[VOL. 2] CHAPTER 19 MILITARY REFORM

Welcome home

When I arrived at the mansion in Braham Pikaru and the head maid Melissa greeted me.

Since Im not that tired I decided to immediately do the arrangements.

Pikaru, call F and Marcus.

As I entered my office together with Lunos and Nals, Pikaru came over together with Mirea-san and Reina who brought tea.

I wonder why Reina is looking so frequently at Lunos and I.1

The General and the Imperial Guard Orders Head came

Let them through

Marcus and F stepped into the room.

I told F to also sit down and began the meeting together with Pikaru.

So, how was it?

It can be said that our objectives got achieved for the greatest part.

Except for Operation DDT.

I told Nals to explain the finer details.

- In that way, we gained the cooperation of the Royal Family and accepted the task of going against the conservative nobles. Therefore, its important to carry this out as soon as possible.

Hows the progress of the colonial soldier settlements and the irrigation construction?2

Both are progressing favourably. Thanks to the drastic improvement in efficiency through the implementation of earth magic all constructions are expected to be done within this year.

Pikaru answered Marcus question.

With that said, is it possible to finish the construction work on the highway by the beginning of the next year as well?

Well, Id like to advance the training of the farmer-soldiers who are now constructing the colonial soldier-settlement later on.

In response to Marcus and Nals words, I decided to voice out the idea I kept to myself for a while.

Therefore I have a suggestion but it requires to fundamentally change the present military.

What do you mean by fundamentally changing the military?

Everyone including Marcus looked at me.

In the novel Yuusha Tensei which I wrote, the troops of the countries called the Yuroa countries, Franz Kingdom included, are basically all made up of infantry, cavalry and archer units.

Its basic style to recruit farmers or citizens as archers or foot soldiers.

Of course, I used the military of the European Middle Ages as a model.

However, as a result of this, as I reincarnated as the feudal lord who is in a leading position for the army, Carlo, many problems would arise if we would fight the Barbarians who are a horse-riding tribe modelled after the Mongolian soldiers like this.

If you just write a sentence as an author its all good even if theres such a problem but if you really have to lead an army like this thats a completely different matter.4

As a fight with Duke Armandi and the other conservative nobles is inevitable now I want to manage to efficiently win in the shortest amount of time.

Thats why I thought about this military reform.

If we let the cavalry officers lead the archers and infantry as before we cant make use of the speed which is the cavalrys greatest weapon. Therefore we make the Imperial Guard Order the Cavalry unit and let another officer lead the archer and infantry unit.

Nals explains my concept.

Its a result of having talked with Nals about this reform all the time.

Well let the infantry and archers choose an officer among the farmer-soldiers we established this time. Even the archers and infantry were mixed together in one unit so far even though they have independent formations.

Fumu, though I think its an interesting plan but its to be expected that the Imperial Guard Orders Knights will oppose to this. As they have pride in leading the army.

Marcus interrupts Nals explanation.

But I considered that as well.

Its necessary to inform the Knights how powerful the cavalry unit is and how it can be decisive to a battles outcome. Thats it. Nals, explain it please.

Yes. We are planning to execute an exercise with the original formation and the reformed formation this time. We divide the Imperial Guards knights and the farmer-soldiers into two groups and let them compete while being led by F and Lunos.5

I see, so the knights cant help but be convinced if the difference is overwhelming.

F also nodded to Lunos words.

Its like that. So, who leads which side?

This became interesting.

I grinned as F gave me an earnest answer.

Im fine with either side. Ill do my best all the same if you order me.

Lunos answered interestingly.

As Ive been here longer Im more acquainted with everyone than the head so I know the obstinate people who would seem like they would object to the reform. I shall take charge of the original formation with these people. Just for confirmations sake, we may get serious as well, right?

Naturally. They wont be persuaded if they won while you were going easy on them. If you defeat them even though they were attacking seriously then everyone will get persuaded that the reform has a meaning.

Old man Marcus looked at me with an interested face as he listened to my explanation.

That means that Carlo-sama will go with the new unit led by F. Then shall I join the original unit led my Lunos?

This old man, he completely entered play mode again.

Hes absolutely, earnestly motivated, that captain imitation!

Well, I wont lose.6

So, when will we execute the exercise?

Lets see, how about making it the main event of the end-of-year festivities?

As F suggested we decided to hold the exercise at the end of the year.7

Now that thats decided, lets start the strategy meeting. Please tell me if you decided on a place to hold it later. Lunos, lets go

Wait a minute, there are still some details of the reform plan that

Well see it later. Its like Im being shown your cards, so its no fun at all.

As I thought, that old man is completely enjoying this.

Marcus took Lunos and left.

Goodness gracious, that old man is hopeless.

As I was astonished F looked back at me with a straight face.

However, no matter how much he said hes going to lead the original unit the general cannot be underestimated. Sir Lunos is also excellent.

About that, I already have two suggestions.

Nals grinned as I began to talk.

The first being we use a part of the Orders knights as a high-speed search and reconnaissance unit. For that purpose I want F to choose the knights who can move the fastest.

If it has to be someone fast it would be good if the horse is quick and the rider is small and skilful. How many people are necessary?

Lets see, Id like to assign 20% of the whole unit.

Though I think 20% is quite a lot.

Its natural for F to think that way.

However, the saying goes Know thy enemy and know thyself and you will win a hundred battles8 so information is extremely important.

I dont care. F, can I leave this to you?

Certainly

F obediently nodded to my words.

And the other one concerns the infantry. Give all the foot soldiers a 5 meter-long spear.

5 meters?! I think that they cant fight freely if they have a spear of such length, though.

F was astonished as he heard about the length but the tactic to use long spear infantry was actually used in Europe.

I took Lunos into consideration while making the foundation.

Its main purpose was to oppose the Barbarians cavalry by crowding them, but they are, of course, effective against infantry as well

Well, just leave that to me and Nals. F, as soon as Lunos decided on how to divide the order youll start the election for the reconnaissance unit.

Understood

Pikaru, after the irrigation construction is over arrange for the pavement of the highway.

Certainly

Aah, today as well Pikarus brightness is at its highest.

Like this, the military reform meeting ended.