Chapter 184 - Episode 178: The Advance ①
The morning finally arrived to begin the invasion of the northwestern region of the Lordberg Kingdom. Cadne Lancel I, the third king of the Lancel Kingdom, stood before a total force of approximately 3,000 soldiers and mages.
Every single one of them was a person of capability—elite national army soldiers and royal mages with deep loyalty to Cadne, or homegrown mercenaries who had contributed to the suppression of domestic conflicts.
"Gentlemen. Finally, on this day, our years of effort are rewarded. The hateful Lordberg Kingdom, which has hindered our nation's expansion, shall learn of our power and tremble in fear."
As he spoke, Cadne wore a cruel smile. As if prompted, the soldiers' mouths twisted as well.
"First, to set the mood, we shall seize the Arqvist territory, which is said to have been created to carve into the Bezel Great Forest at the northwestern edge of the Lordberg Kingdom. It is a small territory on the frontier, softened by peace. With our power, we should be able to crush it easily. After that... a time of pleasure awaits you."
Among the gods of Albaran worshipped in the Lancel Kingdom, the God of War deems it good for the strong to overrun the weak. Looting, rape, massacre... all of these are legitimate acts that serve as offerings to the God of War. The morale of the soldiers, promised free rein after victory, was high.
"Following our invasion, the second and third waves will rush in as soon as they assemble. In other words... if you wish to monopolize the spoils, plunder, rape, and kill, now is the time. Let us enjoy the perks of being the first arrivals to our heart's content!"
"Oooooh!"
As Cadne incited them, the soldiers responded with glinting eyes.
"We begin the advance now! All forces, follow me!"
The invasion force of 3,000 began their march in high spirits.
.....
"Ah, I understand... Noein-sama, it seems the Lancel Kingdom's invasion force has begun its advance. It will be approximately 15 minutes until they reach the planned point. It seems two scout teams were sent out, but both were dealt with by Radley's detached unit."
Yuri, who had communicated with Radley—the leader of the detached unit—via 'Far-Talk', delivered the report to Noein.
"Also, just as Jeremy said, there is a young general clad in golden armor. He is said to be wearing a helmet with a hawk design and is surrounded by a unit in silver armor, different from the other soldiers; they are requesting confirmation once more that this is indeed King Cadne."
"Jeremy, what do you think?"
"That is King Cadne. It is said that the hawk helmet is the proof of the king passed down through the Lancel royal family, so if he is wearing that, there is no mistake... The unit in silver armor is the king's Guard."
When Noein asked, Jeremy, who was positioned beside him, answered.
"That's what he says, Yuri."
"Understood... Radley, it's confirmed that it is King Cadne. Cadne's position in the column is... understood."
Yuri, having exchanged words with Radley, turned back toward Noein.
"Noein-sama, King Cadne has placed about 300 soldiers at the head of the column and is positioned immediately behind them. The column is lined up 15 abreast, and King Cadne is about 30 meters from the front."
"I see... Rick, that's how it is, but what do you think?"
"It's within the expected range. I can respond immediately. There isn't much wind today, so I don't think the aim will deviate significantly... but if we want to reliably isolate King Cadne at the front, it would be best to aim and fire at around 50 meters from the front."
"I see, I'll trust your judgment. I'm counting on you."
"Yes. I will prepare for firing immediately."
Saying so, Rick ran toward the rear of the Arqvist territory army's formation, to the position where the Ballistas were lined up.
With the Ballista position at their backs, Noein on horseback and his guard Matilda, as well as the staff officer Yuri also on horseback, the information provider Jeremy, and a direct guard elite unit of 10 led by Pence, formed the main camp.
In front of them were 50 infantry soldiers led by Dant, and further in front of them stood the Claymore unit protected by soldiers with great shields, with seven golems equipped with "Castle-Breaking Shields" lined up at the very front.
Furthermore, on both sides of the infantry unit and the Claymore unit, Crossbow units of about 80 volunteers from the territory's residents each lined up, constructing the front line. This was the main camp of the Arqvist territory army led by Noein.
Also, further ahead, a detached unit of 40 centered around beastmen soldiers was hidden in the forest, led by Radley. Their role was the surveillance of the enemy army, the elimination of scouts, and the execution of a certain plan Noein had devised.
A surprise attack force of approximately 300 in total. In case this main force could not intercept the enemy, volunteers centered around minors and the elderly were standing by for defense toward the territorial capital, Noeina. Furthermore, about 100 reinforcements who had arrived in time from Viscount Koenitz's territory and the surrounding areas were on standby, arranged to support the retreat should Noein and the others be forced to flee.
However, Noein had no intention whatsoever of showing such a pathetic sight. He intended to seriously block the enemy's invasion and, if possible, take King Cadne's life.
"Well then... the neighboring country's His Majesty the King is coming all this way across the Bezel Great Forest. Let's give the party who stepped in with their dirty shoes a welcome they'll never forget."
Saying so, Noein wore a vicious smile.
First, once the enemy reached the planned point of the invasion route, the Ballista unit—firing explosive flame arrows in a curved trajectory to isolate the enemy's front—and the detached unit led by Radley would begin their actions.
.....
"Ewald, this invasion route doesn't continue all the way to the villages of the Arqvist territory, does it?"
"Yes. Since building a road too close would be detected by the enemy, it is cut off midway. From there, we will proceed through the forest."
"I see, so we must dismount midway. It is infuriating that I, of all people, must march on foot, but it cannot be helped."
While walking along the invasion route that continued further east from the campsite, Ewald glanced sideways at Cadne, who was muttering somewhat discontentedly, and returned his gaze to the front.
Because the forest floor was not flat, the invasion route curved slightly right and left, and even now, the front was a gentle curve, making it impossible to see very far ahead.
The width of the invasion route was slightly less than 30 meters. For a road carved through a forest, it was reasonably wide, but for an army of 3,000 to advance, it was still a bit narrow. The column inevitably became thin and long.
In front of Cadne and Ewald were 300 soldiers, around and behind the two were the Guard and royal mages acting as guards, and behind them followed the main body of archers, the main body of the mage unit, the reserve army, and the rest of the forces.
They're awfully slow...
As he advanced the unit, Ewald felt a small sense of incongruity. The scouts he had sent ahead had not yet returned.
He had sent two teams of three people each. Although he had sent them to scout through a forest with poor footing, it was slightly concerning that both teams were slow to return.
Just as he was thinking whether he should stop the unit once to be safe and send scouts again... the situation changed abruptly.
The invasion force, which had been marching orderly until then, suddenly began to stir at the rear.
"All forces stop! Hey, it's noisy! What happened!"
Unable to let the unit proceed as it was, Ewald ordered a stop and shouted angrily.
"T-that... is it an enemy attack? Blood was thrown in from inside the forest and from the tops of the trees."
"What, blood?"
At the unexpected report, Ewald narrowed his eyes and looked toward the rear. There, he could indeed see soldiers and horses painted red with something.
.....
Viscount Tajinette, one of the military aristocratic families of the Lancel Kingdom, was in charge of commanding the unit positioned in the center of the invasion force's column.
The current Viscount Tajinette was a woman. Because she was an excellent water mage, she had surpassed her eldest son to inherit the peerage, obtained the rank of royal mage, and because she also possessed talent as a general, she was praised as a heroine within the country.
However, that reputation contained some exaggeration to increase the influence of the military faction, and being in her mid-twenties, she still lacked experience.
Nonetheless, there was no doubt she was a promising warrior, and having her potential and talent recognized, she was chosen as one of the generals for this personal expedition.
But now, Viscount Tajinette was bewildered. From the forest spreading to the left and right of the invasion route, and from the tops of the trees, numerous pots and leather bags had been thrown in. The pots shattered, the leather bags tore, and what splattered from within was a vast amount of blood.
"Calm down, do not panic! This is just blood!"
She shouted so with a voice that carried well, but the soldiers painted red by the thrown blood were somewhat shaken by the bizarre situation and the smell of blood drifting everywhere.
"It's a bluff! There is no need to be shaken! Immediately enter the forest, find the enemy, and kill them!"
However, at that moment, several more pots were thrown in. They hit soldiers or fell to the ground, and the pots shattered,
"Ugh! W-what is this!"
A gust of wind pierced through the middle of the invasion force.
.....
"Blood was thrown in, was it? No soldiers were injured, correct?"
"Y-yes. That is certainly correct."
When Ewald asked, the reporting soldier answered in a slightly confused manner.
"I see, but that doesn't change the fact that this is an enemy attack. Immediately find the enemy who threw the blood—"
There, a gust of wind whipped up at the rear of the column, which was currently in chaos due to the blood. The wind passed between the soldiers, shook the trees of the forest, reached the front where Ewald and the others were, and carried a suffocating smell of blood.
"Ugh, what a smell... Hey Ewald, what's going on?"
Cadne frowned unpleasantly and asked.
"I will have it investigated immediately, Your Majesty. There is no need to be worr—"
Before Ewald could finish speaking, in the next instant.
A roar that scorched the air erupted several dozen meters behind Cadne and Ewald.
When they looked back, a wall of flames had been born, and the path of retreat to the rear was severed.