Chapter 121
Chapter 121
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 121
Chapter Title: Unexpected Surrender
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"Why?"
Kramphus eyed him suspiciously, but Wisdom just shrugged lightly.
"We can't make this place the 'final battlefield,' can we?"
"...Hmm."
The "final battlefield" Wisdom mentioned referred to a common combat pattern in Lost World.
If one side invested faith resources to summon creatures or apostles, the other side would pour in just enough faith to overcome them.
And the closer the margin, the better.
Even in victory, investing too many faith resources meant waste.
That's why fights where players committed faith resources rarely ended in overwhelming differences, regardless of the outcome.
Even in defeat, a narrow loss allowed hope for revenge in the next battle, so there was no reason to dump remaining resources into a losing fight.
But if both sides still had faith reserves yet reached the limit of controllable entities, they'd have to pour everything in.
That became the final battlefield.
Kramphus hadn't possessed Yubaim Dolan to lead because he lacked confidence against Seong-un matching him.
Rather than risk a big loss, chaining small defeats suited Kramphus's temperament better.
Alone, maybe he'd gamble, but with allies, solo risks didn't appeal.
Sensing Kramphus's resignation, Wisdom spoke.
"Kramphus, you still have Daimarit. And we need more prep time."
"But..."
"Nebula's only brought out Rakrak so far. No sign of other creations, especially Slatis. Why waste our reserves?"
Especially since Apostle Reddin Bial Oser wasn't ready.
Reddin was preparing a final clash with the rebels.
Victory was assured with Wisdom's power, but building renown would take time.
After agonizing, Kramphus said,
"We'll retreat."
"Buy time at Daimarit. Heukrin's 10,000 can't conquer all of Dan Yeom anyway."
"Right."
Kramphus issued an oracle to the priests.
They had to retreat while their creations lived.
"The enemy is fleeing!"
"Dan Yeom forces are retreating!"
As reports poured in, Basen Rak Orzan raised his sword high and shouted,
"Cut down the enemy showing their backs! That will smooth our next battles!"
Cavalry hounded Dan Yeom troops relentlessly as they fled the gorge.
Stragglers and encircled soldiers atop the gorge fell, bodies piling in the ravine, blood streaming down.
Screams echoed through Dilfa Gorge until Dan Yeom fled beyond pursuit after sunset.
Casualties around 1,000—a crushing exchange ratio—but future fights tempered the joy.
Basen summoned Suheon for a Dan Yeom map.
"This is Dilfa Gorge where we are... and here's the capital, Daimarit."
Basen nodded lightly, so Suheon continued.
"At our march pace, five days to Daimarit. We'll check villages for ambushes, adding days."
"No notable forts en route?"
"None confirmed last scout or from merchants. No new castles."
"Why?"
"Why no castles?"
"Yes."
Suheon pondered.
He'd answered similarly before, but struggled for Basen's satisfaction.
Thinking Basen had an answer, voicing his own—even wrong—was fine. He spoke plainly.
"They trusted Dilfa Gorge too much. Dan Yeom had victories there against small tribes historically. Losing to Heukrin will be humiliating."
"Hmm."
"Did I misspeak?"
"Not a misspeak."
"Then?"
"I wondered if you're assuming Dan Yeom survives."
Suheon stared, baffled.
Heukrin's war casus included canceling alliance demands for apology and reparations.
Plus, Dan Yeom ignored demands to halt mobilization despite detected buildup.
Attacking both fronts would strain Heukrin, so preemptive strike.
Folk whispered gods' war, the true convincing reason.
'But Heukrin conquering Dan Yeom...?'
Basen said calmly,
"Aren't we heading to strike their capital?"
"But... Dan Yeom's a great nation."
"I know. Taking the capital won't erase it."
"Then why think that?"
Basen replied,
"No king now, right? By our arrival, some puppet sits, but that's it. Suppose we conquer the capital—what happens?"
"Well..."
Suheon's surface thoughts:
"Even conquering the capital leaves Satyros nobles in provinces. Royals flee pre-arrival, plotting comebacks from strongholds. We're just 10,000—now 9,000—so can't chase all. We'd fortify Daimarit, awaiting Heukrin reinforcements."
Basen chided,
"Suheon, you see Dan Yeom as Heukrin."
"...Pardon?"
"I thought similarly once. Narrow view."
Basen continued,
"Dan Yeom's 30,000 seems substantial, no?"
"Heard slightly more populous than Heukrin. Plausible if war-prepped long."
"Overreach too. Losses from poor command and training."
"Ah, true."
Heukrin troops wielded diverse weapons adeptly; Dan Yeom spearmen and archers fumbled swords despite carrying them.
Soldiers just holding position excellently sufficed—phalanx steady, archers not friendly-firing.
Elites adapted better.
"Many gripped spears tightly as cavalry charged, entangled. Drew unused swords instead? No."
"Conscripts?"
"Yes. His Majesty noted over-mobilization. One loss spells doom. But they lost once—and will again."
Suheon gaped at Basen's presumptive conquest tone—not from arrogance, but inexplicable conviction.
"Heukrin and Dan Yeom so different?"
"Yes."
Basen relayed Kyle's intel.
"Conquering Daimarit triggers internal collapse."
"Like?"
"Not small, so well-armed all. But disparities showed."
"Satyros vs. others' gear differed."
"Reveals non-Satyros neglect. Unknown scale, but independence factions abound."
Suheon cleared his throat.
"Boldly, Heukrin's no different. Rebels everywhere."
"Heukrin won; Dan Yeom lost."
Suheon pressed unresolved point.
"But Satyros nobles hold wealth/power. Non-Satyros seceding amid chaos—won't cripple Dan Yeom much?"
"Satyros have another issue?"
"Yes?"
Basen wryly smiled.
"King's dead."
"Oh... right."
Puppet king likely rushed as expected.
But sudden death, war chaos, rebels rising—no legitimacy guarantee.
Suheon said,
"Then focus on assaulting Daimarit."
Daimarit famed fortress-city.
Heukrin once reached, retreated; Vampire Lord Shaiven balked at walls.
Basen said,
"We'll see."
Expecting agreement, Suheon blinked at the cryptic tone.
A week later, before Daimarit, Suheon understood.
Two days post-Dilfa victory, spy in Daimarit reported.
Prime Minister enthroned youngest royal prince.
Ambitious non-royal.
Four days later, two reports half-day apart.
First: General Yubaim Dolan entered with 15,000.
Exceeding expectations.
Basen judged Yubaim poor at modern cannon tactics but excellent rallying troops.
Heukrin generals figured siege tough despite easy field win; Yubaim competent.
Second: Yubaim executed for treason.
15,000 entry suspicious—to nobles and Heukrin.
Loyal seeming, not defeat blame but treason? Odd.
Six days later: Inner citadel sealed, troops moving. Inner spy silent.
Nine days on, Basen's 9,000 encamped before Daimarit.
Basen spotted gates opening afar.
Delegation emerged; Satyros noblewoman front, minimally armed.
Basen received inside camp.
The Satyros said,
"I am Aranju Dolan, daughter of Yubaim Dolan."
"...That general's?"
"...And since yesterday, lord of capital Daimarit—and king of Dan Yeom."
Basen eyed her intrigued.
Aranju declared,
"Dan Yeom surrenders to Heukrin."