Chapter 107

I’m the fifth son of a count’s family, but I became the head of a duke’s house :

The exercise was nearing its end.

Surrounded on all sides, the unit led by Kurt, which had attempted a central breakthrough, was unable to break through.

In the end, they had only exhausted their strength, and Kurt’s unit, having lost momentum, was being gradually cornered.

“Looks like the game is over,” muttered Herbert, nodding in agreement.

“Indeed. And we’ve gained a lot from it,” he added.

“Certainly.”

Watching their battle, the direction of the tactics… in other words, the doctrine, had been decided. There were aspects that could only be understood by trying them out, but it was an invaluable experience.

While there were few knights who could use magic that could be considered artillery, that could be compensated for with long-range weapons like catapults.

But the problem was…

“Who will lead the knights’ detachment?” Herbert muttered, stroking his chin.

“Shall I take it up?” he offered.

Herbert seemed to be the right fit for the job. Although I could give the orders for the detachment’s charge, the precise movements afterward required a keen eye and experience in battlefield tactics.

But…

“I have another task in mind for you, old man. I was thinking of leaving the detachment under Werner’s command.”

“Oh? I see.”

The reason I was thinking of entrusting the detachment to Werner was partly because I had high expectations of him, but also because I was counting on the coordination between him and the others.

Erich, being a knight who could use magic, couldn’t be sent to the front. I didn’t want Herbert to overexert himself, so it came down to either Kurt or Werner.

The detachment would be made up of knights who served under me, but when I considered it, I felt that Werner, with whom I had a long-standing relationship, would be the best choice, even though the others wouldn’t oppose it.

“But there’s no need for concern, is there?” said Herbert.

“You always tell me to take care of myself,” I replied.

Herbert smiled slightly.

“That’s different. No need to be reserved,” he said.

“Well, you’ve also got to train the young knights, after all,” I pointed out.

The training of soldiers was handled by Gregory’s mercenary company, but the training of the young knights was mainly overseen by Werner and Herbert.

“Yes, that’s true. They’ve grown quite a bit, but they’re still far from there,” Herbert agreed.

“Even when children grow up, parents always worry about them, right?”

“Indeed.”

Herbert nodded several times, seemingly in deep agreement.

“But you know, children surprisingly worry about their parents too… as I mentioned earlier, my biological father is indeed the head of the count’s family, but I’ve always thought of you as a second father, the one who stayed by my side when I was little.”

While my biological father was indeed my father, we hadn’t seen much of each other lately due to his busy schedule and the limited time we spent together. If I were to think of a foster parent, it would probably be Herbert.

When I looked at Herbert, his face showed a mix of surprise, but he also looked a bit happy and slightly embarrassed.

“Heh… What can I say? I’m honored by your words.”

“I rely on you, old man.”

“…Yes. Leave it to me.”

Please ignore this author’s note part (it’s for site’s technical reason)

Author’s Note:

This chapter focuses on the internal dynamics of a medieval military unit, where strategy, leadership, and mentorship play critical roles. In this world, knights and soldiers not only fight with physical prowess but also rely on arcane magic, battlefield tactics, and well-established bonds of camaraderie. Through the relationships between Kurt, Herbert, and Werner, readers gain a deeper understanding of the complexities involved in commanding a diverse group of warriors, where personal growth and strategic thinking are just as important as physical might.

Worldbuilding Glossary:

• Knights: Elite soldiers typically serving noble houses, highly skilled in combat, often trained in both martial and magical arts.
• Magic: In this world, magic is a valuable tool in warfare, used by few knights, but often seen as essential for sieging or battlefield control.
• Catapults: Large siege engines used for hurling stones or other projectiles at enemies from a distance.
• Detachment: A smaller division of military forces, often led by a trusted officer or knight, used for specific missions or strategic objectives.
• Mercenary Company: A private army of soldiers for hire, often brought in for training purposes or when a house lacks the necessary military resources.
• Field Tactics: The use of terrain, timing, and formations to gain an advantage over opponents in battle.
• Artillery: Heavy weaponry designed for long-range attacks, often including magical spells or physical mechanisms like catapults.