How a Realist Hero Rebuilt The Kingdom

Book 14: Chapter 5

15th day, 6th month, 1549th year, Continental Calendar

On this day, a force of seven thousand men led by Fuuga entered the Sebal Plainsa grain-producing region inside a valley surrounded by mountains inside the Kingdom of Gabi. Overlooking the plains was Gabi Castle, home to their king.

Once they passed through the Sebal Plains, they would enter an area that was a wild mix of pro- and anti-Fuuga groups. There was nowhere for the anti-Fuuga faction to mass their troops, so they desperately wanted to force Fuuga into a final showdown here. On the other hand, Fuugas forces would be able to join up with the rest of the troops in their home country if they could just get through the plains. That was why a united force of groups from the anti-Fuuga faction (hereafter the United Force) arrived first and were waiting for Fuuga when he arrived.

The United Force had seen what Malmkhitans elite warriors could do during the demon wave and realized they would be defeated in detail if they didnt fight with cohesion. To that end, they didnt indulge in any unnecessary delaying maneuvers along the roadinstead concentrating their manpower in the Sebal Plains where they would confront Fuugas main force.

Fuuga and his men knew of the United Forces intentions, but daringly walked into the trap, seeing it as a good opportunity to wipe out all those who opposed them. Without anyone planning it that way, both forces had decided that this was the place for their final showdown.

Fuugas first order was to take Fort Sebal at the entrance to the Sebal Plains.

We cant take a lot of time. Well take it quickly with a total offensive. Moumei!

Yes, my lord. I am here.

Lead the foot soldiers in a charge!

Understood! Lets go!

Moumei, the giant man with a massive hammer, rode in on his lumbering steppe yak, and the men chased after him on foot. Once he finished watching them go, Fuuga gave orders to the remaining troops.

Shuukin, Gaten. Have your cavalry run around and throw the enemy into disarray! Kasen, your archers will support the other forces! They can only have so many men holed up in a fort of that size. Crush them quickly!

Yes, sir!

Now that they had their orders, the commanders moved into action.

Shuukin and Gatens groups circled around the fortress, making it look like they were going to attack points that were lightly guarded, forcing the defenders to spread out. Meanwhile, any enemy archers who leaned out to take aim at them were shot down by Kasens bowmen. All of this reduced the pressure on Moumeis infantry that were attacking at the front.

Nows our chance! Lets go!

Moumei held his shield up against the arrows pouring down on him from the fortress as the infantry arrived in front of the main gate. Getting down off his steppe yak, Moumei wound up with his massive hammer and slammed it into the gate made of thick logs.

Haaah!

Crack! Two of the logs snapped clean in two, creating a gap.

Im not done yet!

A second, then a third swing widened the gap. Seeing this, the defending leader decided it was impossible for them to resist any longer.

We cant last any longer... Retreat! Retreat!

The defenders lowered rope ladders from the walls, scattering in all directions. There had been five hundred men in Fort Sebal, but that wasnt nearly enough to defend it against an army of seven thousand. They had also been told by Duke Chima to abandon the fortress quickly so as to lure Fuugas forces deeper in. Because of that, the defenders retreated without putting up a proper resistance.

Having taken the fortress without significant losses, Fuuga stationed five hundred troops and the commander Gaifuku there to defend it. Gaifuku had not fully recovered from the wound he took protecting Fuuga during the attempted assassination.

And so, the preliminary battle was won by Fuugas forces.

After reorganizing, Fuugas force of sixty-five hundred men headed into the Sebal Plains.

Its hot... Fuuga muttered to himself as he rode on Durgas back, advancing along the road with his troops. I feel like its only gotten hotter since we entered the plains.

Thats how these mountain basins are, Mutsumi, who was riding beside him, said, pointing to the mountains. The hot wind blows down from the mountains. I suppose you wouldnt see much of this sort of terrain on the steppes of Malmkhitan though.

Its unfamiliar to me, yeah. The rocky desert was already too hot for my tastes, but the humidity here makes it even worse. I almost miss the dry heat of the desert, Fuuga grumbled as he loosened his collar.

Oh, my, Mutsumi chuckled. You wouldnt hesitate to face thousands of soldiers, and yet a little heat like this is enough to make you cry?

Ha ha ha! Well, I cant change the weather with brute force, after all.

Could you two please act a little more aware of the danger were in...?

Shuukin rode up alongside the two of them to complain about the way they were bantering in the middle of what would become the site for the final battle. He pointed down the road in the direction their forces were headed.

Even from this distance, you can see it. The enemy intends to meet us here.

On the road up ahead, they could see the banners of the anti-Fuuga faction. Even just eyeballing it, there had to be between ten and fifteen thousand eagerly awaiting Fuuga and his men.

If Fuugas forces made it past Gabi Castle and could join up with the elite troops from his homeland, it would be no easy task to take them down. Once that happened, with the support of the pro-Fuuga states, he would devour the anti-Fuuga countries in the Union of Eastern Nations starting in the east.

That was why the United Forces victory condition was: do not let Fuugas army get past Gabi Castle.

Even if they let Fuuga himself get away, so long as they managed to chase his army back north, it would kill the pro-Fuuga factions inertia. If the people who were lionizing Fuuga saw him suffer a crippling defeat, it might disillusion them into leaving his side. If that happened, it would be Duke Chimas time to shine. Hed use every diplomatic trick available to dismantle the pro-Fuuga faction.

Meanwhile, what the United Force believed the pro-Fuuga factions victory condition was: get Fuuga past Gabi Castle and back to his home country no matter the cost.

They didnt necessarily need to eliminate the United Force here in this battle. If Fuuga could just break through the United Forces encirclement, he would be able to win in the long term. They believed that, as the smaller force, Fuugas army would head straight for their victory condition and recklessly attempt an attack through their center.

That is why, of the fourteen thousand troopsincluding Zemish mercenariesthe United Force had scraped together, six thousand were placed in the center to block the exit to the Sebal Plains, while the rest were divided into four thousand on each flank in order to surround Fuuga.

It was clear to see that they meant to stop Fuugas forces from attacking down the middle, then pick him apart from the sides. If both factions followed established tactics, thats no doubt how it would have played out. However, Fuuga would never fight using established tactics. He hated it when people tried to place him into a box. The United Force had misread his intentions.

With a swing of his arm, Fuuga gave the orders.

Position a thousand men on our right and left flanks. Well have them hit the enemys left and right opposition. Shuukin and Gaten will take the right, while Moumei and Kasen will command the left.

Established tactics said the smaller force needed to keep its fighting strength concentrated. However, Fuuga chose a formation that seemed to challenge the anti-Fuuga faction head-on.

Have they gone mad?! King Shamour Sharn said in astonishment as Fuugas army got into formation in the distance. Hed been watching from the United Forces main camp. Because the Kingdom of Sharn had provided the largest portion of the United Forces fighting strength, Shamour was their commander-in-chief. They mean to fight us head-on when they have only half our number?

Does that just show how confident they are in their own strength? King Gabi, who had become vice commander, cocked his head to the side.

No, their army is a mixed force, Shamour spat. Fuugas own men cant account for even two thousand of their number. The rest have to be mercenaries, volunteers, and refugees. Its an insult that they think they can face us head-on like that.

Calm yourself, King Sharn. And you too, King Gabi, Duke Chima, who had been standing by their side, tried to mollify them.

Mathew had been staying close to Shamour as an advisor in the United Force.

He pointed to the flanks of Fuugas army. From what I can see, Fuuga separated off a thousand men to each flank, but that leaves more than four thousand in the center. Our own center has six thousand troops. He likely means to use the two thousand on the flanks to prevent us encircling him, then break through the center where the difference in our strength is not so great.

I see. So the armies on his flanks are sacrifices, then, King Gabi replied and Mathew nodded.

Its a heartless plan, but an effective one, I surmise. They only need their main force to get past us, after all.

And there is no shortage of fanatics who would throw their lives away for Fuuga, huh? Hmm... His army was always incredible at charging through the enemy, after all, Shamour said, recalling how the soldiers of Malmkhitan had repeatedly torn apart hordes of monsters during the demon wave.

If the United Force faced that head-on, they would no doubt take considerable losses on their own side.

After some time stroking his goatee, Shamour finally came to a decision. Very well. Well call back a thousand men from each flank in order to strengthen our center. No matter what else happens, we cannot allow Fuuga to get past us.

I believe that would be a good idea. Mathew nodded in agreement.

And with that, the formation of each army had been decided.

Chaaarge!

Yeahhhhhhhh!

Finally, Fuugas army collided with the United Force.

The planners on the United Forces side thought that, as the smaller force, Fuugas army would focus their power in the center and attempt a breakthrough. They had strengthened their own center, anticipating the forty-five hundred troops in the center of Fuugas army would desperately charge the eight thousand in theirs. However, contrary to their expectations, the forty-five hundred troops in the center of Fuugas army advanced slower than the two flanks, and actually stopped short of the United Forces own.

Then, following established tactics, they began their attack at range with arrows and magic. Not a single unit charged the United Forces center. Instead, there was a shootout as the United Force returned fire.

As they watched from the United Forces main camp, Shamour and Mathew grew suspicious.

What is going on? Shamour asked. Are they not planning to attempt to attack through the center?

Theyve come to a total stop. Although that is what established tactics would dictate...

They cant be sane, challenging us head-on with inferior numbers.

Mathew nodded. I agree. Malmkhitans strength lies in the mobility and penetrative strength they have as a people of the steppes. I remember quite well just how fearsome their charges were during the demon wave. Thats why we did more than enough to prepare for it...

As he said that, Mathew looked towards the anti-air repeating bolt thrower. They had carried it down from Gabi Castle and installed it here in preparation for a charge by Fuugas army. If one considered Fuugas reckless courage, it was entirely possible he would rush in alone on Durgas back, so this was a measure against that. Yet, despite their careful preparation, there was no charge from Fuugas army, leaving Mathew and the others disappointed.

It would seem Fuuga hasnt focused his strength in the center... Shamour said, pointing to the left side of the battlefield.

That was where one thousand of Fuugas men were fighting three thousand of the United Forces. Despite being outnumbered three-to-one, Fuugas army had the United Force on the back foot.

Squinting a little harder, they could see something jumping around like fleas on the battlefield. It was Malmkhitans leaping cavalry.

If we can see so many leaping cavalry, that thousand must be Fuugas most powerful force. And...while its too far for us to see from here, they must have stopped our attack on the right side as well. The thousand on Fuugas left flank must be elite warriors too.

That means Fuuga placed his strongest forces on the flanks, then...

Shamour nodded in agreement with Mathew, stroking his goatee. Was his goal not to break through the center, then? Does he mean to defeat our flanks and surround us on three sides? Or perhaps he means to crush one of the armies on our flanks, then attack from the side...?

The side attack seems most likely, but...if he was doing that, he would have concentrated his strength on one flank. That is what I would do. A successful encirclement or a side attack would depend on how quickly you can defeat your opponent.

I agree. If he takes too long, reinforcements will arrive from the center... Fine, send a message to the units in the rear of the center!

Shamour ordered his subordinates to take one thousand men from the center to each of the flanks because of the protracted shootout. Now that they knew Fuugas elites were to their flanks, there was no longer any reason to make their own center unnecessarily thick.

Mathew stroked his chin as he watched. It could be that Fuugas aim...is to attack our flanks today in order to thin out the center. Then, tomorrow or later, once we are predisposed to believe that the majority of his strength is in his flanks, hell place his elites in the center, and attempt a rapid breakthrough.

Hmm... In that case, we need simply be cautious in our troop deployments, the same as today. The biggest headache will be if he has some other plan in mind, Shamour said, looking to the castle behind them. Gabi Castle has hardly any defenders now. Fuuga left five hundred men at Fort Sebal near the entrance to the plains, right? What would you think of a plan to secretly move that five hundred to take our castle?

If theyll come to Gabi Castle...that makes things easier, Mathew said with a wry smile. In fact, we should let all of Fuugas army in.

What?!

I have told the defenders to set fire to their provisions if the castle seems likely to fall. This is enemy territory for Fuuga. If he attempts to settle in for a siege here without resupply or reinforcement, how long can he last? We, on the other hand, will continue to receive supplies so long as we hold the southeast exit to the Sebal Plains.

I see. That would make it easier if we gave them the castle, yes, Shamour agreed heartily, slapping the sword at his waist. Mathew smiled wryly.

Well, given Fuugas wild nature and his nose for danger, I doubt he would fall for such a ploy. I think its best that we try to make him drop his guard and attempt an assault through the center.

Then its a battle of endurance today... What a headache.

The two of them watched as the battle bogged down to a stalemate.

In the southwest corner of the battlefield which Shamour and Mathew had been watching, Fuugas commanders Shuukin and Gaten were going wild with their leaping cavalry.

In comparison to the wise and brave Shuukin, Gaten was callow and attention-seeking, but could show resourcefulness in a tight spot, and was a good commander capable of thinking flexibly.

Haaah!

As his leaping temsbock touched down, Gaten cracked his twin iron whips, wrapping one around a mans neck and breaking it, while the tip of the other pierced through another mans throat. His versatile fighting style and the whooshing sounds of his whips terrified the soldiers around him.

Whats this? None of you dare approach me? But you opposed Lord Fuuga. And I was so looking forward to seeing what brave generals the United Force had too!

Despite his taunting, the soldiers of the United Force were too scared to get within range of Gatens whips.

Honestly... You people arent even worth my time. Moving on...

Once he had confirmed no one was going to be coming at him, Gaten started busily looking around the area. A short distance away he saw Shuukin lop the arms off a mounted soldier and impale the mans throat. Gaten rushed over to his side.

Its irritating, having to stay in one place while fighting. Wouldnt you agree, Sir Shuukin, right hand of our lord?

Gaten. Theres no time for idle chatter on the battlefield, Shuukin said without so much as looking at him. Gaten shrugged.

I dont see why not. Were having an easy enough time. If, instead of this mixed force of five hundred horsemen and five hundred leaping cavalry, we could call Moumei or Kasen over here from the north side and get together a group of a thousand leaping cavalry, we could break through these pitiful soldiers with ease.

Our orders were to delay them... Shuukin said as he swung his blade down on an enemy soldier who approached him. Im sure Lord Fuuga has something hes thinking of. We just have to trust in our lord, and put our martial prowess to work. Or am I wrong?

No, youre not wrong, Gaten said as he swung his whip. Crack! It traced a low arc, sending three enemy infantrymen flying at once.

Then, catching the tip of his whip as it returned, Gaten chuckled.

For me, its been surprising to see our lord starting to give us such precise orders. Hes always been better at just charging in and crushing his enemies.

He must have realized that wasnt enough on its own, wouldnt you say? Lord... Fuuga Haan has his eyes set on something beyond this sort of internal conflict, a more distant conquest. As he said that, Shuukin looked up to a sky that was yellow with all the dust that had been kicked up.

How far would Fuuga climb from here? It didnt matter where he was going. It didnt matter how far it was. They wanted to follow him. They wanted to chase after Fuugas dream together. That was what all Fuugas followers wished for.

Suddenly...Gatens temsbock leaped. As it did, the tall grass where Gaten had been was instantly mowed down to less than half its former height. If he had still been there on the ground, Gaten would have lost his feet along with the bottom half of his temsbock.

Hey! Nice dodge! A big man carrying a huge ax walked towards them with heavy steps. Id expect no less from one of Fuugas commanders. Youre well trained.

Surprised, Shuukin asked, Who goes there...?

Nata Chima, commander for the Kingdom of Sharn, the man with the big ax introduced himself.

He was the second son of the House of Chima. Although he was younger than Hashim, the eldest son, his stern expression made him look older than Hashim who was in his mid-twenties.

Lifting his ax, Nata seemed to be sizing up the two of them as he spoke. From the lackluster fight going on in the center, it seemed like Fuuga wasnt around. I was hoping I could fight him if I came to this side, but...hes not here, huh?

We have no reason to tell you that! Gaten shouted as he drove his temsbock into a big jump.

Then, swinging both whips, he tried to pierce Natas neck from both sides. However, Nata dropped his ax to the ground, catching both whips in his hands.

What?! Gaten cried out in surprise. Nata smirked.

An interesting trick! But I saw it coming!

Nata pulled on the ends of the whips he was holding, twisting his body around like he was doing a hammer throw. Gaten was sent flying along with his temsbock, but let go of his whips in midair, and used the reins to pull off a landing somehow.

Urgh... Damn your idiot strength! Gaten struggled for a response to the incredible power that had thrown both him and his mount.

Then, as Nata hefted his ax and was about to go finish off Gaten once and for all...

Hah!

Urgh!

Shuukin charged straight at him, catching Nata by surprise. Shuukins sword aimed to mow through his torso, but Nata caught it with the handle of his ax.

Clang! The sound of metal striking metal echoed.

Guh! Dont get in my way!

Whoa!

With a powerful swing of his ax, Nata sent Shuukin flying several meters, temsbock and all. Shuukin recovered in midair, and landed his temsbock.

As he did, Gaten rushed over to him, having picked his whips back up.

Hes got one hell of a throw.

Yeah. Moumeis probably the only one on our side who could match him in pure strength.

Thats trouble... Lets work together and finish him off quickly. Ill make an opening...

Hold on, Gaten, Shuukin said, holding out his sword to stop Gaten from rushing off again. Our mission is to keep the fighting at a stalemate here. We have no time to deal with this savage. Lets leave him be and head to the next place.

But

Oh, come on! Youre running away? Youre supposed to be Fuugas men. Nata tried to provoke them, but Shuukin didnt pay it any mind.

Ive seen your strength. Yes, youre far stronger than any ordinary man, but...youre still no match for our lord.

Whatd you say? Nata grunted. Shuukin could sense his anger.

Even if this man were to stand before Fuuga, their lord would not see him as anywhere near the threat that King Souma was. Natas strength was the simple sort, reliant only on his martial prowess.

Lets go, Gaten!

Right!

The two of them left Nata and rushed off to find the next place where their allies were struggling.

Wha...! Damn it!

Left behind, Nata ground his teeth, slamming his giant ax into the ground in frustration. It dug a trench rut in a corner of the battlefield.

Meanwhile, at the same time...

Dont push too hard! Move the line up slowly and steadily!

In the center army, Hashim, the eldest son of the House of Chima, was carefully commanding his troops. As he did, the fourth son, Nike, came over to him.

Big Brother Hashim... Big Brother Nata seems to have rushed off to the left side of the battlefield on his own.

Let him go. The only cure for stupidity is death.

Nike didnt rebut his elder brothers words.

On this first day of fighting, they all kept their intentions hidden. Nothing was concluded, and both armies withdrew to their camps with the setting sun.

That night, once the fighting of their first day on the Sebal Plains was finished, Shamour, King of Sharn, invited his commanders to the main camp for a war council. Among them were his advisor, Duke Mathew, as well as King Gabi.

Weve taken heavy damage to both of our flanks, Shamour said, pointing to the sides of the United Force on the map spread out across the table the commanders were standing around. Fuuga had most of his strengths in the flanks, as we suspected. We were able to repel their attacks with the reinforcements we sent, but we took considerable losses in the meantime.

Hmph! How irritating, spat King Gabi.

But we must have cut down Fuugas main fighting force in return. If you look at the number of casualties, our forces indeed had the worst of it. However, we hold a geographical advantage here, Mathew said in a calm tone of voice. This is the Kingdom of Gabi. We can pull our wounded back and give them time to recover, filling the vacancies with fresh troops. Fuugas army, on the other hand, cannot contact their homeland so long as the southwest exit to the Sebal Plains remains sealed. They cannot rest their men or replace them with new ones.

Hmm... Youre right. The enemy cant get reinforcements, said Shamour.

Yes. Mathew nodded in agreement. And those troops that report directly to Fuuga are currently the core of his army. If we whittle them down, he cannot replace them immediately. If battles like todays continue, Fuugas army will die the death of a thousand cuts.

Yeah! the assembled commanders cheered at Mathews analysis.

Gratified now that he understood his side held the upper hand, Shamour plopped himself down on a camp stool and crossed his thick arms.

I understand our advantage, but then why is Fuuga fighting the way that he is? This is a battle of attrition.

Indeed. I cannot understand why Fuugas outnumbered army would choose to fight like this.

When one of the commanders shared that same opinion, Mathew brought a hand to his chin and got a pensive look on his face.

I have been questioning that myself. If we try to explain their actions logically, it would be to convince us that Fuuga will place his best forces in the flanks again today, so that we also focus our forces there from the beginning. Then he would instead place his main force in the center, and rapidly break through ours...

Hmm. In that case, we need to simply continue fighting as we did today, Shamour concluded.

Youre quite right, Mathew nodded. If we keep constantly aware of where Fuugas main force is and position an appropriate number of troops in response, we should have no problem. But...

But what? Shamour asked, responding to Mathews uncertain tone.

Mathew seemed to hesitate for a moment, but found his resolve and answered, Its just...this isnt Fuugas preferred style of fighting.

Fuuga was not this tactical. If an enemy rose up before him, no matter who it was or how great the threat, he would keep pushing forward. And that stance was shared by his army. Mathew questioned whether Fuuga would really adopt this sort of thoughtful troop deployment.

With the refugees lifting him up as some sort of great man, and a grand army assembling beneath him, perhaps hes changed? How impertinent, Shamour said dismissively.

Yes, that could be it... Mathew nodded. Whatever the case, if Fuuga wants to join us in a battle of attrition, we could ask for nothing better. I just ask that you all remain cautious.

The commanders all nodded in agreement.

16th day, 6th month, 1549th year, Continental Calendar

As the battle entered its second day, the moves they made were exactly the same as on the first.

Fuugas army positioned their strongest fighters on the flanks, and the United Force sent reinforcements to their own flanks, bringing the fighting to a stalemate. However, unlike the United Force which could afford to change out their side units, Fuugas forces were still exhausted from the previous days fighting and found themselves a little pressured.

As for the center, they were engaged in a shooting match like the day before, and there were no intense clashes there on this day either.

Tch...

Fuuga watched from his main camp with a sour look on his face. He sat on a camp stool, stomping his feet repeatedly. It had left a clear imprint of his foot in the ground.

Mutsumi, who was beside him, let out a sigh. Why dont you calm down a little, darling? Acting irritated here wont do anything to bring us victory.

I know. I know that, but...it hurts, staying here in the main camp while everyone else is out there fighting.

Mutsumi sighed once more and shrugged her shoulders. That is what it means to be commander-in-chief.

Sitting put like this doesnt suit me. Going wild with all our strength, racing around, and seizing victory with our own hands, thats how weve always fought before now.

But you know theyll take your head in no time if you do that, right?

Mutsumis chiding left Fuuga speechless.

If you are going to seize hegemony on this continent, you need to change your simplistic way of fighting. The Gran Chaos Empire is massive, and Yurigas letters warned you not to take the Kingdom of Friedonia lightly either, didnt they? If you are going to face those nations on equal terms, your army needs to evolve even more.

I know... Thats why Im staying put now, isnt it? Fuuga responded, sounding unamused.

Mutsumi smiled at the sour look on his face.

I believe that Sir Souma would trust his followers to handle things at a time like this, you know?

Yeah, Ill bet he would...

Souma understood that he had no martial prowess or gift for commanding troops, so he would trust his subordinates to handle things at times like this. Because he was the type that preferred not to be on the front lines, he could sit in the main camp without getting agitated like Fuuga.

Because he could imagine it so easily, Fuuga stopped stamping his feet.

Believe in my people and wait? It pisses me off that he can do that and I cant.

Hee hee. Thats right. Lets trust in the people who are chasing your dream with you.

With that said, Mutsumi walked around behind Fuuga and rested her hands on his shoulders.