Chapter 66 Seven Days War III

Translator: Isekai Shousetsu

Alright, such a goodnights sleep. What a wonderful morning. Well, the enemy probably never got an ounce of sleep, huh.

You have a bad personality, huh, Tonino. So, by your calculations, how long would you think this siege would take?

Well, considering the enemys fatigue, theyll probably fall around a week later. Two weeks at most. Wed be able to secure troops, equipment, and rations from our rear after all. Really, the enemy is such an idiot, yes? To be pushing for a siege without even hope of re-supply.

The two leave the camp.

Theyve continuously attacked Fort Terrier all throughout the night. The enemy should certainly be tired.

Alright, lets have another wonderful day today!

Second day of siege

Damn, Im so sleepy

Gram lets out a yawn.

They didnt let us sleep at all yesterday, huh.

Last night, just as Ron and Gram predicted, the De Morgal Army conducted a night attack. That said, they didnt try to climb over the walls like last time. They attacked a place so deep where even any arrow cannot reach. They attacked by beating large drums and screaming their hearts out.

That said, its impossible for us to counter such an activity and thus we couldnt sleep properly. As a countermeasure, well divide our troops into two - one-half will sleep in the night and one-half in mid-dayStill, since wed still be subjected to continuous attacks, theres no way wed be able to sleep soundly.

Ah, damn. Our bowmen are starting to lose accuracy

Gram sighs as he watches the trajectory of an arrow fired by his subordinate.

However, it cant be helped. Its only natural for ones concentration to drop when one lacks sleep.

At this rate, a lot more enemies would end up making it over the wall. This would in turn increase the burden on our foot soldiers.

Naturally, our foot soldiers lack sleep just the same.

Ah, DAMN IT!! Im getting pissed off! Bring out the Fire Cylinders! Lets burn the enemy down to the ground!

In the end, Ron couldnt help but to use the fire cylinders. One by one, the enemies burst into flames.

However, the weapons only last ten seconds.

Immediately, its fuel will need replenishing. And as if taking advantage of that moment, the enemy continues to come over the wall. Theres no indication that their attack is abating.

Damn it. However, Im aiming to become a general. I must stand firm here!!

Joseph swings his sword while blurting out his ambition. His efforts are more spectacular than of the other centurions.

I wont lose either!

Ron wields his spear on the right hand and his sword on his left.

Now then, let us raise a blood bath!

The Rosythian catapults and ballistae roar into action, firing ((projectiles with)) gunpowder ((in them)).

They hit their targets, the siege towers butthey didnt break in one hit.

Four hits and they finally fall.

They were soaked with water to counter the flamesfurthermore, they seem to be reinforced with various countermeasures. Damn, and I thought wed be having an easy victory using Fire Medicine.

Bartolo sighs.

The enemy siege towers are reinforced with iron here and there. Their exteriors are completely covered with animal skin which, as you can clearly see, are dripping with water.

The most annoying part is they also seem to be protected by magical barriers.

It appears that for every siege tower, there are three sorcerers protecting it with magical barriers.

Oi, call over some sorcerers. We wont get anywhere until we bring these guys down. (Bartolo)

Understood, well destroy them immediately.

Tetra comes out of nowhere and answers.

At a swing of her staff, particles of light come forth from the siege towers.

Their barriers are destroyed.

Then, an explosion rocks and destroys the towers themselves.

Thats our lady!! Just one hit, amazing Lady Tetra. However, enemies are still climbing over here so its dangerousWatch out!!

Exactly at that moment, an enemy soldier climbs over the rampart and rushes towards Tetra.

However, Tetra calmly swings her staff.

The enemys head flies into the air and blood splatters everywhere.

EhIs that a swordstick? (Bartolo)

Yes. Isnt it cool? (Tetra)

The scabbard covering the pointed tip of Tetras staff is unsheathed. Henceforth appears the figure of a sword. You can see that its made from iron.

Is milady perhaps knowledgeable about swordsmanship?

Naturally. Almis taught me.

A, as expected of miladyWell be in your care.

Understood.

Tetra gives a thumbs up.

Hey, Ron!! Theyve set up another bridge over the moat!! The Battering Rams next! Hurry up and destroy it with some bomb spears!!

Wait a minute, I got my hands full here!!

While cutting apart the enemies around him, Ron hurriedly ordered his subordinates to blow up the battering rams.

Immediately, bomb spears come flying towards the targets.

However, they managed to withstand the bomb spears.

The battering rams are covered by iron roofs after all.

Furthermore, those roofs are protected by magical barriers put up by sorcerers numbering in the several tens. Therefore, the troops below them werent affected too.

Iron roofs!? Youve got to be kidding me!! Think, think! Ah, the bridge! Destroy the damn bridge!

As Ron ordered, the bomb spears come flying towards the bridge. They splendidly hit the target.

The bridge easily collapsed sending the battering rams down into the water below.

Ron and the others finally get a feeling of relief.

However

DamnArent those more battering rams?

Ron is reaching his wits end as he looks at the battering rams lined up in a row.

Although they have some bomb spears in inventorythey still only have a limited amount.

They already have used up a lot of the fire cylinders.

What do we do when we run out

Furthermore, the enemy siege towers have intensified their attacks.

The enemy catapults, too, sometimes score hits and destroy the ballistae and catapults here.

Alright, weve broken the magical barriers! Quickly, the fire medicine!

As Lulu ordered, the ballistae shoot bomb spears at the enemy siege towers. They hit the targets which promptly collapsed. The enemy bowmen stationed there fall into the ground.

Furthermore, the Rosythian bowmen focused their attacks towards them.

Its a strategy to eliminate enemy bowmen as much as possible. If they die, the Rosythian Army would have it easier.

In the morning battle, although they were numerically inferior in some places, the Rosythian Army managed to maintain superiority in the overall progress of the battle.

Hmm.

Almis is reading a letter. Its a letter sent by falcon. His face loosens up, so you could understand that its good news.

Please call for Sir Bartolo, Sir Perm, and Sir Ordovices.

Almis orders Tetra. She immediately summons them.

What is it, supreme commander?

The first phase of the plan is a success. No, its a huge success. The enemy completely didnt notice.

The three also loosen their faces.

If this continues, well be receiving the second report by tonight, right, supreme commander?

Yes, should the second phase be successful as well, then our victory would be ascertained.

In the other camp, although it was three hours late, a falcon courier also arrived. This one, in contrast, brought bad news.

(Enemy Camp POV)

Ththe village of Dress has fallen!!

Tonino and Carlo receive the report that the supply base Tonino chose, the village of Torres has fallen via surprise attack by 500 Rosythian cavalry.

Toninos hands are shaking. This means that their supply line has been broken.

He, however, tries very hard to keep his clam.

The enemy, it would seem, are cavalry. The problem is where could they have come from. They most probably came from the Romano forest. Theres no other route except through that forest.

In Toninos point of view, its impossible to pass through that forest. If you accidentally entered that forest, it was said that the Griffons curse would strike you.? Furthermore, ever since one is a child, it was already drilled into ones existence that If you arent a good boy then the Griffon will come eat you.

Soldiers often abide by the unwritten rule that no one will trespass on Romano forest. On that subject, the enemys supreme commander is rumored to be the son of the Griffon. Thinking it was just a rumor, Tonino left the vicinity of the forrest completely unprotected. It was completely a personal oversight.

However, what was worrying Tonino was how did the village of Dress fall that easily. There are around 300 troops stationed there. Furthermore, its protected by a strong fort. The village is quite prepared for such contingencies.

Because this war is heavily dependent on the supply line, Tonino took no chances and ramped up the villages defenses reliably.

Given the difference in numbers, it wouldnt be strange for it to take the enemy three days minimum to take down the village.

Furthermore, its strange that the enemy managed to attack with 500 cavalry. The Rosyth Kingdom should only have around 150 cavalry at best.

Theres something strange going on.

Tonino immediately summoned the clansmen and the other commanders and chiliarchs in a council to decide whether to retreat.

They immediately reached their conclusion - a resounding no.

In the Art of War, its common sense to retreat because the supply line is cut, even if just temporarily.

However, this war is complicated by politics. Therefore, something like a retreat cannot be considered. and completely out of the question.

The participants in this war are mostly from the Carlo Faction. You cannot simply pull out of a war where Carlos succession bid is on the line.

Should they fail in this war, the clansmens fate is certain.

The possibility that a next king who is not Carlo would cordially welcome them is undoubtedly close to zero.

Actually, it would already be great if their territories can be guaranteed. Theres no question that some of the younger clansmen would be crushed after all.

At the very least, they believe such.

Their, and their clans lives, territory, property, and honor hangs in the balance.

Because theres a possibility that all of those, should they retreat, crumble away, theres no way they could do such just for a mere supply base behind them.

The decision was unanimous. That is, they would immediately recapture Dress Village ((with a detached force)) to restore the supply line.

The advantageous position is still theirs since the enemy only has a small army. They have high chance of success.

Everythings going to be fine. Send over 2000 light infantry and 200 cavalry. AhIf we had more cavalry then it would be over in an instant. Our De Morgal Kingdom is, after all, afraid of the Rozel Kingdom so we could only rent out a little

Even if you say the enemy is mostly cavalry, Tonino would still be sending 2000 infantrymen and 200 cavalry. Its a numerical superiority of about 4 times. They would be able to take back Dress without fail.

In the first place, cavalry would be useless in siege warfare. Furthermore, they know the number of cavalry the Rosyth Kingdom has.

Most probably, the enemy would try to have the battle settled in the plainsJust in case, the 200 cavalry should be enough to face them.

Furthermore, it is hoplites that determine battles in the Adernia Peninsula.

The enemy has none of those.

Theres just no turning back in this war.

At any rate, its not just Toninos promotion on the linebut also Carlos succession and the De Morgal Kingdoms hegemony.

The war situation pretty much didnt change in the afternoon.

Nevertheless, people ranking Chiliarch and above in the Rosythian Army are a little festive while in contrast the same ranking people in the De Morgal Kingdom are a little bit down.

And thus, the night battle.

Theyre as noisy as usual, huh

Really. Sir Chiliarch. By the way, did you see how I fought this afternoon?

Yeah, I did. Also, Im starting to get annoyed so would you shut up? Im sleepy.

Ron and Joseph are glaring at the enemy army.

The enemys making noises by beating drums and shouting but they dont look like theyre to attack.

Although the enemys encircling them, their true intention is to exhaust the defenders.

Sieges are troublesome, huh. Though its not that bad since we still have enough rations.

If things got drawn out, then itll probably become like hell.

However, the plan is to not let this siege get drawn out.

By the way, I dont know about our overall strategy, Sir Chiliarch. Can you tell me about it?

Theres no way I can tell a centurion, you know. Well, youll know about it by tomorrow

An owl catches Rons eye. It then lands on his shoulder.

Soyon?

The owl silently nods.

Although they requested for about 5 or 6 owls, the only sorcerer who could soul-ride one was Soyon. By nature, it would take several years plus you would need to establish trust before you could perform soul ridingHowever, Soyon had natural talent and was able to show she could quickly manage.

Ron takes the letter attached to the owls foot.

Well then. Its midnight so you wont be easily found out, but, nevertheless, take care and be careful.

The Owl disappears into the dark night.

Sir Chiliarch, what is that?

Although I still havent opened it, I believe its good news.

Ron declares so and leaves to deliver the letter to Almis.

(Almis POV)

I read the letter that Soyon brought.

After reading, I carefully fold the letter and put it inside my pocket.

Alright, our victory is decided. Tomorrowwell probably have a pursuit battle, huh.

I feel my cheeks loosen.

Finally, this bothersome siege is going to end.

Ron. Contact the other commanders. Tell them to shift from defense to offense.

Understood!!

Ron runs off.

Seeing that gives a smile to Bartolos face.

To seriously succeed here. The enemy will receive their report by tomorrow morning huh. I can only imagine the looks on their faces.

Right? Well be avenging ourselves. Well then, how about a drink?

Thats would be great.

Gee, what a great morning we have. Yes. Cant say the same for the enemy though.

Well, then, Lord Carlo. Lets do our best today too and siege the hell out of them.

Youre right. Tonino. I want to go home quickly, you know. Honestly, I wont last for another week.

The two welcome a refreshing morning.

About the same time the two put on their clothes, a soldier hurriedly entered the room.

Whats the rush? What is it?

Its terrible!! The town of Blouse has fallen!

No, no, stop it with the bad joke.

The estate of a De Morgal Clansman that directly borders the Ars Territory is in the town of Blouse.

The Blouse clan is one of the top five clans in the De Morgal Kingdom. It leads the Carlo Faction.

You could even say that the Carlo Faction = the Blouse Faction.

Hahaha, Tonino laughs then he checks the soldiers expression.

Its not a joke, it seems.

Uhmseriously? Or perhaps I should say that if that information were correct, wouldnt that mean the enemy has completely taken the hinterland? (Revise: maybe change hinterland into rear or flank)

Their good morning has completely turned sour.

Authors Notes:

Just to confirm.

The Blouse Territory is in a position similar to the Ars Territory in the Rosyth Kingdom.