The training ground outside the town.
This place also serves as a makeshift garrison for the hastily assembled soldiers.
Right now, nearly a hundred men with bloodshot eyes and brimming with excitement have gathered here.
Their purpose? To hunt down bandits.
Currently, they’re in the middle of a rallying meeting.
First-generation knights and their children have hired people to join this battlefield.
The boy next to me… Phil, stands calmly in stark contrast to the other men.
Next to him, Rize is scanning the surroundings cautiously.
What they both share is an air of familiarity, as if they’ve done this countless times before.
“Thank you all for gathering here. I am Elmeroi, the commander of this bandit extermination mission. I serve as the baron of Elkido, a town in the west.”
Baron…!
Among landowners, he’s an upper noble who governs a town with thousands of residents.
He’s not like me, the daughter of a first-generation knight. He’s a true noble.
“The enemy consists of dozens of former mercenaries who have devastated nearby villages. They’ve likely stockpiled enough food to last through the next winter. If we don’t strike them down now, things could get troublesome.”
If they have that much food, they might merge with other bandit groups and grow into an even larger force.
If that happens, the damage will escalate.
The surrounding lords must understand this, which is why they’ve gathered nearly a hundred men for this fight.
“This time, a substantial reward has been prepared. For the safety of thousands of civilians, please lend us your strength!”
At the baron’s words, everyone erupted into cheers.
I want to distinguish myself here too and rise to such a position…!
“Phil, Rize, let’s do our best!”
“Of course, we’ll fight with everything we’ve got.”
“…we’ll try.”
These two are my only hope.
No matter what, I have to succeed here…!
―
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“Beyond this forest lies a village occupied by the bandits.”
As we walk along the animal trail in the forest, the captain begins his briefing.
…We’re getting closer to the battlefield.
“The enemy numbers at most a few dozen. With our forces being more than double theirs, there’s no way we can lose. As long as you follow my orders, victory is guaranteed.”
The captain declares confidently.
In truth, we’ve been training since birth.
On the other hand, the enemy is just a bunch of bandits.
With our numbers being twice theirs, it’s almost impossible to lose under normal circumstances.
…But still, something feels off.
Is it really okay to be this careless?
This is a battlefield, right?
“The plan is extremely simple. We’ll launch a surprise attack before the enemy notices us and escapes, and eliminate as many of them as possible.”
Is this really what you’d call a strategy?
It seems… overly simplistic.
“Are we not sending out scouts?”
“…What did you say?”
When Phil asked the question, the captain turned to look at him with an irritated expression.
I thought the same thing, but for Phil to say that…!
“You dare, a mere first-generation knight’s… no, a servant’s audacity to question me?”
“I apologize, but fighting without knowing the exact number of enemies is somewhat…”
“Hmph, this is why commoners are…”
Ugh, he’s angry now.
To question a baron on the battlefield… it could mean death.
“Listen carefully! We have twice the number of troops compared to the enemy. Our mission is to annihilate them! Therefore, it’s only logical to overwhelm them with our numbers rather than risk being discovered by sending out scouts.”
“But the enemy’s numbers…”
“Enough! Consider any further comments as punishable by death!”
“…My apologies.”
With that, Phil fell silent.
What should I do?
I understand Phil’s point, but…
“Phil…”
“Sorry, I forgot my place.”
“Ah, um… Be careful, okay?”
I thought he was experienced, but maybe not so much?
Well, he’s probably around my age…
Maybe I should back him up a little.
“Phil, I agree that scouts are necessary, but…”
“Thank you. I understand. I’ll be mindful of my position from now on.”
With that, Phil bowed his head.
Good thing he’s not stubborn.
“Alright, we’re almost there! Everyone, prepare yourselves!”
After walking for a while, a settlement came into view ahead on the animal trail.
There’s hardly any real strategy here, but it’ll be fine… right?
The settlement is less than a kilometer away.
The forest still surrounds us, but we’re about to leave it soon.
Ahead lies a flat path leading straight to the settlement.
Once we emerge, the enemy will likely notice us.
So, I need to steel myself.
There’s no other choice…!
“Let’s go! Everyone, prepare yourselves mentally!”
“FIRE!!!!!!”
Before the captain finished speaking, a loud voice echoed from within the forest.
In an instant, a rain of arrows poured down on us.
What? What’s going on!?
“CHARGE!!!!!!!”
Immediately after the arrow attack ended, an earsplitting roar thundered through the air.
Along with the shout, the bandits charged at us from all directions.
Their numbers far exceed a few dozen.
Considering the number of arrows, there must be over a hundred of them…!
What’s happening…!?
“An arrow pierced me…! Help me!!”
“No, don’t come near meeeee!!!”
Everyone around me is panicking.
At this rate, we’re all going to die…!
“Don’t panic! Fight!”
The captain tried to take command with a trembling voice.
But no one’s listening…
The bandits are closing in from all sides with ferocious expressions.
They’ll reach us in minutes.
In this chaotic state, there’s no way we can fight.
We’re surrounded, with no escape route.
In other words, we’re doomed.
What should I do? Am I going to die here?
I haven’t accomplished anything, and I’m going to die in such a meaningless battle.
I haven’t even become a knight yet.
“We’ll clear a path! Follow us!!”
A loud voice shouted out.
Looking toward the source, I saw Phil standing there.
“Phil…?”
“Pull yourself together! Aren’t you here to make a name for yourself?”
“Y-yes…!”
Phil’s voice somehow calmed me down.
That’s right, I need to survive.
Survive, achieve glory, and become a knight.
Otherwise, my life would have no meaning.
I haven’t done anything yet!
“Rize!”
“…I know! Don’t worry!”
Rize charged into the encircling bandits, scattering them.
W-what’s going on…!?
“We’ve opened a path!!!”
At Phil’s shout, the soldiers rushed en masse toward the gap in the encirclement.
Thanks to everyone charging forward while the bandits hesitated, we managed to break free from the initial trap.
—
