Chapter 19
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Translator: MJK
Chapter: 019
Chapter Title: Imperial Cavalry Squadron
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The Imperial Army launched a show-of-force reconnaissance.
They dispatched multiple light cavalry squadrons southward to scout the enemy's presence and defensive posture ahead of time.
This was why Squadron Leader Levin of the Imperial cavalry had traveled all the way here—a full week's ride from the garrison.
Levin led his squadron members south, carrying out the reconnaissance mission.
And in doing so, he gained certainty.
"Federation scum. They can't stop us. The front lines breached, fortress city fallen, and still no reinforcements in sight."
"Have they given up on this region?"
"Who knows. Can't say for sure. They might send troops late to block us. But one thing's certain—the Federation's already too late. Front lines pierced, and no reinforcements yet... Par for the course with their ragtag army."
The Empire maneuvered its forces swiftly and decisively.
With all power unified under the Emperor, decisions were made quickly, allowing troops to be deployed precisely where needed.
In contrast, the Federation moved sluggishly.
Originally a federation of several great powers, dispatching forces required days of deliberation—and amid it all, squabbles over gains were common.
And now, in winter. Moving armies cost far more than usual, and their speed was glacial.
That was why the Federation struggled to send reinforcements quickly. The reason no Federation troops had appeared here yet.
Tsk, tsk. Levin clicked his tongue.
"The Federation hasn't improved a bit. As if enemy forces wouldn't have reached here yet. I can't fathom how these rabble held out for a whole decade."
"Well, rabble they may be, but their sheer size is massive. Still, it's good for us, right? Makes them easier to handle."
"True enough."
"Squadron Leader! Look over there!"
One of Levin's cavalrymen pointed into the distance. Toward a small southern town along the highway. A group was advancing there.
A procession of civilians numbering around a hundred.
"Refugees, by the looks of it."
"Hm. Refugees, huh."
Levin eyed the refugee column. Weary steps carrying them south. Numerous, but posing no real threat.
Levin and his men were mounted cavalry—well-trained soldiers. Against frail civilians? Even just ten of them could slaughter a hundred with ease.
"Perfect. No action for days, and now easy prey shows up. Time to loosen up."
"Shall we handle them?"
"Of course. The food those civilians produce feeds the enemy army. If they enlist, they become enemy soldiers. Civilian or not, no reason to let them live."
Excuses, really. Levin's cruel nature relished battlefield slaughter. He just wanted to kill.
Especially helpless civilians who couldn't fight back. Easy game.
No need to spare them.
"Squadron, prepare to charge. Line abreast formation."
"Prepare to charge! Line abreast formation!"
Squadron Leader Levin issued the order, and the deputy repeated it. The ten cavalrymen swiftly formed up.
They spread thin and wide, maximizing contact area.
On a battlefield against dense infantry, they'd use column or wedge for breakthrough power.
But against untrained civilians? Line abreast was plenty.
With formation set...
"Charge!"
Squadron Leader Levin bellowed.
Thud thud thud thud.
The ten Imperial light cavalry spurred their snow-dusted mounts forward.
The cavalry charged. Spreading wide left and right, closing in rapidly—the Empire's horsemen.
"Scatter! Scatter!"
"Kyaaah!"
Panic erupted as people fled.
The Imperial cavalry struck the refugees. Ordinary civilians couldn't resist mounted knights. Running was their only option.
But the people were exhausted. The horses, fresh and fast. The riders closed in instantly.
"Die!"
Bam!
People hurled aside by horses rolled across the ground as lances and swords swung. Casualties mounted.
In that single clash, over ten lives snuffed out. And more vanished in the moment.
Hooves crushed fallen heads; spears pierced fleeing backs.
The quiet highway turned slaughterhouse in seconds.
"Tom! Run!"
"Mom!"
Tom and Gavory Aunt abandoned their cart and fled. Helpless civilians—running was best.
But the enemy wouldn't let them escape.
"Haha! Slowpokes. Running's futile!"
Thud thud thud.
One cavalryman pursued the fleeing pair. His lance would swing soon, dooming Tom and Andy too.
The boy focused his mind.
'Draw up the mana.'
Since realizing these were Imperial cavalry, Andy had been gathering mana.
He pulled it from his heart, reshaping it. Infusing lightning attribute.
Crackle! Crackle!
Blue lightning sparked in the boy's grip. Lightning magic—his only wieldable element.
Blue electricity flickered on his right hand.
No one noticed the boy's anomaly yet.
No one here could sense mana. Only Andy felt the dense power in his hand.
He thrust it toward the approaching rider targeting Tom and Andy.
"N-No! Mom! Help!"
"Tom!"
Whoosh.
The rider closed right behind Tom. Lance rearing back.
'Lightning.'
Lightning Magic
-INSTANT DEATH
Blue lightning erupted from the boy's hand. Scorching air, it struck the rider instantly.
Electrocuted, the man charred black and tumbled with his horse, lance clanging on the ground.
"Huh?!"
"...!"
Sudden thunderclap. Blinding flash. Cavalry mid-hunt turned their eyes.
Squadron Leader Levin cried out in shock.
"Magic! It's magic!"
"A mage?! Insane...!"
Levin had seen it clearly.
A scrawny boy unleashing lightning from his hand, striking his subordinate.
Unbelievable. Just refugees—now magic?
Meanwhile, Andy's hand trembled faintly.
'I killed someone.'
He'd taken a life. A boy who'd never hunted beasts, now slaying a man with magic.
The shock of first blood rattled him. His heart churned.
But he couldn't freeze forever.
Crackle! Crackle...!
He gathered mana again. Blue sparks danced in his grip.
As Andy prepared another spell, Squadron Leader Levin shouted.
"That one's using magic! He's just a kid! Can't be a proper mage!"
Levin's assessment was sharp.
He didn't flee at the sight of magic.
A Federation battle mage? Ten cavalry couldn't win.
But this boy? No real mage. A ten-year-old runt at best.
Kill him first, and victory—and credit for slaying a Federation mage—was theirs.
"Kill that one first!"
"Ooooh!"
At Levin's command, scattered cavalry surged toward Andy, roaring, lances forward.
Andy gritted his teeth and unleashed.
Lightning Magic
-2 CAVALRY DOWN
Blinding bolt tore the air like thunder, engulfing soldiers. Electricity seared flesh and organs.
Thud! Crash.
Two charging riders crumpled, rolling charred and smoking.
Seven left.
Urgency flickered in Andy's eyes.
'The cavalry's too fast.'
If Andy were a circle mage, he'd spam spells.
Accelerate the circle, form mana arrays instantly, unleash barrage.
But no circle.
Manual arrangement, no acceleration—slow casting.
Andy rushed the next spell as others closed in.
"Kill the mage—!"
A rider reached Andy, sword slashing down. Blade cleaved air toward his skull.
Andy finished his spell just in time.
Lightning Magic
-1 CAVALRY DOWN
Lightning burst, shocking the rider. Momentum flung him tumbling.
But he wasn't alone. More followed, using the fallen as shields.
They closed to striking distance, weapons raised.
'Too late!'
No time to cast before they struck.
Sensing death, Andy shut his eyes in terror. Dreading the incoming blade.
Then—
Awooooooo——!
A wolf's howl echoed. Deeper, more resonant than any ordinary beast. A spirit creature's cry.
Andy knew the source.
'Kurt?!'
Definitely Kurt.
Why was the wolf from the mountain behind the village howling now?
Andy opened his eyes.
And saw it.
A massive white wolf charging from nowhere, slamming into the rider at Andy's nose.
Boom!
"Gaaah!"
The rider flew off with his horse, rolling. The white wolf didn't stop.
Squelch!
Kurt crushed the man's skull underfoot. Blood sprayed, staining white paws red.
The cavalry recoiled in horror.
"M-Magic beast!"
"Not even a forest here! Why is a magic beast...!"
A mage was shocking enough. Now a magic beast too?
Their shock didn't last. Battle raged on.
Lightning Magic
-1 CAVALRY DOWN
Andy, spell complete, fired lightning. Blue bolt flashed; another rider fell electrocuted.
The white wolf stood guard beside the boy.
Oddly, it ignored others, circling protectively around him.
Things had gone seriously wrong.
Easy refugee pickup turned disaster. A mage, and now a magic beast killing them instead.
No victory here. Annihilation loomed.
"Retreat! Fall back!"
Squadron Leader Levin had no choice. Cavalry wheeled their mounts and fled swiftly.
Their figures faded into the distance.