Chapter 161 : Chapter 161
Chapter 161. Counterattack (2)
A situation with equal numbers, plus having flustered the Imperial Army, even if slightly.
For Roden, there was no reason to avoid a head-on confrontation.
Above all, the combat power of the Main Battalion could be said to surpass all units participating in this war.
This was a fact already proven through conducting numerous battles.
For that reason, Roden could advance toward the Imperial Army more confidently than anyone else.
Not just Roden, but the Main Battalion was the same.
And the New Recruit Unit, gaining confidence from the appearance of Roden and the Main Battalion, charged with the same demeanor.
The battle finally began.
The first to inflict direct damage on the Imperial Army were the arrows of the Archery Platoon and the New Recruit Archery Unit.
These arrows imbued with aura instantly claimed the lives of the careless Imperial Army soldiers.
It was thanks to having stronger power and longer range than ordinary arrows.
"Shields alone cannot block the Allied Forces' arrows! Use the defensive crystal orbs!"
Arrows imbued with aura were a disaster for ordinary soldiers.
Because it was impossible not only to deflect them with a sword but also to block them with a shield.
For that reason, the Imperial Army commander had no choice but to raise his voice and urge the use of defensive crystal orbs.
As a result, the Imperial Army had to waste defensive crystal orbs once.
"Do not miss this opportunity! Strike the enemy's flank swiftly! Speed!"
Roden, who was running at the very front, raised his voice and steered his horse to the left as soon as he witnessed this scene.
The Cavalry Platoon, Cavalry Company, and New Recruit Cavalry followed behind him.
The Imperial Army side witnessed this scene and tried to hurriedly deploy their cavalry units to the flank, but they were a step too late.
Because Roden moved with the Cavalry Platoon, Cavalry Company, and New Recruit Cavalry so fast that they couldn't respond after witnessing it with their eyes.
It was thanks to the Speed Increase magic enchanted on the horse armor.
Kwa-ang!
Roden, who succeeded in ramming the Imperial Army's flank with tremendous impact like that.
The Imperial Army infantry units inevitably suffered great damage from this charge.
Before they could even manage the damage, the Infantry Platoon and Infantry Company pounced on the Imperial Army infantry units.
"Uaaaaagh! Spare me!"
"It can't go on like this!"
The offensive power of the Main Battalion and the New Recruit Unit, which entered the battle in earnest, was tremendous.
As if proving the results of their training so far, almost most soldiers were utilizing aura, so it was natural.
Because of that, the Imperial Army fought back using defensive crystal orbs and recovery-type crystal orbs lavishly, but it was not enough.
Even more so because the Main Battalion and the New Recruit Unit were not only skilled but could use the same magic.
At a much higher level.
More diversely.
As a result, the Imperial Army could not fill the gap with the Main Battalion and the New Recruit Unit.
When the Imperial Army was being swept away at a terrifying speed like that.
The remaining troops of the 3rd Corps also engaged in a fight with the Imperial Army in earnest.
***
'Incredible. They became stronger than before.'
Alexis admired while confirming the appearance of the Main Battalion and the New Recruit Unit leading the way and overrunning the Imperial Army.
The skills of the two units were that overwhelming.
It was a point where one could understand why they were able to produce significant results every time they were dispatched to the 1st Corps and 2nd Corps.
The unit Roden was leading was undeniably the best in the Allied Forces.
'Especially the effect of the ability-imparting secret technique the Main Battalion Commander uses is tremendous. It feels like it explodes not only individual combat power but also the combat power of the entire unit several times over.'
It was not an exaggeration to say that the victory or defeat of this war was decided at the same time the Main Battalion and the New Recruit Unit attacked the Imperial Army.
Since one axis that should balance the battlefield collapsed miserably at the start of the battle, it was natural.
Now, all that remained was to wait until the Main Battalion and the New Recruit Unit completely smashed this axis and came to attack with another axis.
Of course, Alexis had no intention of proceeding with and ending the battle like this.
'I cannot lose.'
He intended to properly showcase his abilities as a Corps Commander.
Like that, Alexis raised his voice.
"Everyone follow me! Let's show our skills!"
Like that, Alexis advanced forward with his direct unit.
And the Transport Battalion followed behind him.
For reference, the current 3rd Corps was deployed in the order of 'Main Battalion + New Recruit Unit', 'Alexis's Direct Unit + Transport Battalion', and 'Vanguard Battalion'.
This was because they judged that only by deploying like this could the three axes balance their skills.
Anyway, Alexis, a 7-star knight, started to rampage in earnest, and the Imperial Army was inevitably pushed back on this side as well.
Since one axis was collapsing like a sandcastle and was greatly agitated, it was unavoidable.
***
Tobias, who was in charge of the last axis of the 3rd Corps, watched the performance of the Main Battalion and the New Recruit Unit and quietly nodded his head.
It was natural since he knew they would perform like this even before the battle started.
'The Main Battalion Commander is already the hero of this war, no matter what anyone says. Even if high-ranking nobles participate this time, this fact does not change.'
Tobias had watched closely as Roden carried out operations like miracles several times.
And he was aware of the fact that the power to achieve this miracle originated from training soldiers from the bottom and establishing discipline.
Because it was impossible for miracles to happen repeatedly if the foundation was not solid.
'And by this point, we should see it like this. That all this is not a miracle but the Main Battalion Commander's skill.'
In fact, it was not an exaggeration to say that Tobias knew Roden's abilities best after Michael among those not belonging to the Main Battalion or New Recruit Unit.
Other people criticized Tobias for overestimating Roden's skills too much, but in fact, there was no one as objective as him.
'Good. Then shall I do my part now too.'
Tobias thought and gave an order to the Vanguard Battalion.
"Let's smash the Imperial Army! Charge!"
Like that, the Vanguard Battalion led by the 6-star knight Tobias did not have bad initial momentum.
However, they confronted the Imperial Army without overexerting themselves.
Because the Vanguard Battalion had no separate way to deal with defensive crystal orbs or recovery-type crystal orbs, and was also vulnerable to explosive crystal orbs.
Especially, it was important to carry on the fight while appropriately dealing with the power of explosive crystal orbs with iron shields.
Because if an explosive crystal orb exploded properly even once, the Vanguard Battalion would suffer tremendous damage.
In fact, Alexis's direct unit and the Transport Battalion were also proceeding with the battle in this way.
"Focus only on defense! We will soon have the advantage in numbers!"
Like that, Tobias calmly continued the even fight.
Because he had faith that Roden would lead this battle to victory, he felt not even a bit of fear.
***
Meanwhile.
Smith and Sarai were flustered.
Because the Main Battalion and the New Recruit Unit were too strong, beyond their thoughts.
The very proof was that a tremendous number of Imperial Army soldiers were being swept away every time Roden swung his sword.
Moreover, it wasn't just ordinary soldiers losing their lives.
Imperial Army commanders were falling like autumn leaves.
Eventually, Sarai, who was trying hard to stop the Main Battalion and the New Recruit Unit somehow, used a mobility-type crystal orb and appeared by Smith's side.
"Damn it! Does this even make sense!"
Sarai knelt on one knee and muttered.
Seeing that appearance, Smith flew into a rage.
"Just what are you doing now! If the Count comes here, what about the soldiers over there!"
However, Sarai was not intimidated by this and shouted back with a voice full of malice.
"That side collapsed with a single clash, so what do you want me to do!"
"What?"
"It wasn't a fight in the first place! If I hadn't used the mobility-type crystal orb, I might have died too!"
"……."
Smith lost his words seeing the fear in Sarai's eyes.
Because these eyes seemed to already be telling the victory or defeat of this battle.
Smith, who had been speechless for a long time like that, opened his mouth.
"……Even so, we cannot retreat like this."
"Do those words come out even after seeing that?"
"It can't be helped. If we return like this, we will be purged by His Majesty's hands anyway."
"!"
Hearing Smith's words, Sarai realized the fact he had briefly forgotten because his life was at stake.
Sarai, who was making a surprised expression like that, despaired.
"Ah……. Does this mean our Bilmos family will collapse like this……."
Smith shook his head and answered those words.
"Do not give up yet. It is not that we don't have a last resort."
"Last resort?"
"It is to use the Berserker-type crystal orbs. Not only the Count, but even me. All Imperial Army knights in this place."
"!"
Sarai also knew beforehand from Smith that they might use the Berserker-type crystal orbs.
However, he hadn't thought they would use them this drastically.
Because he knew better than anyone the problems when using Berserker-type crystal orbs as a group.
"Wi, will it be okay? Leaving aside the aftereffects, if we use Berserker-type crystal orbs as a group like that, control won't be possible?"
Control won't be possible.
This remark pointed out the inability to distinguish friend from foe when using Berserker-type crystal orbs.
Certainly, if they used Berserker-type crystal orbs as a group here now, an incident where the Imperial Army kills the Imperial Army would occur.
"What can we do? If it goes on like this, everyone dies. War is originally sacrificing the few for the greater good. It can't be helped."
Listening to Smith's explanation, Sarai's eyes wavered for a moment.
But soon, as if he had hardened his resolve, he opened his mouth.
"I understand. Since the supreme commander of this unit is the Count, I will follow the Count's words."
Sarai cleverly shifted the responsibility, but Smith nodded without saying much.
Because nothing would change by having a pointless argument here.
A situation where the Main Battalion and the New Recruit Unit almost finished organizing one axis.
Rather, as time passed, the one at a disadvantage was the Imperial Army.
Smith, who had hardened his resolve like that, took out a Berserker-type crystal orb from his bosom and shouted.
"Knights of the Empire, listen up! From now on, use the Berserker-type crystal orbs without a single person missing!"
At Smith's sudden command, the Imperial Army knights hesitated for a moment but took out Berserker-type crystal orbs from their bosoms.
Because Sarai was also lifting a Berserker-type crystal orb high into the sky beside Smith.
Tststst! Kuuuuung!
A moment later.
Along with the flow of ominous energy, the glint in the eyes of the Imperial Army knights began to turn red one by one.