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As Malcoy de Marseille had predicted, the imperial forces were struck badly.

There was no place without traps within two-hundred feet of the citadel, and it was clear how long the kingdom had been preparing for war. Heavy infantrymen fell into pits and were piercing upon spikes, and light infantrymen slipped down steep inclines as they fell into deep ditches. And as if these traps had not offered difficulty enough, flaming arrows soon fell among those who had managed to clear them.

Jars of oil, buried in advance, were ignited and swallowed the area in flames. Nevertheless, the legion commanders did not loosen their reigns and slow the attack. All sorts of traps were triggered by the bodies of men, and still, the imperial army launched its onslaught against the citadel.

And yet, the citadel showed no signs of imminent collapse.

After the sun set on the defeated soldiers, the roles were reversed.

Knights of the Kingdom of Leonberg, who had firmly defended the citadel, conducted raids upon the Imperial Army from time to time in the darkness. The imperials had to stay up all night, guarding against raids that could come at any time and from any place.

“This is it. I don’t know who is attacking and who is defending,” Malcoy lamented the poor defense of his allies and praised the strength of the enemy.

“In all the world, it is said that the skill of the imperial knights is superior to those of other countries. But now that I see it, the story on the ground is different,” said the young lieutenant, and Malcoy nodded.

It was a fair assessment, for the imperial knights, despite their numerical superiority, were not able to beat back the knights of the kingdom. Of course, a paladin of Leonberg was skillfully leading the knights, but even taking that into account, the skill gap was too great.

The knights of the empire were cut down in battle whenever they met the knights of the kingdom.

Malcoy was unsure if it was due to the difference between those who wanted to keep their lands and survive and those who were justly blindly following their commanders. Or perhaps, it was because the elite knights serving the king were facing off against those lesser imperial knights suborned to the border legions.

All that was certain was that the citadel could only fall once the imperial knights could properly deal with the Leonberg knights.

“If we had wizards, the situation would be better.”

Unfortunately, the damage done to the wizards in the war against Dotrin was considerable. To compound matters, the Wyvern Knights had roved across the eastern and northern region, targeting the wizards first. The pool of imperial wizards was almost dry, and it would take time for the legion with proper magicians to reach the citadel.

However, no matter how Malcoy were to look at it, it didn’t seem as if the foolish legion commanders would be able to sustain the siege and preserve their troops until such a time.

“The Forty-Fourth Legion Commander was struck by an arrow!”

Malcoy frowned, for it seemed that the dumb commanders were now moving from the rear to the front. In their eyes, they were boosting the troops’ morale, yet in truth, they were damaging morale by dying.

“No great gain has been eked out.”

Malcoy no longer had the resolve to curse his idiotic allies, so he rather praised the enemy.

“It is nothing like what we were told. It was taken as certain that the King of Leonberg was incompetent and weak,” said the lieutenant, and Malcoy looked to the walls.

The enemy’s king was always upon the wall, and he constantly fired arrows. Sometimes he even managed to snipe imperial knights and frontline officers, and the legion commander who had just now been struck by an arrow must have been a victim of the king’s skill.

‘Trumdum~ Trumdum~’

“Uh, there’s the signal for retreat.”

The drums of retreat sounded earlier than usual, and the imperial soldiers, who were clinging to the wall like ants, pulled back at once.

The forces of Leonberg never allowed for a smooth retreat.

‘Schkp~ Schckp~’ arrows struck into the backs of the retreating soldiers. Even if tragic, it wasn’t as great a damage as the troops have suffered while assailing the walls all day long.

Corpses filled the fields, and all of those bodies were once imperial soldiers.

“I can’t see the answer… the solution,” and the battle ended as Malcoy lamented.

* * *

At that day’s war council, other legion commanders brought forth strong charges against Malcoy and his 84th Legion. The other legions had attacked the walls without sparing their men, so these commanders were dissatisfied because only Malcoy and his legion were passively engaged in the siege.

At one point, he said that a reserve force was needed, but the situation did not play out as he intended, so he was forced to change his mind. Malcoy appealed to his fellow commanders, saying that he would do his best from tomorrow onward. However, on the next day and the day after that, Malcoy and his 84th passively shot arrows from the rear, or charged at the wall and then enacted a retreat. All he said was that he was not as capable as the commanders of the other legions, but he was trying his best, and he avoided the situation he most feared.

The sluggish siege continued.

Then, on one deep night, the imperial army was attacked. Unlike before, it was a large scale raid done by a force of legion size. The commanders mounted a defense, but the Imperial Army had never suspected that the Leonberg Army would send so many troops from the citadel gates, and so they suffered tremendous damage.

When the legions had first arrived at the citadel, their troops reached 13,000; now, there were fewer than 7,000 battle-ready soldiers left, the dead and wounded excluded.

Except for the 84th Legion, which had suffered little over a hundred casualties, each other legion had lost more than half of its complement of troops. The truth was that in a mere few weeks of battle, the number of imperial troops had been halved.

It was impossible to capture a fortress with half the troops when it had been impossible to capture it with a full complement. In fact, it was clear that the Battle of Gifted Lion Citadel was a defeat for the Imperial Army. The legion commanders did not admit this, and so Malcoy played along and denied it as well.

These commanders still had their delusions, their mental images of capturing the king and claiming the enemy’s capital. And so, even the wounded were dragooned into battle and forced toward the walls.

“He who retreats will die by my sword!”

“I promise great rewards to those who seize the walls!”

Commanders and knights threatened the staggering soldiers with swords to their backs, and as they drove the soldiers through the trenches, they promised them magnificent rewards.

The imperial army, supported by naught but threats from behind, climbed the walls, and the forces of Leonberg mowed them down as they made their ascent.

“That’s it.” As Malcoy saw the citadel stand strong against the blind assault, he quietly pulled back the 84th Legion. Legion commanders came to him and started hurling curses.

“A coward! A coward!”

“You useless dog that couldn’t even protect your owner!”

As such insults and the angered gazes of the commanders were directed at him, Malcoy spoke.

“If you have power in your arms, then draw your swords, climb the wall, and aid your soldiers.”

The commanders were angered by this response and started pointing at Malcoy; then, they looked around themselves. The troops of the 84th were staring at them, and the legion had preserved its power. Only as the commanders were faced by that terrible presence did they realize that the 84th Legion was the strongest imperial force on the battlefield.

“Do not!” Malcoy suddenly shouted.

“If you keep them alive, they will testify against you, Malcoy-nim.”

“Don’t do it.”

“Sir, you seem to have forgotten why you were exiled to the border.”

“I won’t say it again. Sheathe your sword.”

The legion commanders had pale complexions as they listened to the conversation between Malcoy and his lieutenant. They had realized that the officers of the 84th Legion were trying to shut their mouths by killing them.

“Well, do as you like, sir. I just follow orders, and I don’t care if I get sent off to some remote area again.” The lieutenant beckoned and sheathed his sword, which had suddenly popped into his hand. The soldiers of the 84th surrounding the legion commanders fell back.

The commanders were bereft of their senses as they fled, almost running.

“Aren’t you bothered that these greedy ones have sent thousands into the fire, and yet they remain alive?” the lieutenant coldly asked as he looked at the fleeing commanders, and he added, “Malcoy-nim, you are keen on sparing them. Still, I follow orders, even if I am a little angry today. Those pigs that live should be roasted, yet it is only innocent soldiers who have burned.”

“We are on a battlefield. There is no such thing as innocence,” Malcoy stated.

“Even though they are just following orders?”

“Fight and win, plunder, and claim women. Soldiers are part of war, and the rationalization that they are good and only do bad things due to being powerless, due to following orders… such reasoning is disgusting,” came Malcoy’s response.

“Ah, I forgot how much Malcoy-nim hates war,” said the lieutenant in mock-revelation.

“Look out there, at all that death. I can’t put up with it anymore, no matter how much you are willing to.”

“Yeah, and is that an order?” asked the lieutenant, who then bowed his head in an exaggerated manner and stepped back.

Malcoy watched as the kingdom’s soldiers and the imperial troops, who were clinging to the walls of the citadel, slaughtered and slaughtered each other.

“Fuck.”

Malcoy was sick of it.

The night was deep, yet the legion commanders did not withdraw their troops. The sound of spears and swords clashing echoed in the dark, and screams and shouts continued to flow from the walls.

And the day dawned bright.

The soldiers of the empire who had gained the wall were surrounded by the knights of Leonberg and fell, one or two at a time. It was the moment when the vain dreams of the legion commanders were shattered.

And at that time, a group of men came riding in from the rear. Their clothing was the type typically worn by imperial cavalry, and the legion commanders rejoiced at their coming.

“It looks like another legion has finally arrived nearby!”

No greedy men were left who wished to claim king and citadel both; now there were only defeated soldiers who waited for salvation.

The cavalry approached at a brisk pace, yet their condition did not seem the least intimidating. It seemed as if they had come out of a battle, for their armor was full of dents and scratches, and their eyes were nervous.

The cavalry rode up while the legion commanders watched them with firm faces, and they exclaimed, “The Thirty-Fourth Legion, Eighteenth Legion, and Hundred-and-Second Legion have been defeated on their march by the joint efforts of Dotrin’s Wyvern Knights and Leonberg’s army!”

“What!”

The cavalry looked at the fear-filled legion commanders and informed them of the situation in the rear with exhausted faces.

“The enemy’s force was about the size of two legions, and their knight squadrons alone were about ten.”

“Where did they come from?”

“The details are unknown, but the banner of the crouching golden lion was among the banners that they raised.” The cavalryman paused for a moment and then spoke again. “Their commander is believed to be of the direct lineage of the Leonberger royal family.”

The legion commanders still couldn’t figure out the situation and rolled their eyes as they discussed it when Malcoy interrupted. “The attack on the citadel has failed.”

“Are you an ally or an enemy?!” one of the newly-appointed legion commanders shouted, forgetting what had just happened a short while ago.

However, before the man could unleash all his anger, a horn was blown from the direction of the citadel, and it was a signal unique to the Royal Leonberg Army. At the same time, the citadel’s gate opened, and the knights and cavalry of the kingdom poured out.

“They still have energy left after fighting all night?” Malcoy exclaimed and then whistled through his teeth.

“Go! Everyone will retire to the fortress of the Forty-First Legion!”

“We can reorganize our troops there and make another attempt!”

Malcoy laughed at the legion commanders who were calling a retreat even as their death was approaching.

“You can’t flee to the fortress,” Malcoy said as he pointed toward the citadel.

Knights with white-blazing swords in golden armor were galloping at a frantic speed.

‘Chok~’ as the legion commanders stared at them, they heard a dull noise and turned their heads in amazement.

“What are you doing now?” one of the legion commanders asked. Instead of answering, Malcoy gave orders to his lieutenant.

“Let them abandon their swords and wait as they are.”

“Eighty-Fourth Legion! Drop your swords! Stand fast!” came the lieutenant’s loud shout. The soldiers and knights of the 84th unsheathed their swords and laid them down on the ground.

“I asked what you are doing now, y-Urgh!” before the legion commander could finish speaking, an uncomfortable noise escaped from his lips, and he slumped to the ground, his neck broken.

That was the beginning, as the knights of the 84th Legion started bashing in the heads and breaking the necks of the legion commanders and their men.

‘Krck~ Krck~’ knights had snuck up behind the cavalry and swiftly pulled them from their horses, twisting their necks.

“If we are to surrender anyway, I think it is better if we offer a gift. Am I wrong?” the lieutenant, who had just then snapped the neck of a cavalryman, asked with a shrug as Malcoy looked at him.

Malcoy, a man of natural virtue, shook his head.

And in that instant, the knights and cavalry of the kingdom came charging up.

“Surrender! Unconditional surrender!” Malcoy shouted as he raised both his hands.

* * *

The king was very tired. His entire body was marred with small wounds, and the fingers that had operated his bow were blistered. During the night’s battle, he had stowed his bow and sheathed his sword, heading deep into the citadel so that he could heal his body. But even then, the king’s eyes were shining brighter than ever.

“You say that they surrendered without fighting?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The king tilted his head as he heard the palace knight’s report.

“I know well that the single remaining enemy legion has preserved their power almost completely. Am I wrong?”

“Your Majesty’s knowledge is not in error.”

“But why?” asked the king, and the palace knight said that a detailed explanation was in the coming, for the troops that had charged out were returning.

“Sire, I, Count Schmilde Stuttgart, have returned after completing my mission.”

“And every enemy surrendered?”

“If they had fled, at least half would have survived and reached the fortress. Somehow, they all waited for us and surrendered, but I have no grasp of the imperial language.”

The king frowned as he listened to Nogisa’s report.

“Aren’t they trying to take the citadel by faking their surrender?”

“They offered us dozens of imperial corpses as they revealed their willingness to surrender, and all the corpses were those of legion commanders and high-ranking officers.”

“So you are sure it is not a false surrender?”

“I saw the truth of it in their commander’s eyes.”

The king rose from his seat and said, “I have to meet him.”

Nogisa motioned for him to wait.

“Sire, a Wyvern Knight came and gave me news from the imperial front.”

The king stopped walking as he looked back at Nogisa, who continued his report.

“It is said that the allied legions of the north and center, led by his Highness the Crown Prince, have so far successfully defeated three enemy legions by cooperating with the Wyvern Knights. It is said that they are marching south to avoid the enemy’s advanced lines and that they will raid the Ninety-Second Imperial Legion, which has been separated from the others.”

The old knight looked at the king and added, “The damage to our forces is minor, and the Crown Prince is safe and uninjured.”

“The Wyvern Knight hasn’t left yet?” came the king’s question.

“I held him back for a while, in case your Majesty had a message to send with him.”

“Rather than being overly greedy, let him tell my son to be content in fulfilling his intended purpose,” said the king as he avoided Nogisa’s gaze. Even though he turned his head, the king could not hide his blushing cheeks and ears from the old knight.

Nogisa merely smiled in silence.

* * *

“Will they be okay in the Gifted Lion Citadel?” I suddenly muttered as I looked to the northern horizon.

Arwen heard me and answered, “The best knights in the kingdom, including Count Stuttgart and the Knights of the Palace, are guarding the citadel. They are supported by the heavy infantry of the central region and the troops of the Southern Legion, who are not lesser soldiers when compared to the Balahard Rangers. Even if the imperial legions flock in, it would not be easy for them to penetrate those walls.”

Arwen sighed, adding, “Half of the royal family’s forces are guarding the Gifted Lion Citadel, so please stop worrying.”

“Who said I was? I’m just talking to myself.”

“And I am telling you that you have spoken to yourself more than thirty times,” Arwen murmured, and as she did, I heard a sharp cry.

I looked to the sky and saw a wyvern hovering above us. The rider eagerly gestured with his hands. However, he was far away, so it was hard to see what he was saying. I gave mana to my eyes and stared at him, yet could still not understand. In the next instant, someone tapped on my shoulder: It was Gunn.

(Distance Half Day. Enemy Discovered)

Gunn checked the sign language of the Wyvern Knight with her bright eyes and gestured as he gestured, informing me of the message.

(One Legion. Matches Target)

After Gunn’s report, I looked back at my army.

“All forces, march out!”

Upon my order, the troops from the central and northern regions began to move in unison.

‘Kyaah ahhh!’ the wyvern cried sharply and flew off, disappearing south.

Gunn then spoke the final message that the Wyvern Knight had left behind.

“They won the first siege.”

“What?”

(King Participated)

I was caught off guard by that report.

“That man really wants to cut deep into them,” I muttered.