Chapter 92: War Written as ‘Reclamation’, Read as ‘Destruction’ 6

The unexpected situation unfolding before her eyes.

Watching the enemy forces that had suddenly appeared setting fires everywhere, Archbishop Maxim’s face froze in shock as she rose from her seat.

“Wh…What is this? How did the enemy manage to…”

“Your Eminence! This is no time to be dazed! Please give us your orders! At this rate, all our supplies will be consumed by the flames!”

The desperate cries of the Holy Knights.

Skirmishes had erupted between the suddenly appearing enemy soldiers and the Holy Knights in various locations. Their numbers appeared roughly even, and considering individual combat prowess, the Holy Knights should have held the advantage in such a scenario.

Though at risk of mortal wounds from direct gunshot hits, the Holy Knights’ Auras and combat skills were formidable forces not to be underestimated.

Yet despite this, Maxim watched helplessly as her Holy Knights floundered against their assailants, unable to gain the upper hand and instead being inexorably driven back.

The reason was simple.

The surprise attackers moved in disciplined unison under what seemed to be a commander’s direction. In contrast, the Holy Knights acted individually with utter lack of coordination.

“Damn it! You lot, over there!”

“No, that way! They’re massing over there!”

“What are you talking about? This side is more urgent!”

With their would-be commander completely useless, lying in a daze, the Holy Knights could not establish a coherent response.

Maxim should have tried to regain her composure and lead the battle effort. However, overwhelmed by the unexpected crisis, she fell into sheer panic – unable to make any decisions as she merely paced about aimlessly.

“Wh…What do I… What do I do in this situation?”

“Regain your senses, Your Eminence! Please give us orders!”

“I… I don’t know… I don’t know about this. How can you expect me to handle a situation like this?”

At the very least, the enemy’s objective seemed to be the stockpiled supplies rather than the Holy Knights themselves, minimizing casualties.

The problem lay in the Holy Knights’ failure to properly defend, allowing the precious supplies to be destroyed by the raging fires.

Guarding those supplies had been Maxim’s duty. Witnessing their wanton loss in real-time due to her inaction plunged her deeper into utter disarray.

“Damn it…! Those still able, follow me! We’ll somehow drive off the enemy!”

“A…Ah…Understood!”

Finally taking charge, one of the Holy Knights rallied the remainder into action.

Following his lead, those around Maxim hastened to join him.

Protocol dictated they should heed their commander the archbishop in such times.

Yet with Maxim merely babbling “How?” without issuing any coherent orders, they realized trusting her ineptitude would lead to their demise – forcing them to take independent action.

Thus abandoning Maxim, the Holy Knights rushed to confront the enemy.

Watching her subordinates depart to handle the crisis she had neglected, Maxim remained motionless with a dazed expression.

At that moment…

“! There she is! That woman is the commander of these Holy Knights!”

Maxim’s face registered shock at the enemy’s shouts, her ornate archbishopric attire making her stand out even in the darkness.

The torchlight illuminated her lavish golden-embroidered vestments, immediately drawing the enemy’s attention as the Holy Knights had just departed her side – leaving Maxim vulnerable and isolated.

Swiftly surrounding the defenseless Maxim with raised weapons, they jeered:

“Wh…What is the meaning of this outrage? How dare vile heretics lay hands on God’s anointed servant…”

Sputtering indignantly, Maxim’s reaction only drew mocking laughter.

“Vile heretics? Hah, the arrogance of you Church folk truly knows no bounds.”

“Clinging to your pride in this situation… Are you simply fearless, or too dimwitted to grasp your plight?”

Advancing on Maxim with weapons trained, she frantically drew a dagger in feeble resistance.

“St…Stay back! You ruffians… do you know what will befall you for accosting your betters? I am an archbishop recognized by His Holiness the Pope and His Majesty the Emperor! To lay hands on one such as I…”

Brandishing her dagger as they closed within reach, Maxim attempted to strike…

Only for her dagger to be easily deflected in a flashing arc.

“Guh!”

The next instant, a soldier’s fist plunged into Maxim’s abdomen – robbing her of the ability to resist as she crumpled powerlessly to the ground, clutching her midsection.

Observing Maxim’s plight, the soldiers’ expressions turned to satisfied smiles.

“Well now, how fortunate – we were feeling slightly unsatisfied with just plundering the supplies. To have bagged a Church archbishop as well…”

“An archbishop wields nearly the power of a lord, no? Never expected to land such a big catch!”

“Let’s take this bitch with us. Lord Mansfelt will surely be pleased.”

“Quite the unexpected bonus prize from this operation!”

“You…you…vile…wretches…”

Seething with pain-laced fury, Maxim’s impotent rage only served to whet her captors’ avaricious appetites as they unceremoniously hoisted her battered form.

At that moment…

“! It’s General Tilly! General Tilly’s soldiers have arrived!”

Amid the sudden commotion, a troop of Tilly’s men charged toward them – prompting Mansfelt’s subordinate to click his tongue in annoyance.

“Tch… They arrived sooner than expected. Full retreat! Lingering further will only invite disaster!”

“Understood!”

“Pull back! Everyone withdraw!”

As swiftly as they had struck, the attackers fled with equal haste.

Though tempted to give chase, Tilly realized the futility – his priorities were extinguishing the raging fires consuming their supplies, and preparing for potential further attacks from Mansfelt.

“Douse those flames as quickly as possible! Preserving our rations and munitions takes precedence over the enemy!”

“Yes, General!”

“And you men, immediately scout the forward areas! If you detect any suspicious movements from Mansfelt, report back at once.”

“Understood. We will follow your orders.”

Adhering to Tilly’s commands, his troops hastened into action.

Having restored a semblance of order, Tilly surveyed the damage from the raid – his brow furrowing grimly.

‘Not catastrophic, but more severe than anticipated… Considering the Holy Knights were guarding this section, I had assumed a degree of safety.’

As an elite force surpassing common soldiers in combat ability, especially formidable against mages, the Holy Knights should have mounted a stalwart defense.

Though vulnerable to physical projectiles compared to mages, they were nonetheless an elite corps.

However, while not entirely useless, the Holy Knights had failed to adequately repel the enemy’s assault – leaving a bitter taste in Tilly’s mouth.

‘I should not have put too much faith in that archbishop’s boastful claims. No matter how capable the Holy Knights, I ought to have stationed more troops here…’

Rueing his oversight even as he felt relieved the damage was limited, Tilly sought out the person in charge – Archbishop Maxim – to ascertain the full situation.

Yet…

“What…what do you mean she’s missing?”

“Yes… we’ve searched everywhere, but she’s nowhere to be found. We even checked among the wounded and dead bodies, but there’s no trace of her.”

“Could it be that…”

The soldiers’ and Holy Knights’ reports that Maxim had vanished without a trace caused an ominous premonition to take root in Tilly’s mind…

A suspicion that would ultimately prove accurate.