novelraw Chapter 102 : Chapter 102
Chapter 102 : Chapter 102
Chapter 102: The March
As the dawn sun rose, the overwhelming might of the barbarian forces encircling the capital became starkly apparent.
Tents filled the vast plains endlessly, their numbers appearing several times greater than the forces defending the capital.
The guards atop the city walls watched with faces etched in tension and fear.
It was rumored that a single barbarian warrior could take on ten regular soldiers.
With such foes completely surrounding the capital, claiming not to feel fear would be a lie.
“We’re done for…”
Someone muttered, but even after the sun rose, the barbarians remained still.
They resembled a colossal beast, silently biding its time before pouncing on its prey.
“Why aren’t they moving?”
“Please, just stay like that.”
The reason for this silence was singular.
The absolute ruler of the Kandahr Tribe, acknowledged as their legitimate leader, Bakan, had yet to issue a command.
A man who subdued all tribes with his formidable strength.
At his word, the Kandahr warriors would leap into a pit of fire.
This demonstrated the tribe’s unwavering loyalty to Bakan.
Yet, as a highly belligerent group, they grew increasingly restless waiting for the order to fight.
Before Bakan’s tent, tribal chiefs and fierce warriors gathered.
They stared at the tent with tense eyes, awaiting a single command.
“Drenbalk! The warriors are starving for blood. The prize is within reach—how can we remain idle?”
A warrior, unable to contain himself, raised his voice.
Drenbalk’s sharp gaze pierced him as he stood with arms crossed.
“Silence. Bakan has not yet given his order.”
The warrior shut his mouth at the resolute words, though his expression remained full of discontent.
Barbarian warriors couldn’t endure long periods without battle.
Their instincts craved the battlefield, and they yearned to tear down the capital’s walls in a blood-soaked fight.
But all of this depended on Bakan’s single word, his permission alone.
―Flap!
The tent’s flap lifted, and a man stepped out.
It was Morcal, the chief of the Shadowsnake Tribe and Bakan’s strategist.
Drenbalk looked at him coldly and asked, “What did Bakan say?”
“One week. He said to clear a path to the royal castle within that time.”
A short, concise order.
At that moment, Drenbalk, the chiefs, and the warriors stiffened.
For the warriors weary of waiting, it was welcome news, but those who grasped the order’s weight felt a heavy pressure.
It seemed Bakan had no intention of taking the field until he faced the king.
The bloody path to capturing the king was entirely the warriors’ burden.
“Then leave it to me. That’s why we brought hostages.”
Drenbalk spoke confidently.
But Morcal frowned and raised a hand to stop him.
“No, we won’t use hostages. We’re already preparing siege weapons to break through.”
Drenbalk’s eyebrows twitched.
“What! We are warriors. Are you saying we wait until the siege weapons are ready?”
“Yes. I have no interest in your cowardly methods.”
“Cowardly, you say…”
A strange tension simmered between them.
Known as Bakan’s two arms, the two often clashed over differing opinions.
Normally, Drenbalk wouldn’t have yielded an inch, but this time, his thoughts differed.
After glaring at Morcal briefly, he gave a leisurely smile and said, “Fine. I’ll generously give you four days. Let’s see you breach the castle with your precious siege weapons.”
“Good to hear. We’ll pave the way, so your tribe should preserve its strength.”
The verbal sparring ended with Morcal’s victory.
But Drenbalk wasn’t one to simply accept defeat.
As he turned to leave, a warrior from the Thunderbear Tribe cautiously approached and said, “Are you really conceding like this? We’re ready to charge in at any moment! We won’t lose to those snake bastards.”
“I know. We can’t lose. So conserve your strength. Once those fools exhaust themselves breaking the walls, we’ll storm the castle.”
Drenbalk snorted and slowly walked away.
If breaking the walls was Morcal’s task, crushing the kingdom’s heart was his.
‘If they can even break through, that is.’
Drenbalk sneered inwardly.
To him, Morcal’s plan was nothing but a pipe dream.
Recalling the strength of Head Instructor Everhart from Lansed Academy, he was certain that even if the walls fell, the kingdom’s soldiers wouldn’t crumble easily.
Meanwhile, in Morcal’s camp, some expressed concern for him, also due to the rivalry with the Thunderbear Tribe.
“Wouldn’t it be better to use the hostages Drenbalk brought?”
“What? Are you scared of dying?”
The subordinate’s face stiffened.
“How could you say such a thing? We’d follow you into hell itself!”
“I know. I know your loyalty too well.”
The subordinate tilted his head, not grasping his meaning.
Morcal added, “If we follow the siege weapon designs from the one who taught us shipbuilding, we can start the attack by tomorrow morning at the latest.”
“What should we do?”
“Just rest. Preserve your strength.”
The subordinate still looked puzzled but bowed his head.
“I trust your judgment, Morcal.”
Morcal smiled and stepped forward.
Then, he suddenly paused and looked back.
His gaze fell on Drenbalk’s retreating figure, heading back to the Thunderbear Tribe’s camp.
Narrowing his eyes, Morcal muttered softly, ‘I can’t let that bastard take the credit.’
Using minors in battle, and acknowledging Drenbalk’s strategy as second-in-command, wounded Morcal’s pride.
Thus, he planned to conquer the capital solely with their own strength.
“Morcal, just in case, if we delay too long, even Bakan won’t stay idle.”
“I know. By my calculations, there won’t be any delays.”
“And what about the one called the northern demon coming south?”
The reason they had bypassed the north to invade from the south was simple:
breaking through the northern defenses led by Heriel Theron would require immense sacrifices.
If his forces began moving south, a leisurely siege like this would no longer be possible.
But Morcal had already prepared for that.
“That’s why I sent a detachment, didn’t I?”
“I’m not sure they can hold. With the northern forces joining, can three thousand hold them off?”
“Don’t worry. Grumbak of the Rockturtle Tribe, when determined, can block even Bakan’s attacks.”
Morcal’s eyes gleamed with certainty.
In the war envisioned by the Shadowsnake’s strategist, the kingdom was already ablaze.
“While Grumbak holds the defensive line and buys time, we’ll crush the capital here and drag out their king.”
***
The news Evan brought hastened the movements of the northern allied forces.
The fact that some lords’ children were among the hostages taken by the Kandahr Tribe added fuel to their urgency.
“Those damned bastards!”
“My son, my son…”
Each lord’s desperate circumstances turned into rage, and their thirst for vengeance soon ignited into fighting spirit.
The leader of the northern allied forces was, naturally, Duke Heriel Theron, who divided the army into five units, each commanded by capable lords.
“We march.”
There was no long speech or grand ceremony.
The kingdom’s capital was already under siege, and time was short.
Yet, the lack of a ceremony didn’t diminish the grandeur of their procession.
The forces gathered from various regions united into a single, magnificent march.
―Flap!
Countless flags fluttered in the wind.
Banners bearing family crests merged, forming a majestic wave.
Hooves thundered against the ground, and the soldiers’ armor gleamed in the sunlight.
Within this grand procession, Evan was part of the central army led by the duke, staying by his side.
“Evan, stay close to me.”
“Understood. I will.”
Evan tightly gripped the reins at the duke’s side.
A bit behind them, Viscount Card Laper quietly observed.
He watched the conversation between Evan and the duke with keen interest, like a hunter eyeing an opportunity.
‘The orb must be with that boy.’
Meanwhile, Gaiard, mingling among the soldiers, watched the scene with amusement.
‘Hmm, when will he reveal himself?’
Each hiding their own intentions, they marched south toward a single goal.
After riding for some time, a scout hurriedly returned and reported to the duke.
“Duke, you need to hear this.”
“What is it?”
The scout’s news was dire.
Verbon Fortress, on the shortest route to the capital, had already fallen to the Kandahr Tribe.
“The Kandahr forces occupying Verbon Fortress are currently fortifying their defenses.”
“As expected… Who’s holding it?”
“The chief of the Rockturtle Tribe.”
“What? Damn it. They’ve even roped him in… Bakan’s truly committed this time.”
The duke let out a deep sigh.
Knowing Grumbak well, the fact that he held the fortress was particularly painful.
Evan, unfamiliar with the situation, asked curiously, “Duke, who is this Grumbak?”
“Grumbak is the chief of the Rockturtle Tribe, ranked fifth among the Kandahr’s strongest. And when it comes to holding ground, even I’d have to yield to him.”
“So they placed him here because they know the fortress’s importance.”
Evan mentally reviewed the fortress’s location.
Verbon Fortress sat on the shortest path to the capital.
Bypassing it would mean traversing a massive mountain range, costing weeks.
“We have to break through. Our forces outnumber theirs five to one.”
The duke nodded at Evan’s words, but his expression wasn’t optimistic.
“Verbon Fortress is a stronghold where a thousand can hold off ten thousand. Even if we break through, the losses will be immense.”
“But bypassing it will delay us too much.”
“I know. We need to find a way to break through.”
The allied forces set up camp at a distance from the fortress.
Scouts were sent to analyze the fortress’s defenses, aiming to devise a strategic breakthrough rather than a reckless charge.
That night, something unexpected happened.
Grumbak sent an envoy.
The message delivered to the allied camp was as follows:
⌜Our tribe’s warriors are born on cold earth and have never retreated.
Though harsh winds and ice may cut our flesh, our will remains unbroken.
But can you, born in lands flowing with milk and honey, overcome us?
Raise your cups and enjoy your feasts instead.
As you always have, comfort yourselves by the warm hearth, debating war.
Doesn’t that suit you better?
But if any among you have a warrior’s heart, face our warrior fist-to-fist at sunset.
Don’t hide behind thick armor—fight honorably.
Of course, I’ll understand if you flee. We are warriors, but you are not.
Grumbak Stone, Chief of the Rockturtle Tribe⌟