Genjitsushugi Yuusha no Oukoku Saikenki

[Make the host and guest exchange roles] number thirty of Sun Tzus thirty-six stratagems. The interpretationa retainer supplanting his lordis more popular but there are also cases where it is used to denote a plan where the defending side (host) and the attacking side (guest) swap places. Because the defending side enjoys an advantage in a battle, it denotes the preferable situation where the attacking side would fight as if in a defensive war at the place they were attacking.

~ Day 1 Randell Environs ~

It would perhaps be apt to call the battle happening in the environs of the Carmine Duchy central city Randell a [host becomes guest] situation. The Royal Guard who shouldve been attaching the Carmine Duchy was fighting a defensive battle against the Army who shouldve been on the defending side. Right now, hidden behind the walls inside the stronghold being attacked by the forty thousand strong Army, Hulbert Magna was grumbling.

Goddammit Mister enemys way too persistent arent they?

That cant be helped you know Hal

The one answering him was Kaede Foxia who was likewise hiding herself behind the bulwarks. She was speaking nonchalantly in spite of the friendly and enemy arrows being exchanged, flying over her head.

From how the enemy sees it, they woke up to find a fortress in front of their eyes, and even filled with the Royal Guard, too. So of course theyd be flustered

Well yeah that King sure thinks up incredible things, huh

It was yesterday that Soma gave Georg Carmine his Final Counsel. As soon as the Final Counsel was rebuffed, Soma dispatched the Royal Guard to the Carmine Duchy, but the first thing they did was to build a fortress right under the eyes of the Carmine Duchys central city Randell.

There was originally a fortress here where we would watch the Amidonians from, but the borders were expanded west in the antepenultimate Kings time so it was torn down. The King made us rebuild that. Also the one here before was a fortress focused on defense

Each and every one of the ten thousand Royal Guard that had been recruited by Soma for engineering works have now become excellent combat engineers. The earth mages used earth magic to dig the ground to create trenches, piled up earth to create walls, and used hardening magic to harden those walls. The soldiers dug and piled up earth using manpower, hardened the walls with primitive concrete, and used the machinery they brought from the capital for construction. Its common sense in this world that when one wants to build a fortress out of wasteland one would use only earth mages, but since the all common soldiers and not just the mages could also do construction work this time, the work speed was much faster than usual.

In addition to that, thanks to the addition of Tomoe Inui, they were able to transport materials and people in a short time thanks to the massive moving power of Rhinosaurus Land Trains. The materials were two-by-fours gathered from what was already there at the capital that they can install at the designated places at the destination. For this, he used the way Toyotomi Hideyoshi built the [One Night Castle] at Sunomata as a reference. To wit, he used the Rhinosaurus Land Trains in place of the Kiso River.

Then, despite the Royal Guard only having arrived on the evening the previous day, the fortress had already been completed by morning. From the Randellians point of view, it was exactly that a fortress had sprung up overnight. In later histories this would be referred to [Randell One Night Castle]. The Army, busy dealing with the populace enraged by the Final Counsel televised like in the Vargas Duchy, could not interfere with the forts construction.

But still, you gotta hand it to Lord Carmine. He managed to gather the whole Army in Randell before the Final Counsel

Though were now taking the attack from the forty thousand strong Army because of that. Anyway

KABOOOM!

There was the sound of a great explosion. It was probably the enemys attack magic hitting the walls. Even though theyre strengthened with Kaedes corps anti-magic, it wont withstand repeated hits like that. Hulbert picked up a nearby throwing spear, clad it in fire magic, and threw it through the bulwarks in the walls at a group that probably fired the magic earlier. The spear flew like a missile, hit a person and exploded, burning down the group.

After making sure of that, Hal went back to hide behind the walls and sighed.

Arent they attacking way too doggedly here in the west side? The other sides look like they only get sporadic attacks

. That would be the Zemish mercenaries. Probably the ones the corrupt nobles hired

Said Kaede while peeking over the wall.

The corrupt nobles literally have their necks on the line here. If they lose this war all theyve got waiting for them is the gallows. Theyre desperate nandesuyo. Its the death penalty

You sure have a way with words. shudder

Said Hal while throwing a second spear. It hit the mark and roasted another group of soldiers.

GYAAAAAAAAAAAAHH

Over there! Over there!

The flames, THE FLAAAAMES!

Hal looked bitterly at the scene of the soldiers rolled around as balls of fire.

(Well, rather than fighting the Army where I have lots of friends, this is easier on the conscience)

Hal had complex feelings inside, being formerly enlisted in the Army. Hulbert and Kaede who were close to the King were two of the few who had the complete picture of the war. Which is why they understood what the King was trying to do. They understood but still felt complicated.

Hal!

Being called out by Kaede, Hulbert came to his senses.

Whats wrong Kaede!

This is bad nodesuyo. They, are bringing out that thing

The thing Kaede was pointing at was a huge cannon that was now being brought into the battlefield. In this world where gunpowder weapons arent too well developed due to magic, only cannons were studied as naval weaponry. Despite being problematic because of mobility, the Army, eyeing its magic-less destructive power, possesses three of them as siege weapons, which dont require mobility. Currently, in Elfrieden, only the Army was in possession of a ground-based cannon.

speaking of which, we havent had reports of siege weapons being used from any direction

Well they normally dont get used in the opening moves

So, whats that then?

I think the corrupt nobles are getting impatient and took them out on their own nodesu

Isnt this quite bad?

Its quite bad nanodesu. Antimagic only works against magic and fire. For physical attacks theres only this walls [ancient concrete] coated earth walls. Its stronger than the normal ones but if they took repeated hits from that

BOOM! . CRASSH!

With an unnerving noise a shell flew, drawing a high arch. It hit the wall and sank. The cannonballs in this world are lumps of iron. They seem to have thought up exploding shells but since it doesnt give much damage to antimagic-reinforced walls despite its showy appearance, it doesnt see much use. If it were Soma, he wouldve investigated,so the magical strengthening cannot defend against physical energy, but it can defend against thermal energy?Thus the fired iron ball is a mass of physical energy that is the weakness of this wall.

W, what should we do nanodesu!

W, what should we do, but even if you ask me! Cant you do something with your magic Kaede!?

Im all out of magic because of the construction! Cant you intercept with a lance, Hal?

The speed difference is too big! Its like downing a loosed arrow with a pebble!

Humm. Then how about a bow?

Eh?

When the two turned their heads, they saw a well built young male Dark Elven warrior standing there holding a still larger bow. The dark elf warrior nocked an arrow to his bow. He then pointed it upwards and loosed.

Though you cant judge his races age by the looks

BOOM!

Once again, a shell was fired from the enemy camp. The dark elf loosed his arrow at nearly the same time. That moment, Hal and Kaede thought they heard a high whistling sound. It was probably because of the wind magic enchanted into the arrow loosed by the dark elf warrior. Two seconds later, the fired iron shellshattered into piecesin the sky overhead. Hal and Kaede dropped their jaws in awe.

Humm. Much easier than downing a messenger falcon

Ah, who are y

Ah, my. I forgot to introduce myself. I have come from the God-protected Forest, Thule is my name. Pleased to make your acquaintance, sir Hulbert Magna

As he said that, the dark elf young man, Thule, smiled.

H, how did you know my name?

Sir Hulbert might not have remembered, but that time when the great landslide disaster happened in the God-protected Forest, my daughter was among the victims saved by Sir Hulbert and the King. I later learnt your name because I wanted to thank you, but the first relief corps had already returned to the Capital that time

BOOOM! . CSHHING!

So, I would like to apologize for not being able to thank you for saving my daughter

No, well, I was only following the Kings orders

I still thank you nonetheless. My daughter who you saved was so taken by the sight of you saving people that she said [I want to join the Royal Guard someday and save lives like that person]. Even I cant find anything to say to that. Ha ha ha

While talking, Thule accurately shot down the fired cannonballs. The Elven races, to which the Dark Elves belong, are a race that excel in bowmanship, but he was still amazingly skilled.

But then why is Thule-san here? Youre not in the Royal Guard are you?

Kaede asked, and Thule casually laughed.Ha ha ha.

I heard something big happened to the villages savior King Soma. To pay back our debt of gratitude, the Dark Elf village sent us warriors to his side. We Dark Elves mostly dont want to concern ourselves with the outside world, but this time there were no voices raised against it

Thats I thank you very much nanodesu

Its give and take. You are the ones who taught us that

Looking at Thules face, Kaede felt her tenseness loosen slightly.

(There were more reinforcements than I thought nodesu. Then we might somehow live this through)

There were more than just Dark Elves coming to reinforce the Royal Guard. There were the former members who seceded from the Army, including Hulberts father, Glaive Magna. They became a volunteer army, participating in this war under Glaives command. Their forces, combined with the reinforcements from the Dark Elf village, numbered over five thousand. In other words, there are currently fifteen thousand soldiers defending the fort.

(I heard that in battle, the attacking side needs three times the numbers of the defending side. The Army had forty thousand. It wouldve been hard with just ten thousand, but with the reinforcements we managed to escape being outnumbered three to one)

Kaede rubbed her chest down in relief. Incidentally, after several years of growing up, Thules daughter joined the Armed Forces as she declared and luckily came under Hulberts command. One scheme after another happened after that and she came to Hulberts family for marriage, this is definitely not a situation where Kaede can be relieved for, but thats another story. Right now Kaede was racking her grey matter just to be able to survive this fight together with Hulbert.

TN: Im imagining Sherry from GATE with silver hair and dark skin

Kaede-kun!

Being called on, Kaede looked toward the gates. There was a group of heavy knights there, man and horse alike clad in silvery armor. They were the Royal Knights who defend the capital and the Royal Castle. At their head was the especially prominent Captain of the Royal Knights and the leader of the Royal Guard, Ludwin Arcus. He was a golden-haired, good looking man, wearing a silver-white armor, and even riding a white horse. His good looks that can be called overdoing it caused envy in Hulbert. However Kaede paid no mind to those good looks and approached Ludwin with questions.

What are you doing here! Sir Ludwin is the Supreme Commander here!

Sorry Kaede-kun. Please take command for me for a while. Were going to deal with that noisy thing a little

Ludwin pointed at the direction of the cannon with his cavalry lance. Kaede held her head in her arms.

You can just leave those chores to Hal or something nodesu!

Oi!

Ahaha, please dont say that. Compared to the soldiers doing their best holding the fort, we Royal Knights didnt have the chance to show our good side. We cant look cool if this keeps up

Cool!? . Are all men idiots nanodesu?

Hahahaha, so youdounderstand. Well leave you to it then

Before Kaede can say another word, Ludwin gave out orders to the Royal Knights.

Open Gates! Forward men, to the cannon! Return after its destroyed! Ignore the enemy soldiers, dont give chase too far. Focus on destroying the objective!

OOOOOOOOHHHH!!!

Pierce anyone in your way with your spears! Trample any hindrance under the hooves of your horses! We are the spears that protect the kingdom! We are the Kings Majesty! Run through without stopping!

Then the gates were thrown open.

Lets go! We will show them that the Royal Knights is not just for show!!

UOOOOOOOOOOHHHHH!

The Royal Knights rushed with the vigor of a bursting dam. The mercenaries fell into panic on the face of the sudden counteroffensive and their ranks scattered. Theres no stopping the Royal Knights charge now. Some were impaled by Ludwins mens spears. Some were trampled under the hooves of their horses. Most of them were the Zemish mercenaries that the corrupt nobles spent away their assets and gathered.

Mercenaries have significant personal fighting strength but they are weak at group fights. They fight by each individuals judgement without a proper chain of command. Because they were merely hired with money, they had no loyalty nor patriotism when their lives are in danger they will simply flee. That was why they were bad when put against a group that moves with one will like Ludwin and his men. The mercenaries couldnt defend against a group individually, and they couldnt cooperate with their allies, thus they were swept away one after the other by Ludwin and were routed.

Then when Ludwins men arrived upon the cannon left behind, they set it aflame.

(His highness is going to complain about budget later, but it cant be helped)

He felt it was somewhat of a waste but he judged this because he couldnt leave it be and he didnt have the leisure to drag the immobile thing and return. Behind the triumphantly returning Royal Knights, black smoke and thunderous roars erupted from the bursting cannon.

Skipping straight to the conclusion, the Army werent able to accomplish anything today and decided to return to Randell at sunset. The war resulted in a win for the defending side but the Royal Guard were the ones who were originally on the attack. No matter how many defensive battles are won, the situation would get worse and worse until they were cornered. This fact was obvious to anyone that can see.

That night in the council room in the castle of Georg Carmine in Randell, several tens of nobles barraged Carmine with questions.

Lord Carmine! What is it with this languid way of fighting!

Indeed. It is most unlike you, the feared Demon of the Battlefield

Werentwethe only ones putting up a proper fight!?

These were all the people who, as soon as Soma launched his corruption investigation, clearly antagonized the King and swarmed like flies on a flytrap to Georgs side. For these people, who did not fulfill their responsibilities to repay and opposed the King, there was no future. If they were to be defeated in this war they would fall into ruin. That was why they spent all their private assets to hire Zemish mercenaries and challenged the Royal Guard.

The amount embezzled was too big for them to pay

However, from their point of view, the way Georg fought was unsatisfactory. The Armys movements in todays battle lacked motivation. They understood that the soldiers morale had dropped seeing the Kings Final Counsel, but Georg didnt even urge his soldiers to fight. The attitude that was most unlike Georg Carmine, renown for his severe attacks, irritated the nobles.

What a cowardly Army! The war with the King has already begun!

Show us the power of Georg Carmine thats famous throughout the Kingdom!

Surely youre not afraid after having gone this far!

Oh ?

Georg glared at the nobles.

Who are you saying Im afraid of?

Guh

With just a glare and a word, Georg silenced the nobles. Georg looked around at the nobles that had gone silent, hit by the great generals spirit, and sighed.

Arent you the ones who dont understand? The enemy only numbered in the ten or twenty thousands. The fortress built in just one night was surprising but by the way the gradual onslaughts are going, its them that will be cornered. There is no need to force an attack

I, in that case if there are only ten thousand of them why not take them down once and for all?

But that wayyoull be the ones going into a total rout. Also, you took out three cannons from the Army armory and of all things got them destroyed

Uguu We deeply apologize

Glared at by Georg, the objecting nobles made themselves small. In truth, the one who brought the cannons out into battle was one of the corrupt nobles who became impatient from not being able to attack. They threatened the custodian of the weapons using their name and forcibly borrowed them. As a result, they lost three cannons for nothing, and the Army no longer looks too fondly at the nobles army.

Georg continued.

There is also one other thing bothering me. There has been no sign of Soma in that fort

Wouldnt he be hiding in the Capital and leaving the fight to his men?

Hes not that kind of King. If his whereabouts are unknown then he must be somewhere scheming something. Which is why we must lure him out

So you mean, the soldiers at the fort are bait?

Georg made a big nod to the noble.

I dont know where Soma is or what hes doing, but once he left the soldiers he dispatched to die he will be abandoned by the men and by the people. He will definitely show up eventually. When he appears we can pulverize him along with all the men in the fort

Georg was a beastman with the head of a lion. When he grins he exposes his sharp fangs. Seeing those fangs the nobles felt chills running down their spine.This is a man we must not make an enemy of.

Georg rose to his feet.

But you gentlemen must be tired after todays battle. This is a battle that wont be finished tomorrow or the day after. The attacks will be conducted with just the Army, so you may rest for the whole day tomorrow

Y, Yessir!

Receiving appreciative words from Georg, the nobles bowed their heads and left the council room. In their place, a man entered.

Excuse me Lord Carmine

.. Beowulf I see

The mans name was Beowulf Gardner. He was a wolf-headed beastman in black Army uniform, along with Glaive Magna who has now broken off with the Army, he was one of the two people known as Georg Carmines two wheels. He was effectively the number two man for the current Army.

That Beowulf was laconically asked.

Is everything ready?

Yes! Nothing is amiss

Very well

To the saluting Beowulf, Georg nodded in satisfaction and grinned.

Then lets go meet the King with the plan we put all our might into

On the other side, at the Royal Guard camp Hulbert and Kaede were lining up next to each other having dinner. The menu was the [Instant Zelring Udon] Soma invented. It was something made by boiling Zelring udon and giving it strong flavoring, then drying it with hot air, and when its time to eat, soaking it in hot water and waiting for one minute, becoming a complete meal. The convenience of being able to be eaten anywhere so long as one has hot water and a cup made it very popular among the Royal Guard to whom it was distributed.

Being able to eat it while camping is . *sssslurrrrrp* great isnt it?

His Highness said *slurp slurp slurp* [I wanted to fry it but it dissolves in oil! Even though I like the fragrance of fried noodles better than the non-fried raw ones!] nodesu

I dont really get it *sssssslurrrrrrp* must be some obsession

After finishing their food while having a conversation, Kaede leaned herself on Hulberts shoulder. Feeling the scent of Kaedes hair right nearby threw Hulbert into a panic.

O, oi, Kaede. What are you doing?

Fufufu. Hal, Im really happy right now nodesuyo

Huh!? Happy why!?

Because Hals here by my side desuyo

Said Kaede. She giggled.

Im glad Hal came over to the Royal Guard nodesu. If you stayed in the Army might have been frenemies nodesu. You might not even be here nodesu

But Im surrounded by forty thousand Army members because of that though

Itll be decided in one or two days nodesuyo. If we could stand our ground

If we could stand our ground ?

If we could stand our ground then everything will go swimmingly, that would be great, right

Dont just mix in your hopes in the end! If you said that much then you should just say everything!

So, youll protect me, right, Hal?

Aaah, sheesh, fine! Ill just have to protect Kaede from anything and everything!

Youre so reliable Hal

Within the fort, right in the middle of the battlefield, the two cuddled together and smiled to each other.

~ Day 2 Randell Environs ~

Dawn broke and the Army once again began its offensive.

However, unlike yesterday, there were only sporadic attacks from all directions. Arrows and magic did come flying, but there were no forces making excessive attacks. Hulbert tilted his head in doubt at this half-hearted way of fighting that was unlike the day before.

The enemys attacks have gone tepid, huh

I dont see Zemish mercenaries anywhere. The enemy might be switching to attrition tactics

Kaede analyzed while watching the enemy armys movements.

Hulbert turned his shoulders around.

Then we could take it easy for a little while

Hal, you have to be on guard in a battle nodesuyo. Youll get the rug pulled from under you nodesu

. All right

Then the Armys sporadic offensive continued. When the sun was approaching its zenith, the soldier at the watchtower shouted in a loud voice.

Large number of flying dragon troops in the eastern sky!! Its the Air Force!!

When Hulbert and Kaede looked to the east, tense from the words of the scout, they saw thousands of flying dragons flying their way in formation. Hulbert reflexively hugged Kaede. She laid her hand on his hands wrapped around her shoulders and gently smiled itll be fine, Hal.

Our bet has paid off

The flying dragonspassed bythe fort where Halbert and Kaede were and flew towards Randell.

Elfrieden Classical Idioms Course

[Randell One-Night Castle] Tactics. Meaning [Use everything that can be used to achieve the goal]. The expression came from the events at the junction of Georgs insurrection, where King Soma used the Combat Engineers of the Royal Guard to restore a torn-down fort. A close synonym on Earth is number fourteen of Sun Tzus thirty six stratagems, [Borrow the corpse to resurrect the soul].