Volume 12 Chapter 2 The War-Torn Northeast Region
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
*Scarlet’s Perspective
”Tell all volunteers who joined the Kingdom Liberation Front. We are leaving Ostulf territory now to start a campaign to free the northeastern part with the Kingdom Retro Brigade. But I warn you──anyone who commits theft, assault, or acts against military discipline in the liberated areas will be executed immediately. Be prepared, everyone.”
The volunteers Poplar summoned again as the Kingdom Liberation Front’s strategist mostly consisted of ex-nobles who lost their military status in the capital city.
The ex-nobles who were expelled from the army had undergone basic military training, making them easier to control compared to regular civilians. Still, there was concern whether they could resist the urge to plunder, which had been quietly tolerated until now.
In fact, even in Ostulf territory, where troops were stationed, conflicts arose with the locals, and complaints reached me.
”Scarlet, leave that to me.”
Nioh, standing with arms crossed beside her, steps forward in front of the volunteers.
Poplar then brings out a man who has been tied up.
”This man assaulted women in the territory. According to the Kingdom Liberation Front’s military code, assaulting women is punishable by death. That applies to volunteers too.”
Nioh loudly announces the man’s death sentence to the entire group of volunteers, loud enough to reach every corner.
The man crawls before Nioh, begging for mercy.
”Sir Nioh!! Please have mercy!! I will make up for my mistake with my martial achievements in battle!”
”No!! Those who cannot follow discipline are useless!”
Nioh takes an axe from the nearby executioner, places it on the man’s neck, and swings it down hard.
With a cracking sound, the struggling man falls silent, blood splurting from his neck like a fountain.
Instantly, cries and chaos spread among the volunteers.
”If you don’t want to end up like this guy, don’t go raping and pillaging! Hold back until we win the war! Even if you sneak off, you’re sure to get caught eventually!”
I let the agitated soldiers see the man’s grim fate.
The former nobles who joined the militia couldn’t hide their fear.
”And remember, now that we’re at war, desertion will meet the same end as this man. If you run, the army will hunt you down!”
A cry-like voice rose from the soldiers who heard my words.
The soldiers, who had doubts about fighting in the first place, seemed to realize they were now in a life-or-death situation.
I think they fully understood that their only path to survival was to win the battle against the Kingdom Retro Brigade.
Facing the restless soldiers, Nioh loudly urges us to set out.
”Now, we launch our counteroffensive against the Kingdom Retro Brigade! Forward, march!”
Thus, we left Osturf with a thousand volunteers and 5 hundred stragglers.
We defeated the nearby surveillance troops and liberated towns and villages belonging to the Kingdom Retro Brigade, but thanks to the man Nioh executed, there was not a single case of looting or rape by the volunteers.
As a result, we received support from the liberated towns and villages, and our marching speed increased.
By the time Austronesia gathered their forces to meet us, our army had swelled to 3 thousand.
Austronesia, on the other hand, had fewer than 2 thousand infantry, excluding their one thousand Cavalry, due to successive desertions, making their strength nearly equal to ours.
After capturing the enemy army, I decided to set up camp in a nearby town and hold a military council.
”Finally, Austronesia has come out with their own troops. Recon reports say they have a thousand Cavalry and 2 thousand infantry.”
Only the leader, Nioh, and the strategist, Poplar, were present at the military council.
We didn’t invite the officers of the militia, who had questionable loyalty, to avoid the risk of information leaks, so it was just the 3 of us.
”I have a secret plan. I’d like you to leave it to me. I’ve already had my subordinates prepare in advance, and I’ve received a report that they’ve completed their task.”
Strategist Poplar spread out a map of the area on the desk.
”Do you have a strategy? I want to settle this quickly so I can get back to my research.”
Nioh had been skipping his breast massage research time, which he usually conducted with women from the liberated towns and villages, to attend the military meeting.
He was restlessly looking around. It might sound like he’s into women, but Nioh isn’t interested in females themselves; he’s only interested in their breasts. He’s known to turn down the affections of women who have received his massages before.
However, many women had become captivated by his massages, and some had even started personally taking care of him.
In fact, if you overlook his obsession with breasts, Nioh is a tall, sturdy man with a pleasant face, which makes him a good catch.
”Nioh… make sure your research doesn’t cause trouble for Sir Aldo.”
I advised Nioh not to cause any trouble with women.
”I know, I know.”
”Alright, let’s get back to the main topic. My plan is this: First, we’ll have Nioh provoke Austronesia’s direct subordinate Cavalry to draw them out. Then, when they chase after him, I want him to retreat into that forest.”
Poplar’s finger pointed to a forested area northeast of the town on the map.
”That’s easy enough, but… what do we do after luring them into the forest?”
In response to Nioh’s question, Poplar’s finger moved across the map with a rustling sound.
Where Poplar pointed was a clearing in the forest, like a slash through the trees.
”What’s there?”
”It’s a dry riverbed. There’s a place that used to be a river but has dried up, leaving something like a small cliff. I plan to lure Austronesia there and have them fall into a trap. Preparations are already underway. It’s strong enough for infantry to cross, but it’s been rigged to collapse if Cavalry rides over it.”
Poplar’s plan was very thorough.
Austronesia wanted to end things quickly too, and if their leader Nioh went to the front lines, he would likely lead his cavalry to chase us.
To make sure the pursuing cavalry did not have doubts, we thought it would be best to let Nioh and his group cross right in front of them, so the cavalry would fall right into our trap without question.
”That’s a good plan. Then I will take on the task of scattering the infantry.”
”If Lady Scarlet scatters the infantry, we can carry out the plan without worry.”
”Then let’s start right away. Time is limited.”
We quickly finished our meeting and set out our army towards the plains where Austronesia was positioned.
* * *
*Austronesia’s Perspective
Due to the betrayal of General Mild, the northern territory was occupied by Yaalan’s forces, and while Lynthia, Rhea, and Lyla were mobilized to eliminate the remaining enemies, they returned with their troops to the northern fortress, Kranschtadt, and I was ordered to protect this place.
The instructions from my father and master, Sir Gwain, were absolute for me, and losing this territory would be like cutting off my father Gwain’s lifeline.
So, I wanted to click my tongue at the fact that, at the same time as Yaalan’s invasion, the Kingdom Liberation Front was regaining strength and advancing their counterattack.
It was hopeless to ask for reinforcements because defending Kranschtadt took all our manpower, and we could expect none.
I reluctantly tried to gather troops from the Kingdom Retro Brigade’s controlled areas, but very few soldiers came. In the precious time I spent gathering, only about 3 thousand soldiers gathered.
The reason so few showed up when asked was because rumors spread that the Kingdom Liberation Front was forbidding assaults and plunder on the soldiers and advancing without seizing military supplies, causing many towns and villages to side with the Kingdom Liberation Front.
Realizing that if I left the Kingdom Liberation Front as it was, I would surely be driven out of this land, I set out to intercept the advancing Kingdom Liberation Front with my direct subordinates, the Cavalry, and the infantry I had gathered.
Then, as we reached a plain where the town occupied by the Kingdom Liberation Front came into view, I decided to leave the infantry under the command of Stefan Schuwelt and Marselo.
”Lady Austronesia… Should we strike all at once? I think it will be disadvantageous for us if we drag out the time.”
Stefan, a General of the Demon God Emperor’s army, rode up to me and requested permission to attack.
He was a former minor Lord from the east, skilled in the art of war but often harsh with his soldiers and people, which made him less popular.
However, he had managed to climb the ranks and now held the position of Vice-Chief of the Kingdom Retro Brigade, steadily advancing his status.
Determined to protect his position, his presence was particularly imposing in this battle.
”Hey! Are you sure about this? The enemy has gathered an equal number of troops. Our previous invasion was a decisive victory because we had nearly 5 times their numbers. Isn’t it disadvantageous for us to face them with equal forces?”
Marselo, another Vice-Chief, approached with a worried look on his face.
This man had gathered a group of rebels against the Demon God Emperor’s rule, engaging in thievery, and was always fearful of something, but he could also be seen as cautious, and his careful strategies had helped us more than once.
He opposed this deployment, suggesting that we abandon this place and regroup at the northern fortress.
”That decision has already been made. We have no choice but to fight. It’s clear that if we return to the northern fortress in disgrace, my father Gwain will have our heads. This is where we make our stand, Mr. Lord of Marselo.”
Marselo’s face turned even more pale at my words.
Having already lost so much territory, retreating to the north would surely mean death by my father’s hand. There was no other way for us to survive but to win this battle and hold our ground.
At that moment, the scout soldier shouted loudly as he returned.
”Lady Austronesia! The enemy is deploying soldiers! The vanguard is led by Nioh, the leader of the Kingdom Liberation Front! Scarlet follows him, and they’re marching towards our camp!”
The scout soldier reported accurately, though he was out of breath.
”What! Nioh! Isn’t this a chance to defeat him! Lady Austronesia, now is the time for a full-scale attack!”
”There must be a trap! We should defend our camp and prepare to meet them head-on!”
Stefan and Marselo’s opinions clashed.
I myself was hesitating, but I thought we couldn’t avoid being at a disadvantage if we just defended.
”We advance! Prepare yourselves at once!”
Shaking off my doubts, I gave the order to advance.
Marselo didn’t argue further, and the camp quickly became a flurry of activity as we prepared to deploy.
* * *
We encountered the Kingdom Liberation Front near noon, leading our troops to meet them.
The vanguard was indeed led by Nioh, as the scout had reported.
The enemy recognized us and readied themselves for battle.
Then, a loud voice rose from the enemy side.
”I see the famous Lady Austronesia of the Kingdom Retro Brigade. How about it? Will you surrender and let me give you a breast massage? I bet you could grow another 2 sizes, being in your growth period.”
The man presumed to be Nioh made a lewd suggestion with a leering gesture.
Instantly, blood rushed to my head and my body grew hot with anger.
”Such a proposal is unacceptable! Because you will be defeated here!”
I quickly sent the signal to advance.
The Cavalry moved at once, followed shortly by Marselo and Stefan’s troops.
Seeing our forces move, Nioh began to retreat towards a nearby forested area.
Although an ambush was possible, it seemed there was no sign of people when I looked closely.
”Stefan! Marselo! You two hold back Scarlet! I will lead the Cavalry and go after Nioh!”
””Understood!””
I left Stefan and Marselo to handle the reinforcements. I aimed to chase Nioh through the forest with my direct Cavalry. But Nioh and the others were quick.
They dodged the trees while escaping, making it hard for me to speed up. I couldn’t close the gap between us.
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
Leave a Reply