Claude nodded upon hearing Ghislain's command.
"Understood. How should we split up?"
If the Northern Army moved as one, they could block any direction. This was because Ghislain and Erenes were there. However, in the meantime, other areas would be completely overrun. Eventually, they had no choice but to divide their forces.
Pointing at the map, Ghislain spoke.
"I will take 20,000 from the Mobile Army and head to the direction where the Commander-in-Chief was holding them back. Claude, you will lead the remainder. If necessary, feel free to further divide the troops."
He decided to leave Erenes and his aides to Claude. Even without him, they had enough power to handle the Delphine Army.
Although the Delphine Army, which broke through the first line of defense, might split their forces again to increase mobility, Claude would handle that part.
"Claude, you must secure the route to the capital before the enemy. Can you do it? We can't just sit around and wait for the allied forces. The Duchy's army is moving faster than they are."
"Understood. I'll divide the troops into an advance party and the main force to move forward."
"Good. Everyone, follow Claude's orders well. For now, the objective of this operation is to establish a defensive line near the capital using only the Northern Army. The allied forces will rejoin us soon."
Claude looked at one section of the map and asked, "What about the Duchy's army, which is bypassing through the east? It's impossible for the Northern Army to block that as well."
It was possible if they tried, but if they covered the east, they would inevitably have to reduce the size of each unit and the number of commanders leading them. In that case, even the Northern Army would be at risk.
Ghislain looked at Claude and asked, "How's the situation over there?"
"The Eastern Army's commander is dead, and the Royal Army has been crushed. However, the lords and some allied forces still remain, and they've reestablished a defensive line."
"Then leave it be. Someone else will step in to help."
"Someone else? Oh, no way—"
"Yes, Amelia won't let this opportunity pass her by. She's probably itching to take over the east."
"While Countess Rayfold proved capable in the last war... the difference in troop numbers is too great. The Delphine Army isn't like the barbarians."
Their soldiers were of higher quality, and they had excellent commanders. Moreover, at least one superhuman from the Salvation Church would likely be with them.
Rayfold's forces were outmatched in every aspect. Even if Amelia joined forces with the remaining Eastern Army, it wouldn't make much of a difference. It wouldn't be easy for her to hold out, no matter how talented she was.
Despite Claude's concerns, Ghislain only chuckled.
"Hold out? That woman isn't interested in holding her ground. She probably won't even join the lords' armies."
"Excuse me? Then what is she planning to do?"
"While others are holding the line, she'll harass the Delphine Army from behind."
"…Harass them?"
"Yes. The strategy she used against the barbarians before wasn't her true specialty. That was just something she had to do because of the situation. What she hates most is direct confrontations. She utterly despises them."
"…Despises?"
"Exactly. She's so self-centered and selfish that she hates any kind of loss. That's why she loves striking from behind and hitting people when they're off guard. She enjoys tormenting others without suffering any losses herself."
It sounded both like an insult and a self-description. Seeing Claude's expression, Ghislain narrowed his eyes.
"What are you thinking?"
"…Nothing at all."
"…Anyway, if Amelia harasses them from the rear, the remaining forces should be able to hold out to some extent."
It was similar to a situation from his previous life. Back then, the Mercenary King's forces played the role of striking the Duchy. Amelia had relentlessly harassed the Mercenary King's forces.
At that time, even Ghislain had been deeply frustrated at not being able to capture Amelia. Now, the targets were simply the Salvation Church and the Duchy instead.
And during that time, she would seize every opportunity to plant her flags everywhere. She wasn't called the Witch of Flags for nothing.
"Alright then, let's leave that side alone and make our move. Let's deal with the two corps advancing toward the capital first."
To Ghislain, it didn't really matter if the capital was occupied or not. Whether or not the kingdom survived, his plan was to wipe out both the Duchy and the Salvation Church's forces.
The only reason he was moving was because he wanted to meet the king at least once and because he couldn't allow his enemies to achieve their goals without interference.
If he was going to kill them anyway, it made sense to borrow the Royalist's forces to kill as many as possible to minimize his side's losses.
"We're moving out immediately. Everyone, start running again."
At Ghislain's command, the Northern Army split into two groups. Ghislain and the Mobile Army headed west, while the rest of the Northern Army headed east.
***
The Royal Army's Commander-in-Chief, Marquis Maurice Macquarie, was often treated as a frivolous man by the nobility due to his childish behavior and reliance on superstition.
However, because of his violent temper, impatience, and the authority that came with his title, no one dared to openly disregard him.
After all, he did have some level of competence as the Commander-in-Chief.
"Alright! Today's fortune also predicts our victory! It says a noble ally will appear to help us, so let's all fight with everything we've got!"
"Yaaahhh!"
Surprisingly, his superstitious antics were highly effective in boosting the soldiers' morale.
The fact that the Commander-in-Chief had personally come down to the southern front to lead the troops also played a big role in raising morale.
Unlike other nobles, he wasn't someone who neglected his duties. In fact, he often led by example in times of crisis.
Thanks to this, the Royal Army he commanded fought exceptionally well. With part of the allied forces also arriving, their numbers were nothing to scoff at.
"Hold the line! If we endure today, we win!"
Maurice, unlike a typical Commander-in-Chief, stood atop the fortress walls shouting orders, directly leading the troops.
Motivated by his passion, the Royal Army and the allied forces managed to repel the Delphine Army's offensive three times.
This was despite the presence of a high-ranking priest from the Salvation Church, a so-called superhuman, among the enemy.
While Ghislain only received reports of defeats, in reality, these troops fought exceptionally well.
Count Fogren, who commanded the Delphine Army's 3rd Corps, twisted his long beard in contemplation.
"Hmm. I didn't expect Marquis Macquarie, a man who relies on superstitions, to be so capable. Even without siege weapons, they're holding out so well."
Like the 2nd Corps, the 3rd Corps had opted not to bring siege weapons for the sake of speed.
They thought the mages and the superhuman priest would suffice.
But the reality was different. The Royal Army was surprisingly effective at defending against magic attacks.
A mage who had accompanied the Delphine Army spoke up.
"It seems the main forces of the Scarlet Flame Magic Tower and its lord, Hubert, are present. They are countering our 6th-circle magic."
"I see."
Although their magic hadn't been completely neutralized, the fortress walls were still heavily damaged. Nonetheless, the defenses were holding firm. This meant the opposing forces included 6th-circle mage and several 5th-circle mages.
Count Fogren turned to the high-ranking priest of the Salvation Church, Bicontis, and said, "The enemy's resistance is stronger than expected. We could take the fortress if we continue fighting, but it will take too much time."
"…I apologize for my inadequacy."
Although Bicontis made an unpleasant face, he apologized obediently.
They had attempted several assaults on the fortress, but the Royal Army and the allied forces blocked him each time. In such a situation, it was hard to sweep them aside.
Count Fogren waved his hand with a bitter smile and continued, "The issue lies in our urgency to advance quickly. I have no other suggestions, so I must ask the priest to exert more effort."
"…Understood."
Ultimately, this meant the superhuman himself had to lead the charge.
Bicontis launched himself into battle, fighting to the point of being nearly torn to shreds. He had already broken through the gates and retreated five times.
After all, once this fortress fell, the only remaining forces were weak local militias. Count Fogren knew this and continued pressing the attack with a readiness to sacrifice his entire army.
"Charge! We've taken the fortress!"
The Delphine Army, despite losing half its forces, finally seized the gates.
Maurice, Hubert, and the remaining commanders and troops had no choice but to retreat.
"Capture Marquis Macquarie and the remnants immediately!"
On Count Fogren's orders, a pursuit force was organized. If news of the Commander-in-Chief's death spread, it would devastate the morale of the Royalist faction.
Thus, the Delphine Army couldn't afford to let this opportunity slip.
At the head of the pursuit force was a furious Bicontis.
"I'll tear him to shreds."
Having endured relentless hardship, he needed a target to vent his anger. Naturally, that target became Maurice, the man responsible for his suffering.
Thud, thud, thud!
Maurice wore a somber expression as he fled from the pursuing army. Next to him was Hubert, the lord of the Scarlet Flame Magic Tower.
They had barely 500 soldiers left, many of whom were stragglers from the allied forces.
"I never imagined such a crushing defeat."
Maurice bit his lip.
Although the Delphine Army had also suffered significant losses, their remaining forces were still formidable. Even if all the local militias gathered, they wouldn't be enough to stop them.
This fortress's fall was disastrous, but the situation elsewhere was just as dire. In addition to this front, the Delphine Army had two other advance routes.
While the Northern Army might hold, it was doubtful that the other front could resist. After fighting them, Maurice understood just how strong the Delphine Army was.
"Keep moving! We have to escape their pursuit somehow!"
Despite his despair, Maurice pushed his horse onward. His goal was to regroup the militias and form another defensive line.
Neigh!
"Lord Marquis, the horses can't run anymore! They need rest!"
They had ridden all day without pause. Many horses were foaming at the mouth, and some had already collapsed.
"Ugh… We don't have time for this."
The Delphine Army included a superhuman. They could catch up at any moment.
However, both the soldiers and the horses were exhausted, so resting was inevitable.
"Fine. Just a short rest. Very short."
Without even enough water, they simply dismounted and slumped to the ground.
The disheveled Hubert turned to Maurice and said, "Lord Marquis, it will be alright. That priest from the Salvation Church was also quite injured, wasn't he?"
With countless knights and soldiers charging at him as if to kill, even a superhuman would inevitably grow tired and sustain wounds all over.
Without a superhuman, the pursuers would also find it difficult to maintain their speed. Their horses, too, would tire just the same.
Maurice weakly nodded. His appearance was beyond disheveled.
"Let's hope so. But I left the old woman behind."
"… You mean that fortune-teller?"
"Yes. I don't know if she's safe. But she's skilled, so she'll probably avoid danger."
"Ahem."
Hubert coughed and turned his head away. As a mage, he found fortune-tellers unbearably detestable.
How could anyone justify bringing a fortune-teller to a battlefield to read fortunes? Though, admittedly, it had strangely boosted morale.
Noticing Hubert's discomfort, Maurice gave a self-deprecating smile and said, "I know, you know. I know what everyone thinks of me. They see me as a pathetic fool obsessed with superstition."
"Ahem, no, not at all. Well, your fondness for fortune-telling is rather well-known, but…"
"It's not a hobby."
"…Pardon?"
"It's not a hobby. I genuinely wanted to believe."
Hubert scratched his shining head and said, "W-well, isn't it time to stop believing? This battle was supposed to bring a noble benefactor, yet no such person appeared, and…"
"No, no. That's not why I believe."
Maurice placed his trembling hands on Hubert's shoulders. There was something he had always wanted to confess before he died.
With quivering eyes, he began to speak.
"Even if everyone calls her a fraud, even if everyone tells me not to believe, even if everyone points fingers at me, I… I can't."
"Lord Marquis…"
"Because she was the only one who told me she could find my lost child. That's why… even if no one else believes her, I must. I alone must believe in that old woman."
Maurice bit his trembling lips several times.
"Because that's the only way I can find my lost child. That's why I believe in that fortune-teller. And that's…"
Before he could finish his sentence, a knight on watch came rushing in, shouting.
"The pursuers are here! There's a superhuman at the front!"
A cloud of dust rose in the distance. And at the forefront, a superhuman was likely advancing faster than the horses.
Clang!
Maurice drew his sword and turned around. With a bitter smile, he said, "That's what it means to be a parent."
"…"
Hubert couldn't say a word. Until now, he had thought Maurice was simply a fool who believed in superstition.
But Maurice wasn't a fool. He was just desperately clinging to hope.
Maurice looked up at the sky briefly before speaking again.
"And the soldiers who follow me, they're all like my children too."
Taking a deep breath, Maurice shouted loudly, "Run, all of you! Their target is me!"
"My lord!"
The escort knights cried out in alarm. But Maurice stood tall and shouted again.
"Go! This is no place for you to die! You must live to secure victory!"
"My lord! This is unacceptable!"
"It's an order! Flee and join the lords' armies! Protect this kingdom!"
Whoosh!
Blue mana surged from Maurice's sword. Though the light flickered faintly due to his exhaustion, he was still a high-level knight who had mastered advanced mana cultivation techniques from a prestigious family.
He could at least hold the enemy off for a while.
The knights and soldiers hesitated, unable to bring themselves to flee.
The black speck in the distance soon appeared directly in front of Maurice.
Boom!
A cloud of dust rose as Bicontis appeared. His black robe was tattered, and bloodstains covered him.
"Maurice Macquarie!"
Bicontis wore a cruel smile. He had suffered great losses over the past few days because of this fool, and it had cost him dearly.
But upon fighting him, Bicontis realized that Maurice was no ordinary commander. Considering his skills and position, this was someone who had to be killed here and now.
"You've said your last words, right?"
"…"
Maurice's lips twitched as he steadied his stance. If he was going to die, he wanted to at least land a single decisive blow.
Just as the two were about to clash, someone came running from Maurice's right.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Each step sounded as if the ground itself was being torn apart. Everyone instinctively turned toward the source of the sound.
Bicontis tilted his head, puzzled as he looked at the approaching figure.
"A woman? A priestess?"
A woman was charging toward them. She was clad in a pure white clergy's robe and wielded a blunt mace in one hand.
But as she drew closer, something seemed off.
"What… is that…?"
From a distance, it wasn't clear, but as she approached, the woman's build and the sheer size of her mace seemed anything but ordinary.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
With each blink, she closed the distance in leaps and bounds. Bicontis sensed that her skill was far from ordinary.
As he drew upon his power, he shouted, "Stop! Identify yourself!"
Boom!
Suddenly, the woman shot forward at incredible speed. As she came closer, Bicontis's expression twisted in shock.
Her build was massive, dwarfing most men. The mace she wielded was larger than a human body.
Crack!
The woman's forearm bulged, veins popping out as she swung her enormous mace at Bicontis.
"You wench!"
Bicontis raised his arms to block, intending to counterattack after deflecting the blow…
Boom! Crack!
"Urgh!"
In a single strike, Bicontis's arm shattered, and he spat blood as he was sent flying far away.
"Hah…"
The woman exhaled deeply, her fierce expression calming as she spoke.
"My name is Parniel, a faithful servant of the Goddess of War."
This was the moment when Parniel, later known as the Saintess of War and one of the continent's Seven Strongest, arrived in the Kingdom of Lutania.
Having introduced herself after delivering a devastating blow, Parniel exuded an awe-inspiring presence that left everyone speechless.
Maurice, his mouth agape, slowly turned to look at Hubert.
As their eyes met, Maurice gave an awkward smile and said, "See, didn't I tell you she was skilled?"
Hubert nodded.
A noble benefactor had truly appeared.
That fortune-teller was no ordinary fraud.
[T/L: Please support me and read extra chapters: https://ko-fi.com/revengerscans ]