T/N: No actual translation, this is the best I could find for the title.
————————
In the pitch-black darkness, the sound of rain continued to fall. Near the entrance of the forest that led to the border of the Lamaron Kingdom, a Lamaron army of 5,000 soldiers was encamped. Their military commander, Neve, stood there with two magicians, gazing out across the grassy plain that stretched in the opposite direction.
“Well, is there anything there?” Neve asked.
“…There are weak readings, but it seems to be some kind of creature, like a fox. There doesn’t appear to be any military force,” one of the magicians replied.
Neve had received a report about an Agarta army setting out about an hour ago from a scout he had dispatched. They had established a camp at a position that could reach their vanguard and main camp in a few hours’ time, if they were riding horses.
“They might attempt a night raid, even with their limited forces. Don’t neglect your vigilance in detecting their presence,” Neve warned the magicians, and he ordered a messenger to report the same to the main camp.
Afterward, most of the Lamaron soldiers, vigilant against both the night raid from the Agarta army and the attacks of the forest-dwelling monsters, stayed awake throughout the night, accompanied by the relentless sound of rain, and welcomed the morning without any sleep.
“It’s already daybreak! Everyone, let’s move into the forest!” Neve commanded.
Although it was much earlier than planned, Neve decided to move the vanguard into the forest. Along with the desire to seek shelter from the rain and dew in the forest, there was still an underlying unease about the Great Demon King among Neve and the Lamaron soldiers. Inside the forest, they could hide themselves from the Great Demon King’s sight. It may have been a naive thought, akin to child’s play, but the longing for a safer place dominated their minds.
“Huh? They’ve already moved the army into the forest? That was quick,” I said when I noticed movement on the map. By the way, today’s breakfast consisted of grilled onigiri, stir-fried bean sprouts and pork, and rolled omelette. I stuffed a grilled onigiri into my mouth with one hand and enjoyed the crispy taste of the rice and the slightly burnt soy sauce flavor, while calling out to the soldiers.
“Alright, it’s a bit early, but let’s move out! Those who have finished eating, prepare yourselves!”
“Ah, in this situation, camping isn’t so bad.”
“Yeah, this is the most comfortable camping experience I’ve had.”
The soldiers seemed to be in high spirits after having had sufficient sleep within my barrier. They swiftly dismantled the camp and we began our march.
The rain that had continued until morning finally stopped, and the sun peeked out. But General Jizeu, the Commander-in-Chief of the Agarta expeditionary force, couldn’t hide his frustration.
They had only been able to cover half of the planned distance the day before. Originally, they intended to advance the army close to the vanguard. However, the pouring rain and muddy roads made it difficult to move the wagons loaded with provisions. To make matters worse, the cavalry of the advance party had moved ahead, causing the ground to be churned up, and Jizeu and his soldiers were forced to march through the mud.
If the advance party had formed a marching formation, they could have avoided this problem. However, in their rush to reach the camping site, everyone had moved individually, causing the ground to be trampled in a wide area. Consequently, if they were to detour around that area, it would add a considerable distance to their march. Jizeu and his soldiers chose to march through the mud instead of taking the longer route. As a result, the rain and mud made their march even more difficult.
In the midst of pouring rain, after a sleepless night and with little time to rest their tired bodies, the soldiers were once again subjected to arduous movement. Despite the fair weather, the muddy roads remained, and both the horses pulling the wagons and the soldiers pushing them from behind struggled to make progress while their feet sank into the mud.
“Can’t we manage a little better than this?”
Jizeu vented his frustration on his surrounding subordinates.
“Hey, Barrier Master! Can’t you create a barrier on the ground to make way for the wagons? Useless fool! At this rate, we won’t make it. The Hideita reinforcements will reach the border!”
“Commander, once we enter the forest, the movement will become easier. Please bear with it until then.”
“Damn it! What’s happening to Agarta’s land? I didn’t hear anything about this!”
Jizeu grumbled to himself as he slowly walked forward. However, he remembered that a glorious future awaited him. If he could deliver this food to the imperial kingdom, he would be hailed as a hero who saved the country. What would the Empress Dowager say? “Jizeu, you have done a great deed. From now on, you shall assume the position of Commander-in-Chief of Lamaron Kingdom.” Could he receive such words? If that happened, he could command the Lamaron army of over hundred thousand soldiers at his will. And it wouldn’t stop there. Wealth, women, honor… everything would bend to his desires… Lost in these thoughts, he suddenly heard his subordinate’s voice.
“Commander, look at that!”
He looked and saw a group that appeared to be the Agarta army deployed on the hill in front of them. The enemy was divided into three squads, with the central one protruding, while the two flanking forces seemed to be slowly trailing from behind. Seeing this scene, Jizeu couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
“Nihihihihi! What’s that? They’re completely disorganized. The front and flanking forces are so far apart, there’s no coordination at all. I suspect the central force advanced too far before the rest of the troops could catch up. Moreover… the central force is quite small. They’ll be easily defeated like that.”
Amused by Jizeu’s laughter, the surrounding soldiers also burst into laughter.
“Let’s teach them how to fight. Cavalry unit, attack individually! Focus on the front force! Leave no one alive!”
As the Lamaron army formed their formations, they launched an assault on the Agarta army.
Observing the scene, Layfence, leading the front force, remained calm.
“Alright, they’ve come. Let’s prepare a feast of our grand body spears for them. Serve them our home-cooked dishes!”
“Yes!” The soldiers responded to the veteran general’s words, their faces filled with smiles.
In the face of the charging Lamaron army, Layfence’s unit swiftly turned and retreated with tremendous speed.
“Hihihihi! What’s that? They’re running away! This is no battle at all!”
Mounted on his horse, Jizeu was rolling with laughter. Layfence’s unit, maintaining a safe distance between the widely spaced flanking forces, passed through the gap. From Jizeu’s position, it appeared that the Agarta army had formed a semi-circular shape. The Lamaron cavalry unit of 4,000 soldiers followed, drawn towards that formation.
Layfence’s unit came to a halt. At that moment, the forces that had been retreating suddenly turned around and attacked the Lamaron army. Simultaneously, the flanking forces also launched their attacks. Their coordination was impeccable.
“Commander, our army is being surrounded by the enemy. We need reinforcements!”
“What…? T-That’s… Impossible!”
Jizeu stood frozen in place, his eyes wide open. It was an unbelievable situation. The valiant and audacious imperial army, surrounded by the Agarta army with only half their forces, was being annihilated. Surrounded on three sides, the flustered imperial army fell victim to the spear thrusts of the remarkably agile Agarta soldiers, unable to resist, losing their lives.
“Commander! Reinforcements!”
“What… What’s happening… What is going on…”
Jizeu couldn’t hear the screams of his subordinates. He couldn’t accept the nonsensical, nightmarish reality unfolding before him.
“Hey, you!”
One of the knights who had advised Jizeu grabbed the collar of the knight next to him.
“What… What is it?”
“Didn’t the Commander nod in agreement with my request for reinforcements?”
“What?”
“I witnessed the Commander nod in agreement! When we return to the country, testify that the Commander indeed nodded!… We’re heading to provide reinforcements! Keep going!”
Led by a single knight, the Lamaron army descended the hill. The soldiers guarding the wagons also joined the attack, leaving only a few knights, barrier masters, and numerous wagons loaded with collected taxes behind Jizeu.
“This… I won’t be defeated. I won’t accept defeat… I won’t…”
Feeling a slight dizziness, Jizeu stood motionless in that spot with wide eyes.
T/N: No actual translation, this is the best I could find for the title.
————————
In the pitch-black darkness, the sound of rain continued to fall. Near the entrance of the forest that led to the border of the Lamaron Kingdom, a Lamaron army of 5,000 soldiers was encamped. Their military commander, Neve, stood there with two magicians, gazing out across the grassy plain that stretched in the opposite direction.
“Well, is there anything there?” Neve asked.
“…There are weak readings, but it seems to be some kind of creature, like a fox. There doesn’t appear to be any military force,” one of the magicians replied.
Neve had received a report about an Agarta army setting out about an hour ago from a scout he had dispatched. They had established a camp at a position that could reach their vanguard and main camp in a few hours’ time, if they were riding horses.
“They might attempt a night raid, even with their limited forces. Don’t neglect your vigilance in detecting their presence,” Neve warned the magicians, and he ordered a messenger to report the same to the main camp.
Afterward, most of the Lamaron soldiers, vigilant against both the night raid from the Agarta army and the attacks of the forest-dwelling monsters, stayed awake throughout the night, accompanied by the relentless sound of rain, and welcomed the morning without any sleep.
“It’s already daybreak! Everyone, let’s move into the forest!” Neve commanded.
Although it was much earlier than planned, Neve decided to move the vanguard into the forest. Along with the desire to seek shelter from the rain and dew in the forest, there was still an underlying unease about the Great Demon King among Neve and the Lamaron soldiers. Inside the forest, they could hide themselves from the Great Demon King’s sight. It may have been a naive thought, akin to child’s play, but the longing for a safer place dominated their minds.
“Huh? They’ve already moved the army into the forest? That was quick,” I said when I noticed movement on the map. By the way, today’s breakfast consisted of grilled onigiri, stir-fried bean sprouts and pork, and rolled omelette. I stuffed a grilled onigiri into my mouth with one hand and enjoyed the crispy taste of the rice and the slightly burnt soy sauce flavor, while calling out to the soldiers.
“Alright, it’s a bit early, but let’s move out! Those who have finished eating, prepare yourselves!”
“Ah, in this situation, camping isn’t so bad.”
“Yeah, this is the most comfortable camping experience I’ve had.”
The soldiers seemed to be in high spirits after having had sufficient sleep within my barrier. They swiftly dismantled the camp and we began our march.
The rain that had continued until morning finally stopped, and the sun peeked out. But General Jizeu, the Commander-in-Chief of the Agarta expeditionary force, couldn’t hide his frustration.
They had only been able to cover half of the planned distance the day before. Originally, they intended to advance the army close to the vanguard. However, the pouring rain and muddy roads made it difficult to move the wagons loaded with provisions. To make matters worse, the cavalry of the advance party had moved ahead, causing the ground to be churned up, and Jizeu and his soldiers were forced to march through the mud.
If the advance party had formed a marching formation, they could have avoided this problem. However, in their rush to reach the camping site, everyone had moved individually, causing the ground to be trampled in a wide area. Consequently, if they were to detour around that area, it would add a considerable distance to their march. Jizeu and his soldiers chose to march through the mud instead of taking the longer route. As a result, the rain and mud made their march even more difficult.
In the midst of pouring rain, after a sleepless night and with little time to rest their tired bodies, the soldiers were once again subjected to arduous movement. Despite the fair weather, the muddy roads remained, and both the horses pulling the wagons and the soldiers pushing them from behind struggled to make progress while their feet sank into the mud.
“Can’t we manage a little better than this?”
Jizeu vented his frustration on his surrounding subordinates.
“Hey, Barrier Master! Can’t you create a barrier on the ground to make way for the wagons? Useless fool! At this rate, we won’t make it. The Hideita reinforcements will reach the border!”
“Commander, once we enter the forest, the movement will become easier. Please bear with it until then.”
“Damn it! What’s happening to Agarta’s land? I didn’t hear anything about this!”
Jizeu grumbled to himself as he slowly walked forward. However, he remembered that a glorious future awaited him. If he could deliver this food to the imperial kingdom, he would be hailed as a hero who saved the country. What would the Empress Dowager say? “Jizeu, you have done a great deed. From now on, you shall assume the position of Commander-in-Chief of Lamaron Kingdom.” Could he receive such words? If that happened, he could command the Lamaron army of over hundred thousand soldiers at his will. And it wouldn’t stop there. Wealth, women, honor… everything would bend to his desires… Lost in these thoughts, he suddenly heard his subordinate’s voice.
“Commander, look at that!”
He looked and saw a group that appeared to be the Agarta army deployed on the hill in front of them. The enemy was divided into three squads, with the central one protruding, while the two flanking forces seemed to be slowly trailing from behind. Seeing this scene, Jizeu couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
“Nihihihihi! What’s that? They’re completely disorganized. The front and flanking forces are so far apart, there’s no coordination at all. I suspect the central force advanced too far before the rest of the troops could catch up. Moreover… the central force is quite small. They’ll be easily defeated like that.”
Amused by Jizeu’s laughter, the surrounding soldiers also burst into laughter.
“Let’s teach them how to fight. Cavalry unit, attack individually! Focus on the front force! Leave no one alive!”
As the Lamaron army formed their formations, they launched an assault on the Agarta army.
Observing the scene, Layfence, leading the front force, remained calm.
“Alright, they’ve come. Let’s prepare a feast of our grand body spears for them. Serve them our home-cooked dishes!”
“Yes!” The soldiers responded to the veteran general’s words, their faces filled with smiles.
In the face of the charging Lamaron army, Layfence’s unit swiftly turned and retreated with tremendous speed.
“Hihihihi! What’s that? They’re running away! This is no battle at all!”
Mounted on his horse, Jizeu was rolling with laughter. Layfence’s unit, maintaining a safe distance between the widely spaced flanking forces, passed through the gap. From Jizeu’s position, it appeared that the Agarta army had formed a semi-circular shape. The Lamaron cavalry unit of 4,000 soldiers followed, drawn towards that formation.
Layfence’s unit came to a halt. At that moment, the forces that had been retreating suddenly turned around and attacked the Lamaron army. Simultaneously, the flanking forces also launched their attacks. Their coordination was impeccable.
“Commander, our army is being surrounded by the enemy. We need reinforcements!”
“What…? T-That’s… Impossible!”
Jizeu stood frozen in place, his eyes wide open. It was an unbelievable situation. The valiant and audacious imperial army, surrounded by the Agarta army with only half their forces, was being annihilated. Surrounded on three sides, the flustered imperial army fell victim to the spear thrusts of the remarkably agile Agarta soldiers, unable to resist, losing their lives.
“Commander! Reinforcements!”
“What… What’s happening… What is going on…”
Jizeu couldn’t hear the screams of his subordinates. He couldn’t accept the nonsensical, nightmarish reality unfolding before him.
“Hey, you!”
One of the knights who had advised Jizeu grabbed the collar of the knight next to him.
“What… What is it?”
“Didn’t the Commander nod in agreement with my request for reinforcements?”
“What?”
“I witnessed the Commander nod in agreement! When we return to the country, testify that the Commander indeed nodded!… We’re heading to provide reinforcements! Keep going!”
Led by a single knight, the Lamaron army descended the hill. The soldiers guarding the wagons also joined the attack, leaving only a few knights, barrier masters, and numerous wagons loaded with collected taxes behind Jizeu.
“This… I won’t be defeated. I won’t accept defeat… I won’t…”
Feeling a slight dizziness, Jizeu stood motionless in that spot with wide eyes.
