episode_0260

End of the war [Battle of Lake Simenotra (2)]

Arnim, commander of the 5th corps, and Claudia, commander of the 7th corps, focused on the pursuit by recruiting their troops, and as a result, they broke through the Tesseito border at a rapid pace.

There was resistance from the border guards, but the combat power of the two fully reorganized corps instantly trampled them and continued the advance.

But they had to stop their advance at Lake Simenotra. This was because the Teseito army’s garrison was visible on the far side of the lake.

“Corps Commander! This is a scout’s report that the Teseito army is encamped here! It is said that they are receiving supplies here and taking a break by lighting a bonfire”

“Then how about launching a surprise attack right now? If you keep pushing before your enemies regain their energy, you’re sure to win easily!”

Claudia, commander of the 7th Corps, could not help but be troubled by the staff’s insistence on launching an attack.

‘No matter how much the enemy is being chased by us, we are also exhausted. Although the soldiers may not feel fatigue due to excitement now, there is a high possibility that the aftereffects will come when they actually enter the battle. But the same goes for the enemy… Moreover, the Commander-in-Chief gave us instructions not to overdo it. What should I do in this situation…’

“… First, set up a garrison here! Report the situation to the commander-in-chief and give instructions…”

After much deliberation, the decision she made was to first establish a garrison and listen to Mayer’s instructions.

A man came running behind her as she was trying to establish a position for the soldiers to establish a camp and communicate with Mayer.

“Claudia!! what are you doing? We must drive them out immediately! This is not the time to be like this!!”

“Arnim Corps Commander? No, why didn’t you tell me to do this by email if I had anything to say? And why do you keep speaking informally…”

Even though Claudia frowned at the sudden informal language, Arnim calmly approached her and made her look dumbfounded with a calm expression.

“What do you think? We’ve even shared knives with each other, but aren’t you able to understand informal language?”

“Ha… Really, you… It’s done!! But you want to attack the enemy right away? Are you saying that knowing what the situation is?”

“Of course! Those Teseito guys are running all the way here while being chased by us, so they’ve lost all their strength!! Besides, they’re letting down their guard because they’re getting supplies right now, right? Are you going to let this golden opportunity go by? Didn’t you want to revive your family by making achievements?”

When Arnim touched his face again, veins appeared on Claudia’s forehead.

“Of course, I also have a strong desire to make achievements!! But our military is also lacking strength!! Besides, they probably know that we’re here! Do you really not know that?”

“I know it well. But the fight is full of momentum!! Now, our army has won a great victory in the Enakan Plain, and their morale is high as they have defeated the enemy’s suicide assault troop with almost no damage!! If we miss this opportunity, the enemy will continue to receive supplies and recover, and we will be left to face the enemy here!!”

Claudia flinched because Arnim’s words had a point.

“Well, even if that were the case, you must first communicate with the Commander-in-Chief and get permission…”

“Claudia. Think about it carefully. Commander-in-Chief Minister Mayer currently thinks that Streve is the main attack. In other words, our role here is to keep the enemy in check”

“In that case, shouldn’t we just focus on defensive warfare? If we hold out here, the enemy will not be able to move easily, and if our main attack drops Streve, we can completely take control of the south of Tesseito. Then, the enemy will naturally have to withdraw to block the movements of our troops, and we can take control of the shores of Lake Simenotra without even putting in effort and completely cut off Johannes Castle and Tesseito, which will have the effect of shortening the front line!! ”

As if being promoted to corps commander at a young age was not for nothing, Claudia perfectly understood Mayer’s tactics and explained to Arnim why he had to focus on defense.

“So? Then we haven’t done anything, right? Besides, we were tricked by those guys once!! Aren’t you even angry? We are now being treated like a stupid corps commander who fell for their scheme and opened up the withdrawal route!! I can’t stand being treated like that!!”

“Of course, me too…”

“I understand the tactics you explained! Of course, even if we just keep the enemy in check, Secretary Mayer’s tactics will be successful. But what if we inflict a serious blow on the enemy here? This could be an opportunity to completely destroy Tesseito! And we will be the number one contributors, you will be able to build up your family in an instant, and I will be able to succeed after inheriting my father’s title!!”

Claudia swallowed her saliva at Arnim’s words.

‘Wow, definitely… If we destroy the enemy here, our troops’ future actions will be greatly advantageous. Moreover, the number of masters is the same. If Viscount Amin and the Trollmaster that His Majesty has assigned to our legion can deal with just two enemy masters, this is a fight worth fighting. Above all, the enemy’s cavalry power has been greatly reduced. And because of the forest next to the lake, the terrain is very difficult to operate cavalry on. The odds of winning are good!!

Arnim’s temptation penetrated deep into the heart of Claudia, the daughter of a fallen family.

So in the end, she gave in to Arnim’s temptation and suggested that they let the army rest for one night and then advance the army.

Arnim also felt the need to give his soldiers rest, and he judged that it was impossible for the severely damaged Tesseito army to fully recover in one day, so he was satisfied that she agreed to his proposal. He made a face and returned to his camp.

As the sun rose the next morning, the 5th and 7th Corps began to slowly advance towards the Tesseito Garrison, where bonfire smoke was rising in the distance.

Arnim and Claudia hurried the soldiers as they watched a huge army numbering 15,000 men advance along the road next to the foggy lake.

“Move quickly! Didn’t the main building give you a good rest yesterday? If you want to reach the enemy’s camp by the afternoon, you have to move quickly!!”

“The place where the smoke is rising over there is where the enemy camp is! Rather than standing here face to face with the enemy, wouldn’t it be better to wipe them out quickly and rest in peace?”

Although each had a different style of leading the soldiers, the two men led the soldiers with faces full of confidence because they were soldiers who moved completely like their own limbs through several battles, and the soldiers receiving orders also had trust in their commanders. He gave me a look and quickly walked away.

“The enemy!! I see a group of enemy javelin cavalry ahead!!”

Claudia felt a little doubtful when she saw no movement of the enemy despite her own movements, but the cavalrymen of the Tesseito army who appeared just in time cleared her doubts.

“There is no need to chase after it quickly! Raise your shield to thoroughly block the javelin and put pressure on the enemy!! The pursuit is left to the 5th Corps light infantry!”

Dozens of cavalrymen rushed forward and threw javelins, but the heavy infantry of the 7th Legion led by Claudia lived up to her expectations by simply blocking the javelins.

“Now send a chase signal to the 5th Corps…”

As she was about to send a message to Arnim, she smiled as she saw the 5th Legion’s light infantry galloping next to her formation to take on the enemy cavalry.

‘Really… He’s definitely a frivolous man, but his commanding ability is definitely trustworthy. Even without any signal, it moves on its own.’

Claudia sent orders to her corps to follow the 5th corps, and she herself mounted her horse and rode forward.

“5 Corps Commander. I don’t know much about commanding troops, but… isn’t that too hasty? I think it will be difficult for our troops to demonstrate proper combat power on a narrow path where troops can only advance in a straight line…”

Claudia lightly patted her chest to show that she was okay when she heard Viscount Armin’s words of concern next to her.

“Don’t worry. Viscount Amin. The enemy camp is almost six hours away from here. I think that even with the footsteps of our imperial troops, we will not be able to encounter the enemy until the afternoon. Moreover, cavalry, the enemy’s main type of soldier, becomes more difficult to move”

Viscount Armin nodded in understanding at Claudia’s explanation.

Although she felt a little uncomfortable, she was the commander of the troops anyway, and since she was a knight dispatched to deal with the enemy master, she had no authority and decided that it was not her area to interfere as a non-expert.

Watching the enemy cavalry, which had used up all of its javelins, escape the pursuit of the light infantry, Claudia increased the speed of her troops’ advance.

“The distance from the 5th Corps must not increase!! Increase your speed even more!!”

Claudia felt victory as she watched the corps increase its marching speed according to her orders.

‘If things continue like this, we can attack the enemy before he completely finishes supplying us. Of course, the enemy probably knew we were coming so they sent the cavalry, but it was clearly just a bid to kill time anyway!! But let me tell you that there is no use in buying time like that!!’

Claudia imagined herself raising a splendid family and went to the front of the legion to lead the troops.

“Hey!! Look!! You’re just so excited to judge the situation, blah, blah, blah, right? Hehehehe… But I can’t lose either!! Guys! Move faster! Shouldn’t our 5th Corps fall behind that sloppy 7th Corps and steal the credit? ”

Arnim also quickly moved his troops as if he would not be left behind by Claudia.

And that afternoon.

Arnim and Claudia watched with their own eyes as their legions were brutally annihilated and were put in a position where they hoped that this situation was a nightmare they could not wake from.

*Illustration of 7th Legion Commander Claudia