Chapter 5 - Achievent on the Battlefield (1)
Its been three months since I beca a rcenary.
Thanks to the swordsmanship tournant on the first day, I beca the squad leader for a 10-man assault squad. It was all thanks to my abilities.
In those three months, I fought in a battle once and showed off my skill to the fullest. No one has called a rookie since then. My second battle crept up just as I was getting adjusted to the life as a rcenary.
The Iron Prince-Elector is planning a decisive battle with a Demon Lord at Hofheim. Hes gathering all the n he can and our Fhnlein plans on joining in as well.(TL: Fahnlein: sen.wikipedia/wiki/Fähnlein)(TL: Prince-Elector: sen.wikipedia/wiki/Prince-elector)
My heart beat faster as I listened to Sergeant Schultzs explanation. I could finally have a chance to et one of the guardian characters I could have chosen in this world.
Iron Prince-Elector was a nickna. He is the ruler of the Electorate of Palatinate and one of several Prince-Electors in the Empire. Technically, his title is Prince-Elector of Palatinate, but everyone simply referred to him as the Iron Prince-Elector. (TL: Palantinate: sen.wikipedia/wiki/Electoral_Palatinate)
Then Ill go as well.
The Battle of Hofheim was essentially the debut stage for the Iron Price-Elector. He could win the battle or lose. The story shifted dramatically depending on the result so I planned on keeping a close eye on it.
There could also be a way to get acquainted with him if the opportunity presented itself.
***
One month later.
We joined the Iron Prince-Electors army which was marching to oppose the Demon Lord. The Iron Prince-Electors army t Demon Lord Pejamuts, which was marching north, at Hofheim. Finally, both armies were ready to duke it out.
Our fhnlein has been ordered to retake this hill from the enemys hands! Forward!
The commander of our fhnlein, the Captain, shouted loudly. We maintained our square phalanx formation as we advanced. Arquebusiers who were extended like wings on each side of the formation fired continuously.
Bang! Ba-bang! Blam!
But the enemys response was not light either. The demonic army casted magic in response to our bullets.
Blaaaam! Baaam!
It was a bloodbath in every direction. However, I walked calmly alongside the piken. Soon, we would be close enough for the assault squad to charge.
Listen up ya sorry lot of pigs! Get ready to run wild!
Sergeant Schultz seed to be the one who would lead the charge. He looked around and after picking out from the group nodded his head at .
Valler! I have high expectations of you! If I fall, you will lead them.
Amidst their preparation, all the assault squad soldiers looked at . They also nodded at as if they approved.
Charge!
Sergeant Schultz took the lead. Then, the assault squad soldiers ard with halberds and two handed swords followed. Everyone had already set foot in a battlefield, so the bullets whizzing by didnt faze them one bit.
It was a leisurely pace at the start, but everyone sped up little by little and it beca a full sprint once the distance closed to about 20m. Courageous war cries echoed from everywhere.
Waaaarrrggghhh! Lets go!
Ti to die!
Our target was a line of orc piken. Boasting large muscles and stronger than humans, they were common foot soldiers in Demon Lords armies. Many humans did not enjoy the sight of their green skin.
Kill them all!
As Sergeant Schultz shouted his order, we collided with the orc pike line.
Clang! Twack! Kang! Clang!
The sound of weapons clashing with each other was noisy. The orcs tried to keep us back by stabbing towards us with their pikes as we vigorously swung our two handed swords to smack them away. Pikes broke and splinters flew in all direction.
I dodged a pike aid at my face and grabbed it. The orc held on to the pike trying not to lose it.
I dont think so!
Crack
The pike shattered imdiately. The orcs nearby scread in astonishnt. So couldnt believe what had happened in front of their eyes.
I dug into the gap created by shattering the pike. I held my two handed swords in a reverse grip like an oar and started sweeping away the piken left and right.
Urgh!
They fell like wheat as I used my strength. I was using the law of the lever so they couldnt hold on even if they tried. (ED: Law of the Lever: sen.wikipedia/wiki/Lever#Law_of_the_lever)
Alright! Im going in!
When I widened the gap, other assault troops waded in as if they had been waiting for this chance and started swinging down their swords. No matter how tough the orcs were, they couldnt withstand two handed swords. Their arms and legs flew in all direction.
Kuaaagh!Kuuurggggh!
Parts of the orc pike line wavered and descended into confusion. We didnt miss the opportunity.
Get em!Push them back!
Everyone started driving their way in while pushing back the pikes with their swords. The area I was swinging my sword at was especially wiped clean of orcs. I had as much strength as an ogre. All those muscular orc warriors dived at but were knocked back imdiately.
Kuaagh! Its a monster! A monster!A human with the strength of an ogre!
I was proficient in the orcish language so I could understand everything they were saying. As I was wiping out the area, a squad mber ran up and shouted.
Our boys have started the push of pike!
(TL: sen.wikipedia/wiki/Push_of_pike)
Looking at the place the squad mber was pointing at, the allies who had sohow managed to climb up the hill were stabbing away at the orcs. The way we disrupted the enemy line probably helped greatly.
What do we do? Give us an order.
It wasnt just him. All the assault troops nearby were looking at . Sergeant Schultz had taken a pike to his shoulder during an earlier engagent and was wounded.
Valler, Im sorry, but I leave it to you.
I had the command. Everyone else shouted too.
Everyone will follow you, Squad Leader Valler. Your orders!Ive decided to aim for achieving sothing substantial on the battlefield along with everybody. If I managed a significant feat, there would be an opportunity to et with the Iron Prince-Elector. My goal was clear.
Listen up! Well capture the enemys colours!(TL: sen.wikipedia/wiki/Military_colours,_standards_and_guidons)
It was evident everyone was surprised at what I had to say. The enemys colours were deep in the centre of the pike line. For now, they were in disarray, but it was an incredibly risky task. However, if done successfully, it would be an incomparable achievent.
Everyone here knows how important the colours are, right!? That right there is the most delicious prey in sight!
Soldiers gathered around their regintal colours. Soldiers knew where to go even amidst the chaos because the flag stood tall. If the colours disappeared, the regints unity and morale would plumt.
If we use this montum to seize the colours, we can capture this hill! Orc bastards run the mont they feel like theyre losing.
It looked like everybodys appetite for this tempting target was worked up.
Ill take the lead! Follow!Waaarrrgghhh! Follow Squad Leader Valler!Lets goooo!
We charged at the enemy line like an angry bull while shouting courageous war cries.
Die!
Every ti a two handed sword flashed, an orcs head flew. Our indiscriminate charge splattered enemy blood everywhere; but, the orcs managed to take down several of us as well.
Pant! Pant! Just a little bit more! Were almost there!
Despite having a nurical advantage, the orcs were on the back foot due to our ferocity. I could not let this opportunity pass and dug in even deeper. Finally, I swung my sword at the one holding the regintal colours.
Kueeegh!
He must have been a formidable warrior to be guarding the colours, but he couldnt withstand a single blow and collapsed on the ground a headless corpse. I shouted while holding the flag that had fallen down.
I, Valler from Spandau, have taken the enemy colours!
When I waved the blood soaked flag, all the assault troops who had followed in broke out in cheer.
Waaarrrgghh! Hurrah!Squad Leader Valler captured the enemy colours!
There were less voices than before. Unfortunately, out of roughly 50 n who charged the pike line with , only about 30 remained.
The ones who remained were covered in injuries. But everyone looked ecstatic because we had taken the enemy colours. It was a valor they could brag about in beer halls for the next 10 years.
We need to hold out now! Rally around the colours! Our n are coming up!
I gathered the surviving mbers of the assault troop. The reason we could break through was due to the main body engaging in push of pike. I never thought it was possible to escape with the colours all by ourselves in the first place.
Alright! Lets hold out!
If we make it, its a jackpot!
Everyone shared similar thoughts. We held back the swarm of orcs with all our might. But the situation didnt progress as anticipated.
Our boys are being pushed back!
One of the squad mbers shouted out in a hurry.
No! Damn it!
Desperation seeped out in his voice. The allied troops were failing to take the hill and were slowly being pushed back from the orc counter-attack. At this rate, we would be isolated amidst the enemy position.
What about us, you bastards!Co back! You cowards!
I never thought it would turn out like this. Taking the enemy colours was undoubtedly successful. It was reckless, but we succeeded. However, our troops being pushed back was outside the calculation. Everyone looked towards flabbergasted.
Squad Leader Valler!
The orcs stood roughly two sword lengths away and had us surrounded in a circle. It was calm for now, but I couldnt see an escape route.
Your orders! If its co to this...
So looked like they were ready to fight to the death.
You all know! Death is sothing that can co at any mont for a rcenary. Of course, it would preferably not have been today.
Everyone here knew they would probably et an end like this one day. But I didnt want to shout for everyone to prepare to dine in hell tonight. Since I dragged them here I wanted to see them make it out alive.
But how?
I couldnt think of anything.
Hmm.
Everyone hurried for orders since I was pondering silently.
Squad Leader! I dont bla you for it. Who wouldve thought that the idiot captain would call for a retreat while we were still here!
Thats right! Since it ca to this, lets go out with a bang!
It was the soldiers Marx and Telmann from my squad who said this. Both were excellent swordsn and soldiers as courageous as lions. After witnessing their display of courage, I had all the more reason not to let them die here.
Marx.
Yes, Squad Leader!
Start a fire.
He looked confused at the sudden order. However, Telmann, who was standing right beside him, took out his flints and looked for an oil canister. Then he ripped off a piece of cloth from a dead soldier nearby to make a torch.
What do you plan to do?
Light it. Quickly!
Understood!
Woosh.
Once the torch was lit, I stepped forward. Then I proclaid loudly towards the orcs.
You sorry sons of whores! If you co any closer, Ill burn your standard to a crisp!
I could see several orcs who seed to understand Imperial language flinch. When I tried to light the colours on fire, several orcs jumped in their spot and shouted sothing. Eventually one of their officers ca forward and shouted in Imperial tongue.
Dont be foolish! We wont let you leave alive if anything happens to the colours!
You what? Not going to let us leave alive? I knew orcs were stupid, but you must be on another level! Youre going to kill us anyways! I said stay back!
I waved the torch while pouring insults at them.
Seriously, this psychotic human.
The orc officer couldnt hide his consternation. Regintal colours were not only for practical usage but carried the regints history as well. I sneaked a peek at the letters written on the flag. Based on the demons calendar, it was a 22-year old colours.
No wonder it felt like a rag...
Co try it you bastards! We wont go down easily.
The attempt to set the regints 22 years of history ablaze took the orcs completely unaware.
Calm down, humans. If you hand back the colours, well let you return to your regint safely.
As if you arent an orc. Every ti you open your mouth, lies cos flowing out! Get back!
I was holding off the massacre by holding the colours as hostage. It wasnt just my life on the line. All I could think about was saving my n. However, this wouldnt last too long.
The orcs werent stupid. They were taken aback, but would soon co up with sothing. My life and my comrades life were burning away like a candle.
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