The Unyielding Siege Towers
“Our current estimate puts the enemy forces at around forty thousand.”
“More than I expected.”
“Yes, sir. The enemy has judged Rimir Castle as the key frontline stronghold and concentrated their troops here.”
Two days into the march.
The high command of the 3rd Legion had gathered in the command tent for a briefing.
“It's gotten to the point where I can't even count how much they're investing in just this one castle.”
Major General Crem clicked his tongue with a weary expression.
“No need to worry, sir. After this, Rimir Castle will return to the bosom of the Aditz Empire.”
Though only a colonel in rank, Baren Seto—one of the top three in terms of influence—flashed a confident smile.
“I suppose so. We'll arrive at Rimir Castle soon. Are we sticking to the original plan?”
“Yes, but there may be one change.”
“What is it?”
“Reports indicate the enemy's food rationing issue has been resolved—unlike what I anticipated.”
“Resolved? They must've thrown money at it.”
“It appears so.”
“Their resistance might be fiercer than expected.”
There's a saying about the power of a full belly.
A well-fed soldier fights harder than usual, and when that scales to tens of thousands, it's a meaningful boost in combat power.
“So, what are you proposing to change?”
“When we scale the walls, we should infiltrate a sabotage unit to destroy their kitchens first.”
“Hmm.”
Major General Crem pondered Colonel Baren's proposal for a moment before turning his head.
“Can you handle it?”
At the end of his gaze sat a woman with her face veiled in black cloth.
“If it's for victory, yes. But can I get the kitchens' locations?”
“Unfortunately, that's not feasible. But since it's where they cook, there'll be smoke—you can follow that.”
A heavy silence followed Baren's words.
The woman glared at him with eyes full of displeasure.
“You expect us to infiltrate the enemy camp and search around on our own? Do you have any idea how dangerous that is?”
“Yes, but you can do it, can't you? The enemy will be too busy blocking us at the walls.”
Baren didn't back down, pressing his logic.
The woman's facial muscles twitched beneath her veil, though her expression remained hidden.
“We'll succeed, as always. At the cost of my team's lives.”
“I think you're misunderstanding. I always suggest the optimal option.”
No sooner had the words left his mouth than a killing intent sharp enough to murder surged toward Baren.
“Colonel Airen, calm yourself. If we fight among allies here, what makes us different from the Lycans?”
“My apologies. We'll carry out the requested operation. Since it's the optimal choice.”
Airen bowed her head but kept her eyes fixed on Baren until the end.
“I appreciate your resolve.”
It was a murderous aura that would crush any ordinary person.
But Baren didn't flinch, maintaining his composure.
“Let's end this discussion. What's the current morale among the troops?”
No sooner had Major General Crem spoken than an officer waiting for his cue stood up.
“Yes, sir! As per Colonel Baren's request, we've slowed the march and taken ample rest. No desertions, and morale is holding steady.”
They were stretching what should have been a four-day march into five.
There had been opposition at first, but results proved Baren right again.
“Troop morale is the key to victory in war. Marching it in four days—or three if pushing hard—would leave them exhausted with no fight left.”
The commanders averted their eyes at Baren's subtle jab at their past decisions.
“The evening before arrival, distribute meat and feed them well. They'll peak around lunchtime the next day.”
“Understood! Er, got it, sir.”
The quartermaster general, despite outranking him, was overwhelmed by Baren's charisma—slipping into formal speech before correcting himself.
And three days later.
Fifty-four thousand Aditz Empire troops and over a hundred siege towers arrived before Rimir Castle.
“What a sight.”
I'd climbed the walls briefly for some business, only to lose my words at the vista unfolding before me.
How many are that? Can't even count.
A dense sea of black dots too numerous to tally.
Hard to believe, but every one was a soldier.
And towering among them, massive structures.
Definitely siege towers, but they looked different from what I knew.
They seem kinda shallow.
Maybe the long march put them on a diet—one magic bullet and they'd snap.
This might be easier than I thought?
Last time I figured they had some scheme, but maybe they're just idiots.
Would their army be any different?
If anything, even dumber.
They'd failed four assaults already.
“I worried too much.”
I wasn't the only one thinking that—the soldiers atop the walls were tense but not trembling in fear.
“Major! Enemy attack incoming soon!”
“Got it.”
I followed the company sergeant down from the walls.
“Sir!”
Sergeant Major Colton, overseeing the setup of the field kitchen near the south wall, spotted me and saluted.
“You distributed the jerky to the troops up top?”
“Yes, sir. Issued twelve thousand pieces—plenty to go around.”
“Good work. Battle's starting soon. Make sure no one fights on an empty stomach.”
Time to see the fruits of all that effort.
Weeeeeeeeeng!
—Actual situation! Actual situation! Enemy charge commencing. Combat readiness Alpha stage effective immediately! Alpha stage! Order from the commander!
Alpha stage.
All available weapons authorized. All restrictions lifted.
In other words, fight with everything you've got until you drop.
Beeeep!
A shrill whistle pierced the air from atop the walls once.
Soldiers loaded prepped magic bullets into the cannons.
As far as I knew, that was the signal.
One beep: load.
Two beeps...
Beeeep! Beeeep!
KABOOOOM!!!
Magic bullets roared toward the advancing enemy.
Naturally targeting the siege towers.
Earsplitting explosions followed shortly after, though from below the walls, I couldn't confirm hits.
“All we can do now is pray.”
Not being up there was a relief, but damn frustrating all the same.
“Fire!”
Beeeep! Beeeep!
“Do not let a single siege tower reach the walls! Prepare to fire!”
Beeeep!
From the first watchtower, Brigadier General Cheyson—6th Division commander overseeing the south gate—issued nonstop orders.
“Just now, two siege towers destroyed by the barrage!”
An officer scanning the enemy lines with binoculars reported immediately.
“At this rate, nothing to worry about.”
“Agreed.”
Colonel Teiran nodded at Brigadier General Cheyson's assessment.
“That Baren Seto guy? Looks like you got swept up in enemy rumors, Colonel.”
“Yes... seems that way.”
A lingering unease remained, but with the visible situation like this, Teiran had no retort.
“Push them back to Belgium Fortress after this victory, and promotion to major general next year is locked in. Kahaha.”
One star meant baron-level treatment for life, but humans are always hungry for more.
“Congratulations in advance.”
“Don't let up till the end. That's how colonels become brigadiers.”
Who wouldn't be thrilled by talk of promotion?
Colonel Teiran's lips curled upward uncontrollably.
“Alright! Fire!”
Beeeep! Beeeep!
KABOOOOM!!!
Magic bullets streaked out on signal, slamming into the enemy ranks.
One unbelievable sight caught the observing officer's eye through his binoculars.
Wait...? Didn't that hit?
A siege tower he'd seen explode from a direct magic bullet hit advanced unscathed.
Must've been a misfire.
Nothing else made sense.
Wooden siege towers couldn't withstand a magic bullet blast.
“Haha! Watching their desperately built siege towers topple like scarecrows feels great! How many down this time?”
“Th-three... three towers destroyed, abandoning advance!”
“Keep pushing! Prepare to fire!”
Beeeep!
Champagne seemed imminent in the watchtower's buoyant mood.
It wouldn't take long for that to crumble.
“Why's that central siege tower still intact? It's getting too close.”
Ten minutes into the enemy advance.
Brigadier General Cheyson pointed at the lead tower closing in.
“What are you waiting for? Concentrate fire on that one!”
Commanders scrambled at Colonel Teiran's shout.
“Cannons two through five, precision aim on nearest siege tower. Prepare to fire!”
Four cannons loaded magic bullets on individual orders.
“Fire!”
“Fire!!!”
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Magic bullets hurtled toward the vanguard tower amid thunderous roars.
Now close enough for easy hits.
Though the results were... off.
KABOOOOM!!!
Four magic bullets detonated nearly simultaneously at the same spot, billowing thick gray smoke.
Barrage no superhuman could survive.
The tower's timbers should've vanished without trace...
“Wha...? What?!”
Rumble rumble!
A siege tower tall enough to crest the walls burst through the smoke.
Shedding wooden panels to the ground as it went.
“W-Wait... no way that's...”
Glimpses of blue ore amid the fallen debris.
Smart Colonel Teiran quickly deduced the tower's true material.
Too late, though.
“Fire...! Fire!!!”
Beeeep! Beeeep!
Beeeep!
Beeeep! Beeeep!
KABOOM! BOOM!
Relentless magic bullet barrages.
The victory-drunk walls descended into chaos in under a minute.
Crunch! Thud!
The siege tower that weathered every frontal blast finally latched onto the walls.
“Climb and slaughter! Our time has come!”
“No hesitation! No fear! Kill the Lycan dogs and offer this castle to His Imperial Majesty!”
Aditz Empire soldiers swarmed up swords in hand.
After four attempts, their feet finally touched the walls—eyes blazing with madness.