How To Suck Honey With Extras [EN]: Chapter 126

138. Those on the Battlefield (2)

The army of the Marquisate, having seized the fortress, rested and completed only essential maintenance before dividing their forces and advancing further.

Meanwhile, the Palzenta Duchy army, seemingly determined to redeem their earlier retreat, established a defensive line centered on the Second Fortress and organized their troops to intercept the advancing enemy, thus engaging in battle.

They chose to actively confront and defeat the enemy rather than simply entrench themselves behind fortifications.

Thus, the two armies clashed in several battles across various locations.

However, the Duchy army consistently faced difficulties.

Even with unwavering morale, the difference in numbers and the superior quality of the enemy troops proved decisive.

Above all, the food shortage that had plagued them, only recently and temporarily resolved, made their situation dire.

“Kugh! Retreat!”

Once again, the Duchy army unit engaged in battle was forced to retreat after a fierce fight.

Melnans, a knight of the Celond Marquisate, mocked their retreat and ordered his troops to pursue.

“Kuhahahaha! If I just keep chasing and harassing these guys, the glory will naturally be mine!”

Melnans, already envisioning the rewards he would receive, urged his troops to relentlessly pursue the retreating Duchy army.

“Hurry and chase them down! Look at their backs as they run! Chase those cowards!”

His soldiers responded with enthusiastic shouts, increasing their marching speed.

“However, Lord Melnans? Isn’t this pursuit a bit reckless?”

His adjutant cautiously voiced his concern, but Melnans scoffed.

“What is there to fear when facing such cowards?”

“Even so, we are advancing quite far into their territory.”

“Khahat! I’m aware of that much. Don’t worry. That’s why I even borrowed those monsters directly from the main force.”

Trailing behind Melnans’ unit, about 100 monsters borrowed from the main force followed obediently.

“Even if they try to trick us, a charge from these beasts will force them to collapse. So, there’s nothing to worry about.”

The tactic of using monsters, recently introduced, proved remarkably effective.

Initially, there were doubts and opposition to the idea of controlling monsters and using them in warfare.

Melnans himself had been skeptical.

However, after witnessing their deployment, he was silenced.

Monsters proved more resilient than ordinary cavalry and possessed considerable intimidating presence.

Furthermore, there was no need to treat them with the same care as human soldiers.

A charge from these monsters would send ordinary troops into a terrified frenzy.

With this advantage, there was nothing to fear.

Melnans shouted, his voice filled with ambition.

“Think about it. This is our only chance to earn significant merit.”

Once a full-scale battle commences, opportunities for individual glory will be scarce.

“If the war drags on, Grand Duke Nilphas will join the fray directly.”

“Are you talking about that old man?”

“Even in his old age, he is not to be underestimated. I wouldn’t want to face him alone, not even me.”

Naturally, he would have to join forces with other knights at that point.

The opportunity to gain individual merit would diminish.

So, if he didn’t seize this opportunity now, when would he ever get another chance!

“Don’t worry. If I have even the slightest doubt, I will immediately call off the pursuit.”

“I understand. Certainly, having come this far, we would be ridiculed if we returned empty-handed.”

The adjutant eventually conceded.

War was the prime opportunity for warriors to advance their careers.

He understood his superior’s desire to seize that opportunity.

‘Above all, we are just chasing retreating troops, so nothing significant should happen.’

Even if the Duchy army was preparing something, it was still too early to expect a counterattack.

There shouldn’t be any major problems at this stage.

However, their expectations were about to be shattered.

None other than Grand Duke Nilphas Mel Palzenta himself was leading the counter-offensive.

* * *

At an ambush site along the Duchy army’s line of retreat.

An old man, standing at the head of approximately 1,000 cavalrymen, heard the approaching footsteps and sneered.

Nilphas Mel Palzenta.

The ruler of the Palzenta Duchy and the commander of the Duchy army.

Contrary to the enemy’s expectations, he was already on the battlefield.

“As expected, they’re pursuing us.”

“Of course, it’s an opportunity they won’t get twice. While I understand their eagerness, it’s still annoying.”

“Hmm, blinded by the prospect of glory, are they?”

While the knights around the Grand Duke expressed their indignation, he remained focused on the point where the enemy would emerge.

“Send a messenger to instruct the retreating troops to continue their withdrawal.”

“Yes! Then… what about us?”

“Hmm, isn’t it obvious?”

The Grand Duke firmly gripped the glaive [a polearm weapon with a single-edged blade] he held and lifted it effortlessly with one hand.

A weapon with a blade twice the size of those used by ordinary warriors.

Only that old man would dare to wield such a weapon.

Normally, one would struggle to even maintain balance while holding it.

“I will strike the moment they enter the pass. Tell that to the ambush squad on the other side as well. Leave the command of that flank to that brat.”

“I understand.”

After issuing his orders, Grand Duke Nilphas turned his gaze towards the approaching enemy troops and smiled grimly.

“It wouldn’t be a bad way to send a first message to that Celond brat.”

He wore a fierce smile, anticipating the upcoming battle.

His spirit was remarkable for a man of his age.

“I will send a message along with your knight’s head.”

It would serve as a fitting warning to the upstart who dared to launch such vulgar provocations.

As the pursuing troops entered the designated route, Grand Duke Nilphas raised his glaive high, signaling the attack.

Immediately, the knights roared, and the cavalry raised their weapons and charged.

Grand Duke Nilphas charged ahead of everyone else, unleashing a thunderous roar.

“You bastards! How dare you set your filthy feet on our land!”

His roar momentarily disrupted the pursuit’s advance.

It was more than just the loud voice of an old man.

The voice of a powerful individual carried immense force.

The air vibrated, and shoulders instinctively trembled.

“Strike!”

Exploiting the brief moment of hesitation, the cavalry led by Grand Duke Nilphas collided with the enemy, cutting off the pursuit’s advance like a scythe.

As soon as they broke through the enemy line, the cavalry split into two groups, precisely as planned, and began to sow confusion among the isolated pursuers.

Caught in a reverse ambush, the color drained from Melnans’ face.

“Why! That old man… Why is the Grand Duke already here!”

“It seems they were planning an ambush!”

“Tch! That meddling old man!”

Melnans cursed Grand Duke Nilphas and frantically ordered his troops to respond.

“Don’t panic! Knock down the riders!”

“Extend your spears! You’ll hit our own allies if you just swing them wildly! Aim your spears at the horses!”

As the pursuers desperately tried to regroup and prepare, heavy footsteps echoed from behind them.

Melnans immediately remembered the 100 monsters he had brought along as a precaution.

“Yes! Send those beasts to collide with that old man’s troops!”

Following Melnans’ instructions, the monsters charged straight towards Grand Duke Nilphas’ cavalry.

Grand Duke Nilphas grimaced as he watched the scene unfold.

Even with his extensive experience, he was witnessing such a tactic for the first time.

“…Hmm, is that the new force those guys have been reported to be using?”

“It seems they are forming units composed entirely of monsters and sending them to attack. Could it be that they are taming them with magic?”

“I don’t know, but it’s unlikely to be Celond’s doing. He doesn’t possess that level of skill.”

The Grand Duke muttered, stroking his beard, before issuing new instructions.

“More than that, cavalry won’t be able to effectively fight those creatures.”

“What should we do?”

“Avoid direct engagement. Fall back for now. Let’s leave it to the brat, as planned.”

“Yes!”

No matter how skillfully they maneuvered, the controlled monsters, seemingly immune to pain, ignored the attacks and threatened the horses.

It was unwise to continue fighting in that manner.

As Grand Duke Nilphas assessed the situation, the knights immediately sounded their trumpets to signal a retreat.

The cavalry swiftly disengaged, creating distance as planned.

However, they had no intention of simply standing by and watching.

The monsters, their eyes glowing ominously, immediately pursued the retreating horses.

The Grand Duke himself attempted to intercept the monsters.

“You monsters! Where do you think you’re going!”

Grand Duke Nilphas tightened his grip on the handle of his glaive.

“I will personally cut off your heads! You men, follow me!”

Grand Duke Nilphas and the knights he had personally trained braced themselves for the coming clash.

The knights directly under the Grand Duke’s command were all Aura Expert beginners and intermediates [Aura Expert: a martial rank].

And the Grand Duke himself…

“Huuuuuuuuu!”

As if setting an example, he took the lead and leaped forward, bringing his glaive down upon the leading monster.

Kwaang!

The ground was pulverized by the force of the impact, and the monster at the front was instantly decapitated.

But that was not all.

“Huuuup!”

The muscles in the Grand Duke’s arm bulged as he swung the glaive horizontally, tearing through the ground.

Kwaaaaaang!

With that single swing, approximately 10 monsters were ripped apart, their bodies split into pieces.

“How pathetic!”

The Palzenta Grand Duke had once been a master who had surpassed the Aura Master level in his youth [Aura Master: a martial rank].

Although his strength and stamina may have diminished with age, the experience he had gained in his prime had not faded.

“What are you doing! Are you just going to let this old man take the lead!”

Spurred on by the Grand Duke’s performance, the knights roared and charged, enveloping their swords in aura.

Seogeok!

While they couldn’t replicate the Grand Duke’s superhuman feats, their swords skillfully dispatched the monsters.

“…That monster-like old man.”

“It doesn’t matter! We have the advantage in numbers!”

“Monsters are expendable! Use the dead monsters as shields and crush them!”

The soldiers of the Marquisate actively pushed forward, attempting to use the monsters as cover.

The large monsters’ corpses provided adequate protection.

Moreover, these monsters were precisely controlled using the Empire’s secret methods.

No matter how many were killed, they wouldn’t be deterred.

…However.

“They’ve arrived.”

While the Marquisate’s forces were distracted by the Grand Duke’s actions, another unit appeared.

They struck the flank of the monster corps.

Approximately 500 ambush troops launched their attack.

Leading them were a silver-haired boy and a sturdy young man with a fierce expression.

The two of them charged towards the monster corps, vying with each other to inflict the most damage.

With each swing of their swords, monsters were sent flying.

The soldiers who followed them began to halt the monsters’ advance.

“Who are those guys again!”

Melnans pointed at the two figures who were slaughtering the monsters with a shudder.

Nilphas’ martial prowess was already legendary, so his ability to kill monsters was not surprising.

But who were these two newcomers?

“Tch! Stop those guys first! We can’t afford to lose any more monsters!”

He was about to instruct his knights to engage them when…

“…Huh?”

A small shadow fell over Melnans’ head.

What was happening?

He reflexively looked up and was shocked.

The silver-haired boy who had led the additional ambush squad and clashed with them moments ago was now flying over his head.

He had broken through the unit in an instant and leaped towards Melnans’ command position.

The silver-haired boy, having jumped accurately as if targeting him from the start, focused his attention on the artifact Melnans wore around his neck.

“Indeed. That’s how you were controlling those monsters. …Right?”

“Kuk! You! How dare you approach me without fear!”

Melnans reflexively drew his sword and attempted to strike down the boy.

“I will personally deal…”

However, before he could finish his sentence, his gaze fell to the ground.

He hadn’t fallen from his horse.

His torso was still holding the horse’s reins.

What had fallen was his head.

“…!”

His vitality faded from his eyes without even a scream.

In the end, his last sight was his headless torso.

And the silver-haired boy, having shaken the blood from his silver sword, was already holding the artifact that Melnans had been wearing.