Encountering the Enemy

Translator: Cinder Translations

...

The Alden army was marching along a dirt road in the open fields. The weather today was clear and sunny. Although the weather in the northwest bay in March and April was slightly chilly, the soldiers were sweating profusely after a long march.

Although it was already past noon, the troops had not eaten yet because they were very close to Biddeburg. The commander, Bryce, decided to reach their destination, set up camp, and then allow the entire army to eat.

"Sergeant, when are we going to eat?" 

Jos rubbed his stomach, which kept growling in protest.

"We're almost at Biddeburg! Once we get there, we can enjoy a nice lunch! Seriously, can't you handle a little hunger?" 

Markalov pulled a paper-wrapped package from his marching bag and threw it to Jos. "Everyone, take a piece and share it. This will tide you over for now."

"Sergeant, what is this?"

"Biscuits from Flying Dragon Pavilion. You're lucky, you rascals."

"Flying Dragon Pavilion? The new restaurant at the edge of town?"

"I've been there. The cuisine is said to be from some place in the south, and it's delicious."

"These biscuits are southern biscuits too..."

After munching on the biscuits, they heard singing from up ahead. They didn't know who started it, but when Jos and his comrades listened closely, they recognized the song as the recently popular "Ode to Our Lord Earl Grayman" from the barracks.

"Paul Grayman~ Lord Earl, my master!"

"Mobilized soldiers from the entire territory~"

"Twelve elite battalions~ Sixty bullets per person~"

"He said, 'Tough guys, I look forward to fighting alongside you~'"

"The enemy covets our fields and mines~ and our tens of thousands in gold~"

"Don't act like cowards~ Let the enemy know we're not to be messed with~"

...

Despite sounding a bit silly, the somewhat humorous lyrics paired with this tune were indeed fitting for marching.

Jos's squad joined in the chorus, their steps becoming lighter without realizing it.

"God bless us like thunder and lightning~ Who doesn't know Lord Grayman and his soldiers~"

...

"Goodbye, dear Louise~ Don't cry~"

"Not every arrow will hit~ If every arrow could hit~ Who would the lord get to be soldiers~"

"We have cannons and muskets, one shot, one hole~"

"We can receive our pay on time every month~ Who else gets their pay as punctually as we do~"

"Lord Grayman~ My master~ Hero crowned with a shining laurel~ Your soldiers will always be the most loyal~"

"As long as you continue to sweep the enemy away~ We will conquer the entire world for you~"

Just as they finished singing and were about to start the second round, a startled cry came: "It looks like someone is running over here!"

Jos and the others looked up to see dust rising on the road ahead, as if a large group of people were running towards them.

A person on horseback, wearing a second lieutenant's insignia, rode up to Colonel Bryce and stopped. He seemed to be a scout who had been ahead of the troops. Bryce was riding not far from Markalov's squad.

The two of them whispered for a while, saying something unknown.

Markalov turned back to his squad and said, "Everyone, get ready. There might be enemies ahead."

"Uh..."

Jos took down the flintlock rifle from his shoulder strap and gripped it nervously, his palms instantly sweating. Was he finally about to face his first real battle?

Then Colonel Bryce became tense and serious. Two of his couriers ran to both ends of the marching column, shouting:

"Enemy cavalry spotted! Form squares! Form squares!"

The entire army was immediately enveloped in a tense and murderous atmosphere.

Fortunately, their strict training paid off. The leading companies first formed three horizontal rows, followed by the subsequent companies.

In just a few minutes, the first and second battalions each took charge of one side, forming a hollow square with sides about 30 meters long.

Inside the hollow square, the transport company's baggage was placed, and the transport company soldiers joined the square.

In addition to the baggage, the artillery company was also placed in the middle of the open area. The artillery crews unloaded the cannons and ammunition, setting up a firing position. Due to the sudden situation and the rapid approach of the enemy cavalry, they couldn't set up the cannons outside the hollow square, so they had to prepare for firing from inside, waiting for the right moment.

After a tense period of busy activity, the Alden army quietly awaited the arrival of the enemy.

Standing on a makeshift platform of ammo boxes, Bryce, Joyce, and two deputy battalion commanders observed the situation ahead with binoculars.

"From the flags, the ones running ahead are the Heller family cavalry. The two groups chasing them are undoubtedly from the Kent family—our enemies!"

"Have our allies already been defeated, leaving only these remnants?"

"Don't think about it now. Let's deal with the cavalry ahead and then worry about saving the Heller people!"

...

Derrick Heller led his knights northward at full speed. The terrain ahead was flat, so he could see the Alden army from afar.

At first, he thought they were enemy troops blocking his way. The opposing force quickly transformed from a marching formation into a strange square formation in a very short time. Such a rapid formation change indicated they were an extremely elite army, something his conscripted militia could never achieve.

Just as he was preparing to fight to the death, he gradually recognized the flags of the army ahead—a bright red flag with a golden flying dragon.

It was the army of their ally, Alden. Derrick suddenly felt a sense of salvation, even though he had been complaining earlier in the morning about Alden's army dawdling.

He raised his lance high, letting the Heller family flag flutter in the wind.

Fortunately, the other side recognized him. A person standing high in the formation, dressed like a commander, kept waving his arm to the right.

Derrick understood the message: they were directing him to pass by on the right side of the formation—his left side. It was crucial not to approach them directly.

He understood this point. In the face of an imminent enemy, any disruption to their formation could be dangerous. So, he signaled to his knights to veer left. The Heller family's group soon passed by the hollow square. They were utterly exhausted and could only find a place to rest in the rear.

As they passed the formation, Derrick roughly estimated the number of Alden soldiers—about a thousand.

He became worried again. Could this small force withstand the charge of several hundred Kent family cavalry? Moreover, their defensive square was not solid; the perimeter was only three layers of soldiers.

Even more shocking was the short "guns" the soldiers were holding. Were those even guns? Their design looked so bizarre.

He prayed silently: Heavenly Father! Protect them!

(End of the Chapter)