Chapter 67 Seven Days War IV

Translator: Isekai Shousetsu

While the Rosyth Army and the De Morgal Army slugged it out at Fort Terrier, Raymond, Roswald, Muzio, Virgar, Soyon, and Dora passed over the Adernian Mountain Range. After that, they went through Romano Forest and entered De Morgal Territory.

All of them are riding horses.

As one would expect, wagons would have a hard time passing through the forest, so they brought them disassembled. They were made in such a way that they could be immediately reassembled together using nails.

The wagons are necessary because, apart from carrying the plunder, theyd be used to carry and transport injured soldiers and important prisoners-of-war.

This operation is to invade the De Morgal Kingdom through the Romano Forest while the enemy is focused on sieging Fort Terrier. Its objectives are to destroy the enemys supply base and to wreak havoc on the area.

That way, the enemy would have no choice but to retreat.

Then, using that opportunity, the main army shall pursue to strike a blow.

After that, a detached force would annoy and exhaust the De Morgal army here and there.

In a suitable time, the detached force and the main army shall converge and strike the De Morgal Army together.

Itll probably then be easy to attack and tear apart an exhausted De Morgal Army.

That being said, you really know the animal trails in this forest full of trees, huh.

This is forest is just like my and Roswalds garden after all.

Soyon answers Muzios question with a smile.

Naturally, theyve investigated the area beforehand so they could lead the way without hesitation.

Its also thanks to Soyon and the others guidance that the cavalry could advance through the forest without fear of divine punishment. Well, because theyre not connected to the Romano Forest, from the very beginning there was very little hesitation from the Alva people and the Germanis people which comprised most of the cavalry as they arent that familiar about the Griffon.

Also, dont worry about when weve entered De Morgal Territory. Im from there so Ill also be able to guide you. Ive lived there up until I was ten. (Soyon)

Moreover, Soyon has repeatedly investigated the area via owl late at night.

Shes completely memorized the geography.

By the way, about that owl. It looks like its not native to the Adernian Peninsula somay I ask where could you have got one?

Dora asks Soyon.

Although Dora is the older one, in this situation, Soyon is the senior.

Incidentally, Soyon is also more powerful as a sorcerer.

Five months ago, we procured some from a Cretian merchant.

Fi, five months ago

Dora is shocked.

Normally, it would take three years minimum to be able to deepen your relationship with the animal to be able to soul ride.

Soyon is the best when it comes to animals after allno, really.

Roswald praises Soyon.

Otto, well be coming out of the forest soonEveryone, please prepare yourselves.

Raymond orders the whole group.

For the time being, the one in command in this detached force is Raymond.

Because Muzio is a prince, any person with a social standing below that would not be fit to become commender.

Although Raymond has no experience commanding cavalryhe still has Roswald with him as well as the cavalry specialists Virgar and Muzio.

Therefore, there wont be any problems with him leading.

Were finally out the forest! Well then, commander. Lets advance without delay!

Virgar tries to run off as he said so. However, Roswald grips his collar and stops him.

Ouch, that hurts!

You idiot. Look, its already dark. We wont be able to advance properly.

The sun is already falling.

If they began their operation now, the army will inevitably get separated from each other and lost.

They would, on the other hand, stand out should they use torches.

Theres a small river around 10 minutes from here. There arent a lot of trees there so we should be able to make camp there.

Soyon suggests while pointing at the forest.

Since the horses wont be able to run inside the forest, it took time choosing and advancing through a place where they could walk. It was expected that it would be night by the time theyd got out of the forest.

Well, isnt that fine. The horses are tired too, after all.

With Muzios endorsement, its been decided that theyd stay the night inside the forest.

Early morning.

The sun still hasnt risen.

Although its a little dark, its not like you cant see anything.

Alright, Lets go!

The detached force starts moving at Raymonds lead.

Horses show their real worth in the plains.

Therefore, the unit advanced using narrow road often used by the farmers.

Besides that path, all thats left are marshland and the forest which would be difficult for the horses to navigate.

However, naturally, at the end of this path is a village.

They did not avoid that village. Rather, they captured it.

The village was caught completely off guard and got captured without a fight.

The villagers wrongly assumed that the De Morgal Army had failed so they immediately bowed their heads to Raymond.

I beg of you. Please, we will offer you all our food. Well even give you our young women. Thats why please, spare this whole village of slavery

No, we dont need the women, nor the food. Were in a hurry.

No, on second thought, village chief. We want you to come along with us.

Raymond then orders the town to fly the flag of the Rosyth Kingdom. Just like that, they leave taking with them only the village chief.

The villagers cant help but stare in confusion at the figure of the cavalry disappearing in the distance.

Is that fine? At the very least shouldnt we have burnt down the whole village?

Muzio asks Raymond to which Raymond shakes his head.

No, that would be unnecessary. The food supply of the whole area is gathered at Dress village. The food left in the previous village was just the bare minimum to feed them. We wont be dealing a huge blow to the enemy even if we burn that down. Rather, it only sends the message that if you dont resist then nothing bad will happen to you. Isnt that right, village chief?

Raymond smiles at the village chief riding on the wagon.

The chief unconsciously trembles in fear.

Besides, if you say that you dont have leeway to liberally take away slaves then you could also argue that you dont have time to be killing them too.

One by one, they took over villages, ordered them to fly the Rosythian banner, and then disappear just like that. In exchange, they also took each villages chief.

They send a captured village chief to the villages who showed signs of resistance to make them capitulate peacefully without bloodshed.

By noon of that day, they reached the village of Dress.

Whats the meaning of this!! We havent received any information that the main army has been annihilated! Where the hell did the enemy army come from!?

NoI completely have no idea

Then do you suppose they teleported here by sorcery then? Theres no way in hell that would be possible, right!?

Dress garrison chief is yelling his heart out.

Its only natural that hed feel that way.

Wouldnt it be strange for a 500-strong enemy army to suddenly appear without warning and cause chaos?

And the enemys completely made up of cavalry, right?

Yes, it appears so.

Then close the gate shut and protect it at all costs!! We only have 300 infantrymen. We wont stand a chance against them. Hey, order the sorcerers to send a falcon message. Demand reinforcements quick!

The village of Dress is unusually fortified.

Not only are the walls made up of a combination of wood and stone, theyre also quite high.

While the gates are made of wood, its made of several trees put together plus its enchanted by a physical barrier so it wont easily get destroyed.

As such, shall we use that to break through their defenses?

Yes, well use the ballistae. You had them assembled last night, yes?

The detached force has brought with them 4 ballistae. Strictly speaking, they brought with them enough parts to make four. They then reassembled them last night and loaded them on the wagons right after they went out to the plains.

Naturally, theyll be using bomb spears as the bolt.

Should the ballistae fail, then we will have to use battering rams. Anyway, we can just use the nearby trees to make some. For the meantime, before wedestroy it with the ballistae

Raymond cuts off his words.

For the meantime, lets demand their surrender. Village chiefs, if you would please.

Raymond grins.

The village chiefs set off to the garrison chiefs office.

We are very sorry!

The village chiefs apologize while prostrating on the ground.

It couldnt be helped. There are no garrisons in your villages after all. So, the reason you came here isto demand my surrender, yes?

The village chiefs nod while trembling at those words.

Tell them that when the De Morgal army notices this strange situation, they will without fail come rushing here. Until then, we intend to continue resisting. It should be they who should surrender.

The chiefs return to the Rosythians with great haste.

I see. Well, it couldnt be helped.

Finally, its time for battle!

Muzio prepares his bow looking pleased.

This will be the detached forces first battle.

Ballistae, cocked and ready! Five seconds to fire! Four, three, two, one, Fire!!

The ballistae fire at Roswalds command and splendidly hits the wooden gate. The spears deeply penetrate the door and explode a few moments later.

The bomb spears repeatedly caused damage to the gate. Since it was designed to explode after penetrating, the spears were perfect for bringing down such a target.

Breakthrough! Charge!

The Rosythian army rushes through the gate.

Just like that, the battle ended.

Although the enemy intended to force a siege, they never managed to put up an effective resistance in the confusion brought by the flames, smoke, and noise. They got immediately captured and restrained by the rushing cavalrymen.

The garrison chief tried to resist up until the last moment. Unfortunately for him, he was completely outnumbered and got immediately captured. The sorcerers, too, who have sent falcons, got captured relatively easy. With this, they would have to stop their soul-ride. They would risk death after all if they continued with their bodies in the hands of enemies.

With their bodies gone, the soul wont be able to return. An out-of-body death is one of the most frightening things for the Adernians.

Again, as per the village chiefs appeal, the Dress villagers surrendered without further resistance.

Raymond gathered the villagers and the captured 100 enemy soldiers together. He then declares:

We country has some use for you subordinates of the De Morgal Kingdom trying to invade our country. As such, we dont intend to kill you villagers. In exchange, you will tell us the locations of all the warehouses storing food and rations in this supply base. Please dont worry. We will leave behind the bare minimum to feed you all.

The villagers raise voices of delight.

In their point of view, so long as there would be enough left for them to eat then theres no problem.

Raymond then addresses the 100 soldiers.

By all rights, we would have already killed all of you. However, you too also have family waiting for you. Therefore, we wont kill you. In exchange, we want you to spread this around - that our objective is the De Morgal Army only. Stop all resistance and you would be spared.

At Raymonds words, they confiscated all the soldiers equipment and let them go.

There are three reasons for this:

First, it would be a waste of time to kill all of them. You can only expect further resistance if you tried to kill them all.

Second, killing all of them would only provoke the De Morgal army to ramp up their resistance. You will also just increase revanchism amongst the enemy. In contrast, should they let them go, it will only reinforce the idea that they wont be killed should they stop all resistance. This will also make the detached forces advance easier.

Third, taking soldiers prisoner and carrying them around would only negatively affect the speed of their advance so its out of the question.

Thats their reasoning behind such an action.

Oh, they have horses too. Yes, not bad. Alright, lets get them. I just cant leave horses alone!

Muzio and the others immediately began partitioning the spoils of war.

The De Morgal Armys equipment were quite popular amongst them.

Seventy (70) percent of their arrows are iron-tipped. These were like treasure to Muzio and the others who use only stone-tipped arrows.

Raymond looks at them from a distance.

Since iron equipment is heavy, theres no way theyd take them.

Besides, theyll be able to get them in large quantities later when the main army pursues the enemys main army. Theres no need to collect them now.

Since Raymond is free, he approaches Soyon to strike up a conversation.

Youre from the De Morgal Kingdom yes? Which village are you from?

Im from this village, you know.

Oh? This villageerm, what?

Raymond unconsciously asked again.

Soyon lightens up an laughs.

My family was managing farmland in this village.? Its quite a big estate that we own several slaves and livestock.

Oh, really

Raymond lost his bearings and tried his best to make an agreeable response. He felt like he touched upon a sensitive subject and tried to change it. However, Soyon didnt let him and talked on.

However, my mother fell ill and diedwhile my father got conscripted and killed. Furthermore, our entire fortune were seized by our relatives

Im sorry. Please, thats enough.

Raymond tries to forcibly end the topic.

Meanwhile, Soyon shows a blank expression.

Would that be fine? From that point, I still have the part where Rons father saves and takes me in, the happy part where I fought and fell in love with Ron, the sad part where Rons father fell ill and died just like my mother and his relatives took custody of the two of us? After that, theres still the wonderful part where, because of the curse, we got abandoned in the forest and saved by Griffon-sama and Almis.

Ah, no, really, Ive had enough so

Raymond, apart from worrying about several things, is bad with the gloomy atmosphere he unwittingly sowed so he declines.

Is that so? Thats a bummer. But please, dont you worry. Ive visited the town of Blouse several times because I often accompanied my father when paying taxes. I can lead the way!

Is this the last of the storehouses?

Roswald asks. The villagers nod.

He then orders Virgar to prepare the oil and gunpowder.

They light the fire and it immediately grows into a blaze.

Citizens who were unaware of the situation were probably shook into action. They then immediately rushed towards the nearest checking station which promptly sent out a fast horse (to request reinforcements).

However, we were already gone by the time they contacted the enemy and the reinforcements came so its no problem.

Such a waste, huhif we had that much wheat then we would have been able to feed tens of thousands of people. (Virgar)

Theyd be too heavy to carry so we couldnt take them. Besides, theres something even better waiting for us. (Roswald)

And what would that be? Stop hyping us up and just tell us what it is, commander. (Virgar)

Roswald tilts his head at Virgars words.

Uh, did I forget to tell you our last objective?

Didnt you tell us to just look forward to it without even telling us what it is!?

The other cavalrymen nod at Virgars words.

Roswald laughs and scratches his head.

Ahahaha, my bad. Our objective is the estate of this regions clan, the Blouse clans estate in the town of Blousespecifically speaking, its a town with Garnet mine!