Bandit Chapter 12

The Heavy Infantry is Quite Formidable

 

For four days, we were waiting patiently for an opportunity to raid.

Radi san brought out our long-awaited news of a provision transporting caravan from the east.

It seems they went out to hunt some game in nearby villages.

 

「I heard that there are 55 wagons in this unit. The formation is the same as Banta explained before 」 [Zairas]

「Then you mean there are 2 platoons? 」 [Banta]

「No, there are 3 platoons staying in the village」 [Radi]

We looked at each other on Radi san’s words.

It that not a bit too much?

 

「How it is Banta? 」 [Princess]

「Would you like the farmers to assists us? Even they can use crossbows.  We need to increase the number of crossbows on the cliff. Also, it would be helpful if someone from the village can help with 【Mel】.」 [Banta]

 

「There are 12 crossbows in the village. Only about 2 people know how to use the 【Mels】. But, they can only use it 8 times at the maximum with their spirit」 [Radi]

「That’s enough. We will advance to the highway tomorrow. Send the messenger to the village to bring half of the crossbow troops and those who can use 【Mel】 」 [Zairas]

Zairas san swiftly issued the commands to a squad captain.

With this, the cliff part is secured.

 

「Again, we will confirm the raid. Radi san should lead the additional crossbow troops. You may kill one of the squads in the earliest stages. I will leave the survivors to Zaruto san and the others」 [Banta]

 

I place the pieces again and again on the map and confirm the attack arrangements with the squad captains.

We will let 80% of the transporting unit to pass, and will receive the remaining 20% of the unit ourselves.

We will manage to get some more being greedy, but such unreasonableness is not good.

 

「It seems they are inviting us since they are big in numbers. I will take 3 people good on their feet to assist Radi in the ambush here…….」 [Zairas]

 

I will shoot arrows from the foot of the cliff from the southern side of the highway.

It will probably down one enemy at least.

Even though the enemy is careful, it’s impossible to advance while monitoring all around the highway.

If we attack twice they will come chasing but it won’t be for too far.

Apart from that, we will put the advance group to be several hundred meters apart before the carts.

Since the unit is the in-charge of damages, they will be highly nervous while monitoring the surroundings.

The advancement will be delayed due to that.

There will be no changes even if there are 2 squads, probably.

「Are you trying to disrupt the guards’ formation? That’s quite a drastic method. In that case, we will go and hide ourselves under the cliffs along the highway.」 [Zairas]

「We should lie low in the forest away from the cliff. It will be troublesome to get on the highway, but their attention would be on the cliffs so we can creep up easily.」 [Banta]

 

「Meanwhile, the rest would attack as per the plan huh. Crossbows will take over on the cliff when rocks and fire bullet attacks would stop. The wagon on the west will come to halt, whereas those on the east will scurry off the highway towards the east. Even if a subsequent squad tries to leave ahead of the carts, they will be attacked with the crossbows from the cliff, isn’t that right.」 [Zairas]

「Right. Since the attention of the defense unit would be on the cliffs, it will become easy for us from the forest in the south.」 [Banta]

「This kind of situation would be sufficient for us. There are 15 knights.  Me with 7 others and Banta would precisely make 2 squads with them as war potentials.  We will draw closer to the line of spears, and deal with anyone who shows up with crossbows and flame bullets.」 [Zairas]

「Zairas san should always be cautious. Even though it is unlikely, but if soldiers that escaped to the east come back, we might suffer a pincer attack. Therefore Radi san, please keep the watch at full alert.」 [Banta]

「OK. You are well aware of our pace.」 [Radi]

 

She is a cat after all. No doubt they are born with a hunting nature. Ambush is what cats are best at.

 

「Lastly, there are too many enemies. Do not hesitate to use long swords in case your opponents are superior to you. However if you do, kill everyone that witnessed it! 」 [Banta]

The knight put their arms on their chest and gave a dignified bow.

It’s probably the knights’ mannerism. It looks pretty good. Even I want to try doing it.

 

「Then I’ll go get my clan members. When finished, we will head for the rocky wall on the cliff. Since the stones will be dropped from there, we need to make ample arrangements.」 [Radi]

「Excuse me. Please don’t take any risks.」 [Banta]

Hearing my words, she lightly waved her hand as she left.

It seems the wagon unit will leave early morning tomorrow, but we should start preparing early.

I took my meal and went to sleep early to get myself ready for tomorrow.

People in this world sleep relatively early.

Though waking up early is good for health, I was surprised at first when everyone was awake even before sunrise.

I came to be able to wake up a lot earlier now-a-days but, still it seems I am the last one to wake up at the end.

 

The next day, I woke up to the sound from the next hall.

Hurrying up the preparations, I took the spear in one hand and carried the crossbow on my back.

When I reached the hall, they were eating together.

I washed my face in a hurry and arrived at my seat. Bread with soup and baked ham was placed in front of me.

There are 2 of them, so it’s probably for lunch.

Wrapping it in the cloth, I placed it inside my bag.

「We can wait patiently. Zairas sent word that they will come around the afternoon.」 [Princess]

「Banta’s sword is not finished yet. Just keep this with you for now! 」 [Reedus]

 

Reedus put out a slender sword before me…

Is it not a fencing sword?

 

「Fencing sword …… Well, it might be the right one for Banta. It’s a ritual sword just for courtesy, but it could be seen frequently in the court…….. It’s a pretty good article. If we use this, we can pierce chain-mails.」 [Bartz]

 

How about me? I’ll use it if I receive it.

The early bird gets the worm, looks like this saying is true.

If push comes to shove, it can be even thrown as a spear.

Since its one-handed sword, if I raise my physical ability with magic, can’t I manage somehow with it?

 

After meals, we were waiting for the wagons to come while drinking tea.

Although there are 3 platoons, there is a vague concern of incomplete preparations but……

 

I hear the sounds of the knights swinging their swords at their targets.

Since Zairas san permitted the use of long swords at the judgment of the captain, the knights have a high morale.

But I don’t want anyone to be injured since this time it will be close-quarter combat.

 

As soon as the sound ceased, the messenger soldier came into the hall.

「They came. Two squads are leading the front! 」 [Messenger]

「Lets go! 」 [Princess]

「「「「Oooh!!」」」」

 

Taking their weapons everyone stood up from their seats.

Those who were training outside already ran over to the draw bridge.

We hastened to follow them.

 

Several stones were placed on the cliffs ready to fall down on the road.

As soon as the thick log is removed, they will all roll down.

Radi san and others were sitting nearby them and enjoying the pipe.

There are 3 magicians as well as ten or more crossbows; I think it will be enough to attract attention.

 

「There are 2 squads in the lead」 [Radi]

「I was informed from the tower. Please make sure not to be found」 [Banta]

She waved her hand with a little smile.

I guess that’s what it is.

 

「I will drop the stones at the guards in front of the last wagon! 」 [Radi]

I got a voice from the cliff top towards me.

I looked back and bowed down and then headed towards the west on the highway.

Zairas san moved towards east to a place slightly away from the point where the stone will be dropped, and hid in the bushes in front of the forest.

We walked towards west for about 300 m and entered the forest passing by a lax slope.

It’s about 50 m away from the highway, but the dense bushes hide us in the black making us unnoticeable from the highway.

Since Maria san affixed red and black clothes on the mask, its showing is effectiveness considerably.

 

Blocked by the tall grasses, I sat behind it.

 

Since the wagons will take time to come, I ate my lunch and harnessed a pipe without lighting it.

Even if it’s only leaves, herbal tobacco’s scent can be enjoyed adequately.

 

「Banta, it’s the vanguard unit! 」 [Princess]

I lowered my head slightly to the princess who called me in a loud voice and looked at the highway from the bushes.

About 20 soldiers came walking down on the road.

The first five have spears, but somehow their way of holding them is weird.

Is it a unit that does not use spears usually?

 

「Che! They are from the heavy infantry. One platoon already has many, now there are two platoon soldiers along with a heavy infantry platoon」 [Princess]

Hearing the princess’s murmuring, I observed the infantrymen. They have partial metal plates attached on their chain mails.

They have round shields and one-handed swords.

I see! Up till now the soldiers I have associated with wore leather armors.

This might be a bit tough………

 

After a while the vanguard units left on the highway towards east, the next squad of soldiers passed in front of us.

The wagon units continued behind.

I am relieved, since due to vanguards, their progress is disconnected.

They pass before us while chatting.

After that, wagons went through making rattling noises.

 

As soon as the soldiers’ shoes and carts squeaking sounds passed by several time, a lot of disturbed footsteps sounds came from the end.

As I looked through the bushes on the highway, I saw dozens of men walking in 4 groups at ease.

It seems the lord is there.

Though I feel it’s a bit too much, but on a narrow road, the one that is on the cliff top wins the battle.

We are about half of the numbers of enemy, but we don’t have to worry about being surrounded.

Several ones are good in killing with one swing.

Maa, that situation may not even happen.

If we mutually restrain each other with spears, any rushing guy will finish them by stabbing with spears.

 

Eventually, the figure of soldiers disappears beyond the corner, the sound of footsteps also fade away.

Waiting for a while and confirming that no more troops will come, we showed from the bushes and approached the highway.

The knights quickly rose up on the slope and lifted us up.

 

「It’s as I expected. Rizer, the vanguards carry long spears. Bartz along with 5 others follow behind them. Send 3 people to the back. Even by chance, one more unit coming into the fray will be unfavorable for us. Ones with crossbows at the rear, mages behind them.」 [Princess]

The princess quickly assembled the formation.

Two of the three are archers, so we can handle some cases ourselves.

 

Each of us raised our physical abilities with magic.

This will make it a little easier to move around.

For the heavy infantry, magic is indispensible, but for the ordinary ones we have a few things we can use.

I got magic carved on my body for free, but it seems money is needed to do so.

The price is actually high, so it might be impossible for general salaried soldiers.

 

I lent my spear to young knight near Bartz san.

Having a little longer spearhead is quite useful.

Pulling the string of the crossbow, we set the bolts on it.

With this we can kill at least one person when encountered.

 

We soon heard angry shouts.

It seems it has begun…

We quickened our steps so that the formation does not collapse and headed towards the east on the highway.

 

 

Previous   Next