Chapter 104 Duel On The Plain - Part I
Although the war between the Ortria Kingdom and the Bezelus Empire has seen some local victories for Ortria, overall, the situation has been favorable for the Empire.
The main reason is that, right after the political upheaval, the command structure has not been clearly established, and they entered combat without setting strategic objectives due to the sudden outbreak of war.
"It's frustrating. No matter how many victories we achieve, the situation on the battlefield doesn't improve at all."
Carlot Granbell, a clearly formidable warrior, was one of those who continued to fight while understanding the current situation.
The Granbell Knights, led by him, have maintained an undefeated record since the outbreak of war, living up to the title of the strongest in the kingdom.
However, no matter how powerful the knights are, it is impossible for them alone to protect the entire kingdom.
They are barely managing to hold back a unit of the Imperial Army near the plains close to the Granbell territory.
Especially since most of the Belmont family's knights are away from the country right now.
"I wonder if Yumie is doing well..."
Whenever the name of the Belmont family crosses his mind, it inevitably brings to mind the face of his beloved daughter.
It has been 4 months since he entrusted his daughter to the Belmont family and fled the country.
He never imagined that sending her away would turn out to be beneficial in this way, but he must have worried her in the process.
He couldn't help but be concerned that his kind and family-oriented daughter might be doing something reckless again.
"In her letter, she said she was feeling better... but I still worry."
Carlot likely shares the same feelings.
His son, Neil Granbell, was also gazing toward the horizon, thinking of the distant foreign land.
The armor and sword he was to wear for the first time as a formal knight.
Originally, he was supposed to receive them in a splendid ceremony, but instead, he was forced to accept them in this blood-soaked battlefield.
Thinking that he would never be able to see his son in his shining moment, Carlot was filled with an unbearable sense of loss.
"Ah, that's right. I want to end this battle quickly and put Yumie at ease."
However, he does not show such paternal sentiment on the surface.
Neil, despite his youth, has also donned that armor with determination.
Not as a father, but as a man, as a knight.
He respects Neil's resolve to stand on the battlefield for his beloved sister and homeland.
"Captain, report!! From the west, the imperial army is on the move!! It seems they are launching an offensive!!"
"Here they come again. They really don't learn."
Sighing, Carlot returns to the command post with Neil.
Despite having repelled the imperial army's offensives many times, they continue to attack stubbornly, no matter how many times they suffer losses.
Their aim is likely to keep the most powerful Carlot of the kingdom pinned down on this battlefield.
In fact, that strategy is working beautifully, and Carlot finds himself stuck in prolonged combat here.
Knowing he is caught in the enemy's trap, he laments the reality of having no other options.
There aren't enough hands, Carlot sighs.
And unlike them, the imperial army has the luxury to prepare new strategies.
"Captain, actually, there's one report that concerns me."
"What is it?"
"It seems there is a unit in the imperial army with unfamiliar appearances. Their numbers aren't very large, and since they aren't equipped with the magic armaments that regular soldiers carry, they are likely just mercenaries for numbers... What should we do?"
Carlot ponders the information brought by his subordinate, the unit commander Baston.
The imperial army is an advanced nation with advanced magic tool technology, even on a global scale.
It is certain that they have pulled research results from the Neithardt family, and in terms of equipment, the kingdom's army is significantly lagging behind.
That is precisely the strength of the imperial army, yet there is a unit without it.
Logically, they would be disposable mercenaries or something similar.
However... Carlot's instincts warned him that making that judgment was dangerous.
"I will handle that unit. Neil, you continue to operate under Baston as before."
"Okay, got it, Father."
"Here, call me Captain."
Although Carlot is formally the leader of the Granbell Knights, he doesn't take much command on the front lines, especially during strategy meetings.
Such matters are left to Baston, the "captain."
This is because... he is too strong, and if he goes all out, he might end up harming his own allies.
His nickname, "One against a thousand," not only means he has the power of a thousand men, but also that if he is deployed on the battlefield, his allies must keep a distance of a thousand men to avoid getting caught in the crossfire, which has led to complaints from his comrades.
Now, Carlot is going to face the enemy himself.
Baston thought it would be harsh for mere mercenaries, but he kept that to himself.
He himself felt a bit uneasy about declaring that this "mercenary unit" was truly just a numbers game.
"Well then, let's go. Everyone, don't die. Defeat is not a shame; remember that our mission is to live and protect the people."
By the large river that separates the kingdom from the empire, a vast plain stretches out.
This area is the only land that has enough space and footing for armies to clash.
Having faced the imperial army here more times than he could count, Carlot sensed that the enemy's atmosphere was different this time.
(As I thought, something is off. About that unit.)
From a distance, it was hard to tell, but they didn't seem to be wearing metal armor.
At the very least, they might be wearing leather armor to protect their heads, chests, and arms.
Still, Carlot's sense of caution did not diminish at all.
Rather, by facing them directly, he clearly recognized that they were not to be underestimated.
"Let's go──Hooaaa!!"
As a greeting of sorts, Carlot raised his sword.
The sword, infused with immense Magical Power, began to grow larger and emitted light on its own, even without a defined magical form.
Like a mountain, it swung down with sparks flying, releasing only the Magical Power along the blade's path.
"(Slash Wave)!!"
Though he called it a greeting, that single strike had enough overwhelming power and range to cleave through an average unit, turning them into mere chunks of flesh.
Until now, the Imperial Army had no choice but to dig trenches and endure this strike, suffering one-sided devastation.
However──
"......Nn!!"
The man at the forefront of the eerie group faced the slash head-on and even managed to disperse it without using any magic.
Even the Granbell Knights were left speechless by this.
Is there really a person in this world who can withstand such an attack?
Only Carlot remained unfazed, readjusting his sword and charging forward.
"Haaah!!"
"Uoooh!!"
Carlot's swung sword clashed head-on with the mysterious man's "fist."
The impact created a massive crater in the grassland.
The storm of Magical Power, sword pressure, and fist pressure shook the atmosphere, blowing away clouds and even changing the weather.
In the midst of that shocking scene, both armies were frozen in place── but Carlot, at the center, let out a faint smile.
"I never thought I would meet you here. ...It's been a while, Leol. Since the Beast Demon War, right?"
"It's been a long time, Carlot. ...If possible, I would have preferred not to reunite like this."
From beneath the helmet that had been blown away by the shock, emerged a warrior of the Blue Wolf clan, with vibrant blue hair and wolf ears.
He wore a collar indicating his status as a slave.
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