Chapter 68
Chapter 68
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 68
Chapter Title: Mad Emperor (1)
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Marquis Crayer's 2,000-strong army entered the Black Mountains. No sooner had they passed the entrance than they encountered the Free Isiriya Kingdom's forces from the Tripartite Alliance.
"The Free Isiriya Kingdom's banners are ahead."
"Their numbers are around 3,000, and we've also confirmed the presence of at least one mountain mercenary band."
Marquis Crayer's expression hardened at the scouts' reports. The enemy's 3,000 troops were bad enough, but the appearance of the renowned mountain mercenaries from the Free Isiriya Kingdom made his shoulders feel even heavier as he commanded just 2,000 men.
"This isn't all of them."
One of the staff officers cautiously offered his opinion. Marquis Crayer nodded in agreement. There was no way the Free Isiriya Kingdom, which boasted the Tripartite Alliance's strongest infantry, would commit only a mere 3,000 troops.
With the Philius Empire in turmoil, they would surely seize the opportunity to deploy even more forces.
The 3,000 were likely just an advance guard, and follow-up units might already be heading toward the Black Mountains.
"Shall we establish defensive positions?"
"What do the staff officers think?"
At one officer's question, Marquis Crayer calmly solicited opinions. Amid the heavy tension, the staff exchanged thoughts in hushed voices.
About three minutes passed before one stepped forward as representative.
"The staff consensus is to launch a preemptive strike."
"The reason?"
"Our current position isn't favorable for defense. With the north, east, and west exposed, we risk encirclement if we're not careful, and the enemy could bypass us to strike other key points."
Marquis Crayer nodded gravely, agreeing with the staff's assessment. He immediately ordered the army to advance.
"All troops! Advance!"
The standard-bearer raised the flag. From the makeshift camp, 2,000 soldiers poured out, marching toward the Free Isiriya Kingdom's position.
"The scouts have spotted the enemy."
A senior commander from the territorial army reported. It was a good start. Spotting the enemy first meant more opportunities to strike, and a faint smile tugged at Marquis Crayer's lips.
"First Cavalry Unit, forward."
At Marquis Crayer's command, the standard-bearer waved the advance flag. Messengers dashed about, relaying the order.
"First Infantry Unit, guard the main camp. Second and Third Infantry Units, advance."
The cavalry led the way, followed by 1,000 infantry including archers. Soon, the Crayer territory cavalry clashed with the Free Isiriya Kingdom's mercenary cavalry.
Fortunately, the mercenary cavalry numbered only about 400. With the Crayer cavalry at around 500, they weren't an overwhelming foe.
But that was a misconception.
"Your Excellency, something's wrong up front."
His adjutant spoke in an anxious voice. Indeed, the front lines were in disarray. The First Cavalry Unit, supported by the Second and Third Infantry and pressing the mercenary cavalry, suddenly faltered.
"Send a messenger to assess the situation."
The adjutant dispatched one at Marquis Crayer's order, but he didn't return.
In the end, Marquis Crayer selected five knights from the main camp guard. Only two came back.
"My lord! It's the Hashashin!"
"All First Cavalry commanders have fallen!"
The terror of the night descended upon the battlefield.
"Damn it!"
Marquis Crayer drew his sword with a curse.
"Your Excellency!"
"My lord! You can't mean to go yourself?"
"No! Now that the Hashashin have shown themselves, we must reinforce guards around the main camp and commanders!"
The staff officers desperately tried to dissuade Marquis Crayer, who seemed ready to charge forward.
In a situation where even the ghost unit specializing in battlefield assassinations might be involved, they couldn't send the top commander ahead.
With field commanders wiped out, high-ranking officers stepping forward was exactly what the Hashashin and ghosts wanted.
"Foolish talk! Then who commands the front?"
Marquis Crayer snapped sharply.
"Don't you realize abandoning the front-line cavalry and infantry is precisely what they want?"
The officers bowed their heads at his piercing rebuke, ashamed and silent for a moment.
"If you're scared, stay back. But I'm going forward."
Marquis Crayer stated firmly. Aside from a few border troops, the main camp commanders were all from the Crayer territory forces. Few were unaware of the marquis's stubbornness.
"Our knight order will accompany you."
"I'll guard your side as well, my lord."
The hesitation didn't last. Territorial commanders stepped forward, followed by three officers and seven senior knights.
Marquis Crayer silently drew his sword. His adjutant brought a warhorse.
"Our knight order will provide escort."
Though the foe was the dreaded Hashashin and ghost unit that even knights feared, the territorial knights willingly stepped up to protect their lord.
To restore order to the chaotic front, Marquis Crayer mounted his warhorse with the knight order and galloped ahead.
The mana blade on his drawn sword gleamed vividly. By the time he reached the front, every swing felled enemies effortlessly.
As a high-ranking knight, his strikes were no light matter. Each clash of steel sent fountains of blood spraying.
"Standard-bearer! Raise the rally flag! We hold this position at all costs!"
The collapsed front-line command structure revived under the Hashashin and ghosts. Marquis Crayer led the cavalry from the forefront, swinging his sword alongside the knights.
Enemy soldiers, fired up by the sight of the lord's banner, swarmed in, but they were no match for high knights. Yet the enemy lines held more than mercenaries.
Darker presences stirred at the sight of Marquis Crayer and the knights rampaging. Hashashin and ghosts moved.
"Gah!"
Projectiles sliced through the air, embedding in knights' throats. Sharp killing intent emanated from the shadows.
The Free Isiriya Kingdom's ghosts revealed themselves first. The Hashashin remained unseen, but fragments of murder in the air betrayed their presence.
"Ghost unit!"
"Reform ranks!"
"Stay calm! Rally and respond!"
The knights moved in perfect unison.
"Archers, cover the front!"
At a sharp cry, the rear archers unleashed a volley at the ghosts. But it had little effect, and Marquis Crayer made a swift decision.
"Charge! Pierce and annihilate their command!"
The knight order tried to accelerate, but spear units swarmed, and persistent harassment from ghosts and Hashashin prevented regaining cavalry charge momentum.
"Dismount and fight!"
Fighting on horseback without speed made them prime targets with limited mobility.
Marquis Crayer ordered the isolated knights to dismount, leaping down himself and swinging his sword.
As the mana blade flashed, spearmen crumpled in sprays of blood. Immediately, Free Isiriya ghosts advanced.
"Come on, then! Hounds of the Free Isiriya Kingdom! You'll never cross the Black Mountains!"
The mana blade howled. His swung sword cleaved ghost heads. Amid his dazzling sword dance, dozens of ghosts fell helplessly.
Unlike his past exhaustion and injuries from Hashashin capture, he was tired now but not gravely wounded.
Blood winds blew with every swing. But knight casualties mounted too.
When the Hashashin fully engaged, Marquis Crayer was considerably fatigued, his knight order reduced by more than half.
Fewer than ten knights guarded him now, with barely twenty soldiers left.
At least the ghost unit's annihilation broke the isolation. Territorial troops rushed from the rear to support.
"My lord! Orders!"
A knight from the charge panted as the territorial forces joined, wiping out the remaining Hashashin.
Marquis Crayer turned to the front and spoke.
"Strike their command now!"
"Our troops are exhausted, my lord."
"So are theirs. This is our chance."
Marquis Crayer wiped blood from his face and raised his sword. Though the brutal, prolonged battle had drained him, his mana blade still shone clearly.
He was a high knight sworn to the Emperor before being lord of Crayer territory.
Ignoring the few staff trailing behind, he charged the enemy lines. The knights sighed briefly but soon swung alongside.
"The enemy is charging!"
"Form defensive lines!"
The enemy scrambled, but couldn't halt Marquis Crayer and the knights. Their fierce assault shattered the formation, opening the path to command.
"Victory and glory for His Majesty the Emperor and the Philius Empire!"
The Free Isiriya mercenaries reacted swiftly. Even in chaos, they moved to block the path to command, but the blood-soaked high knight and others were faster.
Thanks to High Knight Marquis Crayer's exploits, the Free Isiriya command was annihilated in moments. Disorganized mercenaries fled.
"Pursue?"
His adjutant asked. Marquis Crayer shook his head. They lacked the strength.
As all caught their ragged breaths in elation at the hard-won victory, a horn blared from afar.
"Even the heavens show no mercy."
It wasn't the Philius Empire's horn. Another staff officer rushed to Marquis Crayer.
"My lord! We must withdraw!"
With heavy losses and exhaustion, retreat was obvious. But Marquis Crayer shook his head firmly.
"We hold this land. For His Majesty the Emperor and the Philius Empire."
"It's Viscount Kasso's banner. Seems like one of his units."
Gestain, the one-armed high knight, said while examining the tattered flag. Covered in red blood, he bore no wounds.
The crimson soaking him was all from foes he'd slain.
"Viscount Kasso..."
Raymond nodded. The setting book detailed Viscount Kasso.
A senior knight by origin, he was a flag-bearer noble of Mountain Duke Rivers Belphian and one of his 'inner circle'.
"Sir Cassius."
"Yes, Your Majesty. What are your orders?"
"Thoroughly search the area. I doubt Viscount Kasso moved his special forces just to raid Count Raphael's rear."
Thwarting the Bloody Funeral had diverged the plot greatly. Now, with the unshakeable setting book as guide, judgments were essential.
Viscount Kasso was noted as a noble handling secretive missions for the Mountain Duke. Thus, his special forces' movement raised suspicions.
Fortunately, accompanying Central Intelligence agents aided in searching supplies and classified documents smoothly.
"Whew!"
While agents and Imperial Army searched, Raymond sighed briefly and slumped in a camp chair. Desia approached to check his condition.
"You know recovery magic too?"
Raymond asked calmly. Desia specialized in defensive magic. She knew offense but had barely trained in recovery.
"I've been practicing lately."
Until recently, she'd endured grueling training under the Azure Tower Lord to become a high mage. Mastery of recovery was a bonus. Though hard-earned, Raymond had no idea.
"Your Majesty!"
As his minor wounds were treated, late-joining Cassius rushed up.
"What is it?"
Gestain stepped forward first. Cassius composed his excitement.
"The Central Intelligence agents found something."