Chapter 5
Chapter 5
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 5
Chapter Title: The Arrow Farewell Gift
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"Phew."
Cold sweat trickled down my back. To exaggerate a bit, I nearly pissed myself.
If the demons had moved just a little differently, we would've been utterly screwed.
It felt like the Goddess of Luck was whispering from somewhere, "Just this once."
Damn, isekai life is pure luck-based madness!
To be honest, half of it was me throwing out a "What if this works?" Hail Mary.
First off, this wasn't a river. There were no currents or winds to carry things along.
That's why we needed people and horses—precious resources all.
If even one of those had gone wrong, I definitely would've been a dead man walking.
But that little ball I tossed—or rather, that tiny kite—did its job.
The enemy beyond the fog had their morale in the gutter and just received orders to retreat.
They probably wanted to slink home quietly, so they opted for harassment over direct confrontation.
Staying put in their camp and just raining arrows down was proof positive.
Conveniently, I'd been scouting the area diligently with the reconnaissance troops up to that point.
Even with the fog still thick, they could accurately gauge the distance to the Norobogord camp based on landmarks they'd scouted earlier.
Thanks to them, we crept right up to the hair's-breadth perfect range, then provoked the demons.
After that, everything fell into place too perfectly.
Steel rain meaning, "We admit our side's a mess, so back off peacefully."
They scooped up those arrows in a flash and bolted without looking back.
Seeing the wagons full—even though we hadn't eaten lunch yet—made my stomach feel stuffed. How many barrages was that?!
Arrows are one thing, but the real kicker is the sheer humiliation!
The War Ministry ordered our legion to tail the retreating Norobogord forces at a safe distance.
They weren't after a decisive battle victory—just show Imperial superiority without provoking them.
And I handled it this way. With a letter saying they'd eagerly collected our fear-shot arrows.
The Norobogord side probably found that note and is flipping out right now.
"Heh heh heh. Heh... Phew..."
As the excitement faded, chilling fear swept through me again.
Yeah. It worked out great, but if it had gone south, the aftermath would've been nightmarish.
What if they'd charged out? What if they'd fired magic instead of arrows? What if we misjudged the distance?
One slip, and it'd be pursuit, capture, or death. Pick your poison.
I get why novel protagonists swear never to show off again and again.
Only overpowered munchkins or guys with status screens can strut confidently.
I'm neither, so playing it safe is the way.
This time luck was on my side and it paid off big, but no guarantees it'll keep happening.
...Still, just in case?
"Status window?"
I muttered under my breath, but no translucent panel appeared before my eyes.
"...Stats?"
"Ah. Info window?"
"Maybe, Info?"
Nothing, as expected. If it was gonna show, it would've by now.
With my past-life memories but nothing else special, I reminded myself firmly.
No more showing off. For real.
With that thought, we pierced the thinning fog and arrived at our camp.
"Waaaaaaaaah!!"
A thunderous cheer erupted as soldiers burst into belly laughs, shouting:
"Norobogord gifted arrows to our Empire!"
"The demons even left a parting gift before slinking away! Wahahaha!!"
Armies, no matter the era, always have that childish side.
It actually forges stronger bonds.
From that angle, my humiliation tactic felt even more satisfying to them than an actual battlefield win.
"... ."
I recall hearing that shouting tens of thousands of names brings a high rivaling drugs.
And right now, at least thousands of Imperial troops were cheering me on.
In that massive wave of euphoria, my fresh resolve dulled... Honestly, who could blame me?
*
"You seem in high spirits, Your Highness."
"I am. Of course I am, Sir Lyle."
She replied to her guard—disguised as an Imperial officer—with a smile playing on her lips.
In the distance, a man was being hailed like he'd just won a grand victory.
He still looked awkward about it, but that'd change soon enough.
In just a few years, he'll grow into one of the Empire's most vital figures.
He'd said it was his first time. His first campaign since adulthood.
How is that possible?
In just two moves, he'd maxed out—no, exploded—our army's morale.
No deep deliberation in sight. Just the right stratagems at the perfect moments.
And everything clicked beautifully. Everyone watching was stunned.
"What a gem of a guy."
When Kael asked to borrow straw...
Others tilted their heads in confusion.
But only Isabel's eyes sparkled with uncontained anticipation.
She still vividly remembered that day.
The meteor fall that tanked ally morale to rock bottom.
The Imperial Army commanders unable to hide their distress.
All flipped in one masterful stroke by Kael.
So she'd expected it this time too. No— she was certain.
What brilliant wisdom will you show us next, Young Master Kael?
The Clauvitz family had long produced stellar military minds.
As their eldest son, expectations were already sky-high.
But witnessing that absurd stratagem firsthand? It amplified everything.
That's why she'd revealed her true identity—which she'd kept hidden till then—and challenged him.
Asking if his sharp wit could stun us once more.
No, no. You definitely will. Right, Young Master Kael?
Maybe—no, definitely. His mind was already plotting everything.
From the kite that crushed enemy morale, he'd prepped the next move!
And as she predicted, Kael stroked his chin briefly before saying:
"Could you perhaps lend me some leftover hay or straw for a bit?"
After he left with that request, the command staff buzzed with half excitement, half worry.
If it worked, perfect. But too many variables.
Norobogord could deploy, switch to magic over arrows.
Even this fog played fair for both sides.
Far from baseless whining.
If not for Kael's follow-up, someone might've stopped him.
"I'll go with him personally, Legion Commander."
"You will?"
His logic: He devised it, so he should go.
That sense of responsibility won Isabel over even more.
Though truthfully, Kael just wanted mitigation if things went wrong.
Anyway.
"Everything wrapped up nicely. Our army's heading back too."
"...Disappointed?"
Lyle eyed her with concern.
Isabel was an Imperial princess. Such royalty joining a campaign was exceedingly rare.
She'd fought tooth and nail for this chance, swearing not to be a hindrance.
Missing even one proper battle? Yeah, disappointing.
"I'd be lying if I said no."
"... ."
"But it's fine. Honestly, this is how it should be. Better a bloodless standoff than countless young Imperial soldiers dying or wounded, right?"
"Your Highness speaks truly, a hundred times over."
Yeah. And as a bonus, she'd unearthed a dazzling gem.
Before departing with the army, Isabel recalled a conversation.
"I'll help you out, sis."
"Huh?"
"Convincing His Majesty to let you join the legion. I'll back you up, Bel."
The Empire's 1st Princess—no, Crown Princess as she was more often called—her own big sister, had approached slyly.
Offering a deal upfront, Isabel cocked her head.
"I'd love that, but why the sudden change of heart?"
"In return, scout for promising young talents while you're there?"
Lately, border unrest had everyone on edge. Skirmishes everywhere.
The Empire's prestige endured, its might unrivaled on the continent.
But talent? Always in short supply, always needed.
Might as well ask her trusted little sister.
"Deal. But you won't chew me out if I find none?"
"Don't be silly. Even one would be a huge win."
Back home, she'd report everything to big sis right away.
Bet those eyes would sparkle, urging more details.
Isabel smiled at Kael awkwardly waving from afar.
*
...What the hell.
Mid-cheer reception, why the sudden chills?
Feels like someone's eyeing me hungrily from somewhere. Nah, must be my imagination.