Felicia of the Steel Production Street
Nurous lances thrust towards Vallis.
Hyaaaa!!
The sound of hooves ca from upstream of the dried riverbed.
They numbered 800!
Charging at the very front was the young knight commander of the White Hare Knights, Batteren.
Ahhhhh!! Send those Langobalt bastards flying!
What !? Tch!
Ricks turned his horse hurriedly.
The mud splattered.
Too slow!
Batteren threw his lance. It passed through the gaps between the guards on horseback and pierced Ricks from the back.
Gyaaa!?
Ahhh, Lord Ricks!
With the commander dead, the horsen fell into confusion.
The Langobalt horsen werent weaklings and would continue slaughtering the captives without their leader. But right now, they were being hunted by the Belgarian knights that outnumbered them several folds and fell into disarray imdiately.
Vallis trembled as he held Fel tightly.
He didnt have the strength to even stand.
He just kept crying.
A chestnut horse stopped by his side.
Hey, you From that uniform, you are a High Britannian soldier?
Batteren was questioning a man who was holding a child that didnt look Belgarian and bawling his eyes out.
Vallis raised his head with tears in his eyes.
S Save her Please save her Fel, she
Hmm? Could it be, Vallis!? What happened to you!?
In Batterens impression, the man known as Vallis was soone who was born to be a soldier.
Is she his family? Did she live in Grebauvar city? Batteren thought. That Vallis he knew looked much more emotional now.
Batteren pointed upstream of the river.
Take her away! The doctor is here!
... Eh?
That strategist didnt leave the doctor at the headquarters, but sent him here instead. That child is still breathing, and if she is lucky, she might be saved.
To be frank, Batteren detested Regis.
But he had to acknowledge him now.
He even foresaw such a situation?
Vallis shook off his tears and roared:
Wo... Wo Wooooahhhh!
He stood up.
His legs werent trembling anymore.
And ran through the mud.
Woooahhhhh! Doctor!!
At that mont the Vallis whose face was red, sniveling with tears and running while covered in mud was the coolest The one who said that was Felicia who survived after that.
1700 hours
The sun had already set behind the mountains. The shadows of the soldiers were also stretched out on the ground.
At the Imperial forces headquarters.
A young ssenger saluted.
Although he gritted his teeth to suppress his feelings, his eyes were sparkling, cheeks red, and his voice was a pitch higher because of excitent.
The White Hare Knights are escorting the citizens who were once captives in the steel production streets of Grebauvar! They are disengaging from the front lines as planned I-Its a success!
Wahh! The soldiers cheered.
Even though the battle wasnt over, there were already people shouting Vive lempire!
That was how exhilarating the results were. It was more difficult than retaking the fortress city.
And before this report, the Imperial soldiers saw the brilliant command that stumped the enemy commander, so it had evolved into a celebration as if victory was assured.
Even though the fortress was unhard, and more than half the enemy was still standing.
Latreille and Germaine were silent. Maybe they didnt think of this as their rit.
The other staff officers were the sa.
After seeing Regis showing his true strength through his command, all of them were at a loss for words.
Latreille who received the report nodded lightly.
He wasnt smiling.
... I am sorry about this, but there is no ti to be gleeful about this. Gentlen, now would be the most crucial phase of the battle. One wrong move, and it will beco the greatest defeat in Imperial history. Everyone please be mindful and dont make any mistake.
The relaxed atmosphere tensed up imdiately.
Even though Latreille ant to only hand the command to Regis for the remaining 30 minutes But after the citizens started their escape, Regis continued holding on to the command authority.
... White Hare Knights advance to the center. But minimize your losses. If the enemy congregates, it is fine to withdraw.
Please wait a mont!
Huh?
Lord Batteren is too busy. Pleases leave this mission to us!
The one who nad himself and stepped forward was the commander of the White Wolves Knights Corps that was standing by at headquarters Zemmourt.
He was a young knight, about 25 years old, just like Batteren.
Regis thought about it.
In April earlier this year
On the founding day festival, relations between Altina and Latreille soured. During that ti, the Beilschmidt border regint had a skirmish with the White Wolves.
Because of Regis sche, their forr commander and half of their comrades fell in that battle.
In this battlefield, the ones who hate Regis the most wasnt the enemy, but the survivors of the White Wolves.
Even though Latreille delegated command authority to Regis, he wondered if they would follow Regis instructions faithfully.
Because of this feeling of unease, Regis left them at headquarters as escorts.
Zemmourt closed one eye. This man was emitting an aura befitting a commanding officer of the Empire.
If we watch idly as this intense battle ends, we will lose our standings after returning to the capital. Can you grant us the chance to reclaim our honor and trust?
... There is no ti so I will be direct Will you obey my orders?
Fufu, seems like Sir Strategist has so misunderstanding about the current White Wolves. Do you think we are that vengeful?
... Arent you?
Half the unit died ans that half the unit won't know the grudges of the past. Including , half of the soldiers who just joined the unit were transferred from the south.
Regis had read such a report before.
This ant that Zemmourt didnt bore any personal grudges, and was trustworthy.
However, it was easy for emotions to trend towards negativity.
... If I was in Zemmourts position I would feel the need to do sothing to gain the trust of the old soldiers that comprises half the unit.
Zemmourt shrugged.
What you said is true. However, from the sa perspective, this is also a chance to show everyone that we will follow Sir Strategists orders.
There was no ti to continue their conversation.
Batteren was exhausted, this was an undeniable fact. Both n and horses were at their limit. It would be great if he could leave it to the Zemmourt.
Regis stopped his thoughts.
... If you disobey the orders, we might get wiped out.
I understand.
Zemmourt lowered his head deeply as if he was before a general.
Regis turned and t the eyes of Latreille who was standing behind him.
Latreille nodded without a word.
He probably ant that he would leave it to Regis.
Is he testing my abilities?
Regis adjusted his orders.
Well then, the White Hare Knights are to standby to the rear. The White Wolves would advance towards the middle. In order to cover the retreat of the other units, please draw the attention of the enemy. But only until 1800 hours. Understand, once it is 1800 hours, no matter how the situation is, you have to retreat imdiately.
Yes Sir!
Zemmourt stood at attention and saluted.
With the White Wolves that were committed into battle mid way as the anchor, the frontline was built up again.
As the sun was going to set, the opponent didnt attack forcefully.
If this goes on, it will proceed just as planned.
No problem.
It should be.
Regis received the reports from the various units and found the battle to be progressing smoothly.
At the sa ti, he felt sothing was out of place.
... Colonel Oswald Coulthard Didnt use any sches, and simply handed his forces over to the King of Langobalt Thats all?
Hah! Regis opened his eyes wide and turned his head.
Field Marshall, please lend so n!
Latreille asked confusedly.
Hmm? Is sothing wrong?
If my predictions are correct, there is still ti!
I wont turn you down now. What is the objective, and what sort of troops do you need?
Cavalry! I just need 100 cavalries!!
However, the White Wolves had set off for the front lines.
The White Tigers are holding the battle lines. They couldnt be dispatched.
So they could only use the exhausted White Hares that had retreated to the rear
Latreille nodded.
100 cavalries. If thats all, my guards would suffice.
Ehh!? But they are supposed to protect
And of course, I will be going too. If Sir Regis wants to squeeze out a hundred cavalry in such a situation, then I think your plans are valuable enough how about it?
Regs hesitated a mont, then nodded imdiately.
Please do! Its very urgent!
Latreille leaped onto his war horse.
Well then, follow Sir Regis! Tell the details on the horse!
Ehh!? Ah, erm Yes
He was surprised, but still reached his hand out His hand was grabbed and pulled up forcefully. He was seated behind Latreille.
Hyaah!?
He almost fell off, so Regis hugged Latreille without even thinking.
But Latreille didnt seem to be mad.
The horses Regis rode would thrash about wildly But Latreille controlled the horse and made it still like a statue. As expected of the best horse in the Empire.
Latreille gave the orders.
Germaine! I will leave this place to you!
Yes Sir!
He answered with a salute.
In monts like this, the relationship between Latreille and Germaine was completely different from Altina and Regis. For them, it was only natural to act separately in order to fulfill their own responsibilities when needed.
But Altina wanted to stay with Regis as much as possible. If Regis went out of her sight, she would feel very uneasy.
As soldiers, the two of them are probably acting the right way.
Regis pointed to the fortress.
Field Marshall, please head into the northwest forest!
Hmm Going around the battlefield huh If the enemy noticed us, this 100 cavalries wont be able to do anything. Then speed is of the essence. Escort unit, move out! Those who are slow will be left behind!
The knights all answered with a loud roar.
The Langobalt Army
Your Majesty, the White Wolves Knights are moving out from the Imperial headquarters!
They are committing their reserves huh. Seems like they cant spare the effort anymore.
Even though the deft movents of the Imperial forces put him at a big disadvantage, Paul slowly reorganized his units after using all his wits.
The ability to unite the soldiers that had been defeated, such abilities were far from stupidity.
In the first place, they had the advantage in numbers and equipnt, and also the support of cannons from the fort.
Hmmp It was a bit of a tough fight But it would be fine if we defeat the enemy in the end.
If he could achieve the results he wanted, the process didnt matter.
Well, I was hoping to present a flawless victory to Margaret in the beginning.
The Langobalt Kingdom had a low evaluation of the High Britannian Army. Even though they had new rifles, the soldiers were still weaklings.
Leaving aside naval battles where the performance of the ships mattered the most, the High Britannians werent much on land battles.
This was a fact. In this battle, their low level of training resulted in them being unable to keep up with the movent of the Imperial forces, and the formation beca chaotic several tis.
As for why the Imperial forces lost to the High Britannians so many tis, Paul thought the reason was the Empire has grown weak.
If he had the advantage in numbers, Paul was confident that he could turn the situation into a one sided slaughter.
But the truth was, he got fooled by the Empires strategist, and all his plans were countered.
Even though his main forces were intact, his overall forces had fallen quite a bit.
On top of that, the captives had escaped.
He glanced to the river.
Because the river suddenly dried up, the waterway beca an avenue to escape.
There werent many sentries.
His adjutant tilted his head.
Why did the river dried up all of a sudden in this season?
Let the scholars study that in the future. It is too inefficient for soldiers who arent experts to think about it.
Yes Sir.
To be honest, Paul felt sothing was amiss.
However, in his mind, his duty was to command the army and defeat the enemy.
As he was faithful to his duties, he focused his energy on the situation before him and expelled everything outside the battlefield from his mind.
He never imagined that the trap set by the Imperial army was upstream all this while.
A ssenger ran over.
Reporting! Reporting!
What is it!?
Ughhh Knight commander Ricks has been killed in combat! By the White Hare Knights!
... What!? Is it confird!?
After leading a hundred or so horsen to pursue the escaping captives, he engaged the White Hare Knights shortly after.
Moron!
No matter what the reason was, the commander of the unit shouldnt be exposed on the battlefield.
Paul gritted his teeth.
The rest of the cavalry are supporting the right flank under the command of his deputy.
What about the enemy! The ones that killed Ricks!?
They escaped in the direction of the Imperial territory together with the captives!
Which ant that their mission was to protect the fleeing captives.
His adjutant proposed:
My liege, as the combat prowess of the knight reinforcent are weakened, we are having a harder ti holding up. Please give the orders to retreat back to the fortress!
Dont be retarded! Now is a good chance! Not only did the White Hare Knights charged left and right on the battlefield, they even went to escort the escaping captives. No matter how exemplary the Imperial cavalry are, the stamina of their horses should be at their limits!
The White Tiger Knights who had been roaming the battlefield to support the battle lines were also exhausted and their movents had slowed down.
Even though they worked with the infantry ranks to switch back and forth in order to rest, they had charged nurous tis and expended a lot of their stamina.
What is left is the White Wolves Knight that had finally moved out. I heard they are just a subpar knight corp with half of them being fresh recruits.
Paul roared:
This is the mont of victory! Send out all the people in the fort! Even the High Britannians! The enemy used up all their forces! If we press them now, we will win!
He still had more than 10,000 troops that were unscathed.
Paul laughed:
Kuku To exhaust ones forces before sunset The enemy commander just knows a little street smarts! A commander of an army needs to see the battle in much longer terms!
He looked towards the western sky.
The sun was near the mountains. But it was still far from it setting completely.
It would be another two hours before nightfall.
We can win! Yes we can!
With the reinforcent from the fort, the Langobalt and High Britannian forces strengthened their attack.
Even though the Empire committed the White Wolves, there wasnt anything special about their movents.
As expected, the unfathomable way of my plans being countered as they unfold is just a fluke.
Paul concluded.
He couldnt imagine that the man who commanded so amazingly had left headquarters for other matters. After all, that went too far against common sense, so it was natural that he couldnt predict that.
There wasnt any need for special instructions now He never imagined that was what his adversary thought.
17:55 hours
His adjutant shouted.
The White Wolves are falling back! So are the other units! The front lines of the Imperial forces are collapsing!
Alright! Pursue them! We will ravage the headquarters of the Imperial Army in one go!
The entire army received the orders to charge.
Paul felt that victory was at hand.
The ground was shaking.
In the beginning, he thought it was caused by the charge of his own army, but that wasnt so.
He heard a thunder-like sound from a certain direction.
The soldiers panicked, and looked around them.
Paul also surveyed the surroundings.
What happened?
... I-I dont know.
His adjutant said in a trembling voice.
Paul looked towards the Empire.
They are running up the hills?
As a fundantal of battles, the ones who have the higher ground holds the advantage. However, there were limits to this. Even if they deploy on such steep slopes that they couldnt form ranks properly, it would just tire the troops needlessly.
It would be fine if they were just defending, but their movents would be dull if they switched to the offensive. And it would be hard to coordinate with their allies.
... They are not forming up?
The unfathomable noise was getting louder.
He then rembered suddenly.
Werent those signs that a flood was coming?
When he noticed the sound of water, he could already see the flood of water washing brown grass and mud coming at him.
The troops wailed.
There was no aning in ordering a retreat.
The army lost their cohesiveness imdiately and the soldiers scattered. But where should they run? Most of the troops ran in the direction of the fort.
But they were close enough to see the flood. It was probably impossible for the soldiers in armor to escape.
The smarter ones ran for the slopes.
The west of the battle field was now a dried river bed. A place that would be flooded very soon.
And the only place they could escape to was the eastern slopes.
However, the Imperial forces had secured that position before hand.
Those who were both lucky and calm escape up the empty slope where the Imperial bullets couldnt reach. However, they numbered less than one tenth the total number.
Paul pulled his reins.
Run!
Ah, Your Majesty, where to!? We should run to the slopes
To the fort!
W-Why!?
How could I abandon Margaret!?
The soldiers under him were engulfed by the water.
This is actually a trap!
The river dried up, and the prisoners escaped as if they knew this ahead of ti.
On top of that, the action taken by the Imperial forces before him.
And this flood.
Were all this set up by the enemy?
Ughh Can such a thing be done by n!?
The horses were swept by the torrent and fell like twigs.
Soldiers wearing armor sunk.
Innurable screams were overwheld by the imnse flood.
Just the water was a big threat, but there were logs and stones mixed in too. Armor and lanes were all useless now. Aside from running at full speed to escape, there was nothing else they could do.
Your Majesty!
His adjutant caught up in no ti.
Ohh! You made it!
As expected, just this amount of water cant drown the valley!
Turning back, he could see that compared to the eruption earlier, the water flow had stabilized.
The water overflowed the river banks, and the city was probably the sa with the water gushing out from the waterway. This was really terrible.
What a horrible sight. But, if the fortress is intact...
As long as the cavalry survives!!
Ohh!
They lost a lot of n, but a sizable number of cavalry capable of fighting rushed over.
Paul grabbed his reins tight.
His body was trembling.
A Alright! With the cavalry as the core, if we consolidate all the surviving soldiers, we can still fight! How can we bend down to those Imperials!
Yes Sir!
First, I have to check on Margarets safety!
The adjutant frowned resignedly, but nodded.
... Yes, in order to command the High Britannian troops, that is necessary.
Paul made his adjutant wait and walked into the private chambers of the queen, located in the depths of the fortress.
... What is this?
There were no guards.
There should be an adequate number of guards to protect the High Britannian Queen.
Because of the flood, the vicinity around the Grebauvar city beca empty. Although the city part was flooded, the fortress portion shouldnt be damaged too much.
I can still fight. I can still fight Margaret
He pushed open the door without even knocking.
There wasnt anyone here.
Margaret and the High Brittanian strategist Oswald Coulthard were not here. Not just that, even the maids and guards were missing.
... What is going on? Margaret! Margaret! Where have you gone!? Its ! Paul Langschultz!!
This was the bed she would lie on even in the day, the Belgarian made couches she likes and the white tea set from the far east. Everything was the sa before Paul went out to battle.
But only she alone wasnt here.
... Where did you go?
Your Majesty!
His adjutant ca in.
How unsightly, Paul glared at him.
What is it!? And this is the private chambers of a royalty!
... Not anymore.
What?
I questioned the maids who are left behind. She said the High Britannia Queen and her escorts had already left Grebauvar. They left via the west gate.
They actually!? When!?
... About an hour ago. When the captives were escaping.
There was no doubt that during that ti, the attention of the fortress garrison and the two armies fighting in the field was focusing on the captives.
No one noticed that at this mont, the High Britannia Queen had quietly slipped out from the west gate in the opposite direction.
Paul held his head.
... How could it be Is it because she saw fighting an ugly battle!?
Didn't she plan to escape all this ti? And the result is, no one is chasing the High Britannia Queen, but we are in a deep crisis.
If he didnt fight this battle, the Langobalt Kingdom would still have the option of capturing the High Britannia Queen and using her as a negotiation chip with Belgaria.
At the very least, they could demand a Queens ransom from High Britannia.
However, the Belgarian Empire focused all their energy on the King of Langobalt, while the High Britannia Queen got away scot free!
Pauls lips quivered.
... What are you saying? Did Margaret use as a sacrificial pawn?
I dont know how she thinks, but thats the situation right now. In the beginning, we used the citizens as shields Thinking about it carefully, we wont be able to negotiate peacefully because of that. And isnt the one who suggested that Colonel Oswald?
Ughh
Normally, using the release of the captured city and prisoners as chips, one could request for a ransom.
However, if the sche of using citizens as shields was used, it would be impossible for them to negotiate with the Empire.
After all, they wouldnt be forgiven on an emotional level.
We were too rash in taking this Grebauvar city that had not fallen for a long ti. And didnt the High Britannian Queen used this point exactly?
Paul lowered his head.
... No. We just need to win. The fortress is still intact. The city is just being flooded montarily, we can still fight!
His adjutant showed a bitter expression.
No matter how he objected to his king, the only answer he got was to fight.
It was true that there was no possibility of a peaceful negotiation.
A soldier ran over. But it was the private quarters of an important person after all, so he stopped at the entrance.
Reporting!
Whats the matter this ti?
Paul asked annoyingly.
The expression on the soldiers face seed to be saying that sothing troubleso was happening again.
His breathing was ragged probably because he sprinted here, and his face was pale.
... The water
You are telling that now?
No, my liege! It isnt a flash flood the water level isnt dropping.
What do you an?
It seed that the enemy built a dam downstream, and blocked the river flow.
A dam!? Why!? What is the Empire trying to do!?
The soldier couldnt answer.
The adjutant said in a tone as if he was groaning.
Your Majesty, the Belgarian Empire wants to flood Grebauvar city.
T-They are actually doing such a thing!?
But of course, not the entire place would be flooded. The walls and the taller parts of the fortress were built rather high up.
However, if the water flooded one story high, they wouldnt be able to use the city.
And facilities such as food storage, cellars and stables were located on the first floor.
Pauls face turned as pale as the soldier reporting.
... Can we destroy the dam?
With the water reaching a certain level, the cavalry wont be able to get close. Infantry would be able to approach from the slopes.
Yes.
However, our troops are
They lost more than half their soldiers in the flood earlier.
How many n were left? And even for those who survive, do they still have the will to fight?
We will fight our way out!
Paul decided.
Dont say anything more, just follow ! Just those who still have the will to fight is enough! This is the final battle!
He descended the stairs of the fort.
Drawing out the sword at his waist, he shouted:
The Belgarian Empire is on their last legs and is nothing to be afraid of! I am the King of Langobalt, Paul Langschultz!
When he attempted to go down to the first level.
The water already flooded half the level.
It was up to his waist.
If they wore armor and rode on their horses, they would need to bet their lives on it. After all, falling off would an drowning.
There was not a single knight ard and ready to go in sight.
Their horses were here, but they all sought refuge on the second story.
Paul took off his armor and threw it away.
He yelled.
He didnt know why he was yelling as he waded to his horse and mounted it.
Open the gates! The King is taking the field! All those with valor follow !!
... Your Majesty.
His adjutant who had also taken off his armor approached.
Ohh! Get on your horse too!
... Your Majesty
Whats the matter!? Mount your horse! Open the gates now!
...... Your Majesty The chanism to open the gates had already been subrged in water.
Ughhh
Lets raise the white flag.
His adjutant lowered his head and said.
Paul lifted his sword and slashed at the water.
Uwahhhh~~~!!
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