Episode 42
* * *
Some time later, in the conference room of the Duchy of Saxony.
The Duke of Saxony looked at the table as he received reports of the battle situation flowing from an unseen place.
Between the Demon’s Lands and the Duchy of Saxony lies a large mountain range, and furthermore, several layers of fortresses form a dense line of defense along the narrow passages of the mountain range.
Mountain fortresses garrisoned by the Ranger Unit ‘Winter Watchers’.
And even if they managed to break through the mountain fortress and cross the mountain range after fierce fighting… … there were still forts built several kilometers away within the dukedom, blocking strategic points such as crossing points and transportation hubs.
“It has been reported that the Northern Lords and Winter Guardians who had previously set out have begun to retreat from the 9th Mountain Fortress.”
“It is said that before retreating, they burned all the supplies that had not been transported.”
“It’s about time to deploy the field army.”
Sir Helmut spoke, pointing to the map.
Some of the lords and troops already called up by the Duke of Saxony have joined the fortress’s defenses, and fierce fighting is still taking place.
However, there was only one reason why the Great Lord Black Duke remained silent.
Through tiresome defensive and scorched earth tactics, the enemy’s offensive and physical strength are steadily worn down. After that, the main force with powerful striking power reaches the final point and takes a direct attack to annihilate the enemy.
Defense in depth.
Waiting until the very end, and annihilating the enemy with a decisive blow. And then the time to pull the trigger finally came.
“We will block the enemy’s main force from crossing the upper reaches of the Saxony River and annihilate them.”
“Understood, Your Majesty.”
In that respect, the upper reaches of the Saxon River were like an uncompromising Maginot Line. When the enemy crossed the river, dispersed, and began to pillage the entire duchy, the damage would be uncontrollable.
“Inform the lords of the preparations for the expedition.”
Just as they had stopped a horde of a thousand orcs there before, but now on a scale incomparable to that time.
* * *
The Duke of Saxony’s office, before the upcoming expedition.
“In addition to the main force, I will assign you a mobile strike force of three hundred Night Raven Knights.”
There, the Duke of Saxony gave the ‘Black Prince’ a very important task: to be a detachment operating separately from the main army, and to be given a virtually independent command structure.
“In addition, Sepia has decided to assist you.”
“… … !”
Sepia, the elf wizard of the 6th circle. Dale held his breath in surprise at the unexpected words.
“The Blue Tower’s… … is not interfering with worldly fights.”
“She is already the ‘chief adviser’ of our House of Saxony.”
The black ball continued speaking calmly.
“Moreover, it would be difficult to view the act of defending humanity’s territory against the demons as a ‘worldly struggle.’”
“Is that Mr. Sepia’s will?”
Dale asked, and the Duke of Saxony nodded.
“Once large-scale clashes on both fronts begin, your decisions will be the sole basis for moving your troops.”
This decision was possible because of the great victory of the ‘black and white rotation’ and because there was faith in Dale’s strategy.
“Trust me, Father.”
That’s why Dale didn’t hesitate either. Living up to trust was something he was used to.
“Lastly, there’s one more thing I’d like to ask you.”
“Tell me.”
After nodding, Dale opened his mouth. Thinking of the girl who wielded the Saxon family’s black sword more skillfully than anyone else.
“Please put the young divine sword… into the unit I will command.”
* * *
There was a girl completely armed with black armor.
Like Dale’s, the Night Raven Knight’s armor is custom-made for Charlotte’s body type. However, instead of a rapier, it is the Saxon House’s double-handed heavy sword.
“How trustworthy.”
“After all, he is the bodyguard who will protect the world’s ‘Black Prince’.”
At Charlotte’s words, Dale smiled quietly. Her face was hidden by a black helmet, so it was not visible. In any case, it was necessary to avoid revealing her identity.
But Charlotte was no longer a girl who had to be unilaterally protected.
Dale is not the only young genius growing up under the protection of the Saxon family. He has gone through dozens of harsh combat experiences with his master, Lord Helmut, and has achieved a level of skill that would not be lacking even at a young age, comparable to the Saxon family’s ‘Auror Knight’.
A sword prodigy who, with the power of Aura, can freely wield the Saxon greatsword, which is larger than his own body.
At least her talent with the ‘sword’ surpassed Dale’s.
The Black Sword of the House of Saxony, dyed as black as ink, is the proof.
A pitch-black aura blade.
A form of Auror that exists to be loyal to the House of Saxony, whether alive or dead.
“… …Let’s make one promise.”
Dale opened his mouth as he looked at her.
“huh.”
“Don’t die.”
“……what?”
But at those words, Charlotte tilted her head for a moment.
“I have to risk my life for my lord… … .”
“The duty of a knight?”
Dale interrupted her.
“Shall I teach you the true duties of a knight?”
After interrupting, Dale asked. Charlotte waited silently for his answer.
“I will not betray my lord’s trust.”
Dale said.
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“And I don’t want you to die.”
In a voice without even a hint of hesitation.
“This is not a battlefield where you will die.”
Charlotte took a deep breath, but the commotion didn’t last long.
“huh.”
So, as a knight loyal to her lord, Charlotte quietly knelt before Dale. Then, she stabbed the black sword of the Saxon family vertically.
He thought to himself, truly thankful that his expression was not revealed beneath his helmet.
* * *
The main force led by the Duke of Saxony began to advance against the orc warlords who were beginning to advance south.
A race of strange beings who cannot endure the harsh environment of the Demon King’s Territory and continue to struggle to survive. That is the Demon Race. It is not that they have some evil and grand cause to dye the world with evil.
‘That’s why it’s even more of a headache.’
Although nothing compared to the unprecedented scale led by the being known as the ‘Demon King’ in the past, there have been frequent migrations of demons of a not-so-negligible scale since then.
Each time, the Duke of Saxony summoned the northern lords, but at crucial times he used the ‘power of black magic’ to minimize the bleeding.
As an 8th circle black magician standing at the top of the black magic tower.
And the fact that the ‘Black Ball’ himself led the main force and went out to battle meant only one thing. Even though he entrusted Dale with the important task of leading the mobile strike force, it was no different from saying that he would ultimately decide this fight with his own hands.
By using the power of the man the Empire fears most.
* * *
The upper reaches of the Saxony River.
A point a few kilometers away from the main force positions commanded by the ‘Duke of Saxony’.
That was where the mobile strike force consisting of Dale and three hundred Night Raven Knights took up position.
As usual, he is accompanied by Lord Vale of Baskerville, his escort knight Charlotte, and the elven wizard Sepia of the 6th Circle.
But at least here, Sepia was not Dale’s ‘master’. She was only Dale’s adjutant, following his orders.
And at dawn that day, in the barracks of Dale’s mobile strike force.
Even though the night was deep, the elven wizard Sepia could not sleep. She simply left her tent and walked aimlessly. Looking at the stars that decorated the night sky.
She became the teacher of the most talented child on the continent, and before she knew it, she was reborn as a member of the Duke’s family and surrendered herself to the waves of the secular world. It was a decision made to lead Dale in the right direction, and she thought that was her mission.
“Sepia.”
And likewise, when Dale, who could not sleep, called Sepia’s name there.
“Dale.”
Sepia soon realized that she was no longer treating Dale as an ‘object of mission’.
“Can’t you sleep?”
“Why did you accept your father’s offer?”
Dale asked back.
“I am simply carrying out my mission.”
Sepia answered.
This child has a talent that is superior to anything he has ever experienced, and at the same time, it is extremely dangerous. That is why, as Dale’s teacher, he wanted to guide this child in the right direction.
That was Sepia’s mission.
After coming to my senses, I realized that this child’s world was filled with coldness and loneliness.
A world of thought filled with endless emptiness and a horizon of nothingness. And that world was yearning for her.
Alone, in a bone-chilling loneliness.
That fact was so pitiful and lovely that I couldn’t bear it. Realizing the void in this child, and furthermore, the fact that she was the only one who could fill that void.
“… … Didn’t I promise to stay by your side?”
“thank you.”
Sepia answered with a blush. Dale smiled faintly at her.
The night sky was extremely black and dark.
* * *
The first battle started faster than expected.
Before the main force crossed the river at the ford, a small force of orcs attempted to cross the river about a dozen kilometers upstream.
If the number is not large, it is not difficult to cross the river with a small force by constructing a raft or a makeshift pontoon bridge. And it was the ‘Mobile Strike Force’ led by Dale that accurately intercepted this small Orc force.
“Charging!”
Command of four squadrons of fifty men each was entrusted to Lord Vale of Baskerville, while two squadrons, commanded directly by Dale, were left as a rear guard to guard against any eventuality.
However, the enemy crossed the river after a forced march of several dozen kilometers, and there were no follow-up troops to help.
A cavalry charge into a small detachment of isolated Orc infantry. It was a literal massacre.
After that, there were several small-scale crossings by orcs to confuse the enemy, and it was the job of the mobile strike force led by Dale to snipe them.
Shortly after, realizing that the distraction was not working, a horde of orcs, numbering in the thousands, began to force their way through the main river crossing, which was guarded by the main force of the Duke of Saxony.
A shock force comprised of the strongest and most rugged elite from among the tribes, under the command of the ‘Orc Warboss’.
Ride atop a giant wolf that makes the warhorses of the North look like ponies.
“Geuuuuuuuu!”
The roars of the orc riders and wolves that seemed to tear the heavens and earth apart rang out. The battle curtain was finally raised.
Then, when the two fronts met and a fierce battle began… … the 300 cavalry led by Dale had just finished crossing to the north coast where the main force of the orcs was.
Focused on breaking through, they turned to the backs of enemy units who were left defenseless.
But without realizing the ambush that was there.
