SWNOVELXO Chapter 120
“There’s no time to waste. Today, we will definitely reclaim that castle! Go forth, proud sons of Dedorant! Let us take back the glory that was stolen from us today!”
―Waaahhhh!!
With a massive roar, the morale of the Dedorant Army surged to its peak as they hastily prepared for the attack.
They solidified their encampments and got fully ready for any possible counterattacks or surprise strikes.
The necessary supplies and machinations were secured, and the construction of siege weapons was nearly finished.
It wouldn’t be an easy fight. The enemy had ample supplies as well.
With the Magical Corps located there, using magic to turn the tide was also a challenge.
Yet, they had to act. They must reclaim it.
It is said that the side favored in an attack and defense is always the defender.
Especially when that defender is leaning against a castle, that tendency grows even stronger.
There’s even advice not to attack a castle unless the attacking force is at least five times stronger.
However, even so, there are definite advantages for the attackers.
The timing of an attack and the choice of location can be controlled.
“Let’s pretend to knock on the southern gate while secretly slamming the northern one.”
“The northern gate is weaker than the others. No matter how well they prepare, they can’t help it!”
They focused their defense forces on the south and suddenly struck the north.
By the time the enemy realized it, Dedorant would have climbed the northern walls.
“Fire! Keep launching stones into the castle! Archers, aim for the walls! Don’t let those Imperial scum lift their heads! Pour it all out until our forces get close to the walls!”
With the commanders’ shouts, the soldiers of Dedorant charged bravely.
They did not falter in the midst of pouring arrows, stones, boiling oil, and flames.
They are those who have been trained through countless battles. They are not ones to flee in fear.
“Ladders! Ladders!!”
“Don’t let a single one get up! Kill them as they climb!”
“Fire! Fire!!”
The Imperial soldiers on the walls also moved in perfect unison.
Even under the rain of arrows and boulders, they focused on the situation beyond the walls.
They held their positions firmly, doing what they were supposed to do.
“Legion Commander! We’ve confirmed that the Dedorants are moving stealthily towards the north gate!”
“Just as I thought, they are aiming for the north. Move the reserve forces closer, but don’t attack as soon as you see them; act as if you haven’t noticed until they’re in range. Make them desperate to come as close as possible.”
Though trapped in the castle, the First Legion was by no means just any group.
They had positioned scouts all over the walls, not fighters but watchers.
They were there to monitor the enemy and report any new movements.
“Hurry up! The Dedorants are coming toward the north gate!”
“Act like we’re panicking and draw as many of them into range as possible.”
In the meantime, the forces of Dedorant began to surge toward the north gate.
Though they couldn’t mobilize as many siege weapons as they had in the south, the quality of their troops was superior.
“The gaze of the Imperial scum is scattered. Now’s our chance! Move up!”
“For the glory of Dedorant! For the Deo Ethnicity!”
“Go! Go! Advance boldly to death!”
With a momentum incomparable to the southern gate, the Dedorant army surged forward.
Finally, when they approached the castle gate, the Imperial soldiers who had been lying in wait revealed themselves.
“Bring down hellfire on those wicked ones!”
“Welcome to hell, you bastards!!”
“Fire! Pour it down!”
Black arrows and boiling oil rained down.
Shouts and screams echoed as the battlefield turned into a hellscape.
Where a single human life would so easily vanish.
In a world where no one had sympathy or doubts about it.
“Damn it. Pull the troops back! This is too much!”
There is such a thing as morale. And when it falls, it is no longer an ‘attack.’
It simply becomes a sacrifice of their soldiers’ lives.
As the Dedorant army retreated, a huge roar erupted from Setongrad.
Trapped and filled with the fear of imminent fall, they were still able to endure and drive away that fear with victories like this.
The fierce siege warfare in the depths of winter would continue for several more months.
The first battle ended with a one-sided victory for the Empire.
However, nothing was certain yet.
This was merely the beginning. The first page of the hell that would unfold ahead.
The rest depended on the hands of a single strategist who had planned everything.
*
Ross Tanika was overwhelmed with emotion at the news from the Empire.
The supply support bill. The beneficiaries were none other than they, Ross Tanika.
Not a transaction to give and take the price, but rather giving first and promising for later.
That bill passed, and finally, the first support began.
They had asked for help, and the Empire responded, but they had honestly expected it to be difficult.
The frontline needed to be breached for it to be possible and currently, Dedorant was not to be underestimated.
In the midst of this, the news of the Empire’s significant defeat made Ross Tanika tremble in fear.
With the Empire pulling back, would Dedorant’s main forces come rushing here?
However, Dedorant was caught in an unusual phenomenon where they were tied up even after winning.
As they completed their reorganization, the units had to rush somewhere urgently.
Ross Tanika, confused about what was happening, soon found out the reason.
The Empire was beginning to move in earnest. Someone had taken command.
And shortly after, the Empire subtly made this proposal to Ross Tanika.
They would support them with war supplies. The payment would be taken later.
If they fought as they were now and helped the resistance of DeGale, that would be enough.
“We are simply overwhelmed by the mercy of the Empire and His Majesty the Emperor!”
To those who found it terribly burdensome to hold off Dedorant, it felt like a drizzle in a drought.
They even promised to take control of the coasts of DeGale and Benito, which they had occupied.
And truly, a month later, an immense amount of supplies sent by the Empire arrived at Ross Tanika.
“Welcome! Imperial Navy! Ross Tanika has been waiting for you!”
The Imperial transports entered the harbor under the escort of the Ross Tanika Navy.
Soon, goods began to be piled high from the ships.
Particularly because they had been struggling with the lack of high-quality iron for weapons and armor.
The gleaming weapons being revealed only served to make them even happier.
However, what was even more astonishing was that it wasn’t all just war supplies.
Among the items sent by the Empire were materials to create a teleportation magic circle.
Furthermore, they sent dozens of wizards to handle it.
The teleportation magic circle. The ultimate magical artifact that could ‘transport’ people anywhere on the continent.
However, it was impossible to use for a large number of people, making it unusable for military purposes.
Instead, in a situation where they were sending messages like now, it was an incredibly useful device.
In fact, Ross Tanika had once attempted to create this teleportation magic circle for the Empire.
But the burden of constructing it in a far-off land, while they only had four in their own country, was severe.
Yet now, the Empire was covering all the costs and installing it, which was simply astonishing.
Wasn’t this a cue to focus on exchanging information with each other?
“The Emperor hopes for more communication and cooperation with Ross Tanika in the future. This is a gift from the Empire.”
Upon hearing these words, Ross Tanika felt both joy and burden simultaneously.
The supply support was undoubtedly given to encourage them not to surrender.
But to go as far as establishing a teleportation magic circle, how much did the Empire intend to exploit them?
Though it was tenfold, a hundredfold better than Dedorant, the worry couldn’t be helped.
“Aah. And soon, an important figure from the Empire is scheduled to visit here in Ross Tanika.”
“An important figure, you say.”
“The Imperial Chief of Staff and Acting Chief of the Imperial First Legion, Lord Kael Clausewitz.”
Kael Clausewitz? Upon hearing that name, they exclaimed in surprise.
“Lord Chief of Staff Kael Clausewitz… Is he not the brilliant strategist of the Empire, renowned for being someone even Prince Georg of Dedorant could not handle?”
“Hahaha. It seems that rumors of him have reached Ross Tanika as well. However, the Chief of Staff himself despises that nickname greatly.”
“But why would such a person wish to visit Ross Tanika…?”
The Empire official looked at them as if it were a given.
“You are currently continuing your struggles against Dedorant. He wishes to express his gratitude directly. He thinks it’s better to come personally than to send someone.”
“Aah….”
This was not just a regular affair. This was a person who had taken the position of Chief of Staff in his twenties.
Rumor had it that he was effectively in charge of all the Empire’s territories.
Even that great Prince Georg had fallen into his schemes and stepped down voluntarily.
That such a figure was coming to Ross Tanika.
He claimed to express gratitude for showing courageous resistance.
But truly, would that be the only reason for such a long journey?
Could it be that someone of such importance would set aside all his duties?
‘There must be some hidden motive.’
‘Is it possible that he wants to make some demands of us, Ross Tanika?’
‘Ugh. Being in a position where we could only accept whatever the Empire hands out, how could we refuse anything?’
While Ross Tanika twisted and turned to figure out the Empire’s true intentions, the Empire successfully installed the teleportation magic circle in Ross Tanika.
Then, just a few days later, the circle lit up, and someone appeared there.