Chapter 83
Chapter 83
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 83
Chapter Title: The Betrayed General Betrays
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Jordi had considered utilizing narrow terrain or attempting an ambush in the forest,
"No one has returned?"
"That's correct."
"...Damn it."
With all the scouts monitoring the enemy's movements failing to return, he had no choice but to abandon such attempts.
In the end, after a prolonged meeting with the kingdom army officers, they selected the wide open plain in front of Adense Fortress as the battlefield.
It was an intention to maximize their cavalry forces, which were undoubtedly superior.
"If heavy infantry with shields can withstand the enemy's assault and advance, what can they do when our flanking cavalry strikes their side?"
"...But those siege guns were fired at the walls before. If they're aimed at our troops..."
"Didn't they say they barely manage to haul them on wagons? We chose this battlefield precisely so our cavalry can move as freely as possible."
He spoke while deliberately underestimating the enemy's power to the utmost, preparing the kingdom army soldiers to face 10,000 unknown foes armed with guns.
The siege guns couldn't be downplayed like that since soldiers who had witnessed their power firsthand existed,
"But our valiant soldiers can break through their barrage and smash them. Guns take a long time to reload, after all."
Guns were still a weapon few truly understood.
"...Yes, sir!"
"Crossbows were all the rage as a new weapon, but history shows they were just as easily stopped by armor!"
"..."
The officers of Adense drew courage from Jordi's confident words.
The officers from La Leon hadn't fully shaken off their fear yet, but it was hard to contradict Jordi, who held command authority over them.
In the end, the kingdom army's response was decided as interception,
"Prepare to march out!"
Jordi concealed his anxiety and fear within that resolute declaration.
The kingdom army defending La Leon Fortress hadn't anticipated the walls collapsing, so most of the soldiers positioned there were killed or gravely wounded.
The survivors banded together and headed to Adense, leaving only a small number who remained in La Leon and surrendered.
The Red Dragon Legion detached empty wagons from consumed supplies and a few soldiers to escort them to Manzheim, while the main force immediately marched toward Adense Fortress.
"...It was truly incredible."
"Shouldn't we train like that too? Just twenty at once..."
"That's a bit much. I thought an earthquake hit."
"No joke, it really could've leveled all the surrounding buildings."
Buoyed by their light bodies without armor and the overwhelming victory at La Leon, they advanced swiftly.
"Don armor!"
"Oh, finally the guns..."
"You, just hold your shield properly."
"...Shit."
The soldiers maintained a light atmosphere even as they prepared for battle under Victor's orders, having confirmed the kingdom army's movements.
With the siege guns having already demonstrated tremendous power in real combat, they naturally believed the guns would unleash similar might.
While the Red Dragon Legion thus prepared for battle in advance,
"Enemies approaching from La Leon direction!"
"...It's come. Prepare for battle!"
The kingdom army that had sortied from the fortress also readied for combat.
The Red Dragon Legion advanced very slowly, allowing the soldiers some rest.
A few hours later, they faced off at about a 2km distance.
The kingdom army's reactions split in two.
"What a snail-like advance speed! They must fear us too."
"With our cavalry's swift maneuvers, we can toy with them easily."
"Of course, Sir Antonio. I trust you."
The Adense officers encouraged the soldiers by exuding confidence, regardless of their inner thoughts.
On the other hand,
"...Are those cannons that scary?"
"Ugh... uh..."
"..."
The survivors of the La Leon siege could count themselves lucky just to stand in formation.
Those who had been near the bombardment points were in worse shape—some trembled just standing still, their gazes shaking wildly,
-Clang!
"Ow..."
"Aaaagh!"
"...Why so startled?"
Some even threw themselves to the ground and curled up at any loud noise.
"...They won't be much help."
"Don't blame them too harshly for being demoralized by defeat. If we fight bravely and win, they'll regain their strength."
But the kingdom army officers, unaware of why the soldiers acted that way, simply treated them as cowards and did no more than station them in the rear.
"We can't end up like that."
"Only rabble act like that."
"...They're not faking it out of fear, right?"
In particular, the elite troops assigned to the kingdom army's front lines scorned them as pathetic examples, vowing not to show such shameful behavior themselves.
The kingdom army deployed 8,000 infantry led by elite troops with wooden shields and heavy armor in the center, splitting 2,000 cavalry each to the left and right wings.
The Red Dragon Legion's formation opposing them was remarkably simple,
"...A linear formation."
They stretched out in a thin line of about four ranks, advancing with very slow steps.
"The wagons carrying the siege guns are following behind."
"I thought they'd form a square to protect the guns..."
"Isn't that good? The enemy has sacrificed mobility, and their flank defense is inadequate. Our cavalry can ravage their sides and rear."
"Hmm..."
A linear formation was strong against frontal enemies but could be easily crippled if its flanks were hit by more mobile foes.
To the kingdom army, which centered on mobility-based flank and rear strikes, the Red Dragon Legion's formation looked like delicious prey.
"...The one commanding the enemy legion, Victor, is a man promoted to legion commander of the emperor's direct legion for his recognized strategy and tactics. We can't let our guard down yet."
"Against us, whose main force is medium cavalry, they barely deployed any pikemen! They must not grasp our strength!"
"Siege guns may be dangerous, but we're not stationary walls. Their iron balls won't even graze our moving troops!"
Jordi didn't drop his guard against Victor based on Francisco's intelligence, but the Adense officers, who had harbored anxiety seeing the utterly routed La Leon soldiers, viewed it as a mistake or gap and raised their morale.
"...Is that so."
"Yes! Our Esperia Kingdom cavalry has shone against ranged-heavy enemies since ancient times!"
"Right. We can't just retreat. Left Wing Cavalry and Right Wing 3rd Cavalry, harass the enemy infantry's flanks and rear. 4th Cavalry, exploit the chaos they create to strike the siege guns in the rear."
"Yes, sir!"
"We'll accomplish it with our lives!"
Battle was now inevitable.
Concerned that the officers' momentum might falter, Jordi focused on refining detailed tactics instead of further emphasizing Victor and the Red Dragon Legion's dangers.
"The enemy isn't stupid; their cavalry will surely protect the infantry and guns. Once you confirm their main cavalry committed to guarding the guns, have 2nd Cavalry support the gun strike."
"Understood!"
"If needed, 3rd Cavalry joins the support. Preventing those guns from firing is paramount."
"Yes!"
"The center infantry's role is crucial too. They must properly draw the enemy infantry's attention for our cavalry to move freely."
"Don't worry! We've never failed to break through foes prepared for ranged combat!"
"...I'll trust you."
To dispel fear as much as possible, he exchanged opinions with the officers and reinforced the tactics.
"The tragedy at La Leon happened because they didn't anticipate wall collapse. Best to prevent the guns from firing, but if they do, dispersing troops beforehand can minimize casualties."
"I'll inform the rear troops."
With each tactic devised against the Red Dragon Legion, he gradually found some comfort and hope in his heart,
"...Right. We'll blunt the enemy's edge in this battle. Commence the attack."
"Yes, General!"
Finally, he issued the command that would decide the fate of the Esperia Kingdom army.
-Clank, clank, clank.
In sync with the cavalry's movements, the kingdom army infantry with shields advanced toward the Red Dragon Legion halted in the middle of the open plain.
"Raise shields, brace for gunfire!"
"..."
Once the distance to the Red Dragon Legion closed to about 300m, they raised shields to cover their bodies, advancing in tight formation to protect one another.
This distance stemmed from experience fighting archers and crossbowmen up to now.
"...What is this."
"It's too quiet."
But even at 250m, the Red Dragon Legion held fire.
Their front line hid behind shields, poking out guns, while the rest widened intervals further so all gunners had clear lines of sight without obstruction.
200m, 180m, 160m...
The distance narrowed bit by bit, but the Red Dragon Legion simply waited with guns at the ready.
"Archers, fire!"
In response, the few kingdom army archers following the infantry began shooting first at the Red Dragon Legion.
Of course, the effect was negligible.
The Red Dragon Legion wore heavy armor individually, and the front line used shields too.
They suffered only minimal losses, with a tiny number wounded and falling back.
Amid this, the infantry pressed on, soon reaching 150m—the range where archers could aim to kill—but,
"...Scared?"
"They said it was a ranged weapon..."
The Red Dragon Legion still didn't move.
The kingdom army infantry, tense with the routed soldiers' reactions in mind, advanced with a bit more leeway.
"Don't relax! The enemy could fire any moment!"
Some even lowered shields slightly, prompting officers to rush around berating the troops.
A few officers harbored suspicions about the Red Dragon Legion's demeanor, but their doubts remained vague.
The distance kept closing,
"Prepare to charge."
"Still far, isn't it?"
"Orders say to charge as soon as possible since we don't know when their fire starts."
"...Understood."
At around 100m, the kingdom army soldiers readied a slightly early charge.
With heavy armor and wooden shields, they usually closed to 50m before charging, but they couldn't defy the command from above.
It was common sense to charge quickly against ranged-heavy foes,
"Charge! For the victory of Esperia Kingdom!"
The officers' signals rang out,
"Waaaaah!"
And the kingdom army infantry rushed toward the Red Dragon Legion.
At that instant.
-Kwarung! Kwarururung!
As if awaiting this moment, the Red Dragon Legion's muskets spat fire in unison.
"..."
Jordi, commanding from the rear barracks, could only hear the explosive roar.
To grasp the situation, he needed to exit the tent, but his legs stiffened, refusing to move.
With cold sweat-slicked hands trembling faintly, he awaited the messengers' reports.