Chapter 85 : Tarierre Kingdom (6)
Tarierre Kingdom (6)
Gregory felt a chill at Ernest's words. Clearly, according to the orders he had previously given, their mission should have already been fulfilled.
However, he wondered what Ernest meant by having thought of a good method, so he glanced at him.
"You're not seriously thinking of climbing up there, are you?"
"I am."
"And what exactly do you expect us to do once we're up there...?"
They were in the midst of a heated meeting, when by rights they ought to be celebrating for having played their part so well already.
'Damn... Is this because I failed to pass on some additional information?'
Gregory had formed the strategy of abandoning this wall and raising the next earthwork only after organizing the special unit.
He hadn't had a chance to inform anyone of this decision.
As a result, the knights of dawn's knight order judged that they had not perfectly carried out their mission: to eliminate as many enemies as possible and minimize their casualties.
Still, Gregory didn't step forward. With Ernest in command at that moment, he felt curious to see how they would proceed.
He was usually the one in authority, and none of his comrades ever openly refused him. He wanted to see, through their conversation, whether they truly valued his strategy—or if, even if they didn't, they just found it difficult to voice their own opinions.
At last, Ernest spoke.
"The reason we're unable to advance right now is those damned shieldbearers. Of course, their defensive power is remarkable, but perhaps even their individual strength alone is difficult to overcome."
Gregory found the response fascinating. Reaching the top here usually meant one was no longer going to engage in close combat.
They had been desperate to hold back the shieldbearers; close quarters combat had practically become impossible.
'Ernest... You certainly know how to think outside the box.'
"So what are you planning to do, then?"
"I spent a moment thinking what Gregory would do. Since we've always watched you in action, I figured we could find some clue there."
As soon as Ernest suggested that "Gregory" might have thought along these lines, the knights of dawn's knight order suddenly grew quiet. Gregory, noticing the shift, felt something odd.
'What's this? Why did everyone fall silent as soon as my name came up? I feel like I'd have voiced a similar thought...'
Elisabeth, sensing the tense air, questioned Ernest again.
"You're not... thinking what I think, are you?"
Alessandro, not catching on, glanced nervously around at his comrades.
"What's going on? Whatever you're plotting, let me in on it too."
Adrian then joined Alessandro, and upon hearing Adrian's words, Alessandro couldn't hide his confusion.
Ernest continued, explaining the upcoming plan, and their discussion quickly grew intense as opinions clashed among the comrades.
"We're going up onto that wall and launching a focused attack."
"But even so, just being inside the wall isn't going to make it safe. I'm not really sure what you're trying to accomplish."
"We've already scouted the area. Even if they use cannons, the walls are thick enough to hold out. And due to the wall's height, archers won't easily be able to aim accurately."
After some time, the clarity of Ernest's plan seemed to win everyone over; the knights quieted down.
Only then did Gregory realize why they had accepted it so easily. It was probably because, after hearing the explanation, there were no objections.
'Good. This is enough. Now I understand how you all usually think.'
Gregory then descended from the wall and approached them. Even then, his comrades were vigorously sharing their ideas.
"But what if the enemy bunches all their shields together for defense? Even if we rain down arrows, it could be totally ineffective."
"Don't worry about that. We have cannons too. If they bunch up, we'll blast their shields apart first, and then saturate them with fire."
Gregory turned over each comment in his mind, feeling that they truly had absorbed everything he'd taught them so far.
If they had ever acted in battle with no thought, such reasoning would have been impossible.
Thus, he approached Ernest, who was energetically discussing tactics, and patted him on the back.
"Good. Your judgment is, as ever, excellent."
***
Even in wartime, there wasn't always intense fighting. Gregory decided to use the lull to explain the next phase of their strategy.
Having watched wars unfold for years, he had insight to offer.
"What? Abandon this wall and build a new earthwork further back?"
Alessandro was floored by Gregory's proposal, responding with a raised, incredulous voice. Kylas shook his head vehemently.
"No, that can't be. If we abandon these walls steeped in long tradition, the loss in cultural value will be irreparable."
Strategically, though, he thought Gregory's plan might work. After all, the Tarierre Kingdom's soldiers weren't even annexed to the Blandi Kingdom.
As long as they held out, support from other orders would arrive before long—just as Gregory surmised.
But he also believed that they shouldn't heap further shame upon future generations.
At that point, Walter, who had been silent the whole while, spoke up in support of Gregory.
"For now, that seems to be the best approach."
Kylas sweated nervously at this unexpected response from Walter.
"Commander, do you really intend to give up this land? You know better than anyone how much produce our kingdom harvests from the plains behind us, and what this area is worth in cultural terms."
Walter fell silent for a moment. He too, didn't want to lose this land—his feelings echoed Kylas's.
Kylas locked eyes with Walter.
"To many, this land is like home. Please reconsider..."
After a long, heavy silence, Walter finally spoke.
"Right now, reason must come before emotion. Of course, I too don't want to lose this land. But if our kingdom disappears, if we cannot continue our line, its worth won't even be something we can feel emotional about."
Kylas respected Walter's stance. He had seen firsthand the weighty responsibilities and burdens that came with being commander.
Walter added, "First, let's relinquish this land. The harvest is already in, so there won't be a food crisis for the time being."
It was a weighty decision. It was not one the knights of dawn's knight order could make independently. Losing territory would have massive consequences.
But for now, clinging to stability and rationality took precedence over everyone dying. Even if the war ended with them having failed to keep the land, they needed proof they had tried all they could to destroy and defeat the enemy rather than surrendering and perishing without even trying.
"Don't worry. We can win."
At this moment of difficulty, Gregory consoled Walter. No-one was more confident of victory in war than he.
At least for him, he'd been reborn for the sake of revenge, and he was determined to do whatever it took until those enemies had been eliminated.
"Thank you..."
Of course, he couldn't guarantee what variables might occur during battle, but Gregory's forceful words were enough to comfort Walter's troubled heart.
***
Soon after, thanks to the materials Neisit had supplied, they were able to keep the enemy at bay. Outside the wall, the air thundered with deafening noise as logs and rock-falls crashed from above, making it impossible for enemy infantry to approach without risking their lives.
"Is everyone ready?"
Gregory called out to the knights of dawn, bracing himself. As he signaled, his comrades each picked up their fire arrows at just the right moment.
When he released his arrow, huge flames began to spread outside the wall.
"This should be enough. Let's take a step back for a big leap forward."
Gregory started the fire to keep both the Blandi Kingdom and Tarierre Kingdom at bay, then gathered all supply materials and began to withdraw for the next siege.
He glanced back once and thought to himself,
'I'll make sure to get my revenge... Meren. I still haven't forgotten that humiliating feeling.'
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