Chapter 145
Eastern
Border War ⑨ -
Triumphal Song
Translator : PolterGlast
※※※ Third Day of the War
"Th-the enemy
cavalry!"
"What were the
lookouts doing?!"
"F-flee into the
forest!"
The participation of
the Royal Capital Knights' Second Army was truly the finishing blow for the
Istoria Imperial Kingdom army. Having suffered heavy casualties from Kyle
Kingdom's archers, they ceased resistance and routed in disarray.
"Leave those who
fled into the forest to others! We will charge along the road and sweep them
away!"
At Commander Hoffman's
command, the cavalry, utilizing their speed and charge power, surged forward.
The Imperial Kingdom army, having been breached in the center and
half-encircled, was trampled by the hooves of the Knight Order's Second Army.
Losing their retreat
path to their own fort, the forests on their left and right, which the Imperial
Kingdom soldiers had thought were safe zones to escape the cavalry's pursuit,
became their death traps.
"Ambush in the
forest!"
"We're
surrounded!"
"Where can we flee?!"
They were disoriented
by the unexpected ambush, the enemy forces lying in wait for them in the
forest.
"Encircle and cut
down every single one of those who fled here! Now is the time to repay them for
the first battle!"
In the forest, Count Model's
orders flew. The soldiers of the Kingdom's eastern noble forces, who had been
manning the defensive line, also advanced beyond the forest defensive line
towards the fort simultaneously with the advance of the Knights' Second Army.
They fought fiercely, sensing this was their chance to make a name for
themselves.
As a result, in this
battle, the Istoria Imperial Kingdom army deployed on the front lines,
including the fortifications and the forest, lost nearly 10,000 out of 12,000
soldiers. The Kyle Kingdom soldiers, pursuing the fleeing enemy, chased them
parallel to the border fort. Cardinal Castro, who had been the first to flee
into the fort due to the sudden turn of events, hesitated, contemplating the
ruthless decision of counter-attacking with longbows, even if it meant striking
his own retreating forces.
However, before that
order could be executed, the advancing cavalry turned their horses and quickly
withdrew. Commander Hoffman had no intention of recklessly attacking the fort
with cavalry. After confirming that they had achieved a certain level of
success, they disappeared into the forest.
The Kyle Kingdom army
finally achieved victory on the Eastern Border, where they had previously been
utterly outmaneuvered by the Istoria Imperial Kingdom army.
However, the
victorious Kyle Kingdom army had no time to savor the afterglow.
Firstly, the enemy's
border fort was still intact, and it likely held many reserve troops.
Secondly, the
battlefield was near the Demon Realm, and the blood-stained ground would become
a breeding ground for attracting monsters.
To deal with these two
points, the Kyle Kingdom army divided its tasks into three, and continued
working through the night even after the battle.
※
"The construction
of the defensive line in the forest is a matter of life and death for us! Don't
let your guard down, lookout units!"
In the forest, Count
Model's orders flew. His forces, primarily composed of the eastern region's
noble armies, along with units under Margrave Hamish, continued to build a new
defensive line in the forest throughout the night. Fortunately, the captured
fortifications had mountains of materials that the Istoria Imperial Kingdom
army would have used, as well as abatis to hinder Kyle Kingdom's advance.
They also pulled materials
from the original defensive line and used them for constructing the new
defensive line in the forest, extending improvised defensive walls for several
kilometers on both flanks.
"Still, building
a double defensive wall is quite a lot of work."
"Of course! We're
not just fighting the Imperial Kingdom army now. Attracted by the scent of
blood, monsters will eventually gather. You've heard about the fate of the
Gryphonia Imperial army, haven't you? We must strengthen our defenses both in
front and behind."
The noble who was
conversing with Count Model, in charge of the left flank, shuddered and, with
increased fervor, spurred his subordinates to work and push forward the
construction.
＜Day 3 of War, Border Deployment Map＞
Istoria Imperial
Kingdom
山山山山山 山山山山山
山山山 山山山
山山山山 山山山山
＜山脈＞ 山山 山山 ＜山脈＞
山山山山 山山山山
山山山森 ▼▼▼ 山山山山
山山山 ◇森森 ↑ 森森◇ 山山山
山山山山 ◇ ★◇ 森↑森 ◇★ ◇山山山山
竹 ◇ ◇森↑森◇ ◇ 竹
竹 ◇ 森△△△森 ◇ 竹
竹 ◇ 森森 森森 ◇ 竹
竹 ◇森 森◇ 竹
▼ Border Fort (Istoria Imperial Kingdom Army)
△ Barricade (Kyle Kingdom Army)
◇ Defensive Line (Kyle Kingdom Army)
★ New Base (Kyle Kingdom Army)
竹 Bamboo Thicket (Border with Demon Realm)
山 Mountain
山脈 Mountain Range
森 Forest
※
Overlooking the
construction of the defensive line, a unit worked on construction on the road
leading to the border. This unit, primarily composed of the Royal Capital
Knights' Third Army, utilized the captured fortifications to pile up earthen
ramparts facing the border, establishing a position that would serve both as a
defense and a base for future sorties.
And at night, there
was a squad that operated secretly. They dismantled the small castle, relocated
it to the fortifications where the enemy had previously barricaded themselves
with defensive walls, and installed catapults one by one. As before, the
defensive walls were constructed from large stone blocks, making them
impervious to most attacks. It goes without saying that Bart and the Earth
Mages played an active role in this task.
※
The remaining unit was
composed of those responsible for security and patrol in various locations, and
those who mourned the abandoned bodies of enemy soldiers.
"Don't let your
guard down! Monsters are gathering, drawn by the scent of blood! Always operate
in groups, and report immediately if you spot any!"
Commander Hoffman's
voice echoed. The 10,000 Knights of the Third Army were diligently patrolling
their respective assigned areas.
In fact, at this time,
Black Wolf sightings had already been confirmed in several locations. They were
the vanguard of the monsters. It was highly likely that many more monsters
would follow the Black Wolves.
In parallel with
maintaining vigilance, the post-battle cleanup was also being rushed. In
today's battle, over 1,000 enemy soldiers who had been wounded and surrendered
became prisoners. Some still showed overt hostility and resisted, or wished for
death, but most were docile. At Takuhir's request, the wounded enemy soldiers
who had been captured were not finished off and were able to receive treatment
from the Holy Mages.
"It's God! It's
God's miracle!"
"It's the
Goddess's healing!"
"The Goddess,
God's messenger, has descended upon us too!"
The Istoria Imperial
Kingdom army soldiers who received treatment from Marianne and Lanatoria, and
those who witnessed it, cried out in astonishment and shed tears of gratitude.
In the Istoria Imperial Kingdom, Mages were highly respected, and their status
was exceedingly high. They were called God's messengers and worshipped by the
common people and soldiers alike. It was unthinkable for them to receive God's
blessing, healing magic from Holy Mages. The number of Holy Mages themselves
was small, and receiving healing, especially when recognized by the Pope, was
considered the highest honor.
"How evaluations
of Mages change with a change of place, indeed. It's a sight I'd love to show
the central nobles of the Kingdom."
"Indeed... The
fact that they proclaimed and guided the people might, conversely, be
advantageous to us."
Commander Weiss and I,
watching the soldiers crying and revering the two Holy Mages, could not hide
our surprise.
After that, they were
asked by the messenger (Marianne) to assist in burying their deceased comrades.
When she informed them that their belongings would be sent to their homeland
and that she wished to mourn them in the Istoria style, those who volunteered
came forward in rapid succession. They were individuals whose injuries were initially
minor, or who had recovered to some extent through Holy Magic, and were able to
endure the work. Their number easily exceeded 300. Thus, many of the deceased
Imperial Kingdom army soldiers on the battlefield were recovered by their
compatriots and buried respectfully.
"Oh! A messenger
has descended here too!"
"What's going on?
Are we... fighting against the messenger's army?"
It goes without saying
that they were astonished again upon seeing Mars and Danke, who were using Fire
Magic as instructed for cremation (though there were other reasons, seeing the
Holy Mages' actions). Beside them, Walrus was washing off captured weapons and
armor with Water Magic. Of course, this was merely a temporary measure, and
they would later be sent to the logistics base far away from the Demon Realm.
"Today's victory
is due to your efforts; everyone acknowledges that."
Saying that, Margrave
Hamish explicitly stated that he would distribute half of the usable or
resalable captured war materials to me. Among them were over 1,000 longbows. I
had no immediate use for them, but I figured they could be sold, so I
gratefully accepted them.
※
However, later, after
the Eastern Border War concluded, these items would be put to use in an
unexpected way.
Including those whose
lives were saved by the Holy Mages' healing, the captured Istoria Imperial
Kingdom soldiers incessantly pleaded with Margrave Hamish through their guards.
"We were saved by
the Goddess's hand. We wish to be allowed to accompany the Messenger, the Goddess,
from now on."
"I wish to
dedicate my life to the Goddess's compassion, who saved us, the enemy army.
Please!"
"We are loyal to
neither the Istoria Imperial Kingdom nor the Kyle Kingdom! Our loyalty is to
the Goddess alone!"
Margrave Hamish was
troubled by their fanatical words. The treatment of prisoners falls under the
jurisdiction of the entire eastern region, including the frontier. Moreover,
wouldn't pushing extra burdens onto him, as someone who participated as a
reinforcement, be out of line?
After much
deliberation, the Margrave decided to send nearly 500 prisoners—those who
insisted they wanted to go—to Teigun and entrust them to Baron Solis. Although
it was 500 at this point, he never imagined that the number would continuously
grow...
Yes, some time after
the war ended, we would gain control of a number of skilled longbowmen,
exceeding the number of our own forces who participated from Teigun.
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