West Orlais.

An army headed north on the maintained road.

Me and the troops I was leading were also included in that army.

"What impressive numbers."

The Marquis Cyril de Montfort army actually reached a total of 3,000.

Excluding the losses from the skirmishes at the start of hostilities, this could be considered quarter of their entire force.

As a proof, Count Auclair, his right hand man was personally commanding the army and Gabriel, his son was also in the ranks of that army.

"Even the standing army has been mobilized."

Exactly as Myla pointed out, one group of soldiers was unlike the others and clearly appeared less skilled.

"Adding our army to the total, we are 3,300 strong."

Not counting the deceased and heavily injured sent back home, we have around 3,300.

That number should be equivalent to Saxon-Fanoss’s army.

I couldn’t seem to shake this bad feeling in my mind for some reason.

Let me ask Irijina to quell the unease.

"This fight is as good as won! No need to worry! Those guys are done for!" The tall girl yelled on her horse.

There, I thought a little of my unease has disappeared.

"I think we would have had 20,000 if citizens and villagers were conscripted as soon as war broke out."

I hear a cold voice from behind me.

Damn Leonhardt, after Irijina calmed me down too.

"The only ones we could draft are the citizens of the standing army who were prepared in advance. Indiscriminately sending people to the battlefield is out of the question!"

Gabriel glared at Leonhardt.

He had an indifferent face though.

"People in the reserve army who dislike combat have been deserting though."

According to Gabriel, that was also against the law in Orlais, but the problem was being left alone at the moment due to a lack of time to investigate and chase after the runaways.

"Besides, capturing them and sending them to war by force isn’t a good look either. If that is done, the plebeians would side with Saxon-Fanoss that seems to be anti-aristocracy. They will revolt like what happened with Melromarc family."

After finishing Gabriel’s sentence, Auclair smiled wryly, although his face reflected the whirlpool of emotions he was currently feeling.

"What is your opinion on the Marquis army?"

As soon as we distanced myself from them, Leonhardt asked the question.

Again, he said it like he’s testing us.

Myla answered,

"Hm..Their armor is fine, but they have too little cavalry. Each squad has an excessive amount of archers and crossbowmen. It doesn’t look like a composition fit to do battle on the field."

The soldiers were all equipped with either iron or steel armor.

Their swords and bows were first-rate weapons and their proficiency in wielding such weapons was decent.

They might be usable in actual combat however their inclination towards a single branch of army made things difficult.

Demia also explained the same thing after her borrowed army was  defeated.

"Well spotted. I would add that the few cavalry they have are mostly light cavalry meant for scouting, meaning there isn’t a large enough of a force to clash with the enemy head-on." Leonhardt said.

This might mean we have an increase in responsibility.

"The mid-sized and small cities along the way had walls, ballistae and turrets set up on the perimeter. I believe that would cost a ridiculous amount of money."

Demia who was beside Myla's horse commented.

"So, what do you think?"

I passed the vague question to Leonhardt.

As someone originally from the modern world, I was not educated practically in medieval warfare.

"I have found three positive points. The first is the equipment and skill of the soldiers as well as the quality of captains being sufficient enough to fight alongside us."

Good. Leonhardt was giving his assurance.

"Second is their proper securing of logistics, which also benefits by expanding their land."

Food was delivered like normal even when we had left the city.

"Lastly is regarding their concentration of forces. If we were to collide with them head-on, it would be difficult to defeat them."

So does that mean this operation would go smoothly?

"I also have three negative points. First is their current position. The enemy is divided into three armies in three different directions, which can also be seen as the makings of an encirclement."

We didn’t know where they will come from after all.

"Second is their lack of mobility. Since the enemy has cavalry, the initiative of choosing where and when the battle starts always lies with them."

Yeah, this army marched pretty slowly.

It couldn’t be helped when infantry wearing heavy metal armor made up most of the troops.

"Finally and most importantly is the difference in intelligence. Judging by what happened in south and west, the enemy have a considerably detailed and accurate grasp of the inner workings in Orlais aristocracy. Comparatively, our allies don’t have any information on Saxon-Fanoss Union."

Leonhardt turned to the marching ranks.

"Naturally the cities and the capital of opposition aristocrats will have enemy spies, but I expect some may also be hidden within the army."

We couldn’t hunt for spies at this point.

"So what’s your conclusion? Will we win or lose?"

Leonhardt closed his eyes for the shortest second before making his declaration.

"Our likelihood of victory is approximately 30%. Please excuse me as I prepare a plan to limit our own losses during our escape."

"That guy……"

You could have just lied and said a higher percent chance.

How inflexible were you?

Look, the girls around us were anxious now.

***

"A report has come in from the scouting unit saying they encountered an enemy squad to the south and are engaging them. I want Commander Hiro and your irreplaceable cavalry to sortie immediately."

Gabriel de Montfort supplemented the report.

"We will also be preparing for a full scale attack soon, however it will be after tomorrow before we make contact with the enemy. There’s a chance the enemy will retreat when they see our forces. We want you to threaten the enemy from the flank and obstruct their movements."

That’s the reason I came in the first place so I couldn’t just refuse.

I gave a slight nod in acknowledgement of their order.

The 50 men who accompanied me when we first arrived in Orlais were with me now, plus the 250 men from Mithra's reinforcement.

I was leading mainly the 50 Dalish bow cavalry towards the enemybwith Gheyna, somehow managing to make contact before the sun went down.

As usual, the bow cavalry showed off their specialty of shooting on horseback and it didn’t take long for us to overrun the enemy.

After mere minutes, the enemy scattered.

"Hanh?"

Even I could tell something was off here.

"There is―― only a thousand! The enemy only has around 200 here!"

Gheyna and I looked at each other.

We expected 1,000 and got 200 instead.

Only two developments could follow a weak bait like this.

"Leonheardt!"

"We are not being surrounded. There is no place for the soldiers to hide."

Leonhardt replied almost at the same time I asked.

"That means the main force behind us?"

"Most likely."

Leonhardt was calm now that he knew I was not being targeted.

"We’re going back. Reorganize the troops."

As we regroup, a messenger with a horrified face came rushing over.

"A night raid on the main force in the tens of thousands――! They exploited the opening during our transition to a full scale attack and everything is in chaos!"

Furthermore, a scout which Leonhardt deployed to the north returned with such urgency his horse was foaming at the mouth.

"A large enemy force is approaching behind the enemy we just defeated! 5,000 or so, they’re marching southward in attack formation!"