Chapter 33 - I’m Done Eating (1/2)

Schera received word that Katarina had died in battle. Her ashen face crumbled, and she felt violently nauseous.

She kneeled, and her vomit mixed with blood splashed on the floor. It was all stomach acid.

Darus, who had reported to her, rubbed her tiny back.

“H, hey. You okay?”

“Yeah, I just feel a little bad. I’ll get better immediately.”

“……My bad, I should’ve stopped her, by force if necessary. It’s my fault.”

“You’re fine. Katarina had her reasons. That’s all.”

“B, but…”

“We can meet again one day. My cavalry… is always together.”

Brushing away the hand of Darus who tried to catch her, Schera began heading back to her own room.

A cavalryman supported her body, and she slowly began walking forward.

She could no longer walk by herself, yet even so, her scythe didn’t separate from her back.

She couldn’t fight without it.

Having entered her room, Schera leaned against the window, and then slid down to the floor.

Then she slowly closed her eyes. She was tired, very tired. She didn’t want to move.

Her stomach was empty, but she felt no hunger. Paradoxically, she didn’t want to eat anything.

She felt like even if there was a feast in front of her, her stomach wouldn’t take it.

“……I wonder why… I’m reminded of… that old village. I… hate that place.”

Schera opened her eyes, and the world was blurry.

Her dreary office only for a moment flashed with the scene of her burning village.

A black shadow clad in tattered robes piercingly overlooked the feeble Schera. It peered at Schera from a distance, waiting for its chance.

—-It wasn’t time yet.

One week after the fall of Sayeh. When two months had passed since the start of the siege, defending commander Larus made the heartrending decision.

—-Notification to all soldiers in Cyrus from Larus.

At the same time as dawn breaks, all soldiers will sortie from the fortress, charge into enemy headquarters, and take the head of the rebel army general.

However, this is not mandatory. Those who object to the decree are permitted to remain in the fortress.

It has been an honor to have been able to fight together up until this day. Gentlemen, I give my heartfelt thanks for your loyalty and bravery.

Larus couldn’t bear having his soldiers suffer the horror known as starving to death. Then there was no other way. Valiantly, they would break into enemy camp and meet their final moments as warriors.

What happened to those who remained in the fortress was up to the commander of the Liberation Army. Larus expected them to all be killed. Had their adversaries any mercy, they would’ve accepted the earlier surrender.

“……I can’t believe that I of all people would’ve chosen to attack and die an honorable death. This kind of end is more suited towards Barbora; it’s beyond me.”

Schera gathered her cavalry, and they had their last supper together.

Other units had similarly decided to take a meal, and there were many who had grieving faces, but Schera’s group was different.

There was no meaning in meals if they didn’t enjoy it. Even if it was tasteless alone, together with friends, it became more delicious than ever.

Today’s luxurious menu was the following:

So delicious it makes one’s jaw drop, the famous, the reputed, bread. As it was of such excessive preciousness, only a piece of it could be prepared.

And, purified soup of such crystalline clarity that it might even be mistaken for water. It seemed there was a spoonful of salt sprinkled in to bring out its subtle flavors.

“A masterpiece that reflects the work of a skilled chef,” quietly said Schera with a straight face, and the cavalrymen had smiles on their faces. Going along with them, Schera too had a smile. Darus too had a wry smile.

Since they had come to Cyrus, it was the most fun, and most delicious dinner she ever had. She would probably never forget it for the rest of her life.

Schera somehow felt her body become lighter. She felt great right now.

The black, ominous shadow was receding.

Of the Cyrus garrison, five thousand volunteered to participate in the attack.

Those who chose to remain in the fortress and meet their ends were those who couldn’t move, and those who clung to their last ray of hope, surrender.

Of Schera’s two thousand cavalry, a thousand were mounted, and nine hundred would follow on foot.

The one hundred rest asked to stay and defend. They were those who suffered grievous wounds at the previous battle and hadn’t recovered yet. They were incapable of participating in the assault.

“I can’t leave you all behind. I’ll stay home and fight to the last with you.”

Said Schera wearing her black armor, propping herself up on a cavalryman’s shoulder, and a soldier who aspired to defend in their absence shook his head sideways while smiling.

“I am grateful for the sentiments, but I must refuse. Staff Officer Sidamo said it best right? ‘Cavalry must die outside.’ Promises must be kept, right, Colonel?”

The other soldiers who would also remain opened their mouths to agree.

Honestly, they all wanted to die fighting together with Schera. But, they were without their horses, and being unable to move as they wished, they were nothing more than a burden.

In that case, they would assume a different duty.

“…………”

“What, your worry is unneeded. Colonel Schera’s Cavalry is invincible. We will watch over you from over here, waiting for the day you come meet us again. Forever.”

“That’s right, never will we be defeated. Moreover, we have to take care of the potatoes we grew together.”

“Once they bear fruit, the war will surely have ended. When that time comes, I’ll show you my skill, and make a delicious stew. Please look forward to it.”

“…….I understand. I’ll definitely come for you. We’ll have a delicious feast then, together. I promise.”

Schera smiled, and the soldiers enthusiastically nodded.

“Salute the Colonel!”

“May the fortunes of war be with you!”

“You all as well, take care. Let us meet again, for sure.”

“Sir-!”

The one hundred staying in the fortress chose not to defend the gates, but to protect their dear field. Nothing would’ve happened anyway if their small force defended the gates.

Hence, they wanted to fight at their treasured place. They had to freedom to choose their deathbeds at least.

Not for the Kingdom, but for Schera, thought the remaining cavalrymen unanimously.

As if encroaching upon the evening darkness, the sky was becoming white.

Addressing the soldiers assembled at the main gates, Larus raised his voice, his face grim, as he gave his order. Grim, from the bitterness that he had to order them to die, but he concealed the fact.

“Gentlemen, I give my deepest thanks for staying with me until today. We’ll show the rebel army, the spirit of the Cyrus garrison. We’ll make them know, the valor of the Kingdom’s elite. Without Fail, We’ll Hold Up The Commander’s Head-!”

“OU-!”

“Alright, open the gates-! Death shall be our herald! Escort Colonel Schera into enemy headquarters!”

“Long Live the Kingdom! Long Live the First Army!”

“All units begin the assault-! Forward-! Forwards-!”

“UOOOOOOOOOO-!”

The drawbridge was lowered, and the gates opened.

Larus charged as the vanguard, and the soldiers spurred on their horses after him.

The strategy was all too simple. Larus and the infantry would break down the surrounding fences, palisades, and trenches, and then stop any reinforcements until they died. Schera’s unit would climb over their corpses and drive into enemy headquarters.

—-Without any expectations to return alive.

Every man of Schera’s Cavalry raised their spears, and readied to charge.

Schera glanced over each of them, and nodded just once.

“We’ll kill as many of the rebel scum as we can lay hands on. I will fight, until I can fight no longer. So stay with me. Thank you for everything. It has truly been a pleasure eating with you all. I’m eternally grateful.”

“It has been an honor to be with you Colonel.”

“Colonel, thank you very much!”

“Long Live Sir Schera!”

“Long Live Colonel Schera!”

“Alright. Let’s go. ……Raise the flags-! Schera’s Cavalry will begin the charge! Kill them all-!”

“Begin the charge! Follow the Colonel!”

Schera mustered her strength and galloped her horse. Darus shouted, and the cavalry followed, the sounds of their hoofbeats resounding.

Black flags passed through the gates, and white baneful crows sailed out into the open field–to bring death to the Liberation Army, to take even one more man down with them.

—-The Cyrus garrison and Schera’s Cavalry began the assault.

Sensing the attack of the Kingdom’s Army, Diener concentrated soldiers in front of headquarters, and ordered them to utilize the built defenses to annihilate them.

He planned to kill all of them and not let them break through. He wouldn’t let even a single man escape.

“The enemy is already weakened. Stay calm and snipe them. Shoot them down and kill everyone.”

“Sir Diener, preparations are complete.”

“Good, commence the capture of Cyrus. Take no prisoners; slay them all.”

“Sir-!”

The messenger left. Now that the garrison’s main force had sortied, Cyrus Fortress was near empty. It would fall immediately from an onslaught of 30,000.

With this time’s starvation tactics, he was able to keep the losses of soldiers to an absolute minimum. The siege turned out perfectly.

It would be all too simple to drive away the enemy’s thoughtless attack. They had built a firm line of defense.

Death’s cavalry wouldn’t be able to make it. The only thing awaiting them was a wretched death.

(Well, even if they stayed inside the fortress, they would only be heading towards their deaths from a hellish hunger. In fact, we might be considered messiahs for liberating them from their misery. Kukuh, a messiah that saves Death, oh how it makes me laugh.)

With the most heartfelt laughter, Diener took out his spyglass. The deaths of the Kingdom’s fools–this had the makings of the ultimate comedy.

After Schera and the others sortied, like swarming ants over prey, the Liberation Army surged into Cyrus Fortress.

Those that decided to meet their ends here desperately guarded the gates, but they were broken through without any difficulty.

There was no longer any need for battering rams. The Liberation Army clung to the gates, and forcibly broke it down with iron sledgehammers.

The weakened soldiers were overrun by the Liberation Army with plenty of ardour, and they were mercilessly killed.

For the attacking soldiers of the Liberation Army, there were few chances left to make a name for themselves. To be recognized for their valor in battle, they had to thoroughly slaughter everyone.

This wasn’t a battlefield, just a simple hunting ground.

There was no accepting surrender. There was no need to listen to game begging for their lives.

The soldiers who threw down their swords and surrendered were kicked and impaled with spears. Their heads were stabbed countless times by swords.

Same for the wounded. Taking prisoners was unnecessary. In accordance with Diener’s instructions, they slayed all, leaving not one remaining.

Amidst all that, there was a group of soldiers that resolutely fought to the end. They differed from the soldiers of the Kingdom who ran around trying to escape like scattering baby spiders. In the fortress’s courtyard, the one hundred took a square formation and boldly continued resisting.

Before them lay the dead bodies of Liberation Army soldiers, and right now with ferocious smiles on their faces they were pulling out their spears from freshly killed flesh.

“Hahaha. They’ve no mettle. Their numbers are great, but after all they’re just gathered trash.”

“Were the Colonel here, they’d have died in less than a minute.”

“We alone are enough.”

“We should take as many as we can with us. Let’s kill even one man more.”

They, Schera’s Cavalry, surrounded the field in a square formation, and in the center of them stood their battleflag.

The Liberation Army soldiers around them hesitated in stepping forward.

That flag was Death’s symbol. They would be distinguished if they took it down, but they didn’t want to die when they had already won.

Those rash for merit that had energetically gone in for the kill had already become pieces of meat.

The fortress had largely been suppressed, but only this courtyard continued tenaciously resisting. Even if they suffered wounds, or their numbers dwindled, Schera’s Calvary would never let them approach the field.

Death’s soldiers feared no one. (Note: Again, “Death’s soldiers” with the additional connotation as in those resolved to die.)

Losing his temper, a commander of the Liberation Army appeared, bringing along crossbowmen. Since he didn’t think he’d have to use them in a suppression, it had taken time to prepare.

It was a disgrace that they hadn’t been able to crush them with overwhelming numbers of soldiers. They barely had any strength left in them moreover.

“You’ve fought well for soldiers of the Kingdom. I’ll praise you. But, this is as far as you go. —-Crossbowmen, formations.”

Per the commander’s order, the crossbowmen formed three ranks, and took aim.

The cavalrymen prepared their spears, ready for their time.

“Long Live Colonel Schera! Victory for the Colonel!”

The cavalrymen chanted in unison, and the commander swung down his sword.

The crossbowmen pulled the trigger, and fired. Then a second volley. And a third volley. The first rank reloaded.

Schera’s Cavalry silently collapsed. Some stabbed their spears in the ground, refusing to topple.

“These guys will move until the very, very end. Keep on shooting. No need for reserve.”

The commander who had heard of the cavalry’s abominableness from Diener and Fynn made sure to not get close. He kept a distance and kept on shooting.

The cavalrymen’s bodies were treated like dummies used for shooting practice, and the crossbowmen sneered as they shot their bolts.

After several hundred fired bolts, there was no one alive.

Their bodies were like comical hedgehogs. The Liberation Army soldiers laughed.

“These idiots made us waste time. And all for what.”

Muttered the commander, detestably looking at the corpses of the cavalrymen.

One soldier read the signboard, and spoke up.

“Your Excellency! It seems this strange garden is the Death God’s. Her signature is on it, and it says not to damage it!”

“Ridiculous. They persevered here just to protect a garden? What the heck were they thinking? The deeds of madmen are difficult to understand.”

The commander spat out in ill-humor.

“All for Colonel Schera? Ain’t they gone crazy?”

“These Wealth potatoes? They died for potatoes!”

One soldier uprooted one of the crops buried in the field like he was touching something filthy. Then he crushed it vehemently underfoot.

“Well whatever. If these’re so important, we’ll bury them together. They’re abominable soldiers of the Death God; we don’t want them resurrecting on us.”

“Understood!”

“Heheh, we’ll burn ‘em all! Get out of the way!”

The soldiers of the Liberation Army kicked the corpses of the cavalry as they collected them in one spot.

Schera’s so-carefully-raised field of Wealth potatoes was tragically devastated.

They tore the crops to pieces in jest with their swords, dug up the field entirely with their spears, and trampled on the dirt a countless, unfathomable number of times with their boots.

They lathered oil on top the dead bodies, and set fire to them along with the wreckages of the crops.

“Alright, go raise our flag atop this fortress. Let the tactician know of our victory.

“Understood!”

“Damn, finally onward to the Royal Capital. It’s been awhile.”

The infantry followed the commander and began climbing up a tower.

Behind them were a blazing mountain of corpses and the burnt ruins of the field.

Liberation Army Headquarters. Diener doubted his eyes at the situation progressing before his eyes.

Impede the enemy with a line of defenses and annihilate them with stationed archers. It should have been so simple.

But, what was this scene unfolding before him. He couldn’t understand at all.

“W, Why. Why can’t they be stopped!?”

The Kingdom’s Army were filling up the trenches with corpses, destroying the fences, and getting rid of the palisides, all while withstanding the arrows.

All during that, the soldiers were killing in the hundreds.

He had received news that the enemy general Larus had already died. Wasn’t it strange they hadn’t lost the will to fight?

“Sir Diener, the enemy are like cornered rats. With their escape routes completely blocked, they can only fight.”

“Shut up! Send more soldiers to the front! They mustn’t be allowed to approach!”

“U, understood!”

Constructing the blockade, eliminating all routes of escape, that was all Diener. It was also he who had ignored their surrender and decided to crush all of them.

The surviving infantry of the enemy crashed into his ally’s vanguard. Behind them were cavalry hoisting a black flag and kicking up a cloud of dust.

They prioritized not victory, but the death and suffering of their sworn enemy, and the blood of his Liberation Army comrades was pointlessly being spilled.

Diener regretted his decision, but it was too late.

Death’s soldiers plunged forward, aiming for his headquarters, creating more sacrifices all the while.