Chapter 99
–Aegir POV–
A small stream flows smoothly in front of us . There are gently sloping hills here and there, but besides that, there is nothing but uninterrupted plains .
We can also see an army wrapped in steel, with many flags waving about .
「As I thought, the enemy was Magrado . I can see their flag . 」
「Yeah . But it doesn’t matter now, does it?」
「You’re right . At this point, there’s nothing left to do but fight the enemy . 」
The enemy confronts our army from across the stream . The staring contest continues across the stream, where the North Teries river pours into, just slightly south of the plains on the outskirts of Roleil .
Be that as it may, since it hasn’t rained recently, the depth of water in the river is at most up to our thighs and is flowing calmly, and besides it being a bit lower than than the surrounding area and having a slightly harder time running on the gravel road, it isn’t an obstacle worth pointing out for both armies . People and horses can easily cross the river, so the only thing separating us in this staring contest is a psychological barrier on this empty plains .
「Leopolt, the enemy didn’t do anything to the river like last time, did they?1」
「It’s geographically impossible . 」
Fumu, that’s a load off my mind .
「The Magrado army from the visible troops are around 10 000 and Treia’s imperial guards number 5000, for a total of 15 000!」
Celia informs us . She calculated correctly, impressive .
I rub her head on top of her helmet, but Celia remains stern . She doesn’t have to be so tense .
「Well, shall we go?」
「Yessir . 」
On Leopolt’s orders, the bow cavalry splits into three large groups while the infantry, spear cavalry and heavy cavalry form into ranks .
「Start advancing forward!」
This isn’t a forward charge . The entire army moves at the same speed, closing the distance between the enemy steadily .
「Please don’t charge in this time . 」
「I’m not going to charge in the beginning . 」
The enemy has also formed impressive ranks and is advancing forward to meet us . If I charge in by myself, I’ll be ruined instantly .
「It looks like the enemy is taking up a wide area at the front of the battlefield . 」
If I had to say it, the enemy is lining up horizontally . The Magrado army and imperial guards are adjacent to each other and increasing their area .
「If they spread out horizontally, it’s easy to breakthrough them, but it will be hard to pass them from the side . The enemy is probably confident in their ability to prevent horses from breaking through . 」
Fumu, that reminds me, the eastern defence force also used some ridiculously long spears . Should I try?
「Tell Luna to lead the first division bow cavalry and confront the imperial guards on the right wing . 」
The messenger runs off and in no time, 2000 bow cavalry changes course and picks up speed . Luna’s squad halts in front of the guards and forms into ranks . The next moment, they shout war cries and start charging .
「First division bow cavalry, start charging . 」
「The enemy sent their archers to the front . 」
The archers appear from the enemy’s ranks and loose their arrows simultaneously, knocking a few of the cavalry off their horses . In response, the ally bow cavalry also return fire while charging and defeat around the same number of enemies . As expected, if they’re sprinting at full speed, their shooting accuracy decreases .
Both armies close the distance to each other, suffering minor damage, and judging it impossible to defeat us using bows, the imperial guards pull the archers back and send out their spear unit using those 6 m long things . When they stand together, it looks like a pincushion and it doesn’t look like any cavalry could get by . In addition, there are many bowguns aimed from in between them . But this is where the bow cavalry shines .
「All units stop, fire disruptive shots!」
Luna shouts and the bow cavalry hold their positions and loose their arrows one after the other . It wasn’t a controlled simultaneous volley, but one where everybody fires on their own accord, a tactic with a high degree of freedom .
「Do not fear! They are inaccurate when shooting on their horses, they’re trying to disorganiz- guhh! 」
The enemy spearmen commander got hit in the throat and eye and fell off his horse . Unfortunately, their precision is way higher than that of your archers . Their accuracy when shooting at a standstill is one hundred percent .
The enemy bowguns are firing in a panic, but the distance is too great . It is still within the shooting range of a bow, but the enemy couldn’t get the desired results from the smaller and heavier bolts of the bowgun, which don’t get carried by the wind . The super long spears the soldiers are holding requires both hands, so they couldn’t use shields, causing them to fall over quite amusingly .
「I knew about it before, but they have an amazing loosing speed . 」
「Yes, if they shoot freely, they’re more than two times faster than normal bow cavalry . 」
「Pipi is even faster!」
The one-sided target practice continues while I rub the underside of Pipi’s chin to praise her . The enemy archers try to support the spearmen with high-angled fire from behind, but because their field of vision is low, their accuracy is quite low .
「Damnit! Spear unit, stand down and have the archers up front to counterattack . 」
The enemy formation changes once again . Even though they’re aware of the fact that changing formations in the presence of the enemy is a foolish move, they must have deemed it their only option, not to mention they did it twice .
「Exactly how it went in training . 」
The enemy continues to shoot and there is no time to check whether there are 2000 or 1500 bow cavalry remaining .
「Charge!」
While the formation is loosing arrows in a horizontal line, it splits open and a group of 500 soldiers lined up vertically unsheathes their swords and charges forward . The formation changes again, waiting for the exact moment when the spear unit and archer unit combine with each other . The distance is so close that a bolt from a bowgun could reach the other side, and there is absolutely no time to react to an accelerating charge from a cavalry . The horizontal formation was also used to hide the ones galloping in from the back .
Their formation is solid when they line up together with their super long spears, but in a situation where the soldiers get blended together, there is no fear nor readiness . If you get in range of a sword, you can only stand there like an idiot .
「Luna-san, the enemy charged! Have the remaining bow cavalry switch to swords and start charging!」
「Irijina, go . 」
「Yeah! Leave it to me!」
Irijina takes 500, half of the spear cavalry, and leads them to the already collapsing right wing…… then circles around further right of the group of guards . Although the light-armored spear cavalry are flanking, it is still difficult to break through the defense of the super long spears . Nevertheless, they detour, since there is only meaning if they threaten them with the risk of being surrounded . The enemy soon encroaches on Luna’s unit and their formation is disturbed and in chaos .
「Guuh」
「Higiih」
「Don’t lose speed, cut them down while breaking through!」
The swords of the bow cavalry are not straight like those of regular soldiers, but curved like a crescent moon . This makes it easier to slice through the enemies when passing by and they won’t get stabbed by swords either .
「It might be strange to call them bow cavalry now . 」
While thinking such idle thoughts like what new name they should get, the situation changes further .
「The enemy cavalry unit is appearing in the center! Around 2000 are passing through the front and heading to support the right wing . 」
「Hooh, as expected, they’re playing their hand . 」
Celia’s pretty voice resounds and Leopolt is speaking in a mocking tone .
From what I can see from here, the Magrado army in the center and left wings are already a completed army . I saw that they didn’t have much cooperation with Treia’s imperial guards on the right wing, but I guess it was true .
「I would have abandoned them, but if it’s an allied army, they probably can’t do so . 」
With the raise of a hand, the 2000 units in the second division bow cavalry ran at an angle parallel with the enemy . It goes without saying that this chance should be used to defeat the enemy cavalry if possible .
The shooting starts and many enemy cavalry take hits and fall off their horses . But the Magrado army is well trained and wait until the last minute to calmly align themselves with the spear unit .
A large number of arrows rained down on the pursuing second division from the center of their army and about the same number of our troops are defeated .
「Fumu, they’re tough . Have the second division get back . Luna and Irijina should stand down too . 」
On Celia’s instructions, a colored flaming arrow is shot in the air . The second division bow cavalry turn around, while Luna’s first division bow cavalry and Irijina’s spear cavalry bypass the enemy and make a large loop around the back of their formation before returning to our position . The bow cavalry can also fight in close combat but if they clash with the enemy cavalry, they don’t have an advantage in the difference between their weapons . There is no need to destroy their advantage by forcing them to fight up close .
「They’ll go back as soon as they withdraw . This speed is their strongest point . 」
Leopolt values mobility over heavy equipment . I understood this after observing recently . But I like big and heavy things . 2
「Luna-san and Irijina-san have returned . The enemy reinforcement cavalry only suffered minor casualties, but the right wing seems to have taken considerable damage . 」
At first glance, the enemy will want to rebuild their line of spears to prepare for a second attack on their right wing, but there are fallen soldiers and confused soldiers making a disorganized mess in that area . The commanders are shouting and a line of sorts is formed but it doesn’t look like it can be used aggressively .
「The right wing will just be a decoration for now . Well done, Luna . 」
「I’m delighted to receive such undeserved praise . 」
I should really do something about the way she speaks later .
「There are changes in the enemy formations . The center is joining up with the left wing!」
I look forward again after I hear Celia’s voice . A faction that wasn’t seen before appeared in front of us .
–Third Person POV–
Treia Magrado Allied Forces Camp
「For it to turn out like this……」
Radgalf, the supreme commander of the expeditionary army, speaks like he’s groaning .
「What terrifying offensive power . To think they could defeat the spear unit with their cavalry, it’s unthinkable . 」
Radgalf’s men also nod in amazement . ‘The defensive formation of the spear unit can fend off their cavalry . ’ The scene unfolding in front of their eyes easily shatters such common sense .
「I heard that the barbarians in the remote regions can skillfully use bows while riding horses . Were they taken in or were they hired as mercenaries……?」
「It’s fine either way . We’ll dance with them a second time in the same formation . Join up with the left wing and change the formation . 」
「Yessir!」
「Understood!」
Flags are waving and the formation changes quickly . The Goldonian side does the same, since the unit that participated in the earlier attack is on their way back to their positions, they are in a chaotic state for a brief moment . It’s already confirmed that there will be no danger from them charging .
「If they went straight for our center right at the start, it might have been a huge mess . 」
「In that sense, we were saved by Treia, who became their target . if we don’t seal that archery skill, it won’t even be a contest for us . 」
「Roughly three times the accuracy and twice the speed, huh? If they have 6000 cavalry, then it feels the same as them having 36 000 archers . We would be ripped to shreds if we take a hit from that . 」
Radgalf and his men breathe a sigh and laugh together . Unexpected bad luck and good fortune fall on them on the battlefield . All of that is also a part of skill .
「The heavy infantry have all finished deploying on the side! Breakthrough formation completed!」
「What should we do about the Treian army on the right wing?」
「Leave them alone, a disorganized unit will only slow us down . The opponent isn’t so easy that we can shoulder them and fight . 」
The prime minister says something in the back but Radgalf and his men ignore him . This is the battlefield and not some place for a civil official to make his appearance .
「First we’ll have them show us their strategy . Then we’ll show them how we fight . 」
Radgalf’s subordinates smile fearlessly . Being veterans of battle, they don’t feel afraid .
「All units advance! Destroy them!」
–Aegir POV–
Goldonia Camp
「A metal……box?」
Celia mumbles unknowingly the correct scene . The heavily armored infantry emerges from the front of the enemy army, holding out their large shields, which are as tall as their bodies . Long spears extend from the gaps between the shields and this formation is the same on all fronts .
There are 8 of those large and wide metal box formations and 1000 cavalry on the left and right . Combined with a ringing gong, the footsteps of their march are completely in sync .
「It seems different than the box formation . It’s slow . 」
Based on appearance, the infantry are wearing a heavy full-body armor and holding large shields . They don’t look agile at all .
「We have no choice but to see what happens . Bow cavalry second and third divisions, advance forward . 」
If their formation crumbles, the other cavalry and infantry will be finished .
「Charge!」
Luna leads the troops once again and rushes forward . The enemy cavalry on both wings stay still while the bow cavalry approaches the clump in the front and looses their arrows simultaneously, but the large shields block most of it, limiting their efficacy .
「It’s obvious that the front is sturdy . Use high-angle fire, break their ranks from the middle . 」
The 4000 bow cavalry gives up on the enemy in front and releases their arrows to rain on the center of the formation . But the enemy doesn’t slow down and continues to march forward .
「They can cover their heads with their shields too . Arrows won’t get through like that . 」
Leopolt speaks calmly and Celia starts to panic . Relax a bit more, they haven’t lost yet .
「Kuh! Concentrate your arrows on the enemy in front, aim at them through the gaps and defeat them! Open them up!」
Obeying Luna’s instructions, everyone focuses their arrows in the front and several people fall . However, the line of soldiers behind them dives in and pushes forward to cover up the holes . Furthermore, bows return volleys from between the shields and shoot down the bow cavalry, who don’t have anything to protect them .
「……gh-!?」
Seeing as how breaking through the front is impossible, Luna detours to the side but doesn’t start attacking .
「The sides are probably as solid as the front . 」
「It’s literally a metal box . 」
The bow cavalry search for a weakness and gallop around the perimeter, but when they try to rain their arrows on the other metal boxes, they lose soldiers instead . The enemy cavalry starts to move when the bow cavalry circle around to the back . There is an advantage in numbers – 4000 to 2000 – but they can’t fight well just by firing arrows from the outside and after skirmishing randomly, they return to the front once again .
Luna, who escaped the enemy’s fire, looks at me like she’s about to cry . It appears there is no method of attack .
「Leopolt, do you have anything? 」
「I do, but not immediately . 」
If using trampling cavalry is not a ground-breaking strategy, then there’s nothing left to do but perform a frontal attack .
「Bow cavalry second and third division, circle to the back and rest, everyone else march forward!」
「Chase them as much as you can to the edge of the river . 」
It won’t be immediate, but Leopolt seems to have something planned . I’ll rely on him .
「Charge!!」
The bow cavalry are the only ones who stood out recently, but the other cavalry are properly trained too . I’ll have them show some results this time .
「「「「UOooooooh!!」」」」
The infantry shout and dash forward, crashing into the enemy in front . It makes a tremendous metallic clanging, but the wall of shields in front of us doesn’t break . To be precise, several people collapse but the hole is quickly filled by the soldiers in the back .
Still, bashing them with swords and spears make a remarkable difference than using arrows and the enemy front is in slight disarray . There are some brave men who took the opportunity to poke their spears in but soldiers rush from the back and tossed them away . Many of them who tried to thrust their spears in got skewered by spears instead .
「How disgraceful……」
「We can’t fight unless we do something about those shields……」
Celia mutters frustratingly . Since they stopped the bow cavalry, who make up half our composition, it was clear that we are at a disadvantage .
「The enemy cavalry is moving!」
Have they come to settle the battle after seeing us look disheartened? The enemy cavalry are sandwiching us from the left and right . On one side, Luna and her bow cavalry stopped shooting altogether and brought it to a melee battle but on the other side, they approach the infantry clashing with the box .
「Leopolt, I’m leaving the command to you . Let’s go, Celia!」
「Yes!」
One wing of the enemy cavalry contains 1000 troops, while the remaining heavy cavalry as reserve forces number 500 . It should be an interesting fight .
「Follow me!」
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