Chapter 165 : Chapter 165
Chapter 165. Black Lion (1)
The Allied Forces originally did not display the flags of families.
This was because troops sent from each nation were gathered and organized into a regular army.
For that reason, flags for the Allied Forces meant flags symbolizing each corps and flags symbolizing each battalion.
But suddenly, the Black Lion flag symbolizing the Glockner family.
The moment they discovered this, Günter and Antonio couldn't help but be surprised.
Because displaying this flag meant that high-ranking families of each nation had finally decided to participate.
Moreover, this wasn't all.
“…Among the high-ranking families, the Glockner family has come to the 3rd Corps front.”
“Indeed.”
Günter and Antonio had also received the news of the high-ranking families' participation.
But they didn't expect the Glockner family among them to come to the 3rd Corps front.
Compared to the Aequor Plains, the Yugum Mountains or the Plumen River were more important strategic points.
Even to secure an advantageous position in the post-war struggle for interests, it was right for the Glockner family to go to the 1st Corps front or the 2nd Corps front.
But seeing the Glockner family's flag here, they couldn't help but be surprised.
“Anyway, this is not the time. Let's prepare to respond so we can coordinate if the relief forces strike the Imperial Army from behind.”
“Yes. Understood.”
Like that, Günter and Antonio moved their troops towards the castle gate to respond.
However, conclusively, the event of the Archery Company and the New Recruit Infantry opening the castle gate and responding did not occur.
Because the Glockner unit defeated the Imperial Army one step faster than that.
***
“Wha, what on earth is happening!”
Deniz shouted without realizing it.
It couldn't be helped.
Because his unit, considered one of the strongest even in the Empire, was currently being pushed back helplessly.
Deniz was also surprised when he first discovered the Black Lion flag.
Because he never thought the Glockner family would send troops here.
But after confirming that the troops were not very numerous, about the level of two battalions, Deniz regained his composure.
And he decided to neatly deal with even the Glockner unit and conquer Velia Castle.
Certainly, this was an opportunity.
Because a gap would be created when the Archery Company and the New Recruit Infantry opened the castle gate to respond.
However, conclusively, the castle gate did not open.
Because his unit began to be annihilated even before the castle gate opened.
“This is absurd!”
Deniz's gaze headed towards a group that was taking the lead and overrunning the Imperial Army.
Surprisingly, the company-sized troops wearing red surcoats were all knights capable of using aura.
Moreover, they were not barely at the level of 1-star.
At least 3-star.
All the knights had reached at least this level of realm.
Also, the three secret techniques commonly used by these knights were quite tricky.
First, the secret technique named ‘Flame Scar Strike’ neutralized the effect of recovery-type crystal orbs.
Because when inflicting a wound with this secret technique, the high-temperature aura not only gave a burn effect but also hindered wound healing.
Next, the ‘Red Shredding Slash’ made defensive crystal orbs meaningless.
Because it was a secret technique aimed at attacking the enemy beyond the shield with sharp high heat.
Lastly, the ‘Blood Fire Wall’ was a counter to explosive crystal orbs.
Because defending against the opponent's attack with a sticky like blood and hot like fire wall caused the explosive crystal orbs to explode immediately upon contact.
In other words, it meant a structure where the knights inside the wall were unharmed, while the Imperial Army beyond the wall could suffer damage.
Coincidentally like this, the knights wearing red surcoats could effectively deal with the Imperial Army's magic artifacts.
For that reason, no matter how much they struggled, the Imperial Army could not reduce the gap in skill.
If the Imperial Army had many commander-level experts rather than ordinary soldiers, they might have somehow devised a countermeasure by putting forward numerical superiority, but now even this was impossible.
Because most of the commander-level experts lost their lives by Roden and Michael last time.
Like that, the Imperial Army was swept away by the Glockner unit at a fast speed.
The first battalion fell like scarecrows, and soon the second battalion suffered the same fate.
Now, all that remained was the last battalion led by Deniz.
Deniz shook his head at the unbelievable reality, then soon made up his mind.
To escape.
“Use the mobility-type crystal orbs!”
The Imperial Army who heard Deniz's order was flustered.
Because among the remaining troops, the ones possessing mobility-type crystal orbs were only commander-level experts.
That meant Deniz's order was to abandon the ordinary soldiers and flee.
Uuuung!
But Deniz used the mobility-type crystal orb immediately as if there was no need to think twice.
For that reason, other commanders also hesitated and then had no choice but to use mobility-type crystal orbs like Deniz.
Eventually, only ordinary soldiers remained in that place, and the abandoned ordinary soldiers soon threw away their weapons and surrendered.
It was the first victory the Glockner family achieved in this war under the Black Lion flag.
***
“Only chaff remains. Did you say mobility-type crystal orbs?”
“Yes. That is correct.”
“An annoying ability.”
Albrecht spoke while watching the battle situation from a distance.
Since he missed Deniz and the Imperial Army commanders right before his eyes, it was understandable for Albrecht to harbor dissatisfaction.
But it was only for a moment.
“Call in the Blood Fire Knight Order. We are entering Velia Castle.”
Albrecht said this with a voice devoid of any lingering regret.
In this voice, confidence was felt that he could win this war even if Deniz and the commanders fled.
Like that, according to Albrecht's order, the knights wearing red surcoats gathered in one place in perfect order.
Albrecht watched that scene as if it were natural, then steered his horse towards Velia Castle.
Then, matching that movement, the castle gate of Velia Castle opened.
And Albrecht crossed the castle gate with a very natural appearance.
“We greet the Duke of Glockner.”
Günter and Antonio bowed their heads towards Albrecht, and the Archery Company and the New Recruit Infantry followed suit.
Although it wasn't a greeting that completely fit etiquette, they looked quite disciplined.
Albrecht watched that scene quietly and nodded.
“It seems the youngest did not neglect troop training even during the war.”
“It certainly seems so.”
“Where is the youngest and what is he doing?”
Albrecht asked Günter, and Günter sweated cold sweat under that gaze.
Because just receiving the gaze felt like tremendous pressure.
‘Indeed, can the Battalion Commander face such a person and succeed in independence?’
This thought naturally arose in Günter's mind, who knew Roden's future plan.
But for now, answering Albrecht's question was the priority over such things.
“Currently, the Main Battalion Commander is proceeding with a battle against another corps of the Imperial Army at the earthen castle on the Aequor Plains together with the Corps Commander.”
“It seems the result of the fight hasn't come out yet. How does it look to you? Do you think the youngest will achieve a great victory in that fight this time too?”
Günter was surprised receiving Albrecht's second question.
Because Albrecht was not asking about the possibility of victory now but asking about the extent of the victory.
That meant the expectation Albrecht was placing on Roden was great.
‘At the same time, it also means he is gauging the Battalion Commander's ability to some extent.’
It was bad news.
Because in Günter's opinion, Roden was not ready yet.
But to be receiving Albrecht's attention.
If things went wrong and the independence plan was discovered like this, it would be a disaster.
‘No, no. The Battalion Commander's plan won't be discovered that easily.’
Günter steeled his heart and answered Albrecht's question.
“The Battalion Commander will definitely achieve a great victory.”
Strong trust in Roden was felt in Günter's answer.
Even beyond Günter, Antonio, the Archery Company, and even the New Recruit Infantry seemed to think the same.
The very proof was that their spirit subtly changed simultaneously with Günter's answer.
Albrecht caught the change that even the parties involved didn't realize alone in this place and opened his mouth.
“Then I must verify. What kind of victory the youngest achieved. Summon the youngest here.”
***
Meanwhile.
Roden had cleared the battlefield and entered the earthen castle.
“We suffered greater damage than thought due to the Berserker-type crystal orbs.”
“It's fortunate that the Main Battalion's blow isn't that big, but it's worrying.”
“Because of the rescue of Velia Castle?”
“Yes.”
Roden's original plan was to defeat the two corps individually.
But while dealing with Smith's unit, they suffered greater damage than thought.
In other words, it meant dealing with Deniz's unit became that much more difficult.
Michael was thinking the same, so he opened his mouth.
“Since it has come to this, how about waiting for the support unit that is said to arrive soon?”
“The unit of a high-ranking family sent from each kingdom?”
“Yeah. Until that unit arrives, we just confront them at Velia Castle.”
“That doesn't seem like a bad method either. Although there is a variable that the situation might not flow as thought depending on which family comes for support.”
“What variable could there be? Being passive in battle or being too reckless to establish merit would be the end of it. Unless the Family Head goes crazy and comes here holding the Black Lion flag, everything is manageable.”
Michael spoke without dreaming of the fact that Albrecht had led troops to the 3rd Corps front.
And Roden was the same in not knowing this.
“Then it would be better to set the direction towards waiting for the support unit.”
“Right. Let's convey the opinion to the Corps Commander.”
It was when Roden and Michael organized their opinions like that.
Thud, thud.
Someone approached Roden and Michael with urgent steps.
That identity was none other than Chevalier.
‘What’s up with the Deputy Battalion Commander who is always calm?’
Roden thought seeing Chevalier looking urgent for some reason.
And soon he could know the reason why Chevalier was this urgent.
“It has just been confirmed which family came to support the 3rd Corps front! It is the Glockner family!”
Because such a story flowed from Chevalier's mouth.
Roden and Michael were flustered by the unexpected variable.