Chapter 254
Southern Front ⑧ — Marching Out with
Resolve
Translator : PolterGlast
A short while before Takuhir and his group received
the tragic news, the Southern Gate Fort, located about half a day's
journey from the border fortress, had fallen into chaos.
In this battle, Darek was commanding the Frontier
Knights based there and attempting to bring the situation under control.
"Lord Darek! It is regrettable!"
The returned officers and soldiers broke down in tears,
weeping over the loss of the Margrave. Alone, only Darek watched over
these soldiers silently.
Actually, inside his heart, Darek himself was the
most shaken and was desperately suppressing his overflowing emotions... But as
a general leading an army, he could not show such a figure to the generals.
If he exposed his unsightly state now, his father-in-law,
the Margrave, would surely lament his inadequacy. Crying can come later; he can
cry unseen.
Darek bit his
lip hard. Blood seeped from the corners of his mouth, but even those who
noticed pretended not to see.
"So, the fact that the Margrave was slain and Viscount
Kyrias's betrayal are undeniable facts, correct?"
"Yes. Not everyone could confirm it, but combining
several facts such as clearly different orders, instructions unlike the Margrave,
the movements of the enemy army on the battlefield, and finally the attack on
us who should be allies..."
"..."
Having conducted hearings from the three Barons and the
soldiers of the Margrave's army who retreated from the battlefield, Darek
made a decision.
"We will commence action immediately. First, after
first aid, have the retreating soldiers retreat to Burg for the time
being and redeploy them. Second, send a fast horse to the Royal Capital to report the situation. And request Duke Klein
to assemble reinforcements, making Burg the final defense line. Third,
the Frontier Knights and the cavalry unit, totaling 5,000 riders, will leave
liaisons behind, abandon this place, and move to the hidden fort within the
Demon Territory. Fourth, send soldiers to neighboring villages and towns to
convey evacuation to Burg and support their movement. Hurry, I
understand your feelings, but do not panic!"
Darek, who
should be feeling sadness and anger more than anyone, was conversely
admonishing the generals. Perhaps knowing this, they accepted Darek's
will obediently.
"We have no objection to your orders, but is it really
alright to abandon this fort? We thought it would be a base for a battle of
revenge."
"Aye, Baron Kreitz's concern is valid, but the
enemy is a large army. We can't hold it anyway. Besides, there are those among
the enemy who are familiar with the internal affairs. In that case, give it to
the enemy! Though it would be helpful if they used this place as a base and
stayed quiet for a while..."
This Southern Gate Fort only has meaning when the
border fortress is intact and can apply pressure in coordination. Surrounded by
plains, if this fort is besieged by a large army, there are no moves left, and Darek
has no way to utilize the cavalry and mobile forces he commands.
Furthermore, if Viscount Kyrias betrayed them, the
weak points and capture methods of this fort are likely known to the enemy
army. In such a state, the fort is merely a fetter. Darek thought so.
"Please let us accompany Lord Darek as
well!"
"Baron Bold, I'm sorry, but infantry would be a
hindrance. As would wounded soldiers whose injuries haven't healed."
"Then, please allow only the cavalry capable of
enduring battle to accompany you! If we can borrow the spare horses here,
nearly 1,000 from us and the Margrave's army can participate. Give us the
opportunity to avenge the Margrave too!"
"Baron Herald, then I order you urgently. Select
only those trained as cavalry whose war wounds do not hinder fighting, and I
permit them to join us. However, at least one of the three Barons must lead the
retreating soldiers to Burg. That is the condition. We need a commander
to direct and look after the soldiers. Discuss among the three of you."
"Thank you!"
Darek's
instructions were executed promptly. Within that day, the Southern Gate Fort
was completely evacuated and became an empty castle, but numerous flags were
set up on the castle walls to disguise it as if soldiers were gathering.
And Darek, accompanied by the cavalry increased by
1,000, disappeared somewhere. Many of the increased soldiers bore wounds that
could not be called minor, and some with reasonably deep wounds were mixed in,
but Darek said nothing about this.
The next day, the Southern Gate Fort was
requisitioned by the Third Prince, Grat, who advanced north from the
fortress. It was done without exchanging a single arrow.
Grat used this
place as a base to deploy 20,000 cavalry and devoted himself to securing the
surroundings for a while. Just as Darek, who had been shared Sieghart's
proposal and secrets by Takuhir, had imagined.
Three days later, the Royal
Capital was thrown into turmoil by the arrival of fast horses.
Coincidentally at that time, fast horses announcing the movements in the North
and South arrived almost without delay, causing great confusion in the
response.
"Old man! Old man! The Margrave... Hastburg was
slain, you say?"
Receiving the dire news, King Kyle couldn't sit still
and rushed into the operations headquarters.
"Yes, truly... truly regrettable. A pillar supporting
this country, one of its cornerstones, and for us, a long-time friend, an irreplaceable
person has been lost."
Duke Klein
also answered with an expression full of bitterness. King Kyle was also
stunned, at a loss for words.
"The Margrave supported me since I was Crown Prince...
an irreplaceable friend. Regrettable... truly regrettable..."
"But Your Majesty, the battle on the Southern Front has
only just begun. To support those fighting desperately, we still have things to
do. If we go senile, Margrave Hastburg will scold us."
Duke Klein
himself, saying this, was trembling in his shoulders, barely squeezing out the
words.
"So, what is the war situation?"
"The Imperial Army Left Wing led by the First Prince
seems to be invading the Demon Territory Count's domain as planned.
Since there is a time lag in reports, details are unknown, but battles have likely already commenced."
"And the other one?"
"The Third Prince's forces have stopped their advance
for now, using the Southern Gate Fort as a starting point. The biggest
concern now is the response to this. Just in case, about 10,000 soldiers raised
from southern lords are deployed in front of the Margrave's territory. We have
received a request from Viscount Solis's messenger to advance using Burg
as the final defense line, but... Those soldiers have low morale and
proficiency, and if invaded in earnest, they will be swept away."
"Then now is the time to send out the Royal Capital
Knights. If there are reinforcements of 20,000 cavalry in total from the
First and Second Armies, won't that be enough to hold them?"
"Th-That is... a report regarding the Northern Front
arrived from the Minister of Military Affairs, stating that the number of enemy
troops there is no less than 25,000."
"Wh-What! Then does that mean we are surrounded by
enemy armies superior in number from all three directions?"
"Yes. Even if we send reinforcements, we cannot leave
the Royal Capital, where Your
Majesty resides, empty..."
Hearing those words, King Kyle closed his eyes and
fell silent for a while as if thinking about something. An indescribably heavy
atmosphere spread around, and everyone hesitated to interject.
Then suddenly, he opened his eyes wide and issued a heavy,
weighty voice completely different from before.
"..., Duke Klein, it is a Royal Command!"
"Huh? Yes!"
At King Kyle's suddenly changed atmosphere and the
words "Royal Command," everyone present, starting with Duke Klein
and Knight Commander Gouras, hurriedly knelt on the spot.
"I order you by Royal Command. Dispatch the Second Royal
Capital Knight Army, experienced in fighting the Imperial Kingdom,
to Count Model on the Northern Front."
"Yes! Royal Command received."
"In addition, I shall personally lead the First Royal
Capital Knight Army and head to the Southern Front. Since we will rally
surrounding noble armies along the way, Gouras, I order you to be the
herald."
"Y-Your Majesty! That must not be!"
At these words, Duke Klein and Knight Commander Gouras
hurriedly raised their faces and tried to interject.
"Silence! Did I not say it is a Royal Command? I will
not hear any objections. I intend to lead personally so there is no talk of
morale and such. And if we lose, this country meets its end. With that resolve,
I order everyone to rouse themselves. With this, there will be no reason to
keep the Knights in the Royal Capital,
right? Even so, there are still 3,000 Imperial Guards in the Royal Capital. That should be
sufficient for defense?"
"But, Your Majesty..."
"No interjections, Gouras! In this national
crisis where this country might perish, do you still tell me to keep the throne
warm? Now that even my daughter is on the front lines, it is only natural for a King to do so.
I grant full authority to Duke Klein; remain in the Royal Capital and continue to command the entire army. Even using
me as a piece in that strategy, I expect your command hereafter!"
At King Kyle's unusually firm stance, Duke Klein
and the others were astonished and awed. King Kyle himself was tormented
by the pain of losing the Margrave and strong self-reproach. Hence the exercise
of strong authority, and his will was firm and unshakable.
"Old man, if anything happens to me, I leave the rest
to you. If possible, support the young Prince. If you educate him, he won't
grow up to be a wrong King. Gouras! Time is of the essence; prepare for
departure immediately!"
"Yes!"
Thus, a force of 20,000 cavalry departed from the Royal Capital Kylar in two
directions, North and South. It was a departure for the King himself to throw
his body onto the front lines and lead personally, something that hadn't
happened for over four hundred years.
And heralds ran to each noble house along the way.
『The
fate of the Kingdom lies in this one battle.
Each house is to organize its forces as quickly as possible and join His
Majesty's column.』
Receiving this, Marquis Tolhast, influential in the
southern Kingdom and formerly one of the leaders of the Restoration Faction,
was the first to join leading his own forces.
The effect of this was immense, and thereafter, nobles
joining with their forces followed one after another. Nobles not on the route
advancing south also competed to gather at the Royal Capital leading their forces.
Reaching this point, the Kyle Kingdom, accustomed to
peace—no, senile with peace—woke up, and a system of national unity began to
take shape.
The day after the King's departure, at the operations
headquarters in the Royal Capital, Duke
Klein looked at the report brought to him and muttered alone.
"Good heavens, His Majesty's decision... no, Margrave
Hastburg's death might have saved this country. To think that man
demonstrates power as a protector of this country even in death... I bow my
head in respect. Thanks to that, this country has awakened from a long sleep
and become serious."
Troop numbers in each sector, which were overwhelmingly
disadvantageous, began to balance out in numbers in various places. Except for
one single place.
"Hmm, at this point, the burden is concentrated on the Demon
Territory Count alone. But half-hearted reinforcements won't be useful.
What to do..."
Duke Klein
glared at the troop numbers and deployment map of each front and made one
decision.
"I see, if it's this unit... Someone! Arrange an urgent
messenger. Deliver my written order to the front lines."
Before long, a soldier carrying the written order of the
Chief of General Staff, Duke Klein, hurriedly departed the Royal Capital.
◇ Southern Front
- Southern
Lords Coalition Army: 10,000 troops
- Royal
Capital Knights: 10,000 cavalry
- Newly
Joined Forces: 10,000 troops
- Other
Existing Forces: 15,000 troops
◇ Around the Royal Capital
- Imperial
Guard Unit: 3,000 troops
- Newly
Joined Noble Armies: 5,000 troops
◇ Northern Front
- Under
Minister of Military Affairs Command: 8,000 troops (-> 7,000)
- Central
Lords Coalition Army: 5,000 troops (-> 4,000)
- Royal
Capital Knights: 10,000 cavalry
- Eastern
Front Reinforcements: 2,000 cavalry
- Magic
Knights: 50 troops
◇ Western Front
- Magic
Knights: 250 troops
- Volunteer
Archers, etc.: 5,000 troops
- Royal
Capital Knights: 10,000 cavalry
- Newly
Joined Noble Armies: 5,000 troops
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