It’s mainly the heavy units that transport the carriages for food.
They might be carrying disposable weapons like bows and arrows, but since the kingdom has already fallen, emphasis must have been placed on food rather than weapons.
The problem is that military troops might be organized as transporting units, though only temporarily.
A person in a transportation corps is anyhow a soldier after all.
It’s obviously different from slave-merchant like carriages that we encountered for the first time.
「Transportation corps soldiers do not receive much training. Many villagers around the vicinity would be mobilized. The guys taking commands for that bunch are mostly retired ones, so most likely they are useless bunch. At the most there will be two squads as escorts.」
「Then there is no problem in targeting them?」
Zairas san nods to the princess’s question.
「One person leads one wagon. a.s.suming that the escorts are only 20 people, if there are 15 or less carriages in the unit, it’s possible to raid them. The escorts are mostly deployed at the front and the back.
However, if it exceeds 15 in the unit, the escort will not be limited to two squads only. We would have to refrain from attacking.」
「Hmm.. That’s a good opinion. I agree with that. You should do the same as before. This time we will be in the west, but escaping towards south seems troublesome. At that time we will leave it to Rizer.」
「We are good at the back. I was over stripped by Maria the first time, but this time it’s my turn!」
Maria san got amazed seeing how much the princess is motivated.
But, with Maria san at the back there will be a peace of mind for all others.
「I agree to this as well. The weapon……. Hey you, young one. Lend me that axe!」
You mean me? I guess it’s since our eyes met.
I pulled out the axe from my belt and give it to a knight at my back. He then swiftly delivered it to her.
When she took the axe, she was br.i.m.m.i.n.g brightly and nodded looking at the cutting edge.
Sake was replaced with tea as we waited for the news.
There was nothing to do while looking forward for any news. I wonder if we would be able to find a target tonight?
If not, then in that case, I must think of other means to get provisions.
Going to a village with several people to buy food will likely arouse suspicion among them.
Then, a soldier roughly pushed open the door and rushed inside the room.
「It’s a news from the tower. A row of torches seems to be coming from the east side of the main highway. Numbers about 20. Other than that are unknown.」
「The raid will depend whether they are replacement soldiers or not. If there are lot of soldiers, it is necessary to inform those on the cliff.」
「Let’s watch for now. Light up a lamp on the cliff rock if there are many soldiers. We will give up on raiding. Also princess and the others, if you do not hear any sounds of battle, please evacuate immediately.」
「Umu. Watching the opponent then playing the battle. It was a phrase father often spoke of. Practicing it is not a problem at all.」
Even with such a king, the kingdom fell.
There are various warfare strategies. It is important to apply them that match the current situation quickly.
「Well, it’s time to go. Its night time. If we don’t head there early, we will likely not make it in time!」
Everyone stood up after the princess words and started running towards south.
This time after going down the cliff with ladders and crossing the road to slide down on the other cliff, they head towards east.
While we prepared the ladder and blockade immediately, lights started to appear from the east.
「They are coming. They will be here soon, but as expected of the heavy units.」
「Okay, keep it properly hidden. Our turns will come after they have pa.s.sed us.」
We hid in the bushes near the cliff.
Some of them hid themselves in groves a little further away to convey the movement of the troops on the highway to us.
The sound of wheels rattling came closer and closer.
Since the groove was illuminated with torches, it seems they have come in to the vicinity.
One can easily make out that there are many wagons after listening to the sound of wheels.
Apparently there are 12 of them.
According to Zairas san story, there would only be two squads and would have mostly useless soldiers.
Still, they are soldiers. They stand far above me.
Let’s jerk this spear out as before……
As soon as the sound of wheels fade away, darkness again filled the place.
It’s good that the mountain roads and highway run zigzag, they won’t be easily able to see any silhouettes of people.
Just to confirm that there is no one on the highway, I head out on the cliff and looked around.
I raised my hand giving a signal. Everyone came out one after other and carried the blockade to the highway.
I went on the highway and looked towards the east and the west sides.
「Really I don’t get bored. A little while ago, I thought starting as bandits for first time was a good choice. I as head will summon the bandits in the castle, and thoroughly instruct them the right way raiding, or so I completely thought of as.」
Even through the mask that Maria san was wearing I could sense her amazement towards my words.
「I think any king will not allow bandits to live in future. But if you change your viewpoint, I think it is possible raise a small army close to that.」
「Hoh, by chance, what kind of army will it be?」
「There are 2. Mountain hunting army and penetration army. The biggest difference between them is the operational area.」
「If they are from mountain side, it will be a group that excel in wars in mountain ranges. What about penetration army?」
「They are those who hide in villages and towns. It is a unit that avoids direct battle with the enemy as much as possible and aims to destroy the enemy’s stronghold and provisions stores.
However, they are mixed with the general populace. There is a possibility that harm may come to the general public.」
「I see. Not cavalry soldiers or archers or not even light infantries huh. I should have read a little more while I was in the castle.」
Maria san nodded to princess’s words. Huh, not stayed much in the castle! Was she running around whole day in the mountains and fields?
I think it will be better for me to stay behind the princess for my own safety.
A war cry came from distant ahead.
It seem to have started.
「They are all from the kingdom that invaded. Raise your arms and kill them without mercy!」
「Naturally.. Keep no one alive to be sent back!」
We are chivalrous thieves! Although I say that but in this situation it is quite impossible to keep that mindset now.
Everyone is greatly nodding at the princess’s words.
「Separate to left and right of the blockade. The wagons will be caught between us when it returns here!」
「Magicians, stay behind the blockade. Only people with weapons will come out to attack!」
A lit torch came towards our side.
It seems some have escaped.
Without confirming, one of the knight stretched out his body from the cliff and stabbed his spear forward to a running person.
He fell down on the spot. I think he was killed in a single blow.
It might be a problem if it’s too bright.
Several people came towards here but the six people from the squad landed them into a bloodbath.
I could see the princess moving forward maniacally.
Even one person, if you don’t end them, they will come to stab you.
The rattling sound came near.
We gathered on the cliff and watched the carriages grandly crashing into the blockade.
The blockade might have come off due to the impact.
A horse headed eastward while pulling one of its limping leg.
「Oraaa!」 [TL. Note – Well it is basically a sort of war cry or something similar]
Looking towards the sound where the voice came from, I saw the princess fight against several soldiers.
The knights also wield their spears towards another group.
I also jumped in and thrust my spear but it was restrained.
A fire spear was stabbed in succession from behind towards the enemy soldier. When he faltered the princess pierced him with her spear.
Meanwhile, I threw my spear without thinking towards a soldier trying to attack the princess with a sword from behind.
The spear pierced through his flank. He glared at me and at that time the princess found a gap and stabbed him.
Just then Maria san hit the face of a soldier with her frying pan who was coming towards me who had no weapons.
Since the pan hit the back of his head, I think he had his cervical spine broken.
Her strength is quite dreadful.
「Here!」
A long sword was given to me, but I don’t even know how to use it.
For the time being, I carried it on my shoulder and turned my attention towards the enemy. I was quite intimidated.
A small mistake will lead to my death.
Just then a knight quickly stabbed a spear from the side.
Our allies had come rushing here. Apparently they came running towards the rear.
「Are you safe?」
It was Zairas san who slowly walked over. He felt relieved to see the princess. His eyes were relaxed while looking at her.
「It was quite enjoyable. Banta was also useful. But he needs a bit more training. I will trouble you to take over from here.」
「I understand. Now then, what happens next?」
「A bit of work here is necessary. Lets load the dead bodies on one of the carts and head east. Hide the blockade. I think throwing away the ladder carelessly will do. I made traces of bon-fire at the ridge in the south before. Please make a big bonfire at that place once again. Scatter some food, and trample the surroundings there a little. They will interpret it as what we have planned them to.」
「Canaan, I leave the work in south to you. Do it carefully. But return before dawn!」
「Understood. Please leave some sake.」
Now then, it’s time to transport the looted provisions.
We took only so much that we could carry.
A rope dropped down from the cliff and the food barrels and other things were carried up on the cliff. Just then, a knight came with 10 people following behind him.
「They are the people who were with the carriage. We only apprehended them since they were not transportation corps soldiers but…….」
What kind of people are they? I looked at them while thinking. They had pinned beard that extended from the cheeks. They also had cat ears.
I think he is half human and half cat. There was also a tail, but it was hanging down without any energy.
「They are from the cat-tribes. They are not involved in our war. Release them. ……..Sorry about that. You got involved in our struggle. You can have as much provisions you want and return to your tribe.」
「We have been away from our tribe for more than 20 days. They would have already moved to another place. Will you keep us with you till our tribe reappears? With this unit, there would not be anyone shooting arrows towards us.」
「It seems they have been taken as prisoner after the tribe was attacked. We are one unit but we can keep you. But I should say this once, we are bandits.」
「You are in no way bandits. There is no way a bandit could show such coordinate actions.」
Unintentionally, Zariras san and I looked at each other.
It seems the behavior of the bandits has been seen through.