I'm going mad. Truly mad enough to jump up and down. Dammit. Dammit!
Such were the lamentations recently uttered by Benito's Commander and Staff Officers.
Indeed, everything had been proceeding well according to plan.
The military strength of the Holy Church was not just weak but practically incompetent.
It was laughable that those who merely offered prayers to God strutted around calling themselves knights.
Their vaunted Knights Order was shattered, and the Volunteer Army crumbled.
The proud sons of Benito had confidently entered the Holy Church.
Naturally, there was no reason to provoke unnecessary hostility with pointless actions.
Even though they were excommunicated and a Holy War was declared against them, there were things to uphold.
Therefore, pillaging was strictly forbidden, and they proceeded slowly but surely towards the Sanctuary where the Pope resided.
If things continued this way, they could replace the Pope and install someone with pro-Benito tendencies.
Revoking the excommunication and Holy War, turning the Church into Benito's puppet—nothing could be better.
Yes. If it weren't for that one piece of news delivered so suddenly.
[ Benito. Declaration of War against the Empire ]
At first, they doubted their eyes. Then they doubted their ears.
Why suddenly? Why did our King declare war on the Empire?
Immense confusion ensued. What on earth was this act?
They had defeated the Holy Church's army. It was undoubtedly a Great Victory.
But considering it, those forces hardly deserved to be called an army.
They had entered the Church, but in fact, the real challenge was just beginning.
Regardless, the Holy Church is the order of the south, and many still believe in Lunen.
One couldn't just burn and pillage the Church there. Too many eyes were watching.
So naturally, the pace of advance slowed. Meanwhile, resistance continued to arise.
And yet. Without even knowing the situation here well, a sudden Declaration of War.
The Benito Military grew anxious, but there was nothing they could do immediately.
Surely, they couldn't burn the Church and massacre those who blocked their path.
Still, up to this point, it was okay. Hadn't their King taken measures beforehand?
The southern kingdoms would respond to Benito's request and block the Empire.
They didn't need to win. Just buying time would suffice. Just a little bit, just a little bit more!
Unfortunately, bad things tend to follow one after another.
[ Urgent News. Southern kingdoms have opened the way for the Empire ]
[ Empire's 4th Legion, 15th Legion. Advancing south with terrifying Morale ]
“...”
The Empire's Legions were coming. Two whole Legions had arrived right before their noses.
At that news, the Commander and his commanders were utterly aghast.
“This is crazy! Discarding the promise made to Benito like an old shoe!?”
The reason why the nearby southern kingdoms switched sides so quickly.
The Empire promised profit twice what Benito had offered.
They would only later learn that half of it was paid immediately.
Thus, the Benito Military instantly fell into a state of isolation and helplessness.
The kingdoms near Benito were still on Benito's side, but no longer in this region.
If the armies of other kingdoms also advanced south alongside the Empire's Legions, they would be trapped without escape.
The Commander had to decide. Either hold out here by capturing the Pope.
Or withdraw all plans and retreat as things stood.
While deliberating between those two, one more piece of news arrived.
“The Gori Kingdom has withdrawn. The path to Benito is clear!”
Currently, only about 20,000 troops remained in Benito at most.
Even these were mostly reserve troops, lacking significantly in training.
Compared to the current Benito Military, they were already outmatched, so what would happen if the opponent was an Empire Legion?
“Retreat.”
Ultimately, the Benito Commander made a swift decision and immediately acted upon it.
Normally, he should have first asked the intentions of his lord and King, Andrea II.
But given the urgency of the situation, he believed this breach of protocol would be overlooked.
They had to return quickly. Only they stood a chance of fighting the Empire.
This army was composed of veterans who gained various experiences on the distant western front.
The soldiers, painstakingly trained by them, were Benito's sole main force.
It was glaringly obvious that only their return could protect Benito.
Therefore, they departed the Holy Church they had painstakingly entered and headed towards Benito.
Fortunately, the Empire Legions that arrived in the Holy Church afterward did not pursue them.
They simply moved to stabilize the internal situation while staying in the Church.
‘It means they intend to take measures so the nearby southern kingdoms don’t defect again.’
The Benito Commander thought, as expected of the Empire, and sighed.
Things had gone awry. Honestly, if it hadn't been for that damned Declaration of War, it would have been fine.
It wasn't that he couldn't understand their King; that was also necessary work.
But the timing was poor. If the plan had been delayed just a little longer, it would have been perfect.
“...Enough. Let's not think about it anymore.”
He was a Subject loyal to his King.
Though he might question his intentions, he must not doubt them.
He could only contemplate and strive for what he could do for Benito and the King.
As they continued towards Benito, a report arrived from a Scout.
“An Empire Legion has been spotted ahead.”
“Judging by the Legion banner, it appears to be the 6th Legion, one of the two Legions that moved towards the Gori Kingdom.”
There were certainly two Empire Legions heading towards Benito.
One was the 6th Legion. The other was the 13th Legion.
But the Legion currently blocking them was only one.
That meant only one thing.
‘The Empire has divided its forces.’
‘One to block us, the other to...’
‘Benito! Aiming for our Motherland!’
Unless one was a fool, this much could naturally be inferred from the current situation.
The remaining forces in Benito could never stop the 13th Legion.
Weren't all the relatively well-trained ones here?
At that point, the common soldiers became the most frantic.
Benito wasn't the issue. The King was also losing his mind.
My parents, my wife, my children, my home, my hometown are all in danger.
Their only concern was the families they had left behind.
As this atmosphere permeated the entire army, urgency and impatience grew.
It was so strong it was visible even in their marching.
The Commander tried to soothe the soldiers through his Commanders, but it wasn't easy.
No father, son, or husband could be at ease leaving their children, parents, and wife behind.
Just as the entire 50,000 Benito troops were becoming increasingly impatient.
Another piece of news arrived via a Scout's report.
“Empire 6th Legion. Maintaining formation with the river at its back.”
“Last Stand Formation. The Enemy has taken a Last Stand Formation against us Benito!”
Hearing those words, the Commander and the other Commanders looked at each other.
Silently, everyone was likely thinking the same thing.
That they must break through, absolutely.
The Empire's 13th Legion is threatening Benito, their homeland.
And that 6th Legion is trying to hold them back.
They could ignore it and pass by, but they would soon be attacked from behind.
There is also the method of sacrificing the rear units as bait and moving on.
But if they really did that, the army's Morale would hit rock bottom.
Moreover, they couldn't afford to lose the army they had painstakingly trained.
Crucially, one point was tightening the noose around everyone's neck, from the Commander down to the lowest-ranking Officers.
“Even if we return to Benito, what are our chances of victory?”
To put it coldly, their chances were very low, extremely small, almost nonexistent.
The 13th Legion was threatening Benito's main gate, and the 6th Legion was blocking the path they must take.
Add to that the 4th and 15th Legions, still in the Church but capable of appearing at any time.
If the Reserve unit, the 18th Legion, also comes down completely, they would have to face nearly 100,000 elite troops in total.
They were figures in the Military Circles, commanders leading the army.
Those seated in that position must know they ought to fight for victory.
In their view, the 6th Legion, having formed a Last Stand Formation, was an important puzzle piece.
‘The 6th Legion’s goal is to buy time for the 13th Legion to break through the main gate.’
‘They didn't form a Last Stand Formation for nothing; it was to prevent being surrounded due to numerical inferiority.’
‘They intend to tie our ankles. Even if we shake them off and go, they'll keep chasing. In that case...’
In that case, let's take them. Since they've formed a Last Stand Formation, if we break through the front, there's no next step.
We admit the Empire Legion is the elite of the elite, and we admit our Inferiority.
But now, the Benito Military has also become desperate. They have a reason to fight and win.
We believe without a doubt that will surely become a powerful weapon for our Allies.
“Our army will annihilate the Empire 6th Legion right there.”
Therefore, when their Commander expressed such intent, no one objected.
Rather, if he had suggested just passing by, they might have protested.
The army was already heated with impatience. In this state, they couldn't afford an Enemy at their backs.
Although the Enemy is elite, there is at least a two-to-one numerical difference.
This is an opportunity given by heaven. We must, absolutely must win.
It won't be easy. It will surely be a very difficult Battle.
But it can't be helped. Avoiding it itself is impossible.
Let's win. Winning is enough. If we just win, somehow things will work out.
Such thoughts gripped the minds and bodies of everyone in the Benito Military.
Finally, as the decision was made, the Benito Military headed towards the location of the Empire 6th Legion.
On the way to the Battlefield after eating a hearty early breakfast.
Everyone forcefully sings Military Songs to hide their impatience and anxiety.
In the place they left, a moth, caught in a spiderweb, flutters.
The spider, stealthily appearing, began to leisurely prey upon the completely immobilized moth.