Ashes and Kingdoms

Chapter Four

There was no reason to notice the changes going on beyond sunset, and the people of Nornicom were all over their problems.

Fire Dragon Hou Elecia returns with a cavalry regiment of Dorfae.

The news brought shocks inside and out. The inhabitants, who believed that any of them would return, swallowed up a cheer when they realized the confusion and harm associated with it.

Also, it will be a battle...

After three years of complete calm, the routine will be disturbed again. It makes it harder to buy and sell things freely, to get in and out of town, and in some cases even life threatening, back to that kind of life. Anxiety and impatience with no escape covered the city.

While General Glaus is away, it is Levanus, the commander of the Fifth Corps, who has been restructured after his recapture, who is taking on the protection of the state capital, Combs. He was formerly the defensive captain of Deulm, but he was the man who marched east with Glaus more than three years ago and remained on Nornicom duty.

As soon as the news arrived, he took action. First, an expedited dispatch to the royal capital. Hit as many hands as you can while it fails twice, three times, and prepare for the battle to come. Those who once served Elesia were assembled in the Lordship Hall, imprisoned by sex and in small numbers, and denied contact with the outside world.

On the other hand, in neighboring agricultural land, they uprooted all the food they could harvest and set fire to it. Dorfaye's cavalry also halves its power if the horse is weak. Don't leave a bottle of grass to feed. Considering, of course, that there was a great deal of rebellion in that, he appealed to the citizens by issuing various statements and declarations to transfer responsibility to Elesia. Oh, my God.

Elesia of the Tius family once involved the inhabitants in a battle of personal grievances, roughing up the land of Nornicom. And now he hath grasped the throne, and hath drawn in the savages of the meadows to plunder them as he will. Do you recognize women who do not care about the people as lords? Elesia is no longer king of Nornicom, but king of the Dolphins.

It is General Glaus of the Empire who has protected you from the beasts of darkness for the last three years or more. Nornicom was not subject to heavy taxation or deprivation of citizenship, even though he was defeated? I can't avenge the temper of the Empire.

On top of that, he promised tax breaks and rewards to those who brought useful information and those who made medals in the battle against Dorfaye.

People reacted differently. It would have been the main truth that it was clear, but still, few people nodded when it made sense, or even more on Elesia's side now, and were passively in favor of it.

"The month of three years seemed short to forget the previous Lord, but sufficient time to get used to peace"

Levanus so appreciated the reaction of the citizens, and gazed at how Marius was doing. Marius' expression lacks glory now that he has been locked in his room for about seven days.

"Lord Marius. Citizens no longer want war. Even if Elesia returns, it will be difficult to re-advance to the Imperial Capital. General Glaus will also be returned shortly, and Nakte Dragon Marquis will proceed with his soldiers. Your Majesty will lead a whirling civil soldier of dissatisfaction, shoulder to shoulder with the whimsical and untrustworthy Dolphins, who will be forced to fight a powerful army of empires. Do you sweeten such a miserable fate"

"It is said as if it had already been ordained"

Marius responded with a slightly spicy voice, but did not reveal any emotions on his face. Levanus moves his eyebrows tingly, coughs up his heart and continues the conversation.

"It's not settled. Dear Left, Indeed. We are not going to sit and wait for the arrival of Elesia. Intercept and shoot down the fiery dragons as they once did, driving the barbarians back to Naruto. That's what Nornicom is for, Lord Marius."

…………

"I hear that destroying dragons is difficult in the hands of men. Your venerable and former female princess will also lose her life easily. But with the hooves of horseback led by her, a people without the skill to defend themselves would be trampled like weeds. Isn't it your duty to protect the people from tyranny, Commander of the Nornicom Cavalry?"

"When that cavalry leader believes in slander of the Lord, you can no longer seriously think about it. It's a waste of time. If you want something to bow to, look for something else."

Marius responds coldly and does not even look at each other. Levanus looked up.

"I am well aware of your loyalty, too. For the past three years, by General Glaus, I have seen the solidity of the verses of those who serve the Tius family. But when the Lord makes a mistake, it will be the faithful servant who will make it right. Do you think the Dolphins will be involved in the civil conflict of the Empire without any reward? You think I'd endorse the ambitious goal of defeating the Emperor, etc.?

He was poked where the pain was, and Marius bit his lip silently. Levanus has a sympathetic tone and overlaps words even more.

"According to the news from the scouts and the evacuees, does Elesia look like she's having a great deal of sincerity with the chief-like man in Dorfaye? I don't know if we're going to hold each other and use each other, but it's in the Dolphae tribe and Elesia is just one native. Let's keep a history of power relations. I won't hesitate to look into your heart, but I want you to make a wise decision by looking directly at reality."

That's all Levanus said, he decided he had shaken enough and left the room. I didn't even think of any other important people to persuade, so he went straight to the armory early enough to instruct him to pull out the crossbow and maintain it.

"With this, you're not afraid of dragons flying in."

I say that while a soldier caresses the body of a crossbow in reliance. Levanus made a laugh, hoping to look confident.

"Do not keep them close to the Combs until the General is returned and reinforcements arrive. When a woman leads a barbarian, we have to do everything we can to get rid of her."

"Yes!"

A soldier salutes with a lot of war. Levanus nodded and glanced at the crossbow. Improvements were made in the course of more than three years to make it more precise and easier to operate. Of course, it's gaining in power. Even without the dragon, three new units were created because they would be a powerful weapon against the diseased horseback riding troops.

Just because you drove away the Fire Dragon Marquis, doesn't mean the legions were devouring their sleep. I detected the Dolphins' southward march only if I had a decree that I had deployed everywhere, and the soldiers had been trained without weariness.

(But what is this anxiety?)

Inspecting the food, followed by a meeting with each captain, and moving vigorously around, Levanus was irritated by an indelible chest rush.

Invisible obstruction of the rush towards the royal capital. Unlike past examples, the Dolphins do not become mobs or bandits, but move on as controlled armies. An unprecedented and incomprehensible phenomenon is taking place.

(Will the General make it)

Even if we don't wait until the western Nakte Dragon Marquis sends over the Fourth Legion, if Glaus brings us the soldiers of Deurum and Acte as we return east, we have nothing to fear, such as the gathering of the Dolphins. But if that's too late...

(Eh, what do I do now that I'm weak)

Levanus scolded himself and shook his head to pay for his ominous thoughts.

If, …. If you start thinking about it, you won't be able to move. Now it's time to think about what needs to be done, what needs to be done.

(I won't let the East say no general)

The shame of the Fifth Legion has not yet snowed, once expelled from the Combs, followed by the deprivation of Acte, allowing him to advance even to the sentence Deurum.

(He is in charge of a wing of the Diatius Imperial Army with us. not to be forgiven, such as to bring a crisis to the Empire again)

Levanus tempered, weaving a scarlet cape from above his armor.

Aim is victory only. Calm the chaos, contribute to the stability of the Empire, and bring fruit to life with merit. To fulfill an even mediocre desire as an imperial citizen, to be discharged and live slowly, sooner or later, given sufficient land.

As he breathed deeply and slowly, he glanced at the eastern sky with a rugged eye. Come if you want, so that you can wait for the red light.

The Fifth Corps, led by Levanus, camped about a day's itinerary northeast of the Combs. It is, of course, an outpost on it, rooted in leading citizens so that there is no insurgency in the city while away, tightening surveillance of Marius and others, and leaving behind a cohesive force in the barracks throughout the city.

As a matter of fact, if it's only for Elecia's neck, you don't have to stick to a comm with an anxiety element. Even if they take the city, unless the soldiers are wiped out, that's where it ends, not. More than the purpose of Elesia is to overthrow the emperor, any day comes out of the shadow of the walls. Join the reinforcements while we wait for that, and if we get overwhelmed with the quantity, we'll be able to win for sure.

But Levanus and the other officers of the Fifth Corps did not consider that option. Now it's time to defend Combs for whatever it takes. I did it again while the general was away, etc., and I can't open it. It's an honorable battle.

The area was an open flat with a great view. It's better for horseback riding than infantry, but I can't help it. To make it a little easier to fight, line up on a small hill of little understanding and wait for the Elesians coming from the north. He also dug ditches and pitfalls to prevent cavalry raids.

As soon as I was ready, I saw dust north of the street.

"Don't mumble, align! We'll intercept!"

Levanus makes the decree. The soldiers formed a spear in their hands and a crossbow was prepared. Hold back behind the infantry unit and aim at the sky without alarm with the archers.

Tensions increased and sweat glowed in the faces of the soldiers. Levanus himself is already sweating a little inside his helmet in the sun that shines.

Eventually, however, the sensation snuck away enough to forget even the heat. The imminent immense power, the animal fear of wanting to escape from before. The horse loses his composure and starts waving his head softly. Levanus chewed his teeth far back, trying to quell the disturbing heartbeat, and read the number without speaking out.

Down the streets, the dust of the horses descends. Apparently, the enemy already knows that the Fifth Corps is waiting in this place, as well as its formation. Without stopping and forming a formation once, or rushing to storm, they are approaching steadily at the same speed.

There is no prescribed name match, no reward for cursing.

And...

The wind, it moved.

"They're coming! Crossbow, ready! Shield up, First Archer, cover!

Looking up into the sky gently, Levanus yells. At the same time as the order was conveyed, the infantry carried his shield over his head, and the archers simultaneously held up an arrow and drew a string. The crossbow clerk hurries to adjust the angle.

Shortly after breathing, the brilliance of crimson fell sharply from far above.

"Let go!!

It was at the same time that the archer's squad leader reflexively issued the ordinance and the terrorized soldier unleashed an arrow.

String sounds, countless arrow roars when it rains sharply. But it was too soon. Even bows and arrows that have doubled their flight distance due to improvements are not the same as target targets on the ground. The barely arrived arrows are also equal to nothing, such as speed, by then. He is stirred by the dragon's wings and falls vain.

The rain of arrows unleashed by their own armies pours out in pieces. In the meantime, the dragon approached where he could clearly see himself.

A crossbowman sets his aim in just a few moments and hands on a hanging that squeezes an iron arrow. If we hit it, we'll settle it soon, like three years ago - but it was a hopeful hope.

"Ah......!? Oh, no!

"Wow!

A cry of fear rose one after the other from all of the crossbows. Levanus blues a little, turns around and stares.

Shortly afterwards, the nearest crossbow burst into bright red and bounced with the roar. Of the more soldiers who rushed away, the fragmented infantry archers collapsed and the formation collapsed.

"Damn!!" Levanus cursed and raised his voice. "Don't wander around! Second Archer, fire! Keep him away!!

Angers and screams fly. Levanus scolded even as he headed north.

"Front row infantry, defend your position! Leave the dragon to the archers, the horse keepers are coming!

An infantryman, who was standing on the attack from above, hurriedly restarts his shield and points his spear at the impending horseback riding of Dorfaye. But again, it was an impossible story to tell you to concentrate only before.

Bow strings roar again. The next sweep worked. The Fire Dragon Genshas swiftly spinned and turned to the ascent with Elecia on board. Or maybe because he had achieved his purpose by destroying the crossbow, but when a small number of arrows blurred his tail and wing ends, the archers who were in panic also breathed back.

It's still okay, even our bow can fight him.

A touch of relief spread amid tension and excitement. Nothing is more terrifying than a feeling of being killed unilaterally. The feeling of winning is a source of strength for the soldiers.

Even while the legion soldiers were frenzied, the horseback riding squad led by Senion was packing the distance. to a suitable distance to start the disease.

Infantry units wait in solitary spit. The majority of the soldiers here had no experience in fighting the Dolphaes. The Dolphins they know are, at best, some of the troops who joined the army as mercenaries in their own skirmishes.

So I didn't expect it.

A horseman advances to trample an infantry, doesn't come, etc.

Everyone expected that when they came straight on, the leading group would fall into pits and ditches and crumble. Yet, perhaps, Senion turned in front of it, ignoring the welcome trick prepared by the legion soldiers because of it.

Dorfaye's horseman split into two hands, left and right, releasing an arrow over the head of the legion soldiers as he left. I guess we're going to jump over the walls of the shields lined up in the front row.

Not only the soldiers in the rear row, but even the soldiers in the middle row and those in the front row who stood spears, raise their shields in haste to defend themselves against an unexpected attack. In that gap, the successor of the Dorfaye cavalry fired further arrows. Now not on top, directly from the front.

No respite was granted for the legion soldiers to re-establish their posture. The Dorfaye cavalry leaves with one arrow after another, and leaves with another. Archers attack from behind the infantry, but no further damage was inflicted on the distant and fast moving horseback cavalry. In the first place, sweeping while keeping the arrows warm in preparation for the return of the dragon is known.

Driven into a situation where he had no choice but to endure even, the legions began to rush.

Not good as this. If you are not prepared for damage and go on the attack, you will be cut off a little bit of your power and you will not be able to make a proper assault.

I was in the same mood as Levanus in the position to command. They think they are incompetent and become more agitated.

Come to think of it, he's never been in a position to command the whole army before. And having fallen into a predicament.

(What do I do, what do I do, if I don't give the order, but what do I do?

The hurried Less Revanus thought began to empty.

Something must be ordered. You still order me to be patient, then how long? The enemy will stop attacking sooner or later, but if we just wait until then, we won't be able to fight back.

I don't know what Glaus would do, flip the memory drawer from one end to the other, but all of this is empty. Even the slightest hint shards don't fall off.

(The fate of the whole army depends on the next instruction, oh how can I, someone tell me, give me the instruction. Gods, please help me)

I can't think of anything to do with such an unexpected development. Waiting for an order with a bloody face of transmission beside him. Capturing it at the edge of his sight, Levanus was driven by the urge to escape even to the end of the earth.

If this was the case, I refused a promotion.

Even though that's not the case, regret pushes me closer and blocks my chest.

He has never failed like this before. The assignment at Deulm was a less dangerous one, and since then, I have been able to move my soldiers successfully, taking a wing under the grouse, following instructions, or prepending instructions. I thought I could do it. So I didn't even suspect it because I believed the Legion Leader's status was reasonable either.

(Damn it, damn it, damn it!

Enjoy wanting to step on the estate waste and spit evil in your heart. In this situation, for the first time, I don't know who I am.

(Anyway, give me some bad orders. Even if you can't afford a victory as vivid as a general, at least reduce the damage and give this place away......)

Feeling like praying, he just once checked on the front lines.

As always, the Dorfaye cavalry continues its corrugated attacks. But the motion was slowing down.

Joy sprang up pushing despair, blowing away a sense of sadness. Levanus had put the momentum to bear and raised his voice with little thought.

"The infantry has to wait a little while before the enemy retreats to rest the horse! This is a good time for them to lower their horses. Like them down from the horses, the leaves of the trees, they break it down!

He was pleased to be able to convey a good word for the economy, and the decree brightened his expression all the time, and ran right out.

The reading had now hit me.

The Dorfaye cavalry finally loosened its attacking hand, whether the horse had worn out or the arrows had run out, and began to retreat with it scattered to the left and right. From among the horseback riding squads that opened like wings, the infantrymen who were waiting for their turn proceeded with a cry. I guess I'll leave it with scattered arrows and go cook the weaker ones.

That said, they were a bunch of crude equipment and bullshit troops, no less than Imperial Corps soldiers. Shake up your spears and fists and make a fuss with sticks, drums, etc. that hiccup and hang pieces of bone. It's like a child's play.

Legionnaires who stood still braved all the time here.

They made those stupid, childish savages mock the honorable legions all they wanted. What do you do without multiplying and retaliating and letting them know?

Without waiting for Levanus' orders, the infantry proceeded more and more by striking an avalanche. Dorfaye infantry also runs out woefully, as if he mistook it as the beginning of the hunt.

- Wait, I'm glad.

So much patience that the Legion soldiers should have endured a little more. We should have waited for him to shorten his breath because the enemy would go out of his way to climb the sloping hill, albeit slightly. Besides, if I waited, the rear archers would have swept me first where I was in range and reduced the number.

But the soldiers with blood on their heads without being hit, all they thought about was smashing their opponents. Whatever was efficient, I couldn't care less if I stabbed every savage with my hands, slashed him down, and stepped on him.

The spear tip of an army turned into a heat wave seemed to burn the head of an undefended Dolphian group, that moment.

"Emperor servants, think of your stupidity!!

A huge flame came from heaven, along with a winning cry.

In the middle of the infantry unit, Elecia descended with Gencious, not just in the middle of the battle, not yet in the front row, but in the part where he was just advancing.

Without even giving a surprise gap, Genshas wields his long tail and huge wings, knocking the humans down like wheat ears. Elesia also sifts the spear of the heir, and stabs the soldier gradually, turning him into a fire pillar.

In an instant it turned into an alley of snort shouting. No longer was there a line or a battle. When the fleeing soldiers pushed each other, and the collapse reached the front row, it was over.

An Imperial Legion soldier, who should otherwise have an overwhelming advantage, is easily deprived of his life at the hands of a poorly equipped Dolphaer than a wild hare.

Without waiting for the rear soldiers to rush to help their companions, Flaming Dragon and Dragon Marquis rose high in the sky and fled. The Dolphins, who were intoxicated by the hunt, also retreat quickly to signal it. A cavalry that was away from being able to touch the power of the dragon picked up his lightweight companion and ran away.

Levanus and the archers' officers, who saw the tragedy that struck the infantry from the top of the hill, had suddenly lost themselves to much. By the time they returned to me and moved to help me, the Dolphin army was already without shadow or form.

Only the remains of the mutilated, pruned and burned soldiers were weeping in the wind.