Chapter 216:

Chapter 216:

In an instant, the Cherokee Kingdom army, like raging waves, attacked the fortress guarded by Helmut.

However, Helmut's guarded fortress was truly impregnable, so the Cherokee Kingdom suffered tremendous losses and had to retreat after the first battle.

The Lota Kingdom army was well-prepared, and capturing the fortress guarded by Helmut was no easy task.

"We will attack again tomorrow morning!"

The Cherokee Kingdom commander did not give up and continued the siege attempts persistently.

But the results were not much different.

The next day.

And the day after that.

Each time the Cherokee army went to battle, they were forced to retreat with heavy losses.

In contrast, the Lota forces suffered very few casualties.

In the last few days of the siege, the Cherokee suffered nearly 3,000 casualties, while the Kingdom of Lota sustained fewer than 50.

Absolute defense.

Alternatively, Universal1 Defense.

Helmut had unmatched skills in defensive operations and siege warfare, which allowed him to fend off the Cherokee Kingdom army's surprise offensive with minimal casualties.

Of course, even Helmut wasn't entirely relaxed.

"Huff.... Phew."

Helmut was panting heavily as he leaned against the ramparts.

He was out of breath from the recent skirmish that had taken place.

‘Damn.'

Helmut suddenly regretted becoming Otto's vassal.

‘If I had known I'd be overworked like this, I wouldn't have pledged my loyalty back then. Should I resign now and retire to the countryside?'

Helmut thought this because he was genuinely exhausted.

The unscrupulous King Otto always provided only the minimum number of troops, and each time, Helmut had to fight until he was on the verge of exhaustion.

He even thought that at this rate, he might die from overwork rather than in battle.

Of course, his loyalty to Otto hasn't wavered.

Otto had been treating Helmut fairly well, not using his family as hostages and acknowledging the autonomy of his territory.

He just felt overly exploited.

It was partly because Helmut was a cost effective person.

The ability to hold off a large army with just a handful of troops.

Moreover, since he possessed the Marquis' Resolve, Helmut was destined to be overworked to the fullest extent possible.

‘I can't end up being used and not retire even when I'm old, right? No, it shouldn't be like that. It mustn't be.'

Helmut shuddered with fear that Otto would not allow him to retire and that he would serve him until he grew old and died.

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After speaking with Otto, Count Tormund immediately met with Bayaba to convey his decision of surrender.

"I have decided to surrender to your Kingdom."

"Is that really true?"

"That it is."

"Thank you for your wise decision."

Bayaba clapped with joy when Tormund expressed his intention to surrender not to the Lota Kingdom but to the Cherokee Kingdom.

"First."

Tormund says.

"I'll get the nobles together and make arrangements."

"You will not need any assistance?"

"That is something I can accomplish with my own strength."

"Ooh."

"As soon as I'm done, I'll immediately issue orders to the border commanders to allow your troops to enter the Kingdom."

"That's perfect."

"However, there is a condition."

Count Tormund set out his terms.

"You must bring a large amount of food with you when you come."

"A great quantity of food?"

"As you know, our kingdom has experienced a long famine that has left our people in starvation, and our army is stretched thin. If you don't support us with food from your kingdom, we cannot fight the Lota Kingdom together."

"Mmm!"

Bayaba nodded his head.

"That's a fair argument! If we're going to drive out the bastards from Lota, we'll need not only our own army, but also the military force of the Loredin Kingdom."

"That's right."

"I will speak to His Majesty King Kalmar about this and ensure that provisions are brought."

"We are also severely lacking in military supplies. We need not only food but also weapons and significant financial support."

"Hahaha."

Bayaba laughed.

"You need not worry, Count Tormund. Even without you mentioning it, our King will send astronomical amounts of supplies with our troops."

"I'm reassured to hear you say that. Haha!"

"If our army joins forces with the Loredin Kingdom army, driving out those wretched Lota from the Loredin soil is only a matter of time."

"You've done well."

Kalmar warmly grasped Bayaba's hand, expressing gratitude for his efforts in the Loredin Kingdom.

"Thanks to you, our Kingdom's wellbeing has been greatly enhanced, truly you have done a great service."

"I am honored."

"Good."

Kalmar issued a decree.

"Sir Bayaba, I appoint you as the supreme commander. Lead two legions and go to the Loredin Kingdom. Drive out those Lota bastards from there. This way, the Lota forces will be pressured from both sides and will gradually crumble."

Based on his overwhelming national strength and military power, Kalmar intended to pressure the Lota Kingdom from all fronts.

Since it was difficult to concentrate forces at the border due to the terrain, he decided to redirect all remaining troops to the Loredin Kingdom.

This strategy would not only halt the expansion of the Lota Kingdom but also allow the Cherokee Kingdom to absorb the territory of the Loredin Kingdom, making it an optimal outcome for the Cherokee Kingdom.

Once the Loredin Kingdom was secured, it would be as good as having already won the war.

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A few days later.

"Waaaaaaaaaaaah!"

In the dead of night, rebel forces launched a surprise attack and stormed the Loredin Royal Palace.

The surprise rebellion was a resounding success.

Count Tormund captured the royal palace in less than two hours and even succeeded in capturing the King.

"T... Tormund! You treacherous bastard!"

The king lashed out at Tormund with furious accusations.

Tormund didn't bat an eye.

‘Your tyranny and incompetence have starved to death over a hundred thousand people. You are not fit to rule as king.'

With a cold gaze, Tormund looked at the king and then issued commands to his knights.

"As of this moment, I depose the King from his throne. However, as he was once our Kingdom's Monarch, he should be treated with due respect."

"Yes, Count."

"Take the king to be detained in a separate chamber immediately."

"Yes!"

Thus, the king was dethroned by the rebel forces led by Count Tormund and found himself imprisoned in a remote location.

He wasn't the only one.

Count Tormund arrested all the royals, stripped them of their titles, and installed a puppet monarch in his place.

Afterwards, he served as the regent for the scarecrow3 as the new king's guardian.

In effect, he became the king of the Kingdom of Loredin.

"Soon, reinforcements from the Cherokee Kingdom will arrive to drive out the Kingdom of Lota's army. Therefore, we will open the northern border."

The implication of those words meant that the Kingdom of Loredin would submit to the Cherokee Kingdom, but no one objected.

Most of the nobles were content as long as they could preserve their own positions, so there was no objection.

Since the kingdom was essentially doomed, why should it matter whether they surrendered to the Lota or the Cherokee?

A few days later.

*Stomp* *Stomp* *Stomp*

Two legions of Cherokee forces crossed the northern border of the Kingdom of Loredin and entered its territory.

Those Cherokee Kingdom troops brought with them a vast amount of food, military supplies, and gold.

At Tormund's request, they have brought with them full scale provisions for the devastated Loredin Kingdom.

And....

"Welcome to Hell."

From afar, Otto watched the Cherokee Kingdom's army crossing the border, a chilling smile on his face.

In Otto's eyes, the two legions of Cherokee soldiers did not look like living men.

They were the dead.

The odds are that less than half of the Cherokee would be able to make it back alive once they entered the land of the dead.

"Let's go."

Otto looks back at Camille.

"Understood, Your Majesty."

Having completed their reconnaissance, Otto and Camille headed towards the Kingdom of Lota's military encampment.

Preparations to receive the Cherokee army were already complete.

Now all that remained was to take the Lota Kingdom army and surround them with the Loredin Kingdom army and annihilate them.

** ** **

TL/N:

1. Updated Chapter 79 Space Defense changed to Universal Defense

Reason: cooler when reading... nah just joking felt more apt than "Space" Defense kept getting reminded by the Space Defense game on Steam

2. Margrave – Referred to the medieval military commander responsible for defending a border province within a Kingdom.

Margrave – Military Rank

Marquis – Aristocratic rank

3. Scarecrow/Puppet King/Puppet Monarch – Someone who has become a Ruler of a Kingdom but has no true authority or power and is just being manipulated like a Puppet. (Sometimes wondered If really necessary to add this sort of TL/N stuffs)