Ataraxia Abyss
Chapter 55: Tactics and Slander

The confused Roland was now thinking hard. He was now in the great Victorian fortress that he conquered, Braedon. He got information about why the Eceni tribe won the war when they were outnumbered and there were also two ships sent to attack from behind. He said there was a tsunami that destroyed the main force as well as the ships. And because there are no survivors that is the reason for the absence of information that comes in. Now the situation is really chaotic considering they have to fight the onslaught of the tribes and also Victoria directly, but the Holy Kingdom did not see Victoria making any moves.

He knew that there was someone behind the Barbarian's tactics. But who is the person is the question... Eventually a Templar came into the room and gave him information. "Mr Roland! There are a lot of troops visible outside the city!" The surprised Roland went out and saw from the balcony that Victoria's troops were now coming from the east. Roland could not see any further using his binoculars but he could see the Victorian soldiers complete with their armor, they were so numerous that they made scrolls of smoke every time they stepped on their feet.

Roland was clearly confused as to why they had come from the east, but this was their chance. At the moment he did not know the exact number of enemies but it can be estimated that they numbered at least 80,000 people, Roland realized that this was a surprise attack, a surprise attack,there was nowhere to run for them if they went south, and in the west they would meet the Victorian capital of Londinium. The army in Braedon was also only 30,000 people left because the main troops that Roland brought were now in the north to take the city of Wandermere which is a big city in the north. "Command everyone to prepare for the north! We'll join Astolfo's main force once we get to the north!" The Templar then asked Roland. "But Sir... We're leaving Braedon? We made a great sacrifice to get this city, sir..." Hearing that Roland immediately strangled the Templar and said. "You do what I tell you... That's your job as a soldier!" Roland then threw the Templar out of the room, and at last the poor soldier ran in a daze to go tell the others. Meanwhile Roland thought how could the enemy troops surround them and attack from the east side. But Roland also prepared by retrieving important documents and other things.

The cavalry as well as the people of the Holy Kingdom were eventually displaced from there on horseback. They left 20,000 Templars because they were slow without horses and were forced to sacrifice themselves to buy time. Seeing the troops of the Holy Kingdom and their leaders running away, made one of the soldiers wearing Victorian armor smile.

While running, Roland and his men tried to run, and he saw Braedon, and he saw Braedon,it was important to keep tribes such as the Eceni and those in the eastern part of the island from getting any help from Victoria, but her life was more important than the fort. The longer he felt the ground tremble as Victoria's forces drew closer to Braedon, the more certain he was of his decision...

———

Roland and the others did not stop running until sunset. They finally rest when they feel safe. They rested for a while until they walked on. Roland was not in the front row because it was dark, the trees also covered the moonlight until their view was unclear, but they kept on stepping.

But they make a fatal mistake when they think that they are the only people in the forest. As soon as they had built their camp for the umpteenth time, suddenly they heard a voice from behind the bushes. When one person went to look at the situation, suddenly his throat was pierced by an iron spear. Roland and the others were clearly shocked, Victoria had just exerted a massive force and it took a long time for the Victorian knights to catch up to them. So why are there Victoria troops here?

As soon as Roland fought, he saw the face of the Victorian army, this was not a planned attack, they were too panicked, it was like an impromptu ambush rather than a planned ambush. Roland who was aware of this situation finally told his soldiers to immediately go and run while still having time. But those who were still fighting were now unable to leave the battle, and once they fled, the Victorians chased them with their mounted archers.

Seeing his dead comrades, pissed Roland off. For him it was an insult to have disappointed their King. Roland eventually passed through the forest and met Astolfo at the camp they had made in the north. The camp was huge and contained over 70,000 soldiers of the Holy Kingdom. As Roland looked at his people he saw that there were only 2,000 people who had managed to survive from there. He went to the tent of one of the 12 Paladins, Astolfo. As soon as he entered the tent he could see Astolfo sleeping with 3 women. He banished the three women and woke Astolfo from his sleep.

———

At present in Braedon, the Templars' bodies lay on the ground, those dying were mercilessly killed by the enemy. They were all silent witnesses here, the men who attacked did wear the armor of the Victorian soldiers, but behind it all they wore the clothes and tattoos of the tribes on the island. Regal is now enjoying his dinner on the corpses of his enemies, he is currently happy because he can deceive the enemies with their artificial armor.

Even they could fool them by making the enemy think their numbers were overwhelming. Even though there were only 40,000 people who attacked Braedon, his forces were also only partially disguised as Victorian soldiers. All this thanks to the sandstorm made by Kallen who made earthquakes at every step to make a rumble and also a thick wall of smoke. Regal smiled as he looked at the moon at night, Kallen then came to him and asked. "I'm really impressed by Regal's abilities. You are not only a strong Warrior but also a reliable commander on the battlefield, where did you learn all this?"

Regal answered. "Adrian... The god once bore the title of the God of War before finally being assigned to hell. And from him I learned that morality is the easiest and most difficult thing to attack." Hearing that answer Kallen was aware. Regal is an Incubus who can manipulate one's soul and mind.

"Don't tell me you..." Regal smiled at Kallen who finally came to his senses. Their intimidation is successful because Regal manipulates the enemy's morale with his power. For Kallen it was terrifying, every time they fought, Kallen would definitely feel an excessive fear at every step he took. But it is not just from the power of Regal that is so powerful...

Regal smiled as he said to his wife.

"It's not just swords and armor fighting... Hearts also fight, those who want victory will fight each other by pitting against each other for strength. But those who fight while thinking about defeat will lose because they make themselves opponents.

That is my principle when fighting and that is also my principle in locking up victory..."

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