Chapter 62
Chapter 62
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 62
Chapter Title: Kara Siege Battle Final Battle (2)
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“Uwaaaagh!”
The battle had already devolved into a chaotic melee. Countless Robros soldiers plummeted from the walls after being struck by arrows and flails, yet they climbed back up without a care, clashing in close combat with Kara's troops.
The most threatening enemy forces were the mercenaries. They had mainly scaled the left wall, inflicting heavy casualties on our side with their seasoned skills.
Thank goodness Count Hicks's Yosrahim Knight Order and Uncle Jenbe's mercenaries were providing support—otherwise, the walls would have been breached long ago.
“Hmm. Their training is still lacking, as expected. But what can you do? We didn't have the time.”
The central section was somewhat precarious too. The Fourth Army, led by Arkham with his experience in defensive battles, was in charge there, yet they were showing unexpected signs of unease.
The reason was that the Robros knights had pierced through at a single point, opening a path.
It seemed the central assault was being led by Robros's regular army.
Fortunately, the right wall, held by Commander Razal's First Army, was putting up a surprisingly strong defense. They were holding firm against the Sika tribal coalition that had joined the Robros forces, not yielding an inch.
The experience gained from hunting beasts over the past months, combined with the sense of crisis from the creation of the other armies, seemed to have elevated them a step further. It was worth all those months of drilling.
'See? They can do it if they try.'
The First Army under Commander Razal had only lacked resolve; their inherent skills were excellent across the board. Born into warrior families, they'd trained in martial arts consistently since childhood. If they put their minds to it, few forces were as reliable as the First Army.
“Attack! Push into the castle!”
A Robros knight who had successfully scaled the wall bellowed as he tried to enter the inner keep, only to freeze mid-step. He'd spotted our volunteer militia on the other side of the wall.
Though not elite, they were all heavy infantry.
Seeing them arrayed in a dense porcupine formation of spears aimed at the descending Robros troops, no knight would dare charge in. Soon, that knight was shoved off the wall by our mana swordsmen and soldiers.
We clearly held the numerical advantage. Overall numbers favored us, and in the close-quarters fights, our superiority from defending the walls was overwhelming.
Pew. Pew.
Padilla pulled the trigger on her mana cannon, demonstrating for the other soldiers. This battle would decide Kara's fate. She wasn't just some lord's daughter or a woman to be protected.
Padilla fought the Robros army with even greater aggression than before.
That was when it happened. The battlements suddenly broke open as a group scaled the wall. With concise, razor-sharp movements, they massacred the defending troops unilaterally and advanced swiftly toward the central turret.
I fixed my gaze on the silver-haired middle-aged man at the forefront of the group. He was fairly burly, and his swinging sword bore an Aura Blade about 30 cm long.
'Count Burto?'
Count Burto was one of Marquis Fabius's closest aides and currently a mid-level Master swordsman. The guy loved his booze, so in the previous era, we'd often shared drinks. Who would've thought we'd meet like this today.
“Padilla, fall back.”
“Pardon?”
“Now!”
I moved Padilla behind the turret. No need to draw Count Burto's attention to her.
I led the assembled Sika tribe mana swordsmen forward.
“Everyone, make way! You won't accomplish anything fighting them.”
At my command, Kara's soldiers retreated, and Count Burto approached with his knights, a grin filling his face.
“You're the White Mask, aren't you?”
“That's me.”
“Heh. Marquis Fabius mentioned you. Said you had the guts to mock him as a baldhead. Nice to finally see you.”
“The count's the one sneaking in 'baldhead' digs? Got a grudge against the old man's bald spot? I'll tell him later.”
“No need. You'll die by my hand today.”
I drew Yojjo, manifesting a 40 cm Aura Blade.
“It won't be that easy.”
Count Burto narrowed his eyes, feigning surprise.
“White Mask, aren't you just a low-level Master?”
“I've been growing fast. Day by day.”
“You're a dangerous one.”
At that moment, a cavalry group charged rapidly from the distant plains toward the western wall. They advanced in wedge formation and, upon reaching the wall, leaped up with agile movements, swinging their swords ferociously.
“Looks like this bald old man and his cronies have arrived.”
“Yes. You're finished now.”
“No worries. I've got Uncle Jenbe and Count Hicks's Yosrahim Imperial Knights waiting over there.”
Count Burto's eyes widened. Uncle Jenbe and Count Hicks were among the few swordsmen who could match Marquis Fabius.
Uncle Jenbe in particular was so strong he could face the marquis alone without a clear winner.
Even simple arithmetic showed Marquis Fabius at a disadvantage.
“H-how did you know?”
“Who knows? Maybe I've got great foresight, or someone on your side leaked the info.”
I gave a vague answer to sow confusion in Count Burto.
'There's a traitor in your ranks leaking top military secrets to the enemy.'
It was enough to plant doubt. If that traitor caused Marquis Fabius to fall into a trap, the Robros expeditionary force would be done for.
“You bastard! Who is the traitor?!”
Count Burto charged at me in fury.
I focused my mind and blocked his strike. Yojjo flowed like water, striking back in rapid succession. Amid the scattering Aura bursts, fierce fighting erupted between Burto's Robros knights and the Sika mana swordsmen.
It was evenly matched. The Robros knights excelled in coordinated assaults, but the Sika mana swordsmen, composed solely of elite individuals, boasted superior personal prowess.
As time passed, however, the Sika mana swordsmen began to gain the upper hand. Our leaders held the edge.
Count Burto wasn't just outmatched in skill; his composure had shattered too. He was no match for me.
“The traitor's your king. Hahaha!”
My taunt only fueled his rage further. He might despise the king himself, but hearing mockery from an enemy like me wouldn't sit well.
“You vile brigand! Die!”
The agitated Count Burto's sword wavered slightly. A tiny difference, but in a duel between Masters, it was bigger than a mountain. I parried his flurry of strikes, seizing an opening to ram my shoulder into his chest.
Burto flew back from the solid hit. He struggled to his feet, but my relentless attacks drove him to the parapet, his back slamming against it.
As I advanced with Yojjo raised, a helmeted Robros knight hurled himself to block my path.
“Libero, no!”
At Count Burto's desperate cry, I shifted from a bisecting slash to an arm strike, knocking the knight out with a blow to the head.
I knew Libero too. In his past life, he'd died in the Folkin Pass siege alongside Count Burto. He'd occasionally joined our drinking sessions.
I glanced at the unconscious Libero.
“Heh. You're lucky.”
Count Burto sprang up, glaring at me.
“Why spare Libero?”
Because he was a drinking buddy. Even as enemies, killing someone you'd shared meals with wasn't easy.
“He's a good son. How could I ruthlessly kill a boy throwing himself for his father? Especially in front of him.”
“How did you know Libero's my son?”
“You're the expedition's vice-commander. I make it my business to know that much.”
Count Burto gripped his sword hilt tightly.
“Regardless, I owe you. Even if we take Kara, I'll ensure no plundering.”
With that, he unleashed sharper strikes. I blocked with Yojjo, clicking my tongue at the weight on my wrist.
“Tch. Can't you just repay me personally?”
“It's not that big a debt. We need to capture you to win.”
What did this guy care about Kara and me? Trying to repay a personal favor to Kara made no sense. Debts to walking, talking humans were pointless anyway.
Clang. Clash! Clash!
Visibly, Count Burto's sword had sharpened. He seemed to mistake me for some honorable warrior and was fighting all-out.
But little had changed. I still held the advantage.
He'd regained his cool, but his killing intent had waned sharply—almost as if he'd spare me if he got the upper hand.
Whether rage or hesitation, both crippled his performance equally. He was still fighting at a psychological disadvantage.
Slash.
Burto's sword grazed past my hair. It looked like a close shave, but I'd dodged with deliberate margin. I closed in instantly, driving my knee hard into his gut.
Reeling from the impact, he staggered back several steps, losing balance. He stayed upright thanks to the parapet, but couldn't stop coughing violently.
“Urk. White Mask, the marquis was right—you're strong.”
“So surrender. Or just retreat.”
Regaining his breath with effort, the count raised his longsword with all his might.
“Not a chance. We must take Kara to prove our loyalty to His Majesty.”
I chuckled. The Robros king must have hounded him relentlessly for such words to escape his lips.
Time to execute Plan A.
The ultimate goal of this war was the Robros king's head. With capable men like this shackled by 'loyalty,' the root cause—the king—had to go.
For my dream of extended life, the old Robros king needed to bow out now. He'd lived enough; no regrets in dying.
“How long will that loyalty last, I wonder?”
“What?”
“You'll find out later.”
I swung Yojjo fiercely, pressing Count Burto. He gritted his teeth and endured, but my merciless attacks forced him back toward the battlements.
“Urk!”
In the close exchange, Yojjo nicked his left shoulder, drawing blood. Not a deep wound, but it showed his desperation. Soon, I inflicted minor cuts on his waist and thigh, then swept his legs with a kick, forcing him to his knees.
It was one-sided. I was ahead in realm and far superior in combat experience, while he couldn't perform at full due to the psychological burden of the 'favor.'
Soon, my knee smashed into his face, sending him tumbling across the ground.
“Count!”
Amid his knights' desperate cries, Count Burto staggered up. But I charged, swinging Yojjo wildly, knocking him down again.
When I kicked his chest, the impact hurled him over the battlements. A thud echoed below as I peered down.
The fall had left him nearly unconscious.
I leaped down, landing and slashing through the nearby siege troops. Walking over smoldering earth, I approached the count.
“Count Burto, still alive?”
He groaned, lifting his upper body and reaching for his sword—only to take a kick to the head and collapse.
I hoisted the unconscious Count Burto onto my back. He was essential for my future plans; killing him here would be a waste.
I quickly climbed a nearby ladder back to the battlements with him.
“White Mask has captured Count Burto!”
Soon, news of my victory spread across the entire front. I'd sent runners to inform everyone.
Count Burto was the Robros expedition's vice-commander. Capturing him warranted quick announcement for morale, even if it felt a bit boastful.
[Kara Siege Battle Final Battle (2)] End