Chapter 248
Southern Front ④ — The Fall of the
Southern Border Fortress
Translator : PolterGlast
Even the fortress
with solid walls visible before my eyes had fires breaking out everywhere, and
the chaotic state was plain to see. However, perhaps gradually regaining
control, coordinated counterattacks began from several locations.
As a result, some Mages
began hiding under the umbrella of shields created by the infantry, becoming
unable to continue their magic attacks.
"Hmph, they've
recovered from the temporary confusion? As expected of the rumored Margrave Hastburg,
quite robust..."
"Indeed, he is
a man who has supported the front lines for over twenty years in battles
against us. It seems he won't break easily. Shall we move to the next move as
planned?"
"Aye. Harry,
raise the signal flag and arrange for the gongs to be beaten repeatedly. Order
the front lines to concentrate attacks on the enemy's left wing! You
understand... the meaning, right?"
"As you
command."
Gongs were beaten
repeatedly on the battlefield, and Mage attacks began to concentrate on
the fortress's left wing, on the castle walls defended by the Farmus Army.
"D-Do not
break! Hold on!"
"Now is the
time to make the brave name of Count Farmus roar! All forces, push back
the enemy soldiers clinging to the walls!"
"Deploy Wind
Magic here too; deflect fire bullets with Wind Walls!"
Commands flew from
the defending generals: Baron Kreitz, Baron Bold, and Baron
Herald. Exposing themselves on the castle walls, they continued to command
at the very front, tenaciously and desperately encouraging their soldiers.
"Th-The enemy
army is concentrating attacks on the left wing! Some have clung to the castle
walls; at this rate, the left wing cannot hold!"
Upon receiving the
report, Margrave Hastburg made a decision.
"It cannot be
helped. Send further support from the center to the left wing, and commit all
reserve forces from the command center to the defense of the left wing! Tell Kreitz,
Bold, and Herald that if they deem defense impossible, they are
to withdraw to the center. They are precious commanders needed for the battles
ahead. We cannot lose them in vain in the opening battle!"
The figures of his
three sworn allies lost in the battle some twenty-odd years ago floated in the Margrave's
mind. Including how painful a blow losing them had been afterward...
"Farmus,
Abert, Gorman... I too will likely join you eventually. But wait
for now. Farmus, please watch over your clan's desperate fight."
The Margrave
muttered in a small voice toward the friends who had fought together and passed
on before him.
It was at that
moment. Nearly a hundred ballista bolts flew toward the command post where the Margrave
was positioned, making sounds of cutting wind. In that instant, a roar echoed
around, and the area was enveloped in thick dust.
Naturally, the solid
stone sections remained unscathed, but the wooden canopy and parts hardened
with plaster were pierced, and the command center was reduced to a pile of
rubble. The steel tips of the projectiles ricocheted wildly throughout the
interior, striking down numerous attendants in the chaos.
"Margrave!
Where are you?"
To the subordinate's
voice, which sounded like a scream, the Margrave raised his voice in response.
"Here, I am
here."
Pinned under a
fallen pillar, the Margrave was alive, albeit wounded.
"Phew, I was
saved thanks to the Klimt Armor the Demon Territory Count gave
me, though it couldn't block the pillar itself. But thanks to this armor, I
survived."
The rescued Margrave
said a remark upon
seeing the armor, which had been crushed into a distorted shape under the
pillar. He had been rescued from under the pillar only by slipping out of the armor entirely,
leaving the empty metal shell trapped beneath the weight.
In the attack just
now, the Margrave himself had received several sharp ricochets to the chest,
but the Klimt Armor did not allow penetration, deflecting all of them.
However, perhaps due to the impact of being under that pillar, several ribs
were broken, and he had great pain in his chest, hindering his ability to wield
a sword.
"Hmm...
Pretending to concentrate attacks on the left wing, they aimed accurately at
the command center. Thanks to most soldiers having gone to the left wing as
reinforcements, casualties were few, but..."
Saying this and
looking around after the dust cleared, many soldiers waiting at the command
center had fallen to the ballista attack. The area was filled with a choking
stench of blood and a gruesome sight one would want to turn away from.
Many of them were
commander-class personnel essential for military operations.
"Margrave, it
is dangerous here! Retreat immediately!"
"Aid and
transport of the wounded comes before me; the second volley will come
soon."
Interrupting the
conversation between the Margrave and his attendant, a messenger tumbled in.
"Urgent report!
The left wing castle wall has been breached! Enemy soldiers are pouring in!
Also, fires are rising here and there on the right wing castle wall, and the
situation is out of control!"
"Kuh! Is this
the end...? It is regrettable, but have the entire army retreat to the Southern
Gate Fort. The battle is not only here. Therefore, tell each general never
to die in vain. And send a messenger to the Demon Territory Count!
Convey the enemy's tactics. I'm sorry, but you yourself, who were at the command
center, must run as the messenger. I believe you were sent here for this very
purpose. Convey it to the Demon Territory Count so he does not repeat my folly. Go, right
now!"
After sending the
messenger and attendant running, the Margrave stood up in the command center,
which was now almost empty of people. While enduring pain all over his body.
"Now then...
shall I lead whatever brave
fools remain and buy time for our allies to retreat? Is there anyone left?!"
"Yes! Over
here."
To the person
waiting by his side, the Margrave spoke in a calm voice.
"Tell the
generals leading the Central Army to gather at the North Gate to secure a
retreat route for our allies. Tell them to lend a hand to let even one more
soldier escape."
"Yes!
Certainly. Margrave, please retreat quickly as well!"
"It is decided
that the commander is the last. Your assigned mission is to run as a messenger.
Go!"
After sending him
away on the errand, the Margrave staggered and was about to start walking
supported by a few people. At that moment, an attack believed to be Thunder
Magic assaulted the Margrave's command center with a roar like thunder again.
Several people
struck by lightning fell, and the surroundings were enveloped in dust again.
"Why... Thunder
Magic from the right wing? M-Margrave!
Are you safe? Gwah!"
The person who
raised a voice of concern for the Margrave suddenly screamed and fell. Beyond
him, a figure stood motionless holding a bloody sword.
"Wh-Who is
it?"
Enduring pain all
over his body, the Margrave slowly raised his body and stood up, drawing his
sword and straining his eyes.
"Wha-! Why are you
here?"
"Margrave, the
fate of the Kyle Kingdom and yourself has run out. Therefore, have you
share your destiny with this fortress. For the sake of the new world to come
after this."
Saying so, the man
stepped in with terrifying speed and brought down his drawn sword. The slash
cut the Margrave down from the shoulder.
"Ki...
Why..."
With broken ribs and
unable to wield his sword properly, the Margrave attempted to parry the
incoming strike, but his blade was easily deflected. Struck by a
mortal wound, he collapsed to the ground. His expression remained wide-eyed in
surprise...
『Darek, Takuhir... my sons, I'm sorry... I leave
the rest to you. Farmus,
Abert, Gorman... how nostalgic. I'll be going to you guys now. You
guys... don't blame me so much. I'm ashamed of this unworthy end myself... 』
Harboring final
thoughts that did not become words, Margrave Hastburg ended his life
amidst the dust of battle. At the final moment, the Margrave's heart might have
felt that time reversed and he was surrounded by nostalgic friends who had
passed on before him. His lips were slightly relaxed, as if smiling shyly.
Thanks to the order
issued just before the Margrave fell, disregarding his own safety, the retreat
instruction reached each general, and preparations for retreat were made
promptly without them being annihilated.
However, an event
hindering this retreat occurred, so ultimately, those who retreated safely and
reached the Southern Gate Fort numbered fewer than 2,000—less than half
of those originally on defense. Many of them were severely wounded and unable
to return to the battle lines for the time being; everyone was covered in
wounds.
As a result, on the
Southern Front, the Kyle Kingdom Army suffered an unexpectedly massive
defeat, lost Margrave Hastburg, the commander-in-chief of the entire
army, and the Southern Gate Fortress fell.
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