Chapter 272
The Western Front ⑨ — Prepared to Take Fire
Translator : PolterGlast
Having quickened our horses' pace alongside the Commander
and the others, we made a large detour around the left bank of the river to
avoid damage from the flash flood, and sprinted toward Kleirat. We
eventually halted atop a hill where the enemy forces were visible.
There, I ordered Bart to prepare the diffusion magic
cannons, and instructed Yoltia, Carleen, Lilia, Irina,
and Katarina to fire four units consecutively at maximum range.
"Umm... are you sure about this? I’ve heard that Lord Takuhir hesitated to use this attack
even against the Imperial Army..."
"Yes, Lilia, that's true. Truth be told, I don't
want to use the diffusion magic
cannons—no, I don't even want to use the annihilation rounds. At
least, not as far as my personal feelings go. Because what we are about to do
isn't a proper battle; it's nothing more than a one-sided massacre..."
At my words, the Commander beside me nodded and added.
"Indeed, it is not just us. Their Mage Corps'
volley fire could be called the same. In the sense that they slaughter
vast numbers of our soldiers in an instant,
unilaterally from a safe distance..."
"Thank you, Commander. Everyone, let me say this once
more. I believe that the act of 'shooting'
must be accompanied by the resolve to 'be
shot.' Only once you have accepted that can you truly pull the trigger. They
have already taken their shot—at Kleirat,
at Southern Gate, and at Aegis.
So now, it's their turn to 'be shot.'
Even if it's to save allies, I have already made up my mind. To live carrying
the lives of enemy soldiers taken in battle from now on. And the possibility
that someday... I myself will be on the side being shot."
"Hahaha, please let us carry that burden together. Otherwise, it would be too pathetic. No matter how
you dress it up, war is simply two sides killing each other, after all."
At the Commander's words, starting with Yoltia, all Mages
nodded. And then, four diffusion magic cannons were fired consecutively, leading
directly to the instant annihilation of the remaining Fearalt Principality forces.
It wasn't
until the river's flash flood had subsided and the water level had dropped enough
to manage a crossing that Takuhir
and his group, having annihilated the enemy camp, were able
to rendezvous with the defense forces protecting Kleirat on the battlefield.
By that time, Marquis Scuria, the Commander-in-Chief
of the Fearalt Principality Expeditionary Force, and the generals
stationed at the main camp, had begun to flee toward the border taking the few
remaining troops with them.
"Demon Territory Count, I am truly sorry. Despite
being entrusted with numerous strategies, we have ended up in this state. We
have suffered so many casualties among our allies..."
Princess Clarice, saying this first thing, had a
trembling voice and a grievous expression. And behind her, top brass like Corps
Commander Schultz and Gord were also kneeling.
"No, regarding the offensive power of the Mage Corps,
I reflect that my thinking was also naive. We struggled in various places on
the Southern Front as well. You faced an enemy army several times that number.
Rather, I think it should be said you put up a good fight."
"So, what will you do after this?"
"As Your Highness's staff officer, allow me to offer my
opinion. First: The Demon Territory Knights will serve as
the main force to pursue the routing enemy and drive them out of the Kyle Kingdom. Second: I ask that Corps
Commander Schulz lead the uninjured soldiers of the Knight Order and pacify the western
regions of the kingdom. Please move quickly to subdue the territories of the
two Marquis families who sided with the enemy, as well as the nobles who acted
in concert with them."
Yes, in the process of reaching here, we had gathered
information to some extent from merchants and those engaged in espionage, and
grasped the friendly forces that had sided with the enemy army.
"The enemy forces remaining in the country have likely
decreased significantly in number, but we still cannot let our guard down. I
cannot entrust this pacification to anyone other than the Royal Capital
Knights. And Your Highness, please oversee the
most important task of all: post-war processing."
When I told her that, Princess Clarice looked a
little dissatisfied. She likely wanted to join the mopping-up operation—or
rather, she just wanted to come along with us.
"Your Highness, it may sound strange coming from me,
but the scene on the left bank is one you would want to turn your eyes away
from. And the downstream area of the river is likely overflowing
with drowned enemy soldiers."
That was likely not all.
Although scattered, there should be enemy soldiers in units of hundreds who
crawled up from the river downstream. We would need to allocate personnel to
capture and take them into custody as well.
"It is necessary to deal with it urgently with a
considerable number of soldiers in various areas. The recovery of bodies, in
particular, will severely dampen the troops' morale and be mentally exhausting.
But someone has to do it. And you are the only one, Your Highness, who can
inspire and comfort the soldiers tasked with such a grim duty. Furthermore,
even though the enemy is in full rout, only our cavalry is capable of pursuing
them."
"Demon Territory Count, I have a request!"
It was Corps Commander Schultz who interjected there.
"Please allow 3,000 mounts from the Royal Capital
Knights to accompany the Demon Territory Count in the pursuit operation.
Currently, there are about 8,000 mounts capable of combat despite injuries; of
those, I will lead 5,000 to pacification. Please take part a portion of our
troops with you and give them a place to be active as Royal Capital Knights."
"But if we do that, you will only have 5,000 cavalry
left. Surely that won't be enough to restore governance to the entire western
region, will it?"
Yes, suppressing at least the territories of the two
Marquises, the territories of nobles who participated in the rebellion with
them, and adding the territories of nobles whose heads died in battle, such as Margrave
Clantiff—who didn't explicitly join the rebellion but at least played a
part initially—the area requiring suppression would be enormous.
"I am grateful for the Demon Territory Count's
consideration. By this point, we have also completed the reorganization of
forces and confirmation of those who can move. In addition to us, there are
about 1,000 movable personnel among the noble armies who fought hard to clear
their names. Also, the only uninjured force, the 2,000 of the Noble Alliance
Army, are scheduled to follow as our rear guard after post-war processing is
finished."
Hmm... in that case, the total number alone is 8,000. Will
it manage somehow?
"Then Your Highness, I leave the rest to you. We will
hurriedly sweep the enemy army from our country.
Your Highness's soldiers and the Magic Knights are all battered now. It
is also necessary to let them rest. You have no
objections to this, right?"
As if to drive the point home, I looked straight at the
Princess and declared. I expected that she too would understand if told
logically.
"..., yes, I think the Demon Territory Count's
words are reasonable. I leave it to you."
Hmm, unexpectedly obedient? Even though I had hoped for this
outcome, she accepted it so obediently
that I was actually a little surprised.
"Then, we will rendezvous with Rosa, Gord,
Elan, Kaul, and a few selected mages, and set
out immediately. Princess Clarice, Corps
Commander Schultz, I rely on you for the rest."
Saying so, accompanied by the newly added forces, I
proceeded west along the highway and began the mopping-up operation. According
to the scout's report, the routing enemy force is estimated at nearly
5,000—roughly the same number as us right now.
They seemed to be aiming for the border at full speed,
leaving behind the wounded soldiers who would be burdens.
"Ignore the stragglers! Leave them to Corps Commander Schultz
following behind. Don't let even a single soldier cross the border!"
"Yes, sir!"
Indeed. By
whittling down the enemy forces in this pursuit—however slightly—I would be
aiding not only the Kyle Kingdom,
but likely the Fearalt King as well, who is probably in the midst of his own
battle in the neighboring country.
Since Brother Darek is probably rushing to the Northern
Front leading his elite reinforcements, I should concentrate on the Western
Front. And with personal feelings, I couldn't forgive the enemy army that
tormented my wife Yuka and sister Chrisia, invading this country
for selfish reasons and with cowardly means.
And so, the Western Front was also about to
enter its final phase.
[Kyle Kingdom Faction]
- Casualties
/ Participating Soldiers
- Magic
Knights: 20 / 250
- Royal
Capital Knights Third Army:
2,000 / 10,000
- Archers: 1,500 / 5,000
- Western
Frontier Noble Army:
2,500 / 3,500
- Reinforcement
Noble Alliance Army:
3,000 / 5,000
- Total
Casualties: 9,020 / 23,750
[Fearalt Principality Faction]
- Casualties
/ Participating Soldiers
- Advance
Party: 9,600 / 10,000
- Mage
Corps (Second String): 300
/ 300
- Main
Force: 16,000 / 19,450
- Mage
Corps Main Force: 200
/ 250
- Kyle
Kingdom Rebel Army:
7,000 / 8,000
- Total Casualties: 33,000 / 38,000
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