Chapter 12 – One month after the outbreak of war, the Empire found itself pushed to the corner

The Ironclad Knights, led by General Adrldon , initiated the conflict in three locations one month after the start of the war. Achieving victory in all these engagements, the three units proceeded to ravage the Imperial territory, aiming to converge in the capital.

Throughout their advance, encounters with resistance from soldiers and warriors occurred. However, given the significant depletion of the Imperial forces in the initial battles, they were unable to halt Adrldon’s invasion.

Continuing to pillage villages and towns, the forces, while allowing their soldiers some rest, steadily approached the Imperial capital.

Thirty days after the commencement of the invasion, Adrldon rested in the largest mansion of the occupied town.

In that room, a black-haired Imperial woman, violated by him, lay on the floor, dripping white fluids from her loins.

‘Now…tomorrow marks the final push towards the capital…’

This is where it becomes challenging. While capturing the city is possible with time, it would be preferable to expedite matters through surrender.

After all, the Empire is aware that they have no other options. Their military strength is likely concentrated in the capital. Moreover, soldiers who have resolved to face death are formidable opponents.

Exiting the room, Adrldon  walked down the corridor. It may not make much of a difference whether Maibar is present or not but he decided to have a meeting with him. Maibar, being a lord and holding a position of command over the forces, might provide some insights.

Although the army under Maibar’s command lacks training and proficiency, being positioned in a corner of the battlefield is the norm.

“U… ugh…”

“Fufyahyahya! Look, look! I’m saying I’ll implant the excellent seed of an Imperial into this Imperial woman! Be grateful!”

Maibar, without even entering the room, was violating an Imperial woman in the corridor. At present, he had her hands pressed against the wall, engaging in standing doggy style.

Plundering is a right earned by soldiers risking their lives and Adrldon himself engages in it within the approved limits set by the central command. However, Maibar and his accompanying soldiers seem to have gone a bit too far.

“Oh, Adrldon-dono! Another splendid victory this time!”

“…..Indeed.”

Even as Maibar speaks to Adrldon, he doesn’t cease the movements of his hips. On the contrary, he grabs the woman’s head, presses her entire body against the wall, and continues the assault with even greater brutality.

“Fuuu, Fuuu…! There are many nobles in the capital, and we can expect both treasures and women…! I look forward to it, Adrldon-dono!”

“…..Plundering in the capital is not authorised.”

“Why so rigid! Well, the central command might turn a blind eye if it’s just a little. After all, we are the ones risking our lives in battle… right?”

“Igyi!?”

Maibar forcefully presses his body against the  woman, halting the movement of his hips.

“Oh…ooh…! The women of the Empire are often unsophisticated, but the situation here is splendid…”

“Hiii…!? You wouldn’t happen to be… finishing inside…? N-noooo!”

Maibar slams the screaming woman’s head against the wall. While he was already rough with women, this tendency was even more pronounced when dealing with Imperial citizens.

Seeing the woman’s nose bleed on the wall, Maibar snorts and withdraws his hips. The woman collapses on the spot.

“After merging with the Knights tomorrow, we will establish our position in front of the capital. Subsequently, we plan to send envoys for surrender.”

“Surrender advice? Isn’t it just a waste, won’t they resist till the end?”

“Well…if you think about it normally, the Empire’s defeat is evident. A wise leader would surrender the capital before incurring further futile deaths. However…”

As Adrldon says this, he himself doesn’t believe that the Empire will surrender.

Over this past month of continuous battles against Imperial citizens, Adrldon has learned something. It is that they are more strongly attached to their homeland than the Imperial people.

To the extent that, for the sake of their homeland, they can willingly sacrifice their own lives.

Of course, not everyone is like that, and there are Imperial individuals with such determination as well. However, in terms of proportion, it is likely that there are more people in the Empire with such fervour.

Adrldon believed that rather than allowing the capital to be completely ravaged, many would choose to fight to the end and die with that determination.

‘The strength of a warrior lies not only in the physical body but also in their mental fortitude…’

That’s why becoming a member of the Empire can be a formidable force. However, excessive plundering would only make the Imperial people more resolute against the Empire.

With this in mind, Adrldon himself had started imposing restrictions on the scope of plundering from a certain point onward.

While his knightly order was disciplined and received Adrldon’s instructions well, it was still Maibar and his forces who acted independently.

“If they don’t comply with the surrender recommendation, the knights will deploy in front of the capital. I’d like Maibar-tono to secure the northern part of the capital.”

“Hmm?”

“The southern part is blocked by mountains, and advancing to the east leads to the sea. If there are any escapees, the north is the most likely route.”

“I see. So, it’s about using the attack by Adrldon-dono’s knightly order to crush those who come out frightened.”

“…No. Since there will likely be many civilians, I request that you try to capture them as much as possible.”

The capital itself doesn’t have high castle walls; it only has hastily constructed defensive positions spread over a wide area. Perhaps they hadn’t anticipated an enemy army attacking the capital.

As a result, the capital is vast and easily accessible, but this design is now working against it.

‘There should be villages along the coastline engaged in fishing. The civilian population of the capital might have evacuated there.’

Furthermore, the Empire has little interaction with other nations and there are no well-developed ports capable of accommodating large ships.

However, Adrldon cannot completely dismiss the possibility of the imperial family fleeing by ship. Therefore, as a precaution, he had sent a small number of fast-moving light infantry to the eastern part of the capital.

However, he believes it’s highly unlikely for the imperial family to escape by ship. Even if they venture out to sea, there’s nowhere for them to go.

Even if they manage to reach another country, under the current circumstances, there’s no nation that would shelter the imperial family from the Empire.

“Anyway, I understand. Adrldon-dono, the north of the capital is entrusted to you.”

“Same as you. I look forward to our victory.”

■

Compared to a month ago, the atmosphere in the capital had changed significantly. The war had begun and the Imperial forces, defeated in the initial battle, couldn’t prevent the invasion by the Imperial forces.

I vividly remember the first time we clashed with the Imperial forces.

At first, when we collided, I thought we had won. Initiating pursuit, I believed we could drive away the Imperial forces. However, before I knew it, enemy reinforcements appeared in front, and we found ourselves surrounded.

The situation at that time was recounted to me by someone who had observed it from a lookout tower.

“The Imperial forces were indeed chasing after the scattered enemy soldiers. However, at the place where they escaped to, a new unit had arrived. The retreating Imperial soldiers split into left and right, and while seemingly retreating, they surrounded the pursuing Imperial forces…”

Even after hearing the story, I didn’t quite understand. Well, logically, I did. But on the battlefield, both enemies and allies are desperate, and that’s why, at the moment of retreat, I genuinely thought they were fleeing for their lives.

However, the enemies were retreating while actually manoeuvring to surround us. It wasn’t a spontaneous decision. They had undergone rigorous training in advanced coordination.

And when I understood that, I felt fear from the depths of my heart.

Despite being a larger force than ours, how could the Imperial forces execute such advanced manoeuvres? Simultaneously, I realised the limitations of individual strength.

‘The Ironclad Heavy Assault Unit… the enemy’s main force?’

The Imperial forces consisted mainly of a combination of a few archers and cavalry, with the majority being a mix of light infantry and heavy infantry.

In the plains-scarce Imperial territories, there are limited battlefields where the strength of cavalry can be utilised, so it might be a rational choice. No, it’s more likely a force organised after gathering information about the Empire.

I also fought against a black iron heavy soldier, but I couldn’t pierce through its armour with a sword. I’ve heard that among high-level warriors, there are those who possess the skill to cut even through steel… but I couldn’t do it.

Anyway, the Empire had underestimated the Imperial forces. The enemy was not just ordinary civilians armed with weapons, each one was a professional in battlefield tactics, capable of leading the battle to victory through collective action.

In essence, they were the opposite of warriors inclined to fight through their own martial prowess.

However, by the time this realisation dawned upon us, the Empire had already suffered defeats everywhere, steadily being pushed toward the capital.

While the opponent had been diligently preparing for the confrontation with the Empire, the Empire not only lacked preparation but also was woefully uninformed about the enemy.

And now, finally, the Imperial forces had been driven back to the capital and I had returned to the capital as well.