Well, we have the upper hand in the first round.


    Let''s continue the attack.


    I continued to slowly inflict blows on the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre.


    The enemy, who found it impossible to fight from the front, even tried to hide in a small hill fort, but I steadily destroyed them one by one.


    After setting up camp in the village, I called the captain of the Red Bear Corps and the captain of the White Eagle Corps to me and praised them.


    The captain of the Red Bear Troop was Olcus Bright, a red-faced, red-haired man of barbaric appearance. The name "Red Bear Squad" is fitting.


    On the other hand, the captain of the White Eagle Squadron is Leion Mirkolaiah, a soldier of Elvish origin who has been a mercenary for nearly thirty years and came to serve with me when I became the lord of the three villages. This man also has eyes as sharp as an eagle''s.


    "Thanks to your efforts, this battle is progressing well. Keep up the good work and keep up the good work.


    "Ha!　What a waste of words!　We will make sure that the Count will be victorious!"


    Olks said in a loud, well-reached voice.


    "I will fight through the battle so that the name of the White Eagle Squadron will not be disgraced.


    Rayon said quietly.


    "By the way, Count, there''s something I don''t understand.


    The bold Olks asked. Rayon frowned at this attitude, saying, "You have a way of asking the Count.


    "I don''t care. Just say it, Olks."


    "Hey. Why is there a financial bureaucrat in the field of battle?　I don''t think there''s anything for a merchant to do in the camp.


    Indeed, the financial bureaucrat and war wolf, Juaneria, did come with us. Even though she had been named, Juaneria kept a smile on her face from where she was standing.


    "Juaneria is my vassal, too. It would not be a problem to have a vassal. And there have been plenty of merchants with military might in the past."


    "Hey. Yes, I know that. But Fanelia is different from those bandit-like merchants, isn''t she?


    "So, Juaneria, what do you have to say for yourself?"


    Juaneria nodded in response,


    "In a big war, merchants are always involved. If you are in battle for a long time, soldiers have to buy things. Merchants also arrange for prostitutes and entertainers. That is why I am here.


    "I know that. I was thinking that a lowly merchant would be better for such a job than you, who is also a bureaucrat for the count, but if you''re a hands-on kind of guy, so be it.


    Orkus doesn''t seem to like Juaneria very much, but I guess that''s because they are in different positions.


    To be frank, Juaneria has a very important mission, but she can''t say much about it. If she can win without playing her part, so be it.


    --And then the scouts came in.


    "I say!　There''s been a move on the part of the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre!"


    "Hmph!　Wherever they attack us, we''ll trample them down!"


    Orcus flared up. Again Rayon gave him a scornful look. I deliberately made a man of a different character to be the captain. It would be stimulating if we competed with each other in moderation.


    "That''s ...... why the enemy is holed up ......"


    The scout''s face clouded.


    "Which hill?　We''ll hit them all at once with the Red Bear Squadron!"


    "...... is not a hill. It''s a cathedral. ....... It''s the Fordneria Cathedral. ......"


    Both Orcus and Rayon were taken aback by these words.


    "I knew it! I guess we can''t wait to see what happens next.


    I sighed.


    "Burn Fordneria Cathedral if you can. If we damage the cathedral in the process of attacking them, we will be questioned as to our qualifications to rule the province."


    "They are supposed to protect the cathedral, but what do they mean by staying in the cathedral?　After all, we are more important than the cathedral, aren''t we!　They''re so cheap!"


    Orcus has a point. If the cathedral is really important, then fight in front of it. So they''re holding the cathedral hostage.


    --I see. These Knights have some brains of their own.


    Oda Nobunaga seems rather pleased with their methods. It''s more interesting when the enemy is a schemer.


    --If you were the High King, I would burn them all down together, but it is not good for you to be infamous now. If your reputation is damaged, it will slow down your rise to power.


    Don''t worry, I''ll make a cleaner move.


    "Count, what kind of a move would you like me to make?　The White Eagles intend to raid the cathedral if push comes to shove. ....... But our loyalty to the Count is more important. ......


    Rayon also made a captain-like remark. The SS has already done more than enough. From this point on, we will use a different approach.


    "It is not a good idea to attack immediately. Let''s just give them a chance to surrender. I don''t like to be thought of as someone who would immediately attack the cathedral.


    The meeting was dismissed.


    I then called Juaneria to the house where I was staying.


    "Now I understand why the Order has been around for so long.


    According to the history books, three times in the past, the Knights of the Cathedral had forced their opponents to retreat with similar maneuvers. The most recent example was about a hundred years ago, so it seems that they do not want to use this strategy too often, but they can no longer afford to do so.


    "Fighting for the teachings is just talk. They are only lords.


    "We''ll use that unit. Getting into the cathedral itself will be easy. Probably few of the enemy are actually inside the cathedral and most are sitting out front with their spears.


    "Yes. Yes, of course. That''s why I''m here. By the way..."


    Juaneria said, blankly. It was true that the rest of the conversation was unimportant.


    "What should we call you?　I wish I had a name to call it by. I''ve always referred to them as ''the shadow people'' or something like that.


    Suddenly, a good idea came to me.


    "Let''s make it a trumpet."


    "A trumpet?"


    "Yes, a trumpet in your ear would startle you, wouldn''t it?　They''re there to surprise the enemy."


    I am sure that Oda Nobunaga is laughing when he hears my words.