Merchant Noble is out (4/4 chapters for today)

 

 

Punitive Force: Tyr and Others (7) – Battle

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Even after Runo requested reinforcements from other nobles, fierce fighting continued with the advance party led by Laika. However, as the situation progressed, the punitive force, which boasted an overwhelming numerical advantage, began to falter.

“Runo-sama! We are about to be surrounded by the enemy soon!” (??)

“Preposterous!? They are only about 500. How many thousands do you think we have here!” (Runo)

Runo was in disbelief and half-panicked. Now, angry shouts from soldiers could be heard from the opposite side. The rebel army, which had barricaded themselves in the castle, had emerged to support Laika’s forces.

“Enemies have come out of the castle! At this rate, our army will be trapped!” (??)

“Runo-sama, we should retreat for now.” (??)

Subordinates were advising retreating from all sides.

“Damn it. What were the commanders who were supposed to intercept the enemy reinforcements doing! If they had done their job properly, I wouldn’t be in this predicament.” (Runo)

Runo felt the responsibility for the battle’s failure lay with the other commanders, but now was not the time to look for blame. It was crucial to withdraw as quickly as possible before being caught in a pincer attack from inside and outside the castle.

“All troops, retreat for now! Maintain distance.” (Runo)

As Runo withdrew the army, Laika did not pursue further and prioritized entering the castle to join with the rebel forces. Thus, Runo allowed Laika’s advance party to enter the castle.

Watching Laika entered the castle with great fanfare from the rebels, Runo clenched his teeth until they bled, then dejectedly returned to his position. As Runo was returning to his position, he saw reinforcements from other noble houses. They did not seem like they had just arrived. Clearly, they had come a little while ago. They had set up their well-organized camp and were waiting to greet Runo.

They had been waiting for him to fail. That was why they had come close but did not participate in the battle. Runo’s blood boiled with anger.

Pain, the highest-ranking officer in the punitive force after Runo, greeted him with a crude smile.

“Oh my, Runo-sama. The enemy reinforcements have entered the castle. Despite our efforts to encircle the enemy, our efforts over the past few weeks have come to nothing.” (Pain)

“This is Pain-dono. If you had arrived by this point, you could have come to help. Did you really want to see me in such a state?” (Runo)

Runo, expressing his frustration, was countered by Pain.

“You requested reinforcements, didn’t you? We came here despite it not being our assigned day. What’s with that attitude?” (Pain)

Other commanders intervened to mediate between the arguing pair and restrained both sides.

“Well, well. However, Pain-dono’s point is also valid, Runo-dono. You must take the responsibility for allowing the enemy reinforcements into the castle.” (??)

The word ‘responsibility’ made Runo’s eyebrows twitch. Since he was dispatched by the House of Viscount Michigan, his failures were the same as the House’s failures. However, causing trouble for the lord and bringing disgrace was unacceptable. He had to avoid responsibility for this defeat by any means necessary.

“Please wait. The responsibility is not mine. I asked the other commanders to prepare for the enemy reinforcements. This is something you all know as well. The responsibility for this defeat should lie with the commander who failed to stop the enemy reinforcements!” (Runo)

Runo desperately tried to shift the blame. However, Pain seemed determined to blame Runo. It was understandable that Pain wanted to get rid of Runo, as if Runo fell, Pain would be the next in line to become the commander.

From the outside, it was an ugly argument, but for them, it was a battle of honor for their household name. At that moment, a wounded soldier staggered in to report.

“F-Forgive me!” (??)

The commanders all focused their attention on the soldier.

“The main force of the rebel army! The main force is coming here soon!!” (??)

“Isn’t that all the reinforcements? How many is the main force?” (Pain)

Pain, who thought the battle was completely over, hurriedly asked.

“About 6,000!” (??)

“Immediately reorganize! Prepare to repel them!” (Runo)

With 6,000, the suppression army could push them back with their numbers. Runo interrupted the argument and gave orders to all the troops. It seemed that Pain, faced with this emergency, decided to set aside the issue of Runo’s responsibility for the time being.

*Waaaaaaaaaaaaaa*

Even as the punitive force was organizing the remaining troops, the war cries grew louder.

“Th-They’re coming…” (??)

The soldiers stared intently at the forest growing thick to the south of the castle. Soon, a blonde man emerged from the forest. Following him were foot soldiers armed with swords and hoes, heading toward them.

“The blonde man… his name is Randal. He’s the leader of the rebel army!” (Runo)

It was certainly Laika’s brother Randal. As Runo shouted loudly, Randal also drew his sword.

“Crush these nobles into oblivion!!!!” (Randal)

“Uooohh.” (??)

The rebel force raised their weapons all at once and began to charge at the suppression army.

“Don’t falter. The enemy is just peasants! We have the superior numbers. Get ready and counterattack.” (Runo)

Runo drew his sword and encouraged the soldiers who were frightened by the charging enemy.

The rebel force charged into the formation without hesitation. The impact caused soldiers from both the rebel and suppression forces to be thrown into the air. The scene quickly developed into a chaotic battle.

The punitive force used their numbers to hold back the advancing rebel army. Both sides were evenly matched in this fight. Runo fought among the ordinary soldiers, defeating the enemy. After about 30 minutes, those fighting might have felt as if they had been at it for hours. Gradually, the punitive, with their superior numbers, began to push back. They slowly forced the rebel force to retreat.

“Alright! We can push through with this momentum.” (Runo)

Runo, with his face stained red with blood, grinned as he shouted. If they could repel the main force of the reinforcements, he could recover his earlier honor. Runo fought desperately, whipping his exhausted body into action. However, Randal, who was watching the battle from a distance, smirked insolently.

“Ha. Fools…” (Randal)

Suddenly, screams erupted from the soldiers behind the punitive force.

“What’s happening!” (Runo)

Runo turned around to check the rear forces and instantly understood the situation. The castle, which shouldn’t have been visible, was now in view. A moment later, a report came in from his subordinates.

“From the castle… the enemy has emerged from the castle!! We’re being encircled!!”

“Damn it…” (Runo)

Originally, the punitive force had set up camp a little away from the castle to guard against an encirclement from both the reinforcements and the castle’s troops. However, now the castle was behind them. In their efforts to push back Randal, they had inadvertently turned their backs to the castle. They had been lured into this trap.

What a blunder, and what command from Randal. It was impossible for an ordinary commander to gradually retreat without collapsing the formation. Moreover, he achieved this while leading a peasant rebellion. Such remarkable leadership is terrifying.

“The enemy has us surrounded!! Now, charge!” (Randal)

Randal came to deliver the final blow, leading the charge into the suppression army himself. Meanwhile, the punitive force was thrown into disarray.

“Calm down! We still have the advantage in numbers!” (Runo)

Runo desperately tried to rally his soldiers, but a merciless report was delivered.

“Milord! Pain-dono, who was in charge of the left flank, has retreated!” (??)

“What did you say!?” (Runo)

The unity among the nobles was fragile. No one would sacrifice their own soldiers to help those of another noble. Now, Pain had quickly withdrawn.

Once one person leaves, others soon follow.

Runo’s mind went blank. Defeat, responsibility, disgrace to the household name, trouble for the lord, fleeing allies… His head spun.

“At this rate, it will be a complete rout… No, it’s already a rout.” (Runo)

Runo laughed weakly, bitterly, on the battlefield. Apologies to the House of Viscount Michigan.

Wait, if I die here, I won’t have to live to face the responsibility.

“Runo-sama!” (??)

As Runo looked up, Laika, who had somehow broken through, charged toward him with her sword drawn. Runo had no will left to resist.

“Laika has defeated the general of the suppression army!!” (Laika)

With the general of the punitive force defeated, the outcome was decided. The remaining forces of the other nobles, who were still fighting, hastily fled.

Thus, once again, the suppression army faced defeat.

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