How to Live as a Swordmaster of the Enemy Nation

Uncanny Gorge Follow current novᴇls on N0veI.Fiɾe.net

Operation name: Uncanny Gorge. Walter gave a name to this operation. And as the scout had reported, the Blandi Kingdom showed unusual movements for several days before finally beginning to send out their soldiers.

When viewed through binoculars, the enemy soldiers deployed this time outnumbered those who had been sent to the front line before.

Walter guessed that the previous operation's success had helped intensify hostility.

'Hoo... I can do this. Without Gregory here, I must be the one to see this through.'

At dawn, as the dim light began to shine over the gorge, Ernest paused his horse and caught his breath.

The ones standing before him were all familiar faces: Adrian, Alessandro, Elisabeth, and even Brea.

All of them looked like they hadn't slept a wink the night before due to worry, but their eyes were clearer and steadier than anyone's. A resolve to corner the enemy no matter what.

Ernest's voice spread out.

"We can't turn back now. Since we've chosen to take the bait, let's all brace ourselves."

Alessandro adjusted his leather hood before continuing.

"If we don't lure the enemy here, then the archers and all troops stationed at the earthwork in that valley become meaningless, right? All right, let's go for the sake of all the regular soldiers."

Adrian grumbled at that.

"I know. But I'm so nervous I feel like I'm gonna throw up."

Even so, there was no sign of trembling in his hands. On the contrary, his grip on his sword was filled with reverence.

"The enemy reconnaissance detachment will spot us soon. Get ready."

Ernest nodded and stepped forward. Leading at the very front, he deliberately made rough footsteps.

The glint from his iron armor reflected between the cracks of the rocks, as if he were purposefully letting the enemy spot him.

And soon, that proved effective. A trumpet blared sharply from afar. Then, beyond the gorge, flags shot up.

"Enemy elite troops!"

Brea shouted.

Elisabeth, with a calm face, drew her sword.

"Their reaction is faster than expected, and the shieldbearers are at the front."

Ernest smiled at that.

"Good. They've taken the bait perfectly."

Their operation was more than just a lure—it was a provocation. In the clash with the heavy cavalry, Ernest had already carved himself deeply into the enemy's attention. At the sight of him, the enemy could not help but be drawn in by both vengeance and instinct.

At that moment, Alessandro quickly shouted.

"More than two! In addition to the shieldbearers, mounted archers are visible!"

"Just as planned. They put the shieldbearers up in front as a defensive line, and try to seize initiative in the battle by flanking with mounted archers."

Ernest spoke as he quickly reformed the troops.

"We have to escape before we're surrounded. Lure them to the center of the valley and fire the signal flare."

"I'll fire the flare!"

Adrian called out.

"Good. I'll leave it to you. The rest is up to our comrades in the rear and at the earthwork."

They ran towards the heart of the gorge. Step after step. The farther they got, the closer the chasing sounds behind them became. At that moment—

"Arrows! Duck your heads!"

With Ernest's cry, the sharp metallic sound of arrows zipped over their heads. It was obvious at a glance that they were shot by well-trained archers. The enemy's attention was on Ernest, just as he had predicted.

"Don't stop! We haven't reached the center yet!"

Ernest called out, just loud enough for his comrades to hear. While luring the enemy, Elisabeth deflected incoming arrows with her spear, shielding her companions and following closely behind.

Adrian ran, head low, clutching the signal flare tightly in his hand. Finally, they reached the center of the gorge. The valley was narrow and deep, surrounded by cliffs on all sides.

"Now! The signal flare!"

With all his strength, Adrian shot the red flare he'd been holding into the sky. A scarlet flame shot across the night, serving as the start signal for the archers waiting on both sides of the valley.

In an instant, hundreds of arrows rained down like a storm from both cliffs of the previously silent and empty gorge.

"Fire!!!"

With Kylas's shout, the archers all drew their bowstrings at once. Sharp twangs echoed along the cliffs, and soon the valley was filled with the screams of pain.

The enemy shieldbearers at the front collapsed under the concentrated volley before they could even react, and through that gap, Amelia and Leonics began rolling down the piles of rocks they'd prepared in advance.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Huge boulders crashed down from the cliffs, blocking the rear of the shieldbearers, cutting off their escape instantly.

"Retreat! Now!"

Ernest gave the order, and they quickly began withdrawing along the prearranged retreat path through the valley's bypass.

They didn't look back. No, there was no need to look. The operation had been a perfect success. Not a single one of them was hurt, and they had withdrawn cleanly.

Their role had been fully carried out. Ernest glanced back for a final time. There, the shieldbearers were screaming in confusion.

He murmured quietly.

"... Gregory. We are carrying on in the way you envisioned. Please, wake up."

And then, preparing his next orders, he hurried away.

***

Meanwhile, after regaining consciousness, Gregory slowly sat up.

His mind was still hazy, and his limbs limp, but that was a sign that his senses were returning. He looked at the ceiling once, then faced Heln, who was sitting beside him.

"How come Lady Heln is...?"

Heln did not reply. She only lowered her gaze, fine and careful as a suppressed breath. There was still a cold towel in her hand, her fingertips faintly trembling.

Gregory struggled to speak, his voice raspy as if scratching.

"...the battle... how is it?"

"It is likely still ongoing."

Heln's voice was firm, but somehow unsteady. There was a layer of lingering regret on top of her breath of relief, pressing heavily on her eyelids.

Even hearing that, Gregory could not accept it easily. Closing his eyes without a word, he let out a deep breath.

"Has it been so long...?"

"Yes... You regained consciousness after a week. And since you did not awake, Lord Ernest went out to the front himself. By now, he is probably in the midst of fierce fighting."

Gregory then realized that his awakening was more significant than mere recovery. Simply the shock that his former-life's father was alive in this era... was not enough.

He hadn't just fainted—it seemed so much time had already passed. And so much had changed in that time.

Murmuring quietly, Gregory looked around. Inside a tent, the scent of simple medicine, a makeshift bed.

It was clearly the interior of the dawn knight order—so familiar. But what felt most unfamiliar was the face of Heln.

That gaze, quietly and silently tending to him.

"Have you been the one to nurse me, lady Heln?"

For some reason, Heln's face turned redder at Gregory's words.

"D-don't misunderstand! There was no one else... I just thought I had to do it, that's all."

Gregory was confused. He knew nothing about her.

"Thank you."

After a long while, Gregory spoke quietly. At those words alone, Heln's shoulders trembled slightly.

"... Right now, those words alone suffice."

Heln said in a meaningful tone. Gregory sensed something odd, but Heln ignored it and, after a moment's hesitation, carefully set a small envelope at Gregory's bedside.

"This...? What is it?"

"There was an order to deliver this to you as soon as you awoke. Lord Ernest left it."

Gregory regarded the envelope heavily. He opened it and checked inside. There was a map and a note.

[Gregory. The next step you were preparing—we set it up in your stead. If you wake up, join us at once. This is your chance to thoroughly crush the enemy, just as you said.]

Gregory frowned. Having always led the group, he felt anxious that the comrades' own plan might have flaws.

Wanting to save his comrades, he threw off his blanket and quickly sat up.

"Ah! You shouldn't get up yet. You still need to rest..."

But Gregory did not change his mind despite Heln's protest. He nodded. The pressure that he might yet have to defeat his father had not disappeared,

yet his heart now beat warmly again. Gregory looked up.

"No... I still have many things left to do. I, too, must head for that gorge."

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