Chapter 2 – Culling Operation in the Forest

In the middle of the night, when all the people have gone to bed, there was a voice in a room of a mansion that could not hide its frustration.

"This is getting annoying! Why are they still not making a ruckus after all that has been done to them!?"

The one who asked her subordinates about her opponent's lack of response is Viscountess Krone Karl.

She was in a bad mood, which was also the cause why her men were terrified of her currently.

"Uhm...they seem to be mentally tougher than we have expected, ma'am."

One of the subordinates reported to her with cold sweat, but this only made the Viscountess put on an angry gaze at him.

"You think I don't know that, you useless bastard! Normally, they would have either withdrawn or stopped going through the frontlines by now! So why is it that they're still here?!"

So far, at least at present, the people who had been targets of Krone's harassments had been unable to withstand the relentless attacks and eventually ran away on their own.

But this time, no matter how much she harassed Lucy, the other side still continued her military service as if nothing had changed.

This sturdy demeanor poured more fuel into Krone's anger.

"I can't take it anymore; I'll deal with her personally!"

"T-that's too dangerous, milady!"

These words, however, surprised her subordinates, who were supposed to obey her absolutely.

They were following her insidious orders until now because they believed that these harassments could still be excused as a prank or an accident.

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In fact, they were already pretty used to getting their hands dirty to deal with Krone's personal jealousies.

But when it comes to the actual assault, it was a different story.

"Hmph, that's pathetic of you. In that case, Five gold coins. Five shiny gold coins to those who will beat the lights out of Finlay. With that much money, you'll be able to get by even if you quit the army, right?"

Krone gave a grin, and the expressions of her subordinates changed.

If they succeed here, they could quit the dangerous frontlines and start a new life in a safe town.

It was that of a good reward for an assassination.

                          　　◆　　　　　◆

A few days later, Lucy's troops had reached the forest to the east of Krasland.

There was a report that monsters were gathering in this area, so they made the first move for an assault.

The plan was to eradicate them before they finish gathering to attack the city.

"The forest is a little deep. I don't think we can move in a column."

One of the vassals who had gone out to scout ahead reported to us.

According to the report, there are only a few narrow paths and no place where a large force could advance.

"It looks like it's going to be tough for us from this point. Not to mention that fighting the herd in the forest is out of the question."

Lucy nodded at my words.

I've heard from prior research that the number of monsters this time is around eight hundred.

Here we have a total of twelve hundred divided into ten groups. The commander in chief is the Count, who led three hundred troops on his own alone.

"We'll provoke the enemy with two or three groups. Then, if we can drag them out of the forest...take this advice to His Excellency the Count."

Lucy seems to have planned to lure the enemy out of the forest personally for the main forces to launch an attack on them. If you a re a ble to r ad this me ssa ge, you are r ead ing from an u nautho rized aggre gate si te. Re ad at my Wo rdPr ess at sta bbing wi a syr in ge. h ome. bl og to s up port me and my trans lat ions.

A few minutes after she sent the message to the commander-in-chief, all groups were informed of the plan.

The plan was to lure the enemy out of the forest with three groups and then destroy them with the rest of the forces.

It seems that Lucy's plan had been adopted.

As for why, the troops entering the forest included Lucy's troops, who had personally advised the plan.

And as the commanders of the other two groups were commoners, Lucy has become de-facto in charge of the raiding unit.

Even if the commanders are of the same rank, it is said that the nobleman is always considered to be of higher rank than the commander.

"Request the troops on both sides to stay within a collaborative distance. The forest will limit our movements from here on."

After sending out a message to the joint forces, we finally started to march.

"Commander Lucy, please watch your step."

"Yes, thank you. Do you see the enemy yet?"

After proceeding a bit of a distance, Lucy dismounted from her horse and was accompanied by the old man, our senior advisor.

As indicated in the plan, we will coordinate with two other groups in turn to lure the monsters out for the first ten minutes after entering the forest.

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"Nope, we haven't seen them yet. But according to preliminary information, it's about time..."

As the old man wiped the sweat from his face, a soldier flew in from the front.

"Reporting! We heard incoming footsteps in front! Lots of them!"

"And here they come, inform the friendly troops!"

"We're going to strike a blow at the enemy and then turn around and retreat!"

With Lucy's order, the three groups began to move.

First, Lucy's troops moved forward and attacked the swarm of monsters.

Because it was a surprise attack, we inflicted the enemy with tremendous damage, but they soon came at us in full fury.

"Fall back! Don't panic! Just keep in line and retreat!"

The soldiers, who had experienced real battles many times before, calmly dealt with the enemy's pursuit.

After all, they knew of the great danger that this retreating battle would cause them more damage.

Soon as we retreated to a certain extent, the remaining two groups standing by attacked in turns the swarm of monsters.

In the meantime, Lucy's unit retreated and turned around to wait for the enemy. By that time, the other two teams had begun to retreat.

"This seems to be going well for an impromptu collaboration, a retreat with mutual support."

"Yes. Furthermore, the damage is less than we expected."

I said as I reported the confirmed damage situation to Lucy.

The retreat method that she had devised worked well, and the damage to our allies was well controlled.

In time, the soldiers got used to the retreat as they fought, and our damages gradually decreased.

"However, if we take too long, the damage will increase due to fatigue. We need to finish this as soon as possible."

One of the younger retainers said impatiently, but Lucy replied with a calm expression.

"Don't worry, we'll be leaving the forest soon. Then we can meet up with the main force and destroy them once and for all."

After a couple of successful sorties, Lucy had not only relieved her of her fear of monsters, but also gained confidence in her command.

And in correspondence to this, the soldiers under her are also gaining confidence in their own way.

If the commander is calm and collected, the soldiers can fight without worry.

About three minutes after, we saw the exit of the forest, and on the other side, the main body of the army, all lined up and in formation.

"We'll break away at once in the next retreat!"

As soon as the friendly troops retreated, Lucy's troops also left the forest at once.

And as we had predicted, the monsters emerged from the forest a little later and were then greeted by the main force already in a tight formation.

After that, we turned back once again, and this time, the monsters we met head-on were already in pieces, divided and unable to gather together.

The monsters and we clashed for a brief moment, but we quickly gained the upper hand. Th is cha pter trans latio n is ma de pos s ible by stab b ing wi th a sy ri nge tr ansla tions. che ck onl y u p-to -da te tra nsl ati ons on my Wo rd pr ess s t e.

"Alright! Keep it up, and we'll be able to crush them!"

The old retainer screamed, and I, too, nodded at his words.

We have gained the superiority of the battlefield.

But just when everyone was letting their guard down, an arrow was fired from the clash.

It should have been aimed at the monster, but it flew in a straight line to Lucy, seeking to pierce her heart.

(The hell!? They're pulling this stunt at this point in time!?)

However, as I was already alert to this, I quickly pushed Lucy away, which caused the arrow to miss its target.

(Is this the guy who's been harassing Lucy before? I didn't expect them to snipe her this time!)

The arrow that was supposed to pierce her body ended up slicing through her arm instead... and then went on to penetrate an incoming goblin's head, killing it on the spot.

It was powerful enough to pierce the skull of a monster. If it hit a human, the result would be the same.

"Kyaaaa, guhh..."

"Milady! All of you, protect her!"

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The chief vassal old man shouted upon seeing their master injured, and the vassals followed suit and surrounded Lucy to protect her at once.

Later, with a wound on her arm, she would be hurriedly carried away by her retainers and treated at the first aid station in the rear of the main force.

But I didn't go with them; instead, I went to retrieve the arrow that had wounded Lucy.

Surrounded by battles between monsters and humans, I finally found a goblin with his head pierced by an arrow.

"This is it. If we check this out, we'll definitely find some evidence."

I carefully pulled the arrow out of the goblin and wrapped it in a cloth for safekeeping. In the meantime, all the monsters were wiped out, and the human side was assured of their victory.

"Well, my battle is just beginning…"

While the main forces are jubilant, I hurried to Lucy's side, carefully holding the arrow in my person.

When I arrived, she was already on a bed in the first aid station, with her arm bandaged up and looking unwell.

"Are you okay?"

"Yes, I'm fine. Thank you for saving me, Yuushin."

"Don't worry about it. I just did what I had to do."

I'm glad it didn't turn out to be serious.

"Please rest well. We'll find out who did this to you."

But as if sensing something in my words, Lucy then looked at me with a worried expression.

"Yuushin, please don't do anything rash."

Just like the last time, she gave me the same warning.

"Yes, I know. In the meantime, please focus on resting your body, commander."

After exiting the first aid station, I gripped the arrow coated with monster fluids and Lucy's blood hard and started to hunt down the culprit on my own.