Chapter 51
2EU“We have achieved the first victory that was our initial goal. Now we must retreat before it’s too late.”rbf
uLQLucian spoke firmly, as if not accepting any objections.i73Lv2d
1hzsThe marquis and the other lords also nodded in silence, as if they had no objections.IQoiB
0o2O2vIf they continued delaying here, they didn’t know what might happen.Zoop9
ksVC“So it shall be. Let the soldiers rest for a day and then we’ll retreat immediately.”HYKE
NbaYf4I“No. We must move right now.”PCGCxUo
WuGqqY“What? No matter what you say, isn’t it too soon? The soldiers are in that state…”RRsku
G0fbpUiAt Lucian’s words, the marquis showed confusion.6gfCf
FWQThere were still many soldiers who couldn’t move due to the tingling running through their bodies.UoGS
zblpjoAAnd now, instead of letting them rest until they recovered, he proposed marching immediately.nuC3jW
E67XuL“Even if we depart now, it’s clear we’ll advance at a snail’s pace. The soldiers in good condition will be even more exhausted carrying those who can’t move. Wouldn’t it be better to at least let them rest for a day?”sS5BMRB
rqKZz3W“If there were no threat, I would’ve let them rest not one, but three days. But we don’t have time. The enemy’s pursuit force will arrive soon.”0Ri
AyO“A pursuit force? The enemies who ambushed us were already repelled by the allied army, and the rest should be in Bodium Castle. What threat remains? Rather, Kreppelt is probably celebrating having repelled the Empire.”okE6WlZ
Lcnlc3“Just because the Empire was defeated once doesn’t mean Kreppelt is already independent.”PUh
7NybLEBefore, Lucian thought that if the Empire lost, the vassal states would rise up in unison and it would be impossible to subjugate them again.J0DbCGy
HfhqS1In contrast, the marquis believed the Empire still had room to try again several times.6Ut
Ym3hkAdLucian’s opinion hadn’t changed, but the problem was what Kreppelt thought.Dwgj6gn
0BdjPUvGiven that they had violated the Great Agreement, it was clear Kreppelt leaned toward the first option, but there was always a possibility, however slim.TVxY4m7
r5W“Kreppelt will want to completely block the possibility of the Empire advancing again. Even if they can’t guarantee their independence, they’ll want to buy time until another chaos erupts. For example, by capturing a strong candidate for imperial succession and using him as leverage.”SgjRAE3
5EjRBk“…!”jv3YnXK
MzeuiThe faces of all the lords, including the marquis, changed color.2WIJDM
9zZHNEThey thought it would be madness to go that far, but at the same time remembered the attacks they had just suffered.O3FMi
zsONoThese were people who had violated the Great Agreement and hired unauthorized mages, with no way back.NT6
HjoZtfWere they really going to worry about the emperor’s wrath or future consequences?6hmGoH
Fm382“You’re saying those Kreppelt bastards will send a pursuit force targeting me?”LkwkIVT
d13Mytz“It’s only a supposition, but the possibility is high.”xSk67Wf
Wa1P2Ca“L-Lucian! Isn’t there any solution?”tsH
qf0Claude, pale, shouted unable to hide his anxiety. Lucian pretended to think for a moment before speaking.IAE77
LMtngc“The safest method would be for His Highness the First Prince to leave the battlefield first, taking only a small group of personal guards…”Xpy5mez
UJtT“That cannot be.”nfPcty
ozwEP“Marquis?”w6dbBco
5IX8yeClaude looked surprised at Marquis Bernhardt, who had responded in his place.DFYHG
tNG2S3The marquis, ignoring Claude’s gaze, fixed a cold stare on Lucian.fgN56Ce
1woLy6v“Even if it’s for the safety of His Highness the First Prince, what would happen if the commander-in-chief abandoned the battlefield first? The soldiers’ morale would collapse, and His Highness’s reputation would be irreparably stained.”5MxEyL
HDWHa“Sometimes a certain humiliation must be endured.”bsVtp
2cfK“It’s not just about humiliation. It could give room for some schemers to question His Highness’s suitability and meddle in the succession to the throne.”3FDMB
eU0i4b“…”t6XQRG
gQpdAt the marquis’s direct words, everyone held their breath.hBoD1X
zC7qmHyEven Claude, who for an instant had been tempted by Lucian’s proposal, began to tremble with a pale face.Itf
xNbP5“Th-the marquis is right. I won’t flee alone.”apNBA6
0IdkSeeing Claude speak with a trembling voice, Lucian silently clicked his tongue.Gwxo2
gChnHe was afraid of dying, but even more terrified of giving up the throne.P13O41
ZkFBHx‘Tsk, it would’ve been easier if he had just run away.’zOx
M5F2ZIt was a pity, but there was no helping it.IL9E2Ex
8pp0Sc0Lucian discarded any attachment and presented the second option.koZ5I
V3O“Then only one option remains. Retreat as quickly as possible before the enemy arrives.”1X3KO
o4K“But the wounded who haven’t recovered yet…”lqTS
RzPjTo“If they can’t move, they’ll have to be carried. In a long march it would be right to rest, but it’s only three days’ journey to the border. Even if the soldiers suffer more, it’s better to move quickly.”Nxu0
d7dQ8GIn reality, if they abandoned the wounded they would advance much faster, but the allied army was made up of elite troops provided by each family.XaAjK
S1aNo lord would abandon the soldiers of their own house, and proposing it would only create resentment.pV79n
VU4jY2NWorse still, they might bear the infamy of having left their own allies behind.aUp
38f“It seems the policy has already been decided. If there are no objections, I propose we move immediately.”RGh
loKRxoxAs expected, there were no objections.pKol9
xkVcGjkFollowing Lucian’s directive, the allied army began a hasty retreat, carrying the wounded.UazlwX5
dGsSRbF***NjkIE
BIcDY6H“What are you saying? After pushing the enemy, they were soundly defeated by a force that attacked from the rear? And Count Dominic died in the process?”Dk7uay8
M3aGg“Yes. They hung His Excellency the Count’s head on a spear, like a barbaric trophy, to display it…”PsDPgV
rhA“Those damned bastards!”KkoDA7y
12KYVBang!xy8
hiF05iqErich, the young king of Kreppelt, slammed the table hard.bqGe2nG
VPfbFrom the moment they violated the Great Agreement, he had been prepared for retaliation.Z7p
s7jbBQuIf they set no limits, it was only natural the enemy wouldn’t either.8ykdP
66UEnyQEven so, the death of his loyal servant and the desecration of his body were too heavy a blow.4D40s4
7dh5“And the enemy’s losses… how great were they?”LmXB
kaRrcRkErich asked with a trembling voice, barely suppressing his rage.HvlHhH
DHA21HNThe knight, as if recalling the defeat, shifted his eyes from side to side before responding.w2TL
hbqMoT“Rather than dead, many soldiers were incapacitated. Almost half fell unable to move due to the effects of the spell. Even among those who could move, many were struck down by the count’s attack, so their effective force must have been reduced to less than half.”yarle
l2snING“Even so, if they didn’t die, by now they should’ve recovered to some extent.”6TS
NZI“According to the mage, they won’t be able to use their muscles properly for about fifteen days. They may be able to walk slowly, but running or swinging anything with force is practically impossible.”xebEJ94
2D4Upon hearing the report, Erich’s eyes lit up.S9A
3vnANlaIn other words, although they had been defeated, the enemy’s strength had been considerably reduced, and the remaining soldiers were burdened with the wounded.2WPn5
InFhSzIf that was added to the casualties caused by Dominic, a frontal assault would be enough to crush them.B22
7WVvI‘If those guys came to Bodium alone, we could destroy them with ease, but they won’t be that stupid.’PPj
ADnWThey had violated the Great Agreement and endangered the life of the First Prince, so they would try to retreat as soon as possible.5PXaHVM
NPyQgUfEven if that meant abandoning the castle’s defensive advantage and heading into open field, they had to pursue them.NG9iP
NHJjhHuIf they captured the First Prince, the emperor would have no choice but to accept Kreppelt’s demands.un8
KGlVjo“Wait. Come to think of it, where is the mage who went with you? Don’t tell me he died in battle?”7RX
sQk“We don’t know. Before departure, he said he would stay behind to wait, but after the defeat he never returned and vanished without a trace.”Y9HlS
umfpCz“He ran.”WeIkF
ySukHe had promised to hire him as a court mage if everything went well, but that wandering mage had reacted indifferently.6y9QnE
6ioC00dErich already disliked that he only cared about money, and now he had fled without even claiming his reward upon seeing the defeat.cKuNoUX
ArArEn‘Did even a mere mage consider us so insignificant that he thought we’d fall after a single defeat?’0K2y
QlzVaErich clenched his teeth at the thought of Colin.f61a
OPmJThere was no way to catch someone who had already left.GRU9nTS
At8MWhen Kreppelt gained its independence with pride, that man would return, regretting his decision.DP3
FBh8The current humiliation could be repaid later.2MD
lFj“March! Annihilate the imperial army and capture the First Prince to achieve Kreppelt’s independence!”U66NJxY
o3t***K5lFFj
WNWvLrH“As expected, they’re really moving at a snail’s pace.”iDAwvg
NokXRaymond grumbled as he watched the allied army slowly advancing behind them.O3bm4p1
0HzMore than half of the soldiers couldn’t move without support or being carried.xC6SE
oDV7YgrThere were too many wounded, so the march’s pace could only become desperately slow.k7BP
P6lq“At this rate, we won’t make it in time. At this pace, the enemy will reach us first.”fGeILW
4IYn“Are you worried?”BKAL9e
JWfML6“To be precise, I’m worried they’ll ask us to hold off the pursuit force. Won’t it end up falling on us all the way to the final cleanup?”zVGJe
qNNbLucian smiled faintly at Raymond’s concern and shook his head.3VxRC
Oum“That won’t happen. Don’t worry.”TnY9ik
Cj2“Even if you say that, we’re the only ones with our strength intact. What if the others dump everything on the third young master?”IZw
Xuw46Cq“I’ll say no.”JcEH
By1ZtHb“Huh?”d3cEG
2SmsLD“That I’ll refuse.”KIW
JGI64L“C-can you do that?”ZZTjPxx
HTu“Why not?”M8lTn
XTY7pLucian shrugged at Raymond’s confusion.LgF691e
973pe“It’s true that if Valdeck stepped in to hold off the enemy, the allied army’s casualties would be minimized. But right now, there’s no one with the authority to make such a proposal to me.”GDTEX
338wLucian had presented the best option at every stage of this war.F0BQ
ouaF4xHe warned about the breach of the Great Agreement, about the potable water issue, proposed the retreat, and predicted the ambush.SAwa4gZ
RGu4YDAnd yet, those who ignored all that and ruined the situation were the top brass of the allied army.0NN
WHm40SExcept for Cedric, who had his own motives, no one took his side.HPRFG
ZFIIn that sense, they all shared the same blame.2vm0Yb
Iyngt“After ignoring all my proposals, they nearly died, and I still saved them. And now they want me to also handle the rear guard? Ridiculous. If they don’t want to truly turn the Valdeck family into an enemy, they wouldn’t even dare suggest such a thing.”P8uT7ws
wqFI“But if they catch up, someone will have to stay behind to buy time for the retreat. Will there really be someone willing to do it?”ThJKUiW
1lutu“Of course.”uQUwKoD
alkFAnd not just anyone, but a strong feudal lord, and one who was, to some extent, reliable.qgMLNi
qFP8oZJust as Lucian was about to respond with a smile, the soldiers’ shouts rang out.wT1i
8436“Horsen River!”4Ot
KAHJHS“The border!”Jrj
R6xlNj2The place where that useless farce had taken place appeared before everyone’s eyes.JUUAZA
gO6MDJust crossing the river would make it much harder for the pursuit force to follow them.rsp2L
7U9While everyone exhaled in relief, thinking they were saved.dmCTYQ
HraJgw“P-pursuit! It’s the pursuit force!”DzN
dVkaQpQ“The Kreppelt bastards are coming from behind!”e8g
BXq0JFrom the rear came desperate cries.35eD9pj
F773The soldiers, who had just begun to breathe easily, turned pale and looked back.tkL92fE
SGnEFaThere weren’t many, but it was a force made up entirely of cavalry, charging like mad toward the allied army.vEnJc
tOr“They’re still a bit far, but at this speed they’ll reach us before we cross the river.”TaBgpmK
vHtUAtl“Lu-Lucian, young master.”z5lj5
T7O“What is it?”c6i36G
pewq0S2At the awkward call of a certain baron, Lucian looked at him sharply.mufbqAV
HGcLQmThe baron, who was about to ask him to hold off the enemy, flinched and looked away.CEAu1rg
4ZjIf Lucian didn’t want to do it, no one was in a position to force him.qpf
MEYIn light of Lucian’s stance, all eyes looking for a sacrificial lamb focused on a single person.8sk
x8OhEWThe most powerful family after Valdeck, and the one still holding the most combat-ready troops.dpX
Gr4vbz‘Damn it.’jzObh9E
N3vMarquis Roglan clenched his teeth under the silent pressure.turnKB
f5b44KPut nicely, it was about buying time for the army to retreat, but in practice, it was a mission in which he could die.24ju
jeJEven so, he couldn’t refuse.7wB0V
TfiS8xUnlike Lucian, who had shined in this war, he had made too many poor judgments.gZ1l
T492VI‘If I don’t at least save face here, I’ll be crushed under Valdeck for years. It could even affect my authority within the noble faction.’97nWWuL
nyBupPGiving up the power he had held until now was, for him, equivalent to death.2KL
0EMZRather than that, he preferred to risk his life and recover his lost prestige.XvPx
84uHTAfter making his decision, the marquis knelt and shouted loudly.dC9
Ewos“First Prince! I will stop the enemy, so please use that time to get to safety…!”ahMiHIO
Oj21k9m“Wait a moment, marquis. I don’t think that will be necessary.”cbrt
g9AW91XThe one who interrupted his desperate cry was the second prince,aAxCw
Q07Cedric. Suddenly intervening, Cedric looked at everyone and pointed beyond the Horsen River.wfylfvU
ApcN8Q“Look over there. Allies are coming.”XBm
Bfe“What? Allies? What are you talking about…?”wQ1ah
VK0vThe allied army’s high command froze upon looking in the direction Cedric pointed.tCrw
M1WcLucian reacted just like the other feudal lords.9VwH1dj
jczWThose unexpected reinforcements were warriors far beyond what anyone had imagined.XA4i
XCS‘The Red-Winged Knights.’cP4b
g9H7CI3The knight guard in direct service to the emperor, famed as the most powerful force in the Empire, was advancing at full speed toward the allied army.ep3B
What did you think of this chapter?
Report comment
Please select the reason for reporting this comment. False reports may result in account suspension.
0 Comments
There are no comments yet. Be the first!