply. If they’re fully stocked, they could hold out for a year.” (Tyr)
Hal, who had expected praise, pouted in displeasure at the unexpected critique.
“But the peasants revolted because they were starving, right? That means the castle’s stores are probably empty, doesn’t it?” (Hal)
“That’s possible, but it’s also possible they’ve diverted extra supplies to the castle, knowing it’d be the first target.” (Tyr)
Hal hadn’t considered this, and she fell silent, her expression a bit crestfallen. Seeing an opportunity, Tyr decided to offer some advice while also pointing out areas for improvement.
“Try to avoid basing your strategies on uncertain assumptions like ‘probably’ or ‘likely.’ Of course, if you can get accurate intelligence, then your plan is perfectly valid.” (Tyr)
“So, what would you do, Tyr-sama?” (Hal)
“First, I’d set fire to the surroundings. The fire might not reach the inside of the castle, but it would give us control over the area near the walls. From there, we’d send troops up the ladders to take the walls. You know what comes next, right?” (Tyr)
“Sounds idealistic.” (Hal)
Hal puffed out her cheeks and responded, disagreeing with Tyr’s plan.
“Fire can be unpredictable. It depends on the weather and the wind. The peasants might also be able to put it out quickly, right?” (Hal)
“True, but that’s where a commander’s skill comes into play.” (Tyr)
Tyr encouraged Hal to follow him back to the adventurers’ camp as he spoke.
“Even with the same strategy, success or failure can depend on the commander. Being able to adapt to the situation, like the conditions and the weather, is key. Just stick by my side and watch how I lead in this battle.” (Tyr)
Although Tyr and his unit were only tasked with supplying provisions, the current stalemate suggested that logistics, which was Tyr’s responsibility, would become increasingly crucial. The challenge would be to lead the inexperienced adventurers, withstand enemy attacks, and keep supplies flowing to the front lines. Tyr was eager to prove his worth as a commander in this difficult situation.
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