***Arc 5 The One Who Obstructed, Chapter 106 Obsession with Victory***
Fifteen years ago――in the East.
A fierce battle was fought there.
The objective was to invade the western part of the Holy Empire of Erslan, led by Gildanstein.
While the kingdom was advancing at a breakneck pace, the Holy Empire was implementing a scorched earth strategy.
After the Empire completely cut off its western part and accumulated strength, they launched a simultaneous counteroffensive.
The Kingdom's northern general, who had participated in the battle, was killed, and the Kingdom was pushed back at once, leaving the eastern invasion force in a temporary predicament.
The Holy Empire broke through the north side, and to the eastern force, it became a form of being attacked on the side and back.
――There, Terrius Melchikos was on the verge of death.
‘――Why did you save me, Christand? If you didn't come to rescue us, you would have been able to withdraw your troops without any problems.’
To the southeast from the Great Sea of Trees that spreads to the northeast of the kingdom.
The corps commander who was defending the fort built on the edge of the mountain range――Terrius was left behind as his allies retreated.
The message ordering the retreat was delayed and then intercepted by the enemy.
‘And you should have been under His Highness's command…at the center. Why are you out there like this?’
‘Of course, it is for your rescue, Corps Commander Melchikos.’
Bogan Christand.
He was an upstart, born to a poor noble family.
Perhaps he was reluctant to buy new armor, the armor he wore was full of scratches――only the leather and metal fittings that held it together were new.
It had no carvings, and although it sounded good when it was said to be simple and robust armor, it was just a scrap.
The gauntlet was also noticeably slightly off in size, so it was probably not even custom-made armor, but rather second-hand items that had been modified and used.
Even though he had risen through the ranks and become a corps commander, he was not ashamed to expose his poverty-stricken appearance that showed just how much of an upstart he was.
He hasn't liked him since the first time he met him.
The first time Terius saw him was when he was a battalion commander——when he saw Bogan being called out as a centurion for his achievements.
When Terrius became an adjutant to a corps commander, Bogan had been promoted to battalion commander under Eluga Faren's command and he saw him being praised by the general at the time for his war achievements.
Whenever Terrius saw him, Bogan was being praised.
In contrast to Terrius, who achieved steady military results, Bogan was a man who achieved spectacular results.
However, such a person always disturbs the place.
In each case, the results were achieved by using one's own judgment and doing something close to violating an order.
It could be said that it would be good if it produced results, but if not, that would have resulted in beheading――selfish movements would put others in danger.
Eventually, he would no longer see his face.
That's what he thought, but when he saw him again in this battle, Bogan had become a corps commander and had been promoted to the same position as Terrius.
‘I don't like it. You are here to protect his Royal Highness.’
‘His Royal Highness seems determined to turn the tables from here, no matter what.’
‘...Did he get blinded by his previous achievement?’
The other day, in the retreat, Gilldanstein himself took the head of the commander of the enemy pursuit force.
Together with this man.
‘He is not that kind of person. At least as a general, I feel that he is a respectable general who is clear-headed, has excellent decisiveness, and has the strength to take the lead. Regardless of the rumors, as a soldier, he greedily seeks victory even if it’s a victory covered in mud.’
‘...He is only reckless. He is drunk on blood and glory. …that’s enough. How are you going to get out of this predicament? The enemy has 15,000 men facing us, and they have more cavalry than we have. Even if we run now, it's a gamble whether we can survive.’
Terrius crossed his arms and thought for a moment before telling him.
Personally, he didn’t like him, but he came to the rescue of the now-abandoned Terius――the favor needs to be repaid.
'I will return the debt. I'll take care of the rear here. ..Salva, I'm sorry, but you may have to die with me. Is that all right?
'Yes sir. I will go with you.’
Salva smiled and saluted.
He had a good, determined look on his face.
'Krishtand, if any of my men have survived, please take care of them.’
‘Haha, what are you misunderstanding? Our purpose is not behind’
Bogan said with a laugh.
‘I and your army――both of us will lure the enemy to the mountain and destroy it. Then we will break through here and strike the enemy general who is positioned in front of His Highness. As I said…our aim is to reverse the situation from here. And I have come to you like this to ask you to help me with that.’
'...... are you insane?’
‘Haha, I’m perfectly sane. My men are all strong. You and your men are not demoralized by this situation. They are all prepared to die――good soldiers and commanders. If we are all going to be dead soldiers, there is nothing we can't do.’
Bogan laughed like a beast.
‘The enemy is now certain of victory, and their mind is already far from the battlefield. Thinking about post-war rewards, their heart is far away――and cowardice prevails. That's why we should aim at this timing when we are in a predicament.’
‘...As I thought you’re crazy, aren't you?’
‘It's a battlefield, and you can't do it without being a little crazy. …How about it? If you're going to be crazy, I think it's more fun to be crazy with blood and victory than with fear.’
He didn’t like this man from the start.
But when confronted like this, the temptation gives off a powerful heat that makes his blood boil.
‘All right. Anyway, since the situation is like this, I'll go along with your recklessness. …After that, as a fellow corps commander, there will be a sermon later for us, so don’t run away.’
‘Haha, I want to listen to that sermon while getting drunk on the sake of victory――’
――Nostalgic, Terrius recalled the old days.
On the battlefield, blood and iron danced, and the air was filled with screams and hard metallic sounds.
The enemy force of 5,000 was positioned in the front.
In addition to that, 5,000 reinforcements from Nakirus Feliza and the main enemy unit——5,000 from former adjutant Salva.
The enemy was clearly moving to overtake Terrius and was moving to decide the outcome.
Of the 4,000 entrusted to him by Serene, 3,000 were to be used to stop the detour, and 1,000 were to be used as a reserve against a breakthrough.
He had no fear of the enemy.
He was grateful that his anger had not dulled his thoughts, and that he was able to remain calm in this situation.
‘―― I'd rather bet on her winning than on me going head-on and winning here. Please protect me until then... I'm sorry for relying on you all the time.’
It was Selene who gave it to him.
She, who should have wanted to avenge Bogan more than anyone else, was only aiming at victory rather than being swung around by her personal feelings.
She said she's inexperienced――a word that could be taken as a weakness in a sense.
It must have taken a lot of courage to say that at that moment.
Come to think of it, whether it was Kolkis, Terrius, or Eluga――who succeeded Bogan, and took command of the Cheistand army, anyone would do.
Nevertheless, they unanimously recognized the still-young Serene as the commander and recommended her because they all recognized her personality.
She was not conceited, was not prideful, and was a dedicated hard worker.
Although inexperienced, she made up for it only by hard work, and performed her military duties vigorously, showing that she quickly recovered from her father's death.
That was how the 15 year old girl showed herself to them.
In that case, they cannot allow themselves to be swept away by personal grudges and emotions.
She was the symbol of Kristand――and was asked to play the role of stopping many rampages, including Kolkis and Tereius.
But even though he understood this, he had almost lost my composure after meeting Salva again.
Her words were also an admonition to him.
Terius recalled that and smiled wryly.
She was just a child.
And he was reprimanded by that child.
“How pathetic, even after reaching this age.”
"... Corps Commander?"
Selene only had as much military knowledge as a 15-year-old girl could gain.
As a general, she was still lacking――as a corps commander she barely qualified.
She was still very excellent for a 15 year old girl, but she was not worthy of comparison to Krische, who has the power to take out great generals without a second thought and solve everything forcefully, and compared to the commander of Chrishtand's army, her inexperience, and weakness in the battlefield were a hindrance and she was far behind in actual combat ability.
But she's more fit for general than anyone else here.
She clearly admitted that her own abilities were immature, and on top of that, she was not conceited
of her position, nor was she overly humble, and could rely on and use her surroundings with dignity.
It was a talent of sorts.
Something that a young person would not normally be able to do.
That said, even among seasoned military personnel, not many could do it.
Everyone has pride in their abilities, and the more talented they are, the more likely it is to do so.
The most obvious example of this was Krische, who was an undeniable genius, whose behavior sometimes could be called arrogant.
However, while Serene's talent blossomed, as a commander she did the exact opposite of her sister.
Fame and honor abound.
Even after she started being called a hero――even though she had more power than anyone else, she was never conceited and kept her own discipline, just like Bogan.
She was Bogan's successor after all.
“Felizar seems to be aiming for our right wing――the seam with Corps Commander Faren”
“Yes sir, It looks that way.”
“Tell Corps Commander Faren that we leave that one to him.”
“...Will that be fine? The burden on the center…”
"Farren's corps commander is skillful at handling such people. Even in this situation, it's enough――"
Just as he was about to say something, a messenger with a red flag ran towards him.
"Message from Corps Commander Melchikos and Corps Commander Faren. 'Leave the boars to us and focus on the front.'"
‘Kuku...see. Any objections, Nertus?
"No. Flag-bearers put the flag roger in the center."
Laughing at his new adjutant's stunned expression, Terrius looked to the front.
With this, in the front was 10,000――He needed to say thank you to Eruga later, he said, moistening his throat with water and thrusting out his sword.
"Left wing prepares to charge. Break their formation!"
“That old man. What a nuisance.”
The center of Christand's army maintained its oblique line and then made a curvature in the line of battle.
The archers were placed on the convex part of the line, and countless arrows rained down on Salva――Gildanstein army’s flank.
Even though the arrows from the front could be defended to some extent, the addition of arrows raining down from the side would increase the loss of men at an accelerated rate.
"... Your Highness, what should we do?"
"We'll just ram it in. We'll pull Terius from the front. There's no other chance of victory, and you and I did everything we could to do that. Isn't that right?"
“Yes.”
“Don’t worry, If you die, then that's it. Just take it easy.”
――He's crazy.
Salva looks at Gildanstein, who was laughing at this situation.
This assault will literally be the first and the last.
Gildanstein said so.
Throwing out all safety measures, break through the enemy or die――that's what this assault is about.
The walls of the Third Corps are thick. Salva knows that better than anyone else.
To him, Guilderstein's action seems more reckless than daring, but the man assures him that it was possible.
‘Ah’, Salva remembered.
If there is one thing Salva lacked, it was the insanity to give up everything for victory.
They would sacrifice thousands or tens of thousands of men for victory, and if that were not enough, they would even offer their own life as a bargaining chip.
And after making that decision, they could calmly laugh.
Bogan, Nozan, Kolkis, Terrius, Eluga.
It was the same for everyone in the Christand army.
Although he dreamed of his career advancement, he reluctantly settled as an adjutant because he knew he was lacking.
He was not incompetent, but rather excellent――but there were others who he couldn’t match.
He always had undeniable respect for them.
“No matter how brave you are, how much of a trash you are, how resentful, how passionate you are―― if you die, that's the end of it. In a way, isn't death even refreshing?"
"Not so for many, I suppose, but I've also been thinking like that lately.
Salva answered while parrying off the raining arrows.
Even if they win, the stigma and dishonor will follow him for the rest of his life.
Whether he was right or wrong――he will continue to wonder about it until he dies.
Such was the future that lay ahead.
In a sense, death was salvation, and he was not inclined to deny it.
"This world is like a pit of manure. If you are born, you will sink into filth, even if it is a jewel. Everyone is surrounded by ugly shit. Everyone is covered in ugly shit, and they compare and compete with each other to see who is dirtier. There are things that make me laugh when I look at it. How comical, I gradually came to enjoy the dung-fest――but when it's over, it's over, and that's a good thing."
It is said that before he went mad, Gildanstein had everything that was required of him as a member of the royal family at a young age.
His older brother, Prince Shervarza, was by no means incompetent and well-qualified as heir to the throne, but none shined as brightly as his younger brother, Gildanstein.
――Gildanstein, not his older brother Shervarza, was the one who was more suitable for the throne.
It was secretly reported that the reason why Guilderstein started playing out of the ordinary was because of the commotion that took place in the royal palace.
Things in the royal palace——Salva, who was young at the time and a soldier, didn't know much about it.
For most nobles, the royal court and royalty were things above the clouds.
It was only after the betrayal was brought up that they had a proper conversation——even then he doubted that Gildanstein was as crazy as rumored.
He was certainly an unruly villain and someone he could not respect.
However, if you say that all of him was a villain, then he didn’t think that's true.
“...I don't know what you are talking about. However, a treasure is still a treasure even if it is in a cesspool of manure. At least that's part of the reason I'm here now as a military man."
Gildanstein looked at Salva suspiciously.
He had thrown away his royal armor, which had been custom-made for him, and was now unreservedly wearing a simple armor of Salva's adjutant
If you call it cowardly, it was cowardly.
If you call it despicable, it was despicable.
The appearance of Gildanstein, who had no pride as a royal family, and was covered in vanity-——but even so, what this man sought was a victory.
There was something about that pureness that appealed to him as a soldier.
“Your Highness, isn’t that so?”
"...Well, I wonder."
“Well, it doesn't matter either way. ...At least in this place, I've decided to be your shield and sword and live and die together."
Gildanstein twisted the corners of his mouth in amusement.
"Kuku, I see. You're a better weapon than I thought....If you don't break after the battle,I will use it for a long time.”
"... I might point my blade at my master someday, if that's all right."
"That's what the legendary cursed sword is like. I longed for it when I was a kid..."
He smiled and looked ahead.
"The enemy has moved the leftmost wing. What do you think?"
“They are planning to stop the spear and surround it. In this case, it is safe to assume that the leftmost flank is skilled. It would be impossible for our rightmost wing to stop it.
"In other words――"
"――we will break through the thick wall in front of us with all our strength. That is the simplest and best way. ...If His Highness doesn't get through, you'll just die."
"Hah, you sure say it ――I will go, Salva, just pray that the soldiers will follow in this rain of arrows."
And then——at the moment of contact, Gildanstein stepped forward.
In front of him was a pikeman.
The wall of spears was a symbol of death for the soldiers on the front line, who could not escape.
More than half of the front line would surely be killed by them.
The dense formation of long spears always demands an enormous amount of blood against the enemy in front of them.
Only a long spear can face a long spear head-on.
Even so, Gildanstein had sword soldiers with large shields in the front ranks.
The skill level of the pikeman was the key to their collective action.
The long spear is a powerful weapon because of its unwavering control.
If they were to clash head-on with a mishmash of untrained soldiers, they would be the ones who would lose, and a clash with pikeman would waste a great deal of time.
This must be avoided.
Time——because everything had to be settled before Colchis finished eating his own son.
Kolkis, the corps commander of the Second Corps, was a solid warrior.
If they went head-to-head, even if they were in perfect condition, even if it wouldn’t be a complete defeat, it wouldn’t be able to be called a victory either.
And once such a battle was fought, it would mean Gildanstein's defeat.
The Third Corps in front of them was an unquestionably formidable foe, and Giildanstein believed that it would be impossible to overtake it without putting everything he had into it.
As a result, this attack was a desperate assault using even the main reserve.
The fact that the center and left wing would be destroyed by Eruga and Kolkis had already been factored in——both were planned to be discarded from the beginning.
If they failed to grab Selene, it would be impossible for them to regain their footing.
That's why it's time.
Gildanstein just had to do everything in his power to achieve his goals.
――In the name of victory.
He passed the soldiers in the front row and danced to the front of the line.
Strangely enough, he stood in front of 10,000 enemies and charged, just like the one-man show Krische did.
“Get out of the way, you miscreants......!”
To show off to his own soldiers behind him.
On the verge of crashing into his foe, he swung his great war ax with all his might.
A heavy ax with a steel core――poised, swung, and fired with all his might.
The deadly weapon, which had left his hands, roared and flew away with the wind in its wake.
"Huh, ah!?"
The storm of steel snaps the long spear, shattering it, and punches a hole in the enemy's line of battle.
The great war ax released all of the energy given to itself for destruction.
Then Gildanstein drew his sword and charged in immediately.
A sword stance that thrusts the great sword high into the sky.
It was the exact image of the kingdom's coat of arms.
He drew a spiral with his body and swung it sideways.
The armor of tanned leather was no different from a naked body in front of Gildanstein's mighty sword.
Wielding, transmitting, and swinging the power of the whole body is the fastest――the King Sword
Using technique to target gaps in the enemy and pierce it, but these are not the essence of the sword.
To overwhelm by force――to overwhelm.
That is Gildanstein.
――It was the blade wielded by a King.
Guildenstein swung his blade as if to widen the entry point, as if to disrupt the enemy's spear wall.
A battle cry mixed with cheers roared out, crushing everything in its place.
"Go forward!! Victory lies ahead!!"
Raising his voice, Gildanstein laughed.
He sheathed his sword, still covered in blood, and grabbed the great war ax lying on the ground in his hand.
What he had to do was the same.
Once they break through the pikeman and get out, sword soldiers were assigned there.
Soldiers specializing in melee battles with small swords and medium shields.
But they were not Gildansein’s――a King’s match.
Remind those who stand in front of him. He crushed them.
Made them realize that they were no match for this man, and feared him. Take control.
The important thing was to become the ruler of the place.
He would pick up one of his emotions or rationalizations and demonstrate his position by law, by word, and by violence.
‘King’ is not something that is simply shaped by political power.
It is always built by power, and it is a word that indicates the possession of such power to take control of everything around them.
His honorable older brother――King Shervarza, was killed by Kreschenta.
But deep in his heart, he did not resent her.
His brother was too kind-hearted and too weak to stand as king.
Being killed is the responsibility of the killed, nothing more.
And Kreschenta moved and acted to become king herself.
She found her pawn, Krische, and, confident of victory, she challenged Gildsnstein to a match.
The formula was simple and clear.
What they have here was such a match.
Which of the two was more fit to be king?
This was a contest between two royal families, a contest for their very existence.
There’s no such thing as deception, trickery, or cowardice.
When challenged to a match, they will act only in pursuit of victory.
Power, emotion, will, and ability - the strength of all of these factors will bring about results and make a ‘King’.
Kreschenta used Bogan and his army.
His pawn, Hilkintos, was easily defeated, and as a result, his side was at a disadvantage.
That one surpassed Gildanstein in terms of ability——but it's not over yet.
The match would continue until one of them no longer able to move
——And the result would not be known until then.
"Adjutant-dono, please stand back! We will pave the way for you…!”
The nameless centurion who had caught up with him shouted.
Adjutant——he must have judged it from the armor that Gildanstein was wearing.
“Time is of the essence. If you want me to stand back, then go ahead on your own.”
"Yes sir! Did you hear that!? Groups 1 to 7 will move forward, and cut from the right! Group 10 and Group 12 behind!"
He was just a commoner, not a magic possessor.
Even though he was approaching old age, his voice was full of tension and spirit.
He had the air of someone who has devoted decades of his life to the battlefield.
――Quite a good warrior.
"What is your name?"
"I'm Clarias, a centurion who belongs to the 2nd battalion under the direct command of the General, adjutant."
"I see, don't die Clarias. If you survive, I'll prepare a reward, enough for you to play around for the rest of your life."
"Haha, thank you very much for your kind words....But you sure say something difficult!"
He stabs the enemy in front of him with his sword, as if he were to strike him with his entire body.
When he saw that it was impossible to pull out his sword, he pulled out the sword at his opponent's waist.
His skill and judgment are good―― but the enemy is just as good, or close to it.
“I don't think I have time to think about the future in this situation!”
"I see, that's for sure. ――However, your work ends here."
To the left is the gap created by them charging to the right.
He looked behind him.
There was Salva, and he was seeing the same thing as Gildanstein.
“Yes, sir!”
It was Salva who answered Gildanstein's gaze and charged in.
The base was wide, and the further it went, the sharper and thinner it became.
The center of gravity was in the hand while remaining robust――a longsword suitable for piercing, while still maintaining its sturdiness.
When he stepped forward and swung it, it pierced through a gap in the enemy's armor and took his life.
And following in line with him are the elite of the general's guards.
He looked in that direction, smiled, and told Clarias.
"The general is facing the front. We will continue on like this and flank the enemy corps commander."
"To cover the general――"
"It doesn't matter. The enemy's attention will be drawn that way. All you have to do is to advance through the disorganized enemy lines in the meantime and greatly disturb them. I will lead the way, follow me.”
Once past the first wall, the pikeman reappeared at a distance.
Archers danced through the gaps in the line, firing from the flanks without a pause.
It was like attacking a fortress.
If they broke through the pikeman in a hail of arrows, sword soldiers would be waiting for them inside.
In addition, A salvo of archers, albeit few in number, awaits them from the flank.
Terrius Melchikos, Commander of the Third Corps of the Christand Army.
This man is a master of field fortifications, and even in mere field battles, he uses human flesh to build fortifications in places where there was nothing.
He would break the enemy's hearts and minds by making them run in a path called gap, creating a killing zone, and then rounding up the fiercest of the fighters who slipped through.
His skill in building a two-tiered or three-tiered defense wall while leaning heavily in an oblique line formation was so impressive that most enemies will lose their will to fight when they break through pikeman and then face pikeman again――and arrow from the flanks.
There was not a single incompetent person among the Christand army commanders.
That's why Christand had become known as the strongest in the kingdom――a matchless army led by a hero.
More than ten years have passed since Bogan was appointed as a general.
Gildanstein had heard many times at the royal palace about the successes of Bogan and the army he led.
Over and over again.
Maybe if he had been a mere noble instead of royalty――would he have been able to think nothing of it and just be like a sword?
――For example, like Bogan.
"Get out of my way!!"
With his great war axe, he cuts down both long spears in front of him.
Shattering and snapping the spear, he disrupts it and moves forward.
Feeding on the flesh and blood of the frightened enemy.
At least for now, he could go on without thinking.
“Adjutant-dono, you are being reckless!”
“I'm in a good mood. I'm really enjoying myself.”
"Haha, I didn't know there was such a brave person among General Caldera's adjutants... I didn't study enough. What's your name?"
"It’s Gildanstein, Clarius."
“Huh――?”
There was no longer any distance to escape.
There is no need to hide it.
"I'll give you the honor of fighting beside the king. I'll leave my back to you."
The centurion stiffened for a moment and immediately understood the situation.
The Royal Prince Gildanstein―― the black lion wielded a great battle ax.
Everyone knows that much.
"Yes sir! Understood!!"
He shattered the long spear and flipped off the heavily armed infantry behind him.
Salva was already confronting Terrius.
――And so, Gildanstein caught the Commander of the Third Corps at a distance.
"――I can't say I was surprised. It wouldn’t be strange if you were able to break through, right?"
A sculpture that resembled a fortress.
Wearing shining, polished armor, Terrius dismounted, drew his twin swords, said that to Salva, who appeared in front of him.
His breathing was heavy, blood staining the polished, uncarved plate mail.
But certainly, there he stood, confronting Terrius.
Two layers of pikeman and three layers of heavy infantry.
By creating a space between them and interlocking the archers, they lure in the enemies who have broken through and destroy them.
Like a fortress that narrows the road, forces the enemy to run, and kills them with a hail of arrows and traps, the fortress of flesh that Terrius builds――not many people can break through it.
However, Salva divided his squad into two squads and used one as a decoy to hinder the interlocking of the archers.
Amazingly, he had pulled through the triple barrier and arrived here.
Terius praised him honestly.
Salva, who had been an adjutant by his side for a long time.
Considering the fact that he was going up against it, he had adjusted the details of the formation.
Salva wouldn’t be able to break through――they wouldn’t confront each other like this.
However, that judgment was probably a result of his own conceit.
Salva was a calm——a rather passive person.
He is not the type of person who would take the initiative and split the ranks.
Surprisingly, he also felt happy about it.
Somewhere in his heart, he also wanted Salva to appear in front of him like this.
"Now that I think about it, it's been a long relationship——but this is the end, Salva. Are you prepared?"
Sensing that the enemy were breaking through, Terius immediately gathered an army.
To kill Salva, who had just rushed in.
At most 500 were with Salva. While he had 1000 here.
Salva and his men were exhausted. This was the end.
"I will not forget the years I fought as your adjutant."
"It's you who threw it away, it's a pity....Archer!"
Salva, having broken through――a salvo of archers greeted him.
But――
"Corps Commander, the enemy...!?"
Just before that, another great war ax appeared.
A decoy――because it was a small unit of around 100 people that he thought so.
"Everyone, forward! Corps Commander Terius Melchikos's head is right in front of us!"
When Salva shouted, the archers fired.
However, the enemy, who had appeared from the left flank, was completely out of position.
Terrius quickly turned to face it and realized what was happening.
"... Your Highness!"
"It's been a long time, Melchikos. I'm sorry, but I'm going to have you die."
He carried a great war ax and laughed under his helmet.
Gildanstein narrowed his eyes.
"――I'll kill you myself."
