I Became King by Following My Little Sister's Advice. Now the Princess I Forced to Marry Is Giving Me Death Stares, What Should I Do? - Chapter 29

Chapter 29: It’s a Hold

“Alright… We can win this battle!”

On a hill in the plains, the Zelos army had set up their position. 

From this high ground, the supreme commander, Lott Zelos, clenched his fist in triumph as he overlooked the battlefield and the approaching victory.

At the start of the battle, the swift movements of the Arlengs army had caught them off guard. 

However, as the battle dragged on, the Zelos army gradually adapted to their tactics. 

One reason was that the speed-enhancing magic used by the Arlengs army had slowed down due to their depletion of magical power.

With their magic focused on maintaining speed, they had no energy left for magical attacks.

Step by step, Lott felt confident that victory was steadily approaching the Zelos army.

“Are there any enemy detachments around?”

“No, none! There’s no sign of them anywhere!”

He had considered the possibility that while they were distracted by the cavalry, a separate force might attack. 

There was also the risk of their main camp being targeted, as it had been before. 

But… there were no such indications. 

It seemed all the Arlengs forces in the Roicardan Plains were in that hundred-strong cavalry unit.

“This battle is ours to win…!”

“Congratulations, Your Highness Lott!”

A middle-aged man, Lott’s adjutant, hurriedly offered premature congratulations. 

Lott felt a smile creeping onto his face but quickly shook his head to regain his composure.

“We can’t… We must not let our guard down. Remember, we haven’t won yet.”

It was the same last time. 

Just when they were sure of victory, the tide of battle turned against them.

“Van Arlengs is the kind of man who will strike when we think we’re secure… Remember, we haven’t won yet!”

“Yes!”

There’s a saying in a certain island nation about tightening one’s helmet straps after a victory, meaning one should stay vigilant even when victory seems certain. 

Lott Zelos wasn’t complacent.

Even in this overwhelmingly favorable situation, he remained alert and stood firmly as the commander.

“Yeah, it’s impressive.”

“Huh…?”

Therefore, what was about to happen was not due to negligence or overconfidence. 

Lott had no faults. 

If there was anything wrong, it was either bad luck or… a formidable opponent.

“Even in this situation, there’s not a single gap. It was tough getting in here.”

“”AAAAAAAHHHHHHH!””

At that moment, a shocking scream rose from the Zelos army’s main camp, and several soldiers were sent flying through the air.

“What the…!”

Lott stood dumbfounded, his eyes wide open. 

Seeing people flying was a metaphor for something impossible, yet this impossible sight unfolded before him. 

His soldiers, the Zelos soldiers in the main camp, were being thrown into the air one after another by that man.

“He’s here.”

“It can’t be…!”

And then… Lott realized who the man effortlessly tossing his soldiers was—a young man with black hair.

“Van Arlengs…!”

Van Arlengs. 

The king of the Arlengs Kingdom. The “Ogre of the Roicardan Plains.”

The man who had once defeated Lott and took away his position as crown prince was standing right there.

“How are you here…!?”

Lott shouted. 

It was his first time seeing Van in person, but he recognized the face from the portraits brought by his spies.

Van was wearing Zelos army armor, not the armor of the Arlengs soldiers.

“No way…!”

The sharp-minded Lott quickly figured it out. 

Van had acquired Zelos army armor, changed into it, and approached the main camp. 

The area around the main camp was heavily guarded, prepared for any enemy attack.

They should have noticed any approaching enemies, whether from the rear or the sides. 

But that preparation was for enemy armies, not for a single individual.

If a hundred unidentified Zelos soldiers appeared, the guards would be suspicious, but one person slipping in was much easier.

“Enemy attack!”

“Protect the prince!”

The Zelos soldiers hurriedly tried to form a wall against the suddenly appearing Van.

“Take this!”

“AAAAAAAHHHHH!”

However, the soldiers were grabbed by Van and thrown out of the camp.

The fact that he came in unarmed was likely one of the reasons he managed to infiltrate.

“Damn…!”

“Too slow.”

Lott hurried to draw his sword, but Van closed the distance in an instant.

He grabbed Lott from behind in a full nelson, restraining him.

“Ugh…”

“Your Highness!”

“I’ll give you one minute to surrender. Order the cavalry to stop their attack as well.”

Van gave his orders succinctly. 

He only said what was necessary, wasting no words.

“If you resist, he dies. Hurry up.”

“…!”

A chilling fear ran down the spines of the Zelos soldiers.

Van’s eyes showed a clear intent that he would carry out his threat.

“…We surrender. Tell the cavalry to stand down.”

Realizing that there was no room for negotiation, the Zelos army’s captain gave orders to his subordinates, reluctantly accepting their second defeat.