Merchant Noble is out (3/4 chapters for today)
Do-or-Die (1)
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Three days later, the rear unit arrived, and the army, now fully prepared with a total of 15,000 troops, began their actions. Their first target was to defeat the Kali Kingdom’s main force, which was entrenched in a fortress.
Tyr led the 5,000 mercenary troops. Upon actually leading them, he realized once again that the mercenaries had low morale. They seemed unwilling to head to the battlefield, and their marching speed was sluggish and leisurely.
Noticing Tyr’s dissatisfaction, the mercenary captain cautiously spoke up.
“Lord Tyr.” (Atlas)
“Oh, you are…” (Tyr)
“I am Atlas, the mercenary captain.” (Atlas)
Atlas introduced himself with a hoarse voice.
Seeing his unhealthy body and dirty skin, he looked like an ordinary middle-aged man who had long since retired from being a soldier.
“Atlas, huh. As I mentioned earlier, I will be commanding the mercenary troops today. I’m counting on you.” (Tyr)
“Yes, what orders do you have for us?” (Atlas)
“The 5,000 mercenaries will cross the bridge and go right up to the front of the enemy fortress to provoke them.” (Tyr)
“What!?” (Atlas)
At Tyr’s words, Atlas exclaimed in surprise. The surrounding mercenaries began to stir.
“Are you telling us mercenaries to clash with the enemy’s main force? That’s impossible!” (Mercenaries)
They all protested in unison.
“We mercenaries are people who fight for a living. I’m sorry to say this, but we have no loyalty whatsoever. If we find ourselves at the front lines, we’ll just run away.” (Mercenaries)
It was clear they had no motivation.
Complaining about who they were hired by wouldn’t help. Even if they tried to force them to fight, they would just say, “Then we quit”. Therefore, Tyr devised a plan. A strategy to make them eager to fight. This battle was also about motivating them to fight.
“I understand. The mercenaries don’t need to fight.” (Tyr)
“Huh?” (Atlas)
“I said ‘provoke the enemy.’ Once we lure them out of the fortress, that will be your job done.” (Tyr)
The mercenaries, told they didn’t need to fight, all sighed in relief at the same time.
“I see. Understood. Leave it to us.” (Atlas)
“Alright, then mercenary unit, all units, deploy!” (Tyr)
The 20,000 defenders of the Kali Kingdom had gathered at the fortress and were observing the situation. Although there was some mist, the weather was good enough to ensure visibility. The defenders noticed the 5,000 mercenaries beginning to cross the bridge.
“General, the enemy has started moving.” (Kali Soldier)
“The prior intel said the enemy had 15,000. We have the numerical advantage. Moreover, we have the high ground.” (Kali Soldier)
For the commanders of the Kali Kingdom, this battlefield was their own land. Thus, they were somewhat familiar with the geography and could easily strategize.
“They should be able to use the river to their advantage since it is swift and deep. Let’s push the enemy back using that river.” (Kali Commander)
They focused on the large river. Due to its deep bed and swift current, it would be very difficult to swim away if pursued. Therefore, if they cornered the Laplace army along the river, they would have nowhere to escape.
“Alright. Once the enemy has completely crossed the bridge, we will launch an all-out attack. Let’s drive them to the riverbank and annihilate them.” (Kali Commander)
Tyr finished crossing the bridge. This bridge was small, usually used only by residents, so it took a bit of time for the 5,000 mercenaries to cross.
“Milord, everyone has crossed.” (Atlas)
“Alright. Then, we advance to the enemy fortress.” (Tyr)
At Tyr’s command, the 5,000 mercenary troops advanced. To provoke the defenders, they shouted loudly and beat drums.
“Um, Milord, aren’t we getting a bit too close?” (Atlas)
“Keep moving. We won’t stop until the enemy comes out.” (Tyr)
Although Atlas spoke with concern, Tyr ordered them to keep advancing.
Then, when the mercenaries had crossed the midpoint between the river and the fortress.
*Giiiiiiiiiiii*
Finally, the fortress gate creaked open. Behind the gate stood a line of fully armed soldiers.
“All units, deploy! Annihilate the Laplace army!” (Kali Commander)
*Wahhhhhhhhhhh*
Emerging from the fortress was almost the entire guard unit of the Kali army, about 20,000 soldiers. They charged towards the mercenary unit all at once.
“Milord! They’re coming out! They’re coming out!” (Atlas)
Hearing Atlas’s panicked voice, Tyr finally ordered the troops to halt their advance.
“Alright, you all worked hard! The mercenary unit’s job is done!” (Tyr)
At Tyr’s command, the mercenaries, who had been eagerly waiting, suddenly began to flee. They all ran toward the bridge at once. However…
“Wh-where is the bridge…?” (Mercenaries)
Despair echoed among the mercenaries. The bridge they had just crossed moments ago was now gone. After Tyr and the mercenaries had crossed, Hal’s unit had secretly dismantled the bridge. But the mercenaries did not understand what was happening. They fell into a state of panic.
“What the hell…?” (Mercenaries)
“You all! Escape this way!” (Tyr)
Unsure of what to do and in a daze, the mercenaries had no choice but to follow Tyr’s command. The direction he led them was toward the riverbank.
“Got it! The Laplace army is moving towards the riverbank! Let’s trap them!!” (Kali Commander)
The Kali soldiers seized the perfect opportunity to annihilate the enemy. They pursued the fleeing mercenaries with all their might. And finally, the 5,000 mercenaries, having lost all escape routes, were surrounded by the 20,000 Kali soldiers.
“Press forward!” (Kali Soldier)
“Don’t push! We’ll fall into the river!” (Kali Soldier)
In front, there was the large army of Kali, and behind them was the rushing river. The surrounded mercenaries were in complete chaos.
“Gyaa!” (Mercenary)
In a panic, a mercenary was pushed into the river. He sank to the bottom in an instant due to the heavy armor and swift current.
“If this continues, we’ll either drown or be stabbed!” (Mercenary)
“This is not what we agreed upon!” (Mercenary)
The surrounded mercenaries were filled with hostility and began to blame Tyr. If he answered incorrectly, he might be killed by them before the Kali army reached him. However, Tyr remained completely unperturbed and stood there confidently.
“My apologies. It was my responsibility to put you in this predicament.” (Tyr)
He displayed no hint of regret in his demeanor and spoke in a flat tone. Then, he asked the mercenaries.
“How much were you hired for a day?” (Tyr)
“One gold coin a day.” (Mercenary)
“Was it that little?” (Tyr)
Despite the job being life-threatening, this was almost no different than the daily pay for adventurers. However, considering that they also received pay for days when they weren’t fighting, such as during marches and sieges, and that meals were provided for free, it could be an attractive condition for some.
“From now on, I will give you a bonus as compensation.” (Tyr)
“!!” (Mercenaries)
At the mention of a bonus, the mercenaries reacted all at once.
“I will put a bounty on enemy soldiers.” (Tyr)
“Oh!” (Mercenaries)
“For each enemy soldier you kill, you’ll earn five silver coins. Just taking down two will earn you your daily wage.” (Tyr)
“Ohhh!” (Mercenaries)
Normally, there would be no rewards based on performance like “five silver coins for each soldier killed”. It was challenging to collect proof that one had killed someone, and there was a risk of increasing numbers by slaughtering non-combatants. However, this time was special. Hearing about the performance-based bonus, the mercenaries became excited.
“We have 5,000 against their 20,000. That’s a difference of four times.” (Tyr)
Saying this, Tyr drew his sword and stepped forward, facing the enemy.
“Are you the commander? Listen, you are completely surrounded. If you surrender, I will spare your life…” (Kali Commander)
“Listen! Each man must take down four enemies! Let’s go!” (Tyr)
Interrupting the words of the enemy commander, who was trying to negotiate surrender, Tyr charged in at incredible speed and quickly cut him down.
“Wha…!” (Kali Commander)
Then, he plunged into the bewildered enemy soldiers and began cutting them down single-handedly.
“I’ve never seen a commander like that before…” (Mercenary)
The one stunned was not only the Kali soldiers but the mercenaries as well, who watched Tyr charge in alone.
“What should we do?” (Mercenaries)
“If we run away, we’ll drown. If we’re going to die, I’d rather leave my son a lot of money.” (Mercenaries)
With the river flowing behind them, the mercenaries had no option to retreat. But their previous passive habits made it difficult for them to take a step forward to fight. Watching from a distance, Tyr, surrounded by enemies, provocatively turned back and smiled at the mercenaries who were merely watching.
“What’s the matter? Aren’t you all coming?” (Tyr)
With a face stained with enemy blood, Tyr grinned.
“Don’t complain if I take all the bounty for myself!” (Tyr)
That one line ignited the instincts of the mercenaries.
“Milord… Let’s follow the general!! It’s our chance to earn!!” (Atlas)
*Uooooooooooooo!*
With Atlas’s command, they all rushed in to attack.
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