Chapter 205: Acquiescing to the Imperial Army’s Retreat (5)
In the pitch-black darkness, even though I’ve rested enough, my body instinctively craves sleep. If I still had enough stamina left for a siege, I’d already be on Levidian’s level.
For now, clearing out the front yard of Pelasion shouldn’t be a problem. However, whether we can break through if the enemy’s leadership decides to change their war strategy from a defensive battle to a siege is another matter.
Above all, I need to say his name. Saying his name will determine the outcome; victory for the Kingdom Army if it’s correct, and defeat if it’s not.
I haven’t told anyone about the wager. The only person who could help me is Aila, but she probably won’t say anything.
I subtly raised my head to look at Aila, and our eyes met as she happened to be looking down. Her eyes widened, and she flinched.
“Hey! Don’t turn your head! How dare you look!”
“You’re wearing pants.”
“Ah, that’s right. I am wearing pants. But why?”
“Well, I was wondering if you’d tell me Artshever’s real name if I asked. I’m curious.”
“Hmm, I’ll tell you when we get to the Imperial Capital.”
She grinned and winked, and I shrugged, gesturing for her to do as she pleased. It seems Aila has already decided to self-censor.
Perhaps the timing she has in mind will be the most appropriate, considering me and others as well. Based on my experience so far, I know Aila isn’t the type to control information solely for her own benefit.
However, I need his real name right now.
To meet him, call his name, and achieve victory.
Just because Aila won’t tell me doesn’t mean I’ll never know. I have an idea, so I’ll try this.
Now, before that, let’s make sure the groundwork is properly laid.
“Levidian, I’ll focus on commanding. Please take care of the perimeter and the others.”
“Understood.”
“Leave it to me.”
“Hyung-nim, I’m here too.”
Levidian, Al, and Joey’s reassuring voices filled my chest with a sense of pride. At the same time, my mind calmed and settled. To think I could be this composed in the midst of a battlefield.
I looked at Kun. He nodded as if he was ready, and I started commanding again.
The prelude to the Pelasion strategy had begun.
The plains in front of Pelasion serve the same purpose as those of any castle. They secure a clear view, allow for early detection of approaching enemies, and provide a long-range firing range during a siege.
There are downsides too. The figures on the castle walls are too easily visible, and the besiegers have ample footing.
The enemy’s weaknesses are our strengths. We took advantage of these strengths greedily and ravenously.
The Kingdom Army, with the groundbreaking, or rather bizarre, idea of building bridges where there were none, crossed the river and attacked the Imperial Army. Then, using a double-bluff, the landing force that crossed the river struck the Imperial Army’s flank. Confusion erupted within the Imperial Army as they rearranged their formation to deal with the initial cavalry crossing.
However, the Imperial Army officers are all veterans.
They quickly reorganized their ranks, abandoned a few trenches to retreat and refine their formation, and simultaneously increased their defensive density.
If we were to bypass the encampment and rush towards the walls of Pelasion, we’d become the filling in a sandwich. Therefore, the Kingdom Army, naturally, had to adopt a dense formation and push through the Imperial Army, who were maintaining a turtle formation.
No matter how much I enjoy unconventional and bizarre attacks, I don’t have the audacity to approach the objective while leaving enemies behind.
From here on, it’s a straightforward approach.
The trick to dealing with an enemy with increased defensive density is like killing a turtle without breaking its shell.
Cut off its head when it pops out, poke its weak spots with a spear, or roast it whole.
With my sharp and wise insight, I realized that the opponent was no ordinary turtle and that it couldn’t be killed with just one method. (And I heard Aila’s jeering.)
The Imperial Army closed the gates of their encampment tightly and began firing arrows from beyond the trenches and palisades. Following the principle of repaying grudges double, the Kingdom Army added firebombs to their arrows.
Then, the Imperial Army gathered and threw the least lethal yet most infuriating weapon in the history of warfare.
Their pride hurt by the countless insults hurled at them, the brave soldiers of the Kingdom Army relentlessly trampled on the insults thrown by their opponents and launched their own volley of expletives.
Unfortunately, however, the Imperial Army had a higher accuracy rate with this less lethal weapon. At least they knew who they were fighting against.
“Curse you, Arisein!”
“Demon of Atzuma, go back to hell!”
“Traitor’s son, may you be fried in sulfurous flames!”
“Dirty bastard!”
Whoever they are, they seem to have a remarkably good grasp of my identity. Calling someone a bastard in front of a legitimate child is a grave insult, enough to warrant a duel. But what can I do? I am a bastard.
In response, the Kingdom Army mainly hurled insults back at the Imperial Army, who were busy flinging their own. But what is the accuracy rate of insults aimed at unspecified targets?
If insults had the physical impact of a flick on the forehead, I should be deep underground, meeting my grandfather by now. The turtle, unable to contain its temper, finally stirred.
The sharp claws of its front legs, or the cavalry equivalent, protruded from the northeast of the Kingdom Army, which had maintained a 180° encirclement from east to north to west.
Like a snapping turtle from the southern seas launching a vigorous attack on a wolf it rarely encounters, a heavy blow came flying. It seemed they had figured out our deployment after the prolonged standoff.
However, that was where the 1024th Cheonbyeongdae was stationed. It seemed they only grasped half the situation and were unaware of our real-time command system. Ignorance is bliss.
The 1024th unit deployed their specialty, the hit-and-run tactic, followed by the charge of the 2627th Super-Fast Heavy Cavalry. Already known within the Kingdom Army for their unmatched speed and destructive power, the 2627th division smashed the enemy cavalry like a hammer crushing a watermelon.
This would have given the enemy a rough understanding of our command structure.
Anyone would guess after seeing the bizarre voices echoing across the battlefield and the troops moving organically like a living organism in response.
After the Imperial cavalry, which had been about the size of a Cheonbyeongdae, barely managed to return with half their numbers, the Imperial Army devised a way to counter this real-time command system.
In large-scale battles, maneuver warfare, which involves inflicting maximum damage and then withdrawing quickly, is usually effective, considering factors like the delivery of orders, the reporting of situations, and the commander’s decision-making speed.
This is why cavalry is heavily utilized. Even though they are vulnerable to spearmen, there isn’t enough time to deploy spearmen perfectly against a cavalry charge.
In this situation, I don’t know who the enemy’s field commander is—Artshever is definitely in Pelasion—but the audacity to execute an ‘all-out advance with all troops’ deserves respect.
The Imperial Army’s trenches were dug 30 meters apart, forming a horizontal line similar to the encirclement formed by the Kingdom Army. The Imperial Army surged forward in unison, charging towards the trenches they had abandoned.
The turtle, suddenly leaping from its position, landed with a heavy thud. It was a sight that wouldn’t have been out of place in the western continent, home to the hopping turtle.
The distance between the two armies instantly shrunk by 30%, and I pulled back the advancing infantry. Thanks to this, the infantry who were approaching to throw firebombs quickly retreated and avoided being captured by the enemy.
There’s no point in trying to penetrate the center of the tightly packed enemy formation. We’d only be surrounded.
Imagine charging recklessly against an opponent determined to defend, especially when they’re watching for an opportunity to attack like a tiger eyeing a deer. It would be instant death.
“It seems the enemy is aiming for the morning sun.”
“Right? They’re probably planning to secure the path to the walls with reinforcements from Pelasion once day breaks. The fact that they’re not attacking even after jumping forward means they’re waiting for Pelasion’s defenses to be fully prepared.”
I said to Sispa, and Joey tilted his head beside me.
“Defenses? What kind of defenses are you talking about?”
“Support system. Currently, they’re supporting the troops outside the castle while preparing for a siege with the remaining forces. If we’re stuck here until morning, their defensive line will solidify. Eventually, Pelasion will transition into a system that supports the Imperial Army stationed outside the castle. From our perspective, it’s better to force them into a siege defense. The battle dynamics are quite different depending on whether they can open the gates or not.”
“How are they different?”
“In the former case, we have to worry about our supply lines first. We don’t know when the enemy will come out and cut them off. But in the latter case, we can maintain our supply lines comfortably. However, it’s a bit more troublesome.”
I pictured the frontline in my mind and planned my next move. Now is the time to cautiously move the pawns instead of relying on the bishop’s unconventional advance or the rook’s straightforward march.
While I was pondering, a voice suddenly came from behind.
“If that’s the case, it seems they’ve already begun the system transition.”
“Ah, Levidian, you’re here.”
“Yes. I’ve roughly surveyed the rear of the Imperial Army. And I’ve been thinking. They’re moving supplies back, what does that mean?”
“Siege preparations?”
Al’s words could be the answer if you remove the question mark. I crossed my arms and sighed.
“Indeed. They’ve made the most troublesome decision.”
“Since we’re one mind, I want to share your troubles. What do you mean?”
“It means they’ve decided to preserve their forces and move to a better stronghold. Currently, that’s Pelasion. And if those troops, about 150,000 by the looks of it, retreat into Pelasion with their supplies intact, it’ll be like facing almost 400,000. Once they rely on the walls, they can have soldiers with endless stamina stand guard 24/7, and if they have time to spare, they can even develop new insults to throw at us.”
“What was Risel’s original plan?”
“To force the enemy to retreat to Pelasion. By doing so, we’d snatch their supplies stationed here and demoralize them, taking control of the situation.”
That’s the best scenario I envisioned.
Based on previous reconnaissance, their supply depot is located inside the walls. This is to minimize losses in case of a full retreat. It’s a natural decision based on the law of war: the enemy’s loss is our gain.
The reason they’re retreating so slowly and stalling for time is to take as much as they can that might benefit the Kingdom Army.
Literally, they’re not willing to give up a single blade of grass, a single weapon, or a single grain of wheat. A thorough and frugal approach.
It also makes sense why they pushed the frontline forward. It makes it easier to move supplies. And then there’s the dense formation. Perfect for protecting something.
“In the end, it’s no different than them declaring they’ll take the initiative. Hmm. Risel, what are you planning to do?”
“In about two hours, their retreat preparations will be complete. Then they’ll launch a full-scale attack, push our frontline back a bit more, and retreat without looking back.”
“No. I’m not asking about their plan, I’m asking about yours.”
Aila was looking down at me, leaning diagonally in mid-air. What a skill. I scratched my head. What could I possibly do in this situation?
“There’s no other choice. We have to charge.”
“Charge?”
“Yes, Levidian. They’re trying to seize the initiative, so we have to run and snatch it back. I have a feeling either Silvan Harcian or Baius Extoria is in there. Let’s go say hello. And deliver a message to Artshever while we’re at it.”
Al’s eyes sparked at the mention of Baius. Come to think of it, Al has a humiliating defeat against Baius. He must be itching for revenge.
Levidian also has unpleasant memories with Silvan Harcian. If I hadn’t gone to Grenoian and retrieved the Shadow Stone, she wouldn’t even be here.
Aila and Joey don’t have any particular grudges against the others, but since they have a common enemy, they showed a certain level of enthusiasm.
If only we had about 10,000 people like them, we could have just swept away the Imperial Army.
I finished my rough calculations in my head. It’s an unsettling and somewhat risky operation since we haven’t practiced it, but it’s worth a try.
“Kun, relay this to the entire army. We’re changing formations now.”
“Yes, Risel.”
I relayed the instructions to Kun. And the Guard language, spoken by the warrior of Grenoian, filled the air. Immediately after, the Herduke Kingdom Army transformed into an incredibly noisy group.
The order I issued through Kun was to abandon the encirclement and concentrate on a specific area.
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