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246. Childhood Friend – Riverside

With his hands clasped behind his back, Alzeor de Lognum flicked his fingers atop the rounded hills of the Conrad Kingdom.

Surrounded by generals and advisors, including Count Geogis Jermin, a few nobles celebrated their victory in the first battle. But Alzeor’s gaze remained fixed on the enemy.

They had successfully breached the border.

Count Lopero, the western duke of the Conrad Kingdom, had failed to defend the forts and key positions along the frontier, and his army was in full retreat.

But something felt off.

Marquis Gaidan, who was well-versed in the terrain, had advised on tactics and pushed them forward with unmatched numbers, so a victory was to be expected. What puzzled Alzeor was the sheer foolishness of the enemy.

‘No matter how well I hid the information about gathering troops, they couldn’t have been completely unaware until now.’

They couldn’t be that incompetent.

‘Then why weren’t they prepared? If they had increased their rangers and densely stationed archers at the forts, they could have caused hundreds of casualties…’

“Congratulations on the great victory! It’s all thanks to your excellent command, Prince… No, Duke. Since the enemy has fallen apart, how about we toast to lift the soldiers’ spirits?”

Count Jermin, his cheeks flushed, interrupted the prince’s thoughts. Alzeor smiled gently,

“Would it be possible for you to encourage the soldiers, Count? You seem more qualified than I. However, it would be wise to limit the alcohol, as there are many soldiers who are former pirates and might be hard to manage once they start drinking.”

He brushed off the flatterers. Enjoying the pleasant southern breeze, he fell back into thought.

‘…In the origin and maxims of the blitzkrieg written by King Maunin and Queen Letty, there are strategies suggested that involve deliberately choosing to lose. This might be to lure the enemy into favorable terrain or to prepare for encirclement…’

Alzeor climbed onto a platform to survey the surrounding terrain.

The warm early summer breeze came from the southern sea, with patches of forest dotting the valleys of the hills.

What purpose did the enemy have in allowing us to advance this far? If I were the enemy, what would I have done with an advancing foe?

If it were me…

‘Fire attack.’

I would have set the place ablaze. I would have hidden soldiers in those woods, made a fire from below the hills, and then ambushed them amidst the smoke and chaos.

Ah! I could also cut off the supply line of the enemy as they crossed the rough mountain terrain. If I could reoccupy those excessive forts…

“Wizard!”

Alzeor de Lognum skillfully called for the wizard.

He had been careless.

Surely, even as Prince Alzeor, he couldn’t have expected such a large-scale military strategy to be prepared right after crossing the border.

They had intentionally let the forts go. Rather, it seemed they aimed to pass through without destroying them.

However, Alzeor’s worries proved to be unfounded.

Three wizards, walking slowly, used cloud vision magic to survey the rear and surrounding hills. But there was nothing there.

“That can’t be… Did you really look thoroughly?”

The youngest wizard shrugged.

“Yes, there’s nothing.”

The middle-aged wizard added a bit of an explanation.

“They might be hiding in the forest. Observing from above, it’s difficult to confirm if there are obstacles like trees.”

The elderly wizard asserted.

“Are you not checking for ambushes? While knights may be fine, it’s challenging for soldiers to hide beneath the trees. There are no ambushes.”

“Is there a chance that enemy wizards might be hiding?”

“Oh, it’s possible for wizards. I don’t know if any aggressive wizards would be present, though… But you shouldn’t worry about that either. If the enemy wizard prepares any spells, we would know immediately.”

“I see… Understood.”

He sent the wizards away. This time, Alzeor called forth a few knights to scout for themselves.

There wasn’t enough evidence to assume the enemy had acted foolishly. Looking down on the enemy could wait until after they were all killed.

The prince rode around the surrounding forests and hills. While he focused on the camp of Marquis Gaidan to the north, just as he was about to check behind him to see if indeed there was nothing—

“Stop right there! Who are you?!”

Ten barbarian warriors stumbled forward. The ignorant barbarians couldn’t recognize the knights and were staring blankly.

“Who are you? Why are you blocking our way? I’ll rip your guts out!”

Fueled by anger, a knight tried to draw his sword, but Alzeor waved his hand.

“Wait, calm down. We were rude. However, this is a time of war. Who are you to approach from behind the Marquis Gaidan’s camp and our army?”

“Hey, it seems we finally made it.”

“Geez, if you hadn’t messed things up back then, we would’ve arrived sooner.”

The barbarians muttered among themselves. One man, perhaps weary from traveling, was rubbing his legs.

The royal knight guarding Alzeor could hardly contain his annoyance and urged them to respond.

“Answer us quickly.”

“Ah, you’re quite impatient. Don’t worry. We’ve come to join the army of that noble lord, Marquis Gaidan.”

“Marquis Gaidan’s? Why would barbarians…”

“Ah! We’ve been waiting for you. Let us guide you.”

Alzeor winked at the knights and turned his horse towards his own army, asking as they headed there instead.

“Was your journey taxing?”

“Oh please, don’t even get me started. It’s tough to communicate with outsiders, and they told us to go to the territory of Marquis Gaidan, but there are two territories! Hahaha. We got hopelessly lost in the middle.”

“Yeah! Sure, it’s easy to say we got lost, but when you deal with those outsiders, calling us barbarians, they tried to extort more money from us and directed us the wrong way. Sigh, I was skeptical when we were in the village, but seeing it in the outside world, I get it. This rotten world needs to turn upside down.”

The barbarian warriors nodded in unison. Alzeor followed suit and asked,

“So you came looking for Marquis Gaidan. What promise did the Marquis make you?”

“We don’t know the details – only the general and the chief do. But the noble lord said that if we lend our strength, all the indigenous people of the kingdom will be freed.”

The knights’ expressions hardened. Alzeor de Lognum lightly stroked his chin and smiled.

“I see. Then it must not be just one tribe that has sent out troops… Which tribe do you come from?”

“The Bijan Tribe. Is that the army of Marquis Gaidan we see over there?”

“Yes, it is.”

“Thank you for showing us the way. Oh dear friends, you’ve all worked hard. Let’s go find our village folks quickly. My daughter must have arrived by now.”

“You have a daughter? If you give me her name, I could help you meet her.”

“Oh! Thank you. I’m Uban Bijan, and my daughter’s name is Vann Bijan…”

– Whack.

With a simple motion from the prince, Uban Bijan’s head fell. As the knights slaughtered the barbarians, the prince realized the reason for the enemy’s retreat and pieced together the situation.

Marquis Gaidan. This old raccoon was scheming something.

It seems he thought to join forces with the Conrad Kingdom to kill me and then turn over our kingdom… Haha! Quite clever.

“What shall we do? Should we tie up Marquis Gaidan at once?”

A knight soaked in blood asked coldly. The prince shook his head.

“Keep today’s events quiet.”

This was a campaign he had prepared his entire life for.

It wouldn’t be difficult to summon the marquis and execute him, but doing so could cause the troops to disband on their own. No matter how much of a prince he was, he had no legal ground to restrain those who were under the marquis’s payroll.

So what should be done? Wait a moment… Yes, the marquis would show signs of rebellion at the Irotashi River.

Alzeor de Lognum turned his horse’s head, pondering how to engulf Marquis Gaidan’s army in reverse. Behind him trailed long, red hoofprints.

*

“The bridge has been destroyed.”

In just a week, the armies of Marquis Gaidan and Duke Alzeor had pushed the enemy back to the Irotashi River.

Count Lopero, the western duke of the Conrad Kingdom, while in retreat, perhaps due to getting caught up in delaying tactics (the bridge where Palace Tertan had died) had destroyed the bridge and set up camp on the other side.

They could have left the bridge intact.

It was going to take time to restore the bridge. Though the roots of the pillars remained, if that vast river met with the rainy season, restoration could become challenging.

The two invading armies from the Orun Kingdom began to construct rafts to cross the river. Fortunately, while the Irotashi River was wide, it wasn’t overly turbulent. It was swimmable, but an armed army couldn’t swim, and they needed a means to maintain supplies, even if nominally.

The soldiers, still unaware that they would soon be labeled as rebels, poured their hearts into making the rafts. They attached barriers to fend off enemy arrows, boasting about how their squad had secured sturdy paddles.

All of it was pointless, but to deceive the enemy, you must first deceive your own side.

The fact that they were attacking their own side (Duke Alzeor’s army) would likely only be revealed the day before they crossed the river, and Marquis Harvey Gaidan occasionally went to report to Prince Alzeor, observing his movement.

“Prince Alzeor looks very pleased. After winning over thirty battles, he has reason to be. He wants to cross the river quickly and lay siege to Radogar.”

“That’s good to hear. But don’t let your guard down. Despite his looks, he is a prince and likely has hidden abilities.”

Marquis Gaidan nodded.

“That’s right. Especially his political skills are outstanding. Everyone thinks he’s just a lustful playboy, but I don’t see him that way. I’ll encourage myself to maintain a more appropriate demeanor. Oh, by the way, I heard the prince will be sending soldiers to the rear. He’s worried about supply routes stretching too long for enemy raids.”

“How many is he sending?”

“He mentioned sending a thousand, but since there is room in the situation, I suggested they send around three thousand. I’m worried it may be too much.”

“That’s not bad then. It’s likely he won’t ask for the supply routes to be guarded by those marauding pirates, so the soldiers going rearward should be the cream of the crop. It will make things easier. How are preparations for the crossing on your end?”

“With many sailors, it’s quite fast. They’re even ready building small boats. The crossing date has been set for four days from now.”

Was it because things were going smoothly? Marquis Gaidan smiled brightly. But that would be the last smile he would show that Reb would witness.

Three days later, on a drizzly day, the head of the marquis rolled between the two camps. It was a calamity that occurred while he went to report that due to rain, crossing would be challenging tomorrow.

Amidst the unrest among the soldiers, Duke Alzeor de Lognum shouted.

“Execution of the traitor, Marquis Harvey Gaidan! The marquis incited the barbarians to conspire against us, and those of you who have been close to him are also traitors!”

In front stood an army of 50,000 fitting to their boats, the swollen river on the left, and the Lognum royal family’s flag countless on the right forest. The only way to escape seemed to be to turn back.

“But!”

Even soaked in rain, with dark hair as gloomy as the night sky, the prince sternly admonished.

“I know you have merely followed orders. I will give you a chance. Kill those audacious slaves. Prove you are loyal soldiers of the Orun Kingdom and absolve yourselves of your crimes!”

Two hundred royal knights emerged, stepping through the muddy waters. Caught between the brutal threat and stern coercion, a mere soldier would bow to a royal.

Leo Dexter, arms crossed, thought, ‘Is this really it?’ He was planning to turn and flee with Reb when suddenly, a faint voice ignited.

“…Gandan…”

That muttering voice slowly grew louder. Initially, it was a single mumble that inspired one another, turning into a furious roar.

“Stop your nonsense!”

“How could our lord be like that!!”

“Hey, you bastard!”

The soldiers were crying. Having served as soldiers of the Gaidan family for over a decade, the warm-hearted Marquis Harvey was a respectful employer and a wounded master.

The curses were equal from the knights of Marquis Gaidan. No, their anger was greater than that of the soldiers.

Blaming the gods for taking their sons, riling up the traitorous marquis, they all threw down their swords. They astutely replaced their shameful ceremonial swords with new ones, having declared themselves as traitors.

Bastard, son of a bitch, even rat droppings seem much better.

Words that could hardly be spoken to a prince were hurled. Just as execution was decided for all, Leo stepped forward and shouted.

“Raise your weapons! For Marquis Harvey Gaidan!”

The cascading raindrops reflected brightly in the light. The Oblivion Blade, spewing steam, ignited the moment everyone shouted, “Waaah!!!”

The men’s rage, in a muddy field.

This was something that was entirely unlike Reb’s temperament, but even he lifted his sword, adding to the vigor of Leo Dexter.

“Charging!!”

Whose voice was it?

The soldiers, with no regard for who led, shouted, “Charging!!”, “Charging!!”, “Charging!!”, “Charging!!” as they rushed forward.