The Girl Who Eats the God of Death
Chapter 07 - Red Apples Look More Delicious
The Third Army Corps of the Middle Kingdom were being fiercely pursued, and with the watch of the Antigua Branch Castle, they continued to retreat desperately. Everyone suffered injuries, their equipment was dented, and they were completely exhausted. The soldiers separated from the main army were destroyed, everyone threw away their swords and surrendered.
"Haah-, hah-, what a shame, coming back like this huh. If I were to accept such abuse, I would rather die in battle! Reset the battle formation, and accept the challenge for the second-decision battle!!"
Yalder grumbled with disheveled breath and a flushed face.
For him to continue to tread the path to success, and soon to be 50, this was the first time he had felt a sense of failure.
The figures of the two Major Generals, Kyros and Danush, who led the Steel Infantry and Cavalry divisions, are nowhere to be seen. At the initial battle in the Alucia Plain, they were caught in confusion during the explosion and were killed in battle.
The Liberation Army installed Princess Altura as a vanguard to act as bait, and not only did they manage to lure the Steel Division, but also the entire Royal army towards their deaths.
Sidamo had realized that it was a trap, but he had no way of stopping the enthusiastic military officers. And then, when they were close enough that they could see the enemy's face, the ground exploded accompanied by a detonation boom. Like a chain reaction, the explosion grew bigger and swallowed the soldiers of the Kingdom, and many lives were lost.
The cavalry and steel infantry of the Yalder pride were destroyed easily even without crossing swords with the enemy. Shouting the cries of war, the Liberation Army, in a dart formation, then began to storm the Royal Army that had fallen into chaos.
Yalder, the commander, shouted in a thunderous voice and attempted to improve everyone's condition, but his subsequent movements fully determined the outcome of the battle.
From a slightly higher hill, many Imperial flags were raised, and war drums sounded with enough force to break through the sky as if it was about to explode. Completely unexpected, the Imperial Army entered the war in earnest.
The moment the cavalry units wearing armor from the Empire started to attack, the fighting spirit that stayed a bit off from the Royal soldiers exploded. After all, the Kingdom army was mostly gathered from ordinary people. The soldiers who would ignore their lives and fight, might number less than 10%. They are not opponents to the Liberation Army who have high morale. Although their numbers were much larger, the Royal Army played an embarrassing role in being defeated.
The soldiers who decided to listen to Yalder's orders were no longer there at this moment. The isolated Kyros and Dhanush have been devoured by a ferocious attack from an elite unit carrying the Lion Flag, and their heads are tragically beheaded.
They found out later, but the soldiers from the Empire that appeared at that time were fake–The Keyland Empire joined the war was not purely using their soldiers. The people standing carrying the Imperial Flag were only civilians, and the cavalry wearing Imperial armor were mercenaries. Utilizing the population was a cheap tactic, but in a state of confusion due to the mines, the Royal troops were completely fooled. When people lost their composure, their judgment would be muddled.
"The Honorable Major General. Let's reset our position in Antigua and wait for an opportunity to clean up this humiliation. If we do battle again in our current condition, the result is obvious. It's regrettable, but we no longer have the strength left to fight."
At Sidamo's advice, Yalder looked at the soldiers around him.
"What, what, is this our honorable Third Army? We have fallen. Why-why! I don't get it! From the very beginning, I never heard of anything like the Empire going to participate in a war! What are they doing in my country-!!?"
"Honorable, about it—"
Two horsemen rolled to report the bad news in the commander's ear, clenching his hands in anger.
"Reverend General Yalder!!"
"Otherwise this time!!? Did the other countries take this opportunity to make an alliance and join the war!? You rancid-ass bastard!"
The one who controlled the northern part of the Mundo Novo Continent was the Yuze Kingdom. While expanding their territory from the west is the Keyland Empire.
Also, uniting the southeastern region is the Doleback Union. The southeastern part of the continent was originally ruled by the Kingdom, but taking advantage of the chaos after the appearance of the demons, every feudal lord declared independence. They will join the alliance and will form a country, that's their plan. They maintain fertile soil and also have access to the oceans, they have a large amount of raw ore sources sleeping in the soil, and they hold great economic power. In recent years, they have expanded their influence rapidly, leading to great wealth and military power.
The biggest cause for the decline of the Kingdom was the loss of this vast territory. Of course, they desperately tried to take it back, and they sent expeditionary forces many times to the region.
However, the Union gave their funds and resources to the Empire and entered into a military alliance. They cooperated and opposed the Kingdom from two camps.
Not long ago, the battles were getting longer, and the Union which had withstood the attacks of the Kingdom had surrendered, paying an indemnity of a considerable amount of money, and into the truce. Between each country, a non-aggression pact of name has been signed.
This is a series of events that led to the Great War of Mundo Novo 200 years ago.
"Dear Major General, we have a Non-aggression agreement with Union—"
On one of the deliveries from the civil officers, Yalder shouted.
"Shut up! Taking advantage of the rebels and showing an embargo, a deal let alone!!? Unmistakably, they laugh at our setbacks-!"
"I-I'm sorry."
"—Messenger, continue the report!"
They could not trust their ears for the information conveyed by the messenger at Sidamo's insistence.
"All-you! I have confirmed the enemy flag flying in Antigua Branch Castle! The Flag of the Rebel Army has been raised! Antigua has fallen!!"
For a moment, time stopped.
"W-What did you say-!? How could something so stupid happen!! There are 10,000 soldiers!! It was impossible that the castle would fall that easily-!!"
Enraged, Yalder grabbed the collar from the messenger. Sidamo could only hide his unease at the information he had expected.
The other messenger continued the report.
"According to the soldiers who escaped from the castle, many traitors opened the gates to pave the way for the enemy. Major General Rustam in charge of defense had been killed after fighting against the Rebel Forces. Antigua has completely fallen into the hands of the enemy!"
Targeting the gap after the main enemy force retreated from the plain, another unit attacked Antigua. The castle was opened by traitors who had been informed in advance. The Third Army was thoroughly consumed by enemy plans, and an important base had been stolen from them.
Antigua Branch Castle, a vital point of defense, from now on will not only belong to the Royal Capital Liberation Army, but it would likely also become a major branch for the Empire's reinforcements unit.
"Oh, oooohhhh"
"......The Honorable Major General. We can't go to Antigua anymore. Right now, let's retreat from here to East Belta. We have a stockroom there. If we don't hurry, the place will be overrun by the Rebel Troops."
The Belta area is in the East of Antigua. The guards there were few because the troops were concentrated on Antigua. If they did not hurry, they would also lose that area that was around the border.
".....No. gabe. I'm going to take back Antigua. I really need to take it back. His Majesty has directly ordered me to defend it right? Moreover, even though our Third Army has been defeated, don't we still have 30,000 people who are still fine? If we continue our aggression day and night—"
"We can't do it, Honorable Major General! Don't forget that the Rebel Army is behind us, we'll be wedged with Antigua in front of us! We must change our route immediately! We have no chance of launching an attack on Antigua!! I beg of you, I beg you, lead us to go east-"
Sidamo said with a raucous voice and a soulless expression. He strongly shook the body of General Yalder. A siege would be ridiculous. They will surely be destroyed. Officer Sidamo's Chief of Staff must stop him at all costs. Although he might lose Yalder's trust, he should at least change Yalder's mind.
"—Kuh-!"
"The Honorable Major-General!"
".....I-i understand. I will obey your words. The Third Army will change course and set out to defend Belta. We'll rearrange, and then do another decisive battle. Is, is this okay?"
"—Siap sir-, we understand. Our course has changed! Moving towards Belta! All troops, change course-!!"
—After that, the stubborn Liberation Army stopped chasing for a reason. With 30,000 soldiers remaining, the Third Army managed to retreat to Belta.
Of course, the Liberation Army gained full control over the area around the border, but assuming that defending Belta was much more difficult than they had expected, they planned to strengthen their forces on capturing Antigua.
There was one reason the Liberation Army could not pursue further and gain complete control of Belta: their food storehouse had been burned. Without food, the soldiers could not fight.
The battle was their victory. It was said, because of the unexpected situation, it was a huge blow from losing 3,000 mercenaries. The Liberation Army also needed time to properly carry out their preparations.
The 2,500 cavalry units that Schera inflicted bravely crossed the border of the enemy's defense, the Salvadoran Fortress. To escape to the eastern Belta area, they decided to cross the Alucia River.
How did they get through enemy-held territory? The reason could be known by looking at the figures from that cavalry unit. The flags he carried belonged to the Royal Capital Liberation Army, and they were also disguised, wearing equipment from the Liberation Army soldiers. These things are stored in that warehouse.
"I-I didn't expect it to go this smooth."
"They are rebel forces, they have defectors, Imperial soldiers, and also a large mercenary group right? There was no way they could remember each other's faces. Rather than sneaking around in secret, it wouldn't be too suspicious to do it openly."
"Vice Commander Schera is very brave. We will never be able to imitate you. I can't believe you'd be that calm in arguing with an enemy soldier. I cringe at the thought of when you're about to be killed."
"Luckily the enemy commanders turned out to be very stupid. Well, it's not like I can't understand their confused feelings. Anywhere, I'll be pissed off at the laper."
"Deputy Commander, if you're willing, take this."
A horseman next to him took out a green fruit from his bag and handed it to Schera. The fruit has been slightly eaten by insects, but has not rotten.
"Oh, what is this?"
"I found it in that barn. It's a green apple. It's very rare in this region, so I'm trying to pick up some fruit. This apple is delicious when it's ripe."
"The "perfect timing. Throat feels dry. Thanks though. But I don't think there's a green apple."
"This is certainly rare in the Kingdom. When one thinks of an apple tree, the thought is always of a red apple."
"I suddenly felt like a red apple."
The fruit liquid seeped from Schera's mouth when she bit him. The horseman looked delighted as he stared at Schera chewing the apple.
The cavalry members had already received Schera, who had only temporarily taken command, as a higher-ranking officer than them. In the battles up until now, they felt the authenticity of its power and its courageous action. "Isn't he stronger than any officer in the Kingdom?" they even had that kind of delusion when they saw their female commander swing her large scythe easily.
Following the strong, then one could survive. The soldiers knew that well. It may not even be wrong to say that their hearts have been filled with excitement from the previous events.
An officer gleefully came chasing from the Liberation Army fortress, and when Schera started confronting him by feigning stupidity, all the members of the group present felt a sense of horror in their hearts. Schera handed over the head of the former Cavalry Commander who died in battle. They had killed the commander, but the remaining troops had fled into the forest, Schera explained calmly. The equipment of the mercenaries was different from the equipment of ordinary soldiers. Since the beginning of the equipment was indeed more tattered, so distinguishing them was very easy. If they take new supplies from the warehouse, and things worth wearing from the corpses, they are perfect mercenaries.
At first, the enemy officers assumed that they were suspicious people, but in the middle of listening to the story, "If we don't hurry, they'll run away." that was what he said impatiently and led his troops into the forest.
It might be obvious, but there was nothing in front of them. Surrounding them is Antigua Branch Castle, which has fallen to the Liberation Army.
"Vice Commander Schera. Bad news. Enemy soldiers were all around the river. It seems we've been found out."
"Oh. Well that's annoying."
Said a member of the group, brought his face closer and spoke to Schera's ears. He turned his gaze there, trying not to act suspiciously, and an army of 100 headed towards him, probably to check the situation of the cavalry unit.
"There is no other way. Let's say hello to them for now. If I give you a signal, kill them. Even so, avoiding conflict as much as possible would be better. It would be troublesome if we attract unnecessary attention in this kind of place."
"86!"
Schera and his group changed direction and approached the platoon.
A man with a scar on his cheek, who was the only person riding a horse and appeared to be his commander, looked at Schera with a fierce gaze. The platoon members pointed their spears towards Schera and his group and entered combat positions.
They're on alert, Schera's aware. Or maybe they were found out. Schera spoke, taking the movement first.
"Good work has fulfilled your duty! We are the Cavalry of the Royal Capital Liberation Army! We're on our way to clear the remnants of the Kingdom's defeated army!"
"I want to hear your long name and your affiliation! This is our duty, so please forgive us!"
He spoke in a loud voice that would not lose to Schera's voice. Schera felt that the man would not be easy to deal with. The man seemed to be somewhat different from the idiots he had met until now.
"The Royal Capital Liberation Army, affiliated with the First Division, I am Second Lieutenant Schera leading the 13th Cavalry Unit. I'll ask you the same!"
"....Entiendo. You are a follower of the Royal Capital Liberation Army, affiliated with the First Division. I'm Second Lieutenant Callus. I command the temporarily formed army."
"understandable. Alright then, we are in a hurry to continue the search, may we leave immediately? If left like this, the enemy will escape safely."
"....Even so, I did not receive a message saying that a cavalry unit was on a chase."
"May be a communication error. This happens often on the battlefield."
"Before, we were in charge of guarding the food warehouse. Our task now is to search for the 'Cavalry Unit' that attacked the warehouse. It seems they're lurking around this area."
Callus held his sword.
Schera watched the situation calmly. His scabies were carried on his back.
"I understand. So, what's up? Could it be, you think that we are the Cavalry Unit?"
Both corners of Schera's mouth rise. He prepared to grab his large scythe.
".....I'll ask you one more verification. I need you to show me your identity papers. All the officers and men of the Liberation Army, even newly recruited ones, have been given that identity paper, you should be careful. I want you to show me that thing immediately. —fast-!"
When Callus gave the signal with his hand, all the platoon members mounted the horses with their spears and pointed the tip at the cavalry members.
".....Ah, that thing. Waita minute. I'm sure it's in this bag—"
Extending his hand to the bag tied to his horse, he grabbed the large scythe on his back and swung it at Callus.
Callus had been alert and evasive with a paper-thin distance.
"I thought you were the cavalry unit that burned the place down!! Disguised as our Liberation Army, what a filthy deed!!"
"Your intuition is pretty good. But I think you're just a fool. Assume that you can stop us with just that amount. Are you tired of living?"
"Be quiet! get off your horse, throw away your sword, and surrender! Reinforcements will be here soon! You are like a mouse in a trap!"
"We refuse. Anywhere, you'll be dead soon."
"—–!!"
Schera once again flicked his scythe.
Callus stopped the attack using his long crescent-shaped sword, but the pressure of the attack made him unable to counterattack. He did not completely destroy his momentum, although normally, he could fend off the attack.
"Be careful. If you don't dodge carefully, that head will be blown away from your body!!"
"O-This guy. She's strong-!"
Callus frantically swung his sword, but his attack was easily repelled. And, Schera's attack was strong enough to make both his hands numb. Little by little, the speed of movement of his arms and his strength that was deployed to attack decreased. His physical strength and will decreased drastically.
Schera didn't ignore that.
"Death-to!"
"Kuh—–"
After performing some feint moves, his raised blade approached Callus' neck, and the scythe cut from the side.
After being fully toyed with, Callus received a direct hit and fell off his horse.
—It was an instant death.
"Unit Cavalry, kill everyone!! Don't let them escape!"
"O-!!"
"Kill the rebels!!"
Those cavalry units surpassed their numbers. In just a few minutes, they managed to kill everyone.
Those cavalry units surpassed their numbers. In just a few minutes, they managed to kill everyone.
On top of that, Schera took the initiative, swung his large scythe and freely killed the Liberation Army pawns. There were casualties among the cavalry units. They were also not seen by the approaching reinforcements.
If they want to cross, now is the right time.
"—Alright, start crossing the river. After that, we will run with all our abilities. How's it?"
"Ready-rush! We will accompany Deputy Commander Schera to the end!"
"If we're back, let's have a night together. I'll treat. Instead, teach me more about delicious food."
"Ready-rush! Leave it to me!!"
"We've been caught, so there's no point in pretending. Anywhere else this has been stained with blood."
After wiping the sweat from his brows, he pointed at the armors that were covered in the blood of their victims.
"Yes. It was unexpected that the disguise as the Liberation Army would survive until now."
"Will we return to be dignified soldiers of the kingdom?"
"Alright, raise the flag of the Kingdom! Tear and discard the Flag of the Rebel Army!! It was something that ruined the scene, so be sure to trample it!"
"Ready-rush!"
"—Unit Cavalry Schera, now on the way back!"
"O!!"
After crossing the Alucia River, the Schera cavalry unit was attacked several times. It seems that they have been found by the spies from the previous battle. The cavalry acting as the main unit of the pursuing forces had appeared.
However, the army was defeated by Schera who acted as the vanguard, and he managed to behead a commander.
The chase units of the defeated Liberation Army numbered 4,000. 1,000 of them died while on duty, which is a major military achievement, it is impossible to achieve for an escape unit.
When the Schera Cavalry Unit reached Belta Castle, their number decreased to 2,000. However, the faces of the soldiers were filled with fighting spirit, and they didn't look like they were just running away. That was only natural, since they were wearing the armor of the Liberation Army, they were wary of.
However, since they raised the Royal flag royally, they did not appear to be here to attack. As they walked towards the open gate, they were wholeheartedly greeted by the guards. The morale in Belta Castle that had fallen, quickly flared back, and the will to fight more or less was more successfully restored.
The one who was most pleased with the return of the cavalry unit, which was thought to have been destroyed, was probably General Yalder. Upon hearing the news, Yalder let out a strange sound, stood up from his chair, and his body trembled in excitement. He immediately headed to where the cavalry unit was, and with tears streaming down his reddened face, he shook the hands of everyone there.
Yalder is irritable, but very emotional, and her heart is touched by the young Schera figure who does not give up and returns home.
When he treated Schera as the hero of the Third Army, he refused in a flat voice, saying that it was an oversized gift.
—The Kingdom's Third Force has changed course to Belta Castle and is working to defend their sphere of influence around the border.
They numbered 40,000 including the guards and cavalry who had returned.
General Yalder, feeling responsible for their defeat, decides to commit suicide, but he is prevented by his men. From the Royal Capital came a letter of reprimand, saying to clear their disgrace next time, and the letter also decided that Yalder would continue to lead the Third Army. There was also the consideration that although he was relieved of duty, no one was able to continue his duties.
Second Lieutenant Schera. He had taken command of his superior officer who had fallen in battle and had managed to burn the enemy's food storehouse. This was an obstacle that stopped the development of the Liberation Army. Moreover, he had broken through the enemy's encirclement and fought valiantly, killing many enemy officers along with their men. In the end, he managed to bring 2,000 cavalry back safely to Belta Castle. This is an achievement that cannot be underestimated. With this meritorious action, and the previous killing of Voleur, and adding further General Yalder's support, Schera was promoted at an astonishing pace.
3 Months after being promoted to Captain, he was given an even higher rank which was Major. At the same time, he was officially given the task of leading a cavalry unit whose commander had been killed in battle.
—A promotion to become an officer in charge at the age of 18 is an event that has never even happened in the history of the Kingdom.
Schera herself partied to her heart, and she looked delighted. The only unfortunate thing was that he could not enjoy the feeling of a full stomach for some reason.
