Chapter 130 – Conquering the North part 1 ~First Match~
[So it’s exactly as Shion predicted . ]
Ares turned his head to the military staff who was riding diagonal to him .
Shion replied from atop of his horse .
[Yes . Well, not like they have any other choice to begin with…]
The day after Zekka returned with the report, Ares immediately ordered the entire forces of Fort Troia to prepare .
The troops were to be divided into three and they must act as quickly as possible .
The first group would be led by Sigurd and consisted of the second army . Mostly filled with cavalry, they’re to march to the north . Of course, the dragon riders were also with this group .
The second group, led by Lauren, would stay to defend Troia fort . This group consisted of the 1st army… the 『Blue Legion』of Ares’ 『Broken Legions』 .
[I’m sure they’ll at least try to attack the fort . However, their cavalry are not suited for sieges . Solidify the defenses and don’t hesitate to counter attack with long range magic . ]
That was Shion’s message to the defending forces .
And lastly was the group that Ares led personally . A combination of the 1st army 『Red Legion』and parts of the 3rd army .
[The 3rd army is a mix of cavalry and infantry… I will be bringing the cavalry with me since our opponent is also cavalry . The infantry will come out last to decide the game . ]
Receiving Ares’ order, the army quickly arranged themselves . The cavalry soon took their position behind Ares .
Ares’ plan was to entrap Batu’s barbarian army .
This way, the war should stop immediately .
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About two weeks had passed since Ares dispatched the army . Batu couldn’t hide his frustration anymore .
[Damn it! What is their real goal?!]
When Batu attacked, the Grants army which consisted of cavalry would flee away . But when he decided to attack the fort, the cavalry would attack them from the rear . However, the enemy would flee with horrifying speed before Batu could counterattack . This pattern had been repeating itself for a while now .
[Batu, calm down . ]
Shu spoke to calm the younger Batu .
[They’re going to scrape us little by little at this rate . We need to somehow pull their defending force out . ]
[But if we do that, their cavalry will just attack us from the rear again . Either way, we are in trouble…]
Batu considered their situation from atop of his horse . It’s as if they’re dancing on someone’s palm . He had never experienced something like this before . And it made his impatience grow . There’s little amount of provisions left . Yet, they couldn’t plunder to replenish their supply since all nearby villages had been burned down . There was nothing left to rob .
[Batu… I have an idea…]
Shu told Batu his plan to recover the situation . Batu nodded in agreement .
[Let’s go . I don’t know how long we can last at this rate…]
Batu murmured with a determined look on his face .
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[Information has come in from Zekka . It seems that Sigurd is already done with his part . ]
Ares laughed as he told Shion
[With this, the first stage is completed . Time to end this . ]
[It’s about time for them to reach their limit . With that, it’s easy to predict their next move . ]
Shion also chuckled .
[I actually wanted to stretch things out for another one or two days . It can’t be helped . Well, in any case we managed to buy some time for Sigurd to complete his part of the plan . Let’s go in earnest . ]
[Sigurd also said that he’ll be riding Zephyr on his journey back… do you think he’ll get here in time?]
[He will . But before that… we need to weather the barbarians’ last stand first . ]
[They say a cornered cat will bite back . Let’s be careful . ]
Ares nodded at Shion, and proceeded to command the army .
[Announce this to all troops . We will now commence the 『Second Operation』to defeat the barbarians . Everyone is to act according to the plan . ]
[Understood!]
The messenger quickly went to inform the entire army .
[Alright… it’s going to get busy here . ]
Ares muttered to himself as he looked around .
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Now, how many times has it been already? Batu attacked the fort and as usual, arrows and magic rained down to welcome them .
[Now… they should be coming soon…]
[We need to endure for now . They’ll appear in due time . ]
Shu nodded in agreement . This time, Shu didn’t attack the fort like he usually did . Instead he was preparing for the enemy reinforcement, which should be coming after this .
According to Shu’s understanding, the enemy should call for reinforcements to attack Batu’s army from behind whenever the fort is attacked . Then, by the time they could turn around to retaliate, the reinforcements would’ve already fled .
And so, Shu devised a plan to destroy the ambushing reinforcement by pretending to attack the fort, while actually preparing to retaliate as soon as the enemy attacked their rear .
[Our cavalry won’t miss them if we are ready . I myself will take the lead and take their general’s head . That will determine everything . ]
Batu nodded at Shu’s words . He was on the lookout for that opportunity .
[Here it is . They’re coming!]
Batu tightened his fist and shouted
[They’re here! Shu!]
[Understood!]
Shu held up his cross spear, determining the moment to charge .
The opportunity he was looking for was when the enemy cavalry turned around to flee… but so far they didn’t show any sign to do so .
Both Batu and Shu were perplexed by this unusual behaviour . Then they finally noticed .
[Don’t tell me, they are…]
[Apparently, they are really going for the kill this time…]
Batu gritted his teeth upon hearing Shu’s .
[Dammit! And with great timing too! Has my luck finally run out?!]
But Shu stayed calm as he responded to Batu .
[As long as we’re still alive, the result is not set in stone yet . ]
After saying that, he told Batu .
[It’s just a little change in the plan . I will still do my part as planned . Batu, shall I?]
Batu looked back at Shu . The latter’s eyes had been stuck in one direction all this time . Perhaps he’s looking directly at the enemy general . Batu decided to give Shu the go .
[You are the best warrior in my troop, Shu . ]
Batu grabbed Shu’s shoulder .
[If you lose, I think I will also perish in this battle . Our fate, let’s determine it here . ]
[That resolve, I have accepted . ]
Shu then shouted loudly to the allies behind him .
[Now, I’m going for the enemy general’s head . Those who are courageous, with me!!]
And he alone charged first at the enemy line . Seeing that, many barbarians soon followed behind him .
Watching the situation… Batu gave out his orders .
[Batoru, Mukasa . Lead the remaining troops to capture the fort . You must at least prevent them from sending their troops out of the fort!!]
[ [ As you wish!! ] ]
Both Batoru and Mukasa were Batu’s childhood friends . They had served under Batu since he was young, making them Batu’s most reliable subordinates .
[No matter what, we will survive this predicament . I’ll leave everything to you… everyone…]
Batu muttered inwardly .
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[Finally got lured in, huh . ]
[The bait worked . ]
Both Ares and Shion smiled as they saw Shu charging in towards them .
[He’s most likely the greatest warrior in this barbarian army . I will go . ]
Ares then urged his horse to meet Shu’s charge . Watching this, Shion also followed from behind .