Chapter 112
Chapter 112
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 112
Chapter Title: Fall of Danghang Fortress
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“What does that mean?”
Crown Prince Uija's question had me glancing around cautiously before I answered.
“I saw the Silla navy ships that fled to shore earlier climbing toward the turtle-shaped rock.”
Crown Prince Uija's eyes changed as he heard my words.
“Not the usual path?”
“Yes. That's right.”
“Are you certain?”
“I saw it with my own eyes. They vanished into the cracks in the rock, which struck me as odd at the time, but now I realize that's the place.”
“Must be a shortcut to Danghang Fortress. They're in a hurry, so they took a secret path only they know instead of the main route.”
Crown Prince Uija slapped his knee in delight. Buyeo Seung, who had been listening quietly, spoke up.
“Your Highness, tonight I will lead a suicide squad along that path and open the gates of Danghang Fortress.”
“I don't want to put you in such a dangerous role.”
“No, Your Highness. Earlier, it was my failure that nearly endangered you. Please give me this chance to atone for my sins.”
His earnest plea tugged at my heart. No one without true loyalty to the crown prince could speak like that. After much deliberation, Crown Prince Uija finally gave his permission.
“Take twenty men with you. And make sure you open the gates and return to me safely.”
“I shall not fail you, Your Highness.”
I waited for their conversation to end before asking,
“What about the other fronts?”
“General Yun Chung is leading ten thousand troops toward Gajam Fortress. General Uso departed with two thousand to assault Doksan Fortress. General Uijik took five thousand to Gaheon Fortress. Here, we have eight thousand under me and Buyeo Seung.”
“Exactly twenty thousand, just like ours.”
“Kwisil Boseom's ten thousand are standing by at Ungjin Fortress. Once we spot the Silla reinforcements moving, we'll strike their flank.”
They had mobilized ten thousand more than Goguryeo. It was only five thousand short of the forty thousand deployed in the Battle of Amaksan Fortress during King Mu's reign.
After hearing the numbers, I asked cautiously,
“You've committed everything.”
“We had no choice. Those insolent fools won't stop persecuting King Mu.”
It seemed like fallout from his succession being confirmed faster than in actual history. The Satak clan knew full well they'd be first on the purge list if Crown Prince Uija ascended the throne. Naturally, they'd pull out all the stops to overturn King Mu's decision. Crown Prince Uija hinted at the situation.
“The battlefield feels more peaceful by comparison.”
“Once you return victorious, no one will be able to touch you, Your Highness.”
“Exactly. That's why we must take Danghang Fortress at minimum.”
“Of course. With the Silla navy crushed, no reinforcements will come.”
“I am truly grateful. For joining us to strike our old foe and bitter enemy, Silla.”
“Goguryeo harbors deep grudges against Silla as well. If we combine forces and push hard like this, they won't stand a chance.”
“When they're cornered, all they can do is seek allies from outside.”
“Goguryeo, Tang, and Wa, no doubt. We'll present terms they can't accept. Tang won't take Danghang Fortress easily, and Wa is close to Baekje—even if Kim Chun-chu crosses over, he won't succeed.”
“The general speaks true. With northern nobles on our side, Baekje has seized the advantage.”
As Crown Prince Uija beamed, a shot from the Yeon Clan Cannon struck Danghang Fortress's gate tower with Goguryeo Fire. The jar shattered on the roof, sending fireballs scattering everywhere. Flames poured down the tiled ridges like water, engulfing the soldiers below. At least a dozen writhed in agony, wreathed in fire, before hurling themselves off the walls. They'd chosen suicide to end the burning pain. The uneasy feeling from torching the Silla vanguard earlier resurfaced, creasing my brow slightly. But Crown Prince Uija and Buyeo Seung laughed heartily in celebration. I rose quickly from my seat.
“I'll take Buyeo Seung and the suicide squad on my returning ship. That way, no one will suspect anything.”
Crown Prince Uija looked up at the sky upon hearing me.
“Perfect—no moon tonight. Ideal for infiltration.”
I followed his gaze upward. He turned to Buyeo Seung.
“We'll keep firing Goguryeo Fire all night to draw their eyes. Meanwhile, lead your squad in, open the gates.”
“Understood.”
Buyeo Seung replied in a booming voice. Even then, Goguryeo Fire rained down on Danghang Fortress.
I returned to the Fire Ghost Ship with Buyeo Seung and his twenty-odd suicide squad members. In the meantime, Gadohan's vanguard ships had entered the harbor mouth and assumed defensive positions. It was to block any hidden Silla naval remnants, and their vigilance looked airtight at a glance. Boarding the ship while taking in the sight, I approached from the side hidden from land—and from Danghang Fortress—to avoid detection. The side hatch opened, ladder descending. We climbed one by one after securing it with ropes. Ham-a, waiting atop, looked stunned as the porters followed. I reassured him.
“Don't worry. They're Baekje troops.”
“Why are Baekje troops boarding our ship?”
“To assault Danghang Fortress tonight.”
“Via that path we saw earlier?”
“Yeah. So let everyone rest well.”
Buyeo Seung greeted Ham-a and climbed aboard. I led him up the stairs, opened the roof hatch, and pointed out the precise location. After scrutinizing it intently, he settled his men in an empty spot. Perhaps to avoid needless suspicion, he didn't look around or ask questions. The captain approached.
“What now?”
“Wait until nightfall. Send word to General Gadohan: hold firm until the Baekje vanguard arrives in a few days. Baekje will supply whatever you need.”
“Got it.”
“How's the ship overall?”
“The roof makes it heavy, so it's slower than other vanguards.”
“Solution?”
“Lower the roof more.”
“But then firing Goguryeo Fire gets tricky.”
“We'll figure it out. And the weight from the iron-plated roof is unavoidable for speed.”
“True.”
Ventilation and lighting could be handled by opening the roof hatch and side door during non-combat times. With more missions ahead for the Fire Ghost Ship, I pondered improvements at length. Chatting with the injured Ebi-ryu and Ham-a, sunset came quickly. As night deepened, Buyeo Seung roused his resting men. Doffing his armor for light gear, armed with sword and bow, he bowed to me.
“We're off now, General.”
“I await news of victory.”
“I'll stake my life to open the gates.”
With a resolute voice, Buyeo Seung boarded the skiff with his men. They rowed cautiously toward shore. It was so close they arrived swiftly. Stepping off carefully, Buyeo Seung led them up toward the turtle rock. Staring intently, I soon lost sight of them in the darkness. Only moonless night and chirping insects remained. I opened the hatch, peering anxiously at Danghang Fortress. Dire thoughts flooded my mind, but I held firm. Unable to bear the tension, I chewed my nails—then a sharp whistle pierced from within the fortress.
“Wh-what was that?”
Geom Mojam beside me replied,
“Sounds like a signal arrow.”
“Signal arrow? Ah! The whistling kind.”
Movies and dramas showed fire arrows, but unable to carry fire inside, they'd used whistling ones instead. As the second arrow's cry faded, uproarious cheers erupted. The waiting Baekje troops must have launched their assault on the signal. Torches flared across Danghang Fortress amid cries to defend. I waited, then asked Geom Mojam just in case,
“Should we join now to help?”
But he answered firmly,
“No. Too dark to distinguish friend from foe. Best to watch.”
Clashing shouts and ringing steel echoed until dawn. As day broke, the fighting shifted near the seaward walls. Fire arrows flew wildly as pleas for mercy pierced the dim morning. Then, abrupt silence fell.
“What happened?”
Geom Mojam shook his head uncertainly. As I considered scouts, movement stirred from the turtle rock where Buyeo Seung's squad had infiltrated. Staring hard, there he was—Buyeo Seung, blood-soaked but grinning and waving.
“General! Victory!”
“Oh! Thank goodness. Truly.”
I clasped my hands unthinkingly. We'd severed Silla and Tang's lifeline. As I rejoiced, Buyeo Seung called out,
“His Highness bids you come.”
“Right, on my way.”
Excited, I hurried down, but Geom Mojam had the ship ready. Climbing aboard via ladder, he barked at the rowers to haste. Reaching the shore in a sprint, Buyeo Seung approached as I asked,
“Took so long I feared failure.”
“Silla dogs resisted fiercely. But our numbers overwhelmed them.”
“The end seemed to be at the watchtower?”
“Yes. The fortress lord held out with his men. Offered mercy if they surrendered, but they refused—so we fired arrows, stormed in, and slew them one by one.”
“Prisoners?”
Buyeo Seung shook his head.
“Not even a hundred, including the wounded.”
“Tough bastards.”
I recalled the Silla troops that rammed burning ships and scaled the dragon head. Not via the turtle rock but the watchtower path, I gazed up at Danghang Fortress. Flames still lingered, walls charred black in spots. Horrifyingly, blood from corpses draped over the battlements stained the walls red. The gate linking to Danghang Harbor was barely wide enough for one man, screened by a barbican.
“Vicious lot.”
Passing the barbican through the gate, a watchtower loomed atop the hill ahead. It resembled the Manghaeru from excavation reports I'd read—tiled roof half-collapsed, belching smoke. Bodies littered the upper level, kicked down by Baekje soldiers. Surrounding structures with tiled roofs were mostly burned or ruined.