Chapter 18
(Kyle Calendar
Year 502: Age 9)
Bloodstained
Earth ③: Solis
Archers
Translator : PolterGlast
There was a reason why
Dalek went to war for the first time and achieved such military success.
Going back a few
months...
That day as well,
Dalek, Takuhir, and Anne were practicing swordsmanship in the courtyard of the
baronial mansion.
Dalek's swordsmanship
had improved, and he had advanced to the rank of [Master].
Takuhir, however,
remained at [Trainee]...
Therefore, Anne, who
had also advanced to the rank of [Master], was primarily the one sparring with
Dalek.
"Haa, my magic...
it's really useless, isn't it?"
After the training
ended, Dalek grumbled with a sigh.
"Light isn't even
useful for attacking. At best, it's only good for a momentary flash, and as
someone training in swordsmanship, that's...
Even if I shoot light
at an opponent, it doesn't do any damage..."
Dalek seemed troubled
by his own light magic.
"Brother, wait a
minute! You can shoot light?"
"Yeah, just shoot
it. Like this..."
As Dalek said this, he
created a dazzling ball of light a little in front of him, and the surroundings
were instantly enveloped in a blindingly bright light.
"That's amazing!
Let's talk to Weiss-san about it tomorrow!"
Dalek, not
understanding why his younger brother was so happy, decided to listen to what
his brother said with a mixture of doubt and anticipation.
The next day, they
told their father,
"We're going to
consult with Weiss-san about utilizing my brother's unique magic."
After conveying this,
they headed to their usual training.
"Today, I wanted
to hear Weiss-san's opinion..."
Takuhir immediately
told Commander Weiss his idea.
Then, in front of
Commander Weiss, Dalek activated his light magic and shot it towards the target
arrows placed in front of them.
The entire area around
where the targets were set was engulfed in a dazzling light.
"Hoh..."
Takuhir elaborated to
Commander Weiss, who muttered briefly as if in thought.
"What would
happen if you released this in front of a charging horse?"
"Wh-what?!"
Commander Weiss was
surprised for a moment, then his expression turned fearless.
"...I believe
Dalek-sama's light magic could become an incredible weapon strategically!"
"That's right,
Brother. Your magic is an amazing magic skill that can change the tide of
battle."
From that day on,
Dalek underwent intense daily training to be able to shoot light further and to
the desired location.
In this world, mages
are rare and precious.
Even more so, it was
almost unheard of to bring mages, who were often of high status to begin with,
to the battlefield.
It was no exaggeration
to say that no noble would even consider exposing them to the front lines of
charging cavalry.
Those who could use
magic through unique skills like Dalek were usually the heads of noble families
or members of their direct lineage.
Except for some nobles
in the frontier, it was almost unheard of for people of such status to appear
on the front lines.
Therefore, mages
rarely played an active role on the battlefield, with a few exceptions.
As a result, such
tactics were almost never employed.
That's what Takuhir
thought.
A surprise attack is
enough.
There won't be a
second time if they are wary, but once is enough.
He was convinced that
even in the Griffonia Empire, where mages were scarce, they wouldn't even think
of such countermeasures.
When the expedition
was decided, their parents initially strongly opposed Dalek's first battle.
"It's still too
early!"
That was the reason.
Commander Weiss, who
was present, also supported their argument.
He patiently explained
that Dalek was absolutely necessary against the enemy's Iron Cavalry and the
usefulness of his light magic.
He also presented the
tactics he himself had devised.
As a result, Commander
Weiss's tactics were deemed extremely effective for this battle, and the Baron
reluctantly agreed.
His mother, Chris, was
against it the whole time... but in the end, she gave in to her son's sincere
wishes.
Due to these
circumstances, Dalek went to war for the first time earlier than in the
[previous history] Takuhir knew and was accompanying the Solis Barony army in
this battle.
※
~On a small hill~
"Alright then,
let's make our first move. Number two on the right."
"All units,
prepare for long-range suppressive fire! Number two on the right! Fire on my
command! Immediately reload after firing. Prepare for continuous fire!"
Father's command
echoed out along with Commander Weiss's signal.
All 400 soldiers held
their Estol Bows diagonally.
The targets had been
pre-sighted by each soldier for their assigned area, with each area numbered,
which the soldiers understood instantly.
In the battlefield
where men and horses were entangled in a scene of hell, a sudden rain of 400
arrows poured down on the Iron Cavalry, who had stopped their charge and were
standing dumbfounded.
The high-powered
arrows pierced through armor and struck down the Iron Cavalry.
Some were shot off
their horses. Others fell from their horses as the mounts, struck by arrows,
reared up wildly.
The Iron Cavalry was
once again thrown into chaos.
"Arrows! At this
distance? What is this power?!"
From above the
bewildered Iron Cavalry, another volley of arrows rained down.
"While being wary
of enemy arrows, retreat to outside their range at once!"
Having originally
intended to trample and devour the enemy, they were now receiving such a
one-sided attack that the damage could no longer be ignored.
However, even if they
tried to move out of the range of the arrows, the fallen men and horses were
obstructing their movement.
They had become
perfect targets.
By the time they
hurriedly escaped from the firing range, they had been subjected to a total of
1,200 arrows.
Among the Iron
Cavalry, the number of those still capable of fighting was already less than
1,000.
"Are we just
going to retreat in disgrace like this?!"
Even those who shouted
this had suffered multiple arrow wounds.
"The enemy is
only 600! Kill all those who are firing those accursed arrows!"
A figure who seemed to
be the commander of the Goth Iron Cavalry, having finally moved out of range
and regained control, shouted.
Even with reduced
numbers, they could still sufficiently trample an opponent of about 600 men.
If they were to
continue being attacked unilaterally like this, they couldn't just retreat in
disgrace.
They intended to at
least crush the enemy's far right wing and vent their frustration.
***
~On a small hill~
"The enemy has
reorganized and seems to be coming towards us."
"Then let's treat
them to a three-volley attack."
"Everyone! To
your designated combinations! Prepare for three-volley fire!"
As proposed by
Commander Weiss, when Father's instructions were given, the soldiers of the
Solis Barony army formed groups of three and lined up.
"Each of you, aim
for the leading group! Ready!
...Fire!"
"Continue with
the second volley! Ready!
...Fire!"
"Third volley!
Ready!
...Fire!"
Forming groups of
three, the one among them with the best shooting skills used three Estol Bows
under the command of the Solis Baron, firing arrows one after another.
In the meantime, the
remaining two drew their bowstrings, loaded arrows, and prepared.
Over 100 arrows
attacked the Goth Iron Cavalry, which was charging towards the hill, in a
continuous barrage.
The shooter's accurate
aim and the unexpected power of the arrows shot them down one after another.
"This speed, this
power, it's impossible!"
The commander of the
Goth Iron Cavalry, who had just ordered the charge, muttered with a face full
of bitterness.
Several arrows had
already pierced his own body and his beloved horse, and they were still
whittling away at their lives.
"The enemy's hill
is right in front of us! Muster all your strength! It's time to avenge our
fallen comrades!"
Having finally
approached the enemy's camp, the commander of the Iron Cavalry encouraged his
men.
The number of allied
cavalrymen accompanying him had already decreased to about 600.
※
"Then, it's about
time for us to sortie."
"Commander, I'm
counting on you!"
Commander Weiss, after
exchanging a brief greeting with the Solis Baron, mounted his horse.
"Mount up!
Reloading personnel, switch with Baron Cornell's soldiers!"
The Solis Baron's
command rang out.
As 200 cavalrymen
mounted their horses, the soldiers who had been working in groups of three
changed their formation.
Everyone except the
cavalry carried an Estol Bow, and behind them were Baron Cornell's soldiers as
loaders.
200 shooters and 200
loaders, operating 400 Estol Bows.
"Each unit, begin
free volley fire! Shoot down as many as you can!"
Seeing the opportune
moment, the Solis Baron issued the firing order.
Around the hill where
the enemy's Iron Cavalry had finally arrived with great difficulty, trenches to
prevent cavalry intrusion had been set up everywhere.
The moment their
horses lost their footing and stopped, 200 arrows rained down in continuous,
accurate fire.
The knights of the
Iron Cavalry fell from their horses one after another due to the powerful and
continuous accurate fire.
Many were pierced
through their entire bodies by arrows and died.
Some, severely
wounded, turned their horses to retreat, only to be shot in the back and fall.
Not a single one
reached the enemy's camp on the hill and crossed blades.
"Solis Cavalry,
we will now strike the enemy's rear! Follow me!"
At Commander Weiss's
command, the 200-strong cavalry unit galloped down the side of the hill. By
this time, the Goth Iron Cavalry had been reduced to fewer than 400 riders.
Normally, 200
cavalrymen would not have been enough to stand against 400 Iron Cavalry.
However, the Iron
Cavalry was being pursued by arrows from the hill, many were heavily wounded,
and they could not exert their full strength.
In addition, Commander
Weiss skillfully maneuvered his horse to cut off the enemy's retreat while
being careful not to obstruct the line of fire of his allies.
Having their retreat
cut off broke their morale.
The commander of the
Iron Cavalry, who had been encouraging and urging his men to the end, had
fallen to the ground due to the accurate sniping of the archers.
【A flock of sheep led by a lion is superior to a flock
of lions led by a sheep.】
This proverb, used by
past conquerors, emperors, and in fictional war chronicles, was reproduced
here.
Originally, the
hastily formed Solis Barony cavalry should not have been a match for the Iron
Cavalry in individual combat strength.
Yet, they bewildered
the enemy everywhere, whittling away at their forces.
When the unit of the
Iron Cavalry that had been resisting as a group until the end collapsed, the
members of the Goth Iron Cavalry gave up their attack and turned their horses
around.
Then, they broke ranks
and fled from the corner of the encirclement that Commander Weiss had
deliberately left open.
On this day, the Iron
Cavalry, the pride of Goth Margrave, suffered great losses, losing nearly 90%
of their forces... and was annihilated.
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