Chapter 136

” Hurry up!”

” There’s no time! We have to arrive as soon as possible!”

The Holy Empire soldiers were moving in a hurry.

Around them were carts packed with military supplies, including food supplies.

These precious military supplies, hastily gathered under the orders of Commander Wallenstein, were not enough to completely recover from their immediate losses, but they would at least buy some time.

To deliver these supplies as quickly as possible, the commanders in charge urged the exhausted soldiers.

“General, the soldiers are too tired. Shouldn’t we take a short break?”

” What nonsense are you saying! Do you not realize that if we don’t transport these within two days, it will be disastrous? We can rest once we arrive! If you have the energy to waste on useless talk, hurry up!”

By now, they had already received several urgent letters urging immediate action.

If they failed to meet the promised date, they certainly would not be let off lightly.

To avoid incurring Commander Wallenstein’s wrath, the commanders continued to push the weary soldiers, forcing them to march on.

At that moment…

“…Huh? Wait… what’s that smell?”

“It seems to be the smell of gunpowder… Did we somehow bring military supplies that weren’t accounted for?”

“Damn it! This is just ridiculous! Everyone halt!”

Frustrated by the accident amidst their urgent situation, they hurriedly began checking the boxes containing the supplies.

And then…

-Bang!

“Ugh!!!”

“!!”

“What… what was that? What happened?”

The sudden sound of an explosion, followed immediately by screams.

Their subordinate collapsed to the ground.

Seeing this, the commanders felt a jolt of shock and quickly gave orders.

“Th… they’re here!”

“It’s an enemy raid! Get into defensive positions immediately!”

Following the orders, the soldiers scrambled to form a defensive line.

However, their movements were sluggish due to the relentless march without rest.

To make matters worse, they were situated in a cramped valley.

To add to the anxiety, the smell of gunpowder was still stinging their noses…

“Could it… could it be…?”

A chilling sensation began to creep in.

And then, from above the valley, a man appeared — Myura, a commander of the Kingdom of Frantz, shouted in a determined voice.

“The prey has walked right into our midst! Sweep them all away!”

As soon as the command was given, bullets began to rain down from above.

And… the burning logs.

It was a somewhat classic attack in comparison to cannons, but…

Down at their feet lay gunpowder.

It was clearly placed there by the enemies…

-Boom!!!

“Uaaaah!!!”

The gunpowder started to explode with a deafening roar.

The narrow valley turned into a sea of fire in an instant, and the soldiers who had gathered in one place for defense were annihilated in a moment.

“Th… this… this can’t be… how… how could this happen…”

The commanders felt as though they were plunged into hell upon receiving this unexpected emergency.

Yet even those of mid-tier warriors found themselves powerless in this situation.

The explosions beneath their feet and flames blocked in from all sides meant that both mid-tier warriors and ordinary soldiers met their deaths equally…

Thus, without being able to do anything, the Holy Empire’s supply troops faced utter annihilation, and the supplies they had brought were reduced to ashes.

*

The temporary encampment of the Holy Empire Army was filled with despair.

Having suffered significant losses in the last battle, this place still held a massive force of 50,000 soldiers, but, apart from their numbers, it had an ever-bleaker atmosphere.

Most of the tents had been burnt down, leaving the temporary encampment looking pitiful with ragged pieces of cloth and hastily cut wooden frames.

Inside, there was barely a place to lie down sheltered from the wind, let alone store anything else.

Most personal belongings had been burned, and even food supplies had dwindled to less than half.

In such grim conditions, the Holy Empire Army was gradually morphing into a ragtag band of beggars rather than a military force.

As they observed this miserable scene, their leader, Commander Wallenstein, who bore the burden of responsibility, felt a sharp pang in his stomach.

“Damn it!… Is there still no news from the advance supply troops? The date of arrival has already passed!”

“I’m sorry. There hasn’t been any news yet.”

“P… please wait just a little longer; I’ve sent someone to check, and they will surely bring some news soon.”

“Ugh…”

The advance supply troops, who had missed the promised date and not shown even a hint of their presence, made Commander Wallenstein’s heart race with worry as he struggled to ration their dwindling supplies.

At that moment…

“Commander! C… Commander Wallenstein!”

A messenger dashed towards them in a panic.

But when the long-awaited news came, the faces of Wallenstein and the other commanders froze in shock.

“W… what do you mean? The supply troops were attacked?!”

“Th… there seems to have been an enemy raid. All those responsible for escorting the supplies have been wiped out, and the military supplies have turned to ash.”

“Damn it!”

“How… how could this… happen…”

The news hit them like a death sentence, plunging Wallenstein into a half-panic state.

The Holy Empire Army was already at the brink of collapse.

Losing the only supply line they had relied upon plunged their already dire situation into an even deeper abyss.

“At this point… it cannot be helped…”

“C… Commander?”

In a situation increasingly sinking into a muddy quagmire,

Commander Wallenstein had no choice but to make a decision.

“Execute Plan B. Summon all commanders.”

“W… what?”

“B… but… Commander, surely that is…”

“Then tell me, do you have any other ideas? Speak! If there is another way to overcome this crisis, I genuinely want to know!”

“…Ugh…”

Faced with the fury-laden retort, the subordinate fell silent.

Turning to them, Wallenstein spoke again with cold resolve.

“Understood. Carry out the order immediately. Gather all commanders.”

“Y-yes… understood, Commander.”

Thus, the commanders of the Holy Empire Army were summoned.

To them, Wallenstein said in a calm voice,

“From this moment on, all commanders shall lead their troops into raiding. We will plunder all the towns and villages along the road to Pare.”

In a flash, the 50,000 soldiers here were transformed into 50,000 robbers,

a cruel yet chillingly efficient order.

However, none of the commanders present could offer any objections.

They too understood that there was no other way forward…

“I will obey your orders, Commander.”

*

Within the shabby fortress located at the Holy Empire Army’s encampment,

stood a lone woman.

Chancellor Senel let out a small sigh.

Before her were the famished faces of soldiers.

The disarray of the military was quite the sight to behold.

However,

this fact was far from Senel’s attention.

Regardless of whether soldiers were sprawled out around her,

or if someone was causing a commotion begging for food, she paid them no mind.

In this war, her role was merely supplementary,

and the management and leading of the soldiers fell entirely on Wallenstein.

Any issues before her were his to solve.

She had not brought any human soldiers from her homeland in Roysen, so she felt little concern for their fates.

Naturally, the worsening situation of the Holy Empire Army was challenging for her in many ways.

Senel’s personal objective,

to exact revenge and annihilate the Kingdom of Frantz, required their aid.

That was precisely why she had gathered all the Black Knights she could mobilize to join the fight.

‘Ideally, I would have contacted my home country to help them out. But…’

Despite knowing this,

Senel’s focus was entirely directed elsewhere.

‘Revenge is important, but… something more crucial has arisen…’

Dealing with the affairs of her deceased family was indeed significant,

but even more vital was…

the living.

“You called for me, Master?”

The familiar voice reached her ears.

Recognizing the arrival of the awaited person,

Senel slowly turned to see who it was.

“I have something to investigate. Leave no stone unturned in your search. If necessary, you may use the name of my family… the name of Dragona.”

“Yes, Master.”

With those parting words, the disciple vanished like smoke.

For a moment, Senel gazed at the spot where the disciple had stood,

and again, she recalled that figure.

‘Magical power is greatly influenced by lineage… and that name…’