Chapter 139
Chapter 139
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 139
Chapter Title: The Baby Bird Who Left the Nest (6)
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The Centurion was a rather competent administrator.
In other words, he was a pencil-pusher, more familiar with the pen than the sword.
The ever-changing battlefield was terribly unkind to such a desk-bound strategist.
“The light infantry has completely collapsed! The remaining troops who couldn’t retreat are disrupting our shield wall!”
“Gasp!”
“21st and 23rd companies, ignore the remnants and advance!”
“Phew.”
With every shout from his sharp-eyed adjutant, he was dragged between heaven and hell.
“The enemy is throwing our corpses!”
“21st and 23rd, halt in place! Defend with the Gwigapjin!”
He had no energy to ask what a Gwigapjin was.
From a distance, he could see them all raise their shields above their heads, looking like turtles, so he just assumed.
“The enemy has abandoned the projectiles and is charging! They’ve clashed with our forces!”
The Centurion trembled at the violent sounds of impact that reached him from afar.
If he could, he would have gagged his adjutant.
But as the head of a thousand men, even if only in name, he couldn’t bring himself to do it.
“The 21st and 23rd are holding strong!”
His only comfort was that the heavy infantry was doing its part, even in this unfavorable situation.
But the relief was short-lived.
“The heavy infantry alone can’t inflict significant damage on the enemy.”
“We need to commit the reserves to attack the enemy’s flank.”
“Millenion! Give the order!”
The Baekbujangs began to press him.
Cold sweat trickled down his back.
How could a mere desk jockey like him know when to commit the reserves?
Normally, he would have sought advice from the experienced Baekbujangs, but unfortunately, they were busy commanding their own soldiers at the front.
The ones who remained were new commanders who had arrived with the reinforcements.
The Empire’s Baekbujangs were unlikely to be incompetent, but he didn't find them particularly trustworthy either.
“The battle has just begun. I will delay committing the reserves for a little longer.”
As the Centurion, who had been agonizing internally, cautiously replied, his adjutant gave a small nod.
He let out a secret sigh of relief.
Judging by the adjutant’s reaction, he had probably said the right thing.
But his relief was premature.
“Who are they?”
A clear voice, out of place on a battlefield filled with all manner of shouts, rang out.
He turned his head to see the knight from the mainland looking at him with displeasure.
“Why are they sitting and resting while their comrades are fighting for their lives? Does the 13th Legion have no camaraderie?”
The Centurion was at a loss, faced with such a baseless accusation.
The soldiers the knight was calling camaraderie-lacking were the Samyeolbobyeong—the last bastion of the thousand-man unit, composed of the most senior soldiers who would cover the retreat of their allies.
“They are experienced soldiers, but their age makes them unsuitable for prolonged fighting. They are the troops who will cover our rear in an emergency, so they usually…”
“Usually…”
“It is… customary to allow the Samyeolbobyeong to rest freely until they receive orders to deploy.”
“A ridiculous custom.”
As expected, his explanation fell on deaf ears.
“Have them stand.”
Watching the knight unhesitatingly order the Samyeolbobyeong to their feet, the Centurion cursed him inwardly.
This senseless knight had driven them onto this hellish plain.
All while spouting logic that sounded absurd even to the Centurion, who knew nothing of tactics.
It was the same now.
It was an unreasonable demand, but unfortunately, the Centurion lacked the power to object.
His opponent was a high-ranking knight from the mainland.
A man whose status was incomparable to his own hollow title of Centurion.
*Nod.*
As he reluctantly nodded, the adjutant called over a soldier and relayed the order.
A moment later, the Samyeolbobyeong, having received the command, rose to their feet.
None of them looked pleased.
The Centurion instinctively glanced at the knight.
He worried the knight might take issue with the Samyeolbobyeong’s attitude.
“Insolent…”
Just as he feared.
The knight’s face had hardened.
If someone hadn't come running from the ranks of the Samyeolbobyeong at that moment, things would have become very awkward.
“To Millenion! Over-ten Yan requests permission to enter the battle!”
The Centurion’s eyes widened at the words of the soldier in a trainee’s uniform.
Sipbujang Yan was a cadet from the Yoram, serving with the army at his own request.
He had no intention of granting permission.
It would be a disaster if anything happened to a Yoram cadet pushed into that brutal battlefield.
“The Over-ten was deeply moved by Millenion’s profound intentions and earnestly requests a chance to lead by example.”
But before he could refuse, the trainee beat him to it.
“Profound intentions?”
“The profound meaning behind the order to stand, sir.”
What was this nonsense?
“So there was at least one who truly understood my deep meaning!”
Only after seeing the knight’s face, which had been rigid just moments before, light up with a broad smile did the Centurion understand the situation.
Something about how it was unbecoming for comrades to rest in the rear while their allies fought for their lives.
To think there was someone who took that ridiculous sentiment seriously.
He let out a secret sigh.
The saying ‘birds of a feather flock together’ must have been made for times like this.
Judging by how impressed this Yan was by the knight’s nonsense, it seemed one couldn’t hide their origins.
“He also said that he intends to push the enemy back in one go, and if the enemy starts to fall back, he asks that Millenion make the decision to commit all of the main force's reserves to annihilate them!”
He was even saying he would change the situation on that brutal battlefield with just thirty men.
His confidence was excessive.
An elite who had entered the Yoram at a young age and secured his future, now with a small military achievement under his belt—it was no wonder his pride soared.
He understood the sentiment, but this was no time to indulge a child’s whim.
If he committed all the reserves and the tide of battle turned, things could quickly spiral out of control.
That was common sense.
But not everyone here possessed common sense.
“Committing maximum force at once to annihilate the enemy is a tactical basic. Every word is correct.”
The knight, who had been listening from the side, nodded as if it were perfectly reasonable and gave the Centurion a look.
Refusing the request now would very likely displease the knight.
His thoughts were long, but his actions were swift.
“What are your thoughts, Knight?”
“What is there to think? Of course, you should permit it.”
“Then, as the Knight wishes.”
With that, he had found a pretext to shift the blame in the worst-case scenario. There was nothing left to hesitate about.
*Nod.*
At the Centurion’s nod, the trainee saluted sharply and scurried back to where the Samyeolbobyeong were gathered.
*Rumble.*
Soon after, the newly appointed Sipbujang, his unit reinforced, left the main body with about thirty soldiers and headed for the battlefield.
The Centurion watched with a listless expression.
Two elite Baekbujang companies in a shield wall were barely holding their ground.
The addition of some thirty soldiers wouldn’t change anything.
So he thought.
He was wrong.
Not long after the thirty soldiers entered the fray, the situation on the battlefield began to change.
“Our forces have initiated a fire attack!”
Flames suddenly erupted.
It was, admittedly, a very minor change.
The entire plain was saturated with moisture.
They had managed to start a fire, but that was it.
The flames were so meager it was embarrassing to call it a fire attack.
But that was the beginning.
“The 23rd! Advancing! They are advancing!”
The friendly forces, who had done nothing but hold their position since the battle began, started to move forward.
“They continue to advance from the left flank!”
The adjutant screamed the report.
“The 23rd! Their left flank! Advancing and turning! At… at this rate, they’ll catch the enemy’s flank!”
“Quiet down! I have eyes! I’m watching!”
The Centurion, having silenced his frantic adjutant, stared at the battlefield ahead with a dumbfounded expression.
The formation of the 23rd Baekbujang company, deployed to the left of the 21st, was slanted at an angle.
He knew nothing of complex tactics or brilliant strategies.
Naturally, he couldn’t understand how that oblique formation was created or what it meant.
All he could know was that this was the moment.
“Commit three more Baekbujang companies, no, four!”
The moment to commit the promised reserves.
And so, he sent four of the six remaining Baekbujang companies in the main force to the battlefield.
In effect, he had thrown every available combat unit into the fray, save for the support troops and the Samyeolbobyeong.
That was how certain he was.
This was a golden opportunity.
He was sure they would wipe out the hundred demi-humans in one fell swoop and reclaim some of the influence they had lost on the plain.
But his judgment was completely off.
It was an intentional mistake, a moment someone had desperately wished for.
By the time the Centurion realized it, it was too late.
“Enemy reinforcements!”
The adjutant cried out urgently, watching the hundred demi-humans who had suddenly appeared as if they’d sprung from the ground.
“Th-they’re orcs!”
It was a voice closer to a scream than a report.
The Centurion couldn’t bring himself to blame the adjutant.
Their opponent had a reputation that warranted it.
The fiercest and most terrifying demi-humans one could encounter on the 13th front.
A race that even the battle-hardened elite Baekbujang companies prayed they would never meet on the battlefield.
Despite the rampant rumors and grim tales, none of his soldiers had ever actually seen an orc.
Because orcs never left survivors.
Worse, judging by the tattoos covering the body of the orc in the lead, this was no ordinary orc.
It was at least a warrior, and he couldn’t rule out the possibility of an elder or even a chieftain.
An elder-class orc was on par with a knight. A chieftain-class orc was even stronger.
If their opponent was a chieftain-class orc, it would be a difficult fight even for the knight from the mainland.
“The orcs are coming this way!”
At his adjutant’s report, the Centurion let out a hollow laugh.
***
I fired the Barisada again and again.
Before the magical weapon that could pierce even a knight’s full plate, the scales of the Reptilians were no different from soft flesh.
“Kieeeek!”
Another Reptilian fell, letting out a sharp scream unbefitting its size.
“What is that crossbow!”
Quentin, a high-grade soldier who had been fending off Reptilians with his spear at my side, cheered.
“Mage Killer!”
Unable to tell him its real name, Gisa Salhaeja, I gave him a suitable answer and nocked another bolt.
“Damn! A name as incredible as its power!”
A Reptilian with an exposed flank took a bolt to the armpit and tumbled to the ground.
“The Over-ten has taken down seven by himself!”
“No! It’s eleven!”
“Four of them got back up!”
“You were counting that too?”
“I have to count everything for the after-action report!”
Quentin chuckled as he answered, having driven his spear several times into the back of a Reptilian felled by a Barisada bolt.
He was panting, but he didn't stop talking.
Instead of telling him to shut up and regulate his breathing, I swung Baegya to buy him time to catch his breath.
“You’ve got eight now!”
Every time the high-grade soldier counted enthusiastically, the morale of the surrounding allies surged.
“But did you really need to request all the reserves? With that insane crossbow and the Hwayeom Jumeoni, we would have been fine on our own!”
Even his words, which sounded like he was competing for glory, subtly boasted of our side’s strength.
I could clearly feel the morale skyrocketing.
In my past life, I was often the one doing this. Having someone else do it for me was incredibly convenient.
“I’m regretting it too!”
I played along.
But my true thoughts were different.
There was a reason I had specifically requested the entire reserve force.
My allies hadn't seemed to notice, but to me, the Reptilians’ attack was extremely unnatural.
There was no need for them to hammer the front of the heavy infantry, whose mobility and turning ability were already hampered by the mud.
As beings who could move freely even in the mire, they could have easily aimed for our vulnerable flanks or rear.
Yet, they hadn't.
Because their mission wasn't to crush the enemy, but to pin them down.
Hammer and anvil.
The Reptilians were the anvil.
Somewhere on this plain, a hammer was hidden, ready to shatter the allies placed upon that anvil.
I wanted them to bring out that carefully hidden hammer.
And further, I wanted to turn that hammer’s direction.
That was why I had praised the fool's nonsensical words that disturbed the Samyeolbobyeong’s rest and played along with his gibberish.
None of this would have happened if the main force had held back its troops.
But thankfully, due to some idiot’s meddling, the Centurion had thrown all his forces into this battle, leaving the main camp empty.
All that remained were a few support troops and a handful of Samyeolbobyeong.
Isn't it the perfect condition to smash the head?
In war, there was no easier way to win than to take down the leader first.
Even if that leader was little more than a scarecrow, there was still such a thing as symbolism.
Moreover, the flag the Imperial army treasured like its own life was in the main camp.
To break the flag was synonymous with breaking the Imperial army's will to fight.
How strange.
As if a mere flag and symbol mattered.
What’s important are the people.
In any case, my thoughts didn't matter.
What mattered was the enemy's thinking.
I could only hope that the feast I had prepared was to their liking.
And as I wished and wished.
“Over-ten! New enemies to the rear!”
My wish came true.
The enemy’s carefully hidden hammer finally revealed itself.
“It’s orcs!”
“Oh!”
“Not ‘oh,’ orcs!”
High-grade soldier Quentin screamed at the presence of the big, beautiful hammer the enemy had brought out.
But it didn't take long for his scream to turn into a cheer.
*Gooooooooo!*
An immense presence erupted from the direction of the main camp.
Compared to the enemy's massive hammer, ours was much smaller and more slender, but just as sharp.
It was less a hammer and more a sword.
A knight.
*Kwaaaaaaa!*
The sharpest sword the Empire possessed shot towards the enemy.
Watching that magnificent sight, I…
“So damn hard. Really.”
I felt a surge of emotion.
The effort I’d put into making that damned sword leave its sheath had been anything but ordinary.
But this was no time to wallow in old feelings.
A sound, distinctly different from the noise of the battlefield.
*Flap.*
A noise like a bird's wings beating brushed past my ear.
My body reacted before my mind could process what the sound was.
*Thwack-thwack-thwack.*
Black feathers embedded themselves in the spot where I had just been standing.
I looked up.
Before me was a crow that had just left its nest.
A pitiful baby bird that had lost an eye on its first hunt.