Translator: Cinder Translations
...
Looking at the still high-spirited Warder, Calem felt an indescribable pain in his heart.
This time, as the commander, he would disappoint a warrior like Warder, a hero from the plains.
After two consecutive cavalry charges, the expected results were not achieved.
Although thick smoke obscured the battlefield, Calem received a real account from the returning soldiers.
Not many enemies were killed, but their own losses were significant, with the bodies of horses and soldiers scattered around the human formations.
"Warder, we can't continue like this." Calem said bitterly.
"What... what?" Warder's eyes widened, almost not believing what he was hearing.
Since entering Aldor, Calem's army had been unstoppable, crushing everything in their path and achieving great feats.
They were so close to reaching the sea, how could they give up because of this minor setback?
The orc army heading west was from the Grey Wolf Tribe, which wasn't a core part of the power structure in the tribal hierarchy.
However, if they could conquer the northwestern regions of the Aldor Kingdom, the Grey Wolf Tribe's position would undoubtedly rise greatly in the tribal council.
Warder was still in a daze when Calem snapped his whip. "Let Warak lead his troops as the rearguard."
"Lord Calem! Just one more time, let me try once more!" Warder tried to plead.
"Warder!" the orc commander sharply rebuked him. "This is not the time for rashness. We cannot allow our prairie warriors to be sacrificed in vain until we find a way to counter the enemy."
Calem extended his large hand and gripped Warder's hand firmly. "Trust me! Soon we will face them head-on and chase those humans all the way to the sea."
"It seems the orcs are really going to withdraw from the battlefield!"
On a slightly elevated mound, Schroeder and others assessed the enemy's movements. The infantry formations were still advancing steadily under the protection of cavalry.
"They left a small rearguard, perhaps we should send out the cavalry to attack and inflict greater damage on them."
He suggested to Paul with a tone of hope.
"Alright." This time, Paul agreed.
When the news reached the wings, the cavalrymen became excited.
Because the cavalry's main task was to protect the infantry formations on the flanks, many had acted as mere spectators.
At the start of the battle, they were full of concern and fear about the orc cavalry's strength, but as the enemy's offensive faltered and the advantage shifted to the Allied forces, thoughts of gaining credit inevitably grew stronger.
Once the order was given, the Allied cavalry rushed toward the orc rearguard like unleashed hounds.
"The human cavalry is coming!"
"How dare they! Form up, let's take them out!"
The orc cavalry left behind to cover the retreat were surprised and enraged, preparing to teach the attackers a lesson.
However, that familiar, spine-chilling whistle sounded again.
Dozens of cannons from the Allied forces roared, pouring deadly firepower onto the orc rearguard, forcing them to scatter in all directions.
"Damn!" roared Warak, the orc commander in charge of the rearguard. "How are we supposed to fight like this?!"
At that moment, a shell struck the ground beside him, splashing dirt into his face, the force of the explosion making his face burn.
While wiping the dirt off his face, Warak was relieved that he had escaped unharmed.
However, by now, the Allied cavalry was almost upon them.
The Aldor artillery ceased firing at the right moment. If Aldor infantry had carried out the attack, the artillery support could have continued for a few more rounds. Unfortunately, the cavalry from the capital and other regions had not trained with the Aldor artillery, and to avoid friendly fire, they dared not continue.
The orc rearguard hurriedly began to regroup, but it seemed too late, as the Allied cavalry was already charging at high speed.
The Allied cavalry struck like a clenched fist, while the orcs were disorganized.
However, the orcs were not pushovers. With their superior horsemanship, they skillfully maneuvered against the Allied cavalry. Their lighter equipment gave them the advantage in mobility.
Derrick Heller and Garrett Fraule, fully armored and riding their horses closely together, wielded a chain mace and a longsword, respectively.
As the young heirs of their families, they had long dreamed of riding into battle on horseback, imagining one day becoming knights at the Kingdom's Watcher Fortress, fighting orcs. But they never expected their first real battle to take place so close to home.
The two young men, familiar with each other and slightly competitive, coordinated well as they led their respective knights, providing cover as they charged into the orc cavalry.
The battle wasn't intense. The orc cavalry's mission was to cover the retreat of the main force, so they fought while falling back. In the end, their superior horsemanship allowed them to evade the pursuit of the Allied cavalry as they retreated eastward.
The Allied forces had secured a complete victory. For the first time since the defeat in Sunset Valley, they had defeated a large orc army in a fair battle.
"Long live!" "Victory!"
Cheering erupted from all sides as everyone expressed their excitement. Many embraced each other, tears flowing.
"Congratulations, hero of the Kingdom!"
After the commanders from different units gathered, Catherine kissed her fiancé in front of everyone. The suddenness of it made Paul's face turn red, causing everyone to burst into laughter.
TL/N: Damn, bro got his first kiss just like that...
Later, as the battlefield was cleared, the Allied army had 313 casualties, 132 wounded, 2,235 orcs killed, 813 captured, and 1,045 horses seized.
The disparity in casualties shocked everyone. Though they had expected a fierce battle, they had not anticipated such a low number of losses.
...
"Your Majesty!"
In the sparkling palace of Crystal Glare, a servant hurriedly entered the king's study, almost bursting in.
"Please, don't bring me any bad news."
The young king, who had been writing at his desk, looked up, his brow furrowed. The orc invasion had already kept him on edge.
"No, it's good news!"
"Good news?"
"Yes!" The servant almost shouted. "The Kingdom's army has won in the northwest!" He handed over a piece of paper.
Thanks to the telegraph lines extending from the northwest to Crystal Glare, the news of the victory on the Usola Plain reached the capital within half a day.
Rodney the Eighteenth widened his eyes. "It's Grayman, victory, another victory!"
"Thank God!" The king excitedly stood up from his seat and snatched the letter from the servant.
He unfolded it and eagerly began reading its contents.
The orc cavalry advanced, but the Allied army held firm, forming a phalanx to withstand the enemy's charge. The orc attack failed, resulting in heavy casualties, and they were forced to retreat.
The process was simple, and the king felt a mix of joy and regret.
It wasn't a glorious annihilation, but it would suffice.
Just then, another servant entered.
"Your Majesty, Prince Jasim has returned after completing negotiations with the orcs."
(End of the Chapter)
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