Chapter 97 : Decoy Strategy
Decoy Strategy
"I agree. Without a strategy, I can say with certainty that there's no way to withstand those troops. But from the way you're talking, it seems you've come up with something."
Ernest nodded as if confident. He continued speaking, intending to indirectly reveal the method he had devised.
"Do you remember the place where the earthwork was?"
Walter thought for a moment, as Ernest's words seemed puzzling, then answered.
"The place with the earthwork—you mean the one we built at Gregory's request for reinforcements?"
"Yes, that's right. In front of there is an extremely narrow gorge."
"So, what about it?"
"If the enemy is lured into such a narrow space where even siege engines can barely pass, we could force them onto the defensive."
Walter could sense a realization at Ernest's words. Currently, the most formidable enemy factor was likely Tarierre Kingdom's shieldbearers.
But the idea was to infiltrate the gorge and, if the shieldbearers followed the decoy, launch a sudden attack at that moment.
"That's right... Is that the method you were thinking of?"
"It is."
While everyone else showed puzzled reactions, Walter and Ernest exchanged subtle, secretive looks. Clearly, they felt that their thoughts were aligned.
They hadn't been close for all that long, but now, after living together, they could understand each other to a fair extent just from glances.
After clearing his throat, Walter proceeded to explain the rules of action. Everyone, sensing from the odd glances exchanged between Ernest and Walter that some grand plan was afoot, focused all the more on Walter's words.
"The primary operation to be executed is to trap the enemy. We're going to reuse the earthwork strategy, just as Gregory first showed us."
Walter's strategy aroused curiosity. If it was to reuse Gregory's tactics, the enemy wouldn't fall for it so easily.
No matter how foolish they may be, they wouldn't fall for the same trick twice. At this, Alessandro raised a question.
"But... will the enemy really fall for it that easily?"
"Don't worry about that. We'll prepare a decoy. The enemy already has a record of suffering a major defeat against Arme. That means their resentment toward our kingdom must be significant. We'll use that to our advantage."
Kylas asked Walter for specifics of the operation.
"If you're 'reusing' the strategy, what approach will you take?"
"There's a gorge in front of the earthwork. If there are many enemies, there's a way to lure them in."
Upon hearing Walter's explanation, Kylas grasped that he meant to reuse Gregory's tactics. A vanguard would lure the enemy into the gorge, and at that point, the shieldbearers would be taken out at once, after which the regular troops could be dealt with.
He considered it a neat strategy.
Ah, you're wondering whether there's any guarantee the shieldbearers would be trapped in that gorge? That's a simple matter. Since the shields they carry are so heavy, shieldbearers advance slowly.
So it would be more natural for the regular soldiers to be trapped before the shieldbearers. However, the decoy strategy is different. After already suffering one defeat, the Blandi Kingdom is unlikely to recklessly send their troops charging in.
They would check everything, be cautious, and advance deliberately. To guard against archers potentially ambushing them, they would likely push the shieldbearers to the front.
The reason Gregory lured the enemy all the way to the earthwork was that if they struck at the gorge's mouth, they would miss countless soldiers slipping past.
'He's more cunning than I thought. Just what kind of person are you, Gregory?'
"All right. Then the important thing now is, how do we get them moving?"
As Kylas murmured this, Walter nodded and replied.
"For that, we need bait. Someone who looks, to the enemy, like an assured victory right in front of their eyes."
"When you say 'bait'..."
Adrian quietly spoke up. And then he continued.
"Are you talking about a decoy unit disguised as a reconnaissance detachment?"
"That's right."
Walter answered while striding forward. He traced the route with his finger on the map, from the entrance of the winding gorge to the earthwork.
"The decoy unit should be made up of an elite few, but must act as conspicuously as possible to draw the enemy's eye. When they reach the entrance to the gorge, they'll have to move in a way that looks as if they might intentionally get caught."
At those words, Kylas frowned.
"You're saying to risk getting caught on purpose? The odds of the decoy unit surviving look far too low."
"Which is why it must be composed of elites. Only those who can move quickly and precisely."
Walter said this as he quietly scanned those around him.
"And above all... our true target is the shieldbearers. Our goal isn't to sacrifice soldiers, but to trick the enemy into driving their shieldbearers into the gorge."
At that moment, Ernest, who had been silent, stepped forward. Though he spoke quietly, his words were filled with firm resolve.
"I'll take on that mission."
All eyes turned to Ernest. Walter stared at him piercingly, then shook his head slightly.
"You're not the one to go yet. Right now, you're needed to move the entire rear line."
"But the core of this operation is the decoy, and I know it best."
Ernest faced Walter directly.
"I've already fought a duel against their armored troops. If they see me, they'll chase me down for revenge, no matter what."
At that, Alessandro approached and spoke softly.
"Ernest. Are you sure? This isn't just a simple decoy mission, but one that involves leading the enemy's main force straight at you!"
Ernest didn't smile. Only the weight in his eyes had the same depth as Gregory's always did.
"We've tricked them once already, and while luring them, many lost their lives. It's time to repay that debt."
A silence fell. Everyone felt his unspoken emotion. Walter didn't try to stop him anymore. He nodded.
"... Fine. But you must come back alive. This operation is only complete if you live to return for the others."
Ernest bowed his head briefly. Just as he was about to bow properly, Alessandro interjected.
"One person won't be enough."
He, too, stepped forward as if he had made a big decision. The comrades, used to his usual grumbling and childishness, were shocked.
Adrian, apparently inspired by the changed Alessandro, made a decision as well.
"M-me too! I'll go! No one would send a comrade alone onto the battlefield."
Brea and Elisabeth felt the same.
Elisabeth, saying nothing, stepped up beside them, and Brea, visibly tense, also walked forward.
"M-me too! Thanks to Gregory, I've learned and realized a lot. I can't just keep receiving without giving back. I'll join too!"
Walter was moved by their camaraderie and loyalty. Even if sending them as decoys would be dangerous, he wasn't one to dissuade those who volunteered.
He laughed heartily, then began giving formal orders.
"Hahahaha! Good. Now that's what makes you the knight order of dawn. Are all of you watching? Your juniors are taking on such great roles—are you just going to watch?"
As everyone looked at one another, Walter detailed the plan.
"Kylas, deploy the archers to each cliff side of the gorge. Timing is everything. The moment the decoy unit reaches the center of the gorge, the archers must strike simultaneously from both flanks."
"Understood."
"And Amelia, leonics—since you're both strong, get ready to roll boulders. When the shieldbearers have packed into the gorge, roll the rocks down in the rear to block their retreat. The rest of the knights should shore up the earthwork position and secure a safe retreat path for the troops pretending to flee. Everyone, remain vigilant in case this operation fails."
With his concise instructions, everyone responded with a rousing cheer.
"Yes!"
"Understood!"
"For the eternal glory of Arme!"
Kylas immediately took the troop deployment map and began analyzing it. The other knights busied themselves, doing their utmost to carry out their assigned orders.