Dragon Knight Chronicles ~ From a mere mercenary, rise to success through tactics! A small harem with the princess and the lord's daughter!? I'll also develop my territory! ~ - Chapter 58

Chapter 58   The Battle of Lamour Plains

Unified Calender 565, Mid-August—

The sun’s rays were scorching.

At the main camp of the Fletcher Republic’s army, which was laying siege to Shampur, the commanders, clad in gleaming armor, gathered to discuss various pressing matters.

“Reporting in! Another supply convoy from the homeland has been attacked!”

“Again!? Those cunning devils!”

The Republic’s forces had managed to breach the outer walls of the royal city of Shampur, but they were still unable to conquer the towering royal palace.

“Our attempts to procure food through looting have also failed. At this rate, our army will starve!”

Faced with these reports, the Republic’s Supreme Commander, General Kimberly Collette, made a decision.

“We have no choice, we’ll retreat! But, before we go, let’s teach those cunning Owen bastards a lesson. Douse their capital in oil and set it ablaze! Let them see the terror of our might!”

“Yes, sir!”

Kimberly, the brother of the Republic’s Consul, ordered a massive fire to be set in the royal city of Shampur. The flames grew into a great inferno, reducing the kingdom’s precious buildings to ash.

However, this act wasted valuable time.

“General! We have a situation! The royal army has appeared!”

“What!?”

At that moment, a portion of the kingdom’s forces, previously dispatched westward, finally returned. Leading 20,000 soldiers was Alcock, the captain of the Queen’s guard. His troops, infuriated by the burning of their capital, were filled with rage.

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That Evening—

The two armies clashed on the open plains of Lamour.

“The enemy is fewer in number. Form a crane-wing formation and encircle and annihilate them!”

“Yes, sir!”

General Kimberly, seeking to exploit their numerical advantage, ordered his troops to spread out their wings for an encirclement.

However, due to a lack of food, the morale of the soldiers was low, and their movements were sluggish. Many of them were burdened with loot they had plundered.

“General, it’s terrible! The soldiers are fleeing!”

“Impossible! We’re the larger force!”

Though the Republic was a powerful nation, it had not engaged in a major war for the past ten years. As a result, not only the soldiers but many of the frontline junior officers were experiencing their first battle.

Moreover, they were attempting to take thousands of the kingdom’s residents as captives, turning the Republic army into something more akin to a massive caravan than a fighting force.

“Charge!”

The kingdom’s army, led by Alcock, launched a cavalry charge. Knights on horseback, brandishing their massive lances, surged forward.

“Run! Run!”

The inexperienced junior officers of the Republic were powerless to stop their soldiers from deserting. Many of the officers themselves fled, fearing for their lives.

“Fools, don’t run!”

While the knights and nobles of the Republic tried to hold their ground, they only made themselves easy targets for the kingdom’s forces. However, despite their success, the kingdom’s army was still outnumbered, lacking the decisive blow needed to turn the tide completely in their favor.

Two hours into the battle, both sides were showing signs of exhaustion.

“General! Enemy forces have appeared behind us. Their numbers are unknown.”

“Which minor noble is it?”

“W-Well, it appears to be the royal banners of the Owen Alliance Kingdom!”

“Impossible! The enemy queen should still be holed up in the castle! How could they be behind us?”

General Kimberly stepped out of his command post and used a telescope to observe the enemy forces at their rear.

“What…?”

There, not only were the royal banners visible, but Queen Charlotte herself was mounted on a white horse. A cold sweat ran down the general’s back.

“We’ve been tricked by the kingdom!”

“What should we do?”

“I’m retreating! All of you, cover my withdrawal!”

“…What!?”

The messenger was so stunned by the reckless order that he had to ask for confirmation.

“Don’t make me repeat myself!”

“Yes, sir!”

…The general fled!

This news shattered the morale of the Republic army, while the kingdom’s forces were greatly emboldened.

“What? The general is abandoning us at the front lines?”

“We’re retreating too! Gather your things!”

“Yes, sir!”

The nobles of the Republic, who had been holding the front lines, began to abandon their positions and prepared to retreat. However, they had looted so much that their preparations were slow and chaotic.

“Run!”

Seeing this, the retainers and mercenaries began deserting their masters, fleeing in all directions. The entire Republic army was engulfed in a frenzy of fear and panic.

◇◇◇◇◇

Two days earlier…

I had requested Queen Charlotte to personally lead the troops into battle. She graciously accepted my request.

By then, the old vassals’ units had completed their retreat, and with the entire army assembled, we set out for the meeting point at the Lamour Plains with Captain of the Royal Guard, Alcock.

I positioned our forces on the hills overlooking the Lamour Plains. I had the Queen stand at the forefront, where both enemy and ally could see her, and raised the royal banners high for all to witness.

“The enemy is in full retreat!”

“Our forces are gaining the upper hand!”

“…Indeed.”

Seeing an enemy force suddenly appear behind them, and the Queen’s presence in a place she shouldn’t have been, it must have been a shocking sight for the enemy.

“Then, let us join the fray as well! Charge!”

“Yes!”

The 3,000 troops led by House Rillburn beat their drums and gongs loudly as they charged into the rear of the Republic army. This maneuver threatened the enemy’s retreat and delivered a devastating blow to their morale.

…Hmm?

Who is that man…?

As I rode Comet into the charge, an enemy noble sped past me. Judging by his attire, he was likely a high-ranking noble of significant status.

“Wait! Stop right there!”

I commanded Comet to pursue the fleeing noble, raising my beloved longsword high, ready to strike.