Chapter 116
Chapter 116
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 116
Chapter Title: First Full-Scale Battle (2)
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The supreme commander of the Free Isirian Kingdom's army marching south to confront the Philius Imperial Army was the 5th Field Marshal, Marquis Lanins.
"The Philius Imperial Army has established a camp ahead, Your Excellency Marshal."
A senior officer from the command staff reported in a calm voice. He pointed toward the forest beyond with his baton. The dense trees blocked the view far ahead, but it was clear from his report that the Philius Imperial Army was somewhere out there.
5th Field Marshal Marquis Lanins kept his eyes fixed on the thickly wooded front for a long while. When he finally turned away, another senior officer approached and handed over a report.
After breaking the seal and scrutinizing the document, Marquis Lanins let out a heavy sigh with a hardened expression.
"What is it, Your Excellency?"
"Read it, adjutant. It's a reconnaissance report on the Philius Imperial Army's camp construction."
"Excuse me."
The adjutant took the report from Marquis Lanins and quickly scanned it. Soon enough, he understood why the marquis had sighed.
"The Philius Imperial Army's camp construction is progressing far too quickly."
"Indeed, adjutant. It's an unnaturally fast pace, as if they've mobilized dwarves."
In the worldview of the novel Empire of the Dead, mages were deployed for construction, making camp setups inherently swift. But if the report was accurate, this speed was abnormally fast.
It was so irregular that even magic couldn't fully explain it, enough to raise suspicions of dwarven involvement—dwarves renowned as masters of construction.
Dwarves? You mean the different races?
"Yes, adjutant."
"I believe that's impossible, Your Excellency. After the Great War devastated the dwarven kingdom, didn't they scatter into clans, fleeing to mountains and caves? These days, even finding their shadows is difficult."
The adjutant didn't mention it, but the Free Isirian Kingdom had once searched for dwarves to fortify border fortresses. The effort ended without a trace, a fact known to 5th Field Marshal Marquis Lanins as well.
"Nothing is impossible in this world, adjutant."
These were orders from his superior. The adjutant held back from delving deeper, though deep down he disagreed. Of course, he didn't show it.
"It seems we need to issue the advance order."
"Your Excellency! The army isn't fully prepared yet."
The adjutant startled at Marquis Lanins's near-mutter and tried to dissuade him. Most of the mercenaries assembled here for the Free Isirian Kingdom's army were exhausted.
Originally, Elpis was supposed to control the monsters to prevent attacks on the army, but her death had thrown those plans into disarray. Monster raids continued, piling up battle fatigue on the Free Isirian forces.
In short, the 20,000 troops needed rest right now. Yet 5th Field Marshal Marquis Lanins was about to order an advance.
"Your Excellency, please reconsider."
"The troops' fatigue is high. This is the time for rest."
Other commanders cautiously voiced opposition, but Marquis Lanins remained resolute.
"My decision stands. We must attack before they complete their fortress and disrupt their formation!"
The adjutant barely suppressed a despairing sigh at the sight. He'd heard rumors that Marquis Lanins was a parachute appointment via connections and hot-tempered, but he hadn't expected it to be this bad.
"Your Excellency! Please, reconsider!"
"Dare you defy the Marshal's Staff? Guards, seize this man!"
As the adjutant persisted, Marquis Lanins lost his temper and summoned the marshal's guard.
Guards in gleaming iron breastplates appeared and bound the adjutant. He screamed and resisted, only to receive merciless beatings.
"Guh... kuhk!"
The commanders who had raised objections fell silent at the sight of the half-dead adjutant being dragged away.
"Second Adjutant!"
"Yes! Your Excellency!"
"You're in charge now. Reform the army's formation and advance on the Philius Imperial Army. No more objections."
It was outright dictatorship, but fear of the guards' beatings and dismissals kept the commanders quiet.
"I'll dispatch messengers to relay Your Excellency's orders to each legion."
A terrified senior commander stepped forward hastily. Marquis Lanins nodded with a satisfied smile, and the officer immediately called in messengers to relay the command.
Soon, the messengers spread Marquis Lanins's orders. Though exhausted, the troops slowly began advancing toward the Philius Imperial Army.
The Free Isirian Kingdom's army consisted mostly of long-term contracted mercenaries, but the central command's officers held strong authority, leaving mercenary legion commanders unable to defy the 5th Marshal.
"Forward, forward!"
The mercenaries marched in step. Harassed by monsters, they were weary, but their steps brimmed with confidence.
"What scale for the scouts, sir?"
A senior commander asked cautiously. In their haste from repeated urgings, they hadn't sent scouts ahead.
"No time. Send only the existing scout units."
"Will that be alright? The current scouts are few and worn out from extended reconnaissance."
"They're pouring all their effort into the camp right now. No need for more scouts."
The Philius Imperial Army's construction speed was abnormal. Believing they'd committed everything to it, Marquis Lanins opted for minimal scouts to boost advance speed.
"Understood. We'll increase marching pace."
The command staff accepted. As a influential figure in the Free Isirian military, and with the guards creating a climate of fear, opposition was nil.
Besides, his plan wasn't utterly foolish, which helped. Some commanders shared his worry about the Philius defenses completing.
Thus, the Free Isirian army advanced with minimal scouts, watched by elven eyes.
"Commander Selethin. The ranger unit is ready."
"Not yet. Relay hold position."
The long golden-haired male elf in leather armor, Ranger Commander Selethin, replied calmly. His rangers nodded and passed the order.
"Attack when they push deep inside."
The wait wasn't long. The Free Isirian advance was swift, soon passing Selethin's mark. Their few scouts missed the deliberately hidden elves.
"Commander. They've crossed the line."
"Commence attack."
At Selethin's calm order, the waiting elf rangers loosed their bowstrings in unison.
Arrows rained down on the Free Isirian mercenaries like a downpour.
"Arrrgh!"
"E-enemy attack!"
Mercenaries screamed in agony amid the arrow storm, collapsing in droves. Hundreds died instantly, the rear suffering worst.
"Counterattack!"
"Spot the enemy!"
Commanders bellowed. Mercenary archers fired back at the treetops.
Mages cast defenses or summoned flames to incinerate whole trees. Seasoned mercenaries reacted swiftly, but the elf rangers were faster.
After unleashing volleys, the elves successfully withdrew.
"Pursue them!"
5th Field Marshal Marquis Lanins roared furiously. His voice dripped with rage. Aware of his parachute status, he needed merits here. Defeat in the first battle was unthinkable.
The Free Isirian army pursued, but couldn't match elves who roamed mountains and forests like home.
"The enemy is too fast!"
"Vanguard reports pursuit failure too!"
Despairing reports poured in.
"Damn it all!"
Marquis Lanins cursed.
This would mean sending a defeat report to HQ. Losing the first battle against Philius would brand him parachute forever. That desperation fueled his impatience.
"Send the knights and cavalry first! Mounted forces will surely catch them!"
"But, Your Excellency! Isolated cavalry cut from main force will suffer heavy losses!"
"Guards! Seize him!"
At Marquis Lanins's shout, the marshal's guards acted. Another commander was bound and dragged off.
When parachute Lanins became marshal via connections as vanguard leader, concerns and opposition abounded.
HQ silenced them by assigning wise mid-level commanders, but they overlooked one thing: the 5th Marshal's personal guard.
These guards obeyed only the 5th Marshal, instilling terror and rendering the wise commanders pointless.
"Cavalry... we'll deploy."
Of the vanguard 20,000's 4,000 cavalry, 2,000 sortied in pursuit.
"Enemy cavalry 2,000 detached from main to pursue elf rangers."
"As expected... Just as Grand Marshal predicted."
At the messenger's report, Imperial Army senior commander Cassius muttered in deep admiration. Raymond nodded with a satisfied smile.
"Annihilate the enemy cavalry!"
The Philius Imperial Army sortied. Informed elf rangers halted retreat, turned, and showered the cavalry with arrows.
"Arrrgh!"
"Uwaaak!"
Knight and cavalry screams echoed as they fell.
"Counter!"
"Captain! We're surrounded!"
"What?"
Realizing encirclement came too late. Arrows rained endlessly from above, distant hoofbeats growing to thunder shaking earth and sky.
"Philius Imperial knights!"
Knight orders arrived first. Arrows ceased, but heavily armored knights charged with lances and shields.
"Reform ranks!"
They'd just endured focused fire; no quick reform.
Belated mercenary mages scattered spells, but few and unfocused, failing to halt the Philius knights.
"Long live Philius Empire!"
"Victory's glory to His Majesty the Emperor!"
Unlike weary Free Isirians, Philius morale soared. They swept forward chanting empire and emperor.
"Arrrgh!"
Unformed lines crumbled, incomplete phalanxes shattered. Philius knights pierced deep, slaughtering commanders; cavalry teetered on annihilation.
"Retreat! Fall back!"
The commander, bereft of knights, ordered retreat hastily—but Philius infantry awaited.
"Long live His Majesty the Emperor!"
"Long live Philius Empire!"
Earth-shaking cheers and hundreds of spears and blades ahead signaled their doom: fully encircled.
"Commander! What now?"
"Completely surrounded!"
What to do? The commander pondered fruitlessly as Philius mages unleashed spells.
In the hellish melee, the surviving 500 cavalry crumbled under assault, annihilated in 30 minutes. The minor victory reported instantly to the Emperor, Raymond.
"Your Majesty. We have won."
Cheers erupted in command, but Raymond remained composed. Rising from the stiff wooden chair, he spoke.
"The war is far from over."