Chapter 253
Northern Front ④ — An Unyielding
Offense and Defense
Translator : PolterGlast
The Northern Front Defense Army led by Count Model
retreated to the land of Agincourt, a point two days from the Royal
Capital, Kylar, and redeployed there. The forces led were 7,000 in the
main unit, 4,000 reinforcements from the central lords, and 2,000 cavalry
reinforcements from the Eastern Front.
Opposing them was the coalition army of the Istoria
Imperial Kingdom and Uros Kingdom with 23,000 troops, plus Duke
Cocyust's army of 3,000. The difference in troop numbers was about double,
an overwhelming disparity. Furthermore, compared to the Kyle Kingdom
Army which suffered a painful defeat in the opening battle, the coalition
army's morale was extremely high, having defeated Margrave Mesquino's
army and won overwhelmingly in the river crossing operation with that momentum.
They advanced their army to this land where Count Model
was barricaded, stopped their advance just before it, and constructed an
encampment.
"Your Excellency, according to the scout's report, it
seems the Kingdom Army has barricaded themselves in the valley ahead as a base,
setting up a defense in depth mimicking our killing formation to lie in wait.
Their number is estimated to be around 10,000."
"Hahaha, barbarians who fear not even God. To mimic the
wisdom bestowed by our God so presumptuously? General, it is a tactic we
originally devised; you know how to deal with it, do you not?"
"Yes. Even if they mimic our formation with makeshift
methods, they are centered on crossbowmen inferior in firing rate and range. I
do not think they can master it. And we know the weaknesses of this formation
well. However... there are parts where we are unfamiliar with the geography, so
for the time being, I believe we should release scouts to gather
information."
"Indeed, we are somewhat unfamiliar with the terrain
and road composition around here. Therefore, Duke. If it is you, your insight
into your own country's territory would be deep, would it not?"
"Yes, exactly as you say. Ahead, the Agincourt
Canyon is difficult to attack and easy to defend, so even if we win, we will
struggle a bit. Ideally, I think we should confront them with one army and
detour with the main unit. It would also be possible to avoid this highway
extending straight south and approach the Royal
Capital through back roads. However..."
"What is it?"
"The movement of the Royal Capital Knights is a
concern. The back roads in the mountains are narrow and have difficult spots.
If we are attacked by ambushes or when the column is fully extended, we will be
at a disadvantage. It would be troublesome if they took advantage of that gap
to attack. Also, on unmaintained back roads, there is the issue that moving
siege weapons becomes difficult."
"I see. The matter of the Royal Capital Knights will be resolved by time. Although, it is
frustrating just to wait here idly... General, what do you say"
Yes, Archbishop Castro knew. That the Imperial Army
would invade from the southern border soon, and the Fearalt Principality
Army would commence invasion from the west. If that happens, the Kyle
Kingdom's Royal Capital Knights will be forced to disperse to deal
with the eastern border, where they are supposedly struggling, as well as the
south and west.
"Yes, in that case, if you give permission to use the Uros
Kingdom soldiers as expendables, there is a way. I wish to reflect our
numerical advantage in our tactics."
"Umu, specifically, what will you do?"
"Deploy Uros soldiers on the very front line as
arrow shields, and together with the Earth
Apostles, we will build fortifications and advance them gradually. While
crushing the enemy's defense in depth extending to the left and right with 50
catapults on each side. And once we have advanced to a certain extent, we
create bases outside the valleys on the left and right and proceed with
encirclement gradually. It takes a little trouble, but we will grind down their
defenses and ultimately make this place a base for us to bide our
time. How is that?"
"Very well! General, I leave the command arrangements
to you. Duke, I trust I can also expect your cooperation in constructing our
defensive lines? Naturally, that applies to the Mages in your employ as well."
"Understood. As Your Excellency the Archbishop
commands."
After this exchange, the Istoria Imperial Kingdom
Army shifted to an all-out offensive.
Deploying 5,000 infantry in front, and laying out a killing
formation with fortifications and Longbowmen placed behind them. Then,
from the fortifications, they began long-range fire with catapults all at once
toward the canyon slopes on the left and right.
Due to the catapult attack that began suddenly, the ambushes
placed at the tips of both wings of the defense in depth arranged by Count
Model began to collapse at once. Receiving unilateral attacks, they fell
into disorder and retreated to the rear.
"Report! The enemy has begun a new movement. While
adopting that tactic, the enemy side is also gradually advancing the
fortifications themselves! Our deployed soldiers are receiving fierce attacks
from stone projectiles from out of range and are retreating unable to
cope."
"I see... So they are using brute force, yet
simultaneously and cautiously establishing a position that favors them? This is
not good..."
Count Model
fell into thought. He has also received reports from Margrave Hamish
about the tactics the Imperial Kingdom adopted in the battle on the
eastern border. And there is also the matter of the recent river crossing
operation.
"If we just watch idly like this, our defenses will be worn down, and we could end up being forced into a
hard fight against them using their numbers."
He could not deny the advice from his vice-general, Count
Clay, beside him. As one of the nobles with territory in the central part
of the Kingdom, he had rallied various nobles and joined the war leading his
own forces, but his territory is the very front line defending the Western
Front, and furthermore, his beloved daughter is participating as one of Princess
Clarice's attendants.
In his heart, he probably wants to settle the Northern Front
as soon as possible and advance to the Western Front.
"Count Clay, our army's purpose is to parry the
enemy offensive and support this Northern Front for even one day longer. Expecting
the brave fighting of our friends fighting in the south. But for that sake, we
must also take measures regarding your suggestion. It would be unbearable if
they fired those troublesome things they used in the battle in the East at
us."
"Ooh! Then?"
"I didn't want to use it at this stage yet, but... Wait
until the enemy fortification advances to 1 km, and
prepare each catapult for attack and deploy Mages. Judging the distance,
we will commence a simultaneous long-range attack. The aim is first to crush
the enemy catapults."
Yes, the Wind Mages
entrusted to the Demon Territory Count in anticipation of this day had
mastered extending the range of a single catapult significantly by pairing up
two people.
The maximum range by that coordination is far longer than
the ultra-large catapults used by the Imperial Kingdom Army on the
eastern border. The Northern Area Army currently has 10 Wind Mages.
"Everyone, listen up! It imposes a burden on the Mages,
but each pair will handle four catapults and apply full bombardment without
pause. Make them realize that they are not the only ones constructing new
tactics!"
By Count Model's order, messengers ran to various
places.
In the Imperial Kingdom Army's encampment, 5,000
infantry, 2,000 Uros soldiers, and 3,000 Duke Cocyust soldiers
were diligent in civil engineering work while dripping with sweat.
Earth
Mages bored into the earth and raised the
earth behind it instead to create embankments. Soldiers carrying sandbags piled
them up one after another there. Uros soldiers inserted stakes in front
of the pierced places and installed abatis.
Once this work was completed, they would advance the mobile
catapults, strafe the canyons on both wings, advance some of the Longbowmen
from the canyon sides, and solidify both wings.
In this way, they advanced the position by 200 m at a time,
extending both wings. However, that work was forced to stop by an unexpected
attack.
"What does this mean? What is happening on the front
lines right now?"
Archbishop Castro
involuntarily raised a loud voice.
Roars shaking the earth occurred continuously, and they
continue intermittently even now. From the headquarters established in the rear
fortification, the situation on the very front line could not be confirmed due
to rising dust clouds.
Just moments ago, he had received a report that the
third-stage fortification was completed, attacks on the canyons on both wings
with catapults would begin, and upon suppressing them, troops would be advanced
for the construction of the fourth stage.
"The th-third stage fortification is under
attack!"
To the messenger who rushed in flustered, Castro
raised a voice of anger.
"I know that! From where, and how are we being
attacked? Report that!"
"Y-Yes... From the enemy camp, about 1,000 m away,
long-range attacks by catapults..."
"1,000 m, you say! Impossible..."
The General beside Castro involuntarily raised his
voice. Even with the large catapults the Imperial Kingdom produced
gathering the best of technology and used in the western border battle (feint),
the maximum range was about 800 m. Moreover, a range achieved with the support
of Wind Mages.
"General, calm down! They evolved their tactics too. That
must be it, right? They probably have Mages over there too. So... what do we do
next?"
"Sir! Excuse
me for showing an unsightly state. We will pull back the formation to the
second stage for now. Both wings will also wait at their current positions. And
I am thinking of moving to the second phase of the operation; may I have your
approval?"
"Hmm... I wanted to advance the position a little more,
but it cannot be helped. Before starting the attack of the operation's second
phase, do not forget to report the damage received from the current enemy
attack. There will be no next time."
"Yes! I will keep it in mind."
Saying so, the General excused himself and headed to command
the front lines.
Later, the damage report brought to Castro was more
than expected.
- Mobile
Catapults: 50 units (Annihilated)
- Uros
Kingdom Soldiers: 1,000 killed or
injured out of 5,000
- Imperial
Kingdom Army Infantry: 500 killed or
injured out of 5,000
- Cocyust Soldiers: 500 killed or injured out of 3,000
- Others:
No damage
Casualties amounted to 2,000, but the dead were half that. And
this time, since they were accompanied by four Holy Mages on the battlefield, nearly 1,000 injured would likely
return to the front lines eventually.
"Hmph, if only I was
accompanied by Holy Mages that time too, I wouldn't have lost
Aura... Uros soldiers and the Duke's army can wait. Prioritize
the treatment of my officers and soldiers! I will pay back this debt in full."
Castro seethed
with anger from a desire for revenge and glared at the Kyle Kingdom's
mountain fortress visible far ahead.
In the Kyle Kingdom Army's camp, although it was one
aspect of the battlefield, they were excited by the report of victory. Even
among the generals waiting at the main camp, except for two with grim faces,
expressions of relief floated uniformly.
"Now then, will things go well like this?"
"They won't, will they? We showed the enemy the hand we
use in the final phase too early. No, we had no choice but to show it. With
this, it is safe to say it is their victory, although we inflicted damage. They
will attack here immediately with new means."
Count Model's
premonition, answering Count Clay thus, was correct. Because the Imperial
Kingdom Army divided into small units of 100, entered the mountains on the
left and right, and began eroding the defensive line Count Model built
in the mountainous areas.
Referencing the previous eastern border battle, Count
Model had constructed a defense line and a patrol network with fences in
the mountainous areas surrounding the main camp and was on guard. However,
compared to the vastness of the area to protect, the number of soldiers was
small, and he was kept busy managing the few soldiers to dispatch against
reports and enemy attacks rising from various places.
Thus, the Counts desperately maintained the defense line,
shrinking in some places, and responded to the battle while fraying their
nerves.
This offense and defense would continue longer than the
parties involved expected. And those engaged in the defense of the Northern
Front did not yet know the sad news from the Southern Front.
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