Chapter 144
Chapter 144
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 144
Chapter Title: The Duel of Supreme Knights
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The next day, in front of Barony Castle.
A solemn atmosphere flowed through the camps of Duke Kmel's army and the Imperial Capital army, meeting the cold morning air.
The Duke's declaration of an all-out war yesterday had been relayed throughout each camp, and the nobles and knights had begun preparing since last night. After a hearty breakfast, the ranks had thinned somewhat due to the fighting, but the sight of approximately 50,000 troops preparing for battle was truly a spectacle.
"My, my, we've been hooked quite thoroughly."
"They're dancing on the Prime Minister's palm."
"Duke Kmel is the head of a typical, sensible warrior family~ That's why he's so easy to predict. Just as a waterfall flows from top to bottom. It's nothing if you can think a little."
"Anyway, it seems the enemy is about to launch a full-scale assault. Their formation is taking shape. Whom will you appoint for the vanguard?"
"Hmm~ General Draken would be fine, and General 'Fist-to-Face' would also be good."
Draken was a Lizardman general, and 'Fist-to-Face' was an Orc general; both were strong and fierce, skilled in martial arts and formidable combatants.
Lizardmen were lizard-like beastmen who considered themselves descendants of long-lost dragons, living in the swamps at the southeastern edge of the continent.
As for Orcs, while distributed across the entire continent, their treatment varied—sometimes considered monsters depending on their habitat and surroundings, or, like those here, joining the Garkan Republic, receiving education, earning military merits, and being treated as persons, and so on.
"Mmm, it's a good opportunity, so have them both stand by. The formation... prepare it in the Fish Scale formation."
"As you command."
"Now, then... shall we see the strength of what is said to be the strongest human army on the continent currently? Hehehe, well, compared to that splendid army of 500 years ago... it'll be child's play~"
Prime Minister Neumel gazed at the grandly deployed Imperial Capital army and Duke Kmel's army before her, recalling memories of the past.
The glorious army of Benofis arrayed under the banner of the great Hydra crest. Ten thousand elite knights, all clad in mithril armor, and separately, 50,000 heavy cavalry and 200,000 troops parading. A legacy of the past, now vanished.
'...Look. This is true power. Military might, physical force. They say violence is bad, but ultimately, it's what's needed to protect ideals or dreams.'
"...Ah."
"Prime Minister, the enemy is approaching."
While lost in pleasant reminiscence, the news of the enemy's appearance snapped Prime Minister Neumel back to attention.
She immediately stood up and moved forward to scrutinize the enemy camp closely.
The enemy was currently divided into four units: two were cavalry, and the remaining two were each forming formations, keeping distance as they slowly approached.
"Hmm, as expected, the Imperial and noble armies have no way of learning to coordinate with each other, and there's no reason for them to reach an agreement, so it's essentially two separate armies coming. The more aggressive side is... the Kmel army. Well then, let's first see their skill."
The divided army of 55,000 approaching. It was nearly double the 30,000 troops, but the soldiers of the Garkan Republic stood firm at their respective positions without showing any sign of tension.
On the other hand, while the Kmel army had received the order to advance and was moving forward, the soldiers began to grow tense as they saw the Garkan Republic's army gradually come into view.
"What... why are Orcs and beastmen so heavily armed......?"
"Those bastards were tough enough fighting in the wild..."
"...Don't tell me they've even been trained? Damn it."
The Kmel soldiers were all trained elite troops, with experience occasionally venturing out on monster subjugation missions.
So, except for special cases like Lizardmen with unique habitats, they had experience fighting beastmen or Orcs. They all held memories of struggling against them due to their strong physical abilities, despite lacking civilized life and proper equipment.
"Hoo~ To think we have to fight something like that, what the hell......"
"Anyway, we'll just have to pray the Goddess watches over us. Damn it!"
"All forces! Charge!"
Booooom!
The decision for a full-scale attack came from Duke Kmel's side, and the infantry deployed on the front lines began charging, forming a straight line.
The classic hammer and anvil tactic. While the infantry acting as the anvil engaged and held the enemy camp, the knights with powerful impact and force would flank, targeting the enemy's rear and flanks to charge and collapse their lines.
"...Uwaaak!"
"Keugh!"
The Kmel army, with greater numbers, surged forward like a wave with weapons raised, but they were instantly crushed before the solidly held front lines of the Garkan Republic.
The beastmen, Orcs, and Lizardmen, each at least a head taller, were fully armed and, though it was unclear how they were trained, had perfect formation training, making them unmatched in close combat.
Possessing physical abilities superior to humans, with equivalent equipment and training, it was only natural they couldn't lose.
"Gurgle! Gurgle!"
"Ancestral Dragon! Watch over our battle!"
"Grrrruuung! You pathetic humans!"
As the enemy infantry's charge was futilely blocked, the morale of the Garkan Republic soldiers soared, and they began rushing forward more aggressively with roars.
However, humans were no slouches either, as if proving they hadn't conquered the continent for nothing, they were experts at finding ways to fight when cornered. The Kmel soldiers were experienced in fighting the soldiers of the Borea Kingdom, who were often physically stronger and more skilled in combat.
"Good! Give priority to the spearmen to make room! Then, form up and advance slowly, the second line should create space to fall back, and the rear line should halt advancement for now. If allies in front fall, fill their positions. There's no need to directly compete in martial prowess!"
A battle with the enemy's square formation was established, and as soon as they realized they couldn't win in a normal fight, the commander skillfully directed the soldiers to block the advance of the fierce Garkan Republic soldiers and prevent allies from falling like autumn leaves.
"The enemy is quite capable, Prime Minister. They're flexibly changing tactics to counter us. Of course, our soldiers aren't fools either, so they won't fight recklessly, but the problem is they can't easily approach that well-organized spear formation, so the square will hold out longer."
"The enemy is a unit with much experience fighting northern barbarians. That style suits them better than direct charge combat. But... if that's the case, they ultimately won't break our formation."
"That's right."
Even with overwhelming strength and stature, if the Garkan Republic's demi-human units, also well-equipped with sturdy shields and armor, kept their composure, held their shields, and focused on maintaining formation, they wouldn't be pushed back at all.
Though they were surrounded due to the greater numbers and the straight-line push, the fact that the Garkan Republic's formation didn't collapse at all already proved their superiority in infantry combat.
'But ultimately... war is a contest of spears. Just smash through with the power of knights!'
"This time is different from last time! I'll show you the power of 'knights'! You barbarians!"
Thududududududud!
The cavalry, mainly composed of knights from the Kmel family and the Imperial Capital army, simultaneously launched attacks targeting the flanks of the Garkan Republic's formation.
It wasn't explicitly agreed upon, but both instinctively knew this was the most efficient method, a tactical action knights should naturally take.
'Good, then like this... what?'
The knights who passed the front and charged into the flanks. This time, the troublesome archers were busy with frontal support and dealing with enemy archers, so they had no leeway to fire arrows at them.
So, they thought this time they would truly show the prowess of the knight order as they charged, but suddenly, a ground-shaking sound came from the enemy camp.
A tremor as if they had been waiting for them. And following that, a massive roar surged forward.
"That's... what? A giant boar!"
Before the knight order, a being as large as a small mountain, shaped like a giant boar of red magical power, was gradually rising.
Was it some kind of magical illusion? The knights were momentarily stunned by the majesty of the giant beast, only turning their horses' heads to stare.
Just what in the world was that? As everyone was astonished, a giant Orc in full armor appeared atop the giant boar.
"I am! The proud general of the Garkan Republic, 'Fist-to-Face'! I'll show you now what the name 'General' means!"
"No... what...!"
Kiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiieeeeeee!
And on the opposite side, another enormous something appeared; there stood a fully armored Lizardman.
Should he be called a Giant Dragon-man? The colossal Lizardman, over 10 meters tall, wielded equally gigantic weapons and a shield, roaring as it charged toward the Imperial Capital army knights rushing toward his side.
"I am Draken! King of the Swamps, descendant of the great Dragon! And a general of the Garkan Republic! I'll take you on!"
"Wh-what is this...? Commander! What do we do?"
"For now, flank them! Our target isn't that huge thing. It's the enemy army. And if it's that big, our combat mages will handle it! Trust our allies!"
"Yes! B-but......"
Booooom!
The knights tried to respond in their own way, but the enemies moved flexibly, matching the formation of the knights trying to flank as if prepared for this situation. Generals Draken and 'Fist-to-Face', each possessing military talent, moved to block the knights' charge direction, ready to confront them at any moment.
"Look at those shocked expressions. Hehehe."
"It's understandable since it's their first time seeing our Garkan generals."
Prime Minister Neumel smiled while delightedly observing the enemy's situation.
In the Garkan Republic, the title of 'General' was a position only those who alone could rival the value of an entire army could be appointed to.
Therefore, even in the Garkan Republic, those holding the title of General, including Prime Minister Neumel herself, numbered only twelve, and four of them had been brought to today's war.
"Uwaah... what's that?"
"Goddess! What in the world is this...?"
Beyond blocking the knights' charge, the appearance of these two gigantic generals greatly impacted the morale of other soldiers on the battlefield.
Already, the enemy soldiers before them were demi-humans with monster-like physiques, making them formidable enough, but with such gigantic beings appearing and rendering the knights powerless, it was enough to dampen their spirit.
"Kuhahahahaha! How weak! You humans!"
"I heard those called 'knights' possess honor and bravery, gurgle! Is there truly no one with courage?"
'Damn it! There must be some way... huh?'
Even experienced and sharp soldiers find it hard to maintain composure when faced with situations beyond common sense.
That was the same for the knights who had long served and fought for the Kmel family. A situation arose where it was difficult to break free from the shock of facing an unknown entity, but as the war continued, someone had to step up strongly to stop that giant enemy.
"You fools...!"
At that moment, a green flash shot out from the Kmel family's camp, flying at high speed toward the giant Draken.
General Draken, perhaps distracted by brandishing his weapon to intimidate the enemies, failed to notice the existence of that green flash flying toward him until it climbed up his body, but by then it was already too late.
"What?"
"Kmel Family Sword Style, 'Final Form - The Leaves Shall Bloom Anew'."
The green aura wave spread out like a fan, sweeping away everything within it—the Kmel family's aura swordsmanship. Its trajectory sliced into the gap in General Draken's neck, perfectly separating head from torso.
Both armies watched in astonishment, and their gazes focused to see who had performed this feat. Naturally, the one standing there was the strongest in this Kmel army.
"To make me step out personally. I can let the intermediate knights slide, but the advanced knights will have to go through hellish training as soon as they return. Only if it were a real dragon or drake! To be scared of something that's just a big lizard!"
"It's Duke Kmel!"
"Waaaah!"
"Duke Kmel defeated that giant lizard!"
"As expected, the Empire's only Supreme Knight!"
"Waaaaaaaaah!"
While grumbling about his subordinates' incompetence and shaking the bodily fluids off his sword, Duke Kmel had overturned the tide in an instant, and the soldiers' morale began to rise with this.
Duke Kmel, who had displayed the spectacle of felling a powerful and fearsome enemy with a single stroke, raised his sword, pointed it at the enemy camp, and charged forward at the very front.
"The Duke is charging! What are you all doing?"
"There is no enemy before the martial prowess of the Kmel family!"
"Just dismount and capture them!"
"Waaaaaaaaaah!"
Like a dam that had its first crack instantly collapsing, with fear crumbling and courage born, the soldiers and knights all began charging toward the enemy like wild beasts.
In their excitement, joy, and the fact that Duke Kmel, the Empire's highest noble they looked up to, had personally stepped forward, everyone forgot their fear.
"Gurgle? These bastards, they've suddenly gone crazy!"
"Grrrrruung! What's with this momentum!"
Faced with this astonishing momentum, the Garkan Republic soldiers panicked but tried to maintain their formation. However, once Duke Kmel entered the infantry's square formation and displayed unmatched prowess, personally breaking the formation, it became easier for the soldiers to deal with the enemy, and the momentum shifted back to the Kmel army.
Yet, the front lines were still sturdy, so Duke Kmel decided to exert more strength, focusing his aura to sweep them away in one go. The moment he resolved to do so, he felt another powerful aura force from the enemy camp.
"Hmm... coming, are you?"
"Th-this is?"
"Probably... they can't just leave me alone like this, so they're coming."
The gradually visible flow of violet aura. Duke Kmel felt he had seen something like that somewhere before, but anyway, now wasn't the time to worry about such things; he had to focus on the fight.
As the enemy soldiers voluntarily opened a path, the enemy's figure began to appear. There was no need to wonder; as expected, the opponent was Prime Minister Neumel.
"Your equipment is pathetic."
"Equipment isn't necessarily important. Hehe, ultimately, whether you're strong or not is what matters."
"Well, at our level, it doesn't make much difference."
Prime Minister Neumel was still clad only in her military uniform; the only thing that could be considered armament was a single sword.
As Duke Kmel retorted to her words with a bored expression and pointed his sword, Prime Minister Neumel also raised her sword in response, both steeling their will to face each other.
The two opened their mouths no further and gazed into each other's eyes. Without anyone saying anything, they immediately rushed at each other, swinging their swords and beginning the fight.
"E-everyone, fall back! It's a fight between Supreme Knights! The aftermath will be huge!"
"If we get caught up, we'll die!"
"To think I'd see such a battle in my lifetime!"
Amid the storm of surging green and violet auras, the soldiers hastily retreated. The battle continued, but Duke Kmel and Prime Minister Neumel focused solely on each other, swinging their swords as if they were sparring alone in a training ground.
In a fight between swordsmen of this level, even a moment's hesitation directly leads to death.
'...By the way, this swordsmanship, it feels somehow familiar.'
'What? Why does it feel like he knows our Neumel family's swordsmanship?'
Both fighters thought strangely about each other while swinging their swords.
Duke Kmel felt oddness in the opponent's swordsmanship that somehow felt familiar, while Prime Minister Neumel found it puzzling that the opponent seemed familiar with the Neumel family's secret swordsmanship, which should be unknown to most.
'This makes no sense. What? Our family's swordsmanship is clearly... on a different level from ordinary family swordsmanship.'
The Neumel family's secret swordsmanship, 'Unified Empire Imperial Knight Order Sword Style, Neumel Variation'. Basically, it was copied and created, infused with the Neumel family's philosophy, making it a swordsmanship with many techniques and feints... a dishonorable style.
'Imperial Knight Order Derivative, Neumel First Form - Viper!'
For instance, 'Viper', which appears to be a horizontal slash but is actually a thrust, should catch first-time viewers off guard or at least baffle even the most skilled, but Duke Kmel, though slightly delayed in reaction, countered as if he knew it beforehand.
Perhaps because of this, Duke Kmel held a slight overall advantage. Prime Minister Neumel's focus was gradually disrupted by curiosity about how he knew her family's swordsmanship.
The Neumel family's swordsmanship, rich in techniques and feints, was most powerful in the initial encounter with an opponent. She had thought she would be stronger, at least at this point of first facing Duke Kmel, but with that plan shaken, she was bewildered and ultimately had to think of another plan.