Chapter 124
Chapter 124
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 124
Chapter Title: Chapter 42: Blitzkrieg (1)
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"The Royal Army has mobilized."
A commander dressed in the uniform of the Free Isirian Kingdom Army reported in a calm voice. Seated before him was the Fifth Field Marshal, Marquis Lanins.
Despite repeated major defeats, he had not yet been relieved of command. It wasn't due to some powerful backer propping him up from behind.
The successor field marshal-level commander hadn't arrived at the front lines yet, so Marquis Lanins was still in charge of the vanguard forces.
"It's not just the Royal Army coming, is it?"
"Private troops from the southern lords are coming along as well."
"Then we're safe. Our forces just need to hold the line here until reinforcements arrive."
A sharp smile spread across Marquis Lanins's lips. He harbored grand plans to maintain the front as best he could—or better yet, rack up some achievements—to minimize the army's punishment.
With dismissal inevitable after so many losses, his aim was simply to lighten the inevitable blame and penalties that would follow.
The commander standing before him fell silent at the sight.
He wanted to tell Marquis Lanins that holding the line here against the momentum-gaining Philius Imperial forces would be difficult with the Free Isirian Kingdom Army assembled in this spot, but he barely held his tongue.
"What's the current movement of the Philius Imperial Army?"
Marquis Lanins, who had been chuckling to himself for a while, finally looked at the commander and asked. The commander, who had been gazing at him with pity, quickly averted his eyes and spoke.
"No unusual activity has been observed for the past three days."
"Good. We just need to hold until the Royal Army arrives."
A smile crept across Marquis Lanins's face, but his brief happiness didn't last. Urgent footsteps approached, followed by a knock.
"A messenger!"
"Come in."
The commander answered in place of the still-chuckling Marquis Lanins. The door opened, and the messenger rushed in, dropping to one knee and lifting his head.
"Urgent dispatch! A force of 10,000 cavalry has sortied from the Philius Imperial Army camp and is charging straight for our position!"
The rough voice snapped Marquis Lanins out of his pleasant reverie. He jolted to his feet in shock at the sudden news of the attack.
"The Philius Imperial Army is attacking?"
"Yes! Forward scouts report they're charging ferociously toward our camp! They'll reach us in about 30 minutes!"
"Damn it! Sound the alarm and deploy troops immediately!"
"Yes, sir!"
The messenger and commander left the Fifth Field Marshal's office. Orders spread through messengers, and the Free Isirian Kingdom's soldiers sprang into action.
Archers climbed the palisades and watchtowers, while knights assembled up front in preparation for a breach.
"Philius Imperial Army up ahead!"
"I see the Emperor's banner!"
The Free Isirian Kingdom soldiers stirred at the sight of the Emperor's banner fluttering fiercely at the vanguard amid the harsh wind. They had suffered bitter defeats in several prior battles due to the Emperor and Imperial Army's involvement.
"Don't fear! They're cavalry, and we've got palisades!"
"Loose arrows! Keep them back!"
The knights encouraged the soldiers, and commanders issued orders. Archers atop the palisades and watchtowers unleashed a volley, but the Philius Empire's cavalry included elite mages from the Crimson Tower and Azure Tower.
A shield unfurled overhead, blocking the arrow rain completely.
"Mages!"
"Fear not! The iron gate has an inscribed defensive magic circle!"
"Keep firing!"
Raymond smirked at the Free Isirian Kingdom knights and soldiers screaming their defiance, then turned his head left. High Mage Desia rode right beside him.
"Desia. Blow that iron gate to hell."
"Yes, Your Imperial Majesty."
Casting advanced magic while mounted scattered one's focus, making it harder and more mana-intensive, but Desia extended her left hand toward the gate ahead without a word of complaint, her expression serene.
"Ice Storm."
⟨ Ice Storm ⟩
A low incantation escaped her lips, and blue mana howled to life. The mass of mana traced a azure arc toward the gate, erupting into a massive storm on impact.
Razor-sharp ice shards whipped about, shredding the sturdy iron gate inscribed with defensive magic like paper.
"Fire Cannon!"
"Lightning Spear!"
Fire Cannon & Lightning Spear
Crimson Tower & Azure Tower Mages
The barrage of follow-up spells from Crimson and Azure Tower mages slammed into the mangled gate. Unable to withstand the onslaught, it collapsed entirely.
"Charge! Break through their lines!"
Raymond shouted. Riding at the forefront, he unleashed a nonstop barrage of spells even as he galloped, intercepting archers on the palisades. The swordmage's unique magic, Supporter, spewed multicolored lights, cluttering the night sky.
"Aaaagh!"
"G-Ghost!"
The spherical magical orbs known as Supporters mercilessly struck down the archers on the palisades. Unlike knights or mages, the archers had no means to defend against magic and fell helplessly.
"Minimize engagements! Punch straight through the Free Isirian Kingdom Army camp!"
Raymond bellowed again.
"Hold them back!"
The Free Isirian Kingdom's knight order assembled. Cassius rode up beside Raymond and spoke.
"Your Imperial Majesty, that's the enemy command post ahead. Shall we strike it now?"
The knights had formed a defensive line for the command post, but with the cavalry detachment's strength under Raymond's command, they could break through and hit it.
Yet Raymond slowly shook his head.
"We won't attack the command post."
"Is that wise?"
"Yes. And honestly, I think leaving the Fifth Field Marshal alive will benefit us more."
Raymond curled his lips as he finished speaking. Sparing this incompetent commander was a little gift for Count Denitz lingering at the border.
"Punch through just like this."
"Raise the flag!"
At Raymond's order, Cassius relayed it to the standard bearer. The breakthrough signal flag rose, and the detachment—tasked with cleaving the enemy camp in two—accelerated further.
With the knights pulled to defend the command post, nothing else blocked their path. Thus, Raymond and the detachment successfully pierced the Free Isirian Kingdom Army camp.
Even after breaking through, they rode relentlessly to evade pursuit. By the time they finally halted, the early morning sun was rising.
"Your Imperial Majesty, shall we rest briefly?"
Cassius suggested. They'd ridden nonstop from just past midnight until dawn, and since Raymond wasn't a seasoned cavalryman, he figured rest was needed.
"Be honest with me, Sir Cassius. Does our force need rest right now?"
"Coldly speaking, no, not immediately."
"Then we move again. We'll rest once fatigue has built up further."
The success of this operation—which Count Denitz had dubbed a blitzkrieg—hinged on the mobility of the cavalry detachment Raymond led.
They had to breach the enemy lines as swiftly as possible, splitting and isolating their camp. Rest had to be minimized.
"Understood, Your Imperial Majesty."
Cassius replied. He seemed deeply moved by Raymond's initiative, his eyes sparkling.
The Emperor's will spread through Cassius to the Imperial Army. The pursuing Villiang and knight brigade followed suit. Upon receiving the Emperor's intent, they reaffirmed their loyalty to the Philius Empire and Imperial Family, urging the forced march onward.
"Your Imperial Majesty, please rest now. The troops' fatigue has accumulated significantly."
After marching another three hours without sleep through the night, Cassius cautiously approached to suggest rest again.
This was enemy territory. Considering potential ambushes, they needed to preserve minimal stamina for combat, making rest appropriate now.
Raymond nodded slowly and spoke.
"Very well. Order the entire force to rest."
"Yes, Your Imperial Majesty."
Cassius passed Raymond's orders to the messengers. The detachment—comprising the Imperial Army, knight brigade, and Philius Empire cavalry—formed a rest formation.
This wasn't a safe rear area but enemy territory deep beyond the vanguard. They had to remain vigilant for attacks at all times, maintaining the optimal defensive formation even at rest.
The break was short. This was enemy soil where pursuing noble private troops could catch up any moment. Prolonged rest was a luxury.
"We move out immediately."
Commanders rallied the weary soldiers, and the forced march resumed.
With minimal rests, the detachment pressed on, finally fully piercing Marquis Ireiser's domain.
"We'll establish a new front line here. While ensuring Marquis Kreier's 10,000 troops can reach this point, we'll harass the rear of the Free Isirian Kingdom Army's vanguard front."
From that day, the detachment's rear harassment began. Split into smaller groups, the 10,000-strong cavalry force struck supply units in Marquis Ireiser's domain, annihilated key scout posts, and waged guerrilla warfare.
Unable to endure it, the Ireiser domain army command withdrew some vanguard troops to defend the territory.
This allowed Marquis Kreier and the northeastern nobles' 10,000 troops to pass through Ireiser's domain and link up with Raymond's waiting forces at the border with Count Gisphil's territory.
Raymond positioned the 10,000 troops Marquis Kreier brought at the rear of Ireiser's domain—along the border with Count Gisphil's territory—to form a front line. Now, Ireiser's marquisate and two counties were cut off from their rear.
"Prepare a magical communication link with Count Denitz."
"Yes, Your Imperial Majesty."
At Raymond's order, Desia replied softly and hurried to set it up.
Soon it was ready, and Raymond sat before the communication orb. His body felt light with excitement at the prospect of quickly reporting the rear blockade of Ireiser's domain.
"Connecting the magical communication."
Raymond nodded, and Desia smiled faintly at him before infusing mana into the orb. The mana-charged crystal emitted a clear glow. Moments later, the Azure Tower Lord's illusion appeared.
Apparently, Risefield Dior was guarding the Grand Marshal's comms room today.
-Oh! Your Imperial Majesty!
Risefield fussed the moment he saw Raymond's haggard face. Raymond shook his head with a short sigh.
Fortunately, linking with Marquis Kreier's 10,000 had rebuilt the front, giving him leeway to indulge a loyal retainer's fussing.
"Done fussing?"
-S-Sorry...
"It's fine. Just fetch Count Denitz for me."
-Yes, Your Imperial Majesty.
After a brief exchange, Risefield stepped away. Soon, Count Denitz appeared in the orb. Raymond briefed him on the detachment's situation and deployments.
-Not bad so far. But Marquis Ireiser has turned back some domain troops. They'll join the forces pursuing Your Imperial Majesty and the detachment outright.
Raymond nodded quietly at Count Denitz's somewhat grave expression.
-You'll also have to deal with the Isirian Royal Army and central nobles' private troops.
"Not a problem."
-Your Imperial Majesty... This is undoubtedly a problem.
"No need for special worry. You'll lead the army here before the detachment crumbles, won't you?"
Count Denitz averted his gaze and cleared his throat awkwardly at the near-infinite trust across the orb.
-I'll do my utmost, Your Imperial Majesty.
The two discussed additional operational details for about 30 minutes before ending the call.
Two days passed. The defenses around the detachment's new position remained quiet, but on the third day, scouts reported enemy presence nearby.
"The enemy force advancing south from the north numbers about 20,000!"
"Banners?"
Despite the messenger's urgency, Raymond calmly asked to gauge their strength.
"A mix of Isirian Royal Army banners and those of Free Isirian central nobles."
"No heavy assault banners?"
"None! Certain!"
That was a relief, at least. But he couldn't relax. Two days later, Marquis Ireiser appeared from the south with 5,000 troops.
Now, all they could do was wait for Count Denitz to arrive as swiftly as possible.