Chapter 213

“So many…”

The Ka`har camp, seen from afar, was much larger than expected. The sight of over a thousand tents crammed together was almost grotesque, and between them, countless soldiers swarmed like a horde of ants.

[It’s the White Armies. That Amin guy must’ve brought all of Or-dos’s defensive forces. With around five thousand troops, there must be over two hundred proper warriors.]

‘White Armies?’

[They’re the infantry Or-han trained for wall battles, numbering eighteen thousand. They handle spears, shields, swords, and bows. They could be used as cavalry if mounted, but…since they’re fundamentally infantry, they won’t match other specialized units.]

In short, they’re a jack-of-all-trades unit. Even if they’re not as good as other units, considering the Ka`har are originally a horse-riding tribe, they probably wouldn’t fall far behind the Empire’s cavalry.

‘Any exploitable weaknesses?’

[…You’ve got some nerve. Are you seriously asking me to teach you how to kill my own country’s soldiers?]

‘They’re enemies now anyway. That Amin guy doesn’t seem to be on good terms with you.’

Given that they attacked unilaterally despite Hersela being in the Empire, it seems like the Empire might’ve wanted Hersela executed.

[It’s nothing. Any tactics I could think of, that Ludwig guy would know too.]

Hersela didn’t say anything more. How stingy.

—

“So, how do you plan to fight? They’ve got infantry, archers, and cavalry all combined.”

“At first, I thought we’d hold the wall and buy time. With five thousand troops, they can’t stay there forever. I figured they’d either split their forces to head elsewhere or throw everything at the barrier. Either way, it wouldn’t be a problem.”

True, even with five thousand troops, breaching the barrier is nearly impossible. Normally, we wouldn’t need to risk a field battle; just holding out would force them to retreat.

Ludwig stroked his beard and sighed.

“The only miscalculation was not realizing time isn’t on our side. The entire Imperial Army is tied up in a civil war. If we don’t end the civil war before Or-han’s main force arrives, we’ll have to hold off tens of thousands of Ka`har with just six thousand troops from Landenburg…”

“That’s impossible.”

With just six thousand, defending this long barrier would be tough. If Or-han splits his forces, at least one point will inevitably break through.

“Indeed. So, regretfully, we’ll have to go beyond the barrier and strike them. With the four thousand troops gathered here, one hundred fifty knights, and five masters.”

Ludwig nodded heavily.

“Didn’t you say six thousand earlier?”

Where did the other two thousand go?

“In case they’re trying to divert our attention, I had to disperse some forces to key points along the barrier. No reports of enemies yet, though.”

Well, that makes sense. Even if we hold here, it’s meaningless if other points are breached.

“So, a frontal battle…that won’t be easy.”

“But according to Hersela, it’s not entirely hopeless. A jack-of-all-trades unit means they’re not perfect in any one area.”

…Is that so? Compared to troops trained in a single specialty, their proficiency with each weapon must be a bit lacking.

“The problem is the enemy commander…he seems quite cunning and capable. He’s clearly aware that we’re the ones in a hurry.”

[Capable? Sure, he might seem that way.]

Hersela burst into laughter in my head.

—

======[Amin]======

“Damn it, it’s way too high…!”

Unaware of Ludwig’s inexplicable high praise, Amin was in his tent, racking his brains. The Empire’s barrier, seen with his own eyes, was so high he couldn’t even think of attacking. The enemy’s forces were also larger than expected.

Ludwig thought the Ka`har army’s inaction was a strategic delay, but in reality, Amin was just hesitating and dragging his feet.

‘Should we ignore the barrier and attack the rear…? No, if we do that, they’ll…’

The original plan was to lightly strike the barrier and then move south, but a reckless attack would likely result in heavy losses even for the White Armies. On the other hand, if they bypassed to the rear, they’d be caught between the rear forces and the Imperial Army and annihilated. Amin could foresee that much.

He considered splitting the forces, but with the enemy also numbering in the thousands…

Amin couldn’t afford to recklessly disperse his troops, leaving him in a real pickle.

“Amin, sir, the warriors’ dissatisfaction is reaching its limit. If this continues…”

“I know! Damn it, they can’t even endure a few days…!”

Not just the enemies, but even his own allies were giving Amin a headache.

More and more warriors within the ranks were beginning to question Amin’s leadership.

They had boldly marched out, lured by the promise of glory and riches, but upon arriving at the barrier, they were left idling with nothing to do.

They wanted to fight. Even the elite White Armies, trained by Or-han.

If they just wasted time and ended up retreating pathetically when enemy reinforcements arrived, it would be a disgrace.

If they could calmly assess the situation, they’d realize it was practically suicide.

In fact, that’s exactly why Amin couldn’t recklessly move his troops.

But for most warriors, proving their worth as fighters was the top priority—through enemy heads and loot.

This mindset was second nature to them. For centuries, they’d been raised and trained with that sole purpose.

Or-han could have crushed their discontent with overwhelming power and leadership… but Amin didn’t have that kind of authority.

This became painfully clear during the military meeting an hour later.

“How long are we going to just sit around and watch?!”

A warrior on the cusp of middle age slammed the table in fierce opposition.

A man with a rugged face marked by a long scar on his cheekbone—Havar, one of the great warriors of the White Armies.

True to his reputation as the most aggressive among the great warriors, Havar had been the first to support Amin’s call to attack the Empire… but now, he was the one voicing the loudest complaints.

“Havar…! How dare you raise your voice like this? Do you think becoming a great warrior makes Ser Khan’s son a joke?”

Amin gritted his teeth and threatened, but Havar remained unfazed, still brimming with confidence.

With more than half the warriors discontent with Amin, Havar was practically their spokesperson.

Amin only had two great warriors to begin with, so he couldn’t afford to mess with Havar, no matter what he said.

Havar knew that all too well.

“Wasn’t it Ser Khan who ordered us to attack the Empire? Prince Amin, aren’t you the one violating Ser Khan’s direct command right now?”

Other warriors nodded in agreement with Havar’s words.

‘Damn it…!’

Amin bit his lip.

The forged orders he’d used to justify the campaign were now coming back to bite him.

Indeed, to the warriors who believed attacking the Empire was Ser Khan’s secret command, maintaining this standoff could be seen as defiance.

It wasn’t just Havar—others seemed to think the same.

For now, they still respected Amin’s orders, but if this continued, it wouldn’t be long before they dismissed him as a coward, locked him up, and ran wild on their own.

‘In that case…!’

Amin finally decided to attack the barrier.

He knew they couldn’t win, but leaving these hotheaded warriors to their own devices would only put him in danger… so he might as well let them charge to their deaths.

“…Fine. If you want to fight so badly, then fight to your heart’s content! Havar! Take three thousand White Flag Troops and attack the barrier! The rest will flank around to Dain!”

Amin barked the order and stormed out of the room.

Havar, mistaking Amin’s outburst for decisive resolve, brightened up.

“Finally…! I’ll follow your command!”

All traces of hostility vanished as Havar saluted Amin and left the tent.

Amin watched his retreating figure before returning to his own tent.

While the most reckless and aggressive warriors charged to their deaths at the barrier, he planned to use the remaining forces to plunder Dain as much as possible before retreating.

—-

Ludwig, who had overestimated the enemy commander, and Amin, who had failed to control his warriors.

Their miscalculations intertwined, leading to an all-out war neither side had wanted.