Chapter 306
Chapter 306
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 306
Chapter Title: War of the Puppets (3)
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Fernandez's journey could not have been smoother. Kirzart's traditional attire was designed to cover nearly the entire body to preserve body heat in the hot, arid lands, making it nearly impossible to spot them as easterners as long as they kept their mouths shut.
Shaxisi guaranteed the tranquility of the trip. It was the Sultan's command. All they had to do was ride in a comfortable carriage along the main road. Shaxisi handled all external affairs on their behalf, and there was no discomfort during the journey.
"This is a first!"
"Hmm. The goddess is pleased. This is what a proper country looks like."
Kirhas and Freya seemed quite satisfied with the journey. She was right. This was the first time in Fernandez's operations that the trip had proceeded so leisurely, like a vacation, without any anxiety.
-Slow.
'There are many people. And no reason to hurry. It's not bad once in a while.'
This operation was, strictly speaking, just a verification step. A preemptive measure. If signs of Karadskar appeared as prophesied, they would respond on the spot; otherwise, they would coordinate with the Sultan to bolster defenses against the Pale Nomads, and that would be it.
Karadskar was a figure after the Ebony Eric. In terms of timeline, that meant over 30 more years remained. Even though history had twisted somewhat with Turgejin's assassination by Ironside, it was unlikely to be a major variable at this point.
Just two years. That was the time left for Fernandez. And it was more than enough to orchestrate agreements between the two great powers and establish a perfect defense network against the Pale Nomads. First secure the Church's approval, purge the heretics lurking within each nation, then slowly clean up...
-Jolt!
"Ugh!"
At that moment, the carriage came to an abrupt stop. Shaxisi, inside the carriage, hurriedly waved his hand. It meant he would handle whatever it was first.
"We're close to the heart of our nation here. Lord Cerned, allow me to check the situation."
"Hmm. Please do."
Shaxisi nodded slightly and headed outside. But soon, the carriage door flew open, sunlight pouring in.
"What is it?"
"You should... come out for a moment."
Before stepping out, Fernandez placed a hand lightly on his sword hilt and hid the other in his sleeve. He could distinctly sense the presence of numerous armed figures outside the carriage.
His companions, sensing the same, quietly prepared for combat as they exited the carriage.
"Please don't be alarmed. This is no threat to you, my lord."
Outside, Shaxisi said with a wry smile. But Fernandez silently surveyed the surroundings.
Armed soldiers on horseback lined the main road, looking down at them. Through the heavy helms unique to Kirzart that pressed down over their faces, sharp eyes gleamed.
Fernandez gripped his sword hilt tightly and turned to Shaxisi.
"What is the meaning of this?"
"If we've startled you, I sincerely apologize, my lord. Our great Sun wishes to summon you personally. We'll explain on the way."
"To Al'Zahra? That was after inspecting the plains..."
"You were right, my lord. The Sultan was so impressed by your insight and that of your sovereign that he wishes to hear your wisdom. And to reconfirm the promise of future support you mentioned."
"What in the world... Hold on. I was right?"
It was a brief exchange, but their atmosphere and Shaxisi's stiff, forced smile explained everything. Fernandez could only think of the worst hypothesis.
The conditions he had relayed to Shaxisi were as follows: after confirming the Pale Nomads' situation, form an agreement with the Sultan to establish a joint Levine-Thir-Kirzart defense line. Discussions on securing maritime trade routes for smooth resource exchange would come later.
But now, skipping all that process, with the Sultan's elite troops personally escorting him straight to Kirzart's capital, Al'Zahra. Fernandez hoped his hypothesis was wrong, but instinct told him it wasn't.
He couldn't pinpoint how, but it meant the Pale Nomads' forces had been exposed to the outside. And mentioning a 'promise of support' at this juncture... meant the situation was extremely dire.
The shock and confusion were fleeting. Shaxisi, if anything, looked surprised by his composure. For a young noble barely in his twenties, it was far too mature and steadfast.
"How far have they advanced?"
"Truly... impressive."
Shaxisi could only express deep admiration at Fernandez's next words. He had already grasped the reality from the conversation's context and surroundings, and was considering subsequent strategies.
It wasn't merely the demeanor of a warrior, noble, or commander. It was closer to that of a seasoned supreme commander. In that short exchange, the young man had realized the Pale Nomads' forces had invaded Kirzart.
"Since we're talking quickly, I'll explain briefly on the way. For now, five cities near the plains... Abiman, Al-Ayn, Shaihan, Kahet, Ismahan are burning, and we can't predict their path next."
"Can't predict...?"
"Those five cities I mentioned have no commonalities beyond being near the plains. Different directions, advance routes, preserved supplies, trade goods importance—completely different regions. They're rampaging like bandits, scattering without any specific strategic targets."
"It's a swarm."
"...Pardon?"
"Their tactics. That pattern means their command structure is actually solid. Time is critical. You there!"
Fernandez turned and shouted at the nearest soldier. The man in well-fitted steel armor flinched at the sudden Kirzart tongue.
Fernandez continued fluently in Kirzart.
"Lend me your mount. I'll return it at the Sultan's palace in Al'Zahra!"
As the cavalryman fumbled for a response amid the sudden commotion, Shaxisi nodded with a wry smile. The rider dismounted promptly. Fernandez vaulted onto the horse almost flying and shouted.
"Time presses, so we'll skip formalities. Your escort is for my companions' safety, not mine! Follow me!"
"M-my lord! Ack!"
Shaxisi was suddenly hoisted up by Fernandez. Seeing a sturdy adult male lifted effortlessly with one hand, the cavalrymen froze in shock.
Fernandez slung Shaxisi behind the saddle, seized the reins, and spurred the horse. The warhorse bolted forward like the wind.
"Uh... Abel... what do we do now?"
"Hmm. Let's follow for now. Something's happened."
"But more importantly, the only two who could communicate here just left...?"
The group faced the departing Fernandez and the cavalrymen staring holes through them. The great chieftain of the wilderness, the ancient dragon, and the northern goddess could only stand quietly, gauging the foreign riders who spoke not a word they understood.
* * *
Atop the galloping horse, Shaxisi panted in confusion. As an elite spy, he was naturally confident in his martial arts and combat skills. Yet in this situation, overpowered and dragged along in moments, he had no choice but to acknowledge the young man's prowess.
"The situation! Ugh! Explain! Could you slow down just a bit...!"
"No time. Mind you don't bite your tongue."
On the horse charging at near full gallop, Fernandez replied in an almost emotionless tone to Shaxisi's labored words.
"Their forces?"
"We can't! Heave! Assess them!"
"First contact?"
"Five days ago! First engagement four days ago..."
"First fall?"
"Three days ago...! Ack!"
Fernandez roughly gripped the reins, expertly kicking the horse's flank to maintain speed. The main road was well-maintained, but he veered off into the wilds.
The uneven path made every stone jolt transmit straight to the saddle. Shaxisi cried out urgently.
"This is the way to Al'Zahra...!"
"It's the shortcut."
"Have you been here before?"
"I've seen the map."
The Demonica's animalistic sense of direction had allowed Zephys's drifting group to navigate straight across the North Sea. If it worked on the featureless ocean, it was even sharper on land teeming with landmarks.
In Fernandez's mind, the map's terrain formed vivid three-dimensional structures. Even as he rode, he scanned surroundings, gauged position, and adjusted direction considering the sun's height and time difference.
Shaxisi was speechless. Judgment, execution, personal prowess—all far beyond mortal limits. He even felt a touch of fear.
"Engagement the day after first contact, and the city fell right after."
"That's the governor's incompetence..."
"Of course not. That's not what I meant."
Unable to advertise military ineptitude to a friendly envoy, Shaxisi tried to excuse it. But Fernandez shook his head cleanly.
It wasn't about the governors' or border troops' incompetence. Quite the opposite—it was expected. The enemy had executed a perfect ambush, and venturing out to counter proved the governors' military competence.
Instead of hunkering for a siege, they attempted aggressive deterrence—alert and wise. But the foe was wrong.
The first clash likely near-annihilated them. Seeing the besieging forces, the city's command opted to surrender. City walls differ from fortresses. Fall meant civilian slaughter.
Civilized nations, even if plundering, avoid total annihilation post-capture. No point occupying a non-functional city. So the command surrendered, offering wealth for lives.
But Karadskar slaughters all taller than a cartwheel. They're a calamity. Incomprehensible by human logic.
"I understand. First contact was a small cavalry unit—likely their scouts, by all rights."
Considering standard cavalry organization, one could estimate total forces from scout encounters.
But if those scouts obliterated friendly forces, and the besiegers numbered beyond reason... Naturally, the governor would overestimate, deeming siege untenable beyond a day.
The governor requests parley, opens the gates. They enter laughing, revel in civilized spoils. Then the disarmed city becomes a slaughterhouse.
Cities ignorant of the foe's nature—even dismissing Pale Nomads as poor nomads—faced inevitable doom. It was only natural.
"Any chance of meeting the Ironsides stationed in Al'Zahra?"
"Ah, there are no Ironsides in Al'Zahra!"
"I know that already."
"..."
Shaxisi grimaced and bowed his head. The Empire surely had spies in Kirzart, and Kirzart naturally knew their identities. The reason for not eliminating exposed spies was simple: visible spies are safer than hidden ones.
This was standard intelligence strategy across civilized states. Exposed enemy spies aren't assassinated barring special circumstances—just monitored closely.
Nations like the Empire and Kirzart, cultivating intelligence rigorously, now deploy 'surface-level' decoy spies distinct from hidden true agents. Thus, Fernandez meant the former.
"You're an Ironside-trained operative, my lord."
"No. But I have some acquaintance with Tremulle the Court Chamberlain."
"...!"
Tremulle the Court Chamberlain was the widely known head of Ironside, a great noble. Guest of the Elven Unified Monarch, Empire's envoy, Tremulle's friend? Shaxisi shook his head, struggling to fathom the man before him.
"Ironside reports are the fastest channel to Tremulle's ears among all Empire intel streams. And Tremulle won't ignore my words. It's the sole way to respond to this crisis swiftly."
"Why the rush? Their advance is faster than expected, their forces fierce of course, but our nation is no weakling. A few ambushes worked, but their legions are cavalry-heavy, and we have countless anti-cavalry strategies."
"Five cities fell."
"...Yes."
"By now, as we're talking, how many more have fallen?"
Fernandez spurred onward.
"And their composition isn't solely cavalry-focused anymore. It was until now, but not after this. With five cities down, they've seized armories' weapons. They're more adaptable in unit types than any legion before."
The Pale Nomads hail from poor lands. Beyond horse mastery, expect no more than trained conscripts.
However. Not bred for specific arms means, with new gear, they adapt to any role. Even more adept on horseback than any civilized troops.
Give bows: horse archers. Full arms and lances: shock cavalry. Full plate: heavy cavalry. Light armor and speed: light cavalry.
Their prior lack created infinite flexibility. That's their danger. Devoured resources directly bolster their force diversity.
With Karadskar's advent confirmed. These are the foes civilized society must face.