Against the World II: Transgression
Chapter 29: x + y ≠ z, part 2
...—Carolina, Ekralina Kingdom—...
Mortana paced back and forth while biting a finger on the balcony above the royal palace—chills little by little began to grip the soul of his belief, even less did the hand of the god who had come to him in a dream.
Down there, the soldiers and volunteers have prepared inside and outside the city walls ‒ three-layer defenses they have made. The other two cities were also the same: their residents had been displaced, leaving behind soldiers and volunteers who formed a three-tier defense. Total troops in all three cities differ in number. In Carolina alone, there were a total of nine soldiers and three thousand volunteers.
Mortana's not alone on the balcony above. Mortana trusted no one more than this loyal bodyguard. Even when he was worried like this, the bodyguard was also worried. Mortana believed that before someone could successfully throw a spear at her heart, Foratta would first stand in front of her as a shield.
“Your Majesty, they are already visible..and their numbers...”.
Mortana immediately turned her gaze to the northern horizon. Black spots like swarming ants caught Mortana's sense of sight. He had already called on the soldiers and volunteers that the help of the gods would come, but the archer soldiers standing on the city walls began to look panicked. Their confidence faded as the Knights Templar grew closer.
“Ki-We can't be daunted!” Mortana called out, her voice loud enough for the soldiers below to hear. “Command all soldiers to enter! They'll die in vain if they're outside. Increase the number of archers, if necessary all the troops outside the commission to shoot! Prepare all bows and arrows, empty the warehouse if necessary. Command them to instantly fire arrows once the enemies have entered into range!”
He should have used that strategy from the beginning. Maybe they could make more preparations if it was done. But regretting it is now free. The ability to adapt in the middle of a fight has been crammed into the soldiers during training. Mortana's sure they can. No, not sure, but they should. Until the help of the gods arrives, the safety of the city hinges on the success of their strategy.
“Yes-Your Highness, it was someone who shouted that from the south had also seen a horde of troops! Not more than those in the north, but obviously they are more than us.”
Foratta's panicked cries instantly added to Mortana's heart-pounding tension. “Are they Knight Templars too, or Imperial Army? If it's the Imperial Army, have they come to give us help? Could it be Favilifna Kingdom asking for their help?”
“We don't know, Your Majesty. Both are possible. Perhaps they also wanted to seize the kingdom just like the Knights Templar. Do I need to identify?”
“No, don't you go.” Mortana quickly banned her bodyguard ‒ she could not risk herself without guarding here. “Tell me another soldier. Other than more in number, the Knights Templar's army was already closer. They are very clearly visible. Tell the archers to stay focused on them.”
At this point, Mortana had absolutely no choice but to focus on one side of the city and hope that the other side was the dispatch of the god.
...* * *...
“User of earth magic, form a row on the leading side!” alfonso orders with a hard volume.
Due to the loud clattering of 80 thousand foot soldiers, Alfonso's big voice did not get far ahead. Only a dozen lines behind heard his word. But that's not a problem. The soldiers who heard the edict immediately hardened their voices for comrades in arms to hear. In a short time, as could be expected of a super disciplined warrior like them, a new line that extended following the city walls was already formed.
When the first fire-clad arrows were fired by the city's protective soldiers, the Knights Templar troops that were in the front row had created a thick, high earth wall curving backwards as a shield. In an instant hundreds of arrows—which quickly became thousands—had stuck in the walls of the ground they made.
“In addition to earth magic users, spread and attack!” yell Alfonso again. “Focus on breaking through the gate. Release your spells too to overcome the intruding archer soldiers. Don't give mercy! You are holy warriors, they are rebels who have humiliated Emiliel Holy Kingdom. Show them what it would be like if they sided with evil!”
The soldiers moved quickly. They showed themselves worthy of being part of the Knights Templar. The soldiers really showed the reluctance of the Islan military world for their strength. History has shown the might of the Knights Templar in the Beastmen's expulsion, and history will repeat itself once again. Islan will soon know his absolute ruler.
At least, that's what Alfonso believed when he saw the first fall victim from among the enemies ‒ he was killed by a spear that pierced his throat.
...* * *...
Even if Alforalis demanded the soldiers to double their speed, they would still not arrive at their destination when the sun was sinking. Their distance and Ekralina Kingdom was quite far. If they bring the speed to the maximum level, at the fastest they can arrive tomorrow night. Unfortunately Alforalis had no plans to demand that the soldiers go at top speed.
If Alforalis and his army maintained this speed and minimized the rest, they would arrive at Ekralina in four days at the earliest. Precisely they will arrive on the evening of the fourth day.At that time, the troops that Minner leads are likely to have entered the Dwarf Kingdom— region may also have started an attack on the land of the short-bodied race.
Alforalis did not know what strategy the Imperial Army would use to deal with the Knights Templar. However, if their numbers were significantly outnumbered, the Imperial Army had no choice but to prolong the battle. That would be doable if they could occupy Carolina first, but if not…. The Imperial Army had to position their strongest soldiers in the vanguard.
If the difference in numbers was not too significant, the battle would be short. That would be great for Alforalis and his squad. They can do the cleaning if that happens. It would be difficult for the Knights Templar to send additional troops because the Dwarf Kingdom would be attacked, but the Imperial Army could freely add more troops. The Knights Templar will end in defeat. Then, they could move north to further take down Emiliel Holy Kingdom.
At the very least, it was a simple thought that could be used to describe the direction of the battle. However, Alforalis knew very well it would not be easy. Moreover, the number of Knights Templar troops deployed was 200 thousand. That much number cannot be overcome with simple thinking. Moreover, there were four Saints who were deployed to lead the army. The battle won't be short.