(Irijina's Point of View)

The raiding unit had many talented individuals that surpassed the strength of normal soldiers. Even though there were some troubles before, this is finally recreated again. It becomes raiding battalion of 500 cavalry soldiers.

This raiding unit was different from the other units, it didn’t need a formal captain because it only had 100 men. Maybe they were thankful that I was the one who acted as the leader.

At first there were some defiant men, but in the name of ‘training’ I made them obedient.

After the Castall subjugation, Lord Hiro officially appointed me as the commander of raiding unit. The strategist lady, Cass Brankovic had identified hundreds of men who performed well on horse during the war with Castall. They were recruited into raiding battalion.

The men knew I was the lover of the King, but they also respect me for my ability, I guess.

The role of the raider battalion is to make the first charge into the enemies, in the Red Army, these men were the ones who have the most daring personalities and they’ve become really famous due to their valor. In the Red Army, the raiding battalion's position was always unshakable. And now, this unit was being recreated even stronger.

"Fourth territory had fallen. The baronet was killed!"

While the unit captains are having a meal in the bigger tent together, a messenger disturbs our small talk.

All the people in the tent stand up.

"The time has finally come”

“Order all members to prepare for war!”

“Load all the arrows and bolts into the transport units, we don’t need a food supply!”

When I shout, the captains dashed out at once.

Because our battalion is only 500 men strong and we always bring our equipment with ourselves, we don’t need that much time compared to the other battalions.

“Commander Irijina. What will we do after this?”

“Bill…… We will stand by for now, we’ll move when Cass's direct command comes”

Cass Brankovic, in other words, is the second in command to my beloved, The king, Lord Hiro.

"The strategist is coming here as we speak. As expected of our brain, she’s sly and not an idiot, so she is heading here immediately. If he doesn’t, he will never know what could happen to her.”

“Will we attack the capital immediately when the lady strategist arrives?”

I don't know, idiot. But I know ...

“If we attack without others, we might be outnumbered and die like frogs! Compared with the next Viscount army, just in numbers alone, we will be crushed helplessly."

“In the end, we still need to wait for the lady strategist?” A captain asks.

“Yes, we’re the King's sword after all but, we don’t even know about scheme of things!”

Our conversation is interrupted by the sound of galloping horses.

“It seems we need to put this conversation on hold for now. Let’s continue it with the person himself”

Lord Hiro, Suzy and Soraya Zoen arrive on horses, escorted by several knights.

All of the members in the tent, me included, kneel.

He looks around with a sharp glint in his eyes and gently raises his hand to the crowd.

"Good job, Irijina."

"It's my pleasure,. Lord Hir...ops...your majesty!"

I answer while still kneeling with my head bowed down.

“You don’t need to be like this right now. Raise your head Irijina, and everybody else”

My beloved man, The King is around 30 years old, he has a cold look since the days before him becoming royalty but his sharp eyes were filled with ambition.

“Ladies and gentlemen! My respect and condolences for the death of His Majesty!”

He is already beginning to reveal his real purpose.

"Actually the fifth noble had fallen..The baronet and his family had left this world."

I see this, and lightly closed my eyes.

I see, so this is just a scheme?

My men cheer for Lord Hiro.

While they shout ‘Long live the King! Avenge the invaders!’, the leaders entered the big tent. 

Many of the men are from Hyuutia region.

Inside the tent only me, the captains, commander, supply corps and some important figures convene.

“Irijina…… Are the ones here people that you can trust?”

Lord Hiro changes completely from his cheerful self into someone who is calm and had an unconcerned face.

“Yes! Everyone here is someone I trust”

After closing his eyes for a while, he speaks,

"I may trust the nobles under Montbelliard but I don't trust the Wing of Orlais mercenaries. They are hired thugs of unknown background after all."

He adds, "So, from now onwards, don't mix with anyone from the mercenaries. Some of you might be placed further south to kill any mercenary crossing to the next region."

"Understood, majesty!"

“We’re ready. We can sortie anytime with your order”

“Even though there’s a law forbidding a group of cavalry crossing into other territories?”

"Don't worry. The baron in the next territory is under the Montbelliard faction."

With Lord Hiro’s command, the raiding battalion starts to march toward the the viscount's fortress with iron clanking and dull thud of horses’ hooves.