New chapter of May Our Village be Happy is out (2/2 chapters)

Reinforcements

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As a result, the battle ended in what could be called a slightly favorable draw for the allied army.

Having been driven into peril by a direct attack on their main camp, Lord Beatrice Mortimer, the commanding general, was forced to retreat to the rear. Orders for withdrawal were issued throughout the Mortimer army. Though it took time for the orders to reach the troops amidst the chaos, they eventually began to pull back.

The enemy turned their backs and began to flee. Yet the allied army failed to take advantage of this perfect opportunity for pursuit. Some soldiers became unsettled upon seeing the fallen banners bearing their lords’ family crests in the main camp, and that unease spread rapidly among their ranks. Even as they watched the enemy retreat, they could not muster the drive to chase them with full vigor, missing the chance to inflict a decisive blow.

The Mortimer army, though attacked from behind during its withdrawal, managed to avoid a complete rout. Though technically defeated, few soldiers deserted, and most of their remaining forces successfully retreated to the village where their encampment had been established. Thus, the situation returned to its state before the battle began.

As for casualties, the allied army had lost just under 50 men. The Mortimer army was believed to have suffered somewhat higher losses. Though the balance of strength had shifted slightly, it was doubtful the allies had gained enough of an advantage to call it decisive.

“Now then, what are we to do from here?” (Lorenz)

The following morning, during a war council of the lords, the supreme commander, Lorenz, muttered this while crossing his arms.

“It would be best to avoid attacking from our side if possible.” (Mika)

“Indeed. If we launch an assault, unless it is executed perfectly, we will only be met with an ambush. Considering our smaller numbers, that would put us at a disadvantage.” (Lorenz)

“However, a surprise attack is not realistic. The enemy must at least have set up sentries.” (Lord)

Lorenz and another lord responded to Mika’s quiet words.

“Then, shall we prepare to defend and wait for the enemy to strike again?” (Another Lord)

“No. We do not know when they will move next, and a prolonged war must be avoided. We cannot keep our citizens conscripted for too long.” (Mika)

“What if we increase our forces and launch an offensive?” (Lord)

“We have already conscripted a considerable number of adult men from among our subjects. If we take even more manpower from the lands, and the enemy chooses to bypass us to strike directly at the territories, what then? We would not even have time to stall for aid.” (Lorenz)

Suggestions arose one after another from the lords, only to be met with counterarguments, and the discussion soon reached a deadlock. Mika tried to think of a proposal himself, but no good idea came to mind.

At that moment, a shout came from outside.

“My lord! Lord Meldars!” (??)

“What is it? What has happened?” (Lorenz)

A retainer of Lorenz burst into the council chamber in a fluster, drawing everyone’s attention.

“A messenger has arrived from the Yutilainen Household! Lord Sandra Yutilainen has called upon the lords north of the Yutilainen territory for assistance and is leading reinforcements here herself!” (Retainer)

When he said this, the knight standing beside him, the herald who had brought the news, stepped forward and bowed.

“What is the scale of the reinforcements?” (Lorenz)

“They consist of a physical magic user, a fire magic user, a poison magic user, 12 knights, 23 regular soldiers, and about 150 troops in total. Lord Yutilainen herself commands them.” (Messenger)

Hearing this, Lorenz’s face brightened, and exclamations of joy rose among the other lords.

“Thank goodness, we are saved.” (Mika)

Mika murmured this with visible relief.

Reinforcements numbering 150 at this stage were not only numerous but also composed of magic users adept in combat, heavily armed knights, and well-trained regular soldiers numbering more than thirty. They were a tremendous boon. Skilled professional soldiers were each worth more than five untrained militiamen.

With such support, they would now stand a strong chance even if they went on the offensive. It was even possible that the enemy, realizing the unfavorable odds, might flee to their territory before the next battle began.

 

—

 

“I truly did not expect things to turn out like this.” (Beatrice)

In the Mortimer army’s encampment, which had been established in a village ravaged by looting, Beatrice spoke beneath an open tent used for meetings, addressing her trusted knight.

Her plan had been simple. The main force would exploit its numerical advantage to attack head-on, while a detached unit would strike at the enemy’s main camp in a surprise attack. As her trump card, she had chosen a retainer of hunter lineage who had awakened two years ago to the gift of summoning magic and who had since succeeded in taming a Horned Bear he encountered in the forest.

With this strategy, victory should have been theirs. Yet the outcome had been a draw, and given that her army was the first to retreat, her losses were greater.

The cause lay in an unforeseen factor on the enemy’s side, an extraordinary trump card in the form of a psychic magic user capable of freely maneuvering a ballista and striking their main camp from hundreds of meters away.

“Have you learned anything about that psychokinesis magic user?” (Beatrice)

“We obtained information from a merchant in the camp. Several years ago, a wandering psychokinesis magic user settled in a nearby village and established a small territory. It is believed that the one fighting for the enemy is that same lord.” (Knight)

“I see. So that is how it is. To lift a ballista would place him among the most powerful of psychokinesis magic users. And intelligent as well, to craft such a crossbow.” (Beatrice)

Acknowledging both his strength and ingenuity, Beatrice’s expression turned bitter.

The psychokinesis magic user had combined his mental power with a modified crossbow that could fire repeatedly through the use of psychic magic. Six of Mortimer’s precious professional soldiers, those assigned to guard the main camp and the detachment alike, had been slain by that crossbow, and one more had been gravely wounded. Even the summoning magic user and the Horned Bear had narrowly escaped death. That single psychokinesis magic user had inflicted terrifying losses upon them.

“Now then, what are we to do next? The enemy army proved surprisingly spirited, and with such a troublesome force among them, even if we were to face them again…” (Beatrice)

“My lord!” (Knight)

Beatrice’s words were cut short by a knight who rushed in.

“What is it? What has happened?” (Beatrice)

“A report from our scouts, my lord! The enemy has received reinforcements numbering over 100. They include numerous knights and regular soldiers, and the banners of multiple lords are flying, including that of the Yutilainen Household!” (Knight)

“I see. So even the regional lord has decided to intervene.” (Beatrice)

Beatrice sighed softly and turned to her aide.

“If the Yutilainen forces have joined them, our chances of victory are slim, are they not?” (Beatrice)

“Yes, my lord. Regrettably, I must say that continuing the campaign after victory will be difficult.” (Aide)

Nodding at the aide’s honest response, Beatrice fell into thought.

“It cannot be helped. We shall proceed with the second plan.” (Beatrice)

“Understood. I will immediately begin preparations for withdrawal.” (Aide)

The contingency plan, should the plundering in this region fail, was to withdraw the army to Mortimer territory and conduct raids along the retreat.

Beatrice had chosen this distant region for plunder precisely to avoid conflicts with neighboring lands. The minor lords along their return path would not expect to be attacked by the Mortimer army, making it easy to defeat them by surprise.

If they attacked lands neighboring Mortimer, maintaining good relations would become impossible. The surrounding lords would inevitably grow wary and distrustful, but at this point there was no avoiding that outcome. Even if it brought trouble in the future, the immediate priority was to resolve the current situation and survive this year.

“Also, among the mercenaries there were some who possessed proper equipment and skill, were there not? Bring their captain here. I intend to recruit him into the service of Mortimer Household as a standing soldier.” (Beatrice)

“At once, my lord.” (Aide)

The aide saluted and departed from the tent.

The civil unrest and this recent campaign had greatly diminished the number of retainers serving Mortimer Household in arms. Beatrice no longer had the luxury of considering pedigree. For now, she simply needed to increase the number of fighters capable of wielding weapons effectively. Mercenaries could not be fully trusted right away, but they were adequate for tasks conducted beyond the safety of the castle walls.

This year had brought nothing but misfortune. Nothing had gone according to plan. Even so, she could not allow herself to despair. She bore the duty of protecting both Mortimer Household and the people under its care.

 

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