Volume 6 Chapter 76-2 I Think Magic and Creativity Should Both Be Free
"The enemy is now full of energy with reinforcements. They probably think, 'Waldner is finished.'"
At Rolf's taunts, everyone quietly felt their fighting spirit rise.
"But that can't be helped... It's still before dawn. It's no use dreaming like that."
Rolf's words made the knights chuckle.
Morale was high, they had rested enough, and they were relaxed.
Rolf nodded, satisfied with his troops' perfect condition.
"Alright, everyone. It's time to counterattack!"
The soldiers pounded the ground with the tips of their spears, grinning at Rolf.
That was the signal.
It showed everyone was ready for battle.
Seeing this, Rolf raised his voice.
"The plan is just as I told you yesterday. Let's go! Wake them from their dreams!"
At Rolf's command, the large force moved south, splitting into east and west along the way.
Leading the main troops to the eastern imperial army was Irvin.
Airen took some infantry and an Ice Wolf to the western Duke army.
And Rolf, alone, positioned himself with the Kingdom Knights to the south.
They would all counterattack at once in their assigned roles.
Normally, this might be a bad move.
Plus, Rolf was on his own.
Excluding the archers and magic troops guarding the walls, he would face the Kingdom Knights alone.
Since the enemy was divided into 3, it would be better to pick them off individually.
However, coming out from the walls meant they couldn't deploy a large army at once.
So, he decided to use this to their advantage, deliberately splitting the army to catch the enemy off guard.
The highlight of this plan was Rolf's solo charge.
This was not arrogance; it was a choice from Rolf, who understood the man named Bruno.
Bruno Lance was a man of high ideals, both good and bad.
The reason the siege didn't go well was because he worried about the innocent citizens watching from behind.
So if Rolf goes alone, Bruno will definitely accept a one-on-one fight.
And if it becomes a one-on-one fight, the Kingdom Knights won't move.
Even if combat starts on either side, they won't leave their captain behind.
That's because of their trust in their captain, and they believe they'll win if Rolf is defeated.
In other words, this move is a trick by Rolf to weaken the Kingdom Knights by exploiting that trust.
──A quick alliance like that is not something to fear.
The words Rolf used to motivate his side definitely boosted their morale.
In fact, he managed to block their psychological teamwork, even now.
The retreat decided in that split second wasn't just running away ── it was a real strategic withdrawal.
Just as Rolf predicted, faced with an enemy that can't get their acts together, the allies took a slow, careful rest inside the walls, revving their spirits to the max, starting to prepare at each gate.
Airen, in charge of the west gate, took a deep breath and waited for the right moment.
Their opponent was the Duke army, which had almost lost their cavalry.
They apparently had some imperial cavalry to avoid suspicion with the Kingdom Knights, but ── they weren't working well together ── all just for show, only holding them back.
Still, Airen and his team waited quietly, because they knew the enemy's numbers were no joke.
Even a ragtag group has a better chance of a lucky strike if they're enough in number.
Facing such enemies, Airen's only mission was one thing:
To break through the enemy lines in one strike and crush their commander.
For them outnumbered, the key is to tear through their formation quickly and cause chaos.
That's why Airen's unit is mostly an ice wolf team that can move fast.
Of course, they have foot soldiers too, but most of the main force has been entrusted to big brother Irvin.
Still, this ice wolf unit is also a crucial link between Irvin and Airen's plans.
Before the attack, to ease the tension, Airen took a big, deep breath. A report arrived in his ears: "Enemies are moving!"
Soon.
The attack is near.
What echoes in Airen's mind is the words of a junior who, during their short stay, said something interesting.
──"If we put a magician on the Ice Wolf's sled, won't we get a fast-moving cannon?"
It was a really interesting idea.
The magician would be positioned at the back, while the infantry would protect them and launch a strike.
It was a statement that challenged common sense, but Airen shook her head at first.
──"But it's a sled. It's a bit tricky outside of winter..."
──"Then let's freeze the ground with magic! It would help us move and hinder the enemy."
──"I see, it's like killing 2 birds with one stone."
She had never thought of such a thing.
It was such a simple idea.
To change the field to make it easier for them to move.
It was something anyone could think of, yet no one had until now.
──"It's interesting, but that would make it hard for our side to move too."
As Airen laughed, her junior──Randy──put on a mischievous grin.
──"Then we should make it so we can move too. We could put ice-made sleds on our feet!"
Preconceived notions.
Fixed concepts.
Magic and magicians were thought to be for slaying enemies and attacking foes.
That notion was completely shattered, and now the fast-moving cannon team and speedy infantry were waiting at Airen's back for their first battle.
Finally... "Fire!"... the moment when the enemy entered firing range reached Airen's ears.
The ground before the gate had a slope hardly noticeable.
They took advantage of the terrain.
That strategy had finally been unleashed.
Just as it was a mysterious move for Duke's army,
"Open the gates!"
The west gate opened with a loud noise.
What came into view for Airen and the others was the enemy soldiers charging towards the gate.
They were rushing to leap inside just as the gates opened.
"Charge!"
At Airen's booming voice, the magician quickly froze the ground, sending the infantry at the front of the enemy flying.
As enemy soldiers went flying, Airen created ice blades on her feet.
With her sword raised, Airen glided into the enemy camp.
It was already their field, an icy path created.
While the enemy soldiers stumbled, Airen swept her sword as she passed by.
It was the skill she had honed for this day.
Gliding like a skater, Airen's graceful swordplay was the perfect match.
"Keep going! Let's break through!"
In the future, there would be 3 battles in what was called the 'War without a Crown' or the 'Ashen Crown War,' all fought for the people's favor.
One of these battles was based on using the castle walls and the enemy's psychology.
Known in military texts as the 'Battle of Blankfurt,' it was turned into a short performance titled the 'Spring Icy Wolf Fang Operation,' and thus, the curtain rose on this tale.
For the Duke's army──no, even for the imperial army on the opposite side──a hellish time began.
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