BXBX NOVEL Volume 3, 4
Volume 3, Chapter 4
Translator: Skythewood
Editor: Hiiro
Ⅰ
Broken arrows and fractured halberds littered the Freiberg Highlands, and the setting sun dyed the blood stained ground a deeper shade of red. “Death eating vultures” spread their ominous purplish red wings and circled in the air. In the shade of the woods, salivating “Night eyed white wolves” were appearing en masse.
They will have a feast tonight. The corpse laden grounds were a banquet to them—
After defeating Patrick’s Sun Knights, Olivia’s group quickly linked up with Brad’s army. The blonde beauty welcomed by the Second Army’s cheers surprised Liz.
“Long time no see, Liz Ploise. The last time we met was during the academy’s graduation, correct?”
“Claudia Jung! —Aren’t you with the First Army?”
“I was transferred to the Seventh Army a year and a half ago as Major Olivia’s executive officer.”
“I see… By the way, you sound so distant, Claudia. Even though this is our long-awaited reunion.”
Liz puffed out her cheeks unhappily, and Claudia answered plainly:
“Of course. I’m a First Lieutenant, and Liz is a Captain. So you are my superior.”
“This is an order from your superior. Speak to me like how you used to.”
Liz smiled faintly, and Claudia frowned.
“… You are as sly as usual.”
“You too with your stubbornness—”
Liz looked at the sword on Claudia’s waist before continuing:
“—and swordsmanship retard.”
“Hmmp, the retard part is unnecessary.”
They stared at each other before bursting out in laughter and hugging. They were classmates in the Military Academy, and the sight of them smiling reminded Brad of the late Ritz and Linz.
After a brief hug, Liz turned serious and bowed towards Liz.
“Thanks to you, the Second Army got out of danger. I’m really, really grateful.”
“Please raise your head! Isn’t it only natural to help our allies!?”
Claudia sounded a little distraught. Liz slowly raised her head with a face that was a mixture of relief and surprise.
“Fufu. Your serious nature is still the same. I’m relieved.”
“Hmmp, it’s just a few years, a person’s character won’t change that easily.”
Claudia turned her head away bashfully. Liz flicked the hair around her ears with a mischievous smile.
“—Sorry for disturbing your reunion, but it’s about time to move on to the main topic.”
Claudia quickly saluted when she heard what Brad said.
“My apologies! Sorry for the late introductions, this is Major Olivia.”
Claudia introduced proudly, and a girl in dark armor walked forth. The emblem on her armor matched the black banners, with a skull and two scythes. The officers who gathered to catch a glimpse of the rumored girl all gasped.
Olivia stood at attention properly, and saluted:
“Nice to meet you! I’m Major Olivia Valedstorm.”
Brad suppressed his surprise and returned the salute:
“I’m Lieutenant General Brad Enfield. Allow me to start off by thanking you for your timely assistance.”
“Yes, thank you Sir!”
“By the way… the body double is already a stunning beauty, but the real deal is even more impressive.”
Brad stared at Olivia, and suddenly felt a pain from his hand. The shocked Brad looked towards the source, and found Liz pinching the back of his right hand.
“Captain Liz!?”
“It’s wonderful that Major Olivia is so beautiful. But she is still young. Can I address you as Lord Pervy McPervface from now on?”
Liz’s smile started to deepen. Without giving Brad a chance to explain, Liz turned her head away with a snort. As for Olivia...
“Really? —Ah, no, Is that so?”
She didn’t agree or refute, and merely acknowledged calmly. A great beauty like her must be tired of such compliments. Olivia wasn’t interested in her looks, and what caught Brad’s attention was—
“Hmm? Major Olivia, you are not good at using honorifics?”
“… Yes, it’s a bit of a hassle.”
Brad asked with a wry smile, and Olivia answered with a bitter face. His guess was spot on.
Olivia probably felt the army that emphasized discipline was a suffocating environment. That was because Brad felt the same way too.
In a word, their personalities weren’t suited for military life.
“Major Olivia, to be honest, I’m not good with honorifics either. So you can just relax when you speak with me.”
“Ehh? Can I?”
“That will be more comfortable for you, right?”
“— But Adjutant Otto told me to use honorifics when speaking with a superior…”
This was probably the result of being lectured day after day, Olivia emphasized with a tense face that: “It is just like a curse.” It was clear from her tone how much it troubled her. After all, disrespecting a superior was taboo in the military.
However, just like what Liz said, Olivia’s unit saved the Second Army in their time of need. Considering all that, honorifics were just a trivial matter.
“Adjutant Otto?”
“You don’t know Adjutant Otto? He is a human who always makes this face.”
With that, Olivia made a poker face. Her impression was so good that it looked like a sculpture.
“—Ohh, the iron masked man beside Gramps Paul. That does sound like something he would say, since he is like a walking military regulation book.”
Brad said as he thought about Otto’s classic face.
“You think so, Lieutenant General Brad!? I always thought that way too.”
Olivia suddenly leaned in close with her rarely seen dark eyes shining with excitement. The pressure made Brad lean back.
“Yes, that’s right. I think it’s a pain too, so I will just call you little miss.”
<TL: 嬢ちゃんか Jo-chan.>
“Little miss… Okay, no problem!”
Olivia smiled brilliantly. Liz objected with furrowed brows, saying it would set a bad example for the men.
“Ho~ a few hours ago, whose the one who made up a military rule? I remember it’s that an adjutant can refuse the commander’s orders?”
Brad said deviously, and Liz replied quizzingly with her head tilted.
“That’s absurd. Who would do such a reckless thing?”
The extent that she went to deny it was impressive. Even Claudia who wasn’t there back then sighed in resignation. It seems this wasn’t the first time Liz pulled off something like that.
Brad returned to the topic:
“Never mind, the crucial part is next. I will merge Little Miss’ unit into the Second Army for now. Sorry, but we are really short handed here.”
The Second Army had around 12,000 men left.
The battle in Freiberg Highlands was over, but there was no time to celebrate. To better support the First Army, Olivia’s unit was indispensable.
Even though he was asking for permission, Brad was adamant on going through with this.
“It’s fine.”
Olivia nodded in agreement. Brad nodded at her in response.
“That’s great — Also, Major General Adam.”
“Sir!”
“I will give you 2,000 men, escort the wounded back to the capital.”
“Yes Sir, leave it to me!”
Adam stepped forward and acknowledged firmly. He was in his fifties, and despite the lack of any prominent achievements, he was a steadfast officer who could deal with any situation calmly. The Second Army only managed to survive in such trying circumstances thanks to his presence.
If the routed enemy put up any organized resistance, Adam will be able to deal with them.
“The rest will assist the First Army after we regroup. That’s all, make the preparations.”
After Brad dismissed them, the officers returned to their posts. Brad then called out to Olivia who was leaving with Claudia.
“Little Miss.”
Olivia turned. At that instant, Brad stepped forth with his right foot and slashed at Olivia with his blade. She was within striking distance, and an attack not even a swallow could escape from flew towards Olivia’s neck.
<Sidenote: Swallow is often mentioned in swordsmanship because of Kojiro https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sasaki_Kojir%C5%8D#Swallow_cut>
The air was frozen at that instant, and Olivia who stared down that attack said calmly:
“—What is it?”
“… No, it’s nothing. Sorry for suddenly swinging a sword at you.”
Brad smiled awkwardly before slowly retracting the blade he stopped at a hair’s breadth.
“?”
Olivia tilted her head bafflingly, and then left with the shocked Claudia. Everyone who was stunned by Olivia’s calm demeanor all looked confused.
“Your Excellency, that’s…”
Liz who was equally puzzled asked. Brad drew his blade against the benefactor of the Second Army, so it was only natural for her to react this way.
“Sorry for surprising you all. There’s something I wanted to confirm.”
“Could it be… Your Excellency is testing Major Olivia’s mettle?”
Liz asked in an accusatory tone. Brad sheathed his sword and shrugged.
“Yes. Thanks to that, I finally understand. No wonder the Imperial Army fears that girl this much.”
“I have not seen her fight before, so I don’t know… But is it that incredible?”
“You saw it too. That girl didn’t flinch at my sudden attack.”
“Of course I did. I thought Major Olivia couldn’t react in time…”
Liz had a point.
When faced with a sudden situation, humans rarely could react in time. Their minds would be blank for a moment, and they could then take action after some time. Brad didn’t hold back during his strike just now, he was confident that he could kill most people in this world with that attack.
The strong would retaliate immediately. But Olivia didn’t belong to either category.
“No, it’s not that she couldn’t move. She made a snap judgement that there was no need to move.”
“Really?”
“Why would I lie to you? Little Miss saw the movement of my blade clearly. She knew that I would stop right before the strike lands— This is the proof.”
Brad rolled up his sleeves and showed his right arm to Liz.
“So many goosebumps…”
“You understand now, right? I instinctively felt fear towards the Little Miss. I won’t survive if I made an enemy out of her. The nickname of Death God suits her just fine.”
“Even Your Excellency is no match for her?”
Liz was acting a little different from her usual self. They were in a war between nations, so such questions seemed trivial. However...
“If it’s one on one, I don’t stand a chance. She’s way out of my league.”
Brad concluded, but Liz couldn’t accept that.
“It can’t be that bad…”
“I’m happy that you think so highly of me, but this is an undeniable fact. I wonder what kind of training she went through to reach such a level by her age.”
Brad lit a cigarette and puff out smoke along with his sigh.
Olivia’s back seemed much larger to him, as she disappeared into the distance.
Ⅱ
Field Marshal Cornelius’s First Army and Field Marshal Graden’s Sun Knights clashed in the Nobis Plains. The combined forces from both sides add up to 80,000. For the Royal Army, this was the fateful ground where the Fifth Army met their demise. And to the Imperial Army, this was the place where they found the breakthrough and shifted into offence.
Expecting an intense battle, Brigadier General Neinhart was promoted to the commander of the forces in the center, and deployed his unit in an all rounded formation. This gave him the flexibility to assist Major General Sadias on the left flank, and Major General Travis on the right flank. His rank was lower than the other generals, but Cornelius was impressed by Neinhart’s performance during the Battle of Iris, and appointed him as commander of the center army. And his deployment proved that Cornelius was right.
To oversee the entire battlefield, Cornelius and 1,000 men set up a small camp in the rear. His escorts were a group of elites led by 《Third Sword》 Orerian and 《Seventh Sword》Cattleya of the ‘Royal Ten Swords’. Even so, the defences were considered weak for the Field marshal of the entire Royal Army.
However, no one raised any objections. Or rather, none of the officers had the courage to question the intimidating Cornelius.
Once Cornelius stepped foot on the battlefield, he reverted back to his old glorious self that befitted the title, Ever Victorious General. His eyes when issuing commands made the fearsome warriors beside him shudder.
On the other side, the Sun Knights deployed in echelon formation. Each unit got into their own Castle Tower Formation, and was ready to engage the enemy. Graden’s goal was to use their powerful defences to stop the enemy and draw them in. Once his opponents tire and show an opening, he would surround and destroy them.
<TL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Echelon_formation>
Graden further divided the “Comet Wolves”, his strongest offensive heavy spear unit, into eight battalions, and deployed them in strategic locations.
They were Graden’s sure kill elites, an all purpose detachment unit. When they used their 《Heavenly Assault Formation》, their attack was unstoppable. It was clear how determined he was, since Graden sent out the Comet Wolves right from the start.
Lunar Calendar 999, late winter.
Two armies fought fervently under the endless skies.
The Battle of Nobis that future generations referred to as a historical turning point began.
Sun Knights Basecamp
“What a formidable formation.”
Oscar said in awe. When Graden saw the First Army’s deployment, he concurred with a nod.
“As expected of the army commanded by the Ever Victorious General, it’s impeccable.”
That was why Graden felt melancholic. The difference between their monarchs resulted in such a great difference. Compared to Ramza who was renowned as the Benevolent Emperor, King Alphonse of the Farnesse Kingdom was called the Foolish King.
Considering the fact that he inherited the decline of the Kingdom over 600 years, this was the obvious result. When the war first started, Graden was all hyped up about the fight between the Empire and the Nation of the Lions. But it turned out to be more of a joke.
“There is no ‘ifs’ in history, but if the First Army joined the fray actively right from the start, the situation wouldn’t come to this. Maybe it is fate that the Farnesse Kingdom missed their chance.”
Oscar raised the corners of his lips, and seemed to be thinking the same thing as Graden. However, another question flashed across Graden’s mind.
“By the way, Oscar, have you seen Colonel Gaier’s report?”
“—Are you talking about the 《Death God Memoirs》?”
Oscar answered after a slight pause.
“Yes, that 《Death God Memoirs》.”
“Of course I did… Why did you bring that up?”
“Nothing, I’m just thinking that the Kingdom should have been doomed a long time ago.”
Because of that Death God girl, the Empire lost a lot of their soldiers. Osborne, George, and Listenberg, many powerful men fell in her hands.
Attributing all the credit to the Death God alone would be an overstatement, but the Empire’s bid to conquer the continent had definitely slowed because of her. As the top commander of the Imperial Army, Graden was ready to be accused of being incompetent, but the written assault from the Imperial Civil Officers had yet to arrive.
And the man second only to the Emperor, Chancellor Dalmes, and the leader of the civil officers, didn’t go after Graden. That was puzzling.
Military and Civil Officers were akin to oil and water, and didn’t mix well. The same applied to the top dog of these two factions, Graden and Dalmes. Which was why Graden was baffled by Dalmes’ attitude…
“There is no point thinking about the problem with the Death God. Our opponent is the First Army commanded by the Ever Victorious General. Let’s focus on winning this battle.”
Oscar’s proposal was absolutely right, and Graden nodded firmly.
“You are correct. The Death God is formidable, but the Ever Victorious General is no pushover either. One single lapse and we might lose the whole army.”
Oscar concurred with a nod, but the problem with the Death God was still a pressing matter. Oscar suggested sending Felixus to subjugate her, and Graden wasn’t surprised by that, since he was already planning to do so.
After Rosenmarie was defeated, the only one who could stand up to the Death God, the strongest person in the Kingdom, was probably Felixus, the strongest in the Empire.
Graden was planning to order Felixus to subjugate the Death God after decimating the Second Army. However, he received the unexpected news of the attack on Fort Astra. Graden despatched Felixus to Fort Astra just to be safe, and never imagined the fort to be attacked by a mysterious unit instead of the Seventh Army.
And the leader of that unit was a Sorcerer who wielded Holy Powers. Graden felt grateful to himself for being so cautious. If Felixus arrived any later, the results would have been catastrophic.
After careful consideration, Graden decided to let Felixus garrison Fort Astra for a while. That mysterious unit would probably not be coming back, but there was no guarantee that the Seventh Army wouldn’t attack. And if Felixus was there, they should be able to fend off the Death God.
To extinguish the other nation’s schemes against the Empire, Graden had to win this battle.
“The enemy infantry is attacking our left flank!”
When he received the report, Graden swung down his command baton.
First Army Right Flank
Half a day after the commencement of the battle.
The Right Flank had a lot of trouble from the Sun Knights’ tough defences, but they slowly gained the upper hand. At a glance, It might seem like the Royal Army had the advantage, however—
“This is bad…”
The white haired and skinny Major General Travis muttered. His red cape had the emblem of a silver double headed eagle of the Mayer house. This was one of the “Six Flowers Eight Leaves” house, a group of the top elite warrior clans in the Kingdom.
His adjutant who was issuing out instructions, Lieutenant Colonel Bram, looked at Travis confusedly. Travis realized he was speaking a little too loudly.
“What’s wrong?”
“Everything is wrong. We are in danger of being surrounded and destroyed by the enemy.”
“Surround and destroy? —Pardon me, but in my humble opinion, our unit is suppressing our foe. I don’t understand what you mean, Your Excellency…”
Bram said quietly with a quizzical face.
“So you can’t tell either, Lieutenant Colonel Bram? As expected, the Sun Knights are really strong.”
The Sun Knights defended against their attack and counter from time to time, carefully drawing them in. Travis came to this conclusion by piecing together the sense of dissonance he felt every now and then.
The frontline commanders and the soldiers probably didn’t even notice. This wasn’t possible without the perfect coordination by the Sun Knights’ groups. Travis felt the Sun Knights were strong because they pulled it off so naturally.
(Then, what should we do?)
Travis crossed his arms and thought. Pulling back suddenly would be a bad move. If the enemy noticed that their intentions had been read, they would tighten their encirclement immediately. If Travis allowed this to continue, his unit would get enveloped and destroyed.
The only way was to attack the encirclement with assistance from the outside, and look for an opportunity to retreat in an organized manner.
(Looks like we need to ask for his help…)
Travis started explaining the situation to the baffled Bram. Bram’s expression changed rapidly during the explanation, before he finally said with a bitter face:
“But Lord Neinhart is also engaging the enemy. Can he spare the effort and send reinforcements?”
“If he doesn\'t, then this will be a simple matter. We will just die together in the Nobis Plains.”
Travis said nonchalantly, and Bram’s face turned tense.
“Don’t worry. Most people might be fooled by his handsome face and gentle demeanour, but he is actually a cunning man. I would put him on the same level as Lieutenant General Brad of the Second Army. Besides, he is the adjutant of the First Army, and can definitely do this.”
Travis said sarcastically, and instructed Bram to send a messenger to Neinhart.
First Army, Center Army
When the messenger from Brigadier General Travis reached Neinhart who was busy with the intense battle against the Sun Knights, the sun was about to set.
“—Lord Travis requires aid?”
“Yes Sir. Our army is in danger of being encircled and destroyed. The enemy’s intention is to draw us in. I look forward to your reinforcements post haste. — End of message.”
“Encircled and destroyed?”
Katherina was shocked. She looked at the right flank with her telescope, then asked bafflingly:
“But we are suppressing the enemy?”
“Yes, that’s what I thought… But His Excellency Travis said that Lord Neinhart will understand when he hears this.”
Both of them looked towards Neinhart. Neinhart told the messenger he understood, and instructed Katherina to contact Major Dirk who could move the swiftest.
Katherina was puzzled, but still carried out her orders.
“—Can you please tell me what’s going on?”
After the messenger ran off bafflingly, Katherina used the chance to enquire.
“It’s the same on our end. The enemy is in echelon formation, but their true intention is to draw us in. His Excellency Travis fell into their trap.”
“Your Excellency, did you see through it right from the start?”
Katherina cast a dubious gaze his way.
“I didn’t.”
“But didn’t you strictly prohibited pursuing too deeply?”
“I felt the enemy’s movements were strange after we engaged them, so I decided to observe first. During such circumstances, those who are more cautious will have the upperhand.”
Travis fell for the trap because of his personality. In contrast to Neinhart who prefered to counter attack, Travis favored going on the offensive. Travis would be at a disadvantage if there were any traps. However, his observation was keen, since he saw through the enemy’s scheme before it was too late.
“Understood, but we can’t spare too much effort either. Just sending Major Dirk’s regiment is extremely taxing.”
Neinhart was facing the enemy’s main forces, so it was only natural that Katherina was under pressure. Trivial tricks wouldn’t work against the Sun Knights. It was too late to complain at this juncture, but Neinhart couldn’t help lamenting in his heart that Cornelius gave him an arduous task.
“But just seeing through the enemy’s intention is a big help. Katherina, relay this to the unit commanders, and send a message to Lord Sadias on the left flank.”
“Yes Sir, I will do so right away!”
After that, Travis retreated in an organized manner with Major Dirk’s help, but not without some losses. And he fended off the enemy’s pursuit.
On the other hand, Major General Sadias who commanded the left flank only fought the enemy through minor skirmishes. This wasn’t because he saw through the enemy’s tactics, but due to his cautious nature.
After learning about the enemy’s intention, his tactics became more conservative, strictly prohibiting any unit from advancing without orders. Those who disobeyed would be punished, regardless of the war merits achieved. When the impatient Imperial officers sent in their reserves for a fierce attack, the left flank stood their grounds with a defence that was on par with that of the Sun Knights.
And so, the first day of the battle ended with a draw.
Ⅲ
The battle between the First Army and the Sun Knights intensified as the days passed.
“The enemy is launching another wave of attack from the left, right and center!”
In response to the enemy’s cavalry attacking from three sides, Cornelius ordered all units to deploy in a triangular formation with the shieldmen. When the enemy forces were forced to either side because of this resistance, they would run into the archers divided into three ranks.
The archers pulled their bows taut and aimed towards the sky.
“Greet them with a 4, 2, 4 volley.”
Cornelius issued his orders calmly. On the other hand...
“Enemy heavy infantry are advancing on our right flank!”
“Contact the Comet Wolves’ fifth and sixth group, tell them to cut an opening through the center army.”
After receiving orders from the hyped up Graden, the Comet Wolves deployed to the west of the Nobis Plains took action. They displayed their powerful penetrative attack, inflicting a severe blow to the First Army.
And so, ten days passed, and the two forces remained at an impasse. The battle slowly turned into a total war between the two nations—
First Army Basecamp
The fog that appeared because of the temperature difference between day and night had persisted for days now. During this time, Neinhart who received the report from the messenger quickly sat down in the tent where Cornelius and the other officers were gathered.
“Any movements from the enemy?”
“Yes, we suspect the enemy’s elites are advancing under the cover of the fog. They numbered around 4000 to 5000, and are aiming for our left flank.”
After hearing Neinhart’s report, Cornelius who was sitting in the seat of honor stroked his beard. He was wearing the brown armor he had from his warring era days, and the scratches told the tales of his countless battles. On his waist was the famous sword, Lemuria.
In the past, the Kingdom once invaded a small nation to the continent’s south, Kingdom Lemuria.
The young Cornelius back then was unstoppable, and captured the enemy commander, Crown Prince Yuri.
The King of Lemuria, Ludrich von Josef the fourth, was desperate. Of the four princes, Yuri was exceptionally talented, and was the best choice to inherit the throne. Josef offered a huge ransom for Yuri, but was firmly rejected by King Raphael.
However, the sword heirloom of the Lemuria Kingdom changed Raphael’s mind. The sword was said to be capable of cutting through lightning. Raphael who was a collector of rare weapons was willing to release Yuri in exchange for Josef’s sword. Josef felt the crown prince’s life was irreplaceable, and offered the sword along with a ceasefire treaty.
The Lemuria Kingdom was liberated from the war against the Farnesse Kingdom, but was destroyed by a different country a few years later. The reigning monarch, Alphonse, wasn’t interested in weapons, and bestowed the Sword of Lemuria to Cornelius.
(Well then, how will Lord Cornelius handle this?)
Not just Neinhart, all the officers present were waiting for Cornelius to speak.
“—Has the long days of battle made the Sun Knights numb and careless? The Imperial Tri-General is a formidable foe… But that’s too naive.”
Cornelius smiled wryly as he stated the plan. They would allow the enemy to launch a sneak attack, pretend to be tricked, and lead the enemy into an ambush. The friendly forces in front would then reorganize and attack the enemy from behind.
The officers all concurred and nodded, and the messenger standing by set off immediately for the left flank. At the same time, another messenger entered the tent. He had two stars on his epaulette.
He was a messenger from the Second Army, and the whole place turned tense.
“Reporting, our army has defeated the enemy on Freiberg Highlands, and is on our way to assist the First Army.”
The elated voice of the messenger made the tense officers erupt into cheers. Including Neinhart, most of the officers present knew that the situation was still dire, but the good news from the messenger cleared the gloomy clouds above their heads.
Cornelius took a deep sigh, and said calmly:
“I see. Lieutenant General Brad managed to overcome the dangerous situation.”
“Yes, we were in peril at one point, but Major Olivia’s timely aid turned the tide.”
Cornelius blinked.
“That girl called the Death God by the Imperial Army, huh… I have read all the reports about her, and it feels like the mythical tales my grandfather used to tell me— so are the reports true?”
Cornelius looked at Neinhart and asked, and he thought about the delicate features of that girl and answered:
“She’s probably… No, she’s definitely the strongest warrior in the Royal Army. To be honest, there’s nothing more reliable than her support.”
To back Neinhart up, the messenger excitedly preached Olivia’s exploits. From what he said, her achievements were beyond the realm of normal human beings. Although it was difficult to link her usual frivolous attitude with these exploits.
The term ‘hero’ flashed across Neinhart’s mind.
“I see, if you went that far, then she must be a warrior of the century. For the Royal Army, she would be like a goddess.”
“Yes, her face befitted the nickname of a goddess.”
Neinhart’s offhand remark made Cornelius open his eyes wide. The others present all looked at him with surprise too.
“Did I say something strange?”
Cornelius faked a cough, and then said:
“No, this is the first time I heard you praising the appearance of another person. If your aide was to hear that… what’s her name again?”
“You mean Second Lieutenant Katherina?”
“Right, right, Second Lieutenant Katherina. Won’t she get mad if she hears that?”
“… Why would Second Lieutenant Katherina be mad?”
Neinhart was confused. Cornelius’ eyes were filled with sympathy from his reaction, and the others smiled awkwardly.
“Sigh, you might have courage and wisdom, but you have your shortcomings. The heavens might have given you two gifts, but not a third. That girl must be having a hard time.”
“You are right, Your Excellency, I have given Second Lieutenant Katherina a lot of trouble.”
Second Lieutenant Katherina was an outstanding aide, and Neinhart was aware that he was working her really hard because of how much he depended on her. That was why he couldn’t understand what Cornelius meant by his shortcomings.
“That’s not what… Never mind, I will tell you next time when we have the chance. There are more pressing matters on hand.”
With that, Cornelius slowly stood up from his chair. As the crowd watched him, he pulled out the Lemuria sword from his waist. It was Neinhart’s first time seeing the Lemuria sword being drawn, and it\'s cold gleam sent a chill down his back一 Just like the rumor of it cutting lightning implied, the blade was sharp enough to slash through steel.
With a serious look in his eyes, Cornelius stabbed the Lemuria sword into the ground:
“It’s time to bare the fangs of the lions towards the Sun Knights. Let them witness the might of the First Army!”
“““Yes Sir!!”””
That spurred the fighting spirits of everyone present, and they all stood up and saluted. Cornelius surveyed the tent with a satisfactory look, and then look towards Neinhart:
“Neinhart will keep in contact with the Second Army in secret.”
“Your will is my command, Your Excellency.”
Neinhart placed his right hand on his chest, and saluted in the unique way of a knight. Cornelius did the same, and nodded firmly.
Sun Knights Basecamp
“We underestimated the First Army. They might seem mediocre at first, but they are slowly tightening their noose around our neck.”
Graden’s face contorted when he heard what Oscar said.
He didn’t underestimate the First Army at all. The Sun Knights weren’t holding back all this while. Thinking back, the First Army had performed beyond his expectations time and again. He was impressed by Cornelius\'s military acumen.
“—Any word from the Comet Wolves we sent out?”
“… No. They were probably wiped out.”
The officer who suggested attacking under the cover of fog answered with a bitter face.
“Wiped out? You say wiped out! That’s 5,000 Comet Wolves!”
Graden slammed the table in rage, and the officers were all stunned.
It was rare for Graden to act so angrily towards his subordinates. After all, he always insists that the mistakes of one’s subordinates were the responsibility of the superior. It was clear that Graden was being pushed to the brink, and he felt a strong sense of self-loath.
“—My apologies. That was unsightly for the leader of the Imperial Tri-General.”
“Please don’t mind us. The First Army is stronger than the prediction of the analysis unit. Instead of that, we should formulate a plan.”
Oscar gestured with his gaze, and an attendant served Housen tea to Graden. Graden was grateful to Oscar’s consideration and took a sip of the tea. The warmth and fragrance seeped into his body.
“Oscar is right. Does anyone have a plan?”
After regaining his composure, Graden looked around him and asked. The moment he said that, the officers glanced Oscar’s way and lowered their heads. Usually, they would be eagerly proposing schemes to him.
Graden’s earlier outburst was a reason why they were so timid, but—
(Once they got used to victory, they will get timid in the face of adversity. How unsightly for the officers of the Sun Knights. This is another difficult problem that I will need to deal with…)
Graden sighed openly, and there was suddenly an uproar from the troops outside. Everyone looked to the entrance, and a messenger was helped in by two guards.
“Someone give him water.”
On Graden’s instruction, the officer nearest to the entrance offered his own canteen. The messenger gulped down the entire content greedily, steadied his breathing, and got down on one knee.
“Report, Lieutenant General Patrick was killed in action, and the unit has been routed.”
Silence hung over the entire place. No one could comprehend what the messenger just said immediately, and showed blank faces. Graden was no exception, and that was only natural.
They just received a report recently that said the Second Army was being pushed towards the brink.
“… What’s going on? Didn’t we cornered the Second Army on Freiberg Highlands, and that they are on their last legs? It hasn’t even been three days— Did Patrick make a false report!?”
After he said that, Graden felt that wasn’t possible. Patrick had a forthright personality, and was the furthest thing from deception and schemes. In fact, Graden felt it was a waste of time to assign spies to Patrick.
As expected, the surprised messenger shook his head.
“That isn’t so, Lieutenant General Patrick said the truth. It is as you say Lord Field Marshal, the Second Army was just one step away from destruction.”
“Then how did Patrick die?”
“Because of the reinforcement from Death God Olivia. Lieutenant General Patrick and Brigadier General Christoph both died under the blade of the Death God.”
That threw the entire place into an uproar.
“Death God Olivia!? What is she doing in the Central War Theatre!?”
The messenger shook weakly at this obvious question.
“It’s not clear why. The only thing that is certain, is that the Death God will be coming here soon.”
Graden was at a loss for words. If the messenger was right, then the Sun Knights were in danger of being attacked from two sides.
And their opponent was Death God Olivia. Considering that the First Army was far stronger than expected, one false move and they could lose the entire army.
“Your Excellency, if we encounter the Death God under such conditions…”
“I understand. It’s regrettable, but we will need to retreat back to Fort Kiel.”
Everyone nodded in agreement with Graden’s decision. Next, they needed to decide who would take on the arduous task of rearguard. Unexpectedly, Alexander volunteered for this assignment with a confident face.
“—Alright. Assign 5,000 men to Alexander’s command. I hope you won’t disappoint me.”
“Yes Sir!”
The group exited the tent to make preparations for their retreat. Oscar was the last one to leave, and he whispered to Graden as he watched Alexander’s back:
“Will this be fine? I doubt Lieutenant Colonel Alexander can pull this off.”
“I already warned him not to underestimate the enemy. I won’t warn him a second time. His fate is in his own hands now, though I don’t think he will survive.”
“I see.”
Graden and Oscar nodded silently. And so, leaving Alexander to command the rear guard, the Sun Knights retreated towards Fort Kiel.
Ⅳ
“Lieutenant Colonel Alexander! This way quickly!”
After fleeing from the Nobis Plains, Alexander escaped deep into the woods on the urging of his executive officer Captain Zasha. Including Zasha, he had only five men with him. In order to lessen the weight on him, Alexander had thrown away his armor and helmet, fleeing desperately without any regards to the branches scratching his face.
“Hah, hah, hah! Damn it! How can this be! How can…”
Alexander took on this rearguard assignment to prove his worth. If he, the youngest commander amongst his peers, pulled off the rearguard mission perfectly, then no one will doubt his abilities again.
However, after engaging the Second Army, Alexander’s unit fell apart in less than two hours.
(I’m not incompetent, I’m just unlucky. Besides, Field Marshal Graden promised me that he will promote me to Colonel if I made it back alive. Maybe I will get a double promotion to Brigadier General.)
As Alexander was thinking about all that, he suddenly realized there weren\'t any movements from the subordinates behind him. He stopped and looked back, and the four men with him had disappeared.
“—Lieutenant Colonel Alexander, please step back.”
He turned around, and saw Zasha staring in front of him with his sword drawn. Alexander stepped back as instructed, and a girl clad in black armor stepped out of the woods.
In her hand was a black sword covered in dark mist.
“Dark armor and blade. Are you Death God Olivia!?”
“Well, I’m not a Death God, but you’re right. Are you done playing tag yet?”
“Waaarrrgghhh!!”
Zasha charged at Olivia with a strange roar. Olivia bent slightly forward, and slashed diagonally upwards from her bottom right. Blood splashed everywhere, and the upper half of Zasha’s body was flung on top of a tree.
All sorts of internal organs started splattering onto the ground.
“Well then—”
“W-Wait! I yield, please spare my life!”
Alexander toss his sword aside and lay prone on the ground in submission. Only an insane person would point their weapon at that girl after witnessing such a scene.
Olivia rest her sword on her shoulder and tilted her head:
“Hmm? I heard that the Sun Knights and Crimson Knights would rather die than surrender?”
“I don’t know who said that, but I don’t have anything to do with such people who are so eager to die.”
Alexander answered, and Olivia agreed with him.
“I feel the same way too, I really don’t understand why so many people will choose death. They can’t eat yummy food or read books after they die— alright then, follow me.”
With that, Olivia sheathed her blade, and started walking with a hum. She wasn’t showing any signs of wariness at all.
(Fufufu. This girl has a good sword arm, but she’s stupid. Lieutenant General Patrick and Brigadier General Christoph getting killed by this broad makes me laugh. War isn’t just about honor and dignity. No matter how despicable one might be, the one who survives is the victor.)
If he took out the Death God, his achievement would be lauded throughout the Empire. He would definitely get the Imperial Cross Medal, and even get promoted all the way to Major General.
Alexander laughed deviously in his heart as he sneaked behind Olivia. She wasn’t wary of him at all. Alexander couldn’t stop his smile anymore, and swiftly pulled out the dagger hidden in his right sleeve.
(Die!!)
Alexander stabbed his dagger at the back of Olivia’s neck—
“— How did you...?”
There was a flash in his vision, and Olivia who should be on the ground was standing before him with her cheeks puffed out. In her left hand was a fist sized object that was pulsating.
(Is that… a heart?)
Alexander looked at his left chest with an ominous feeling— and saw a hole in his shirt that was being dyed red.
“…Aaa.”
“You can’t lie! The devil will pull out your tongue!”
Olivia then crushed the heart in her hand.
Alexander’s consciousness snapped like a string at this moment too.
On the twelfth day of the battle.
The decisive battle in the Central War Theatre ended with the Royal Army’s victory.
However, neither side were aware that they were being observed in secret.
Chapter 5: The Battle Under the Dress
Ⅰ
The Gate to the Underworld, Training Grounds
“Z, what will we be training today?”
“I will be observing your skills with magic. You won’t need your sword, so put it aside.”
“Okay~”
The girl nodded and leaned the white sword against a tree trunk.
“—Let’s begin. Attack me with all the magic you got. I won’t retaliate in any way.”
“Ehh~ but when you said that last time, you counterattacked.”
The girl’s protest made Z show a dumbfounded expression. And of course, Z didn’t have any face, that was just how the girl felt.
“That’s a lesson for you. Battles aren’t just physical clashes, the enemy will sometimes deceive you with tricks too. And you have the tendency of believing everything I say.”
“Ehehe.”
The girl scratched her head and then showed a silly laugh.
“If you understand, then let’s get started. For the short lived humans, time is very precious.”
“Got it!”
The girl concentrated, and gathered the magic power in her body. The technique was similar to molding clay. At the same time, she gathered the mana in the air. Gradually, countless blue and white particles congregated in the hands of the girl, forming into a ball of light the size of a fist.
She spread her legs, leaned forward slightly, and tucked her arms under her armpits. Z showed no signs of attacking just like he said, and remained stationary like flickering mist.
“Here I come!”
The girl threw out the light ball in her left hand with all her might. Z didn’t react to the ball of light, and was hit squarely by it. A cloud of smoke burst out with the sound of an explosion.
The girl didn’t stop her attack. She spun around and threw out the light ball in her right hand. Olivia hit Z with her ball again. Not only was the explosion more intense, even the ground was shaking.
(Z must be surprised by my magic. I trained this in secret after all.)
Olivia observed the situation with a cheeky smile, and Z’s voice came from the other side of the dust cloud:
“—Is that all?”
“Not yet!!”
The girl shouted as she threw a bunch of fireballs into the air. The fireball clouded the sky, giving the illusion that it was dusk.
Following immediately was ‘Wind Thread’.
The thread coming out from the girl’s hand lashed out like a whip, and binded Z tightly. The thread was so sharp that just a slight movement could cut through flesh and bones.
“Hmm, not bad.”
Z commented plainly after looking at the thread binding it. The girl threw down the hand she was raising up high, and the fireballs in the sky rained down on Z. Soon, Z was buried in a sea of flame.
When her last ball hit its mark, a pillar of fire shot up into the sky.
“H-How’s that?”
She stared at the column of flame with bated breath. Suddenly, a dazzling light blinded her, and when she realized it, the flame pillar was gone. Z who should have been burned by the hellish flame was completely unscathed.
The girl lay down on the ground with her limbs sprawled out as Z approached her nonchalantly. If that didn’t work, there was nothing more she could do.
“Done yet?”
“Yes, I’m done.”
“I see… it’s acceptable.”
Z said plainly, but the girl was overjoyed. Because she knew that Z was actually very satisfied with her performance.
“— By the way, Z, are there others like me who can use magic?”
The girl got up and asked offhandedly.
“There isn’t any.”
Z glanced at the girl and said nonchalantly.
“I see… So why are you teaching me Magic?”
The girl was already 13, and knew how overpowered Magic was. She tried capturing a Blood Curdling Bird yesterday with Magic, but burned it to crisp because she couldn\'t control her power properly.
“You don’t like Magic?”
“It’s not that I don’t like it, I just feel that this power is too dangerous.”
“As long as you understand that, it will be fine. Arrogant humans are always seeking more power— but humans do grow at an incredible pace.”
Z nodded, impressed. The girl watched this scene quietly, and a while later, Z noticed her gaze and asked:
“You were asking why I’m teaching you Magic, right?”
“Yes.”
“There are many people in this world who can use a farce of Magic. You are learning Magic for that sake.”
“Farce?”
The girl tilted her head.
“You don’t have to worry about this yet.”
“Yes, I understand.”
“Also, you need to change your gluttonous habit soon.”
With that, Z disappeared into the void. It seems that Z knew about Olivia’s attempt to capture a Blood Curdling Bird yesterday.
The girl laid back down, and returned to her extended break—