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Chapter 58: Capture Operation

We let the targeted group of five Kiritai cavalry pass us by first, then began the pursuit.

There were five of them.

As soon as we gave chase, the largest of the group took the rear.
Most likely the strongest one among them.

I issued instructions to the mounted Elves and Barbar cavalry.

「Keep your distance! No need to engage them directly! Just drive them toward Rosso’s ambush!」

「「「「「Got it!」」」」」

We took position diagonally behind the Kiritai group, on their right rear flank, herding them leftward toward the hill where Rosso and the others lay in wait.

I switched to Elvish and spoke to the Elves:

「Can you aim your bows at their right flank?」

The plan was to apply pressure from the right with arrows, forcing the Kiritai cavalry to veer left.

Elranief, the Elf chieftain, answered:

「From horseback, it’s difficult. If we’re allowed to miss wide…」

The Elves were forest folk.

Riding horses was a recent skill for them.
They hadn’t yet mastered archery on horseback.

They couldn’t match their accuracy while standing on solid ground.

Still, better than nothing.

I replied:

「No problem! Just make it look like the right side’s dangerous! Do it!」

「Understood!」

The Elves nocked arrows, balancing on their shifting saddles.

I silently prayed they wouldn’t hit.
Our goal was to capture, not kill.

「Fire!」

At Elranief’s signal, the Elves released a volley.

The Kiritai reacted instantly to the sound of the arrows.

Excellent hearing!

The rearguard cavalryman glanced back, barked a command, and the group shifted their course leftward before the arrows even landed.

(He figured out the arrow trajectory in an instant!? Incredible eyes, too!)

I’d assumed they’d see arrows land on their right, then adjust, but no.

They changed direction before the arrows hit.

While I stood amazed, the Elves’ arrows buried themselves in the right side of the ground.

I was stunned at the rearguard’s quick judgment and skill.
If we got too close, he’d definitely counterattack.

I raised my alert level for this group.

The Kiritai horses were fast.
We Barbar riders could barely keep up.

If this kept up, they’d lose us.

But they were now heading straight into Rosso’s trap.

That group of five was galloping right into a snare.

「Success! Elves, well done!」

I praised Elranief and the others.

Then, we spread our formation wide behind the Kiritai, boxing them in as we pushed them forward.

From ahead, a battle cry rang out!

「「「「「Uoooooh!」」」」」

It was Rosso and the Barbar infantry!

Rosso, Drye, and the other large Barbar warriors burst from behind the hill, brandishing spears and rushing forward to block the Kiritai’s path.

The Kiritai group was trapped.

Still, they were highly skilled riders.

They didn’t stop their horses, just slowed slightly and guided them into tight curves, attempting to circle out.

(Smooth! No panic at all! They’re leaning with their bodies to shift weight, keeping control without rearing!)

I admired their riding technique.

Far beyond my rushed crash course in horsemanship.

If we left any gaps, they’d escape.

I was starting to sweat internally.

But I didn’t need to worry.

The Barbar infantry performed exactly as we’d planned.

Moments after Rosso’s team moved in, a second wave of Barbar infantry appeared, carrying nets and rope ladders.

「Take this!」

「Catch them!」

The nets and rope ladders were flung at the Kiritai riders.

「Gah!?」

「What the, !?」

The Kiritai were caught, tangled in ropes and ladders.

They tried to shake them off, but the Barbars held the ends tight.

「Pull!」

「One, two, heave!」

In perfect sync, the Barbars yanked the ropes, and all five Kiritai were dragged from their saddles!

We did it, Prince Alex’s request fulfilled!

Clapping my hands, I cheered:

「Great work! Rope them up!」

The Barbars rushed in and bound the Kiritai swiftly.

「Don’t let the horses get away! Gather up their bows and arrows too!」

I ordered the idle hands to collect loot.

The Kiritai’s fine horses would sell high.
Their bows were top quality as well.

We’d take whatever we could from the battlefield.

「Gaia! Hey, Gaia!」

Jessica shouted in surprise.

What now?

She’d dismounted and was staring at the five captured Kiritai.

I got off my horse and walked over to her, puzzled.

Rosso and Drye came over as well.

Rosso opened his big mouth wide.

「What the hell? That’s a kid!」

Other Barbars gathered around.

「Hey, this one’s a woman!」

「There’s only one guy!」

I stared at the captured Kiritai in shock.

Among the five: one young man, one young woman, and three children.

I quickly understood the situation.

「So… they came to war as a family…」

I let out a heavy sigh.

We had captured prisoners.

But of all things, it was a family…