Chapter 61
Chapter 61
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 61
Chapter Title: Kara Siege Final Battle (1)
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With Kara's two victories, the Lobros army was burdened with heavy pressure.
The first burden was the shrinking gap in forces. The damage from Lobros's two defeats amounted to about 1,400 dead and 4,600 wounded. Among the wounded, around 2,000 were classified as unfit for combat or requiring long-term recovery and sent to the rear, so the actual loss in combat strength was roughly 3,400 men.
As a result, the current Lobros forces hovered around 55,000, nearly erasing the gains from Hussein and Alf rallying local Sika tribe members.
The second issue was the plummeting morale. The fact that Kara had used the dreaded Yorgant Flame, known across the land as a weapon of terror, combined with unknown new weapons inflicting massive casualties—this instilled an overwhelming fear of the unknown.
The third was the wavering Sika tribe coalition. While the Lobros army could simply retreat if defeated, the Sika tribal lords faced extermination at Kara's hands. It was only natural they'd start having second thoughts.
"Alf's tribal lord has sent an envoy!"
I didn't even snort at the messenger's report. How could I trust a guy threatening betrayal four times? Our boys needed feeding anyway, so we'd just use him as fodder.
"I'm swamped here~. Just send him packing. This isn't some civilian business deal—people need a conscience, right? How many times back and forth? Tell him to stick to one path from now on."
"Understood."
After sending off the messenger, I threw myself back into event preparations.
Tonight was the memorial rite for Kara's fallen in the war. It was a major event, most effective tonight, so I had to prepare it meticulously without a hitch.
I plucked a single hair and flicked it into the sky. Riding a gentle breeze, it drifted slowly westward. A perfect east wind.
"Prepare the sky lanterns."
Sky lanterns were a traditional folk game from the Eastern Continent, used in various events. The sight of flames floating heavenward evoked souls ascending, making them common in memorial rites.
The only issue was that Prosia Continent folk didn't know what sky lanterns were yet. They were first introduced by Eastern Continent refugees who fled to the Prasias Continent by ship during the Age of Ruin.
"Launch them now!"
At my command, citizens gathered near the west wall lit small candles. Soon, sky lanterns bobbed up one by one, drifting slowly westward across the heavens.
"Whoa~."
The spectacle of thousands upon thousands of lanterns drew awed gazes skyward. Some climbed the wall stairs, craning their necks; others mourned the dead with prayers, fitting the occasion.
All in all, the sky lantern release was a profoundly meaningful event, consoling war-weary citizens.
But not for the Lobros soldiers.
The fiery swarm blotting the sky filled them with terror, prompting full alert. They mistook it for a new Kara weapon targeting them.
And by sheer coincidence, it turned out to be exactly that. Some ignited lanterns drifted into the Prosia army camp, torching several tents.
Afterward, the Lobros army tried every trick to seize Kara, but all failed.
They first tried blocking underground aqueducts to cut off water, but countless natural channels from Kara Lake ran beneath the city, rendering it futile. The wells never ran dry.
They assembled commandos for a nighttime stealth assault, but they fell straight into our traps, killed or captured. Armida sis has sharp senses, after all.
They even used infiltrated spies to torch granaries, but with volunteers layered in defenses, they were spotted and arrested on the spot.
Meanwhile, our forces grew daily. Patriots portaling in to defend national sovereignty, commoners lured by promises of at least 12th-class nobility—everyone was enlisting as volunteers.
Thanks to that, Kara's volunteers now numbered 26,000. Not elite, but backed by Kara's vast production, they were all heavily armed in iron plate armor.
'Add the regulars, and that's over 60,000?'
Numerically, we now outmatched Marquis Fabius's army. Sure, our elite quality lagged, but we had tall walls. As long as we didn't sally out for open battle, we held absolute advantage.
The only concern was if Lobros opted for a prolonged siege. We had ample harvested grain from autumn, but we couldn't hold out over a year like this. Population was rising, and wartime rations per person had spiked.
By then, though, we could probably risk open battle. Warriors kept increasing, and militia training was steadily improving quality.
To that end, I sent magic communiqués threatening all Great Desert tribal lords and key nobles.
The message was crystal clear.
Kara's forces now exceeded 60,000. Upon victory in this siege, we'd launch bloody reprisals against Great Desert coastal powers cooperating with Lobros Kingdom, and Sika groups aiding the Kara assault, starting with Braam annihilation.
Honestly, though, it was more friendly gesture than threat. Reprisals targeted only Lobros-allied Sika factions; the rest were safe.
In the end, my intimidation worked. Kara grew stronger. Unable to foresee victory, desert elites bought insurance for their positions—secretly sending reinforcements.
"Report! Major military movements in the Lobros camp. Commander Akam requests your confirmation."
Early evening. At the urgent messenger's word, Padila and I headed to the central west turret. Akam hurried down the stairs to brief me upon my arrival.
"The entire Lobros army is mobilizing now."
"Really?"
"Yes. It looks extremely ominous."
From the turret, I eyed the Lobros camp, my eyelids twitching. Akam was right—it was dire. Tens of thousands massed before the camp, forming ranks. Front tents were dismantled for space.
"Looks like a night mass assault's coming."
"As expected..."
"Commander Akam, alert everyone: full combat readiness. This is all-out war between us. The winner here claims victory in the Kara siege."
"Yes, sir!"
Akam dispatched messengers to every unit.
I gazed steadily at the Lobros camp.
'That bald geezer. He could just retreat, but he's forcing a fight.'
Kara's forces were steadily strengthening. Recent tacit support from mid-tier desert powers pushed us to 67,000, with training boosting elite quality.
Lobros faced a choice: strike before we grew stronger or withdraw.
Marquis Fabius chose attack. The king's near-hysterical orders left him no choice, but I inwardly pitied him.
War's best won without fighting, after all.
But now it was on. We'd block this Lobros push with everything we had.
"Human. The enemy launches a full assault?"
The first commander to reach the central turret was Uncle Jenbe.
"Yeah, seems so."
Jenbe eyed the Lobros center gravely.
"Fabius Marquis coming too?"
"Yep. That guy's definitely showing."
"Where do you think?"
"Dunno. Probably Shura's Second Army defense zone."
"How so sure?"
I shrugged.
"It's what everyone least wants attacked. Think the geezer went bald for nothing? Shouldered all the tough jobs, lost his hair from the stress."
"Hm. Makes sense. Got it. Heading to left defense now."
Left defense was Shura's sector. Uncle Jenbe would face Fabius after all.
"Go easy."
"Don't worry."
"And tell Count Hicks en route to bring the Josrahim Empire knights. Baldie's favorite tactic is knight charges."
"They're probably there already. Your girlfriend's fanboys."
True enough. Count Hicks guarded Shura like precious treasure.
"Fair point."
As Uncle Jenbe left, I signaled Nazir and Bayan for combat readiness.
All-out war meant deploying full strength. Victory here would launch a massive counteroffensive to end the war.
I had zero intention of dragging this out.
Fail to crush Lobros in one go, and I'd fall to Duke Bastain's strategies.
To nab the duke, strike relentlessly, denying response time.
Sunset brought a distant sea of torches surging. Chilling scale—but ours was larger. Lobros troops likely felt the same dread.
Dong, dong-dong, dong.
Drums heralded the military band's march. The torch wave crept toward Kara walls.
Battle was joined.
From my subspace pouch, I pulled the No. 3 survival kit mana cannon launcher and handed it to Padila.
"Padila, give it your all tonight. This battle decides the war. Win, and we claim half the Great Desert at least."
"Yes, sir."
Padila gripped the mana cannon tight. I eyed the bundled magic lantern, then stowed it back.
Activated, it'd light a 100m radius for easy defense—but might lure Fabius, mistaking it for Dalahan's glow.
Blind berserkers charging ahead; better avoid misconceptions.
"Master. We're here."
Nazir and Bayan arrived with troops. Kasim's Fifth Army followed. I ordered them to hug the right wall, fully prepped.
Shieeeek! Boom!
A massive boulder arced over, smashing a temple inside. As it crumbled, I smirked. Earth god's temple. Ironic for earth-faithful Prosia folk to wreck it unknowingly.
Few casualties expected. Most sheltered in bunkers I'd ordered dug citywide pre-war for civilians.
Unless some faithful priest guarded it—but that's on them. Die honorably for faith? Their fate.
Pew-pew-pew! Boom! Shieeeek!
Our siege towers and catapults fired back. Torch-shadowed silhouettes meant poor accuracy, but damage dotted both sides.
Soon, a boom shook the earth. Nearby wall hit. Minor cracks, but it stood firm.
Kara's soldiers truly blessed by ancestors. Walls tall, long, unyieldingly sturdy. Average boulders barely scratched them.
Ancestors just blew fortunes on them, aiding descendants now.
Bwoooo~.
As catapult duel eased, Lobros horns blared. Mass charge began.
Soon, enemy shadows crossed the moat. I gave the order.
"Loose arrows without mercy—fire at will!"
Arrow storms rained between lines. Turrets bristled with shafts; incendiaries smoldered.
Soldiers doused flames as bridges spanned the moat. Lobros siege gear poured in. Ladders hooked walls; foes endlessly scaled.
"Douse 'em with oil and Loran's poison mist!"
At my word, Yorgant Flame and Loran's poison rained down. Screams of burning men and acrid smoke filled the air, yet Lobros surged like furious waves.