SWNOVELXO Chapter 133
The Imperial Army is approaching. Without any rest or pause. Moment by moment.
They are at the peak of their morale. Prepared not only internally but externally as well.
They have filled their bellies and heated their bodies as they advance.
Numerous supply units follow behind, accompanied by a massive reserve force.
In contrast, the situation for those left inside the siege is not good.
Half of the existing supplies have been taken by the escape forces.
Some of the remaining supplies have been destroyed to prevent them from being seized.
With what little is left, the rear guard of Dedorant has to hold on.
It was indeed frustrating, yet they understood.
They fought without losing a glimmer of hope.
They believed they would eventually break free from this siege.
If that were to happen, having supplies would only bring benefits.
However, just this morning, the shocking news reached the commander of the Dedorant rear guard, Paelus.
[ The side unit is retreating ]
“….”
He doubted his own eyes. They were enduring so close to the enemy, while everyone was fighting to send out more allies.
If the sides could hold, then those remaining could return home!
“Commander! What… what should we do now?”
“….”
“The rumors are spreading quickly about how our side is collapsing and that we will soon be fully surrounded. Just like the Empire did, now it’s our turn to suffer.”
Paelus couldn’t bring himself to speak, even with the words of his subordinate commanders.
The worst of all situations was looming before them.
If only this unit could no longer hold and retreated, it would be one thing.
The sons of Dedorant, the brothers from Atria, and even the allies from DeGale.
All of them had fought fiercely for them, buying time.
Yet the side crumbled first, trapping them all in this hell.
“What supplies are left?”
“Not much. At most, about a week’s worth. Even with minimal rations, we could stretch it to about fifteen days.”
“What about the soldiers’ condition?”
“Most of them are injured, with many seriously wounded. Though their will to fight still remains, how long it will last is uncertain—”
The report was abruptly cut off by someone’s entrance.
“What do you mean uncertain? Is that nonsense? Anyone who bears the blood of the Deo Ethnicity ought to fight proudly until the very end!”
“…General Leonite.”
Leonite, who had been commanded by Prince Georg to oversee the military encouragement and discipline.
A fervent supporter of Prince Georg, utterly intoxicated by the glory of the Deo Ethnicity.
He is one who always shouts about the superiority of the Deo Ethnicity in every battle, pushing others into the fray.
No soldier hesitates in front of him. Hesitation means death by his hand, not the enemy’s.
“Our Dedorant army can still fight, Commander Paelus.”
“I have heard the report, General Leonite. The majority are injured.”
“Injured soldiers can return to battle anytime. They can easily forget that with the pride of the Deo Ethnicity.”
“Still, there are barely over thirty thousand of us. The Imperial Army charging from the front exceeds fifty thousand, and combined with the forces tightening from the sides, we face over one hundred thousand!”
Even adding all the injured, there are only forty thousand. Meanwhile, the Empire stands at a hundred thousand.
Even a five-year-old child would declare that the Empire holds the advantage.
But Leonite didn’t seem to think so.
“Do not underestimate our Dedorant army, Commander Paelus. You may not know, but I have seen firsthand alongside Prince Georg how powerful and brave those bearing the blood of the Deo Ethnicity are.”
“…”
“Those Imperial dogs’ siege can be broken with all our strength. And Steiner, that coward has retreated? Ha! Soon, Prince Georg will reorganize the army and come to our aid.”
“The remaining forces with the prince are only around fifty thousand.”
“If we gather the troops from Atria, Benito, and the front with DeGale and Ross Tanika, we’ll easily exceed one hundred thousand!”
“You know we can’t pull them from their respective fronts, General Leonite; you know that! If you don’t, you should step down from your position!”
As their voices grew louder, the nearby commanders intervened to separate them.
During this, an unspoken conflict flared among the commanders as well.
They were already drastically at a disadvantage, both physically and mentally.
Paelus had done well to rally the soldiers to come this far.
Had it not been for him, they would have crumbled, not just on the sides but here.
Meanwhile, Leonite suppressed the soldiers with authority and fear.
He admonished them harshly if any signs of weakness appeared, suggestive of ulterior motives.
Then he declared that those weak would face military law, instilling fear in everyone.
Thus, it was no surprise that there was ongoing friction with Paelus, who had an entirely different personality.
In contrast, the regular soldiers and lower-ranking commanders preferred Paelus.
Conversely, the mid-ranking commanders, intoxicated by the glory of the Deo Ethnicity, supported Leonite.
They recognized that each was a commander that matched their ideals better.
“Well then, Commander Paelus. What do you want to say?”
“….”
“Are you suggesting that we can no longer hold out and should surrender since there is no chance of rescue?”
“It’s not entirely impossible.”
“Ha! You fool! Watch your words! You are both a general of Dedorant and a glorious member of the Deo Ethnicity! To even consider surrender before declaring to fight until the very end is disgraceful!”
Leonite shoved past the nearby commanders, aggressively confronting Paelus.
“There is still a fight left in us. For our soldiers. For our commanders! And the remaining troops outside the siege are also trying their best to break the Empire’s encirclement. And you—of all people, entrusted by His Highness the Prince—utter such words! Be ashamed!”
He stormed out of the barracks, his anger unmasked.
The mid-ranking commanders followed, leaving behind only Paelus and a few aides.
Thereafter, Leonite rushed around, insisting on restoring discipline.
Even though the war had not yet ended, anyone showing weakness was deemed the enemy.
Claiming they were evil souls sowing the poison of surrender among the Deo Ethnicity.
“Everyone, pull yourselves together! Your fight is just beginning. This is a holy war. A holy war for our Deo Ethnicity! A trial for eternal glory! Do not surrender! Fight!”
A few nodded in agreement with his sentiments, while others held skeptical thoughts.
Some even muttered curses against Leonite in places where they were unseen.
Yet no one dared to voice such complaints openly.
After all, they were all united under the banner of Deo Ethnicity’s glory.
The Dedorant army, as well as the volunteers from Atria, felt the same.
Even the troops from DeGale yearned for the honor of the Deo Ethnicity.
Yes. Let’s fight. Just as that man said. There may be some hope.
Their third prince had led every battle to victory until now.
He had lifted Dedorant and nearly restored the glory of the Deo Ethnicity.
With such a person, he would surely be able to save them again.
*
… Or so they thought. That was a month ago.
The rear guard of Dedorant, trapped within the siege, was literally withering away.
Supplies had run out two weeks ago. Even that was half of what they had received before.
But now, even that was gone, leaving only the harsh reality of survival.
In this situation, two things remained unchanged.
One was the heart-wrenching struggle of Paelus and the lower-ranking commanders who supported him.
They had led the charge in every Imperial assault since they were trapped in the siege.
Firing arrows from the ramparts, wielding spears.
Since even the commander fought valiantly, the Dedorant army grit their teeth and endured.
Despite the Empire’s assaults happening dozens of times over the course of a month, they repelled them all.
Even amidst accumulating damage and growing fatigue, they persevered.
And the other was the increasingly fierce discipline enforced by Leonite and the commanding officers under him.
As the siege dragged on, and the soldiers trapped inside struggled, they acted with more fervor.
They absolutely would not allow anyone to abandon their posts or surrender to the Empire.
They knew that if just one person acted that way, collapse would begin.
And if that happened, it would be their own heads that were first to roll.
Thus, everyone kept their eyes sharp, trying to restrain the soldiers tightly.
Yet, thanks to the leadership of Paelus and the lower-ranking commanders,
The soldiers following them fought desperately to fend off the Imperial assaults.
They proclaimed it as evidence of the Deo Ethnicity’s superiority.
If they could do this, then the great Dedorant army would soon arrive from outside!
But no such news arrived.
All they received were constant messages to hold the line.
That their heroic resistance was giving strength to everyone.
Just hold on a little longer, and something would change.
At the point where the rear guard of Dedorant reached their absolute limit.
One day, a song began to echo from the direction of the Imperial camp.
In front of the barracks,
Before the main gate,
Magical Lanterns stood,
And she still stands before them.
Thus, we wish to meet again.
The lantern knows,
Your beautiful stride.
Every evening the lantern lights,
But she has long forgotten me.
And if pain comes to me,
Who will stand beside the lantern?
With you, Lily Marlene,
With you, Lily Marlene.