[Balian's PoV]
The city of Avelino is the largest port city in the eastern region of the Republic of Venetia. In truth, all major cities in the Republic of Venetia are located along the coast. This is due to their deep-rooted maritime culture and trade.
Because it is situated in the middle of the continent, the Republic of Venetia is a frequent transit point for ships from other nations intending to deliver trade commodities to the western, southern, and eastern lands. The Republic of Venetia imposes taxes on these merchants, which significantly fills the national treasury.
The Republic's great influence stems not only from their strategic position but also from the excellent quality of their goods. This makes the market demand for their products the highest after the Aragon Empire. Nearly 50 percent of international trade on this continent is dominated by them, establishing the country as an economic giant and the wealthiest nation.
"Hey, get those goods to the warehouse quickly! I don't want my pay docked because you're late!"
"Lower it slowly, you idiot! Do you have any idea that this crate contains handicrafts you couldn't afford with a lifetime's worth of wages?!"
Currently, I am at the city port to receive logistic supplies sent from the capital of the Republic of Venetia—Florentia. This place is quite crowded, though not as busy as the capital's port; ships at the docks can be seen relentlessly unloading their cargo to be moved into warehouses.
After walking through the port for a short while, I spotted a ship docked at the fourth pier. The crew appeared to be unloading several crates of goods and loading them onto a wagon.
"Hey, you're from the Logistics Department, aren't you!?"
One of the crew members overseeing the unloading called out to me. I suppose he could tell by the uniform I was wearing.
"That's right. How is the delivery coming along?" I asked him.
"Where's Vito? Isn't he the one who usually comes here to receive shipments?" the man asked me. "As for the goods, you can check them yourself if anything isn't right."
"He wanted to be transferred to the capital; I'm the one replacing him now for the receiving and shipping department," I replied as I began to pull out a pen and a slip of paper containing the commodity data.
"Oh, that coward Vito! He must have been desperate for a transfer to the capital because he's afraid this city will be attacked by the Empire!?" the man exclaimed, looking annoyed. "He should have faith that our country will win this war! Where is his sense of patriotism for the fatherland!?"
This man was a former sailor of the Republic of Venetia's navy who became a cargo ship captain after retiring from the military.
I began inspecting the crates being loaded into each horse-drawn wagon. The details included weight, type of commodity, official seals from the Ministry of Transportation, and the origin of the goods.
"One ton of wheat, half a ton of vegetables, and 100 liters of wine."
I checked the commodity boxes that had just been unloaded from the ship. A soldier requires half a kilogram of wheat and 100 grams of meat for daily consumption to maintain the energy needed to remain combat-ready on the battlefield.
That means 40,000 troops of the Kingdom of Draconia could consume as much as 20 tons of wheat and 4 tons of meat every day. Not to mention clean drinking water; everything must be meticulously prepared if one wishes to win a war, rather than relying solely on muscle and brains.
The total amount of commodities delivered by this boat was 150 tons of wheat, 20 tons of vegetables, and 500 liters of wine. Everything will be taken to the warehouse, ready to be sent to the Kingdom of Draconia's forces in the Margraviate of Cataluna.
After checking the commodities loaded onto the wagons, I returned to the Captain to finalize the transaction.
"How much is the merchant guild requesting for all these commodities?" I asked him.
"750 Gulden," he answered.
I then took out a slip of paper that already bore someone's stamp and signature, then wrote down the amount mentioned by the Captain. This was the Check system introduced by the President's daughter a few years ago.
Previously, banks in this country only offered loan services. However, thanks to a proposal from the President's daughter—Siena di Reginossa—the banks issued a Check feature like this to make it easier for merchants and customers to conduct transactions. These official checks could later be exchanged at a bank to collect payment from previous transactions.
"Very well then, the transaction is complete," the Captain said, subsequently re-boarding his ship with the crew he led.
Next, I directed the wagon drivers to store the goods in the Military Logistics Department warehouse. After ensuring everything had arrived, my work would finally be finished once I reported to my superior.
Walking inside the Military Logistics building, I headed toward the office of Madam Milessa—my superior in the Military Logistics Department of the Republic of Venetia.
"Ah, Balian. How did it go? Have you finished receiving the goods?" asked the woman, who was still in her early 30s.
"I have finished, Madam," I replied. "Currently, there are 3,000 tons of wheat, 400 cattle, and 200 sheep ready to be sent to the Kingdom of Draconia's forces the day after tomorrow."
"Very well, your task is done for today," Madam Milessa said. "Your colleague, Sera, will be responsible for the shipment tomorrow. Go back and contact the Merchant Guild to prepare to place orders for the next wheat shipment for the Draconian forces."
"Understood, I will do that, Madam Milessa."
I stepped out of her room and headed to the quietest place possible to provide a report to my other superior. After ensuring no one was around, I pulled out an artifact shaped like a hand-sized orb and activated it.
A deep blue light began to emanate from the artifact. Next, I created Morse code through the flickers of the artifact's light to convey a message to Boss Raul—the superior who gave me the task of spying on the logistical shipments for the Kingdom of Draconia.
***
[Scarlett's PoV]
Two days had passed since we emerged from the tunnel inside the mountain. After we entered the forest, Captain Raul ordered us to establish an operations base here, specifically not far from a river flowing from the mountains toward the Venetian Strait.
We made beds using hammocks up in the trees. Additionally, Captain Raul ordered us to set up alarm trap perimeters within a 500-meter radius of the base. He then divided the group into two.
One hundred people would stay here to build the operation. Meanwhile, the remaining 100 would follow him to cross the river, which was only two to three kilometers away from the base area.
After moving east for about 15 minutes, I could hear the sound of flowing water ahead. Soon after, I could see a river about 100 meters wide with a fairly strong current.
"Piers, where is the rope I ordered you to bring?" Captain Raul asked, calling out to the short man.
Piers then brought a long rope, assisted by several people from behind. It seemed we were going to cross the river by hanging onto this rope. Captain Raul then approached Tazz, who was holding the rope behind Piers.
"Tazz, you have the strongest physique among us all," Captain Raul said to the large man. "Tie that rope to a stone and throw it to the bank on the other side of this river."
Tazz nodded. He then picked up a fairly large stone nearby and brought it before a ground element mage who was joining us in this operation.
"Can you make a hole in this stone?" Tazz asked the female mage. If I recall correctly, her name was Estera de Ibena.
"I understand," Estera replied, placing her palm on the stone. "Gegen Press!"
Suddenly, a circular hole was created in the stone. Tazz then tied the rope through the hole that had just been made.
"Everyone, move back," said Tazz as he finished securing the rope to the stone.
He then took a deep breath and began a spinning motion with his body like a tornado to gain momentum, eventually hurling the stone all the way to the riverbank on the opposite side. After spinning for a few moments, Tazz released his grip on the rope tied to the stone, which flew far across until it reached the other side.
"Good job, Tazz! Next, swim across to tie the rope to that large tree over there," Captain Raul commanded.
Tazz nodded, and the large man began swimming across the river with its strong current to reach the opposite bank.
"Piers, Joshua, and Eric—tie this end of the rope to the large tree on this side," Captain Raul ordered the three members of the disciplinary committee.
The three of them then tied the rope to one of the largest trees here. On the other side, Tazz could be seen reaching the bank. He likewise tied the rope he had thrown to the largest tree he could find there.
Once everything was ready, Captain Raul ordered us to swim while holding onto the rope bridge that had been installed so we wouldn't be swept away by the river's strong current. The first ten people began swimming across. Thirty seconds later, it was the turn of the next ten.
Finally, it was my turn.
Grasping the rope with both hands, I began lowering my body into the river water. The strong current immediately slammed against my lower body. I am certain that without holding onto this rope, I would have been swept away.
"Do not let go, no matter what happens!"
I heard Captain Raul's voice from behind. By now, I was halfway across the river. However, I suddenly saw a large log drifting toward us.
"Don't panic! Keep moving forward!"
The rest of us trusted the Captain's words and did not stop swimming toward the bank. The log drew closer; if we didn't do something, that object would strike us hard.
— SPLAATT!!
Suddenly, however, a water whip held back the large log.
"Water magic... could it be Barney?" I muttered.
Barney was a Potioner on the Disciplinary Committee. He possessed a Water Mana Nature, enabling him to use magic to manipulate the water around him. Once we were clear of the log's path, Barney deactivated his magic and let the wood pass us. After several minutes, we finally reached the bank.
We spent nearly an hour crossing the river. After everyone successfully crossed, Captain Raul told us to rest while listening to the next briefing.
"We are going to attack a caravan convoy carrying logistical supplies that will pass through a road near here," Captain Raul revealed. "This convoy will be guarded by approximately 300 to 400 troops of the Republic of Venetia."
Four hundred troops? Their numbers were four times the amount of troops the Captain brought with him. Usually, a caravan convoy is only guarded by 50 to 100 people. This meant this caravan was very important and the commodities being carried were substantial.
"The twenty people with long-range attacks will strike first, while the remaining 80 will hide in the forest," Captain Raul said, explaining the attack plan. "The group conducting the initial attack should aim for their musketeers, and after that, lure their infantry into the forest."
Musketeers were a special unit belonging to the Republic of Venetia. Captain Raul had previously explained that this unit was capable of firing things from a distance, making them quite dangerous if not eliminated quickly.
After arranging the tactics for the upcoming ambush, we continued our journey through the dense forest.
"Hey Scarlett, are you nervous?" Viera asked me.
This female archer would be the one leading the attack by the 20 people capable of long-range strikes. Since I could fire fire magic, I was also included in their group.
"Not really," I answered her. "I'm just thinking a bit about the condition of my brother—Geralt—who is on the Western Front."
Geralt, along with most other third-year students, was there to seek glory while joining the Empire's main forces.
"Scarlett, we must focus on the mission we are currently doing," Viera said with a gentle smile. "If the 40,000 Draconian troops in the Margraviate of Cataluna are defeated, it's possible our unit could be transferred to the Western Front so you can fight alongside your twin."
I nodded at Viera's words. She was a good comrade who always supported all members of the Disciplinary Committee.
After an hour of walking, Captain Raul stopped the entire force and spoke to our group, which would be carrying out the first attack.
"About two kilometers in that direction, you will find a main road that the caravan convoy will pass," Captain Raul stated, pointing to the side. "Remember, do not flee too quickly so that the enemy infantry truly follows you here. Do you understand?"
"We understand, Captain!"
"We understand, Captain!"
Captain Raul nodded upon hearing our answer. "Very well, good luck out there. We will await your arrival along with our enemies."
After receiving Captain Raul's instructions, our group began moving to set up in our attack positions.
[Viera's PoV]
Currently, we are hiding in the forest trees while waiting for the caravan convoy to arrive. Before us, a main road stretched through the middle of the forest.
Previously, Captain Raul had appointed me to lead the 20 people with long-range attacks to strike the approaching caravan. Truthfully, our group was merely bait to trap the hundreds of infantry guarding this caravan. Among these twenty people were 15 archers and five mages.
— Kratakkk... Kratakkk...
Suddenly, I heard the sound of a horse convoy's footsteps from a distance. A large number of horse-drawn wagons could be seen heading this way. I then signaled to Estera—a ground element mage—to prepare her magic. Additionally, I signaled the 15 archers to begin aiming at their respective targets.
Not long after, the caravan convoy began to pass the place where we were hiding. I still had not given the signal to attack. Sweat dripped from my face to my neck, and my heart beat faster than usual from the tension of the battle awaiting us.
"Hey, why is the logistical burden only borne by our country? Because of this, the price of wheat in Avelino has doubled!?"
"You're right, the Kingdom of Draconia should also contribute to lighten the logistical load on our country!"
Several soldiers guarding this caravan could be heard complaining about something. However, I paid them no mind. I was currently waiting for the Musketeer unit guarding the convoy to pass before issuing the attack order.
In less than a minute, the musketeers finally approached the area where we were hiding.
"Estera, now!"
I gave the command to our ground element mage.
"Earth Wall!"
A wall of earth rose up, blocking the road and bringing the caravan convoy to a halt.
"What is this!?"
"Our path is blocked!"
Everyone in the convoy appeared confused and panicked.
"Attack them now!"
I loosed an arrow toward the neck of one of the musketeers while shouting the command to attack.
"We're under att—Arrghhhhh!"
The soldier's voice was cut short as the arrow I had just loosed pierced his neck, causing him to collapse on the road while clutching his throat with both hands.
— Swooshh! Swoosshh!
The archers I led showered their Musketeer unit with arrows.
"Quick, take cover behind the wagons! We're being attacked from the right side of the forest!"
"Are they bandits!?"
The remaining dozen musketeers began taking cover behind the wagons carrying sacks of food, making it difficult for us to shoot them from this angle. Suddenly, I saw a light from my side. Scarlett could be seen firing Fireball magic toward the wagons used by the musketeers for cover.
— Boommbb! Boommbb!
An explosion occurred, scattering the hiding musketeers everywhere. However, we archers immediately showered them with arrows, killing them instantly.
"They're in the trees! Quickly, chase those bastards!"
Their infantry unit realized our location. Some of them began throwing spears up at us, forcing us to cease our fire.
"Retreat!"
I ordered everyone to move deeper into the forest and lead the hundreds of infantry to where the Captain and the others were positioned. The archers climbed down from the trees and ran on the ground to escape, while I and the other mages jumped from one tree to another to distance ourselves more quickly.
"Chase them!"
"Don't let those bandits escape!"
Glancing back, I saw the enemy infantry forces beginning to chase the archers running on the ground. If this continued, they would certainly be caught before they could reach Captain Raul's position. Gathering Mana in both hands, I began drawing my bow and coating the arrow with magic to fire at the pursuing enemy forces.
"Explosive Arrow!"
My arrow streaked out and hit the enemy forces, creating an explosion that struck the foremost soldiers chasing us.
"Fall back, quickly!" I shouted while continuing to fire at our pursuers.
However, despite my relentless fire, the enemies did not decrease in number; instead, more and more appeared to be entering the forest. I resumed my escape, jumping from one tree to another.
Just a little further; we had to reach the Captain's position quickly.
"Arrrghhhh!"
Hearing a familiar scream, I looked back again. I saw a female archer lying on the ground with her leg pierced by a long spear.
"No, Gina!!!"
She was my roommate while at the Margraviate of Cataluna barracks. The troops began closing in on Gina, who was still lying there crying and clutching her leg.
"Don't panic! I won't let them touch you!"
I tried to fire at the approaching enemy forces. However, there were so many of them that my shots felt utterly meaningless.
"Die, you bitch!"
"How dare you attack us!"
They all stabbed Gina's body with their sharp swords. I could hear Gina's cries for help slowly fading. A sword thrust through her head finally ended Gina's life, making her the first casualty of the mission we were working on.
"Damn it... this is all my fault..."
If only I had thought of a better way to escape, she wouldn't have died like this. I bit my lip, holding back my surging emotions in this situation.
"Viera! Run, quickly! Why are you just standing there!?"
I could hear Scarlett's voice from behind calling me. With a heavy heart, I resumed my flight, leaving Gina's body to be desecrated by the enemies chasing us.
However, our escape was still not easy. Spears flew toward us, and the enemies drew closer as no one was holding them back. But upon seeing a tree with a notch shaped like the letter X, we all stopped and turned to fire at the pursuing enemies.
"Triple Shot!"
"Flame Thrower!"
"Earth Barrage!"
Scarlett, Estera, and I fired at the incoming enemies until they were forced to take cover behind the trees.
"Damn mages! Surround and encircle them from all directions!"
I heard one of them give an order. The enemy forces then began to spread out and surround us in a circular formation. The three of us would not be able to fire at them in every direction.
— Swooshhh!
A spear flew toward me. I tried to jump to another tree to dodge, but I was a bit late; the spear managed to graze my right arm, making it more difficult for me to use my bow.
"Bring them down!"
Several enemy troops began hacking their swords at the trees where we were positioned. The tree I was standing on began to shake; I tried to hold onto a branch to keep from falling.
— Clang... Clang... Clang...
Suddenly, several metal canisters fell into the middle of the troops surrounding us.
— Bombbb!
The canisters exploded, releasing a thick smoke that blanketed the surrounding area.
"What is this!?"
"I can't see anything in here!"
The enemy troops sounded panicked and confused by what was happening.
"Have they arrived?" I muttered.
Soon after, the death screams of the enemy troops echoed through the air. Splatters of blood were seen flying into the air, and I even saw someone's head fly up toward me.
"Where did they all come from!?"
"They've got reinforcements!"
As soon as the smoke cleared, only half of the troops that had been chasing us were still standing. The other half lay dead on the ground after that surprise attack.
"....!"
"....!"
This time, they could also see Captain Raul and the remaining 80 troops surrounding the enemy forces in turn. There was no way out for the remaining hundreds of troops inside the forest.
"Kill them all," Captain Raul ordered coldly. "We will take no prisoners this time."
"Ouuhhh!"
"Ouuhhh!"
The battle broke out. Although we were fewer in number, we possessed superior quality and high morale because our position was more advantageous than theirs. As a result, after half an hour of fighting, we were finally able to wipe out the troops escorting the Republic of Venetia's caravan convoy.