Chapter 42: Matchmaking with a neighbouring crown prince, part 2
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Translator: Denryuu; Editor: Ryunakama
In order to carry out my reforms, I had to assemble the guards.
At first, many of them were rather disgruntled that some unexpected visitor was now in charge. However, once Gregor told them I was ‘Almeria-sama’s tutor’, they quickly got their act together.
「Give me ten groups of ten. His Majesty’s carriage will be at the centre of your formation, so please leave a wide margin.」
When I had arrived, their formation was quite ambiguous, with the guards ‘standing around and guarding whichever carriage was nearby’. Since both carriages were near each other, it didn’t feel necessary to guard both separately.
「I need two orderlies. The two of you will be riding horses.」
「Eh… what about our commander?」
「He can walk.」
「By right, Sir, our commander should be the one riding the horse…」
「If you want to continue this operation with ease, then just be a good orderly. To all of you, please inform me through him if anything looks amiss — I will be at the centre.」
None of the guards really understood my intentions straight away. Nevertheless, everyone started moving again in this new formation.
「Are you not going to look for the Heroine?」, said Lyla as she peeked out from my rucksack.
I was riding a horse that I had borrowed. The King’s and princess’ carriages were lined up behind me.
「Well, I don’t think she needs any protection. I also don’t see the need to pay respects to her for now.」
Lyla sighed.
「It has become quite an elegant formation — simple, and everyone knows their role. When we got here, it was a hot mess.」
「’Inform me if anything looks amiss’ — when you’re giving orders to the rank and file, the simpler the better.」
「At first, the distance was large enough for them not to get in each other’s way if a fight breaks out, but small enough for them to feel each other’s presence. As you saw, some of them were happily chatting away.」
「Humans tend to cluster together, since doing so makes them feel safe. Right now, each cluster only has ten people, so they probably feel kind of uneasy.」
Lyla let out a huge sigh.
「Join my army, will you?」
I laughed without thinking.
「What makes you say that?」
「If there had been a man like you in my ranks, then we would have won. It just suddenly came to mind.」
「My power far surpasses that of the Demon King’s. When you welcome me into your ranks, be careful that I don’t casually decapitate you in your sleep.」
「Unyaaa!」
I suddenly felt my head being jerked backwards. Guess I had provoked her too much. After regaining her composure, Lyla spoke again.
「We c-can form an army soon… you know? If we have… kids… between us…」
Embarrassed, she immediately slipped back into my rucksack.
The Demon King’s army had shrunk considerably, but in place of soldiers had come ‘warmth’.
The gentle sea breeze that hit us carried a light hint of sea salt, indicating that we were near Somarille Coast. Looking towards the horizon, I spotted many bourgeois villas and posh buildings.
Things were going too well.
One of my orderlies rode towards me at full speed.
「Sir, our 9th fireteam has been attacked! They look like a bunch of bandits!」
Our ten fireteams could guard every direction except for 12 o’clock and 6 o’clock. The 9th fireteam was positioned at 9 o’clock.
The resort reserved for nobles and royalty was a stone’s throw away, making it the perfect spot for bandits to lie and wait.
「Their strength?」
「Twenty to forty, sir!」
Another orderly came riding towards us, this time from 9 o’clock.
「9th fireteam reporting, sir! The bandits have increased in strength! There are about a hundred –」
「Give orders to the 8th and 10th fireteams! Tell them to reinforce our 9th fireteam and form a phalanx! Tell the rest to stay calm and keep their guard up!」
「Yes, sir!!」, shouted the orderlies, and off they went.
「I smell something burning. Hmm… looking at the number of bandits, they seem pretty serious.」
「Yes, that’s why we have to be alert in case there are more lurking around.」
I reported to King Randolph, only telling him the bare minimum such as what to do with Almeria in an emergency and that we would not let the bandits get near.
Kicking my horse hard, it frantically galloped in the 9 o’clock direction. I saw a forest there, so that’s where the bandits were most likely hiding. With nowhere to conceal themselves otherwise, any enemies approaching from the other directions would be spotted instantly.
Having confirmed this, I hurried towards our trilane.
「They might suck, but they’re still knights, eh. Their phalanx is more solid than I expected.」, said Lyla, observing the spectacle.
A phalanx of thirty knights packed a punch, at least.
I spotted some people trying to get past this wall of knights. As soon as I got closer, a bunch of heads were suddenly tossed in the air.
「…」
「What’s the matter?」
「…no, nothing.」
Glancing at the headless corpses, I rushed to the aid of my men. I barked out another order.
「Maintain your formation! Let these brigands know that Royal Guards aren’t just for show!」
「Uooooooh!!!」
「Wow, you effectively raised their morale, how timely.」, muttered Lyla.
「It’s dangerous out here, get back in the bag.」
Observing the bandits, it was clear who their leader was.
「…hmm, that guy, huh?」
I leapt from my steed and casually borrowed a sword from one of the enemies.
「Eh, m-my, my sword –」
I ran up to the leader-like figure. He looked considerably strong, with some knowledge of military arts.
「…」
Without batting an eyelid, the leader positioned his spear, ready to fight. Good job. However, he immediately focused his attention somewhere else.
「Looks like something caught your eye… something that isn’t the enemy in front of you?」
「…」
Screaming for power, he attacked with all his might. He stabbed forward with his sword and swiped at me with the butt of his spear.
I grabbed it with one hand and yanked it away from him.
「U-waaaaa!?」, wailed the leader, losing his balance.
I drew my sword. In a split second, a downward slash sent the hand holding the sword flying.
「Na, nani –?」
「Your first move wasn’t half bad. However…」
I tossed the sword aside and grabbed the spear from the ground. At that moment, the leader tried to use his fire-bending techniques.
「Faster than the wind, and more piercing than thunder — that is what a good spear thrust should be. You’re still nowhere near that level…」
It’s been a while since I last used a spear. Shifting all my weight onto the spearhead, I thrust it at him.
I felt as if I had become one with the spear.
Faster than the wind, more piercing than thunder.
Faster than sound, even.
A shockwave was released, which tore his face asunder.
Seeing their leader slain, the bandits knew that their pursuit was in vain. Dropping their goods, they made a beeline for the woods.
「Will you not give chase?」
「I know my place. It is not my job to kill them.」
I do not chase those who have lost the will to fight.
Picking up the sword, I went back to my men, who had at last broken formation. While some had sustained light injuries, we had zero casualties in total.
「I must say, I’m impressed. All of you were better knights than I had expected」, I said, smiling.
「Oh, wow, he praised us…?」
「To be praised by the Heroine’s tutor himself…!」
「I’m so happy…」
Everyone looked content.
「What a way to use the carrot and stick principle. Kukuku, look at them, even though they only did as you said.」
She was only speaking the truth, as unglamorous as it was. However, with this victory under their belt, the guards would no doubt continue doing their best.
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