Chapter 14

Originally, the late afternoon is not a suitable time to start a battle.

The soldiers have been exhausting their stamina since morning, and the enemies are all wide awake.

Common sense dictates that for a surprise attack, you should aim for when the enemy is asleep and their guard is down, right?

The night is more advantageous for the attacking side to take the initiative.

“Then why are you trying to pass through the city gates in the evening?”

“For impact… just kidding. The situation is a bit special now. Those bastards hardly defend during the day.”

But now, the situation is slightly different.

After several failed surprise attacks, the capital’s forces are severely depleted and don’t guard the walls during the day.

They concentrate their already scarce guards during the night and dawn when defenses are weakest.

From a strategic perspective, it’s not the worst decision, but for us, it’s just an open exposure of their weakness.

It’s like publicly declaring that they’ll be slow to respond even if we attack openly during the day.

That’s why we chose the evening. To rest all day and launch a vigorous attack to breach the walls.

The calculation also includes that it will get darker as we fight, giving us an advantage.

‘Well, there’s also the purpose of showing off and making a statement.’

Of course, it’s also to declare to the citizens and nobles of the capital that the Revolutionary Army has won. We need to show our superiority to reduce the number of fools with misguided thoughts.

“If you understand, tell the commanders of each unit to eat and rest well. We’ll probably have to stay up all night.”

“Yes!!”

As I sharpened my sword and tightened my bootlaces, time slowly passed.

Finally, the moment of decisive battle arrived.

* * * * *

“General, it’s open.”

“Have all units assembled according to formation?”

“Of course. Just give the command anytime.”

At 6 PM, when the sun touches the ground, lighting up the blue sky.

About 30 minutes before the night guards are supposed to come on duty, an unexpected event occurred.

–Clank.

–Creak….

The city gates, which wouldn’t budge even under cannon fire, were opening. The thick steel gate, the iron bars behind it, and the wooden gate inside.

All three layers of defense opened simultaneously, without any resistance.

Someone on the walls panicked and ran somewhere, but it was already too late to respond.

“The commander kept his promise.”

I mounted my horse, activated an amplification spell, and shouted at the top of my lungs.

“All troops–!!”

After a brief pause, I drew my sword and commanded.

“Charge in order!! Let’s make our flag wave in Rahator!!”

“The 1st Regiment will lead! The cavalry will take the front!!”

“Don’t stop, run like hell! Even if you fall, make sure you fall inside the walls, you snails!!”

Soldiers and officers charged in the prearranged order.

They ran towards the small breach in the massive fortress like a horde of zombies, grasping the opportunity that might never come again.

“What about the artillery, General?!”

“Leave the cannons and run! We can retrieve them if we win! Just focus on entering the capital!”

“This is a short-term decisive battle! No time for fire support or deployment, just push forward!”

The tens of thousands surged towards the walls.

And then.

Like water gushing through a small hole in a dam. Like the contents of a squeezed bottle bursting out.

The elite troops from the north poured into the Royal Capital Rahator.

–Bang!

“3rd Division, head west and secure the nobles’ residential area. Don’t kill the residents, just lock them in their homes! 7th Division, secure the eastern cathedrals and commercial district!”

“The palace will be handled by the 5th Division and the 39th Regiment under my command! The objectives are set, so handle the details on the spot!”

It’s impossible to thoroughly subdue a city with hundreds of thousands of people and tens of thousands of buildings according to a detailed plan. Such a vast plan is physically impossible to create.

So, we set general targets and tactical tasks, leaving the rest to be handled on the spot. Everyone has the capability to handle this much.

“Resistance is weak. They probably didn’t expect us to come at this time.”

“More importantly, their forces are scattered. The remaining troops are not from a single unit but gathered from various places. The garrisons and barracks are probably scattered too.”

“Idiots. They had so much time and couldn’t even consolidate that.”

There was no organized resistance. At most, we encountered groups of dozens blocking the way.

It was disappointing how weak they were, but well, the weaker the enemy, the less our soldiers get hurt.

“Leave the civilians’ homes alone and have them stay quietly inside. Avoid violence as much as possible.”

“General! Civilians are requesting aid for food shortages. How should we respond?”

“Aid? Asking for food? Tell them to wait a bit. We’ll normalize logistics once the situation is resolved.”

Unlike the nobles who couldn’t grasp the situation even as the tide turned, the exhausted citizens welcomed us enthusiastically. Thanks to our efforts in building goodwill and justification.

The daily propaganda that the Revolutionary Army is on the side of the people during the siege paid off.

The reason for our rebellion was so justified, and the high-ups had done so many despicable things.

We received enthusiastic cheers and guidance along the way.

It didn’t provide practical help, but it definitely boosted morale. The momentum was rising rapidly.

“Areas 1 to 5 have been secured!!”

“Snipers spotted in Area 12! Currently being suppressed!”

“How about Area 16? There’s a prison for political prisoners there.”

“They’re almost there! They’ll secure the area and the prisoners within an hour!!”

The capital Rahator is divided into 16 districts based on the royal palace.

We advanced, capturing only the key areas, excluding slums and residential areas.

Various armories and ammunition factories. Monasteries and cathedrals where clergy reside. Nobles’ salons and coffee houses. Banquet halls and opera theaters.

We captured them one by one, arresting those inside. We treated technicians and workers respectfully and tied up the nobles for transport.

As we continued our advance.

Finally, a group worthy of being called enemies appeared.

“Damn traitors! You won’t pass here until you turn us all into corpses!!”

“Their flag is unusual. Are they the nobles’ private soldiers?”

“That emblem belongs to the Varelmont family. Their family guards must have come out in a hurry to stop us.”

A small unit blocking the narrow road with guns and spears in a defensive formation. About 60 members.

Their attire, though not as grand as the royal guards, was quite elaborate, clearly well-trained elites.

But so what? The battlefield isn’t kind to those who only guard VIPs.

“Take cover and return fire. Throw grenades when their momentum dies down.”

“Yes! All units, open fire!”

Clustering together in urban combat is as foolish as it gets. The surrounding buildings maximize the lethality of explosives.

Forming a defensive formation without time to set up barricades was a desperate measure, but still worse than not doing it.

If it were me, I’d have used carts as makeshift walls. That would be safer and more effective.

–Boom!

Two grenades thrown by the grenadiers exploded, turning the enemies into piles of flesh.

Those who survived were either unconscious or lost limbs. Seizing the opportunity, I gave the order.

“Charge! The palace is right ahead!”

Nothing stood in our way anymore. They were all dead or dying.

After subduing the guards at the palace gates, we rushed through the garden and into the building. Passing through long corridors and various rooms, we headed towards the center of the massive structure.

Securing the princes’ bedrooms and the queen’s private chambers, we captured every maid and servant we saw, eventually encountering a familiar face.

“General Albrecht.”

“…Karolus. It’s been a while.”

“I didn’t want to meet like this.”

The one forced to rebel against the king and the one who abandoned the king to join the rebellion. Their complicated gazes crossed.

There was much to say after such a long time, but we didn’t voice it. There was no time to waste on reminiscing.

“Where is Karl?”

“Calling His Majesty by his first name now… He’s inside with the nobles. I locked them up while they were enjoying a banquet.”

“Well done. We’ll reward you sufficiently later.”

“Never mind. At this age, what use is wealth and glory?”

General Albrecht and a lieutenant named Holtmann opened the banquet hall doors.

The heavy sound drew all eyes inside towards us. These shameless individuals, dressed in lavish dresses and uniforms, acting high and mighty in such critical times.

The tables were laden with sumptuous feasts, and a play was being performed on stage. It was hard to believe this was a city long under siege.

And at the center.

“Your Majesty, I hope you’ve been well.”

Our despised tyrant.

Karl VII was there.