Chapter 34: Decapitation Strategy
「They’ve got three hundred!?」
「Only fifty on our side!?」
「And they’re holed up in a castle!? We’re supposed to take on three hundred with a hundred!?」
「Screw this! Let’s go home!」
Yup—called it.
As soon as I returned to the Barbar Mercenary Party’s camp and reported the results of our scouting, I was met with a barrage of defeatist complaints.
The Barbar Mercenary Party is tough—but fickle.
If they think they can win, they’re bold. If the odds look bad, they lose all motivation.
Well then… time to tighten the reins.
Ignoring the whining, I cut straight to the point:
「This time, we go with a decapitation strategy!」
「「「「「Decapitation strategy?」」」」」
The phrase grabbed everyone’s attention.
I pounced on the opening.
「That’s right. Our target is Bartlett’s head. This is a succession dispute in the Norman family. If we take Bartlett out—」
Uncle Athos suddenly perked up.
「Then Lord Rion becomes the uncontested heir!」
「Exactly, Uncle Athos. We don’t need to wipe out the whole enemy force. As long as we bring down Bartlett, the battle is won.」
「「「「「Aah!」」」」」
The mood shifted in an instant.
Even the chiefs who had been moaning moments ago were fired up now.
「So we just need to kill this Bartlett guy!」
「If we hit when he’s off guard, we can pull it off!」
「So instead of 300 vs. 100, it’s 1 vs. 100!」
…Almost there.
That last dumb line came from Rosso of the Great Lizard Tribe.
He was technically wrong—but the energy was right, so I went with it.
「Exactly! Think of it as one versus a hundred!」
「「「「「Yeahhh!!」」」」」
Morale skyrocketed.
Ahhh… I’m so glad everyone here’s kind of an idiot.
「Tonight, we launch a night raid! Eat something now and get some rest. No fires! Don’t alert the enemy!」
「「「「「OHH!!」」」」」
*
Night fell.
The Barbar Mercenary Party silently rose and began moving toward the battlefield.
Fortunately, it was a new moon—perfect for a night raid.
We advanced using only the starlight.
Most Barbars have good night vision—starshine was more than enough.
As we neared the battlefield, I signaled with hand signs and split the force in two.
One group, led by Uncle Athos, would act as a diversion.
Twenty soldiers, mainly Elves.
From the hill we scouted earlier, they’d launch ranged magical attacks.
The main force—eighty of us, under my command—would hit the enemy’s headquarters directly.
We were clearly outnumbered during the day—so tonight was our only shot.
In the confusion, we’d strike down Bartlett.
We positioned the eighty-man assault team to the south of the enemy headquarters.
A low hill sat between us and their camp, perfectly blocking their line of sight.
We held our breath and waited.
I used [Sma-ho] to confirm the positions.
Uncle Athos’s unit was in place.
Good.
Let’s begin.
I turned to Jessica, the Elf beside me, and gave the order.
「Fire the signal arrow!」
Jessica drew her bow and let fly a flaming arrow.
It shot straight into the night sky.
Moments later, magical blasts rained down from the diversion team.
BOOM!
BOOM!
Heavy thuds echoed as the enemy camp, silent until now, erupted like a kicked hornet’s nest.
Behind me, murmurs spread among our troops:
「It’s on!」
「Hold! Wait for the signal!」
「Get ready—draw your blades!」
Even whispered, the excitement was electric.
To these wild Barbars, a night raid was practically a party.
I glanced back—the men’s grins gleamed white in the dark.
Almost time…
I leaned toward the guide at my side.
Switching to Ring Kingdom tongue, I reminded him:
「Our objective is Bartlett’s head. Forget everyone else—just focus on him.」
「Understood. Once Bartlett’s down, this all ends.」
「When he’s dead, shout it loud. Let everyone know.」
「Just yell, ‘Bartlett is dead,’ right?」
「Exactly. Only you and I speak this kingdom’s language. And only you know what he looks like. Don’t fight—just find him and spread the word. Got it?」
I made sure he understood, firm and clear.
Killing Bartlett wasn’t enough—we had to make everyone know.
That’s how we’d break their morale and end the fight.
「Not every battle is won head-on.」
The guide looked like he’d swallowed something bitter.
He probably preferred a fair duel to settle things cleanly.
If Bartlett were defeated in open combat, no one could challenge Rion’s succession.
I get it—I do.
But this time, I needed him to follow my plan.
「What matters is keeping Lord Rion alive—and securing his inheritance. Agreed? This time, we fight Barbar-style. Follow my lead.」
「Understood. You’re right. The outcome is what matters now. I’m with you.」
「Good… Prepare yourself.」
The guide drew his sabre, ready for the charge.
Then I saw it.
On the [Sma-ho] screen—enemy movement.
Several units had shifted leftward—toward the diversion team.
Caught off guard by the surprise magic barrage, the enemy was panicking.
Their commanders likely ordered them to respond to the source of the attack.
But the headquarters unit of fifty hadn’t moved.
And we… were right behind them.
I turned to glance at my troops.
The energy boiling off them was visible.
They were at their peak.
Good.
Let’s hit them where it hurts.
I raised my sword high, then swung it down.
「CHARGE!!」
「「「「「RAAAAHHH!!」」」」」
We surged forward toward the enemy headquarters.
NEXT CHAPTER
RELEASE RATE
Barbarian Reincarnation! World Conquest Starting from Defeat
Speed up schedule by 10 hours
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