Thanks to Gerard’s efforts, Frank barely managed to catch his breath. However, the situation still couldn’t be considered advantageous.
“D*mn it, it’s coming again!”
“Prepare all troops to fire!”
Like before, when they faced the enemies, the generals gave the order to fire while watching their charge. At the same time, the Hangurian troops stationed in the citadel also prepared their attack, as the distance was now closer.
“Archers forward! Mages, stand by. Wait until the enemies come deeper!” commanded a officer entrusted with leading by Gerard.
Though he lacked exceptional fighting skills, he was an efficient officer of the army, earning Gerard’s trust for his commanding abilities.
“Launch!”
The Hangurian forts unleashed arrows, and mana all at once, following the officer’s orders. To inflict maximum damage, it was more effective to break the enemy’s momentum, and his strategy hit its mark. The Tarkics, blindsided by the narrow field of view caused by their leading troops and the wall behind the advancing army, suffered severe losses.
Right after that, the hundreds of soldiers who had gone ahead of Frank’s forces were annihilated. However, the Tarkics’ momentum did not falter. Even as comrades died before their eyes or lost limbs, they pressed forward undeterred.
It wasn’t just their bravery. The mages at the rear had cast spells that diminished their fear. While fear is generally essential for survival, on a battlefield where lives are constantly at risk, suppressing it was a highly effective method of boosting a troop’s combat power.“Advance! Prove the might of the empire with your own hands!” ordered Bintu, commander of the 2nd Corps. With Ahab now removed from command of the 1st Legion, Bintu saw this as the perfect opportunity to achieve a great feat.
‘This time, I’ll prove who the best general in Tarkic is! I’ll repay the disgrace of being treated as second-class in my later years right here!’
Under the orders of Bintu, driven by extreme personal ambition, the imperial army finally reached the formation of Frank’s forces. As a result, Frank’s army prepared for the impending frontal assault from the Imperial Army, just as they had before.
But before the attack could even begin…
“Ah!”
“Keuouk!”
“What… what is it?”
“What’s going on?”
Suddenly, Frank’s soldiers began to collapse. And they weren’t the only ones. Hangurian soldiers stationed at the rear in the fort began screaming and falling as well.
As confusion spread, the generals at the front noticed something and urgently shouted, “Be careful! It’s coming from above!”
At their warning, the soldiers finally looked up, and what they saw was terrifying. High in the sky, beyond the range of arrows, hovered the harpies—beings who had been watching the battle unfold until now.
“Kyaaa!!!”
The harpies descended over Frank’s formation, screeching like eagles. From above the clouds, they drew their bows and javelins, aiming toward the ground.
“Keoouk!”
“Quaaagh!”
Arrows and spears rained down from hundreds of meters above. Though the distance was so great that their accuracy wasn’t perfect, the sheer volume of projectiles made them a deadly threat.
“D*mn it!”
“We have to bring them down somehow!”
“An arrow can’t even reach them! How are we supposed to stop that?”
Watching the harpies’ one-sided attack from an unreachable position, Frank’s soldiers had no choice but to huddle behind their shields, hoping the onslaught would soon end.
Thousands of soldiers were injured or killed, and the carefully maintained formations began to crumble under the pressure. Sensing this, the forces of the Tarkic Empire started exploiting the gaps in Frank’s defense, advancing despite being in the range of the harpies’ attacks. With their fear dulled by magic, they focused only on swinging their weapons and killing whoever stood in their way, ignoring the arrows lodged in their bodies.
Bintu’s extreme tactic, which prioritized inflicting damage on the enemy without concern for losses on his side, was taking a severe toll on both the 2nd Corps and Frank’s army.
“Keugh!”
“Gargh!”
Both the Frankish and Tarkic soldiers were felled by the relentless rain of arrows and spears. Men who had been locked in combat suddenly collapsed, pierced by spears or struck by arrows, dying together in the midst of battle.
But despite the carnage, a grin spread across Bintu’s face.
‘Good. If we continue like this, Frank’s army will be finished, and if we’re lucky, we’ll annihilate the Hangurian forces too. I’ll become the hero of this war!’
Driven by his ambitions, Bintu pressed on, determined to achieve a monumental victory, no matter the cost. But then…
“Kyaaagh!!!!!”
“Keew!”
Suddenly, the harpies’ assault stopped. Their deafening cries ceased, and instead of arrows, their lifeless bodies began falling to the ground, littering the battlefield where Frank’s and the Tarkic armies were fighting.
Harpies died instantly, with large chunks of ice embedded in their chests and wings.
Confused, the remaining harpies lost control of the skies.
Sensing the shift, Frank’s soldiers quickly regrouped.
“What… what’s going on? Why did it stop all of a sudden?” General Fabre voiced his confusion over the inexplicable situation.
“General! There! Look over there!”
“What… is that…?”
A smile slowly crept onto General Fabre’s face as he saw something familiar—and very welcome—filling the plains. It was the sight of tens of thousands of cavalrymen mounted on heavily breathing horses.
However, what set these cavalry apart from others on the continent were the large wing-shaped decorations on their backs. The symbol, clearly visible to everyone on the battlefield, left no doubt about their identity.
“That… that’s the Winged Hussars from the Kingdom of Roland!”
Known as the continent’s strongest cavalry, the Winged Hussars had achieved remarkable feats in numerous battles. Alongside them, hundreds of mages, dressed in blue robes, flanked their sides.
The cold aura they had used to shoot down the harpies still lingered on their staffs.
“I guess we’re not too late,” said Benedict, captain of the Winged Hussars, in a calm voice.
Elena, commander-in-chief of the Kalmar Mage Corps, responded lightly, “Isn’t that Frank and Hangury? Considering their reputation, of course, they’ve held on this long.”
With their eyes on the Tarkic imperial army, now flustered by their appearance, Benedict and Elena gave the order.
“All troops!”
“Attack!”
As soon as the command was given, the Winged Hussars charged at terrifying speed toward the enemy camp. Simultaneously, the mages took to the skies, flying swiftly toward the remaining harpies that still hovered over Frank’s formation.
***
Meanwhile, Bahamut had returned to his mansion at Schwyz. Deep in thought, he read a letter addressed to him.
“You. What kind of letter is that?” Bertina asked, having temporarily fled there on his recommendation.
Bahamut remained silent for a moment before handing the letter to her.
As Bertina read it, a frown formed on her face.
“This… this looks rather upsetting just from reading it…” she said.
“I think so. While the merciful emperess might not be as concerning, the princess… she’s another matter entirely,” Bahamut replied.
“So… what are you going to do?” Bertina asked, her voice filled with worry and doubt.
After a moment of contemplation, Bahamut slowly responded, “For now… I’m thinking I’ll face it head-on.”
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