Chapter 93: War Written as ‘Reclamation’, Read as ‘Destruction’ 7

Having successfully executed their surprise attack and withdrawn at an opportune moment, Mansfelt and Christiane’s forces had inflicted damage on the enemy – though not catastrophically so.

Despite Mansfelt and Christiane’s main force diverting the enemy’s attention, General Tilly’s response was remarkably adept. Critically, General Spinola’s reaction was also exceedingly swift, leaving them sorely lacking in time.

Though they had set the supply depots ablaze, the actual losses amounted to no more than 30% at most.

However… through this, Mansfelt and Christiane had at least achieved their strategic objectives.

In that brief window, they had thoroughly disrupted the enemy camp, impressing upon them that they were not to be trifled with.

As such, even if Spinola and Tilly’s combined might eventually converged, they would hesitate to recklessly attack.

Moreover, once free of the Palatinate region, the enemy would find giving pursuit no simple matter – a bonus.

Thus, having determined no imminent threats remained, Mansfelt and Christiane swiftly withdrew from the Imperial forces’ reach, heading northward out of the Palatinate.

“What are you dawdling for! Move it, quickly!”

“Slacking off, are we prisoner? Need a few more blows to regain your senses?”

“Kuh…”

Bound and forcibly marched by the soldiers, Maxim’s expression was consumed with humiliation and fury.

No matter her status as a prisoner, she remained a high-ranking Church cleric entitled to nobility’s privileges – fundamentally above common soldiers’ station.

Yet these foolish, wicked heretics seemed oblivious to such basic decorum, fueling Maxim’s smoldering resentment.

‘These filthy heretics dared lay hands on me… I shall never forgive this. In God’s name, I will make you wretches pay… Ugh!’

“Keep squirming like that, and I may just slit your throat here and now!”

Yanking her bindings viciously, the soldier’s outburst provoked his comrades to intervene.

“Hey, hey – no need to lose your temper yet. There’s no rush dealing with this bitch before reporting to Lord Mansfelt for our reward!”

“Besides, it’s been too long since we’ve had such fine womanly company. That scrawny lot recently has left much to be desired – let’s truly savor this rare indulgence.”

Licking their lips lecherously despite Maxim’s muffled, grinding fury, the soldiers nonetheless refrained from further action for now.

This restraint stemmed not from patience, but a pragmatic motive Maxim clung to:

‘These louts cannot dishonor me before presenting me to their commander Mansfelt. And surely a man of his stature will recognize my value… He will undoubtedly punish them for mistreating me and accord me proper respect.’

Unlike these base brutes, Maxim believed the worldly Mansfelt would not simply ignore her current plight.

Of course, to secure that, she would need to cooperate with her captors to some degree.

Having come here solely for personal profit rather than any sacred cause, she was more than willing to betray the Imperial forces if necessary.

Entertaining such thoughts while awaiting an opportunity to turn the tables, Maxim silently continued the forced march for now.

“So… Archbishop Maxim ultimately…”

“It seems so. According to the Holy Knights, she was wearing conspicuous ecclesiastical robes at the time, making her abduction highly likely.”

“I see… A regrettable turn of events.”

General Tilly’s slight discomfiture upon receiving the soldier’s report was evident.

Though her negligence had amplified the damage, learning that a noble archbishop participating in this holy war to enact God’s will had been captured left a bitter taste – his devout faith making the incident all the more unpalatable.

Concluding the unpleasant discussion of the archbishop’s disappearance, Tilly turned his attention to the man before him.

“My apologies. This was an understandably concerning matter…”

“No, it’s quite alright – the archbishop’s disappearance certainly warranted a thorough investigation.”

Accepting Tilly’s apology with a casual wave was an elderly-looking figure exuding an aura of extraordinary power belying his gentle demeanor – one even Tilly could not help but sense.

Ambrosio Spinola.

One of the Empire’s mightiest generals and among the rare 10th-rank archmages – a summit even Tilly had yet to attain.

With 10th-ranks nearly unheard of across the entire continent, Spinola’s renown stretched far beyond the Empire’s borders.

Enjoying the Emperor’s utmost trust, he currently governed the Esban territories on the Empire’s behalf.

In this very war, when Tilly faced defeat, it was Spinola’s conquest of the Palatinate that restored balance against the heretical forces. To Tilly, Spinola was a revered mentor who had rescued him and the Empire from crisis.

“Now then, let us continue our discussion. As I mentioned earlier, the enemy is swiftly advancing northward in an attempt to withdraw from the Palatinate. They likely judged continuing their rampage near our position unwise.”

“Indeed, I concur. The question is how we should respond.”

Naturally, Tilly’s desire was to pursue and avenge this indignity.

Yet the Imperial forces’ circumstances were far from ideal, despite their numerical might from the two armies’ convergence.

Tilly’s troops were utterly spent from their rapid, lengthy march. Compounding matters, the enemy’s recent raid had severely depleted their supplies.

Chasing the foe beyond the Palatinate under such conditions would require utmost fortitude.

‘No matter our formidable strength, venturing past the Palatinate into heretical territory is no simple decision… Reckless pursuit without knowing their movements would be unwise. We can ill afford such folly.’

Thus, Tilly suggested focusing on replenishing their forces and prioritizing defense for the time being.

At that moment…

“General! General Spinola!”

“What is it?”

The next instant, a frantic soldier rushed in with a mercenary wearing an oddly tense expression.

Puzzled by the newcomer’s presence at this high-level council, Tilly inquired:

“Who is this man? For a mere mercenary to intrude upon our war council, this must be no trivial matter.”

“Yes, you’re correct… This man was originally one of Mansfelt’s mercenaries…”

Promptly explaining the situation at Tilly’s behest, the mercenary then began speaking with an apprehensive mien.

Upon hearing his words, shock dawned on Generals Spinola and Tilly’s faces…

After further interrogation, they reached a decision regarding a previously hesitant course of action.

“Then it seems we should depart shortly after a brief respite.”

“I concur. These are foes we must inevitably confront. Let us seize this chance to repay them for the Palatinate indignities.”

Abandoning their earlier deliberations favoring defense, the two generals resolved upon an offensive stance.

Observing their shift, the ‘mercenary’ inwardly smiled, a certain phrase echoing through his mind:

‘Hail Bohemia…’