Merchant Noble is out (3/3 chapters for today)
Retreat (2)
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The once vast plain, now a marshland, stretched out before them, having been transformed by the past two months of rain. It was here that Leo finally clashed with the Eastern Frontier Marquis.
The strengths of Leo’s army had mostly vanished. The ground had become so muddy and unstable that fighting on horseback was impossible. The heavy rain had corroded their weapons, making long-range attacks like archery ineffective. Moreover, the soldiers were exhausted from months of constant rain, and the Eastern Frontier Marquis’s army not only had more than twice the soldiers but also held the advantage of the terrain.
Yet, not a single one of Leo’s soldiers had lost hope.
“Uooraaa!” (Kureo)
Kureo let out a roar and swung his axe, sending several enemies flying at once.
The Marquis’s army, which had gathered their strength while stationed in their castle, was now being pushed back by Leo’s forces. Leo’s soldiers were a standing army, each with the strength equivalent to a knight, allowing them to fight without being overwhelmed by the mercenaries, conscripts, and volunteers that made up the bulk of the Eastern Frontier Marquis’s forces.
“Hmm. As expected of Leo’s soldiers. I thought the long rain would have weakened them sufficiently…” (Marquis)
The Marquis showed a grim expression while mounted on his horse.
“Arc-sama! Stay exactly two steps behind me, no matter how much I move around.” (Yulia)
“I understand.” (Arc)
No one on Leo’s side could afford not to fight. Everyone was on the frontlines. Naturally, the enemy surged toward Arc’s position as well. While protecting Arc, Yulia defeated the approaching enemies. From Arc’s perspective, Yulia looked as though she was dancing.
She was reliable. Arc struggled to keep up with Yulia, ensuring he stayed close to her while being mesmerized by her graceful movements.
Gradually, unease spread through the Marquis’s forces.
Why can’t we win? We’re even being pushed back. The skill difference between our soldiers and theirs is significant.
With the enemy’s morale starting to falter, Leo’s side saw an opportunity. One more push, and the enemy’s frontlines would collapse.
“Uooraaa!” (Leo)
As Leo’s soldiers rallied and shouted, a faint voice was heard from the left side, and many figures could be seen approaching the battlefield.
A new unit had arrived. Were they allies or enemies? No, they couldn’t be allies. Leo had no allies. The Marquis, sounding somewhat excited, spoke in a slightly high-pitched voice.
“Haha, I was getting worried, thinking we might actually be overrun. But no. Just before coming here, I split my forces in two. I didn’t know where Leo had fled, but now I can rest easy.” (Marquis)
Then, raising his sword triumphantly to the sky, he declared:
“This is the end, Leo.” (Marquis)
“Your Majesty! At this rate, we will be annihilated. You must decide to retreat.” (Arc)
“Ah, yes, you’re right.” (Leo)
Though Arc made the suggestion timidly, Leo nodded surprisingly easily.
It seemed there was no need for Arc to remind him. Leo had already understood.
“Hey, you lot! Play rock-paper-scissors with the guy next to you. The winner leaves with me. The loser stays behind until you’ve killed ten enemies. See you at my house later.” (Leo)
With that single shout across the battlefield, Leo disengaged and began his retreat. Arc and Yulia followed him. Just as Leo left, the Marquis’s other unit joined the battlefield.
The battle grew fiercer. However, the number of Leo’s soldiers had been halved, leaving only around a thousand. Gradually, the Marquis’s forces gained the upper hand. Still, Leo’s army did not break. Even those who had already killed their ten enemies continued fighting, and some who should have retreated with Leo stayed to fight.
“Persistent, aren’t they? I want to crush them quickly and go after Leo.” (Marquis)
The Marquis, irritated, watched the battle unfold.
“16… 17… 18…” (Leopold)
Suddenly, a child’s voice rang in the Marquis’s ears. A boy, covered in blood, though it was clearly all splattered from his enemies, stood before the Marquis, having cut down many soldiers.
“19… I can barely see now.” (Leopold)
“What? A child?” (Marquis)
“I’m not a child. I’m Leopold. If I take you down, that makes twenty, and then I can retreat.” (Leopold)
“Hmph. A brat.” (Marquis)
Knights stepped forward to protect the Marquis.
“Milord, allow me to handle this.” (Knight)
“No, I’ll do it myself. If I don’t kill people regularly, my skills will dull.” (Marquis)
The Marquis underestimated him. After all, the boy was just a child. Plus, the Marquis still had confidence in his own skills. The Marquis charged on his horse. In a flash, Leopold pulled out a bow and arrow. The Marquis, expecting a sword fight, was taken aback, but Leopold discarded the bow. Upon closer inspection, the bow was broken.
“Trying to scare me?” (Marquis)
“Die!” (Leopold)
The Marquis charged forward with spear in hand. This was the same spear that had once pierced shields and skewered many foes. The man had earned the title of “Impaler” in his youth. No one had ever blocked this spear. But just before Leopold was impaled, he spun around and dodged the spear.
“What?!” (Marquis)
It was a maneuver only someone as small as Leopold could pull off. And then, as the horse almost collided with him, Leopold leaped into the air, bringing his face so close to the Marquis’s that they could smell each other’s breath.
Leopold grinned.
“Even without a bow, you can still use an arrow, you know. It’s not well-known, but…” (Leopold)
With that, Leopold stabbed the Marquis in the neck with the arrow in his hand.
“Guahhh!” (Marquis)
The Marquis fell from his horse.
“Milord!!” (??)
“Think of it as a bit of bad luck shortening your life. Well, time to retreat.” (Leopold)
Leopold, wearing a relaxed expression, prepared to leave as the knights, screaming in agony, rushed toward him.
“Wait.” (Marquis)
Suddenly, his ankle was grabbed.
The Marquis, now barely alive, had caught hold of Leopold. With his remaining strength, he pulled the boy down and trapped him in a chokehold. It was an incredible show of strength for someone on the verge of death.
“What? I stabbed your neck!” (Leopold)
“A little life left is no big deal.” (Marquis)
“Let go! Let go! Let go of me!” (Leopold)
Leopold desperately struggled, stabbing the Marquis repeatedly with the arrow, but the Marquis wouldn’t loosen his grip. Laughing heartily, the Marquis whispered into Leopold’s ear.
“I’m taking you with me.” (Marquis)
“Nooo! Noooo! I don’t want to die!” (Leopold)
“Just think of it as a bit of bad luck shortening your life. Right?” (Marquis)
Leopold, crying out like a child, was eventually skewered by the knights who had caught up, his body falling limp like a rag. Only then did the Marquis finally breathe his last.
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