Chapter 476: My World is Complete (1)
“The Northern Army has blocked the advance of the Delfine Forces' Fourth Legion!”
At the herald’s welcome news, Marquis Maurice McQuarrie’s face lit up with joy.
“Really? What? Did they fight and win?”
“No. They separately raided the supply unit and succeeded in cutting off their supply line!”
“Oooh! Besides my nephew, was there anyone else in the Northern Army capable of pulling that off?”
Ghislain nodded beside him.
It was the same method Amelia had used to hold back the Delfine Forces in the east. Since the Northern Army’s march was slow, Claude must have split off a unit to buy time.
The Delfine Forces, who had not expected the Northern Army to make a move so soon, were bound to be caught off guard.
“That’s fortunate. It looks like we can arrive before the two sides clash.”
Unlike the Royalist faction’s defensive line, which continuously received supplies from the capital and the north, the Delfine Forces' supply line was growing longer and longer. And now that their supply line had been cut, they would be in quite a predicament.
This gap would also allow the vanguard of the Northern Army to join the defensive line.
Of course, just because the situation was turning in their favor, they could not afford to be careless. The enemy could always come up with a plan to catch them off guard.
Ghislain spoke to Maurice.
“I will lead the Fenris Forces with Parniel and move ahead.”
“What? Then what about me?”
“Follow at a slower pace. If the situation changes, we might have to send troops elsewhere.”
They might need to alter their course to defend the capital or reinforce the southern front.
“Ugh… This is stressful. I don’t know if I can handle it properly…”
Maurice glanced behind him. Though the prisoners had converted, their numbers were overwhelming, making it hard not to feel uneasy.
But catching up quickly to Ghislain was not an option either.
The army was a mix of Royal Army, allied forces, and prisoners. A hodgepodge force like this couldn’t possibly move at speed.
Seeing Maurice repeatedly looking back in hesitation, Ghislain narrowed his eyes and spoke.
“What? The Supreme Commander of the Royal Army can’t handle this much? You lost once and suddenly became this timid?”
“No way! I’m just being cautious!”
Whenever Ghislain scolded someone, they inevitably became childish. Maurice, abandoning any pretense of authority, flared up in protest, causing those around him to shake their heads.
After much bickering, Maurice and Ghislain finally reached a compromise: Parniel would leave behind the priestly order to keep an eye on the prisoners.
Since the priestly order followed the Saintess, it was expected that the prisoners would behave more cautiously under their watch.
Just as the decision seemed settled, Hubert, who had been quiet until now, suddenly interjected.
“Don’t you need a mage? Should I come along?”
Hubert had no desire to stay here. A team-up between Ghislain and Parniel? That was something he couldn’t miss. There was no safer place in the world than at their side.
But Ghislain flatly refused.
“No, that’s fine. We need a mage of your caliber to stay here.”
“Eh, but I wanted to go…”
Hubert, grumbling, casually asked,
“How’s Alfoi doing?”
He had initially planned to remove Alfoi from the successor position. However, after witnessing his remarkable performance at the Magic Tower Exchange, he had put that decision on hold.
Ghislain nodded.
“He’s doing very well.”
Honestly, Ghislain wasn’t sure if Alfoi was actually doing well, but he had definitely adapted. Hadn’t he advanced his circle level?
Hubert made a slightly disappointed expression.
“Well… As long as he’s doing well, that’s fine.”
After abandoning Alfoi multiple times, their master-disciple relationship had become quite awkward. It seemed like some effort was needed to mend it.
Seeing both Maurice and Hubert looking dispirited, Ghislain shook his head.
They were normally composed, but the moment he showed up, they relied on him without hesitation. For people who were more than old enough, it was honestly annoying.
It was the side effect of his own success.
“Sigh. I’m heading out first. Come on, let’s go! We need to assist our allies!”
Clicking his tongue, Ghislain set off with the Mobile Corps. Parniel, too, mounted the largest remaining horse and followed.
As they watched them disappear into the distance, Maurice muttered,
“If the crone were here, I’d have asked her… Too bad.”
Even now, Maurice couldn’t let go of his lingering attachment to the Fortune-Teller Crone.
* * *
Meanwhile…
As the Delfine Forces’ Fourth Legion advanced toward the capital, their commander, Count Falgau, was deep in thought.
“Hmm… The situation is looking bad.”
Their supply unit, which had been following behind, had been ambushed and annihilated. The supply unit was heavily guarded, and for it to be wiped out meant that the enemy was formidable.
On top of that, more bad news kept pouring in.
“The Second Legion has been defeated, and the Northern Army is on the move! There was a hidden transcendent among them!”
“The Fifth Legion has halted its advance due to Raypold’s forces!”
Count Falgau turned to his strategists and asked,
“What about the Third Legion?”
“Their routine communication has yet to arrive.”
“Hmm… So they must be engaged in battle as well.”
In reality, the Third Legion had been annihilated in an ambush by Ghislain, but they had yet to receive word of it. That was because Ghislain had utterly obliterated them, ensuring that not even a single messenger could escape.
Having shattered the southern front and pushed forward at great speed, Count Falgau gritted his teeth at the crisis looming right before him.
“The issue is whether we should resecure the supply lines… or push forward as we are.”
They could press on. The remaining defensive forces ahead of them were minimal. If they could break through, the capital would be within reach.
But even if they laid siege to the capital, that would pose another problem.
“We cannot easily capture Cardenia without siege weapons. The longer we drag this out, the more our supplies will dwindle… and then the Northern Army will encircle us.”
If they were the ones to be surrounded instead, no number of transcendents in their ranks would ensure victory. Count Fenris was known as the strongest in the north, and it had been confirmed that there was yet another transcendent among their ranks.
After two days of deliberation, Count Falgau made his decision and addressed his strategists.
“We will not march on the capital.”
“What? Then what do you intend to do?”
“We will link up with the Fifth Legion in the east.”
“You mean…”
“The forces opposing the Fifth Legion are greater in number than those here. That’s where the coalition forces were deployed first. On top of that, the Fifth Legion’s supply lines are under threat.”
Pointing to various locations on the map, Count Falgau continued.
“Which is why we will join them, breach the defensive line, and secure the supply route once more. Even by diverting a portion of our forces, we can safeguard the supply lines.”
“What about this side, then?”
“If we move immediately, the Northern Army will pursue us. Which means we must make it seem as though we are still advancing toward the capital.”
“You mean pretend to march?”
“Exactly. We will continue pushing north, wiping out the defensive lines as we go. That way, the Northern Army will hurry to reinforce the capital’s defenses. While they do, we will veer east.”
The strategists nodded in agreement. Given how the tide of battle was turning against them, this was the best possible course of action.
Once they linked up with the Fifth Legion, their combined forces would number a staggering 100,000. That would be more than enough to both maintain the supply lines and break through the enemy’s defenses to encircle the capital.
Still, recalling how the Second Legion boasting 100,000 troops and three transcendents had been routed by the Northern Army made them uneasy.
However, if they could just reestablish the supply lines and encircle the capital, the ducal family would undoubtedly send reinforcements.
With a gleam in his eye, Count Falgau declared,
“We will abandon our current supply lines. The Northern Army only attacked them to buy time. Which means we must press northward without pause.”
He had seen through Claude’s intent. If the Northern Army had already arrived in full force, there would have been no need for them to target the supply lines.
Thus, Count Falgau chose to forgo his supply routes entirely and embarked on a forced march.
His prediction proved correct. The fortress blocking their path was manned by a mere 10,000 soldiers 5,000 who had been stationed there previously, and another 5,000 that Claude had hastily dispatched.
“It’s a small fortress. We can take it swiftly. Attack.”
Pressed for time, the Delfine Forces launched their assault without delay.
Fwoooooosh!
The mages of the Delfine Forces unleashed large-scale spells upon the fortress.
Fortunately, the Royalist forces lacked any mages of their own. That was precisely why Count Falgau had given the order for a magic bombardment without hesitation.
Just as the fortress’ defenders cowered in terror at the incoming spells, an elf stepped forward.
“O flowing currents, envelop this place in your purity.”
Kwaaaaah!
A massive surge of water erupted forth, forming the figure of a woman composed of brilliant blue waves.
It was Endairon, a high-grade water spirit.
Endairon’s body spread wide, enveloping the fortress. The Delfine Forces’ spells clashed against the shimmering blue barrier.
Kwakwakwakwa-boom!
The barrier trembled under the magical onslaught, but did not collapse.
The fortress’ defenders all gazed in awe at the elf.
She was none other than Ereneth, who had arrived alongside Gillian ahead of the others.
Her lips moved once more.
“O whispering tremors, unfold your resolute will upon this land.”
Kuuuururung!
The ground beneath the Delfine Forces suddenly caved in, while jagged rocks erupted from all around.
Noeanan, the high-grade earth spirit, had stirred into action.
“Gaaah! What is this?!”
“It’s a spirit! Stop it!”
Unprepared for the sudden counterattack, the Delfine Forces’ ranks collapsed in an instant.
Over half of the hundred or so mages stepped forward to seal Noeanan, ensuring he could no longer wield his strength.
The remaining half continued their relentless bombardment of magic upon the fortress.
Boom! Boom! Booooom!
As she continuously channeled energy into her spirit, Ereneth turned to Gillian and asked,
“Are there no catapults here?”
“Not a single one.”
“How long do we have to hold out?”
“About two days, I’d say.”
“That wretched man... Did he really not foresee this?”
“If nothing else, attacking the supply unit at least delayed their arrival somewhat.”
After the supply unit was annihilated, the Delfine Forces had wasted two whole days contemplating their next move. That was the only reason the vanguard had managed to arrive just in time.
Ereneth nodded.
“Then it’s going to be a grueling battle.”
“Just block the magical attacks. I’ll hold the line no matter what.”
Gillian spoke resolutely.
In their haste, only he and Ereneth had arrived first. But the mounted archers who had accompanied them were more than capable of holding back an enemy force several times their size.
Although the opposing side had superhumans and numerous knights, approaching this fortress wouldn’t be an easy task.
Ereneth continued pouring energy into her spirit as she spoke,
“It won’t be easy. I’m tied up dealing with the enemy mages and won’t be able to help.”
Just holding back that many mages on her own was already an incredible feat. While she could still fight while maintaining her spirit’s power, her priority was facing off against enemy superhumans. She couldn’t afford to spread her energy any thinner.
That meant Gillian would have to handle the remaining knights and soldiers on his own.
“It’s fine. I’m used to this sort of thing.”
Gillian smirked arrogantly. Protecting something had become second nature to him.
Kaor and Belinda, who had attacked the supply unit, were no doubt leading the charge with their assault force. All they had to do was endure until their arrival.
Boom! Boom! Boooooom!
The Water Veil trembled incessantly. Inside the fortress, the soldiers gripped their weapons tightly, their tension palpable.
Seeing how well they were holding up against the magical bombardment, Count Falgau raised an eyebrow in surprise.
“What is this? How are they holding out against so many mages’ attacks? Is it truly the spirit?”
The mage beside him nodded in response.
“Yes, it’s not magic, but the power of a spirit. This level of mastery suggests she’s a master of spirits at the level of a superhuman.”
“Hah... Where in the world did such individuals even come from?”
To the still-uninformed Fourth Legion, Ereneth’s presence was nothing short of a bolt from the blue.
Blocked by an unexpected resistance, Count Falgau hesitated for a moment before giving his command.
“Have the mages keep attacking without pause. Keep the enemy occupied, the rest of us, assault the fortress.”
It was regrettable that they couldn’t unleash the full might of their mages, but as long as the superhuman was tied down, that was good enough.
There seemed to be no other variables left. At this rate, once the entire army advanced, the fortress would fall in no time.
“Attack!”
“Waaaaaaaah!”
At the command, fifty thousand troops surged forward in unison.
Watching the Delfine Forces advancing like a tidal wave toward their small fortress, the remnants of the defeated army cowered in fear.
Only the forces from Fenris burned with fighting spirit.
“Prepare yourselves.”
As Gillian raised his hand, Lumina led the archers, each waiting to draw their bowstrings into a taut.
They all stood tense, watching the approaching enemy. Time seemed to slow to a crawl.
“Waaaaaaah!”
The Delfine Forces charged recklessly, eager to take the fortress in a single overwhelming push.
Finally, when they entered range, Gillian shouted at the top of his lungs,
“Nock and loose!”
Fwooooosh!
Five thousand archers released their arrows, which rained down upon the enemy lines.
However, the damage was minimal. As expected of seasoned elite soldiers, even the infantry raised small shields to block the incoming arrows as they pressed forward.
“Don’t stop! Keep shooting!”
Gillian shouted once more.
The archers of Fenris wielded folded bows designed for portability.
That wasn’t their only advantage. Fitted with pulley-like mechanical devices at both ends, the bows required minimal effort to draw, allowing for incredibly rapid volleys.
Before the enemy could even take a proper breath, another rain of arrows came crashing down.
“Uaaaagh!”
“What the hell?! How are they shooting so fast?!”
“Raise your shields properly!”
The Delfine Forces had not anticipated the second volley, and their casualties increased. The arrows struck just as they were recovering from blocking the first barrage and resuming their charge.
As a result, the pace of their advance slowed. The archers exploited this opening, continuing their relentless assault without pause.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Eventually, ladders were placed against the fortress walls. Having suffered significant losses to the hail of arrows, the soldiers of the duchy were now seething with rage.
Clenching their teeth, they began scaling the walls. Their overwhelming numerical advantage meant that as long as they could climb up, victory was inevitable.
“Hold your ground!”
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The royalists pressed tightly against the walls, tense and ready. If they failed to hold the line, the mounted archers would not be able to keep firing.
Bzzzzzzt !
The 200 knights of Fenris who had arrived with Gillian all activated the enchantments on their armor.
It was time for a proper fight.
“Get up there, now!”
Five thousand archers could not stop an army of fifty thousand. Eventually, some of the knights of the duchy managed to break through the shield wall and climb onto the fortress walls.
“Kill them all!”
One of the duchy’s knights boldly stepped forward, his mana surging as he prepared to strike.
Splat!
The moment he did, his head was split open by Gillian’s axe.
“Hold the line! We can stop them!”
Gillian raised his axe and roared.
The enemy forces slithered through the gaps that had begun forming along the walls. There were simply too many of them.
However, Gillian and the knights of Fenris darted across the battlefield, cutting down every enemy that climbed up.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Having absorbed a little fragment of the dragon heart, Gillian’s combat prowess had ascended to an exceptional level.
Soldiers were swept away the moment they reached the top, and even knights barely lasted a few exchanges before falling.
They were holding out better than expected. Arrows continued raining down, slaughtering the enemy soldiers below the walls.
Watching this unfold, Count Falgau raised a finger and pointed toward the top of the fortress.
“It seems you should make your move now.”
“I suppose so. That must be Gillian, the so-called White Lion.”
“So it seems. He’s one of the individuals who must be eliminated.”
“This works out nicely. I’ll take care of him now.”
A figure in a black robe stepped forward the Inquisitor of the Salvation Church.
A superhuman who had joined the Fourth Legion, he had played a crucial role in breaking through the southern front.
At that moment, a silent presence arrived one unnoticed by anyone on the battlefield.
— “Wow, everyone sure is busy.”
High above the battlefield, a single crow began circling in the sky.