Chapter 158 : Chapter 158
Chapter 158. Unexpected (3)
Roden did not spare the use of detection magic.
There was no other way for a battalion-sized force to move unnoticed.
“Finally, the New Recruit Archery Unit has arrived. With this, all units have gathered at the target assembly point.”
Roden, who was observing the situation of Kroxen Castle from a distance, nodded his head upon receiving Chevalier’s report.
Now, all that remained was to wait until Deniz crossed the river of no return.
Of course, even if he did, the probability of this operation succeeding wasn’t high.
“Certainly, it is a difficult operation. Because if our allies fail to grasp our intentions and do not attempt a breakthrough at one point, the meaning of this operation will disappear.”
Michael spoke from Roden’s side, and it was just as he said.
This operation was intended to help Alexis’s direct unit and the Vanguard Battalion escape, just like when they led the New Recruit Unit to Velia Castle.
Because, in fact, it was impossible for their allies to achieve victory against a corps-sized siege force.
So, how well Kroxen Castle grasped their intentions was important.
It would be good if they could communicate about this in advance, but there was no way to break through the encirclement and converse.
“Still, we have no choice but to trust our allies and attack. If the desired result doesn’t come out, it can’t be helped.”
Roden was even considering giving up the Aequor Plains and retreating if the operation failed.
If he lost Alexis’s direct unit and the Vanguard Battalion, there was no other way besides this.
Anyway, time continued to pass, and a few days later, Roden judged that the time had finally come.
“Then let us begin.”
***
Meanwhile.
Deniz led a corps-sized force and arrived at Velia Castle in a single breath.
Since he didn’t have a reason to operate his troops carefully like Roden, his speed was inevitably fast.
Of course, it was also partly because Deniz, swept up in rage, pushed his troops too hard.
Even thinking about it again, he was angry that Velia Castle was taken so easily.
“Don’t rest, run! Run, I said!”
Only after arriving at Velia Castle and proceeding with the first siege without delay did he notice something strange.
“……Why are the Allied Forces’ troops so few?”
The forces guarding Velia Castle felt like, at most, two companies in size.
“Are they saving their strength to buy time? But even if they buy time, they are the ones who will be at a disadvantage.”
Only then did Deniz sense that something was wrong.
And after proceeding with the second siege, he became certain of this thought.
Even after washing his eyes and looking, Roden was nowhere to be seen.
Furthermore, not only Roden, but other commanders whom he had become familiar with over nearly a month of fighting were also almost unseen.
“Damn it! I’ve been had again! Then just where did this bastard Ernst go? Don’t tell me…….”
Deniz, whose thoughts reached somewhere, jumped up from his seat.
Then he shouted urgently.
“I’ve been tricked! We must return to Kroxen Castle immediately! Immediately!”
However, when Deniz had this thought, it was already too late.
Because Roden had already led the Main Battalion and the New Recruit Unit and started the battle.
It meant he had crossed the river of no return.
***
The 6-star knight Smith Andor, who was besieging Kroxen Castle leading the corps troops, clicked his tongue inwardly, tsk-tsk.
He remembered that Deniz had returned to Velia Castle again, even though it hadn’t been long since they besieged Kroxen Castle together.
“I mean, he should have secured the defense of Velia Castle properly before coming here. Just how poorly did he proceed with things for a castle taken over a month to be retaken in a single day?”
At Smith’s words, the 5-star knight Sarai Bilmos nodded his head.
“That is what I mean. It’s something I feel anew, but compared to the prestige of the Bazar family, the ability of that person called Deniz seems meager.”
“More than anything, I dislike that. Was it Ernst? The 3rd Corps’ Main Battalion Commander. Why is he being dragged around by that guy so much?”
“Not utilizing the castle-breaking crystal orbs properly was absurd from the start. When I heard that he failed to conquer Velia Castle even after using them, I was so dumbfounded.”
“Rather, if the castle-breaking crystal orbs were given to us and we besieged Velia Castle, the Empire would have already obtained the Aequor Plains and been aiming for the mainland of the East.”
“The Count is right. I have also thought several times about how it would have been if that were the case. Not being able to do so is a regret of a lifetime.”
Like this, the two people insulted Deniz’s incompetence as if it were natural.
Although they belonged to the same New Progressive Council, for other high-ranking nobles, the Bazar family was merely a target to be surpassed someday, so it was natural.
And while insulting Deniz like this, they naturally ignored and looked down on Roden.
Because it was easier to insult Deniz if Roden was also an incompetent person.
“Anyway, the situation isn’t bad for us. Once we stably occupy Kroxen Castle like this, everything will be smooth. The initiative on this front will naturally pass to us as well.”
“Then at that time, it would be good to dispose of that fellow called Ernst with our own hands too. If we do, His Majesty’s trust will become even thicker. At this rate, through this war, we might even come to be called the pillars of the Empire.”
“Hahaha. To really become like that, effort will be needed. Let’s do well until then.”
“Let’s do so. And first, let’s safely occupy Kroxen Castle. Speaking of which, wouldn’t it be better to proceed with the siege now?”
“Right. We’ve let them rest too comfortably. Now, Imperial Army, prepare for the siege and start the battle.”
When the two finally finished their conversation, the Imperial Army began to pound on the castle walls as usual.
It was an attack intended more to exhaust the Allied Forces rather than to truly conquer the castle.
And it was when the siege was in full swing like that.
“It’s the Allied Forces! They appeared from the rear of the Allied Forces!”
Suddenly, an Imperial Army commander in the rear raised his voice like this, and Smith and Sarai, who heard this story, instinctively met each other’s eyes.
And they could confirm.
That each other was wearing a flustered expression.
***
The situation inside Kroxen Castle was the worst.
Alexis muttered while examining the siege troops with hollow eyes.
“There are no gaps. Is the ending really to lose my life to a subordinate like this?”
Alexis also felt that a riot was not far away.
And if a riot occurred, no matter if Alexis was a 7-star expert, there was no way to stop it.
Because there is no match against numbers.
“……Should I surrender?”
Alexis seriously entertained this thought.
That was how little hope he felt.
It was then.
“Please wait a little longer. Don’t we still have the Main Battalion Commander?”
Someone’s voice like this was heard.
Turning his head, the one there was Tobias.
Alexis smirked and responded to Tobias’s words.
“The Vanguard Battalion Commander is still saying that. Unfortunately, no matter if it’s the Main Battalion Commander, this time he won’t have a sharp solution.”
“…….”
“Perhaps the Main Battalion Commander has also already been captured by that side. Since Velia Castle is a smaller place than Kroxen Castle. Didn’t you see it too? That another corps briefly besieged this place not long ago.”
Clearly, Tobias also witnessed that scene.
And that meant there was a high possibility that the situation at Velia Castle had ended.
But Tobias still did not let go of the string of hope.
Tobias explained the reason.
“However, those troops lifted the siege and disappeared somewhere again. That is the proof. The Main Battalion Commander must be doing something somewhere. To save us somehow. And as always, he will find a way. We must not miss that opportunity.”
Alexis was about to say that such an opportunity would not come but shut his mouth.
Because Tobias not letting go of the string of hope was not a bad thing for him.
Anyway, it meant at least Tobias would not participate in the riot.
‘Even so, nothing will change but……. Is surrendering really the right thing to do?’
Alexis thought and turned his gaze toward the siege troops again.
“They are coming.”
Just in time, the Imperial Army was rushing in to conduct today’s siege.
Tobias saw that sight and shouted.
“Enemy! The enemy is invading! Everyone assumes defensive posture! If we endure just today, relief forces will arrive!”
Since he was repeating what he said yesterday, the day before yesterday, and last week, no one responded to Tobias’s passion.
They just gripped their starving stomachs with their left hands and held their weapons with their right hands.
As if they were wooden dolls.
Still, since Kroxen Castle was sturdy, it wasn’t difficult to block the attack even if they fought without enthusiasm.
It was also possible because a few commanders were running around on the castle walls showing passion together with Tobias.
For reference, those showing passion like this were commanders who had spent time with Roden in the Vanguard Battalion in the past.
For example, like Bent.
“Prepare for explosive crystal orbs!”
“Dodge the catapult’s boulders!”
Certainly, damage from magic artifacts was steadily accumulating in the siege of Kroxen Castle.
In fact, this was the main culprit tormenting the Allied Forces guarding Kroxen Castle.
It was fortunate that they prepared for explosive crystal orbs by making iron shields.
If they hadn’t even developed this method, Kroxen Castle would have been conquered long ago.
Like that, when Alexis’s direct unit and the Vanguard Battalion were getting tired of the hopeless battle today as well.
Thud thud thud!
Puuuuuuu!
Drum sounds and trumpet sounds were heard from somewhere, and at the same time, Alexis and Tobias’s eyes couldn’t help but widen roundly.
It was Roden’s appearance.