"Dammit."
Roan had shouted in urgency, but he quickly fell silent, his face betraying defeat. Dawson's expression wasn't good.
"He opposed his subordinate's opinion—even though he's just a new recruit."
If that subordinate had a rough personality, a fist might already have been flying.But Roan couldn't back down now.
"If we leave the goblin force behind like this, the villagers in this region will be massacred."
In his past life, the goblin force that nearly annihilated the Rose Division in an ambush had stormed out of the gorge and attacked Ail Village and its surroundings, slaughtering the villagers.
"This battle won't be easy, but we must annihilate the goblin force."
Roan bit his lower lip tightly.
Then Dawson cleared his throat with a displeased expression.
"Ahem. What does a new recruit know, anyway... Tsk."
The sound of his tongue clicking echoed.
But Roan had no intention of backing down. He looked directly at Commander Gale and bowed his head slightly.
"Commander, do you know the common thread among the Battle of Kali in May of year 176, the Mendoff Defense in August of year 183, the Roman Suppression Operation in October of year 185, and the Pio Battle in March of year 191?"
These were battles that took place as far back as 30 years ago or as recently as 10 years ago. Gale furrowed his brows.
"Common thread?"
At that moment, Mason awkwardly laughed and began boasting, "Hahaha. What is this kid talking about? What's the Mendoff Defense, and what's the Roman Suppression Operation? Where did you pick up such nonsense?"
Dawson echoed his displeasure, "I'm hearing about battles I've never even heard of. Tsk."
Despite their disapproval, Roan's expression remained confidently calm."It's normal not to remember battles unrelated to our kingdom," he thought—he, too, had forgotten such events.
In the future—about seven years later—a genius strategist named Ian Phillips would emerge, sparking a boom in the study of strategy and tactics. Generals and soldiers would become enthusiastic about studying historical battles and wars, and Roan himself dedicated time to studying military history. Thanks to that, he recalled all the battles he just mentioned.
Fortunately, unlike Mason and Dawson, Commander Gale also knew of these battles.
"The Battle of Kali was fought between our Lines Kingdom and the Estia Empire; the Mendoff Defense was between the Estia Empire and the Byron Kingdom; the Roman Suppression Operation suppressed a peasant rebellion in the eastern Lucian Empire; and the Pio Battle was fought between our Lines Kingdom and the monsters."
Four battles—different in time, opponents, and nature.
"Do you say there's a common thread among these battles?"
Seeing that Gale was struggling to grasp the idea, Roan spoke softly, "Massacre."
In an instant, Gale's eyes widened. "Ah!" A low, surprised sound escaped him as he nodded, now somewhat excited. "That's right. Massacre. They all ended in massacre."
Although these four battles were entirely different in time, opponent, and nature, the victorious side in each case massacred the defeated.
"In the Battle of Kali, the Estia Empire massacred the citizens of Kali Castle on our side. In the Mendoff Defense, when the Byron forces fled Mendoff Castle, the Estia Empire massacred its citizens."
"Indeed. In the Roman Suppression Operation, a large-scale massacre occurred in the eastern region where the peasant rebellion took place. And in the Pio Battle, when our forces were defeated, a monster unit roamed the Pio area and attacked seven villages, massacring their residents."
Their conversation fell into place like clockwork.
Gale then glared coldly at Ail Gorge."Then, what do you propose now... could it be...?"
Roan slowly nodded."Yes. If we leave the goblin force behind as is, the villagers in this region will be massacred."
"Hmm."Even considering those four battles, the possibility was evident.
Gale looked at Roan with a somewhat surprised expression.
Meanwhile, Dawson's expression twisted in displeasure."Damn it. To think that even I, who have been eking out a living for 10 years, know nothing about these battles—who is this kid, really?"
A soldier who's been fighting for 20 years—that was Roan.Of course, there was no way Dawson could know that.
Commander Gale, however, wanted to test the new recruit further."Then, shall we defeat the goblin force and move on?"
"Yes. That way, the villagers in the Ail region will be safe."
"But they've built fortified positions in the mountains. They're by no means easy to defeat."
In other words, if there's a good plan, speak it up quickly.
Roan gave Gale a faint smile."Do you remember the Battle of Pellan Mountain in February of year 200?"The Battle of Pellan Mountain was fought just last year.
Gale, along with Dawson and Mason, nodded.Yet among them, only Gale could read Roan's thoughts.
Gale smiled broadly and clapped his hands."Ah! Incendiary attack!"
Roan slowly nodded."Yes. Incendiary attack."
The Battle of Pellan Mountain was fought between the Lines Kingdom and the Byron Kingdom on Pellan Mountain near the border. At that time, the Byron forces moved swiftly to seize the high ground, but our Lines Kingdom controlled the passage and set the mountain on fire.
"Right. At that time, the Byron soldiers abandoned their positions and fled from the flames that rose up to their chins."
"Yes. They chose the escape route we deliberately left open—only to fall into an ambush and be annihilated."
At Roan's words, Gale clapped his hands.Clap. Clap. Clap.
"Very good, very good! What's your name?"
"Roan."
"Good. Roan, today your contribution is enormous. Moreover, your insight is excellent. I will remember your name for sure."
"Yes. Thank you."
Roan bowed his head.He didn't expect a grand reward just yet. Although he had discovered the goblin force during reconnaissance and proposed a good operation, he was still only a new recruit.
He wasn't in a rush, yet he wouldn't allow himself to be complacent either."This battle, I will make a significant contribution."
The grip on his spear tightened. Although his strength and stamina weren't what they used to be, he had 20 years of experience and know-how. In his current state, he was confident he could handle four or five goblins at once.
Then Gale's voice rang out,"Prepare the incendiary attack. Dig a trap and lure the goblins over."
"Yes!"
Dawson responded loudly and seized his whip. He looked at Mason and Roan and gestured,"Guides assigned to this mission, return to your respective units!"
"Yes!"
Mason and Roan replied in unison.
Dawson glared at Roan for a moment before turning away.
A wry smile played on Roan's lips. Normally, that cold stare and attitude would have made his legs tremble, but after 20 years on the battlefield, Dawson now seemed as trivial as a sulking child.
"We will now withdraw."
Mason patted Roan before bowing toward Gale. Roan also bowed to Gale before moving toward the 13th unit. All around, the clashing of metal and the intense heat could be felt.
"Is this our first battle?"A smile crept onto Roan's face—it was the smile of a man filled with both excitement and anticipation.