Chapter 94
Chapter 94
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 94
Chapter Title: Sancho's Rout
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Sancho's forces—a mix of large mercenary bands and regular troops—cautiously advanced toward the expected position.
-Rustle, rustle, rustle.
The lightly armed soldiers, geared for combat in the woods, moved swiftly yet silently. The scouts stayed close to the main body, vigilantly covering the flanks.
Thanks to their precautions,
"...This is the spot."
They reached the point where Imanol had decided to retreat. Even after discovering the traces he'd left in his flight, there was still no sign of an ambush from the Red Dragon Legion.
"No sign of the enemy..."
"...There's some gunpowder spilled over here. Judging by the direction, it leads toward where our left flank was stationed."
"We might be a step too late..."
The officers exchanged whispers.
Having hoped for a chance to crush them piecemeal, they felt a pang of regret now that the opportunity seemed lost.
"...This feels ominous."
"Pardon?"
Sancho murmured gravely.
"These are the same bastards who tracked down our scouts hidden in the forest. The ones who hit our well-camouflaged left flank and even intercepted Baron Ray's forces en route to join us. There's no way they'd stay this quiet."
Sensing the Red Dragon Legion's movements—like eyes watching from above—Sancho heightened his vigilance to the max.
He hadn't expected his crude feint to work anyway.
Feeling utterly ensnared by Victor's strategy, he was starting to crack mentally. He mentioned the enemy's superior scouts and mobility to mask his growing helplessness.
"...Maybe this time they've finally slipped up? Their scouts aren't infallible."
"The tracks are fresh. The enemy fought in full plate armor, so pursuit might still be possible."
"..."
But the officers, unaware of Sancho's inner turmoil, dismissed his words as his usual caution. Since they hadn't tasted defeat firsthand, their confidence held firm.
"Why not link up with the right flank now? The enemy's losses were light—if we don't hit them perfectly, we can't count on our numbers."
"If we yield the entire left forest, we'll be fighting across the main road. Without our cavalry, how are we supposed to close the gap?"
"Baron Ray, are you spooked by defeat? This is our land, our home! If we fall back here, where does it end?"
"He's right! With the enemy scattered in the woods, this is our chance!"
Even Imanol, who voiced the proposal Sancho wanted, faced a barrage of rebuttals and fell silent. The officers united in calling for pursuit.
"...Baron Ray has a point. If they've merged, we'll face a force that's larger, better equipped, and sky-high in morale."
"But..."
"They entered the forest confident of victory. Best to withdraw now and rally with the left and right flanks that already pulled back."
Yet Sancho, reasoning coolly to the end, resolved to retreat before suffering greater losses.
"Afraid of the blame for defeat? Blame me all you want."
"...Sir."
"Say General Sancho Gonzalez was too cowardly, threw away a winnable fight, and retreated. Tell His Majesty that if you like. But if we don't pull back here, you won't even get a chance to face him again."
"..."
"Don't worry about the mercenary leaders either. Pay's guaranteed. If it's short, I'll sell my house to cover it."
"If you put it that way..."
"...We'll follow your orders, sir."
By addressing their concerns first, Sancho silenced the officers and captains.
"...What a shame."
"At least we'll break even."
The captains grumbled over missing out on lucrative combat bonuses.
"We'll link up with the right flank en route. Baron Botet, I'm assigning you the 1st and 2nd Infantry. Cover our rear."
"Understood."
As the kingdom army rearranged for retreat,
-Rat-tat-tat!
"Argh!"
"Enemy attack!"
Bullets flew from what had been the front—now turning into the rear.
The volley wasn't huge, but the kingdom army, mid-reorganization for withdrawal, couldn't react sharply.
"...Damn it all."
"Sir! What now?"
"Not many of them! Definitely not their main force!"
"Hoo..."
Grinding his teeth, Sancho heard Alesso's report on the enemy's small numbers. He took a deep breath to quell his rage.
The assault, timed perfectly as if awaiting their retreat, felt like either a noose tightening or a last desperate counterattack.
Given the Red Dragon Legion's moves so far, the former seemed more likely.
Pondering his response briefly, he met the expectant gazes of his officers and mercenary captains with a glint in his eye.
"Baron Botet, counterattack aggressively! Mercenaries, ready?"
"Of course!"
"That's the force that hit Baron Ray's troops—no more than half our number! Once we smash them, we'll hit their main body alongside the incoming right flank support!"
"Got it!"
The captains, lured by the promise of bonuses (though less than hoped), rushed to their mercenaries.
"Hold up, Baron Botet."
"...Why?"
"Pretend to counter, then pull back fast. We're retreating."
"...!"
Sancho grabbed Fran Botet as he moved to obey and whispered urgently.
Fran nodded, grasping the intent from the brief words, then dashed toward the attackers.
"No change of plan. Prepare to withdraw!"
"...Pardon? Just now..."
-Shing.
"Speak again, and it's mutiny. Move!"
"Y-yes, sir!"
Confirming the captains were out of earshot, Sancho drew his sword to quash any dissent and quietly prepared the mercenaries' unnoticed retreat.
"The 8th Infantry is yours..."
"...Didn't you say Lord Ugo would command the 8th?"
"Right, yes. Then..."
But before his tense preparations finished,
-Rat-tat-tat!
"Enemy attack!"
"..."
A larger force than the rear attackers struck the kingdom army's flank.
"...Send word to Baron Botet: Move to the flank and engage immediately. Hurry!"
"Yes, sir!"
"Baron Ray."
"Yes, sir."
"...I'll see to your family. You'll go down not as a defeated commander, but an honorable hero."
"..."
"Baron Ray! Taking the 4th Infantry—join Baron Botet for a delaying action!"
"...Yes, sir!"
Amid the hail of bullets from all sides, he persuaded the guilt-ridden Imanol to fight a delaying battle with Fran.
"Withdraw!"
Leading his dwindled forces, Sancho retreated toward the right flank's approach.
-Bang!
"Ambush!"
"...Ignore it! No counter—no stopping. Keep moving!"
Yet the relentless strikes whittled down even that remnant force.
"...Why haven't they shown up yet...!"
By all calculations, the right flank should have met them already.
"Wh-what...? What's happening?!"
Finally, Sancho—exhausted—nearly reached the highway before linking up.
"...Why so late?!"
"We marched the moment the courier arrived!"
"...What?"
The right flank commander brought the courier.
"...Only this courier made it?"
"No others."
Sancho recalled ordering them to skirt wide, ignoring risks.
"...Ha. Haha..."
Letting out a hollow laugh, Sancho
-Clang!
"You fucking—!"
"Sir!"
"Does this make any goddamn sense?!"
"What..."
"Calm down first!"
"It doesn't! It doesn't make—Arrrgh! Hraaaagh!"
hurled his sword and screamed out his outrage and frustration.
The officers, stunned by the uncharacteristic outburst, crowded to soothe him.
A few minutes later,
"...We march to the rally point."
"..."
"Link with the surviving left flank and fall back to Ceres Gate."
Regaining composure, he issued the order in a drained voice.
"...Sir."
"Don't say it. This is my failure. My shortcomings."
"..."
"Move out. Before the enemy hits."
The kingdom army fully withdrew from Al Berdo Pass to Ceres Gate.
Of the roughly 16,000 mercenaries and 12,000 regulars who fought, only about 10,000 made it back.
With the long battle over, the Red Dragon Legion began cleanup.
"Enemy right flank has fully retreated!"
"Delaying units eliminated."
The legion officers reported. Victor sat cross-legged in the center of the command tent, eyes closed as always.
His head hung low, as if asleep, but since he often sprang up mid-trance with orders, no one minded.
"Most mercenaries surrendered. Preparing rear transport now."
"Legion commander, further orders..."
"...General?"
But Victor didn't stir at the reports.
Anna approached, tapping his shoulder.
"General...?"
Shaking him lightly, she held a finger under his nose.
"...He's out cold."
She confirmed he'd fully drifted off.
"...Can't blame him."
"Never saw the tent lights go out..."
"Follow the legion commander's prior instructions for now."
"Yes. I'll move him. Erika."
"Y-yes!"
Victor had issued all follow-ups before sleep, so no chaos ensued.
With Erika's help, Anna hoisted Victor on her back and carried him to his private tent, laying him down.
"..."
No response even during the move. As she straightened him, Anna pulled a chair close and gazed at his fatigue-worn face with mixed emotions.