Chapter 138
Translator: Raizu
Editor: Shirayuki
Conquering the North part 7 ~Battle of Gayag Hill~
The battle erupted at midnight when there was no moonlight .
[E-enemy attack!]
[No way! Did they decide to ignore the hostages!?]
[Rather, how did they get behind us! There should be a river behind us…!]
[Shit! I don’t know from where they’re coming!]
Amqa’s formation placed the hostages at the very front, treating them as a meat shield . Right behind them were a few Iron tribe guards and several other tribes, including the Spear tribe . At the very back were the rest of the Iron tribe forces, along with the most cooperating tribes .
There was a river behind the formation, so it shouldn’t be possible to be attacked from behind…
[What’s going on! How come they’re attacking from behind us?]
At that moment, Amqa recalled Bogdan’s words .
[As long as we have the hostages, they won’t dare to attack head on . Our army should proceed . When the time comes, we’ll strike their forces from the sides . ]
That was Bogdan’s original plan .
[Those people don’t like unnecessary killing . ]
Few days ago, Bogdan was giving advice to Amqa .
[Hou, so they’re that kind of men . To me, nothing more fun than killing people in battle . ]
Ignoring Amqa’s laughter, Bogdan continued on .
[That’s why we collected all of our hostages together and put them at the front . ]
Bogdan’s plan was to use the hostages to prevent the enemies from marching towards them aggressively . They only need to buy time until the magic beast squad attacks the enemy from behind . Afterward, their cavalry will march to finally break the opposition… . All of that certainly sounded like a perfectly laid plan .
Of course, the other leaders inquired about the possibility of getting attacked from the rear .
[No need to be worried . There is a river behind us . The rivers in this area are too deep for cavalry to cross . Rest assured . ]
Convinced by Bogdan, Amqa happily adopted the plan and set up his camp atop Gayag hill .
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However, thanks to the information Zekka brought, Ares and the others became aware of this plan .
Bringing the most elite of his first army, along with the elites of Batu’s army, sneaked around to the back of Amqa’s forces and set up a surprise attack .
[There are a lot of trees along this river . ]
Shion explained .
[We can make a simple raft using these trees . ]
[But…won’t we just get swept downstream…?]
[Yes, the enemy would also think so . That’s why they left the back facing the river . But that’s also why we’ll use that opening . ]
Shion grinned .
[We’ll make use of the dragon knights . Let the dragons tow the raft across the stream . Fortunately, it’s the season when the stream isn’t that harsh . Our dragons should be able to force their way against the flow . Ah, and one more thing…]
Shion added .
[After crossing the river, Sigurd should lead the dragon knights back . We’ll need him and the rest of our troops to deal with the monsters attacking from behind us . ]
[That’s a lot to ask…]
Shion replied lightly to Sigurd’s complaint .
[There is no other way . It’s important to decide the outcome of this battle . We must win, no matter what hand we must use . ]
And thus, after a few days of building rafts, Ares finally put the operation to play .
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[Bastards! Those cowards!]
The surprise attack tore down the Iron tribe’s encampment . Amqa was busy barking out orders to the vassals around him .
[Oi!! Hurry up and get the guys at the front here! Kill all the hostages!]
But nobody responded to his order . All of them were too busy dealing with the surprise attack .
[Fuck! Where is everyone!?]
Responding to that was a vassal who was supposedly standing by at the frontline instead .
[Reporting!]
[What now!?]
[Hostages are escaping to the enemy camp . Our guards were attacked from behind by the Spear tribe!]
[What did you say!?]
Right, that was the measure Ares prepared to prevent the enemy from killing the hostage . He had sent a secret letter to Bord, the Spear tribe’s leader .
While the rear is disturbed by surprise attack, he is to help the hostages escape .
The reason why the Spear tribe had to wait was because their position was sandwiched between the hostage at the front and the Iron tribe at the back . Should they act too early, the Iron tribe would move to kill them along with the hostages from behind… It just won’t work .
But it’s a different story if the back was in a state of confusion .
According to Ares’ plan, Bord made his move, freeing the hostages .
[Many tribes also defected to the enemy camp…guaaa!]
Amqa killed the poor messenger with a slash of his sword . Everyone around him turned pale after witnessing this .
[Shit! Retreat! Retreat and regroup later!]
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The subordinates were perplexed at Amqa’s frantic order . However, at that moment .
[That won’t be needed . ]
A voice spoke up .
Realizing that Bogdan had spoken against his order, Amqa glared at his advisor .
[Bogdan…you…]
[Use this . ]
Bogdan took out a small box and showed it to Amqa .
[By using this, you’ll gain a power that none can surpass . Use this power to take their heads, and we’ll win . ]
Amqa silently observed the box for a while . Then finally said .
[This…how do I use this?]
[It’s very simple . I’ll use a special technique to embed it onto yourself . That’s it . ]
Amqa went silent once more .
If this situation goes on, Amqa knows that his army will collapse . He will eventually die, and everything ends there . However, if he uses this, he’ll gain immense power . Bogdan was asking him to hold the line while waiting for the magic beast squad to finish their task .
[In addition to increased power, you’ll also be able to take control of nearby magic beasts . I actually don’t want to give it to you . But this is an emergency . So there you are . ]
However, there were some who were against Bogdan’s suggestion .
[Amqsama! Do not be fooled by this guy . At this current situation we really should…guahhh!]
However, Bogdan was quick to approach that subordinate and swiftly beheaded the unfortunate man .
[Lowly trash…this isn’t the time for you to speak . Now, what do you say?]
[…………alright . Let’s do it your way . ]
Amqa finally made his choice as he turned toward Bogdan . Amqa’s subordinates turned pale faced upon hearing his decision .
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[Can this power make me the king of the steppes?]
[Not just the King of the Steppes, but you also can even become the King of All . ]
Those words were enough to make Amqa grin .
[Interesting . To have everything in this world . The land, riches and the women… do it now, Bogdan . ]
[Your boundless desire is truly marvelous…let’s get started . ]
Having said that, Bogdan opened the small box .
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Ares nodded in affirmative to Saint’s question .
[There is no doubt . I sensed the sign of the 『Demon King』coming from there…those bastards, don’t tell me they’re using the 『artifact』… . . ?]
Right after Ares muttered that, Batu and Shu came up to him . Both had equally pale complexions .
[Fourth head! Why does the air over there feel distorted!?]
[Oi oi, even I can feel it too? Chills have been running through my spine for a while now… Big bro? What is going on??
[…… . in any case we still need to go on . You know what to do . I’ve left my troops command to Roland . As for you two…]
[Don’t worry . I have Mukasa and Batoru to take command in my stead . ]
Batu was quick to reply .
[If I don’t defeat Amqa personally, then I won’t be able to claim the title Ran for myself . It’s also a critical point for me . ]
Hearing Batu’s resolve, Ares grinned in return .
[Got it . Let’s go . ]
And thus, Ares, Batu, and Shu rode together toward the center of Amqa’s formation where the evil aura was .