'I've been had!'
Cold sweat ran down Kaien's back.
The Fenris Mobile Army was renowned for its speed. He had guessed they would act separately.
However, their numbers were a mere 20,000. Not a small force, but not enough to cause a significant problem, even if they joined the enemy.
In fact, he had hoped for it. It would have been the perfect opportunity to kill Count Fenris before the Perdium and Royal Army arrived.
It wouldn't be difficult to gather forces again. No matter the losses, if that man was eliminated, it would be a victory worth celebrating.
'But… they struck from behind?'
Count Mowbray had maintained neutrality until now. Despite repeated pressure from the duchy, he declared he would side with the victor and firmly closed his territory.
Possessing formidable military strength, forcing him into submission would have been burdensome for the duchy, so they had left him alone for the time being.
They had stationed surveillance forces nearby, just in case, but even the royalist faction had not made contact with him.
'He hadn't met with anyone. How did this happen?'
Count Mowbray had fortified his territory with his own army. The duchy's surveillance forces had kept a constant watch on him.
Even so, he had opened the path.
'This means the agreement was made even before the war started! When did they meet?'
Kaien quickly grasped the situation. They must have met before the war began. Otherwise, there was no way the gates would be opened so readily.
Ghislain saving Count Mowbray's son, Edwin, by removing the evil spirit from his body had happened long ago.
The duchy knew nothing of it, so they never imagined that their territory would be directly invaded.
Overlooking the southern fringe of their territory was another mistake. They should have ensured Mowbray's stance earlier, even if it meant incurring losses.
'What should be done?'
The duchy had almost no forces left. Only 10,000 defenders remained.
Of course, they wouldn't fall easily. The duchy still had Ilois, a 7th-circle mage, who had set numerous traps in the territory.
Still, anxiety crept in. Count Fenris always acted beyond expectations.
'We must act immediately!'
There was no way Kaien could let Count Fenris ravage the duchy's lands.
Even with the Mobile Army's speed, it would take time to circle around the southern fringes. Kaien's forces could simply march south directly.
He immediately addressed Gartros.
"Take charge of this place. I must head south."
"...We've been stabbed in the back. Is it that difficult to hold them off?"
"It's fifty-fifty. Even if the Mobile Army is blocked, Count Fenris might slip through. It's better to seize this chance to kill him for good."
"Hmm… Alright. I'll try to hold this place."
With Ghislain's flanking maneuver, the situation had reversed in an instant. Now they had to defend against the northern army holed up in the fortress.
Once the Perdium and Royal Army arrived, the entire enemy force could march south.
Kaien selected 40,000 elite cavalry. He couldn't afford to bring other units. Speed was critical to face the Fenris Mobile Army.
With 40,000, he could maintain mobility while retaining numerical superiority.
"Arrogant bastard… This time, I'll cut off your head for sure. Let's move!"
Dudududududu!
At Kaien's furious command, the 40,000 cavalry of the Delphine Army began their march south.
Amelia watched their departure from atop the fortress, a cold smile on her lips.
***
"You really came. I can't believe it."
Count Mowbray gazed at Ghislain with admiration.
He had heard countless tales of Ghislain's exploits. Compared to the brief meeting they had when he was just an 'exorcist,' his reputation had grown incomparably greater.
Now, Ghislain had even captured the capital, and his father was preparing to become king. No, he was already king in all but name.
Ghislain smiled back at Count Mowbray.
"You kept your promise."
Count Mowbray could have stopped Ghislain. He had gathered all his forces in preparation for war.
He could have broken the agreement and withdrawn completely, as the battle with the duchy was yet unresolved.
But he hadn't. Instead, he pulled back his forces and opened the path.
That was why they could meet like this now.
Count Mowbray puffed out his chest.
"If I was going to break it, why make a promise at all? I am not such a petty man."
Beside him stood Edwin, armed and ready. He no longer looked timid. Though tense, his eyes were alive.
It seemed Ghislain's physical therapy had been quite effective.
As Edwin came into view, Dark emerged, sneering mockingly.
"Hehehe, isn't that my 'former' master? How've you been?"
Edwin frowned. The memories of that time made him uncomfortable.
Thanks to Dark, he had lived in isolation, detached from the world. But in truth, he had merely existed like a beast.
Seeing Edwin fully armed, Ghislain turned to Count Mowbray.
"You needn't worry too much. The duchy will fall in this battle. If, by chance, I lose, join the Perdium Army."
"I will go as well."
"What?"
"I can't stand by and watch the kingdom fall to heresy. I will lead all my cavalry and follow as quickly as I can, even if I cannot match the speed of the Fenris Mobile Army."
"Are you sure?"
"It's time I made a decision. Besides, I can guide the 'other army' following behind."
Count Mowbray grinned. Neutrality could no longer be maintained. In truth, he had abandoned that notion when the Salvation Church rose.
He had endured the duchy's surveillance and political pressure, refusing the prince's faction, waiting for this moment.
Ghislain nodded with a smile.
"That's good to hear. I'll be counting on you."
The more forces, the better. News of his detour to attack the duchy would soon reach Kaien.
Having already eliminated the nearby surveillance forces, Kaien would undoubtedly rush south at top speed.
"Then I'll set off first."
"I'll follow as fast as I can."
With soldiers assigned by Count Mowbray to guide him, Ghislain took the fastest route forward.
No one stood to block the Fenris Mobile Army. The duchy had withdrawn even its minimal defensive forces to regroup.
Dudududududu!
Thus, Ghislain and the Fenris Mobile Army advanced rapidly toward the duchy.
The remaining defensive forces were swiftly annihilated. The southern lords could only watch helplessly.
"Count Fenris himself has come all this way?"
"How can he move so boldly?"
"His knack for striking the weak spot is truly the kingdom's best."
They holed up in their castles, unable to act. Lacking troops, they could barely manage their own territories.
All they could do was worry about how the war would end. If the duchy lost, they would all lose their positions as well.
News of Ghislain's advance reached the duchy swiftly.
"That man, truly a troublesome one."
Ilois, the 7th-circle mage of the duchy and the kingdom's greatest mage, stroked his beard with a frown.
"Viscount Josef, can the fortress hold them off?"
Raul shook his head.
"It's impossible. The Fenris Mobile Army has powerful siege weapons. The flimsy walls here won't withstand them."
The duchy's fortress, Eclipse, stood at the heart of the duchy's lands and was a massive city. But its walls prioritized beauty over defense, practically useless for repelling attacks.
There had been no need for defense. Who would dare attack the duchy?
Reaching it would require breaking through numerous vassal territories and fortresses.
But now, there was no one to stop the army advancing toward it.
Ilois let out a hearty laugh.
"Hoho, in my eighty years, I've never seen such an extraordinary army. The northern upstart has become the kingdom's fate-decider."
Raul replied grimly.
"You'll need to face them yourself."
"Yes, I suppose I must. It's better than ruining this beautiful place. I never thought I'd need to use 'that,' but such a time has come. Life truly holds surprises."
The duchy wasn't entirely unprepared. As a master of illusion magic, Ilois had been laying traps throughout the duchy for decades.
The traps, crafted over years, could incapacitate tens of thousands of soldiers in an instant.
"At last, my masterpiece can be tested. Facing the kingdom's divine being make it a worthy exchange."
Ilois and Raul led the 10,000 defenders out.
Though their forces were vastly outnumbered and outmatched, no one felt fear. Such was the authority of a 7th-circle mage.
The defenders waited at a predesignated location. There was a reason they had to fight there.
Ilois, habitually stroking his beard, asked Raul.
"How long until they arrive?"
Though Ilois, the highest-ranking figure, had no knowledge of military tactics, it wasn't an issue.
Raul would handle everything for him.
"They will arrive soon."
"Hm, it hasn't been long since we received word… Are you saying an entire army moves this fast?"
"Their mobility is unmatched, not just in the kingdom, but perhaps the entire continent."
Even with siege weapons and no need for supply lines, no army could match their speed.
All of their techniques were shrouded in mystery. It must be maddening for their opponents.
Ilois smiled as he spoke.
"Such a waste. They would have been a tremendous help if they were on our side."
"If he were the type to join us, we would have persuaded him long ago."
Raul also gave a bitter smile. At a banquet long ago, he had subtly tried to sway Ghislain, but his rejection had been resolute.
Thinking back on it now, it was truly a shame.
'Should we have continued trying to persuade him?'
Perhaps they could have ended up on the same side. Would the outcome have been different if they had offered him all of the North and provided ample support?
"No, that's impossible."
Even back then, Ghislain had shown strong hostility toward the duchy, and it had been blatant.
Now, various circumstances had intertwined to make him a definitive enemy, but Raul still couldn't understand.
Why had Ghislain shown such intense animosity at that time?
'Perhaps he was destined to be our nemesis.'
That was the only explanation. There was no way Count Fenris would have known the duchy intended to destroy Perdium at the time.
Raul broke out of his thoughts. In the distance, a cloud of dust rose as an army approached.
Ilois spoke with a tone of admiration.
"It's true. They're so fast. Impressive."
Unlike the relaxed Ilois, Raul quickly surveyed the surroundings and shouted.
"Prepare for battle!"
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The soldiers raised their shields and leveled their spears.
The defending forces here were entirely infantry, far fewer in number than the Fenris Mobile Army.
No matter how elite they were, if the enemy was allowed to charge unchecked, they would be swept away effortlessly. Their opponents were known for having the best breakthrough power in the kingdom.
Dudududududu!
Sure enough, Ghislain showed no intention of pausing for a breather and continued his charge.
"Break through! Sweep them away in one strike!"
Clang! Clang! Clang!
At Ghislain's command, the knights at the front raised their spears. Their spears, glowing with a blue light, would shatter the enemy's lines in an instant.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The mobile army spread out wide, raising their spears as well. Their strategy was simple: the lead knights would break the formation, and those behind would grind down the remnants.
It was a straightforward and clean tactic, requiring only overwhelming destructive power.
This was Ghislain's favorite charge strategy.
Dudududududu!
Raul swallowed nervously as he watched the mobile army charging with incredible momentum. The defenders waiting behind him felt the same.
With their current forces, they couldn't possibly stop it. In fact, no army could halt that charge.
"Sir Ilois, please…"
"Yes, yes. Don't worry."
The only one who remained calm, Ilois, slowly extended his hand.
The mana flowing from his hand seeped into the ground beneath their feet.
Zing—!
Magic circles, hidden underground for a long time, began to glow.
Once activated, it was nearly impossible to block, even by sealing magic. The circles merely amplified Ilois's magic.
The magic of a 7th-circle master, magnified dozens or even hundreds of times, spread across the battlefield.
"Dream sweet dreams, everyone."
Saaahhhh….
At Ilois's words, glowing particles rose from the ground. They floated lazily through the air, embedding themselves into the bodies of the approaching mobile army.
But that wasn't all. The particles scattered in the air, dividing and multiplying, until they filled the surroundings.
It was a breathtakingly beautiful sight. However, the mobile army, exposed to the magic, couldn't take in the scene.
Clop, clop, clop…
The galloping horses began to slow. Their eyes went dull, and they opened their mouths in a daze.
The same was true for the knights and soldiers riding them.
"Ah…"
The overwhelming momentum that had seemed ready to overturn the heavens disappeared in an instant. They all lost focus and stared blankly into the air.
They were seeing illusions. Each soldier saw something different.
Some saw their childhood, others saw their beloved partners. Some gazed at distant parents, others relived a moment of savoring a delicious meal or admired their own muscular physique in training.
They all stood, entranced by their happiest memories or by people and things they longed for.
"Ugh!"
A few high-level knights bit their lips until they bled, resisting the illusions.
Even so, they couldn't move their bodies, stuck between reality and the illusion.
Ilois smiled as he watched the mobile army slow and lose formation.
"I'll take care of Count Fenris. The rest shouldn't be a problem, right?"
"You don't need to worry."
Raul nodded, his face flushed with excitement. Killing enemies as defenseless as sleeping lambs would be easy.
Indeed, it was impressive. This was the true power of a mage, capable of reversing the tide of battle in an instant.
The long effort and resources poured into setting up the magic circles had paid off.
Dududududu!
Only Ghislain continued to charge at the front. Raul shouted triumphantly.
"Strike! The enemy is as good as scarecrows!"
The defenders, emboldened, charged forward. No one was afraid of an opponent who couldn't resist.
Ghislain sneered at them.
"As expected of the kingdom's greatest mage."
If he hadn't known, they would have been wiped out here, unable to counter the illusions or protect their allies.
If he had brought mages for defense, their speed would have slowed, giving the enemy more time to prepare.
In any case, it was inevitable that Ilois's magic would strike hard once.
But Ghislain was already prepared for their trump card.
"Dark!"
Ghislain's voice thundered across the battlefield.
Fwoooosh!
Black energy burst violently from his body.
Dark consumed half of his mana in an instant and began forming a massive shape in the air.
Ilois, seeing the flickering, humanoid figure, froze momentarily.
"What… what is that?"
No one could answer. No one knew what it was.
At that moment, Ghislain shouted again.
"Wake up!"
Boooom!
Dark's form exploded, enveloping the entire mobile army.
[T/L: I am not getting any support from webnovel platform, so please support me and read ahead chapters on my ko-fi page "RevengerScans" : https://ko-fi.com/revengerscans ]