Another Battle – Part 1

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Angie was walking down the road like a wounded wolf.

This road was called ‘Reindeer Main Road’ in the local language, and it seemed it was named that way because people lived in a place where reindeers grazed. She had read it from a very dirty Shan language book from looting.

It was a travel book that told about place names, famous places, main roads and others. ‘I wonder what’s the title of that book…’

She couldn’t remember because her head seemed hazy. Angie easily gave up remembering.

“Princess, please ride in the carriage.” (Gustav)

Gustav made a remark.

“Stop it. That will be the last time.” (Angelica)

Horses that were already pulling the carriage were reaching their limits of fatigue. So, even those who were supposed to be in the coachman’s seat got off and stood in front of them, holding the reins and pulling the horse. Even with the weight of a woman, it would be an additional burden for Angie to ride in the carriage.

Besides, she couldn’t afford to ride the carriage again and enjoyed it comfortably. This was to pay for her own mistakes.

 

—

 

Four days ago…

While Angie was stunned, she looked beyond the collapsed bridge. About four-fifths of the bridge had collapsed, starting from the center part. There was still a thin amount of smoke around, and the smoke had a burning smell of ammunition.

“This victory is the best gift to my first army!! Well then, be careful on your way home!!” (Yuri)

On the other side of the cliff, a person who seemed to be Yuri Hou was raising a war cry.

‘We lost.’

It felt like a trick, when I heard that the bridge still exists, but at the moment, I felt that it had changed to the feeling of defeat.

It was a winning battle. At least, it wasn’t a battle in which their side misjudged the strength and ability of the other side where they had no chance of winning from the beginning. In other words, it wasn’t a so-called ‘battle that they lost before they fought’.

‘…No, was that really the case?

If the victory condition here was to obtain Shanti princesses, the appearance of the two princesses that the scouts saw were also traps. If the princesses had left shortly after the scouts left, there was no chance that this operation would satisfy the victory condition.

‘As expected, we have lost. It was like dancing in the palm of Yuri Hou from the beginning.’

“Hmm, be careful on your way home!!” (Yuri)

Yuri Hou, who pulled off a series of operations, said so at the end with a perfectly unadulterated orthodox pronunciation (legitimate accent). The man was now standing by the cliff, facing them head-on with the people he protected on his back.

‘Hero–.’

The word passed through Angie’s head.

After all the hardships and tribulations, he led the people and  the soldiers, and remained in the palace and escaped with the last soldier. She didn’t think that it was the commander’s ideal to be the last person to escape the battlefield, but Angie thought that he was heroic.

While being bombarded by resentment and regret, a feeling of admiration and envy arose in her heart.

‘I want to surpass him. I want to go beyond this man and become the king among the kings.’

Childish ambition swelled up in her heart.

“Is there an archer!? Come out in front and shoot him!!” (Epitaph)

Epitaph shouted in an angry voice. Then, perhaps by chance, a person with a bow came out of the crowd. As soon as he arrived at the front row of the cliff…

“Shoot quickly!!” (Epitaph)

An order was given. Immediately after, the archer pulled the string and fired it.

The arrow that flew while cutting the wind with a sound. It drew a really gentle curve and headed for Yuri Hou as if it was sucked in. However, Yuri Hou didn’t seem to be afraid. While moving a bit, he shifted half of his body to the side and lied down.

When his body lowered down, most of his chest and belly were hidden. The side of the body was covered with shoulders and arms, so it could be said that if he didn’t get hit on the head, there would be no danger. It was a defensive technique that duel representatives.

It was a calm decision. It would have made sense if he flustered immediately, but he didn’t.

The arrow was dropped by a tall big man with a spear before it reached Yuri Hou.

‘Is he the man who rampaged in the battle of the bridge earlier?’

Angie was at the rear, so the battle on the bridge wasn’t seen well.

After the arrow was dropped unexpectedly, Yuri Hou held a gun and pointed at us.

Angie remembered that she had just been shot in the head. Yuri Hou’s marksmanship was quite good.

“It’s dangerous! Protect Epitaph-dono!” (Angelica)

She shouted reflexively.

“There’s no need!” (Epitaph)

‘Eh.’

Angie’s head became blank.

The Devil’s bullet can’t hit me.” (Epitaph)

Epitaph said something she didn’t understand. Looking at the opposite bank, Yuri Hou stood with a gun on the spot, and he seemed to be aiming leisurely.

Then, he fired. A peculiar sound of gunfire echoed through the ravine.

The bullet crossed the river, and pierced Epitaph… No, as if it pierced him. In reality, however, the bullet shallowly cut Epitaph’s cheek, and hit the face of the Knight next to him, who was trying to protect Epitaph. Shortly after screaming, the Knight collapsed.

“See, just like I said. God is blessing us.” (Epitaph)

He said as if there was nothing going on.

‘In his eyes, is it a win?’

For Angie, it seemed that they were forsaken by God instead.

‘If there is a fate or a flow of luck in this world, it is leaning toward their side. God does nothing. God doesn’t extend his help to the world. Therefore, it isn’t an existence to rely on.’

‘The priest pretends to be a spokesman for God’s will for the reason of happiness or misfortune, but God doesn’t affect the world. My father said so and it was proven with his death. The father, who embodied the royal path set by God, was completely unlucky.’

‘Was Epitaph lying in order to encourage the soldiers, or he himself didn’t think so?’

Angie didn’t understand.

“Now, let’s turn back and go home. The hip is waiting.” (Epitaph)

Epitaph said so.

The war here seemed to be over.

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—

 

“Well then, we will be in charge of the rear.” (Angelica)

Angie quickly mentioned it and succeeded in taking the rear of the group. To begin with, there was no possibility of pursuing from the rear, so there was no danger.

Since her group would be the last group to board the ship, it would be dangerous in a certain aspect, but she did so because of the unpleasant premonition that made her anxious.

A task that didn’t work for her once was something that wouldn’t work for a long time. The prediction was different from the beginning, so there would be deviation to the outcome until later.

That was it.

The premonition would hit the mark early that evening.

 

—

 

“Our army collided with a powerful unit on the front line. For Angelica-sama, you are tasked to prepare for the reinforcements.” (??)

When the volunteering chivalric order was said, Angie had a strange conviction of ‘As expected, it would be that way, huh?’ and at the same time, she was overwhelmed with the horrifying sense of crisis.

The strategy was based on the premise that the enemy’s reinforcements wouldn’t come out even if their side advanced deep into the enemy’s territory. It wasn’t a completely unfounded precondition.

The enemy was a defeated  army, so it wouldn’t be difficult to fight back aggressively. Epitaph presented it as a strained logic, and Angie also thought the same.

However, the enemy had come. Although it was a hindsight-based opinion that could be said later, when she thought about it, they were too optimistic.

“Understood. You should go back.” (Angelica)

“Yes.” (??)

Angie opened her mouth for the first time after confirming that the messenger had gone far enough.

“Withdraw the entire army.” (Angelica)

After saying that, she felt a strange discrepancy in the expression. Although it was said to be withdrawal, they were currently withdrawing in the first place, and the withdrawal route was where Angie was walking now.

“We’re going back to the way we came.” (Angelica)

“Yes! However…” (Gustav)

The vice commander, Gustav, responded.

“I saw the shadow of a cavalryman from behind. We have to go after them.” (Angelica)

Angie said so clearly.

“…Will that be alright?” (Gustav)

“I saw it. So I know.” (Angelica)

There was no army that wasn’t depressed after experiencing defeat. It didn’t change even if they were the volunteering chivalric order who had swore allegiance to God.

No matter how much they had trained, the inside was human. They weren’t an army without words or feelings, like an army made of bones led by the king of the dead. Each person had a will whether to be afraid or depressed.

They weren’t visibly collapsed because of the tireless training and they were supported by pride, but the morale was definitely declining. On top of that, the horses weren’t fed with fodder and the soldiers weren’t eating.

In such a state, there was no way to fight anyone. For Angie, it would be quite difficult even if she was told to lead them and fight against someone.

“I could see it as well. I will chase them from now on.” (Gustav)

Gustav followed suit.

“I look at the front line.” (Angelica)

“Princess.” (Gustav)

Gustav rebuked.

“Please command the withdrawal. I will catch up with you soon.” (Angelica)

“Princess! It’s dangerous!” (Gustav)

“There will be no objection. If you don’t know the enemy’s position, you can’t deal with it. And I have to see Epitaph-dono’s movement.” (Angelica)

Depending on the appearance of the enemy, in the worst case scenario, withdrawing the army using this road might be dangerous. She didn’t think that the volunteering chivalric order would be beaten in a single blow, but if that happened, it was dangerous to go down this road.

In that case… just like how Yuri Hou did, ironically, they needed to go through the forest without a proper path.

“Understood. I will take care of everything and command. Please be careful.” (Gustav)

“I know. I just look at it.” (Angelica)

Angie turned her horse around.

 

—

 

“Epitaph-dono!!” (Angelica)

Epitaph looked at Angie from a horse as she went and squeezed through the volunteering chivalric order.

“Angelica-dono! How was it?” (Epitaph)

“I’m fine. I came to see the situation!!” (Angelica)

“Is that so?” (Epitaph)

When he said that, he had a disappointing expression on his face for a moment, and turned away.

‘What?’

“So, the devil won’t stop” (Epitaph)

“Probably… No, it’s impossible.” (??)

The answer came from a knight kneeling under the horse straddled by Epitaph. He knelt, but his face was raised to see Epitaph.

The man looked familiar to Angie. He was one of the 300 soldiers and also a captain of a 40-man unit.

“Why is that? Give me the rationale.” (Epitaph)

“The rationale–…” (??)

The Knight looked stunned for a moment.

“No, I’m afraid that’s not the case. If we don’t turn back immediately, you will be in danger!!” (??)

‘Aah’

Angie sensed the state of the front line.

The enemy was fighting hard even if they were in overwhelming disadvantage probably because of military training.

It wasn’t only because of their demoralization. In fact, they weren’t fully armed. In order to increase the march speed, the armor used had been left on the ship and their side had become a light infantry army.

Originally, if it were an ordinary army, the enemy would have collapsed, but they were holding up.

“Farente-dono! Is the enemy attacking with birds?!” (Angelica)

Angie asked by calling up his name.

“Yes. All enemies are cavalry! Fortunately, the bottleneck has slowed down the momentum of the collision, but the enemy troops are also very well trained–” (Farente)

“Understood!” (Angelica)

Angie said to interrupt the man’s words.

Epitaph-dono, let us withdraw immediately! If we don’t gather the soldiers as soon as possible–…” (Angelica)

“Silent!!” (Epitaph)

“–…” (Angie)

Epitaph, who faced Angie, had an expression that she had never seen before. His mouth was distorted, his teeth were clenched and his eyes were glaring at something.

Angie couldn’t say anything more. It would be bad if she spoke at such times. The rest of the volunteering chivalric order didn’t say anything, probably thinking the same thing.

In spite of the emergency situation, the captains, centered on Epitaph, stopped eerily. About thirty seconds had passed.

“Turn back.” (Epitaph)

Epitaph clearly said so.

“Angelica-dono, I want to know if there is a route to turn back.” (Epitaph)

“There is, but it will be a long way.” (Angelica)

Angie said it, and Epitaph…

“Farente, your troops will stay here and hold down the enemy until the last soldier you have.” (Epitaph)

He said it calmly. Angie stopped thinking for a moment and became petrified.

“Epitaph-dono! That’s too…!” (Angelica)

She spoke unintentionally.

What Epitaph said was a sacrificial stone. That was his instruction. It would be death… no, it meant to resist death by using their main force.

If it was an ordinary army, such an order wouldn’t be possible.

No matter how fierce the withdrawal battle was, it wasn’t decided that they would die. If they survive, they could fight only if they think that there were rewards and praise.

But this was a fight to death. Neither the captains or soldiers could do it. From the standpoint of a commander who treated soldiers as pieces, there would be many occasions that needed them to give such an order. However, it was meaningless if the order was rejected, or the soldiers would escape after pretending to accept it.

If the loyalty to the nation and the lord wasn’t greater than their own life, it was natural to think that the order was an order of committing suicide. Would there be an apprentice who kill himself when his master order him to commit suicide?

However, if they were the volunteering chivalric order under Epitaph, the order would be executed over faith and family name. It wasn’t that the confidence toward Epitaph would make them follow…

For Angie, it seemed too pitiful to use their brilliant loyalty and dedication in this way.

“Then, we will also have Orfan’s unit. They should have remained intact, forty people. Do your best.” (Epitaph)

“Kuh…” (Angelica)

Angelica clenched her teeth. She couldn’t comprehend.

After some hesitation, Farente…

“…Understood. 32 of us will work with them on this mission.” (Farente)

…said so.

“Do your best.” (Epitaph)

Epitaph repeated the same line, flipping his horse and head toward the front.

‘He’s probably going to order withdrawal. It won’t be a consolation for Farente’s tragic determination.’

“Farente-dono!” (Angelica)

Angie called out to the man, who had been transferred under her command earlier, and when he approached, she got off the horse. It was an emergency situation, but she couldn’t help but speak to him.

“Aren’t you going to say something…” (Angelica)

“No, no one who comes with us here without being prepared to die.” (Farente)

Farente said in a resolute manner.

“But…” (Angelica)

“It’s fine. I’m sure my country will treat my family well. I’m sorry for the single young people though.” (Farente)

“If I strongly oppose that…” (Angelica)

“No, please don’t. I don’t know what will happen if you say that.” (Farente)

While trying to stand up for him, Angie felt a hangnail stabbed in her heart.

‘Oppose?’

She said something like a protest, but was she trying to oppose it? No, she didn’t think that she was going to oppose it.

It was just the mouth. She wasn’t honest, but rather only on the surface.

“Please forgive me. I… I didn’t mean to oppose him. I just had a feeling of refusal in this operation. Epitaph-dono’s strategy is rational.” (Angelica)

Epitaph’s strategy was outrageous, but it was the most effective in this situation. Angie acknowledged that. Somewhere in her heart, she was fully welcoming the decision, even though she felt Epitaph’s attitude as an outsider.

“…Is that so?” (Farente)

The man seemed to smile sadly.

“No… it’s a good thing to hold one’s life dear.” (Farente)

Farente said with deep emotion that he felt something from Angie’s attitude.

‘It is regretful. Is it really? Do I really have the qualifications to think so?’

“Farente-dono, I…” (Angelica)

“That’s enough.” (Farente)

Farente interrupted the conversation and extended his right hand low.

He probably didn’t want to listen anymore.

Angie grabbed his right hand and shook it firmly.

“Thank you for your help… I will never forget you for the rest of my life.” (Angelica)

“Yes. Well then, let’s meet in heaven.” (Farente)

“…Yes.” (Angelica)

“You must survive. It is a waste to lose your life here.” (Farente)

He said that, and…

“Well then.” (Angelica)

…he turned his heels back and headed for his troops.

Angie could only see his back off.

 

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