Chapter 173

Chapter 173 - Mexican Standoff (2)

"Now is not the time to be fighting those lowly bastards."

Albert, leading the Barcia army, frowned.

As the heir of a ducal family, he had tread an elite course. Receiving top-tier education, he built military merits in meticulously arranged battles.

Since he had talent as well, he always produced results and proved himself, and participated in Britannia's civil war to drive in a wedge this time.

However, of all things, he got entangled with the Gord bastards. As they aimed for good land in the easygoing south, running into competitors with the same thought is inevitable.

"Let us attack right now!"

"Only by shaking off those bastards first will we be able to take the south without trouble."

Belligerent nobles urged for battle, and it was difficult for Albert to refuse. Although he is the supreme commander, the nobles exercise command authority individually.

"It is too dangerous to wage a decisive battle from the start in a foreign land."

"Then are you saying we should just watch the Gord bastards occupy the golden land?"

"I am saying let's try negotiating first."

"I can picture them acting arrogant like superiors at the negotiation table. They will probably try to toss only the unnutritious land to us."

A few cautious individuals were immediately suppressed. Because it was obvious how the Gord nobles would react.

"Duke Albert. Please make a decision."

Unlike his father, the Duke of Barcia, Albert is in the status of an heir.

"Surely you wouldn't be trying to avoid it because you're afraid to fight, right?"

'...These bastards?'

The lords who brought large troops slyly picked psychological fights.

"The fact that Viscount Winchester was defeated means there is a military force that repelled them. To exhaust our strength in advance when we haven't even grasped their identity is dangerous."

While Eugene's battle took place inland, Albert's army had just landed.

With the residents terrified of Barcia's infamy all running away, they had an even harder time gathering information.

- It's said the army was annihilated after receiving an Ogre attack during the march.

- Didn't they say he withdrew because the Viscount sustained severe injuries from the Kruger family's assassin?

The information gathered with difficulty was mixed with so many false rumors that they couldn't trust it at all.

"He probably lost to the Cornwall bastards. Wouldn't it be that he got ambushed while hurriedly trying to attack because he was ahead in numbers?"

"Things like that are something those with much battlefield experience go through at least once. I believe Duke Albert will not be swayed by mere hearsay."

Most of the nobles leaned toward attacking. If he backed out here, he would hear slanders like 'Perhaps you're afraid of fighting?'

"Albert. It will become a headache if the Gord bastards seize a stronghold and solidify their defense posture. It might be better to strike before they procure timber."

The fact that the infantry-centered Gord army fought well against Barcia, which possesses a mighty cavalry, was partly due to their camp construction abilities.

They had created advantageous environments by setting up obstacles and driving large wooden spears for cavalry deterrence into the ground to restrict attack routes.

However, since here is a foreign land, everything would be unfamiliar. If both sides were in equally bad conditions, it would become a battle of weight classes, and naturally, the side possessing powerful cavalry held the advantage.

"Good. I will add the achievement of repelling those bastards to securing Britannia's territory and offer it to my father."

Albert, who made his decision, stepped forward before the nobles and shouted.

"Raise the flags! Let us settle this with the barbarians of Gord!"

Through the pale lips of the cheering knights, sharp fangs reflected light.

Meanwhile, unlike the cautious Albert, the Gord commander, Duke Wolfson, enthusiastically welcomed the battle.

"That knight bastard who sucked the blood of the poor maiden earlier, be sure to bring him before me. I will use that bastard's skull instead of a wine cup during my stay in Britannia."

"Excellency. Please reconsider the battle. Our landing is later than theirs. The terrain is not suitable, and we are also in the dark about information on the south."

The Duke's eldest son and adjutant, Victor, wanted to resolve the situation through negotiations somehow.

"Excellency my ass. Just call me father. Since both you and I crossed the sea as one warrior."

"...Anyway, the opposing commander, Albert, is a rational person. If we propose dividing the south of Britannia, there will be no need to see blood."

However, his son's entreaty only made the Duke's eyebrows rise further and further.

"Tsk. In this battle, you fight with the resolve to make a few scars of glory at least."

"Father!"

"Only by getting scraped up a bit on the battlefield will the merchant's blood drain out."

The Gord nobles consider inheriting the blood of both Viking and indigenous merchant ancestors as their identity.

- Commerce is an everyday occurrence, but battle is once in a while.

That is why they held the belief that if they don't fight periodically, the merchant's blood thickens and they ultimately become weak.

- Those who do not prove themselves in battle! Shall become distant from Valhalla!

This belief became even more solid through the propaganda of clergymen. This was the price for the donations offered by the king and high nobles who did not want the country's military power to weaken.

Someone of Duke Wolfson's level isn't a particularly unusual person in Gord either. Rather, an appeasing type like Victor is rare.

Like that, the two armies clashed on the battlefield.

* * *

Eugene, who secured a spot with a good view, seated Homi in the front seat.

"Can you see well now?"

Nod.

Homi relished her lord's embrace that fully filled her back. She strokes the solid arms wrapping her belly.

As Eugene pushed a piece of dried fruit into Homi's lips, her happy expression became even more perfect.

'Come to think of it, I've never seen Homi looking shy. Her terrified appearance too.'

Shyness and fear might be emotions stemming from the same branch. Since both are what you feel when you discover yourself in the eyes of others.

Valda was always shy like a country maiden even as their relationship deepened, but Homi faced all emotional exchanges with joy.

Eugene relished Homi's body temperature and rubbed his cheek against her good-smelling hair.

"As expected, there is no duel?"

Barcia knights are proficient in horsemanship, whereas Gord knights are proficient in land combat. If they match the rules of either one, the other side is at a great disadvantage.

Perhaps because of that, the ritualistic duels performed prior to large-scale battles were omitted, and they immediately entered an all-out war.

"Scorpions! To firing positions!"

The mercenary crossbowmen hired by Barcia stepped to the front. Flags depicting a scorpion's stinger fluttered in the wind.

"Anti-crossbow square formation!"

Gord as well densely positioned large round shields at the front. The 1st row warriors knelt and placed their shields on the ground, and the 2nd row warriors fixed them at chest height.

"Shoot!"

In front of that solid barrier, the bolts saw no effect.

"Barcian cowards."

"Shoot to your heart's content."

The crossbowmen continued firing, but not a single Gord warrior fell.

Unlike various countries that treat shields as consumables, Gord regards them as important at the same level as main weapons.

To the point where the most popular item for maidens' trousseaus is a shield. Naturally, the solidness of their shield walls is at the continent's top level.

In the numerous wars they had fought over the years, instances where Barcia saw fun with ranged weapons were rare.

"Albert. No matter how much they shoot, it will be useless. We have to save the bolts for later situations."

"What are you hesitating for? Please hurry and give the order to charge! We will lightly trample over those lowly bastards!"

Albert pulled the crossbowmen back.

'If left alone more, I don't know if they might act as they please and charge.'

He wanted to decline taking on the false charge of being a coward on top of the stigma of not properly controlling his subordinate troops either.

"Knights, prepare!"

As the trumpet sound echoed, the deployed Barcia cavalry prepared to sortie.

At the smell of pig's blood sprinkled from buckets by servants, the warhorses' eyes sank coldly.

Dozens of types of flags hang on spear shafts, fluttering in the wind containing faint saltiness.

The riders driving their horses slowly to converse the warhorses' stamina. Within dark helmets, crimson pupils emit light. It is the symbolic appearance seen by those confronting Barcia.

"The bastards are coming!"

"Spear and shield! Spear and shield!"

Gord positioned those holding axes and shields in the 1st row, and those holding long spears in the 2nd row.

As the distance between the two armies narrowed, the Barcia knights increased their speed.

"Now is the time!"

"Smash their heads!"

The 1st row shield bearers of the Gord side simultaneously threw throwing axes.

Thump!

Smack!

The horses shed blood through their armor, but the charging speed remained the same. Barcia-bred warhorses smelling blood obey their masters without knowing fear.

"Increase speed! Charge!"

At the lead knight's yell, the hooves pounding the earth echoed like a battlefield drum.

Normally, horses get frightened in front of sharply protruding spear points and ignore control, but Barcia-bred warhorses entered into a blood frenzy state have no such weakness.

"Goddamn it!"

"Disgusting corpse horses!"

The Gord knights spat out curses. Those enemy-like warhorses that ignore common sense for horses were half in the realm of shamanism.

"Uwaaaaa!"

The Barcia cavalry entered the sprinting phase. That majesty is a tidal wave of steel fastened with flesh.

"Keuaak!"

The Gord warriors skewered by spears died instantly. As the cavalry struck into the gaps that occurred all over the square formation, cracks widened in an instant.

The sound made when a human gets hit by hundreds of kilograms of weight that received acceleration was not very noble.

"Bbeuup!"

"Guwek!"

Groans resembling shortly compressed sounds of a pig vomiting echoed continuously.

Thwack!

A fiercely charging Barcia knight was also properly pierced by a pikeman's spear.

"Hahaha! How does it taste?"

Crack!

The cheering pikeman had his instep stepped on by a warhorse passing by. Grabbing his crushed foot and kneeling, his neck dropped immediately at a flying blade.

The battlefield is messy. Once the shock of the clash wears off, it becomes a rubbing fight feeling each other's breath right up close.

Purrrk!

"Goddamn it!"

"Move your snorts away, sons of bitches."

The Gord warriors felt extremely unpleasant by the hot breath spewed by the warhorses burrowing into the napes of their necks.

However, the Barcia warhorses are protecting their faces and chests with thick armor. The weak point is the flank area.

"Drop them from their horses!"

"Stab their sides!"

The Barcia knights, who knew that weak point better than anyone, desperately maintained their formation.

"Stop! We detour from here!"

As Albert confirmed that the cavalry's charging power was exhausted, the trumpet sound echoed at his command.

The Barcia knights, who were engaged in a melee, launched an all-out attack momentarily and opened the distance.

Hiiiing!

Some kicked the square formation using their horses' front hooves. It was truly excellent horsemanship.

Crash!

Although it was a solid shield, it could not remain safe even in front of a warhorse's kick. The shield that was tattered from the engagement broke, and the Gord warrior was sent flying.

In that gap, the cavalry succeeded in turning around, and the cavalry in the rear ranks checked attempts to hit their backs by thrusting spears.

Those who desperately don't listen to words are knights, but in Barcia, they are educated to obey this trumpet sound like the voice of a god.

Even hot-headed knights acknowledge that continuing to fight when the charging power has run out is a foolish act. They can accept at least a temporary retreat for a recharge.

Purrrk!

A warhorse whose belly was split open by an axe headed toward the allied camp even while spilling its intestines. However, it ultimately exhausted its strength and collapsed before arriving.

"I am sorry."

The Dhampir knight stroked the forehead of the horse breathing heavily and then cut its neck in a single stroke.

As charges repeated a few times and a fight broke out getting tangled even with the waiting infantry, Gord gradually began to be pushed back.

'As expected, is the side possessing cavalry more advantageous under the same conditions?'

The Gord territory has large and small rivers flowing everywhere and many wetlands, so there are many restrictions on cavalry operation.

However, the land of Britannia where they are fighting right now is a refreshing grassy plain even if there are curves.

Furthermore, the overall skills of the Barcia knights participating in the expedition were excellent.

Even so, the Gord warriors succeeded in striking and killing half of the Barcia warhorses in the midst of being pushed back.

"Fucking Gord bastards! So thoroughly sickening!"

"Look who's talking? If you're real men, don't buzz around and come at us! Only now can we try fighting fair and square!"

With both sides fighting with all their dying strength, a conclusion did not easily come out. As the day began to darken, they entered a lull and pulled back.

"Inspect the conditions of the warhorses!"

Barcia's horse caretakers applied medicine to the wounds of the injured warhorses and repaired the horse armors.

"Light the fires brightly!"

Gord as well lit fires here and there while treating the injured. Vampires and Dhampirs equipped with dark vision specialize in night combat. Pretending to rest after daytime combat and then aiming for a night raid is their trademark.

* * *

"Did we arrive too early?"

Cassandra expressed regret looking at the battlefield covered in blood.

Befitting an ethnicity whose nature is hunters and plunderers, such fisherman's profits are the fortune of fortunes she loved immensely.

Dark Elves, like vampire species, possess vision that pierces through the darkness, so there is no problem scanning the battlefield.

"No. We came well at the appropriate time."

If he had wanted complete mutual destruction, Eugene wouldn't have been comfortably chewing on peanuts either.

"This battle is also an induction ceremony to receive the loyalty of the southern nobles."

"It would be troublesome if both sides were left with only their shells as well."

"You are quick to understand as expected."

"You said they are in a tired state due to fighting all day, right?"

"Right. It's the perfect state for harvesting."

Eugene patted Cassandra's shoulder, who was giving a cold smile, and returned to the army that had finished combat preparations.

"Both of you have worked hard. Thanks to you, the enemies did not notice us."

Marbas and Valda waved their hands with tired faces.

Respectively utilizing Spirits of Wind and wild grass magic, they minimized the noise and vibrations of the army.

"Is everyone prepared to drive out the invaders?"

The southern nobles and knights equipped in armor gave a military salute with stiff faces.

"The target is Barcia."

"Are we just letting the Gord bastards be?"

A noble who bore a grudge due to his territory being ravaged spoke. The desire wanting to sweep away both sides looks full on his face.

"Like it or not, Gord is the neighbor right next door. Although resentful, we must maintain an amicable relationship in the long term, right? Whether in trade or transit."

"However, Excellency."

"Enough. My policy is already decided."

Eugene had no intention of listening to everything all the nobles desired. It was impossible in the first place too.

"If you have a grudge, vent it toward the Barcia army. Those guys aren't neighbors we'll live facing each other anyway."

A few dissatisfied nobles bit their lips, but most nodded with murderous smiles.

'Their cavalry is too tricky. I should definitely reduce their numbers while we're at it.'

Although the Gord infantry is strong, they are ultimately those who run on their feet. To Eugene, who possessed the continent's strongest archer military power, they weren't a threat.

However, the Barcia cavalry was a formidable opponent even for Eugene. Eugene also knew well the terror of warhorses that overcame pain and fear.

"The preemptive strike will be launched by me and my direct subordinate army. Vassals, including Baron Foster, light torches and charge when the order falls."

"Understood."

Eugene took a deep breath looking at the battlefield covered in darkness.

"Good. Let's start the job."

* * *

"Any bastard dozing off will be punished with the ultimate penalty! Sentries, keep your wits about you and stand guard!"

"Those bastards can pierce even through darkness. Do not let your guard down at all as they might launch a surprise attack without a single torch."

Gord knights threatened the sentries standing outer guard duty.

"Bite tightly."

Sizzle.

The accompanying monk seared Victor's wound with a red-hot rod.

"..."

"Guy. You do have guts."

Duke Wolfson looked at his son biting on the cloth without letting out a single groan as if proud.

"We fight again as soon as day breaks tomorrow."

"Father..."

"Do not think of stopping me. Tomorrow I'll pull out all of those bastards' teeth and just totally!"

"Father. That's not it, Barcia's military camp is burning."

"What?"

Duke Wolfson, after running out of the tent following his son, got a blank face.

"Keuaaaak!"

"Attack! It's an attack!"

Fire arrows cutting through the night sky were bombarding the enemy's camp.

Warhorses whose blood frenzy effects had ended ran wild howling while pierced by arrows.

"Beeek-!"

The warhorses running wild without masters disappeared one by one as if possessed by the whistle flying through the darkness.

"Dolf! Where are you going?"

The warhorse's master called out anxiously, but there was no returning.

"Form ranks! Calmly put on your arm... Keuk!"

"The western hill... Uak!"

Those trying to organize the troops somehow amidst the great chaos were immediately sniped.

"Ignore the miscellaneous soldiers. We are growing the chaos even further."

The designated marksmen commanded by Cassandra accurately brought down key figures even in the darkness.

"Infantry! Charge!"

As 1500 southern noble allied forces sprinted simultaneously at Eugene's command, the Barcia army began to shatter.

"Where on earth are they attacking from?!"

A significant portion of the unit members was composed of human slaves, servants, and mercenaries. They couldn't be as calm as their masters in the darkness.

"These lowly bastards!"

A Vampire knight swung his sword with red eyes glowing in the darkness, but what returned was only mockery.

"Whoops, milord. Where did you sell your armor?"

"It doesn't look cool at all trying that in your underwear."

The Britannia soldiers did not bother crossing swords and just picked up rocks from the ground and hurled them.

"Kak! W-wait! Uak!"

The Vampire knight, whose forehead was cracked and shin was torn, staggering ungracefully, collapsed under the baptism of spear blades pushing in.

The cavalry led by Hind and Rex circled around and blocked the retreat path.

The Barcia army collapsed everywhere. That wasn't a fair fight pitting weapons against weapons. It was just closer to an execution.

"Keureuk."

"Uwek!"

Running away with a few arrows stuck in their bodies only to be pierced by spears, or having a blade placed on their necks and slashed from behind unable to resist due to exhausted stamina.

Those who look like they could fight a bit were immediately sniped, and places grouping together to resist were breached and slaughtered by Eugene.

The Barcia army felt extreme terror at the surprise attack driving in within the darkness, and that torrent of emotion agitated the Hell Spirit.

[Face straight!]

Fwoosh!

Blackout's massive axe blade began to blaze up fiercely.

"What's this?"

Eugene discovered spirits crying out after being pulled to the surface of the axe blade.

Fire spirits that gathered at the fire caused by fire arrows. Spirits of anger drawn by the violence and terror of the battlefield.

Tiny elemental spirits of the natural world were being fused into flames under the tyranny of the Hell Spirit.

"It's a monster!"

"Damned Britannia bastards! You were keeping a Heathen Champion!"

A knight riding Might holding a burning massive axe in the darkness. That is certainly the appearance of a monster straight out of a nightmare.

Even draped in Hydra leather armor with a viper pattern, he couldn't possibly look like the apostle of a benevolent god.

The Barcia army lost their will to fight and scattered.

"Retreat! Retreat!"

"This way! Duke Albert!"

The command headquarters, with only a very few remaining, attempted to escape but failed. Driven like hunting prey by the waiting ambush forces, they were caught in capture nets and apprehended.

By the time the battle of fire and screams ended, the day was already breaking.

* * *

The Britannia soldiers with venom in their eyes engaged in confirm kills everywhere. The ranks that could receive ransoms had already completed sorting.

"Kill that bastard off too."

A spear was driven into the chest of the wriggling human mercenary. The Dhampir crawling next to him flipped over in fright and raised both hands.

"S-save me!"

"Do you have a family to pay a ransom?"

"...I do."

"This bastard's speech pattern sounds like he's lying?"

"I really do!"

"Good. I'll believe you. Say ah-!"

At the Britannia soldier's threat, the Dhampir hesitantly opened his mouth.

"Uup!"

Then the warhammer held by the soldier touched his fangs. At that cold sensation, the Dhampir shuddered.

"Prepare yourself if it's a lie. Because I'll pull out all your teeth one by one."

Actually, it was a lie. However, since living right now was priority, the Dhampir nodded.

It wasn't only Eugene's army who fought the battle that couldn't sleep a wink. The Gord army watching from across the way was the same.

- Who on earth are those bastards?

- Prepare for combat!

Warriors popping out of sleep from everywhere hurriedly put on armor.

They themselves are also invaders in this land. There is no guarantee that the army slaughtering Barcia over there won't strike them next.

However, Eugene's army showed no reaction to the point of being embarrassing for the heavily guarded Gord nobles.

"Those bastards seem to have no interest in us at all?"

"Tsk."

After about an hour passed, everyone finally lowered their shields and comfortably watched the battle. Some even went to urinate, and someone chewed on dry rations.

The time they returned to combat formation was when Eugene's messenger approached.

"His Excellency Meyer has invited your commanders."

"Meyer? That undefeated knight?"

Duke Wolfson shouted in surprise.

He knows Eugene's name. Because his performances at Count Andar's tournament or the Shield Mountains subjugation were known.

"That is correct. Will you accept the invitation? You may bring as many escorts as you desire."

"I should go see the face of the warrior who beat Volks to death."

Duke Wolfson shook off the retainers' dissuasion and immediately got on his horse. It was a recklessness that almost made one wonder if the word danger was missing from his head.

* * *

"Withdraw, you say?"

Eugene nodded to Wolfson with a stiff face.

"If you return from here, I will cover up the things that have happened so far."

"Do you know how much money went into this expedition? What are we supposed to do if we go back empty-handed after coming all this way?"

"If you don't like it, come at me."

Eugene shrugged his shoulders.

"I just don't want to live in enmity with my neighbor. It's not that I'm avoiding fighting because your army is threatening."

Duke Wolfson felt a sense of déjà vu from Eugene speaking casually.

The calm atmosphere is similar to his son, but the rough attitude not reluctant to fight was similar to himself. It was like seeing a merchant making deals with the attitude of a warrior.

"Ha!"

Duke Wolfson is a valiant warrior, not an idiot. He knew well that fighting the army right in front of him now is a suicidal act.

"May I ask for just one favor?"

"What is it?"

"It's simple. That Barcia knight bastard tied up over there."

Duke Wolfson pointed at a vampire male sitting on the ground in one spot. He is the one who provoked by biting a Gord woman's neck during daytime combat.

"Sell that bastard to me."

"As long as you pay a good price."

It's a chance to skip the process of sending an envoy to his affiliated family and grab gold coins right away. Eugene had no reason to decline.

"N-no!"

On the other hand, the Barcia knight screamed at the sight of Duke Wolfson laughing ferociously while looking at him.

"It is a great victory, a great victory! With this much, no one will be able to oppose you rising to be the leader of the south. On top of that, the ransom is also very hefty... Huh?"

Rex, who was beaming at the overwhelming victory, was puzzled by Eugene's face, prominently showing signs of agony.

"Did something happen?"

"I was thinking that I should start preparing for an inquisition."

"What does that me... Aha!"

The captured Barcia nobles are stealing glances at Eugene as if they had seen a devil. It is the side effect of running wild like a lunatic holding a burning axe.

"Leave the Barcia bastards aside, but why the Britannia soldiers are looking at me with those eyes too."

To Eugene, who had been passionate about reducing allied casualties, it was just unfair.

Whether it's the mount, weapon, or armor, pursuing only performance led to his appearance taking on a ghost-like state at some point.

"Please think of it positively. People hesitate more when betraying someone they fear rather than someone they respect. Since Sir Knight has both, your authority as the leader of the south will be placed on a solid rock."

"Aren't you speaking too easily because it's not your business?"

"Eey. You have a good relationship with the Apostolic State too, so what could possibly happen?"

"...If worst comes to worst, I guess it'll work out somehow by using a Talent."

Eugene sighed, thinking of insurance just in case.