episode_0011

11. Marching to War

What was my time in the military like again?

Sure, I marched, did weeding under the guise of training, and acted as the company commander’s errand boy.

It was a shitty daily grind, but at least I never experienced actual combat or any real battles.

*”Heh… This is nerve-wracking. Not just knights bickering among themselves—now even soldiers are being mobilized.”*

*”Exactly… It’s a tactic last used 300 years ago during the Empire’s founding. Not a war fought by 30-odd knights squabbling but leading 8,000 men into battle.”*

My immediate superior, Erika, and the quartermaster, Vivian, walked beside me.

Following these two women, I marched toward the battlefield.

Back in the medieval era, wars were nothing more than skirmishes between lords.

Leading around 30 knights, flaunting strength without shedding blood…

And ensuring the noble-born knights were never killed—just taken prisoner, ransomed, and sent back… Yeah, it was basically the WWE.

But now, this isn’t WWE—it’s UFC.

An era of warlords vying for dominance, wars fought to claim land decisively.

So why the hell am I here…

*”Hey, punk, stand tall like a man! You gonna make that sad face even when you’re about to get a noble title?”*

*”Ugh…”*

Vivian slapped my back encouragingly.

Of course, this surprise attack was supposedly launched to unify the Redmain region, a duchy under House Grace.

But in reality, it was a war fought to grant me a baronetcy—an honorary nobility title.

For a commoner who had been farming and tinkering with inventions as a hobby in the countryside, it was an incredibly generous offer, but…

*”It’s cold…”*

Winter.

The snow had long melted away, but the cutting wind could still flay flesh.

A dreadful season where ordinary farmers and commoners huddled indoors to avoid freezing to death.

Even the river ahead was frozen solid.

And here I was, marching in this weather.

That was the problem.

Not to mention, the urge to resign and sprint straight back home was stronger than ever…

*”Let’s rest here.”*

*”Rest, rest!”*

At Vivian’s booming voice, the soldiers cheered and began setting up temporary tents.

They gathered in small groups, assembling tents with cloth and poles.

Inside one of those tents, the women of House Grace and I settled in.

At the center lay a spacious table and a map.

A furnace was also placed in the middle, warming the interior.

Vivian rubbed her arms against the cold before nudging me with her shoulder.

*”Phew… At least we won’t freeze to death, thanks to our little baronet?”*

*”Well… uh…”*

*”Wait, are you actually embarrassed?”*

My face flushed as I averted my gaze, prompting Vivian to grin teasingly.

Some of it came from me being a country bumpkin, but there was another reason I couldn’t help it.

She had a commanding height and ample curves befitting a formidable woman.

Every time she bumped my shoulder, her soft, alluring chest kept brushing against me.

Despite noticing this, Vivian pinched my cheek as if I were her cute little brother.

*”You’re more adorable than I expected? Eek!!”*

*”Quit fooling around.”*

Erika appeared behind her, smacking Vivian’s head with a displeased expression.

Her small stature made her jumping up to slap her look almost cute.

But given that my neck could very well be on the line, I wisely kept that observation to myself.

A stern-faced woman followed Erika before speaking.

*”Vivian, we’re in a war zone. Focus.”*

*”You’ll never get married if you live like that, Luna.”*

*”I am a soldier. Romance and marriage hold no meaning to me.

Beyond ensuring useful descendants for Sister Erika’s sake, I’ve never even considered it.”*

Luna had icy blue short hair and a coldly rational face.

Taller than Erika, but only average height, she radiated an unapproachable aura.

Vivian pouted and grumbled.

*”Must be because you’ve got no chest.”*

*”Do you want to die?”*

*”Oh wow, still at it? Nothing’s changed since we were kids.”*

Then another woman appeared behind them, wearing sunglasses.

She seemed like an even mix of Vivian and Luna—tall, well-endowed, wide-hipped.

Naturally, with her deep blue long hair, she bore the unmistakable mark of House Grace.

Her name was Adel Grace.

From what I’d heard, she ran a loan business and amassed considerable wealth.

She was also the financial backer for her sister Erika and reputedly had exceptional military command skills.

Vivian—cheerful like a sporty older sister.

Luna—so frigid she could freeze you with a glance.

Erika—stern but with a mischievous streak.

And Adel—who flashed me an amused grin before speaking like she found me interesting.

*”Oh-ho…? Been a while since dinner. So you’re the one who made the printing tech and pencils? Hah, smells like money here…”*

*”Enough. That’s enough small talk.”*

Erika, short as she was, wedged herself between them.

She swiftly diffused the escalating tension before addressing me.

*”These women are the generals I trust—and my sisters.”*

*”Sis, you’re forgetting one more.”*

*”Not counting the one left behind to guard our stronghold.”*

Erika Grace—their strategist, ruler, and supreme commander.

Vivian—quartermaster, skilled in military command and combat.

Luna—the silent, duty-bound soldier and commander.

Adel—the patron funding military expenses and a capable general herself.

Each possessed exceptional martial prowess and leadership—remarkable women through and through.

Just what kind of family were they to produce such outstanding figures?

Erika continued.

*”Aside from the one guarding our stronghold, this is effectively our full force.”*

*”Meaning this battle is that important…”*

*”Indeed.”*

We took our seats around the central table.

Erika began speaking.

*”The Penrose brothers, seeking independence.*

*This is the first step to unifying the Redmain region—the Grace duchy.*

*It also serves as a warning to other nobles.”*

*”A warning? But didn’t all the other nobles, besides the Penrose brothers, send positive letters?”*

I recalled the meetings Erika held with the nobles of Redmain.

Pretty sure the lesser nobles, excluding the Penrose brothers, had pledged loyalty to her.

But Erika smirked with wicked amusement.

*”Sure, they sent ‘positive’ words.”*

*”Bunch of bat-like bastards.”*

*”They cling to whichever side seems stronger… Makes me want to skewer them.”*

*”…I don’t like them either.”*

Adel, dressed lavishly as if flaunting her wealth, chimed in alongside Vivian and Luna.

Clearly, they didn’t have a favorable impression of the other nobles.

More like outright disgust.

*”So… to summarize, the Penrose brothers are scapegoats?*

*To warn those waiting to revolt if House Grace falters…”*

*”Close. Some might be loyal, but it’s better to show them that screwing with me isn’t wise.”*

If we lost against the Penrose brothers, House Grace’s prestige would plummet.

The other nobles in Redmain would seize the chance to form their own factions.

A fractured Redmain would struggle greatly in preparing for future conflicts.

Unfolding the map, Erika spoke.

*”Still, don’t worry. We have plenty of reasons to win—and none to lose.”*

*”Right…”*

She laid out their advantages:

One—only fools wage war in winter, so the Penrose brothers are unprepared.

Two—thanks to furnaces, we minimize casualties and attack at full strength.

Three—House Grace boasts four exceptional commanders, herself included.

*”But… there’s one problem.”*

*”The siege, right?”*

Erika nodded at Vivian’s answer.

*”We moved quickly for a surprise attack, so supplies are light.*

*A prolonged siege would be impossible.”*

*”What about additional supplies?”*

*”No—it’s winter. The people survive on stored harvests…”*

*”So no extra provisions.”*

Vivian sighed before replying.

They could always confiscate food—regardless of people starving—but…

Rebellion was inevitable.

Plus, fewer commoners reduced future tax revenue for war.

*”The other nobles? Ha—begging from those worms isn’t worth it.”*

Vivian shot down the idea with another sigh.

Just how much did they despise the nobility to react so negatively?

Erika spread the hand-drawn map.

*”That’s why our plan is total annihilation—before they retreat into their castle.”*

The map depicted a fortress with sturdy but small walls.

Surrounding it was an open plain dotted with civilian homes.

The tactic was clear—a swift blitz followed by storming the castle.

*”Low supplies forced this approach…”*

Her military prowess was undeniable.

Still, despite Erika’s competence, unease crept in.

Medieval wars were WWE-like displays among knights.

But this was uncharted territory—a large-scale battle under a first-time commander.

Was there something she overlooked…?

—

Evil Boss – Erika Grace (22)

Overworked Quartermaster – Vivian Grace (21)

Born Soldier – Luna Grace (20)

Rich Bitch – Adel Grace (20)