Volume 3: Chapter 226 – Those Defending (1/3)

“Strengthen our defenses?”

“That's what the king said.”

　The one who answered Shumea's question was Ra Gilmi Fis.h.i.+ga, who led the bow and arrow army of Fanzel.

“I'm still the Commander-in-Chief here, so I think I'll just leave it to you.”

“That won't do. The demihumans can't do it and Bui-dono is going back.”

　Shumea made a strange face and became thoughtful, but immediately after, she sighed and nodded. Bui had to go back regularly to the Forest of Darkness to manage his villages. She knew this was necessary to minimize the friction between the goblins and the orcs, but it was a painful thing to her given that the werewolves and the centaurs that specialized in battle did not use their heads much.

“I suppose it can't be helped then. Did the king give any specific orders?”

“Not much. He just said that there's no need to stick so closely to the border.”

“Huh?”

　Being told that there was no need to be so persistent with the border only served to make Shumea even more confused.

“Alright then. In that case, we're no longer defending the border. Next… GUE GU!?”

　Shumea turned around and was about to leave, but then Gilmi suddenly grabbed her by the nape of her neck, causing her to sound like a crushed frog.

“Wait. That won't do.”

“I-I was joking.”

　As Shumea replied while rubbing her throat, Gilmi lightly sighed. He had to consult her what to do.

“Not needing to insist on clinging to the border means that we can afford to bring the enemy into the Western Region as well.”

“You can look at it that way too, but another way to look at it is that it's okay to retreat.”

“Hmm?”

　The goblin forces specialized at single-mindedly attacking the enemy. Even Gilmi, whom the king has led to wage many wars, has not experienced many battles that could be called a clear defeat. As such, the words ‘it's okay to retreat' left him confused and his arms folded.

“I heard about it, you know? Was it Gi Gu-san? Apparently, he couldn't catch the enemy army and had a hard time.”

“True. If you look at it a different way, then our situation could be said to be the same.”

“But before that we need to evacuate the villages.”

“Can you do that?”

“It's actually quite difficult. It's right before the harvest, after all.”

　Gilmi first learned about the crops called wheat and their harvest approaching when he started talking to the human soldiers. These so-called wheat were kneaded to create the bread that humans ate. Gi Zu and the others couldn't understand why the humans bothered to go out of their way to do something so difficult when it was possible to get meat throughout the year, but the truth of the matter is that things weren't so simple.

　Gilmi and the others tried eating this so-called bread, and they were indeed able to eat it. This was the staple food of humans. There were two harvest periods within a year. If those two harvests alone were responsible for providing for the whole year, then the farmers would have to put considerable effort to ensure that they produced enough.

　There were also goblin farmers now, but when Gilmi talked to them, even they couldn't help but agree that it took a lot of effort to produce crops.

“I see. In that case, we'll have to lure the enemy then.”

“The north is no good. We'll have to lead them down south.”

“…So we'll have to play the role of the weak prey then.”

“Think they'll bite?”

“I don't know, but to protect the people of the western region. We have no choice but to do it.”

　Shumea deeply sighed upon hearing Gilmi's words.

“I've always been thinking this, but why are you goblins always looking forward? Don't you ever worry?”

“Of all the people, I didn't think I'd hear that from you. We are warriors. And warriors are meant to fight. What's the point of worrying?”

　The objective of the enemy is most likely to reclaim the western region.

　To that end, the goblin army must be destroyed. Moreover, suppressing the western capital will also be a key point in reclaiming the western region. If they allow the goblins to live, their supply lines will be targeted. Destroying the few with a large army should reduce their losses. In that case, the odds of Germion Kingdom biting at the enemy in front of them will increase.

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“Exactly as I said.”

　A human and a goblin glared at each other for a while, but then they sighed and compromised.

“For the meantime, let's focus on the battle plan. Is that girl, Pale, coming? If she were around, things might be different, I think.”

“She didn't say anything. I'll send a messenger and ask. We might also need some scouts on top of an a.s.sa.s.sin unit.”

　Gi Ji Arsil's a.s.sa.s.sin unit was divided into two groups. One of which was positioned at the western region. Gilmi decided that the a.s.sasins alone weren't enough, so he also chose some goblins from his Ganra tribe with good eyes and sent them out as scouts.

“Bui-dono's orcs need to come back.”

“They were really useful when building moats. We also have to strengthen our camps.”

“And then there's the problematic demihumans…”

“Hmm… What to do. They're strong when it comes to fighting, but… Maybe we can ask them to procure food. We'll need some preserved food anyway.”

“Very well.”

　Gilmi and Shumea agreed to let the soldiers take a little food if they wanted.

“What about the number of soldiers? Do we need to protect the number of soldiers to protect the towns?”

“It's right before the harvest, so we'll always be short of hands.”

“As for the demihumans, we could get the help of the other races other than the werewolves and the demihumans, but… I don't know if the minotaurs can be counted on.”

“The Winged Ones (Harpyurea) are convenient to have, but they have a lot of enemies in the sky.”

　As they racked their heads, they turned the topic to increasing the number of soldiers to strengthen their camp.

“Maybe we should make a bunch of fortresses so we can respond to any plea for help?” Shumea asked.

“But if we do that and split our forces, communication will become a pain… We'll turn into nothing but a disorderly mix of different races.” Gilmi replied.

　A human and a goblin came up with a rough outline of their defensive strategy, and then they carried it out. Just us as the king ordered, they decided to give up the border, but coming up with a plan that lured the enemy all the way into the western capital was a very difficult task.

　Gilmi and Shumea worked singlehandedly on spreading their defensive net, and then they waited for the enemy to come. Eventually, they were notified of Germion Kingdom's attack.