Chapter 98
Chapter 98
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 98
Chapter Title: War Clouds
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"You sons of bitches, I'll kill you all!!!!!!!!!!"
The road construction was finally complete.
It hadn't fully cured yet, but since it reached the targeted location, the elves returned to their village.
They said even elves take a rest in winter, so there was no holding them back.
And back in the office.
A letter had arrived from Rosiatte of the Habis Kingdom via Lumicar.
It said that in three days, the nobles and knights of the Habis Kingdom would cross the border and attack.
They apologized.
"The Holy Knights are coming too, huh."
They estimated over 200 wyverns, several thousand knights, and around 50,000 infantry.
That number included the Holy Knights who served Neran-nim and the priests as well.
"If it's a war we're going to fight anyway, I won't back down from it."
Neruman Territory still hadn't fully stabilized.
Monsters were provoking them from various places, and there were reports that the Temir bastards had been unusually active near the northern territories lately.
But he knew well that the enemy wouldn't consider his position.
"I'll make your eyes bleed tears of blood."
It wouldn't be an easy war.
The overwhelming disadvantage in forces.
If 200 wyverns attacked all at once, the damage would be considerable.
"Is no one outside?!"
"My lord, give your orders!"
"Summon Sir Derbal and all the key knights immediately. Have Sir Shailt of Orak Castle come at once!"
"Yes, sir!"
The knight's resounding shout echoed through the office.
Then he turned his gaze to the map of Neruman.
A single map containing his dream, his hope, his entire life.
It was his pride, something he could never yield to anyone.
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Kieeeeeek!
Rumble rumble rumble!
"Truly an awe-inspiring sight. To think I'd live to see so many wyverns."
"Haha, indeed. What an incredible force."
The rotten nobles of the Habis Kingdom let out exclamations of admiration.
The open field in front of Kabaron Count's castle, right next to Neruman Territory, was packed with over 200 wyverns, thousands of warhorses, and 50,000 soldiers.
It was a staggering force amounting to nearly half of the Habis Kingdom's total military strength.
"The Neruman fools still have no idea."
"Ke ke, no way they would. I heard one of their fortresses was half-destroyed recently due to monster rampages."
"Still, they're holding out better than expected. I thought they'd be orc chow by now."
In the banquet hall of Kabaron Count's castle.
The Habis Kingdom nobles gathered for the subjugation of Neruman were noisily spitting as they relieved the tension of the impending march in three days.
"With the priests and Holy Knights here, I feel so much more secure."
"We're merely lending a hand in punishing those who defiled Neran-nim's name."
"We count on you."
Hanskein, the leader of this punitive force seated at the head table, conversed with Datelian, the priest who had arrived leading the Holy Knights and priests.
'This is my chance to sweep up Denfos too. They had a bumper crop this year, they say. Heh heh heh.'
The news of Neruman's bumper crop, learned through merchants.
The Habis Kingdom had a good harvest after a long time thanks to clear weather, but it was inferior to Neruman's.
Surprisingly, the grains produced in Neruman yielded more than twice as much as elsewhere.
'Dwarf goods too, wyvern armor... heh heh, and plenty of slaves.'
Even before the war had started, Hanskein was already fantasizing about the spoils of victory.
No matter the rumors of Neruman's invincible lord, he couldn't imagine one man handling this much force alone.
With this strength, they could even fight a short war against the Empire.
"I'm asking again, but if you find Priest Armis, please inform us immediately. We won't interfere with anything else."
"Don't worry. If we find Priest Armis, we'll send him straight back to the gods' embrace."
The number of Holy Knights was nearly 1,000.
On top of that, dozens of priests capable of performing healing blessings.
They wouldn't have gotten involved if it weren't for the church.
'Where the hell did Count Yurhans go?'
Important nobles of the Habis Kingdom had gathered at Kabaron lord's castle, yet Count Yurhans hadn't shown his face.
His butler said he was too ill to even leave his bed.
'If I handle this well, my position will solidify even more. And if things go right, even the crown...'
Just thinking about it was thrilling.
No matter his status as a duke who dominated the Habis Kingdom, he was still just a noble.
But if he offered the kingdom to the Rabiter Empire, he could claim a crown prince title.
No, even a marquisate from the Empire would be a huge success.
"Everyone, let's drink. It's been ages since we've gathered like this."
Hanskein raised his glass, thrilled, and called for more wine.
"Cheers!"
"Hahaha."
The greedy Habis pigs raised their glasses high.
Cheerfully imagining how much of the war's crumbs they could claim for themselves once it ended.
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"Evacuate all the civilians in the front lines to Denfos Castle. At the same time, move all the stored food from each fortress to Denfos. This must be handled swiftly and immediately."
"Yes, sir!"
All the key knights had been summoned.
The knights ground their teeth at the news that Habis Kingdom's rabble had massed at the border.
Murderous intent poured from their eyes like a waterfall.
"As you all know, this war will decide Neruman's fate. Remember that all the sweat and blood we've shed so far could vanish like morning dew!"
"Yes, sir!"
It wasn't just his blood and sweat.
The great achievements these knights had accomplished over the past year.
"My lord, how do you plan to annihilate the enemy? If not a full frontal battle, how about a prolonged defense at Denfos? Once winter sets in, they'll surely retreat."
Baron Jenis, who knew Neruman's characteristics well, suggested a war of attrition.
"What nonsense! My lord, we must fight a full battle! If we yield our home ground to that ragtag bunch, the soldiers' and people's morale will plummet. I'll lead the vanguard!"
The hot-blooded Raiker advocated for a frontal assault.
However, Sedelian and Sir Shailt, seasoned from mercenary work and the military, kept silent.
"My knights."
"..."
All eyes turned to him at his words.
"When I became lord, I swore an oath. Anyone who sets even one foot on my land without my permission will pay with blood."
They'd leave him alone if he didn't provoke them.
He wouldn't live like a fool getting beaten.
"First, we'll lure the enemy deep inside. Draw them all the way to Gadein Castle, then show them hell. So follow my orders faithfully!"
"Yes, sir!!!!!!"
Others might call it impossible, but his knights gazed at him with firm eyes of trust and victory.
"Alright, now for the detailed strategy. Sir Shailt, continue holding Orak Castle against the Temir bastards as you are. When my order comes, move immediately to the designated location without delay."
"Yes, sir!"
"Next, Sirs Raiker and Jenis, take your squadrons to Siaris Fortress and stay put like dead rats. When the order drops, move instantly to my designated point like Sir Shailt."
"Yes, sir!"
"Sir Sedelian, you'll need to assist me greatly this time."
"It's an honor, my lord."
Sedelian, who had fought in countless wars as a mercenary.
"The key to victory in this war is how quickly we lure the enemy inside. Simultaneously striking their scattered forces individually is crucial. To achieve victory that way, we must perfectly utilize our advantages: speed and terrain. Sir Sedelian, are your cavalry all elite?"
"Just give the order! I'm confident we can smash any foe."
"Good! Send your cavalry to Gadein Castle."
"Yes, sir!"
"Sir Derbal."
"Give your orders, my lord."
"Modify wagons urgently. Make seats on both sides using orc hides so soldiers can sit."
"Understood, my lord."
"And station archers from Denfos's garrison mainly at Gadein Castle."
"As you command."
He poured out the strategies he'd pondered since last night.
He hadn't revealed it to the knights yet, but this battle would be etched in everyone's memory.
"Give the soldiers plenty of alcohol and food today. From tomorrow, there'll be no rest."
"Yes, sir!"
'Preparations are complete. It's a shame we couldn't build more fortresses, but we'll win with this.'
He'd never considered the Habis Kingdom army a real enemy.
At least Bazran or the Rabiter Empire would qualify as foes.
"Dismissed."
"Yes, sir!"
The knights saluted vigorously at the dismissal order.
Just looking at them filled him with reliability.
Absolute loyalists that no amount of money could buy elsewhere.
They were his greatest asset.
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"All done?"
"Of course. We've already produced twenty of them."
"Impressive. As expected of the Luhalumer clan, the finest craftsmen among dwarves."
"Ahem, well, you could say that."
'Twenty... perfect.'
Large ballistae capable of hunting wyverns.
The moment they were mounted on Gadein Castle's walls, the enemy would taste bone-deep terror.
"But something's up, isn't it? You look pale."
Chief Kasias, whose face showed he hadn't lived idly with the times, guessed from his complexion.
"War will break out in a few days."
"War! Oho! Really?"
"Yes."
"Hahaha, thanks. I was getting bored anyway—you've given me work. Not to brag, but when our clan goes to war, it's war after war. Man or horse, one thick axe swing splits the skull clean open!"
"Hold back this time."
From his tone, Chief Kasias wanted to join the war.
"What? You ignoring me 'cause I'm old? Or mocking our short legs can't ride horses?!"
Kasias jumped up and down, yelling excitedly.
He was grateful, but not this time.
"The dwarf clan is the most crucial hidden elite in this war. If you charge in from the start, the enemy might tuck tail and flee—that's why I didn't ask."
"Oho! I see. That makes sense. As you know, our clan doesn't know retreat! We just charge, split heads with one blow, and advance. Heh heh heh, looks like our clan's myth hasn't faded among humans yet."
Dwarves who excited easily but calmed just as fast.
A smile crept onto his lips at their pure hearts.
"So here's my request: make lots more large ballistae and arrows. If all goes well, I'll treat you big time."
"Big time? To what?"
"The underground warehouse has beer aging to perfection. Made from this harvest's grain— it'll be fresh, fizzy, a masterpiece."
"F-Fresh and fizzy..."
Dwarves enchanted by the mere word "beer."
"Don't worry. We'll crank out ballistae and arrows like mad in here, so finish up and come back."
"I trust you, Chief."
"Trust only me. You're no friend of our clan! Kahahahaha."
Kasias's laughter echoed pleasantly through the cave.
"Of course. Aren't we friends? Hahaha."
He laughed along.
No matter how he thought about it, he was clearly blessed with insane luck.
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"March!"
"Waaaaaaaah!"
Stomp stomp stomp!
The march order was relayed via mana to the entire waiting army.
And so the 50,000-strong army began marching with vigorous steps.
Neigh!
Thousands of knights mounted their horses and moved slowly forward.
Roooaaar!
Groooaaar!
Above the soldiers' heads, 200 wyverns spread their wings wide, soaring in attack formation through the sky.
It was a grand spectacle.
The sight of 200 house-sized wyverns flying orderly against the wind was so magnificent it could stop hearts.
Added to that, over a thousand Holy Knights in pristine white plate mail.
The golden cross embroidered on their capes within a round circle added a holy aura to the scene itself.
'Kaier, was it? Show me your tricks. Do your absolute best to stop me! Kekeke.'
Duke Hanskein, riding his own wyvern and overlooking the entire sight from the sky.
He smirked darkly, gazing north.
The Neruman border, soon to be crossed.
It was the first time in nearly a century that the Habis Kingdom crossed another nation's border.
Stomp stomp stomp!
Neigh!
The soldiers' vigorous footsteps echoed to the heavens.
They didn't know.
The scorching hell road laid out ahead for them.
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"Grandfather, it's been a while."
"We finally pay our respects, Your Highness..."
Duke Sapidan, the last loyalist of the Habis royal family.
An old man whose face was covered in age spots that time couldn't fool.
Personally, he was Rosiatte's grandfather.
"How is your health?"
"What does this body matter, soon to return to the gods? Only... what our princess will endure..."
Duke Sapidan bit his lip, unable to continue.
Though a ducal house, they had only a dozen old, sickly wyverns and 2,000 private soldiers.
He knew well this force inferior to even a count's couldn't aid the royals.
And he was aware his only granddaughter suffered nobles' torments.
"I called you for a favor, Grandfather."
Sensing something off in Rosiatte's unusually calm voice, Sapidan looked up at the princess.
'Oh! I see the king's dignity in our Rosiatte!'
It had been nearly a year since he'd seen her.
He hadn't attended the chaotic noble council at all, using illness as excuse.
Unable to help with his own power, he'd chosen not to witness the mess.
Yet the granddaughter he saw after a year had changed.
Her beauty, called the flower of the northern continent, remained, but her aura was markedly different.
"Speak, Your Highness."
Sapidan's head bowed involuntarily to her dignity.
"The time has come."
"...?"
The duke startled at the word "time."
"The time to reclaim the lost royal dignity and execute the wicked sinners in the royal name."
"Gasp..."
Sapidan's groan at Rosiatte's bold words on royal dignity.
How long he'd waited for such words.
"But Your Highness, their power is immense. One misstep, and even the royal family's safety isn't guaranteed."
"You know well there's nowhere left to retreat, Grandfather. And I am certain. With the traitors gone from the kingdom, this is an opportunity that won't come again."
The old duke's heart pounded at Rosiatte's conviction-filled words.
"What can this loyal servant do to assist?! Just command me! I'll stake my life to restore the royal dignity!!!!"
The duke's voice rang through the royal council hall abandoned by high nobles.
Forgetting his age, he'd returned to his youthful days.
"With the loyal Royal Guard knights who swore fealty and the nobles still living under the Habis royal name, drag here every member of the families listed."
Slide.
A thick roster placed on the council desk.
Tears fell from Rosiatte as the roster was set down.
"These are the names of the kingdom's scum I recorded myself. Those who tormented Father... who sent Mother to her fate... those damned bastards..."
Rosiatte gritted her teeth, tears dropping.
"Yes, sir! This servant... receives the order with my life!!!"
On the second day since the Habis Kingdom army crossed into Neruman Territory, Rosiatte the princess drew the sword of hidden rage upon receiving a letter from Neruman.
The purge of vermin that had gnawed at the kingdom for centuries.
A grand gamble unfolded.
A ruthless winner-takes-all where the victor claims everything.