CH 89

First battle of the new Raidorl’s armies

Several months have passed since Raidorl began his expedition to the Eastern Borderlands.

Sven Arbeil, the surviving son of the Earls of Arbeil, swore allegiance to Raidorl  as a military commander.

The Viscounts of Ulfert were overrun by Sven’s machinations with little damage to either side.

Furthermore – after many twists and turns – the Barons Elladin and Oigist surrendered their territories to Raidorl, and two of the most peculiar people, Shirley Elladin and Justy Oigist, were brought under their control.

With the exception of the Viscountesses of Ilkas, who had already perished in the war against the Empire, the majority of the border nobility, known as the Eight Eastern Houses, were now under the control of Raidorl.

Finally, after regrouping, the Royal Army – Raidorl’s army – proceeded to the north.

The next target was the Count of Calcifer. It is one of the treacherous noble families that turned to the empire, and it is the territory of a great noble family that has as much power as the Countess of Arbeil in the eastern border region.

The army, which once numbered only 1,000, has already swelled to 5,000 by recruiting men in the towns it has conquered.

It must not be easy to manage a five-fold increase in the number of soldiers, but the problem has been solved by the acquisition of many capable officers and civil servants through a series of battles.

Darren Garst, who originally led the cavalry as captain of the thousand horsemen, has been appointed provisional general.

His second-in-command, the female knight Saara Leifet, and Justy Oigist, where Raidorl had made him a subordinate through a duel, formed the left and right hand of Darren.

In addition, the captain of the knights of the House of Arbeil and the captain of the soldiers of the Barony of Elladin, who had been taken as guards by Sven Arbeil, were appointed as new captains of a thousand men.

These five men, each with a thousand men, rode at the head of the line as generals, following behind Raidorl as he rode towards the Count of Calcifer.

Next to Raidorl was the figure of Sven, who had become a military strategist.

He was a boy who had once been betrayed by his kinsman, Viscount Ulfert, and had escaped the Empire’s destruction of his lands, but now he rode his horse proudly and childishly.

“You will soon arrive at the county of Calcifer, Your Highness, Raidorl.”

“I see.”

Raidorl nodded at Sven’s words.

The Counts of Calcifer are one of the largest noble families in the eastern border region.

Their army is one of the most powerful and if they had not surrendered to the Empire and resisted, the Imperial troops would not have been able to reach the Blaine Fortress easily.

In addition, Count Calcifer has the Barons of Kyrgyzstan and the Viscountesses of Kubertos under his umbrella.

The total strength of the three noble families exceeds 10,000 men. The scouts we sent out to reconnoiter the area reported that the enemy troops had already gathered in the town of Calutris and were ready to meet us.

“This is practically the first campaign of this army, is it not?”

“It’s a crying shame that it’s the first battle. I hope the men don’t get carried away.”

“I’m sure they will. Darren and Justy are good soldiers.”

In response to Raidorl’s concerns, Sven confidently states

The enemy’s army was twice as strong as their own. If he follows the basic rules of the art of war, it would be better to retreat without fighting.

But Sven did not think that they would be defeated at all.

He was convinced that this army, which he had worked so hard to build, could not be defeated.

“The Count of Calcifer is huge. Even if my family were still alive and well, we would not be able to defeat them in a proper fight. But right now, our morale is not low and we’re in a position to show our full potential.”

The Countess Calcifer was a traitor who betrayed the royal family of Zain and turned to the Alsatian Empire.

It may have been a rational decision on the part of the nobility to survive and preserve their territory. However, a few of the loyal soldiers begin to be dissatisfied and distrustful towards their disloyal lord.

“And we have the holder of the Holy Sword who defeated the Empire. The enemy’s army surely is upset.”

“I hope so. But I can’t be the only one to play an active role.”

“Don’t worry. We want to give our newly formed army some real combat experience, and if possible, we want to win without your help.”

Sven nodded his head in agreement.

Even with the power of the holy sword, an army that relies on that power all the time will be an unreliable bunch when the time comes.

In order to complete the army he had worked so hard to build, it was necessary for them to experience a real war here.

“Don’t worry. Your Highness will not be troubled.”

“Of course not. Calcifer is all we need!”

Apparently they had heard the conversation between Raidorl and Sven, because Darren and Justy came riding up to him and assured him emphatically.

Darren Garst has the face of a nobleman, and Justy Oigist has the face of a scholarly intellectual, with a lot of muscle.

The two men are very different in appearance and character, but as warriors they seem to get on well together.

Last night they had been up late strategizing about the invasion of Count Calcifer, and the heated debate echoed outside the room.

“A spectacular first battle for the new Raidorl’s army. I will make sure we win in the name of Garst!”

“Likewise, to clear the name of the Oigist, who once betrayed the royal family, I shall defeat the Count of Calcifer!”

“That’s very good of you. I’ll be counting on you.”

Raidorl smiled at the loyalty of the two warriors. These two men would never disappoint him.

“I don’t know how powerful Count Calcifer is, but I’m sure he’ll reap what he sows.”

“Now, let’s have a decisive battle. Exiled to the frontier, Swallowing all the pain I’ve been through but now…NOW, I’ve got my vassals. I’ve got an army. I’ve got the power! There’s no stopping me now!”

“I’m sure Granard right now will be disappointed to hear of my victory”

Raidorl made an image in his mind, seeing his brother’s face as he stomped his feet, and he let out a chuckle.

With a renewed determination to win this battle, he tightens his grip on the reins of his horse.

But–

“Your Highness, Raidorl! I have urgent news!”

“What is it?”

As if to ridicule Raidorl’s determination, there was a person who called out to him, waving his hands in the air.

The person standing in the direction of where Raidorl’s army is heading is a secret agent once known as the Fire-Eating Bird. The man who was supposed to have infiltrated Count Calcifer’s territory with his men had parked his horse beside him and was waiting for Raidorl.

“Fire-Bird……?　What’s going on?”

“Yes, yes, excuse me for a moment.”

The fire-eating bird rides up alongside Raidorl on his horse.

The man, with a cigarette in his mouth as usual, begins to report to Raidorl in an absent-minded voice.

“I’m here to tell you that there’s been a bit of a problem in the town of Calutris.”

“Trouble? Did the enemy have reinforcements?”

Raidorl’s concern is that the Imperial forces will interfere in this battle.

For the Empire, the eastern border region is part of its territory that it has worked hard to carve out. If they retake it, the battle itself will be in vain and they will be left with nothing but defeat.

The damage to the Blaine fortress meant that there was no room to interfere, but did they really want to come in here?

The thought makes Raidorl nervous, but Fire-Bird shakes his head.

“No, it’s more like the other way around.”

“The other way?”

“The Counts of Calcifer have been destroyed. The Barons of Kyrgyzstan and the Viscountesses of Kubertos have all been killed.”

“What?”

Raidorl’s voice turned upside down when he received the unexpected report.

It was the first battle for the new Raidorl’s army. The battle, which was supposed to be a spectacular victory, seemed to have ended in a surprise non-win.