Chapter 176: For a Definitive End (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 176: For a Definitive End (2)
Rumble.
The Cairo Kingdom Army moved with urgent precision.
The main frames for their launching devices were wheeled into position, while smaller components were brought in on carts and meticulously assembled. The troops atop the castle walls watched the scene unfold. They knew exactly what the Kingdom Army was preparing, yet they didn't seem particularly worried.
"So they really intend to use Flares."
The speaker was the gatekeeper of Benedict Castle.
Guard Captain Cameron.
In siege warfare, Flares were an absolute necessity.
They were devastating siege weapons capable of neutralizing the inherent advantages of a defending fortress. In a minor clash between ordinary nobles, their deployment depended solely on financial backing, but in a civil war on a national scale, anticipating Flares was basic common sense. At a glance, the Kingdom Army was setting up no less than five launching devices. Once assembly finished in about two hours, the sheer firepower unleashed from those launchers would be enough to crumble ordinary walls.
However, Benedict Castle was different.
'Defending Benedict Castle is one of the scenarios we've meticulously prepared for. We commissioned the Sky Magic Tower to cast an incredibly powerful magic defense over these walls. It has enough defensive power to easily withstand dozens of Flares, and even if its durability is depleted, it will restore itself as long as we replenish the mana stones. With the firepower Cairo currently possesses, they can never bring Benedict down.'
Usurping the throne.
That was the ultimate goal of the Noble Faction.
They had simply refrained from forcing their hand within the precarious power structure. Over the years, they had steadily, quietly prepared for rebellion.
The magic defense was only the beginning.
They had consistently trained their soldiers and pre-calculated countless contingencies for when the rebellion finally broke out. Naturally, a preemptive strike by the Royal Faction was among the scenarios they had prepared for. Although they hadn't anticipated an alliance with Dmitry, they didn't believe it would significantly alter their grand design.
An impregnable wall.
And an almost excessive stockpile of war supplies.
Cameron had absolute faith in Benedict.
Sensing that some soldiers might be trembling with anxiety, he raised his voice.
"You all know that the commander of the Kingdom Army is Roman Dmitry. He is the Devil of the Southern Front, the First Sword of Cairo who defeated Count Nicholas! But this is a war on a national scale. No matter how strong Roman Dmitry is, it means nothing if he cannot overcome the walls of Benedict, which are protected by the magic defense installed by the Sky Magic Tower! In the end, before these towering walls, he is merely a single human being!"
The root of their anxiety.
It was the very existence of Roman Dmitry.
Soothing those who showed signs of nervousness, Cameron instilled firm confidence in his men.
"Trust me! The enemy will never scale these walls, and the ultimate victors will be us, the Noble Faction!"
Because his confidence was built on a solid foundation, Cameron's boastful reassurance painted the atmosphere atop the walls with optimism.
* * *
The moment the soldiers began to grow agitated was when the robed figures appeared.
"...Who are those guys?"
"It looks like they're up to something."
Atop the walls, the Noble Faction's soldiers cast anxious glances below.
An ominous feeling crept in at the unexpected development, but they didn't take any specific action to stop them. The safest place was behind the walls. As long as they were protected by the magically reinforced stone, there was no need to take unnecessary risks.
Time passed.
The robed figures, having spent a long time preparing, approached a certain individual to report.
"Group 1, preparation complete."
"Group 2, preparation complete."
Their true identities? They were none other than the Phoenix Mages.
Felix, his face concealed beneath his hood, recalled the words Roman had spoken to him a month ago.
"Once the Public Ranking Match begins, Dmitry will not be able to avoid being swept into the vortex of war. At that time, I will intentionally draw the enemy in and induce a siege. Felix, it is the role of you and the Phoenix Mages to crush them."
A month ago, while the rest of the kingdom was still enjoying peace, the Phoenix Magic Tower had already begun preparing for war.
Roman's command.
They staked their lives on it.
Thanks to Roman Dmitry, Phoenix had revived their Magic Tower's secret technique and quickly regained stability under his full support. He was truly their lifelong benefactor. The Phoenix Mages were ready to do anything for Roman Dmitry, and when the order for a siege was given, Felix and the others smiled with savage joy.
Mages were the absolute flower of siege warfare.
Having been assigned the role they excelled at most, their only goal now was to prove their worth.
Felix spoke.
"Our liege has bestowed so much upon us. Even speechless beasts recognize their masters and repay their debts, yet we have done nothing for our lord all this time. Now, the time has come. Our lord has given us the task we are best suited for, and if we cannot even perform this properly, we have no reason to exist."
His voice sank heavily.
Because of them, countless people would die today.
But having stepped onto the battlefield, they had no intention of backing down behind cowardly sermons of humanity.
"Show the enemy exactly how Phoenix claimed its place as the continent's 13th Magic Tower."
"Understood."
"We obey your command."
The mages moved.
Three were assigned to each launching device.
They immediately began to stir their mana, and the runes engraved on the launchers glowed in violent resonance.
Whoosh!
'Standard Flares have a strict limit to their firepower. If a proper magic defense system is prepared, it is not easy to bring down castle walls even with a barrage of Flares. But what if mages amplify their power? Firepower that exceeds all logical expectations can shatter a magic defense system designed only to withstand standard payloads.'
Resonating mana.
The mages infused their raw power into the Flares.
The mana of the Phoenix Mages, which was heavily rooted in the fire attribute, fused perfectly with the fiery siege weapons.
Soon—
Boom!
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The Flares were launched.
The massive fireballs, fired simultaneously, slammed directly into the castle walls.
Crash!
Rumble!
It was an apocalyptic display of power.
The soldiers screamed at the impact that violently shook the walls, turning bewildered, terrified faces toward their Guard Captain. He had just said this defense system could never be breached, not even by Flares! Yet, the massive shockwaves felt as though they would crumble the walls in a single blow, making even the most ignorant commoner realize that the situation was utterly dire.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Whoosh! Roar!
The onslaught continued.
Driven by the mana channeled by the mages, the blazing flames erupted into explosions that completely defied common sense.
The flower of siege warfare.
This was the true power of mages.
And among the thirteen Magic Towers, Phoenix was the most specialized in absolute, raw firepower.
Rumble!
"Guard Captain! The durability of Magic Defense Formation 1 is dropping rapidly!"
"At this rate, it won't hold for long! Please give us orders!"
Frantic reports flooded in from all sides.
Cameron's face drained of color.
He had never imagined that the Kingdom Army would mobilize so many mages.
'Mages belonging to Magic Towers strictly claim neutrality. In wars between nations, they might lend their strength to the country that sponsors their tower, but they never interfere in internal civil wars like this! Then who on earth are they? If it were just one or two rogue mages, it would be one thing, but over a dozen mages have joined the Kingdom Army! Even if the King had personally hired them, that number makes absolutely no sense!'
He was utterly astounded.
Over a dozen mages.
This transcended the boundaries of common sense.
Historically, even the most renowned Magic Towers on the continent had never sent such a large number of personnel to fight in another nation's internal conflict.
But for now, he had to solve the immediate crisis.
As the devastating attacks continued, Cameron shouted, the veins in his neck bulging.
"Activate the emergency defense system! Even if we have to pour every last mana stone into the Magic Defense Formations, reinforce them so their durability doesn't drop! Once the walls crumble, there's no turning back! Deploy the ballistas immediately and destroy those launching devices!"
A raging fire had been lit under their feet.
It was an order directly contrary to their strategy for a prolonged war.
Their war supplies would deplete at a terrifying rate, but Cameron could think of no other choice.
* * *
Cameron was not the only one shocked by this turn of events.
Staring blankly at the fire-spitting launching devices, Simon wore a dazed expression.
"...What on earth is this?"
Mages.
This was a military force that even the Cairo Royal Family did not possess.
Yet, under Roman Dmitry's command, they were actively participating in the assault on the Noble Faction.
It made no sense.
Just how had he won over these mages?
The answer came from Chris.
"Not long ago, the Phoenix Magic Tower established itself within the Dmitry fief. Generally, Magic Towers that claim 'neutrality' do not intervene in civil wars, but Phoenix is currently affiliated with our noble family. Since Dmitry has decided to become the sword of Cairo, shouldn't the Phoenix Magic Tower naturally assist in that endeavor?"
At his calm explanation, Simon was struck speechless.
If what Chris said was true, it meant an entire group of mages—one worthy of being called a Magic Tower—belonged solely to Dmitry.
'The thirteen Magic Towers. Though they lost their secret technique and were ranked at the very bottom due to their small numbers, they were still renowned for possessing the greatest raw firepower on the continent. To think a group that would be welcomed with open arms anywhere in the world has sworn loyalty to Dmitry.'
Goosebumps broke out across his skin.
What if?
What if Daniel Cairo had rejected Dmitry's proposal? Roman Dmitry would have crushed the Noble Faction using only his own strength. With a Magic Tower on his side, it was entirely possible. And if those blades had turned toward the Cairo Royal Family instead, it was painfully clear that towering walls alone would not have been enough to stop Dmitry's onslaught.
The King's choice.
It had been an absolute masterstroke.
Had he not embraced Dmitry, they would have had to face the monstrous Roman Dmitry and his mages as enemies.
'Heaven has not abandoned Cairo. We made the right decision.'
He let out a trembling sigh of relief.
The more he witnessed Dmitry's true worth, the more certain Simon became that this war would end in total victory for the Royal Faction.
* * *
The sun set.
With the first clash concluded, Cameron reported the results with a grim face.
"...We had no choice but to consume thirty percent of our prepared mana stones just to block the Kingdom Army's opening attack. I am truly sorry. However, please take into account the fact that the enemy mobilized mages. Had I not responded quickly, the walls of Benedict would have crumbled before long."
At this meeting, none of the Noble Faction members could bring themselves to blame Cameron.
Had they not witnessed it with their own eyes?
Every time the magically-enhanced flames struck the walls and erupted into massive explosions, the nobles watching from afar had stamped their feet in terror. They were completely overwhelmed. Since they had never imagined the Kingdom Army would secure over a dozen mages, a pervasive dread had spread that they might crumble without even lasting a single day.
Fortunately, they had blocked the attack.
But mirroring Cameron's grim expression, no one could view the fact that they had merely survived a single day in a positive light.
Marquis Benedict spoke.
"So, how long can we hold out?"
"...The enemy has over a dozen mages. If they repeat today's attack after taking adequate rest, we cannot hold out for more than ten days, even if we replenish our mana stones from other sources."
"Ten days? Is that all we can hold out for?"
It was a despairing truth.
Roman Dmitry.
His strategy was blatantly obvious.
Having launched a devastating attack the moment he arrived at Benedict, he immediately withdrew his forces just as the mages' mana began to run low. Then, he let them take ample rest. While the Noble Faction's troops could not let their guard down for even a moment, paralyzed by the fear of an attack that could strike at any time, the Kingdom Army clearly had no intention of forcing a reckless, bloody assault.
Ten days of this.
The rhythm of the war was entirely dictated by the Royal Faction's pace.
While enduring the relentless magic attacks, the Noble Faction would grow exhausted, and once the castle gates finally crumbled, there would be no way to stop the incoming troops. Their planned strategy to persuade the Imperial Faction would also go down the drain. Persuading them and gathering allied forces required time, but the Royal Faction's movements were far too swift and powerful.
In the end, there was only one thing the Noble Faction could rely on.
"Viscount Owen. What of Baron Winston?"
"He has gathered the Noble Faction's forces and has now arrived near the entrance to the northeastern region. There is still a chance to turn the tables. If Baron Winston occupies the empty Dmitry fief, even Roman Dmitry will not be able to force a siege like this. We can buy enough time to draw in the Imperial Faction."
"What is the probability of failing to capture Dmitry?"
"It is guaranteed to succeed. Is Baron Winston not the commander our Noble Faction prides itself on? With his abilities, he can easily crush the northeastern region. The only variable was the possibility of Dmitry possessing mages, but over a dozen mages have already revealed themselves in the assault on Benedict Castle. It is practically impossible for them to possess any more than that. Even if an unexpected variable arises, the probability of the outcome changing is abysmally low due to the sheer difference in military strength."
Think about it.
The opponents were a ragtag bunch from the fringes of the kingdom.
With Roman Dmitry away, they had no way to defend against a proper army.
The Noble Faction had not gathered all their forces at Benedict.
They had split their military might, sending a massive portion of their troops toward Dmitry under the command of Baron Winston.
Making a Feint to the East and Attacking in the West.
Marquis Benedict was not foolish.
He had chosen a clever strategy: intentionally locking down the castle to draw the enemy's full attention, all while secretly raiding their unprotected home base.
Marquis Benedict's eyes flashed sharply.
"Send word to Baron Winston. Defeat is not an option in this war. Tell him I grant him full authority over everything that occurs in the process of crushing Dmitry, and command him to bring me nothing but the result of victory. The Cairo Royal Family is merely a castle of sand. If we just eliminate Dmitry—the one who lit the fire under them—the Kingdom Army will have no choice but to falter."
The Noble Faction was absolutely certain.
Within the next three days, when the report of victory arrived from the northeast, the true rebellion would begin.