kscans

CHAPTER 5 WARS OF NATIONS – Episode 9 Mountain Battle (Part 1)

1

The next day, on the thirty-fifth of May, Bard was appointed as the Wajd Entrante (Marshal of the Alliance). The appointment ceremony, hastily scheduled, took place amidst the presence of civil and military officials, elite royal army soldiers, and special envoys from the Goriora Empire. Bard was officially sworn in as the Marshal of the Alliance. Following this, the senior officials engaged in detailed discussions with the Goriora Empire envoys to finalize the specific conditions. The military alliance had only outlined a broad framework, with the details to be negotiated according to the situation at hand. In this case, Goriora would dispatch reinforcements to Parzam. However, the senior officials insisted on the participation of Goriora’s knights in the conflict. This emphasis was placed on establishing a track record of joint military operations. The discussions were expected to cover a wide range of topics. The envoys from Goriora, led by the First Foreign Affairs Lord, were accompanied by the Second Military Affairs Lord and the Second Commercial Affairs Lord, indicating their serious intent. It was anticipated that reaching a resolution would take a considerable amount of time. (t/n: maybe Union Marshal by gTrans is better?)

2

Bard first sought to meet with General Buntai. He was the Shinkai general captured by Seifert during the siege of Orbus Castle. Despite being in captivity for two months, he had remained silent except for providing his name. Bard ordered for the prisoner’s room to be relocated to a well-ventilated area above ground, arranged for bathing, and ensured proper meals. Additionally, he instructed for the prisoner to receive a haircut and be provided with clean clothing.

Next, to assess the military situation, Bard summoned Chantillion and the military officials. The infamous Battle of Casse Plains, where the royal army suffered a major defeat, had taken place on the twenty-sixth of April. The Shinkai army, as usual, engaged in battles with the intention of killing rather than capturing knights. Prior to that, in the city of Casse which they had conquered, apart from killing the lord and expelling his family, they refrained from any further acts of brutality, aiming to reassure the residents and ensure effective governance. This indicated their serious intent for invasion. Reinforcements had also arrived from their homeland. Currently, they were likely to be pacifying Casse, allowing their troops to rest and reorganize. Therefore, it would still be some time before the Shinkai army launched an attack on the royal capital.

The strength of General of Greed was abnormal. Even if the Shinkai army could be defeated, if General of Greed could not be overcome, the war would be lost. Bard instructed Chantillion to focus on replenishing and reorganizing the royal army with the assistance of experienced officers and soldiers.

At the workshop of the engineering expert Auro, Bard commissioned the production of improved crossbows. Auro’s eyes lit up with determination upon hearing the explanation. Individuals of this kind exhibited remarkable prowess when motivated. Bard also consulted on the modification of spears. Just then, Zendatta arrived and brainstormed together.

“It seems the Grand Marshal intends to cast this, but the connection between the ring-shaped part and the hook-shaped part will weaken. It would be quicker to forge this. Bring the spear here, and we will fit it in. Let’s fix it by bending instead of using a ring. Also, the shape and strength of the pointed part will be crucial. The leather armor of the demonic beasts is surprisingly slippery. The surface is hard, so the tip doesn’t penetrate. To make it pierce through, it’s best to entrust it to the skills of a blacksmith. What? Items with clear purposes are easier to make. I will gather ten blacksmiths through my connections. We can gather three hundred in thirty days. Also, instead of parts, lend us complete enemy armor.”

He requested to gather as many blacksmiths as necessary and make it within fifteen days. The remaining time available was uncertain.

3

On the third day, Bard ordered for General Buntai to be brought out from the underground cell and met with him in the pavilion of the royal palace’s garden. The guards were kept at a distance. With Karz accompanying him, there was no need to fear an unarmed individual. After confirming that Bard was the one who had visited him in the underground cell, he inquired about Buntai’s age. The response was that he was twenty-six.

“I was able to wash myself, get my hair and beard trimmed, and most importantly, eat good food. Am I sentenced to death? In our country, we don’t pay ransom, you see.”

Bard asked if it was because his family lacked the money or if they were not poor.

“No, we’re not rich, but we’re not exactly poor either. My pay increased significantly after I became a general. In our country, being captured by the enemy is a disgrace. If my wife tried to pay ransom to save me, no store would sell her anything anymore.”

Bard had tea brought in and conversed with him. Despite Buntai’s silence on everything except his name, he answered all the questions. Bard was able to learn a great deal about the mysterious state of Shinkai. What surprised Bard the most was the existence of the “Valley of Wrath,” where demonic beasts were said to emerge endlessly. The soldiers of Shinkai honed their martial skills while battling these demonic beasts.

When Bard mentioned that he was a knight from the eastern frontier of the Ova River, fighting demonic beasts coming from beyond the “Great Barrier” all his life, Buntai’s eyes sparkled.

“Wow. People live in such a place and there’s a country there too. The world is indeed vast.”

Buntai held deep respect for General Lugurgoa Geskas, who had lived for centuries, supporting and defending the country like a living deity, and had been revered as a founding father by successive kings. It was General Lugurgoa who had supported and raised not only Buntai but all the present military commanders. General Lugurgoa had declared that he would conquer the world, and that was why they were fighting. Buntai’s eyes and manner of speaking did not exude fanatical fervor, but rather the scent of a young and spirited warrior, and nothing more.

It turned out that the current General of Greed leading the Shinkai army was indeed none other than Lugurgoa Geskas. Bard inquired about who exactly Lugurgoa Geskas was, but Buntai replied that he did not know. Lugurgoa Geskas was Lugurgoa Geskas, and nothing else. He did not know his exact age, nor the secret of his strength. Even if all the warriors of Shinkai joined forces, they could not defeat General Lugurgoa. According to Buntai, no one in the world can defeat General Lugurgoa.

Bard also asked about the weapons and fighting style of the Shinkai warriors. It turned out that they had not always fought in the current manner, but had started wielding pole weapons under the instructions of General Lugurgoa about a decade ago. When asked when this change had occurred, Buntai mentioned it was about ten years ago. General Lugurgoa had declared his intention to conquer the world, and had designed the current weapons and armor, and taught them the new fighting style. Not only that, he had increased the population, developed industries, and produced food and weapons, all in preparation for this day.

Bard also inquired about the demonic beast invasion. It seemed that Lugurgoa had known about the impending invasion and had started the war accordingly. However, the invasion itself was not instigated by Lugurgoa, and Buntai did not know who was responsible.

Regarding King Kherdevaj’s spear, it seemed that Lugurgoa desperately need both the spear and its wielder. Whatever the purpose was, it had failed. The wielder had been killed. However, it had apparently brought significant benefits to Lugurgoa. It was a mysterious tale, and Buntai did not know more about it. Although this event had occurred long before Buntai’s birth, it was a well-known story among the Shinkai knights.

As for the Principality of Zarban invasion, the objective was to obtain the magic sword Van Fleur. The prominent generals at the time had been clearly informed of this. Although they ultimately failed to obtain it, four or five years after destroying the Principality of Zarban, Lugurgoa had claimed to have discovered the whereabouts of Van Fleur. Buntai had heard this from General Bakou, who was currently stationed at the impregnable fortress of Cobushi Castle in the Goriora Empire. Bakou was considered one of the three elites of the Shinkai army, alongside his brother, General Baen, and General Batz.

If Lugurgoa had known the whereabouts of Van Fleur, why had he not gone to retrieve it? Buntai said that he did not know. When General Bakou asked General Lugurgoa about it, he received a response that it was already settled.

Karz stood quietly and listened without changing his expression during this conversation. After Bard’s question ended, General Buntai said, “You seem strong.” Bard replied, “The man behind me is even stronger.” Then he added, “Do you want to fight?” General Buntai, looking pleased, said, “Is it okay?” Bard replied, “It’s fine.” After nodding at Karz and indicating his understanding, Karz also narrowed his eyes in agreement.

They moved to the training ground and brought General Buntai’s armor and weapons. Karz took a practice sword. “Is that all right? I’m going to kill you,” General Buntai said. “Of course, that’s fine. If you can defeat this man, I will provide food and a horse and release you,” Bard said. General Buntai looked surprised and asked, “What should I do if I lose?” “You don’t have to do anything. The previous conversation is enough,” Bard replied. General Buntai was a formidable warrior. He wielded a massive axe spear with tremendous speed and skill. Karz dodged and parried it, but in the end, he cut the opponent’s weapon in half, ending the match.

As General Buntai was being taken back to the prison, he turned and asked, “What about the knight with the arrogant beard who defeated me and captured me?” Bard replied, “That man fought and died against General Lugurgoa.” General Buntai said, “I see,” and then returned to the prison.

After General Buntai left, Bard asked Karz, “How was it?”

“His physical strength and agility are exceptional. His inner thigh muscles are well-trained. It would be tough to fight him on horseback,” Karz replied.

“Even you would have a hard time?” Bard asked, surprised.

“It’s tough to be targeted by a powerful and fast attack with a large attack radius from multiple enemies. Moreover, with the ferocity of that attack, he might even target the horse in a pinch. He’s quite a troublesome opponent,” Karz explained.

There aren’t many knights who deliberately target the enemy’s horse. If the opponent doesn’t hesitate to target the horse, it’s certainly troublesome. Moreover, facing an opponent who can make Karz consider them troublesome head-on is not an option. Therefore, the location of the battle becomes a problem.