Chapter 272 Starving Army



Back at Mezorin, Levi and his forces maintained a tight siege, leaving no room for even a single enemy soldier to escape. The encirclement was strong and unyielding, and Levi was determined to bring a swift end to the conflict.

Amidst the siege, occasional attempts were made by Caelisun, Victor's second-in-command, to break through the encirclement from the east. He, who was entrusted with handling the vital supply route from Cerdeauxia, understood the urgency of the situation in Mezorin.

Upon learning about the siege, Caelisun spared no effort in securing the necessary provisions and reinforcements.

However, it soon became evident that their current forces were insufficient to overcome the stronghold of the enemy.

Driven by desperation, Caelisun decided to leverage his influence and authority to secure further support. He pressured the president of the republic, Walter Thompson for additional troops, supplies, and strategic assistance to relieve the besieged forces. 

That is the reason why the presence of the Cerdeauxia army became apparent in the vicinity of Mezorin. Their soldiers were ready to provide support to the besieged forces.

"It seems we have unexpected company," Levi remarked dryly, addressing his officers. "Keep a close eye on them. We cannot afford any surprises."

Levi issued orders to his officers, emphasizing the need for increased vigilance. They would closely monitor the movements of the Cerdeauxia troops, wary of any potential ulterior motives.

The siege of Mezorin could not afford any disruptions.

Despite his reservations, Levi recognized the advantage of combining their cooking efforts. "Gather the provisions," he commanded. "Cook in large quantities together. Let the scent of food permeate the air and be smelled by the enemies."

As the aroma of the cooking food wafted through the air, the scent reached the besieged city, stirring the hunger of the enemy forces within. The plan was to exploit their desperation and weaken their resolve.

Levi's officers worked diligently to prepare and distribute the meals, ensuring that the scent reached every corner of Mezorin. They observed, their eyes scanning the city's walls for any reaction from the enemy forces.

"Continue cooking. Let them yearn for the food," Levi remarked, a hint of satisfaction in his voice.

....

Inside the besieged city of Mezorin, the grim reality of diminishing food supplies weighed heavily on both the citizens and the soldiers. The once plentiful granaries and storehouses now stood nearly empty, unable to sustain the needs of the vast population, let alone the massive army of nearly one hundred thousand soldiers.

Hunger became a constant companion, gnawing at the stomachs of the people and eroding their strength. Rations were meagre, and the limited quantities were carefully measured to ensure some semblance of fairness. 

The atmosphere in the city was one of desperation and frustration. Citizens, already burdened by the siege, were forced to witness their meagre foods being further depleted by the occupying Barlia-Inverloch troops. 

Robbed of their sustenance, resentment grew, and the once-muted murmurs of discontent turned into open hostility. The citizens' animosity towards the troops festered, fueling a deep-seated hatred for the forces that had brought such suffering upon them.

Within the ranks of the Barlia-Inverloch troops themselves, morale plummeted.

The soldiers, too, felt the sting of hunger, their strength waning with each passing day. And as the hunger persisted and the food supplies continued to dwindle, the soldiers found themselves in a dire predicament.

Even with strict limitations on the amount of food allocated for each meal, it was still not enough to satisfy their growing appetites. To counter this problem, the soldiers turn their eyes on the horses. It was a difficult decision.

They knew that sacrificing their horses would provide them with much-needed sustenance, but it would come at a high cost. Horses were not just meant for transportation; they were a vital asset on the battlefield, enhancing the soldiers' mobility and combat effectiveness.

However, the longer the siege goes on, these horses are going to reduce in weight due to lack of food before eventually. Reluctantly, they made the agonizing choice to kill their horses to fill their stomach. 

Coincidentally, a delicious aroma drifted through the air, reaching their nostrils. It was a scent so tantalizing that it stirred something deep within them, awakening their senses and intensifying their hunger.

They followed the scent, like famished animals drawn to a source of nourishment. The scent originated from outside the city walls. It was both an infuriating and torturing fact to them.

The enemy, the Ryntum-Naharog forces, were feasting on a lavish spread of food. The contrast between their sumptuous meals and the meagre horse meat the soldiers had resorted to was stark and disheartening.

As the soldiers reluctantly consumed their meagre sustenance, they couldn't help but be acutely aware of the difference in taste. The horse meat, though filling, lacked the flavours.

Their taste buds yearned for the richness and diversity of flavours just like their enemy.

"We can't go on like this," said Sarika to her superior, General Victor. Concern and frustration were plastered all over her face. "Sooner or later, we will run out of horses to slaughter and eat. Then what's next?"

"I understand your concern, Sarika." Victor responded, "I'm also sick of eating this damn horse meat every single day. Caelisun try to break through over and over again but failed. Ryntum seems to be hell-bent on starving us to death."

Boom-

The sound of roaring cannons rippled through the air. She instinctively glanced towards the direction of the deafening noise, unshocked by the attack. 

"There they go again," she said. It was as if she had anticipated the assault, understanding the tactics employed by Ryntum. It has become a routine for the enemy to attack during their meal times.

Their intention was as clear as a bright sky. The Ryntum forces intended to disrupt and demoralize them. Levi wants to disturb their moments of respite and she has to say, he pretty much succeeds. 

Sarika glances at her soldiers. They, who have already been affected by the tasteless food in front of them become more annoyed by the bombarding sound.

The poor Barlia-Inverloch soldiers couldn't even get a single moment of peace of mind.