Chapter 294
Aegir POV–
After cleaning up the mess left by the defense of Zabrela from the enemy army’s attack, we immediately start marching to the south .
「To be ready to organize the army only one day after such a hard battle…… what a surprise . 」
「Yeah . As expected, they are highly skilled . 」
The soldiers’ footsteps maintain a steady beat as the army marches, showing no shred of disorder in their lines at all .
My 105th division army is also doing fine besides a few casualties here and there .
「Hehehe, I tried to snatch the shoulder pad from the enemy’s armor . 」
「Nice . I couldn’t find a replacement for my broken sword so I had to bring an axe from the engineering corps . 」
「A spear grazed my head, you see . Having no hair on one side would look bad so I just shaved everything except the middle…… there’s this strange sense of liberation, and it feels good . I can’t get enough of it . It’s a smooth ‘kohyaah’ feeling . 」
I’m getting more and more barbarian vibes, but I guess it’s fine as long as they can fight .
「But the overall losses suffered by the army should not have been small . Why are we so concerned about proceeding to the south……」
「Did you say something, rapist?」
After getting a sharp glare from Celia, Yakov stands down dejectedly beside me .
With suspicion that Yakov sexually assaulted the female knight, Celia’s attitude towards him has toughened to the extreme .
Getting the female knight to explain would have cleared things up, but that can’t be done .
In return for her hospitable treatment and release from custody, she consented to me and Yakov embracing her, with cumming inside the only thing she didn’t allow .
However the impact from Celia’s kick to Yakov’s ass made him fill her hole with seed .
The female knight screamed out how that was not part of the agreement and made sure to give Yakov an earful of cursing .
Even now, she’s crying in the wagon used for transporting prisoners and in no state of mind to be questioned .
It goes without saying after seeing that, Celia’s opinion of Yakov got harsher .
「I’ll have Yakov atone for his mistake later, so just focus on the battle in front of you for now . 」
「……right . It shouldn’t be long until we reach our destination, the city of Karishin . That’s if things go smoothly though . 」
Celia makes a troubled face .
The distance to the city isn’t too great . However there are many things to worry about .
「Half of the scouting cavalry have yet to return and we’re facing strong interference . There is no doubt an enemy squad is near . 」
「I’m also curious about the defeated enemy pulling back submissively . It’s not like they were annihilated so it seems unnatural for them to run away at full speed . 」
「That must mean they have a rearguard . 」
Yakov keeps pace with me again . Celia glares at him again, though this time he only moves back half a step .
「They also have the same number of forces as us, close to 100 000 . If they have a rearguard to rely on……」
A sigh comes out of my mouth . If we just took control of the city, destroyed its facilities and went home, we wouldn’t have to go through all the trouble, I don’t know why we’re forcing our way forward .
「I wanted to tell command headquarters in White City of the circumstances too, it’s just the lack of time hurts . 」
「The enemy fleet might come as soon as the fog lifts……」
「It’s pretty tough having to always expect the enemy . 」
Everyone’s thinking negatively .
「No need to worry . If things get bad, I’ll carry you home with me . 」
Brynhildr jumps on Schwartz .
I told her to put some armor on, but she said “it stinks of sweat” and refused so she remains in plain clothes .
Her gorgeous blonde hair fluttering in the wind is a beautiful sight, yet also creates a sense of discomfort .
「Hahaha, how reassuring for the general to be protected by such a pretty lady . 」
I’m sure Yakov was joking when he said that, but Brynhildr can actually carry me and break past the enemy .
「If that time comes, please take Celia along too . 」
「Don’t leave Pipi please . 」
「Take Natia too!」
When I mentally picture Brynhildr, myself, Celia, Pipi, and Natia stacking on top of each other like a family of turtles, I smile wryly . It’ll be strange to say the least, for the small Brynhildr to be at the very bottom .
「Well, to ensure it doesn’t come to that――」
Before the sentence could be finished, a trumpet sounds . It’s the signal for the entire army to be on alert .
「――we can only do our best . Everyone, get ready for battle . 」
Yakov and Celia mount their horses .
I was also going to jump on Schwartz, but stop after putting my hand on his body .
Schwartz neighs, as if asking me “aren’t you getting on?”
「I don’t want you to fall over partway . 」
Even though Schwartz’s injury is not a deep one, his movements seem slightly off .
There’s no telling what could happen if I swing heavy weapons while riding him . .
「Pipi, get on Schwartz . It shouldn’t be a problem since you’re so light . 」
「Got it!」
Pipi bounces on Schwartz’s back with a spring in her step . Schwartz exhales and moves to the rear .
When I take a glance behind me, I see him clearly walking in a strange manner .
I guess he was putting up a strong front when I was riding .
「Hmph, you’re just a perverted horse . 」
I check on my longsword and Dual Crater . Both don’t have a single scratch on them .
The Dual Crater has its usual faint reddish glow, whereas my dragon longsword also appears to be dyed slightly red having sucked up the blood from all the battles till now .
「It looks like it can get even more red . 」
I have a feeling this fight will be tough .
Still, I can’t hide the smile on my face .
–Third Person POV–
The Day Before . Albens: Garland Empire Army – Command Headquarters
Messengers and staff officers run hurriedly around in the camp .
「The Federation has landed in Zabrela with an army of 100 000! They’re looking to conduct a full-fledged reverse landing operation!」
「The 6th Division army tried to recapture the city and was defeated . The main force, the Red Dragon Knights, have suffered major losses and will need time to reorganize――」
「The enemy is heading further south towards the city of Karishin!」
「They have a group of barbarians, you say? Don’t give such nonsensical reports!」
The Supreme Commander of the Imperial Army, Zaphnes, closes his eyes with his arms folded, not saying a word .
The staff officers beside him all look worried .
「What is General Sekrit doing, letting the enemy land 100 000 soldiers under her nose!?」
「Apparently they crossed the river in the fog . ……it’s enemy land after all . They have the locational advantage . 」
「It can’t be helped that they landed . Let’s disperse them promptly . 」
「We have to hurry the reorganization of the sixth division!」
Zaphnes opens his eyes right when the staff officers panic .
「The eastern army should have pulled back to the west of Karishin」
The staff officers stir .
「I- I guess if you order it now, the eastern army might be able to make it having fallen down to the south coast . 」
「Isn’t that army preserving their strength and waiting until spring to invade again? If we exhaust them now, it will hinder our ability to counterattack in spring . Our overall strategy won’t be affected even if we abandon a city like Karishin . 」
Ever since the Federation committed to counterattack during the winter season, the Empire has suffered consecutive losses .
The Imperial soldiers were inadequately equipped for the harsh Federation winters and also ignorant of the weather phenomena .
Their military strength was slowly being worn down to a point where the Federation surpassed the Empire in terms of number of regular army soldiers .
The weakening of the military slaves meant to fill the holes was also strikingly clear due to the poor equipment quality .
Clashing head on in the current situation would invite the possibility of suffering a fatal defeat .
Which is why the headquarters under Zaphnes avoided all-out battles and retreated to the south coast where it was relatively warmer, waiting for spring to come so they could attack again .
Fortunately, Sekrit’s still healthy fleet kept the Federation’s counterattack at bay and made it impossible for them to cross the river in large numbers . ……that was true until now .
「No effect, you say? Fool! The premise for our plan to counterattack is if we maintain complete control over the south coast . If they land and invade deep into that territory, they can overturn all of that . More importantly, the morale of our soldiers won’t last . 」
「That’s true……」
「They were able to regain their composure because of the river in between . 」
On top of being exposed to severe weather conditions, they’ve been losing battle after battle, so the soldiers’ morale could crumble at anytime .
The reason they haven’t completely fallen apart was due to the trust in their safety border, that the Federation won’t come to the south coast of the river because of the existence of their still formidable fleet .
「We can’t let the enemy stay in the south coast . We’ll invest the largest force possible and intercept the enemy . Send an express messenger to the eastern army . The 200 000 of the eastern army will crush the opposing 100 000!」
「「「Understood, sir!!」」」
After Zaphnes delivers the order in an assertive tone, he mumbles something quietly to himself .
「Sekrit…… how long will you try your best? When you lose, I will also be finished . 」
–Aegir POV–
Near Karishin . Landing Army .
「A-Aegir-sama……」
I rub the stiff-faced Celia .
「Yakov, find a way to inspire the soldiers . 」
「……please don’t expect too much . 」
Figuring out a solution to that is part of your job .
「Natia, you can go back to Zabrela . In fact, you should go back if possible . 」
To be honest, I want Natia to go back, but she shakes her head silently . I don’t have time to persuade her either .
Enemies as far as the eye can see are approaching us from the front .
All the other commanders are wearing serious expressions too .
「That’s…… the enemy’s eastern army . So they came back this far?」
One of the commanders confirmed their identity after looking at their flag . He says it in a strained voice .
「If the entire eastern army is here, that means they easily have over 200 000 soldiers!」
So they have double our forces at the very least .
Not only that, we anticipated a battle around the city so we aren’t really equipped for a field battle .
「Celia, what would you do if you were the commander?」
I try asking .
「……until I have a clear picture of the exact number, a decision can’t be――」
「Scouting report! The total forces are over 200 000 regular soldiers! Moreover, 50 000 military slaves are positioned in front!」
The scout’s announcement covered Celia’s voice .
「――I would retreat . It’s impossible to do battle on an open field against an enemy with more than twice the number of forces . Plus, the enemy may get reinforcements while we won’t . 」
「I guess . I was thinking along the same lines…… but it will probably be impossible . 」
By their name, the eastern army most likely came from the east . Meaning they approached our southward bound army from the left .
A white smoke coming up from the enemy formation is billowing towards our rear .
Their cavalry are probably circling around behind us .
Even if we want to face them, we don’t have many cavalry since we came by boat .
「Our only choice is to fight . We’ll do our utmost . 」
As expected, the 105th division soldiers are trembling .
Yakov’s attempts to encourage them doesn’t result in much of an effect .
While we’re busy with that, the commander’s orders were given .
「The 105th division will be placed on the left wing to engage the enemy military slaves! They may be less skilled and have shoddy equipment, but they will still charge with all they have regardless of appearance, plus they are great in numbers . Be careful!」
「Understood . 」
It looks like he saw how we struggled with constructing defensive formations during the last battle .
That’s why he matched us with opponents who we can have a melee with .
The commander is supposed to have a good grasp of the situation, so how come this is the result?
Both armies slowly close the distance to each other .
The difference in number makes it seem like our army is partially being surrounded and we’re practically forced to receive the enemy’s attack .
As for us, we will be facing off against the seedy group of military slaves .
「Rout the enemy, show your loyalty to His Majesty the Emperor! Charge――!!」
The military slaves let out a shout in response to their commander’s orders and surge forward .
Their armor is so insubstantial that they appear half naked and they’re only equipped with a simple small shield and a one-handed sword .
「So those are the military slaves……a sacrificial squad . 」
Yakov gulps .
They’ve formed at least a horizontal line and are running at us in a straight line .
The sound of nearly 50 000 people running in our direction is incredible and naturally unnerves the ally soldiers .
It can’t be helped . I’ll give them a boost again . I’m bad at this though .
「Listen up!」
The soldiers look at me .
「They have 50 000! That’s a lot…… what portion of that do you think are women?」
The ratio of male to female soldiers in the Imperial army should be higher than that of the Federation . A flash of inspiration seems to light up the faces of the ally soldiers .
「Just 10% is already 5000! And look carefully! They’re half-naked even though it’s so cold . 」
They did well not to die from the freezing temperatures . The ally soldiers start murmuring .
「There are 5000 half-naked women! Repeat after me!」
「There are 5000 half-naked women!」
「There are 5000 women!」
「There are 5000 women for us!」
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