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Morning. A time when the world is just beginning to wake up.

Ordinary folks shake off their sleep and prepare to greet the day.

They tidy their bedding, wash their faces, prepare meals, and have breakfast.

Such simple and uncomplicated actions.

Some might call it a monotonous and tedious daily life.

A life without change. They often say that it’s no different than being dead.

If someone were to say such things here,

I can guarantee that the soldiers of both nations would tear that person apart.

For it is that very ordinary life that is hailed as the most valuable.

On the road to Benito, by the riverside, next to the plains.

There, the Empire’s 6th Legion and Benito’s army faced each other.

Accompanied by a silence so thick it was almost horrifying.

These are not clueless farmers dragged into this situation.

They are the essence of national military power, cultivated with care by their respective nations.

Thus, they could somewhat predict the outcome of today’s battle.

For instance, today might end with a boring standoff followed by a retreat,

Or perhaps they’d test each other’s strength casually, feeling each other out.

They might even send knights to compete in martial arts.

But today, blood will flow and lives will shatter in battle.

“Commander reporting. All troops have reached their positions.”

“The left and right flanks are ready.”

“Only waiting for orders from the center. Commander.”

Messengers arrived one after another to report the status of each unit.

Listening to those reports, Benito’s commander let out a deep breath.

Before him were the people of the Empire’s 6th Legion—a formidable foe to overcome.

Can we really win? That thought was the first to cross his mind.

Yet soon he shook his head, casting all doubts away.

The question isn’t if we can win, but that we must win.

Only then can we safely return home.

That way, we can secure advantageous positions in future wars.

And on top of that, it’s how we keep our own necks safe.

‘I can do this. They’ve chosen a defensive position. That must mean they have confidence, but once that belief crumbles, they’ll fall apart in an instant.’

The fear of death is far greater than what humans expect.

Before him were the advancing enemies, and behind him, a river flowing starkly.

No matter how mighty the Empire’s legion, it would surely waver under such pressure.

“Advance!”

With the command given, the Benito troops began to march forward.

A massive army of 50,000 moved toward the Empire’s 6th Legion, back turned toward the river.

10,000 each were positioned on the left and right flanks, while 20,000 formed the center.

The remaining 10,000 were held as reserves to strike decisively when the time came.

In terms of numbers, Benito held overwhelming superiority. However, the Empire had the edge in training.

It would be a tough battle. But a battle they had to win.

With that thought, the commander did his best to suppress his anxious heart.

“Urgent report!!”

The infantry at the forefront of each legion began to quicken their pace.

Simultaneously, cavalry units on both the left and right flanks surged forward.

The Empire also sent out their cavalry to intercept the enemy’s incursion.

‘The cavalry numbers are as reported, nothing hidden from view.’

Relieved by that fact, the commander continued to observe the battlefield.

As expected, our team’s cavalry was getting pushed back.

Thanks to the sheer numbers, they managed to hold their ground without retreating.

Historically, the southern kingdoms have relatively weak cavalry forces.

This area has almost no horsebreeding grounds, making it naturally difficult to produce cavalry.

Yet the reason Benito boasts a considerable cavalry force is simple.

‘His Majesty has learned immensely from Dedorant.’

Benito’s King, Andrea II, has made a concerted effort to bolster cavalry strength.

Stimulated by Dedorant’s overwhelming ability with cavalry, they worked hard to improve.

Thanks to that, in just one year, they managed to reach a reasonable level.

That’s a big reason why Benito has vertically ascended among the southern kingdoms.

Turning away from the cavalry skirmishes, the commander now focused on the real battlefield.

A collision was about to occur. The army of Benito and the Empire’s legion would clash.

Most likely, the first engagement would be between our right flank and their left.

“Waaaah!!”

With a tremendous roar, the two massive forces surged into battle.

The sound of steel clashing, blades meeting, and lives shattering echoed wildly.

Following that, the remaining troops also charged into the fray, entering the fray with the enemy ahead.

Now the real game begins. Benito’s commander concentrated all his nerves on the battlefield.

A pivotal moment will come. Even against the Empire, there will be an opening.

At that moment, he must deploy the cherished reserve forces to turn the tide.

One strike is all it takes. If successful, they could push the enemy right into the river.

The enemy has set up a defensive stance. Unlike us, their use of reserves will be challenging.

The reason being the extremely narrow spacing between their formations.

The commander was absolutely not going to overlook that detail.

Time endlessly dripped away.

Countless lives faded and blood flowed, yet the world seemed to pass by, indifferent.

“Commander! The left flank is requesting support! The enemy’s right flank offense is much stronger than anticipated!”

“That’s not possible. Our reserves are our trump card. We can’t use them frivolously. I acknowledge that the enemy is strong. But we of Benito are also a strong force! Relay this message: they must hold the line! No matter what! Until our left flank can chip away at the enemy’s flank. Until our center breaks a hole through the enemy’s middle!”

“Understood!”

Hearing this, the left flank commanders would likely erupt in discontent.

But it couldn’t be helped. The commander in charge cannot always be attuned to the struggles beneath him or the volume of blood being spilled by them.

If it brings them closer to victory, then time and again, he must act like this.

And indeed, the commander’s judgment was far from wrong.

“…The reserves!”

“Commander?”

“Prepare the reserves! Now!!”

He saw it. A fleeting yet clear ‘gap’ appeared. The path to victory was in sight.

As the battle wore on, the enemy would also be managing their reserves.

But with the narrow spacing, pulling back troops to advance forward would likely hinder them.

The weaknesses created by that made it evident to the commander.

Upon command, the 10,000 reserve forces of Benito hastily prepared for battle.

Then they positioned themselves discreetly behind the center, ensuring the enemy remained unaware.

Thanks to this, Benito’s formation appeared nearly empty, but it hardly mattered.

They were solely looking for an opportunity to turn the tide of this battle.

‘Once. Once again, a moment of opportunity will present itself. A moment of weakness.’

With that thought, how long had they spent anxiously waiting?

Finally, the commander’s eyes captured a gap in the Empire’s legion.

It seemed they had deployed reserves again, but this time it was considerably slower.

A clear sign that both our forces and theirs were growing weary.

“Now! Immediately deploy the reserves! Let the center push through! Quickly!”

At the commander’s shout, the waiting messenger dashed forward.

Simultaneously, the command flag was raised high and fluttered in the wind.

―Woosh!

The final blow to decide the match. Higher, higher, raise the flag. Louder, louder, with the trumpet….

“…?”

The sound of our trumpets—was it? No, this isn’t our trumpet.

If that’s the case, then it’s the Empire’s trumpet sound. But why is it coming from behind instead of in front?

A chilling sensation crawled down the commander’s spine.

The enemy has set up a defensive line. Positioned nearby, as if to halt them.

They must return to Benito. They cannot be allowed to retreat.

In that situation, a single battle, a single victory, was utterly crucial.

Ultimately, everything pointed to the fact that the Empire’s legion must be annihilated.

‘It’s as if someone has orchestrated us to act this way.’

–Thud!

The commander’s baton dropped to the ground.

Simultaneously, several remaining officers rushed over in a panic.

“Commander! A dire situation! A large cavalry force has appeared to the rear!”

“…The enemy’s cavalry is all over there. Then…”

The commander, oblivious to losing his baton, gazed vacantly behind.

With the sound of trumpets, a terrifying cavalry surged from afar, flags fluttering mightily.

Their identity was that of the Empire’s 13th Legion.

The very 13th Legion knocking on the gates of Benito.

“Commander! You must retreat at once!”

“…Where to? How can we run from those elite cavalry?”

“But!”

“We will fight. We are the glorious soldiers of Benito. We do not retreat with the enemy at our back. Even if it means kissing death!”

He had been blinded by the news. The 13th Legion was knocking on Benito’s door.

If they could secure just one victory, they could overcome this predicament.

The Empire had clearly planned and executed all this from the very start.

From the moment they split the legion in two. They had secretly kept cavalry strength aside.

Only to then stir rumors as if the 13th Legion would topple Benito.

The 6th Legion acted as though they were there to hold them at bay.

However, the goal was not the vacant Benito, but themselves.

How spine-chilling. From the very beginning.

“Ha ha ha.”

Benito’s commander laughed. It was so hollow.

At the same time, he felt fear. Not knowing what might happen to his country ahead.

The fact that there are those skilled enough to toy with human hearts.

Before long, the cavalry of the Empire’s 13th Legion crashed in.

They instantly shattered Benito’s formation and slaughtered the remaining command staff.

Then, they accelerated again, wreaking havoc on the enemy’s rear.

A large cavalry force that rushed in from the back created a gap in the Benito army.

And the Empire’s 6th Legion, under no circumstances a weak force, seized that opportunity.

That day, all of Benito’s precious soldiers melted away like ice on a summer day.

 

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