abcnovels
Chapter 497
Chapter 497
Chapter 497
Chapter 497: The Piece
While Al was en route to the Duchy, something was happening at the western border of the Empire.
"Commander...! We've spotted it...! It's the enemy camp where they are storing their provisions...!"
The Kingdom's army had launched several assaults on the Western Border Defense Force, which was left without Leo. Although a ceasefire was in place, it was still the front lines, and such attacks were not unusual. The Imperial Army, with the Mage Division at the helm, had repelled all of them. However, in the process, the Western Border Defense Force obtained the enemy's invasion plan. Although fragmented, the plan was to strike a significant blow to the Border Defense Force before Leo took command. Execution of the plan was only a few days away. Confirming this, General Barand, a famous general of the Kingdom, had vanished with an army of fifty thousand.
Heading towards the border, the resulting army which included the Kingdom's forces, would exceed eighty thousand. If they waited for confirmation from the capital, they would be hit first. Based on information obtained from Kingdom soldiers taken prisoner during previous battles, the Western Border Defense Force had discovered the location of the enemy's provisions. Colonel Regal, commander of the Mage Division, proposed a surprise attack on the site. Currently, the Western Border Defense Force numbers forty thousand. They would be no match if the enemy swelled to eighty thousand. Even if they could not break through, they were certain to be hit hard. But the enemy is a large army, they cannot move without provisions. They could at least buy some time until Leo arrived.
However, there were two problems.
One was that they were technically in a ceasefire. Small skirmishes were one thing, but a surprise attack on the enemy's supply depot would be a clear act of aggression. They could be accused by the Empire of breaking the ceasefire.
The other problem was that the camp housing the provisions was heavily guarded. The location was in the mountains, and the regular roads were heavily guarded, making it impossible to break through any other way. The backside was a cliff, also making it impossible to break through. It was impossible to approach without being noticed.
However, the Mage Division managed to break through the cliff at the back using magic. Just in case they were discovered, they were disguised as bandits. This would give the Empire an excuse.
"There's no such thing as a bandit who can break through a cliff..."
Colonel Regal muttered with a bitter smile. In politics, that slight escape route is important. It's fine as long as there's no proof that the Empire did it. Even if it's clear the Empire did it, diplomatic experts will deny it with a straight face. It was a precaution for that purpose. Regal was well aware of this.
But the 500 elite soldiers participating in this operation would not be treated as members of the Imperial Army. They would not die an honorable death in battle. They were the elites at the heart of the Mage Division. They were all mages that Regal had personally scouted and trained. Alongside Zandra. That's why, after Zandra's death, they were almost under house arrest. Regardless of their involvement in Zandra's rebellion, Zandra was involved in its establishment. Many of the top brass were close to Zandra. In fact, Zandra had asked for their help many times.
They had rejected all of those requests, as they were soldiers to the end. However, they were still not trusted. They were just waiting to be disbanded. And then, someone pulled the Mage Division back to the front line. It was none other than Leo, who had fought Zandra. Leo, in an almost unilateral move, took the Mage Division, including Regal, to the front line. If they wanted to clear their name, they had to achieve something. He gave them the opportunity to do so.
Leo used the Mage Division precisely and they, believing Leo's words, fought desperately. Now, no one in the Western Border Defense Force distrusts the Mage Division. But they are still not trusted at the heart of the Empire. They need more achievements. Otherwise, their subordinates would spend their lives in discomfort.
"Let's go...!"
Regal signaled his subordinates and they quietly infiltrated the enemy camp. If they were exposed here, it would all be for nothing. They had to quietly burn the provisions. But, they quickly noticed something strange. There was no one in the camp. Not even a guard.
"What's going on...?"
"Commander! There are no provisions! It's all oil!"
"Damn! It's a trap!! Retreat!!"
By the time Regal shouted, it was too late. As the Mage Division infiltrated the camp, Kingdom soldiers appeared from everywhere, surrounding them. What they held in their hands were flaming arrows. In the provision warehouse, instead of provisions, there was stored oil. If they shot so many flaming arrows, there would be no escape. But, the soldiers didn't release their flaming arrows right away.
"That was an impressive surprise attack, Colonel Regal."
A man with black hair, mounted on a horse, emerged from behind the soldiers.
He must be over forty. A tall, handsome figure.
He could tell who it was right away.
General Barand, a renowned general of the Kingdom, who had fought alongside the Holy Maiden Leticia during the war with the United Kingdom.
"Who's Colonel Regal?"
"Thoroughly done. I must say it's impressive. It's no wonder His Highness went out of his way to set a trap."
"His Highness?"
"That's right. It was all planned. I moved with the army, information leaked, everything. All to lure you guys here. It's a strategy thought out by our Prince Ansem."
"The third prince of the kingdom..."
A prodigy who was once expected to become one of the greatest military kings in the history of the Kingdom.
But his health was compromised by poison, and those expectations were shattered.
In recent years, he had been away from the public eye, recuperating.
However, that prodigy finally bared his fangs against the Empire.
"His Highness has given me a message for you guys. I'll relay it as is. Princess Zandra did a good job building her forces. Out of respect, we will not fight them head-on. That's all."
"A great honor..."
If everything was planned, there was not a single hope of escape.
In that case.
"The target is enemy General Barand! He's worth more than the provisions! Take his head!!"
Already prepared for death.
They infiltrated enemy territory knowing the risks.
They couldn't go back empty-handed.
At least they would drag him down to hell with them.
Regal led the movement of the Mage Division members.
At the same time, the flaming arrows were released.
The camp was engulfed in flames, and many division members were burned.
However, while being burned, the division members approached Barand.
"Uwoooooh!!"
The soldiers who fortified the area around Barand were killed one after another.
However, Barand had anticipated this, and defense soldiers began gathering in succession.
"Damn! Are these guys immortal!?"
"Don't panic! They're protecting themselves with barriers! They can't use magic for attacks!"
As Barand shouted this, a large fireball hit near him, blowing away a large number of defensive soldiers.
"What!?"
The fireball had flown from within the camp.
Looking closely, Regal was there.
"He attacked without protecting himself!"
Regal's attacks were relentless.
Several fireballs attacked Barand.
However, Barand deflected all of them with his sword.
Eventually, the attacks ceased, and the division members who had escaped the flames were also gradually taken down.
"General Barand! Are you alright!?"
"I'm not alright."
Barand said this while looking at his beloved sword held in his right hand.
"My beloved sword that has been with me for over twenty years. It's like losing an arm."
The sword had melted by about half and was no longer usable.
"I couldn't have blocked the next attack. This is the result of being caught in a trap. If I had been ambushed on the battlefield under Leonardo's command, I would have been dead."
At Barand's calm analysis, the face of the soldier next to him turned pale.
Handing his beloved sword to such a soldier, Barand called for a messenger.
"Tell His Highness that the operation went well."
"General, are you referring to Prince Lucian or Prince Ansem?"
"I don't use honorifics like 'His Highness' for someone who imprisons the king and proclaims himself the crown prince! If you understand, go!"
"But, I thought they would be waiting for the report in the capital..."
"Then just tell them that it went well after you've reported to His Highness!"
After yelling at the messenger, Barand sighed deeply.
Ansem had complied, and Barand was following him, but he still had dissatisfaction with the crown prince.
Most of the experienced generals on the front lines had fought to protect the kingdom with the Holy Maiden Leticia.
"If only His Highness would succeed to the throne..."
Knowing it was impossible, Barand muttered.
Then he ordered the entire army to retreat.
Regal and the Mage Division were excellent pieces.
That's why they were targeted.
But the same goes for Barand.
He is a piece, not a player.
Taking this incident into account, Leonard will rush to the Western Border Defense Force.
Then he would be in Regal's position.
The full-scale battle begins when all the players are assembled.
"The Empire isn't the only one with a competent prince."
After murmuring towards the direction of the Empire, Barand galloped his horse away.
TL's Notes
Sorry for the delay in this, was working late today... On a side note; the author has updated the Web Novel! We are in the endgame arc boisss
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