NOVEL SIMPLE Chapter 531: 2nd Day Ended
Torose fortress.
I spotted an especially tall athletic girl among the soldiers running toward the gate.
"Irijina, you were here too?"
Thinking now, something needed to be done about the battering ram stuck in the gates and a temporary wall needed to be constructed.
"Lord Hiro, you as the king, being there is the strange part."
I guessed she’s right.
"Uooooooh!!"
Malty was here as well.
I heard the enemy yell.
"Ooooooh!!"
Our side didn’t lose to them and roared back.
Sensing our defenses would be strong, the enemy sent their heavy infantry to the front.
They’re equipped with thick armor and shields which resemble clumps of steel.
"I’ll smash through. Follow me."
I positioned my shield in front of my body and ran full speed right at them.
"He’s coming!"
"Fool. Does he think he alone can get past us heavy infantry!?"
The vanguard planted their shields firmly on the ground and readies their swords, but I charged right into the middle of their ranks regardless.
The impact created a loud metal crashing sound.
Six soldiers were knocked away, one was stomped on and crushed by my boots.
Irijina, Malty and others attacked the fallen heavy infantry.
"T-through the middle!?"
"One more!"
One more!"
"Don’t underestimate me! Don’t let him pass!"
Facing the next row, I lowered my body to avoid the spears and made a scooping motion with my shield.
Two lumps of metal were tossed into the air.
"The third one!"
This time I spun in front of the enemy, using the momentum from the running started to empower the swing of my sword.
"Guwaaah."
Four clumps of metal fell to the floor with a harsh clattering sound.
Blood squirted out from the inside of their armor.
Lots of stuff must have gotten damaged in there.
Was that it? Those guys only had armor that weighed more.
They were actually easier to deal with than regular infantry since they didn’t even move much due to all that heavy equipment.
Stunned at how I broke through, the enemy quickly was pushed back by our ally infantry and fell apart.
We arrived at the battering ram which broke the gate.
"Shall we move this?"
"We need people."
If we wait, the enemy might come before our allies.
"Let’s move it a bit for now"
"……seriously?"
It looked really heavy…… no, it was ridiculously heavy without question, except its wheels were still attached.
To begin with, this thing was made to move by pushing it.
"It took over ten people to do so."
"You can exert the strength of 10 people. I’ll represent 5 people."
Irijina grumbled and put her hands on the ram.
"Hngggoohh!"
"Nnngaaah!"
The two of us made unpleasant grunts as we gather up strength to move the weapon.
"It’s not budging. Put your back into it."
"…… this is the most."
Eeei, fine.
I would have to use more energy.
I gritted my teeth and let out a guttural roar as the muscles in my entire body worked hard.
Five more men joined to help us.
Its wheels started turning slowly.
"Gnnununu."
"Hnggah!"
The battering ram slowly rolled backward.
"Men, don’t get your sweat on me!"
"Sir! Don’t ask…… the impossible……"
If we didn’t get this thing moving quickly, those men would drench me with their sweat. I didn't mind the beautiful Irijina's though.
When we finally started building some momentum, it suddenly stopped.
"Dammit, those guys from Guiscard are pushing it out."
"Don’t lose to them! Push it back in!"
It looked like we got some resistance from the enemy.
Judging by the number of voices, there were quite a few of them too.
Trying to get in our way? We would have to outpush them.
"Guoooooh!"
"Nuugggooh!"
We were determined not to lose.
I guessed I could circle around and get rid of them, but that would feel like I lost somehow.
Maybe they also thought the same as they devote all their energy into competing with us from the opposite side.
"What’s with this power!? It feels like 50 people are pushing!"
"…… it’s 6 men and 1 girl , idiot."
Irijina conversed with the other side through the battering ram.
"Don’t lie, we have 20 people over here! Weak-ass Guiscard people should give up and leave now!"
"It’s not a lie, you guys should be the ones who stop first! The guy beside me is sweating like crazy and stinks."
I couldn’t help chiming in.
That was when I heard footsteps.
"Good! We have 10 more people as backup. Now we’re equal in number, it’s our win."
Shit, having an additional 10 people was going to be tough.
I had to be prepared for my muscles to be sore.
"Sir, I’m here to help!"
Ooh, ten more men here to back us up.
"Hahaha, we have 17 on our side. We win."
Now gave up and stood down.
"Pfft! That sounded like a girl to me. Are you trying to win by making us laugh? ……by the way, who’s wing is sticking out?"
Malty rode on my shoulders and pushes as well, though it disn’t make much of a difference.
"Here we go!"
When everybody exerted their strength, the ram rolled backward down the hill.
"Gyaaaaaaah!!"
It was pushed back with enough force that it ended up rolling over and killing a few of them.
That’s why I told you to step away.
In the next moment, its wheels could not support the weight and breaks, toppling the battering ram on its side.
"If we consider this as a part of the wall, our objective is complete."
The Myla's ken started building behind us.
Seeing the battering ram collapse and their soldiers failed to get past the gate, the enemy stopped moving.
Before we knew it, the sun was starting to change color.
There’s no more time to mount another attack.
"Inform the defense commander! I propose an armistice until sunset for the purpose of retrieving the dead and injured! I repeat――"
I heard the enemy shouting.
Let’s leave things here for today.
**"
Evening. Headquarters.
"I could not see through the enemy’s moves. It is my mistake."
It’s rare for Leonheardt to apologize.
Still, his face was expressionless.
Not like it bothered me at this point though.
"The enemy’s route of reinforcement is unknown and the route of transportation of their large catapult remains unknown."
That was a surprise.
"I thought a sandbag strategy was not possible due to the earth around Torose being too hard. I did ascertain that only the part around the north had softer ground which made it easier to create encampments and sandbags."
Heeh, that’s not something we would know immediately after coming here though.
I couldn’t say it’s entirely Leonheardt’s fault.
"I also learned after the fact that the north side wall was slightly inclined due to ground problems during construction and was suitable for attack."
I wouldn’t be able to tell.
"I’m aware this is something I, as a staff officer, am supposed to confirm."
Leonheardt lowered his head.
Like I said, stop apologizing with that expressionless face, it’s creepy.
Let’s clear the air with some humor.
Why was the one being apologized to getting their mind whittled away?
"Commander Hiro! I have something to discuss!!"
The one to change the atmosphere was the intruding third party, the mayor of Torose.
What was it this time, a continuation of the dismantling of residences?
"If it isn’t the mayor, what’s wrong?"
"What do you mean what!? The damage to the city is enormous! Citizens were killed too!"
So he wanted to talk about the cannonballs hitting the city.
Well, the target was the walls and from what I could see, the damage wasn’t too extensive.
"48 houses were damaged and 28 people got injured! 3 citizens died!"
"That’s unfortunate."
If we allowed the enemy to get into the city, that wouldn’t be the end of the damage,
By the way, our army consisting of mostly infantry and archers, suffered over 500 casualties.
"Isn’t this not contrary to the original promise? We should capitulate before any more damage is done."
Enough, I was getting a little pissed.
"――we came at your request to provide reinforcements. I’m not telling you or the citizens to fight, so I would appreciate if you don’t meddle unnecessarily. If you have complaints, why don’t you bring it to the president chosen by the citizens and say, “we don’t want to fight, can we open up the city?” or something."
I was tired so a hint of anger was in my voice.
"Tyrant! As expected, the noble system makes light of the citizens!"
I got it, just disappear from my sight.
If you want to complain, catch me when I was free and in a better mood.
After the mayor left, Myla flew into a rage and slammed the desk.
"Why do we have to be scolded in a way that makes us look like the ones who killed the citizens even though we came to help!? Does he not realize that more losses will occur if he lets the enemy nation occupy the city!?"
They had probably never been occupied by another nation before.
"How about attracting the enemy into the city and conducting urban warfare? If we fight using the houses, it’ll be easier to defend. He won’t say the same thing if 1,000 or 2 thousand people die."
"Why are you even here? Get out."
Mirai complained about Sekrit’s presence.
It we did that, he would just surrender on his own.
"But if we leave them alone and the situation turns grave, not getting the cooperation of the citizens will hinder our defense."
Barat spoke nonchalantly.
That’s true.
If the citizens turned on us, it didn’t matter how much we fortify our defenses, the city would fall easily.
"We need to settle it quick."
I turned to Leonheardt.
"I’ll have you take responsibility. Think of a plan to get it done as fast as possible."
Leonheardt answered while looking in my eyes.
"I have already done so."
Leonheardt spread an outline of the city he found somewhere on the table.