Madrosa Civil War (4)
According to the laws of the desert, spoils of war belonged to the victors, but until they survived to hand them directly to their families, there was no room for complacency.
Death in battle meant everything was for naught.
That was why, during the Kayat battle, some had chosen retreat after barely fighting, too greedy for loot they'd barely secured.
But Calix had promised that even if they died in combat, their families would receive the earnings from this war.
The assurance that their loved ones wouldn't be left worrying freed their minds like feathers drifting away.
They were fathers, brothers, and sons to someone, after all.
Turning away from the cheers that showed no sign of dying down, Krout handed over the reins of a camel.
"It seems you're born to win soldiers' hearts, young master."
Calix wore a wry expression.
"In the end, it's just telling them not to fear death and fight. I only packaged it nicely and spurred them on."
"That's not true."
It was Laila.
She spoke in a firm tone.
"Just as you said, they're laying down their lives for their families. No—you've made it possible for them to do so. You can't fully grasp yet how much comfort it brings to know their death won't be meaningless."
Calix gazed at her for a moment before letting out a snort of laughter.
"Thanks. I feel a bit better now."
"Don't try to fix every misfortune in the world, young master."
"Got it. Now go help form the detachment."
A short while later.
The main force kicked up clouds of dust as it charged forward.
The moment they crested the dunes, the city guards spotted them and began beating their drums.
Dung-dung-dung-dung-dung—
Thanks to repeated drills, the guards sounded the alarm swiftly, but panic was evident in their faces.
They hadn't expected the enemy to strike so soon.
Cuomo, the city's governor, was no different.
A cousin to the Rappa tribe chief, he was stunned nearly to fainting upon hearing the news.
"Ahh, the reinforcements haven't arrived yet—what do we do? How could they get here so fast?!"
The defense captain snapped at the fidgeting man.
"Calm down, sir. We've already strengthened our defenses in anticipation of a possible assault. If we hold steady, reinforcements will arrive soon."
"Wh-what if we can't hold? I'm useless in a fight—shouldn't I just flee?"
Contempt flashed in the captain's eyes.
"You are this city's commander, Cuomo. Abandoning your post arbitrarily could mean execution later. Go out and show resolve to the warriors. I'll handle the command."
"Must I?"
"I beg you."
"Ugh……."
His face ashen, he dragged his heavy body along, jowls and belly quivering like aspen leaves.
In truth, Cuomo was no talent fit to lead such a vital city.
But the Rappa tribe, rivals to Saladin's origin tribe, couldn't cede the post to their foes.
Thus, through twists and turns, he'd ended up in this oversized role.
The defense captain swallowed a bursting sigh with desperate effort.
Hafez's main force didn't attack via the wide northern road but targeted the densely packed buildings on the eastern side.
Fierce clashes erupted in the narrow alleys between structures.
In open spaces, numbers held the advantage, but in these tight confines, individual skill prevailed.
Hafez's handpicked elite warriors vastly outmatched Sharan's rear-guard defenders.
Moreover, the buildings obscured the full view, fueling Cuomo's anxiety.
"Captain! Pull in all the warriors from the west too! We're being pushed back!"
"General, stay calm. The narrow passes mean even if we're yielding ground, it'll take time. We just need to hold until reinforcements arrive. Without reserves for unexpected breakthroughs, we could collapse uncontrollably."
"Quiet! If we get pushed to the main avenue, they'll be here in seconds. Throw every soldier at the east—block it at all costs! That's an order!"
"Ahh……."
The captain let out a long sigh.
But Cuomo held command over the warriors.
He couldn't refuse.
"Adjutant, send half the western garrison to the east."
"Understood."
But Cuomo, overhearing, bellowed.
"Not half—all of them! Send every last one east! Does it make sense to guard some irrelevant side when the enemy is hitting us here?!"
The adjutant glanced warily between the two.
The captain nodded grimly.
"Do it."
"Understood."
From afar, watching the battle unfold, a smile tugged at Calix's lips.
"Heaven's on our side."
Krout knew exactly what this meant.
"The main force's feint worked perfectly. Most defenders from the west are gone."
"Good. Time for us to move."
"Yes, sir!"
Calix and the Szczecin forces whipped their camels to full gallop.
They swiftly passed through the outskirts' narrow alleys, heading straight for the communal warehouse.
"Didn't expect it to be completely empty."
"Yeah. Lucky break."
A massive building soon loomed into view.
"Enemies!"
"The enemy’s here!"
As the startled guards flailed in panic, the territory soldiers formed a long line with crossbows at the ready.
"Prepare!"
Click-click-click—
"Fire!"
Whoosh-whoosh-whoosh—
At Gordon's command, dozens of bolts streaked through the air.
"Agh!"
"Gahk!"
The desert warriors crumpled under the bolt storm.
Gordon refrained from ordering a second volley, despite spare loaded crossbows.
The enemy formation had utterly collapsed.
Any more would be wasting ammo.
"Charge!"
"Waaaaah!"
Krout and the knights led, followed by the spearmen.
The fight ended all too anticlimactically.
Calix flung open the warehouse doors, seizing everything valuable except the grains.
"You're leaving the food behind?"
"We've got plenty already. It wouldn't fetch much anyway. And if we take this too, the ones left here might starve."
Krout tilted his head.
"Isn't that too soft?"
"Heh, hardly. If we strip their food too, someone might whine about it."
"Ah……."
"Remember: our grand strategy is to sow division among the enemy. Face something too brutal, and they might band together."
"Impressive, truly."
"Alright, shall we go claim some heads?"
"Yes, sir!"
Having cleanly looted the warehouse, Calix spurred his camel toward the city center.
Being struck from the rear in battle was fatal.
Not just from attacks on two fronts, but the terror of no escape.
"Th-the enemy!"
"Enemies appearing!"
"Where? Where?!"
"West—no, south too! Uwaaaak!"
For Cuomo, already jittery with dread, news of foes at the rear was a death sentence.
He began stuffing jewels and gold coins into his pockets haphazardly.
The defense captain, rushing back from the front for a report, caught the sight.
"What in the world are you doing?!"
"Shut up! We're surrounded! If we don't run now, we're all dead!"
"Our brothers are out there spilling blood and falling. And you're saying you'll grab your trinkets and flee?"
"I'm the tribe chief's cousin! If I'm captured, it'll burden my kin greatly. What do you know?!"
"Kkh!"
The captain's grip tightened.
He slowly drew the sword at his waist.
Shing—
But Cuomo, back still turned, focused solely on packing.
"If that's truly your thinking, you should've fled without looking back—instead of wasting time on gold."
"How dare a wretch like you lecture noble blood like mine?!"
Whirling in rage, Cuomo froze.
The captain stood with a coldly hardened face, curved sword drawn.
"Wh-what?! You wouldn't dare strike me with that, would you? Ah, you thought I'd abandon you? No. You'll come with me. Don't worry—how could I make it to Jefah alone? Come on, together."
"Vile piglet. Better for our tribe if you vanished. Do one good deed before you go. I'll follow soon."
"W-wait!"
Cuomo stumbled back, flailing his arms.
But the captain's blade neatly severed his thick neck.
"Grk!"
With eyes of disbelief, he clutched his throat.
But the gushing blood wouldn't stop.
Reaching toward the captain to say something, no voice emerged.
Thud—
After Cuomo collapsed.
The captain lit a torch and touched it to the curtains.
Flames roared to life on the costly East Continent silk.
Leaving Cuomo's room, he gathered his loyal warriors.
"The situation is hopeless."
"Captain……."
"But not without options."
"Just give the order."
"Tell the unit blocking the east to set fires where they stand and withdraw slowly."
The warriors' eyes widened in shock at the order.
This man, who cherished soldiers like sons, was commanding a tactic demanding massive sacrifice.
"Half of you hold here with me. If that new detachment hits our warriors' rear while they're blocking the east, it's over."
"Understood. We'll defend with our lives. But you escape, Captain. When reinforcements come, we need someone to reclaim this place."
"Me...? Don't worry about it. Sorry to burden you with the hard task."
"No, Captain. It was an honor serving with you."
A moment later, Calix spotted a building belching black smoke and cocked his head.
"I didn't order any fires today... Why the smoke from there?"
"It's not just there."
Krout said in a trembling voice.
His gaze fixed on the eastern side, where the main force fought.
Pure white smoke rose from spots amid the tightly packed buildings.
"Did they set the fires themselves? Whoever it is, they've got guts."
Starting fires in a melee didn't just burn the enemy—your own side suffered too.
"Desperate to buy time, I suppose... No need to play along, though. Laila!"
"You called?"
"Contact Edirn. Rendezvous at the assembly point."
"Pulling back already?"
"Can't burn to death. Tell them to withdraw. We're bouncing too."
"Yes."
Calix yanked the reins, and the camel wheeled around.
"Out to the main road! Move!"
"Yes, sir!"