Chapter 115 - Episode 114: The Conclusion
Exactly two days after Frederick had stated they could "hold for two more days," the end of the battle arrived suddenly on the afternoon of that second day.
While the Barrel Fort defense force was engaged in an exchange of arrows with the Lancel Kingdom army as they had been until now, a sentry soldier who had been observing the surroundings from the watchtower shouted.
"Cavalry units are approaching from the south! Approximately two hundred!"
Hearing this, Frederick wore a suspicious expression and climbed atop the castle walls. Noein followed, accompanied by Matilda.
"Enemy reinforcements? Even so, why would a cavalry unit come to a place like this?"
In field battles, a cavalry charge can decide victory or defeat, but in a siege, having a large number of cavalry is of little effect. It was unnatural for two hundred of them to come to this location.
"No, those... are likely allies."
Yuri, who had been commanding the beastmen atop the walls, replied to Frederick.
Just as those words suggested, the cavalry unit continued to run without slowing their momentum, appearing as if they intended to charge the Lancel Kingdom army arrayed before the fort. In response, the Lancel Kingdom army also began preparing to intercept in a panic.
"What!? ...They are indeed allies. That armor leading the charge belongs to Count Marcel-kakka."
Frederick also said this while narrowing his eyes to look toward the cavalry unit.
"Which means..."
"...Yes. We've won."
Count Marcel, a high-ranking noble and a pure-blooded warrior the Northwestern faction took pride in, was naturally positioned with the main force. The fact that he was leading a unit through the fortress zone meant that the battle between the main forces unfolding on the southern plains had already ended.
"Everyone! Allied reinforcements have arrived! We've won!"
Frederick shouted toward the interior of the fort. At that, the soldiers let out the loudest cheers they had ever raised. It was a roar so great it felt as if the fort itself might shake.
On the other hand, the Lancel Kingdom army was no longer in a position to capture the fort. While preparing to retreat in a panic, the soldiers positioned on the southern side of their formation began firing sporadic arrows toward the cavalry unit.
"Support the allied charge! Shower the enemy with Crossbow bolts! There is no longer any need to spare the remaining arrows!"
Receiving those instructions, the beastmen joyfully readied their Crossbows and began firing with an intensity that seemed intent on exhausting every last bolt. Arrows rained down upon the enemy ranks, hindering the Lancel Kingdom army as they tried to respond to the cavalry unit.
Furthermore, the fort gates were opened and bolts flew from the Ballistas. Both standard ammunition and the remaining explosive flame arrows were unleashed without hesitation.
Obstructed by such interference, the Lancel Kingdom army's response to the charging cavalry unit was delayed. The resistance from the archers remained sporadic, and they were unable to even form a wall of shields and spears.
Shortly thereafter, Frederick gave the order to cease fire. Immediately following that, the cavalry unit slammed into the flank of the enemy formation.
Two hundred cavalry became a wall of mass, crushing the Lancel Kingdom army. An army that had swelled to fifteen hundred through repeated reinforcements could not possibly withstand a mounted charge when it consisted mostly of infantry who hadn't even properly formed battle lines.
Having been trampled by the cavalry, the Lancel Kingdom army fled in a desperate scramble, casting aside their supplies and even their weapons.
The Roadberg Kingdom army's cavalry unit did not pursue them deeply. Having witnessed the enemy's rout, the two hundred cavalry proceeded straight toward the fort gates.
So that they could enter, Noein ordered the territorial army soldiers to move the Ballistas installed in front of the gate. The cavalry unit then made a grand entrance.
"Count Marcel-kakka! I thank you for your assistance!"
Frederick, as the representative of the defense force, called out to Count Marcel, who had entered the fort at the head of the cavalry.
"You are... the legitimate son of Lord Koenitz. Come to think of it, you belonged to the Kingdom army. So you were stationed here."
Count Marcel said, looking down at Frederick. Clad in plate armor that was not only expensive but clearly high-quality as a practical tool, the Count emitted an aura truly befitting a veteran warrior, complemented by his sharp eyes.
"Count Marcel-kakka, thank you. Thanks to you, our lives have been spared."
Following Frederick, Noein also approached him and expressed his gratitude.
"...Tch. You were stationed here as well. I didn't come specifically to save you. It was the order of Marquis Bechtolsheim-kakka."
Looking at Noein, Count Marcel clicked his tongue and grimaced overtly.
"I understand that, of course. However, it does not change the fact that my life was saved."
"...You are the same as ever. Bringing a slave even to the battlefield."
"I am humbled."
"I am not praising you."
Spitting the words out as if it were a nuisance, Count Marcel dismounted his favorite horse and turned toward Frederick, averting his gaze as if to say he did not wish to speak with Noein.
"As I mentioned, I came to rescue Barrel Fort by the order of Marquis Bechtolsheim-kakka. Because the main force's battle dragged on, I was worried about the situation... but it seems you held out sufficiently. I express my respect for your hard fighting."
"Ha. I thank you once again... The reason we held out was precisely because of the tactics and the one-man-army activities of Knight Noein Arqvist-kakka."
When Frederick spoke while saluting, Count Marcel looked over at Noein, appearing slightly surprised and as if doing so instinctively. Seeing the golem standing behind Noein, his expression changed to one of understanding.
Noein looked at Count Marcel with eyes that seemed somewhat happy.
"...I see. Lord Arqvist. Well done."
"I am honored by your praise."
Having offered praise with a reluctant air, Count Marcel grimaced as if regretting it when he saw Noein salute him with a beaming smile.
"Regarding the matter of the main force's battle dragging on—"
"Ha. I have heard the general details from the enemies captured during the combat."
"I see. Then an explanation is unnecessary. The enemy constructed field fortifications and cowardly devoted themselves to stalling for time, but the Roadberg Kingdom army's main force steadily wore down the enemy's resistance with overwhelming power and finally crushed them. Afterward, our cavalry unit came as the vanguard for the rescue of the fortress zone."
According to Count Marcel, reinforcements were currently heading to other forts, and capture units were heading to forts occupied by the enemy.
"The enemies who seized the forts will likely flee without much resistance once they learn the main force was defeated. With this, the war is over. You all should prepare to withdraw... no, rest first. Additional food should arrive soon."
Looking around at the exhausted Barrel Fort defense force, Count Marcel spoke.
.....
Leaving the perimeter security and the cleanup of the battlefield to the rescue force, the Barrel Fort defense force entered their first proper rest in over a week.
Just as Count Marcel had said, food arrived via the baggage train within the day, and they were able to eat a proper amount of food for the first time in a long while.
"...We survived, Matilda."
"Yes, Noein-sama."
Having filled his stomach and luxuriously wiped his entire body with warm water, Noein said this as he collapsed onto the bed in his private room in the headquarters building.
Because he had to stay awake as much as possible to move the golem during the combat, it had been a long time since he had lain down slowly.
Taking the hand of Matilda, who had similarly cleansed her body with warm water and was sitting on the edge of the bed, and pulling her close, he was able to gain the sensation that he was currently alive in this world from her body heat.
Noein had resolved not to touch Matilda as a lover as long as he was on the battlefield, but that night, he mixed public and private matters slightly and fell asleep while embracing her.