Carl wanted to avoid a situation where he was attacked by a monster on a dark night as much as possible.


    The imperial soldiers will fight well, but it is unclear whether the conscripts will be able to fight properly.


    To begin with, not many of them are properly armed, so they use crude spears with a dagger or something simr attached to the end of a wooden stick and wooden boards from unknown sources as shields. It is also quite well armed. There are many people holding only a club or an axe.


    Fortunately, Carl was able to proceed without being attacked.


    Perhaps thanks to therge number of people, there were no monsters approaching, and they just moved forward quietly.


    Everyone rxed a little. He think he can safely enter Ax sound Vige like this.


    Carl also felt a little relieved. If the first battle is a night battle, it must be terrible.


    "Master Carl!"


    Did Carl''s heart reach the sky, or did it reach the abyss?


    As if something, perhaps a god or a devil, was watching and making a subtle move, a loud cry called out to Carl.


    In the darkness, from far away, the familiar voice of Bilford is heard once again, apanied by the sound of fierce horses'' hooves.


    "The vige is under attack!"


    "Speed up!"


    The moment she heard Bilford''s words, Carl reflexively shouted out loud.


    "You must go with the carriage."


    Carl, who was trying to speed up considering the running speed of the imperial soldiers, stopped when he heard Catherine''s words.


    And the horses began to drive as fast as the wagons and conscripts could keep up.


    "Why?"


    Purr!


    Carl words are annoying.


    The horse seemed to be frustrated that it couldn''t gallop but only trudge along, and coincidentally, Carl was also frustrated to the point of going crazy.


    When Carl asks, Catherine answers.


    "The imperial soldiers are more important than those in the vige."


    "I know that."


    "The loss that would ur while they held out behind the fence was nothingpared to the loss that would ur if the imperial soldiers entered the monsters with their bare bodies."


    "… … indeed."


    At those words, Carl also realized what Catherine was trying to say.


    Even if the imperial soldiers run like this, they won''t be able to kill all the gnolls surrounding the fence. The number of imperial soldiers was only 30. It is difficult to form a square and protect each other''s sides and backs.


    They can''t be aggressive anyway. In that case, it would be better to bring a wagon, form a formation, and share the burden on the vige.


    If they get the chance to get close, they can attack the gnolls who enter the space between the vige and the punitive force from both sides.


    "Are you nning to build a simple  Fortress?"


    In other words, the n is to create a kind of small fortress.


    If it works properly, the gap between the vige and the formation of the punitive force bes a limbo. Naturally, you can reduce the number of sides that both sides must protect, so you can gain enormous tactical benefits.


    What if the gnollses in? Then just attack from both sides and kill it.


    "Exactly."


    Catherine nodded and said to Carl, who noticed it right away.


    Carl felt that the time had not been in vain as he remembered what he had seen in the library, and at the same time, he was impressed by Catherine''s simple and effective strategy.


    There was no time for Catherine to notice that his voice had be slightly louder as he admired her.


    Meanwhile, Bilford, who had driven his horse, joined them.


    The horse was running so fast that it was breathing heavily.


    "There are too many gnolls. I can''t even begin to count them all."


    Carl face hardened at Bilford''s words.


    "Was there anything else special?"


    "Although it was crude, they were making and using iron weapons."


    The more you know, the more serious it bes. Bilford raised his right hand so that Carl and Catherine could see.


    One of the imperial soldiers tactfully brings a torch and shines it.


    What Bilford brought was a crude ax covered in blood and flesh. For a moment, Carl was hit by a shock and his head fell back without realizing it.


    "It looks like it was made after looking at a woodcutter''s axe."


    Bilford said, pretending not to notice the reaction of Carl, who was pale and holding back nausea. Carl must not show weakness here.


    Fortunately, Carl was able toe to his senses after hearing Bilford''s words.


    He suppressed the urge to ignore the blood and flesh, which most likely belonged to a human, and looked straight at the axe.


    The head of the ax is lumpy and mixed with all kinds of colors, so it looks like it doesn''t have proper metallurgy. But its size cannot be ignored. It''s almost asbig as a child''s head. It must be that heavy.


    This means that these heavy axes are being used fobat, not for work. This is something humans cannot do even if they want to.


    No matter how weak a gnoll is, a monster is a monster and cannot bepared to an ordinary human being.


    Carl recalled the stuffed gnoll that Maldin had shown him at the banquet.


    The hand holding the sheath tightly is shaking slightly.


    The situation is too bad to take it lightly as an experience just because it is my first battle.


    Carl realized that the anxiety that had gripped him since he arrived at Hilfin had be a reality.


    As the realization of the impending danger settled over Carl like a shroud, he forced himself to steel his nerves, his mind racing with thoughts of strategy and survival.


    The crude iron weapons wielded by the gnolls spoke of a ruthlessness that sent shivers down Carl''s spine. These were not mere beasts driven by primal instincts; they were organized, equipped, and intent on destruction.


    With Catherine''s simple yet effective n forming in his mind, Carl knew that they had to act swiftly and decisively if they were to stand any chance against the horde of gnolls descending upon Ax Sound Vige.