Vol. 1 - Ch. 14 - Invitation to the other shore

Looking around at the leaders of both knights, Commander Tisserius opened her mouth again."As you know, the El Verde River basin was taken by the Kingdom from the demons forty-five years ago. The kingdom built the Dezel Bridge here, but 20 years ago, the Demon Tribe took back the other side of the river, and here we are today. It is extremely important for the Kingdom to seize this fertile basin, which means that this operation cannot fail."

The executives listened attentively with serious faces. Emily and Felicia also straightened their backs with tense expressions.

"We are now trying to reach the other side of the river from the Dezel Bridge. The Dezel is a huge bridge, 25 meters wide and 120 meters long, but it is still too narrow for us to deploy a large force. We are in a situation where we are unable to attack."

After a pause, Commander Tisserius announced, "So, I have decided that with the Fifth Knights as reinforcements, we will attempt to reach the other side of the river by crossing it."

The Fifth Knights were in an uproar.  One of the captains raised his hand and asked, "What method will we use to cross the river?"

"Francis Berman, the deputy commander, will explain the details of the operation. Francis, please."

A gray-haired man in his fifties stood up.

"The way to cross the river is by foot. We walk across the river and get on the other side."

"What? Is that even possible on the great El Verde River?"

"It is possible. The water level in this area has dropped considerably due to the long-anticipated sunshine. The deepest point is estimated to be 80 to 100 centimeters deep. The current is slow, and it is possible to cross the river by foot."

Deputy Commander Berman explained to the captain and now Sheila asked for a remark this time. "Have you determined where the crossing points are?"

"Please see this map. There are four crossing points. We will cross at the same time. Here, here, then here, and here." When the deputy commander pointed out the red circles on the map, there was a stir among the Fifth Order.

Yeld's face changed color and he asked.

"All four points are less than a hundred meters away from the Dezel Bridge. In other words, they are in full view of the demon army deployed on the other side of the river. Are we going to cross the river in front of the enemy?"

"Yes. The points at which you can cross the river are limited, and the basin is constantly patrolled, so even if you move the point away from the enemy's main camp, they will surely catch you. If that is the case, it is better to move in tandem with both knightly orders."

"No... but... Emily, what do you think?"

"Well, since we are outnumbered even with reinforcements, it would be better to use our mass to break through instead of dispersing our forces away from the Dezel Bridge."

"Yes, that's right. I had just discussed this idea with Emily.",Yeld said.

"Specifically, while deploying forces to the Dezel Bridge without interruption to keep the enemy pinned down, the crossing force would go to open a hole in the enemy's defense line at four points simultaneously and push them until they reach the limit of their ability to respond...right?" Emily looked back at me.

I silently nodded my head.

"You understand very quickly. That is correct.",Deputy Commander Berman said.

"Deputy Commander Berman, are you saying that you are going to send personnel directly into the river in person, instead of crossing it by boat?"

"You guessed right, Commander Tarian. We will also have a small boat towed for the wounded." Sᴇaʀch* Thᴇ ɴøᴠel Fɪre.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of nøvels early and in the highest quality.

"Hmm... What are your duties?"

"The First Order will continue to be in charge of Dezel. It would be dangerous to change the chain of command here. One of the crossing points will also be taken care of by the First Order. The remaining three points will be taken care of by the Fifth Order."

Felicia raised her hand as the members of the Fifth Order looked at each other.

"What defensive measures do you have in mind for the crossing force?"

"Because you are going to be immersed in water, before you leave, we will give everyone support magic to make them resistant to thunderbolts. In addition, a mage will be stationed every five meters within the line to keep the barrier in place. Furthermore, the leading group will be equipped with a large shield."

"I understand. Commander Tarian, I would like to make some adjustments to the Fifth Order's formation. Each mage has a different effective range, so I will rearrange it to be optimal while considering the safety margin."

Felicia's recommendation was a reasonable one.

Commander Tarian asked Commander Tisserius, "Commander Tisserius, is it alright with you?"

"Yes, of course."

"Then, Captain Buckman, will you do so?"

"Yes, sir." Felicia nodded, and several questions were asked.

After all the checks were completed and Commander Tarian informed the group that he had no objections to the plan, Commander Tisserius looked around and announced, 

"Tomorrow at noon, we will start the operation. The Fifth Knights should take a good rest. That is all."

Everyone got up from their seats and returned to their respective tents. The tent of the Fifth Order was already set up. While everyone was walking away, Commander Tisserius approached Commander Tarian and spoke to him.

"Commander Tarian, I ask for your continued support."

"Yes, of course."

"I see that you are all very tired," she said. You arrived earlier than expected, and it seems that you had a very hard day's march through the Schwell Forest. Please take a good night's rest."

"Oh, no..." Commander Tarian stammers.

We have come from the Plains of Belisus.

"Belisus?I'm surprised you're alright."

"Well ,It went well."

"I see." Commander Tisserius' voice seemed to contain a hint of dismay.

While I was watching the exchange between the two commanders, Emily approached me from behind.

"Rolf, thank you for your hard work."

<"Good work, Lady Emily.">

"You can rest now. You must be tired after walking for seven days."

<"No, I don't think I can rest yet.">

At the same time as Emily said "What?" Commander Tarian called out. "Emily, have your squire clean this place."

"Oh, yes. I understand." Emily looked at me apologetically.

It can not be helped. It's not good to leave this kind of chore to the first order.

<"Then, I will withdraw the venue together with the first order squires.">

"Yeah. I'm sorry. "

Just as she was about to say goodbye, a voice called out to Emily from a different direction.

"Emily Melness?"

"Captain Lindel, thank you for your hard work on the war council."

"Thank you for your hard work. Please call me Erick." ,he said.

"Okay, Erik. I'd like it if you called me Emily too."

"Thank you, Emily."

Since entering the garrison, Emily had been receiving glances from the First Knights, but Lindel seemed to have decided to cut in from the front with an open mind.

"I had heard rumors about the "white light" owl and crane unit captain, but I had no idea she was this beautiful. And your quick and precise tactical understanding at the military meeting just now was brilliant."

"Ha-ha-ha..."

The first thing you need to do is to make sure that you have a good understanding of what you are doing and how to do it. Thinking about this, I left the place and cleared out the venue.

Working with the squires of the First Order, we cleared away the desks and chairs. I talked a little with the squires of the First Order, and they told me that they had all just joined the Order half a year ago.

When they learned that I had been a squire for two and a half years, they responded, "I see," and never spoke to me again.

Felicia watched from a distance as I silently put away the desks and chairs.

I noticed that every time she saw me being torn to shreds in training, cleaning up covered in soot, or being subservient to Emily, disappointment would roll over her eyes.

I finished cleaning the venue, thinking pathetically that it was better to disappoint her than to make her sad.