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Arc’s Army

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< Warden Army Eastward Strategy Division >

Arc Division: Approximately 3,500

Randal Division: Approximately 1,500

Rishu Division: Approximately 1,000

While Tyr was advancing westward to conquer the west, Arc was also moving eastward. However, Arc was advancing in a different manner than Tyr. He deliberately avoided fighting the nobles and allowed them to gather. This was in contrast to Tyr, who was taking out the nobles one by one before they could join forces.

“The nobles won’t be able to coordinate well in battle. The more they gather, the more they’ll become like bloated pigs, unable to move. Let them keep gathering.” (Arc)

At the nightly strategy meetings, Arc spoke with satisfaction while watching the enemy army grow day by day.

“…The enemy is gathering in the central plains. They will soon exceed 30,000 in total.” (Yuna)

Yuna, who had been gathering information, returned and reported the latest details. Rishu added the information to the map.

“Arc-sama, if the numerical difference grows too large, we must be prepared for some casualties on our side.” (Randal)

Randal, somewhat uneasy at the sight of the nobles’ army gathering, warned Arc.

The relationship between Randal, Laika, and Arc was a bit strained. Originally, the siblings had led a peasant rebellion, and they became part of the Warden army after being recruited by Tyr. Arc had been strongly opposed to adding the leaders of the rebellion, and he had argued with Tyr about it. Since then, Arc had not had much opportunity to deepen his relationship with Randal and Laika, so there was a slight awkwardness between them.

“Certainly, it’s understandable to think that way when looking at the numbers. But Randal, you don’t know much about nobles.” (Arc)

Arc acknowledged Randal’s concern but dismissed his opinion.

“Are you referring to the nature of nobles?” (Randal)

“Nobles are, ultimately, extremely self-centered beings. They are the type to take credit for themselves and shift responsibility onto their subordinates, so it’s no surprise they develop such personalities.

Right now, they are gathering because it’s like a group of adventurers making noise at a tavern. They think they are becoming stronger simply by being in a group. But that illusion will easily crumble. When they actually fight, they are weak. They will panic and try to save themselves, fleeing first. We’ll win with far less effort than it would take to defeat them one by one.” (Arc)

“Is that how it works?” (Randal)

In short, the nobles have no grand ambitions or strong will. In fact, many nobles might not even harbor strong animosity toward the Warden Household. Their minds are full of ‘self-preservation’. They are merely banding together with the easy mindset of ‘joining the winning side’. Once we win, the noble alliance will collapse immediately.

The next day.

“Alright, the enemy has gathered and is clustered together. There should be at least five nobles in that group. Let’s end the battle in one go. We have no use for the common soldiers. We are targeting the heads of the generals only. Randal.” (Arc)

Arc signaled to Randal with his eyes, declaring his intention to start the battle.

Randal nodded and drew his sword. The beautiful silver blade reflected the bright morning light.

“Charge!” (Randal)

Thus, Randal’s 1,500-strong division charged toward the vanguard of the noble alliance army, which had formed a line of about 10,000 soldiers, and the battle began.

The total forces were 6,000 Warden soldiers against 30,000 noble alliance soldiers. Numerically, the Warden forces were greatly outnumbered. However, the Warden army’s troops were far superior in quality.

In contrast to the farmers’ soldiers, who had been hastily gathered by the nobles and were exhausted, Mikanda’s soldiers were regular troops who had steadily undergone training without falling into major confusion. They were also adept at using the high-precision weapons prepared in the fourth city.

Randal’s division, led by Laika, struck first. The noble alliance soldiers faltered. Laika, after the rebellion was suppressed and she became a subordinate of the Warden Household, had not participated in a battle for some time. But she showed no sign of rust, cutting down enemy soldiers with skill.

The enemy formation had originally been structured with nobles tightly grouped together. Therefore, there wasn’t a unified command system.

Some units withdrew to regroup. Some units tried to send reinforcements to the front line. Some units were cautious about attacks from the sides. Some units even tried to launch a counteroffensive.

The communication between the commanders was completely disjointed. The noble alliance quickly collapsed under the charge of Randal’s division. Their formation fell apart, and the soldiers wandered around, looking for their commanders.

In the confusion, the nobles were no longer a threat. Arc’s main force and Rishu’s division took out the isolated nobles one by one. At this point, the nobles quickly made their decisions. Many nobles began to flee the battlefield before they were defeated.

Once one fled, it became a chain reaction. In no time, the noble alliance completely collapsed.

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