Price of Management

* * *

After defeating the supply troops, Patrick and 100 of his men can barely make it to the CONDOL cavalry headquarters while running around the net of the Horn Empire in the Antares region.

“Commander, you're all right! ”

Balac welcomed you.

“Ah. The First Battalion commander did a lot of work. ”

Patrick defeats Balac, who led the Condol Cavalry on his behalf.

“You're welcome. But what happened to you? ”

“It worked. They must be pretty pissed off with so much food burning." ”

“You're the commander. ”

Balac was greatly pleased with Patrick's performance.

“How is everything, by the way? ”

“I wish I hadn't, but unfortunately, ”

“What's going on? ”

“A thousand more cavalries have been dispatched from Earl Kaisson's camp to join Baron Zakal. We haven't been able to find the exact numbers, but they're worth more than 3,4,000. ”

“The Away Army... They're giving the Baron Zakkal his wings. ”

Patrick sighs.

There were no worthy men in the enemy's camp.

If you were a foolish commander, you would have summoned Baron Zakal, who was angry and failed to protect the Supply Squad. At the same time as Baron Zakal's regime, a tight net would disappear and the Condol Cavalry would sigh.

But the late Kaisson was not such a foolish commander. Instead, I sent more cavalry to make the net more tenacious and firm.

The commander still appears to be the Baron of the Horn Empire, seeing that the net is still in chaos. Baron Zakkal is an awkward trick, and it's too bad he hasn't retreated from this operation under discipline.

In the background of Patrick's overkill on the Supply Squad, there was also the intention of Baron Zachar's downfall.

‘One thing doesn't give us a good choice. ’

I'm very disappointed, and Patrick asks Balac.

“How was the enemy's pursuit? ”

“Strange. It's not a predatory pursuit, but it's still catching up to us on a line that won't let us miss our trail." ”

“How strange. You want to get rid of us fast. ”

Through this joyous attack on the Supply Squad, Baron Jacquel would have been alerted to the dangers of the Condol Cavalry.

Patrick expects Baron Jacques to make swift moves to make up for the defeat of the Supply Squad that will be recorded as his own. The more urgent the opponent is, the more likely they are to be exposed.

However, Baron Jacques received reinforcements from the late Kaisson and was performing meticulous mercenary maneuvers without losing his breath.

An enemy chasing from a line that does not rush to catch up, but is too distant, looks like a predator waiting for the moment of the decisive hunt.

“I don't know what the Baron is up to. But I'm sure it's an ominous feeling, so I should return to the territory without getting greedy. ”

“I think so, too. We've done enough. Too much is not enough. ”

“Of course.”

Patrick turns the procession of the Condol Cavalry north. It was to return to ligand territory.

What was strange was the reaction of the Baron Zakkal.

After several hits, the poison rises and prevents him from escaping, but he just catches up.

Patrick felt an ominous sensation.

And that feeling soon appeared in reality.

“Hostiles are blocking the path! It's Duke Romfeld!”

“This is it!”

Patrick was only able to see the Baron's intentions until now.

“You were going to starve us to death. ”

“Starvation is the most fearsome natural enemy of our warrior brethren. He's a member of the Wind, so he knows that. ”

Daltan, second platoon commander, said with a serious face.

“If you can't go back to Ligand territory, why don't you go to Earl Ranzhel?" They will welcome us because we helped them with the rear disruption. ”

It was the opinion of the Third Fleet Commander Geden. But Patrick shakes his head.

“The Count Kaisson and the Baron Zakkal may not know that. I would have blocked your way. ”

“I have nowhere else to go. ”

Balac is blunt.

Patrick told Daltan.

“How much food do you each have left? ”

“Everyone had ten days' worth of food before they left. You only have four days to eat. ”

“Four days.... ”

Patrick's head turns tricky.

In at least five days, we had to secure food.

"Should we raid the enemy supply troops again and plunder the food supply?" ’

I thought about it for a moment, but then Patrick shakes his head. The same technique could not work again. Baron Zakkal won't give you a chance.

The way we gather and hunt is also something we can do when we can, not when we're being chased by the enemy like this.

Then, should we wait for the road to open? ’

If the Grand Duke Rompel forces start a full-scale battle with allies in ligand territory, there will be a gap. If we dig a hole and break through, we may be able to return to the territory.

The only problem was that the two sides didn't seem to stick together in five days.

Allies in the Ligand territory will not attack enemies first, nor will the Rompel Air Force make idle moves in rugged mountain terrain. This fight will be just as the Viceroy Vale planned it to be.

Patrick is devastated.

“There's really nowhere to go. ”

“Commander, is it really necessary to break through to the Grand Duke Rompel's forces?" It's better to just run away like this and not starve. ”

Balac gave his opinion.

Patrick shakes his head.

“Let's think a little more. That's too reckless. I understand your confidence in the breakthrough of our Condol Cavalry, but think of it as Grand Duke Hana Rompel himself standing in our way. ”

“Khh……. ”

Balac was blunt.

It was powerful and wondrous enough for Patrick the commander to arrive at the top of Expert.

Now, what kind of monster is the power of Grand Duke Romfel among these error masters?

I don't know, but I might have killed dozens of men in one axe. The breakthrough of the Condol Cavalry will be crushed in one blow.

Then, a young man approached the troubled commanders and commanders.

“Commander, and the regimental commanders. I'm sorry to interrupt.... ”

It was Balac's son, Balter.

Patrick nods.

“Don't mind if I do. Tell me anything. ”

“Thank you, Commander. When I heard the word, I suddenly remembered a place where I could supply food. ”

“Where is it?”

“We have four days' worth of food, and we, in fact, have starved ourselves for a few days, because we can't live with ourselves. And our Condol Cavalry has enough stamina and mental strength to run all night for five days. When I put all this together……. ”

The attention of Patrick and the three regiment captains was focused on Balter.

Balter speaks.

“The Horn Empire. That's where the food was hidden. ”

Patrick glares at you.

It was a reasonable opinion.

“You're right! Duke Romfeld to the north, Duke Kaison to the east and the Baden River to the south, but to the west! The road to the Horn Empire is not blocked! ”

“Five days? No, I'd better run all night. ”

Balac mutters.

Daltan and Geden said one thing.

“Well, I've already checked many times with training that it's not impossible. You just have to throw up a few more times this time. ”

“It's been a long time since we've been home. ”

* * *

Baron Zakkal strikes a spider web with his work.

By now, the Condol Cavalry would have realized there was no way back to them.

Baron Jacques was able to relax, try to break through, or whatever way he came out.

While he was preparing to face the Condol Cavalry, he expanded his courtesy signal system widely to form a broad surveillance grid. Wherever the Condol Cavalry headed, there was no escape for him.

Peek-a-boo!

I heard the sound of the time.

“Are you already moving? ”

Baron Zakkal is ready to march with the cavalry. As long as I saw where they were headed and followed them, that's it.

Soon, I heard the sound of the enzyme again.

Baron Zakkal questioned the direction in which he heard the sound.

“West?”

I was wondering why he was headed that way, but Baron Zakal didn't seem to think much of it.

“We can't just sit here, so we'll have to go somewhere." ”

... I thought...

But since then, strange situations have continued to happen.

A scout reported to the Baron Zakal.

“Hostiles are still moving west! ”

“Very fast! ”

“Strange. There's no sign of any camping overnight. Looks like they've been running all night! ”

Relaxation fades from the Baron's face.

“Are these lunatics going to the Horn Empire?! ”