“Have they made any moves?” the archduke asked.
Our forces set out at midnight, just as planned, and successfully encircled the bandits’ encampment. The feat was accomplished in the span of an hour without any hint we had been detected. All that remained was for the archduke to give the word, and we would launch a full-scale attack.
“No,” the soldier reported. “So far, they don’t even seem to know we’re here!”
“I see.” The archduke gave a satisfied nod.
“Now then,” he continued, turning to me. “…This will be your first battle, my son. How would you conduct the attack?”
Judging by his expression, I sensed that this was a test and that he was enjoying himself. I had to meet his expectations—especially if I wanted him to recognize me as his successor.
“Right,” I said. “The bandits’ encampment is situated on flat ground to the front and sides, but there’s a mountain abutting the rear.”
“Mmm.”
“For that reason, I would launch an attack from the front and sides, while sending a separate squad to circle around on horseback and attack from behind the moment they emerge, catching them in a pincer attack.”
“Oh… But why go to such trouble? Wouldn’t striking from the three main sides be enough?” the archduke asked inquisitively.
“It stands to reason they’ll have secured an escape route into the mountains in the event of an emergency. If we take control of the rear with a cavalry unit, we should be able to annihilate the bandits to the very last man.”
“I see… What do you have to say to that, Oliver, Monica?”
“…I think that plan is a bit of a stretch,” Sir Portland said, shaking his head. It seemed that my suggestion wasn’t to his liking. “I’m sure there is a hidden escape route, just as Master Hugo says, but there’s no guarantee our horsemen will be able to break past three hundred defenders to loop around to the rear.”
He had a point. But with us here, there was a chance.
“I think we can guarantee our horsemen will be able to break through. After all, our forces are made up of the strongest warriors in the empire. And, of course, we have the Red Reaper.”
“Heh-heh… So you’ve factored me into this plan of yours?” said Professor Monica.
“Naturally. This is the best solution if we want to eliminate the bandits without sustaining any casualties.”
Indeed… The archduke hadn’t said anything about barring officers from joining the battle. As such, I thought it only prudent to make full use of the empire’s best fighters.
“But this strategy will only stand a chance if Your Grace, Monica, and Master Hugo are all present.” Sir Portland shook his head again. “To my way of thinking, that is hardly a strategy.”
“Of course, if His Grace and Professor Monica aren’t able to participate, I would instead survey the mountains behind the fortress to locate any potential escape routes, then attack from the three main sides,” I answered.
I could make out a slight grin forming on Sir Portland’s face. It seemed I’d finally found the answer he was looking for.
“I see.” He nodded approvingly. “You clearly have a sound grasp of the situation, and you’ve given thought to maximizing efficiency… In that case, I have no further objections.”
…Something told me that his own plan had been remarkably similar to mine and that his opposition had merely been a test.
“Good, then we have a plan!” exclaimed the archduke. “Let’s get going. Oliver, I’ll leave the three-pronged frontal attack to you. Monica, Hugo—the three of us will attack from the rear and cut off the bandits’ escape route!”
“Of course!”
“Understood!”
The three of us responded in unison and saluted the archduke. Before long, the attack began.
“All forces! We’re charging the enemy encampment! Destroy every opponent who crosses your path! Don’t let any escape!”
“Yes, sir!”
At the archduke’s command, the soldiers set off to surround the enemy encampment, charging straight for its perimeter. The walls of the structure looked decently sturdy from outside, but they weren’t strong enough to hold back our forces en masse. It wasn’t long before the soldiers smashed through the gates and stormed inside.
“Ha-ha! It is I, Cyril of Woodstock, proud soldier of the Southenklein Empire! If you value your lives, get out of my way!” the archduke declared, brandishing his halberd in all directions as he advanced toward the rear of the encampment.
Naturally, Professor Monica and I were right there alongside him, and it wasn’t long before we burst through to our destination and came face-to-face with a group of bandits protecting what could only be the group’s escape route.
“Come at me!” shouted the archduke.
“Auuugggh!”
The bandits must have realized they were trapped. They came at us all at once, in a desperate attempt to finish us off. But we weren’t about to go down so easily.
“Gyargh!”
“Oof!”
“Eeep?!”
One after the other, they fell victim to the archduke’s halberd, Professor Monica’s greatsword, and my saber.
Just then, I spotted someone I hadn’t seen before.
“Listen up, you miserable bastards! If we can hoof it outta here by morning, we’ll be the ones on top! So take that escape route back like your pathetic lives depend on it!”
Amid the oncoming bandits, I noticed a smallish, bearded figure barking commands at the top of his voice. Judging by his outfit and ill-matching sword, he must have been the bandits’ leader… But wait, hold on—
“I-it can’t be!” I shouted.
“Hmm? What is it, Hugo?” the archduke exclaimed. Both he and Professor Monica glanced at me in consternation.
I knew that man. I had met him twice—once each during my first and sixth lives.
I first met him when I was officially hired by the Grenville estate as an assassin at eighteen years old. He was the leader of the Bard Mercenary Company, a band of ruffians separate from House Grenville’s private knights. He would later become a chief collaborator in Marquis Grenville’s coup d’état.
His name was Dominique Bard.
What in the world is he doing here?! No—more importantly, why is he leading a group of bandits?!
Professor Monica called out my name, but I ignored her and plunged into the throng of enemies. There was something I needed to ask that man—something I needed to ask Dominique Bard.
“…That little brat’s coming this way! Hurry up and kick his ass, you sorry lot!”
At this newest order, the bandits turned their attention to me and charged.
“Aaauuugggh!” I cried out at the top of my lungs, and struck down everything in my path. I don’t have time for these people!
A second later, I’d nearly reached him.
“…Dominique Bard! It’s just you and your five remaining henchmen now,” I declared.
“H-how the hell do you know my name?!”
So I was right… It was him.
“I’m the one asking the questions here. You’re supposed to be the head of the Bard Mercenary Company, so why have you stooped to leading a group of bandits?!”
“Huh…? How’s a kid like you know anything about me?!” he asked, glaring at me suspiciously.
“Answer me!” I shot back, pointing my saber at his chest.
“Hmph! I ain’t got the faintest clue what’s going on here. Who the hell do you think you are?!”
“That’s no concern of yours. Start talking, or else,” I threatened, pressing forward little by little.
Then, all at once, I exhaled and hit the ground running.
Bard’s men braced themselves, holding their swords high and low—but I was already behind them before they could react.
“Gah!”
“Gergh?!”
“Eugh!”
The first one took a deep slash across his stomach, the second a diagonal slice through his shoulder, while the third took a saber thrust straight to the neck.
“What?! S-stop him, goddamn it!” Bard shouted to his two remaining henchmen before turning to flee.
“R-right!” they replied in unison.
…But I wasn’t about to let him escape.
“Move!” I howled.
I swiftly cut down the two remaining bandits before they even had time to scream and took off after Bard at full speed. Soon, I’d cornered him.
“That’s enough,” I called out, holding my saber up to his neck.
“Eeep!”
“Once we’re done here, you’re going to cough up everything you know,” I warned him. “You had better be ready.”
“H-heh… You capturing me doesn’t mean squat,” he wheezed, grinning.
I knew better, but I couldn’t help responding. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Don’tcha get it? Your big bad general, Cyril of Woodstock, has a critical weakness.”
A weakness? He was talking about the strongest warrior in the entire empire.
“Enough of this nonsense—”
“Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha! By now, that fiend’s precious little granddaughter is already in that man’s hands! Which means he won’t be able to lift a damn finger against us!”
“…?!”
A shiver ran up my spine.
It couldn’t be… They were going after Melza?!
“Damn yooouuu!”
“Ugh!”
“Spit it out! What are you planning to do with her?!”
“Gah… H-heh… Like I said…his little treasure’s been kidnapped… And once we start dropping hints, whaddaya think that fiend’s gonna do…?”
“Damn it!” I struck Bard as hard as I could with the hilt of my saber.
“Ngh…!” he moaned, and fell to the ground, out cold.
“Hugo! You’re being awfully reckless…” Professor Monica rushed to my side. She’d already scattered the remaining bandits and looked relieved to see me all right.
“…Professor Monica, this man…he’s the bandits’ leader… I’ll leave him with you.”
“…Where are you going, Hugo?!” she shouted after me.
“Melza… She’s in danger!” I said. I ran back to my horse, leaped on, and galloped off as fast as I could.
“Is that…Master Hugo?!” I heard Sir Portland shout, but I ignored him, urging my horse to run as fast as it could. My destination was the portal at Sailbridge.
“Melza… Please, be safe…!”