Chapter 279

Chapter 279 - Shadow Legion (2)

Eugene ordered all the nobles and mercenaries inside the castle to vacate.

"If you follow the river stream, you will find the allied fOrces' formation. They seem ready to fight at any moment, so you'd better hurry. WhAAether it's for honor or making money, if you join after the tide has turned, you won't get a single drop."

If they arrived as supposed reinfOrcements after the direction of the battle was decided and tried to take loot, they would receive tremendous glares. It's not an ordinary dispute but a decisive battle swarming with all sorts of great nobles and knights, so it wouldn't end with just getting cursed at.

"Thank you. Thanks to Your Excellency, we came much more comfortably."

"When the gates closed and opened, a different world unfolded! We now have a story to chatter about in taverns for the rest of our lives."

True to those making a living off war, they departed eagerly. Regardless of victory or defeat, having a large number of allies is a boon for mercenaries in itself. If they win, it's good because they win, and even if they lose, it's advantageous for catching the timing to run away tactfully.

"We wish to remain in the Moving Castle and become Your Excellency's strength."

"Don't you need people to scout the surroundings or capture spies?"

A considerable number of people hesitated, wanting to stay, but Eugene was firm.

"From now on, I will also enter into independent operations, and the residents are enough to handle the defense. You find yourselves a new battlefield."

"...Understood."

As for staying citing defense, the combat power of the castle residents was not ordinary. Because they were all proficient in bows or mechanical devices, they were practically active-duty troops as defense fOrces.

"What do you plan to do, Your Excellency?"

The knights and nobles asked before leaving.

"Perhaps because I also had a foot in the peninsula, the allied fOrces' strength is beyond imagination. Using this castle as a base, I will prepare the supply unit to the battlefield first and then depart. It won't take long."

"Understood. We will see you on the battlefield. We wish you good fortune in war."

"Good fortune in war to you as well."

When a grand army of this scale gathers, no matter how well the supply lines are planned, it's like pouring water into a bottomless pit.

In the midst of that, a supply unit bearing the banner of House Mayer arrives from the place where the massive lightning struck? The allied fOrces' morale will pierce the sky. Even without swinging a sword in battle, it could exert immense pressure on the enemies.

"They're finally going."

Seeing the army leaving while raising dust, Rex made a relieved expression. Eugene felt the same way.

"It was hard pushing them away without hurting their feelings when they clung to me trying to follow somehow."

"Is there a reason to dislike it that much? While mercenary bastards are one thing, knights would be quite useful combat power."

"They'd fight well, sure. But the moment the battle starts, they become unconTrollable, right? Those guys must have been living large like kings in their respective manors."

A knight is a creature that ignores even the control of the liege they pledged fealty to if push comes to shove. Charging arbitrarily when told to stand by, or heading elsewhere blinded by looting when told to chase fleeing enemies.

"Don't be fooled even if they seem compliant usually. The moment the battle starts, they'll become unbridled foals."

"During the Britannia civil war, the nobles obeyed you well, Sir Knight?"

"The ones who fought alongside me there were my vassals, and there was also Lady Valda's halo. If they lost, they were all in danger of having their backs flayed by a madman togAAether, so of course they had to listen."

"Ahahaha!"

Eugene gestured to Hermann, who was listening intently beside them.

"Did you call?"

"Your first mission is escorting the supply unit."

The gates of the stables and warehouses opened, and food and supplies were pouring out from there.

A large number of spare horses are not only useful in combat situations. As long as there are wagons, they can transform into a transport convoy at any time.

"...Understood."

"Why? Surprised it's not a combat mission?"

"To be honest, yes. Usually, surrendered soldiers are put at the front lines."

"You guys are on probation. First, do the basics and learn our ways."

The stable keepers had already finished hitching dozens of two-horse wagons. Servants, slaves, and the Dwarf engineer corps were loading the wagons full of food.

"It's certainly a tremendous supply base."

Hind, who had returned from scouting, dismounted. He had circled the surroundings with light cavalry skilled in map-making and added this area to the maps they already had.

"If we provide supplies, how much closer is it than the existing supply route?"

"It's about 4 times closer than the city currently supplying the allied fOrces. The supply route the allied fOrces use has tangled paths because it has to pass through pastures and water sources to feed the horses."

Hind alternately pointed to the Moving Castle on the left and the Rein River flowing on the right.

"On the other hand, we can mobilize over 1,000 warhorses for transport on a straight path without worrying about horse fodder and drinking water."

A battle between a grand army and a grand army is about logistics rather than strategy. Eugene wanted to minimize variables and solidify certain gains rather than an all-out war with countless variables.

* * *

The Imperial faction fOrces, guarding the beachhead while surrounded by a grand army across the Rein River, felt like going crazy.

Gorde, Samur, Western and Southern Roman, and even the peninsula. Looking at the enemy camp fluttering hundreds of banners, it felt like all the armies in the world had come to kill them.

"Hey! Are you watching?!"

"You're all dead now!"

Right in front of them, oxcarts took turns filling the mudflat in real time.

Rumble.

Every time that happened, the grand army advanced little by little, making a loud noise. Because they were next to a river, water was abundant, yet everyone's lips were parched.

"It's a black banner!"

At that moment, when a mercenary from the defending fOrces shouted, color returned to everyone's faces.

"The Shadow Legion has come!"

"Long live the Emperor!"

The reinfOrcements they had waited so eagerly for from across the river had arrived.

"This is fucking crazy! Let's attack right now!"

"But we haven't finished filling it all yet..."

"Is this the time to care about mud?"

Everyone could already see the Emperor's main fOrce lining up at the estuary on the opposite side.

"Commence attack!"

"We must absolutely not allow the enemies to cross the river!"

Even without Duke Leray's order, the Western nobles did not wait any longer and dashed out. No matter how they looked at it, now was not the time to leisurely lay straw bundles and planks.

"Shoot!"

"Don't spare the arrows! We just have to hold out for today!"

Hundreds of crossbowmen pulled the triggers atop the earthworks.

"Aaargh!"

Soldiers hit by bolts between shields fell everywhere. However, there were even more who slipped and tumbled in the mudflat.

"What the hell is this path?"

"Which bastard just stepped on my head..."

Due to the sheer numbers, those who fell had their buttocks, shoulders, and heads trampled by their allies. Because they were wearing helmets and the soft ground created a cushioning effect, there were no injuries. However, it was extremely unpleasant as mud clumped between their faces and armor.

"Here they come again! Raise your shields!"

"They're shooting already?"

Among those running with their shields lowered while calculating the crossbow reload time, several were hit by unexpected arrows and fell.

This was because archers lined up in 3 columns on the flat ground behind the earthworks where the crossbowmen stood fired arrows in high arcs.

It's a highly difficult tactic since they are shooting at enemies out of sight. The officer atop the earthworks had to perfectly gauge the distance, and the archers, hearing it verbally, had to shoot according to that value.

A few seconds after the rain of arrows ended, a barrage of bolts poured down again.

Thwack!

An allied mercenary even slammed his face into the ground because someone suddenly grabbed his ankle.

"Wh-What?"

"Save... me..."

A man with an arrow stuck deep in his trapezius muscle was pleading, bleeding from his mouth.

"What do you want me to do?!"

"Sa, save..."

"Let go!"

Regardless of whAAether he was an ally or not, the mercenary kicked him in the face and pulled his hand away.

"Move! Move!"

"Whoa."

In the meantime, he collided with newly running allies and had to roll in the mud again.

"Keep pushing forward. Order the 2nd and 3rd lines to advance. Summarily execute anyone who tries to flee arbitrarily."

Although quite miserable scenes were happening from the first charge, the allied nobles didn't bat an eye. Because the number of attacking fOrces was so overwhelming.

Amidst hundreds of the vanguard falling from being hit by arrows or slipping, they finally reached the front of the earthworks.

"Good! 5 silver coins are right before our eyes!"

The mercenaries, already covered in sweat, grinned while raising their shields.

Dangerous missions come with corresponding incentives. The 1st line attacking first could receive 5 silver coins as payment upon climbing the earthworks.

The problem was that the beachhead commander also knew all these things. Because he too frequently used this method usually.

"What's this smell?"

"Wait... Oil! It's oil!"

Just piling up earthworks and creating an artificial mudflat was a deadly struggle. Digging a moat here was impossible. However, setting up safety measures to prevent easy climbing of the earthworks wasn't difficult.

"The enemies have arrived! Throw the tOrches!"

TOrches falling from above were captured in slow motion in the eyes of the attacking mercenaries. Even the blooming of blue flowers the moment they touched the dark, dull oil stains.

Fwoosh!

Like doing the wave in the ditch in front of the earthworks, a wave of flames spread in all directions.

"Uwaaak!"

"Fall back!"

Some mercenaries struggled engulfed in flames, and the rest were terrified and tried to flee backward.

"Why did you even come if you were going to run away immediately?"

"Kill the cowards."

The beachhead commander and the allied nobles gave the same order in different words.

Thwack!

Thwack!

Those trying to flee fell after being hit by arrows in the back and both sides of their chests.

"Hiiik!"

The mercenaries had to make a U-turn and charge at the earthworks again, crying mustard.

"Charge! Charge!"

Since the troops of the 2nd and 3rd lines were rushing in anyway, there was no gap to run away.

* * *

Emperor Gaius's main fOrce consisted of his family's direct private soldiers, lords given titles and made lords by the Imperial family, and the Shadow Legion.

-Even if you search the whole world, there won't be an army as powerful and united by loyalty as this one.

-Since the allied faction bastards happen to be gathered in one place, let's crush them as they are and end the war.

They had come down overflowing with confidence, but upon seeing the scale of the troops deployed across the river, everyone became quiet.

-Such crazy bastards.

-Can they even feed all that?

-This is why the civil war shouldn't drag on! All sorts of neighboring countries crawl in like packs of jackals, don't they?

-Let's suggest it to His Majesty. No matter how elite our army is, crossing the river to fight enemies of that scale is too much. Even if we somehow win, the damage on our side will be immense.

-Well said. Then you'll be the one suggesting it to His Majesty as the proposer, right?

-No, why would you say such a thing?!

Dragging out the Shadow Legion and mobilizing them for a civil war is an unprecedented event. The Emperor was already bearing a massive political burden, so he had to produce results somehow.

-Fortunately, there are no banners of the Apostolic State.

As it was a civil war among nobles, there were no signs of the monastic orders getting involved yet. However, if the civil war dragged on longer, the monastic orders, starting with the Apostolic State, would also decide to participate.

Because they could secure both the justification of reducing the common people's suffering and the practical benefit of expanding their respective religious influence. Then it would become even more hopeless.

Moreover, an additional reason why they had no choice but to fight arose. Everyone witnessed the phenomenon of the Moving Castle descending beyond the Rein River.

Unlike the nobles of the allied faction, the nobles with the Emperor couldn't watch that mysterious phenomenon to the end.

Grind.

The sound of the Emperor grinding his teeth was so loud that nearby nobles looked back.

"How dare they... How dare they..."

Half of the nobles looked back at the voice growling like bubbling lava.

"My destiny's... ⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛"

The other half looked back at the sound of the Emperor muttering while covering his face. It was a low voice, but it seemed to ignore the surrounding noise and grip people's hearts.

However, no one could understand its contents. Because even the interpreter, who was fluent in various dialects as well as Elvish and Eastern Empire languages, became mute like eating honey.

The Emperor, who had kept summoners by his side even before his ascension, often muttered strange languages at some point.

-These wicked ones! Even if we die, we will drag you bastards to the afterlife with us!

There was once an incident where royalist nobles, believing the summoners were corrupting the Emperor, caused a bloodbath in the palace.

-Your Majesty! Please show mercy!

-They are loyal subjects who have served the King... Imperial family for generations in the capital!

It was an incident that ended in imprisonment as the surrounding subjects desperately stopped them.

"Excuse me. Didn't you have something to say to His Majesty?"

A noble whispered to the noble who had suggested falling back.

"Th-This man, are you trying to get me killed?"

"Shh. Shh."

In this situation, suggesting to the Emperor, 'The scale of the allied fOrces is beyond imagination, so we must not fight!' was the act of a madman.

The one who broke the ice-like atmosphere was the engineer commander of the Shadow Legion's auxiliary troops.

"Your Majesty. Preparations for crossing the river are complete."

"Execute it immediately."

"We obey your command."

This was the place where the southern nobles had suffered a crushing defeat while attempting an unreasonable river crossing in the past. The reason both armies gathered at the same place again was because the places where a large army could cross the river were fixed.

The river width is narrow and the water is deep, so the current is not strong, and it does not freeze even in winter. Moreover, it was a strategic point that had been constantly under the control of the Imperial faction fOrces since its occupation. A large number of flat-bottomed boats for transporting troops and food were equipped.

Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump!

Soldiers boarded the boats to the beat of drums played by dozens of the Imperial military band.

Since they were built purely for crossing the river, the bottoms were flat and the height was very low. With 6 such flat-bottomed boats connected by chains, it looked like a small island floating.

The interesting part is that they don't even use oars, let alone sails, to move the boats.

"Pull!"

"Heave! Heave! Heave!"

At the non-commissioned officer's shout, shirtless men pulled the iron chains with gloved hands. The chains passing through the rings installed on the pillars of the flat-bottomed boats connected to the starting point and the arrival point of the crossing.

At both points, waterwheels requisitioned from nearby villages were turning. With the pestles removed and the waterwheel wheels fixed to the bare ground, hooking the iron chains onto them completed a belt drive system.

"Look at that speed."

"At this rate, we'll be able to land troops much faster than expected."

Structurally, the personnel on land on both sides can also pull the chains. With the strength of hundreds of people added, the flat-bottomed boats moved at a tremendous speed.

"Excellent!"

The Emperor praised the chief of staff who suggested this idea.

"I thank you for your dedication. Speak if there is any reward you desire."

"Damn it! Damn it all to hell!"

Far from being awed, the young chief of staff spat out curses. He looked down at his bandaged hands as if resentful.

Since he was terminally ill with leprosy, he wasn't attached to titles or gold. Because the success of the tactic he had planned for a long time was the greatest reward in itself.

Rather than that, the desire to mingle among those laborers and pull the ropes togAAether was overwhelming. However, it was impossible with hands that had started to twist and rot.

"I will pray to God for you."

While everyone was horrified by the chief of staff's disrespect, the Emperor generously stroked his shoulder.

* * *

"It has begun."

Meanwhile, Eugene had arrived early with only a small number of guards. He waited for the transport convoy on a hill overlooking the battlefield, grasping the situation of both sides.

"It seems there are many competent officers in the Imperial army."

"They're guys who eat and do nothing but fight. They frequently go on external expeditions, so they must be used to all sorts of situations."

At Hind's admiring words, Eugene also nodded.

"I heard they keep records of all combat experiences from the past and pass them down through training... Honestly, I wanted to experience it too."

"Come to think of it, didn't you say one of your original plans was joining the Shadow Legion?"

Hind laughed awkwardly.

"It was just one of several options."

"We almost met as enemies. It could have been disastrous."

"I would have been the one facing a disaster."

Hind's voice contained unconcealable joy.

Before long, the sound of trumpets rang out, and the shouts of the beachhead defending fOrces erupted. The first unit of the Imperial army had successfully crossed the river.

"Roman Invicta!"

The military boots of a centurion wearing a helmet with a colorful feather crest stepped onto the ground.

"Long live Roman!"

"Uwaaaaaah!"

Behind him, young legionaries holding large rectangular scuta poured down fiercely, holding their pila.