Baron Share bit his nails and trembled violently.
To others, Ghislain was just a skilled soldier with plenty of experience. No one suspected anything.
But for Baron Share, who was part of the conspiracy, it was impossible to think that way.
'Couldn't you have just stayed quiet? Why are you trying so hard?'
Even if no one else was worried, he couldn't help but feel anxious. Count Fenris had the skills to escape if exposed, but he didn't.
'If I'm found out, I'll be the only one to die!'
As if mocking Baron Share's worries, "Squad Dougley" continued their charge with relentless vigor.
Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!
"Push harder!"
At Ghislain's shout, the squad gritted their teeth and swung their clubs.
The current hardship was nothing compared to the punishment they'd face if they lost.
With that thought, they pressed forward as if they were ready to die today.
"Uwaaaa! Let's catch up!"
Inspired by Squad Dougley's fierce effort, other soldiers also charged into the enemy formation with all their might.
The 5th Infantry Company's formation completely collapsed in the middle.
Caught off guard by the unexpected situation, they didn't know how to respond.
The 5th Infantry Company Commander could only shout desperately, "Hold the line! Hold it! Reform the formation!"
Easier said than done. Rebuilding the formation was nearly impossible with Squad Dougley wreaking havoc in the middle.
Every soldier who confronted them fell to their clubs. Focusing on Squad Dougley also left them vulnerable to the advancing soldiers behind.
"Yes! We're winning!"
"Keep pushing!"
Encouraged by the shouts, other soldiers surged forward with renewed energy. Once the momentum shifted, they charged with unrelenting vigor.
The 3rd Infantry Company Commander couldn't hold back a gleeful laugh.
"We're going to win! We're going to win!"
Just a little more pressure, and the battle would be over. The formation was split and collapsing—victory was within reach.
Even the observers must have thought so.
The 3rd Infantry Company Commander turned to Baron Share and shouted, "What do you think? Those men are my soldiers! We're winning!"
"… That, that's true."
Unlike the excited commander, who pointed gleefully at Ghislain, Baron Share could only wipe the cold sweat off his brow.
'Please, stop it, you lunatic…'
Why was he rampaging here of all places? And why did he look like he was having so much fun?
In truth, Ghislain was having the time of his life.
"Come on! Just a little more effort!"
He had sealed off his mana and deliberately suppressed his natural recovery. His body felt sore, and sweat poured down with every movement.
This kind of self-imposed training, pushing himself to the limit, was something he always enjoyed.
Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!
The squad members behind him felt like they were dying, but strangely enough, they found strength in the moment. They were experiencing the battlefield momentum for the first time.
For soldiers who had only known defeat and retreat, it was a refreshing experience.
The other soldiers felt the same. It was natural to feel invigorated when they were overwhelming the enemy for the first time.
"Let's give it everything we've got!"
"Uwaaaa!"
Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!
The 5th Infantry Company's formation was now completely shattered. The advancing soldiers of the 3rd Infantry Company swung their clubs ferociously at any enemy who approached.
Eventually, Squad Dougley broke through the formation entirely and charged toward the designated hill.
The 5th Infantry Company Commander shouted in panic, "Stop them! Stop them! Hold the line!"
To lose to the perpetually last-place 3rd Infantry Company would be a humiliation that would haunt them forever.
But with their morale shattered and formation in shambles, the 5th Infantry Company couldn't stop Squad Dougley.
Any attempt to intercept them ended with the attackers being struck down by the pursuing soldiers.
Reaching the hill, Ghislain raised his voice, "Hold the line now!"
Capturing the hill was the goal, but simply reaching it wasn't enough. They had to defend it against the enemy's counterattack to secure the victory.
The difference lay in whether they decisively defeated the enemy or barely held on.
Before the 3rd Infantry Company Commander could give any orders, Ghislain had already taken command.
But the commander, too excited by the spectacle, didn't even notice.
"Wow! They're doing exactly what they were trained to do!"
That was all he thought.
Following Ghislain's command, the soldiers who had broken through the enemy formation transitioned into a defensive stance.
The 5th Infantry Company soldiers tried to retake the hill, but it was impossible.
The gap in morale and momentum was too great. Exhausted and demoralized, they lacked the strength to continue fighting.
Any attempt at an attack only led to more soldiers collapsing.
The evaluators and observers exchanged glances and said, "There's no need to see more."
"The victory goes to the 3rd Infantry Company."
"This concludes the evaluation."
Hearing the announcement, the 5th Infantry Company Commander looked like his world had crumbled.
The 3rd Infantry Company soldiers threw their clubs into the air and shouted, "We won!"
"I can't believe we won!"
"Squad Dougley is the best!"
The soldiers, who had never experienced victory in a tactical evaluation, wore expressions of disbelief and joy.
The 3rd Infantry Company Commander, on the verge of tears, exclaimed, "We… We won! We finally won! For the first time ever!"
Overcome with emotion, he grabbed Baron Share's hands and said, "The soldier you recommended is amazing! You said he was someone you knew from your hometown?"
"Th-that's… correct."
"Thank you! This is all thanks to you!"
"Con… congrats…ulations…"
Baron Share, pale and trembling, couldn't hide his unease. The 3rd Infantry Company Commander tilted his head in confusion.
"What's wrong?"
"I… I think I've come down with a fever."
"Ah! You must take care of yourself. Go rest. I'll send you some good medicine."
"Y-yes. I'll take my leave."
"Take care!"
Baron Share staggered away. He felt like his heart was about to burst. All he wanted was for Count Fenris to behave.
But Ghislain had no intention of granting that wish. His goal was to secure first place.
Similar scenes played out in the battles against other companies.
"Charge!"
At the 3rd Infantry Company Commander's shout, the soldiers charged. His only tactic was charging.
But paired with Ghislain, it produced extraordinary results.
Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!
"Argh! Who are these guys?"
With Squad Dougley leading, no one could withstand their assault. The infantry trained by Ghislain's hellish regimen were unstoppable.
No one could counter the absurd charging tactics of the 3rd Infantry Company.
Even on defense, it was the same. Whenever a line broke, Squad Dougley would rush in and crush the enemy.
The 3rd Infantry Company defeated every opponent with their relentless charges, achieving victory after victory.
With each win, Squad Dougley's reputation soared.
"Dougley! Dougley!"
"Squad Dougley is invincible!"
"We'll keep winning!"
The morale of the 3rd Infantry Company reached an all-time high. Each victory brought celebrations with drinks and meat, boosting their spirits further.
The 3rd Infantry Company Commander muttered to himself, "To think we'd come this far…"
He had only hoped for one win, but they had won every battle. One more victory, and they would finish first in the tactical evaluation.
Was the once-last-place commander really about to claim first place? The thought filled him with a mix of fear and excitement.
"My talent… it's overwhelming."
He was completely deluded, convinced that his latent genius had finally blossomed.
He even began daydreaming about rising to the rank of corps commander.
Meanwhile, Ghislain, now a hero to the 3rd Infantry Company, stood with his hands on his hips and shouted to the soldiers behind him, "Are you ready?"
"Yes!"
If they won today, they would take first place. The soldiers, filled with determination, shouted back loudly.
Though he wasn't their official commander, Ghislain had somehow ended up commanding them all. Of course, there was a hidden reason—post-victory celebrations often turned into brawls.
Feeling restless, the soldiers swung their limbs in excitement. Their streak of victories had given them confidence that bordered on arrogance.
Finally, the 3rd Infantry Company Commander issued a solemn order.
"Charge!"
"Uwaaaaaa!"
With Ghislain at the forefront, they charged forward.
Faced with their ferocious momentum, the soldiers of the 9th Infantry Company hardened their expressions and gritted their teeth.
They couldn't afford to lose to the perpetual last-place company.
The 9th Infantry Company Commander wanted victory just as desperately.
"Don't let them through! Hold the line! You must hold the line!"
The 3rd Infantry Company Commander was despised by other commanders. He was a country bumpkin who had bought his position with money despite lacking any skill.
And now, they were all losing to that nobody. It was unacceptable.
"Hold the line!"
Thwack!
The 9th Infantry Company Commander screamed, but it was no use. When Ghislain tripped a soldier and swung his club, the front line was immediately breached.
"Uwaaaaaa!"
Through the opening, the soldiers of the 3rd Infantry Company poured in like a flood.
The pattern was always the same, and everyone knew it, but no one could stop it. It was maddeningly effective.
Squad Dougley broke through the 9th Infantry Company's defenses with their relentless charge.
When an infantry formation is penetrated in the center, it's over. Soldiers pour in through the gap, overwhelming the defenders.
Victor, following closely behind Ghislain with his face flushed red, burst into laughter.
"Ha ha ha ha! We're the strongest!"
Hearing his words, the other soldiers shouted in unison, "Uwaaaaaa! We're the strongest!"
This momentum was unstoppable. The 9th Infantry Company was completely overrun by the soldiers of the 3rd Infantry Company, who charged like madmen.
The breach created by Ghislain allowed a flood of soldiers to surge in, shattering the formation entirely.
The 9th Infantry Company Commander, in a daze, muttered, "W-what is this… Why are we losing so easily?"
At times like this, a quick response to reposition soldiers and reinforce the formation is critical.
But he lacked the ability, and his soldiers hadn't been trained for it.
In the end, Squad Dougley reached the hill and secured it. The evaluators, watching the scene, nodded approvingly.
"Once again, there's no need to continue."
"It's always impressive, especially that 'Squad Dougley.'"
"The company commander must have trained them exceptionally well."
The other soldiers had merely ridden on Squad Dougley's momentum. However, the rapid result made it seem like the entire company was well-trained.
With the evaluation complete, the soldiers who secured the hill erupted in cheers.
"Uwaaaaaa!"
"Another victory!"
"The undefeated company!"
Of course, everyone knew who was responsible for this success. All eyes turned to Ghislain.
A soldier brought the flag of the 3rd Infantry Company to Ghislain and handed it to him.
Ghislain naturally took it, planted it firmly on the hill, and shouted, "We've won! We're first!"
"Uwaaaaaa!"
Cheers loud enough to shake the heavens rang out.
From perpetual last place to first! It was all thanks to Squad Dougley.
"Squad Dougley is the best!"
"Dougley! Dougley! Dougley!"
The soldiers, endlessly chanting Dougley's name, eventually began tossing Ghislain into the air.
Ghislain laughed as he was thrown into the air.
"Ha ha ha ha!"
Indeed, any army under his command had to win. The thrill of battle and the joy of victory—
'Wait! Why am I enjoying this so much?'
Ghislain suddenly snapped back to reality. Sure, the mock battle had been fun, but he had gotten way too into it.
It must have been because it had been so long since he'd directly trained low-ranking soldiers. Training infantry had a different flavor compared to knights.
'Well… since the time and place haven't been set yet, I suppose this much is fine.'
Why not enjoy the wait a little?
Ghislain decided to think of it as harmless fun.
The soldiers of the 3rd Infantry Company, who had taken first place in the tactical evaluation, received significant rewards.
Everyone was given prize money, and copious amounts of alcohol and meat were distributed.
The company commander even dipped into his personal funds to provide more food and drink.
"Eat! Eat! Don't stop, eat with the same spirit as our charge! Squad Dougley, eat even more!"
He was overjoyed. No one would look down on him anymore. To Squad Dougley, he gave extra money and effusive praise.
For the soldiers, who had endured poor rations and constant hunger, this feast of alcohol and meat was bliss.
"Ha ha ha! This is all thanks to Squad Leader Dougley."
"He's great at fighting and leading charges!"
"Even the members of Squad Dougley have become incredibly strong!"
Hearing the praise, Victor and the squad members smiled proudly. They had never been evaluated so positively or achieved such results before.
'Man, training was brutal, but… This is why it's worth it.'
'It's amazing! I want to keep hearing these cheers!'
'Squad Leader Dougley is the best! The best!'
They had discovered the joy of battle and victory.
As everyone was enjoying the celebratory feast, a soldier approached Ghislain.
"Squad Leader Dougley, the Royal Secretary has come to see you."
"Oh, really?"
Laughing and chatting with the soldiers, Ghislain stood up. It seemed news of some sort had arrived.
At the commander's office, Baron Share, pale as a sheet, spoke to Ghislain.
"What are you doing? What is this? Are you trying to get us all killed?"
"..."
"Why are you making a name for yourself? Why are you so excited? The rumors have spread everywhere!"
Of course, the deeds of a mere soldier hadn't reached the royal capital or the high-ranking nobles. But among nearby units, the stories had spread widely.
Ghislain avoided Share's gaze and said, "I was just… bored…"
"Bored, so you decide to take first place?"
"...."
"Count, could you please stay low? I'm begging you. I don't want to die. You're not part of the Kingdom's army!"
"...."
Baron Share, his eyes welling with tears, continued, "Do you know what the rumors say? They say you're mimicking Count Fenris. But you are Count Fenris!"
It seemed all his talk of combat effectiveness and relentless drilling hadn't helped his cover. Ghislain nodded and changed the subject.
"Now that we've taken first place, I'll try to keep a low profile. So, what news do you bring?"
At that, Baron Share glanced around nervously. He had used the excuse of coming to praise his "recommended soldier's" accomplishments, but that wasn't the real reason.
His scolding was merely a prelude.
Lowering his voice, Baron Share whispered, "The time and place have been decided."
[T/L: Please support me and read extra chapters: https://ko-fi.com/revengerscans ]