“What are you doing here?”
“Don’t worry, I didn’t come here with the intention of interfering.”
Morgan’s appearance strangely calmed the atmosphere around them.
Although he gave up his position as crown prince, he had no choice but to do so because they had been at odds.
It was Honess who broke the atmosphere and spoke first.
“Actually, I heard that my older brother will be in command of the detached unit this time.”
“… … Is that why you came?”
“Yes, I didn’t come to help, I came to ask permission.”
“allow?”
“Can I watch over you while the war is going on?”
According to Hones, he originally intended to participate in the war as I did.
“But unlike my older brother, I didn’t get permission from my mom.”
It was said that not only the main unit, but also the command of the detached unit was not permitted.
It was because he had no experience like me and had no experience in commanding an army.
“He told me to watch this war unfold directly from the battlefield.”
“Would you like to observe me while doing that?”
“observe… … The wording is a bit odd, but it is. I am also personally interested.”
“I’m trying to determine exactly what level you are.”
Morgan’s voice seemed to interrupt Hones.
“I don’t doubt you, but I want to confirm your ability to command Amcheongdae and achieve results.”
“It’s nice to be clear.”
“And I’m not the only one who thinks this.”
This was the concern of most of those in the palace.
The Queen said it was true, so it wouldn’t be a lie… … .
It was the psychology of wanting to see it with my own eyes if possible.
“That makes sense, I understand.”
Understanding the sentiment, he nodded his head.
However, Morgan’s stare at me was quite brutal.
It wasn’t the same atmosphere as in the past, but it was like looking at an unlucky guy.
“Then we will move.”
After arranging the soldiers once, I headed to the front.
The place where the kingdom’s troops were gathered was near Toplen.
Not all the forces of the kingdom were gathered there.
It’s because there are defense troops for every mountain range that can invade the kingdom.
This was because of the army of the strong demons who could easily cross the rough mountains.
As I entered the outpost, knights in armor greeted me.
“Welcome, poor Cruz.”
“Nice to meet you, Vice-captain Habram.”
The person who greeted me was Habram Shuten, the vice-captain of the Royal Palace Knights.
He was also the commander-in-chief of the main army stationed here.
After staring at Morgan and Hones standing behind me, I naturally lowered my head.
“Forgive me for not greeting you first, Lord Morgan.”
It was no mistake that he greeted me first.
Since he would have been reported by the soldiers in the first place, he could not have known his existence.
Even so, the reason he showed this behavior was because this was a battlefield.
In peacetime, it would be appropriate to greet the first prince, who has a higher rank than me.
It was an expression of his intention to prioritize me as the commander of the detached unit on the battlefield.
If Morgan had come with an army like me, the situation would have been different, but it wasn’t like that.
“I don’t care about that. The atmosphere on the battlefield is definitely different.”
Habram’s eyebrows twitched slightly.
It was because of Morgan’s calm attitude.
I’ve heard that he’s changed, but it’s amazing to see for yourself.
‘I must have felt that way when I changed.’
This was also the case with me.
It’s like giving up the position of crown prince, and how you treat people around you has changed.
It was just astonishing anyway.
“I am Habram Shuten, the vice-captain of the Royal Palace Knights and the general commander here.”
“Nice to meet you, I am Phrexia, a first-class Matu wizard who has come to help lower Cruz.”
After greeting the people who came to help me, Habram moved to the meeting room.
It seemed that it was a pre-arranged route to move quickly after the greeting.
“Then let’s start the meeting.”
Habram quickly explained the situation on the front.
There were about 20,000 strong demons currently stationed in Toplen, and most of them were foot soldiers.
It was predicted that troops would be added later.
“They’ll release their cavalry wherever they turn into a battlefield.”
Habram estimated the size of the cavalry to be at least 10,000 and at most 30,000.
The number of cavalry was bizarrely large, but it was not strange as this was the strength and main force of the strong demons.
“The size of the main army against this is 25,000. If you add the support of the lows, there are 26,000 people.”
Currently, the kingdom has a wide frontline.
Surrounded by rugged mountain ranges, the Gangma tribe only had to station their troops in Toplen.
This is because the kingdom had to block all possible places where they could invade.
As a result, it was impossible to gather power in one place.
‘Because of this, the Blue Lion Knights were also on standby elsewhere.’
In the end, there were two variables in this war.
The cavalry of the Kangma Tribe and the tricks of the Resurrection Church.
“What do you two think about this?”
It was Habram’s sudden question.
At this, my eyes turned to me and to Morgan.
It was because the question was about the Resurrection Church rather than the Gangma tribe.
“The one who commands the detached unit is Cruz, so I won’t answer.”
“Your brother says this, so I will tell you.”
First of all, I talked about the information that everyone knows.
The tricks and countermeasures prepared by the Rehabilitation Church.
The army also knew everything about this, so in fact, he said that he only needed to be careful of the strong demons’ cavalry.
“… … Wouldn’t it be fun to finish with that?”
Unlike me who laughed happily, everyone else remained silent.
However, I felt a little interest in his eyes.
“Everything I am going to say from now on is my speculation, so take this into account and listen.”
The Rehabilitation Church is basically a group of people who never fight a battle where there is no chance of winning.
However, even when measures to make up for the lack of electricity were leaked, the wires were still not snapped.
“That means they still have something hidden.”
In the meantime, he recited one by one the evil deeds of the past.
The massacre, torture, and mutilation of the body were all brutal stories.
The listeners unknowingly twisted their eyes.
“The great families who saw this initially assumed that these guys were simply a massacre-crazed group.”
But I didn’t agree to this.
That’s because they never did anything that lacked rationality.
“The actions of those who pursue instinct and pleasure are not rational. But the Resurrection Church wasn’t like that.”
I didn’t know what they gained by acting like that.
I just assumed it had something to do with gaining power.
“However, there was no information about this in the memory that my older brother obtained.”
“… … In other words, you think that the Resurrection Church still has a number of hidden secrets left.”
“That’s right. So it’s dangerous to conclude that only cavalry should be careful.”
Even if he hadn’t said this, the army wouldn’t have saved the Resurrection Church.
But there’s a difference between telling me to pay attention just in case and being sure there’s something.
“So I think I need to revise my plan a bit.”
“If it’s a fix… … ?”
“Without using weapons, subdue the strong demons.”
The strategy prepared by the kingdom was simple.
After guiding the strong demons to the designated area, they push them at once.
What made this possible was the weapons provided to many soldiers.
“As long as the Resurrection Church has something to hide, it’s not good to reveal our hand first.”
As soon as they see our strategy, they’ll fight back.
Or, feeling like you have no chance at all, you can hide yourself altogether.
Either way it wasn’t good.
“I agree with you, but… … .”
“The river demons are strong. It will be difficult to overwhelm them with simple hand-to-hand combat.”
“No, you are right.”
It was Habram that ruled out the concerns of the other commanders.
“These are the guys who use methods beyond common sense. Even if you pay attention, you won’t pass it.”
“Thank you for accepting my opinion.”
“However, it is also true that it is not as easy as others have said.”
Then, Habram grinned and continued.
“So, soldiers and commanders on the frontlines must exert their strength.”
“I will try my best to live up to those expectations.”
* * *
Shortly thereafter, the army of the strong demons arrived.
He could have aimed elsewhere, but as expected, he had come to target the enemy stationed on the front line.
It was estimated that about 20,000 cavalrymen attacked.
Combined with the 20,000 infantry stationed in Toplen, it turned into an army of 40,000.
“Kingdom bastards, you are overconfident.”
The commander-in-chief of the strong demons, Rasa Boot, smiled arrogantly.
Then, he took a quick look at the army of the kingdom.
Troops gathered in the center of the low, hollow terrain.
And the forces on the left and right, concentrated on a somewhat distant high terrain.
Whoever could see it, the center was the bait, and the armies on the left and right were the main attack.
“You’re trying to openly use such an obvious trick.”
“So is the number of troops. To beat us with only 25,000… … .”
“The calculation is wrong.”
“yes?”
Rasa Boot pointed to the right with his finger and opened his mouth.
“Including the detached corps of the 2 princes over there, it is 26,000.”
“ha ha ha! If so, aren’t there only a thousand people?”
“It doesn’t.”
One of the only three generals of the Kangma Tribe.
Rasabut recalled the recent incident for a moment.
No matter how much it is, it is reckless to stick with the kingdom head-on, this is crazy, the Kachins are finally crazy.
These words were floating around in the military.
With these words, Rasa Boot purged all those who were causing confusion inside.
I had already made a decision and ordered it from above, so it wasn’t that I had to blindly follow it.
It’s just that I didn’t like the fact that cold water was sprayed on the opportunity that came after a long time.
“I will use this opportunity to reveal the real face of the kingdom to the world.”
Rasabut had long hated the kingdom.
Selfish guys who rule most of the huge continent of Sigvarda alone.
I couldn’t forgive the fact that these guys were above the river demons.
“General, please give me a chance to spearhead.”
“No, I will step in!”
This was also the thought of most of those who participated in this battlefield.
The leaders of the Gangma Tribe were also aware that there were people who felt uncomfortable with this war.
That’s why I was aiming for the first fight.
It was intended to boost morale at once by winning the first battle.
“We will change history with this battle.”
Rasabut’s words calmed the atmosphere.
It was the preparation to make the atmosphere more boiling.
“How much damage have we suffered so far from the tyranny of the kingdom?”
Rasa Boot was also well aware of the importance of first battle.
That’s why they chose a battleground that was advantageous to them and prepared elites who could crush their opponents.
“Destroy them, and we will become the masters of the Sigvarda Continent!”
“Wow!”
“I will give Sang General Creek a chance to lead the way! Kill the enemy in the center!”
When Rasa Boot’s instructions fell, the army of the strong demons rushed with fearsome momentum.
Especially the momentum of the cavalry was fierce.
To block the charge, he gracefully evaded all ranged attacks and magic bombardments.
Even the traps that hindered our advance here and there were skillfully avoided.
It was to the extent that you could call it a human being.
“General, is it okay if we attack from the center?”
“Does not matter. Because that is bait.”
Rasa Boot’s real aim was the left and right wings, not the center.
Pretending to be deceived by the kingdom’s ulterior motive, he aimed for the center, and if one of the left or right moves, he planned to swallow that place.
“We’ve made a herringbone to make that possible.”
At first glance, it seems to be concentrating on the central attack, but this was not the case.
Currently, the strong demons are not even able to generate 70% of their mobility.
In other words, it was possible to speed up to the extent that the opponent could not expect.
“If possible, I would like the second prince to move, but that is unlikely.”
Military morale is one of the important elements of war.
What if the prince of the kingdom is seriously injured or captured from the beginning?
The kingdom will suffer an indelible demoralization.
‘But it won’t be that easy.’
Being there is probably not meant to be on the real frontline.
She must be there to fulfill the role of face madam.
“Great, General!”
“What is going on?”
“The 2 princes on the right are starting to move!”
“… … what?”