Chapter 141

The Frantz Kingdom Army surged inward, just as expected.

Although the exact number was unclear due to the distance, it was undeniably a considerable force converging.

Commander Wallenstein immediately issued the order.

“Advance, all troops!”

The Frantz Kingdom Army was immobilized due to General Pretzel’s ambush. Although the number of troops under General Pretzel was not significant, it was quite sufficient to hold the Frantz Kingdom Army at bay for a time.

The pricks who had been a nuisance, slipping in and out like eels, were finally caught in the net.

Filled with hope that they could finally wipe them out this time, Wallenstein and the Holy Empire Army began to push forward quickly.

“I wonder just how many fish are caught in the net.”

“Until now, whenever they launched an attack, they always came with a massive army. They aimed to finish things quickly without giving us a chance for reinforcements.”

Attempting to attack with a poorly-sized force would only risk being countered, and if the battle dragged on, it would complicate matters with reinforcements arriving.

To prevent such mishaps, the enemies had always moved overwhelming numbers to stage their raids. However… this time, it would be deadly poison for them.

“Surely, preparations are perfectly finished?”

“Of course. We’ve already moved the cannons near Balmi. We’ve minimized the number of soldiers deployed to avoid detection by the Circle of Magical Power. As soon as we arrive, we can turn the village into ashes.”

Leaving valuable cannons in a different place wasn’t the safest choice. However, moving those heavy cannons while requiring speed made it nearly impossible for this operation.

That said, abandoning the cannons was not an option, especially since Senel’s absence had already diminished their strength.

Ultimately, the only choice they had was to take some risks and move the cannons near the battlefield in advance.

“This time, we will end everything. Not a single one of them must return alive.”

“Certainly, Commander.”

Until now, the Holy Empire Army had swung wildly, but they were filled with hope that this time they could turn everything upside down.

Moments later, they finally caught sight of the long-awaited Balmi village.

Black smoke was rising, and the smell of gunpowder was already wafting through the air.

As they gazed at the place where a fierce battle was evidently ongoing, Commander Wallenstein immediately issued orders to the enemy.

“First, secure the cannon emplacements we’ve prepared. Then deploy the troops to completely encircle the village. We must not let a single ant escape.”

“Understood. Let’s go, the second unit forward!”

Following the command, the Holy Empire Army swiftly charged toward the hills where the cannons were positioned.

That spot was advantageous for an attack, providing a clear view of the village, making it easy to gauge the scale of the enemy.

They could easily estimate the size of the enemy trapped in this operation.

With that sensation akin to unwrapping a gift box, the Holy Empire Army quickly began their ascent up the hill.

“Truly well done, General. To have us entrusted with such an important mission, if all goes well, both you and I will likely see promotions.”

“That’s obvious. This is all thanks to my connection with Commander Wallenstein.”

“Indeed. I shall forever trust and follow you, General.”

“Haha, no need to flatter me so much…”

There was a certain pleasurable feeling in the flattery from his subordinate. But still, one mustn’t let their guard down, so he suppressed such emotions and ordered sternly.

“Ahem. Anyway, hurry! We must secure the cannons before they catch on!”

-BOOM!!!

“…Huh?”

At that moment,

with a thunderous explosion, the general next to him was literally blown apart.

The subordinate’s face froze in shock at the sight of his superior, who had been chatting just moments ago, blown to bits right in front of him.

“W-What… What is this? W-What the…?”

Confusion, chaos, and fear.

Caught in the sudden turmoil, the subordinate fell into a deep sense of bewilderment.

At that moment, his eyes finally caught sight of something.

It was…

numerous cannons atop the hill, pointing directly at them.

Numbering at least a hundred, they were aimed not at the Frantz Kingdom Army, but at the Holy Empire Army, plunging them into utter confusion.

And… amidst the chaos, the cannons brought by the Holy Empire Army began firing indiscriminately.

From the very cannons they had deployed.

Now, the shells were pouring out toward themselves instead of the enemy.

And.

-BOOM!!!

“Ughhhh!!!”

“What is this?! What the hell is happening…??!!”

Screams echoed in every direction.

It was just a single round of bombardment, but it dealt an overwhelming psychological blow to the Holy Empire Army… and to Commander Wallenstein.

A growing concern that something was fundamentally wrong, coupled with the unsettling realization that their carefully laid plans were in disarray, threw them into disarray, preventing any immediate response.

And…

“Commander! We’re under attack!”

“Attack?… No… no way. If it’s an attack, shouldn’t they be right in front of us?!”

“That’s not it! The Frantz Kingdom Army is advancing from our rear!”

“W-What?!”

The enemies who should have been trapped in the village were now laying siege from behind while launching attacks against their own cannon emplacements.

It was an unexpected encirclement.

Only then did Commander Wallenstein realize.

The ones who were trapped in a trap from the very beginning were not the enemies, but themselves.

“Damn it! W-We must advance somehow! We need to reclaim those cannons! If the enemy is pushing from the rear, that means they have few soldiers there!”

“That… that seems likely.”

“Move forward! Quickly! We cannot withstand another bombardment! After securing the emplacements, we’ll counterattack the enemy moving in from the rear!”

“Y-Yes, understood, Commander! All units, advance! We must reclaim the cannons as fast as possible! Cavalry forward!”

Under Wallenstein’s command and the urging of his generals, the soldiers began their ascent back up the hill.

Although it was merely a slope, it was not a perilous mountain range.

After all, this was the most fertile and pleasant land on the continent, making it naturally advantageous for attacks rather than defense.

Unlike some dreary eastern coastal towns, this terrain made it hard to have a solid position.

Thus, despite taking artillery fire and occasional sniper shots, the Holy Empire forces managed to climb the hill relatively quickly.

Now all that remained was to wipe out the ‘weak enemies’ here and reclaim the cannons.

As they were thinking this…

“Eh?”

“Wait a moment… that person is…”

A figure of a man began to appear before their eyes.

With a bulky physique, adorned by a golden beard, and wearing a dashing uniform, he stood with arms crossed, overlooking the Holy Empire Army from the highest point of the hill.

An imposing figure that radiated an undeniable sense of pressure.

The advancing Holy Empire Army felt a sense of unease but didn’t fall into panic.

The visible enemies were only slightly over a thousand.

No matter how intimidating the man seemed, they thought it shouldn’t be much of an issue.

Thus, they aimed to charge forward again as the Holy Empire Army marched onward.

But then…

“Hee hee hee!!!”

“Yiiing!!!”

“What? Huh?”

“What… what’s happening? W-Why are the horses…”

Suddenly, the horses began rearing back and acting erratically.

As if they were facing a ghost…

No, even more terrifying than that, the horses were throwing themselves into chaotic antics, causing a string of accidents among the leading cavalry.

“Cough!!”

“W-What the… Ugggaaa!!!”

Soldiers of the Empire were trampled to death beneath the hooves of the horses that were going berserk.

With mishaps occurring all around, the once swiftly advancing Empire forces were now trapped in a massive standstill, akin to an accident on a highway.

And.

Watching this scene,

the man, with his golden beard and a terrifying golden magical power, spoke in a cold voice.

“Prepare for second fire.”

“Ready to fire!”

The soldiers of the Frantz Kingdom echoed his command as they adjusted the angles of their cannons and readied to light them.

Even with the enemies literally right in front of them, the Frantz Kingdom soldiers executed their orders without a trace of hesitation.

And.

“Fire!”

-BOOM!!!