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 75

Chapter 75   The Battle with the Republic (Part3)

The battle between the Owen Alliance Kingdom and the Fletcher Republic was fierce. Though the tide had turned in favor of the Kingdom after the Republic’s commander fled, the Republic’s superior numbers and solid defenses prevented a quick resolution.

“Charge!”

I led the dragon knights in an attempt to break through the enemy’s left flank. However, despite being attacked from behind, the enemy soldiers maintained their discipline, forming tight circles in each company to strengthen their defenses.

“Don’t stop! Keep charging!”

I ordered my subordinates to keep moving. Halting would make them easy targets for arrows, and the strength of mounted dragon riders lay in their speed. Yet, the enemy’s left flank was well-trained; their heavy infantry formed a wall of spears to counter our charge.

“Turn left! Push through!”

Even the dragon knights couldn’t recklessly charge into the wall of spears. We maneuvered left and right, focusing on shooting arrows from a distance.

…Where is the commander of the enemy’s left flank?

Using my magically enhanced vision, I scanned the surroundings.

…There he is.

The enemy commander was leading a cavalry unit, using their mobility to crush our infantry.

“Charge!”

I took the lead and dove into the enemy’s ranks. But soon, the fight turned into a chaotic melee, and I lost track of the enemy commander.

“Out of my way! You’re in my way, scum!”

After cutting down two, three enemy cavalrymen, the enemy commander finally charged toward me.

“I see you are a warrior of renown. I am the Mighty General Bunryo!”

The enemy commander shouted his name in a booming voice, raising a massive battle axe with arms as thick as tree trunks and swinging it down at me.

Clang!—

I blocked the blow with my sword, but the force of the strike sent a numbing shock through both my arms.

“Damn it, this strength is beyond human!”

I muttered, surprised, only to hear an unexpected response from my opponent.

“That’s right! I’m the offspring of a giant and a human!”

…What?! Could he really be a monster?

“Take that knowledge to the grave with you!”

The man who called himself Bunryo swung his massive battle axe at me once more.

…This is bad. My hands still hadn’t recovered from the numbing shock.

“…Spirit of the wind!”

I chanted a teleportation spell. At the last moment, I, along with Comet, teleported 15 meters away from where we had just been.

However, his axe had grazed my left shoulder. The scale mail, made from dragon scales stronger than steel, was torn apart, leaving a gash that began to bleed.

“Is that guy a monster?!”

I regained sight of him. He was like a killing machine, turning my comrades into corpses one after another. Wielding his battle axe, he fought like a demon or an asura, slashing and stabbing with terrifying power.

“Have you fled, coward?!”

He spotted me again. Quickly, I readied my shortbow made of mithril and aimed at his horse’s head. Despite the horse wearing armor, my arrow found its mark, killing the horse instantly.

“…Coward! Don’t you have the soul of a true warrior?!”

He tumbled from his horse and shouted in anger. My spearmen immediately surrounded him.

“Tie him up!”

…Perhaps it was cowardly. But that applies to fighting humans. I had no intention of facing a monster in a fair duel.

With the capture of the enemy commander leading the left flank, their command structure collapsed. The enemy soldiers began to flee, leaving only the lower-ranking officers and above still resisting.

“Pursue them! Show no mercy to those who resist!”

“Yes!”

As the Republic army fell into a rout, the Kingdom army began the pursuit. They relentlessly chased down the fleeing soldiers until the sun set.

“Victory!”

At dusk, I ordered the pursuit to stop. Each unit regrouped and prepared their formations, ready to advance the following morning.

◇◇◇◇◇

In mid-July of 566—

The Owen Alliance Kingdom’s army had surrounded the capital castle of the Fletcher Republic, Caliburn Castle. Like the royal capital of Shampur, this castle was surrounded by a thick wall encircling the city.

“Attack!”

Since I was injured, I was resting in the rear. I decided to leisurely observe the battle from a vantage point near the castle. Therefore, the actual command of the siege was taken by the Commander of the Royal Guard, Alcock.

“Fire the arrows!”

Heavy infantry with large shields advanced, dodging the enemy’s magic. The Kingdom army filled the outer moat, attacking with siege towers and catapults. In the end, they destroyed the castle gates with a battering ram.

“Charge in!”

Led by the Dragon Knights of the Cade Confederation, the Kingdom army stormed into the city. They set fires and plundered everywhere, driven by the grudge from the previous battles. They may have been confident of their victory in this fight, facing the fleeing citizens.

“Wh-what is this!?”

However, after the plundering and regaining composure, I was astonished by the defenses of the enemy castle. Unlike the city walls, the palace walls were incomprehensibly high. The deep moat surrounding the walls was filled with water drawn from the surrounding rivers.

The walls were lined with catapults and ballistae. In addition to soldiers with longbows, there were many high-ranking magicians dressed in mysterious robes.

Before the triumphant Kingdom army stood a massive fortress of the great Fletcher Republic, showcasing the utmost luxury and strength.