“Prepare for full army
retreat!”
While everyone was stunned by the sudden order, I shouted “I did it!” in my heart. I was prepared to ignore the treaty and protect Haida-chan if I couldn’t think of another plan… I have to protect Baron Krisel.
“A retreat is convenient. Then, someone will have to be the rearguard…”
I understand Priscilla’s concern, but I don’t care who does it as long as Baron Haida Krisel can return safely. Nobles never become rearguards. The 5th and 6th units are in tatters, and our 7th unit has injured soldiers too, so the rearguard duty will fall to the unscathed 8th unit. My condolences to the Owl Corps.
“We should hurry and prepare too. We’re definitely going to be at the back.”
“But this is a sudden retreat. We were losing, but we’ve only fought one battle so far.”
Indeed, it’s a sudden retreat. If the other units had held their ground and the 8th unit had joined, we would have been on the verge of breaking through the left flank. Someone important must have died.
“We can think about that later. For now, Christine, ignore the nobles and round up the 7th unit. If you tell them to die, they probably won’t hesitate. Sophia, go with Alana to the carriage. Everyone else, hurry with your preparations.”
Before we retreat, I want to make a sarcastic remark to Dan Russell, the captain of the Owl Corps.
Leaving everyone to prepare for the retreat, I find the Administrator and ask for the Owl Corps’ location. Apparently, they abandoned the 8th unit and retreated, using the excuse of guarding the commander-in-chief. They did that! Leaving us behind. That bastard, I’ll kill him.
So, who’s going to be the rearguard then? The 1st to 4th units are occupied by nobles, the 5th and 6th are annihilated, and if the 8th has fled, then it must be us, the 7th unit, full of energy. That bastard, I’ll slaughter him.
The Administrator also says that regarding the rearguard, with the commander-in-chief absent, a decision cannot be made. If this continues, it looks like we’ll be retreating in utter chaos. If that happens… we’ll run too. I’m not good with those small golems.
As for Baron Haida Krisel, if necessary, I’ll shove him into the carriage and escape together. Keeping him alive is important to me.
His son, Bernolt, was it? He’s still young to be an Earl, that must be tough. If it’s not too much trouble, I’ll give him a ride.
By the time I reached Baron Krisel, the Earl and the knights under the Earl’s banner were already preparing to sortie. There were about fifty of them, a beautiful knight order unified in white. War isn’t about appearances, I thought, as I wiped my own grimy leather armor.
“Baron Krisel. It seems your preparations for retreat are complete. Do you happen to know who will be the rearguard?”
“Ah, Mikael-san. Our preparations are complete. Our rearguard will be handled by our Bernolt Krisel, the Earl.”
“Huh?”
Damn it, the word slipped out. Normally, such nobles would assign rearguard duty to mercenaries and flee first, which is an important task for the survival of their house. This isn’t a job for a child who has just become an Earl.
“Leave the rearguard to me. I will perform it admirably.”
I remembered! In my memories, this Baron Haida, his son the Earl, dies defending the retreating allies. He’s not dying in tomorrow’s all-out battle, but during today’s retreat as the rearguard!
“Baron Krisel, normally nobles flee as quickly as possible. Do you really need to take on the rearguard duty?”
“Heh. You certainly hit a nerve. Mikael-san, what do you think of this battle?”
“What do you mean? We are mercenaries. We participate when there is a battle.”
“This battle is very important to the Krisel family. We must show our strength to those who would use my demotion for their own gain, and to those who are jealous of Bernolt becoming Earl. In the world of nobles, if you are underestimated, you are finished.”
What holds value differs from person to person. Risking one’s life also differs from person to person. We cannot deny their values just because they are different from ours. Our way of thinking as mercenaries is also considered strange by others.
Let’s put our concerns aside for now, far in the distance. There are too many strange things happening. But what should I do? There’s no time to persuade someone who has made up their mind to this extent. Besides, it would probably be a waste of time, as it’s a matter of how they choose to live.
“Do you have any countermeasures? Those small golems are troublesome.”
“Small golems? Harinnook will probably not leave the castle. Stefan Castle is a defensive castle.”
What?! It’s standard to pursue an enemy when they retreat, isn’t it? That’s what the rearguard is for…
“Th-this retreat… Why are we falling back? Even though we were losing, the left flank would have pushed through if we had more time.”
“Promeriya is approaching. And it seems there are Ogres at the front.”
Why is Promeriya here? Ogres at the vanguard? I have more questions, but the previous conversation has taken up time. Promeriya is a normal kingdom, not a monster country. The fact that they are using Ogres is like something out of a noble’s mansion.
So that’s it… That’s why the Krisel family volunteered for rearguard duty. To keep the method of controlling monsters secret. They attacked the mansion and even accepted a demotion, but they wouldn’t be able to rest in peace if another country were to use it.
“Excuse me, but with a few more of this size, we’ll be annihilated against Ogres.”
“…”
Is silence the answer? Choosing death for the sake of one’s family, being a noble is tough.
“Good luck.”
I bowed deeply and left the place. Baron Haida Krisel is fated to die defending everyone in the land of Nuyoo.
Returning to the White Lily Corps, preparations were already complete. With Christine, the 7th unit was easy enough to handle. I explained everything about the reason for the retreat and who the rearguard would be.
“Why is Promeriya coming? Weren’t they defeated by Harinnook?”
“Perhaps Makjuru was framed~”
“No way. If that were the case, Promeriya would have shown up later to devastate Makjuru. Aren’t you overthinking it?”
“Is that so? Ogres led by someone, the Krisel family, a noble’s mansion, there seems to be a connection.”
Hmm. It’s possible the Krisels are involved, but I have no idea. I’m sure many things are happening behind the scenes, but as a mere mercenary, I don’t have the power to get involved that deeply. I need more information.
“So, what are we going to do?”
“We’re going to escape, of course. Since the rearguard has been decided, there’s no reason to stay here.”
“…Is that okay?”
“What do you mean?”
Of course it’s okay. They’ve decided to be the rearguard, so I’ll just let them handle it. I replied in a slightly lower voice.
“You don’t have to protect her? You wanted to protect her, didn’t you?”
I did want to protect her. But history doesn’t change. She’s destined to die in Nuyoo protecting others.
“Are you a coward! Are you scared of Ogres! Don’t you want to protect her!”
Was she picking up on my words, or was she thinking of a mother protecting her child?
“I’m not scared. It’s just that she has become a warrior. She’s not a mother.”
“Whether it’s a mother thinking of her child! Or a warrior intending to fight!”
…Perhaps you’re right. If one is to fight, it’s best to fight as a mother, as a warrior, and for something.
“It’s the rearguard. I might die. No, the probability of dying is very high.”
“You’re thinking about it wrong, Captain. Instead of dying, we’ll just increase the number of people we kill.”
The White Lily Corps, who fear no death. They were the strongest, the worst White Lily Corps, who loved to kill. I closed my eyes, took a breath, and then…
“Let’s do it. We’ll slaughter all the enemies, and annihilate anyone who gets in our way.”
“Ooh! Finally decided to get serious, coward!”
I’m not a coward, nor do I intend to be a scaredy-cat.
“Everyone else, you’re fine with this too, right?”
“No problem.”
“I’ll do my best.”
“I can already hear the screams.”
“I’ll use my new armor~”
“…”
Alright, what’s next…
“Okay, now for the wartime pay.”
Is that what it boils down to after all!
