Chapter 68: Eighth Episode: Chapter 4 (1/2)
Chapter 68: Eighth Episode: Chapter 4
Translator: EndlessFantasy TranslationEditor: EndlessFantasy Translation
The history of the Bragg Fortress could be traced back to the ages of mythology. In that era, Bragg was the forefront for the Romans in resisting the Northern Yarans. The battle surrounding the city of Bragg lasted for about a century, which finally it resulted in a loss for the Aryans.
The never-ending renovation and construction contributed by the Titan in the efforts of expanding the Bragg Fortress had successfully changed it from a small fort into a big city. It was situated in the central provincial area, sandwiched between the Rylie Province and the Bandaray Province. In other words, one could enter the hinterland from the south gate and exit from the north. Besides, Bragg was the ultimate resistant position of three of the principal military zones in the southern region. Hypothetically, if the enemies managed to break through the lofty mountains of the south, they would either have to pass through Bragg in the north or Vielonna in the west in order to arrive at their destined location: Titan.
The troop belonging to the Prince and the Princess was made up of two complete divisions, namely the Cavalry Division and the Mountain Division. Upon his arrival in Rylie Province, Imperial Highness The Prince Oscar was informed by the Imperial Diplomatic Department that Marquis Dimitri Lemus the Minister of Foreign Affairs was waiting to meet him in Bragg.
A message delivered to the prince from Bragg had caused the Prince’s procession to slow down. It concerned the possibility that the tiny Bragg Fortress might not be able to accommodate two complete divisions in such a short notice. Apparently, the whole troop consisted of six thousand soldiers! Moreover, they still needed much more time in order to perfect their preparation to receive the two members of the imperial family.
The southern, mountainous region still looked exactly the same as was in the Prince’s memory, but perhaps the level of combat preparation had been decreased a little because many merchants and tourists could be seen traveling around the area.
On every sunset, the soldiers would set up their campsites following the orders of the Commander of the Mountain Division Lieutenant Colonel, Hyatt Brandy. The Cavalry Division would normally establish their camp in the vast mountain land, while the Mountain Division, on the other hand, could make anywhere their resting place. The soldiers who were in the Mountain Division were mostly the ones that had endured a lot of hardship in the early times, hence they were quick to adapt to all sorts of circumstances that came their way.
”That’s right,” Hyatt nodded at Murat. ”Many of the most capable soldiers used to be farmers, craftsmen, hunters, fishermen. These hard labors gave them enlightenment, and this kind of enlightenment, in turn, can also have an effect on their performance on the battlefield.”
”Have you ever sent your Snow Lion to the battlefield? I’m sorry to have asked this question,” Oscar felt a little embarrassed. ”But to my knowledge, the imperial has not provoked any war in many years, am I right?”
”Yes, Your Highness. However, the Faran would never give us a moment of peace. They would send in groups of horse-mounted bandits and robbers to break the peace at the border. Although they looked like bandits, the reports from Secret Service Department showed that they are actually no different from any regular army.”
”The Persians are the same,” Murat also joined in the conversation. ”They can’t defeat us justly and honorably so they have to fight us in the dark. In fact, we have encountered many regular armies that had camouflaged themselves as bandits to attack us.”
”Ola! Hyatt, you mentioning about the Secret Service Department reminds me of someone,” Oscar fell deep in his own thoughts, ”The minister in charge of the Secret Service Department based in Rylie Province is called… Baron…”
”Baron Messier De Quixote, Your Highness,” reminded Hyatt, ”I’ve worked with this Action Officer of Secret Service more than once.”
”Ola! You’re right. How is he doing, this Messier guy?”
Hyatt could only force out a smile. ”In fact, Your Highness, I’ve never heard from Baron Quixote again after the hearing.”
”Is that so?” Oscar was disappointed, ”Messier was a sharp-witted officer.”
”Oscar, oh! Both the division commanders are also present.” Annie entered the tent with a half-knitted wool scarf, ”Come! Try this on.”
The young man appeared a little awkward, he kept avoiding Annie who was trying to wrap the scarf around his neck.
”Be good!” Annie managed to put on the scarf around him as if he was a little boy, ”Hmm…it’s still quite short for you. Oh, Oscar, you have grown again! It seems like I will have to make some further arrangement on this little thing.” Annie did her own thing regardless of the strange looks the men were giving her.
”Oh yes!” the Countess suddenly thought of something. ”Why are the both of you still here? Since the Red Tigers and Snow Lions are fighting again, don’t you have to rush over?”
”Really?” Hyatt said while standing up. He had already heard about that ‘earth-shattering fight’ that happened a few days ago, he understood that the Prince’s woman was hinting them to leave.
”Alright, we should go give it a check.” Murat followed suit.
”Hold on!” Oscar forcefully removed the scarf wrapped around his neck, ”Wait for me, we will go together!” He dashed off immediately after blurted out those words.
Oscar had always felt uneasy when he pondered about his real feelings toward Annie. Things would have been much easier if she was not by his side, just like the past month when they had not seen each other, it was so much easier for the young man to forget about his lover. However, the moment the woman who played both the roles of a wife and a mother entered his life once again, Oscar found himself feeling gratified. He felt safe. Hence, Oscar could not sort out his mixed feelings toward Annie, especially after that night that he consumed some Guacka Twix Liquor. One night of intimate closeness could not mean anything, he thought to himself, it could only explain that Annie still loved the young man as much as before.
Oscar had confirmed that feeling again when he found himself rushing out of the tent. He knew clearly that he could not provide Annie with anything more. The young man decided he would leave the complicated relationship to stand the test of time.
”Division Commander! Here you are!” the soldiers of the Mountain Division pulled their commander in the moment they saw him. ”Our archer fiercely deflated the arrogance of the enemy!”
”Division Commander you are finally here!” Murat’s subordinates were all obviously irritated.
”What’s the matter?”
”Those arrogant bunch sent out an amazingly talented archer to compete with us, but two of our strongest archer had failed miserably!” Lieutenant Colonel Shaw Shorenstein from the Red Tiger Cavalry Division impatiently pointed at a tall man who stood in the short distance. The man was from the Mountain Division.
Murat spotted the infamous man, which had massive muscles in his arms like some strong beast. ”Are you sure you sent out our best archers?”
Shaw Shorenstein spat on the ground in disdain, ”Our best archers have been transferred to other division, otherwise we would not have suffered this humiliation!”
Murat became crossed as well when he noticed Hyatt Brandy being surrounded by the Mountain Division soldiers like a big hero. They were both Division Commander of the same rank, he would not let his people look down on him!
”What’s the matter?” Oscar paced to the scene, ”I noticed that everyone seems to be in a bad mood.”
”Your Highness, we are competing in archery with the Snow Lions, but as you see, we are falling so back behind!” Shaw Shorenstein spat on the ground once again. Red Tiger’s best archer was in the Rangers, but he could not think of a better idea.
Oscar looked at the empty space between the two camps. There stood a warhorse, and a fake knight made out of hay was tied on the back of it. On the fake knight wore an armor that had numerous circles drawn on it, which had now been pierced by arrows. The young man was beginning to understand something.
”And the victory is decided based on the targets?”
”Exactly!” Shaw Shorenstein continued as though he had an unlimited supply of saliva. ”We chase the horse up to the mountain, and everyone shoots three times within the range of hundred meters to fifty meters. A full score is given if the arrow hit right at the fatal point, and other parts of the body are counted respectively. Anyway, that Mountain Lion landed all three shots right at the fatal point, sharp and clean!”
Oscar had a clear sight of it, on the fatal point of that hay-made knight was inserted with white feathered arrows which were representative of the Snow Lion.
”We can’t let this go on!” Murat felt his people had lost their faces. ”We won free boxing two days ago, cross-country mountain races a day ago, and even the arm wrestling from last week was our victory. Archery is our traditional mastery, we can’t be losing on this one! Definitely not!”
”But Division Commander, I honestly don’t have anyone to send for the contest anymore!” Shaw Shorenstein admitted.
As if wanting to show off their prowess, the Regimental Commander of an archer from the Snow Lion division cried out his challenge from afar, ”Hey! Brothers from Red Tiger! Are you still up for the challenge?”
”What the…” Shaw Shorenstein muttered to himself. The other Red Tiger soldiers gathered behind him was beginning to express their dissatisfaction as well.
”Your Highness, Division Commander, and Regimental Commander,” a small voice came from behind the crowd. ”Perhaps…could I try?”
The crowd was stunned for a moment. Who was this lean, blushing young boy?
”Boy, how old are you?” Shaw Shorenstein could not help but doubt if this young boy lied about his age when he signed up for the army. The regular army of Narcissus Knights had to reach the grown age of eighteen years old to be eligible. Due to the constant strong offense from Persians, Andrew had stopped recruiting underage boys since then.
”Eighteen this year!”
”Hey boy! What do you think you’re doing?” Colonel Kamille Rayen rushed to the scene as he recognized the young boy was the new recruit in his own Battle Group.
”Battle Commander, with all sincerity I would like to give it a try!” the young boy insisted.
”As far as I remember you joined the group with a pair of double blades, so you mean you are good with bow and arrows too?” Kamille was suspicious of his new recruit.
”Yes, Battle Commander! I signed up to be part of the Rangers initially in the forms, but I was assigned to the Battle Group when the officer from Military Recruitment spotted my double blade.” The fresh soldier said with a voice full of grievance.
Murat began sizing up the young soldier standing in front of him, ”A ranger archer that uses double blades?” This sounded really familiar, but he just could not recall the idea!
”Hey boy! Watch what you say! Do you mean the Battle Group is not good enough for you?” Kamille was a little upset.
”Let’s not talk about this first!” the Prince stepped in between them, ”Since you are good with bow and arrows, I will allow you to take the chance. But do you understand the real meaning of my intention?”
”I understand very well, Your Highness!” the eighteen-year-old young boy nodded in affirmation. ”The Red Tiger Battle Group combat the enemy with their claws, the Red Tiger Rangers fight the enemy fiercely, and the Red Tiger Heavy Cavalry tear down the enemy into pieces. I’m a part of the Red Tiger, and the Red Tiger never loses!”
The young prince glanced toward Murat, ”We can trust this boy. Give him a chance!”
Murat nodded.
The excited young soldier almost jumped off the ground, ”Peter! Peter! Hand over my bow and arrows! I can finally use them at last!”
A brawny man sprinted from the Red Tiger campsite. The knights all moved to the side to give way to the servant, ”Young master! Here are your gears!”
Now, even Oscar was suspicious of the boy, ”Who is this young boy? Someone from the noble family? He even brought along his servant with him to the army!”
An idea suddenly lightened up in Murat’s mind! ”Boy, tell me, are you a Steinberger?”
The young boy was caught by surprise, and he smiled shyly and awkwardly to his Division Commander, ”Heh… heh heh! You got it right, but please keep this between us, if you can. Please don’t inform my family that I’ve joined the army under a false name.”
Murat nodded lightly. ”Win the match and we’ll decide. However, let me tell you this ahead of time, I’ll personally kick you out of my division if you lose later, then I’ll write to your father and ask him to come over to kick your ass!”
The young soldier glanced over to the archer representing the opponent team, and he already knew for sure he had the upper hand in this match. ”Rest assured, Division Commander. I will leave myself if I ever lose.”
They finally had a representative! The moment the young soldier entered the temporarily-built competition ring, a loud roar soared over from the side of the Red Tiger Division.
”Steinberger?” the Prince asked his division commander. ”Is it a renowned family? How come I’ve not heard of that?”
Murat answered the question with yet another question, ”Your Highness, how much do you know about the Northwest Border of the Empire?”
”Northwest of Empire? I’ve heard that disputes and conflicts always break out there with the Deiss.”
”Exactly, but those were already the old stories. At the moment, the Deiss occupied themselves with the war with their northern enemy Ollier, and there have not been any conflicts between us and them in the Northwest Border ever since.”
”Does this have anything to do with the Steinberger?”
”Of course, the Hausen Province in the Northwest Border is the freehold estate of the Steinberger family. Similar to Andrew, their territory is at the forefront of the empire’s resistance effort to the Deiss. The family’s emblem is a double blade with bow and arrow, and they also have a long history of fighting for the empire. However, they have not been in action for a while now, hence the recent generations of their family have come to join us in the Narcissus Knights.”
Just when Murat was explaining the background of Steinberger’s family to the Prince, the young boy of the respective family had already opened his leather sack to arrange his personal, good-quality arrows. Initially, the Mountain division archer looked down on his young opponent, but he knew this boy had some real deal when he peaked at what was inside of the sack.
”I’m Sergeant Wellington from Red Tiger Assault Division. I’m humbled by your guidance.” the young soldier performed a military salute.
The heavily-built man from Snow Lion returned the salute but did not say anything more, and jumped up to the horse in one swift move. ”Start!”
A soldier forced out a hard kick at the back of the horse which was tied to the fake knight, and the poor horse galloped into the woods after releasing a painful neigh.
”Are you not riding?” asked the curious Snow Lion archer when the young soldier was still rooted to the ground, unmoved.
”Please, you can go first.”
The representative of Snow Lion charged forward, following the horse. Loud cheers broke out among his supporters watching from their site of the camp.
Wellington Steinberger ignored the discussion growing from the campsite of Red Tiger. Inside of his leather sack, four bows were arranged neatly, and from there he picked out the biggest and densest one out of the four.
The young master of Steinberger family threw a silk handkerchief up in the air in order to test the direction of the wind.
”Slight east-west wind, but because of the mountains there will be some interruption and rapid reciprocation.” The soldier made up his mind.
The war horse galloped wildly across the woods. The crowd at the foot of the mountain could only spot its silhouette from time to time. They all voiced out their surprise when the young soldier of Red Tiger pulled on his bow and arrow on the spot from where he stood.
Murat could not help but laugh lightly. That boy was so confident!
”Wind! Your servant Wellington Steinberger is asking for your assistance. Please let my arrow travel by your wings, and return itself with honor and victory!” the young soldier prayed silently to himself, and suddenly the horse appeared in the distant like a flash of light. Simultaneously, an arrow had been let off from the bow, forming a beautiful arc in the air like a massive rainbow. In just an instant, the arrow had gone off into the direction of the woods, and everyone was anxious to know the outcome.
Several knights rushed into the woods to bring back the warhorse out in the vast land. And everyone could see clearly, that Wellington Steinberger’s thin arrow pierced through the tiny slit between the hay-made knight’s uncovered throat!
”You just did the impossible! I surrender!” Even though the Snow Lion archer was not fully convinced that a young boy this age could have such unbelievable archery skills, the results had shown itself. He had no choice but to surrender.