I Don’t Need a Guillotine for My Revolution

Chapter 131: Iberica - The Battle of Ciudad (1)

Being a port city built for trade with Francia, the road from Bilbao to Dilrus was quite well-paved.

Thanks to this, we were able to leave Bilbao Harbor, head south, and reach Dilrus in just a few days.

My second visit to the capital city built by Kroxx and the Brothers of Iberica.

“Ooh-”

The sight of the large city, established around a fortress built by a chieftain aspiring to rule like a king, was quite impressive even to us from Francia.

In particular, quite a few people marveled at the fortress, which was even larger than Francia’s Fortress of Verdun.

Perhaps because it was the capital of a unified nation that had never existed in Iberica before, it seemed to have grown noticeably larger than when I last came, despite not much time having passed.

I was feeling impressed-

“A fortress too fine for a city of barbarians- Hah, m-my apologies, His Excellency the Marquis!!”

Damien De Millbeau, who had shattered my sentimental mood, immediately apologized under my glare.“Tsk, you know that if you say that one more time, you’ll be re-educated alongside the private soldiers.”

It was a good thing we had neared the city, and Hassan and Shandra had already gone ahead to inform Kroxx.

“M-My apologies……”

Damien bowed his head repeatedly in submission, but I felt as if cold water had been thrown on me.

To think a fool still thought such things and said them aloud, especially one of only two Commanders in the Revolutionary Army. Hah.

I thought perceptions had improved greatly thanks to Shandra and the help we received in the last war, but we still have a long way to go.

Perhaps I’ve been thinking too lightly of human prejudice.

“……Just in case, make sure you properly discipline your men so no one else makes the same mistake. I trust that the man sitting in the Commander’s seat isn't stupid enough to have forgotten why we are here.”

We came to repay a debt and to make them a firm ally for the war with Krafte. If he were to ruin that with his petty prejudice, I would just...

“Y-Yes, I understand, His Excellency the Marquis.”

“If by some chance a single man causes trouble by belittling or looking down on them as barbarians, then I’ll really……”

Instead of finishing my sentence, I just glared intently at Damien, and he answered by nodding his head vigorously.

“Of-Of course, Your Excellency……”

“Good. I’ll trust you.”

Whatever Damien De Millbeau’s character was, he took decisive action for his own self-preservation. Whether he had to turn his unit upside down or do something else, he would ensure something like this didn't happen again.

That matter, settled.

I narrowed my eyes and assessed the atmosphere of Dilrus.

The first time I came leading the emissary delegation, not only did an army line the road to greet us, but there was also an enormous welcoming crowd. Kroxx had even mobilized his Guard to welcome us, a display that was somewhat intimidating but respectful.

Now, though a small crowd welcomed us, there was no army, and they couldn’t hide the chaotic atmosphere.

Did something happen?

Something felt off.

Come to think of it, hadn't Kroxx said he had a bad feeling?

Just as I thought that, I saw the figures of Hassan and Shandra, riding their horses toward us, out of breath.

“Tsk.”

I didn't know what had happened, but it was certainly no ordinary matter.

Why are bad feelings never wrong?

*

Until the day before, Kroxx had been in the capital, Dilrus, preparing to welcome us.

But that morning, an urgent news report had arrived. The situation was so serious that he had immediately led his army and marched to war.

I reassured Hassan and Shandra, who were apologizing profusely, that it was fine. After resting for just one day in Dilrus, we immediately followed Kroxx south.

Fortunately, because I had dealt with Damien beforehand, no fools dared to complain or make useless comments about the Brothers of Iberica being rude.

Indeed, while Damien De Millbeau might lack in other areas, he was certainly thorough when it came to matters concerning his own safety.

In any case, we didn't have to go far. After marching south for only two days, we joined Kroxx’s unit in Ciudad.

But the news I heard upon joining him was not welcome.

“Three frontline garrisons annihilated in two days?”

“Yes, Brother. That’s why I came in such a hurry, without even greeting you. I’m sorry.”

The usually high-spirited Orc, Kroxx, spoke in a rather distressed tone, and I waved my hand dismissively.

“No, it can't be helped in a situation like this. It was a good decision, I think. Can you tell me the exact details?”

Although they were our allies, they had just suffered a devastating and baffling defeat.

He might have hidden it rather than reveal it, but I knew Kroxx wouldn't make that mistake here.

As expected, Kroxx pointed to the map with his thick fingers and began to speak.

“The places that were attacked are here, here, and here.”

I had thought he might be exaggerating when he said annihilation, but this was seriously no joke.

“They're all near the Port Harbor front.”

Hearing my words, Kroxx nodded and replied.

“Yes, the messengers reported that they moved in chronological order, attacking sequentially.”

“……Sequentially? Not simultaneously?”

Something about this was strange.

There was a considerable distance between the three garrisons.

To attack them sequentially within two days, an army would have had to march almost without rest.

Furthermore, battles take time to resolve, win or lose.

“……Did they split their forces to attack?”

If that were the case, the units attacking the garrisons further back—

“Then the force attacking the rear garrisons should have been spotted.”

“……What are the casualties?”

“The losses are my 10th Confidant, numerous other commanders, and about 5,000 troops.”

5,000—more than the troops I had brought.

Even if they were in a long-term stalemate, it was understandable that a large number of troops were deployed on the front line facing the enemy's main force at Port Harbor.

And yet, Kroxx described it as an annihilation.

That meant it wasn't a surprise attack by a small force, but that they had confronted the enemy's main force—one capable of inflicting a crushing defeat on that many troops—and been wiped out.

Then it was impossible for the garrisons at the very front to have missed an army of that scale...

“So they really did wipe out three garrisons positioned at this distance from each other, sequentially. ……In two days.”

It defied tactical common sense, but the conclusion was undeniable, so my common sense must be wrong. I had no choice but to try and reconcile it.

“What on earth happened? What are the survivors saying?”

Kroxx frowned, stroked his fangs with his hand, and finally said with a grim look.

“……There is no accurate information.”

“No information after losing 5,000 men?”

There should be at least some stragglers.

This was more shocking than the news that three garrisons and 5,000 men were wiped out in two days.

“From all three places, not a single soldier has returned from retreat, only the messengers sent when the attack first began.”

“No……”

A routing army flees for its life, and the pursuing army eventually tires and stops the pursuit.

But not even stragglers remained, apart from the messengers sent at the attack's very beginning?

I didn’t know what exactly had happened, but it seemed highly likely that the demons, who had been quiet for so long, had pulled some grand scheme.

“...What about the messengers’ reports?”

“They said an army, moving like a single entity and in unnatural order, swarmed them in overwhelming numbers. All three reports were the same. As for those who saw more, I don't know what became of them.”

An army moving like a single entity in unnatural order reminded me of The Damned Great King's army, but...

“Did they say the enemy force was composed of cavalry?”

Originally, horses were rarely used on the Iberian Peninsula.

The animal is quite weak in the heat and consumes enormous amounts of hay and water.

In Iberica, which has few plains, many mountains, and is even hot, the cost of raising them as warhorses was simply too high.

But that was just the local situation in Iberica. We ourselves had brought a cavalry unit, intending to operate it with supply from our homeland.

Abyss Corporation could do the same. If the enemy had brought a large cavalry force, that would somewhat explain them being wiped out in a pursuit.

“No, they said no cavalry was seen.”

“……”

What?

So, an enemy with no cavalry wiped out a retreating force of 5,000 completely, after sweeping through three garrisons in two days, garrisons that were a two-day march apart? And 5,000 soldiers at that?

Kroxx had clearly said his 10th Confidant was lost as well. Kroxx's confidants were all exceptionally talented, meaning the defeated side wasn't just some incompetent fool.

It felt as if my entire understanding of warfare was being completely denied.

I subtly turned to look at Damien De Millbeau, who wore a dumbfounded expression.

...I should only expect things from those who can deliver.

Gaston, I was sorry to say, wasn't much help in these matters either.

Ah.

I held out a faint hope, turning to look at Giselle Davie, who stood behind us watching our meeting, but Davie also lowered her head apologetically.

“It seems you don't know either, Brother.”

Kroxx looked disappointed. I wondered why this Orc, the very embodiment of courage, was just sitting here. It seemed that with the heavy losses and lack of situational awareness, he had been counting on me.

“……Yes. To be honest, this is the first time I’ve ever seen anything like this. ……Still, I know one thing.”

I placed my hand on the map.

“Looking at the locations of the attacked garrisons, the enemy's target is likely Dilrus, but if they had advanced at the same speed, they should have arrived here by now. Tactically, there is no reason to miss such an opportunity.”

However, after wiping out three garrisons in an initial surprise attack, they had wasted that advantage by doing nothing for three days.

“But they didn’t, so it’s reasonable to think their army couldn't continue an offensive with that momentum, either due to the need for rest after a forced march, or for supply.”

Kroxx stroked his fangs and nodded.

“For now, that’s about the only clue we have. We’ll find out when we fight.”

Just then, the barracks tent flap was pulled back, and a familiar Leopard Beastman appeared.

“My King, the enemy army is approaching this position.”

Hearing his Fifth Confidant, Ostel's, words, Kroxx shot up from his seat and shouted.

“They’ve finally come. Let’s make them pay!”

“Uooooh! Avenge our brothers!”

Kroxx's generals, roaring in unison, looked very brave, but…….

……The ones who were wiped out probably charged out just like this.

Kroxx's forces numbered 20,000 and mine 3,000. Considering Kroxx and their bravery, it shouldn't happen, but…

The enemy, who already had a record of wiping out an army without even letting them retreat, must have a reason to be so confident in attacking here.

An unknown enemy that even Kroxx's army, which has fought all over Iberica, has never seen before.

If so, Abyss Corporation might have stepped in directly.

If we blindly engage in a decisive battle without knowing anything and suffer a devastating defeat here, their capital, Dilrus, will be in immediate danger.

“……Kroxx.”

“Speak, Brother.”

“I'll put my infantry under your command. But in this battle, may I move my cavalry separately as a reserve unit?”

Kroxx replied without a moment's hesitation.

“Do as you wish, Brother!”

He really is a man of spirit.

“Ah, leave it to me.”

In an emergency, the cavalry is the most suitable branch to cover the main force's retreat, and I'm confident about jumping into danger to provide cover.

As I stood up with that thought, my eyes met with Damien De Millbeau’s.

“Your Excellency the Marquis, I too-”

“No.”

Cut off before he could finish, Damien looked aggrieved.

“We came here to support our allies, did we not? If we all hang back as the reserve unit, what are we even doing here? Who will command the infantry? Are we sending them without a commander?”

“B-But……”

What is it? Are you jealous that I, the Commander-in-Chief, am the only one moving into the reserve?

“I'm moving to the reserve to provide support when it's desperately needed. You just want to hang back because you don’t want to be in danger.”

“Th-That is……”

As Damien’s face contorted, unable to deny it, I patted his shoulder and said.

“I'm counting on you, the ‘Master of Defense’ who is only competent when in danger.”

This man only displays his true ability when he feels his own life is in peril, so this is just right.

“Alright, then.”

I looked around at Damien, Gaston, and the other commanders, saying,

“This is not Francia's war, but at the same time, it is our war. Do not forget why the revolution happened; if we, who rose up against a King who sold our people to demons, allow our allies' compatriots to be sold to demons, that would be nothing but hypocrisy.”

So, this is the first battle with Abyss Corporation.

“Let’s go. Let's show those demons our worth!”