Chapter 70
Chapter 70
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 70
Chapter Title: Your Nape Looks So Plump? (2)
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The next morning, the blaring reveille trumpet echoed everywhere.
The rapid pa-pa-pa-bam-bam sound grated on my nerves every time, making it impossible not to wake up.
My eardrums felt like they were on the verge of bursting, too.
Sigh, what is this, some Korean army base? No idea why they wake people up with this godawful noise.
'Gotta tell Captain Dalton to switch to drums next time.'
Just then, voices reminiscent of drill sergeants—Squad Leaders and Veteran Mercenaries—boomed from outside, full of irritation.
"Fall back! Get ready to retreat, you bastards!"
"Pack your gear first! Keep your swords and spears on you, but load all the tents and such onto the wagons!"
"Sudden retreat! No need to tidy up camp—just clear out everything here!"
Whether it's 21st-century Korea or this fantasy world, armies seem pretty much the same everywhere.
I quickly folded up my cot and neatly packed my belongings.
Heading outside, Karin approached me.
"Why the sudden retreat? We're basically winning."
If we braced for a few more sacrifices and pushed through with sheer grit, we could probably take that little fortress with our own strength...
But I couldn't tell her we were faking the retreat as part of my plan to smash the enemy from behind and seize the fortress more efficiently and surely.
My mouth itched a bit...
'Loose-lipped women are one thing, but a loose-lipped guy is straight-up a walking disaster.'
So I rubbed my forehead and sighed.
"If our mission was just to take the 'fortress,' we'd push on even with more casualties. But our main job is to serve under Baron Pappenheim and fight the Montmartre bastards, right?"
"Yeah."
"So better to retreat than waste soldiers pointlessly here. That damn Baron Seik is so vicious—who knows how many more of ours will die going forward?"
Karin clenched her fist and gritted her teeth at my words.
"You're right."
I patted her shoulder.
"Can't be helped, so go check on the kids packing, senior."
She sighed and walked over to her subordinates, starting her nagging.
"Baker! You've only been in the company two years, and you're already dumping heavy stuff on the rookies? Living the good life, huh?"
"No, ma'am, Squad Leader!"
"This isn't some casual training—it's the real deal! Can't carry a bit more for the rookies? What the hell is this?!"
Karin, who often acted cute around me, showed only that sharp side to the others, making her all the more lovable and adorable.
Love is blind—no, Karin was pretty enough to make even that damn Paolo cross lines at first sight...
I shook my head to clear the stray thoughts and turned toward the others.
"No chance of enemy raids during retreat anyway, so keep your spears and swords, but load spare arrows and weapons onto the wagons!"
"Yes, Squad Leader Haksen!"
His guess was spot on.
The fortress held maybe 160 soldiers, and after yesterday's fierce defense, they had no slack for ambushes.
If we were just retreating, it'd suck to slink away defeated, but lighter is better...
'Load unneeded weapons on wagons to travel easier.'
But we're circling back to smash their napes...
"You lazy shits slacking again? Shape up!"
Haksen shot me a genuinely aggrieved look.
"Platoon Leader, I've been a merc over ten years—no one's ever seen outnumbered defenders sally out for a raid."
"Fair point. Common sense says those fortress rats won't suicide-charge unless they're insane."
"So minimal arms and load the wagons—makes sense, right?"
He was absolutely right, so later I'd tell Captain Dalton and dip into my own pocket for bonuses...
But for now, it'd ruin the plan.
"Remember when we ambushed that Rhinepalz supply train? Did they expect it?"
Haksen shut his mouth, stumped.
"If they had, they'd fortified perfectly. We'd all be dead or half-dead. Right?"
Haksen bowed his head like he was truly wronged.
"Yes."
"So tell the archers to carry full quivers except spares—minus spears and swords! Can't fight back if rushed!"
"Understood..."
I pointed at two dazed rookies under him.
"You two, go tell the platoon—no skimping on arrows! Hurry!"
Thus, I packed supplies myself and got the platoon primed for the operation, preparing to assault Seriz Fortress.
'Cute bastards—let's see if you stay fine after a nape smack.'
**
The next day, Seriz Fortress.
Two guards on the walls sighed, venting their gripes.
"Sigh, fuck. Uncle Jang, what a mess. Next-door Pierre's dead, Peter's gone, Lucas too."
"Gabriel, we survived. That's what counts—life's all like that. Do what the high-and-mighties say: live, die, suffer."
Young Gabriel gnashed his teeth.
"Fuck, even so, this is too much! Baron orders wall repairs right after they retreat, cranks up patrols like enemies could hit anytime..."
Jang sighed too.
"Our baron's a bit harsh, yeah. They retreated 'cause they lost tons too. Fortress work right away? What the hell?"
"Better to just kill us. Won't even pay us serfs extra—this is bullshit... Wanna hold the sword backwards."
Gabriel's words were dangerous enough for Jang to smack his nape and beat him senseless normally.
Les majeste against nobles was a capital crime—could behead speaker and listener alike.
"Hush, hush. Baron knows what he's doing."
"What, those fleeing mercs coming back?"
"Baron's got plans. Hang in there—things'll work out."
"Hah, fuck. Born low's bad enough, but under a taskmaster baron? Worst luck."
Their misfortune: Baron Seik was inspecting the walls then.
One elite knight drew his sword, asking,
"Those lowly serfs dared insult you and spout treason. Shall I behead them both to set an example?"
Baron Seik shook his head.
"Normally, I'd hang their heads for my authority and order. But stay your hand—no blood here."
Even he gritted his teeth, fists clenched at lowly serfs badmouthing him.
His brilliant mind, which held off White Beard Mercenaries, quelled his rage.
'War's dragging—can't break morale needlessly.'
"Ignore it. Can't let peasant drivel hinder defending this fortress."
"Understood, my lord."
As the baron moved on, a veteran knight who'd served long spoke cautiously.
"My apologies, my lord, but how about a day's rest for soldiers and knights? They're worn from the fierce, prolonged fight—need recovery."
"Sir Konrad, but enemies could strike anytime?"
"They lost plenty too—fled with tails tucked. Think they'll return soon?"
The sensible commander nodded.
"Unlikely. Forced retreat after heavy losses—no instant return. But fortify against other Rhinepalz forces."
"Agreed. Regulars and mercs obey for pay, but serfs get nothing from orders."
Serfs got five coppers and minimal rations monthly when drafted.
"Promise them generous bonuses..."
"That's obligatory anyway. Even those wall guards mutter treason at you—morale's tanking. More work now? Worry if they'll fight next battle."
Baron Seik had to agree.
'Can't fight with broken morale. One day, then...'
"I see. Gather village maids and whores—let soldiers, knights, serfs carouse tonight, all covered by our house."
"Wise choice. Minimal guards, though."
"Do it."
That night, as Martin predicted, booze flowed in Seik Fortress on the baron's dime.
A tactical necessity, and even the baron never dreamed of ambush then.
Martin and his platoon, hidden in nearby woods, grinned at the sight.
"Whoa, fuck. Platoon Leader's a genius?"
"They're wide open—easy pickings?"
"Party time. Last Supper, idiots."
Martin smirked at them.
"Save the laughs for after we crush that damn fortress and capture the baron."