Chapter 214

If Marquis Ludwig had held out for just one more day, the outcome might have been different.

Thousands of Ka`har, blocked by the barrier, would have been helplessly slaughtered under the rain of arrows.

On the other hand, if Amin had been just a bit more commanding, the result could have been different too.

For Amin, it was an unknown situation, but Ludwig’s forces had no choice but to march out.

On the battlefield, just out of the range of the castle walls.

The Ka`har cavalry could have repeatedly attacked and retreated, forcing the Imperial Army to suffer one-sided losses.

But whether by chance or fate, the two commanders gave the order to attack at almost the same time.

To be precise, Ludwig was a step ahead.

While Havar, who had pressured Amin into giving the attack order, gleefully instructed the soldiers to prepare for battle, the Landenburg army was already stepping outside the barrier.

“The Empire has gone mad! They dare to fight us on the plains!”

Havar, upon receiving the scout’s report, actually smiled.

He knew well that enemies on open ground were easier to deal with than those holed up behind the barrier.

“What should we do? Wait for them all to come out…?”

“No, attack now! If we hesitate, they might hide again!”

Havar immediately gave the order to attack.

It was unclear whether the Imperial Army would send out all their forces to march forward or just watch and retreat back into the barrier.

So he chose to follow his instincts.

To fight as quickly and fiercely as possible.

He didn’t want to waste this perfect opportunity, having barely managed to get Amin to agree to the battle, and now with the enemy rushing out from behind the barrier.

“First and Second Thousand-man Units, mount up and attack from both sides! Third Thousand-man Unit, take shields and hold the center!”

The forces under Havar’s command consisted of three thousand White Flag Troops and one hundred and fifty warriors.

He divided them into three thousand-man units, assigning fifty warriors to each, and converted two thousand into cavalry.

Though the White Flag Troops were trained as infantry, using them as cavalry in this open field battle was far more effective.

“Let’s go! It’s time to spill the blood of the Empire across the plains!”

“Ooooooh!”

Two thousand mounted White Flag Troops charged with a roar.

Straight towards the Landenburg forces just beginning to emerge from the barrier.

—

“Attacking at this moment…?”

Ludwig muttered in disbelief, staring blankly.

The sound of hooves pounded the ground like hail, and a cloud of dust rose behind the charging enemy.

The war cries of Havar’s White Flag Troops echoed loudly, even reaching the top of the barrier.

At a glance, it was clear there were thousands of troops.

It was obvious that at least half of their forces had been committed to this attack.

‘Why now…?’

It was a move that made no sense.

Just as Landenburg was forced to commit most of its forces to an unfavorable battle, the enemy had decided to charge right into their range.

If they had waited just a bit longer, they could have had a much easier fight.

Even Ludwig couldn’t have anticipated this.

How could he have known that the enemy, who had come to attack the barrier, would be led by a fool who couldn’t even control his own men and a battle maniac who preferred bloody combat over a safe victory?

This was a first for Ludwig. Until now, the Ka`har armies he had faced were led by Or-han himself.

In other words, they were forces that obeyed Or-han’s commands absolutely.

If the commander showed any sign of weakness or hesitation, Ludwig had never truly understood the nature of these enemies, who would openly show hostility.

If he had known, he would have waited a few more days, until the enemy’s divisions became clear.

‘Well, the reason doesn’t matter now. First, we need to deal with this…!’

Ludwig looked down from the barrier.

They had just started sending out their forces, so only about half of their troops were deployed outside the barrier.

Eight hundred infantry divided into four units, a thousand cavalry waiting on the flanks, and four masters.

The rest were preparing to descend the barrier and move out, with only four hundred archers lined up on top of the barrier.

‘It’s too late to pull the troops back. Trying to bring them back inside the barrier now would only leave us vulnerable. We have no choice but to fight with our backs to the barrier and keep sending out troops…!’

Ludwig’s forces consisted of two thousand infantry, a thousand archers, and a thousand cavalry.

Four hundred lightly armed light cavalry and four hundred heavily armored heavy cavalry.

In addition, there were two hundred knights, essentially an elite version of the heavy cavalry, bringing the total heavy cavalry to six hundred.

Six hundred heavy cavalry was an unprecedented number even among the Empire’s lords, but the enemy was a unique people who could convert all their infantry into cavalry if needed.

It was hardly a sufficient force to face them.

In fact, the number of cavalry charging towards them was already double that of Landenburg’s.

‘At least sending out the cavalry first was fortunate. Maybe we can hold off a frontal charge.’

Having finished his thoughts, Ludwig immediately turned to the rear and gave his orders.

“Archers! Climb the barrier and target their cavalry! Infantry, continue facing outside the barrier!”

At the loud command, the six hundred archers lined up inside the barrier hurriedly began climbing the stairs.

The four hundred already on the barrier aimed their bows at the enemy.

“Second and Third Infantry Units, defend the center! First and Fourth Infantry Units, gather at the rear flanks! Cavalry, wait until the enemy is close enough!”

The soldiers outside the barrier quickly formed their ranks.

Heavy cavalry positioned on the flanks, with light cavalry following behind.

The formation was designed to have the heavy cavalry block the arrows from the Ka`har cavalry, while the light cavalry would hold them back once they got close enough.

Behind the cavalry, eight hundred infantry formed three shield walls.

Holding large shields and spears, they prayed to stop the enemy cavalry.

The Ka`har army, facing them for the first time in eight years, charged forward with strange war cries.

“…Really, huh?”

[Look at that, didn’t I say Amin couldn’t suppress the warriors’ complaints?]

Even so, who would’ve thought there’d be so many lunatics charging straight at the barrier?

Watching the cavalry approach, kicking up a sandstorm, I couldn’t help but sigh in despair.

If they were going to invade, they could’ve come a bit earlier or much later. Why now, of all times…

Half the archers had descended below the barrier, and the cavalry and infantry were practically split apart.

It was a perfectly timed attack, hitting when Randenburg’s defenses were at their weakest.

Maintaining a standoff was their best strategy, so this must be their second-best option.

“Are Nigel and Leonor okay…?”

[If you’re so worried, why didn’t you move with the knights instead of watching like a coward from up here?]

As Hersela said, I was still standing atop the barrier, watching the enemies approach.

Even as Leonor, under the alias Rene, and Nigel, clad in full armor instead of his usual gear, led the knights outside the barrier to meet the enemy.

“Call me a secret weapon, not a coward. I wanted to step up, but Ludwig opposed it.”

Ludwig was against me taking the front line.

He said it’d be a headache if I died, and there were better tactics than leading the charge.

As soon as he realized my arrows and javelins could wreak havoc in a narrow area, he left me stranded up here on the barrier.

He said to attack from above once the enemies got close enough.

It was more like using a magician than a knight.

In fact, those standing beside me were magicians too.

Though there were only about twenty of them.

It was natural for their numbers to be small.

Skilled magicians preferred joining the Mage Tower over becoming a lord’s private soldier.

[Secret weapon, my foot. The Empire’s combat doctrine is always so pathetic. Instead of the great warrior leading the charge, they push the warriors forward to avoid danger. You and those guys, all hiding behind the warriors. What a waste of talent.]

Hersela clicked her tongue, mocking.

As she said, Randenburg’s other masters were positioned in the middle ranks, not at the front.

A stark contrast to Ka`har, where the great warrior always leads the charge… but strategically, this was the more rational choice.

No matter how strong a master is, unless their weapon extends several meters, their attack range isn’t much different from other knights.

Especially in mounted combat, where movement is restricted.

Moreover, even a master can be stabbed by a stray spear or, if they fall, trampled by dozens of hooves.

Losing one of the Empire’s roughly fifty masters would be a tragic waste.

Thus, the Empire typically positioned masters in the middle ranks, using them to exploit breaches made by the front-line knights.

Unless the enemy was a ragtag bunch with no chance of causing a fall, then they’d just push forward.

“The enemy’s in range! Archers, fire!”

At Ludwig’s command, four hundred arrows rained down on the enemy’s front lines. A silver torrent blanketed the sky.

The White Armies’ cavalry at the front fell, either pierced by arrows or trampled under their own horses’ hooves.

Whether the arrows killed them or their comrades’ hooves did, only the dead could know.

“White Armies! Increase speed! The Empire’s dogs are right before us!”

A booming shout erupted from the enemy’s midst.

Their commander, perhaps. His voice alone radiated a belligerent nature.

[That voice… the enemy commander must be Havar.]

‘Havar? Who’s that?’

[A great warrior of the White Armies. A man as bold and spirited as a warrior should be.]

In other words, an empty-headed fool who doesn’t value his life.

“Keep firing! We must reduce their numbers by even one!”

“Scatter and counter! Teach the Empire’s dogs how to shoot arrows!”

As if opposing Ludwig’s command, Havar shouted again.

The enemy’s mounted archers on both flanks dispersed into small units, firing arrows at Randenburg’s cavalry as they closed in.

Most arrows bounced off the heavy armor, but the warriors’ strong bows could knock down even heavy knights with a direct hit.

“Ugh!”

A few unlucky heavy knights fell with a cry.

Though their armor wasn’t pierced, the combined shock of the hit and the fall left them unable to rise immediately.

If they’d fallen during a charge, they’d have been trampled to death.

“Neigh-!”

The real problem was the warhorses.

Unlike humans, horse armor had gaps, and even if arrows didn’t penetrate, the startled horses often panicked.

Knights could deflect strong arrows with their swords, but expecting that skill from ordinary heavy knights was too much.

They endured the arrow rain for dozens of seconds.

“Randenburg Knights! Advance! The Empire’s fate depends on this battle!”

Perhaps judging the distance close enough, Randenburg’s cavalry finally began to move forward.