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28 The Blood-Soaked Battle of Streve Fortress (2)
The next day, the battle began with an assault by the Balkan Empire's 5th Corps.
Although the 5th Corps' heavy infantry were again escorting siege towers, the appearance of the towers was somewhat different from the day before, leaving the Streve fortress defenders puzzled.
"Don't panic fire! No matter what it looks like, our job is to destroy it!"
But regardless of appearances, killing the enemy was still a matter of survival, so the defenders quickly regained their composure and, following the wall commander's orders, unleashed flaming arrows.
The siege towers began to burn, but the Balkan heavy infantry blocked the incoming arrows and kept pushing the burning towers toward the moat.
"Hahaha, those fools let them waste their arrows. We'll just have the kids collect them later. Hahaha."
"5th Corps commander? What is that…?"
At the crown prince's question, 5th Corps commander Derian, who had been mocking the Teseito forces, replied,
"After watching yesterday's battle, I realized that ordinary siege weapons can't deal with that double moat. It's possible, but the losses among the light infantry would be too great. So, we disguised carts carrying dirt as siege towers."
"So those are filled with dirt and sand?"
"Yes, Your Highness. We just modified ordinary carts, so it didn't take much time, and since they're just disguised as siege towers, we didn't need water-soaked leather. We just let them burn in front of the moat and then dump the dirt inside."
"Ho~ Well done. Thanks to you, the moat will be filled quickly."
The crown prince saw the double moat from yesterday being filled by the disguised siege towers, and with four siege towers approaching Streve Fortress, he felt somewhat reassured.
"If all of those go in, the moat should be completely filled. Prepare for successive assaults."
"Good! 1st and 4th Corps commanders once the moat is filled, follow the 5th Corps and prepare to assault as soon as you're ready! 5th Corps archers, provide covering fire!"
"At your command, Your Highness!"
From the command tower of Streve Fortress, Count Redelmo watched the situation unfold.
"Ho~ Looks like there's someone clever among the Balkan dogs."
"They say the 5th Corps commander is a commoner who rose through the ranks as an engineer. So he's proven his ability."
As the moat was filled and the imperial archers formed a wall and fired, the Teseito archers on the walls began to fall one by one.
"Hm… In that case, we should prepare a little earlier. Pull back the archers from the walls! There's no need to sacrifice them at this point!"
"Yes, sir!"
"The enemy's arrows have stopped! Looks like they're out of arrows!"
"This is our chance! 1st and 4th Corps, charge! Put up the ladders and scale the walls! Engineers, move the siege towers quickly while the arrows have stopped! The first soldier to reach the top will be rewarded with a fortune and a baron's title!"
Prinz's orders, amplified by magic, echoed across the battlefield, and the imperial troops rushed to the walls in a frenzy.
"They're really not shooting arrows?"
"Move! I'm going up first!"
"Don't be crazy! I'll get there first and win the prize!"
The legionaries shoved each other, desperate to be first. Dozens of ladders were set against the walls, and more than ten soldiers at a time scrambled up each one.
"Now!!!"
At the Teseito defense commander's order, black liquid was powerfully sprayed from gaps in the wall. The sticky, slippery liquid splattered on the soldiers climbing the walls and those waiting below.
"What… what is this? It's sticky and slippery…"
"It's… it's oil!! Get down! Get down!! Hurry!!"
"Retreat! All units, retreat!!!"
Suddenly the formation broke as soldiers tried to scramble down the ladders, and the distant corps commanders and Prinz frowned.
"What are they doing? Withdrawing without orders? They should be attacking while the arrows are down…"
FWOOSH!!
Before Prinz could finish scolding his officers, a massive burst of flame erupted at the front.
"Aaaaagh!!"
"Save me!! Aaaaagh!!"
The fire spread rapidly, instantly setting a thousand soldiers ablaze, and their screams turned the imperial army into a scene of hell.
"Now! Fire!!"
As the screams and the stench of burning flesh filled the air, a rain of arrows poured down on the terrified imperial troops.
"Aaagh, arrows!!"
As the panicked screams of allied soldiers rang out, Prinz moved to the front to assess the situation.
"What is that? Even the top of their walls must be burning hot how are they firing arrows… Wait, that's!!"
What left Prinz speechless was the defensive towers rising from inside Streve Fortress. Positioned far higher than the walls, Teseito archers fired safely from them, while imperial counter-fire barely reached the wall, unable to touch the towers.
"Hold formation! Raise shields and retreat slowly, blocking the arrows!"
The officers shouted themselves hoarse, but the legionaries' morale was already shattered. They retreated in chaos, and as more fell to arrows, the formation collapsed, with soldiers trampling and crushing each other in the panic.
But the imperial nightmare wasn't over.
Count Redelmo, observing the situation, ordered a sortie.
"Cordelia! Go! It seems they've forgotten what the Teseito army is known for. Show those Balkan dogs what real Teseito soldiers can do!"
At Redelmo's command, his aide Cordelia grabbed a rope in the command tower and leapt down.
The waiting soldiers quickly armed her, and she mounted her horse and spurred forward.
Then the gates opened and Teseito's heavy cavalry charged out. There were only about 100, as befitted a fortress garrison, but to the disorganized, retreating imperial army, it was a nightmare.
"Show the Balkans Teseito's might!! Make sure they never dare approach again!! Streve will be the grave of the imperial dogs!!!"
"For Count Redelmo! For Teseito!!"
The Teseito heavy cavalry struck the rear of the retreating legionaries. Their lances and massive horses crashed into the terrified imperial troops, who were decimated.
"Save our men!! 58th Archers, keep firing!! Don't spare the arrows!! All archers, fire at will!!"
"51st and 52nd heavy infantry, charge and form a shield wall!! 59th Cavalry, sortie!! Cut the enemy's waist!!"
Thanks to the timely command of 5th Corps commander Derian, the imperial army avoided further disaster.
When the Teseito cavalry saw the Balkan light cavalry sortie, Cordelia ordered a retreat, fearing encirclement.
"Tch… 5th Corps, huh… A bit disappointing. I thought we could wipe out at least one infantry battalion."
"Don't worry, ma'am. After today's bitter lesson, they'll tuck their tails and go home. Hahaha."
"I hope so… Anyway, let's go back!"
Leaving behind countless imperial corpses, the second day of the Battle of Streve Fortress ended.
"…What are the casualties?"
In a gloomy voice, Prinz asked, and 1st Corps commander Baron Hasau quietly reported.
"1st Corps, 12th Heavy Infantry half destroyed; 13th, 15th, 16th Light Infantry annihilated; 4th Corps, 44th Light Infantry annihilated… 45th, 46th Light Infantry…"
"Enough!! What's the total loss? Summarize!"
At Prinz's shout, Baron Hasau recoiled, and 5th Corps commander Derian continued.
"About 5,000 casualties. 1,500 light infantry died at the walls, about 1,000 were trampled to death while retreating from the enemy cavalry."
"…Wounded?"
"About 1,000 are too seriously injured to continue fighting and have been sent home; 1,500 should recover enough to return to duty after a few days' rest."
"Sigh… About 4,000 casualties yesterday, and now another 5,000… and we haven't even scratched that damn fortress!!"
Prinz raged, and the commanders and staff fell silent.
"For now, request a one-day ceasefire for body recovery. If we cite the risk of disease, they'll likely agree."
"Your Highness! If we give them time, reinforcements might arrive!"
A staff officer protested, and Prinz, showing a ferocity never seen before, grabbed the officer by the neck and drew his sword.
"Ugh… Your Highness…"
"So… do you have a way to break that fortress if we keep attacking? Some brilliant plan to breach their defenses? I hope you're not just suggesting we keep throwing lives at it because if you are, I might just cut off your head."
"I… misspoke… Please forgive me…"
Prinz released the officer and continued giving orders.
"Tomorrow, every staff officer must come up with a plan to strike that fortress! If you don't, you'll be at the front of the next assault!!"
Under Prinz's fierce gaze, the staff saluted and left the tent.
"All corps commanders, tend to the wounded and comfort the troops. Morale must be at rock bottom, so issue special rations and alcohol, and have only the elite finish clearing the battlefield tomorrow."
"A wise decision, Your Highness. It's essential to keep morale from dropping further by having the men see their comrades' mutilated bodies."
"Sigh… At least the 5th Corps commander understands me. Send the truce request. Only then can we safely clear the field…"
That night, a truce document bearing the imperial crown prince's seal was sent to Streve Fortress, and Count Redelmo replied with a laugh, permitting unarmed troops to approach for body recovery.
"Sir, was it necessary to agree? Leaving the bodies would have been more intimidating."
"Well… as they said, there's a risk of disease… and they deserve to bury their dead. Besides, dragging this out only helps us. Local lords will send reinforcements, and Kamadan will have dispatched troops by now."
"But if we defeat them with reinforcements, won't your credit be diminished? Shouldn't we push harder…!!"
BANG!!!
"Cordelia! Don't be mistaken! War isn't someone's chance for promotion! There is only honorable sacrifice for the nation! Me, you, our fallen soldiers since yesterday, even the Balkan troops! All are sacrificed for the nation. So if we can reduce that sacrifice, personal achievement doesn't matter. My duty and will is to defeat the enemy with the least loss and greatest result."
"I'm sorry, sir. That was careless of me."
Cordelia bowed deeply, and Count Redelmo patted her head and helped her up.
"You're still young. It's natural to have those ambitions. But to win a war, you must value your soldiers' lives. That's the only way to secure the future and the nation. Even if you win the battle, if many die, it's not a true victory. Remember that!!"
"Yes, sir!! I will engrave your words in my bones."
"Haha, no need to be so serious… Now, let's have a drink! May our fallen soldiers rest in peace… and may the countless enemy dead also sleep peacefully."
"Yes, sir!"
Cordelia looked at her commander with respect and slowly raised her glass.
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