Chapter 87 : Last Stand (2)
Last Stand (2)
In fact, it was unprecedented in this recorded history for the Tarierre Kingdom to invade together with the Blandi Kingdom. Tarierre was the quintessential neutral kingdom, the least likely to strike first at anyone.
At that rate, the frontline should have been breached quickly, and the Arme Kingdom would have been crushed by sheer numbers without any chance to resist.
However, that was only true in a world without Gregory as a commander.
"The enemy will be here soon."
Gregory had already set up a massive trap to lure the enemy in. Like a beast waiting for its prey, he swallowed his anticipation and silenced all sound.
After a while, the tumultuous roar of the enemy began to echo from afar. Every soldier followed Gregory's orders to the letter.
Anyone who acted suspiciously among them was a traitor, to be immediately executed on the spot. Therefore, even if someone had a mind to betray, no information about the plan would be leaked, and no one dared to disobey Gregory's commands.
"Is everybody ready?"
"Of course."
"Naturally. When do we move?"
When the enemy reached the first earthwork, silence reigned as though no one was present. There was a simple reason why Gregory's plan called for not engaging the enemy early.
After all, this entire area was formed of narrow canyons; even if the outer wall was removed, the enemy still had to cross these labyrinthine passageways.
Of course, waiting for the enemy from atop the canyon might not have been a bad option, but if the ambush was detected or if they failed to contain the enemy along the way, things could spiral out of control.
Therefore, trapping the enemy here with an earthwork that blocked all escape routes was efficient and superior in every way. Moreover, since one had to pass through this place to advance, it offered outstanding advantages in a siege.
Isn't fishing all about the art of waiting?
'My anticipation keeps growing... Will this be the big catch, or a complete failure?'
Gregory hid behind the blind spot behind the earthwork's gate, a spot undetectable even after the enemy entered. The other soldiers did the same.
He planned to wait until the enemy entered and settled in the earthwork before giving the signal to simultaneously close the gate.
However, the opposing force was wary of the strange quiet surrounding them. To be cautious, they sent in scouts ahead.
'Sending their best all the way to the end... That's a formidable enemy indeed.'
Gregory had no intention of letting the enemy scout so easily. There was only one way through, so they had to come this way. Though they could try to circle around, the idea of turning such a large army to wander a different path would surely have been burdensome.
He decided to eliminate the oncoming scouts swiftly. Normally, if scouts failed to return, the enemy would suspect an ambush and charge in.
But in this situation, the longer the silence, the greater the enemy's uncertainty about the earthwork would become.
'They're getting closer...'
Gregory quickly raised his arm to signal. The scouts were riding in on horseback, but with a dull sound, their horses lost their way.
He minimized all movement and watched the enemy's reaction.
"What's going on... Why haven't the scouts returned at all?"
"I'm not sure, sir. They should have been back by now..."
"Could it be that this place is so large, they got delayed exploring?"
"If so, that means this is good ground for our camp. We can't go back now; we've consumed too much food, and going back would take much more time and rations. We can't ask Tarierre Kingdom for help again, either."
The enemies continued chatting about recent events, and through their conversation, Gregory could faintly deduce why Tarierre Kingdom had joined the war.
And it was undeniable now—the Blandi Kingdom was still suffering from a food shortage. If he could just buy more time, it wouldn't be so hard to snatch victory from Blandi.
As the commander entered the earthwork, masses of soldiers followed him inside without a shred of suspicion or fear.
"Are you sure there's no one here? The structure's odd—I can't figure out its purpose..."
"If it's just an earthwork, then it wasn't worth making a real fortress. Still, stay alert. Have the shieldbearers circle up in case an enemy appears out of nowhere."
While the enemy let their guard down and entered, Gregory gave the hand signal and the gate slammed shut.
Bang-!
"It's an ambush! Raise your shields!"
Only then did the soldiers start to sense something was wrong and tried to defend themselves, but it was too late.
Shiiik—
Thud—
Thwack—
Arrows rained down from above, piercing soldier after soldier with heavy, dull impacts.
The enemies glanced up at the sky.
From what appeared to be an empty earthwork above, countless soldiers emerged.
It must have been utter chaos for them.
No escape, unable to fight back.
They were gripped by the terror of imminent death, sure to become just another one of the lifeless bodies, having never even put up a fight.
Gregory decided to give them one chance. To win this war, he needed to achieve the level of a swordmaster in one leap.
However, thanks to his memories from his previous life, Gregory knew all too well the struggle of raising his mana tier. What he lacked was more experience and time with sword technique.
So, he thought it would be wasteful to end it here. He commanded his soldiers to stop shooting.
'I need to face them head-on... for me to become stronger, for me to protect my comrades, I must grow even stronger.'
The soldiers, caught up in their victory, didn't understand Gregory's orders.
But mere soldiers could not disobey their commander's command.
Even if a traitor wanted to target Gregory, there were too many watching eyes, so it couldn't be done.
Countless arrows pinned in the earth like thorns. Wounded soldiers groaning with shallow breaths.
"Reveal your leader."
Gregory slowly walked up to the group who had survived behind shieldbearers, thinking they must hold the real power among these men.
Certainly, if you could lead such a massive army as a knight, you had to be quite exceptional. But for Gregory, who held red mana and Durandal, what could possibly frighten him?
Then, someone in front of Gregory spoke with a sneer.
"So desperate for victory, are you? To win using such a cruel trick. You lack honor."
Apparently realizing why Gregory had stepped forward, the knight of Blandi Kingdom signaled the shieldbearers to lower their shields, as if to get a good look at Gregory's face.
"No honor? Desperate to win? You're the ones who started this war—where does that rotten mindset of yours even come from?"
Gregory undid the bandages on Durandal and stepped up to the knight. The shieldbearers tense all over at Gregory's approach, keeping their guard up. The mysterious knight raised his arm to halt them.
"Stand down. This is a knight's duel—fate demands it. I will bring you down here and now."
Because this figure hadn't been present in his previous life's memories, Gregory was curious about his identity, but he was already sure of victory.
"That won't happen, but if you beat me here, I'll let you leave alive. What can you put up as your wager?"
"Must there always be a wager to duel? If you believe in such knightly ideals, I find you laughable. Then, allow me the chance to kill you utterly."
The enemy warrior sneered at Gregory, matching his own mocking tone. Hearing this, Gregory grinned coldly.
"That doesn't seem like a good deal for you. Can't you see you're already as good as dead? Don't you see my soldiers above? Do you think you can handle that?"
The knight, nettled by Gregory's continuous taunts, retorted heatedly.
"How could you possibly know? Clearly, you have no idea of the glory I bear in Blandi Kingdom."
"What's your name?"
"What will you do with my name? Enough talk—let's fight. And to think a knight fights with his tongue, not his sword."
"What a funny man. As if you haven't been talking all this time. All right, as you wish. I accept your challenge."
As everyone watched, the tension mounted. Both men stood rigid, not giving an inch, eyes locked on each other.
Then, at that moment, Gregory surged forward, unleashing his red mana.
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