The troops under the direct command of the cathedral were very spirited and had quite a bit of trouble.


    They are well protected, so they did not run away, but they suffered heavy casualties where they were attacked. Not so many prominent generals were killed in battle, but some of the lords who joined my side died.


    You followed me to the death. I''ll get your children later.


    I will stay in my camp and watch. I''ll only receive a report. If I leave carelessly and run back, we''ll never get him back.


    "So you are on the defensive this time, Arsrod-sama?


    Laviala is anxiously checking the battle situation. The reason for this is to send troops from the rear to the heavily depleted units.


    "We can force our way in later," he said. If he thinks we''re trying to defend ourselves, the high priest won''t try to settle the battle all at once."


    His goal is not to destroy me. At least, not in this battle. Let me retreat. And the High Priest''s name will go up. The High Priest will be the first to reign in and around King''s Landing.


    It would be a disaster if we carelessly rush in with our whole army and if we have a plan and our army is destroyed. Therefore, he will take a strategy that will surely drive us into a corner. He always takes a solid move.


    A man who can see what is going to happen is not afraid.


    If he''s just a good commander, I won''t lose.


    What really frightens me are those who have a strong belief in themselves and those military geniuses who act only with their senses. You have to change the way you fight these people.


    Fortunately, there are many reasonably-minded people around Wangdu. Then I can do it.


    In the evening, the enemy forces finally left the city completely, but they attacked again the next day to cross the river. We literally stopped them at the water''s edge. However, it is very doubtful if they really intend to cross the river.


    It would be better for them to retreat from us. It would be good if we can show them that we are the leader of this region.


    The reinforcements that I thought would come that day never came.


    I knew it.


    Did we leave too late?　It''s possible that they can''t organize their troops properly. You don''t think they were cowed, do you?　Or maybe they haven''t come out yet because they are embarrassed by their small numbers.


    I checked with Mistletoe, but he simply reiterated that reinforcements would surely come. It is true that if we suspect even mistletoe, we can''t make a plan.


    --Ah~ ah, maybe it was your fault for believing in Akechi Mitsuhide. He''s Mitsuhide~.


    You used that Akechi Mitsuhide as your chief vassal too, didn''t you? Don''t always make fun of others. .......


    I said calmly that reinforcements would surely come and that we should hold out.


    I could see a few faces wondering if I would be okay, but the people in the SS, led by Orcus of the Red Bear Corps, believed my words. I am grateful.


    "But I''d like to see reinforcements arrive on the third day, if possible. Maybe some of them will decide to join the other side soon.


    "In a way, it would be a good opportunity to show our loyalty, but I don''t want to be the guy who does too many purges, so I hope it''s safe."


    On the third day, I led my men out to defend the city.


    "Look. We just have to hold them off!　Don''t even think about taking the enemy''s head!"


    The enemy forces are stronger than ever. They must have thought they could win. Or maybe they thought it was clear that my side had no will to fight at all.


    I tried my best to hold back my skepticism.


    No matter what happens, I must not show my insecurity. If my trust in you wavers, the bonus of your occupation on the soldier will disappear. The soldiers must feel that they are working for the High King.


    But if a large army is coming, they should at least know what we are up to. If they attack us so openly, doesn''t that mean they don''t have any reinforcements?


    d*mn, at least Kerala could come to us: .......


    --And the third day, just before noon.


    Mistletoe appeared right beside me.


    "Reinforcements have arrived."


    "Arrived?　Where the hell are you?"


    Half happy, half disappointed is more like it. It can''t be that they arrived at the battlefield, because they didn''t come to us.


    "Behind you. The reinforcements of 4,500 troops led by His Majesty the King have arrived in the enemy''s rear.


    "Ha............ hahahahahaha!"


    After a pause, I burst out laughing.


    "Oh, yeah, yeah!　You went to the trouble of moving your army to the rear!　Then it''s going to take some time."


    "Yes, the lords and ladies have set the meeting place behind the battlefield, not in the royal castle, so as not to be too conspicuous."


    But the doubts and fears of a moment ago came back to haunt me.


    "The enemy''s hinterland. You are not suggesting that we strike the regent, are you?


    If that''s the case, I''m really screwed. Without my backers, I''ll have no choice but to flee to my hometown. And even that is doubtful.


    On the surface I''ve treated Hasse with respect, but it''s true that I have power. I didn''t mess with the political system, but I wouldn''t be surprised if he didn''t like it.


    Besides, Kerala has always been Hasse''s vassal.


    What if she said that now is the time to kill me: .......


    What if Mitsuhide Akechi is designed to betray Nobunaga Oda: .......


    I looked into the mistletoe''s eyes.


    Time seemed strangely long.


    Slowly, mistletoe opens his mouth.


    "I am with the Regent, not one mistake in a hundred. In fact, he is now attacking us under the royal banner!


    I nodded in agreement.


    "All right!　Now we''re going to counterattack!　We''re going to crush the cathedral army!"