360 – Heaven’s Mandate – 5
The invasion of nomads is a disaster for soldiers. Overwhelming mobility, a one-sided view on a horse, and a range that is incomparable to that of ordinary archers. Unless they were the same cavalrymen—no, nomads were demons that were difficult to deal with even if they were cavalrymen.
The Empire, which failed to fully restore its cavalry power, mobilized special forces such as knights and wizards as a countermeasure against nomads, but unfortunately, it was not possible to use special forces in all battles. No matter how superhuman they are, their numbers and stamina are limited, so it can’t be helped. Conserve your stamina as much as possible and only use it at the crucial moment.
Tactically, it’s the right thing to do. However, on the other hand, it means that in a non-decisive, relatively less important battle, you have to deal with nomads in a situation where there is no counter called special power. The despair experienced by the soldiers is indescribable.
Amidst such despair, the battle that occurred today without fail. After the battle, a corpse with a missing head seemed natural. Even his limbs were not intact, as if he had been trampled on by a horse.
“Wilhelm.”
While the nomads were looking around the front line, they heard Georg’s voice and turned around.
“Hey, you fought yourself this time too.”
I nodded at the questioning words. There is nothing to hide, and there is no reason to hide it.
“As a commander, is it strange to fight alongside soldiers?”
“Ordinary commanders can do that, but it’s troublesome for enemies.”
It’s common sense, but at least it’s not what Georg said. Isn’t that guy also the one who fought on the frontlines with the title of Marshal during the last war? Now, pretending to be a normal person is disgusting.
“Xenovia told me to just die in the north if I’m going to fight on the front line again. So what should I do, a guy without a title should keep silent.”
Perhaps he noticed my gaze, Georg cleared his throat and made an excuse.
Certainly, Zenobia desperately stopped Georg’s service. Was it that the only compromise was to join the army, but not to fight directly like last time? This happened because that bastard not only passed on the title to Xenovia, but also completely handed over his real power.
“Since you handed over your burden to your son, you must be prepared to be swung around.”
Georg awkwardly shut his mouth as if he couldn’t bear to refute that statement.
It was His Majesty’s will that that bastard succeeded in his retirement, but it is true that he passed on the title and duties to his daughter as a result. The law requires you to be held accountable for your actions.
“Anyway, if you’re the head of the family, save yourself. Even though the father and son are serving side by side, the wife must be very worried. How heartbreaking it will be to hear that you are injured.”
In the meantime, I didn’t like the way he tried to subtly change the subject, but he didn’t say anything wrong, he just frowned. An arrow is still lodged in his shoulder.
“Isn’t it normal for Mu-in to get injured?”
“Ha, I’ll admit it if I can say that even in front of her wife.”
Seeing Georg let out a smirk, I drew an arrow from his shoulder, and his blood poured out.
My arm felt strange as if I had touched a nerve, but this kind of injury can be quickly healed with magic or holy power. Even if an arm is cut off, it can be attached, but it’s nothing to the extent of nerves.
Yeah, nothing. If you think of the soldiers who would have died while struggling desperately against the nomads, this injury could not be a problem. It is a very light price compared to life.
‘If only there was a plausible defense facility.’
I let out a sigh. The Empire is steadily advancing and expanding its front lines.
However, it is unlikely that nomads had castles or fortresses, so if the allies occupied another area, the only defense was a temporary line of defense made by stacking piles of stakes, stones, and earth bags. Wearing something like that to prevent nomadic raids, it was only natural that the soldiers would die.
To prevent that obviousness, he went directly to the front line. Even though I am the enemy, it is okay for another noble to take command. If so, wouldn’t it be right for me to leave command to a nobleman who can do it, and save as many soldiers as possible on the front line?
If there are nobles who can save soldiers through command, then there are nobles who can save them by force.
“As expected, I can’t get used to the wires no matter how much I look at them.”
And Georg, who turned his attention to the fallen soldiers before he knew it, murmured in a low voice.
“If you are at the command post, the nomads have invaded, the front line is normal, the enemy’s offensive has intensified, the counterattack has succeeded——with that one word, the situation is settled. There is no war that is easy if you just listen.”
After saying that, Georg approached the soldier who had yet to close his eyes and closed them himself.
“That’s why I think I’m losing my mind. Dozens or hundreds of deaths should be avoided in a small way. I’m saying it’s great if you defeat the enemy with that much damage.”
Emotional words, but I can understand their feelings. Even if there is a casualty in battle, it is only a small conflict and minor damage from the point of view of the commander who oversees the overall war. Therefore, apart from the fierceness of the front, the perception of the command was very quiet.
I thought I was crazy when I felt that gap. No, in fact, it still is. I just learned to be patient.
“But don’t come to the front like now. What if my daughter finds out?”
“Is it strange that unmanned people are coming to the front line?”
I burst into laughter at the sight of Georg returning what I said.
That’s why I didn’t add anything else. Waiting for that reckless fellow to remain in command is the same as forbidding a beast to eat meat.
If the battle is over in the first place, you can turn a blind eye to it because it’s not like you’re breaking your promise with Xenovia.
“Ah, come to think of it, I came to tell you something, but he was talking about something else.”
Georg, who was about to turn around, opened his mouth as if he had belatedly remembered.
“Didn’t the Barandiga tribe show up on the front line this time? They say the inspector is coming to negotiate with the tribe.”
“…I see.”
Inspector, you barely nodded when you heard that the sword was coming to the front.
Fortunately, it is a visit for negotiations, not battles, but a front is a front. It is the wind that I do not want to come to a slightly dangerous place.
“You, as a father, I understand that you worry about her son, but it’s too much. To be honest, even if you and I attack at the same time, you can’t beat him.”
“Who said he was worried?”
“That’s you. Shall I do it?”
I turned my head in silence at the sullen answer.
From noble mtl dot com
Once we get back to the council, we’ll have to tell Zenobia how many times this guy has snooped on the front line.
***
A report came in that the Barandiga tribe had appeared on the Saray front.
‘Saray, of course.’
I was startled because it was a very familiar name. Because the tribe Tala led was the Sarei tribe.
During the last war, it was the territory of a tribe led by Faljunma himself, so it was not occupied for a long time. Feelings are different.
“The Sarei frontline was where the nomads’ offensive was the most intense, but they say the momentum of the nomads was weakened by the continued battle. Now that there are more tribes to watch, it’s okay for the inspector to go there himself.”
I nodded at Jeon Seung Gong’s words. It is difficult to negotiate on the frontlines where you do not know when a battle may break out, but there is nothing that can be done if the offensive has entered a lull. Especially in a situation where there are more tribes trying to escape than there are tribes launching an offensive.
“If the Barandiga tribe surrenders, other neutral tribes will lean toward the Empire. The role of the Inspector is very important.”
“Yes, sir. I’ll keep that in mind.”
As I lowered my head and answered, Jeon Seung-gong patted me on the shoulder and continued.
“However, numerous tribes have already shown their willingness to surrender to the Empire, so there is no need to overdo it. Make returning safely the top priority.”
“Yes, I will.”
Anyway, unlike the time of the Kaitana tribe, the negotiations took place on the front line, so it seems that the lore masters are also concerned. If you were negotiating on the front line with rude words, and the nearby tribes all rushed to the negotiating table, it would be quite troublesome.
Of course, the tribes on the front lines are either preliminary surrenderers or neutral forces, so that won’t happen.
This time, they headed for the barandiga tribe’s garrison under the escort of the muk clowns. I wanted to say hello because the family governor was on the Saray front, but he is currently on official duty. It would be enough to say goodbye after the negotiations.
And ‘Going to the middle of enemy lines to negotiate.’ Rather than saying hello, ‘I came.’ A greeting would be better. At least there’s nothing to worry about for the family head.
‘Negotiation.’
By the way, I’m still worried. I’m not sure how Barandi should go about negotiating with the tribe.
To be honest, it was embarrassing to even call it a negotiation with the Kaitana tribe. The tribe was already full of thoughts of surrender, and as soon as the gift of the count was taken out, it turned into a minion mode and voluntarily gave all kinds of information. To call it a negotiation is to have no conscience.
Barandiga, on the other hand, showed no willingness to surrender, nor did he hint at what he wanted. It showed the ambiguity of maintaining neutrality rather than being the main player while being a tribe of priests whose faith was trampled on, and the strangeness of not fulfilling the priestly role properly while inheriting the priestly position.
‘…Officially he’s a priest.’
I gathered information about Barandiga through various routes, wondering if it was a bad premise to regard Barandiga as the center of faith.
Fortunately, it is true that the Barandiga tribal chief succeeded to the priesthood three years ago. Other tribes knew whether it was a fact that was known externally.
‘However, I am not able to fulfill that role.’
Of course he must be acting like a priest on the outside. Since they are doing the bare minimum, the other tribes must also call Barandi’s tribal chief a priest.
However, the eternal blue sky said that the priest was not fulfilling his role. It must be certain that it was a word spoken by a god who received faith.
‘Has a name, but no substance…’
Inadvertently, I looked at the sword tied to my waist.
As a bonus, I touched up the part that was cut by Kagan.
Hmm.
‘Are you there?’
– Huh? Did you call me?
Let’s call the eternal blue sky inwardly. The eternal blue sky answers shortly after.
I’m glad you responded quickly. There will be time to discuss before the negotiations.
‘I have a question for you.’
It’s not only good for me, it’s also good for you, so please cooperate.
***
I heard a report from afar that a group with white flags was approaching. Probably an envoy of the empire.
‘It must be crazy.’
The urge to serve seriously surged. I’m not ready to make contact with the Empire yet. Even if you meet with the envoy in the current state, you cannot bring out the best conditions. However, it was a terrible thing to refuse the envoy’s visit.
While I couldn’t do this or that, an envoy from the Empire reached the garrison.
“The one who has received the stigma of the eternal blue sky and possesses a sacred object has arrived, so the priest welcomes you as a guest!”
With strange sounds.
‘What.’
What the hell are you talking about?