Chapter 243

Chapter 243 - Entering the War (3)

The Cocoon tribe currently fleeing to Northfork had only half of their initial fleeing personnel left.

- We must abandon the livestock!

- No! Absolutely not! If we abandon this, we have to live like beggars even when we arrive at that village!

- What's the use of that if we get caught by those robber bastards?

Those who couldn't give up cows, goats, and sheep and tried to take them all were caught up to long ago.

"T-The horses are at their limit."

However, even those cold-hearted enough to give up livestock couldn't abandon their luggage. Nomads converted their wealth into high-value items like silk or precious metals, wrapped them around their bodies, and carried them on horses.

Because of the heavy weight and the structure easily receiving wind resistance, it was hard to outrun the cavalry chasing right now.

But they couldn't throw away even the things they were wearing. It's a situation of abandoning the region they were mainly active in and leaving for a completely new base. The only thing to trust in this situation is money. If they arrive having become paupers, a miserable life waits for them.

Conversely, from the pursuers' perspective, thanks to the gold-leafed silk coats and flashy accessories, there was a thrill to the chase. Like a carrot hung in front of a running horse to tempt it.

"Cheer up just a little more. Look at those guys sparkling. Your comfortable old ages are right there. You just need to grab it."

The captain leading the pursuit team is Luca. He was a free knight from a fallen noble family, and gained success by establishing merits under the Emperor.

What Luca received as a reward wasn't a territory or money, but a mercenary group. The position of a certain mercenary captain who committed a great blunder and was purged was passed over to Luca.

If it were an ordinary noble, they would have complained saying 'Do they give this kind of thing as a reward?', but Luca is a realist. Knowing that in turbulent times power exactly is the business capital, he considered this an opportunity as well.

"Catch them! Catch all the bitches and bastards acting as parasites in Roman!"

"Absolutely don't kill them. Because each and every one of those are clumps of money. If we sell them to the Samur black market, whatever we ask is the price."

The refugees' acute ears twitched. Anger surged at the mercenaries' vulgar sneers, but it couldn't be helped. The Cocoon tribe possessed the talent to simultaneously accomplish feed production and sericulture by raising large silkworms, but they were far removed from combat.

At that time, the refugees discovered dirt dust kicking up from the front.

* * *

"The horse archers take a wide detour and block the enemies' retreat route. There might be more captured refugees, so capture them alive as much as possible for interrogation."

"Leave it to me. Knight. Have we only done this business once or twice?"

The horse archers commanded by Rex took a wide detour to both flanks. Looking solely at speed, they are riding Fairy racehorses, the fastest among military horses.

These military horses, a little over 4 years old as of this year, are the first generation deployed to actual combat after completing breeding and training in Moving Castle.

"These guys are overflowing with strength."

A tribe warrior communed while squeezing the military horse's waist with both legs in satisfaction.

In the past, it took 5 years to complete a military horse. But now, thanks to the pleasant Moving Castle and high-quality feed, 4 years is enough. Accelerating growth without calorie waste in a warm stable even in winter, their muscles from the beginning were different.

"Stone cavalry, forward."

"We've only waited for today."

The Hammer Brotherhood cavalry lining up alongside Eugene grinned.

"There are no lancers with a longer range than us. If we aim at each other, the opposing side will always get hit first, so there's no need to be intimidated."

"Your Excellency! We are guys who confidently faced knights' charges even when we were infantry holding a single shield. Stop worrying."

The Dwarves led by Rampage responded while holding specially crafted two-handed lances.

The weapon they practiced the most was the cavalry flail, but in the first charge they use lances. Because without spears, they cannot endure a head-on charge between shock cavalries.

And the stone cavalry is equipped with perfect conditions to use a lance. The giant pangolin Vertigo's torso and head are horizontal. For that reason, a lance grip method aiming straight down the center above the head was possible.

- How about trying to make a structure where it combines completely with a shield and allows holding the reins together as well?

- It's a good idea, Your Excellency. I'll also dig a groove to fix the lance in the stirrup. Wouldn't completely fixing it to the mount be much more powerful than the couched method of tucking it under the armpit?

- Since we hold it with both hands, we could greatly increase the length too.

Due to the horse head sticking up above the torso, it's a completely different level of advantage from horses where one inevitably has to aim the spear to the side.

"It's the Castle Lord!"

"We're saved! We're saved!"

The Dark Elf refugees who recognized them as a rescue force quickly split left and right. Upon seeing the stone cavalry, they bore complexions of despair as if they were mistaken by something, but they beamed with joy seeing Eugene and Might.

'As expected of nomads? Their reactions from the start are different from ordinary refugees.'

Eugene inwardly admired. For a nomadic people whose daily life is exactly maneuver training, being quick-witted is life. It was a sight clearly showing that.

Chief Alesa said the title various Dark Elf tribes call Eugene by had solidified to 'Castle Lord', and it seems that is fact.

"B-Battle preparations!"

"Goblin bastards are riding wild boars!"

Meanwhile, the Luca mercenary group was startled at Eugene's cavalry that suddenly appeared as the refugees being chased split apart.

The shapes of short and stout people riding on top of beasts seen for the first time. This was sufficient to incur misunderstandings as goblin riders. Goblins are lowest-grade monsters, but they wielded all sorts of bizarre talents and among them is the skill to train wild boars or wolves.

"If you have eyeballs attached, look straight. Those are Dwarves!"

"Have you ever seen a wild boar wearing horse armor?!"

The ones who quickly grasped the situation were Luca and the veteran soldiers who were seasoned on the battlefield. They ended up discovering the enemy commander whose size from the start was extraordinary. A huge knight mounted on a monster-like military horse is holding a giant lance soaring high into the sky.

Peolleok peolleok!

The flag hanging there was naturally bound to be seen well even from afar.

"Count Mayer! It's Count Mayer!"

"Damn it. When did he return?!"

Eugene acted mainly outside of Roman, but his flag at least was well known. Especially if it's an army under the Emperor, they couldn't possibly not know.

Befitting an era overflowing with false rumors, veteran warriors do not cower even in front of famous knights. However, Eugene alone is an exception. It's a disaster they hate to even face if only a quarter of his known achievements are true.

However, right now they had no options other than raising their spears and confronting. Turning their horse's heads in a situation at close distance would only result in getting rammed in the flank and rear right as they are and being annihilated.

'Uh?'

The moment both sides' cavalries collided. Luca and the mercenaries, who were also running aiming their spears, realized something went firmly wrong.

Because their own spears still had a long way to go, yet the opponent's spear blades had approached right under their noses.

Kujik!

Kwadeudeuk!

Peoeok!

Following the sound of armor smashing, the sound of flesh and skin bursting open rang out loudly. Although they're the heavily armed Luca mercenary group, in front of the stone cavalry's lance charging, they're no different from sheets of paper.

Kkueeeek-!

A military horse whose heart was destroyed by a broken lance pitched forward. The rider riding on top also spasmed pierced like a skewer on the lance that penetrated through the horse's back.

It's that the two-handed lance pierced the military horse's chest and the rider simultaneously. Since the stone cavalry's body height is low, the angle the lance was aimed at was also low, resulting in this tragedy.

Hihihing-!

A certain military horse ran round and round to the left incessantly. Because the rider whose face was struck glancingly by a lance spasmed and kept pulling the reins to the left.

The thick helmet prevented penetration, but couldn't prevent the shock itself. The back of the rider's head was touching his back.

Luca's cavalry, where a significant number was shredded with merely a single clash, couldn't even run away just like that.

"Now is the time!"

"Plug one shot into the back of their heads each!"

Along with Rampage's shout, the Dwarves let go of their lances and hoisted the heavy crossbows inserted in their saddles. Twisting their waists as they are, they target the enticingly-looking backs of the enemy cavalry.

"Keuk!"

"Aaak!"

The mercenaries who felt relieved after the 1st clash screamed at the barrage of bolts lodging into them in less than a few seconds.

After blowing away Luca along with his shield in one strike, Eugene turned his body back and swung his lance like a whip.

Kwang!

A cavalryman who got hit in the shoulder by the lance shaft falling from the sky drawing 180 degrees pitched forward. It is a rare sight possible because monstrous strength was combined with an ignorantly long weapon.

"Sub-chief. Don't you think there won't be anything for us to step up for?"

The horse archers who had returned after going through the trouble of blocking the retreat route clicked their tongues. Because the enemy cavalry went to the brink of annihilation just by Eugene and the stone cavalry sweeping through once.

The stone cavalry being powerful is a part, but the point that it was an unknown cavalry tactic unprecedented in war history hitherto also played a big role. If you don't know you have to get hit, and that's an attack causing instant death in one blow.

* * *

The Cocoon tribe Dark Elves were deeply moved that the monarch directly stepped up to save them. Eugene stopped them from trying to offer a reward.

"I merely did what I had to do as a protector. To nomads, losing livestock is the same as losing family."

From now on, Eugene has to unravel the task of fusing various Dark Elf tribes into one. Gaining the hearts of those newly joining with certainty was more important than this kind of pocket change.

"More importantly, do you know anything regarding the refugees who fell behind or were caught? I want you to replace the reward with that information."

The tribesmen who felt awed and grateful diligently pointed at several areas on the map with their fingers.

"Keuaaak!"

"P-Please! I'll tell you everything, pleeease!"

Around then, the sounds of captured mercenaries begging were heard. An exciting interrogation was taking place to grasp a more accurate point through cross-verification.

The horse archers who couldn't make much of a bright performance in the battle were showing off their skills to their heart's content.

They are Dark Elves with not much bond toward other tribes, but this time the story is different. Because the humans they despise dare to commit atrocious acts trying to catch their kin as slaves.

After seeing off the refugees leaving for Northfork, Eugene raised his arm.

"7km away to the southeast is their temporary camp. There are still many bastards to sweep out and people to save, so hurry."

"Uwo!"

The Dwarves whose lances weren't broken cheered. They were the ones who always fought a fight passively striking back while holding out standing on the ground.

The freedom of charging cutting through the wind.

The thrill of precisely piercing the enemy at a single point on the lance tip by combining Vertigo's and their own strength.

That shock. That taste of the hand.

The pride of running side-by-side with their liege.

Rampage and the Dwarves realized the glory exclusively enjoyed by riders. Now they probably won't be able to return to the past ever again.

* * *

"If I knew it'd be like this, I should have learned how to ride even a packhorse."

"The guys who chased after them will snatch a proper share again, right?"

A majority among the Luca mercenary group remained at the camp. They are maintaining guard over the refugees and livestock already captured.

With horses scattered all over, Luca temporarily supplied horses to those capable of horseback riding and made them participate in the pursuit. The ones drafted will receive hefty allowances.

"Hey! We said not to lay hands on the merchandise, didn't we?"

A colleague stopped a rookie mercenary slapping a certain Dark Elf male's cheek.

"But this bastard spat on my face."

"It looks like spit cleaner than your face, so why are you making a fuss? Say Thank you! and rub it in."

Giggling laughter poured out from all sides. The face of the one who received spit turned red, but because the other party was a veteran, he didn't dare to talk back.

"Among slaves, the most expensive ransom is the Fairy race. Doesn't matter if their skin is white or dark. Do you know how many gold coins will pour out if we sell just this one bastard? It'll be troublesome if there's even one small scratch on his cheek."

"But he's a guy, isn't he?"

Slaves also have different values and usages according to age and gender. The most expensive are indeed young women, and men are sold to coal mines or as oarsmen. Having a little scratch on their face wasn't a problem.

"This bastard doesn't know anything."

The veteran forcefully grabbed and raised the tied male Dark Elf's chin.

"Do you see even a single hair of beard?"

"Uh, it's clean."

"For the Fairy race, from the nose down, not a single hair grows even on men. On top of that, their face is decent and their skin is clean, so all the perverts in the whole world turn their eyes inside-out searching for them."

"Eugh."

"For us, getting money is enough, no? So handle them carefully. Because they have bodies more expensive than your life. If you treat them carelessly, when the Captain returns he probably won't end it with whipping."

At this level, it was quite affectionate explanation for a mercenary. Because the rookie also knew that, his anger softened.

"But till when are we staying here? No matter how much money it becomes, doing this around Count Mayer's territory is a bit..."

"I heard we're bouncing right after catching just these guys. When others are scared, you have to do a quick hit and pull back, if you get greedier you can't die out your allotted lifespan."

A well-fighting mercenary group is not competent. Keeping an eye on how the world turns, sucking only on tasks where risk is minimized, and pulling back was the truly competent mercenaries.

The rookie who was nodding his head as if convinced discovered a cavalry approaching from yonder. The other veterans nearby too.

"Oh! Looks like the Captain is returning over there."

"Ambush! It's an ambush!"

"Spear and shield! Spear and shield!"

As expected, the difference in experience showed in parts like this too.

* * *

"The bastards have entered a defensive position."

"Looks roughly around 300."

Luca's mercenary group, who had been scattered and resting, quickly gathered, set up a defensive formation, and are currently loading bolts into their crossbows.

"They are certainly not some riffraff."

"They're guys who aim to do a hit-and-run in Your Excellency's territory. They must have skill corresponding to their swollen livers."

Ppiik!

Homi, who was standing straight up on Sandy assessing the enemy camp, pointed in one direction.

"There are the cages holding the prisoners over there."

"It'll be bothersome if they try to take them as hostages. We strike immediately while they're distracted right now."

Eugene nodded and raised his lance.

"All forces in Crane Wing formation."

Together with Eugene, the stone cavalry stood at the front and the horse archers followed behind them.

"Charge!"

Despite that bloody majestic appearance, Luca's mercenaries maintained formation. However, the spear tips trembling couldn't be helped. They had experienced cavalry several times, but the ones charging right now were on a completely different level from the shaking of the earth's axis.

"Fire!"

Charreureuk!

The sounds of crossbow strings snapping rang out consecutively, and bolts poured down toward Eugene's cavalry.

Tithik!

Tung!

However, not a single one became an effective hit. Just making scratches on Might's horse armor and the Vertigos' carapaces was the extent. The Dwarves, who wrapped chunks of iron from head to toe, also had no damage.

"Crane Wing formation!"

Matching Eugene's shout, Homi's sharp whistle rang out.

As the stone cavalry received the long-range attacks, the horse archers simultaneously broke out to both sides and aimed their bows. It is a moment where the maneuver training repeated countless times over several months shined.

"Shoot!"

Pipipiping!

Arrows fired from the composite bows dug into the vitals of the crossbowmen. Because they shot having entered inside the enemy's crossbow range, both the accuracy and power are fatal.

"Envelop the flank and rear!"

And the nightmare-like cavalry tactic was just the beginning now.

The two wings separated after the volley fire directly transformed into two detachments. Maneuvering respectively from the flank and rear of the Luca mercenary group, they started unfolding swarm tactics.

"Aak!"

"Uh, an arrow in my butt..."

At the arrows accurately piercing the openings, mercenaries bleeding from all sides collapsed.

But this isn't a big deal. If 300 heavily armed soldiers formed a square formation, it was somewhat endurable. Compared to an animal, it's about the level of cutting out skin, not getting stabbed in the vitals.

"Front! Look at the front, you retards!"

The true threat is the shock cavalry charging from the front in this opening.

"Oh, are we?"

"Mocking us, dare you?"

That does not mean the arrow attacks don't hurt, though. The tribe warriors are experts among experts in the field of harassing infantrymen who have no thoughts of engaging.

"Kuhuk!"

They intensively drove arrows into those faithfully concentrating on front vigilance first. Such people also had many openings on the sides and rear. Ultimately, a crack was bound to occur in the square formation.

Dududududu!

"Uwaaa!"

"Trample them!"

A wave of weight striking in that condition.

Huuk. Huuk. Huuk.

Dugeun. Dugeun. Dugeun.

The mercenaries' hearts beat as if ready to burst, and their breathing became rough to the point of respiratory distress.

And a tidal wave swept over the mercenaries.

Kwang!

The giant lance aimed by Eugene at the front was truly befitting the name Predator. It greedily bit into 3 mercenaries defending the dead center of the square formation.

"Kuluk!"

The mercenary in the very front was hit in the heart, and the mercenary in the very back was hit in the head, dying instantly. The mercenary in the middle avoided death because his belly was pierced, but he won't live long.

With Might pushing past in that state, personnel several times that amount fell over in all directions and the formation's center collapsed.

Digging in like this is dangerous because Eugene could also get surrounded if he's not careful, but it's fine this time. Because the stone cavalry is together by his side.

Kwang!

Tuung!

Mercenaries flew around like rotten branches. The Vertigos dug into the cracks Eugene pioneered and widened them even more.

Even though the Dwarves are short, their entire bodies are clumps of muscle. Delivering continuous smashing with cavalry flails held in both hands, the mercenaries had no ability to endure.

'Is this what the feeling of truly cracking skulls is like?'

Due to the characteristics of a blunt weapon, the higher the striking point, the more the destructive power increases. The Dwarves viciously smacked shoulders and heads at equal eye level with the enemy soldiers.

No matter how experienced and robust the mercenaries, they cannot stand on two legs in front of this intense charge. And the moment they fall, what waits for them is hundreds of kilograms of kicks.

"Nooo..."

Kwak!

The last words of the fallen mercenary were cut off as a Vertigo's foot crushed his helmet. A scene where an iron helmet, where slightly denting it would be everything even if hit with a two-handed hammer, was flattened like a pie in one hit.

"Hiiik!"

For the mercenaries who were rolling on the ground equivalently, it made their blood run cold.

"W-We surrender!"

"Please, just spare our lives!"

Starting with a certain mercenary who flashed both his hands up, everyone threw away their weapons like dominoes. Since escaping is also impossible in this state, there was no way to preserve their lives other than surrender.

* * *

Eugene, getting off Might, handed his weapon to Homi and stood in front of the prisoner transport cages. The tribe warriors who had already arrived were stamping their feet.

"The guy with the key died, so where on earth it is..."

"It's fine, so just pack the spoils."

"Haha. Thank you."

At the appearance of their kin stepping aside as if it was natural, the gazes of the confined refugees gathered on Eugene.

Ujikkeun.

As the lock was smashed to pieces in a single punch from a gauntleted fist, the refugees' eyes widened. Eugene tore off 2 more cages additionally and brought out everyone who was captured.

'Will this much be enough?'

A rescue charge like a scene from a fairy tale.

The appearance of liberating by breaking the cages with sheer grip strength.

It would not be lacking to imprint on the refugees what kind of person the monarch they will follow from now on is. This is also a necessary task for assimilation.

It wasn't a formal declaration of war, but it was the moment Eugene officially joined the Noble Allied Forces.