"Chapter 13: The Winter Battle 1"

It really came to deploying troops in the depths of winter.

"I pray for your safe return," Yung said with concern as she saw us off. "Come on, there won't be much of a battle in this weather. I think we'll just have a minor skirmish and come back." "But in war, you never know what might happen." "Of course, we'll stay on maximum alert." "We'll protect the commander, so don't worry," Stein said with genuine cheerfulness.

His brightness is useful at times like this. Of course I'm worried too. True, you never know what might happen, but there won't be a proper battle in this season. I think we'll be fine. Besides, I can't show any weakness. I'll be a bit bold here. I need to look cool in front of my fiancée. "We're off," I said with determination. "Take care." We left the mansion, leaving Yung bowing behind us.

We met up with my forces in the square. This time we had 600 cavalry. However, since we were carrying a huge amount of luggage on carts, most of the horses were again being used for pulling carts.

Large quantities of food, fodder, fuel, and spare cold-weather gear were loaded. This time, we brought plenty of peat so fires could be started quickly. Also, since fires couldn't be built directly on snow, we prepared many large unglazed earthenware plates. We planned to build fires throughout the camp. "Again, most of the soldiers have to walk," Yan said with concern. "After what happened last time, there don't seem to be many complaints this time," said Liu. "As long as they're not cold and can get hot meals, they shouldn't complain. Walking is a soldier's basic duty." "Then why don't you walk too, Stein?" "Give me a break, I'm an officer," Stein grumbled so sincerely that everyone laughed. Morale seemed good.

This time, the entire journey was through snow. Snow occasionally swirled around us, and the strong wind felt painful when it hit our faces, but fur hats and leather masks to protect our faces from the cold were helpful. Each soldier carried multiple sets of underwear and was instructed to change immediately if they sweated. We couldn't wash the wet clothes, but we dried them by the fire as soon as possible. We covered feet with oilpaper to keep them dry and put chili powder inside. Over the laced leather boots, we had them wear straw shoes. This should prevent frostbite almost completely.

The army's gathering point was a knight's castle. By the time we arrived, almost the entire army had assembled. The soldiers set up camps around the castle, pitched tents, and placed fires around them. I immediately ordered meal preparations. After confirming this, Liu and I entered the castle.

At the castle gate, red bonfires were burning, and gatekeepers were monitoring the surroundings. "It's Han. We're coming in." "Lord Han is entering!"

The gate opened and we entered. At the end of a long stone corridor was the knight's hall, which we entered.

All the usual members were gathered there. Duke Schwartz sat in the center, with Baron Edel, Marquis Angel, and Viscount Kroitz beside him. Lord Edel had earned a baronetcy for his achievements in the previous battle, becoming independent from his family home and the new head of the new Edel barony. He had strongly desired this, apparently. His father and brother at home seemed quite relieved, which is understandable. I wonder what that's like.

"I've been thinking this all along, but I don't understand this deployment. I'd like to know the reason for deploying at this time of year," Marquis Angel was confronting Lord Schwartz. Marquis Angel is very conventional and prefers solid strategies. He has a reputation for carefully considering the people in his civil administration without pushing too hard. It's natural for such a person to be dissatisfied with this deployment.

"What do you think, Han?" He turned to me. "I don't fully understand the mission objective either, but we've put great effort into winter equipment. I believe very few will suffer frostbite during operations in this season. Beyond that, I must defer to Lord Schwartz."

"Everyone, you may have complaints about operations in this season. But thanks to Han, our winter equipment is nearly perfect. But what about the enemy?" Everyone was startled. Deploying with inadequate winter equipment in this severe winter would be terrible.

"But what if the enemy doesn't come out?" "Then we'll take their border castle. We'll invade the Kingdom of Land next spring. This will be our foothold." "Are we taking Dover Castle?" "Look at this drawing." Schwartz spread a drawing on the table.

"This is a drawing of Dover Castle, created by the kingdom's covert operatives. It's quite accurate. As you can see, it's not a sturdy castle. It's not designed with defense as a priority. There's no moat, just a single wall, with the lord's residence and barracks inside. Once we breach the gate, the castle will fall quickly." Everyone looked at the plans.

"Indeed." "This is..." "Let me lead the vanguard. I'll show you how quickly we can break through," Edel eagerly volunteered. "Well, wait. I don't want many casualties in this battle. Han, I hear you've brought an interesting toy."

"H-how do you know about that?" I said frantically. How does Lord Schwartz know about that? Hans created something incredible. I thought it wouldn't be useful, but Hans insisted on using it, so I brought it. But can that thing really work?

"It was created by a technician from my domain, but we haven't tested it. Even I have my doubts about it." "Well, there's no particular harm in using it. It's interesting, so try it out." "I won't be responsible for what happens." "Fine, let's first try Han's siege weapon." "Yes, sir." "Han, you're thinking of something interesting again, aren't you? I'm looking forward to it." Even Lady Edel had expectations now. Whatever happens, happens. I'll use that thing.