Chapter 453 - Episode 436: The Pride of the Southeastern Nobility
"Your Excellency, shall we pursue the enemy?"
"No, that is enough. More importantly, crush this base thoroughly. Destroy the watchtower and carry away as much food as possible. Set fire to whatever cannot be carried."
A small farming village located dozens of kilometers east of Ostreich, which had fallen into the hands of the Republic of Betumia's army. Viscount Ringholm, who had reclaimed it with five hundred cavalry, ordered his soldiers to neutralize the site so that the enemy could not use it as a base again.
By destroying such bases, it would be possible to place a burden on the enemy's supplies and reconnaissance during their march. Since he had mobilized as many as five hundred cavalry for a reconnaissance-in-force, crushing any enemy bases he could find was an important mission.
"The enemy's main force facing east is deployed another ten kilometers west of here... there are no signs of them advancing eastward from their side. Hmph, how boring."
In this current re-invasion, the enemy is focusing solely on capturing the royal capital, Lichthagen. It seemed they had no intention of launching a full-scale offensive to capture the southeastern part of the Kingdom of Rhodeberg, nor likely the southwestern part, just yet.
In other words, unless the Kingdom's Eastern Army launched an offensive, the enemy would not move. What timid invaders.
However, if they were timid, that was fine in its own way. After this, he would merge with the Kingdom's Eastern Army and, under the command of the general, Marquis Bittenfeld, launch a grand offensive with a force that outnumbered the enemy. A pleasant competition with the Kingdom's Western Army to see who could break through the enemy's flank defense faster. As revenge against the hateful Betumia, it was not a bad prospect.
Just as Viscount Ringholm was thinking such things.
"Your Excellency! Viscount Ringholm!"
A scout cavalryman, who had been sent further west, came galloping back with a look of sheer panic on his face.
"What on earth is it? You're being noisy."
"A giant monster has advanced from the enemy's eastern defense force! It is a monster like a dragon, likely being controlled by magic! It will reach here shortly!"
Hearing the scout's scream, the soldiers surrounding Viscount Ringholm stiffened their expressions.
"Hey, don't destroy the watchtower yet! Climb up and see the situation! Everyone, prepare for departure! Be ready to move in two minutes!"
Issuing sharp instructions, Viscount Ringholm rushed up the ladder of the watchtower that was just about to be dismantled.
Then, he looked toward the west.
"...Is that it?"
In the direction Viscount Ringholm glared, there was a very small shadow approaching while kicking up clouds of dust. The shadow drew closer in the blink of an eye, and its form became clear.
A powerful monster known as a lower species of dragon, alongside the Wyvern. A dragon that crawls the earth. Its name was the Earth Dragon. Viscount Ringholm had no experience seeing an Earth Dragon in person, but even comparing it to the knowledge from documents and legends in his memory, it was clear that it was an Earth Dragon.
He couldn't tell the size well because it was too far, but compared to the surrounding trees and such, it was clearly over ten meters. No matter how one looked at it, it was a threat.
"An Earth Dragon is coming! Those who are ready, depart! Do not move in a cluster! Scatter, and each of you aim to merge with the main force on your own!"
Almost jumping down from the watchtower, Viscount Ringholm shouted.
Being capable of mounted combat, every single one of the cavalry were elite professional soldiers. Without hesitation, they began to move according to the commander's instructions. By the time Viscount Ringholm descended from the watchtower and leaped onto his own horse, a considerable number of cavalry had already begun to gallop.
As Viscount Ringholm started his horse and looked west, the dust clouds were already visible from the ground.
"Tch... we're going too. When the Earth Dragon approaches, you all scatter as well. Understood?"
The Viscount clicked his tongue softly upon seeing it, and left the village leading his direct cavalry, including the cavalry of the Viscount house's territorial army and the lower nobility of his dependents.
What followed was a desperate flight from the giant Earth Dragon.
The Earth Dragon, which looked like a lizard clad in armor-like scales and then enlarged, crawled across the earth at a terrifying speed despite its sluggish appearance, closing in.
"Damn it, it's catching up!"
"Aaaah! It's no use! Mother—"
No matter how much they were cavalry, if they strayed from the well-packed roads of the highway and stepped into plains or hills, they could not necessarily maintain full speed. A few riders who had strayed from the road and slowed down were crushed while screaming.
"Hey! You're clustering too much!"
"We can't help it! We have to keep running at full speed!"
"But at this rate, we'll be caught either way—"
Cavalrymen who hated slowing down and continued to run without leaving the highway. The group that had become densely packed at the very rear was caught and mowed down effortlessly.
They were far behind the group where Viscount Ringholm was, but it was clear that after running for another five minutes, it would be the Viscount's turn to be crushed.
"Your Excellency! At this rate!"
"I know... tch, is it unavoidable?"
As it stood, probably more than half would be lost before merging with the main force. Moreover, without the main force having time to prepare to intercept the Earth Dragon, they would end up guiding the Earth Dragon straight to them.
Having judged this, Viscount Ringholm hardened his resolve in a few moments.
"Stop for a moment. Halt."
Ordering the twenty or so direct guards surrounding him, Viscount Ringholm turned toward the cavalryman beside him—a young squire serving the Viscount house.
"Hey, you take the squires and the young ones among the territorial soldiers and merge with the main force. Ensure the information about the Earth Dragon is delivered."
"Huh?"
Ignoring the reaction of the squire, whose expression became one of being caught off guard by the abrupt instruction, Viscount Ringholm looked around.
"I will act as the decoy, draw the Earth Dragon's attention, and divert its direction of advance. Those who wish to follow, follow me. However, I will not permit those under thirty to accompany me... there is no need for the young to die."
"B-but Your Excellency! Why must Your Excellency yourself..."
"Idiot, can I show such a pathetic sight as ordering soldiers to be suicidal decoys while I flee back myself?"
Saying so, Viscount Ringholm grinned.
"Young soldiers of the Viscount Ringholm territorial army. And young nobles of my dependents. Support my son well, and support the Viscount house even after my death."
"Your Excellency..."
"...Are you truly alright with this?"
"Yes, it is fine. This is an order."
Around Viscount Ringholm, who spoke to the young cavalrymen unable to hide their confusion, cavalrymen aged middle-aged and older gathered.
"I shall accompany you until the end."
"I will as well, Your Excellency."
Old squires of the Viscount house, and veterans of the territorial army. Among them were even nobles of his dependents.
"I see, thank you for saying so. I am grateful... Now, you all go quickly. Do not waste the time we are buying."
"...Yes, sir!"
The young squire, his eyes red, saluted, and the other young soldiers followed suit. Then, they galloped hurriedly toward the east.
Watching them leave with satisfaction, the Viscount looked back. The Earth Dragon was still advancing, attacking the cavalry fleeing in panic at the rear one after another.
"Let's go."
Saying it shortly, Viscount Ringholm deviated from the highway toward the northwest. About ten people followed.
He rode his horse, taking a route that would circle around to the Earth Dragon's left flank.
"V-Viscount Ringholm!?"
"Run! Keep running!"
On the way, he passed other cavalrymen who continued to flee while scattering. To the cavalrymen who showed surprise at the sight of their commander proceeding toward the Earth Dragon, Viscount Ringholm shouted thus.
Among them, there were those who sensed the Viscount's intention and left the few they had been fleeing with to join him.
"Your Excellency! I shall accompany you as well!"
"...Idiot. Follow me."
And, Viscount Ringholm accepted them with a bitter smile.
Having let many cavalry escape, and accepting those who wished to join except for the young, the party, which eventually became a force slightly exceeding twenty-some riders, approached the Earth Dragon.
"...Not bad."
Facing the Earth Dragon, Viscount Ringholm muttered to himself.
There was no need to worry about the house. The heir had already reached adulthood.
Regarding the Eastern Army, there should be no problem as long as the report of the Earth Dragon's appearance arrived. In the Eastern Army, there was the army of the Grand Duchy of Arqvist.
Viscount Ringholm was a typical conservative noble, and he did not like Grand Duke Noein Arqvist, who showed ideas, words, and values unbefitting of a noble. However, he understood that the golem units he led were powerful.
A swarm of golems that had reportedly killed even Orc Kaisers and Wyverns. Even if it were an Earth Dragon, they would likely take it down. As long as they bought the time to intercept it.
Originally, he was someone who had barely survived the Betumia War seven years ago. Many of the nobles he knew as compatriots of the kingdom's southeast had died then. It was simply a matter of his turn coming today.
To fall in order to protect the subordinates he led, the army he belonged to, and by extension, the country, the territory, and the people. It was a truly noble, proud end. His name would likely be told for a long time within the Viscount Ringholm house. His name might be given to a square or street in the territorial capital, and perhaps a statue might be erected.
While indulging in such pleasant imaginations, Viscount Ringholm raised his sword.
"Scatter! Draw the Earth Dragon's attention and confuse it! Buy time for even one second longer!"
"""Ooh!"""
Viscount Ringholm and his men faced the Earth Dragon, which had fixed its aim on them and was approaching at a terrifying speed.