Volume 1 Chapter 27 Genderbend Female Knight, Rampaging
"From this moment on, we will begin the grand exercise festival!"
Polina, the academy director of the Holy Light Academy, declared with his bald head shining in the sunlight, while Eleonora's mood was as low as the bottom of the earth.
(Ugh, I don't want to fight under the command of that haughty prince.)
If everything goes according to the program, the grade-versus-grade military exercise should take place in the afternoon, while the morning is filled with girls' wisdom contests, mixed-sex chess matches, or throat competitions to see who can sing the most beautifully. In the afternoon, along with the military exercise that Eleonora serves, there will be duels and jousts, making for a lively main event schedule.
"Kamitafira, I need to discuss something about the military exercise."
"What is it, Gustavo?"
Gustavo, who had approached Eleonora, spread out a map on the desk and began placing pieces on it as he seemed to be conducting a pre-briefing.
"First, we first-years will start by facing off against the second-years. The winner will then fight the third-years."
"The third-years have an advantage, they get priority (seed rights) plus they can get information no matter who wins. How are the soldiers allocated?"
"There are 50 soldiers in total, basically only infantry and archers. Cavalry is too dangerous, so it's forbidden. For archers, if you're hit by a practice arrow (without a tip), you have to shout 'hit' and leave the exercise field."
Placing 5 pieces each into their respective formations, Eleonora nodded as she peered down from above at the white and black pieces facing each other.
"So, what would you do?"
"I have 2 basic plans: focus on infantry or archers. Each has its own merits and demerits, so I can't just say do this or that."
Eleonora picked up the black piece on her side and moved 3 pieces forward and 2 pieces back.
"This is the infantry-focused approach. The merit is that it has strong defensive capabilities, so even if we're pushed back, we can still buy time. And if we push back, we can even break into the enemy's main camp."
"What are the disadvantages?"
"The number of fire battles is small, so you can shoot and lose. If they pass through the shield's defense and hit, you'll have to withdraw even in places where you wouldn't be dead in actual combat, so the number of soldiers will also decrease."
Next, she moved the pieces to 2 front and 3 back.
The emphasis on archers is opposite to before. They can win in ranged combat, but if infantry charge in, the defense will be breached, and they will be trampled.
"It's a trade-off, so what will you do?"
"That is the basic policy, since the assumption is that they are fighting straightforwardly head-on. Smaller units attack the flanks to cause confusion, then follow up with a volley of fire, allowing the infantry to push forward."
Eleonora, who had taken out a new piece, advanced the black piece into the center of the white army and rearranged the front-line infantry pieces so that they appeared scattered as if disordered. Then, she moved the black infantry pieces in an orderly manner to strike at the rear of the white infantry, knocking down the white pieces.
"The rest is to catch the king, and then it's game over."
"I said that, but I don't think you'll be told to do it, right?"
"Since Ms. Eleonora was the one who suggested it, she should take responsibility."
Eleonora and 4 others were hiding in the bushes, murmuring complaints. After that, they reported to Prince Fabiano, who is the commander-in-chief, and they were ordered to take on the role of distraction.
"So, what about the timing for the charge?"
"Once the arrow exchange ends, first rush at the archers to eliminate the long-range threats. His Highness split the troops evenly, so eliminating some archers will reduce the burden on our infantry."
The more experienced soldiers, preparing their bows, could be seen staring with narrowed eyes, but Eleonora and the others, who had been lurking even before this military exercise began, seemed unaware of their presence.
When they shouted orders to raise the fighting spirit, training arrows were shot from both sides. Eleonora's squad, having previously reinforced their legs, launched a surprise attack.
"Enemy—ugh!"
Without finishing the sentence, they kicked a male student into the air, then continued to advance while bashing wooden swords onto the bows of the students with bows still nocked.
Even if there were some left standing, it was of no concern now. As they moved forward, they cut into the central formation while searching for the general.
"Surprise attack!? When did they deploy, first-year!"
"Since before the match even started!"
The second-year army, now in chaos, faced extra pressure──namely, a flank charge by the front-line infantry and its supporting fire.
Surprised by the sudden rear disruption, the second-year students who turned around to check the situation received a verdict of immediate death and exited the scene. Eleonora's team also suffered damage, resulting in 2 male students leaving the scene.
"It's just damage, so it's a withdrawal time!"
"With enemies all around, there's no way to retreat!"
Although they fought bravely and fiercely, they were in a situation where they were surrounded on all sides, and it was clear they would be defeated if they stopped moving.
"I see! The general!"
About 3 guards were stationed at the center, and a student was directing them. Eleonora threw the arrows she had collected with her bare hands.
Unfortunately, she did not hit her target, but she lost her balance and fell. The guards tried to help her up, but that was an opportunity for the prey.
"Got it!"
After slashing the guards first, she swung her wooden sword at the abdomen of the senior student acting as the commander. The judge teacher declared victory for the first-year military.
"Gustavo di Retonto, thanks to your strategic planning, we have been able to achieve victory. Such military talent, I look forward to more."
"Yes, thank you for your kind words."
Gustavo waited for the next words, thinking that despite various quarrels, the thawing of his friend Eleonora would also bring words of praise.
He believed there would be praise for her as well.
However, the words from the Crown Prince were not what he had expected.
"Victory without the success of the *surprise attack team* is impossible, and others also fought valiantly to win. I am grateful."
They didn't even mention the surprise attack team or Eleonora's name, let alone a summary.
This was the moment when Gustavo, who should have been faithfully loyal to the royal family in the original history, experienced a slight distortion.
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