195 Episode 3 Asdavia City Siege (1/2)

It was the fortieth day after the crossing of the Elkur Desert.

At the exact same time that the Second Siege of Teripol began, another battle that would determine the course of the Lemurian-Cherda War was about to begin.

The Lemurian army, now totaling about 7,320 after joining forces with the army led by Hercule, began to lay siege to the city of Azdavia, where about 5,000 troops were holed up.

We'll surround the city so thoroughly that not even a single ant can get through.

To tell the truth, surrounding an enemy force of 500,000 with approximately 700,000 troops was a bit unreasonable in terms of the difference in strength.

If we were to conduct a siege with this difference in troop strength, it would be more effective to concentrate our troops and conduct a wave attack instead of a siege.

However, the goal of Hercule this time is not a siege.

It is a siege itself.

Therefore, the small difference in troop strength was not much of a problem.

However, even so, there was still a risk of a breach between 700 and 500.

Therefore, Hercule undertook large-scale civil engineering work in order to thoroughly surround Azdavia.

He built a four-meter-high earthen mound around the city of Azdavia.

This earthen mound was not only piled up with earth, but also thoroughly reinforced with wood, stone, and Lemurian concrete, and planted with reverse bushes.

Four rows of dugouts were dug in front of the earthen mounds, reverse bushes were planted under the dugouts, pitfalls were built in front of the reverse bushes, and a large number of iron stakes were driven in front of the pitfalls.

In order to prevent the enemy from breaking the siege, they set up a number of defense posts and watchtowers.

Iason had been observing the movements of the siege, but ......

Some of the impatient warbeast generals tried to interfere, but the Lemurian army intercepted them all.

Once the inner siege was complete, Hercule built the very same siege that had surrounded Azdavia in order to repel any enemy reinforcements that might come to liberate the city.

These civil works took twenty days to complete.

Once the work was completed, Hercule brought in forty days' worth of food and prepared for the siege and siege.

Somehow, we managed to finish it before the enemy reinforcements arrived. Well, I would have liked to have fortified it a bit more if I could. ......

Isn't that a bit overprotective?

Well, that's one thing.

Hercule nodded at Galfis' words.

I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'm sure it's worth it. Leaving behind a minimum of defense, they'll be at almost full strength, ...... with an army of two hundred and ten.

That means two things.

It means that the Lemurian army currently surrounding Azdavia may be pinned down by a total of 700, consisting of 500 from the Azdavian side and 200 reinforcements.

And ......

At present, there are almost no troops defending the region of Teriportania.

You got what you wanted, didn't you?

”Yes. Now the region of Teriportania is as good as fallen.

The Azdavian garrison, which should have prevented the Lemurian army from entering the Teriportanian region, is holed up inside Azdavian City and is being thoroughly surrounded.

And the Teryportanian garrison, which is supposed to be the last line of defense, has gone to Azdavia City to help their friends ...... and has left the Teryportanian region behind.

That's why. I'll be leading a legion of Bulgaroon cavalry and a legion of medium-armored cavalry (cataphracts) to the region of Teriportania.

There are no more than 10,000 soldiers defending Teriportania.

Moreover, those less than 10,000 soldiers are scattered all over the vast region of Teriportania.

If we put 2,400 fully equipped cavalry into the area, ......

Many cities will choose to surrender rather than fight.

”Galfis, the overall command reverts back to you, but ...... you know what you have to do, don't you?

”Nail both the Azdavian and Teryportanian defenses, is that it?

Exactly. There's no need to force the city of Azdavia. Just make sure they can't get out.

When Hercule said that, Galfis nodded.

Then he grinned and said.

But you don't mind if we defeat ...... them, do you?

I don't mind, but take it easy, okay?

Hercule became a little worried.

So, Hercule led a legion of bulgarian cavalry and a legion of medium-armored cavalry (cataphracts) to the region of Teriportania.

...... What is the enemy's goal?

Iason tilted his head as he watched the Lemurian cavalry leave the siege.

The reason why the enemy has surrounded us so thoroughly is probably to bring down Azdavia.

And the fact that they have even built defensive equipment is to prevent the enemy from attacking behind you,......, which means that even if they do attack behind you, they are determined to take down Azdavia.

And yet, it is inconceivable that they would remove a force of over 200,000 from the siege.

And then, a worst-case scenario came to Iason's mind.

(Don't tell me that the ...... Teriportanian garrison is on its way to reinforce us?

But if they are, it makes sense.

In other words, they're building defensive facilities to prevent the Terriportanian garrison from attacking.

And the reason why ...... over two thousand troops were removed from the siege was to gain control of the Terriportanian region, which had been stretched thin while the Chelda Kingdom's army was drawn to Azdavia City.

No, that's not possible!　No, it can't be! I gave orders not to send reinforcements, but to hold the line!

Iason said to himself.

It was more than twenty days ago.

Forty-seven days after Hercule had crossed the desert.

The commander of the Terriportanian garrison received two fast horses.

The first was that the Lemurian army was about to encircle Azdavia, and that Iason was in danger.