Northern Atria Border.
This place had been very quiet even after the war between Thedorant and the Empire broke out.
It might seem to make no sense, but from another perspective, it was also natural.
The Empire had tried to quickly suppress Thedorant by mobilizing its 1st Army.
Until now, both the Ministry of War and the Chief of Staff Office had acted with that grand strategy in mind.
The result of that was the operation to capture Thedorant’s Royal Capital, with the western legion as the spearhead.
Northern Atria wasn’t a particularly important place from the Empire's perspective.
Their target was always Thedorant. Its center, the Royal Capital.
If they could reach there in one go and deal with the High Command, the war would be over.
Thedorant knew this too, so they withdrew a large number of troops from Atria.
They were shattered by the Imperial Army and faithfully carried out their role as bait.
As a result, Thedorant achieved a judgement victory against the Empire.
This is the situation. Both the retreated Empire and the victorious Thedorant. Everyone is catching their breath.
Once they finish reorganizing, they will have to fight another huge battle in that land again.
In other words, this place, from before until now, could not be considered the main battlefield.
“Charge!!”
Such was northern Atria, being ravaged by those who had suddenly invaded.
Not the Imperial Army. No, it would have been better if it were the Imperial Army.
“Push them back!”
“These despicable Atria bastards!”
“How dare you defile our sacred sea!”
The identity of those whom Atria’s few remaining forces were now facing.
From their perspective, it was an absolute nightmare they never wanted to confront.
“Uwaaaaah!”
“Demons, they’re Demons!!”
Those with large horns sprouting from their heads. Those cloaked in an eerie brilliance.
Monstrous existences that, no matter how much they were attacked, pushed forward stubbornly instead of retreating.
“You bastards! Hold on! I said hold on!!”
The Commander desperately urged them to resist, but he too knew it was impossible.
Even if they had proper forces, they were an enemy against whom discussing victory or defeat would be difficult.
Moreover, with Thedorant having taken all their human resources, how could they possibly fight?
—Kugugugu!!
Heavy steel shields form a massive wall, gradually approaching.
Their appearance is like watching a living, moving iron fortress.
The heavy, cold spearheads protruding from between them are covered in the blood of Atria's soldiers.
Whatever approaches is instantly impaled as they continue to advance.
Their identity is Novgorod’s Demon heavy infantry.
And a massive force of no less than 30,000.
An opponent that a mere handful of defenders could never face.
And so, Atria's defenders were on the verge of annihilation.
—Ppuuuuu!!
“The Knights Order! It’s the Knights Order!”
“Reinforcements have arrived!!”
Everyone cheers at the sound of the trumpet from behind.
Even those who were screaming for their lives and trying to flee just moments ago come to their senses.
Though not as much as Thedorant, Atria also possesses respectable forces.
In particular, the Atria Knights Order stationed in each region can be called the elite of the elite.
They were a source of pride for Atria, which even Thedorant could not carelessly provoke.
“Drive those Demon bastards beyond the border!”
“No need for a frontal assault! Strike where their cavalry power is absent and inflict damage!”
“This is our land. Our Atria’s territory! Defend it with your lives!!”
Novgorod's heavy infantry is an extremely powerful troop type.
In particular, they can efficiently withstand cavalry charges.
But they are by no means invincible. Weaknesses naturally must exist.
—Shwaaak! Shushuk!
The Atria Knights Order picks up the bows they had slung on their saddles.
Then, they simultaneously shoot their bows from horseback towards the Novgorod forces.
Soon, an immense number of arrows flew towards the shield wall.
“Kuk!”
“Keuk!”
Literally heavily armed infantry. And their shields are massive too.
They won’t collapse from mere arrow attacks. These are not light infantry.
However, such attacks did expose slight openings on the Novgorod side.
And Atria’s Knights were not so weak as to miss it.
“Enter! Rip and tear through the openings!”
“Waaaaaaah!!”
They don’t miss the momentarily exposed weakness. They latch onto it immediately.
The same Theian people as Thedorant. The intensity of battle that comes from it.
They would bring down the mace of fury upon the demons daring to trample their territory.
Just as the Atria Knights thought this and were about to cut through the formation.
—Cheokcheokcheok!
Suddenly, the center of Novgorod’s formation splits to both sides.
And from between them, a single Standard-bearer on horseback appears.
Small. That was the first thought of the Atria Knights who saw the Standard-bearer.
Looking closely, it’s not Novgorod’s Military general either. That’s an Imperial Military general.
An Imperial among Demons. Have those Demon bastards finally abandoned their Pride?
Meanwhile, the Standard-bearer who emerged from Novgorod’s formation slowly moves forward.
The sight of them holding a spear and with a sword at their waist is momentarily threatening.
But even that impression dies down, as they are a head shorter than the Knights here.
—Dageudak, dageudak.
Just as the horse was slowly clopping along. At some point, the Standard-bearer speeds up.
—Dudududu!
“Charging in alone?”
“Is that person crazy?!”
A quick glance back showed Novgorod’s side didn’t seem to have any intention of moving.
It’s basic for Knights or cavalry to charge first, with infantry supporting them.
That Imperial Knight, or those Demon bastards. No matter how you look at it, they don’t seem to be in sync. [TL] 손발이 맞지 않다 (sonbari matji anta) literally means 'hands and feet don't match', figuratively meaning they are not coordinating well or are out of sync. [/TL]
It seems certain there was some internal discord.
Whatever it is, it’s a good thing. If they charge in so recklessly, it’s actually a relief.
If such courage works out well, it will serve to raise the morale of allies.
But if they fall absurdly, morale will hit rock bottom.
It’s a direct victory in the battle for Morale, which usually takes several Battles to achieve.
‘Such a fool. Do they see us as being on the same level as the defenders?’
‘This is actually good. If we cut them down in one go, the Morale will shift to our Atria side.’
‘Using that, if we push back the Novgorod Military in one fell swoop, we can definitely defend it.’
Yes. It’s not difficult. Just one rider. Just a single Knight, isn’t it?
No matter how outstanding a Military general they are, against hundreds of Knights, they absolutely….
—Peoseok! Peok!
Such thoughts the Atria Knights had did not last long.
Some became headless ghosts, cut down by the Imperial Knight who charged like a flash of light.
The rest were too busy staring blankly, doubting their own eyes.
“Uh, uhh?”
What is happening right now? What in the world is going on?
The Enemy is just one Knight, a single rider. They charged in all alone.
But why are their allies collapsing and bleeding all around?
“Ge-get them! Attack! Attaaaack!!”
“The opponent is just one person! Being swayed by just one— Keoheok!”
The spear that flew, tearing through the wind, pierced straight through an Atria Knight’s chest.
It didn’t end there. Every time the spear moved, at least three Knights coughed up blood.
Wherever the Imperial Knight rode, screams and blood flew wildly, leaving only corpses behind.
And this wasn't against ordinary guards, but against Atria Knights!
“D-Damn it! What the hell is this!!”
“Monster! It’s a monster! That thing is a monster!!”
None of Atria's Knights could withstand more than ‘one exchange’ with that Imperial Knight.
A single clash of Spears and Swords, and they die. Unconditionally. Newbie or veteran, they lose their lives equally.
As this happened, some panicked and flailed, becoming souls who would not return. [TL] 불귀의 객 (bulgwiui gaek) literally means 'a guest who does not return', a poetic way to say someone who died. [/TL]
“Everyone, get a grip! Aim for the horse! Aim for the horse first!”
“Break the spear! If you can’t, then die hugging the spear! Quickly!!”
The Knights barely maintaining their sanity tried desperately to unhorse the Enemy.
But the Imperial Knight’s horsemanship was extraordinary. Just when they thought they had her surrounded, she was already far away.
While chasing her, several more fell futilely to her demonic Spearmanship.
In the midst of it, a few Knights sacrificed their lives and managed to snatch away the spear.
The Knights who confirmed this immediately rushed at the disarmed Enemy.
The Imperial Knight watching this clicked her tongue with a 'tsk'.
“I didn’t want to use this.”
Staining a Gift with blood is not a pleasant thing.
But they are her Enemy, and at the same time, her older brother’s Enemy.
Kaya, who loved her older brother more than anyone in the world, gladly drew her sword.
And exactly 10 minutes later, the Atria Knights Order near the Border was annihilated.
*
“Haha, my goodness. Isn't this too much?”
Sharlua shook her head as if fed up watching the scene.
Isn't it cheating? A brother and sister, one a Genius Strategist, the other a monster Military general?
If they had made an Enemy of the Empire, how on earth would they have dealt with them?
Once again, Sharlua recalled that maxim and nodded her head furiously.
Don't make a difficult opponent an Enemy.
“Young Lady.”
The Demon Commander, who was watching it beside her, spoke.
Looking at them, they also seem eager to achieve merit, itching to get into action. [TL] 몸이 근질거리다 (momi geunjilgeorida) literally means 'body is itchy', figuratively means to be eager or restless to do something. [/TL]
Isn’t the Imperial Knight sweeping away all the glory on the battlefield?
“Let’s get moving soon too. Ah, but don’t interfere over there.”
“Of course. What Demon would interfere with a great warrior’s fight.”
The order they received from Kael was to scorch the earth around the Atria Border area.
Thus, shaking Atria’s Public Sentiment and making it impossible for Thedorant to ignore it.
‘Make the reorganized Enemy have no choice but to go elsewhere, not towards the weakened Imperial Army. If they ignore it, Public Sentiment will turn against them, making it impossible to guarantee the future.’
Others would have hurried to fill the gap because the western Legion suffered great Damage.
But Kael thought differently. He saw this war on a much broader scale.
Instead of simply filling the gap, he made it so the Enemy couldn't attack.
What Thedorant would find most difficult. Precisely the unlimited expansion of the front line.
Really, I don't know how he picks out only the opponent's weaknesses and digs into them like this.
But this is both a truly great feat and, at the same time, a difficult part.
‘How can I not respect you, Genius Strategist.’
Sharlua smiled faintly and moved the Novgorod Military.
Since he trusted her and entrusted her with this task, she too intended to do her best.
*
While the Novgorod Military was moving in northern Atria, the Imperial Army was not resting.
A desperate Thedorant had also tried to attack the wounded Imperial Army somehow.
But each time, Kael responded not with Battle, but with ‘this’.
—Kwagwagwagwagwang!!
“Th-these crazy Empire bastards! What do you think you’re doing?!”
“Are those bastards overflowing with Money?!”
What flew, covering the sky, was a Carpet bombing by the Magic corps.
Magic is certainly an amazing skill. But while its Power is outstanding, its efficiency is poor.
Because a single Magic requires enormous materials, Mana, and a magician.
There were many cases of deploying Magic corps to the Battlefield.
However, there had never been a case of using Magic whenever something happened.
Because too many Resources are consumed. Because Military Expenditure is enormously consumed in a single Battle.
Neither the Empire, nor Thedorant. No nation on the continent did so.
But a while ago, the Empire began to pour out Magic like mad, as if to say they were insane.
As if they didn’t care how much Money they spent. How much they had to spend on Military Expenditure.
And in it was the strong Assertion of one man who had gained all authority.
“They say Magic is a money-eating demon, but isn't it far better than the losses from losing a few more Legions? Let's not be frugal, all of us. A single soldier is more precious than a hundred Magics.” [TL] 돈 잡아먹는 귀신 (don jaba-meongneun gwisin) means a 'money-eating ghost/demon', used to describe something that consumes a lot of money. [/TL]
Words that would make the Ministry of Finance faint. But no one could stop him.
The Ministry of War and the Chief of Staff Office had already become that man's Faithful assistants.
And above all, his supporter was none other than the Emperor of the Empire.