Side: Yuki
While preparing for the defensive battle and gathering, examining, and considering various information in the town of Betan, the day we had been waiting for finally arrived.
"I report! The Enaria Holy Kingdom's army is approaching — about one to two days away!!"
A scouting soldier rushed into the room in a panic to report.
"Calm yourself. We already knew the army was approaching. We've been receiving daily reports of the enemy's advance. This is to be expected."
Horst calmly admonished the soldier.
"B-But, sir... the enemy numbers nearly 120,000! C-Can this town possibly have any chance of victory...?"
The soldier's voice trembled with anxiety.
"Horst-san, don't be so hard on him. He saw the army with his own eyes. It's only natural to be overwhelmed by such a sight."
"I suppose so. Though I thought our training regimen would have steeled them a bit more than this..."
"It's not something training alone can solve. Our side is few, the enemy is a vast host. The fact that you came back instead of fleeing is commendable enough. Thank you for your report. Get some rest. If you need to retreat... or even run away, I won't stop you.
The soldier slowly shook his head.
"...I can't do that, sir. I said something pathetic earlier, but if everyone is going to fight, I can't be the only one to run away... Yuki-sama, you believe we can win, don't you?"
"I don't fight battles I can't win. If you're not running, then lend us your strength. The more hands, the better."
"Yes. Though my strength is small, I will fight with all my might to protect this town."
"Good. Then all the more reason to get some rest. The defensive battle will begin tomorrow or the day after."
"Understood. Excuse me!!"
The soldier, having made up his mind, left the room with a resolute expression and a crisp salute.
After watching him leave, Horst stood by the window and gazed at the town.
"How are things outside?"
I addressed Horst, whose sharp eyes remained fixed on the streets below.
"So far there have been no major disturbances. Shortly, however, an evacuation order will be issued to the townspeople. We've made preparations and informed them beforehand, but some unrest is unavoidable. ...It's regrettable that this peaceful town must become a battlefield."
"You're not going to blame me?"
"I wonder. There would be little point in doing so. Besides, I don't believe there is anyone more capable than you of protecting this town. In these troubled times, this was bound to happen sooner or later. All we can do now is accept reality and protect both my people and their property."
Horst turned toward me.
"Yuki-dono... I entrust Betan and its people to you."
"Leave it to me. Though enough of the dramatic talk—we've got preparations to finish."
"Indeed. Nothing begins unless we move."
We shared a brief smile before immediately springing into action.
"Then I shall begin evacuating the townspeople."
"Please do. We will issue combat orders and begin battle formations."
Horst left the room with his butler.
After seeing them off, I turned to Ria and Jessica, who were waiting nearby.
"All right. It's finally time. Begin battle deployment according to the plan."
""Understood.""
"After that, gather everyone. We'll hold the final strategy meeting before the battle."
And so, the final preparations before the battle commenced.
* * *
"Hey! Move these to the third defensive line!!"
"Anyone got extra sandbags!?"
"Hurry! Hurry!!"
The area around the barbed-wire defenses bustled with soldiers rushing in every direction.
The preparations themselves were already complete, but the finer adjustments could only be made once everyone was actually in position.
The final preparations made the entire area a frenzy of activity.
"Will we make it in time?"
"Probably."
Jessica answered my question.
"We've established five layers of defensive lines around the barbed wire, and the necessary supplies have already been distributed to each position. Even if the enemy arrives immediately, we'll be able to respond."
"Good. Tori, Riel, Kaya—how are things on your end?"
"Everything's perfect."
"We're all set."
"...No problems."
All three replied confidently.
They were the commanders of the goblin units.
How efficiently and skillfully this goblin unit moved would determine the overall casualties.
"Shella, Aslin, Filia, Labyris."
"""We're fine."""
"No problems."
The little ones also seemed okay.
"What about you, Yuki?"
Labyris asked on behalf of everyone.
Of course, I had various preparations too, but they were finished.
I couldn't just relax while everyone else was busy preparing.
Well, as the supreme commander, it's normal to listen to reports and give instructions, but in this battle, I was seen as the strongest force. To reassure the Betan and Jilva soldiers, I needed to at least look prepared.
"What? You can tell just by looking, right?"
Yes, my preparation was to wear mercenary-like equipment.
As the leader of the strongest mercenary unit—the man who had defeated a Magic Sword wielder—I had to look convincing.
"Fufu, it's nice to see Yuki in armor."
"Yeah, it suits you, Yuki-san. I'm falling in love all over again!!"
"...Hm, taking a photo."
"Ah, good idea, Kaya. I'll take one too!!"
All the wives started taking photos with cameras or the Call function.
"I don't think there's anything particularly noteworthy about this equipment."\
My mercenary-like gear wasn't anything particularly rare.
It was just a half-plate armor covering my chest, with joint protectors, gauntlets, and greaves on my limbs.
There was some decoration, but it was far inferior to the princesses', and it was deliberately dirtied and scratched to give a battle-hardened feel.
My weapon was just a one-handed sword in a crude sheath at my waist.
"It's because it's so rare to see you dressed this seriously."
"Usually you wear hoodies or dress shirts."
"...It doesn't match the atmosphere of this continent at all."
Well, there's no reason to deliberately wear uncomfortable clothes.
Defense-wise, with my level and the escorts, it's more than enough, and I'm using a doppel anyway.
"Still... seeing you dressed like this puts our minds at ease."
Jessica spoke, and Ria nodded, followed by everyone else.
After all, you're planning to lead the charge yourself this time."
"Yes. Even though it's a doppel, if you went to the front lines in casual clothes without armor, it would be bad for our hearts."
That was exactly it.
The highlight of the Battle of Betan would be me personally fighting on the front lines.
I needed to show the power of the man who defeated the magic sword users.
Well, any of my wives could do it instead, but if I didn't, some people might question whether I was really the leader.
The real reason, however, was to identify the enemy's Magic Sword wielders.
The enemy commander with 120,000 troops wouldn't easily come to the front lines, and if defeat seemed likely, they might retreat. We could probably pursue them if we really wanted to, but revealing too much of our true strength wasn't ideal.
Even my appearance on the front line was only meant to display just enough strength to lure them out. After that, the defensive lines would do the rest. I'd pretend to struggle desperately against the Magic Sword wielders. The others will fight desperately along the defense lines.
And when I defeat the Magic Sword wielder, our morale will soar, the enemy's morale will plummet, and they'll retreat – that's the plan.
"So far, it doesn't seem like there's any need to change the plan."
"Assuming they keep coming exactly as expected. The next scout report should be arriving soon. After that we'll gather Horst and everyone else for the final meeting."
As I said, during the battle I'll be on the front lines, so I might not have that much leeway... No, the Magic Sword wielders must be strong, so there should be no leeway!
—Or so I thought, but this plan was shattered by an emergency contact.
『Can you hear me!? It's Milly!!』
"I can hear you. What happened?"
An emergency Call came from Millie, who was on standby in Weed.
Milly's voice also sounded somewhat frantic.
『Seraria has gone into labor!! She's being transported to the hospital now that it's calmed down a bit!! But the midwife says there's a high chance she'll give birth today or tomorrow!! I know you're busy, but can everyone please come back here!!』
"""!?"""
Everyone in the room froze.
Wait, hold on.
Seraria's due date was still three weeks away... but that was within the margin of error!!
This is bad, this is bad. If we keep playing with the enemy like this, I won't be able to be by Seraria's side!!
"Change of plans!! We're going from here and crushing them!!"
"""Yes!!"""
There was no objection from the wives.
We could report to Horst later.
"If that's how it is, then we'll make this so spectacular that no one would believe human beings were responsible!!"
"""Ooooh!!"""
Enemy army...
You two Magic Sword wielders...
Sorry, but I don't have the luxury of carefully controlling the battle anymore.
