Chapter 60: Seventh Episode: Chapter 5 (1/2)
Chapter 60: Seventh Episode: Chapter 5
Translator: EndlessFantasy TranslationEditor: EndlessFantasy Translation
It was the 30th of the 7th month in the Morning of Light’s Calendar.
Royal Highness The Prince O’Neil and his direct division were spotted at a hillock about 170 kilometers away from the border of the Narcissus County. This was the prince’s first experience on a real battlefield. Although it might seem rather late for an Andrew to have their first war at this age, it was not too big of a deal, especially in the distinct case of this young prince.
The division had to take a short break before they continued their journey. The prolonged march from the previous night had gravely exhausted everyone in the division. During their brief pause, several soldiers were seen resting against the back of their horses. Oscar panted like a thirsty dog as he had never experienced such an arduous march before. He could not even muster the strength to get off his horse!
”Are you alright?” Snowstorm asked his young master out of concern.
”What do you think?” Oscar answered half-heartedly, munching on some dried meat.
”You look terrible.” The servant said, handing a towel to his young master.
”It is not surprising. Our Royal Highness The Prince has not yet adapted to the army life.” Former paladin Sarlat Drosha said, casually riding beside the Prince. Even though he had been imprisoned in Damorga for an unimaginably long period of time, he was still very familiar with everything related to the operation of armed forces.
”Yes, yes, I admit that I am weak.” Oscar knew better than to flaunt his superiority at this moment. Now that he was no longer alone, he had to be responsible for his entire team. Even though he knew clearly that he was merely patting himself on the back by thinking like this, he nevertheless knew that due to his lack of contribution to the team, the least he could do was to try not to fall behind.
The rays of the golden morning pierced through the dense shrubs and fell on the soft soil. Some timid but curious squirrels were hiding behind the branches, examining the Narcissus knights, and occasionally an audacious adult squirrel would rummage through the Knights’ baggage, searching for delicious hazelnuts. The Narcissus Knights did not disturb these tiny creatures. To them, every life in the Narcissus County was precious, save for those of the Persians.
A pot of spring water and a packet of wheat flour were enough for the Narcissus Knights to recover their expended energy. They had never demanded anything more, as they were not materialistic, but occasionally, freshly fermented pale ale would make a great incentive, too.
Oscar’s fatigue was recovered with a pot of fresh, warm ale. He straightened his back and sat tall on the horseback. He utilized this brief break to get acquainted with the Knights, including but not limited to the Second Division Commander, three Regimental Commanders, the Head of Investigation Team, and the Battalion Commander of Emergency Unit who was in charge of the heavy armor. Oscar had a hard time distinguishing these officers as he felt that all of them resembled one another, not only in terms of appearance and body shape but their manner and pattern of speech as well! The young man was perplexed; even though he had gotten a little better by now, he would still have them mixed up every now and then.
”Your Highness, we are still about 20 kilometers away from the supreme headquarters of Traisen Front. Should we get our fighting armors ready?” Major General Murat reminded his direct chief.
”Oh? Will we be fighting later?” Oscar was getting excited.
”Maybe, but seeing that we are already getting closer to the battlefront, the Persians could come attacking us at any given time, even right here as we speak.” It was untrue to say that Murat looked down on the ability of Traisen Front, the Persians were not be underestimated as well. It was impossible for the Narcissus Knights to guard the whole line of defense because the border was simply too vast for them to do so.
Even the Lieutenant Colonel de Barry from the Traisen Front, who was very familiar with the area, agreed with Murat’s advice. The Persians were the most frequent visitors at the Traisen Front!
”Your Highness, Major General Murat is right. You are now already within the war zone, anything could happen, and we should be ready at all times.”
Oscar glanced over at his soldiers that were scattered across the woods and decided to take the advice of his two officers. After all, the two of them were more experienced than him on the battlefield. ”My knights must be worn out, I want them to have some time to rest and recuperate, then we will move on after that. I do not want to miss this fight.”
Murat and Lieutenant Colonel de Barry smiled at each other. ”Your Highness, I guarantee you will experience this battle first-hand. Our old friends are not easily defeated.” Murat said half-jokingly.
***************
”You are definitely right about that, they are as strong and as stubborn as bulls.” Figg Andrew Tibotty said, yawning. He had been guarding his authorized position the entire time.
”Yes, General.” Major Griffith was worn out too. He had been planning and discussing with his comrades throughout the night, yet they had yet to come up with any good plans.
”General, please forgive us for our incapability. This attack was simply too suspicious, we could not figure out their ulterior motive.”
Figg waved his hands in front of him. In fact, he did not intend to figure out the motives of the Persians. To him, all that needed to be done would be to locate and defeat them, and the problem would be solved. There was no need to for them to crack their heads like this.
”How is the situation at Third Army Corps?”
Major Griffith shook his head. ”The reorganized cavalry division was completely wiped out before they even had the time to withdraw from the battlefield. This is the statistical result taken by General Leo. The principal force of Mogadishu Cavalry Corps is indeed difficult to handle. If General Leo had not extended the battle line the moment he realized something was wrong, I believe the entire Third Army Corps would have been crushed by these old wolves.”
”Yes,” Figg nodded, ”Those religious fanatics fight as though we had abducted their wives and daughters or something.”
”General, what should we do for now?” Griffith was rather puzzled. It had been a long night, yet the infamous, devil-like General commander had only mobilized one reserve squadron.
”For now?” Figg knocked his fingers loudly on the table. ”Do you think one reserve squadron is not enough?”
Even though Griffith knew that the general must have had a justifiable reason for his decision, he was not afraid to voice out his opinion. He knew that this was what the general admired about him.
”Yes, general,” Griffith nodded slightly before continuing, ”Our defensive line has been breached. I think we should launch an attack before the Persians enter our territory.”
Figg laughed at his naivety. This young man was still quite innocent when it came to planning war tactics and strategies.
”My little staff officer, can you tell me how we could possibly attack them without having to reposition our defensive force? Do you think our exhausted Third Army Corps and all of our reserved squadrons are enough?”
Griffith thought carefully. ”General, if I’m not mistaken, our Second Army Corps had successfully crushed our enemy in the front line. We could call back General Hyman that is currently pursuing the enemy, we could ask him to attack the enemy from the back by traveling around the river.”
”No! No! That is not doable!” Figg shook his head vigorously. ”Young Griffith, remember this, the first ever rule on the battlefield is to never abandon your own advantageous position in the hopes of diminishing the enemy! Since General Hyman of the Second Army Troop had taken down the enemy, we must let him extend his success. If the Persians destroyed one of Leo’s division, perhaps Hyman could take down two of the enemy’s. Why should we wait for the Persians to return to rescue their attacked division? If we were to call Hyman back to the defense now, all his previous efforts would be wasted!”
Griffith came to understand the reason behind the general’s decision immediately. Right now, the biggest problem encountered by the Front was that the defensive line of the Third Army Corps had been broken. On the other hand, the Persians were restlessly defending their two divisions that were being attacked by Hyman and his Second Army Corps. Their two divisions were in danger of being annihilated at any time!
”That is to say, you are waiting for the Persians to abandon the battlefield advantage they have already achieved?”
”No, have you forgotten? The Persians never give up. When did they ever care about sacrificing themselves?” Figg showed an inscrutable smile.
”Now I really don’t understand!” Griffith was getting confused by his general’s remarks. ”Although the reserve squadrons can intercept the enemy’s reinforcements that have broken through the Neliger Valley, I believe there must be more enemies hidden in other places. Besides, the biggest suspicion lies in the location and timing chosen by the Persians for this offense. The strategic location of Neliger Valley region has diluted its significance due to the fortifications built on our southern route, why do they still want to break through with their main cavalry division?”
”That is because up until now, all the actions executed by the Persians to all four of our Fronts at the border were only carried out to cover up a real, devastating attack!” Figg said without hesitation. He had long figured out the enemy’s strategy. He was too familiar with his old pagan friends that he did not even need to think for more than a second before he could figure out their next move. They never improved!
”Now I am only waiting for that real attack! You are not a Persian, so you do not know how hard it is to fight in the enemy's territory. I remember during my time in the Persian Empire, their children would even fling rocks at me! The long fighting time, the wide frontline, the unfamiliar terrain and the crises lurking around you… these are all unfavorable factors you face when fighting in the enemy’s territory. Therefore, we can be rest assured that the first one to be exhausted would be the Persians, then once they fully exposed their strategic plans and ulterior motive, we would be more than ready to react at the perfect timing!”
The worried Griffith looked at the red arrows planted everywhere on the strategic map. ”Is that really so?” For the first time ever, the young combatant staff officer questioned his commander-in-chief.
***************
”Come on, my knights! Dress light! We have entered the war zone now!” Murat led his own messengers through the woods and ordered his soldier loudly as the horses galloped.
The 3,000 soldiers of the Red Tiger division quickly acted under the orders of the commanding officer. The knights left behind their tents and all kinds of camping gears that were previously kept on their horseback. They armed themselves with all sorts of armors and equipment. The heavy armor brigades inspected each other’s armor and revealed the lances that were previously being wrapped in canvas. Those heavy lances would have to be handed to them by their comrades only after they got on the horse. They were all equipped with two sets of arrows each; wrapped around their fingers were thick bandages to prevent their fingers from hurting when shooting arrows.
His Royal Highness was safely protected by the battle corps. Murat’s men were armed with sturdy and formidable-looking armor, emitting an intimidating aura.
The battle corps of the Red Tiger did not have unified pieces of armor or equipment. Some of them utilized wide-blade swords, some used sabers as well as hand crossbows, some were more confident with giant tomahawks, and others preferred of heavy sniper bow. With their unique arsenal, these knights even resembled the devils from hell. When they appeared out of the shadows in the woods, it terrified young man from Damorga into trembles.
In merely fifteen minutes, the noisy woods regained its peace once again, the only noise heard was the heavy breathing of the horses. Andrew family’s Fourth Independent Cavalry Division finally completed the combat garrison, and the forest could be seen planted with numerous Narcissus Knights. The Red Tiger Division deployed the rangers in the forefront, the battle cavalry and His Royal Highness The Prince sandwiched in the middle, while at the end of the line was the heavy armor cavalry in charge of supplies and gears.
Murat came up from the back of the line and did a final check over his warriors. They were finally going on the battlefield! Although the general himself had gone through this situation many times, he still felt rather unsettled. However, that was totally understandable. Not a single war within the Narcissus County was predictable, even the marshal of Andrew would not know for sure if he could return safely each time he left home to fight on the battlefield.
Major General Murat gestured to the young man riding the massive stallion, and young Oscar immediately felt the atmosphere becoming solemn and serious. Even though the knights had maintained their military presence while they marched, their presentation changed after they went into combat garrison. Oscar could feel the difference, but he could point out exactly what had changed. Maybe it was their spirits, it was like a strong, formidable force that entwined between the heaven and the earth. This kind of atmosphere was so oppressive that birds and animals in the forest scurried away. On the other hand, this kind of presence calmed down the nervous young man who was about to participate in his first real war! The young man could now declare for sure that he really belonged as an Andrew!
”Move out!” young Oscar lifted the Red Tiger’s flag aloft and was immediately followed by the sudden sound of commands from both the front and the back of the line. The Red Tiger, a battle group consisted of three thousand knights, started to move in combat formation. The Rangers were the first to exit the woods, and they were greeted with magnificent sunshine and a vast piece of quiet, green land. The army formation in which Oscar was positioned also charged forward. He was surrounded by many knights, and he could not really see his surroundings. The only thing that caught his eyes was the light reflected by the cold, steel weapons, but the young man was able to sense the rhythm and enthusiasm of the troop. He felt that it was drumming along to the pace of his own pulse beneath the veins.
”Halt!” The deafening cry of the messenger echoed in the valley.
”Hold your charge...”
The sudden command did not cause confusion among the Red Tiger. Quite the contrary, the knights naturally rode their horses to the side so that the messenger could gallop at high speed to the direction of the commander officer.
”What’s the matter?” Murat and Oscar simultaneously went to receive the messenger.
”Your Highness! Division Commander!” the messenger saluted the two officers. ”A message came from reconnoiter, saying that they discovered something bad in the valley.”
”Something bad?” Oscar was confused by the vague explanation.
Murat frowned at the news. This valley was the west entrance to Werksan from Traisen Front, and it was only less than eight kilometers before they arrived at the destination. Could it be the Persians were already attacking Werksan? It was highly unlikely! They launched their attack in the afternoon of the previous day, it seemed impossible for them to arrive at Werksan in just a span of one day.
”Your Highness, we should go check it out. If my estimation is right, this might be the beginning of your first real battle.”
Oscar nodded calmly, yet his anxious heart was pumping so fast as if it was going to burst through his skin. The memory of his previous fight in the deep woods still lingered in his mind. He almost lost his life during that ambush attack, and he didn't even want to imagine what would happen in an actual battle this time.
In the inner part of the valley, the small woods were tightly enclosed by the knights. This action was not necessary for normal battles; but this time, the identity of their commanding officer was more than just an officer. The Knights of the Red Tiger had to always prioritize the life of their Royal Highness The Prince at all times.
”Is this the place?” Oscar said while covering his nose with his hand. The whole woods stank of a pungent smell that only rotten bodies could have.
”Your Highness, Division Commander, take a look over there. They are the group of informants from the Traisen Front.” A leader of the reconnoiter team reported to them while pointing toward the direction of a deep pit they had just dug. ”There was a total of eight of them, the whole team is all here.”
Oscar squatted down by the pit. He had seen too many dead bodies in his life that this did not stir any nauseous feeling in his stomach.