Chapter 160 : Chapter 160
Chapter 160. Counterattack (1)
Thanks to Alexis's performance, they succeeded in breaking through the encirclement, but the troop losses were not insignificant.
This was because Alexis's direct unit and the Vanguard Battalion could not use artifacts like the Main Battalion.
So they were inevitably vulnerable to explosive crystal orbs, and the Imperial Army dug into this weakness and threw explosive crystal orbs at the rear.
They tried to block them with iron shields somehow, but it was impossible to block them all.
It was fortunate that the Main Battalion and the New Recruit Unit quickly covered the rear.
If they hadn't, the damage would have increased exponentially.
When they shook off the Imperial Army's pursuit and arrived at the earthen castle.
Roden spoke to Alexis.
“The troop loss is too great. It would have been good if we could have saved even one more person.”
“Still, isn't it something that we succeeded in escaping? In the first place, Main Battalion Commander, if you hadn't come to rescue us, more people would have lost their lives. Thank you.”
“No. I just did what I ought to do.”
“I’m dying to rest since I overexerted myself quite a bit during the battle, but there are too many stories to hear.”
“You must be hungry, so please eat first. I will tell you all the stories in front of warm food.”
Roden ordered Chevalier to unpack the food supplies and feed the soldiers, then headed to the dining hall.
Roden, Alexis, Michael, and Tobias sat facing each other at the table.
As soon as the food was set on the table, various stories flowed from Roden's mouth.
How they escaped Velia Castle, how they lured Deniz to Velia Castle.
Every time the story continued, exclamations burst from Alexis and Tobias's mouths.
“Was it Deniz Bazar? That fellow suffered severely at the hands of the Main Battalion Commander. He must be grinding his teeth.”
“Kuhahaha. Indeed. I think again that it is really fortunate to be on the same side as the Main Battalion Commander.”
“By the way, the Imperial Army will invade here now, right?”
At Alexis's question, Roden nodded.
“Probably so. Although they lost Velia Castle again, the Imperial Army has gained leeway in troop operations by occupying Kroxen Castle.”
“Is there no possibility that the Imperial Army will combine forces and attack Velia Castle first?”
“Actually, that is the worst situation for us. Because even if we take all the troops here, it is impossible to face two corps. However, the possibility of them doing so is not very high.”
“Why?”
“Because unlike before, the Imperial Army is organized with private soldiers of each family rather than regular army formations.”
As private soldiers of each family were actively conscripted, the current Imperial Army was in a situation very similar to the Allied Forces.
Even in some respects, their situation was worse than the Allied Forces.
This was because while the Allied Forces had troops from each country organized as regular armies, the Imperial Army operated troops by family units.
In other words, it was a structure where interests were too easy to conflict.
The fact that the Imperial Army divided into two and attacked Kroxen Castle and Velia Castle separately in the first place proved this.
“Furthermore, the number of troops stationed in Velia Castle is too small. For that reason, from the Imperial Army's perspective, it will feel like a waste for two corps to head to Velia Castle.”
“Listening to it, that sounds right. The Imperial Army that occupied Kroxen Castle will almost unconditionally advance to the earthen castle.”
“So speaking of which, since it has come to this, how about calling in the Transport Battalion and engaging in a head-on confrontation?”
Roden thought the Imperial Army advancing to the earthen castle was an opportunity.
Because if they called in even the Transport Battalion, it became possible to fight with numbers similar to the Imperial Army.
For the 3rd Corps, it was an opportunity they absolutely should not miss.
Fortunately, Alexis seemed to think the same and nodded.
“Certainly, it would be good to target the time when the Imperial Army is separated into two. Although the blow would be big if we lose, there would be no other way if we want to seize victory somehow. By the way, is it really okay not to save Velia Castle?”
“Velia Castle will be fine. The castle itself is sturdy, and they also took enough food to easily last at least a month.”
Roden believed Velia Castle would hold out well.
And anyway, saving Velia Castle now wouldn't change anything.
Not only would it not be much help in terms of combat power, but trying to help Velia Castle unnecessarily would only increase the possibility of mutual destruction.
“Then let's try to devise an operation towards a head-on confrontation with the Imperial Army.”
It was when Alexis finished his meal and summarized the discussion like this.
“Corps Commander! It is an urgent report! Major families of each nation have declared their participation in this war!”
A knight entered and raised his voice like this.
Naturally, Roden, Alexis, Michael, and Tobias, who were present, met each other's eyes.
***
The news of the Allied Forces' troop reinforcement was also conveyed to the Imperial Army.
Naturally, the expression of Deniz, who was attacking Velia Castle, distorted immediately.
“Damn it. Forget the Aequor Plains, I haven't even been able to retake Velia Castle yet.”
It wasn't just Deniz.
The expressions of Smith and Sarai, who received the news at Kroxen Castle, were equally dark.
“What should we do? If it becomes like this, wouldn't it be difficult to attack the earthen castle?”
At Sarai's question, Smith thought for a moment and then answered.
“No, rather, now might be the last opportunity to get our hands on a part of the Aequor Plains. If the Allied Forces' troops are reinforced, a tedious tug-of-war will begin.”
“That is also true. Then will we invade the earthen castle immediately?”
“I will do so. Please prepare.”
Like that, Smith and Sarai hurriedly prepared and advanced toward the earthen castle, leaving only a small number of troops at Kroxen Castle.
‘……It will be fine, right?’
In numbers, the Imperial Army was certainly ahead.
However, the one superior in individual combat power was the 3rd Corps side.
Especially the existence of the 7-star knights Roden and Alexis was a great pressure.
‘It will be fine. Because the tide of war is something that doesn't change with the existence of one or two people.’
Smith tried hard to comfort himself.
At the same time, he seriously considered using the Berserker-type crystal orbs.
Although there were side effects, if he used the Berserker-type crystal orbs, it was possible to easily fill the gap in combat power.
In fact, this was the only thing Smith could trust.
Like that, Smith led his troops and continued to advance toward the earthen castle, and he received strange news from a scout who returned from reconnaissance.
“The earthen castle is empty? Is that true?”
“Yes. I observed the movements inside the earthen castle for several days, but I discovered nothing.”
“Then what about the Allied Forces troops that should be at the earthen castle?”
“I haven't discovered them yet.”
“Almost two battalions moved, and it makes sense that you haven't discovered that!”
“I apologize.”
“Shut up and find them immediately! Find out where they are somehow!”
Smith pressed the scout.
He even sent additional scouts and devoted his heart and soul to tracking the troops.
But even after that, the scouts continued to come up empty.
Because Roden actively utilized detection magic to avoid the scouts' tracking.
Even in this process, there were scouts who did not return.
“Damn it! Like this, we can't know where the battle will unfold!”
Smith couldn't bear the frustration and yelled.
Above all, the biggest problem was that he couldn't get a grasp on whether it was right to advance to the earthen castle like this.
“Still, isn't it right to advance? Since the earthen castle is empty, it would be better if we could easily get our hands on the earthen castle at this opportunity.”
“That is true, but if we get ambushed by the Allied Forces like this, it would be a big problem.”
“Our numbers are much greater, so what would be the problem. Rather, if the battle takes place on a plain without obstacles, it's a good thing. Since we will be able to fully utilize our numerical superiority.”
Sarai's story wasn't wrong, but Smith was somehow constantly anxious.
But he couldn't miss the golden opportunity to reclaim a part of the Aequor Plains.
Smith hesitated for a moment but ordered the advance of the troops.
“Continue to advance! While preparing for a possible ambush!”
Like that, marching with heightened vigilance consumed a lot of stamina and mental power, but it couldn't be helped.
And how much time had passed?
Finally, the earthen castle began to be seen in the distance.
But it was then.
Thud thud thud!
Puuuuuuu!
Drum sounds and trumpet sounds were heard from somewhere.
Sure enough, turning his head, what was there were the troops of the 3rd Corps.
“It's the Allied Forces! The Allied Forces bastards have appeared!”
“All forces assume battle posture and prepare for impact!”
The Imperial Army commanders quickly gave orders, and thanks to that, the Imperial Army formed ranks without difficulty.
However, Smith couldn't help but be flustered upon seeing the 3rd Corps troops.
It wasn't just Smith, but Sarai and other Imperial Army soldiers were the same.
That was because the troops of the 3rd Corps were far more numerous than they had thought.
It was not two battalions but a corps-level scale.
Identical to what Smith and Sarai were leading.
“This is why they didn't allow reconnaissance!”
Belatedly, Smith realized this fact, but it was already too late.
The 3rd Corps was rapidly closing in on the Imperial Army.
To the point where even running away was impossible.
***
“As expected, the Imperial Army is flustered.”
Roden spoke after watching the Imperial Army's movements, and Alexis nodded.
“Your calculated move worked. And in a large-scale battle like this, a slight advantage makes a big difference.”
“That is correct. We must not miss this opportunity.”
“Good. Then shall we hurry and start the fight. All forces charge!”
Like that, following Alexis's order, the 3rd Corps began to advance toward the Imperial Army.
It was the moment a large-scale pitched battle of corps versus corps unfolded on the Aequor Plains.