episode_0072

Benito’s proud (self-proclaimed) army of 50,000 elite soldiers was completely destroyed.

It wasn’t a total annihilation. Unfortunately, our 6th Corps also suffered some damage.

They wanted to pursue, but the legionnaires and the cavalry of the 13th Legion were both exhausted.

I decided to stop there for now because it would have been a regrettable ending if we had been counterattacked there.

Still, a great victory was a great victory.

Those killed in battle alone numbered well over 20,000, with a similar number of prisoners taken.

Where did all those great numbers go? It is said that less than ten thousand people returned to Benito.

King Benito is probably vomiting blood and cursing Rune.

The real culprit behind all this is not God, but me.

That’s why the head is important. Look at our empire. Okay?

It’s not called an empire for nothing. The emperor was the emperor. He pushed forward with full force while respecting the atmosphere on the scene.

If a strong army is not nurtured in this way, it would be nonsense.

‘The environment also had a very important impact there.’

The empire has borders in all four directions: east, west, south, and north.

Like it or not, combat is bound to be tiring. The Legion is clear evidence of that.

This battle was clearly won because our corps’ fighting power was superior.

If that hadn’t been the case, it would have collapsed long ago at the drainage stage.

… Ah. No. If that had been the case from the beginning, I wouldn’t have even thought of hitting Bae Soo-jin.

“Great victory, great victory! Could they really have known that the way home was the way to the afterlife!”

“Khahahaha! Death must be very busy. Taking in so many souls!”

Thanks to this, the atmosphere in the 6th Corps’ command center was so heated that it seemed as if it would explode at any moment.

It was as if someone would shout at any moment, ‘Let’s sweep away Benito too!’

It’s not just here. The cheers of the soldiers that can be heard in the distance are also like that.

Although there was some damage, the joy was much stronger than the sadness.

Perhaps when they return, they will shine forever as the protagonists of a great victory.

‘hmm.’

Here I slowly realized that the moment had come for me to act as a ‘true soldier’.

“Congratulations on your great victory, Commander. And all commanders.”

“Oh my! Prince Kael! Put your modesty aside! Wasn’t it Prince Kael who planned this wonderful victory from the beginning?”

“The commander is right. If Prince Kael stays back, we will be the worst ones to steal his achievements.”

“Hahaha. No matter what, the contribution of those who are active in the field should be greater.”

“If you think about it, Prince Kael is also in the field, so I think there is no problem!”

At one commander’s words, others knock on the table and say, ‘Right! Well said!’

I couldn’t help but laugh because they looked like reckless teenage boys.

“I’m glad you say that. But still, our work is not over yet. What I’m going to say next might be a little bit detrimental to the fun atmosphere. Is that okay?”

At my words, the corps commanders and commanders instantly wiped the smiles from their faces.

Then, as if nothing had happened, he returns to his serious expression and focuses on me.

Who wouldn’t say they’re the backbone of the Imperial Legion? They’re so thorough that it’s scary.

“I will listen, Prince Kael.”

“Thank you, Commander. Then, we should start preparing to retreat.”

“If you say it’s a retreat.”

“Unfortunately, this is where we are. It seems like Benito’s attack is impossible.”

Their expressions become strange. They try to look calm, but their confusion is evident.

Of course. We’ve already cut off Benito’s hands and feet, so now all we need to do is cut off his head.

You might not understand why I said I would leave that head behind and go back.

But soon they realized their situation and began to spit out sobs.

“We achieved a great victory, but our army suffered considerable damage.”

“From Benito’s first offensive to his last resistance. Still, he was fierce because he had some training.”

“Our left wing suffered particularly heavy damage. The total casualties alone amounted to 4,000.”

If the casualties were 4,000 out of 20,000, it would be correct to say that 8,000 were actually tied up.

They may have immediate fighting capabilities, but they have lost the ability to wage war.

Additionally, the cavalry force of the 13th Army Corps also suffered some damage, so we need to consider that as well.

“First of all, if we are to attack Benito directly, we need siege weapons. However, our legion has not yet prepared them. Even if we procure them locally and make them, it will take a long time.”

“The same goes for the 13th Legion.”

“In the end, the 4th and 15th Corps have to switch sides with us for there to be some chance, but it’s not easy to get wood here to begin with… .”

Battles in the field and sieges are completely different situations.

There is so much to prepare for on the attacker’s side.

There are also things that need to be taken care of, managed, and carefully observed.

“Even if we do capture Benito, it’s still a problem.”

“But Prince Kael. Benito is the one who declared war. Even if you cut off all their limbs, wouldn’t it be a problem if you can’t get rid of that king?”

I admit that. Benito did not express his intention to surrender like the East.

In that situation, if the empire withdraws its troops on its own, they will shout, ‘We won!’

It was a tearful battle in which 50,000 troops were destroyed at the same time.

Although they were defeated there, the empire suffered so much damage that they had to retreat.

It’s obvious that they’ll achieve a moral victory like this. It was so obvious.

“The Imperial High Command will organize and inform you of that later.”

“… I see.”

“Yes. Either way, one thing is certain. We have won a great victory, and we have paid the price, so we must step back.”

What we were aiming for in the first place was not Benito, but Benito’s main force.

Since the mission was successfully accomplished, there is no problem in returning.

Rather, if you blindly believe in yourself and act arrogantly and lose, the atmosphere will only become strange.

A person must be able to know when to advance and when to retreat.

“And you never know. Something might happen and you might not be able to go even if you want to.”

This was meant only for slightly discouraged commanders.

Absolutely, absolutely not because it had any other meaning.

And exactly three days later.

“Prince Kael.”

“No.”

“… Or maybe, really, you are not a prophet?”

“Absolutely not.”

How many times have I had to hear that from legion commanders and commanders?

[ Dedorant. Entering the Benito Kingdom ]

*

The gate opens, and soon a group of knights enters through it.

Following them, proud soldiers follow, holding their flags high.

“Waaa …

Everyone cheers at the sight. They give thunderous applause.

But something is a little strange. This place is now the western kingdom of Atria.

But the flag coming in through the gate is not actually Atria’s.

The black eagle emblem. There is only one royal family that uses it. None other than Dedrant.

The two kingdoms have many close ties to each other and share common roots.

However, the two kingdoms are strictly separate countries. Troops cannot come and go at will.

However, the people of the kingdom welcome the army of Dedorant.

If others saw this sight now, they might find it bizarre.

“Citizens of the Kingdom of Atria!”

A moment later, a man climbs onto the stage and calls out to the people of the kingdom in a loud voice.

If you use amplification magic at the right time, the sound will spread throughout the capital.

“Today, this place is a place created by the great royal family of Atria! At the same time, Atria and Dedorant. This is possible because Dedorant and Atria are brother nations!”

To be precise, he secretly pressured the Atria royal family, who were left with nothing.

If you make things look good now, I will give you all the authority and prestige of the royal family.

However, if you keep nagging, the adults in the house will have no choice but to scold you like a child.

At those words, the Atria royal family, who had already lost all of their support, surrendered.

It was a natural thing. It was a kingdom that had already lost not only its king but also its successor.

Unfortunately, there was no successor to that successor, and there were no other successors.

All that remained was to bring in the distant collaterals, and Dedorant did not miss that.

If you think about it, the current royal family of Dedorant can be said to be a distant cousin of the royal family of Atria.

“First, for His Majesty the Great King of Atria who returned to God’s side, and for His Highness the Merciful Prince.”

The third prince of Dedorant. Also the actual ruler of Dedorant.

Prince Georg Sistania showed off his careful making of the sign of the cross.

“… But those great people are no more. It is a sad thing. Nevertheless, the glory of Atria must continue. Your life must continue. Because the Deo people are great beings who advance through any ordeal!”

Then, shouts of “Right!” erupt from all sides.

Some were genuine citizens of the kingdom, but others were disguised and hidden as wind catchers.

However, this was something that the common people of the kingdom could not know.

“I, Georg, dare to swear to God for the infinite glory of the Deo people! I will not fall until I complete my task! I will fight only for the prosperity of the Deo people! You are also a great Deo people like our Dedorant. I will fight for you too!”

If someone who had accomplished nothing had said something like that, he would have been laughed at.

But Prince Georg actually proved everything to me.

To avenge the humiliation suffered by De Galle and to sweep away the passive opposition factions within the country.

After that, he struck a blow to Degal and took all of the western territories.

Even in Atria, DeGalle is an object of hatred. He lives in a world where he is too good.

Additionally, for them, whose territory was not very fertile, the abundant De Galle could not help but be a thorn in their side.

Georgini, who destroyed that Degalé, was so popular that it was beyond imagination.

“What can’t the great Atria and Dedorant unite to achieve! For the Deo people, by the Deo people. We must create the greatest and most prosperous nation of the Deo people!”

After a while, that speech was met with enthusiastic cheers from the citizens of the Kingdom of Atria.

Dedorant has officially succeeded in devouring Atria.

This happened at a time when the Empire and Benito were just clashing in the South.

“Your Highness. Next is.”

“I guess I should go to Benito.”

Georg looked as if his head was spinning just thinking about it.

Originally, I was supposed to take out DeGalle and finish off Los Tanica.

But given the circumstances, I couldn’t just leave Benito alone.

“Can over-stimulate the Empire.”

“We have to avoid that somehow. For a while, that is.”

Georg thought for a moment and then immediately moved on to the next move.

My half-brother, or at least a proper prince of Dedorant.

The plan was to send a delegation to the empire, led by him.

And in their arms was a personal letter from King Dedorant.

[ To His Majesty the Emperor of the Great Empire, the King of Dedorant… ]

It’s hard to believe that this was written by a proper ruler of a kingdom.

It is a content that takes on an extremely humble attitude that even the viewer would be embarrassed by.