Reincarnated Aristocrat Chapter 186: New Strategy

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~Femme’s Perspective~

　The new supply base for Sights was being built at a rapid pace.

　It seems that they have mobilized a good number of skilled mages to create an underground base. Since there were so many of them, they didn’t seem to have any trouble there.

　It would be a problem if they took too much time to create the base. Right now, Ritsu is just buying time, but time is not infinite.

　They must finish their work as soon as possible.

　Lactor was a fast worker, which was a big help this time.

　The new transportation base was built in an inconspicuous location in the middle of the forest, so it would normally be difficult to find.

　However, since Ranbas was the one who came up with the proposal of the new system, he was involved in the military discussions when deciding on the location of the new base, so the location was known to them.

　The transportation base itself was not set in one place, but six places were built.

　There are three bases for storing food.

　And three bases for storing Ether.

　However, even with three locations, it was not impossible to steal supplies from all of them.

　All they have to do is carry out the operation simultaneously.

　This would require a little more manpower, though.

　After the bases were completed, supplies were brought in one after another from the conventional transportation bases.

　After the supplies were brought in, they started to act as planned.

　They dug a cave with earth magic near the base that had become the transport base and secretly carried away the enemy’s resources.

　If it was an army that normally used this transport base, they would have used magic to prevent the hole from being easily opened by earth magic from the outside, but since it was a hastily built base, there was no such system.

　As a result, they succeeded in easily stealing from them.

　Ritsu successfully carried the enemy resources and brought them to Fort Khmer.

~Ars’ Perspective~

　I was at the Khmer Fort, my jaw dropped when I saw the loot from Shadow’s operation.

　It was a considerable amount of ether.

　When I heard about the plan to not only substantially reduce the amount of ether, but also steal it, I wondered if it would go that smoothly, although it would certainly be nice if it could be done. I still had my doubts.

　However, Shadow was a much more capable group than I believed.

　I had no idea that they would be able to accomplish so much.

　I’m going to have to raise their rewards substantially next time. If I can’t pay them enough, they might stop being loyal to us and go elsewhere.

　I must avoid that.

　Both Russell and Mireille were even surprised at the results of this operation.

　Both of them believed that it might work, but they didn’t think it would go so smoothly.

　After seeing the results of the operation, I decided to discuss the plans again with Russell and Mireille.

“This time, we succeeded in capturing a large amount of ether from the enemy. I think this has greatly increased our chances of winning the battle…”

“This is a big battle, but we still can’t be relieved. Don’t forget that we were originally in the inferior position.” (Russell)

　Russell cautioned me.

　I think I was a little overwhelmed by the great results. It’s not yet set in stone that we can win. I need to reflect on myself.

“Did either of you come up with a plan for victory?”

　I asked Russell and Mireille.

　For the time being, I also made full use of my knowledge of warfare and thought about various measures, but I couldn’t think of any measures that could be taken.

　After all, we will have to get the help of Mireille and Russell.

“Rather than coming up with a plan, the success of the Shadow’s operation made it clear what we should do now.” (Mireille)

　Mireille replied,

“What should we do?”

“Gather soldiers and meet the enemy army in the battlefield.” (Mireille)

“What?”

　The unexpected answer made unnerved me. In the current situation we are still inferior based on troop numbers, but is it okay to meet them on the battlefield?

“The other side is in a great deal of confusion because a large amount of ether was stolen this time. The convoy will be dysfunctional for a while, and Ether won’t be able to reach the frontlines for a while. We’ll target them in that situation. It’s obvious that as time goes by, they’ll rebuild and set up a new transportation system, so we need to do it as soon as possible.” (Mireille)

“I have the same idea as Teacher. Now is the only time to hit the Sights army.” (Russell)

　Russell, who is usually pessimistic and rarely proposes bold strategies, said this. There is no doubt that this moment is our biggest opportunity.

“Given that we have more ether in this battle, I think that if we invite the enemy to a place where it is difficult to move, we can deal a lot of damage. If they run away right away, we’ll have a problem. We have to lure them in somehow.” (Russell)

　When the mobility of infantry is reduced, long-range attacks such as bows and magic become more effective.

　In this battle, it’s important to cut down a lot of enemy soldiers. Even if we win the battle, if the damage we inflict is not enough, we will be attacked again after they escape and regroup. We can buy a lot of time, and maybe Clan-sama will take down Basamark and come back to reinforce us in that time, but again, we should not plan our strategy based on uncertainty. The only way to be sure of getting rid of them is to inflict heavy damage at this point.

　But is it possible to lure the enemy army?　If you think about it, I think the enemy army won’t move until the chaos is over.

“Where are the places where mobility will be reduced?”

“Forests or… the wetlands? In this area…” (Russell)

　Russell checks the map of the surrounding area.

　However, even after looking at it for a few seconds, there is no answer.

“This is… too far… this isn’t enough to reduce their mobility … isn’t there a better location?” (Russell)

　Apparently, there was no ideal place in the vicinity. I’m not sure how to lure them in, but it’s impossible without a proper location.

“…There is a river… Is there a document that lists the types of ether that was robbed from Sights Army?” (Mireille)

　Mireille asked.

　The breakdown of Ether stolen is summarized in the list. It has just been brought to me.

　So, I kept it on the shelf. Taking it out, I give it to Mireille.

　Looking at the material, Mireille grins.

“The Ether of Water, huh?” (Mireille)

“What are you planning?”

“If we increase the volume of the river with this, the enemy army will not be able to retreat easily. Instead of luring them, we can drive them to the river.” (Mireille)

　The amount of water in the river was enough to easily walk across it, but if the volume of water increases, it becomes impossible to walk across. Enemy troops will also have difficulty crossing the river.

“So, you want to drive them into the river… but it feels like they’ll be in the backwater team…”

“Backwater team?”

　They didn’t have this term in this world.

“It’s a method of warfare in which a soldier fights to the death in a cornered situation with a river at his back, and thus becoming much fiercer.”

“Oh, I see. It’s like ‘Hermant’s Counterattack’. Basically, one of the reasons for such a counterattack is that it boosts morale, but it is also due to the fact that the person who is pushing you into a corner is caught off guard. Furthermore, in this age of magic, no matter how high your morale is, if you don’t have Ether, you can’t compete. If you fight to the death, you’ll certainly be stronger in close combat, but you’ll be powerless against attacks from magic.” (Mireille)

　I understood why Mireille said it would be fine. I’ve heard about Hermant’s Counterattack because I’ve studied warfare in this world for some time.

　It’s a similar situation to Backwater, the place where the battle took place in a counterattack must have been Hermant.

　I forgot exactly where Hermant was. I think it was somewhere in Paradise.

“But do you think the Sights will try to retreat across the river? Even if their transportation system is disrupted and supplies are in short supply, Sights still has the advantage in numbers. Once their transportation system is in order, the situation will return to normal, and they will try to hold out without retreating, right? Sights will know that if they delay their invasion, Basamark will be defeated and Clan-sama will come to reinforce them.”

“Well, yes. It might be necessary to fight once to create a favorable war situation for them, and then tell Shadow to do some actions to bring some discouraging information to the enemy army.” (Mireille)

　What is discouraging information would that be? The Canale army succeeded in seizing the supplies from the Sights Army, and their ether could not reach their frontlines for a while.

　Also, maybe Clan-sama has defeated Basamark and a large number of reinforcements are heading for Canale.

　Whatever the information, it’s important to make people believe it, and I think Shadow will do it.

　We’re in a situation where we need Shadow’s help again. I’m a little sorry for making them work so hard.

“I’m slightly ashamed for making them work so hard, but let’s stick with Mireille’s basic plan. We’ll take out as many enemy soldiers as we can, and we’ll definitely protect Canale.”

　I declared with conviction.

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