ăââââââthen, what should we do?ă(Ortashia)
Ortashia dropped her eyes on the map and asked Shingen
[E, why so sudden? I havenât thought of anything yetâŚ.] (Shingen)
Ortashia distorted her face in doubt.
[As a soldier, one must be able to come up with a plan at a momentâs notice. Maruto always said so.] (Ortashia)
Though Ortashia said so, Iâm not Maruto. Shingen kept that one thought in his head, while scratching the back of his head while shrugging his shoulder.
[âŚ. hey, when did I become a soldier? ] (Shingen)
[Noisy. Do not talk back to me. Think quickly.] (Ortashia)
Shingen was amazed at her order. He sighed while putting his hand on his waist. Before he could think of any plan at all, heâll need to ask Riru for more information about York.
[Riru, I have some questions, does the lord of the town always stay in his residence?] (Shingen)
[At present, Lord Gering doesnât seem to be in his residence.] (Riru)
[ I see. Has the number of soldiers in the residence been accounted for?] (Shingen)
[Un. At a glance, it shouldnât be that many. The security in the hall is normal.] (Riru)
For a while, Shingen silently observed the map.
[Is it possible to attack at night?] (Shingen)
[The town lordâs residence?] (Riru)
Shingen nodded.
[Itâll be possible if I say itâs possible.] (Ortashia)
Ortashia smirked.
[Though I have to say first that I cannot fight too much just yet.] (Ortashia)
[Yes yes, I understand.] (Shingen)
Acknowledging that Ortashia could not fight yet, Shingen began to formulate a plan. Well, in such a case, what he should do next is certainly within what he had been taught so he did not think too much.
Yes, heâs not a mere lumberjack.
[I guess weâll go with a night attack for now.] (Shingen)
[Your reason being?] (Ortashia)
Ortashia asked with a pleased face. It was then that Shingen realized she was just pretending to be unreasonable.
[I think a night attack will be more effective. Because is nothing more scarier than enemies you canât see.] (Shingen)
Human beings, as well as any animal with eyes, instinctively fear the darkness. A lot of soldiers and strategists are familiar with this knowledge in a fight.
The three people leaked out an interested voice. Eyes alternately landed between Ortashia and Shingen.
Shingen then began to talk about the night attack since there was no opposition.
[ So, about the role, OrtashiaâŚ.âââââ] (Shingen)
Shingen was troubled as to whether he should refer to Ortashia as Her Majesty, or Princess or, if she should be called General. As expected calling by first name might be a little off. Heâs worried if his attitude is acceptable or not. And so, Shingen decided to call Ortashia with âgeneralâ prefix.
[ââââââgeneral Ortashiaâs role in the night attack is to make an appearance in front of our enemy.] (Shingen)
[Appearance? What are you trying to do? That way will only attract the guards.] (Ortashia)
[Yes, exactly that.] (Shingen)
Ortashia looked at Shingen with a shred of doubt as she couldnât understand yet about the real intention of such plan. Riru and Mina tilted their head similarly in confusion.
[This is a countryside area as we all know. It is far from the border and thus, not familiar to war. Therefore, the soldiers havenât fought as much as regular soldiers and they are closer to militia.] (Shingen)
Because town of York is situated in the Chubu region of Ardesil, it never saw barbarian invasions. Bandit subjugation was the closest thing they have to a battle. Monsters and the like are the responsibility of White Wolf Knights and Fuhren Saint Knights so they also never fought those.
Due to that, the guards daily training mainly consist of beating up stationary straw dolls. Most of the veterans, if any, are sent to the civil disturbance unit along the border. It was a deployment assuming there wonât be any rebellion from within.
[Then Iâll ask you a question, the one who is called Ardesilâs strongest. What if they encountered a cold and ruthless person like general?] (Shingen)
Mina replied at once.
[Theyâll immediately run away. At least thatâs what Iâd do.] (Mina)
Itâs only natural. Now Ortashia is a wanted person. Because of the high reward, itâs very likely that people will try to catch or to kill her. As for it, Shingen also understood. To be chased away from oneâs own country might cause frustration.
[Yes. Even with practice and training, they canât compare to a veteran whoâd survived a real battle. Theyâll surely fall for it.] (Shingen)
At present, the fact that Ortashia was unable to use her power to the fullest is only known by the Fuhren Saint Knightsâ top brass and and Ardesilâs military high generals. Thatâs why now is the chance to fool the crowd.
Ortacia who got increasingly confused at Shingenâs plan groaned with a difficult face. A smile floated on Shingenâs face.
He had that kind of eyes that seemed to be seeing those who were struggling because they did not know the answer to the problem they had in mind. However, there was no ridicule in that gaze.
[ ââââââbut amateurs are different. General Ortashia is famous throughout the country. Not only is she beautiful, but sheâs also a princess. As well as a monster, who is also famous for exterminating women and children without hesitation. With that in mind, what if sheâs to appear in the middle of the night brandishing a sword?] (Shingen)
Ortashiaâs eyebrows twitched at âmonsterâ. She groaned, thinking it as unpleasant.
While Riru and Mina who felt similarly let out a small sigh.
[ Well, it will be a different story if their numbers are many.] (Shingen)
Ortashia thought as she clutched where her heart is.
(ââââââcertainly I have killed women beforeâŚ.but not children. Not outside of battle. Of course, there is that case where everyone mightâve been buried alive, butâŚ..)
Ortashia did not voice a complaint to Shingen because she knew it all too well. Riru beat her palm with her fist.
[ I see! When I was just a lowly knight, when I accidentally encountered a highest class demon beast, I felt like I was going to die. My feet wobbled and was unable to move. It was hard to knock that feeling over, strictly speaking.] (Riru)
High class demon beast ehâŚ.? How come I got compared to that? muttered Ortashia quietly.
[Ufufu. I know right? Riru, at that time, could barely swing her sword due to her shaking hands, couldnât she? Kept screaming ~donât come closer~. This girl was such a coward.] (Mina)
Well, that kind of surprised Shingen. Having a shameful page of her life revealed, Riruâs face was blushing.
[Stu, stupid ! Such a thing, sh-sh-should not be told to others so freely! ] (Riru)
Watching how embarrassed Riru got, Mina couldnât help but laugh merrily.
[When will the plan be carried out?] (Ortashia)
[As soon as possible.] (Shingen)
Hypothetically, if Runatitas had already known that Randall in Banrondo would raise a revolt, he would have prepared a counterplan. For instance, sending reinforcements to a town or fort near the town of York.
While raising soldiers in revolt against AldĂŠsir, Runatitas will thinks that he wants to lure Randall to a more favorable place for him.
If thatâs not the case, itâs necessary to send an army to Banrondoâs vicinity.
Fighting in a plain is simpler than breaking out of a siege.
Ortacia narrowed her eyes and saw where York City is located.
[It has to be done as soon as possible, I agree.] (Ortashia)