第５４４堀：我が国の基礎戦術 (Part2)
At that, I immediately used magic to push the earth upward, and the knight rose from the pit like he was on an elevator.
"Whoa!?"
"Doesn't look like you're hurt."
"Ah, yes!! I just tumbled a bit when I fell into the pit, and the fireball only hit the wall. I'm covered in dirt, but I'm uninjured!!"
"I see. Then, let's continue to show them what Vilia is capable of. Vilia, can you create multiple pits at once?"
"Yes."
At that request, she instantly pockmarked the meadow before us with nearly ten pits.
"Next, create a large, trench-like one to the side."
"Yes."
At Prince George's request, Vilia quickly fashioned a pit that looked to be ten meters wide.
"..."
The envoys and knights stared in silence.
"You can put it back now."
"Huh? Understood."
Vilia did as she was told and quickly restored the ground. Since she wasn't actually digging, but merely causing the earth to subside, pulling the ground back up left the meadow perfectly intact, with no exposed soil.
Still, seeing Vilia create such massive holes, I wondered if I should teach her more formal construction techniques. As I pondered this, Prince George began to explain to the envoys and knights.
"Listen. Our army was trapped underground in an instant when this was used against us on a large scale. This is real combat. Do not expect the enemy to politely engage in exchanges of magic or arrows. This is not cowardice. It is a brilliant method to bring a battle to a swift conclusion."
"Indeed."
"But to think there was magic capable of manipulating the ground like this..."
As the envoys murmured among themselves, Princess Stasia returned, having finished giving her instructions.
"It is truly impressive. If there were tactics applying this magic, gathering numbers would be meaningless. No, rather, the larger the army, the easier it becomes to target, making it a disadvantage."
"Yes. That is correct, Sister."
"We have used earth magic to create moats and walls, but I had never considered creating a massive number of holes on the fly to impede an advance. Well, there are only a handful of mages with enough magical power to pull off such a large-scale feat."
"How about we budget for the establishment of a specialized Earth Magic Corps? That way, it could also be used to rescue our own troops if they fall into pits."
"Hmm. Indeed. I shall suggest it to His Majesty upon our return."
Princess Stasia is amazing for grasping the utility of these tactics so quickly. Well, as she said, it’s a strategy that only works because there are mages with sufficient power. On Earth, you’d have to dig the holes yourself, so it would be impossible. You could blow a hole with explosives, but you’d be better off firing those directly at the enemy army.
As I was thinking this, Princess Stasia suddenly drew the sword at her waist.
"Sister? What are you doing?"
"The sparring match with Vilia hasn't finished yet, has it? I hear the next round is without magic. It would be better for me, as a fellow woman, to step in."
"I see. Yes, it would be easier for a woman to handle."
"Eh!? T-the Princess is going to be my opponent!? Brother!?"
She was implicitly saying that it would be problematic if a man lost to Vilia in a non-magic bout. Prince George seemed to grasp this and immediately gave his permission. Vilia, on the other hand, was surprised.
It couldn't be helped; I’d have to use my trump card to calm her down.
"Vilia, it's alright."
"B-but..."
"You've been doing well, haven't you? Your training with Seraria. Just do it like that."
Our Queen is a battle junkie, so she often drops by the school to spar with Vilia, Hiiro, and the others, doing things like hundred-man kumite. It’s a mystery why it’s so popular. Are the students masochists?
"Eh? B-but..."
"Vilia, no need for restraint. Fortunately, these are training weapons, so there is little risk of serious injury. Let's enjoy the match with peace of mind. Don't worry about status; feel free to come at me. No, consider it the greatest courtesy to me, Stasia, to display the techniques you have mastered with all your might."
"If you put it that way..."
Perhaps moved by the Princess's words—or maybe it was just the same line Seraria uses.
*'It's fine. Status is useless on the battlefield. All that matters is the technique you have honed. Come at me with everything you have.'*
I used to think, "What are you talking about?" but since Vilia was starting to focus, maybe the special training was paying off? I really don't want to tell Seraria that. She’d be thrilled to provide more "guidance" in the future.
As I thought this, Princess Stasia saw the level of seriousness radiating from Vilia and raised her sword. Even though her expression was hidden by her helmet, the pressure emanating from her entire body was immense. Is this person really a princess? Prince George was pushed back by the sheer intensity, but he couldn't very well call it off now.
"...Then, give it your all. Begin!!"
The moment he said that, Vilia and Princess Stasia closed the distance in an instant, and a fierce exchange began.
"Hey, Yuki. It’s getting a bit intense, isn't it?"
"Then why don't you go stop them?"
"Eh, no way. Vilia would be absolutely furious at me."
I bet. And after that, she’d probably get a lecture from Seraria, too.
Simple is best. Dungeon tactics begin and end with a pitfall. Or rather, there is no tactic as simple and effective as a pitfall.