Battle on Philax Plain
Where the green fields meet the blue sky. Where the setting sun hides its body. A road connected to the night sky. These are the impressions left by those who have visited Philax Plain. A beautiful place that moves anyone to emotion just by gazing upon it.
But those who gathered on the plain today weren't there to admire its beauty. The blue fields brimmed with a heavy, sticky tension so thick that even ordinary folk nearby would choke on it. At either end of the plain stood armies in grim silence, gripping their weapons tightly, radiating murderous intent toward their foes.
Connie, positioned at the rear of Viscount Bastia's camp, was no different. Hailing from a small village in the viscount's domain, she'd left her dull, impoverished hometown right after her coming-of-age rite and headed to the city of Widget a week away. She passed the regular soldier exam on the spot and enlisted.
Back home, all she could do was gather barely sellable firewood or forage the occasional herbs and mushrooms. With no peers her age, she had no one to play with, making everything feel unbearably tedious. But even after moving to the city and becoming a soldier, her life barely changed. Endless street patrols. Occasional guard duty at the gates. Nothing special—just monotonous repetition.
Of course, the pay was incomparably better than hawking firewood back home. The problem was the city's prices were way higher than she'd imagined, leaving her just as broke. The one difference from her village—packed with old men around her dad's age—was that the city had plenty of young, cute guys to ogle.
Yeah, that was all she could do: stare at guys on the streets or in shops. Five years after enlisting, now a squad leader, she'd scrimped and saved diligently but still lived in the cramped barracks provided for out-of-town recruits. To even chat up a guy without getting laughed off by the competition, she needed at least a place costing 20 silver a month. With her 30-silver monthly pay, matching her rivals would take forever.
Then came a chance to close that gap in one go: the territorial war. Against the neighboring Viscount Bio Rin's domain—mocked by some as bought with money. Rumors swirled that the viscount's eldest daughter had dealt an unforgivable insult to Viscount Bastia's precious second son, but Connie didn't care about the reason.
The decree promised 4 gold just for volunteering, plus bonuses for merits and even promotions. She hadn't met the viscount personally, but having sworn loyalty upon enlisting, no one would've complained even if drafted by force. Still, he recruited volunteers with gold as bait, and Connie was one of the many who signed up.
The reason was simple. Sure, racking up merits would be great, but she didn't dare hope for it. Just volunteering netted a year's salary upfront. Add her savings, and she'd hit 15 gold—enough for a rundown place on the outskirts, all her own.
"Hoo..."
Connie exhaled deeply. Not greedy for glory, just aiming to survive and pocket the gold, she'd volunteered for the rear guard. Seeing the intimidating knights and lancers made her feel secure deep down. Probably everyone here felt the same. All volunteers, no whiners dragging down morale—it was sky-high.
Blending into the masses, she figured they'd win easily. To her country-girl eyes, their knights and lancers looked unstoppable, backed by over a thousand spearmen and three hundred archers. She'd never seen so many in formation; the grandeur made her forget defeat was possible.
Until the enemy appeared.
Damn...
Sweat slicked Connie's grip on her spear. As the viscount's lines came into view across the open plain, regret hit her. Their numbers matched theirs, but the front-liners' aura felt off—dangerous. Even from this distance, where shouts wouldn't carry, their vanguard's ferocity stung her skin.
Only then did she realize her oversight. The enemy domain was far larger and richer. Their gear, rewards—nothing inferior. Chasing the sweet fruit ahead, she'd ignored the rear. Too far in now to turn back. All she could hope was the vanguard ended it quick.
Rooooooar—!!
As she prayed for her allies, a mighty horn blast echoed across the plain. She tightened her grip. That signaled the territorial war's start.
And sure enough.
—Front line, advance!!
A bellow from behind, followed by.
Rooooooar—!!
A deeper horn blared through the lines.
Shit...
The plain wasn't perfectly flat; from her slightly elevated spot, Connie watched allies creep forward and enemies approach, swallowing dryly. Bit by bit. Bit by bit. The lines closed.
Roooooo—!!
At the second blast.
Chaaaaarge—!!!
They roared like the earth would split, charging. Formations stretched thin on clash, soldiers jamming gaps until the front dissolved into indistinguishable chaos.
—Advance.
Horn followed the rear command.
Shit. Shit. Shit.
Connie forced her shaking legs forward, keeping formation, eyes locked on the center's screams—roars or agony, indistinguishable. The green plain reddening made her want to bolt.
—Halt.
Steps stopped.
—Archers, nock!
Horn piped.
Huh...?
Her mind fogged closer to death, confusion struck.
Fire... into that mess?
—Loose!
Before she processed, shweeep—!! pierced her ears.
"Wha..."
Shadows blanketed overhead, vanishing to arc toward the tangled horror.
Insane...
Hundreds of arrows into the melee. She cursed inwardly, glancing up. Enemy archers, same distance, same timing, loosing too.
—Keep firing!!
Another baffling order. Shadows reformed, plunging mercilessly on nameless faces.
What... the hell...?
Connie couldn't grasp it. Firing where allies might die? Enemies doing the same like it was normal? Beyond her.
—Second line, charge!!
Arrow rain halted; far more than the tangled front charged the bloodied plain. Enemies mirrored perfectly. Like a horrific mirror.
Mercy God Merix...
Vowing never again to chase gold foolishly if she survived.
Neeeigh—!!
A horse's thunderous neigh jolted her. Eyes turned; silver-armored lancers followed knights charging the plain. Fear lifted briefly.
Until checking the enemy. Same number of lancers charging.
Bastia knights right flank. Bio Rin left. Opposite paths, like planned.
Watching from start, unease stirred—then she spotted the difference. Over the left-charging knights, a hundred-plus infantry followed.
Insane!!
She gaped. Knights and lancers smashed the stretched line, trampling indiscriminately, shattering it. Allies' rear routed too.
Fuck, shit!!
Connie gripped her spear two-handed. Enemy infantry exploited gaps, charging her lines. Front, second, knights—all forward. Rear held only her three hundred guarding archers.
Don't panic. Numbers even.
Three hundred strong, archers behind. If arrows held, they'd halve them before close. And the order came.
—Target: enemy detachment ahead. Fire till quivers empty!!
Yes!!
Lead foe knight-like, but followers lightly armed spearmen, no shields. Necks and spear hands dark-smeared, but speed said no chainmail. Arrows would skewer.
Shweeeep—!!
Closer foes, arrows whizzed nearer heads. She heard the vicious whine, finally watching drops with relief.
What. Crazy bitches?
Enemies shielded faces with one arm, kept charging. She sneered unwittingly.
But shock replaced it quick.
"...Huh?"
Mouth agape. Dozens of arrows studded their rags and plate—yet same speed, none down.
Arrows kept flying; gasps turned to terror from her rear guard. Who wouldn't fear arrow-riddled foes charging?
—Archers withdraw! Rear, forward!!
Shit, shit, shit!!
Connie righted her spear as tireless foes neared.
—Advance!!
Chaaaaarge—!!!
"Aaaaaah—!!!"
Now she got the throat-ripping screams ahead. Only way to shake skull-full terror.
Aaagh!! Gah!!
Front slowed; screams endless.
"Shiiiit!!"
In the tangle, she stabbed an enemy's exposed back full-force.
"Guh?!"
Solid hit—yet rock-hard recoil shook her arms. Not flesh.
"Urk...!!"
"Hng?!"
Stunned, her foe's opponent spewed blood, collapsing. Pulling back—
Pffuk—
Stinging back pain. Body pitched forward against her will.
"Sh...it..."
She never rose again.
**
"Good grief, unbelievable."
Cornell Bastia, Viscount Bastia's eldest and this war's commander, stared ahead in dismay. Enemy vanguard pierced unflagging, braving endless arrows to arrive riddled like rags—then slaughtered the prepared three hundred.
To the knight before her: "No wonder the grand lord set this up. I half-doubted, but astounding."
The blood-smeared knight raised her visor. Porcelain skin, blue eyes emerged.
"Wait longer?"
"Seems thinned enough. End it."
At Kernax's question, Cornell raised her hand. Trumpeter readied.
Rooooooar—!!
Mighty blast rolled. Followed by.
Rooooooar—!!
Roooooo—!!
Two more from directions halted the frenzy; silence fell.
To tireless Kernax: "Frankly, this favor weighs heavy. Tell the grand lord: House Bastia stands ready anytime."
"Will do."
Cornell nodded at Kernax's reply.
"One more?"
Stopping Kernax heading to resting troops.
"What's that called?"
Kernax pondered, then: "Night Fairy."
"Hm...? Ill-fitting for battle."
Kernax smiled wryly inside.
"Anyway, well fought."
"Yes."
Kernax turned crisply. Thus ended the war: Viscount Bastia surrendered to Viscount Bio Rin's victory.