The Tribal Wars

When Heisen was spreading out a map in his room, Captain Lorenzo entered. There was no sense of gloom in his expression. Heisen thought this superior had brought him what he wanted.

"Second Ensign Heisen, I am granting you the authority of a captain. Save this fortress."

"...Understood."

"I will be under your command, but what should I do?"

"Could you continue to convey my intended tactics to the higher-ups? I want you to act as a liaison with the upper echelons."

Taking orders from me would be intolerable for their pride. However, they would be satisfied if it were Captain Lorenzo. Heisen acknowledged that Lorenzo had superior negotiating skills.

"That's unexpected. I thought you'd tell me to use honorific language."

Captain Lorenzo chuckled as he expressed his thoughts. Reports indicated that Lieutenant Mospizza repeatedly visited the captain's room, shedding tears and pleading over his horrendous treatment. Heisen couldn't help but smile wryly.

"Indeed, I did force Lieutenant Mospizza to use honorifics. Respect, however, comes from within. Please allow me to continue treating you with respect as before."

"Respect? Hearing that from you is even more unexpected. I thought the only way I was better than you was my ability to navigate social situations."

"Please, don't tease me."

"Haha! Hearing that from you is even more unexpected."

"Do you understand the conditions under which I regard someone as a superior officer?"

"Hmm? Is it overall military ability?"

"No."

"Excellent decision-making skills?"

Heisen shook his head.

"The ability to forgive subordinates... no, that's not it."

"Of course, not."

"Fairly evaluating ability and achievements."

"Well, that's part of it, but not the whole thing. That's something to do after an emergency."

"Hmm. I don't get it. Tell me the answer."

"Sincerely accepting and adopting subordinates' opinions if they are superior."

"..."

"The more people you command, the more diverse opinions you'll get. Among them, there are bound to be ideas better than your own. I don't regard someone as a superior officer if they don't adopt such ideas due to vanity, pride, or ambition."

"..."

"Therefore, I do not regard Colonel Zilba, Lieutenant Colonel Kenneck, or any other inconsequential faction members as superiors. Well, as a mere hired soldier, I pay superficial respect, but that's all."

"You don't pay any respect at all."

Captain Lorenzo sighed and shrugged.

"That's my shortcoming. Captain Lorenzo, please give me your strength. Of course, you don't have to use honorifics like before. And I intend to switch command authority as needed. Consider it a formal captain's role."

"Whether you're being sincere or not is questionable."

"I-I'm sincere. What do you take me for?"

"Haha. You're skilled at lying, and I'm not even sure if you have such capacity. But it doesn't feel awful to hear that from someone like you."

"You're a peculiar person, Captain."

"Is that true? When you say it, I feel like I'm some kind of eccentric."

"..."

"Haha... But you're adept at motivating subordinates. Alright, I'll count on you."

"Thank you."

Captain Lorenzo extended his hand, and Heisen smiled as he shook it.

After deciding on their respective roles, they next discussed tactics by placing pieces on the map. Heisen placed four pieces around the fortress.

"First is the deployment of troops. As expected, we'll be defending the fortress."

"That's prudent."

"The enemy has 50,000. After the faction left, we have only about 15,000, and the second battalion has only about 3,000. A field battle would give us little chance of winning."

"..."

"However, it's not an impossible number for a siege defense. We will deploy the battalions evenly to the east, west, south, and north. Ultimately, I will face General Gizar's troops."

"The opponent is a high-ranking general. Moreover, his troops include elite guards."

"That's precisely why."

"...I see. The upper echelons wouldn't want to face a general-led army head-on, so they'll approve your plan."

Captain Lorenzo added that they would undoubtedly complain a lot.

"Then how about suggesting, 'I'll give you that role'?"

"No way! That's exactly your harmful habit."

"Hmm, I don't understand. Complaining means they're dissatisfied, right? But they don't offer alternatives and don't fight for their place. I don't understand what they want."

"Sigh... Indeed, I should be the liaison."

Captain Lorenzo sighed deeply.

"Is that all the plan?"

"In a siege, all we do is defend. Also, I need you to take command when I'm absent."

"...Absent?"

"I'm a magician. While you endure, I need to disrupt and reduce the enemy's forces to some extent."

"What do you plan to do?"

"..."

Apparently, he didn't fully trust him. But that's fine. The superior's excellence lay in his flexible thinking. He never succumbed to blind trust, which reduced his judgment errors.

"Well, gradually. Meanwhile, Captain Lorenzo's role is complicated. Of course, you'll guard your position. And you must assist other squads and endure against General Gizar's fierce attacks, which could come from any direction."

"Frankly speaking, I lack confidence."

"The Diodor Principality excels in cavalry. If there's a breach, it will occur through the gate. So, use Kakuzu."

"Your bodyguard? But wouldn't he be outnumbered?"

"There's no need to worry. For such occasions, I hired him as a bodyguard. If the gate is about to be breached, deploy him, and you'll see something interesting."

"...Got it."

"This battle will last three days. The outcome will then be decided."

Captain Lorenzo's eyes widened.

"Such a short-term decisive battle?"

"An overwhelming victory or a crushing defeat. It'll be one of those two."

"A crushing defeat is also possible."

"There's no absolute certainty on the battlefield. It's a possible future."

"You're pessimistic."

"It means any possibility exists."

"I'll pray to God that doesn't happen."

"...Anyway. First, we must concentrate all our efforts on immediate defense."

Heisen responded calmly.

It was an unusually clear day, rare given the recent weather. Heisen manned the central gate. He stationed two thousand soldiers at the gate and another thousand within the fortress walls.

From the fortress, the black-haired youth surveyed the enemy troops.

In front of him was an army of over ten thousand. In the past, he had faced such a force alone, but now, with his current abilities, it would be a nearly impossible feat. Therefore, if he didn't use the army, the battle would end in defeat.

Diodor's principality had an overwhelming advantage. Their forces were three times larger, and their morale was significantly higher. The enemy soldiers shouted in unison, intimidating Heisen's troops.

Heisen rode his horse, inspecting his own soldiers. Every face he saw was devoid of energy, as if in a daze.

The imperial soldiers had already given up. Most of them hung their heads, showing no spirit at all. Some even sat down, resigned to their fate.

"......"

As he continued his patrol, Heisen noticed one unit with unusually high morale. It was the 8th Squad.

"Oh, Ensign Heisen! Good to see you, sir!" Warrant Officer Buz saluted, and the entire 8th Squad followed suit.

"You haven't succumbed to despair, I see."

"Of course not! We've got you with us, Ensign Heisen," Buz replied confidently.

"The enemy numbers fifty thousand."

"No problem!"

"Their commander is the famous General Gizar."

"If we have you, Ensign Heisen, we'll win!"

"I can't guarantee that everyone will survive."

"We are soldiers, sir! We're prepared for that. You told us yourself! Be ready to face the consequences of your actions."

"......"

Without saying another word, Heisen moved on. He climbed to the top of the fortress walls, gazing out at the massive army of the Principality of Diodor. Around him, he saw the imperial soldiers, still devoid of spirit.

"Really, being a soldier is a tough job."

With a sigh, Heisen closed his eyes and began to speak.

"Imperial soldiers, can you hear me?"

The troops began to stir.

"Don't be surprised. I am Ensign Heisen, a member of the 2nd Battalion. I'm speaking to you all through a magic staff."

Even Colonel Zilba, Captain Lorenzo, and the other officers exchanged startled glances. They likely had never seen or heard of such a magic staff.

"I have one thing to say: it will take three days. We will decide the battle in three days at noon, when the sun is at its highest, whether in victory or defeat."

The soldiers held their breath, listening intently.

"Non-commissioned officers, I understand that you didn't choose this assignment. Many of you might feel despair at being stationed here."

The soldiers lowered their heads.

"Desertion is punishable by death. But in front of us is an army of fifty thousand, led by the renowned Thunder General."

The officers showed expressions of despair.

"You have two choices: desert and face execution or trust my words and hold out for three days in this fortress."

The soldiers exchanged glances.

"Even if you fight, at best, only one-third of you will survive. At worst, more than half will die. This is an undeniable fact."

Their faces reflected a mix of confusion and determination, showing the turmoil in their hearts. It wasn't just despair. Heisen offered them hope.

"But I promise you, if it's only half, I will ensure your survival."

When they heard the voice in their heads, the soldiers raised their heads.

"We will defeat General Gizar, repel the army of fifty thousand, save half of you, and turn this desperate situation around."

There was no hesitation in his voice. Only absolute confidence. Heisen's overwhelming presence inspired those who could see him. This sense of excitement spread like ripples among the troops.

"So, it's just three days. This is a super-short siege. Fight with all your might, without fear of death. There's no retreat. The only way to survive is to move forward."

Hearing these words, some soldiers began to show signs of hope.

"Believe in your rigorous training. Believe in your well-trained bodies. Believe in the comrades who have fought alongside you."

A huge cheer erupted.

"Follow orders from above. Trust in your superiors' commands. Act without haste, without panic. Do your best as always, and this is not an unwinnable battle."

The cheer grew louder.

Heisen turned his back to them and shouted.

"All troops, raise your voices!"

"Uoooooooh!"

The ground shook with the soldiers' roar, reverberating against the enemy forces. Heisen, with the roar at his back, sighed slightly. Next to him, Kakuzu wore a curious expression.

"That's rare. It's uncommon for you to deliver such an inspiring speech."

"We need to raise morale. I don't trust any of the officers except Captain Lorenzo."

"Sigh. What happened to that lofty speech just now?"

"That wasn't like me. There are some people I don't want to see die."

Heisen's gaze shifted to the 8th Squad.

"You're not being truthful."

"Now, it's up to you."

!?

"Wait, where are you going?"

Seeing the commander suddenly want to leave, Kakuzu panicked.

“With this high morale, even a poor commander can hold out for a day. So I will do what only I can do.”

"Eh! What about the 2nd Battalion? Who will command them?"

“Leave that to Captain Lorenzo.”

"You took away his captaincy, and now you're gone!"

"I will give him the captaincy. No problem."

"There are so many problems with that! And you want me to explain it?"

"It'll be fine. Captain Lorenzo is a versatile officer."

“I feel sorry for him that you have his trust.”

Ignoring Kakuzu's sigh, Heisen descended from the fortress wall and finally disappeared.