After finishing my official duties, I arrived at the training grounds, where the soldiers were lined up in two separate groups.
Between the two groups stood Herbert, who was glancing back and forth at both sides.
“It seems preparations are complete, so we will begin the training. The victory conditions are to incapacitate over half of the opposing force or to defeat the commander. The use of aura and magic is prohibited. Begin!”
Once Herbert announced the start of the training, the two groups slowly began to move and close the distance. Herbert hurriedly moved to avoid being caught in the action and stood beside me.
“Still, when it’s an exercise with 2,000 people, the scale is quite impressive.”
“Indeed,” Erich and Kurt each command 1,000 soldiers.
They started moving slowly, seemingly testing the distance between them, and after a while, the front lines clashed. For now, it seemed like a stalemate, possibly while both sides were probing each other.
“Who’s the deputy commander this time?”
I turned to Herbert, standing next to me, and asked. Herbert, touching his chin, answered.
“We don’t have a deputy commander this time.”
“Huh?”
“They’ve received training, and experienced members from Gregory’s mercenary group are leading units of around 100 soldiers each. Erich and Kurt are organizing them.”
I had thought that commanding 1,000 soldiers would require about five knights. But I see now that with the training and influence of the mercenaries, it is possible to move a large army without knights. Initially, knights were needed for survivability and ease of command, but it seems that now, knights are not strictly necessary for leading an army.
As I was thinking about this, Erich’s group extended its flanks and attempted to encircle Kurt’s side.
“I had thought the upper limit for knights to command was around 500, but I guess that’s only for peasant soldiers. Trained soldiers don’t have such limitations.”
“Indeed, it seems so. I didn’t think we’d reach this point either…”
Of course, to command a large army, someone with skills like a mercenary group leader, essentially a non-commissioned officer, would be essential. But if there’s proper education and training, even non-knights can take on that role.
Other nobles wouldn’t be able to do this. Due to their reliance on the peasant-soldier system, their mobilized forces depend on the number of knights. But we’re different.
Not being dependent on the number of knights means that, even with a shortage of knights, we can still mobilize a large force. Of course, it costs money…
While observing the training, I noticed that Kurt, who appeared to be focusing on defense, suddenly launched a central breakthrough. Erich, by extending his flanks, had made the center weak, and Kurt likely saw an opportunity to strike there.
“But, as expected, without knights, the breakthrough power is lacking.”
“Yes, that’s true. Although, the ban on aura and magic might be a factor as well.”
Kurt seemed to be struggling with the central breakthrough.
It seems that knights are still necessary for a military force. But the fact that knights aren’t required for command might open up new advantages.
I thought deeply, wondering if there was anything from my previous life that I could use.
Then, something came to mind.
“Knights are like tanks, and magicians are like artillery…”
“Hmm? What was that, Lord Ainzich?”
I must have spoken aloud. I quickly looked at Herbert and asked him.
“Old man, how about gathering the leftover knights and knight apprentices into a single group and using them as a unit?”
Knights, with their mobility, defense, and firepower, could indeed be compared to tanks. And rather than distributing them, it might be better to concentrate their use.
Herbert stroked his chin, thinking.
“I see… That could work. The breakthrough power would be sufficient.”
“The front line can hold out with our volunteers, and then we can strike from the flanks with the knights.”
It’s a classic anvil-and-hammer tactic.
The volunteers are the anvil, and the knights are the hammer. If they were peasant soldiers, the anvil might not hold, but these volunteers have been trained to face knights. They should be able to endure.
Herbert seemed surprised by the idea.
“…Did you learn something like this from the Count?”
“…Why would my father be involved?”
Herbert stared at my face intently.
I felt a bit embarrassed under his gaze, but after a moment, Herbert sighed quietly.
“I see… It really seems like a sudden inspiration. But, perhaps it’s the bond of family, considering you’re thinking of something similar to the Count.”
“Did my father think of the same thing?”
Herbert nodded as he looked back at the training.
“The Count is top-tier as a knight. However, his family isn’t that large, so major battles would leave significant damage on the Count’s house.”
“That’s true.”
We did win against the former Duke of Baltia, but the Count’s house wasn’t large enough to absorb all the land.
“That’s why the Count, making use of his strength, aimed to end battles quickly. I’m sure you’ve seen it before.”
I thought back, trying to remember.
“Was it that time?”
“Yes. By targeting the enemy’s strong points, the key figures, and taking them down, the Count aimed to break the enemy’s will and finish the battle quickly.”
I hadn’t thought much about it at the time, but now that I reflect, I see my father was looking ahead at the battlefield, even while giving me advice. When a strong enemy appeared, he would lead a small guard and strike, deciding the fate of the battle by taking out the key figures.
Now that I think about it, it was exactly the kind of strategy I favor.
“My father really is amazing.”
I always thought so, but since I can’t use aura, he felt like someone far above me. But now, I feel like I’ve gained some understanding of his strength.
“Yes… The Count is truly an extraordinary person. And, Lord Ainzich, you are his child.”
“I may not have his aura talent, though.”
I replied somewhat self-deprecatingly, but Herbert laughed heartily.
“There’s no need to worry about that. That’s what we’re here for.”
“Yeah, you’re right.”
Herbert’s words were likely not just for the knights, but also for the volunteers working with us.
Indeed, even without my own strength, I have them.
