Chapter 7 (1/2)

The Kingdom Third Army Corps was being persistently pursued, and with their eyes on Branch Castle Antigua, they continued to desperately retreat. Everyone bore some form of wound, their equipment was dented, and they were totally exhausted. The soldiers that had been left behind by the main body were crushed, each and every one, or they threw down their swords and surrendered.

“Haah-, Haah-, to shamelessly, return like, like this huh. If I had to receive such disgrace, I would rather die in battle! Reform the battle formation, and throw down the gauntlet for a second decisive battle-!!”

Fumed Yalder with his breathing haggard and face flushed.

For him who had continued to walk to road to success, and soon to be 50 years old, this was the first time he had tasted failure.

The figures of both Major Generals, Kyros and Dhanush, who were leading the Heavy Infantry and Cavalry divisions, were nowhere to be seen. In the earlier engagement at the Alucia Plains, they were caught in the confusion during the explosions and died in battle.

The Liberation Army set up Princess Alucia as the vanguard to act as bait, and not only were they successful in luring in the Heavy Divisions, but also the entire army of the Kingdom to their deaths.

Sidamo had fathomed that it was a trap, but he did not possess the means to stop the enthusiastic military officers. And then, when they were just near enough that they could see the enemy’s faces, the ground exploded together with the roar of the detonation. Like a chain reaction, it grew and swallowed the soldiers of the Kingdom, and many lives were atomized.

Yalder’s prided heavy infantry and cavalry were simply destroyed without ever crossing swords. While raising battlecries, the Liberation Army, in the formation of an arrow, then started the charge against the Kingdom’s Army that had fallen into pandemonium.

Yalder, the commander, shouted in a thundering voice and tried to rally everyone’s condition, but the next move completely decided the outcome of the battle.

From a slightly elevated hill, many flags of the Empire were raised, and war drums boomed with enough force to break the sky like it would burst. Completely unexpected, the Empire’s army earnestly joined the war.

The moment the cavalry unit wearing the armor of the Empire started the charge, what little fighting spirit left in the soldiers of the Kingdom was blown away. After all, the Kingdom’s army was mostly a gathering of a mob of people. The soldiers who would throw away their lives and fight amounted to less than 10% probably. They were not a match for the Liberation Army who had high morale. While their numbers were overwhelmingly greater, the Kingdom Army played the disgraceful role of being routed.

The soldiers who decided to listen to Yalder’s orders were no longer existing at the time. Kyros and Dhanush who were isolated had eaten a fierce attack from an elite unit carrying The Flag of the Lion, and their heads had been tragically taken.

They had only found out later, but the soldiers of the Empire that had appeared at that time were fakes–the Keyland Empire had not fully committed to the war. The people who stood carrying the Empire’s Flag were ordinary civilians, and the cavalry wearing the Empire’s armor were mercenaries. Just utilizing civilians was a mundane deception tactic, but in the state of confusion from the landmines, the army of the Kingdom was thoroughly deceived. When people lose their composure, their judgement is hampered.

“Your Excellency. Let us reorganize our position at Antigua and wait for a chance to clear up this dishonor. If we were to attempt another decisive battle in our state, the outcome is clear. It is regrettable, but we have no strength to fight remaining.”

At Sidamo’s remonstration, Yalder looked over the soldiers around him.

“This, this, this is our glorious Third Army? So far we have fallen. Why-! I don’t get it! In the first place, I haven’t heard anything like the Empire would participate in the war-! What are those guys in my own country doing-!!?”

“Your Excellency, about that—-”

Two horsemen came galloping to further report bad news in the ears of the commander who clenched his fists in disgrace.

“Your Excellency General Yalder-!!”

“What is it this time!!? Have other countries taken the opportunity to make an alliance and join the war!? Those ungrateful trashes-!”

The one controlling the northern part of the Mundo Novo continent was the Yuze Kingdom. The one expanding their sphere of control from the west was the Keyland Empire.

Also, the one that united the southeast was the Dolebacks Union. The continent’s southeast was originally controlled by the Kingdom, but taking advantage of the mayhem once demons appeared, every feudal lord declared independence. They would join in alliance and would form a nation, was their ploy. They held fertile land and also had access to the ocean; they had large quantities of ore resources sleeping underground, and they held great economic power. In recent years, they had been rapidly expanding their influence, leading to great wealth and military strength.

The greatest cause for the Kingdom’s decline was the loss of this plentiful territory. Of course, they were desperate to take it back, and they sent out expeditions many times over.

But, the Union offered their funds and resources to the Empire and entered into a military alliance. They cooperated and opposed the Kingdom from two fronts.

Before long, the battles lengthened, and the Union which had sustained the Kingdom’s continued assaults gave in, paid an indemnity of not a small sum of money, and entered into a ceasefire. Between each country, a non-aggression pact in name only was signed.

These were the series of events that led to the outbreak of the Mundo Novo Great War 200 years ago.

“Y, your Excellency, we have a Non-aggression pact with the Union—-”

At one of the civil official’s utterance, Yalder shouted.

“Silence! Taking advantage of the rebels and imposing an embargo all the while, what pact-!!? No mistake, they’re snickering at our impoverishment-!”

“I, I beg your pardon.”

“—-Messenger, continue the report!”

They could not believe their ears at the information that departed from the messenger’s mouth at Sidamo’s urging.

“Sir-! I have confirmed at the enemy’s flag is waving from Antigua Branch Castle! The Rebel Army’s flag is being flown! Antigua has fallen!!”

For a moment, time stopped.

“W, what did you say-!? Like something that stupid could happen!! There were 10,000 soldier left behind over there!! It’s impossible that it would fall so readily-!!””

Indignant, Yalder seized the lapels of the messenger. Sidamo could also could not hide his unease at this intelligence outside his expectations.

Another messenger further continued the report.

“According to soldiers who escaped from the castle, many betrayers were incited to open the gates for the enemies who rushed in. Major General Rustam in command of defense was killed after a hard fight with the Rebel Army. Antigua has completely fallen into the hands of the enemy!”

Aiming for the gap after the enemy’s main force was drawn out to the plains, a detached force attacked Antigua. The castle was opened by colluders informed beforehand. The Third Army was thoroughly pulled in by the enemy’s plan, and an important base was stolen from them.

Branch Castle Antigua, a vital point of defense, from hereon would not only be the Royal Capital Liberation Army’s, but would probably also become a beachhead for Empire’s reinforcement units.

“Oh, ooohhh-”

“……Your Excellency. As it is, we can no longer head towards Antigua. Right away, let us withdraw from here to the Eastern Belta. We have a store of provisions over there. If we do not hurry, it will be seized by the Rebel Army.”

The Belta Area was to the East of Antigua. The guards there were few due to the concentration of forces at Antigua. If they did not hurry, they would also completely lose that area around the border.

“……Nay. I, I will take back Antigua. I absolutely have to take it back. His Majesty has personally ordered me with its defense right? Besides, though our Third Army was defeated, don’t we still have 30,000 in good health? If we continue our aggression day and night—-”

“We cannot, Your Excellency! Don’t forget we have the Rebel Army behind us; we would be pincered with Antigua in front of us! We have to change our route immediately! We do not have the luxury to launch an offense of Antigua!! I beg of you, I beg of you, direct us to proceed east-.”

Dryly croaked Sidamo with a soulless expression. He strongly shook General Yalder’s body. A siege would be outrageous. They would be certainly annihilated. Chief Staff Officer Sidamo had to stop it at any cost. Even though he might lose Yalder’s faith, he had to at the very least change his mind.

“—-Kuh-!”

“Your Excellency-!

”……I understand. I will go along with your words. The Third Army will change course and depart to defend Belta. We will reorganize, and then have a decisive battle again. Is this, is this okay?”

“—-Sir-, we understand. Our course has changed! Head to Belta! All troops, change course-!!”

—-Afterwards, the obstinate Liberation Army for some reason stopped pursuing. With 30,000 soldiers preserved, the Third Army succeeded in withdrawing to Belta.

Of course, the Liberation Army gained total control of the area around the border, but deciding that the defense of Belta was tougher than they hypothesized, they planned to reinforce their army at the occupied Antigua.

There was one reason why the Liberation Army could not pursue further and gain total control of Belta: Their food storehouse had been set on fire. Without food, the soldiers could not fight.

The engagement was their victory. That being said, due to unforeseen circumstances, it was a huge blow to lose 3,000 mercenaries. The Liberation Army also needed time to put their preparations in order.

The 2,500 cavalry unit spearheaded by Schera brazenly traversed around the outskirts of the enemy stronghold, Salvador Fortress. In order to escape to the Eastern Belta area, they had decided to cross Alucia River.

Just how did they succeed in passing through enemy controlled territory? The reason could be known by looking at the figures of the cavalry unit. The flag hoisted by her was the Royal Capital Liberation Army’s, and they were also disguised, wearing the equipment of Liberation Army soldiers. These items had been stored in the provisions storehouse.

“I, I did not think it would go this well.”

“It’s a rebel army. They have deserters, Empire soldiers, and also a large group of mercenaries right? There is no way they could remember each and everyone’s faces, I thought. Rather than stealthily creeping around, it would be less suspicious to be in the open.”

“Vice Commander Schera is too courageous. Never could we imitate you. I can not believe you would that calmy argue with enemy soldiers. I felt the chills thinking about when you would be cut down.”

“It does help that the enemy commanders were unexpectedly stupid. Well, it is not like I cannot understand their feelings of confusion. After all, I do get irritated when hungry.”

“Vice commander, if it pleases you take this.”

One horseman riding next to her took out a green fruit from his luggage bag and passed it to Schera. It had been slightly eaten by insects, but it wasn’t rotten.

“Oh, what’s this?”

“I found it at the storehouse. It is a green apple. They are rare around these parts, so I helped myself to a couple of them. They are delicious when ripe.”

“Perfect timing. I was just feeling parched. Thank you. But to think there would be green apples.”

“They are certainly rare in the Kingdom. When one thinks of apple trees, they always have red ones.”

“I suddenly feel a craving for red ones.”

Fruit juices trickled from Schera’s mouth when she bit into it. The horseman looked delighted as he gazed at Schera engrossed in chewing, crunch, crunch.

The cavalry members had already accepted Schera, who had only temporarily taken command, as their superior officer. In the fights up until now, they felt the genuineness of her might and daring manner. ‘Isn’t she stronger than any commissioned officer of the Kingdom?’ They even had such delusions when they looked at their female commander easily swinging her large scythe.

Follow the strong, and one could live. The soldiers knew that all too well. It might even be fine to say that their hearts were entranced by that earlier incident especially.

A commissioned officer had exultantly come in pursuit from the Liberation Army stronghold, and when she had started dealing with him by feigning ignorance, all the group members present had felt a chill in their innards. She had handed over the head of the former Cavalry Commanding Officer who had died in battle. They had killed the commander, but the remnants had escaped into the woodlands, she had calmly explained. Mercenaries’ equipment were different from regular soldiers’. They were from the start more tattered, so their disguise was simple. If they took new articles from the stockpile, and suitably wore things striped from the corpses, they were the perfect mercenaries.

At first, the enemy officer had thought they were someone suspicious, but in the middle of hearing the story, ‘If we don’t hurry, they’ll get away,’ he had said, impatient for merit, and had lead his troops into the forest.

This may be obvious, but there was nothing ahead of them. All that was beyond them was Antigua Branch Castle, which had already fallen into Liberation Army hands.

“Vice Commander Schera. Bad news. Enemy soldiers are prowling around the river area. It seems that we have been spotted.”

“Oh. Well that is annoying.”