This Is What Cavalry Is #4
The next day.
"Advance!"
"Keruk!"
Once all preparations were complete, I gave the order to march.
"The Orcs will be our feast! Kill them and prove our combat prowess!"
"Keruk! Keruuuuk!"
"Keruruk!"
This was the real deal! But in a sense, it was still just training. In the future, I wouldn't be fighting mindless, brute-force races like Orcs; I’d have to face real human armies or even angels. Honestly, I couldn't gauge exactly how strong they were since I hadn't experienced it firsthand. But if we trained diligently, we would be able to handle any situation that arose.
That was the purpose of this real-world experience.
So, I had to do it right. Today, I was putting our full strength into it!
"Keruruk!"
"Keruk!"
Behind the vigorously marching Goblin unit, the Kobold supply corps was hauling primitive carts to transport our rations.
—*Creak, rattle.*
The wheels were something I’d had the Hobgoblins and Pixies cobble together. Of course, they didn't have spokes. They were just primitive wheels made by cutting round logs or attaching shaped wooden boards into a circle. Naturally, their durability was low and their performance was lackluster. But for now, this was all we had.
As the size of the unit grew, I had to pay attention to logistics. I couldn't rely on the local supply system of foraging from the jungle forever.
That was why today was the first time we were using these supply carts.
"Gyul, are the carts easy to pull?"
"Gyusatsat. It's no different from digging the ground."
"As expected! A versatile worker! You're the best! Simply the best!"
"Gyusat. Thank you for the praise."
At the compliment, the Kobolds wiggled their long snouts in delight.
"Good."
I had considered raising livestock to pull the carts, but it didn't seem necessary right now. The Kobolds had incredible endurance. Since we didn't have proper wheels anyway, the Kobold-pulled carts were sufficient for our current unit size. Let's save the proper livestock for when the unit grows even larger. Besides, to feed livestock, I’d need to establish farmland.
—*Swish, swish.*
I stationed the Lamias on both flanks of the supply corps. By having these highly mobile and powerful cavalry units guard the supplies while moving slowly alongside the carts, we could minimize their fatigue.
Satisfied. Now that the unit size had increased, it actually looked like a real army.
"Follow me!"
I moved to the front to set the direction.
"Lumika, was the valley in that direction?"
"That's right. If you go that way, you'll find it."
"Good. Let's head that way."
As previously announced, we were marching along the valley path today. It had been fine before, but I realized it would be better to march along the water from now on. The Lamias drank an insane amount of water, as much as they ate. Lumika’s ability to draw up groundwater couldn't cover it. If we didn't move along the water, they wouldn't be able to drink properly. And what is an army without water? A corpse.
Ma Su, who had been trusted by Zhuge Liang, ignored the need for water and ended up getting crushed. His soldiers, unable to drink, became human punching bags and lost all combat effectiveness.
"Water and rations are both absolutely vital."
With the help of my subordinates, we reached the valley and headed toward the Orc tribe, following the watercourse.
Walking along the water was definitely refreshing, and it was a relief not to worry about hydration.
"Ah, Vanessa."
"Why do you call?"
"I just thought of this—if the unit size increases further in the future, when we go on long-distance marches, don't you think we'll have to stick to water routes?"
"You know well. Soldiers must eat and drink much. If you move using water routes, you can satisfy the latter."
"But it's a bit of a shame that the movement path is restricted."
"It cannot be helped. To choose one thing is to give up another."
As expected of a knight.
"Hey."
Just then, Reika called out to me.
"Yes, Reika."
"Are you really going to invade the human world with this army?"
"If necessary."
Of course, I believed we had to start with defensive battles first. We needed to gain combat experience on my home turf before heading out, regardless of the outcome.
"Honestly, I feel like you'd be wiped out the moment you go out to fight. I acknowledge you've trained hard and gained experience, but humans aren't such easy opponents."
"I know. And did I say I was going today? I'm saying we might go later."
I had no intention of fighting right away.
"...Just be careful."
Reika said that aloofly and returned to her group. She’s cute, I’ll give her that.
"Julia! Please come here!"
"Ah, yes, Demon King."
"How long will it take to reach the Orc tribe?"
"At this speed... I think we should arrive by tomorrow."
"That means it's slow. Understood."
We just had to keep going.
"Phew."
If we were fighting in the jungle, I honestly had a rough idea of how to handle it. I’d lived here for a while and was somewhat familiar with the surrounding terrain. But what if we went out to the human world and had to fight in open fields or something? I couldn't quite imagine that. Even Vanessa had no experience commanding a large army. It would be nice to dominate a woman who held a rank like a general.
"Halt! Rest for a moment and then move again! Fill your water bottles and massage your feet to loosen them up!"
After creating a temporary camp to spend the night before resuming the march, Julia informed me that we had entered the Orc territory.
"Ah, it would be nice to have a map. Ruby, can't you make a map?"
"Ah... yes. I've never learned how..."
"Is that so?"
I needed a woman with map-making skills. Would one happen to wander in? It would be great to catch her, imprint her with a seal, and make her my subordinate.
"Then I'll leave it to you, Julia. Which route do you think we should take? I'm planning to deploy the Goblin phalanx and have them advance. And while the Orcs are clashing with the phalanx, the Lamias will launch a surprise attack to wipe them out."
"Hmm... slaughtering Orcs who don't know anything..."
"Slaughtering them?"
"It sounds quite pleasant. Follow me. I will guide you to a suitable place, so please make your decision."
"Understood. Everyone! Prepare to move!"
I followed the Lamias immediately. The Lamias conducted reconnaissance throughout the movement, watching their surroundings and being careful not to be detected by the Orcs. I really like that attitude. The Lamias are truly born hunters.
"Demon King. If you go straight in that direction, you'll find the Orc tribe. How about setting up camp right in front of them?"
"A frontal approach. Good. Let's set up there."
Looking at it, it was a suitable position if the Orc tribe was directly ahead.
"Serineu."
"Yeah?"
"Attach the Pixies to the Lamias. So that when I give the word, they can immediately relay the attack order."
"Got it!"
"Julia. I'm going to move the unit forward now. The Orcs will come out. When I give the command, you should strike the Orcs' flank."
Julia listened to me with a serious face.
"Then, wait somewhere over there on the right. You must find a good position to strike the Orcs. Ah, Sashunal would be good at this."
"Understood."
—*Swish.*
Simultaneously with the order, the Lamias moved stealthily to the right. The advantage of Lamia cavalry over human cavalry? It was the ability to maintain silence and concealment. Horses are huge bastards that don't listen well, so if you stand them in the jungle, you can't stay hidden. But Lamias are literally snakes. They are masters of stealth.
They could hide.
"Everyone! Go forward and form a phalanx! Execute!"
"Keruk!"
—*Rumble!*
At my command, the Goblins advanced and quickly tried to form a phalanx.
"No, Buril! Further forward! Twenty steps forward!"
"Keruk!"
—*Clack, clack, clack!*
They were doing it perfectly.
Just as we were preparing, a Pixie flew over.
—*Flutter, flutter.*
"They said they're ready! They said they're just waiting for Demon King's command!"
"Well relayed, Pixie. Then tell them to stand by as they are."
"Okay!"
Preparations were complete.
"Then, advance!"
"Keruk!"
I moved the Goblin phalanx forward.
"Taste this, you Orc bastards!"
As we advanced, the primitive huts of the Orc tribe began to appear. A few Orcs were spotted relaxing peacefully. Good!
"Everyone! Let out a war cry!"
We had to seize the initiative!
"Keruuuuuuuuk!"
"Keryaaaaaaak!"
"Forward while shouting! Forward! One! Two! One! Two!"
—*Clack, clack, clack!*
The Goblins marched skillfully, keeping pace with their shields held forward. I was confident we could win even without cavalry. The problem was the heavy casualties.
"Keruk! Keruk! Keruruk!"
"Keruk! Keruk! Keruruk!"
"Keruk! Keruk! Keruruk!"
Advance, and advance again!
"Chwiik?!"
"Chwiiiiiiik!"
As we advanced, the panicked faces of the Orcs were visible here too.
"You're scared! Orcs! Come! Come and face my army!"
After reaching a suitable distance, I gave the order to halt. At the same time, the Goblins lowered their spears, aiming at the Orcs!
At that same moment.
"Chwiiiiiiik!"
"Chwiiik!"
"Chwik, chwik!"
Excited Orcs began to charge.
They were armed. They held various weapons, from stone axes to clubs, and as expected of monsters, they were charging straight at us!
"Serineu! Now! Go and tell the Lamias to charge!"
"Got it!"
—*Whoosh!*
As Serineu flew off to that side, the Goblin phalanx and the Orcs collided!
—*Kwoooong!*
A roar echoed, and a spray of blood erupted. Large Orcs charging at the front were impaled on spears and groaned, while the Goblins skillfully repeated the work of pulling out their spears and stabbing again.
—*Thwack, thwack!*
A combat technique we had practiced many times. Although the Orcs were still larger than the Goblins, that kind of mindless, barbaric charge could never break a trained phalanx!
"Chwiiiiiiik!"
"Chwiiik!"
But the Orcs weren't completely brainless. Orcs that had split to the flanks while charging were now rushing in to strike the side of the phalanx!
"Elite guard, advance! Imps, advance!"
I immediately sent the elite guard and Imps, whom I had kept as a rear reserve, to the flanks of the phalanx.
"Haaaaaah!"
"Shaaaa!"
Vanessa, with her superior skill, and Sharan, who possessed murderous strength, went to the left. And Lumika supported them.
"You filthy Orc bastards!"
"D-Dark Bolt! Liza! Shoot alternately with me!"
"Yes!"
The rest of the elite guard, led by Reika, and the Imps went to the right to fight. The Imps' role here was as grenadiers.
"Kkeureuk!"
"Kkeureureureuk!"
—*Whoosh!*
—*Boom!*
As the heavy, accelerated fireballs fell to the ground, flames erupted and