Battle of the Crusaders* – Part 3

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Angelica Sacrament, who was clad in armor that covered her face down to her eyes with thin fabric, was positioned at the rear of the Tyrellme God-Protected Empire. Around her were elite soldiers whom Angie had painstakingly trained. They were the cream of the crop, taught everything from how to fire rifles to the art of charging. However, being positioned at the rear, they rarely had a chance to engage in combat despite receiving orders to attack.

Alfred, who was still harboring suspicions after that meeting, feared that if he entrusted Angelica with the front line, she might achieve a breakthrough in the central battlefront. Thus, he placed her in the rear. This decision allowed her to avoid combat. It went according to Angie’s plan. She had pretended, saying things like, “Please assign me to the front line. I will achieve remarkable feats in battle,” all to be placed in the rear where she could easily retreat if needed.

Though visibility was limited from atop her horse, Angie could still grasp the situation on the battlefield to some extent. She could see clearly that the Tyrellme forces were struggling to breach the carriage wall. It was well thought out.

‘Normally, once infantry soldiers are approached by the enemy, they can no longer shoot their rifles. They resort to using their swords or long rifles as blunt weapons, engaging in close combat. However, with those carriages, they could still shoot even when approached. Since they fire at almost point-blank range, depending on the circumstances, their shots could penetrate bodies, causing harm to multiple individuals with a single shot.’

Angie considered trying to infiltrate and overturn them with superior numbers, but even when overturned, they continued to fire. It seemed impossible to deal with them. Even if they ignored them and attempted a direct assault, elite forces were waiting behind, and leaving such a firepower base behind would dull the assault. In such a situation, even if they charged once, they would be quickly repelled.

They were at an impasse.

“Angie-sama! A messenger!” (??)

One of her subordinates arrived with someone dressed as a messenger.

“Handle it.” (Angelica)

“Yes, milady!” (??)

The subordinate saluted.

Alfred, seeing the enemy’s defenses holding strong, had sent messengers in an attempt to send Angie to the front lines, aiming for her death in battle. Angie had already killed three messengers. On the battlefield, it was common for messengers to die, resulting in orders not being delivered. However, even in killing, there was a limit to three times. If she killed the fourth messenger, it might lead to consequences. Angie couldn’t afford to show weakness to Alfred.

Angie was praying for Yuri Hou’s victory. If there was to be no chance of military merit anyway, she thought she might as well…

She was still waiting. If Yuri Hou didn’t win, they would have to advance and fight. And still, she was waiting. The cavalries hidden in the forest was supposed to sally forth at the right moment. If the ambushing right flank cavalry of the Shaalta Kingdom appeared, they would charge and deal with them. If they didn’t show up, they would go out and fight.

Both the right and left flanks were stiffened, the center was struggling to advance, and the front line was repeatedly advancing and retreating, stagnating. The intervention of either main cavalry force would be a turning point in the battle.

Then, ten minutes had passed.

“Angie-sama! Another messenger—” (??)

It had come.

“Let him through.” (Angelica)

When Angie said so, the messenger was brought forward.

“This is an order from His Majesty Emperor Alfred! Princess Angelica’s troops are to immediately advance and join the front lines.” (Messenger)

“—Wait.” (Angelica)

Angie was troubled. It was the moment of decision. Ultimately, it boiled down to whether to bet on Yuri Hou’s victory or defeat. If they won, ignoring this order would lead to consequences. But if they lost, it might just be swept under the rug. Angie thought for just ten seconds and made a decision. It might have been the most intense ten seconds of her life.

“Cut him down.” (Angelica)

“W-What! To cut me—” (Messenger)

Without a word, a saber pierced the messenger’s abdomen.

“Guuh…!” (Messenger)

The unfortunate messenger died, collapsing on the battlefield.

‘Was this the right thing to do? Yes, it was.’

Looking at it calmly from the perspective of a neutral observer, it was clear.

Indeed, the goddess of victory was on Yuri Hou’s side. The tide was with them, and they hadn’t made a single move to cut off the bad tide. At that moment, as if in response to Angie’s decision, arrows flew. Whistling through the air, a high-pitched sound echoed in the distance.

Epitaph Palazzo, stationed in the main camp, finally grew impatient with the hidden enemy ambush cavalry that never appeared and made a decision at last. It was a signal arrow to send out the main cavalry hidden in the forest.

Unable to resist, Angie stretched her legs and raised herself slightly on the saddle to see farther. Holding the reins loosely in one hand and aiming the telescope to peer into the distance, she saw the main cavalry emerge from the forest.

They clashed with a small group of cavalries. Then, she saw them being lured away from the battlefield by the fleeing cavalry, somewhat unnaturally heading southeast.

‘Ah, so that was the plan.’

Angie felt a sense of understanding.

Indeed, knights clad in full armor boasted superior defense but were heavy and quickly exhausted their horses’ legs. That’s where they exploited.

“Tell up to ten leaders to prepare for retreat.” (Angelica)

Angie said quietly.

“Raise the flag of Ultima City and retreat simultaneously. Retreat from this battlefield faster than any other army, faster than anyone else. Let them know.” (Angelica)

“Yes, milady! I’ll inform them.” (??)

Angie’s messenger ran off.

Even if they were convinced of defeat, they couldn’t flee, not only to avoid the stigma of desertion but also because there were reserve troops waiting behind.

Behind Angie’s army or rather, behind the Tyrellme God-Protected Empire’s army, there were about 1000 Papal State soldiers stationed as reserves. They were the barrier army in the truest sense of the word. Of course, they would function as reserves as well. But they would also carry out the mission of attacking fleeing allies. Although not openly declared, it was also a manifestation of the determination of Epitaph Palazzo, who gambled on this battlefield.

They had to be defeated by Yuri Hou.

“They’re here—” (Angelica)

As she expected, from the main street of Sibyaku, the enemy’s large cavalry unit suddenly appeared and began to charge like a torrent. Swiftly passing through the sluggish heavy cavalry from behind, leaving them behind.

Duke Querz Wellingen had also made a foolish move. Even for a moment, they couldn’t afford to let their guard down, but with their entire army chasing after them, they ended up leaving such an opening. One seemingly trivial misjudgment resulted in too great a cost. The main cavalry raced through the battlefield at arrow-like speed. However, if they transformed into blades cutting through the ranks, they might pierce into Angie’s position. At that moment, they would show no mercy.

Angie was positioned slightly to the right of the Tyrellme formation, but if the Papal State reserve troops didn’t react swiftly, there was a possibility of a direct hit. However, the Papal State army reacted splendidly, initiating swift maneuvers.

“Today, the heavens are on my side.” (Angelica)

It was a phrase that sounded like gibberish even to herself. But if they succeeded in retreating here, and if Alfred were to die… Then, the Tyrellme God-Protected Empire would be Angie’s. No, she would make it so. It was a devilish idea that had crossed her mind during this morning’s meeting.

“Father—” (Angelica)

King Reinhart Sacrament would not be pleased with such usurpation. But for Angie, who was estranged from her brother and denied the opportunity to establish herself in battle, this was the shortest path.

And then—, the main cavalry of the Shaalta Kingdom crashed directly into the rear of the Tyrellme God-Protected Empire. The tip of the sword pierced the enemy, cutting through the swarm of soldiers along with the Papal troops who rushed to its protection like a hot knife through butter.

“Raise the city flag!” (Angelica)

Angie screamed at the top of her lungs.

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—

 

Angie’s unit slipped through the rear of the Papal State reserve troops that had been deployed, and entered the forest. By that time, the main cavalry of the Crusaders, which had been lured to the southeast, had caught up with the enemy main cavalry that had been lying in wait.

Chiding their horses that had used up all their energy, Duke Querz Wellingen tried to salvage his own blunder, but by the time he arrived, the central battle line had already been breached, and elite enemy forces were pouring in, shattering the formation. The battle situation was now decisive.

Without seeing the subsequent developments, Angie’s unit entered the forest. Afterward, they collected the provisions hidden after the meeting and began their retreat, avoiding the main road. However, what awaited them was relentless pursuit.

“Here they come! Gunners, first and third squads, prepare to fire—! Aim for the riders to avoid hitting our spearmen!” (Angelica)

Angie shouted as she took direct command.

“First squad, fire!” (Angelica)

Bam bam bam!

The guns fired in unison, and bullets whizzed through the air with a roar. The cavalries that broke through the center of the spear-bearing soldiers fell one after another. The enemy cavalries riding strange birds paid no heed to the gunfire, pushing aside their fallen comrades and trampling over them as they charged.

“Third squad, fire!” (Angelica)

Once again, the guns fired in a volley, and those riders also fell. But the cavalries kept coming.

“Fifth spear squad, forward! Reload quickly!!” (Angelica)

She continued to shout, her throat straining with pain.

‘I can’t die in a place like this. When will night come?’

Angie hoped for the forest illuminated by the setting sun to darken even more. If it turned to night, the cover of darkness would aid their retreat.

“Damn it, it’s him again!” (??)

One of the spearmen shouted.

‘Damn it, they missed the timing again.’

There was a lone cavalryman among the enemy, like a demon or a ghost, probably their commander, and he possessed a terrifying strength. Clad lightly with a strange mask, standing on a bird, every swing of his slim spear resulted in soldiers falling like dominoes. And he seemed to anticipate their attacks, never exposing himself during the simultaneous gunfire. Because of him, the spearmen, especially those engaged in close combat, had their morale severely depleted and were on the verge of collapse.

“Angie-sama!! It’s dangerous, please retreat!!” (Gustav)

Gustav shouted.

“No! We have to hold him back!” (Angelica)

“――Forgive me!” (Gustav)

Gustav grabbed the reins of Angie’s horse and forcefully pulled it back.

“Gustav, what are you doing! Have you lost your mind!” (Angelica)

While being pulled along by the horse, Angie shouted,

“Those spearmen won’t make it!! They’ll be taken down!!” (Gustav)

“You fool――― Ouch!” (Angelica)

At that moment, Angie’s beloved horse neighed loudly and lifted its front legs high. Angie, who hadn’t tightly grasped the reins, fell off.

“Ugh――ow!” (Angelica)

Rolling on the ground reflexively, Angie looked up and saw a spear stuck in her horse’s hindquarters. It seemed that strange-faced man had thrown the spear. As she stood up, she saw Gustav facing off against the strange-masked man. Gustav stood between them, protecting Ange, and was holding a familiar spear.

‘I know Gustav is a veteran warrior, but can he win?’

“Princess! I’ll hold him off here! Please run!” (Gustav)

“Wait!”

As Angie spoke, Gustav looked puzzled. It was because she spoke in Shan, their native tongue.

“Hmm, so you can speak our language?” (Soim)

In the short time since Angie fell from her horse, the spearmen were already being overwhelmed by the following cavalries. There were still about three cavalrymen left, and the number of gunners hadn’t decreased. However, they were paralyzed before the overwhelming force, and Angie’s location was at the forefront.

“Please, spare us.” (Angelica)

Angie said that even though she knew it was pointless.

“I cannot do that. Just as you would not spare our kind who uttered similar words.”

It was an irrefutable argument with no room for rebuttal. While they had spared civilian mothers and children once, they had never let fleeing soldiers escape.

“I have some gold coins here. Take them—”(Angelica)

“I may appear so, but I am over a hundred years old. I have no interest in gold.” (Soim)

‘Over a hundred?! Are these the work of a 100-year-old man? That’s ridiculous… Even if they are Shanti, this is impossible.’

“We may appear so, but we are formidable warriors. There’s no need to fight strong soldiers intentionally. Do we intend to fight to mutual destruction?” (Angelica)

Angie bluffed.

“It is an honor for a warrior to die on the battlefield.” (Soim)

Angie doubted her own linguistic abilities more than her ears.

“I am a warrior who has continually evaded death. If you are as formidable as you claim, you may find a way to kill me. Please, do not surrender.” (Soim)

‘Are you a madman? What did I mean by “heaven is on my side”? What an unlucky day today is for something like this to have caught my eye.’

“I—I will become king! I cannot die here!” (Angelica)

‘To become a king. To ascend to the throne. Once every fifty years, or if Alfred were to have a legitimate heir, the chance would disappear. This might be the final opportunity.’

“I guess that means the negotiations have broken down.” (Soim)

The strange-masked man swung his spear and approached Gustav. It seemed the spear he threw was his secondary weapon.

“Let’s have a duel. Stay out of this, everyone.” (Soim)

The strange-masked man stood up in his saddle, wielding his spear. Despite its bizarre and flamboyant posture, it was remarkably poised. To Angie, his strange appearance resembled a grim reaper spreading its black wings.

“Angie-sama, if we defeat this man, we can clear the way! Use your rifle and shoot Gustav!” (??)

“That’s impossible! Can you even do that?” (Angelica)

“Kuh!” (Gustav)

The gleaming spear closed in on Gustav, clashing with his spear from horseback. With a loud clash, their shafts collided.

“Uwoooooooh!!!” (Gustav)

Gustav roared as he relentlessly attacked the strange-masked man. Blades clashed, and the sound of shafts striking echoed.

Gustav seemed to hold his own against the strange- masked man. It was strange, considering the strange-masked man had been in a relentless pursuit after a day of battle, while Gustav had only retreated without much fighting. That might be influencing the outcome. After a series of clashes, Gustav thrust his spear, but the strange-masked man spun his bird around to avoid it. Performing such a rotation without moving was a difficult maneuver for a horse, but the bird, ridden by the Long Ear man, executed it effortlessly, almost as if dancing.

With the momentum of the spin, a sweeping spear strike came forth, and just when Gustav thought he was done for, he unexpectedly took action. He leaped from his horse, extending his spear as far as he could, and swept the leg of the bird the strange-masked man was riding. The bird screeched in agony, thrashing about. The strange-masked man calmly dismounted and landed on the ground.

“Well done.” (Soim)

Then, he calmly readjusted his spear.

“Huff, huff… Angie-sama! Please escape quickly!” (Gustav)

“I’ll handle this!” (Angelica)

Angie drew her sword, a dagger given to her by her father, designed for ease of use even by a woman.

“You fool! Run, now!” (Gustav)

“What kind of king would flee from here!” (Angelica)

“There’s no point in adding a woman to the mix!” (Angelica)

“How amusing.” (Soim)

The strange-masked man swung his spear. Naturally, even on the ground, he was formidable.

Angie supported Gustav, constantly circling to keep herself out of the man’s blind spots, using thrusts to threaten him. Although he didn’t seem to have eyes in the back of his head, he could still anticipate and avoid the unseen threats from Angie’s blind spots. Despite being seasoned fighters, with the opponent being a 100-year-old man, there was no reason they couldn’t defeat him together.

“Why do you insist on fighting like this?” (Angelica)

“I cannot die an old man’s death! I cannot face my son in the afterlife, killed by you!” (Soim)

“If you seek death, then hurry up and die!” (Angelica)

“Unfortunately, no battlefield will let this old bone die!” (Soim)

While deflecting their combined attacks, the man continued to wield his spear. Angie displayed a level of concentration she had never experienced before, barely dodging at the last moment. However, in one of these exchanges, the strange-masked man left an opening.

When he dodged Gustav’s thrust by leaning back, Angie, who had been closing in on his back to threaten him, found herself in a position where her arm could extend to reach him with her dagger. It was at that moment when Angie thrust her dagger.

The strange-masked man kicked the ground in that position, becoming horizontally mid-air while swinging his spear. Angie’s dagger was blocked by a thin gauntlet and didn’t go through, while the spear swung diagonally downward towards her face.

Reflexively, Angie moved her head back, but she felt a rush of wind across her forehead. After the flash, when she touched her forehead, she felt the warmth of fresh blood and realized that a portion of her bangs had been severed and stuck to her hand.

The veil covering her face had also been cut, with one side detached and dangling. However, the strange-masked man, upon seeing Angie’s exposed face, strangely froze in place.

“You—! That face—!” (Soim)

Seizing the moment of astonishment, Gustav lunged forward.

“Kuh—” (Soim)

What just happened? The strange-masked man, who had been so troublesome until now, briefly exposed a fatal vulnerability, with Gustav’s spear piercing through his side.

“Angelica-sama!” (Gustav)

Inadvertently checking Angie’s condition, Gustav found himself grabbed by the collar in that split second.

“Ugh…” (Gustav)

Gustav was drawn towards the strange-masked man, and he could see the spear protruding from the other side of his stomach getting longer and longer. The spear that the strange-masked man let go of rolled to the ground. Instead of a spear, he held a dagger in his hand.

“I’ll take you as company to the afterlife.”

“Stop it!” (Angelica)

The dagger of the strange-masked man plunged into Gustav’s abdomen.

“Ugh… Agh…” (Gustav)

“Gustav!!” (Angelica)

Angie rushed over, but Gustav, his face contorted in pain, clearly rejected her with his eyes. It was the gaze of a loyal servant reproaching a foolish ruler.

“Please, escape!! Are you going to waste Gustav’s death?!” (??)

“Soldiers! Charge! Bring this woman to His Excellency Yuri by any means necessary!” (Soim)

Amidst the overlapping cries of the two men, Angie hesitated for a moment, then turned away from Gustav and ran towards her dwindling forces, where their numbers were now thin.

“The enemy commander is down! Gunners! First squad, fire! Nightfall is approaching! We’ll make it out!” (Angelica)

Upon reaching her own lines, Angie screamed at the top of her lungs, and the bullets from the gunners pierced through the charging mass of cavalry, hitting both Gustav and the strange-masked man. As the two fell to the ground, the cavalries continued to charge, dodging their fallen comrades.

Angie didn’t look back at Gustav.

 

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