22 War and Unstoppable Britain

'This is my beginning...'

After another audience with the Emperor, Artorius returned to his army.

The combined forces of the Knights of Britain and the Saxon army were larger than what Artorius had previously promised.

There were three hundred knights and their squires, while the Saxon army numbered around four thousand. In addition to the veterans who migrated from the British Isles, there were also those who joined along the way.

Among them were Saxons from the continent and warriors from other Germanic tribes. Artorius didn't discriminate against anyone.

Conquering a country might be possible with just one tribe, but to conquer all of Europe, he had to become the king of all barbarians, just like Attila.

This was the first appearance of the Knights of Britain on the continent.

After returning to his camp, Artorius summoned his Knights of the Round Table and assigned tasks.

Gareth, Mordred, Gawain, and others became commanders of units or captains of knight squads, while Agravain handled administrative and logistical matters as usual.

Artorius's trusted men held military authority.

Regarding this, some Saxon chieftains had grievances.

"Traditionally, warriors of a tribe should be commanded by their own chieftains..."

"And that's precisely why you've always failed." Artorius interrupted the Saxon chieftain without hesitation.

"But—"

"The current leader is me." Artorius cut off the Saxon chieftain again, "Know your place, or should I remind you how my grand-uncle Vortigern dealt with those who disobeyed his orders when you were working for him? How did he punish those who dared to defy his commands?"

"No, Your Highness, not at all. We fully obey your orders."

"That's good." Artorius patted his shoulder, almost knocking him down. "Now, any more questions?"

"..."

"None? Very well, then let's prepare!"

===

A few hours later, fully armored Artorius joined the ranks of the Roman army.

On the frontlines were five Roman legions and five auxiliary legions forming an infantry formation. Artorius commanded four thousand infantry soldiers. Emperor Lucius Tiberius, the overall commander on the Roman side, was also present.

Artorius could see the Roman Emperor riding in a war chariot.

He raised the deep red imperial sword, Florent, the brother sword to Clarent. Shouting orders, he commanded his soldiers to maintain formation and advance.

In addition to the Roman Imperial Guards clad in plate armor, a group of massive 'monsters' surrounded him—Phantasmal Species known as 'Giant'.

Wearing oversized Roman-style helmets, these giants, under the guidance of mages resembling beast tamers, moved forward with vague roars and slow steps.

These desperate and deranged creatures, lacking magical energy, were destined to perish without reaching the Reverse Side of the World.

This era marked the final feast of giants and the other monsters unable to enter the Reverse Side of the World. They would revel, slaughter, go mad, and eventually meet their demise at the end of this Age of Gods.

"March forward, Roman warriors! Crush all the scum!"

The arrogant Emperor roared in excitement.

Simultaneously, the Visigoths' formation facing the Roman army adopted infantry tactics very similar to the Romans.

This makeshift version of infantry tactics crumbled continuously when facing genuine Roman formations. This was due to the efforts of Lucius.

The Roman Emperor had raised the military capabilities of Rome.

Meanwhile, mages from both sides continued to cast spells, summoning massive elemental forces or unleashing magical storms.

Flames, lightning, frost, rocks, and sometimes direct use of magecraft—everything was in play.

All supernatural forces capable of inflicting pain, killing people, and reducing them to mere fragments were wreaking havoc on the battlefield, yet amidst this frenzied magical warfare, the Romans still held a slight advantage.

Bodies continued to accumulate before the ranks.

If this continued, it was undoubtedly the Visigoths who would first succumb.

However, Artorius didn't want to wait any longer.

"It's time for us to enter the stage."

Artorius raised Clarent high and bellowed at the knights of Britain.

"What do I have by my side?! Yes! That's right, four hundred and thirty-three knights of Britain! Can I depend on you to conquer the world?!"

""YES!""

"Long live the Prince!!!" Mordred, who was closest to Artorius, shouted with the same fervor, raising her lance in response to Artorius's words.

"CHARGEEE!!!"

Driven by unparalleled confidence and arrogance, Artorius and his knights charged toward the Visigoth army in a frenzy that seemed capable of breaking through everything.

At the same time, coincidentally enough, Lucius was also preparing to make his own appearance.

"It's my turn, gentlemen!"

As he observed the frontline stalemate, Lucius discarded his cloak, jumped down from his chariot, and prepared to join the battle.

As the foremost expert of the Roman Empire, a master swordsman blessed by the gods and possessing the strength of a giant, Lucius believed he would surely seize victory.

But before that happened...

"Your Majesty, look!" Sirius, by his side, shouted anxiously, "Those are the knights of Britain!"

As Sirius spoke, Artorius and the knights of Britain had already, like an unstoppable torrent, overwhelmed a corner of the Visigoth legion before them.

Artorius led them from the front, enveloped in an unparalleled storm of magical energy. With every thrust of his lance and every swing of his sword—Clarent, he swept away the enemies in front of him.

The knights of Britain were like monsters, solidifying their victory.

"These Britons, they have such formidable combat strength?!" Sirius's voice trembled, "We've always heard that there were many talented warriors and mages under that King Arthur's command, but..."

"Hahaha, isn't this great?"

Unlike Sirius, Lucius laughed happily.

"But, Your Majesty..."

"I know what you're going to say, Sirius," Lucius said casually, "But rest assured, they won't have a chance—if that guy, Artorius, dares to betray me, I'll twist his head off."

"Of course, you are the strongest, Your Majesty."

Sirius said with confidence.

===

At the same time, amidst the chaos, Artorius found the king of the Visigoths.

"I surrender!"

As the opposing king shouted in a panic, Artorius wasted no time and beheaded him.

Watching the headless body slowly fall, he wiped away the splattered blood from his face.

"This is a good beginning..." Artorius murmured to himself, then surveyed his surroundings.

The knights of Britain were pursuing the enemy, while the Visigoths were in disarray.

They had won this war.