Chapter 100 : Night Raid (1)
Night Raid (1)
Garneth and Seria looked at Gregory with heavy gazes.
"Counter-utilize...?"
"If they deploy the knight order to protect the supply line, it means the frontline forces will be dispersed. Once the concentration of combat power collapses, that's our perfect moment to launch a counterattack."
Gregory spoke as he placed his hand on the map. His fingertip pointed to the eastern supply line of the Blandi Kingdom, the grain belt running along the plains.
"They're moving their main food supplies through these plains. It's open on all sides, so it's actually ill-suited for a raid, but that makes it easy to neglect security. To protect the supply line, soldiers have to patrol constantly. If their fatigue accumulates..."
"We can cut it off in a single blow?"
Walter picked up where he left off. Adrian, who had been rubbing his forehead, lifted his head.
"But for that to work, we'd need to infiltrate that position in advance. If we just barge in, they'll notice us and reinforce their forces."
Gregory nodded. He was already aware of that problem.
"We'll use a detour. If we pass through the wetlands in the northeast, it's hard to move large numbers of troops, but a group of about twenty can infiltrate without issue. If we travel along the water at night, it'll be nearly impossible to track us."
"Twenty men, huh..."
Alessandro murmured to himself.
Brea and Elisabeth exchanged quiet glances as well.
Gregory continued in a calm voice.
"This operation isn't a short decisive battle. We hit the supply line and immediately withdraw. The targets are the supply wagons and warehouses. We burn the supplies, secure our exit, then retreat right away. The idea is to strike efficiently while avoiding combat as much as possible."
At his words, Ernest nodded and smiled.
"Right. It's definitely different now that you're back. The mood, the strategy."
"I'm just doing what I have to do."
Gregory replied impassively. But his eyes were much sharper than before.
Then, Gregory looked back at the map.
Nothing was marked on it.
But he had scouted this area himself during his old reconnaissance days.
Although those were old memories, the layout of the forest and the flow of the waterways came to his mind as if drawn anew.
'In those wetlands, it's nearly impossible to see at night. On the other hand, if we're familiar with the terrain, the enemy won't even be able to respond.'
This operation hinged on stamina and teamwork.
A single mistake could bring everything crashing down.
But Gregory was resolved to stake everything on this operation.
He looked up.
"I'll lead this mission myself."
"You?"
Alessandro asked back, surprised. Elisabeth and Brea also stared at him, wide-eyed.
Normally, Gregory would be the most qualified to lead, but he'd only just gotten back on his feet after lying in bed.
"That's reckless. You're not even fully recovered yet."
"That's why I have to go."
Gregory spoke slowly.
"This isn't just any mission. The fate of the Arme kingdom hangs on this operation. This could be a far more decisive turning point than the last operation when we took the bait."
At this, Ernest didn't try to stop him anymore.
He saw the determination in Gregory's eyes. He knew there was no stopping him, and as Gregory's plans had always worked masterfully, he had complete trust in him.
He simply nodded, looking at him.
"Alright. Then let's have everything ready before nightfall."
"Thank you."
At that moment, Walter suddenly appeared beside them and spoke up.
"Since it's come to this, I'll go with you. If there are any knights among the enemy, I'll be able to handle them cleanly."
Gregory declined. Walter would certainly be a big help.
But knowing they were planning a surprise attack meant that the enemy could be considering one too.
"Captain, you need to stay here. While we're away, you need to guard the fortress and the front. The enemy might try to infiltrate again. And as the one holding command, you would be the most suited to do so."
Walter was not pleased with the situation, but accepted it with resignation. The crucial point of the operation was that Gregory had to take the lead, so keeping him in the rear to run strategy was out of the question.
At the same time, he didn't feel right about handing command over to anyone else.
"... Hmph. How troublesome. Understood."
Walter grumbled as he turned, his complaint stemming from the guilt of not being able to help when he ardently wanted to.
Meanwhile, Gregory calmly began organizing the preparations ahead.
There were three objectives.
First, striking at the supply line across the plains. Second, dealing a psychological blow to the enemy's morale. And lastly, securing the route to regroup with the front after returning.
He took meticulous notes, knowing that fate itself might hang in the balance.
'This time, I'll take the lead myself. Consider it payback for the victory I won by being the decoy.'
He murmured this as he gazed off into the distance.
By then, the sun had already passed its zenith.
***
Before long, night fell. Stars flowed above the fortress. In the pitch-black forest's edge, members of the dawn knight order gathered.
All heavy armor had been removed; they wrapped themselves in black cloth, concealing their silhouettes. Only knights from the dawn knight order, besides the regular soldiers, were selected.
Gregory looked at each of them, one by one.
They must have gotten used to the battlefield by now, as there was no wavering in their eyes.
Moreover, each was resolved, thinking: even if I die, this mission must succeed.
Gregory declared confidently.
"Once we get through tonight, the course of the war will change. I ask you all to stay alert, move as stealthily as possible, and keep hidden while advancing."
"Of course."
Alessandro muttered.
"B-but... it's so dark I can barely see the others. Are you sure we'll be able to walk without tripping?"
Gregory reassured him.
"Don't worry, just link up until we get close to the enemy. I'm sure there will be torches all over the enemy supply line to keep it lit."
Brea made a flustered noise.
"W-what? Linking arms?"
"If you don't want to, you shouldn't have joined. The fate of the kingdom is on the line—who cares about a little link-up?"
"Ah... Well, when you put it like that... Fine."
Though Brea grumbled, she still nodded. Though her voice faded, her steps did not falter.
In a single line, they began moving quietly. On the windless, silent night,
damp mud clung heavily to their boots with every step. Just as expected, the night raid unfolded in darkness. Each placed their hand on the shoulder of the person ahead, muffling even their breath as they moved forward.
'This is definitely the right path.'
Gregory led, recalling his memories.
As a scout, he remembered that these wetlands had many spots where the ground would give way like a trap, and anyone unfamiliar with them would end up floundering in deep bogs.
But he knew exactly where to go.
He knew where the ground was dry, where the mud sank beneath the water plants.
Those memories, now, were the key to the mission's success or failure.
Whenever they passed a shallow pool, he signaled to the person ahead, stopping to check the footing before proceeding. The line grew quieter as time went on, their silence almost reverent.
At last, the trees began thinning out.
Gregory whispered softly, with just enough volume for his comrades to hear.
"Can you all see? I think that's it over there."
Everyone froze at Gregory's words. In front of them was a narrow boundary leading into open ground. Torches dotted the area in all directions, and countless tents were spread out.
Beyond, piles of wooden crates and wagons stood in faint outline.
"That's definitely the supply base."
There was no doubt. If it were just an ordinary camp, there wouldn't be tight security, nor would there be so many supplies ready for use. Gregory knew instinctively that those were food supplies.
"Everyone, stay sharp and stick close."
By now, the ground was solid and dry enough to walk without worry. Gregory, preparing to launch the next phase, drew Durandal. After glancing firmly at his dimly-lit allies one by one, he shouted boldly,
"Attack!!"