The day after Saito and Louise set off to find the Dragon's Raiment, war broke out between Tristain and Albion.
Albion's forces, besides their formidable dragon knights and massive fleet of magic airships, also included an army of 70,000 ground troops, including magic-powered golems.
In stark contrast, Tristain had barely managed to muster 30,000 troops, including the capital's guards. With such a vast difference in numbers, many believed that Tristain was destined to lose even before the battle began.
The Queen of Tristain, dressed in her battle armor, had ignored the ministers' protests and personally arrived at the frontline.
"Marshal Gramont, Albion's forces have advanced faster than we anticipated. Given our current situation, do you have any strategies or plans?"
While Wood's unmatched combat prowess was indeed valuable, this was a full-scale war. Though individual valor is essential, it alone cannot determine the outcome of such a large-scale conflict.
Marshal Gramont, an experienced and seasoned commander of Tristain, was in charge of leading the battle against Albion. Upon hearing the Queen's question, Gramont looked over the military map before him, a grim expression spreading across his face.
With 30,000 men facing an army of 70,000, including at least 10,000 golems that neither feared death nor pain and could wield magic, how could they possibly hold out?
Gramont himself didn't have much hope for this battle. He had even sent his wife and children to a neighboring country for safety. If it weren't for the honor of the Gramont family and his duty as Marshal of Tristain, he would have fled as well.
Despite his inner turmoil, Gramont couldn't show any sign of it in front of the Queen. "To resist Albion's 70,000 troops with only 30,000 men, the situation is indeed dire. However, there is still hope. Rest assured, Your Majesty, I will do everything in my power to bring victory to Tristain, even if it means staking the honor of the Gramont family."
Gramont didn't offer specific strategies or plans because, truthfully, he didn't have any. He could only promise to do his best. The Queen, who had spent years in power, wasn't naive like Princess Henrietta. She immediately understood the situation.
If there were any chance of victory, the nobles would be clamoring to volunteer. But here they were, heads down, desperately trying to avoid being sent into battle. The gravity of the situation was clear.
"Facing 70,000 with only 30,000 men, the odds are indeed slim. Let me ask you, Marshal Gramont, if our forces were evenly matched, could you defeat Albion's army?"
As the room fell into an uncomfortable silence, Wood, who had been standing behind the Queen, spoke up.
"If our forces were evenly matched, after leading troops in battle for over a decade, I'm confident I could secure a victory," Gramont replied. "But as it stands, Albion has 70,000 troops. The situation you describe is simply impossible."
The nobles were already discontent with Wood, a commoner who had risen to a high rank overnight. Many of them dismissed him as a mere pretty face. However, due to his son Guiche, Gramont didn't harbor the same animosity. As a soldier, he respected Wood's combat skills and acknowledged that Wood had earned his position through his own strength.
"I have a proposal that might draw away a significant portion of Albion's forces, but it would put both Her Majesty and Princess Henrietta at risk," Wood suggested.
"The enemy's primary targets would undoubtedly be Her Majesty and Princess Henrietta. If we use them as bait and send out a thousand cavalrymen under the cover of night, we could lure away a large part of Albion's army."
"Given their royal status and the cover of darkness, the enemy would likely believe that we've sent a large force to protect them. In such a case, their commander would probably send half their forces to ensure that they don't escape."
The nobles were stunned by Wood's boldness. To suggest using the Queen and the Princess as bait, right in front of them, was shocking.
"What you say might be possible, but it's utterly outrageous!" Gramont, who had previously respected Wood, was visibly angered by the suggestion. "Indeed! Sending only a thousand cavalrymen to protect the Queen and Princess, if they're caught by Albion's massive army, it would be certain death!"
"Just as I thought, a commoner will always be a commoner. Have you no gratitude for all that Her Majesty has bestowed upon you? And now you would send the Queen and Princess to their deaths?"
The nobles, who had been silent until now, suddenly found their voices, eager to express their loyalty. They might not be eager to fight, but showing loyalty with words was something they could easily manage. After all, it was a way to win the Queen's favor without risking their lives.
"What if we had someone impersonate the Queen and Princess? Would your plan still work?" Marshal Gramont asked, inspired by Wood's suggestion.
"As expected of Marshal Gramont, that might indeed work. It would keep the real Queen and Princess safe while drawing away the enemy forces," Wood responded.
"Do you really think the enemy's commander is as foolish as you? Without confirmation that the Queen and Princess are the real ones, would they send a significant portion of their forces to pursue them?"
"Not only must it be the real Queen and Princess, but they must also deliberately show themselves to the enemy. Otherwise, this plan will never succeed."
"And as I see it, all lives are equal. You don't want to send the Queen and Princess to their deaths, but you're perfectly fine with sending others to die in their place?"
Note: If you are interested, you can read up to chapter 200+ at patreon.com/Betek.