Chapter 68 : The Pitched Battle of the Jupenheim Plains (3)

Chapter 68: The Pitched Battle of the Jupenheim Plains (3)

Inside the Emperor's army's camp.

"This is impossible!"

Count Heinrich shouted as if screaming.

The duel, which he had started to try and boost morale, had turned into a complete mess. Two reputable knights had returned as corpses.

Furthermore, they had been defeated in a truly shocking manner.

As a result, the morale that had been soaring high plummeted to the floor.

'What the hell is going on because of one mercenary knight!'

He never imagined that madman Shatien would become a knight of the Count.

Well, considering his past achievements, it was possible, but his skill level was genuinely unpredictable.

'To be defeated so miserably.'

Even the second knight who went out could not endure a single blow. This was despite him being a knight who was by no means inferior to Alfred.

Rumors are usually exaggerated, but in the case of Shatien, he seemed to be underestimated.

Was he not a knight who had reached what they called 'the realm'?

'What should I do now?'

To issue an attack order immediately, his army's morale was too low. But remaining idle was also unacceptable. Hadn't his subordinate lords already expressed dissatisfaction because of this inaction?

He might lose control over them if he waited any longer.

"Ahem."

Sure enough.

The ominous premonition always came true. Several lords entered the tent.

"Count Heinrich. We will be returning."

"What are you talking about!"

Despite Count Heinrich's stern reproach, the lords quietly shook their heads. If anything, their eyes were filled with reproach and disappointment.

"All we have experienced since arriving here were long marches and long standoffs. Count. And that was on this plain, not during a siege."

"We did not come here to endure this poor situation. Since it seems impossible to protect our honor, we will return with our subordinate knights. We would rather pay the shield tax."

"I will not permit it. Return to your posts immediately! Have you forgotten the command of His Majesty the Emperor? You must follow my command immediately."

However, the lords did not back down easily.

"Did we not suffer a humiliating defeat in the duel?"

"Indeed. You claimed to have played a clever move, but the result is even worse."

"What difference does it make if a hundred more armies gather? Bad rumors will continue to spread by word of mouth through the soldiers."

"Furthermore, the weather has suddenly grown cold, and non-combat losses are severe. Make a decision. We will accomplish nothing like this, Count!"

The lords were not wrong.

If they remained still like this, the army would eventually break down and collapse on its own.

Furthermore, their position was next to a stream with abundant water sources, but they had already lost their supply depot.

The colder the weather got, the more disadvantaged they became.

In the end, Count Heinrich felt pushed to make a decision.

"If that is what you want... Very well. I have no choice."

-Crack

Clenching his jaw, Count Heinrich continued.

"Prepare the knights and soldiers! Fine then. Let us fight like mad dogs."

"......!"

Only then, the lords finally moved their lips.

A massive force exceeding 10,000 when both sides were combined. They would be able to fight a pitched battle that could be recorded in history, one directed by their own hands.

* * *

Shatien entrusted the spoils of war to the mercenary company and immediately rode toward Count Bellua.

'Hmm, he is the same as ever.'

Count Bellua was at the very center of the formation, surrounded by nobles and knights, looking down at the assembly with a solemn expression.

"Count Bellua. I have returned after executing the one who defiled your honor!"

When Shatien reported with confidence, a smile finally spread across Count Bellua's lips.

"Shatien! Your merit is great. Thanks to you, my honor has been restored."

Count Bellua motioned to a page next to him. It was the reward prepared in advance.

"Bring three of them."

"Yes, Count."

The page ran off and soon returned with three thick pouches of gold coins. Count Bellua bestowed them upon Shatien.

-Clink.

"I will commend your achievement with this for now. The battle is imminent, so I will reward you more generously later."

"Not at all. This is honor enough, Count Bellua."

Shatien smiled contentedly even as he spoke. The received pouches were very heavy. This seemed even heavier than the ransom he had received from the knights and nobles before. Furthermore, he had elevated the fame of his house, making this a very profitable duel.

The snobbish nobles, not to be outdone, offered embarrassing praise.

"You are magnificent, Sir Shatien!"

"I knew you would succeed. Thank you so much for reclaiming our honor from that filthy Alfred! I couldn't believe what I saw."

"I am merely grateful for the high appraisal."

"Come on. High appraisal? It is an understatement, rather. Wouldn't you agree?"

"Ahahaha. That's right. Sir Shatien's house will become very famous now, won't it? Uh… what was it again?"

"Aizenfaust! You fool."

"Ah, that was it! Hehehe."

The nobles praised Shatien, forgetting their decorum. His skill had already been confirmed by the duel just now. He had the favor of Count Bellua, who was about to rise in influence, had outstanding skill, now held the status of a knight, and was young and unmarried. Such an attractive prospect was not common.

'Hmm... this is awkward.'

Shatien wore a rather uncomfortable expression because of this. The battle was imminent, so why were they acting like this?

Even though Shatien was not fully accustomed to noble society, he knew very well what their actions meant.

Of course, what was even worse was,

'Why isn't he stopping them and instead encouraging them!'

Count Bellua was literally subtly encouraging them from the side. It was an action meant to show off his influence, and it was truly a headache.

But thankfully, this tiring situation could end quickly.

-Bwooooo!

The sound of a magnificent horn trumpet was heard from the enemies opposite.

Simultaneously, their shouts pierced their ears.

-Form up the ranks!!!

-Forward the line! We will deal with those scoundrels.

-Crossbow unit. Move to the front.

"?!?"

"????"

It was truly unexpected. They had been thoroughly defeated in the duel, so they were expected to retreat for the day, but they were immediately engaging in battle?

However, the nobles in Count Bellua's formation immediately clamored.

"Well! I suppose they are begging to be killed."

"Ehehehe. The plains will be thoroughly drenched with the Emperor's army's blood."

"If they wish to die so badly, what choice do we have? Let us show them!"

"That's right, Count! Immediately prepare the knights. We will show them what justice is."

The excitement from the duel had not yet cooled. There were many whose blood was boiling after Shatien's preceding duel.

However, Count Bellua let out a sigh tinged with regret.

"I had thought Count Heinrich was quite sharp early on..."

To forcefully open the battlefield in an unfavorable situation. It was truly a foolish judgment. Enough so that if he were his acquaintance, he would have immediately stopped him.

But that was all.

If they had decided to draw blood, it was only right to respond.

"They desire blood. We must repay them accordingly."

Count Bellua's demeanor instantly shifted. The image of the seasoned noble vanished, revealing the appearance of a warrior craving blood. Count Bellua's eyes were burning fiercely, longing for blood.

"Prepare for a pitched battle. The battle will proceed as previously discussed. Everyone, prepare for combat!"

Count Bellua commanded in a firm voice. Upon hearing this, the subordinate knights drew their swords simultaneously.

-Shrrrng!

"Glory to His Excellency the Count!"

"We offer our honor!"

Saying so, the knights immediately mounted their horses and headed for the front line.

"I wish you good luck."

Acquaintance knights said this to Shatien as they went to their positions.

"The same to you."

Shatien said this and quickly mounted his horse.

Before being an honorary knight of the Count, he was the Centurion of his mercenary company. He had never forgotten his duty, despite being flattered by the reputation of a knight.

'The Battle of the Jupenheim Plains is finally about to begin.'

In the past, it was a fierce battle that lasted two days, but it was also a battle that ended without any real results. Shatien did not know what the outcome would be this time.

But one thing was certain...

It would definitely unfold differently than before. His sword... was craving blood.

* * *

-Step step step step step.

The enemies approached across the dry plain. Leading the charge, the Emperor's knights emerged with thousands of troops.

-Clank. Clank.

-Neighhh.

-Form up the ranks!

-Stand in two lines. Stand closer together!

The faint sound of clashing metal armor could be heard even here. The knights were concentrated in areas considered important. In response, the Count's knights maintained their previously secured positions.

Despite having ample time, there was no movement.

'Did they differ in judgment?'

Thoughts on the flow of the battlefield could differ among commanders. However, the regrettable thing was... that the Emperor's knights were visible right across from the Centuria led by Shatien.

'Damn it.'

Shatien dismounted and stood next to his heavily armed unit members.

They were all noticeably tense. Especially since there were newly recruited mercenaries, quite a few members were shaking under the pressure of the battlefield. With bloodshot eyes, they wore expressions like cattle being led to the slaughterhouse.

-Bwooooo!

-Dugugugugugugugu.

-Chaaaaaarge!

“They are coming-!”

The Emperor's knights, who had been approaching with short, rhythmic steps, finally began to charge simultaneously with the sound of the trumpet. Instead of meeting them head-on, the Count's knights charged toward the enemy lines just like the Emperor's army.

As a result, the mercenaries exposed to the Emperor's knights' attack were terrified.

"....Damn it!"

"Lance charge! Dammit all! Are they telling us to be the meat shield or what!"

The thing mercenaries feared most was that very knightly lance charge. The moment that arrived, the front three ranks might as well be considered annihilated.

"Do not waver! Recall your training!"

Shatien spoke forcefully.

Although the mercenaries had different weapons, they were all armed with chainmail and reinforced shields.

'We can hold.'

The lance charge of mounted knights moving at speed carried immense mass, but they would still manage to block it.

No, they absolutely had to block it.

-For His Majesty the Emperor!

-Knights of the Empire! Chaaaaaarge!

-Raise your spears! We will pierce and break through them at the peak of their charge!

The tidal wave of iron armor swept forward head-on.

The sharply protruding lances shook violently, dizzying the mercenaries' eyes. Shatien only realized the truth when the knights were right in front of them.

'Damn it?'

The only infantry capable of stopping that charge was the pikemen!

-Crack! Boom! Crush!

-Neighhh!

-Aaaaargh!

With bloodcurdling sounds, the mercenaries' formation began to collapse instantly.

Yes.

The true value of the monstrous mounted knights was starting to be revealed.