Ash's eyes were locked on the flag fluttering over the small camp of mercenaries. A few meters away, Alex and Earl were also looking at Ignar's hired help.
"We should rush the mercenaries. They're just here for the money, and will probably flee if we focus on them. If it works, our numbers should be even again."
They had to make a move soon. Right now they were pincered directly in between the two groups of enemies. Sitting back and defending wasn't an option- the caravan had already been forced to flee Ignar without time to restock their supplies. They barely had the rations to make it home, and they definitely wouldn't last in a defensive battle.
Heck, the rations would be the least of their worries. Ignar's men wouldn't even have to put themselves in danger- sending over a hail of arrows would be sure to kill or cripple Earl's horses, as well as injure his men.
"Let's say we rush the mercenaries. They've already set up a blockade and might have some traps set up as well. Most of them will probably run if they think their lives are in danger… We'll still have to deal with Ignar, though. The soldiers will probably rush in as soon as we try to attack, and the caravan will be as good as done for. I doubt we can route the mercenaries without using most of our forces."
Alex shook his head, regretting their passive attitude earlier in the day. If they'd turned to fight the soldiers before their reinforcements arrived, it likely would've been a one-sided battle in favor of the Graves'.
Earl frowned, turning back to gaze at the soldiers gathering on the road behind the caravan.
"Alex. How do you reckon a fight against Ignar's men would go?"
"We should crush them, with even numbers."
Earl nodded, his eyes sweeping over one of the older guards.
Friedrich. First a soldier, then a mercenary, before finally being hired by Earl to train his personal guard. Friedrich, along with the first generation of guards he'd trained, were a force to be reckoned with.
"Can the main team take on Ignar alone? We could leave most of our men here to defend from the mercenaries. Maybe our best ten… no, fifteen men can drive off the Ignar?"
Earl's hand reached for his mouth, and the aging merchant absent-mindedly chewed on one of his fingernails.
"No… That's too risky."
Earl answered his own question, then sighed.
It seemed there was no other option.
"Alright. We're abandoning the caravan. The fight is too dangerous, it's not worth it. I'd rather give up on the iron than die trying to take it home."
Everyone in hearing range's heads snapped to where Earl was standing.
"No! We can't just give up!"
"It's just come conscripts and mercenaries, we can take them!"
"This would be way too huge of a loss! Let us fight!"
Friedrich stepped forward, raising an arm to point toward Ignar's men.
"I'll take thirty of our men and finish them quickly. The mercenaries will be cowardly. Just whip arrows at them if they try to attack, and we'll be back before they even grow the balls to fight!"
Earl bit his lip but refrained from halting the cheers of the guards as they raised their weapons.
The idea of running away and abandoning the iron wasn't because the merchant was a coward. The large amount of metal was worth a fortune, but it still wasn't anywhere comparable to the lives of his guard. Loyalty was worth its weight in gold, and he would be a fool to sacrifice the lives of his men for some iron.
Still, they were an investment. After how many resources the merchant had put into his private army, it made sense that they actually fight instead of acting as paper tigers and fleeing at the first sign of danger.
Friedrich's voice cut through the crowd again, seeking the approval of Earl.
"Alex will lead the group defending the caravan. Eddie, Tanya, Chris… The nine of you will stay back with Alex and Earl to defend from the mercenaries while we wipe out Ignar's soldiers."
Seeing Earl's reluctant nod, a smile tugged at the guard's mouth.
"Alright! Alex, you just need to defend. Don't do anything dangerous, and protect Earl!"
Just as the battle plans were finalized, Alice poked her head out from one of the carriages.
"Alice! Stay in the carriage until I come back to get you! Don't step a foot outside of there, no matter what!"
Alice paused, recalling what had happened with the bandits. Su being captured as a hostage had nearly spelled the end of their hunting team. The girl's head drooped a bit, but she obediently backed into the carriage.
^Ah, good. It would've been annoying to deal with if she tried to come out.^
Ash nodded, and Alex's attention was finally drawn by the growing wolf.
'Ah great. They're about to tell me to go in the carriage again to watch Alice. Screw that."
The monsters who'd taken the lives of Ash's entire family were about to enter the battle. It was a perfect chance for revenge.
"Ash, follow me. If any of the mercs come close, maul them!"
Alex raised his bow, grinning at the surprised wolf.
Friedrich's voice cut in as he appraised their furred companion.
"I think Ash here could be pretty big in a fight. Their horses will be scared shitless when they see this big guy charging over!"
Within a minute of finalizing the plan, the Graves' moved. Friedrich led the majority of their men on a wild charge toward Ignar's soldiers, and the remaining men dug in around the front few carriages, preparing to rain arrows down on the advancing mercenaries.
It was time for battle.
^Ash, you thinking what I'm thinking?^
'Hm? What's that?'
Roth focused on the blue flag that was approaching rapidly.
^Rip and tear!^
'Rip and tear!'