Opposing Force
“Legion Commander.”
“You’re here?”
One of the two men was the commander of the Silver Eagle Corps. He’d returned to the battalion just one day after visiting to welcome the imperial princess into service.
The battalion commander’s gaze shifted to the elderly man seated across from the legion commander. Even sitting silently, the old man exuded an aura so commanding it seemed to bend everything around him to his will.
“And this gentleman is…?”
“He’s the commander of the Black Golem Legion.”
Battalion Commander Lucian Crovants nearly dropped his jaw at the words.
The Black Golem Legion. A unit of mages specializing in golem magic. Every mage in it was an exceptional golem master, capable of commanding an average of ten golems each. That was why, despite having the manpower of a mere company, it was designated a legion.
But the unit’s fame among knights stemmed from another reason entirely. They provided real-combat training opponents to other units using golems—lifeless constructs.
That’s right. The Black Golem Legion was a professional opposing force unit!
“I-It’s an honor to meet you. I’m Lucian Crovants, mid-level knight and commander of the 1st Battalion of the Silver Eagle Corps.”
“A pleasure. I’m Mardus Granite, advanced knight and commander of the Black Golem Legion.”
“P-Please, make yourself comfortable…”
“This is comfortable for me.”
“Y-Yes, sir.”
But hold on—why’s the legion commander himself here for opposing force training? Don’t they usually send subordinates to coordinate with the target unit?
Overpowered by rank and position, the battalion commander could only sweat bullets. A glance showed even the Silver Eagle legion commander fidgeting uncomfortably. The only one at ease was the Black Golem commander.
The chilly silence dragged on until the Black Golem legion commander finally spoke.
“As you’ve probably guessed, the Silver Eagle 1st Battalion is the target for this opposing force exercise.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Consider it an honor. His Imperial Majesty selected this unit personally.”
“……Yes, sir.”
“His Majesty is curious about this unit’s capabilities—whether you can properly escort Her Highness in a real crisis.”
Aah. The battalion commander felt his mind go blank. Now he understood the legion commander’s foul mood.
“We’ve already prepared the terms on our end. Take a look.”
The Black Golem legion commander pulled out some documents and handed them over.
“Anything else to add?”
“Nothing comes to mind… But we’re in the middle of fortification work. Does the opposing force training have to start now?”
“Better a half-built fort gets wrecked and rebuilt from scratch than a finished one. Isn’t the latter preferable?”
“That’s… yes, understood. One more thing. You mentioned this is by His Majesty’s order… So Her Highness is the main target?”
“That’s…… no.”
A crack appeared in the Black Golem legion commander’s stern demeanor. He turned his gaze out the window before continuing.
“We’d never target Her Highness directly… We’ll just leave a washable mark on each mine entrance.”
“Her Highness’s safety…”
“Didn’t I say? His Majesty wants to test the battalion’s capabilities. Her Highness will participate in the exercise, but she won’t be in any real danger.”
“I-Is that so…”
“It’s true. Trust me—I’ve done this before with the princes years ago.”
“Yes, sir…”
The two men, locked in frantic exchange, sighed in unison. Rank and position forgotten, a shared understanding had formed.
“Finally, why announce the training only right before insertion?”
“As I said earlier, it’s His Majesty’s intent. He wants to see your response to a sudden crisis—by the book.”
The battalion commander was puzzled. The opposing force drills he’d seen in his service weren’t this strict. They’d always given at least some advance notice, letting units prepare adequately.
When he asked, the Black Golem commander lowered his voice.
“Because His Majesty has eyes in your unit.”
“Pardon?!”
“It’s obvious, isn’t it? You think His Majesty sent Her Highness to enlist without a single escort?”
Fortification work, day two. I was getting ready to head out without a care when Elina approached me.
“Your Highness. There’s a notice from the battalion.”
“Huh? What is it?”
“From today, you’re to wear full combat gear during construction.”
“……What? Why the sudden bullshit?”
“Something about FM regulations.”
“No, shit.”
“Your Highness, mind your dignity.”
Dignity my ass—this made no sense. We were starting arrow screens today, and I already suspected the FM nonsense was because of me. Now full gear on top? It was like they wanted me watching my squad’s every move.
They’re screwing with me on purpose!
“Grrr… Battalion commannder!”
“Your Highness. Stop grinding your teeth and maintain some dignity.”
Arrrgh!
Out on the parade ground, my fully geared squad awaited. Swords, bows, armor—the sight nearly brought tears to my eyes. The heavy infantry, including the squad leader and 2nd squad deputy, looked especially pitiful. Even light armor cramped workers, but full plate? And their weapons—war hammers and greatswords—were brutally heavy to boot…
I’m sorry! I’m so sorry!
But I kept a straight face. One glance their way, one eye contact, and I’d have nothing to say.
Anyway, off to the fortifications. We dove right into work on arrival. I left the repetitive earth-bagging to the section leaders and handled logging again. We needed wood not just for stakes but for arrow screens too. I ordered the lighter infantrymen—those in lighter armor—to gather vines for ropes.
Arrow screens (mantlets) were portable shields designed for infantry. But in our mountainous terrain, wheels wouldn’t cut it, so we’d make spiked stands to plant them.
“You two biggest infantrymen, come here.”
Heavy guys could charge without screens anyway. I sized it for two infantrymen to take cover comfortably: two stakes for the body, one for the stand, plus crossbeams—all measured and cut precisely. I left vine-weaving to the troops; farmers with fence-building experience would handle it faster than me, who barely knew knots.
Slot in the brush we’d gathered, and concealment was done. Day two of fortification: arrow screens complete.
Fortification work, day three. The 1st squad’s second fort was done. The last one—the archers’ hilltop position—would use wooden pillars for extra strength over plain dirt.
That’s when a bang! echoed from the sniper fort, where the platoon HQ and 3rd squad were.
What the hell? Sudden opposing force training?
Beeeep!
It felt like a bad joke, but the flare from the sniper fort said otherwise. That was my signal shot—someone at platoon HQ must’ve covered for me while I filled in with 1st squad.
“Fuck this.”
Someone spat the curse. Sounded like Gary. Swearing in front of officers? Whatever—not the priority with shit hitting the fan.
“3rd Platoon, battle stations!”
“Battle stations!”
The squad leader’s booming voice drew crisp echoes. My 1st squad needed positions too. But the archers’ fort wasn’t built yet.
“1st Squad, squad leader and section leaders to posts! Archers, take cover behind arrow screens for now!”
“Yes, ma’am!”
After days working together, their prompt response felt reassuring. Holding our breath, we watched the approaches. Then, far down the path, a wagon appeared.
The driver wore a robe; the Black Golem Legion flag flew from the wagon. He hopped down, yanked off the tarp—and wooden swords and shields gleamed inside.
He signaled with hand gestures. At once, over thirty earth-and-stone golems rose from the ground.