Chapter 125
Chapter 125
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 125
Chapter Title: Confrontation at Setes Crossroads
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Vulang's forces gathered at their final rally point, Setes Crossroads, for the retreat.
They hadn't shied away from night marches, making their movements far swifter than expected.
"Number 6, Jeremiah Guerrilla Unit, returning!"
"Welcome back."
Grand General Isaac of Vulang greeted them with a weary expression.
Ever since the tide of battle had turned, he hadn't gotten a wink of sleep.
'No way it would unfold like this...'
With the West and Svenner joining hands to invade the mainland, staying put was no longer an option. They had to retreat without looking back.
He'd secretly hoped Caliper would just let them go, but that seemed unlikely. It would scratch Caliper's pride.
You couldn't just let someone plunder to their heart's content and then say, "Something came up for me, so I'm heading back. Let's call this whole thing off. Sorry if I hurt you."
"Number 4 Guerrilla Unit returning. We engaged the enemy but repelled them!"
"Good. Casualties?"
"Minimal!"
"Whew!"
Thanks to their swift retreat, no units had suffered major losses from pursuit so far.
Total casualties to date: around 3,000. Just one guerrilla unit wiped out.
"Isaac, the northern forces are still missing."
Isaac thumped his chest reassuringly at Prince Eldric's question.
"The northern retreat is being led by that Christian Feltz."
"Hmph, I see. You placed your right-hand man there?"
"The north might have to deal with enemy reinforcements, so I left it to Feltz."
"But even so, isn't it taking too long? Most units have already returned."
"Probably got bogged down by pursuers."
That could mean significant losses.
Isaac didn't think Feltz would fail, but the news that reached him was grim.
"Urgent report! Guerrilla Units 11, 12, and 13 annihilated! The northern forces' retreat has effectively failed!"
"What!? How the hell did that happen!"
"Intelligence is spotty, but surviving stragglers report a massive night raid on the camp!"
"Compile the casualty figures immediately!"
Reports flooded in.
"Unit 15 hit. Enemy appears to be royal direct troops!"
"Unit 16 pursued and retreating! Opponent is royal direct troops!"
Als, who had raided and wiped out Vulang's northern rally point, methodically eliminated the enemy forces approaching like a string of sausages.
Isaac, tallying the damage, felt the world spin.
"Total of 10,000... lost? W-What about Feltz? What happened to Feltz!"
"Reported KIA."
"Hah!"
Isaac slumped into his chair.
Prince Eldric was equally stunned.
"Royal direct troops...? You mean the garrison at Elton?"
"Yes!"
"I thought they were pushovers. Who was the enemy commander?"
"Young general named Als Ilrain!"
"......?"
Prince Eldric furrowed his brow at the nagging sense of familiarity.
"Als? I've heard that name somewhere..."
Recalling Caliper figures one by one, he quickly remembered: the boy who had pierced his defenses at Duke Salleon's estate long ago.
He hurriedly checked the details and confirmed it.
"That kid's a general now!?"
Even he hadn't anticipated this. Who would believe that young boy was now a general?
He'd heard Caliper appointed a cadet as general, but the talk centered on the king's senility, with little on the appointee.
So the name Ilrain hadn't rung a bell back then.
They say you realize after it's too late. Eldric finally recalled Als.
'I thought he had potential, but...'
Eldric felt deep interest in Als.
The extraordinary boy from back then had blossomed, stirring excitement in his chest.
'I want him on my side, no matter what.'
He'd made a polite recruitment offer before, but now he was done choosing means.
Capture as prisoner first, then persuade.
With that decided, Eldric gathered his subordinates and issued one order.
*
*
*
The pursuing Caliper forces likewise converged near Setes Crossroads.
West, southwest, and south armies assembled, facing off against Vulang's host.
110,000 versus 110,000.
Grand General Altiore Salleon immediately convened a war council, summoning key officers.
After chatting with Olaf, who had headed west, I leisurely made my way to the meeting. As a royal direct general, I had leeway in such matters.
"Sorry I'm late."
I wanted to take a back seat, but hierarchy prevented it. I sat in one of the empty spots at the head table.
No sooner had I sat than Altiore spoke.
"I heard. Excellent results, they say?"
"Just luck."
"Luck?"
"Battlefield developments depend partly on chance."
"Hah, no need for false modesty. I've seen the detailed report. It was a strategy worthy of praise."
"...You're too kind."
The other officers' gazes toward me had shifted.
Duke Helian shrugged as if to say, 'Don't overdo it, or there might be trouble again.'
'Well, it's out of my hands from here.'
The most I could command was 10,000 at best.
Fine for skirmishes, but pulling off feats in a clash of 100,000-plus armies was another story.
"Duke, what's the capital's stance on this?"
Helian groaned at my question.
"It's ambiguous. Her Majesty is fine letting Vulang go to minimize our losses, but Prince Abilan thinks otherwise."
Abilan was the king's eldest son and heir.
No greenhorn, either. Given the king's age, the prince was 61—quite old.
"Can't just send invaders who ravaged our land packing empty-handed. Hence the no-quarter order."
"But a head-on clash carries risks. Especially here at Setes Crossroads."
The site where I'd crushed the Madon Army.
Flat plains, no terrain features. Any battle would be a full-frontal slugfest. Heavy casualties on both sides inevitable.
"True. So, one engagement then pull back. What do you think, Duke Altiore?"
"...I see. A show of force, then? You've turned politician, Regnat. Where's that youthful fire?"
"Haha, you're embarrassing me. Still, to save face and gain profit, this seems most efficient. One good clash, then send them off."
Altiore nodded.
"So be it. In that case, make the decisive clash quick. Strike at dawn tomorrow, withdraw by noon at latest. Other orders during battle. Understood?"
"Yes, General!"
Caliper forces prepared for engagement.
I felt an odd unease but, unable to pinpoint it, brushed it off.
Returning to my tent, I faced an unexpected scene.
"That's why I say we can't deal with Europan humans!"
"Is that rich, coming from Toonkai who invaded Bekavia on this perfect chance?"
Olaf and Lisitea arguing. The usually slick Olaf was uncharacteristically furious.
"What are you doing in my tent?"
Olaf sighed softly at my question.
"Just reporting on new unit assignments. Lisitea tagged along."
"Not tagging! Wade, I have a question. This massive war—did you orchestrate it?"
Lisitea apparently thought this tail-chasing war was my design.
"No. Crossing probably isn't involved. Vulang fired the starting shot, and Europa impulsively jumped in, triggered. They must really hate Toonkai, charging in like they were waiting."
"See!"
Olaf whistled nonchalantly under Lisitea's glare.
"If that's all, head back? Engagement at dawn tomorrow. Rest up."
"Engagement? Not pursuing fully?"
"That'd be most efficient, but it'd drag the war out needlessly. One token clash, then withdraw."
"Bit disappointing. Ending without doing much. Gaspar apparently shone over there."
"Yeah, Eo's all fired up from it."
"Haha, same as ever."
After sending them off, I decided to check on Eonia's side.
Eo was outside the tent.
She growled at Gaspar roasting wild game over a fire.
"So, that guy's basically my kill!"
"Khahat! Enough with the excuses, rookie miss. I took Christian Feltz's head. Merit goes to me, naturally."
"I stabbed his shoulder!"
"Proof? Oh, none? Then shut it."
"You...!"
I sighed.
I lightly tapped Eo's head.
"Cut it out."
"Ah, Lord Als!?"
"I've told you repeatedly: no fighting over merits with comrades. Keep it up, and I won't take you to the field anymore."
Damn, childish words slipped out. Like threatening to take a kid's toy.
But it worked instantly on Eo; she apologized to Gaspar right away. He laughed heartily.
I sat across from Gaspar. Aegert, beside him, offered me a leg roast.
"Want some, refined general? Fresh off the fire!"
"Not really. You eat plenty."
I tossed dry wood on the fire and spoke to Gaspar.
"...Heard? Seems beastkin units in the western army. Probably Dielrum's horde."
"Oh ho, out in the open at last. Guderian must be at the vanguard."
"What do you think'll happen."
"The war's outcome? ...Or after."
"After."
Gaspar's face hardened.
"It'll be chaos. Dielrum's lot leaves mountains of corpses. Soldiers and civilians alike, no exceptions. Massacres too gruesome to speak of."
"That'll worsen the beastkin's position further."
"They figure it can't get worse."
"Tough."
I'd long pondered the beastkin issue. Words alone wouldn't fix it now; action was needed.
If Dielrum's horde went on a rampage, it'd complicate things more.
"To fix it, need a leader to guide the beastkin right. Gaspar, anyone come to mind?"
"None."
Instant reply.
"A few harbored such ideals, but Dielrum purged them all. Again, Als: Dielrum doesn't negotiate. Guderian's a slight exception."
"Sigh!"
Turning back the beastkin's hearts required a charismatic leader.
Olaf would be ideal if beastkin, but as human, limits.
'Then where to find one?'
Continent's beastkin were in the same boat. Hard to find suitable leaders.
Impossible unless going to another world.
*
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*
Next day.
We advanced at dawn's first light.
"Uooooh!"
Our army pressed forward with disciplined roars.
The enemy, anticipating somewhat, quickly formed up.
Once close enough, a brief pause for prep began.
Soldiers wolfed down pre-issued rations, readying for battle; officers did final checks.
Assigned to the right flank, I chewed the jerky Eo made, eyeing the enemy lines.
'What is it? This weird unease since yesterday.'
I'd started sensing it lately.
Since the life-or-death duel with Fisher Partin.
Instinct sharpened, perhaps. Feeling things my head couldn't grasp.
'Am I awakening as an instinct type too?'
Maybe picked it up unconsciously from Jurass.
I laughed it off, awaiting the clash.
Prep finally done.
"Charge! Advance!"
At Grand General Altiore's command, our lines surged. Vulang archers loosed arrows in harassment.
Our infantry calmly raised shields, closing distance and engaging.
I slowly pushed my unit forward with the center's advance.
That's when the anomaly struck.
Boom! Infantry burst from the enemy's left flank. Forces led by Liser Haldras and protagonist Cassius Lloyd charged straight at my position.