Wortenia Senki (LN) - Volume 6 - Chapter 3

Chapter 3: The Invasion of the East 

While Ryoma Mikoshiba was camped out in Epirus’s outskirts and training to acquire thaumaturgy, clouds of war were brewing over the neighboring Kingdom of Xarooda. The O’ltormea Empire, ruler of the continent’s center, bared its fangs against Xarooda. In doing so, it commenced its invasion of the eastern regions of the western continent. 

One country fought for the sake of expanding its borders and developing its country. The other fought to maintain its own borders and ensure the stability of its regime. The Notis plains, located along the border of these two countries, would serve as the stage for a battle neither side could afford to lose. 

Shardina commanded the battle from her headquarters at the rear of their forces’ formation. She glared over a large map of the region as she began to speak to Saitou, who sat opposite of her. 

“What of the status of our units?” 

Multiple game pieces, colored in black and red, were arranged along the map in the shape of each army’s formations. 

“Yes, ma’am. According to the runners, our main force is advancing along its route as scheduled,” Saitou said, dragging one group of red pawns from the capital to the eastern border. “We also received reports that the units we sent out to scout the Notis plains are currently in battle with the Xarooda knight force located on the east end.” 

Each of those game pieces represented a friendly or enemy unit. The red pieces represented O’ltormea’s forces, while the black ones were Xarooda’s. There were fifteen red pieces near the Notis plains’ position on the map. There were five more pieces — units detached from the main force — each to the north and south. 

Each piece represented one thousand soldiers, which meant their overall force stood at twenty-five thousand men. 

“And how many troops does the enemy have?” Shardina asked. 

At her question, Saitou began shifting the black pieces to the mountain region adjacent to the plains. A total of twenty pieces stood poised to block the path of O’ltormea’s main force. 

“Their corps consists entirely of knights, and numbers twenty thousand strong.” Saitou replied. 

Shardina’s lips curled upwards, forming a sneer. It was the grin of a hunter, confident their foolish prey had stepped into a trap. 

“Good. Xarooda was quick to mobilize all its forces to strike us down... Splendid. Exactly as we’ve planned.” Shardina proclaimed in satisfaction. 

“Well, we did pressure them in such a way that left them no other choice.” Saitou shrugged. 

“It’s only been five days since we declared war,” Shardina nodded. “That’s not enough time to conscript their commoners.” 

O’ltormea successfully and thoroughly blocked the enemy’s intelligence, and thanks to that, Xarooda’s side was completely blind to their movements. Xarooda’s territory was a natural fortress protected by steep mountains. But now, when they were utterly blind to the invading army’s movements, this fortress actually impeded their movements. 

The steep mountains that divided their lands yielded them a treasure of mineral deposits, but were at the same time poor terrain for deploying soldiers. If they weren’t prepared for an invasion and given time to capitalize on these natural fortifications, the mountains became a shackle that held Xarooda back. That made it especially difficult to deploy a large force. 

“You intentionally leaked the size of our main force to the enemy, fooling the Xaroodian royal family into believing that mobilizing their royal guard will put them on equal footing with us. Doing that made you draw their forces out onto an open field... Perfectly played, Your Highness.” 

Saitou complimented Shardina’s tactic with pure honesty. It was this ingenuity that enabled her to lead the armies while also acting as the royal princess. This was something Saitou knew all too well. 

Xarooda’s total forces numbered seventy thousand men, but that number included their conscripted commoners and the soldiers attached to their nobility. The only force Xarooda was capable of deploying at a moment’s notice were the knights belonging to the royal house — a total of twenty-five thousand. 

Of course, there was a reason as to why Xarooda wasn’t able to muster its full army, despite the fate of the country hanging in the balance. Considering her failure to capture Ryoma Mikoshiba, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that Shardina’s very existence hinged on her victory in this war. 

She mobilized the knight order under her direct command, the Succubus Knights, to obfuscate their movements and cut off all the intelligence regarding her movements to the Xaroodian side. This would assure she would net herself the merit of winning this war. 

Shardina’s objectives were twofold. The first was to minimize the time between their declaration of war and the moment the fighting broke out. This would afford Xarooda no time to consolidate their forces. The second was to leak false intelligence to the enemy, which would fool them into thinking O’ltormea’s forces were smaller than expected. That would plant the idea in their minds that by marching their forces onto the plains, they would have a chance to end the war quickly. 

This was an act that wasn’t viable in normal strategy. From a strategic standpoint, it was always better to have the fighting break out while marching into enemy land. That was because the surrounding industries and economic conditions would be negatively affected, tilting the odds in the invading army’s favor. 

But Shardina elected to drag Xarooda’s army out into the open plains. 

For the time being, everything’s going as planned. All that’s left now is... 

The Xaroodian military fell for her ploy. The kingdom was caught completely unaware and didn’t have the time to send runners to its nobles, requesting that they send forces to aid in pushing back the invasion. In other words, the royal family was forced to send out only their knights to handle the task. 

Knowing that likely left Xarooda’s military authorities in quite the panic, leading them to scramble for any information pertinent to the enemy that might help them break through this situation. The name of the enemy army’s general. The army’s size. Its planned route. Countless bits of information which, when properly analyzed, could allow them to come up with a countermeasure. 

And the result of that scramble for intelligence was that they realized that Shardina’s forces weren’t as vast as they imagined. If they were to mount all of the forces under the king’s command, they stood a fighting chance. 

If enemy soldiers were to march into the kingdom, Xarooda would take a crippling blow even if they did win that war. At first, Xarooda’s military authorities were willing to risk some losses and drag O’ltormea’s army into their land, but if Shardina’s numbers were slim, then things were different. A fight near the border would only cause negligible damage to the kingdom. 

No one would willingly let great damage come to their country. And if they could pick an option that was much safer and avoided that scenario, they would be inclined to pick it. And so, Xarooda’s military left a mere five thousand knights to guard the capital and sent the rest of their army to the frontlines. 

But this was all Shardina’s trap. The certain victory they envisioned was simply a carrot on a stick in the guise of hope, which was dangled before their eyes like bait. And even if they realized Shardina’s plot, it wouldn’t change the end result. Lethal poison was already eating away at the heart of Xarooda. 

“What about the detachments to the north and south? Is everything going according to schedule on their end?” Shardina directed a sharp gaze at Saitou. 

So far, their trap had worked as intended. But past experience had taught her that the slightest sign of carelessness could make the situation reverse and put them at a disadvantage. And so, she didn’t leave any room for negligence. Her experience and talent as a commander mingled with her failure to capture Ryoma and the valuable lessons it taught her. This helped her mature into a daring, cunning, and indeed, ideal commander. 

“Yes, both units have sent runners informing us they’re in position.” Saitou answered. 

Shardina was likely satisfied with that, since she regarded him with a smile and a slight nod. 

“Good... You’re aware of the plan, yes?” 

“Of course. I will handle it, Your Highness.” 

Saitou’s tone was as collected and polite as ever. He then bowed at Shardina and left. He was calmer than one might ever expect a man about to lunge into a savage battle might be. But Shardina could handily feel the fighting spirit hidden in Saitou. Looking at him from behind, she could almost see the fire of resolve burn around him. 

“Everyone, are you prepared?!” Saitou called out to his aides after he got up on horseback. 

“““Ready!””” Their swift but vigorous reply rattled his eardrums. 

Ten thousand heavily armored knights followed Saitou. This was the entirety of their main force, excluding the three units dispatched as a forward force. A small force of two thousand would stay behind to defend Shardina in the back of their formation. 

Leaving a minimal force to defend their commander and charge with almost all of their forces was the very image of an all-or-nothing assault. The fate of this battle — and the rest of this campaign — rested on Saitou’s soldiers. 

Saitou’s gaze was fixed on the sight of their forward force, which was now engaging Xarooda’s knights. 

“Your orders, vice captain?” One of his aides asked Saitou to give the word. 

Saitou wordlessly unsheathed the sword from his waist and held it up to the sky. 

Now, I should finish this job for Princess Shardina... 

On the surface, he needed to win this battle to secure Shardina Eisenheit’s position. And in effect, it would also further his hidden masters’ intentions. But none of those reasons mattered to Saitou at that moment. His heart was stirred by a maddening craving. Everyone stood wordless, waiting for him to issue his order. They were all intoxicated — drunk off Saitou’s silent bloodlust. 

It’s been so long since I’ve last felt the thrill of battle... and I intend to enjoy this. 

Feeling the bloodthirst of the soldiers at his back, Saitou silently swung down his sword — directing them toward the enemy soldiers ahead. 

“““Ooooooooooooooooooh!””” 

The soldiers rushed past Saitou’s side, raising their voices in an echoing battle cry as they did. They were unleashed, like an arrow that had been nocked and strained to its absolute limit. Knights clad in full armor and brandishing the banner of a lion charged toward the enemy. 

Even their horses were armored, making them this world’s equivalent of a tank. With thaumaturgy augmenting both their physical prowess and the strength of their horses, they trampled foot soldiers and sprung forward, their lances piercing through the enemy. 

“Kill them! Slaughter them!” 

“Hold your ground! Don’t turn your backs on these O’ltormean dogs!” 

“Aaah, dammit! My arm! My aaaaaarm...!” 

“Shut up! If you have time to scream, use it to cut someone down!” 

Savage screams and curses echoed incessantly through the field of battle. The empire’s cavaliers washed over a battlefield dominated by the foot knights’ melee skirmishes, trampling over Xarooda’s soldiers. But the knights of Xarooda weren’t going to allow themselves to be one-sidedly overwhelmed. 

“Foot knights, move into formation! Stop their cavaliers!” 

“You hear?! Ignore your platoons and move into formation, quickly!” 

The commanding officers quickly picked up on the situation and began giving orders. Rather than charging their own cavaliers against O’ltormea’s, they chose to arrange their foot knights into a formation that would block the horses’ advance. With the chain of command in upheaval, Xarooda’s knights quickly abided by their officers’ orders and formed a formation. 

“Foot knights, step forward!” 

Sensing the enemy commanders were recovering from the confusion of his cavaliers’ charge, Saitou ordered the cavaliers to fall back and the infantry to push forward. This Earth’s horses were larger and packed more horsepower than steeds one might find in Japan. But even still, their stamina had its limits. Even with harnesses imbued with endowed thaumaturgy that increased the steeds’ speed and curbed their exhaustion, the horses were still susceptible to fatigue. 

The greatest advantages afforded by being on horseback were weight and speed. But put another way, a horse that couldn’t freely roam around was nothing but a large, sitting target. In a way, soldiers had a power balance that wasn’t unlike rock-paper-scissors. There was no such thing as a perfect soldier. 

“Now listen here!” The commander of Xarooda’s knights raised his voice upon confirming his men were prepared. “We will drive out the O’ltormean invaders! There’s no falling back! Charge!” 

Standing in an organized formation, Xarooda’s knights moved forward with synchronized steps. As worthy of knights in service of a militant country, they excelled at both individual combat prowess and their organization as an army. 

But of course, the same could be said of O’ltormea’s forces. The elite soldiers of a powerful empire that consolidated the center of the western continent were gathered in this place. The officers commanding at the frontlines aptly adjusted themselves to the changing currents of this tumultuous battle. 

“You mustn’t falter before Xarooda’s soldiers! We are proud knights of O’ltormea! Scatter them away!” 

Knights were sent out to the front one after another at the officers’ commands. The orderly columns of the formation began to waver as knights from both sides clashed. Both sides were made up of knights clad in armor made of metal plates, armed with swords and spears and strengthened by thaumaturgy. Each individual knight wasn’t stronger than another. For every Xaroodian knight that fell in battle, an O’ltormean knight died as well. It seemed to be a fruitless battle of attrition. 

And yet, the winner of this battle had already been decided. The difference in the officers’ ability to command made the difference. Shardina’s objective was to wipe out Xarooda’s main force. With the palace’s knights destroyed, the only army Xarooda would have left would be the personal forces of the country’s nobles. With this, O’ltormea’s forces would quickly suppress Xarooda. 

Yes, we have to occupy Xarooda’s territory as quickly as possible. Before the beast of the north awakens... 

And to that end, Shardina employed a few tactics, and thanks to that, victory was within her grasp. 

But... Really... 

Shardina stood inside a large tent in the center of her headquarters, gazing down at the map on the table. The image of a single man’s face crossed her mind. 

I was careless back then... I anticipated Mikoshiba’s movements perfectly, but at the very last moment I let him get the better of me... But in a way, it was a lesson I needed to learn. It taught me to guard myself. That no matter how advantageous a position I might have, the slightest bit of carelessness could put me in danger of death... 

That mature-looking boy. At first sight, he gave off an amicable, collected impression, but his true face was that of a savage, ruthless beast. His eyes were cold and cruel when he faced off against her and Saitou. He was a man with a strength that was like steel. The sole person to escape her net and find refuge in another country. 

And what if he was the enemy commander...? 

That meaningless hypothetical thought nudged at Shardina’s mind. She’d thought this tactic through, time and again, and had pulled it off impeccably. But the shadow of this man who wasn’t even present for this battle coiled around her heart like a shackle. 

“Your Highness, the time is nearly right. Shouldn’t we send the signal?” The words of her aide yanked Shardina out of the quagmire of her thoughts. 

“Y-Yes... Right you are... Have them send the signal.” She said, stifling the hesitation eating away at her so it wouldn’t be seen by her subordinates. 

No good... I almost repeated the same mistake. I need to stay focused on the battle. 

This battle was as good as won. She’d prepared and worked hard to ensure that. But the chance of the slightest lack of caution turning the tide of battle was always looming. She couldn’t assume she’d won so long as the battle hadn’t concluded. The lesson the past had taught her ordered her heart to remain vigilant. 

I won’t lose here...! I absolutely will not lose! 

Shardina was poised to win this battle. She’d conspired and arranged for this victory, and had done everything perfectly so far. All that remained was to apply the finishing touches, and yet her heart wavered. 

“Vice commander! The signal! Headquarters has sent out the signal!” One of Saitou’s aides raised his head, catching the sound of a gong ringing in the distance. 

Saitou nodded and listened intently. It was hard to hear through the roars of the knights and the sound of clashing metal, but true enough, he could make out the sound of the gong. 

“Yes, that’s it... The signal we’ve agreed on. You’re all aware of what to do next, yes?” Saitou asked, directing a sharp gaze at his subordinates. 

“““Yes, at once!””” The men immediately scattered in all directions. 

“Hear ye! We now fall back! Ring the bell and have everyone move back!” Saitou shouted, and soon enough the bell informing the soldiers to retreat rang out in a shrill voice through the battlefield. 

“Let’s move! We fall back!” 

“Remember, no panicking! Cover for each other as you move!” 

Even if a force wasn’t to be too mindful of its formation, acting on one’s own initiative on the battlefield wasn’t acceptable. Saitou’s men began retreating in a disorderly fashion, guarding each other’s backs all the way. They were mindful of their surroundings, and any friendly soldier that looked like they might be in risk of being slain was immediately guarded by a nearby knight. 

They had no need to kill the enemy right now. The moment the order to retreat was given, the two armies had been clearly demarcated as a defending army and an attacking army. The retreating O’ltormean army had but one objective — to retreat while bringing back as many of their allies as possible. 

By contrast, the Xaroodian knights were intent on killing every enemy knight they could get their hands on. Reducing their numbers, no matter by how little, was crucial. And the knights on both sides wielded their weapons, with each army trying to achieve opposing objectives. 

“General Belares! The O’ltormean invasion force has begun to retreat!” 

The moment the runner sent from the front burst into the tent and shouted the words, the tumult that governed the place so far had gone momentarily quiet. But as soon as the meaning of those words settled in, the residents of the tent began talking once again. 

“What? Are you sure?!” 

Everyone present was well aware the fate of their country depended on this battle. And Xarooda was well aware of the difference O’ltormea held over them in terms of national power. In their eyes, they were at an overwhelming disadvantage. And yet, the enemy chose to retreat? Did an unexpected golden chance just fall into their lap? 

The general’s aides were all clamoring, believing that if they didn’t gamble on this opportunity they wouldn’t have another chance to win. 

“The O’ltormean soldiers are retreating! If that’s true, this is our chance! We must pursue and strike them down!” 

“General Belares, please, give us the order to strike! This is proof the gods are still on our side!” 

The aides were enthusiastic at this development. Even as he nodded at his men’s words, Arios Belares, the supreme commander of Xarooda’s forces, stroked his long, white beard in contemplation. Despite the voices urging him to give the word, he alone remained still and pensive. 

“Pops... What are you going to do?” One voice, slightly different in tone than the other aides’, asked him. 

Someone who did not so much want to have their opinion stated as they wanted to hear the general’s own stance. It was a man in his early twenties who was the splitting image of General Belares in his younger days. And the moment that man spoke, the noise in the tent once again died down for a moment. 

That silence was not for a positive reason, however. The aides fell quiet and eyed the young man with bitter, stabbing glares. Scorn, mocking and all manner of negative emotions were being directed at the young man. 

Any person of ordinary sensibilities would shrink away from those gazes, but this young man was bold — and not necessarily in a good way. Even with them glaring at him, he didn’t so much as flinch. No, he was giving off even more scorn than the people around him. 

“What do you think I should do, Joshua?” The general looked upon his third son, who was reclining at the lowest seat at the table. 

“Hmph! I shouldn’t have to explain this,” Joshua replied, carrying a cigarette roll he had pinched between his fingers to his lips. “Pops, if you truly intend to chase them down... You should go all in to wipe them out, and claim Shardina’s head. Don’t you think?” 

“““Huh?!””” The aides all exclaimed in a stupefied manner. 

Joshua’s words came across as utterly unexpected. But contrary to the surprise on the aides’ faces, General Belares’s lips cracked in a satisfied smile as he nodded. Meanwhile, Joshua lit a small fire over his fingertips and lit the cigarette. He composedly indulged in a long puff, despite the fact that smoking was forbidden during war councils. The fact he was so calm only made the extremity of his suggestion all the more jarring. 

“Hmph... And what would you do, were you in my shoes? Retreat?” General Belares asked in a testing manner. 

“I’d pull back if I want to make sure we survive...” Joshua shrugged casually at his father’s question. “If we fall back into our borders, we can turn this into a protracted war. That way, we guarantee the country doesn’t fall immediately.” 

Joshua then trailed off and looked around with a sharp gaze. The lethargic attitude one could sense from his gestures was gone now. In its stead was a passionate fighting spirit and bloodlust. 

“But if we really want to defend Xarooda... I’d say we should press forward. We need to win this battle.” 

The sound of someone swallowing nervously filled the tent. The general’s aides, experienced as they were from countless battles, were overwhelmed by this young man. 

“Sir Joshua... If I may, can you explain what you mean?” The oldest aide timidly asked. 

Up until now, Joshua Belares was only a nuisance in their war councils. He showed no honor to his elders, and anyone who lived in the capital had heard of his drinking habits and handling of dirty money. Night after night he would frequent the slums’ bars, creating some new epic story of gambling or a brawl. Many times things were brought to bloodshed over someone arguing Joshua stole his woman or vice versa. 

He could very well be considered a latent criminal. Which begged the question, what was such an uncouth hooligan doing in a war council? He was only there due to the will of his father, Arios Belares. 

The aides were all aware that General Belares had ordered his son Joshua to join them on this campaign. But they believed that this was simply his way as a father to force some weight onto his uncouth son and straighten him out. To that end, they never paid any mind to his opinion during the council. They simply thought of him as a waste of space, after all. 

And it wasn’t as if Joshua did much to foster any trust. Not only did he not consider other people’s opinions, he would fall asleep or smoke in the middle of meetings. Seeing him speak his mind for the first time in these meetings caught the aides by surprise. 

“Don’t you see? It’s a trap... They’re intentionally luring our army in for a pincer maneuver. Oldest trick in the book, but that’s only because it’s a trick that works. All right, lemme ask you this,” Joshua said, eyeing the aides with contempt. “The enemy commander we’re facing here is Shardina Eisenheit. Right hand woman of the big bad lion emperor, Lionel Eisenheit. The first princess and celebrated general. And you’re seriously just going to chase her army down?” 

“That’s foolish... What basis could you possibly have to...?” 

“You’re overthinking this!” 

“General, he’s an amateur who’s not used to the ups and down of the battlefield. Ignore his nonsense. Are you going to ignore such a golden chance?” 

The aides turned to look at General Belares. Some of them did begin suspecting the possibility of an O’ltormean trap because of Joshua’s words, but admitting that was difficult. They weren’t keen on believing a person they’d constantly mocked until now. They insisted on pressing the attack — not for the sake of defeating O’ltormea, but in the name of their personal dignity. 

“Quiet, all of you... Joshua.” General Belares quieted down his aides. “You spoke of two choices earlier. What was that about? Why would you suggest we press forward if you assume there’s a trap in place?” 

If there really was a trap, there was no choice to make here — their only option was to retreat and regroup at their headquarters. And yet, Joshua gave conflicting advice, and even gave the disturbing implication that it was necessary for defending Xarooda. One couldn’t help but be drawn in by those words. 

“Pops... You don’t really need me to say it, do you? You know it as well as I do.” Joshua shook his head in what felt like an exasperated gesture. 

“I’ll say it again. Explain to everyone what you meant.” General Belares directed an intense gaze to his son. 

“Fine...” Joshua sighed. “See, it’s simple. From a strategic standpoint, we’ve already lost this battle to O’ltormea.” 

Joshua’s words made the silence in the tent feel that much heavier. No one could believe what he’d just said. 

“How dare you! Do you have any idea what you just said?!” One of the aides broke the silence by angrily raising his voice. 

He got to his feet, knocking back the chair he was seating on, and cast aside all the fake respect he’d held so far toward the general’s son. The frontlines were already stained with blood. Their men had put their lives on the line to protect their homeland from the invading army. Saying they had already lost the battle was an insult to the soldiers that risked their lives for this victory. It was perhaps natural that the aide’s hand jumped to his sheathed sword. 

“Wait, what are you doing?! We’re in the middle of a meeting!” 

Seeing the man’s hand clutch the grip of his sword, the other aides quickly grabbed his arms and pinned them behind his back. Of course, they all understood his anger, but they couldn’t stand by and watch him cut down an ally in the middle of a war council. 

Especially since this was, despite how insolent he may be, the general’s son. They all kept their mouths shut, knowing that should they speak, the only thing to leave their lips would be insults toward Joshua. 

The only one to not budge a muscle at Joshua’s proclamation was General Belares. He simply gave a small, satisfied nod. 

“Hmm... Your words are lacking in etiquette, but you’re not wrong.” He whispered. 

Even so, his words echoed all too clearly in the silent tent. As if he’d just proclaimed someone’s death... 

The color drained from all the aides’ faces. None of them expected to hear the supreme commander of this operation admit that they were defeated. 

“S-Sir...” One of the aides muttered, shivering with shock. 

War in this world was focused on melee engagements of physical combat, and the soldiers’ morale was a crucial factor that decided victory from defeat. Having trust toward one’s commander was essential for maintaining that morale. Soldiers could only throw themselves into battle and stake their lives because the commander believed victory was achievable. And put conversely, few people would gamble their lives on a general that couldn’t win. 

On top of that, General Belares was the highest ranking military official in Xarooda. Victory or defeat very much hinged on his perspective. An army could lose any number of soldiers, but so long as its commander believed victory was achievable, it would not be truly defeated. One might lose a battle, but so long as the will to fight remained, the war would not end. 

And put another way, no matter how many troops a commander had left, a battle was lost from the get go so long as they lacked the will to fight. A military commander was required to have an unyielding force of will. One’s talent in strategy or lack thereof could be augmented with a choice of skilled subordinates. But the true mettle of a commander was in their ability to keep the will to fight lit in the hearts of their men. 

In that regard, General Belares was a commander like no other. The Empire of O’ltormea was the sovereign of the western continent’s center, and the Kingdom of Helnesgoula was its match, ruling over the north. 

And the man that held both of these great countries’ ambitions in check for many years was Arios Belares. A seasoned general that led Myest and Rhoadseria to coalition, forming an alliance in the east that staved off the great powers’ aspirations time and again. He was seen as equal to Rhoadseria’s Ivory Goddess of War, Helena Steiner. 

He was very much the guardian deity of his country. 

Hearing that man admit that they were defeated left the aides gripped by despair. Any idea of blaming Joshua for his arrogant words had left them altogether. 

“S-Sir... Don’t you think saying that is too much?!” One of the aides exclaimed, his face red with emotion. “We have knights out on the frontlines even now, risking their lives for victory... You cannot admit defeat here!” 

Such an outburst would normally be utterly unacceptable, but no one blamed him for it. The other aides all felt the same way. General Belares simply silenced him by raising his right hand, and turned an intense gaze at everyone else. 

“When did I admit we lost the war?” He asked in a calm voice. 

His tone was full of the pride and dignity of a warrior who had won countless battles, and was utterly devoid of fear and doubt. His will was unshakable. 

“Huh? But sir, just now, you...” 

“I’ve said nothing about us losing this war... And neither did Joshua.” 

None of the aides could immediately fathom what the general was saying. They definitely heard him affirm that they had lost. They did not imagine that. 

“I merely said that we lost this battle in terms of strategy... Albeit, losing on that level does make the battle tilt greatly in the enemy’s favor. The conclusion of this battle could very well be set in stone already.” The general sighed, a self-deprecating smile spilling upon his lips. “O’ltormea has employed many tactics in this battle, and has successfully restricted our options... Do you understand how they’ve done so?” 

No one spoke up to answer his question. They all awaited his answer. Perhaps one couldn’t fault them for not knowing the answer. A knight’s role was to lay down his life in the field of battle, and they weren’t expected to think of strategy on a national level. Understanding this, General Belares continued his explanation. 

“What was the reason we chose to take to the battlefield to begin with?” 

“Well... Because O’ltormea’s forces were smaller than expected, and we presumed the royal knights would be enough to match them.” 

“Precisely. Now then, has O’ltormea ever fought our country alone?” 

Everyone shook their heads. In the past, O’ltormea had only fought Xarooda when it was in coalition with its neighbors. In every war they had with the empire, they were always supported by reinforcements from other countries. Xarooda may have excelled in defense thanks to its terrain, but the gap in national power was too great. 

“In that case, why didn’t we call out to the others for reinforcements now?” 

At those words, the aides came up with a possibility. Coupled with their general’s words, they came to a single conclusion. 

“““Aaah!””” 

“It can’t be... Rhoadseria’s civil war...” One of the aides turned a questioning look at General Belares. 

“Exactly. Of course, we can’t make that assertion for sure. And still, this invasion feels like it is tilted far too much in O’ltormea’s favor. They’d likely planned this for years... All to make sure no reinforcements could be dispatched to our country.” 

The size of their land, their population, their economics. O’ltormea stood head and shoulders above Xarooda in every way. But Xarooda had retained its independence so far thanks to its alliance with the other countries of the east. 

The fact they could rely on reinforcements from Rhoadseria and Myest in their time of need had allowed Xarooda to survive for as long as it did. Of course, their assistance wasn’t out of good will. They only assisted Xarooda because they knew the moment it fell, the flames of war would quickly spill over to their territories, and they would be next in line to be invaded. 

“The recoil of the civil war prevents Rhoadseria from dispatching aid to another country. Even if they are inclined to help, they physically cannot afford to do so. And with the chaos in Rhoadseria, Myest’s troops cannot cross through their territories to reach us, either. And with that said, crossing the sea to reach us is dangerous as well. Trying to reach us from the south would take too long, and if they were to take the northern sea route they would have to cross the Wortenia Peninsula... I do not know who thought of this strategy, but by paralyzing Rhoadseria with the civil war, it rendered both of our allies incapable of acting... It is impressive.” 

Everyone here realized their neighboring countries could not send them reinforcements. But if it were truly all because of O’ltormea’s plotting... The aides could only swallow nervously at what General Belares was suggesting. It made it perfectly clear just how dangerous the position they were in truly was. 

“So the truth Sir Joshua was referring to earlier is...?” One of the aides asked with a thin, fearful voice. 

He’d realized that perhaps Joshua wasn’t simply riding on his father’s coat-tails. Perhaps the words of this young man they’d scorned so much were true. 

“Do you truly believe an enemy that had planned everything so meticulously would simply retreat? They’re hiding their forces from us, that much is certain... All in the name of choking the life out of us.” 

No one objected to his words. The prospect of a golden chance presenting itself to them with O’ltormea’s forces being on the retreat blinded them. But once they’d regained their composure, they weren’t so foolish as to not realize the trap being set before them. 

“Then we no longer stand a chance... Are you saying this whole battle is pointless...?” One of the aides said, his voice heavy with profound despair. 

They could only fight because they thought this could win. They could only lay down their lives because they believed doing so would safeguard those they held dear. They’d believed the general would guide them to victory, and so the truth he and Joshua had thrust before them hurt them deeply. The aide that muttered those words was likely heartbroken. 

But General Belares shook his head. 

“Perish the thought. I’ve merely been speaking of things in terms of who had the advantage. But while this situation borders on being hopeless, we still have a chance at victory.” 

“Truly?!” 

“What do you mean?!” 

People overcome with despair can be acutely susceptible to the sweet allure of hope. They had come to realize just how bleak the situation was, and were suddenly offered a chance to survive. No one could fault them for lunging toward it. But the path to that hope was one of bitter death. 

“We must claim the head of the enemy army’s supreme commander, Shardina Eisenheit...” General Belares uttered a sentence that froze the very air within the tent. 

His suggestion was one that was exceedingly unlikely to succeed. An operation that bordered on suicide. Indeed, if Xarooda were to claim Shardina’s head, they would be capable of winning. They had suffered a bitter strategic defeat, and needed the great strategic victory of slaying the enemy commander to offset it. 

Theoretically speaking, General Belares’s words were correct. 

“But sir... Isn’t that too reckless...?” One of the older aides worked up the courage and asked him. 

Ambushing troops were usually positioned either in the flanks or the back of the enemy formation. And once an ambush begins, chaos ensues and the chain of command crumbles. Things were different if one expected the ambush, though; if they were to press the pursuit and break through the encirclement, they may be able to reach the rear of the enemy’s formation and slay Shardina. 

So in that regard, pushing forward and trying to break through the enemy lines with brute force wasn’t a purely foolish move, but a high-risk, high-reward play. Except that turning the tables on an enemy trap and claiming the head of their commander was much easier said than done. It was as delicate and minute as trying to thread a needle. 

But despite all that, the aides felt General Belares’s resolve and fell silent. 

“I know... If we are to break through the enemy trap with sheer force, the enemy could very well wipe us out entirely. But this gives us the slightest of chances to save this country... If our entire army were to fall back and regroup now, O’ltormea would not be bothered by it whatsoever. They’d simply use their reserve forces to invade and form a base within the kingdom. Given their greater national power, if they were to form a frontline base within our territory, we would likely never be able to retake it.” 

Xarooda was protected by steep mountains that formed natural fortresses. Their terrain stood in the way of an invasion from another country. But if the Empire were to form a frontline base within their territory, that very same terrain would go on to impede Xarooda’s attempts. And if said base would be stationed with a great number of guards, the kingdom would truly be unable to do anything about it. 

It was often said that to lay siege to an enemy stronghold, one needed a force three times the size of the garrison. But with Xarooda being inferior to O’ltormea in so many ways, they likely would not be able to muster those numbers. And it would only be a matter of time before the entirety of Xarooda crumbled like a sand castle washed over by a crashing wave. 

“A tactician’s ploy is a trap that’s awfully easy to wander into. So far, everything went according to their designs, and as wary as they might be, they should be confident they’ve won... And we must use that overconfidence of theirs to our advantage.” 

The aides nodded at his explanation. They had no other choice but to cling to that single ray of hope. 

“Sir... You’re already resolved to do this, aren’t you?” 

“Aye. My apologies, friends. You may all have to die for this...” General Belares muttered coldly. 

He’d just ordered them to take a strategy that had little to no chances of survival. And yet, none of them showed any fear at accepting his order. At first, his aides were overcome with despair. No one wished to gamble their life on a battle of guaranteed defeat. But General Belares managed to use their emotions wisely. 

Nothing was more dangerous than a man fighting while prepared to die. 

“Very well... We will now give chase to the enemy using all units in our disposal. No falling back! Am I clear?!” 

“““Yes, sir!””” 

Their bodies burned with tragic, heroic fighting spirit. It was the manifestation of the resolve of men who had come to know of their predicament, but chose to lay down their lives in the name of their country over dying in vain. 

The Empire of O’ltormea and the Kingdom of Xarooda. The battle between these two countries was now approaching its climax... 

“““Chaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarge!””” 

The cavaliers raised their voices in a battle cry as they charged one after another into O’ltormea’s ranks with lances in hand. The foot knights followed in their wake, using their spears to widen the gap the cavalry created. 

“What are you doing?! Hold up your lances! Surround and kill them! Don’t let them escape!” The O’ltormean commander in charge of the frontline forces raised his voice angrily. 

He gave explicit orders to his confused soldiers, allowing them to think rationally even in the face of the enemy cavalry’s charge. His order was passed on to the frontline officers via runners. 

“Surround them! Don’t allow them to disengage!” 

Having realized the situation, the officers rebuked their subordinates, and the soldiers turned their spears to face the Xaroodian cavaliers. 

“Those fools don’t even know the basics of battle!” One of the officers sneered upon cutting out the cavalry’s route of escape. “A cavalier’s true worth lies in their mobility and charge! A horse standing still is nothing but a large, conspicuous target!” 

While cavaliers excelled in mobility and attack, they were lacking when it came to stamina. Having to ferry a knight clad in metal armor and wielding heavy weapons was strenuous enough to exhaust even a horse. Steeds were living beings, after all, and their stamina wasn’t bottomless. 

Plus, not only did they plunge into enemy lines, they chose to stay where they were and stand their ground. That was by no means a wise choice. And indeed, as the cavaliers fought, they gradually tumbled off of their horses. Even those that still remained on horseback couldn’t get the distance necessary to fight at close range, and resorted to simply standing still and swinging their spears. 

The cost for such a reckless charge would be a grave one. The foot knights following the cavaliers were overwhelmed by the enemy’s size and reduced to half their original numbers. 

“Good! Keep it up and crush them! The merit of this victory is ours for the picking!” The O’ltormean commander smirked greedily. 

As one might expect, only high-standing knights were allowed to ride on horseback. Claiming the heads of such distinguished enemy knights would likely factor in when the knights would be conferred honors after the war. 

But his desire and aspiration would be nipped in the bud the following moment. 

“Sir, another wave of enemies approaches!” 

“What?!” The commander’s thoughts froze for a moment upon hearing his subordinate’s warning. 

It was all too unexpected. 

“What should we do, sir? At this rate, they’ll bear down on us from both sides!” 

The commander didn’t need to be told that. He realized full well just how dangerous of a position they were in. To fight this new wave of enemies, they’d need to turn around and engage them. But if they do that, they’d be leaving themselves open to the Xaroodian knights they surrounded. 

I’ve got no choice... I’ll have to split up our unit... 

There were only a few things one could do when surrounded from two sides, and the commander’s judgment here wasn’t wrong in and of itself. But he didn’t have the time or the strategy to overturn reality’s harshness. 

The moment he was distracted by his subordinate’s words and tried to think of a way out, he’d committed a fatal mistake. 

He felt something cold gouge into his stomach. The cacophony of battle in his ears went completely silent, and he could feel something warm flow down his skin from his flank. He didn’t feel any pain. Only surprise, and the sensation of all his strength abandoning him. 

“You... bastard...” 

The next moment, a spear was plunged into his stomach. As his consciousness cut off, the last thing he saw was the hate-filled eyes of a Xaroodian soldier, covered head to toe with blood splatter, as he was being attacked by the commander’s subordinates. 

A force of one thousand joined the battle against the O’ltormean forces. They joined forces with the first unit, and began charging against the confused O’ltormean soldiers. Contrary to Saitou’s expectations, they didn’t come to the first unit’s rescue. 

“Kuh! Why aren’t they withdrawing their men?! What are they thinking?! Do they have a death wish?!” 

Xarooda’s knights simply kept driving their lances forward single-heartedly, as if not holding any regard for what might come next. They kept charging forward blindly, like wild boars stricken with bloodlust. No matter how many of them were injured or killed, they remained relentless. 

Under normal conditions, a unit that’s already charged in once would fall back and reorganize its forces. Of course, a scenario where this wasn’t feasible since they were surrounded was possible, but willingly choosing not to retreat wasn’t possible in most cases. And this held especially true when one mobilized mounted troops. 

But of course, in war victory was all that mattered. The means one had to resort to in order to claim that victory mattered little. But to Saitou’s eyes, this charge was nothing but an act of aberrant violence. It was as if Xarooda’s commander completely discarded the prospect of winning and instead elected to mindlessly slaughter O’ltormea’s soldiers. 

“What’s going on here...? Why won’t the speed of their charge fall? At this rate, Princess Shardina’s plan will go awry!” Saitou bitterly glared forward. 

His task was to draw Xarooda’s forces to the point where his forces lay in ambush. And while he simply needed to moderately engage the enemy while keeping them occupied, he still had to preserve his numbers as much as possible. 

He had to strike at the enemy without drawing their suspicion, and bring them to the desired spot without bringing things to a melee standoff. And despite that, Xarooda’s army successfully drew Saitou into the quagmire of melee combat. 

The O’ltormean army tried to withdraw, but the Xaroodian army locked its jaws on it and refused to let go. 

And the most troubling problem was that Xarooda hadn’t mobilized their entire army yet. Xarooda’s army stood in a horizontal formation, but only roughly four thousand of their men from the center were attacking them repeatedly. The units on both sides of them didn’t step forward to engage the enemy, but rather kept it pinned down. 

“Vice captain Saitou!” One of the Succubus Knights shouted toward Saitou, after having been relayed messages from runners approaching from the frontlines. “Both our left and right wings are being pressured! Not only did they say they can’t send reinforcements to the middle, they’ve actually asked us to send reinforcements instead! Xarooda’s forces aren’t moving forward, but whenever we try to fall back, they charge forward and refuse to let go. It’s like they’re trying to keep us here at all costs!” 

“Ugh, what are they trying to pull here...?!” Saitou whispered. 

This entire situation came across as utterly unnatural to Saitou. Xarooda’s central unit simply kept up their suicidal charge. They kept pressing down on the left and right wings of their army so as to not allow them to escape. The O’ltormean army was being forced into a V formation, while the Xarooda army was taking on a herringbone formation to counter it. 

It can’t be... Are they...? Saitou came up with a hypothesis. Are they after Her Highness...?! 

The idea made a shiver run through Saitou’s body. He realized just how desperate and firm Xarooda’s fighting spirit was. 

Are they insane? Going after Her Highness... True, if they can kill Princess Shardina, this battle will end in a victory for Xarooda. But their chances of doing that are slim, and regardless of if they succeed or fail, these troops will be decimated... And they still took the gamble? Why? No... The reason doesn’t matter. I have to reorganize our frontlines first... 

Saitou shook off his doubts and began thinking of a countermeasure. Regardless of the reasons behind it, the Xarooda army’s mad charge forced Saitou’s formation to bend from a straight line into the shape of a V. If he didn’t reorganize his forces quickly, the center of the line would be broken, and Shardina’s camp would be exposed to danger. 

Having deduced this much, Saitou quickly made his decisions. 

“I have a directive! We’re changing our plan. We intercept the Xarooda army right here. Runner, inform Princess Shardina of this situation at once! Understood?! Inform Princess Shardina that this army is after her life!” 

Their regroup point with their allies was three kilometers away to the west, along a path that went around the southern and northern tips of these plains. There were small hills to the north, south and west of that region, making it a prime spot for an ambush. Saitou’s task was to draw the enemy army there, and should he have managed that, the enemy force would have been slaughtered. 

But given the situation, Saitou discarded that plan. What should have been a false retreat where they pretended to be pressed by the enemy had evolved into a situation where they actually were forced to fall back. Shardina’s camp lay in the back of their forces, and if their formation was to crumble, the danger would extend to her. Of course, Shardina had elite soldiers guarding her, but there was no guarantee they wouldn’t be broken through, either. 

That left Saitou with one choice — to rescind the order to retreat and stop the Xaroodian offensive. 

If we inform Princess Shardina of this, she would definitely send the detachments to attack Xarooda... All she would really need to do is have them attack the enemy army from a different location... But that said, we took more losses than planned... Damn them and their futile resistance! 

They didn’t need to just win this battle, but also minimize O’ltormea’s losses. If they could do that, the Empire would be prepared for when the time came to face their true enemy. Saitou was well aware of this, and cursed at the Xaroodian commander in his heart. 

“Inform all the reserve units waiting in the center that we’ll be intercepting the Xarooda army here!” Saitou shouted, discarding his usual calm demeanor. “And have them send over reinforcements here! Until reinforcements arrive, we mustn’t let the enemy break through us! No matter what!” 

The situation was simply that tense, and his tone made it clear to his men. They all stiffened nervously. 

“We’re stopping them here! At all costs!” Saitou called out. 

“““Yes, sir!””” His men all nodded and got into position. 

And so the conflict between O’ltormea’s and Xarooda’s forces escalated to an all-out war. 

“They’re actually going for it...” Shardina clicked her tongue upon receiving the report from Saitou, and shouted as she glared at the map spread out before her. “I suppose I should have expected that out of General Belares. I’ll send a runner to the detachments. An hour... All right? Tell Saitou to hang on for that long!” 

The moment she heard the runner’s message, Shardina immediately guessed at General Belares’s intent. 

Like Saitou said, they’re after my life... No, it’s probably more than just that. What Belares is really trying to achieve here might be... 

“At once, Your Highness!” The runner darted out of the tent like a startled rabbit, overwhelmed by Shardina’s anger. 

“Someone! Send runners out to the detachments, and have them march to regroup with Saitou’s forces at once!” She called out. 

“Have no fear, Your Highness. I’ve already sent the runners on their way.” A man’s calm voice echoed through the tent. 

Just when did he arrive? Shardina turned her gaze to the tent’s entrance, her gaze falling on Sudou’s smirking face. With his plots in Rhoadseria mostly concluded, Sudou took part in this war as one of Shardina’s escorts. His talent in plotting and subterfuge allowed him to fill the role of tactician during a war. 

Sudou and Saitou. The fact Shardina brought these two talented Japanese otherworlders with her to this war was proof of how desperate she was to win this time. 

“Sudou... Hmm, did you now? Thank you.” 

“Think nothing of it. I would do anything in my power to help you, Your Highness.” Sudou shrugged with the same jesting expression as ever. 

He surely realized the severity of this situation, but his mannerisms hadn’t changed any. 

“Hmph... Aren’t you a little too composed, Sudou?” 

Shardina knew full well that what she was implying here was a false accusation, but she couldn’t help but let her sarcasm show. The more aware she was of how critical the situation was, the more it filled her with anxiety and a sense of urgency. 

“Well, panicking would do nothing to help here... Though I perfectly understand your anxiety, Your Highness.” 

Sudou remained rather unfazed in the face of Shardina’s sarcasm. In fact, his tone seemed even more leisurely than before. 

“I suppose we can simply sum it up by saying that Xarooda’s army wasn’t foolish altogether... I believe it is being led by General Belares. Truly a seasoned hero. I took him for one who was overly influenced by the king’s and the ministers’ stances, but in the end he chose this approach... Ahaha, I’ll admit I’m impressed.” 

“I’ll remind you you’re being impressed by their decision to come for my head.” Shardina said, leveling a probing glance in Sudou’s direction. 

Sudou simply curled his lips into a smile. 

“It was said in jest, Your Highness... I was merely praising what comes next. After all, I doubt Belares ordered this charge out of the belief they’ll actually succeed in killing you.” 

Sudou’s answer made Shardina confident that her suspicions were correct. 

“It’s like I thought... So you think that’s their angle, too?” 

“Yes... Judging from the way they fight, they’re hoping to take us down with them. I can’t see them trying to make this a battle of attrition. Xarooda should never elect to do that, since our national power is so much greater than theirs. The fact they chose to do so anyway on their own means...” 

“A third country... They want the Kingdom of Helnesgoula to join the fold.” 

“In all likelihood, yes...” 

At this point, Sudou wasn’t smiling anymore. His gaze was like a cold, sharp blade, carrying an intensity only a man who’d survived countless battlefields could give off. 

“They likely realized they will not be able to overcome their strategic inferiority, and decided to risk everything on this charge. So reckless...” 

“It was probably General Belares’s one-sided decision,” Sudou concluded. “Xarooda’s ministers would never agree to take such a dangerous gamble.” 

“I tend to agree, yes...” Shardina nodded bitterly. “No king would ever approve of such a reckless plan. It would mean drawing Helnesgoula into their territory just to have them engage us.” 

“What comes next depends on how much we can minimize our losses... Should our numbers fall below half our original forces...” 

“Yes, I know. Should we lose that many soldiers, our suppression of Xarooda will take that much longer.” 

“And Helnesgoula won’t sit idly by, I imagine... They’ll invade Xarooda and take advantage of our invasion to further their own ends. Or perhaps Xarooda will go to them for help. Helnesgoula cares little of what will become of Xarooda, so long as they oppose us.” 

Occupying Xarooda wasn’t all that difficult, in fact. Considering the Empire of O’ltormea’s strength, one could even call it simple. Even if Rhoadseria and Myest were to send in their reinforcements, the Empire would still likely win. 

“What do you think Helnesgoula’s Vixen will choose?” Shardina asked. 

“Well... She is one for seizing victory without dirtying her own hands...” Sudou replied, the image of the Kingdom of Helnesgoula’s young queen surfacing in his mind. 

Her appearance was, honestly speaking, average at best. She was very much a plain woman when compared to Princess Shardina or Rhoadseria’s Queen Lupis. Sudou wouldn’t quite say the disparity was like night and day, but the comparison certainly wasn’t favorable. 

But appearances were, in this case, quite deceiving. Helnesgoula’s queen was a terrifying presence. A cold-hearted, cruel woman. A born sovereign that would willingly sacrifice her own family if it would promote her goals. 

In fact, Grindiana Helnecharles, the Queen of the Kingdom of Helnesgoula, earned the crown resting upon her head by slaying her own kinsmen, her blood siblings included. Of course, at the time the situation in Helnesgoula necessitated that this be done. But even to this day, that extreme choice was still an unforgivable act in the history of the country. 

Sudou had only met the woman twice before, but the intensity of her personality burned a lasting impression into his heart. This wise, cunning and scheming queen was known as the Vixen of the North. And she wouldn’t easily overlook this perfect chance to strike a blow against O’ltormea. 

“I don’t doubt she will march troops into Xarooda,” Sudou said. “She won’t allow us to be the only ones to annex more territory... Though I can’t say if she will do it as an invasion or as part of a mediated agreement with Xarooda.” 

“And in the process, we will surely clash with Helnesgoula’s army, and that would give Xarooda the chance to negotiate with them... I swear, they’re so obstinate...” Shardina whispered angrily. 

“Even weak countries have their own ways of ensuring their survival.” Sudou shook his head silently. 

“Fine, so be it. For now we need to win this battle. Everything else hinges on that.” 

Right now, they had to beat the Xaroodian army. All of their speculations would be meaningless unless they did that. 

“Yes, unlikely as it may be, there is still a chance our forces will be overwhelmed by the Xaroodian army.” Sudou said. 

And therein lay their greatest concern. Would Xarooda’s fervent charge break through their lines or not. 

“I... will take to the front, too.” Shardina said, directing a gaze at Sudou. 

Her expression was stiffened with suspense and fear. She didn’t need to be told how foolish of a choice that was. If the enemy was after her life, why would she expose herself to the enemy? But despite this, Sudou didn’t outright veto her decision. He had sensed her firm will, and also realized the advantages her proposal offered them. 

“I see... So you’re willing to make that gamble.” 

“If I take to the frontlines as well, the two thousand knights meant to guard me will also join the fold. And besides, my joining the battle will also serve to elevate our soldiers’ morale.” 

O’ltormea’s forces on the frontlines already matched Xarooda’s, and thus there could only be one reason they would be overwhelmed. Xarooda’s knights were burning with high morale and didn’t fear death. That morale could be described as a sense of elation, but put more concisely, it was also a sort of frenzy, or perhaps bloodlust. The knowledge they had no other choice and their sense of duty to their country dominated their hearts. 

Heart first, then technique, then body. And true enough, when it came to battle, one’s emotional condition was the most critical factor. And should one’s heart break, it wouldn’t matter how polished their skill may be or how strong their body was. Shardina only had one way of beating Xarooda now, and that was to light the fire of morale in her soldiers’ failing spirits. 

“I’m sure the soldiers’ morale will rise should you join their ranks. And with your guards taking part in the battle, they should be able to hold on until the detachments arrive, but...” 

Sudou trailed off. In terms of probability, they were likely to win. With their commander entering the front, O’ltormea’s knights would fight with renewed vigor. But from the perspective of being a field officer, Shardina’s offer was all too dangerous. 

It was a question of risk versus safety, but whichever she might pick wouldn’t offer any absolute assurances. It was a situation where one couldn’t discern that she would absolutely win or lose this battle. 

“I realize the danger involved in this...” Shardina said. 

Those words made Sudou prepare himself for whatever might come as a tactician. 

This is one of her finer points as a person... And for all the Organization and even O’ltormea itself are concerned, losing here is a minor setback... I suppose I should ready myself for whichever way this might turn out. 

If they were to put off this decision, they would end up losing before they would decide anything, and that would be a foolish conclusion. All that remained was to believe in Shardina’s choice as their supreme commander. 

“Very well, understood. I’ll have your escorts dispatched to the frontlines promptly.” Sudou said and bowed his head to Shardina. 

That was the greatest honor he could exhibit toward his commander’s brave choice. 

On that day, the battle of the Notis plains ended with an O’ltormean victory when their detachments caught the Xaroodian knights in a surprise attack and decimated their forces. However, it couldn’t be called an absolute victory for the Empire of O’ltormea. 

O’ltormea gained victory by claiming the life of the Xaroodian general, Belares, but that was only the result of Shardina’s ploys. The Xaroodian army lost 16,000 men, while the O’ltormean forces lost 17,000 men. Their losses were roughly equal, but the casualties forced the Empire of O’ltormea to temporarily halt its invasion of the Kingdom of Xarooda. 

Having seized control of the noble territories along the Xaroodian border, Shardina made the region her stronghold, where she hoped to rebuild her forces, but she could not immediately re-commence her invasion of the kingdom. As she’d initially suspected, the Kingdom of Helnesgoula — also known as the monster of the north — crossed Xarooda’s northern borders, baring its fangs against the empire’s forces. 

It was the start of a three-way battle between the three countries of O’ltormea, Xarooda and Helnesgoula. 

The fact the Kingdom of Xarooda became a crucible of turmoil would go on to grant Ryoma Mikoshiba much-needed time. Precious time that would ensure his survival...