Chapter 107
Chapter 107
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 107
Chapter Title: The Betrayed General Betrays
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It's always a good feeling when things go according to plan.
Even if the enemy retreats or launches delaying actions by attacking our supply lines like before, it wouldn't cause any real problems.
"The enemy is fleeing!"
"Hm..."
The main cavalry unit had plunged headlong into the trap, and to rescue those bogged down, even the infantry followed suit.
As it unfolded just like one of the best-case scenarios I'd hoped for, the enemy's formations crumbled rapidly.
"..."
The only regrettable part was that the enemy had been preparing to retreat this time as well.
Unlike the Brotan Kingdom officers who never even considered retreat, the Esperia Kingdom forces always moved with withdrawal in mind.
A small contingent of soldiers waited at their rear, and during the retreat, some stayed behind to delay our pursuit.
"The rear enemy forces are fleeing too!"
"It's impossible to chase down every fleeing enemy. Focus on striking those holding their ground first."
"Understood!"
On top of that, they decided on retreat swiftly, making it hard for me—who didn't want needless side casualties—to catch them all forcibly.
"Our total casualties: 2,291. Most from the 3rd Infantry Regiment, and many are wounded."
"Enemy casualties estimated at around 15,000, with about 4,000 taken prisoner."
Still, we'd succeeded in dealing a solid blow to the kingdom's forces in this battle.
We'd completely annihilated their cavalry—the unit most likely to create variables—and this time, the mercenaries retreated before the regular troops, concentrating most losses on the regulars who held their positions.
That reversed the outcome of the previous Al Berdo Pass battle, where the elites escaped while we took disproportionate casualties—a somewhat regrettable result—and though we let their commander Sancho slip away again, it was fine.
There were no easier targets than mercenaries holed up in a fortress.
With this battle, we'd secured a clear advantage.
"We'll advance right up to the gates of Ordova. Colonel Axel Lübeck, stay here and handle the wounded and prisoners."
"...Understood."
I left the cleanup to Axel and resumed the march to prevent the kingdom forces from halting somewhere odd.
By sending scouts far ahead to mask our position, the enemy didn't dare stop midway and fled straight to Ordova Castle.
"...So that's Ordova Castle."
"Mm."
A few days later.
We arrived unimpeded at our destination, Ordova, and set up camp before the walls.
The castle was massive, its walls high, but they'd been reinforced and still couldn't withstand bombardment—unlike Ceres Pass, whose walls had been taller and thicker.
"Tomorrow, we'll prepare the artillery."
"Yes!"
We planned to unleash bombardment the very next day to collapse their capital in one fell swoop, but...
"...They're flying a white flag."
"Hah."
Before our guns could fire, an Esperia Kingdom herald approached under the banner of truce.
"I'll need to make some preparations."
To "prepare" for receiving the herald, I gathered the officers in advance.
Victor sat in the center of the command tent, welcoming the herald alongside officers holding documents as if in a meeting.
"You're saying to shell this point?"
"Exactly. Three hours? No, two should suffice."
"..."
Without needing explicit orders, they knew to let him in, and the herald entered the tent—appearing mid-conference—with stiff steps.
At first, he just stood silently, eyeing the Red Dragon Legion officers, but they conversed as if he weren't there.
"Yes, right here. We could probably bring down this section too."
"You mean topple the entire gate. Sounds good."
"If not, we can just shell the gate directly."
"...!"
The herald's face paled more with each exchange as he listened in silence.
Though he tried hiding his tension, his fingertips trembled faintly as he fiddled with his monocle.
"One day enough?"
"Yes. If you'd like dinner inside the castle, we'll hurry a bit more."
"Haha. Appreciate the thought, but I'd rather enjoy a hearty lunch. Take it slow."
"Understood."
"Then..."
The herald, lips parting slightly,
"Victor... Legion Commander! I am Emilio Silva, Earl of the Esperia Kingdom."
"Ah, right—the herald arrived."
called out to Victor in a trembling voice.
Victor's eyes gleamed upon hearing Emilio's introduction.
"His Majesty King Julio Tosar desires parley."
"Parley, huh."
Victor responded casually to the herald's request while subtly signaling the officers with a hand gesture.
"Hahaha!"
"Parley? Haven't we talked enough already?"
"No reply? Guess our greetings are still unfamiliar!"
The officers, catching the signal, burst into roaring laughter, and Emilio's shoulders hunched further.
Victor didn't hush them, waiting for the noise to die down on its own before saying,
"There you have it."
"..."
"We might've considered it back in Adense or at Ceres Pass, but don't you think it's a bit late now?"
He shot the question at the bowing Emilio.
"...We'll send the mercenaries out of the castle, so grant us a few days' reprieve. His Majesty said he'd accept any demands."
"Haha..."
Victor's sharp gaze darted about briefly, his expression stern, before he stared into space for a while.
A few minutes later, the tension eased from his eyes as he relaxed his posture.
"You know what contract Brotan Kingdom made with our empire, right? Even terms like that—you're willing to accept?"
"...Yes."
"In that case, we can wait two days. But."
To Emilio, eyes alight with hope,
"Keep the mercenaries—no, not even a single rat—out of the castle. That's the condition."
"What..."
"Our heralds are exempt, of course, but if any others sneak out... we'll have to converse our way."
"...Understood."
Victor laid down the threat with a grave expression.
"You're dismissed."
"Yes, then..."
Emilio hurried out of the tent.
"...May I ask why you granted them time?"
Once he was gone, Alexandrov probed Victor's enigmatic expression.
"Our victory is inevitable, but negotiation strikes me as more economical than forcing submission through battle. And..."
Victor hesitated slightly before continuing,
"...I sensed certain omens. I'll explain once it's clearer."
"Understood."
He brushed off the answer and sank into thought.
Since Victor's vague responses always yielded good results, the officers didn't press and withdrew.
I'd had no real intention of negotiating at first.
Just sending a high noble like an earl as herald showed as much.
Negotiation is for those with regrets, and we were in a position to sweep them with siege guns and rifles.
We stopped at mere pressure, but mocking the herald via the officers stemmed from no negotiation mindset.
However, when I checked the minimap to gauge the kingdom's suspicious request to expel mercenaries,
"...Ominous."
"What is it?"
"Hard to explain."
"..."
"...Familiar?"
"Yes."
"Ah..."
Confirming Esperia had no more forces to threaten us, I spotted a green dot racing toward our camp at high speed.
It might be nothing, but experience told me these were often couriers with urgent dispatches.
Having a hunch what news it might bring, I'd mentioned two days to allow its arrival,
"Urgent dispatch from Lord Gerhard."
And as expected, the green dot bore Gerhard's letter.
"..."
"The south's in bad shape."
But the letter's contents were graver than I'd anticipated.
"The south...?"
"Eckni Kingdom suffered a major defeat, and Lavria Republic declared war on us."
"...!"
Not long after the letter noting odd movements, the south had drastically shifted.
If Lavria—fighting a two-front war at its southernmost tip—had just declared on us without shared borders post-victory, I'd dismiss it as madness.
But...
Lavria originally struck to seize dwarf lands as their nest.
Declaring war on us now screamed 'Black Dragon' influence.
And if the enemy was indeed the 'Black Dragon',
"Time to prepare for negotiations."
I couldn't afford leisure here anymore.