Chapter 213
Chapter 213
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 213
Chapter Title: Night Raid (1)
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Instead of responding to the scouts who had returned from reconnaissance, I signaled for silence with my hand.
The Northern cavalrymen around me instantly held their breath, not making a sound, and the horses didn't even whinny or stomp their hooves.
I quite liked this textbook silence from men who were dead serious about ambushes.
Stockholm soldiers yawning while standing guard, a campsite with lax defenses, brightly lit torches—plenty of visible signs of carelessness.
They should at least have wooden palisades around the camp to hide behind and defend in case of an enemy raid.
But by any common-sense standard, they apparently didn't expect the enemy—still dozens of kilometers away—to come charging in, so they hadn't even set up the bare minimum for defense.
If the Stockholm Kingdom's soldiers were this complacent, it was worth a shot.
No, any commander who spotted this kind of gap and let it slide without striking would be unqualified.
So, in a low voice just loud enough for the chieftains around me to hear, I said,
"You all know this. The Reich Empire rewards wealth and honor to those who prove their ability, but the incompetent—even nobles—cannot rise."
In normal times, all the chieftains would have roared in approval.
After all, ever since I personally slew the Khan and secured a homeland for the Northerners, everyone here—including these chieftains—practically worshipped the ground I walked on, no exaggeration.
So instead, all the chieftains here nodded deeply to express their admiration.
"You might not believe it. Over the past four years, you haven't even had a chance to prove yourselves. But don't forget: your Northern Army Commander, Lieutenant General Peter Jaeger, stands before you now as the Empire's count, son-in-law, and your leader. Yet originally, I was an orphan whelp you wouldn't have spared a glance."
The fact that my origins were low and humble often became a huge advantage for me, depending on how I used it.
Because even someone like me, crawling at the bottom of the social ladder, had now climbed near the top of the Empire's hierarchy.
This gave those excluded from power—like them—hope that with effort, they too could seize a better life.
"And now, I—no, the Empire—will give you that same chance for a better life. The right and duty to prove your worth on the battlefield."
With that, I lightly mounted my horse, drew my sword, pointed it at the enemy tents, and said,
"I won't take your answer in words. Just prove it. Prove you're worthy of the grace from His Imperial Majesty the Emperor, who gave opportunities to me and to you former Northern barbarians I love. No longer ask what the Empire will do for you—think what you can do for the Empire, and show it on the battlefield. All forces, prepare to charge!"
The spot where I was lying in ambush was dominated by massive trees like those in Siberia's taiga forest, with wide gaps between them.
Skilled riders could easily gallop at 20 km/h without crashing into trees, and for the Northern cavalry, this was no issue.
The problem was over 1,000 men charging through in pitch darkness—they could easily crash into trees and die.
But since I didn't hesitate, none of the Northern cavalry did either.
Actually, they were just staying quiet to prepare the ambush, but everyone looked like mischievous boys pranking their crush—full of glee.
"I'll lead the vanguard myself. Follow behind. All forces, charge!"
With that, I spurred my horse and shot forward at full speed.
My horse accelerated to top speed in seconds, and the Northern cavalry behind me matched pace as fast as they could.
"Riding like this with the Lieutenant General was our dream!"
"You must have the hot blood of a Northern wolf, right? You're more Northern than us!"
"As expected of the man who slew the Khan! With you, sir, we're ready to die!"
Glancing around briefly, the chieftains were thrilled with hot trust in me and joy at finally getting to prove themselves.
Even charging at an army of over 150,000 from the Stockholm Kingdom, not a hint of fear showed.
Damn, in terms of courage, these guys were at least as good as—no, better than—the men of my 7th Division.
After about 300 meters, a mounted archer officer led by Chieftain Anya—or rather, Colonel Anya—riding beside me said,
"Colonel Kergit says it's too dangerous to lead the vanguard. How about falling back now?"
I appreciated the sentiment, but if I pulled back here, the Northerners' trust in the Imperial Army would waver even slightly.
That could cause tiny hitches in future Northern unification.
Imagining myself as a Mongol cavalryman massacring Russian knights, I drew my sword with one hand, pointed forward, and declared,
"Colonel Anya—to all forces! In tonight's raid, the most thrilling vanguard spot is mine, the Northern Army Commander! If you're jealous, earn your own stars and rise! Uraaa! All forces, focus on the charge!"
Looking over the Stockholm Kingdom army's camp, I saw platoon and company commanders who had belatedly spotted the cavalry raid flailing about in panic.
The soldiers either stared blankly with resigned expressions at their officers or scrambled alone for weapons and armor to survive somehow.
"Squad! Ein Squad, form up here! Tighten ranks! Spears down! We'll cut them down with swords!"
"Bullshit, don't talk nonsense. If it's that easy, you do it!"
"To the regimental commander! 4th Platoon, move!"
"What crap! Ignore that guy—company, form up! Spears up, hurry!"
Seeing them flounder like that almost made me feel guilty, like we were the ones in the wrong.
But this was a battlefield. We'd properly declared war before charging—no need to feel bad.
Of course, from the victims' side, getting hit like this must feel like the world's greatest injustice.
Not my problem.
Who started this war, anyway?
"Reich Empire Northern warriors have come to sever your necks! Only you death-wishing bastards block my path!!!"
With that, I thrust my sword forward, ordering a full-speed charge.
At the same time, I began slashing one by one at the guys who weren't even forming a proper spear wall—just scrambling about—using the sword in my right hand.
Caught asleep and half-armored, they cleaved nicely even with wild swings—felt great.
The other Northern cavalry seemed to think the same; they all cheered joyfully, slaughtering the enemy soldiers in sight.
"Taste the tradition of the Reich Empire Northern Mounted Archers! Hahaha! Die, die, die!"
"These dogs die like dogs—such a satisfying sight!"
"From the moment you accepted that bastard Ishtaven, your deaths were sealed!!"
Even when properly prepared, infantry panic against cavalry charges. Now, with a 1,000-cavalry night raid killing at will...
But higher commanders like regimental officers had the wits to respond quickly, issuing decent orders.
"19th Regiment, calm down and rally to the regimental standard! Defend by regiment!"
"21st Regiment companies, run to the 21st regimental HQ!"
"To survive, defend tightly by regiment!"
1,000 light cavalry couldn't take on infantry regiments head-on—we had to hit fast and run.
"Scatter in groups of 30! Kill as many enemy soldiers as possible! But ignore any forming ranks to resist! Also, grab the camp torches and set fires!"