第５４４堀：我が国の基礎戦術 (Part1)
### Chapter 544: Our Nation’s Basic Tactics
**Side: Yuki**
Well then, the Weed-Findahl talks have proceeded without a hitch. All that remains is the final blow: the visit to Weed.
Well, before that, I’ve been guiding the several tens of thousands of reinforcements who arrived as rear support into the underground.
"Man, even if it’s raining outside, there’s no need to worry about getting wet in here."
"……Truly, there is a sky inside the earth."
"What kind of technology is this?"
"No, it must be magic. I hear that everyone in Weed is a master magician."
"To be able to do something to this extent? I finally understand the meaning of His Majesty’s words when he told us to be careful not to be rude to Weed, especially considering those highly versatile tools of theirs."
Like this, the envoys are all dumbfounded, yet they are excellent enough to start calmly analyzing the information. A country that can do all this wouldn't start a war lightly, so the remnants of the Lira Kingdom inside Hyden must be doing whatever they please.
Still, this is just inside the dungeon. I wonder what will happen once they see things like gate technology.
As I was thinking that they probably wouldn't be satisfied with my usual explanations when they inevitably get surprised later, Georgin joined me.
"Your Highness George, Your Highness Stasia, the movement of the rear guard army is complete."
"Good work, Georgin."
"Then, I shall begin setting up the tents immediately. Even if we aren't exposed to the wind and rain, we can't have them sleeping on the grass."
Saying that, Her Highness Stasia briskly sent out messengers, and the rear guard army began setting up tents as efficiently as the vanguard. She really does act like a general, and she has a fair amount of popularity, too.
Yeah. She’s really a difficult person to handle. The only problem is that bucket helmet.
While watching Her Highness Stasia’s instructions, several escort knights approached His Highness George.
"……Hmm. It is logical, but experiencing it firsthand is quite harsh, you know? Are you sure?"
"I am fully aware."
"I assume you understand, but please, be careful..."
"Yes. Even if I am mistaken, I will not harm the people of Weed. I understand that both their technological and magical prowess are a cut above the rest. However, I have been ordered by His Majesty to measure the strength of the soldiers here."
"Father... His Majesty, you say? ...Understood. If it is your duty, I have no reason to stop you. I will speak to them."
"Thank you very much."
Having finished their conversation, His Highness George came over to me, accompanied by the escort knights.
"Yuki-sama, I have a small request."
"A request?"
"Yes. These knights are those who arrived with the reinforcements, and I was hoping they could have a sparring match with your knights."
His Highness George said this apologetically. Well, they went out of their way to ask for a sparring partner. However, the rear guard army doesn't know our true strength, and judging by the earlier conversation, they seem to have an imperial order to investigate us, so if I refuse here, the knight beside him will be in a bind.
"Well, if it’s just a light sparring match, I don't mind. We have the visit to Weed coming up, after all."
"That is fine. You all heard that, right?"
"Yes!"
"There you have it. Vilia, I leave the opponent to you."
"Yes."
"Ehh?"
When I called Vilia, the knights couldn't hide their surprise. That’s only natural. They asked for a sparring match, so they were probably imagining other knights or muscular soldiers.
Unfortunately, I don't have subordinates like that under me. Taiki-kun or Eoid might barely qualify, but Taiki-kun is the King of Ranks, so he isn't "my" knight. Eoid is still in the middle of training and belongs to the Lancers, not Weed. Moreover, those two are waiting at the Duke's mansion with Amanda and aren't here to handle this.
So, it has to be one of the people currently with me: Ria, Samantha, Vilia, Dressa, or Hiiro. Ria and Samantha are excluded because they are guiding the Findahl envoys. That leaves Vilia, Dressa, and Hiiro, but Hiiro is out of the question—she’s too small, and the opponent might take it as an insult.
That leaves Vilia and Dressa. Since this is a formal sparring match, Vilia is more polite, calm, and skilled, so she’s the only choice. Dressa still erupts immediately if she gets provoked.
That said, she looks like a beautiful young girl and doesn't look like she fights. She has a spear, but... I suppose they just saw her as a decorative guard standing next to me.
"It might be a surprise, but they have undergone a fair amount of training in Weed, so they are no different from regular soldiers."
"As Yuki-sama says, they are strong. I am certainly not insulting you. I can guarantee it."
His Highness George also chimed in to support her.
"I-is that so? No, my apologies. Then, would that area over there be acceptable?"
"That is fine."
With that, the knight and Vilia moved away from us to a hill with enough space for a match.
"Then, I shall serve as the referee. The match will be divided into two parts. First, a battle with magic. Next, a match without magic, purely using physical techniques and martial arts. Is that acceptable to both of you?"
"Yes."
"Understood."
"Very well. We shall begin the match with magic, but before that, Vilia-dono."
"Yes? What is it, Your Highness George?"
"Please, do not just use attack magic; try to toy with them. This isn't just to see the versatility of your magic, but also to see the true strength of Weed. I want you to use your original fighting style."
"Eh? But, if I do that..."
"No. As His Highness George says. Please use magic assuming a real battle, not a sparring match. We will have a match without magic like a proper sparring session afterward."
"If that is the case, I will do it with all my might."
Setting His Highness George aside, that knight doesn't really understand. Well, I suppose this sparring match is meant to make him understand...
"Then, both of you, move apart... Alright, begin!!"
His Highness George swung his raised arm down. But the next instant, the knight vanished from before their eyes.
*Thud!!*
"Gah!?"
A strange sound echoed through the area, followed by a voice that sounded like the knight.
"???"
The envoys and knights watching were confused, but we members of Weed and His Highness George, who had actually experienced that, were not particularly flustered. Instead, Vilia, who had initiated the move, was wondering whether she should follow up or not. Sensing this, His Highness George opened his mouth.
"Vilia-dono, no need for restraint. Please, follow up from there."
"Eh, but..."
"They will likely surrender with that follow-up."
"……Understood."
After that exchange, Vilia immediately floated several fireballs around her and fired them one after another toward where the knight had been. Strangely, the fireballs didn't burst upon hitting the ground; they were absorbed into the earth, and a delayed explosion echoed out.
"I give up!! I surrender!!"
"Match over!!"
Just as His Highness George said, the knight raised his voice in surrender immediately after the fireballs were fired, and the match came to an end.
"What on earth just happened?"
"If you are curious, you should all come over here."
His Highness George gave permission, and the envoys and escort knights moved to the hill where the match had taken place.
"Is this... a pitfall?"
"Did you set it? No, but he was standing normally at first."
That’s right. The real-combat tactic Vilia used.
In other words, the "Heian-kyo Alien" technique.
The strongest pitfall tactic.
Using magic to create an impromptu pitfall and trapping the enemy in it. It’s a versatile tactic where you can either follow up or run away.
"Vilia-dono, could you please pull the knight out?"
"Yes."