Now, this might be sudden, but what exactly is a 'battle'?
It is said that 'war' is the use of military force to achieve various political objectives.
In other words, it is the exercise of armed force for the purpose of self-defense or securing specific interests.
A "battle" or "war" is not limited to conflicts between nations. If one views it through human will, even a conflict between individuals can be called a war.
From an outside perspective, what might be called a skirmish or a preliminary engagement can be seen as part of a larger war, or as its own independent conflict — this depends entirely on individual perspective.
Reflecting upon battles from the standpoint of history makes the concept easiest to comprehend.
There have been countless battles and wars, but certain moments always stand out. The battles said to have changed the flow of a war, or hastened its end — turning points, flashpoints, or whatever you call them. They are the fights that remain etched in people's memories.
A single small battle in one region can sometimes change the entire course of events.
And such a battle that would change the flow of this war was about to begin between the Jilva Empire and the Enaria Holy Kingdom.
These two nations had existed on the continent since ancient times. They had repelled and absorbed other countries, steadily growing larger. In the past, they rarely clashed because they were busy dealing with surrounding nations and were separated by a considerable distance.
But in recent years, almost all surrounding countries had either been subjugated or absorbed. Now, only the remaining major powers were at war with each other. Naturally, both the Jilva Empire and the Enaria Holy Kingdom were included among those major powers, and border disputes had broken out sporadically.
In the midst of this, the Jilva Empire saw an opportunity.
They gathered their three strongest pieces — the Magic Sword Wielders — in one place and, with astonishing speed, captured two fortresses and a city belonging to the Enaria Holy Kingdom.
Upon receiving this report, the Enaria Holy Kingdom appointed their greatest asset, the rare dual-wielding Magic Sword Wielder, as the leading general. They also deployed additional Magic Sword Wielders and launched a large-scale recapture operation with an army exceeding 100,000 troops.
Unfortunately, due to a natural disaster, these 100,000 troops went missing.
However, "missing" was only the official report. In reality, nearly all 100,000 troops were still alive. The outcome of the battle in this region remained uncertain, and both sides entered a stalemate until reinforcements could arrive.
Of course, both sides would make various moves while waiting for reinforcements. Everyone believed the decisive clash would occur when both armies' reinforcements finally arrived.
However, General Boolis Wooly, the commander of the Enaria Holy Kingdom's reinforcement unit, did not share that view.
He was one of the most renowned generals in the Enaria Holy Kingdom. While he lacked the overwhelming power of a Magic Sword, he possessed an excellent tactical eye and had led many battles to victory.
Normally, commanding a reinforcement unit would be beneath someone of his caliber who could lead an entire army. However, understanding the gravity of the situation, he quickly organized a makeshift force of 80,000 troops and set out — a truly masterful display of leadership.
* * *
Side: Boolis Wooly
Commander of the Reinforcement Forces of the Holy Kingdom of Enaria.
"Listen up. In this campaign, if we wait until we have fully merged our forces with General Prism, it will already be too late."
"What exactly do you mean by that, General?"
I explained the actions we would take while moving with my subordinates.
There was no time to waste pitching tents and holding formal strategy meetings. Of course, we still took proper breaks to maintain the infantry's condition.
"This battle will be decided by which side's reinforcements arrive first and seize the initiative."
"Eh? Weren't we ordered to await General Prism's instructions?"
"This seems rather uncharacteristic of you, General Boolis. Are you trying to make a name for yourself on someone else's battlefield?"
It seemed my subordinates still underestimated the seriousness of the situation.
Which meant I had to explain it properly.
"Our mission is 'not' to escort General Prism back. Our mission is to reclaim the fortress and the cities alongside General Prism, and then push straight into Jilva."
"Yes, sir."
"Indeed."
First, I confirmed the purpose of our reinforcement mission.
My subordinates already knew the orders, so they nodded without issue.
Naturally, linking up with the main force led by General Prism seemed like the obvious course of action.
But the current situation was not that simple.
"We still haven't received word that General Prism has escaped the ruins. Furthermore, the collapse site has already fallen under enemy control. Yet reports indicate they have stationed only a small force there. Do you understand what that means?"
"Naturally they must be concentrating their forces in the fortresses and cities we lost to strengthen their defenses, right? They have three Magic Sword Wielders, but we currently outnumber them more than five to one. They probably think they'll be swallowed up in an instant?"
"Exactly. Jillba captured three strongholds with fewer than 30,000 elite troops, then split those forces to defend each location. That means they don't have many troops to spare at the collapse site."
"Correct. That is precisely why we must strike the enemy's city of Betan as quickly as possible. We are not the only reinforcements coming. Jilva must be sending reinforcements as well. If we don't act swiftly and seize the initiative, linking up with General Prism will become extremely difficult. On the other hand, if we take the initiative and use separate units to secure the collapse site, we can rescue and link up with General Prism's forces."
When I said this, my subordinates fell into thoughtful expressions.
These two are no fools — in fact, they are capable enough to command the army in my stead.
"I see. That may indeed be the fastest way to link up with General Prism..."
"Still... Those Magic Sword wielders captured an entire fortress in the blink of an eye... No, the enemy doesn't know our movements yet. They are likely waiting for their own reinforcements and focusing on defense. A staring contest here or openly performing rescue operations at the collapse site would be disadvantageous for us. Rather than waiting to see what the enemy does, we should strike first and restrict their options?"
"Exactly. If we attack first, they'll be forced to remain in the strongholds they're defending. However, if they somehow sortie in force, they could strike our rear and inflict severe losses."
"True. They know they'll be defeated one by one if they don't respond somehow."
"Then we should take advantage of our numerical superiority."
"Correct. We'll send roughly 2000 cavalry toward areas other than Betan to harass them. They'll serve as lookouts, eliminate enemy messengers, and isolate the enemy from information."
This way, the enemy would lose track of our movements — and even how far their own allies had advanced.
While enemy generals might endure it, ordinary soldiers would not.
"Fumu. Then perhaps we should send troops through the gaps and deeper into enemy territory?"
"What do you mean?"
"To delay their reinforcements. From their perspective, their fortress and cities should still be standing. So if our forces suddenly encounter their reinforcements, what conclusion would they draw?"
"Fumu. They will undoubtedly assume that the strongholds have already fallen. General, that's an excellent move."
Indeed, if it didn't lead to direct combat, it could serve as a delaying tactic and provide information on the enemy's reinforcements.
Indeed. Even without direct combat, it could serve as a delaying tactic and provide information on the enemy's reinforcements.
"Let's adopt that plan. 50,000 men will assault Betan, where Lord Horst has promised to defect. 10,000 will secure the collapse site. 5,000 each will move toward the fortress and the other city. Another 5,000 will slip through to delay enemy reinforcements."
"What about the remaining 5,000?"
"They will be responsible for completely sealing off enemy information. Do not let a single person escape from any of the cities or fortresses. Units other than the main reinforcement force should only perform harassment. If the enemy comes out, immediately pull back and repeat hit-and-run tactics. Never forget that our goal is to buy time and restrict the enemy's movements."
""Yes, sir!""
We cannot afford to lose this battle. Numerically, looking at the current situation, the possibility of defeat is extremely low.
However, General Prism's forces were caught in an unexpected predicament due to a natural disaster. There is no guarantee the same won't happen to us.
We must fully utilize the forces available to us, without arrogance or carelessness, and secure a certain victory.
* * *
Side: ???
"Heh~ I see. So they're making full use of numerical superiority."
"Indeed. Deploying such large numbers across so wide an area makes coordination difficult... Yet they've managed it remarkably well. Their goal is most likely to blind us by cutting off our eyes and ears—our intelligence network."
"Ara? Have you been studying military strategy?"
"Not until after I married Danna-sama. Besides... Anyone who possesses that much knowledge and still pretends ignorance is simply a fool."
"That is true. Goodness, our husband truly is an extraordinary man. Knowledge alone isn't enough, it's how you use it. And understanding that, he taught us everything without hesitation."
"Yes. Danna-sama trusted us. Instead of doing everything himself, he taught us various kinds of knowledge so we could protect the world we live in with our own hands."
"In that case, what exactly should we do with the fools who dare to disrupt that?"
"We shall correct their path. As a former Saintess, and as Danna-sama's wife, that is the ideal state of being I desire."
"Correcting their path, huh~ As for me, I shall simply cut down absolutely anything that dares to stand before my husband. After all, that is the sole reason I was born with a blade in hand."
Exchanging such dialogue with the Saintess, I continued to stroll casually down the road alongside her, positioned squarely to intercept the advancing division tasked with enforcing Enaria's information blockade.
"Women...? Judging by their attire, they appear to be of noble lineage... But our orders are absolute. No one can be allowed to discover our presence. Cut them down immediately!!"
Beholding our figures, a cavalryman instantly drew his blade and spurred his steed directly toward us.
"Ara? How admirable. Faithfully carrying out your orders. They're well-trained."
"Indeed. However..."
The Saintess beside me narrowed her eyes and lightly tapped her staff — which could also be used for staff techniques — on the ground.
The horses charging toward us suddenly collapsed, and the soldiers were thrown off, unable to move.
"Still... The fact that they couldn't even gauge our strength shows they have much to learn."
"What did you do?"
"I'd like to say gravity... but I still don't fully understand the concept of gravity, so I simply struck them with raw magical power."
"Ah, I thought you used wind magic or something, but raw magical power? For better or worse, you really are becoming more like our husband."
Well... Now there's nothing left for me to do.
Oh well, I guess I'll handle the interrogation.
"Guh...! What... on earth just happened...?"
"Who knows? For starters, why don't you kindly enlighten us as to why you chose to launch a lethal assault against us out of nowhere?"
I pressed my sword against the soldier's neck.
"...I won't say anything. Just kill me already."
"My, how gallant. Well, I can more or less guess anyway, and not everyone will stay silent."
"...Even if you kill me, the result won't change. This isn't something you can do anything about."
"Is that so? I'm looking forward to it. There are about 5,000 troops scattered around, plus the fortress and cities, and another 5,000 advancing deep while ignoring them. Let's hope there's someone among them worthy of being our opponent."
"Wha—How do you—!?"
Without waiting for him to finish, I knocked him unconscious.
"My apologies. Since you refused to share information with us, I had absolutely no intention of sharing our secrets with you either."
"He's already passed out, you know?"
"It's fine. It's all about atmosphere. Now then, let's quickly deal with these information blockers and return to Sakura and Sumire."
"Yes. Everyone else has gone to the other places. But it feels good to move around after so long."
"Indeed. It feels refreshing. Let's fully enjoy the exercise and change of pace."
"Yes. But we should finish quickly and go help the others too."
"That sounds good. Rurua, you really have changed."
"There was a time when I couldn't understand this side of Seraria, but now I can understand it a little."
"Then let's enjoy ourselves to the fullest."
I sheathed my sword and gazed in the direction where the enemy waited.
"Now, this is what they call a preliminary battle or a skirmish. I doubt they think everything will be decided here."
I'm looking forward to seeing what face the enemy general makes when he receives this report.
