novelraw Chapter 102 : Chapter 102
Chapter 102 : Chapter 102
Chapter 102
The next morning.
The Count, entering the conference hall, scanned the commanders who had grim faces.
“Everyone is quiet today.”
Among those who should be shouting for victory, no one mentioned strategy or schemes.
“Tsk, usually you all have so much to say.”
“…Even so, they are Orcs. They will never cross the fortress.”
The knight who said that looked as if he didn't even believe his own words.
“What will you do about the evacuation order?”
This time, the Count’s face hardened.
He had already recommended evacuation to the fortress's non-combatant personnel several times.
It was just that the stubborn domain residents didn't listen.
The Count’s gaze turned to the old commander.
“…Do you think we should kick them out by force?”
“I just think that those holding weapons are enough to die in the fortress.”
…….
Before the war even started, the commanders were certain of defeat.
‘It is difficult, difficult.’
Yet, he couldn't curse or scold them.
Being certain of defeat yet not mentioning retreat meant they intended to die defending the fortress even if it meant death.
Thinking of the Young Lord who gripped the sword even after hearing the same information, he only felt regret.
“We have allies. Since we delivered this news, the Kingdom will likely send a large dispatch.”
“Then all the more reason to issue an evacuation order. Those who insist on not leaving must be chased out even by swinging clubs.”
The old commander continued with a face grimmer than anyone else present.
“Only then, even if the fortress collapses by any chance, the residents of the fortress can survive.”
Swallowing a groan, he looked at the faces of other commanders.
Those nodding silently.
Those looking at him with resolute faces.
Those closing their eyes while clenching both fists.
Finally looking at the old commander again, the Count nodded.
“That is true. I will issue a forced evacuation order as soon as this meeting ends.”
Only then will the soldiers who know their families are behind them grip their weapons.
“There are still more than 2 weeks left until they arrive. If anyone has a strategy, speak up.”
Predictable answers like purchasing food and supplies or digging traps with discarded weapons came back.
Just as the Count, thinking there was nothing more to gain, was about to end the meeting, Ian opened the conference room door, entered, scanned the room, and said.
“…Did someone die?”
* * *
Fortunately, no one died.
No, is it not fortunate?
“You’re going to issue a forced evacuation order?”
“Shouldn't those who can live, live.”
There was a reason the atmosphere was a mess.
Thinking they would all die before even lifting a weapon, the atmosphere could only be a mess.
“You might as well sing songs about how the fortress will collapse. A forced evacuation order is absolutely forbidden.”
As soon as I finished speaking, an old veteran with a red face shouted.
“You insolent fellow! No matter how important Moner’s honor is……!”
That stubborn-looking old veteran seems to think I’m opposing because of family honor, but that was an absurd misunderstanding.
“Moner’s honor has nothing to do with it. Until the moment the fortress collapses, no, even if the fortress collapses, we must absolutely not show weakness.”
“But this guy until the end……!”
It’s a simple story.
“Everyone seems to be mistaken, but we have no reinforcements.”
Moner was alone.
Although the 2nd Prince is said to be coming to help us, the 2nd Prince’s troops are not his.
“Since the troops led by the 2nd Prince are nothing but a ragtag group, at the news of even a single brick falling from the fortress, they will think of running away first.”
Then naturally, the northern nobles will fall away.
“The northern nobles think this war is a war of glory only. The moment they realize the 2nd Prince’s army is just a shell, they might turn their steps back.”
Naturally, the moment news spreads that a forced evacuation order has been issued, it was clear they would lock their castle gates and prepare for defense.
Whether 100,000 Orcs or 1,000,000 Orcs target Moner, the nobles will believe their own domains are safe.
The most important reason is separate.
“The greatest value of the northern nobles is not the soldiers or supplies they bring.”
“In the worst case, the northern nobles are the only card that can pressure the King.”
The old veteran, whose face turned red, only moved his mouth but couldn't spit out any words.
“If the entire northern nobility is here, no matter if it’s the King, he won't be able to ignore us.”
The moment the vassal relationship between the King and nobles collapses, the Royal Family’s authority will collapse with it.
“So we must act as if we are certain of victory until the very end. Because we must deceive ourselves to deceive them.”
“…Then the ones remaining in the fortress, then what about them.”
Suddenly, the woman holding the old veteran’s hand and walking around crossed his mind.
‘Ah, did he say his daughter gave birth to a granddaughter and visited the fortress? It seems she volunteered to stay since war is ahead.’
If her husband and parents are here, she wouldn't be able to leave.
What I have to say is decided.
“As always, we just have to protect them.”
Even if we have to use every method available, we win. No, we must win.
“Now, let’s make a plan starting now.”
* * *
The Count looked at Ian and the commanders with narrowed eyes.
“So! Even if we have to move only the Knight Order, we must induce local skirmishes! Using small units, we must somehow reduce their strength before they reach the fortress!”
“Do you think war is some heroic tale! There are no knights familiar with the forest right now, yet fighting in the forest, if you want to die so badly, die alone!”
“Who said we’re dying? Like the old veteran said, we survive and become heroes.”
Just one more person sat down, but the meeting gained speed.
“Now, now. Both of you calm down. Then how about recruiting volunteers from among the knights and operating a special unit?”
“Who will command those guys? Do you think there’s anyone crazy enough to crawl into the forest unless they’re properly mad?”
“In small-scale skirmishes, survival is most important. Someone who can save the unit in any situation must take command.”
“Ha! If there were such a hero, this war would be as good as won!”
“Aigoo, elder. Have you already gone deaf? How many times do I have to say it for you to understand?”
The Count didn't intervene in the meeting and looked at Ian without a word.
“We win this war.”
* * *
After the chaotic meeting ended, the Count approached.
“Good work.”
Right.
Good work.
It wasn't easy to instill hope in those who had accepted defeat before even fighting.
At the same time, it wasn't something I had to do.
“Even if they all accepted defeat, you, Count, should have been certain of victory.”
The Count shouldn't have done that.
Even if he sensed defeat, he should have proudly declared victory in front of them.
“When they worried about defeat, you, Count, should have gotten angry saying Moner will eventually win.”
At those words, the Count looked at me with somewhat strange eyes.
“You are right.”
Looking dissatisfiedly at the Count nodding with a stiff expression, I changed the subject.
“As I said earlier, I think we should summon the nobles first.”
“Understood. Once the nobles arrive, then I will send contact to the 2nd Prince.”
We decided to hold even a small banquet to lighten the atmosphere.
If we hold a banquet ahead of war, it will look like we are that certain of victory.
“By the way, who were you talking about earlier?”
“Who?”
The Count spoke with a voice where subtle expectation was felt.
“The person who can save the unit in any situation.”
Something…….
There seems to be a misunderstanding.
“It is not you, Count. The Commander must naturally protect the fortress.”
“Of course! I didn't expect it in the first place!”
The Count’s eyebrows twitched with disappointment as he said that.
‘I was thinking of putting Count Mogul in…….’
Well, I can tell him when the time comes.
“The important thing is to slow down their movement speed even a little.”
The closer to the outskirts of the forest, the fewer demonic beasts and monsters.
Especially now that nearly 100,000 Orcs are moving, procuring food in the forest would be impossible.
Orcs do not shy away from cannibalism.
From the moment procuring food becomes difficult, there will be more Orcs on the dinner table than Orcs dying by human hands.
“Eventually, the longer we drag time with skirmishes, the more impatient they are bound to become.”
“Hmm… They say the enemy of an enemy is a friend, so perhaps…….”
“Yes?”
“The Ogre wants revenge and said it wants to meet you.”
At the interesting words, my body naturally leaned forward.
“An Ogre…….”
I don't know how many there are, but each Ogre is practically a siege weapon.
Just throwing trees like cannonballs from afar…….
Just imagining it made me dizzy.
“I must meet this precious ally quickly before losing them.”
* * *
Even after Ian left, the Count sat in his seat for a long time and pondered repeatedly.
“Secretary-general, what do you think?”
“…….”
“Right, does it seem like my fault to you too?”
He got scared in advance at the scale of a hundred thousand.
He worried first about how to save even one person rather than how to win, and didn't even think about what would happen after that.
If it weren't for Ian, Moner would have lost all support along with the rumor that Moner gave up the fortress.
‘Moner eventually wins.’
He only came to his senses after the Count family’s motto, which had been lost at some point, came out of the Young Lord’s mouth.
“Like the Young Lord said, it is a war with sufficient odds of victory.”
The secretary-general nodded along with him.
“Secretary-general, no matter how I think about it, my head hardening seems to be because I haven't gone to the battlefield.”
“…Yes?”
At the ominous premonition, the secretary-general crumpled his face.
“Listening to him, his plan makes sense. Wouldn't it be better to have more units engaging in skirmishes?”
“T-That is true, but…….”
“Then it’s decided. Then I should also go out and swing my sword a bit.”
“Count, didn't the Special Mission Unit Captain clearly say the Count must protect the fortress.”
“Oho! This person, already! The fortress commander is still me, not him!”
“Then who do you intend to entrust the fortress to?”
“Since that guy Mogul said he’s coming, wouldn't you and Mogul be enough.”
The secretary-general, tilting his head for a moment, put his hand into his chest and took out a faded envelope.
“What is that?”
“It is my sincerity that I have cherished for a long time.”
Such a precious letter.
“Is it a letter sent by your daughter? May I read it perhaps?”
“Of course. I wrote it staying up all night for the Count.”
As he carefully received the paper the secretary-general handed over with a choked heart, large letters written on the letter paper were visible.
[Resignation Letter]
As the flustered Count glared alternately at the resignation letter stained with traces of time and the secretary-general, the old secretary-general smiled brightly.
“How long on earth have you had this…….”
“I wrote it the day I started serving the Count.”
“What?! Back then you clearly said you would follow me with sincerity!”
“…Thanks to that, I found a good job.”
The Count’s face was dyed with shock and a sense of betrayal.
He couldn't tell which was more shocking: that the secretary-general he trusted more than anyone had cherished the resignation letter like a baby bird, or that he took it out now.
“…Then come with me.”
In an instant, the secretary-general’s eyes sparkled.
“Both you and I have fought with documents that don't suit us for too long. If we entrust it to Mogul, he will do well on his own for a few days.”
“…If it is Count Mogul, he will surely protect the fortress excellently.”
The secretary-general, nodding seriously, quickly snatched the resignation letter back.
“I will convey my sincerity next time.”
“I can't understand at all why that is sincerity. When I treat you so well.”
The secretary-general, having lost his composure, pulled out the resignation letter again, but recalling the battlefield after several years, he quietly put the resignation letter back in.