Chapter 153

Chapter 153 - A Millennium Plan (2)

Catania is a port city located in the southeastern part of Sicily island.

The massive volcano situated to the west boasted the largest size on the continent and was also a symbol of the city.

"It is much more incredible than what I heard from rumors. It looks like its snout will pierce the sky."

Rex's head lifted up to the fullest. The cold-hearted face seen on the battlefield vanished and his eyes sparkled like a boy's.

"You must be seeing a volcano for the first time."

"Yes. I heard lava is boiling ferociously inside that massive pit."

"As it's an active volcano, it likely is."

"Then isn't it dangerous?"

Contrary to his fuss, he seemed rather more excited.

"That's a reaction seemingly hoping it would erupt."

"It's exciting! To think that massive snout spews out fire and rocks."

Rex looked alternately at the city and the volcano. The fervent desire wanting to watch a siege warfare nature waged wafted out strongly.

"I'd like you to remember that that city will soon be mine."

"Ah, right."

"First of all, it's not a volcano that erupts with a 'Boom!'. It's the kind where it slowly leaks out like sap flowing from a tree and solidifies. There is no danger to the city."

To Dark Elves who lived a nomadic life in Roman, mountains are both a distant and close existence.

Due to their identity as children of the forest, their souls are drawn to Mother Nature. However, belligerency and a pioneering spirit beyond that directed them toward the plains.

- Prodigal sons who forsook their mother's love.

It's one of the reasons why elves, who conform to nature, despise Dark Elves.

However, Rex immensely liked his current life of touring various parts of the world following Eugene. And having victories and spoils rolling in everywhere they went was good too.

"But I heard it erupted properly once in the distant past. If it were me, I wouldn't be able to establish a city next to a volcano just out of anxiety."

"Because once 100 years pass, and 1,000 years pass, everything fades away. And it's a land with too fantastic of a location to give up due to a disaster unknown when it will arrive."

Buckets carried by miners coming and going on the volcano's surface are filled full with various minerals.

"Catania is called the holy land of miners. The quantity and quality of minerals are excellent, but it's not a poor mining environment like coal mines either."

Rampage also chipped in a word.

"Did they say Catania miners live the longest and healthiest among miners?"

"Yes, my Lord. Because their method is digging pits on the surface to mine, the air is clean and safe. There hasn't been a single person who died from a cave-in accident for nearly 100 years."

That isn't all. Under the influence of volcanic ash, the plains of the area were fertile and always gifted farmers with bumper crops.

The city's citizens worshipped the volcano calling it the Mother of Catania and commemorate the volcano by holding a festival of abundance every year.

"In a certain sense, it's a place truly befitting the name of a city-state. Because they can self-sufficiently produce everything to enjoy a human-like life."

"I will dedicate it to you without fail, my Lord."

Rampage spoke while lightly tapping his palm with a hammer. Having even brought materials for siege warfare fruitfully now, there's nothing to fear. Rather, the corners of his mouth lifted in anticipation.

Because the Hammer Brotherhood loved the hands-on feeling of producing siege weapons no less than smashing enemies' heads.

Eugene, who was viewing the Dwarves as if finding them dependable, placed a hand on his chest.

"My heart is palpitating."

"It's obviously not because you're nervous about the battle... As expected, you seem to be anticipating your Viscount title too, Sir Knight?"

He is a knight sir who charged without blinking an eye even at a Gnoll Boss, a Lamia Queen, or spirits of the forest. Is such a person also excited about the stepping stone toward becoming a great noble?

"Getting my hands on that city will finally turnover our financial state to a surplus."

"It was for that reason?!"

"There is nothing more terrifying in the world than fixed expenses. You can't escape it even riding Might, and you can't slash it even swinging an ether-made sword."

An army sucks up money just by existing.

They were acquiring massive spoils while seizing victory in every battle they fought, but they didn't know how long their luck would last.

Eugene, intending to completely place the Hammer Brotherhood and the Blackhand Tribe under his command, desperately needed a fixed income. The tax revenue from the Northfolk village he first obtained didn't even barely make a dent.

Combining Messina and Palermo forms a barely ±0 level, and he has to get his hands on Catania to turnover into a complete surplus.

"My salary absolutely must not be delayed. Since I don't want to get stabbed by you guys while taking a walk."

"Ah, really! I won't stab you even if credit is delayed a bit, Sir Knight!"

Because it's a joke Eugene has already made several times, Rex threw a temper.

"Amazing!"

"Are you serious?!"

"..."

However, both Eugene and Rampage acting surprised flipped Rex's insides to the very end.

The march to Catania was smooth. Having the Count and high-ranking nobles smashed all together in the first pitched battle, there were no troops to be a threat, nor a central figure.

The Hammer Brotherhood and the Blackhand Mercenary Corps. A bizarre army combining the sturdiest individuals and the nimblest individuals in the world advanced.

Though their appearances, cultures, and armaments differed, they began matching their mouths to sing in one voice.

That was a military song Eugene taught them. Although the Dark Elves changed the lyrics to their own tastes.

"Hey rookie. The rule is that the youngest must be by the Lord's side when singing this."

A newly enlisted Dark Elf youth, pushed by the hands of veteran soldiers, stood side-by-side with Eugene.

"Hello? Nice to meet you. You are all handsome without fail as expected."

"...Heuuuugh."

The Dark Elf recruit, toward the Lord massaging his shoulders while smiling softly.

Grrrrr-.

Pu, pu-hi-hing.

The warhorse he rode became terrified of Might and froze stiff.

Watching that sight, the warriors laughing heartily began singing the military song.

A farmer dragging a cow from across the way hurriedly retreated to the shoulder of the road and knelt. Only an ignorant kid who knew nothing of the world giggled at the cheerful song.

"When Rookie returns home again~

Hurrah! Hurrah!

We will genuinely congratulate him~

Hurrah! Hurrah!

The adults will cheer, and the boys will shout,

The women will bolt out barefoot.

And we will all be joyful.

When Rookie returns home."

A military song sung during the Civil War of a distant world echoed once again in Sicily's civil war.

"Thank you His Majesty the Emperor of Roman.

Hurrah! Hurrah!

Thanks to you, our Lord ended the prophecy.

Hurrah! Hurrah!

He might get pissed and chase after us someday,

But pack plenty of food.

And we will all be joyful,

Watching the Emperor covered in a dust storm."

And the northern army was scheduled to win here as well.

* * *

The city of Catania welcoming Eugene's army was turned upside down.

"Mayor Nolt! We must surrender immediately!"

"I'm not a Mayor but the Acting Count!"

"No, an army has swarmed in right now, is that what's important?"

The younger brother of the Count of Sicily who was hauled to the Apostle State, Nolt. Claiming to be the temporary successor, he proclaimed a wartime posture in the city.

Nolt lacked options as his head would fly off the moment he surrendered, but it wasn't so at all for the city's leadership.

To them, it's merely a difference of whether the Count of Sicily or Eugene is sitting on top of their heads. As long as the noble who will become the new ruler isn't a tyrant, it was fine.

- Handed down as a knight who stood on the side of the weak opposing Gold in the Hall of Valor war in the Bonyard.

- When others preserved their bodies in Samur, he invaded unpioneered regions, subjugated Rakshasas, and rescued captured people.

- He is the one chosen by the legendary Moving Castle. Rumors also say it's a revelation sent down by the gods to rebuke the Emperor's tyranny in Roman.

From asking around through the west, north, and east, the stories coming back were predominantly praises.

Above all, isn't he a noble pushed by the Apostle State? It means he is someone verified from multiple angles by picky monks.

"We are all bound to die going on like this! Surrendering after attacks start is too late!"

"With holding out just a few months, winter will soon be here. We have sturdy city walls, and we have stockpiled food, so what on earth is the problem?"

"What is the problem, you ask? Can you not see that massive army?"

"It's not exactly a massive army. While 2,000 isn't a small amount..."

"I'm saying this because all 2,000 of them are comprised of Dark Elves and Dwarves! Do you see even a single person wearing a gambeson among them?"

"..."

Dwarf warriors were wrapping lumps of iron around their bodies, and the Dark Elf archer unit wrapped their bodies in leather armor without gaps.

The latter was particularly the problem. Archers themselves are high-level personnel difficult to foster. Even decent lords often drafted and used hunters or rangers.

Since they were gathered haphazardly, their bows, arrows, and other equipment varied. To extract shooting efficiency, they couldn't just clothe them in any armor either.

Thus even large armies possessed a low ratio of archers, and most just draped themselves in scraps of cloth.

Conversely, the Dark Elf archer unit outside the city right now is entirely lined up with unified armor, longbows, and standard equipment.

That was a sight disregarding the common sense of war. They would have been less surprised seeing a cavalry force several times larger instead.

"Sir Nolt, please, surrender..."

"Now is the last opportunity!"

Truthfully, Nolt was only acting stubbornly because he also wanted to live. He was desperate trying to hold back his trembling legs.

'How on earth is he commanding so many of those ferocious and nasty bastards?'

Dwarves aside, a human commander leading thousands of Dark Elves was unprecedented in history.

"Just a few months... we just need to hold out a few months. Then winter will come soon. We have food to hold out 2 years here, and they don't even have siege weapons..."

The 2 factors granting hope to Nolt soon collapsed.

Transport ships flying the flags of Appen Peninsula trading companies or flags of the Republic were delivering supplies.

Moreover, the Dwarves began knocking together to produce siege ladder carts.

It wasn't that they didn't bring siege weapons; they merely brought them divided into parts to make transportation easy. Since horses to drag loads overflowed anyway.

"It's a ladder cart at best."

Nolt desperately reasoned with the city's people.

Knock knock! Bang bang!

"The soldiers here are well trained, so we can sufficiently respond."

Clack clack! Thud thud!

"If we kick away the ladders whenever they latch on and shoot crossbows..."

Boom boom! Crash crash!

"Motherfucker! Just what the hell are they making?!"

Nolt lost his words viewing the mobile ladder cart piling up more massive than a decent siege tower.

* * *

"There is no need to even go to catapults. The city walls aren't that high, so this is sufficient."

Rampage felt proud viewing the completed massive siege ladder cart.

Eugene viewing it recalled the Turtle Ship from his memories. As for differences, that it runs on land equipped with wheels. And does its shell flip 180 degrees to lay a bridge to the city walls?

"Still, there will be allied casualties. Isn't it better to use catapults?"

"Using catapults is ultimately to destroy city walls and open a path as well."

"That is true."

"Though Catania City's walls are low in height, they are wide and sturdy. Breaking the city walls with a catapult will not be easy. Even if we somehow break them, the pathway created itself will also be narrow."

"External attacks certainly won't work in the slightest."

"The city gates might be weak, but their S-shaped double structure and murder holes are extremely elaborate too."

Rampage pointed at the ladder cart 10 heavy infantrymen could walk side-by-side on.

"Even if it possesses a slight slope, it is better to swarm in over the city walls."

Generally, climbing ladders in siege warfare is a half-suicidal act. However, the mobile ladder cart made by the Hammer Brotherhood was special.

Protective plates cutting off all kinds of attacks pouring from the city walls were installed.

Simultaneously, the iron-core embedded foldable footing had a structure of deploying and locking via mechanical devices. It was impossible to detach even if dozens of garrison troops clung to it.

If a fully armed Dwarf infantry unit charged through there, human garrison troops would have no means to stop them.

"Above all else, don't we have a reliable backing this time? Nobody on top of the city walls will dare lift their heads."

Rampage pointed with his thumb at the archer unit comprised of handsome men and beautiful women.

The Blackhand Mercenary Corps having captured over 10 castles until now was not an empty boast.

Except the secret was not because they possessed outstanding siege weapon crafting techniques and defensive power like Dwarves.

"We do not squalidly climb city walls. Such things are jobs for lowly ones to do."

Rex was holding a longbow instead of his usually used composite bow. A strong bow unleashing even more powerful destructive force befitting its large size unusable on horseback.

"Sir Knight. Isn't the reason siege warfare is difficult ultimately due to the attacks pouring down from the city walls? Whether that is bolts, rocks, or hot oil."

"Plus kicking away the ladders hooked on with difficulty."

"Then it's simple. We only need to make the garrison troops on the city walls unable to even lift a single head."

The sight of the 1,000-man commander unit of Dark Elf longbowmen lined up organizing their ranks was a spectacle. It was a unit composition possible because cavalry was unnecessary as the enemy's main force vanished.

Eugene approached the front of the city intending to issue a final recommendation to surrender.

Gulp.

Even though he came alone without guards, the garrison troops swallowed their spit.

A massive warhorse and the knight mounted atop it. In front of the presence they exuded, they didn't feel the sensation of being safe even hiding behind the city walls.

"I am Commander Eugene Meyer. I wish to speak with the city's representative."

Eugene's voice wasn't merely loud in volume. A situation where his power as a mage became even stronger while confronting countless mysteries.

His voice echoed within the garrison troops' hearts imbued with spiritual power. As if whispering right next to them despite the distance.

"I am Acting Count of Sicily, Nolt! I demand you immediately withdraw your army and return!"

"I cannot do that. I participated in a righteous war as an ally of the Apostle State and achieved victory. Having received the rights permitted by the gods, I have come as the city's new master, so open the city gates."

"Then will you guarantee the safety of everyone inside the city?"

"Low-ranking soldiers, low-ranking officers, citizens, and other individuals without direct responsibility will be safe. Even if trials are held, they will receive trials overseen by me as the Lord, not the Apostle State's religious trials. I promise on my honor to judge fairly and impartially."

While the vast majority of garrison troops felt relieved at Eugene's words, Nolt's face rotted and crumbled.

'Fuck! Ultimately it means I'll fucking die, right?'

Realizing compromise was impossible, Nolt raised his right hand while gritting his teeth.

"Archer unit!"

Crossbowmen who finished loading aimed at Eugene. They were elite soldiers Nolt nurtured devoting heart and soul.

Thanks to them, he could suppress the city by force and lead the resistance even amidst being outnumbered.

"If you do not withdraw immediately, we will shoot!"

Swish.

Instead of answering, Eugene raised his hand. At that, a movement responding in unison was felt from behind his back.

1,000 longbows resting on top of their insteps in standby posture rose up. 1,000 arrows were nocked on bows fixed in the air at the exact same height and exact same angle.

Creeeeaaak.

Along with the sounds of bowstrings being drawn, black arrowheads simultaneously crawled up the city walls.

To the garrison troops watching that, it looked as if thorns of death were springing up like bamboo shoots after rain from the earth.

"Uh, eurgh..."

"We are all dead!"

The garrison troops intuitively felt each and every arrow was taking direct aim at them.

It's fundamentally different from how archer units generally shoot intending to suppress an area without aiming at specific targets.

The Blackhand archers were projecting murderous intent while having individually and clearly recognized the soldiers atop the city walls.

"This is my final warning. Disarm and open the city gates."

Everyone on the battlefield, including Eugene, considered Nolt would surrender or issue a fire command. However, he made a third choice.

"Hiiiik!"

He completely slumped down while wrapping his head with his arms.

* * *

Conversation progressed no further, and there were no signs of the city gates opening.

"Advance! Capture the city!"

At Eugene's command, the mobile ladder cart began moving in unison. As countless Dwarves clung to it and exerted force, the massive wheels rolled shaking the earth.

Transmissions 5 times larger than what was attached to the Codon Castle battering ram howled like beasts.

Splash!

Sploosh!

A specially treated solution was splashed onto the standby Dwarves.

"It is a fire-resistant potion produced by the tribal Witches. Even if you get hit by a burning oil flask, it will only end around getting a slight burn."

Similarly soaking wet, the Dwarf assault captains shouted robustly at the vanguard.

"Sprinkle me too."

"???"

The assault captains encouraging their subordinates were startled at the massive warhorse approaching next to them.

"My Lord, y-you too?"

"An ordinary horse wouldn't be able to ride a ladder cart, but this guy is different, you see."

"It's dangerous. The counterattacks from atop the city walls will be fierce."

"Isn't that why I should take the lead even more?"

The assault captains stopping him was only one time at first.

The monarch of Dwarves had always fought enemies at the vanguard. Charging together viewing their monarch's back was the highest glory and wish for Dwarves.

"More meticulously!"

Instead, they poured the solution into every nook and cranny until Eugene and Might were soaking wet.

Bang! Bang!

They only stopped when Might kicked the ground as if telling them to stop already.

Rumble...

As the sound of house-sized wheels rolling drew gradually closer, the garrison troops atop the city walls screamed.

"Goddammit!"

"Don't come! I said don't come!"

The moment several crossbowmen who lost their reasoning to fear lifted their upper bodies attempting to aim their crossbows.

Thwack!

Arrows piercing their faces broke through the backs of their heads. The corpses fell backward and collapsed along with their heads snapping back as if about to break.

Loaded crossbows tumbling down without even getting to shoot. Nearby garrison troops screamed and kicked away the crossbows. As if gripping it meant death.

The faces of the corpses were lodged with 4~6 arrows each, making it difficult to even recognize their shapes. Some garrison troops shed tears at that bloodcurdling ghastly sight.

Rumble...

Meanwhile, the siege ladder constantly approached.

Although there were crossbowmen who peeped their heads out unable to endure their superiors' badgering on other city walls as well, the conclusion was identical.

Thwack!

Smash!

Corpses simply tumbled about with several arrows stuck in their faces like candles on a birthday cake immediately.

Swish, swish, swish!

"Hiiiik."

"G, get down!"

Even soldiers not hit by arrows felt like they would wet themselves at the tearing sounds of arrows passing bloodcurdlingly above the city walls.

Rumble... thud.

And finally, the roar of the wheels stopped. The mobile ladder had arrived right in front. A wide and sturdy bridge split the sky and dropped atop the city walls.

"What are you all doing? Hurry up, get up and shoot! Do you intend to let the enemies reach the top of the city walls?!"

Nolt's close aide, the Guard Captain, screamed at the top of his lungs attempting to badger them, but it was useless.

A situation where he himself was lying flat on his stomach initially, so no soldier intended to follow orders.

'If you lift your head, you die!'

That single thought was piercing through the heads of everyone atop the city walls.

The first to land atop the city walls was not Dwarf soldiers but a massive warhorse. Needless to say, Eugene and Might.

"Everyone stay exactly like that burying your heads. I will kill the ones who stand up first."

"Damn Roman bastard! Get out of Sicily!"

Two well-dressed knights gritted their teeth and charged, but they couldn't even touch a hair on Eugene.

Immediately hit by the flail, one fluttered into the inside of the city, and the other fluttered outward from the city walls.

"Uwaaaaah..."

Crack!

At the end of the fading screams, a sound of something breaking resounded and then it quieted down.

"S, spare me!"

"I will surrender!"

Nearby soldiers trembled violently and either threw away their weapons or fled.

However, the place guarded by the Guard Captain and officers above the city gate still maintained their will to fight.

They were individuals deeply involved in all sorts of crimes alongside Nolt. They knew well expecting mercy was difficult even if they surrendered.

"Shoot!"

When the crossbowmen fired in unison, Might leaped up. Bolts passed beneath the warhorse bursting upward explosively as the city wall floor shattered.

"Crazy!"

The Guard Captain, dumbfounded by that nonsensical sight, saw the landing warhorse charging toward him.

Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!

A living disaster charging while bouncing off all enemies obstructing the path up to the watchtower above the city gate.

Though visually lacking realism, the approaching vibrations and roars were warning inescapably approaching death.

In the gap where gazes were concentrated on Eugene running rampant atop the city walls, Dwarves occupied the top of the city walls in an instant.

"Castle Destroyer!"

"Castle Destroyer!"

"Castle Destroyer!"

They cheered passionately for their monarch pioneering the path taking the lead.

The battle didn't take very long. After the Guard Captain and adjutants died in battle one after another, the low-ranking officer who inherited command shouted unconditional surrender.

- It's over there! That bastard ran away to that place!

The battle concluded with every soldier pointing in unison at the direction Nolt fled.

'Hurry up and leave plleaaasssse.'

Everyone bore complexions hoping the grim reaper descending before their eyes would quickly chase Nolt and disappear.

To understand that he was the new master they'd have to serve going forward, their intelligence had lowered far too much from fear.