Chapter 149 : Chapter 149
Chapter 149. Incorrect Meeting (3)
When the 3rd Corps was in a crisis where both Kroxen Castle and Velia Castle might fall.
The situations of the 1st Corps and 2nd Corps were also not very good.
First, the 1st Corps, where all units moved to Tizren Castle.
“Ugh. To think we look like this, trapped by those kinds of bastards. It's frustrating.”
Someone muttered emotionally while looking down at the castle wall.
It was an appearance where both the frustration and resentment about the current situation could be felt.
“…….”
And someone with a familiar face stepped back and quietly watched this appearance.
That person was none other than Laura.
“This won't do. I have to step in. Just being trapped like this won't achieve anything anyway.”
Eventually, such a voice flowed from the someone who was looking down at the castle wall as if they couldn't endure it.
At this, Laura sighed with a phew and answered.
“I told you no. How many times do I have to say it? Isn't it time to give up by now, Malena?”
That was right.
The identity of the person with Laura was Malena.
The reason Malena was here was nothing else.
It was because she retreated to Tizren Castle after being pushed back by the Imperial Army while besieging Galabon Castle.
As the 1st Corps that had difficulty obtaining the Plumen River, Tizren Castle was the last bastion that absolutely should not be taken.
So Laura was trying to stop Malena's unexpected action right now.
However,
“Then are we just going to dry up and die like this? Are we going to dry up and die!”
How on earth is a person like this closest to being the next Glockner family head along with Leon.
Laura questioned anew and answered Malena's question.
“Of course we won't dry up and die. I have an idea, so listen.”
“Idea?”
“Yes. Idea.”
Like that, Laura conveyed her idea to Malena.
Hearing that story, Malena's eyes sparkled as she answered.
“Oh? Not bad? If it's that, I can also run wild.”
Next, the 2nd Corps was also in a bad situation similarly.
“We are retreating to the Yugum Mountains. If it's Kelakla Castle which has been repaired to some extent, we will be able to sufficiently suppress the enemy's momentum and reserve strength.”
At Paul's explanation, most of the Vanguard Battalion officers nodded.
However, only one person.
Only Lisandro didn't have a good expression.
Eventually, Lisandro opened his mouth cautiously.
“But if we do that, the supply line will become too long, and the Corps Commander defending Davia Castle will be in danger.”
“Since supply is impossible anyway even if the supply line is short, it doesn't matter. Above all, who is defending Davia Castle? It's the Corps Commander. Who already showed miraculous abilities several times and led siege warfare to victory.”
Paul created a justification for retreat by praising Leon.
The surprising fact was that everyone accepted this explanation.
Even Lisandro who raised the question.
They had no choice.
The martial might Leon showed when he captured Kelakla Castle and Davia Castle.
Because that martial might was that overwhelming.
In fact, Kelakla Castle and Davia Castle were not captured by ordinary siege warfare methods.
The single secret technique Leon unfolded.
With this secret technique, he destroyed the castle gate at once and captured it.
Of course, Paul already knew the identity of this secret technique.
Even that he had to recover his body for several months after using this secret technique.
But Paul muttered inwardly.
‘Still, if it's you who are closest to being the next Glockner family head, I believe you will sufficiently defend Davia Castle.’
Like that, Paul ordered a retreat from Duren and shut himself in Kelakla Castle.
Like this, the Allied Forces were being pushed back by the Imperial Army on all battlefields.
For that reason, expecting help from other corps was impossible, and they had to solve the problems on their own.
***
And this was the same for Roden as well.
However, it wasn't a situation where the problem could be solved just because Roden wanted to.
Because Deniz prepared a trump card to capture Velia Castle.
“Can we capture Velia Castle without problems today?”
At Deniz's question, Prokle nodded as if it was obvious.
“Yes. We will. No matter how thoroughly they prepared their defenses, they wouldn't have expected the castle gate to be destroyed at once.”
That was right.
What the Imperial Army prepared to capture Velia Castle.
It was a magic artifact capable of destroying the castle gate at once.
Since losing Kelakla Castle and Davia Castle, the Empire had been searching continuously.
For a method to destroy the castle gate at once with tremendous firepower like Leon's secret technique used at that time and seize victory in siege warfare.
In fact, explosive crystal orbs were also purchased from the Penitudo mage tower with this expectation, but the firepower wasn't as strong as expected.
Even if they could penetrate armor, penetrating the castle gate was impossible.
For that reason, the Empire demanded the sale of magic artifacts more powerful than explosive crystal orbs from the Penitudo mage tower.
And what they purchased like this was the trump card, ‘Castle-Breaking Crystal Orb’.
However, in the case of the Castle-Breaking Crystal Orb, naturally, its price was enormous.
It was natural since it was an item that even the Penitudo mage tower couldn't make more than a few of in a year.
For that reason, the Emperor requested Deniz several times to use this only where absolutely necessary.
And Deniz also originally intended to use the Castle-Breaking Crystal Orb elsewhere.
But Deniz, engulfed in anger after confirming Roden's face, changed his mind.
To somehow destroy Velia Castle and make Roden kneel beneath his feet.
However, this was Deniz's thought.
Prokle seemed unsure if using the Castle-Breaking Crystal Orb right now was correct.
So he asked.
“But are you really going to use the Castle-Breaking Crystal Orb here? It will just take some time, but capturing Velia Castle shouldn't be a difficult task.”
Deniz's expression, which had been beaming at the thought of using the trump card, hardened instantly upon receiving Prokle's question.
Deniz revealed his uncomfortable feelings without hiding them.
“Although we are in a situation where we brought private soldiers by family and joined forces, the person in charge as the supreme commander of this unit is me. But are you saying you will refuse my order?”
Prokle hurriedly waved his hands and answered.
“No. That's not it. I just thought, isn't it a bit of a waste to use the Castle-Breaking Crystal Orb in the current situation. Since His Majesty also requested to use it carefully.”
Since the Emperor was mentioned, even Deniz couldn't get angry recklessly, so he opened his mouth after thinking for a moment.
“Don't worry. Because I decided to use the Castle-Breaking Crystal Orb after thinking carefully. According to what I found out, the one who performed the greatest exploits on this front, even more than the 3rd Corps Commander Alexis, is that Main Battalion Commander Ernst hiding in Velia Castle over there.”
“Is that true?”
“Conducting two rear disruption operations wasn't enough, he established distinguished merits in capturing Velia Castle and Kroxen Castle, and dealing with Linor who was our spy was also that guy's doing.”
“Huh….”
“Although not certain yet, they said it seems that dealing with the Geumgangwi (March of the Other Shore), Heukgangwi (Black Bell Corps), and Jeokcheonwi (Hellfire Brigade) was also that guy's doing.”
“What? Really?”
“Yes. So for us, we must quickly capture Velia Castle and definitely catch that guy. In fact, if we catch just that guy, we will be able to march the army east as is and easily get our hands on the Aequor Plains.”
Like one of the three families supporting the Empire, the Bazar family's intelligence power was great.
So as soon as it became certain that Roden operated the Billem Caravan and was the 3rd Corps Main Battalion Commander, Deniz was able to acquire a lot of information in an instant.
The connection points that were invisible until now started to be seen.
And thanks to the information secured like this, Deniz was able to persuade Prokle without difficulty.
Other people listening to the two's story from the side also understood why Deniz intended to use even the Castle-Breaking Crystal Orb in this battle.
However, Deniz didn't feel much better even after successfully persuading everyone.
It was because remembering being tricked by Roden annoyed him again.
The reason he didn't mention operating the Billem Caravan while pointing out Roden's atrocities one by one was also due to this.
‘I will definitely catch and kill him.’
Deniz organized his thoughts like this and spoke.
“Like this, our intention to capture Velia Castle using the Castle-Breaking Crystal Orb is eventually to capture the guy named Ernst. So in today's siege warfare, we must surround the Allied Forces tightly so that the guy absolutely cannot escape. If it seems we cannot capture the guy…… kill him.”
After giving a firm order, Deniz reviewed the operation for today's battle.
In the process, he supplemented the shortcomings and increased the completeness of the operation.
***
Meanwhile.
Inside Velia Castle where no one knew what would happen, they prepared for the siege warfare that would take place today as usual.
And this was the same for Roden as well.
The place where Roden was currently standing was in front of the castle gate of Velia Castle.
Roden was sweating profusely there and sticking something messily on the castle gate.
Michael, who was watching that appearance from a distance, asked Chevalier standing with him.
“Do you happen to know what he is doing?”
Chevalier answered without even giving a glance toward Michael.
“Why do you ask that?”
“Just wondering if you, who have been with the Battalion Commander for a long time, could fathom the meaning.”
“……If that were possible, would I be standing here with arms crossed with you, Staff Officer?”
“Right? You don't know either, right? What kind of thoughts your superior has?”
“Yes. I don't know.”
Hearing Chevalier's answer, Michael nodded as if satisfied.
Somehow, he looked happy that Chevalier also didn't know Roden's thoughts.
At that time, Chevalier added a word.
“As an ordinary person, I dare not fathom the Battalion Commander's thoughts. But one thing is certain. That if the Battalion Commander acted, that intention will be realized.”
“……What?”
“Then, I have work to do, so I will excuse myself first.”
Like that, Chevalier left the spot, and Michael, left alone, made a blank expression.
Because he was so surprised by Chevalier's unexpected fanatic-like reaction.
It was something to watch what result this belief would bring.