Chapter 283 - Chapter 21: Southeastern Regnentes
The ten thousand Medioland troops led by Seldic were struggling against the six thousand Regnentes troops that had advanced into the basin. Furthermore, the Regnentes army devoted itself to defense using the fortress at the western exit of the basin and the basin lord's manor, located not so far from there, as bases, while scout units hidden in the border forest threatened the Medioland army's supply lines.
The two bases had built earthworks with abatis planted in front of stone breastworks, with fences tied on top of them. Furthermore, deep moats were dug in front of the earthworks, and many vertical moats were dug to hinder the approach of the Engrio army. Even so, when they tried to get close, portable small catapults that threw stones with wind magic launched barrel-packed gunpowder with lit fuses, filled with iron fragments, from a distance.
If they laid a hand on the lord's manor, the main force from the fortress would approach. Once a siege battle has begun, it's not so easy to return to an open-field battle formation.
In addition, what was troublesome was the attack from the bowls, which suddenly rained down arrows from above and dropped gunpowder with lit fuses or ceramic pots filled with oil with lit cloths stuck in them one after another. Horses, terrified by the noise, stopped listening to commands. More than that, ten thousand troops could not be fully protected by [Wind Barrier], and the advancing soldiers suffered unexpected damage from a method they hadn't imagined—attacks that suppressed an area with explosions using large amounts of gunpowder, which was supposed to be rare. In order to suppress the fear of being isolated in enemy territory, the losses of their own side had to be reduced. The staff, who were already starting to think about withdrawal, judged that a forced attack was impossible.
The Engrio army, which had no means to counter the hidden bowls, had already lost all of its aerial soldiers, so it had solidified its defense with [Wind Barrier] and [Wind Curtain] centered on the main camp, but it gradually lost the means to attack due to the Regnentes army's assaults.
The attacks by the scout units operating the bowls hidden in the lord's manor and the surrounding forest continued throughout the night, and the Engrio soldiers' sleep was particularly disturbed by the sound of gunpowder explosions.
The aim of the Regnentes side was to force mental exhaustion, and they were not aiming for the loss of soldiers. Even a single explosion would echo loudly in the basin's terrain. The Regnentes scouts took turns departing while taking breaks, continuing to add harassment-like attacks with explosion sounds, arrows, catapults, and flames.
During the day, they were forced into a state of tension by the deployment that suggested a charge by Regnentes heavy cavalry, along with attacks from small catapults and the bowls.
They reacted hypersensitively even to intermittent explosion sounds of just two or three rounds, and the sleepless days continued.
One or two days would be one thing, but when the sleepless days continued for three or four days, discipline loosened and quarrels broke out over trivial things. Finally, as a result of the continued sleepless days, soldiers began to see hallucinations, and they reached a state where they could barely maintain their appearance as an army. After such attacks that forced sleep deprivation continued, all attacks stopped at sunset on the sixth day.
After the sun went down, the staff, who gathered at the Engrio main camp in an exhausted state, sat in chairs around a large table and recommended withdrawal with one voice.
In particular, the unit commanders of the heavy cavalry and light cavalry loudly asserted the impossibility of continued combat capability, citing the fact that most of the horses had become nervous and would not listen at all.
"Your Majesty. Currently, both the entrance and exit of the highway to our country are barely secured. If it's now, we can temporarily rely on our positions to reorganize and withdraw safely. Please make a decision."
At the words of the Royal Guard Commander, who holds the rank next to Margrave Mortimer in the Engrio army, the staff all showed agreement and pressed the King, saying that they would be annihilated otherwise.
Already, the situations of various places have been brought to the main camp.
The urgent report from Margrave Mortimer, who was barely holding back the Medioland main army and the Sertorian Central Army with his own territory's fortresses and was being forced into a disastrous withdrawal under pursuit by the Eastern Plains Corps led by Roberts and the Paratroop Jaegers on the narrow highway, and the urgent reports from various nobles in the eastern region of Engrio conveying the situation where the Morandine army and the armies of the two northern countries were concentrating troops at the border, gave the staff a sense of crisis that the entire country would perish if the direct army did not return immediately.
"The enemy would think so as well. Besides, the soldiers are exhausted. Since the sound of that gunpowder can't be heard tonight, they're probably sleeping soundly while ignoring their posts."
Seldic said with a laugh, as if he were imagining the soldiers sleeping while having lost consciousness, with his usual smile-containing expression.
Seldic is sitting in a chair placed slightly away from the table. Directly opposite him is the general who commands the infantry among the soldiers who came from the continent.
"If that is the case, Your Majesty. Withdraw immediately. At the very least, please authorize the movement to the field position at the highway exit."
Seldic tilted his head slightly.
"I cannot. If you try to wake up the soldiers who are sleeping now for such a reason, insubordination and desertion will occur one after another."
"Then, what do you intend to do?"
Just as the Royal Guard Commander, who had dark circles under his eyes, asked, a scout burst into the tent.
Apparently, the sentries have collapsed on the ground and are sleeping.
"I have a report! Heavy cavalry of the enemy are moving near the lord's manor in this area. It is thought they will launch a night raid late at night."
The staff, their faces pale, all stood up at once.
◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆
Harold, who had been waging a psychological war against the Engrio army for five days, was sitting around a table with Henry, Eleanor, Will, Beatrix, and the lord at the basin lord's manor, which he was using as a base.
"Military Minister-sama. Is it finally time for the finishing touches?"
The lord's cheeks are slightly flushed.
Although it started with Jeanne and Beatrix suggesting it along with the scout unit as a whim, when he heard that his own territory would be the target of a scorched-earth strategy, he had thought about appealing directly to the King to stop it.
However, fortunately, there were almost no human losses thanks to the evacuation sites and preserved food prepared since the previous year, the harvesting by magic soldiers while the Engrio army was struggling to fell the black trees, and the evacuation guidance using simple magic circles.
Because the scorched-earth strategy was made public, and because of the mounds made to look like graves and the spider corpses placed around them, there was no destruction of villages by the Engrio army.
After that, if they can kick out the Engrio army, the war will be over.
At this point, they are in an overwhelmingly superior position.
Of course, it will take a corresponding amount of time to return to their original lives, but it is still early autumn, and there is time until winter.
"The problem is from here on. If it were just about withdrawing, Seldic would have withdrawn long ago."
"What do you mean by that?"
The lord asked back blankly at Harold, who showed an unexpectedly stern expression, and Beatrix, seeing that, stifled a laugh. She is being poked in the shoulder with an elbow by Will.
"It's hard to maintain the morale of the soldiers when fleeing after stepping this far into enemy territory. Without dealing a corresponding blow to our army, they won't be able to make a very orderly withdrawal. Besides, think about the losses of the Engrio army in various places. If things go poorly, even if they escape back safely, they'll be pressured to abdicate, and a family feud will break out. Someone will surely emerge who tries to gain power by standing as the backer of a child with the right of succession to the throne. However, if they win here, they can maintain their face to some extent. They will surely strike a blow."
"A-A blow..."
Harold, who nodded to the lord, looked at Henry and the others.
"That's why you lot should return to the village. Most of the scout units have come here now. If they were to invade there, we wouldn't be able to protect the village well."
He made a gesture as if shooing away a fly with his left hand.
"There's no need to worry. The volunteer army is there."
"That's right. There's no way they can strike a blow on such a narrow road. I won't allow you to act cool by becoming the decoy all by yourself."
"In the first place, do you think you can attract Seldic all by yourself?"
"That's right. It's because we're here."
"Listen, are you really saying that yourselves?"
When Harold said that in exasperation, Beatrix and Will burst out laughing.
"Hey, what do you two think? I'll fight appropriately here and then withdraw. Seldic will be able to escape with peace of mind. Our country will not pursue. If we do that, this battle will end. It's a battle I've decided to lose. If by some chance these two were to die, our country would lose face."
Finally, he is asking the two young girls for help.
Henry and Eleanor had once said it. They have no choice but to push it through by majority vote.
"If there are three people who won't die even if you kill them, we'll win."
"Umu. It would be good if the Lord-dono also played an active part. If you do, the prosperity of this land after the war will surely increase further."
Harold and the lord instinctively looked at each other.
"As expected of the students of Catherine and Jennifer."
Henry also nodded with satisfaction at Eleanor's words.
"Are the women of Sertoria all fools..."
Just as Harold let out a deep sigh, the sound of a knock on the room's door was heard.
"Have they come!"
Harold stood up, and at the same time he opened the door, a scout knelt on one knee.
"Ha! The enemy cavalry that were at the highway exit have moved and joined the Engrio main body. After that, the enemy main body began to move. They are at a run. The target is likely this manor. It is thought they will arrive shortly."
"What about our army's cavalry?"
"As you commanded, they have finished assembling in front of this manor and are awaiting Harold-sama's instructions."
"Umu. In that case..."
It was just as Harold was about to give instructions.
"Please have all the heavy cavalry units in front of the manor head toward the enemy position at the border forest exit."
Eleanor interrupted Harold and spoke up.
The scout who came to hear Harold's instructions was blinking his eyes.
"W-What are you saying!"
Harold raised his fist, and Eleanor gave a pointedly fake scream of "Kyaa!" then ran away while laughing exaggeratedly. Henry stepped in between the two.
"Harold. Sorry. Though Eleanor is my wife, once she says something, she won't listen. Could you leave this to us for once?"
"What do you intend to do!"
"We're going to win. You don't like losing either, do you?"
Eleanor poked her face out from behind the composed Henry and was nodding.
"I don't know! No matter what happens!"
Harold lowered his raised fist and let out a sigh.
In the watchfires burning brightly at the main gate of the lord's manor, a banner depicting a black dragon fluttered.
It was a long vertical banner, and the way it climbed toward the tip of the pole as it was pulled by a string made it look as if it were alive.
The Engrio scouts who witnessed the banner sent an urgent report to the main camp.
"Henry and Eleanor are at the target point!"
The streamer of the Sertorian royal family was raised. This report surprised the main camp of the Engrio army.
They know from the scouts' information that the heavy cavalry in front of the manor moved toward the border exit position. They likely intend to attack the weakened position and isolate and annihilate the Engrio army. In that case, it will be a race to see which side captures their target first.
"Y-Your Majesty! While the streamer is fluttering, Henry and Eleanor are in the manor."
The soldiers were able to get some rest during the movement of the Regnentes army. They intended to launch a surprise attack just when the enemy heavy cavalry that headed toward their own position began the siege battle, then withdraw as they were.
However, this is the turning point of the tactics.
"Umu. We will take the manor with the entire army. Capture the two of them. Do not spare any losses."
"Ha!"
The scout's report was proclaimed to the entire Engrio army.
If they win here, they can return safely. If they can capture the two of them, they can undoubtedly carry out advantageous post-war work. The first merit for those who capture them is certain. Commoners will become nobles, and nobles will be granted new lands.
Soldiers who didn't wake up or were half-asleep were left behind on the spot, as if told to follow later.
The entire army charged at the manor at once.
Seldic is at the front. Brandishing a longsword for mounted use, he galloped his horse while shouting, "Kill them! Kill them!"
From the manor's catapults, barrel-packed gunpowder is thrown all at once toward the cluster of watchfires.
Against this, the Engrio army has light infantry riding behind the cavalry and deploys [Wind Barrier] in front. At the same time, they fired [Fire Ball], [Flame], and even fire arrows wildly, exploding them in the air if they were lucky enough to hit.
They didn't care if their own side suffered losses.
They didn't flinch at all even if they jumped into the moats or if their allies or horses were skewered by abatis. Their nerves, which were highly strung due to sleep deprivation and the excitement of the battlefield, numbed the fear of death, and the entire army attacked like a group of evil spirits.
They had predicted that the manor's forces would not exceed two thousand. They didn't know how many soldiers were following, but there would be seven or eight thousand. They didn't mind if they lost half. If they were prepared to fill the moats with corpses and create a foothold to scale the walls, they could definitely take it.
Suddenly, a person thought to be Henry stood on top of the wall. Eleanor was also by his side. Harold was also there, bringing two attendants. The five were enveloped in a faint yellow light.
"Deploy triple magic defense in the upper front! [Wind Barrier] as well! Those up there are Sertoria's Henry and Eleanor. Do not let them escape! Whoever captures them, regardless of who they are, will be given land! I don't care if they're corpses! Everyone! Exert yourselves!"
They know that there is no movement on the Regnentes side other than the cavalry.
In response to Seldic's voice, the archers who had advanced to the front fired arrows all at once, and the magic soldiers released magic.
When they realized that all long-range attacks were blocked, the infantry charged next. Humans can break through barriers. Of course, while holding weapons. If they surrounded them in large numbers, they could manage even if they were heroes. Moreover, they are old people.
They crossed the moats by stepping over the corpses of their allies who had been blown away by gunpowder and burned by flames. Just when the Engrio staff thought they could take it as they watched their allied soldiers trying to climb the siege ladders...
Five hundred Regnentes light cavalry charged into the undefended flank—the right flank.
"Was the heavy cavalry a feint!"
The light cavalry had been moving as if hiding behind the heavy cavalry. In Harold's plan, the heavy cavalry was in front, and the light cavalry had left the road midway to become an ambush. Eleanor had moved only the heavy cavalry, and the light cavalry had remained as an ambush.
Those light cavalry passed through from right to left, as if dividing the Engrio army, which was confused after being caught by a surprise attack. They continued to gallop away.
It was at that moment when the Engrio army's offensive momentum was temporarily lost.
From above and behind the Engrio army, which had not deployed magic defense, three consecutive rounds of [Prominence] were released. Next, [Fire Storm] was released one after another on the left flank, driving the soldiers toward the right side... toward the border position.
"It seems we made it just in time."
"Umu. It's a secret weapon; it makes its appearance at the very end."
Henry nodded at Eleanor's words as they watched the Engrio army being driven toward the border by the fire magic being released one after another.
The Engrio army, which was completely broken after nearly a quarter of its allies were burned to death, was fleeing as if pursued by the flames. The heavy cavalry that headed toward the enemy position were also supposed to return without even striking a blow. If left alone, they would flee. The figure of the person thought to be Seldic, who was encouraging the soldiers with a drawn sword in front of the fortress, was also nowhere to be seen. Surely, the staff had pulled the horse's reins and let him escape.
"You lot, did you still have such a hidden ace..."
Harold was exasperated.
"It's a secret weapon, after all."
"Who on earth is it? It couldn't be James-dono, could it?"
"I can't say. After all, it's a secret weapon."
"That's why I told you. If Eleanor and I aren't here, the enemy's rear won't open up."
"How could I know that! Something like that!"
Harold snapped at the smirking Henry and Eleanor.
"It is said that to deceive the enemy, one must first deceive one's allies. As expected of Eleanor the Tactician. Splendidly done."
"Did you know about it too?"
Harold asked Will, who had placed the butt-end of the spear she was holding on the ground.
"No, I just found out now. I had resolved to throw away my life to protect everyone, but I am relieved that it didn't come to that."
At Will's composed words, he slumped his shoulders in defeat.
"The women of Sertoria all have hair growing on their hearts. (T/N: An idiom meaning to be audacious or thick-skinned.) It would probably be the same even if the landowner's daughter I sent back to the village were here. I still prefer Regnentes."
Eleanor said, "Oh, how rude," to Harold's assertion, and Henry nodded, saying, "Indeed."
"In any case, it's good that our side won."
At the words of the lord, who had slumped down on the spot, Will nodded with great seriousness, saying, "Truly."