Chapter 200
Chapter 200
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 200
Chapter Title: Great King Namsaeng
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Kim Yushin and I turned to look at him, and the messenger hurriedly spoke up.
"It's from the Chujunguk General of Ogol Fortress."
"Speak."
"They just arrived and are blocking the far side of the forest. But enemy troops suddenly appeared and attacked—there are far too many of them."
"How many?"
"At least twice as many as our forces. He's urgently requesting reinforcements."
Kim Yushin clicked his tongue as he listened to the messenger.
"I understand the situation, but how are we supposed to send reinforcements with the enemy sandwiched in the middle?"
"B-but still..."
Watching the hesitant messenger, a thought suddenly struck me.
'The Battle of Rocroi.'
In 1643, in northern France at Rocroi, the French and Spanish armies clashed. The French forces, led by the Duke of Enghien—also known as the Great Condé—collided with Spain's vaunted infantry formation, the Tercios. At that time, the French cavalry defeated the Spanish cavalry, swung around to hit their rear, and shattered the supposedly invincible Tercios in open battle, leading to a crushing Spanish defeat. It felt like a similar situation, and without thinking, I shouted.
"I'll go."
"You?"
I quickly explained to the startled Kim Yushin.
"We just need to lead the cavalry around the forest."
"Won't that take too long?"
"If we stay put, they'll just retreat. We can't let them get away."
Kim Yushin nodded after pondering my words for a moment.
"Then I'll leave it to you."
I turned to the messenger who had been watching.
"Lead the way back the path you came."
"Understood."
The messenger replied briskly and prepared to move out. I immediately gave orders to Geom Mojam.
"Tell Geulgeul Jungsang to leave 500 with the main force and follow me."
I watched Geom Mojam gallop off toward Geulgeul Jungsang, then glanced at Go Jeong-ui, who was still gripping his sword.
"You can sheathe that now."
"Are you really going?"
"You ride well, right? Hold on tight."
Geulgeul Jungsang signaled from afar that preparations were ready. I gave the signal to depart. Over a thousand horses surged forward at once, their hooves thundering like an earthquake. As Geulgeul Jungsang rode up, I shouted to him.
"We'll circle the forest and hit them from behind."
"I overheard and wasn't sure if you were serious. Are you in your right mind?"
"If it means victory, I can toss my sanity out the window."
Geulgeul Jungsang burst into laughter at my joke. Circling the forest took considerable time, and the horses were visibly tiring. Still, hardly any of the Malgal riders fell behind.
As we raced on, the forest kept turning to ash piles. Flames leaped from the trees toward the sky, and the crackling of burning wood echoed. Sparks from exploding trees ignited new blazes. Trees collapsed in the inferno, scattering fire everywhere. The Tang soldiers trapped inside screamed like echoes. They tried desperately to escape, but both front and rear were sealed. Here and there, Tang troops burst from the woods with fire on their backs and shoulders. Geulgeul Jungsang, leading the way, shouted.
"I see enemies dropping their weapons and fleeing in panic."
"Ignore any not in organized groups. We have more pressing matters."
Geulgeul Jungsang sped up after acknowledging. Rounding the enemy-held Adversary Rock Mountain, we spotted our army clashing with the Tang forces in the distance. The freshly arrived Goguryeo troops from Ogol Fortress had formed a shield wall, while Tang waves crashed against it. One Tang soldier charging with a roar was impaled on a spear. The spear pierced through him and struck the next soldier. The two bled out standing, then toppled sideways. But more poured in, slamming the Goguryeo shield wall from Ogol. Geom Mojam muttered at the sight.
"They won't hold much longer."
Their numbers were few, and after a long march straight into battle, exhaustion was plain. We halted nearby, waved a flag to signal our arrival, then I asked Geulgeul Jungsang.
"What's our best move?"
"Too few of us to reinforce them directly—it'd mean little."
"Then?"
Geulgeul Jungsang eyed the Tang emerging from the forest and replied firmly.
"We cut their waist in two."
"Across?"
"Yes."
He mimed slicing the flank of the advancing Tang with his hand.
"Possible?"
"Once we build speed."
"Horses look spent."
"Doesn't mean we don't fight."
Geulgeul Jungsang turned to his Malgal riders and bellowed.
"Let's fight!"
The Malgal warriors answered with wolf-like howls. Excited, Geulgeul Jungsang said to me.
"Stay here. I'll be right back."
"No chance. I'm with you."
Geom Mojam beside me looked utterly resigned. I told Go Jeong-ui next to him.
"You stay."
"No way. Why claim all the glory alone?"
"Then come along."
Go Jeong-ui hiccuped at the unexpected reply. Meanwhile, Geulgeul Jungsang reorganized the Malgal formation. The riders stretched into two long lines, tense faces fixed on the Tang spilling from the woods. An eerie silence fell as Geulgeul Jungsang looked to me, mace in one hand, nodding.
"Begin!"
"I'll take the lead."
Geulgeul Jungsang let out a wolfish howl like his men and charged. I followed as the Malgals surged after him. Geom Mojam drew his sword right beside me. The retainers clustered tight. Geom Mojam's shout rang out.
"Block incoming arrows with your bodies. Protect the master at all costs."
"Protect me too!"
Go Jeong-ui's shrill cry drew brief laughter.
Geulgeul Jungsang's Malgals sliced through the center of the Tang emerging from the forest. In tight formation, it'd be impossible, but scattered as they were, gaps appeared—and Geulgeul Jungsang spotted and seized it in an instant. I marveled at that.
The stretched Malgal line pierced the center, freezing the Tang in place. They weren't just riding through—they loosed arrows, thrust spears, swung swords. Getting close was deadly. The Tang momentum shattered. Late shouts from officers spurred Tang soldiers forward, but arrows dropped them to their knees, and the swift Malgals evaded grabs. Trailing cavalry caught up, sparking fierce clashes. Malgals tumbled under horses, hit by enemy arrows. Then a group of foes tried wedging into our line's midst. Sensing crisis, I urged speed and drew Jumong's spearhead, looping the leather thong on my wrist before shouting.
"Close enemies!"
The spearhead whistled through the air, targeting Tang cavalry trying to sever our line. They ducked or crouched at the sudden attack. But it curved, slashing necks and sides. Five riders screamed briefly, tumbling under hooves to be trampled. Muttering at their mangled corpses.
"Underfoot is hell."
The line held. I sheathed the returning spearhead, gripped my mace, and swung at nearby Tang. The heavy head plus speed crushed shields and helms alike. Splintering shields and crumpling metal drowned screams. Shattered skulls, teeth, fingers scattered in the dust.
"Kill them all!"
My excited shout echoed from Geom Mojam and the retainers. We finished the breakthrough by trampling the last blocking Tang infantry and wheeled back to our lines. Turning, I surveyed the path.
"Impressive."
Blood-soaked corpses dotted the trail like spilled drops. Crossing their assault had blunted their momentum. Geulgeul Jungsang rode close and shouted.
"Ogol Fortress's defense line seems out of danger."
"Thanks to you."
As he grinned wide, the forest had become a full inferno, heat reaching us. Tang soldiers burst out roaring, unable to bear it—but without their earlier ferocity, only desperate flight from the blaze.
Ogol's troops now blocked with ease. Archers used Yeon Clan crossbows to fell clusters of close Tang. Amid blood and heat, a familiar trumpet sounded. Turning toward it, dust clouds rose northeast. Go Jeong-ui stared hard, then yelled.
"Our forces! Definitely ours!"
"Northeast—near Shinseong. General On Sa-mun."
"Seems so."
"Thought it'd take longer, but good timing."
"With their help now, we can hold."
"Damn right."
I sighed, gazing skyward unbidden. Even knowing the future and wielding new weapons, war was won by soldiers and generals. Goguryeo's had the will to fight and win. Go Jeong-ui interrupted my thoughts.
"Are you... crying?"
"Smoke stings."
"No one would blame tears."
Irritated by the pest, he piped up.
"When Shinseong's troops arrive, encircle them."
"Surround Adversary Rock Mountain?"
"Yes. Kim Yushin holds the forest side, Chujunguk General this one—so just seal the flanks?"
"Too vast."
"Not capturing all—just snag the escapees. Plus, we're cavalry."
Mulling Go Jeong-ui's idea, I eyed Geulgeul Jungsang. Two brutal fights had visibly worn him, but he grinned fiercely.
"We can move. Just give the order."
"Truly grateful."
"Do as commanded, and victory's easy."
After chatting with Geulgeul Jungsang, I called Geom Mojam.
"Send a man to General On Sa-mun: move to Adversary Rock Mountain's right flank. Don't spread thin—split infantry to hold line, loose cavalry to block foes."
As Geom Mojam dispatched the order, I told Geulgeul Jungsang.
"Move left, mop up stragglers."
"Thank you."
Geulgeul Jungsang boomed his reply, gestured, and led the Malgals off.