The Strongest Dull Prince’s Secret Battle for the Throne

Chapter 122: The Raid

Night.

I quietly transferred to the enemy camp and called Jordan while hiding in the shadow of the tree.

Please casually walk to the east. I am hiding near the big tree.

Using wind to carry my words, only Jordan can hear my voice.

Jordan, who was probably chatting with the other gathered villagers, opened his eyes in surprise at the sudden voice he was hearing but he immediately walked over naturally without arousing any suspicion.

Oi Oi, what was that? Strategist-sama.

It was something like a parlor trick. More importantly, whats the situation?

Their siege weapons are almost complete. Our men are scattered right now. Of course, we dont have any weapons either.

I brought the weapons. But it seems there are a lot of villagers here?

Yeah, they paid one-third of the wage in advance. It seems they will  pay them the rest tomorrow.

Thats a shame.

Its alright. Even those who came dont like these pompous military guys anyway. 

Thats good news. We will start the operation in two hours. Please make the preparation.

Alright, but there are a lot of guards you know?

They are only being vigilant toward the outside threat. There wont be any problem.

If Strategist-sama said so then that must be the case. I will notify everyone about the time we will launch our attack then.

Jordan says so and leaves.

As far as I can see, it seems that they have recruited a considerable amount of villagers. As I thought, they are making large scale siege weapons.

Well, the bigger the weapons are, the bigger the damage we will do once we destroy them.

Now, lets make this grand.

Muttering so, I left the place using transfer magic.

At the time when many people went to bed.

Jordan and the hundred men unit were quietly moving among the trees with me on the lead.

Catapult, ballista, siege tower. Quite impressive of them to make these in such a short time

There are two of each weapon. Moreover, their structures are fairly complicated. They were probably designed by Sonia. It seems my provocation triggered her huh.

Thanks to that, they gathered the villagers and their eyes pointed to the outside. Still, if we failed here, they would come after us.

This might be quite a dangerous gamble huh.

It seems there are still a lot of watchmen left.

No, I think this is probably a little different.

The watchmen looked tense.

Maybe their commander is coming to inspect the progress.

As if to confirm my speculation, a uniformed officer walked toward them soon after.

That guy.!?

Who is it?

Thats Colonel Letts. Hes their temporary field commander.

I see. So he came out to inspect the progress personally huh.

It seems they are quite cornered.

He probably couldnt sit still before he can confirm that his precious siege weapons are safe and secure.

After all, this is his only hope.

However, it was a bad idea for him to show up like this. The soldiers were already overwhelmed as they are but now they grow even tenser.

Letts confirm that the siege weapons are safe and head back together with his subordinates.

Since their commander left, the atmosphere relaxes.

I can see that the watchmen were starting to slack off but I decided to push it even further.

I quietly set up a barrier around them. Its effect is not that strong but its a barrier that induces drowsiness. For those that are already sleepy, its effect should be considerable.

They might endure their sleepiness but thats it. It should take their all just remain standing up.

Now, lets commence our operation.

I, is it really fine? They must be vigilant against our attack..and our equipment is.

One soldier muttered anxiously.

The weapons I gave them were daggers.

It was impossible to bring large weapons for this number of people.

However, for killing those sleepy guards, this should be enough.

They are only cautious about the outside threat. What they are waiting for is the report from their lookouts outside. I dont think they will immediately gather at our location. In other words, they are indeed cautious but also being lax at the same time.

Lax

It will be alright. You have already deceived the eyes of the imperial army. Everything will be fine. Lets win this and return to Gers. I am sure that great rewards await you.

The strength returned to the eyes of the anxious men.

Seeing that, I make a small gesture with my hand to give them instructions to proceed slowly.

Under the cover of darkness, we are getting closer and closer as we lower our waist and approach them in a crouching position. Even when we arrived at the distance they would normally notice us, they are oblivious to our approach.

Right until the moment the dagger was thrust at their neck.

The same goes for others who are half asleep with their guard lowered. With Jordan leading them, the soldiers gradually proceed to quietly eliminate all the watchmen.

It didnt take long before all the guards were eliminated.

As I surveyed the area for any guards that are still alive, my eyes found one of the dead watchmen with their eyes open.

I slowly approach him and close his eyes.

I wonder if he had a family. He probably didnt join Gordon because he supported him either.

Foot soldiers dont have the right to choose their commander.

Still, they are those who always end up the victims. This is exactly why the succession war is so ridiculous. The lives of those who we should be protecting are being easily discarded just because of a siblings quarrel.

Im sorryyou can complain to me later when I head over to your side someday.

Leaving such words, I walk over to the siege weapons and cover them with oil that I brought.

It was also because I was carrying this oil that I couldnt take any large weapon with me. However, this oil is the thing that will drive the imperial army into despair.

After dousing all the siege weapons, I give Jordan my final order.

Lets head back. I am going to set them aflame so if you take advantage of the chaos you should be able to escape easily.

What about Strategist-sama?

I still have something to do after I set fire to these.

.is it something necessary?

Yes, it is necessary.

I see.dont die on me now alright? You are our benefactor. We will have to repay our debt someday.

I understand. I will be looking forward to that.

Saying so, I send off Jordan and his men.

After confirming that they are already a distance away, I set fire to the siege weapons. Then, I create a breeze and fuel the fire even further.

Now.time for the final task huh.

I walked away as I watched the fire envelope the siege weapons.

-

What is going on!?

I dont know! There was suddenly a fire!

Fire wouldnt just start burning out of thin air right! What were the watchmen doing!? Why didnt they notice the surprise attack!?

There was no movement from the enemy, sir!

What!?

The command center was a mess.

For such a command center I set up a stronger version of the drowsiness barrier which causes the soldiers inside to fall asleep one after another.

Wh, at..?

Good day. Colonel Letts.

Slowly entering the command tent, I called out to Letts.

If I left this guy alive, he might order an unreasonable charge and increase the damage even further.

I cant let this guy live.

Bastard, who are you..?

Grau.the wandering strategist.

You..! Damn you! What did you do!?

I was just playing a little trick on your food supply.

What?

Letts look at the water in his command tent.

Although that was totally a ruse, I shrug at him to affirm his speculation. 

Letts bitterly frowned and I pull out a dagger and point it toward him.

Waitif you kill me.His Highness Gordon wont stay silent alright..?

So what?

You will be targeted by the next emperor you know..? Rather than killing me, just cooperate with His Highness.he will surely be able to use your ability effectively..

I heard the rumor that you are treating your strategist quite coldly though?

Th, thats not true

It seems you are a bad liar huh. People wouldnt gather under a guy who resorts to tricks and cuts off their subordinates when its inconvenient you know.

Saying so, I pierced Lettss chest with the dagger.

Those words also apply to me so I was also hurt by it.

A liar can not be a good leader.

With this, the imperial army will be forced to withdraw. Right? Half-elf strategist.

Haa Haayou have done itGrau!

HmI told you that I will render all your effort to ashes right?

Out of breath, Sonia jumps into the command tent.

She arrived considerably fast. Perhaps she gave up on the siege weapons once she saw it aflame so she rushed here in the case that her enemy aimed for the headquarters.

I have always moved with the next step in mind after all. She probably thought that the fire might be the next step toward something as well.

And that is exactly right.

I have been on watch. But the surprise attack still arrived..you, did you already move them even before we posted the lookouts..

Sonia walks towards me but she staggers and has to support herself with the desk.

The barrier is still in place. Entering the command tent means that she will receive its effect.

Thats right. I sent out the unit before you posted your lookouts. The method I used to come here is my secret though.

.? this is a barrier?

As expected of a half-elf, it seems you wont be tricked easily huh.

Elves are originally sensitive to magic.

Sonia who draws blood from them is of course resistant toward it as well. Even if its the barrier I made an effort to hide, she would still notice it once she entered inside huh.

She probably wouldnt enter carelessly if she knows that I can use magic though.

Well, this is also a win for my strategy huh.

To be able to hide your magic so well like this.just who are you?

I wonder? What meaning does my identity have for you?

Saying so, I point the bloody dagger at Sonia.

Sonia looked like she was about to put up a fight for a moment but she immediately lowered her hand as though she gave up.

If you want to kill me thenthat is fine by me..

You are quite quick to give up huh. You should have enough power to put up a fight right? You should be experienced in self-defense technique as well, no? This is embarrassing but my sword arm is quite weak you know.

Hahahayou are funny.its like you want me to resist or somethingits okay. Im done already.

What do you mean?

I couldnt protect the commander nor capture the city..Im sure that I will have to shoulder the responsibility for this. You already killed him after all. The man who should bear it.

He is too dangerous to be kept alive. And I dont think that you are in the position to take the fault for this though?

It doesnt matter.I will be killed when I exhausted my usefulness. Im sure that His Highness Gordon is such a person..a beast that couldnt be controlled..I was too naiveso just kill me

There was no will or strength behind Sonias eyes. 

There were some when I met her before but it seems those are completely lost by now.

Surely, Sonia was looking forward to the future when she helped Rebecca back then. She thought that her action still has meaning.

However, there is no such thing in Sonia today.

Even if you let me liveIm sure I will be killedeven if Im not killed.Someone I care about will be killed in my place..if thats the case then I would rather die here..

You are too naive.

You dont even know wha..!

I know. You are being forced to cooperate with Prince Gordon because he took someone you care about hostages right? So what? Anyone can lament at their own misfortune.

.I did all I could already.! To not intensify the war! To not endanger the hostages! I did everything.I did it all but still..

There is rarely a plan that would go well on your first try. Thats why you come up with your next move. You turn your wisdom to overturn the situation at the next opportunity. That is what a schemerno, that is what it is to be a strategist. Someone who folds after their plan fails has no right to call themselves a strategist. If you are a strategist then come up with plans until you can resolve your situation!

!!??

Feeling the shock from my words, Sonia collapsed on the floor.

Certainly, Sonia failed to control Gordon. Then she should have devised a plan to rescue the hostages and contact the other factions.

You cant overcome the obstruction if you do nothing after your first plan fails. The problem wont wait for you to recover, it always comes at you all of a sudden.

Sonia who was trained by the genius strategist should be capable of coming up with many plans and I think that she already has some in her mind but she still lacks experience in the field.

That is the most necessary thing for a strategist.

Half-elf strategist.Sonia Laspade. I investigated you. It seems you were raised up by your step-father who was a genius strategist right. I know that you follow Gordon because he was taken hostage but.your life was saved. Dont give it up so easily! Your stepfather didnt raise you up so that you can get killed by me! You are incredibly arrogant to think that your life is yours alone!

Saying so I throw the dagger at Sonia with all my might.

Seeing that, Sonia guards herself with both hands.

Passing beside Sonias face, my dagger plant itself into the ground.

Ah

I can kill you here but if I do, your stepfather will be too pitiful. If you still have the will to live then try putting up a fight.

.!! Dont be so selfish..! I.! I just dont want people to get hurt! I dont want anyone to get hurt because of me! But still.I.!

Tears spill from Sonias eyes.

Her folks got taken hostage, and she has been pushing herself for them.

No matter how good a strategist she is, someone who has never been on the battlefield would be too immature to call themselves a strategist.

Originally she should be gradually gaining experiences but she was suddenly thrown into the battlefield, a life or death situation.

Many people will die with just one command. The pieces on the board turned into living and breathing humans. If she couldnt overcome such reality then she can not become a strategist.

Sonia forced herself to make that resolve. And it was Gordons fault who forced her to do that.

I.I just want to live in peace.!

I can sympathize with that.

Then..help me..

I did not immediately give my answer.

The reason is that I heard the sound of a flute echoes from a distance.

Thats why I immediately walked past Sonia.

Sorry but I have some previous engagement. Moreover, you must do something about it yourself first. Dont simply ask others for help. Do everything you can. From my point of view, I still dont think you have given it your all yet. Do it even if it is something small. If you do that, Im sure that your situation will improve someday.

Saying so, I left the command tent.

I can hear the loud sound of crying from the inside.

It may have been cruel and I should have extended my hand to her.

But if I reach out to her, the only one I will be able to save is Sonia herself. Im sure that I wont be able to help the hostages. As long as I dont know where they are, I cant save them.

If she wants to acquire the best possible future then she has no choice but to struggle for it herself.

With such a thing in mind, I left the place with transfer magic.