Chapter 378 - Episode 370: The Battle of Fioroviki Gorge — Opening Phase ④
"Tch!"
Upon receiving Yuri's report, Noein's thoughts raced instantly, deriving a method to crush the enemy's strategy.
The defensive wall was made of logs. If the earthen wall covering the surface were stripped away and fire magic were slammed into it, combustion would be inevitable.
"Gustav! The enemy intends to burn the wall with fire magic! Get as much water as possible to the very front!"
"Roger!"
The four golems operated by Gustav and his team abandoned their assault shields on the spot and raced toward the rear. Noein also recalled his own two golems from inside the tent and sent them running backward. Now was not the time to be worrying about fire arrows.
As the practitioners controlling the golems moved, the guards moved with them.
After retreating to the rear, Noein and the others moved forward again, carrying water drawn into large tubs. This water had been drawn from the river flowing at the rear of the gorge; originally, it was planned to be heated with "Boiling" magic tools and poured over the enemy from atop the wall.
The golems carrying the large tubs and their practitioners dashed through the rain of fire arrows, bringing massive amounts of water to the base of the wall's scaffolding. Along the way, one golem was unlucky enough to be hit by a fire arrow, and the flame from the arrowhead that lodged in the shoulder joint spread.
"Alain!"
"Give me the tubs! The earthen wall is crumbling, we're out of time!"
Alain had already moved the golems, which he had once retreated to the base of the scaffolding, back up onto the scaffolding. Noein's golem lifted a large tub, and Alain's golem received it.
At other points along the wall, Alain's subordinates received large tubs from Gustav and his subordinates. The golem that had been hit by fire arrows during transit reached its durability limit just as it handed over the tub, collapsing as half its body erupted in flames.
On the front side of the wall, the thick earthen wall—originally applied through earth magic and civil engineering—had collapsed due to the successive magical attacks, leaving some of the logs exposed. Aiming for that spot, a "Flame Bullet" fired from the enemy camp scored a direct hit, creating a massive explosion of fire.
Right then, the water from a large tub overturned by Alain's golem splashed over it. The fire, which seemed poised to spread to the logs, was extinguished, and the surface of the exposed logs became drenched in water.
"Th-that was close... keep bringing the water!"
Catching his breath after overcoming a crisis by a hair's breadth, Alain called out to Noein and the others below the scaffolding. The wall was wide. They had not yet managed to wet all the exposed logs.
"It's alright, I've asked the soldiers in the rear to transport the water. It'll be here soon."
As Noein said this and looked back, soldiers of the Revelant Kingdom were bringing additional water, dodging the enemy's fire arrows. The containers were diverse: tubs, leather bags, even cooking pots and overturned helmets.
That water was poured into the large tubs set on the ground, and once they reached a certain level, the golems of Noein's or Gustav's teams would lift them again. Alain's team received them and wetted the wall where the earth had peeled away.
During this time, attacks from the ballistas and catapult teams continued, steadily thinning the numbers of the Virgoa Kingdom's forces. Not all of the enemy mages who had moved to the front to destroy the wall remained safe. Some were hit directly by explosive fire arrows while in their defensive formation, becoming engulfed in flames along with the shield-bearers securing their perimeter.
On the other hand, casualties spread on the allied side as well. Though the number had decreased from the start, fire arrows rained down into the fort without ceasing, and ordinary arrows flew in as well.
Those attacking the enemy camp, those striving to extinguish fires caused by fire arrows, those carrying water to the wall. Though their numbers were not great, the victims of the enemy's arrows gradually increased. Two more golems were bathed in fire and rendered immobile.
"Lord Arqvist! The enemy mages are retreating! Looks like they've given up!"
Alain, who had just dumped his several-th bucket of water from atop the wall, shouted as he looked toward the enemy camp.
"Thank goodness... if they've given up on destroying the wall, they'll probably try to climb with ladders again. Prepare to resume the defense."
Noein let out a sigh of relief, but immediately tightened his expression again.
"Today is the crossroads of fate. For today—just for one day—we must endure."
...
"Bandages over here! More water too!"
"That guy's arm is gone! Administer anesthesia and cut it off!"
"Give me the magic potions! Hurry! Knight Mydwa-dono is in critical condition!"
While the battle raged at the front of the fort, there was also a fight further back, beyond the catapult and ballista positions, at the very rear.
That was the first-aid station. Doctors gathered from within the Revelant Kingdom and clergy who made it their mission to help the weak according to their spirit faith rushed through the tents, treating the wounded who were carried in.
"I-I've brought the bandages and water!"
"Thank you. On that table!"
Among those working was Helga Revelant.
Officially, she was there as the person responsible for the security of the first-aid station. However, in this place where the wounded were carried in one after another—though it was safe—manpower for treatment was needed more than security, so Helga had volunteered to help.
Due to her status, she was not allowed to do work that involved touching blood, but she performed the role of transporting bandages, water, and medicine, doing exactly as the doctors and clergy told her.
"Ugh... Your Highness, I am sorry..."
"Ah, there is no need to apologize. You fought splendidly to protect the country."
Helga answered as bravely as she could to the soldier who spoke groaningly while lying on a simple bed made of wooden planks. However, her face was pale.
The soldier lying before her had one eye crushed, and the flesh and bone of his cheek were split. Both the sight and the drifting smell of blood, meat, and fat pierced sharply into Helga, who had been raised as a sheltered daughter in the royal castle until now.
The smell of blood always hung heavy within the first-aid station, but Helga had not yet grown used to it. She tried not to be conscious of it, but in sudden moments, nausea welled up. It was a blessing in disguise that she had not eaten lunch due to the tension before the battle.
"Someone! Look at this guy! He's severely injured!"
Another wounded person was carried into the continuing chaos of the first-aid station. The doctor instructed them to lay the wounded on an empty bed and told Helga to bring water and medicine.
Helga drew water into a tub and ran to the new casualty, holding a vial of painkiller and anesthetic diluted with "Angel's Honey."
"Ugh..."
Seeing the wounded man, Helga let out a small, involuntary groan. His appearance was something she could not bear to look at directly. He was exceptionally miserable compared to the other wounded she had seen so far.
"I'm told he let his hand slip and poured the boiling water intended for the enemy over his own head. With this..."
The doctor muttered as if giving up, looking back toward Helga.
The wounded man's face was red and blistered; it was impossible to tell what his original features had been. His upper body also suffered extensive severe burns; his armor had been removed, but the under-armor had fused to his skin. If one tried to remove it by force, the skin and flesh would be peeled away with it.
She had heard that when a person suffers burns that are too wide and deep, the body cannot withstand the burden and the heart stops. No matter how she looked at him, he was not going to be saved. Even to an amateur's eye, it seemed so.
"At least let's take away the pain. Your Highness, the anesthetic here."
"..."
Helga looked down at the wounded man leaking groans with a pale face, not noticing the doctor's call.
"Your Highness!"
"Hah! Yes!"
"I would like the anesthetic. Also, Your Highness must be tired, so please leave the first-aid station and rest for a while. After that, I ask that you return to security duties."
"...I understand. I'm sorry."
A vial of anesthetic imported from the Grand Duchy of Arqvist. Helga handed it to the doctor and left the first-aid station, her face still pale.
Helga understood that what she had just been told was an indirect notification that she was a liability to the war effort. She had sensed that she was not being very useful.
Until now, her father, mother, vassals, and tutors had praised her intelligence. She had believed herself to be a person of character with superior ideals. She thought she could surely demonstrate her ability in military service as well.
But it seemed reality was different from academic study and debate on paper. Right here, right now, she was nothing more than a powerless little girl.
...
"...Is it about time to withdraw for today?"
Cadne spoke while gazing at the allied forces struggling to take the fort.
Using the conscripts of the Marquisate of Dale to set up ladders had gone well, but the subsequent battle situation was not favorable.
He had expected it the moment the Grand Duchy of Arqvist joined the war, but the enemy's defensive equipment—such as exploding projectiles and what seemed to be catapults operated by golems—was considerably well-equipped. The forces of the Revelant Kingdom were also fighting well, considering the majority were commoner conscripts.
Attempts to attack by bringing mages close ended in failure, and conversely, they had lost several mages. The harassment by fire arrows seemed to have had some effect, but even so, the resistance by the golems had not stopped.
As a result, the battle had fallen into a quagmire and reached a stalemate. In particular, the units of vassal states and friendly nations placed in the center seemed to have many casualties, with exhaustion and fatigue being severe.
"True. The soldiers must be at their limit. We'll reset and resume the offensive tomorrow... Gaziev."
"Yes! Communicate to all units! Cease the offensive and retreat!"
General Gaziev ordered the messengers, and the messengers ran to the commanders of each unit.
"I suppose it won't fall in a single day. Judging by how well he's organized such weak troops, Gabriel Revelant cannot be underestimated. He's a great monarch in a different way than Marquis Dale. The Grand Duke of Arqvist is also a troublesome enemy, just as you said."
"Well... yes. I won't deny that he is capable, even as an enemy."
Cadne nodded at Kaia's words with a bitter smile.
Noein Arqvist went without saying, but he had to admit that Gabriel was also quite a remarkable man. He was able to keep an army composed mostly of commoner conscripts fighting without collapsing even in this disadvantageous situation. It was proof that he managed his usual governance well and had earned the trust of the people.
If one does not acknowledge the enemy's capability and approaches with contempt, one suffers an unexpected backlash. Cadne told himself not to forget the bitterness he had tasted in the past.
"I'm exhausted. I'd like to rest for a bit."
"Yeah, there's nothing for us to do during the retreat and reorganization of the camp. You lack physical strength. Rather, please rest while you can."
Having obtained the permission of the commander-in-chief, Kaia, Cadne returned to his own tent.
After being lowered from the palanquin and becoming alone with Yvette inside the tent, he lay down on her lap.
"Yvette, heal me."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
When Cadne made a single request, Yvette would stroke his head with a gentle smile.
"I've seen battle many times, but when I think that Noein Arqvist is the opponent, I just can't. It wears down my nerves terribly."
"The wicked enemy who inflicted wounds upon Your Majesty's person is right before your eyes. It is only natural."
When Cadne touched Yvette's cheek, Yvette also placed her hand as if to cradle Cadne's face.
"Yeah, that's true... to think I'd be reunited with him so soon. I thought I'd be happy if I could just finish him off, but seeing him in person, I still hate him. I want to kill him... above all, it would be troublesome to let him escape back to his own country. I want to slay him here no matter what."
"I do not understand the ways of war, but Your Majesty is a great person. You have powerful allies now. You will surely grasp victory."
"Hahaha, you're always so kind."
"That is my role. I only ever follow Your Majesty and offer my body and soul."
Feeling the comfort of Yvette's devotion, Cadne closed his eyes.
"We couldn't take it today, but the enemy's fatigue and damage must also be serious. Tomorrow, I will take that fort. With that, the hegemony of the Virgoa Kingdom will become absolute. I will approach the Lancel Kingdom. And... I will kill Noein Arqvist."