I Became the Childhood Friend of the Northern Duchess - Chapter 221



221 – What Is the Battlefield?

Fortunately, the activation of the dimension stone was carried out without much trouble.

Thanks to this, all people were able to safely reach their destination, the forest.

This was the road leading to the Bertus family’s castle and a perfect place to avoid prying eyes.

“Ha…”

“Ariel!”

However, because too much magical energy was injected, Ariel briefly complained of fatigue and collapsed in her seat.

Even though he fell, Edgar only managed to catch him as he stumbled for a moment as he got off the horse, but it was clear that he was in bad shape.

“As planned, it would be best for you to hide with the guards around here.”

“It’s okay, don’t worry. “I can’t get over this.”

Edgar set up a makeshift camp and told her to rest with the soldiers who would guard her side, but Ariel was stubborn.

There were many reasons.

First of all, even if you hide here, there is no guarantee that you won’t be discovered by enemies.

Second, it was his own stubbornness that he would no longer be protected.

“You know that. Albrich, that man is the greatest wizard in the empire. “If I’m not there, will there be a wizard who can deal with him?”

Of course, there are wizards in the troops brought in now.

However, of course, a person with skills like Ariel could not exist.

To find someone of that caliber within the Loveheim family, it would have to be Minette, but she was currently unable to leave her position for other reasons.

“After all, you are the commander-in-chief. Even if Albrich appears, you must not appear directly at the front line.”

“It doesn’t mean you’re going to fight on the front lines. It means that when that guy shows up, he needs at least some supplemental power.”

The abilities of wizards, especially those who belong to the great wizards, are beyond imagination on the battlefield.

In fact, a small battle between soldiers can change the game as if it were a child’s play, and sometimes even a completely tilted battle can be turned around in an instant.

If on the other side Albrich is the trump card, on this side Ariel is claiming that he will take on that role.

Of course, I don’t think Edgar will lose to a man like that, but you never know if the situation turns against him.

When the two people’s opinions sharply clashed, Gail, who was worse than her, came forward.

Aside from these two people, he is the one with the greatest decision-making power in this unit, and he thought that the soldiers watching this scene would not be of much help to morale.

“If the two of you are not willing to back down like this, how about choosing a compromise?”

“… What are you talking about? “It’s a compromise.”

Ariel, who had raised her voice her, took a moment to catch her breath and questioned Gale’s words her her her her.

They were in such a tense conflict because they couldn’t find a compromise, but he was talking as if he had found a compromise, so I felt like letting go.

“Your Highness is of the opinion that you will participate in the battlefield regardless of the reason, and isn’t Sir Edgar of the opinion that you should rest after using up a lot of your magical power?”

“That’s right.”

Edgar chimed in on Ariel’s behalf.

In response, Gale smiled and expressed an opinion that did not fit the heavy atmosphere.

“However, since this is a matter of conflicting opinions, it will not be possible for all soldiers to stay here and delay the advance… In that case, wouldn’t it be better for you to divide the main unit and the reserve unit and have Your Majesty lead the reserve unit and follow us later?”

“Lord Gale, that is…” ” ” …”

After hearing his opinion, Edgar hardened his face and went out to dissuade him.

That’s because there aren’t that many troops brought because they are using simple dimension stones, and dividing the main force and reserve troops there can be a very unstable choice.

But does that mean they only bring a convoy-level enemy force with them and then join them later?

That is likely to be a more dangerous choice than staying in this forest.

If you try to join the main force in the middle of a battle with only about 20 troops, you may be blocked in the meantime.

‘But we can’t delay the battle as much as possible. Even if the Lukeville family takes the time, they won’t be able to hold it for very long.’

In any case, the core of this operation is possible because the Lukeville family holds a considerable number of troops.

Even if it is not possible to destroy the enemy’s mainland by somehow attacking them before they return, the most important thing is to secure victory by the time the reinforcements join.

In the end, I thought it would end like this without being able to accept Gale’s opinion his as it should, but Ariel’s eyes suddenly brightened and she agreed with his words hers.

“Okay, I’ll do as Gale says. Even if that’s impossible, just take me like this.”

“Did you forget? If you divide your troops in a situation where you already have insufficient power…”

Her insistence her her almost raised Edgar’s voice her her her, despite the fact that she had reminded Ariel countless times.

However, the look in her eyes that followed her left him speechless.

It wasn’t the sharp look in his eyes that he had when he was stubborn like a child, but because he was looking at him like he was about to burst into tears.

“I know, at least it’s my stubbornness. But can’t I trust you just once?”

“…”

“For some reason, I feel like it has to be this way. My intuition is screaming. “I shouldn’t let you go alone like this.”

I had said that I couldn’t let him go alone anymore, but Ariel knew that too.

There are unavoidable things in the world, and there may be times when you have to send him away alone on the battlefield.

But this time, for some reason, I felt like I shouldn’t have done that.

He kept shouting in his head. She should somehow stay behind or by his side.

It was my first time feeling this way in my life. She remembers that even when she first became aware of her love for Edgar, she had never heard his voice this clearly.

Edgar, who faced Ariel’s appeal to her, her head-on to her, clenched her fists.

He knows full well that this is self-indulgent stubbornness. There is no basis or reason.

However, if you change your perspective and think about it, even when he first raised doubts about Albrich, Ariel believed him without any doubt.

That’s why I was able to come this far.

If Ariel had brushed aside his thoughts that day, calling them unnecessary, he would have had no choice but to put aside his doubts about Albrich a long time ago.

‘Is it time to repay that debt?’

Anyway, the final decision maker is Ariel.

If she is really stubborn, she might be able to ignore Edgar’s opinion and proceed in the direction she wants.

Still, the reason I didn’t do that was because I truly hoped for his understanding.

“… Okay.”

Edgar could no longer offer a counterargument to that.

Just as she gave me unfounded beliefs, today is the time to return my gratitude.

It may be wrong to bring personal feelings into public affairs, but Edgar decided to nod his head nonetheless.

“Really?”

“Okay. Do whatever you want. You can either rest here with the reserve unit and follow them, or head straight to the main camp with the main unit. “I will respect your choice.”

From noble mtl dot come

From Ed’s perspective, he still wanted to recommend the former if possible.

Exhausting magical power is something that requires a lot of fatigue. I pretended not to be Ariel right away, but I couldn’t easily hide the fact that my legs were shaking.

It would be more efficient to join the main unit after at least recovering your body, even in future battles.

Has Edgar’s wish arrived?

Ariel smiled at his permission and chose the former.

“Then, as Sir Gale said, I will follow behind with the reserve unit.”

“Okay. But just in case, I’ll leave the therapists with you.”

“Are you okay. The therapists were brought here in case the soldiers get hurt, not for me.”

Although Ariel euphemistically refused, one of the five therapists decided to stay with her just in case.

Although the escort unit called the reserve unit could not be assigned in large numbers, it was still possible to select it to some extent.

The reserve unit decided to immediately build a camp among the dense forests, and the main unit, including Edgar, decided to head straight to the Bertus family’s castle.

Because this was the first time they had been separated like this on the battlefield, Ariel could hardly let go of her sleep as she let him go.

“You have to let go.”

“Oh, I know. You idiot. Don’t overdo it. “I will go and help you.”

I don’t know how many times I’ve been told not to overexert myself, but even so, I never thought Edgar would get tired of it.

Because a lover’s worries are always appreciated. And he knew the danger that was about to come.

“Okay. Follow me slowly.”

“Yes… Be careful.”

Edgar gently stroked his lover’s head and turned his horse’s head.

Ariel, whose cheeks were still blushing from the warmth still remaining on his head, led the remaining troops around him and moved towards the camp being built.

Now, all we can do is hope that each of us does our best in our respective positions and stay safe.

Because a battlefield is that kind of place.

*

Sigh!

An arrow flew from the bushes and pierced a man’s neck, causing him to fall helplessly onto the grass.

Edgar, who confirmed this, sent a signal to the soldiers following the rear, and they spread out to both sides and advanced one step at a time, hiding themselves among the trees and grass.

‘It pays to have done as much research as possible on the nearby terrain.’

Edgar unfolded the thin paper in his hand again and searched around intently.

It was somewhat difficult to obtain information on this place as it was the private property of the Bertus family and entry was prohibited, but fortunately, aid arrived and we were able to get a brief overview of the terrain.

Although there were some parts on the way that were different from what he expected, most of the searchers were staying where he thought they would be.

Because it was in a relatively open area, it was easiest to monitor intruders who might come in from around the area.

However, the problem was that because the surrounding area was open, it was easy for an intruder to spot the guard.

‘If there had been a barrier surrounding this forest, it would have been difficult, but I’m glad it wasn’t done that way.’

I don’t know if it was an expression of confidence that this was enough, or if there was some reason, but whatever the reason, it was fortunate for them.

Of course, we had prepared means in case there was a barrier, but in that case, we had to proceed with the work while leaving a significant number of troops behind.

“Commander, I believe the enemy will be on high alert from here on.”

“I think so too. But the sharp numbers…”

When Leonel spoke in a tone befitting an adjutant, Edgar, who was looking at a topographical map, expressed his disapproval.

From here on, even when discussing the strategy at the castle, no opinions were expressed.

So what I chose was to push forward like a flood before the enemy’s contact network reached the enemy through mobile warfare, but there were a lot of uncertainties.

“Can I give you my opinion?”

“But much. Do you have any good ideas?”

The more your heads come together, the more unexpected and good ideas come to mind.

Moreover, when he remembered that Leonel had occasionally expressed plausible opinions during political affairs, he was pleased and handed over the topographical map to him.

It meant to roughly tell me what kind of operation it was.

“I kept the uniforms of the enemies I killed, so I made up a small number of troops using them and pretended to be injured to attract the attention of security guards.”

“Pretending to be injured… In fact, that might be okay.”

Edgar had thought about pretending to be from the same unit by wearing the enemy’s uniform, but he had never thought about attracting attention by disguising himself as a wounded soldier.

Moreover, sympathy is always a good way to break down the enemy’s vigilance.

Anyway, as long as you don’t pass over the information about whose attack it was, it won’t matter if you report that the enemy has appeared.

“What about command?”

“I will take charge. Since I have received a request from His Majesty, I cannot ask the commander to do anything unreasonable.”

Leonel smiled with his confident expression.

Seeing that expression, Edgar couldn’t bear to tell him that it would be dangerous.

Because a battlefield is that kind of place.