297 - The Eighth Generation
――The first day.
The battlefield where tens of thousands of troops clashed concluded with the Walt family's forces retreating as the sun began to set.
The primary members of the Walt family were gathered in the tent, holding a meeting. However, despite the Walt family's forces suffering considerable losses, they did not seem panicked.
Maisel spoke to those in the tent.
"Now, it has been proven that Lyell possesses the ancestral Orbs and is capable of using them. The skills from the First Generation to the Third Head have many deficiencies, but the skills from the Fourth Generation to the Seventh Head are exceedingly troublesome on the battlefield."
For Maisel, Lyell was the first who had not collapsed so easily upon first encounter on a battlefield where skill usage was restricted. However, he was not in a hurry.
Bale delivered a report.
"The units of the second and third sons, eager for merit, pushed too far and suffered some casualties. It is not a small number, but it is still within the expected range."
Casualties had occurred. That meant people had died. However, the gathered members did not seem particularly distressed.
Maisel looked slightly sad.
"Second sons and those following, who cannot inherit the house, dream of achieving merit on the battlefield to rise in rank and establish themselves. It cannot be helped that they become reckless. But it was not in vain. With their own bodies, they have shown that Lyell can handle the Orbs."
Gerard also reported.
"Maisel-sama, we confirmed Novem's presence on the right wing. However, we did not clash head-on. The enemy seems to be moving their units to match our formation. I judge their rear support to be more competent than ours."
Bale agreed in the same manner.
"The left wing is the same. Just when we thought they had entered a field battle, they focused on defense and prepared fences. It is as if they are conducting a siege. The numerical disadvantage is significant."
Hearing this, Maisel nodded—and smiled.
"Then, I have given them the opportunity to gain merit. This should keep the young ones quiet for a while. Besides, experiencing a bit of pain helps tighten one's resolve. Until now, the battlefields have been entirely one-sided."
A knight, one of the dependent vassals, suggested to Maisel.
"There are lords on the right wing who have suffered heavy losses. They should be retreated. Furthermore, speaking as a dependent vassal of the Walt family, if they remain stationed in the rear indefinitely, their face—"
"I know. Now, we have also learned about the troublesome ones. Let us arrange our own formation."
Thus, Maisel and the others discussed the plans for tomorrow—.
"The right wing is being targeted intensively."
Hearing Monica's voice from the watchtower, I learned the reason why the main camp and the left wing had not been invaded to such an extent.
"Attacking from the right wing, huh. I'll send reinforcements. Even so, we have the advantage in numbers. If they do such a thing, they should know what will happen—"
Numerical advantage. Geographical advantage. Against me, who possessed these, my father's action was to concentrate on the right wing.
The left wing and center had leeway, and I had reserves. The enemies attacking the center were few in number and their equipment quality was inferior to yesterday's. Moreover, they did not aggressively push in. Deciding to send reinforcements, I immediately gave orders to the messenger.
"...Does he intend to knock down the right wing first?"
We, who had prepared defensive bases, had the disadvantage of not being able to change formations easily. Therefore, while suited for defense, we lacked adaptability for offense. To compensate for this, we always held reserve forces, but...
Then, Monica reported the movement in the center.
"The enemy is retreating. However, this is—they are scattering in different directions."
Looking, it was clear that the enemy had been luring us in.
"Ignore them. For now, reinforcements to the right wing—"
But before my judgment was heard, the unit in front of me charged out on their own. It was as if the positions were reversed from yesterday.
"...The vanguard units are crossing the fences and entering pursuit."
"Why... what is General Broa doing?"
However, the units near the general were not moving. A portion had entered pursuit on their own discretion. And, lured by that, several other units also began to move.
I told the messenger to tell them to return immediately, but right after, a messenger rushed in.
"Some units have ignored orders and begun pursuing the retreating enemy! They are crossing the fences, ignoring General Broa's orders! General Broa requests that reinforcements be dispatched immediately—"
Facing the messenger, I gave orders while feeling irritated.
"Send them! Until then, make them hold out!"
Looking, the enemy were clearly units predicated on escaping with light equipment. I thought they were concentrating on the right wing, but the enemy soldiers who had scattered and fled were attacking the units that had neatly grouped and moved outside.
To save them, more units leaped out from the center.
"What are you doing!"
Friend and foe were intermingled, a situation where support via magic or arrows was impossible. At the same time, I was reminded of the difference in training between the enemy and ourselves. We had the form, but the things they had built up were different.
"The enemy is withdrawing from the right wing. They are beginning to move toward the center."
"Kuh! Will the rescue arrive in time?"
Immediately after, a large light from magic occurred on the left wing.
――On the left wing, the composition of the enemy camp was different from yesterday.
The enemy units, organized around the Foxuz family's forces, were relentless with their magical attacks.
Lyell's camp was focusing on defense, but even so, unlike yesterday, the enemy was even more powerful.
Novem, while protected by the surrounding Valkyries, raised her staff and activated magic.
"Defend."
With those words alone, a thin yellow-like light appeared before the allies on the left wing, creating a shield.
However, magic was being fired concentratedly at a single spot, and Novem was pinned to that location.
Because of that, the enemy had crossed the fences and intruded in some parts. Because Maxim, Miranda, May, and Marina were there, it did not collapse. It did not, but it was a very severe situation.
After all, the allies were flighty.
The ones who had joined up were particularly bad. Rather than Banseime, the fact that soldiers who had mainly joined from Beim were numerous on the left wing was also a problem.
"Even though we have more numbers here."
As Novem muttered this, the unit that had deployed a Magic Shield charged toward Novem.
"――They've come."
Looking at the opponent, I could confirm the figure of the older brother, Elbert Foxuz, who had delivered the staff to Novem.
Since Novem had deployed a Magic Shield and was unable to use magic, the Valkyries took guns from their binders and began attacking.
However, the bullets were completely blocked by the shield Elbert had deployed. The bullets were repelled, and the charging cavalry accelerated before the fences.
The accelerated enemy cavalry destroyed the fences with a Magic Shield and broke through. What brute force—just as Novem was thinking this, the Valkyries moved. Holding weapons in their hands, they leaped at the enemy charging toward Novem.
Then, Elbert leaped from his horse and landed in front of Novem.
"It has been a long time, little sister!"
The older brother, with long brown hair tied back, was in full armor and gripped a sword in his hand. He slashed at Novem, but Novem blocked it with the staff in her right hand.
"It has been a long time, Brother. In that case, this attack is from Father. As expected, his habits show. The timing is easy to read."
While looking at Novem, who did not change her expression, Elbert was sweating.
"Don't think poorly of it. Just as you serve Lyell-sama with loyalty, we serve Maisel-sama with loyalty."
Novem nodded slightly, then turned her left hand toward her brother—.
"I understand. Therefore, I shall make it so you do not suffer. Be blown away."
――She released magic and blew him away.
Elbert also immediately deployed a Magic Shield, and limiting it to just being blown backward, he turned his gaze to the surroundings. There, he should have seen the guard knights fighting the Valkyries.
The Valkyries were dragging the knights off their horses and then delivering the finishing blow.
"...They are not human, then. But if that's the case!"
As Elbert grew wary of the Valkyries, he raised his left hand. The enemy knights gathered under Elbert. Novem did not budge, and to protect her, the Valkyries stepped in front of Novem and deployed the wing-like binders on their backs forward to create a shield.
A storm of fire raged around Elbert, blowing away the surrounding fences and such.
Immediately after, magic rained down toward Novem and the others, and violent explosions occurred in the surroundings.
"Did I get them?"
As Elbert said this, the figures of the Valkyries around him were battered. Half their bodies were blown away, but the skeletal parts remained. Because they were made of sturdy materials, it ended at this level.
And Novem stood there unscathed. Elbert looked at Novem with an exasperated face.
"...These children are quite precious, you know. Lyell-sama assigned them to me as guards."
Novem, who had deployed a Magic Shield so that no damage would occur to the surroundings, looked at the Valkyries falling to the ground in exasperation. Then, she returned her gaze to her brother.
Elbert was smiling slightly.
"That was the full power of Father and me, which is as much as one can give. That was a strike capable of blowing away the right wing. As expected, you are an outlier. ...Everyone, retreat."
While looking at Elbert, who had a tired expression, Novem raised the staff in her right hand.
"It was a good attack. However, please do not think I will let you escape."
Novem blocked the full-force strike of the father and son, Gerard and Elbert, and kept the allies' casualties low. However, the battlefield was tilting toward a severe situation for Lyell and the others—.
Night. A meeting was being held in my tent.
"Haha, the positions were reversed from yesterday. After thwarting the enemy's first move on the first day, some units who got a bit carried away leaped out."
General Broa reported as if it were a joke, but his expression was exhausted. It seemed he was not in a situation where he could properly give orders, as there were commanders pressing him, saying they could not abandon the allies who had leaped out.
Military regulations exist for times like this, but the difference in what they had cultivated came out blatantly.
Inside the tent, I gathered the primary members of the center and muttered while confirming the casualty report.
"...The reserve units will be placed in the vanguard as they are. The wounded soldiers will be sent to the rear."
As General Broa confirmed the units to be sent to the rear.
"It is a bit many, but it cannot be helped."
As General Broa said, their guard had slackened because they won on the first day. I should have tightened it more.
Then, Eva, with a tired expression.
"Give me a break. Not only did they leap out on their own, but the injured continued to increase on this side because of the rescue. There are people who are dissatisfied, you know? Isn't there any punishment?"
If there were allies being killed before their eyes and that was ignored, morale would drop. Those who leaped out driven by righteous indignation did so because they wanted to save their allies. And if they were not saved, the dissatisfaction would be directed toward the allies.
Toward me or General Broa. And once that settled, the dissatisfaction would then be directed toward the units that leaped out. I really want to ask what they are doing.
"They will be sent to the rear and the commanders will be punished. Because it is a violation of orders and arbitrary action. Well, I will provide a chance to redeem their names."
Eva had a dissatisfied expression. That was only natural. After all, deaths had occurred even in Eva's unit to perform the rescue.
They were deaths in battle that could have been avoided.
"I can't accept this."
And Eliza, who was also present, was similarly dissatisfied. Initially, she was placed on the left wing, but with the change in formation, she was asked to come to the center in place of Novem. Though, thinking of today, it might have been better if she had stayed on the left wing from the start.
"It was an obvious lure. As for those who cannot see through that... the soldiers of Beim are truly weak troops."
Eliza's unit also deployed and performed the rescue. However, the opponent had retreated while keeping casualties to a certain extent, so it cannot be said that they dealt a heavy blow.
General Broa shrugged his shoulders.
"It would be cruel to compare them to Lusworth or Galleria, where the battlefield is daily life. Well, the responsibility lies with me."
I let out a sigh.
"...I also have responsibility for not tightening the guard on the first day. I could not see through the enemy's goal."
Then, General Broa shook his head.
"I wonder about that. From their perspective, if the center had not collapsed like that, they were targeting the right wing intensively. Even so, the explosion on the left wing was a surprise. The casualties seemed low, but honestly, I was on pins and needles."
According to the report, human casualties were within the acceptable range. However, the installed fences and such had become unusable. I stopped the reinforcements and had the left wing pull back. Because of that, the right wing ended up protruding.
"...Let's pull back the right wing as well."
General Broa's expression became serious upon hearing my words.
"The center will end up protruding. However, ideally, I wanted to keep the opponent pinned for a few days and force them to bleed."
Pulling back both wings from the start was also part of the plan.
And, I said while standing up.
"Let's have the engineer units strive to strengthen the fences even at night. From tomorrow, the center will be the area of fierce fighting."
This battle was already approaching the mid-game.