Chapter 89
Chapter 89
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 89
Chapter Title: Dragon Slaying Operation
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The kingdom's army had stationed its main forces at Ceres Pass, the linchpin of Ordova's defenses and a position from which they could support both La Tredo and Al Kante.
The nobles spared no expense in hiring mercenaries, and before long, some 13,000 mercenaries had gathered at the pass.
Sancho had declared that he would personally command the troops this time, staying at the pass with a few of the nobles as they awaited news of the imperial army's advance.
"So, the Red Dragon Legion is really moving on its own?"
"Their numbers and equipment match the intelligence we've gathered. It looks like them."
"Overconfidence or sheer recklessness... Either way, it's our chance."
Victor had deliberately left their scouts unchecked, so word of the Red Dragon Legion's march toward Ceres Pass reached them without delay.
Sancho planned to stick to the original strategy, utilizing the 13,000 mercenaries he'd assembled along with the pass's 3,000 defenders.
"What's their marching speed?"
"They're barely covering 10 km a day."
"...Hm. I heard they advanced at tremendous speed when sieging the fortresses."
"Unfamiliar terrain, so they're probably advancing cautiously."
"Could be supply issues or internal problems."
"..."
The Red Dragon Legion's advance was markedly slower than expected.
"And the other forces still haven't moved?"
"Correct. When the Red Dragon Legion left Adenze, the others weren't even fully prepared to march."
"...Our scouts did good work. Make sure they get proper rewards."
"Understood."
Once it was confirmed that the Fifth Legion—over 15,000 strong—hadn't budged an inch,
"We could pull in even more troops."
Sancho grew eager to prepare the "Dragon Slaying" operation even more thoroughly.
"...You mean pulling in forces from other defense positions?"
"The real threat is the Red Dragon Legion with their siege guns and rifles, not the regular imperial army. If they're not even moving, it feels wasteful to keep troops tied down just to block them."
He even argued for deploying the forces stationed at La Tredo and Al Kante for the operation.
"You've read the Adenze battle report. Sure, they had demoralized stragglers mixed in, but 13,000 isn't a small number. Jodi's an experienced general."
"..."
"And yet they couldn't lay a finger on the Red Dragon Legion before getting wiped out. The enemy didn't hide their movements, and we gave them plenty of time. No need for us to rush."
The nobles mulled over Sancho's words—the man universally acknowledged as having real expertise in warfare.
"...If we lose the forces gathered here, the scattered troops elsewhere have almost no chance of stopping the Red Dragon Legion. I agree with Count Gonzales's proposal to concentrate everything on this opportunity."
"They may have traded with Anchester Kingdom, but given the Red Dragon Legion's size, they can't be producing rifles and siege guns indefinitely yet. A big hit now would set them back for a long time."
"...My territory's harvest was poor, so I can't sustain troops for long. If we can drive out the imperial army in a quick decisive battle, I'm in favor."
The younger nobles, including Carlos, and the lords wary of a prolonged war welcomed the idea.
The Red Dragon Legion in the reports seemed nearly invincible, so they aimed to invest maximum strength in this high-stakes operation to ease their anxieties, even if just a little.
"Isn't it risky? It'd be great if they fight exactly as we want, but the more troops we move, the easier it is for the enemy to read our intentions."
"We'll dispatch plenty of scouts and reconnaissance from around Dronado Forest to keep the enemy from noticing our movements. And even if they do catch on, I still think we should gather more forces."
"..."
"Besides, the mountains on both sides of Al Berdo Pass are rugged and densely forested—perfect terrain for hiding large numbers. If we distribute the troops well, the enemy will likely misjudge our numbers."
Sancho personally countered those raising concerns.
"...If we pull another 4,000 from each as you say, Al Kante and La Tredo could be left too vulnerable."
"We'll run deception ops at Al Kante and La Tredo. Dress up scarecrows with helmets and armor, arm them, line them along the walls, and have a few soldiers constantly moving around to fool the imperial scouts who can't gather intel easily."
"Deception... That's dangerous. If the enemy sees through it, fewer than 5,000 soldiers can't hold off the Fifth Legion's 15,000-plus."
"Even if we lose everything else, we have to crush the Red Dragon Legion. They're the ones who can threaten all the way to Ordova."
"..."
Having never witnessed the Red Dragon Legion in battle himself, Sancho planned assuming the worst possible threat level.
To him, more than the Fifth Legion or the other kingdoms' lack of cooperation, the Red Dragon Legion loomed as the greatest danger.
"Strike when they can't get reinforcements—that's the opportunity. If their infighting ends and they start cooperating, we won't get another shot like this."
"...You're right, sir."
"No need to worry too much. I'm not some fool charging into a fully prepared enemy. Before the main assault, we'll weaken them with small night raids and supply line attacks."
"Understood."
He meticulously planned to bring down the Red Dragon Legion.
Taking input from his officers, he kept patching holes in the plan,
"In the end, seizing control of Dronado Forest is key."
"Yes. Whoever secures Dronado Forest gains a massive intel advantage."
"With the surrounding mountains so rugged, the Red Dragon Legion has no choice but to pass through Dronado Forest for supplies by wagon."
"If we take the forest, even if they force a march, they'll suffer heavy losses."
"And if they retreat, it's not bad for us since defense is our goal."
They concluded that Dronado Forest—the vast woodland between Adenze and Al Berdo Pass—would be the vital choke point for the decisive battle at Al Berdo Pass.
"No need to belabor the rifles' power, but in a forest, that power gets limited. Even our mercenaries' rifles are bulky and heavy to handle."
"Plus, in that kind of battlefield, even small sounds can be deadly. Rifles make a huge bang when fired, making it hard to stay hidden."
"Baron Vandera. I'll trust you with this."
"Our scouts have prowled Dronado Forest for ages! We'll plant nightmares in their heads!"
Alejo Vandera, who led the kingdom army's scouts against the imperial scouts including the Fifth Legion up to now, flashed a fierce glint in his eyes.
"Good. Baron Vandera, begin securing Dronado Forest. I'll provide whatever you need."
"Yes, sir!"
Sancho began preparations for "Dragon Slaying," penning letters requesting more troops.
Even though the Fifth Legion offered to cooperate, I had no intention of sending them to the main battlefield.
It wasn't about merits or grudges—it was pure efficiency.
The Fifth Legion was weaker than the Red Dragon Legion, and without rifles like ours, they'd take far more casualties in combat.
Yet they'd consume the same supplies, march just as slowly, and their officers weren't fully united under my command.
To keep the kingdom army's eyes on us, I advanced alone toward Ceres Pass at a glacial pace.
If the enemy scattered to defend, I'd call in the Fifth Legion to advance together; if they concentrated on us, we'd hit the gaps.
"Legion Commander, aren't you getting too tired?"
"...No matter how much we tell you to sleep early, you ignore us."
"You even walk with your eyes closed..."
"I can hear you."
"Eek!"
"..."
To that end, I kept checking the minimap during the march.
A few days later, I spotted small movements of troops from Al Kante and La Tredo toward Ceres Pass, and confirmed exactly how they were shifting.
"...Dronado Forest, huh."
"Pardon?"
"Anna, fetch Sergei for me."
"Right away."
I summoned Sergei, the acting scout captain who'd received the flintlock rifles.
The Red Dragon Legion—all riflemen—required massive supplies, so the flattest route to Ceres Pass ran through Dronado Forest.
The enemy knew it too; plenty of red dots were prowling all over the forest on the minimap.
"What is it, sir!"
"We'll have to pass through that Dronado Forest. I'll assign more scouts—secure it carefully."
"Understood!"
"The enemy knows the forest's value too, so expect a large force of locals familiar with the terrain. Stay sharp."
"Leave it to me!"
This was a chance to show off the flintlock rifles' power.
As if reading my mind, Sergei grinned and saluted crisply.
"...It's starting?"
"Yeah."
I nodded at Anna's quiet whisper beside me.
The opening salvo of what would later escalate into a major battle—the true preliminary clashes had begun.