Vol 5 Chapter 1 (1/2)

Imperial Calendar Year 851, April 30th

Just before the noon bell rang

In Fort Volk which was built froe space in front of the fortress’ ate

The new recruits training outside were auard units

The area was filled with their groans There were too o well into the night, the more helpers there were, the better

However, Regis and the others had a different role to fulfil

Fort Volks, Commander office——

The plain white walls and black pillars in the rooed since it was captured from the Varden Duchy

After Belgaria’s Imperial Army occupied the fort, vases were placed in the corners of the room were decorated with fresh flowers

However, the scent of the roses was covered by the stench of blood

Up til now, they were busy helping out withthe bloodstains on their clothes

In thetable

Seated at the innerhed

“For this to actually happen… …”

Opposite of her was Jeroe and heavy body on the chair, threatening to bend it

Apparently, only an experienced general was able to remain this calm He did not even bother to wipe the bloodstains off his uniform

“Hmph… … Do all of you need to be so depressed overso?”

“This isn’t about the nuht?”

“Will the sigh of the princess bring back the dead? Leave that to their families Gather your spirit and do your role if you wish to prevent more casualties”

“Uh… …Even knowing that, I… …”

For Altina as only fourteen, it was necessary to gather her thoughts after such a tragedy had happened

Jeroht shi+fted to the side

“You too, Regis! How long are you going to show that pale face?!”

“A,ah… … Sorry… …”

Even Regis had participated in a war before and seen numerous injured soldiers

However, it was his first ti unexpected casualties after his appointist

Out of all the possibilities, did he make thehi it hard for him to breathe

A firm hand rested upon his shoulder

It belongs to Evrard as sitting beside him

He was a knight that was over forty years of age His features were his thick beard and bald head With his large build, he looked just like a bear

Before, he used to be a captain of a knight order Noas the captain responsible for the defense of the fort

“Sir Regis, this is a battlefield and we are soldiers Everyone is prepared to die, so please do not carry too much of a burden alone”

“ … Thank you… … I’m fine”

I can’t afford not to be fine

If I don’t do it, there will be rains on the table

Regis regulated his breathing

He surveyed the Commander’s office

Altina was sitting to the left of Regis

The energetic girl with a beauty appearance that could sha a pained expression

Beside her was her bodyguard, Eric Being a young knight at the age of sixteen, he lacked battle experience and was as pale as Regis when he saw the large number of casualties

Eddie and Prince Auguste were sitting to the left of them

Eddie was not just a renowned swordsman, but also the current head of Balzac

“Although I hate killing, I’ht in places you deem fit”

Even in Belgaria, where there were

His words is relax a little

The First Prince Auguste, for a certain reason, gave up his inheritance rights before the king Hence, he was no longer a candidate to take up the throne

That was the story made known to the public

In actuality, Auguste’s real identity was his sister, Princess Felicia

In this fort, only the seven people currently in the commander’s office and two maids knew about this

If Auguste’s real identity was leaked, it would have an opposite effect when she expressed support for Altina In addition, she would also be charged for lying to the king

To hide her identity Felicia, continued to act as Auguste and used his status to stay here as a guest

She had a gloomy expression and looked quite depressed Usually she was not lively, but now she was even more dispirited

“ … Is my mother… … fine?”

Eddie consoled her

“She will be fine The Trouin Family not only have their army, the Second Imperial Army is there too”

Felicia’s father was the emperor, while her mother was the second consort, Catherine, who hailed from the Trouin Family

Trouin’s territory was located in the west of the empire, which happened to be the area which was attacked by the enemy

According to the intelligence Regis had,

On the 23rd o, on the west coast, the port city of Chaineboule came under attack and had fallen

The eneh Britannian steamshi+p

Equipped with the er version of the Type 41 Elswick Cannon had increased firepower and range

Meanwhile, Belgaria only had sailboats

Hence, the naval battle was hopeless for Belgaria

The vanguard of ten thousand had already landed There should be more of them by now

On the afternoon of 23th April, the Second Imperial Army marched to intercept the invaders

Seven days had past, the battle should have concluded

It would be nice if they were repelled

According to Regis’ speculation, it was likely that Belgaria lost terribly

The Second In invasion Their march towards the as a political move and their numbers did not even reach ten thousand

On the other hand, the High Britannian Aruns and cannons There were also weapons and protective gears made from their newly developed metal

Belgaria’s soldiers were veterans, but those battles used bows and spears

While the eneuns

Regis cut of his train of thoughts

“Other than the Second Imperial Army in the west, the Empire will definitely send reinforcements Since the request for reinforcements has reached the northern borders, those armies who are closer should have reached the west”

He could only console her

“I see… …”

Felicia nodded

In Belgaria, the military poas in the emperor’s hand

However, the eer able to take to the frontlines Hence, the second prince Latreille coaria’s military in his stead

And Latreille’s command was ‘send half of your force to the west as reserves and be on standby

Regis reconsidered the situation

“Although Belgaria waged wars in many directions, about half of theic locations… … However, High Britannia sent a powerful force and invaded on a grand scale At the very least, General Latreille recognised that their intent was to conquer our lands I agree with him as well”

Altina agreed by nodding her head

The others were quietly listening to Regis’ analysis

“There is quite soion and Fort Volks Even if we dispatched our army, I do not knohether ould make it on time Which hy General Latreille ordered our force to act as reserves Froent issue…”

“Military viewpoint?”

Regis replied to Altina who tilted her head

“But from a political standpoint, this is iently This is because Your Highness and Prince Latreille are fighting over the inheritance rights”

“So that’s it In other words, whoever fares better against High Britannia, the more support they will have?”

“Sih I do not knohether half of the border regie the tide of war… … Wesituation in which we don’t participate in the war”

Altina showed an unhappy look

“I also agree that we should move quickly, but not because of political reasons! I wish to genuinely lend a helping hand when my allies desperately need it”

“That’s true… …”

Altina was too kind and there were times when she was stubborn like a child That was precisely why Regis wanted to make her the ruler

“In any case, that concludes the situation regarding High Britannia in the west… … Next is about the Ar this fort We cannot send any forces to the ithout dealing with this first”

“The soldiers will not be able to concentrate if they have to worry about their back while on the move”

Not just Altina, Jerome raised his opinion

“How can we just let the attacked! Those iret it in hell!”

Although he was usually unrefined with his choice of words, it was rare to see hier

On the surface, he did not see about his subordinates and was unable to suppress his anger

Regis picked several stratage of infor the plan

As there was a war, the Commander’s office door was open

A soldier caht hand to his left chest before reporting loudly

“Report! The ene from the zone B4! Three thousand infantry!”

“That route, is it… … Are they equipped with the new guns and cannons?”

“Not all of the enemy, only some of them are equipped with the neeapons”

After that, two

“Enemy spotted at zone B3! Two thousand infantry!”

“Report! Two thousand ene their cannons!”

The scouts that were sent out for reconnaisse cais placed the yellow flags which represented the enemy on the map

Altina’s expression was dark

“That is a lot of the to surround us?”

“Looks like they placed all the ether That is probably why most of them didn’t carry the new firearms After all, mercenaries wouldn’t use a weapon they are not familiar with”

“However, experienced mercenaries are also powerful”

“Even so, they would quickly withdrahen they are at a disadvantage It’s alright, the battle will end tonight”

“It is better to end it quickly, but really…? Ah!!”

Altina had an expression of unease for aher head

“I believe in Regis! Please tell us Hoe should proceed?”

Jerome stood up

“Let is! I will say it up front, I do not want any flaws in it I want the!”

Evrard puffed his chest up

“It is for this day that we trained our soldiers Please command us!”

“I will definitely protect Her Highness!”

Eric also stood out

Eddie and Felicia ere sitting at the side were also looking at Regis

Being looked by them makes me want to retreat without hesitation It can’t be help, I don’t really have the confidence

Even so, the intelligence that will decide the battle has been obtained

Regis pointed at the map which was on the table

“The enemy believe that they can attack the fort with the new cannons, which is why they brought the”

Altina raised her hand

“Regis, there are also new cannons in this fort…”

“Although it could be a little technical, Fort Volk’s cannons are Type 38 Elswick Cannon, while the cannons the enee or power, those are better”

“In that case, wouldn’t the enee?”

“That is so in tere and power… … However, those cannons should have flaws too”

Altina had a puzzled look

That goes the same for the others After all, the performance were inferior, thus they were puzzled by what he meant

Regis continued explaining

“While the Type 41 is stronger, it was originally used in stea on land Fro up their forht…We still have soe for us… Furthermore, the enemy is likely to rely on the cannons to attack, if this advantage was gone, I believe they will lose their morale and retreat”

“I understand that we have the advantage because of their slow movement speed… … But isn’t their cannon better? What shall we do?”

The furrowed brow of Altina seemed to have the words ‘I don’t understand’ written there She loom in her beautiful features and instead felt really cute

Jerome knocked on the table

“Trickery again! It is likely that the eneh perfore… What are you planning?!”

“A plan for a night battle, I already informed those on duty to prepare Sir Jerome is to lead the troops in pursuit”

Altina suddenly brought her face closer to Regis

“I'll go too!”

“Rejected, it is better for Your Highness to stay in the fort…”

“People will lose confidence in me if I did such cowardly acts I do not wish to be the kind of commander who hides in a hole!”

“Ah… …”

What she said was true Most of the soldiers here were experiencing their first war

They did not witness the duel between Jerome and Altina

Even if the regulars were spreading the words, were the recruits to personally see Jero battle, then they would lean towards him

It would be hard to anization if the commander’s influence declines

“Even so… It’s a night battle”

“There is no is!”

“Well… … It can’t be helped Regarding what you said… No, I shall respect your decision, Your Highness”

Regis had been calling her Altina, just like a friend, because she wished for it Though most of the people here already knew that

Knights on their prime like Evrard respect Altina and called her a Goddess

It was true that Altina was indeed beautiful Moreover, her slender white ar the young and beautiful princess swinging her giant sould be mystified, but not find it unbelievable

In front of devotees like Evrard, calling the princess by her nickna problem

More importantly, they do not knohen the scouts will report back If the soldiers were to misunderstand their relation, it would affect theirthe strategist, while Altina was an imperial princess

“Understood, Your Highness… … Then, this will be the formation”

Regis placed a red flag onto the map

It was the area outside of Fort Volks

The plan was for thenable fortress in order to risk a swift and dangerous battle

“Is it really fine, Your Highness?”

Regis asked

Altina clenched her fist

“We are ht, after which ill head west!”

It was a ht

The clattering of the armours of the Army of Varden’s Grand Duchy’s could be heard from afar

They were positioning thee of Fort Volks’ cannons

It was the sais took when they took down the fort two o

However, Regis only had a force of two thousand, while the cannons were the smaller and older model

Based on the reports, the Varden Duchy have a force of twenty thousand and prepared twenty Type 41 Elswick Cannons

Just the ht in front of them numbered four thousand

It was a grand army

About 10 Ar (715m) away from the Duchy’s army

Regis and the rest were hiding in the forest

They were only a force of two hundred

If they were spotted, they would be surrounded and destroyed

That ht be so, but the plan would be co up the a the number of soldiers would only increase the risk Hence, a small number was best suited for this

Even when Regis learnt all that fro in his skin

It was as if a knife was pressing on his neck

It was cold enough to freeze his body, but his pal

Even though it was April, it was still cold in the night as they were in a northern country Luckily, there was no wind blowing in the forest

Fro for the signal

“ …”

Hanging on her waist was Grand Tonnerre Quatre which was larger than her It was one of the seven treasure swords of the founding e and the silver blade was kept within the sheath

The battle have yet to start

Beside her was Eric, who have blended into the darkness and one could barely see his silhouette

It was that dark during the ht

Eddie also joined the battle as a bodyguard If the battle would go as planned, he would not get his turn to perform

Naturally, Felicia was in the fortress

After all, she could not fight A the royalties, be it Altina, Latreille or Bastian, they all have extraordinary strength However, Felicia was not gifted with such powers and was no different froirls

Evrard was coh he was stationed in a safer location, he still played an important role in this battle

Jero five hundred soldiers was hidden closest to the enemy Despite the small number, they were all elites

The troop closest to the eneh to even hear the snoring of the enemy

If they were discovered, the plan would fail

As if they alking on a tightrope

They orried about the ene

It has yet to begin?

Regis took out a pocket watch

Although it was a s on their hand

Regis used the faint lighting that was partially blocked by the leaves to look at the watch

“It’s time…”

A sound broke the silent night

Fort Volks, which was built upon a

This alerted the ene up their formation

Half of the their foes

They cannot hit us

The cannons in Fort Volks were once theirs were the old model They understood the performance of the cannons very well

At this distance, they would not be hit no matter how many times they fired At best, the cannon could hit the area before the Varden Duchy’s main forces That should be the case

Regis then confirmed his victory in the darkness

The sounds of explosion rang

It did not come from the centre but from the forest

It came from the back of the Varden’s Grand Duchy’s main force

Pillars of fire could be seen

Ast the enemy troops, there definitely were not ht away

Fort Volks’ cannons definitely could not hit the forest

However, the pillars of fire were behind them

The sound of cannons firing could still be heard from the fort

This tiht side of their formation

Groans and wailing could be heard

It was in Germanian

“Commander, it’s the cannons! The cannons from the fort hit us!”

“I, we are outside the range of Type 38 Cannons!”

“H,However!”

Another explosion occurred behind them once more This time, it was even closer to them

In this situation, the experiencedfor any order to come

Since they were already within the range of the cannons, their options were to either retreat or attack Since there was no order to attack, the

So from the crescent moon formation of their units

The Varden’s coe was impossible’

Regis, as not a God, did not knoas the opponent thinking However, it was alright, as the co to the soldiers ere in fear

No matter how excellent the commander was, it would be hard for him to control the army once there were deserters

The cannons that should not hit thean retreating out of the cannons’ range That was a standard procedure

They should escape and hide in the forest

In such a situation, the enemy commander had no choice but to issue a retreat as to prevent the ar

“Retreat! Take cover in the forest!”

“Understood!! All units, to the forest…!!”

The faithful regular soldiers aited for the coan to run towards the forest as though some restriction was lifted

The firing of the cannons frootten more intense

The area outside the forest was getting bombarded

The soldiers could not help but think about escaping to somewhere further away from there

Black beasts were hiding in the direction they were running to

The ferocious beasts were unleashed at that moment

Co five hundred elites, Jerome let loose a warcry and drew his sword out

Even if the ene in the wild and were unorganised Furthermore, the enemy did not even think that the Empire would set up an ambush in the forest

It was a one-sided battle

Jeroiment soldiers under his coht sword arm This was so that the soldiers could see his own raised hand before slashi+ng down the sword

They also used whistles to confirm each other's positions

Thanks to that, the enise one another in the dark, thus preventing friendly-fire and maintain teamwork

In contrast, the Varden’s Are battle Hence, they were unprepared for a night battle

To call the ene hired expensive ht battle that had a low probability of happening was unrealistic

The pillars of fire brightened up the forest

The enean to attack back since they could now see, howeverin other directions

It was natural as they were ambushed at a place where commands were hard to reach They would lose, even their chance to escape if they continue to remain there

Altina as still nervous said,

“Up till now, the plan seeis”

“Yeah… The sound and flashes of cannons firing blanks were in sync with the explosions set off by our engineers near the enemy formation”

“Even so, it’s no wonder that they thought the cannons hit them”

“If it wasn’t night tiunpowder used for this trick…”

Scouts cais was at

“Varden’snorthwest!”

“Hmm, just like what the books said… It would be hard to predict their movement if they were led by a commander However, within such chaos, they willmuch”

Under their own judge, would only run towards the Grand Duchy of Varden This was huer, ether with others

Regis had already deployed an a

The eneradually cut down and captured under the successive attacks

To the Varden’s Grand Duchy Ararian imperial soldiers

The outcoradually determined

To Regis, it was fine to let those normal soldiers escape

However, Beilschiment had to dispatch half of their force towards the west Be it Altina or Jerome, both had to leave for the expedition

The fort’s defence would be weakened

If they wanted to te their strength

to attack, then they had to achieve a great victory here

While it was understandable, Regis still sighed

“Ha… … Nothe enemy”

“Even forafter the enes a little too successful?”

Despite knowing there was an ambush ahead, there were some brave souls that escaped towards the opposite directions froed in battle, but not to the point where Altina had to join in

It seemed that it was settled by Eddie’s unit as responsible for the front

“Well … Isn’t that good? Even if we had a night battle in the forest, on’t be able to see the other soldiers”

“Regis? Could it be that… You already knew this would have happened,hence setting up this formation?”

“Isn’t it co enter the forefront of the battle?”

Regis replied softly such that the guards around could not hear it

Altina had a dissatisfied look

“I got deceived by Regis again!”

“Not really”

“Liar!”

“Aren’t we deployed outside the fortress? Also, do not let your guard down, as it is not totally safe here”