Volume 6 Release Commemorative Special Episode
Battle Towards the Liberation of the National
Territory ① - Gord's Tactics
Translator : PolterGlast
After Takuhir and others departed the Lute Kingdom
heading towards the liberation of the Vile Kingdom, Crajyu, who
was unexpectedly backed as King, energetically began to move to answer those
expectations. For them, the first and foremost top priority issue was to sweep
the detached forces of the Istoria Orthodox Theocracy Army that had
crossed the national border and invaded from three directions out of the Lute
Kingdom, and ensure the peace of the national border.
「Now that the liberation of the Royal
Capital has been achieved, we are thinking of carrying out the responsibilities
entrusted to us by Archduke-heika,
but regarding this, what are General Gord's thoughts?」
King Crajyu spoke with courtesy to Gord, who
was merely a single general.
「I believe it is exactly as Heika
says.」
To that, Gord replied with few words, being somewhat
taken aback, while recalling the issues Takuhir had left behind.
・ To push back the enemy army invading from three locations.
・ To have the home defense unit restore governance over the Lute
Kingdom in the rear and make it a safe zone.
・ By doing so, completely block the retreat path for the
defeated remnants to flee back.
To accomplish these three points, the home defense unit
could not simply sit and defend the Royal Capital.
「First, I believe accurate
information on the fighting strength of the invading enemy army and their
invasion points is necessary. In addition to that, I think it's also necessary
to rally allied fighting strength.」
Gord
deliberately did not put it into words, but what Takuhir entrusted to
King Crajyu was not easy. To begin with, compared to the other two
countries, the national territory of the Lute Kingdom stretches long and
narrow from north to south, and therefore it has an extremely long national
border line with the Istoria Orthodox Theocracy. Just maintaining that
defense line is tough, yet the current situation is that they have already
received invasions from three different locations. On the other hand, allied
fighting strength is greatly lacking, and it's hard to say it's sufficient to
fight. That is exactly why Takuhir left the elite unit of three thousand
cavalry of the Demon Territory Knights led by Gord behind as
support.
「Fumu... according to intelligence
thus far, the enemy army has invaded three locations: the northernmost part of
the kingdom, the central part, and the southern part near this Royal Capital.
Approximately two thousand enemy soldiers have crossed the national border and
advanced from each, seemingly building bridgeheads within the country.」
「Oho... two thousand, is it. If so,
there is also the method of defeating them in detail with a double number of
four thousand.」
「However... the distance is the
problem. From here to the enemy at the northernmost tip is a distance of at
least over a hundred km; even if
we hurry the cavalry horses, it will take two days to engage the enemy, and if
we are to rush there by long march after continuous battles...」
「......」
Gord
understood the issue King Crajyu spoke of and fell silent. A cavalry
might be one thing, but for infantry to run that distance while engaging in
continuous battles would not only require time, but the exhaustion would be
great, and one would have to say it's extremely tough. Perhaps understanding
such thoughts of Gord's, King Crajyu showed a smile for a while,
and then took on an expression of having made some sort of resolve.
「Therefore, I would like to make a
request to General Gord; could you take on the defense of the Royal
Capital? From here on, we must sweep the enemy armies in order from the south
while saving the people, completely restore the governance of this country, and
then entrust the future to Archduke-heika.」
Gord felt a
sense of unexpectedness. As a major premise, many of the cavalry horses lent by
Takuhir when they mobilized as an expeditionary force up to now were
provided as replacement horses for General Golpa as he went from battle
to battle. Therefore, at the current point, the cavalry does not even reach one
thousand cavalry. That is exactly why it would be natural to seek assistance
from Gord, who possesses three thousand cavalry. However, King Crajyu
seemed to be considering bringing the battle to a close and settling it
strictly as his own responsibility.
「Please, I ask that you do not hold
back. Taking on the furthest northernmost enemy army is the role of us, who are
entirely cavalry, and it suits military logic as well. However...」
Saying that much, Gord paused for a beat. Because
from here on is his intention, something Takuhir implicitly requested.
「In order to have proper guides and
to show that we are an allied army, we need about a hundred to five hundred
cavalry to accompany us and participate in the battle lines, but...」
There were two meanings to these words of Gord's. One,
to guide Gord and the others, who are unfamiliar with the geography,
accurately without being discovered by the enemy, and to preemptively prevent
accidents such as mistakenly being attacked by allies. Two, that the national
territory recapture battle to be conducted from here on should be accomplished
by the hands of the Lute Kingdom soldiers. If they were to have it
subjugated by the power of another country, it would not be their achievement,
but rather they would end up bearing a feeling of indebtedness. However, if
King Crajyu's subordinates are mixed into the battle, they can boast
that the victory belongs to the Lute Kingdom Army, which in turn becomes
Crajyu's victory. These track records would provide a push as Crajyu's
achievements when he newly governs the three countries.
「I am grateful for your
consideration. But if so... to use Archduke-heika's valuable soldiers for the liberation of our homeland...」
Crajyu,
realizing that intention, choked on his words with an appearance of holding
back while being grateful to Gord.
「Please do not worry about that
point. If we sat and did nothing, we would receive a reprimand from our lord.
Because our lord is the kind of person who, once he decides to save someone,
dives headfirst into the front lines without even caring about the danger to
his own body...」
Saying so, Gord smiled wryly. If he spoke his true
feelings, he didn't want to let his lord (Takuhir) do anything
dangerous, but up to now, more than once, he has shaken off restraint and dived
into the foremost front lines for the sake of his subordinates. Here, Gord,
to put things right, stepped forward before Crajyu once again and knelt,
paying his respects.
「We shall undertake the duty of
eliminating the enemy army that invaded the northernmost tip of the kingdom. Heika,
how about a strategy where you repel the enemy army near the Royal Capital, and
after that, change direction and pincer the enemy army in the central part from
the south and the north?」
「Gratitude... I express my gratitude
anew to the General and the soldiers under his command, starting with Archduke-heika.」
Saying so, Crajyu also bowed his head deeply anew
towards Gord.
『It seems this person, too, just like
Takuhir-sama, does not act arrogantly about his status, cherishes his
soldiers, and does not consider them consumables. That is exactly why even in
that battle, he dared to make the decision to surrender while leaving surplus
fighting strength, huh...』
Seeing that figure, Gord felt he understood the
reason why his own lord trusted King Crajyu, the reason why he was
trying to entrust the three countries to him as the new King. And then... On
that very day, two armies aiming for different battlefields departed from the
Royal Capital of the Lute Kingdom. One unit was a five thousand-strong
infantry unit led by Crajyu, who became the new King. The soldiers he
led were five thousand at the time of recapturing the Royal Capital, but due to
the new King's call, two thousand five hundred new soldiers had gathered. They
reorganized them and departed after leaving two thousand for the defense of the
Royal Capital. The other unit was three thousand cavalry of the Demon
Territory Knights led by Gord, and five hundred cavalry of the Lute
Kingdom Army attached as guides. Their objective was to avoid the enemy
army that invaded the central part following their guidance, dash all the way
to the northernmost tip in one go, and intercept the enemy army. And from here
on, the battle of those remaining in the Lute Kingdom begins.
※
Gord and his
unit dashed through the highway, aiming straight for the northernmost tip of
the Lute Kingdom. There is one reason they hurry ahead: to open battles before the enemy learns of the fall of the Royal Capital
of the Lute Kingdom, and strike the flanks and rear of the off-guard
enemy army. In the central part of the Lute Kingdom where the enemy army
had advanced, they deliberately avoided the highways and continued north while
proceeding through bypaths following their guides. And then... on the evening
of the day after departing the Royal Capital, they had run over a hundred km and arrived all the way to the northernmost tip of the Lute
Kingdom.
「From here on, there is a fear we
might get caught in the enemy's patrol net. According to the report from the
scout that went ahead, the enemy army is approximately two thousand! It appears
they have built a barricade midway on the highway sandwiched by forests,
constructed an iron-wall defensive formation, and are strictly on guard!」
At this report, Gord unconsciously clicked his
tongue. Because he predicted that the enemy army confronting them ahead was the
regular army of the Istoria Orthodox Theocracy.
「General Gord, what shall we
do?」
「Most likely those guys possess Longbow
soldiers. The numbers themselves are not large, but if they enter a defensive
posture with their sure-kill formation, they are quite troublesome opponents...」
This prediction of Gord's was correct. The Istoria
Orthodox Theocracy soldiers who advanced into other areas were all 『hasty』 soldiers who had been hurriedly summoned, but those who
invaded from the northernmost part were battle-hardened regular soldiers who
originally undertook border defense. Therefore, although few in number, a Longbow
soldier unit of about five hundred men was also deployed.
「It seems it will be tough with
frontal tactics. We probably have no choice but to use the concealed weapons
entrusted to us by Takuhir-sama. Immediately call Mark, the
special weapon control commander!」
When entrusting matters to Gord, Takuhir had
bestowed a secret plan upon him. That was the special forces unit led by Mark.
Originally, receiving Takuhir's trust, Mark was in the position
of exclusively handling special weapons, leading an exclusive unit that
operated weapons using gunpowder and command control of the Diffusion Magic
Cannon. Of course, on this expedition they didn't bring catapults, and with
Yoltia absent, they couldn't launch
annihilation attacks with the magic cannon to begin with. However... there were
other concealed weapons they could carry. Gord addressed Mark,
who stepped forward responding to the summons, with resolve.
「This time, in facing a formidable
enemy, I want to borrow the power of the unit you lead. We will confuse the
enemy army and then strike their opening. How about it, can you do it?」
「Yes, if it's 『confusing them』, I believe we can handle it without a problem. I consider
that we were deliberately entrusted to General Gord precisely as Archduke-heika's intention.」
Regarding the use of highly lethal annihilation weapons,
starting with the Diffusion Magic Cannon, an unwritten rule exists even
within the Demon Territory Dukedom. Only Takuhir can issue the
order to fire attack means that could become a one-sided massacre. The karma of
bearing the weight of numerous lives taken by the attack—because Takuhir
has decided that he himself will bear it. However, there are other concealed
weapons whose use was restricted as much as possible.
「Then we will stand by outside the
enemy's patrol net and launch a surprise attack before dawn. Your unit will
conceal yourselves in the forest beside the highway ahead of time, and release
sky lanterns as a signal before dawn, so launch an attack using the 『Fire Dragon』.」
「Ha! Understood.」
Receiving the order, Mark and the unit under his
command, together with the Lute Kingdom soldiers acting as guides,
secretly advanced into the forest. Then Gord held detailed meetings with
the Lute Kingdom soldiers who knew the topography well, bypassed the
highway before the sun set and the surroundings were enveloped in darkness, and
disappeared to who knows where.
※
Before dawn, before the still pitch-black night sky began to
lighten, the operation began. Above the barricade built by the Istoria Orthodox
Theocracy Army midway on the highway passing through the forest, over a
hundred sky lanterns, began drifting while faintly illuminating the night sky.
At that fantastical sight, even the soldiers on patrol were fascinated for a
moment.
「Even though it's a beautiful sight,
it's suspicious. Just in case, instruct the entire army to be on guard and
prepare for an enemy attack...」
Before the commander who received the report finished
speaking his order, the situation suddenly changed. Because fireballs that came
flying from nowhere exploded with loud volumes over the barricade.
「W-What is that! Fire is raining
down!」
「E-Enemy attack!」
「E-Eek, fireeee!」
「Don't panic! Everyone to your
stations!」
Many soldiers were severely flustered, having been attacked
in their sleep. The commander, who was awake from the start, raised his voice
to deal with it calmly, but everyone had temporarily lost their hearing from
the loud explosions, and his words did not reach them. During that time,
several more fireworks directly hit the encampment, exploding with loud volumes
and scattering magnificent sparks. Simultaneously, the eight hundred cavalry
under Gord's command, taking advantage of the confusion, approached to
about three hundred meters from the barricade, and began
launching long-distance attacks with Estol Bows supported
by wind magic from horseback.
「Attacks from the front too!」
「A-Arrows! We'll burn at this rate!
Fall back!」
「Retreat! Retreat to the rear for
now!」
The 『Fire Dragon』 attack, which Takuhir called 『first-sight kill』, plunged the soldiers of the Istoria Orthodox Theocracy
into great confusion. Even if the lethality itself was low, the roar they
experienced for the first time, the sparks filling their field of vision, and
the arrows flying at the same time were enough to break their spirits.
Furthermore, the commander's voice could not reach them due to the explosion, and the soldiers whose ears were ringing abandoned the
barricade falling over themselves, and began running to the rear of the highway
(towards their own country) where arrows were not flying.
※
The main force of two thousand led by Gord had
secretly bypassed the highway and hidden in the forest towards the enemy army's
retreat path. Seeing the enemy army in confusion from the Fire Dragon
attacks, they advanced, and hid in the forests spreading on the left and right
of the highway one km away from the barricade.
「Listen up, draw them in sufficiently
before a simultaneous attack. I don't mind if you let the vanguard escape, but
strike the main force of the enemy army! Three strikes of the signal bell as
soon as there's an instruction! After the attack, immediately switch to spare
crossbows and finish them off!」
Even while he was saying so, enemy soldiers in a state of
half-frenzy were rushing in from the barricade side of the highway. At first,
it was a few who fled first; that gradually became a large group closing in
right before their eyes.
「Commence three strikes!」
When the third strike of the bell echoed, a total of two
thousand arrows were loosed onto the highway from the left and right of the
forest. And without a moment's delay, an attack with spare crossbows was
conducted. After the enemy soldiers, receiving a crossfire of a total of four
thousand arrows, were swept from the highway, they then entered the next
attack.
「From here on, we activate the 『Yamakawa』 tactic! Entire army, charge!」
With poor visibility, the two thousand men who dared to dismount their cavalry horses and go on foot emerged from the forest and charged towards the barricade. Everywhere the codes 『Yama!』 and 『Kawa!』 were exchanged, and those without a response were struck down by people who didn't even know if they were friend or foe, and even friendly fire occurred among the Orthodox Theocracy soldiers. In this pre-dawn battle, the two thousand-strong Orthodox Theocracy unit that invaded the northernmost part of the Lute Kingdom was annihilated. The war dead were one-third of the total, the wounded from the battle were almost the same number, and the remaining one-third were those who were trampled by confused comrades or blindly ran around in the dark and crashed into obstacles, becoming combat-ineffective. A mere few, less than a hundred, fled into the forest and retreated to their homeland, but it was a disastrous scene that could be called total annihilation. When the sun rose, Gord, after issuing instructions such as rescuing the wounded and burying the dead, personally led two thousand cavalry and galloped his horse south. To support King Crajyu, whom Takuhir considers a sworn ally, and the Lute Kingdom Army he led...
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