Chapter 107

At first, when I regained consciousness and was immediately thrown into battle,

I had optimistically thought that the standoff between the barbarian tribe and our forces at Frostmoor Fortress would not last more than a week.

As soon as I regained consciousness, I informed my comrades about why the barbarians were called such while we were on the defensive side.

The animosity toward the barbarians, who ate human flesh, had boosted morale so high it seemed like it would reach the sky.

Moreover, the difficult terrain conditions, which required a certain level of sacrifice to even reach, made it hard for the barbarians to continuously attack.

On the other hand, Frostmoor Fortress could provide prompt medical treatment and supply for both wounded soldiers and reinforcements.

In the midst of winter, the hardest time to wage war, fighting a siege battle around a mountain range where supplies were also scarce, it was natural for the defenders to win if they just held their ground, making the predicted one week quite generous.

Indeed, seeing the barbarians’ offensive wane day by day, it felt like even three days would be too much.

Though their repulsion was a given, trying to stir them up despite the risk and being thwarted by Asulin was a minor setback.

Still, I was confident that the defense of Frostmoor Fortress would end successfully without any major damage. However, my prediction…

“Kuoooh!”

“Whether we die here or there, let’s choose the path that might still give us a chance to live!”

Even though the sharpness of the offensive had dulled, the barbarians’ determination to storm the fortress remained fierce.

Human butchers who casually abandoned their posts at the sight of danger back then in Failord County did not make sense to me when faced with such an extreme choice.

Dominus, who openly revealed himself among the barbarians and led them here, seemed to be the one behind this.

But regardless of who brought them here, there was something else going on with their desperate appearance.

Was it desperation from barren lands north of the Kazarat Mountains, so desolate they felt even the mountains themselves were lush compared to it?

Or was it because some insurmountable force drove them southward?

Even if it made sense, to confirm this theory properly, capturing a barbarian and interrogating them would have been right.

“…Shoot!”

Asulin commanded the snipers waiting on the battlements to target the charging barbarian warriors.

The arrows, drawn with hostility, flew in graceful arcs, taking lives recklessly. Not a single one left alive to be taken prisoner.

Not only the elite archers but also the Bright Wing Knights, who changed their combat tactics to long-range engagements due to fatigue, contributed to this.

The tension in the bowstrings transformed the arrows into lethal weapons.

Seeing the barbarians turn into bloody puddles, the word ‘prisoner’ could not even cross my lips.

“…I understand your thoughts, but judging by their behavior, I don’t think any of them will be taken alive.”

Hearing Asulin’s soothing words, I quickly resigned myself to the inevitable.

Given the barbarians’ nature, it wasn’t wrong to avoid risking a few prisoners just to engage in close combat.

This made me appreciate Asulin’s concern even more. There would be another opportunity to interrogate them later.

Despite the knights’ ferocity, the idea of facing them in close combat seemed unlikely.

While heavily armored knights were formidable in melee, many of them were also skilled in ranged combat.

Stationed in this well-supplied fortress, each member of the Bright Wing Knights was akin to a sniper, precise and deadly.

Such ranged attacks were humiliating for the barbarians, who valued honor in combat and death.

As the number of barbarians pierced by these arrows grew, their morale and fighting spirit inevitably waned.

For days, accurate shots by the Bright Wing Knights kept the barbarians at bay, until today…

“Time is running out! An ignoble death is still a death! Run! Charge! Even if your legs hurt, crawl over the fortress built by the empire!”

Contrary to expectations, more barbarians surged towards the fortress than we had shot down.

“…Prepare for deployment. This time, I’ll lead the charge.”

Seeing no other option, Asulin decided to lead the Bright Wing Knights to drive back the barbarians.

“Ugh…”

“Ahaha, it’s unfortunate we can’t fight together.”

“Be quiet.”

Swinging my baton with a mix of frustration, Elshimer dodged my clumsy attack with surprising agility.

“Why should I cater to everyone’s preferences? It doesn’t look good.”

Unable to respond, I clenched my teeth and stopped glaring at him.

Suppressing my disappointment, I gave orders to the snipers and some Bright Wing Knights inside the fortress, watching Asulin’s fight from afar.

Even though I tried to suppress my disappointment, the feeling lingered.

If I had insisted, I could have fought alongside Asulin, but her pained expression stopped me from saying anything.

“…She fights well.”

My disappointment faded as I watched Asulin lead the Bright Wing Knights with swift precision.

Her command was swift and logical. Leading a group already superior to the barbarians, she exploited their disarray, shattering their morale.

Even from afar, I could see her easily identify and exploit the barbarians’ weaknesses, explaining why she was respected as a commander at her age.

Even commanding half the knights, I was still impressed.

“Oh…handling so many barbarians like children with fewer numbers.”

“With Sir Junior Duke here, there’s no danger in the north.”

“How impressive.”

To the fortress troops who had only faced overwhelming odds, Asulin’s distant command seemed like art.

The exchange was one-sided. The barbarians’ weapons couldn’t penetrate the knights’ armor, leaving them vulnerable.

In contrast, the knights, focusing on defense, used coordinated attacks with swords to mow down the barbarians.

Even the barbarians’ relentless assault couldn’t match the knights’ efficiency.

Their morale visibly drained as they faced the relentless knights.

Supporting the weakened front, other barbarians approached from behind, but…

“Take aim! Fire!”

Arrows flew gracefully, turning the barbarians into hedgehogs, preventing them from joining the fray.

Trapped between the knights and unable to regroup, the barbarians were annihilated without a survivor.

Peering with enhanced vision, I saw no further reinforcements coming.

Soon after, the calm demeanor of Asulin leading the knights back to Frostmoor Fortress filled my view.

Seeing her from afar, a bitter smile formed.

But it didn’t matter; she smiled back, acknowledging me, making it a draw.

Thus, the month-long siege of Frostmoor Fortress by the Caladborg Duke and the barbarian tribes ended in victory once again…

“…!! What?!” Full combat readiness! Protect the captain!

…I expected it to end normally, but suddenly, a group appeared, disrupting the routine.

“Young Master!”

Startled, I leaped from the wall, ignoring Elshimer’s call, and dashed toward Asulin’s location.

My heart pounded with anxiety as I realized the gravity of the situation.