Chapter 94 : The Mercenary Bureau's First Request (8)
Chapter 94: The Mercenary Bureau's First Request (8)
'…Dammit. Reinforcements.'
He never imagined the rebels would've planned things so meticulously.
This was entirely his misjudgment.
Shatien took a breath and steeled his resolve.
The water was already spilled.
There was no use in regretting it now.
-Shring.
Shatien blamed his own dullness as he drew his sword.
“Everyone, prepare for battle! Show them the strength of the Black Raven Mercenary Company!”
At Shatien’s command, the mercenaries fell into a small panic.
“W-Will our numbers even be enough to form a square formation?”
“He's right. It looks difficult to form a square formation on all sides in a plain like this, Centurion!”
Instead of answering, Shatien quickly scanned the enemy camp.
'Most of them are knights. It looks like there are infantry in the back, but I just need to block the knights.'
To face so many elf knights in a wide plain was daunting. Especially in a situation where they couldn't even form a proper formation. But he had to do it anyway. Shatien, having quickly organized his thoughts, gave an immediate command.
“Form the square formation wider. There’s no need to fill the center! Form the square with four ranks on each side and leave the middle empty!”
“T-Then who stays in the middle?”
“It’ll be empty! I and a few veterans will go inside!”
If they could block just a few lance charges, the enemy would eventually retreat. The sun was about to set soon. No madman would push a fight once it turned dark.
“Halberdiers, take positions at the empty corners of the square. This time, plant the halberds to reinforce the formation together!”
By doing this, they constructed dense defense even at the corners. The formation wouldn't break in a single blow under most circumstances.
“W-What should I do!”
Halbert, who had joined recently, asked urgently.
“Get inside the formation!”
“Understood.”
Once the command was given, they carried it out mechanically. Shatien’s centuria completed the formation in an instant with orderly movement.
Meanwhile, the enemy grew closer.
The light was fading, making it hard to see clearly.
Still, one thing was certain.
They were overwhelmed in numbers and faced a massive force of knights.
“Dammit! Shatien! Where should I stay?”
“Take charge of the rear. I’ll be at the front.”
“Wouldn't it be better if I fought at the front with you?”
Shatien shook his head at Miles’s words.
“A square formation is finished if any one side breaks. I’m counting on you for the rear. Please hold the line.”
“…Be careful, Shatien!!”
As soon as Miles finished speaking, the ground shook.
-Thump, thump, thump.
About fifty knights were charging straight at them.
Shatien quickly gave the signal.
“Pikes forward!”
“Agh! Pikes forward!”
-Schwing!
A lethal wall of pikes extended on all four sides. It was certain the knights would suffer immense damage if they collided, yet they didn't look like they planned to slow down.
Shatien gave a bitter smile, realizing his prediction was right.
'As expected. They're just like northern elf knights.'
Whether they were rebels or not, they always favored fists over words. There were no polite requests for surrender, just immediate combat.
Watching the knights approach through the dust, the mercenaries cursed in their tension.
“Those damn elf bastards.”
“Are those pointy ears really going to just ram into us like this?”
“Grip the pikes tight!!!”
The pikes trembled from the vibration of the horses' hooves. There was no way to avoid the fight. They could only express their murderous intent toward each other. Shatien shouted loudly so everyone could hear.
“Don't be afraid! We’re the invincible mercenary company that even blocked the Order of the Black Rain!”
-Woooooah!
-The great Black Raven Mercenary Company!!!
-I’ll grind you all down, you pointy ears!!
Cheers erupted, mixing fear and courage.
'Dammit.'
Unlike them, Shatien cursed inwardly. Even though he spoke those words, it was hard to stop his heart from racing and his hands from sweating as he gripped his sword.
Still, he had to do what needed to be done.
“Crossbowmen! Prepare to fire!!”
“Prepare to fire!!”
The few crossbowmen began to aim simultaneously at Shatien’s command.
It was a touch and go situation!
However,
-Thump, thump… clop, clop.
“?”
The charging knights suddenly slowed down.
-Neighhhhh!
-Whoa, whoa.
“?????”
The distance closed enough to identify the flag. Shatien was greatly surprised.
“Cease fire! Cease fire! Lower your weapons immediately!”
“……?”
The mercenaries were puzzled.
“Why is that? Centurion?”
Shatien answered with a hollow voice.
“Those aren't rebels, they're Sir Ragnarsson’s troops.”
“Ehhhhh?”
* * *
Once they confirmed the flag, the tight tension they’d felt snapped instantly.
“It’s Sir Ragnarsson’s army! That’s the flag we saw last time!!”
“Damn! We’re saved! We lived!”
“I almost died, dammit.”
Relieved sighs broke out everywhere. Shatien also took a deep breath to calm his excitement.
He never thought the day would come when he’d be so happy to see those elf knights.
'That was lucky.'
It seemed Sir Ragnarsson had been in the middle of attacking nearby rebels.
-Clop, clop.
Sir Ragnarsson rode up accompanied by a few knights. He raised his helmet and grinned.
“Hahahaha! Sir Shatien!!!! I thought you were rebels, but it’s you! This makes me feel truly good!”
Ragnarsson laughed boisterously.
“It's good to see you again, Sir Ragnarsson.”
Ragnarsson scanned the mercenaries as he accepted the greeting.
“But is this all of them? I hope the mercenary unit didn't get cut in half on the way?”
“No. This is just the vanguard, and the rest are scheduled to join us later.”
“Ah. I see. But what were you doing here? I was surprised because you appeared from the rebel side, so I thought you were the enemy. And you don't even have any luggage?”
An unwanted question came up.
Shatien’s mind raced quickly.
'Hmm. He'll be disappointed if I tell him the truth.'
It was a tactical retreat, but it wasn't something to brag about. Especially given the nature of elves who love fighting, they certainly wouldn't think well of him if he said he ran away. There was no reason to show that to his employer from the start.
After some thought, Shatien came up with an answer Ragnarsson would like.
“I heard you were in urgent need of troops, so I was doing a forced march with only the minimum necessary supplies. If things got desperate, I figured I could just raid the rebels anyway, right?”
“Uhahaha. That’s a very northern way of thinking. That’s why I like you so much.”
Ragnarsson laughed heartily as if he was pleased.
'It looks like that went over well.'
It wasn't a strategy only northerners would use, but there was no need to be pedantic. Ragnarsson’s questions continued.
“Did you see any enemies on your way, by any chance?”
“I repelled a few rebel groups while coming here. It seems they’ve withdrawn from this vicinity.”
“Hmm, is that so?”
He told a white lie this time too. This man would've definitely rushed off to fight if he knew there were enemies.
'I should avoid unnecessary combat for now.'
The night was growing dark. Battles with uncertain outcomes were unnecessary. Saving strength while crushing the enemy was the basis of military strategy.
Furthermore, he hadn't even properly grasped the northern terrain yet, so he had to be even more careful.
Besides, he didn't even need to fight too hard. It was just a matter of preserving troops and lending power where needed.
“Well done, Sir! To think you’ve been working so properly even before arriving. This is just great. Hahahaha.”
As expected, Ragnarsson burst into a boisterous laugh.
He was truly a consistent elf noble, that Ragnarsson.
Thanks to that, Shatien roughly figured out how to treat this elf noble.
“Then I’ll join the main unit now. Where were you headed?”
“I’ve just crushed a rebel unit, so I should head home now. My city, Osulheim, is near here.”
Ragnarsson was in charge of the relatively dangerous front lines. There was still a long way to go to reach Rostingia.
“Tsk. Normally, I should throw a grand festival to welcome you, but it’s a shame. The atmosphere right now is to save as much strength as possible. My lord and father, the Margrave of Rostingia, has forbidden festivals.”
For elves, a grand festival meant a festival of blood and madness.
A tournament where they fought until they died.
He was a crazy elf knight who calmly talked about wanting to kill him. Really.
'That’s a huge relief.'
Shatien felt relieved.
The reason for having an absurd life or death struggle with Ragnarsson as soon as he arrived had disappeared.
“How will the battles proceed from now on?”
“Unless something special happens, you'll be with me. I need to pull out the roots of those rebel bastards near the city.”
He thought that was a relief. He was sick of acting elegant while greeting nobles at the court. It wasn't as if being liked by the Margrave of Rostingia would be of great help anyway.
'The field is definitely the best. I can stop by a city once in a while to relieve fatigue.'
Shatien didn't know.
In truth, to others, elf knights and Shatien felt exactly the same.
* * *
After traveling for a few days, a large city appeared in the distance. Sir Ragnarsson pointed at it and shouted loudly.
“We’re here! That’s my fief. It's Osulheim!!”
It was indeed a large city worthy of a viscount's rank. It made the Free City of Loren feel small.
“The mercenaries can stay in the barracks. I’ll make special mention of it. There should be plenty of room since many friends have gone to join the ancestors recently.”
Just then, fully armed knights approached from the entrance. One of them wore plate armor from the ancient empire era that looked expensive enough to rival a small castle.
“Hahaha! Ragnarsson!”
The man shouted as he removed his helmet.
The man’s appearance was handsome enough to be considered a beauty even among elves. However, he didn't feel a warrior's aura from him at all.
“Hmm?”
Ragnarsson’s eyes widened as he spotted the man. Shatien asked curiously.
“Who is that person?”
“It’s my uncle, Sir Norten. I don't know what brought him here.”
Ragnarsson’s voice was trembling slightly. Shatien could roughly guess what he was worried about.
'It’s probably news about the Margrave of Rostingia.'
The news of him being bedridden came back to him.
'Huh, he looks more like an Angevin Kingdom noble than an elf.'
As soon as he saw Norten, Count Bellua came to mind. If he took away the unique pressure Count Bellua emitted, it would feel exactly like Sir Norten.
“Hyah!”
Ragnarsson rode forward and welcomed Sir Norten warmly.
“Haha. What brings you all the way here, Uncle?”
“Ragnarsson, it's been a long time. Did you finish your task well?”
“I’ve just annihilated a rebel unit. How about you, Uncle?”
Friendly greetings were exchanged. The smile never left Ragnarsson’s lips.
“It's always the same. Thanks to your hard work, I'm spending my time comfortably enjoying the hunt.”
“I’m glad to hear that. That aside, what brings you here?”
“I came to deliver a letter from His Excellency the Margrave, and just to see your face.”
Ragnarsson let out a quiet sigh of relief. Baron Norten patted Ragnarsson’s shoulder with a sympathetic expression.
“Your brother is doing well, so you don't need to worry.”
“I'm so glad you're by his side, Uncle.”
Shatien finally made eye contact with Baron Norten.
“Who is this striking noble?”
“This is Shatien.”
Then a smile appeared on Baron Norten’s lips.
“So this is the famous Knight Killer Shatien? I’ve heard many rumors. I heard you knocked down all the elves of the Order of the Black Rain in the last battle?”
“Thank you for the generous praise.”
Despite that, Shatien didn't feel very good.
'Why?'
Furthermore….
-Ziiiiinnngg.
The mystery of the lineage given to Shatien was violently warning him that this man was dangerous.