Chapter 284: Battle of Rube Household

New chapter of The Demon King is out! (1/2 chapters)Neufer looked like a wide, flat plain with a low-rimmed tray plopped down in the middle. Even from the air, it had a near-perfect circular wall, inside of which was the city. Thanks to the expansion of the city walls five years ago, there was plenty of land available, and military tents were lined up on the vacant lots. Farmland spread around the outer walls, and the irrigation canals built for this farmland also connected to Neufer.

At first glance, it was a magnificent view, but the rain was so strong I couldn’t keep my eyes open. This region is supposed to have low rainfall. I lowered the Eagle to the landing spot, as I was completely soaked.

“I am Yuri Hou, head of the Hou Household and regent. I wish to meet with Kien-dono.” (Yuri)

As soon as I landed, I removed my restraints and spoke. A dry cloth was handed to me, so I wiped my wet head.

“I will inform them at once.” (Soldier)

The soldier from the Rube Household seemed a little tense, but he ran off quickly. Looking around, perhaps because of the rain, something felt off. There was a peculiar murderous feeling that you get when you enter a military camp shortly after a battle. The tension, the somewhat excited atmosphere. But here, everything seemed quiet and sunken, as if everyone was dejected.

Before even a minute passed after I got off the Eagle, the soldier returned.

“The strategist will explain the situation. This way, please.” (Soldier)

“I see. Lead the way.” (Yuri)

“They’re waiting here.” (Soldier)

The soldier walked quickly through the rain, splashing mud, and guided me to a nearby house. He knocked on the door firmly.

“I have brought His Excellency Yuri Hou.” (Soldier)

I heard the sound of running inside, and the door opened immediately.

“Your Excellency, please come in.” (Strategist)

“Thank you. Ah, and you, thank you for guiding me.” (Yuri)

I parted ways with the soldier and entered the room.

—

“Thank you for your long journey.” (Strategist)

“Carnot, enough with the pleasantries. Tell me the situation.” (Yuri)

I placed firewood in the fireplace and dragged a chair closer to sit. I wanted to dry myself as soon as possible.

“Kien Rube is in critical condition. He was hit by an arrow in the shoulder, and the doctor has warned that we should prepare for the worst. His breathing is shallow, and he spends long periods unconscious.” (Carnot)

Carnot swiftly explained the situation.

“An arrow to the shoulder? Was it poisoned?” (Yuri)

“I’m not sure about that… However, due to his old age, the doctor may not be able to make a proper judgment. I was present when he was shot. The arrow was fired with such force that it pierced his armor and drove into his shoulder. Considering Kien-dono’s age, it wouldn’t be surprising if it proved fatal.” (Carnot)

Carnot was experienced in combat, so if he said so, I had to believe it.

“I see… I had planned to meet with Kien as soon as I arrived, but since you were sent to meet me, does that mean he is unconscious?” (Yuri)

“Yes, that seems to be the case. The Rube Household’s vassals are competent, so they should understand that your requests are their top priority. The reason they brought you here is likely that they hesitated to explain Kien’s condition directly. Since I, as a member of the Hou Household, can share this information with you, they had no problem allowing me to do so. They will likely call you as soon as Lord Kien regains consciousness.” (Carnot)

“Alright, then I have time to hear the battle report. Explain it to me.” (Yuri)

It felt a bit odd to refer to it as a ‘battle’ since I knew thousands of troops had been moving, but it ended so quickly that I couldn’t think of another term. ‘The fight at so-and-so’ would be more fitting.

“To be honest, there’s not much to explain. The enemy likely knew our position through reconnaissance. Before we could even form our ranks, they charged in with a wedge formation. Their cavalry charge was so fierce that it threatened Kien-dono’s main camp. Even if we had gathered elite troops from the Hou Household, I doubt we could have matched such a charge. It was an impressive cavalry attack, even from an enemy.” (Carnot)

Carnot took pride in being a knight of the Hou Household, which he served with honor. For him to admit that the enemy’s charge rivaled that of the elite Hou Household cavalry meant it was indeed a formidable assault.

“That’s why there were no complex maneuvers from either side. It was just a brute force charge. If anything, you could say they aimed to break through our formation.” (Carnot)

“However, their plan ultimately failed, didn’t it?” (Yuri)

“Yes. Kien-dono believed that if we had tried to retreat defensively at that moment, the enemy would have broken through our ranks with their momentum, and the entire army could have collapsed. So, instead, he ordered a fierce counterattack, meeting force with force. As a result, the enemy was unable to break through the elite soldiers directly under the Rube Household, and most of them were annihilated. Only a few cavalrymen, who had been holding the flanks to prevent encirclement, managed to retreat. The troops that advanced towards Kien-dono’s main camp were all wiped out.” (Carnot)

“Hmm… who was the enemy? You should be able to tell which country they belonged to from their equipment.” (Yuri)

“They were from the Papal State, the 1st Volunteering Knights, 4th Division.” (Carnot)

“As I thought.” (Yuri)

“And the Flusha Kingdom… Their forces were led by a young man known as the Duke Wellingen. They seemed to have been tasked with supporting the flanks of the charge. Compared to the Papal State’s division, their numbers were fewer, and their training wasn’t as good. The Duke Wellingen himself was killed in action, and we recovered his body clad in luxurious armor.” (Carnot)

“I see…” (Yuri)

The Duke Wellingen was the one who led the large cavalry corps that had gathered enemy forces during the Battle of Shibyaku. In that battle, the cavalry played a decisive role, but the Duke failed to utilize his large cavalry force effectively and fell into our trap. He made the mistake of having his heavily armored cavalry chase our light cavalry, exhausting their horses before they could launch a proper charge. He was captured and later ransomed back. S~eaʀᴄh the ηovelFire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

“But what was the purpose of this invasion…? Have we interrogated any high-ranking prisoners to find out?” (Yuri)

“It seems we haven’t. There are very few prisoners, and all of them are from the Flusha Kingdom. They probably don’t know much. None of the soldiers from the Papal State were taken prisoner. They all fought to the death.” (Carnot)

“As for the Duke Wellingen, it’s possible that he was a defeated noble from the internal power struggles of his home country, thrown away as a pawn. But the 4th Division…?” (Yuri)

“That could also be a result of power struggles. The Papal State is not a monolithic entity. Especially since the current pope is essentially under house arrest.” (Carnot)

*Knock*

*Knock*

There was a knock at the door, and Carnot immediately headed to the entrance. After a brief exchange of words, he returned.

“Your Excellency Yuri, Kien-dono has regained consciousness. We must hurry.” (Carnot)

“Understood.” (Yuri)

I stood up.

Please consider supporting Bayabusco Translation @