Chapter 223
Chapter 223
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 223
Chapter Title: Osby Plains Great Battle (8)
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Shortly after the order came down from the Stockholm Kingdom Army for Istvan to advance, at the Reich Empire Army's main headquarters.
"A battle where our forces outnumber theirs by nearly two-to-one, and it looks like this one's going to wrap up nice and clean too."
"It's not over until it's over, Colonel. So no letting your guard down until the end—stay sharp."
"Reversing the tide in a situation like this? That's practically impossible, isn't it? Thirsty? How about a round of beer for everyone?"
In this era, within the Reich Empire, beer was treated as a beverage both common-sensically and legally—not as alcohol.
So that colonel's suggestion was basically the same as saying, "We're thirsty and tired—how about a cola to refresh before we continue?"
As long as you didn't overdo it, there was no issue drinking it instead of water in most situations. His proposal was accepted, and a round of beer was served to everyone, including the staff officers.
The colonel who'd been crowing like they'd already won, and even the colonel trying to rein him in, were now able to enjoy a brief moment of relaxation.
"Chilled lager with its strong carbonation is great, but on the battlefield, nothing beats a lukewarm ale—less fizz, richer flavor."
"Just one round, then back to it with full vigor."
"Hurry up and drink, then let's get started. No time for chit-chat."
Normally, General Keitel would lead a long, drawn-out toast, but in the middle of battle, there wasn't time for that luxury. Everyone gulped down their beers quickly.
As the mood loosened slightly from the brief respite, Major General Jaeger slammed his empty mug down on the table and spoke.
"That damned bastard Istvan still hasn't shown up. Send messengers to every unit in the Reich Empire Army—order them to watch the rear. Relay to Brigadier General Nassau and Brigadier General Bülow: rearm the horse archers and have them patrol the army's rear."
"Understood, Major General. Does that mean sending the signal to watch the rear to the entire friendly force?"
"Isn't that obvious? Send the signal with flags and drums right now! Hurry!"
The officers, led by General Keitel, couldn't quite understand why Major General Jaeger was being so cautious when their side had already won decisively.
But every time they'd followed Jaeger's words so far, nothing had gone wrong, so they silently carried out the orders.
Meanwhile, Colonel Anastasia under Brigadier General Nassau's command immediately spurred her horse archers into action the moment she saw the signal to watch the rear.
"The advance order's coming soon! Get up, you louts—no sleeping on the job. Fill your quivers to the brim with arrows and swap out any nicked cavalry swords quick! Our big moment's almost here!"
By the time Nassau's reinforced brigade of around 5,000 horse archers had fully rearmed, a panting messenger came rushing up.
"Orders from Major General Jaeger: rearm immediately and deploy the horse archers to patrol and defend the army's rear."
Nassau's brigade had already prepared everything on Anastasia's command, so they mounted up at once and began circling the unit's perimeter.
They witnessed the Reich Empire Army surrounding the Stockholm/Warsaw coalition from front and back, leaving no escape as they pressed in. Seeing this, the horse archers started chatting.
"Major General Jaeger's something else, huh? Who the hell thinks of enveloping the enemy when they're outnumbered two-to-one?"
"Hah, judging the man who cleaved that bastard Ludwig in half with his sword? Blasphemy."
"You've been hitting the Deus Cathedral a lot lately, spouting some ink-stained nonsense. What's that, 'chieftain'?"
"Call me captain. 'Chieftain' sounds so barbaric."
It might look like their tension was easing with the banter, but the horse archers had a perfect grasp of every enemy and friendly movement in the vicinity.
"Brigadier General Nassau! Dust clouds rising over there! Direction is 3 o'clock—northeast!"
The moment they spotted the massive dust cloud, they instinctively knew Istvan was there and spurred their horses faster.
As they drew closer, the enemy's outline sharpened into view.
"Those damned traitors with that bastard Istvan are right there! Slaughter every last one—no mercy!"
"Take their heads! Give those backstabbing scum the end they deserve!"
"Shame of the Northerners—you filthy bastards, capture 'em alive if you can! Major General Jaeger said he's giving that one the 'delayed beheading professor separation' treatment!"
Meanwhile, Istvan—who'd expected an easy rear strike—viciously spurred his innocent horse and bellowed.
"Fuck, fuck! We finally get a shot at glory, and those Reich Empire pig bastards pop up out of nowhere!"
As he vented his rage on his horse, the surrounding chieftains—more precisely, those whose lives had grown much harder since listening to him—demanded answers.
"Chieftain Istvan, what's the plan? Fuck, we followed your word all the way here—what the hell is this?"
"You know better than anyone what happens if this rear raid fails! Fuck, do something!"
"Those approaching—are they Northern pig bastards? Or Reich Empire scum?"
Istvan's blood boiled at his subordinate chieftains bordering on open mutiny, but he clenched his teeth and held back his fury.
"Turn your horses! Kill those pursuing Northern pig bastards first!"
Thus, Field Marshal Bwadiswaf's carefully devised last chance at salvation vanished completely, and Istvan's and Nassau's horse archer forces charged straight at each other.
The vanguard of Brigadier General Nassau's horse archer brigade was led by Anastasia herself, while Istvan personally commanded the vanguard of his horse archer force.
"Anastasia Kerzhit, you Empire-collaborating traitor bitch! Dirtier than a whore! How dare you volunteer as the Reich Empire's lapdog? Where's your Northern pride? Aren't you ashamed of what you've done as a Northerner?"
"Shut your damn mouth! You latched onto the Reich Empire when it suited you, and now that you're with the Stockholm Kingdom, you're crying 'traitor'?"
They traded words as the distance between them shrank. Anastasia drew the cavalry sabers strapped to her waist with both hands.
This left her unable to hold the reins, but as a Northerner born in the saddle, she had no trouble controlling her horse straight ahead without them.
As they closed in, Istvan swung his right-hand saber in a wide arc aimed at Anastasia's neck.
The classic, most common Northern technique for slaying a mounted rider.
Anastasia, as if expecting it, reversed her grip on the saber in her left hand and parried Istvan's blade.
With a sharp clang, Istvan's sword lost its force and glanced off, while the saber in her right hand plunged deep into his left armpit.
Anastasia instinctively knew Istvan was dead then and there, but she had no time to celebrate.
"Now that bastard Istvan's dead, we're done for too! Fuck it—at least I'll take you down with us!"
"Blaming everyone else for your own screw-ups. The worst kind of scum."
With those words, she began cutting down the enemy horse archers charging at her, one by one, as they declared their intent to kill her.
At the same moment, a loud voice rang out from Anastasia's rear guard.
"Colonel Anastasia Kerzhit has personally slain the traitor bastard Istvan!"
"Your traitorous ringleader's dead—you're all finished!"
"This is our last mercy as fellow countrymen, you filthy bastards! Die running? Or surrender and maybe save your skins?"
Hearing this, Istvan's now-leaderless horse archers swiftly turned tail and fled, but Nassau's brigade pursued relentlessly.
With every variable that could have turned the battle gone...
The Stockholm and Warsaw Grand Duchy coalition headquarters lost all will to fight. But completely surrounded front and back, they couldn't even retreat properly.
As a result, enough soldiers died to call it the "Osby Plains Massacre."
The battle naturally ended in a perfect victory for the Reich Empire Army, whose numbers had barely exceeded half the enemy's.
Reich Empire Army casualties: 7,500 dead, 2,500 seriously wounded.
Stockholm/Warsaw coalition casualties: 67,000 dead, 15,000 seriously wounded, 30,000 captured.
Upon hearing of this victory, General Keitel of the Reich Empire smiled and said,
"By keeping my personal feelings in check, looks like my subordinate's spoon-fed merit will bump my rank up one."