The army of the Red Rose Count had assembled before Normant.
Initially, they numbered around two thousand, but soon swelled to three thousand and ultimately to five thousand. Considering that proper commands had not been relayed to the army, which had scattered after the invasion of Denmoju, it could be said that all available forces had gathered. It was a formidable force, large enough to warrant an invasion of another country. Yet, there was no one to give the final order.
“The army of the Black Lion Count is currently assembling near the Drupho Plains.”
In a temporary tent that served as a war room at the heart of the Red Rose army, ten commanders had gathered. It was the first time they had all been together, except for the battle at Drupho Plains. However, the tactical board on the worn table displayed nothing.
The soldier who came to report hesitated, not knowing to whom he should direct his report among the ten commanders. The commanders themselves stared blankly, also at a loss.
Finally, one spoke up.
“How many?”
“Three thousand. But judging from the reports of the scouts, their numbers are likely to increase. By evening, they are expected to have forces comparable to ours.”
“Understood. You may leave.”
Another commander dismissed the reporting soldier and then asked the others, “What should we do? Should we strike first while our numbers are greater?”
His voice lacked confidence.
“It’s foolish! They’re gathering at Drupho Plains. They’ve been defeated there once. They must have some sort of plan. Isn’t it risky?”
Another commander replied, his voice even less confident than the first.
A young commander spoke up assertively.
“Why should we stand idly by and risk getting ambushed? We should make the first move.”
“Will you take responsibility if we act rashly in the absence of the Count and things go south?”
The word “responsibility” silenced the young commander.
The others nodded in agreement.
“Our forces here are the mainstay. If we fall, everything is over. The enemy will also not attack recklessly; it’s best to monitor the situation.”
Just as the meeting appeared to stall, a silent commander finally spoke.
“What is the status of the Rose Knights?”
“They are on standby, but Captain Linke is absent, so they can’t move either.”
Once again, a heavy silence descended upon the tent.
At that moment, Luchi, a young commander who had been folding his arms, leaned forward and made a suggestion.
“What about advancing to Normant?”
Luchi had become a general in place of Frederick, who had fallen from his horse during a recent battle at Normant.
Luchi’s suggestion was immediately dismissed by a commander of noble birth.
“Nonsense. Are you suggesting we undertake a campaign that could risk the entire kingdom?”
Luchi shrugged, as if it were no big deal.
“I mentioned it because we tried to do it once before. I thought it might be okay to try it again.”
“The Count had suggested that tactic as a strategic threat at the time. He would never have actually intended to bring down Normant.”
Not wanting to waste energy on pointless arguments, Luchi gave in.
‘Most of these commanders gained their positions through nepotism or political connections, not merit. And even here, they try to establish a pecking order based on lineage.’
Being of common birth, Luchi knew his voice carried little weight at the council. And he knew better than to swim against the tide in such situations.
The meeting dragged on monotonously, and eventually, Luchi stepped outside for a break.
Not far away, he could see the castle of Normant. Despite its hundreds of years of history and its formidable military strength that even the two counts wouldn’t dare touch, it appeared as nothing more than land to be conquered in Luchi’s eyes.
Luchi had once received a direct tactical briefing from the Red Rose Count himself. Though his role was merely to relay the Count’s instructions to General Frederick, there had been a moment when the entire army in that place moved at his single command.
He couldn’t forget the brief but intense thrill he’d felt then.
‘If only I could experience that once more.’
Luchi was keenly aware that Normant had almost no military presence. A mere war cry away lay lands ripe for the taking, yet formidable enemy forces were amassing behind them. What was there to ponder? Why the hesitation? Luchi wanted to decapitate those timid generals and immediately mobilize an army of five thousand.
‘Should I just do it? Even if there are ten, none can match my sword skills, and there’s hardly any guard. Even if I fail and die, my name will at least go down in history.’
The day before had seen a refreshing rain, leaving the air unusually cool and damp. For a moment, Luchi mounted his horse and imagined himself single-handedly leading an army, refreshing his spirits.
From a distance across the plains, a knight from the Thorn Knights rode toward him at speed.
Without hesitation, Luchi galloped to meet him.
“Commander Luchi here. I’ve been waiting for you.”
The knight, garbed in red armor and carrying a silver spear, stopped his horse and surveyed the area. He seemed rushed, his breathing uneven.
“You’re the commander?”
“Yes, my name is—”
“I am Neph, a knight from the Thorns.”
Neph cut him off, not waiting to hear Luchi out.
“I’ve come to deliver Captain Linke’s orders. How many troops have gathered here?”
“Approximately five thousand, with an additional two hundred and fifty Rose Knights.”
“Sufficient forces. Attack Normant before sundown today. Inform the other commanders.”
“Right now?”
Luchi looked up at the sun’s position in the sky and gave a vexing smile. Time was short, but Neph was not in the mood for debate.
“The sooner, the better. It must be done before sunset.”
Luchi was about to agree when another thought crossed his mind.
‘I’ve seized opportunities that didn’t even exist. I’m not an idiot to let a chance like this slip through my fingers.’
Luchi apologetically shook his head.
“We have no supreme commander, and there are about ten unit commanders. It will take half a day just to coordinate opinions and discuss strategies for moving five thousand troops.”
Luchi spoke deliberately, knowing that every second counted. He wanted Neph to grow more anxious.
“Furthermore, I’m not sure if it’s appropriate for me to say this, but do you think the commanders would listen to me? I’m a low-ranking officer who just recently took command, and I come from a commoner background.”
“Speak quickly!”
“My point is, I was just coming from proposing an attack on Normant, and it was rejected. If I bring this up again, do you think they will listen? These men do not wish to lose their current ranks. Would they accept an attack on Normant that could result in them losing everything? They would probably call for a vote.”
Luchi graciously gestured toward the camp.
“So, Knight Neph, you must personally take command. As I mentioned, my authority here is weak. Come this way.”
Neph was visibly frustrated.
‘Whether I relay your words or you do, what I gain remains the same. I only move when there’s something in it for me. Busy now, aren’t you Neph? Just give me the authority and go deal with your urgent business.’
Neph unsheathed the sword from his waist. For a moment, Luchi felt a surge of fear, thinking he had angered the knight into making a hasty execution. But Neph simply tossed the sword to Luchi.
“By the name of the Thorns, I grant you the authority. Appoint anyone as the supreme commander and take Normant by sunset today. Fail, and I will personally decapitate all your commanders.”
Luchi took the threat in stride.
“Anyone, you say? Is that confirmed?”
“Don’t make me repeat myself!”
“Understood. But is the Count well? I’ve heard unsettling rumors—”
“That’s none of your concern.”
With that, Neph hurriedly retreated along the path he came.
“I was merely asking out of courtesy,” Luchi muttered.
Luchi swirled his sword around, testing its balance and edge. There was no doubt; it was a sword of the Thorns.
Luchi looked up at the sky for a moment, relishing the afterglow of his newfound power.
‘See that? The dragon buried in that backwater of Lurun has finally acquired wings to soar.’
Luchi returned to the tent where the commanders were gathered. They were still tediously rehashing the same argument: whether to retreat or initiate combat.
Luchi slammed both his hands on the table and shouted,
“The Thorn Knight just passed down orders. All troops are to advance towards Normant.”
The commanders were about to voice their disbelief, but before they could, Luchi plunged Neph’s sword, emblazoned with the emblem of the Thorns, into the table.
“And all command authority is now mine. From this moment on, I am the supreme commander.”
The sword of Neph was far more persuasive than Luchi’s words. Sudden promotions had occurred before—a mercenary one day, a troop leader the next. It wasn’t strange for someone who was already a commander to become the supreme commander. Any officers itching to dispute this found themselves silenced before the sword of the Thorns Knight. Additionally, Luchi added a preemptive threat to quell any opposition.
“Disobedience to orders will be met with immediate execution. All troops prepare for battle. Normant will be taken before the sun sets.”
☆ ☆ ☆
A state of emergency had been declared in the royal palace of Normant. All the ministers were summoned, and Sheyden represented the White Wolves in the strategy meeting room along with General Jean Seigey. The atmosphere was fraught with tension and a sense of impending crisis.
“What’s the positioning of the Red Rose troops?”
“About five hundred are in the west, a thousand in the north, another five hundred in the south, and roughly three thousand are positioned in the east.”
“It seems like they’re just waiting for the final order to advance.”
“Your Majesty, the time has come for a decision. They certainly won’t issue a declaration of war or offer to negotiate surrender.”
King Charles looked down, supporting his head with his hand, then turned his gaze listlessly towards Sheyden.
“Any word from Captain Wolf? Didn’t he say he was going for reinforcements?”
“None have come.”
Sheyden’s terse reply seemed to disappoint the king even more than the dire situation itself.
“General Seigey, can you hold off their forces with your current troops?”
For the first time, the generally optimistic general bowed his head.
“With our current troops, we can’t hold them off for even an hour.”
The usually vocal ministers fell silent, and King Charles let out a long sigh. Gene Dunathan, who had been hesitant to speak, finally cautiously opened his mouth.
“What if we abandon the city?”
“What are you talking about?”
Another minister immediately objected, but General Seigey stopped him.
“I was thinking along the same lines. Continue, Dunathan.”
“We have intelligence that the army of the Black Lion Count is moving towards us. They could arrive tomorrow, perhaps even today. Why else would the Red Rose Count’s army, which has been consistently winning, hurry to attack Normant? They’re under some unknown pressure and see capturing you, Your Majesty, as their last resort for victory. Then the Black Lion Count couldn’t attack the Red Rose Count’s army.”
It was a radical suggestion, but everyone seemed convinced. The king extended his hand, signaling Dunathan to continue.
“If they are aiming for that, wouldn’t it be sufficient for you, Your Majesty, to remain safe? Abandon Normant, Your Majesty, and defend only the royal castle. We don’t have the troops to defend all of Normant, but we can hold the royal castle for a few days.”
The ministers’ faces brightened up. Given the emergency, the atmosphere swiftly shifted toward accepting this plausible idea.
The king quickly turned to General Seigey.
“What do you think, General? Is it possible?”
“Though not designed purely for defense, the royal castle could certainly hold for a day or two.”
Another minister chimed in, agreeing with the general’s assessment.
“And formally requesting aid from Black Lion Count would surely guarantee your Highness’ safety. Given the recent war, isn’t it unclear who the enemies of the royal family are? Besides, Black Lion Count is most qualified to take up the mantle of the Duke of Sheffield’s guardian family,” said one of the ministers.
Though many ministers had supported Black Lion Count before, this was the first time they all agreed.
“If we bestow upon Black Lion Count the honor of defending Normant, he will surely double his loyalty to the royal family.”
“This time, we must seek his aid.”
Even Dunadan, who had always advocated for the royal family to resolve matters independently, was keen on the idea.
Sheyden, who had been listening quietly, called aside General Jean Seigey.
“How about we discuss our own defense plans privately?”
“Agreed.”
Nodding, the general excused himself from the king and left the conference room. Once he was out, he sighed.
“Now it’s unclear who our enemies are. Accepting help from Black Lion Count? It’s like bringing in a lion to catch a cat, isn’t it?”
“That’s only for today, while we defend this castle, General. Let’s focus on the immediate enemy.”
“To defend only the royal castle… what are your thoughts?”
“Do we have enough arrows?”
The general flinched, as if stung. Sheyden continued calmly.
“If we’re under pressure, the Red Rose troops will become desperate. They’ve had experience in breaking down castles when they attacked Leang. They have more than a dozen siege weapons. No matter how securely we close the gates, they will pour in.”
“We not only lack arrows, we lack men to shoot the bows as well.”
The general mumbled, retracing his steps.
“Should I walk back into that optimistic meeting room and say we can’t do it?”
“No need. I only brought up the arrows to see the situation objectively. I agree with focusing our defenses on the royal castle.”
“Then we’ll gather all the soldiers here and evacuate the citizens of Normant to the castle’s cellar. Even if the enemy’s sole goal is to abduct the king, we can’t trust agitated soldiers not to harm the citizens. What’s next?”
Sheyden stood by the window, watching the movements of the distant enemy troops.
“Next is…,”
Sheyden continued, his expression bitter.
“I’ll discuss it with my friends and make a decision.”
The general yelled at Sheyden’s retreating back.
“Didn’t you make a decision already?”
“I couldn’t.”
Sheyden didn’t turn back.
“We didn’t come here to kill people.”
☆ ☆ ☆
Gerald, Azwin, and Sheyden gathered in one room to share opinions.
“So in the end, Kassel didn’t come. Neither did Dunmel or Loyal. No one came,” Azwin said, her voice heavy.
“It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have sent Kassel away,” Sheyden sighed regretfully.
“What’s the point of assigning blame now? We made the best choice we could; it just didn’t work out. You know, the real problem is that you guys are with me. No one’s ever been lucky around me,” Gerald spoke, then laughed at his own joke. Neither of the other two even smiled, so Gerald’s laughter died.
“Anyway, Azwin, your wound hasn’t healed yet. What now?”
“I can move.”
Azwin responded confidently. Gerald promptly smacked her back.
The pain was unbearable. Azwin fell onto the bed, writhing. When the pain subsided, she shouted furiously.
“Hey! You want to die?”
Gerald leaned in close, his nose almost touching Azwin’s face, and spoke without changing his expression.
“A semi-able non-combatant is hardly better than the maids in the castle. You shouldn’t join their ranks; just lie down and act like a patient.”
“Lie down and get killed if the enemy breaks in? I’d rather be in agony and struggle.”
“Who says you’re going to die? You’re not dying before me, so don’t worry about it.”
Gerald spoke.
“Is this guy trying to make some kind of proposal?”
Azwin shouted, her nerves frayed.
Gerald stood up, gripping his axe.
“Oh, so that’s how it is? Well, I don’t mind the sentiment. But what’s the plan?”
Sheyden briefly explained.
“Focus all fighting strength on the stronghold, then concentrate on defense.”
“Defend with what? Stones? Arrows? This castle has nothing prepared for a siege.”
“That’s the issue. But it’s not like we’re out of options if we step in.”
Sheyden also stood, grabbing a metal pole from the side.
Reading his thoughts, Gerald scratched his head.
“We’re going to kill a lot of people if we go out there. Are you prepared for that?”
Sheyden silently nodded.
Shrugging his shoulders, Gerald continued.
“So assuming we can kill, is this battle worth that much?”
“I don’t measure the value of human lives. I just want to protect this place until the three people return.”
“Including Kassel in those three? You have a short memory—”
Gerald grumbled.
“I sent them out so they could come back.”
“What a poor excuse, boy.”
Gerald laughed with a smirk.
Azwin, still smarting from the slap on her back, scowled as she spoke.
“Don’t you dare die in a place like this.”
“Come on, as if we’d die here. If we did, what would become of our dear Azwin—”
Gerald cut himself off, seeing tears in Azwin’s eyes. Azwin embraced both men, her voice choked up.
“You better not die. If you do, I’ll die too.”
For a moment, the three of them stood, sharing their warmth.
Sheyden was the first to speak again.
“Our place to die is before the Queen of Aranthia. Let’s consider this fight for her sake.”
“Okay, I’ve always wanted to say this. Is it okay to say it now? Can anyone give me permission?”
Gerald requested, holding out his axe. Sheyden grinned and nodded.
“Permission granted. Go ahead, I’ve wanted to say it too.”
“Then grab your spear. Azwin, you too, grab your sword.”
They did as Gerald commanded. With a laugh, Gerald clanged his axe against their weapons.
“For Her Majesty the Queen.”
Azwin broke into laughter.
“Interesting. Let’s do it. For Her Majesty the Queen.”
Sheyden joined in.
“For Her Majesty the Queen.”
Their weapons met, touching the ceiling of the cramped room.
☆ ☆ ☆
A crimson tide surged through the gates of Normant. Expecting a hail of arrows, the Red Rose Army had shield bearers at the forefront, but no attack came. Thus, they easily broke down the gates and entered.
Once inside Normant, the soldiers of the Red Rose Army had expected stiff resistance and had charged in, shields up, but yet again, there was no opposition. Even the men who had climbed the walls felt deflated by the absence of defenders. The vanguard stopped its advance.
“Summon the General!”
A knight from the Rose Knights, leading the vanguard, yelled at the top of his lungs. The same thing was happening at all of Normant’s gates. Luchi, who had been waiting safely in the rear, rushed forward upon hearing the news.
“Something’s off. I suggest we retreat and assess the situation…”
The knight spoke cautiously.
‘This can’t be right. Something’s fishy.’
Luchi looked at the sun setting in the west and shook his head.
‘If we retreat now, Neph would likely have our heads. Better to push on and run if things go south. After all, I’m just following orders right now. No responsibility on me.’
Luchi made up his mind.
“The enemy has only given up the outer walls. Their forces are likely gathered at the stronghold.”
“What shall we do, General?”
Until just a moment ago, Luchi had been a commander of equal rank to others, but now he was being treated with perfect deference. It was the best feeling he had experienced in his rise through the ranks so far.
“What should we do? Isn’t this a straightforward operation? It’s actually become easier. All we need to do is take down the royal castle. Advance as planned. Tell the men not to damage the houses in Normant or plunder them.”
Luchi emphasized the orders he had already given. Perhaps these homes could all become his one day; it would be a waste to destroy them.
‘It’s unlikely that they won’t loot, but at least the damage can be minimized.’
The army of the Red Rose Count marched swiftly across the main road of Normant towards the royal castle. The fortress appeared imposing with its tall towers, but in reality, its walls weren’t that high and it wasn’t built to withstand external attacks.
Flames surged up from the distant west. Luchi immediately understood what they signified. Normant had already started to transform into a scene of slaughter and destruction. Most of the citizens seemed to have already evacuated, but not everyone could have escaped in such a short period. And the soldiers of the Red Rose were mostly mercenaries starved for women, money, and food.
‘Hoping to maintain the discipline that existed in Denmoju all the way to occupied territories was wishful thinking.’
Soon, the noise and flames of looting began to arise from the north as well. It was now impossible to control the army individually. Punishing the responsible parties could wait; capturing the royal castle and stopping the looting was more urgent.
On the few remaining towers, the king’s soldiers stood, armed with spears and bows. However, they were not even nocking their arrows; they were quietly observing the situation. Carrying a shield for unforeseen situations, Luchi stepped forward and shouted loudly.
“Normant has already fallen. Open the gates and welcome the army of the Red Rose Count.”
An elderly general from above the castle gates responded with a booming voice.
“This is where His Majesty resides. Show some manners. And I would like to speak directly to the Red Rose Count regarding this misconduct. I am General Jean Seigey of the royal army.”
Luchi didn’t want to engage in a lengthy conversation with an old fool who still cared about manners in such a situation.
“I am Luchi, the supreme commander of the Red Rose Count’s army.”
Ever since he was a child, Luchi had been bigger and stronger than his peers. In his presence, other children always rubbed their hands together and begged for mercy. He had always seen what differentiated the weak from the strong.
It was a matter of who mentally submitted.
“Right now, I represent all the Count’s wishes. Open the gate. That’s all I have to say.”
Intimidating the other party was simple. Show them your strength.
“If you leave no room for further negotiation, I too will have no choice. You will fight under the shadows of boulders hurled from ten siege engines. You will witness the sky darkened by arrows from a thousand archers. You will see two thousand soldiers scaling the walls.”
Often, the negotiations proposed by those at a disadvantage were nothing more than lies to overcome their predicament. The old man on the wall was no different. He could not offer any condition that could persuade Luchi, who was prepared to command a total attack regardless of what the other said. Luchi was ready to shout “Charge” at a moment’s notice.
“We will open the gate.”
The general waved his hand, issuing the command. Moments later, the drawbridge really did come down.
‘What’s this? They actually opened it? Well, that’s good for me.’
Luchi folded the hand that had been ready to issue the attack command.
Through the lowered drawbridge, a man walked out. Narrowing his eyes, Luchi assessed the man’s attire.
In his right hand, he held two halberds at once, and in his left, he carried a large shield. This was not the attire of a man coming out to surrender. Thousands of soldiers watched his every move.
The man halted mid-way across the drawbridge and forcefully planted the hefty spear strapped to his back into the ground. With a resounding thud, he drove one of his two halberds into the opposite side of the bridge. Both long weapons formed an X shape on his back, standing like ornaments. The man stood still, a shield in one hand and the halberd in the other, unmoving as a hot wind briefly swept over the bridge.
‘Who is this guy?’
Luchi looked up toward the fortress walls. General Jean Seigey was nowhere to be seen.
“Is this your answer?”
Luchi had heard countless tales of ‘heroes who wouldn’t yield the bridge,’ but he wasn’t naive enough to entertain such fantasies. Realistically, it was a matter of morale, not an awe-inspiring strategy. If it took a thousand men to breach the fortress gates, only ten were needed to charge an open bridge. Even if the knight standing there was as legendary as the monsters in old tales, fifty men should suffice.
“Rose Knights!”
At Luchi’s call, six knights promptly steered their horses to stand beside him.
He relished the newfound power; a mere month ago, he would have had to grovel before these very knights.
‘Such a desirable position to maintain for a long time.’
His plans after the battle were all set. Conquer Normant with minimal damage as quickly as possible and place the king under his protection. Execute any ally soldiers who looted or burned homes in Normant against his orders, then throw all efforts into reconstruction. In this way, he would earn both the king’s gratitude and fear.
There was plenty more to do.
“Does anyone dare topple that man and capture Normant’s castle?”
The knights bravely volunteered. Luchi picked the one on the far left.
“What is your name?”
“Jayer, sir.”
“Once you take down that man, I will make sure every soldier chants the name Jayer.”
“Yes, General.”
The knight turned his horse’s head and charged toward the drawbridge.
Luchi’s daydreams of a submissive king, a royal bride, and alliances with nobles were interrupted when the Rose Knight tumbled from the bridge, defeated. The knight wielding the halberd stood as if nothing had happened, waiting for the next challenger. This all happened before the cheers of their own troops could even settle.
“I will go.”
The second knight charged and met an even quicker end. His severed head splashed into the small creek beneath the drawbridge. The horses, now masterless, wandered about—one entering the fortress and the other returning to the Rose Knights.
“Let me—”
As another started to volunteer, Luchi interrupted.
“It seems he wants to stall us with one-on-one fights. No need to play his game. All of you, go.”
Upon Luchi’s signal, four Rose Knights reluctantly charged toward the drawbridge. The soldiers, who had previously seen the valor of the Rose Knights, shouted in anticipation. But their cheers died down again almost instantly.
From a distance, it appeared as if the four knights were yanked off their horses by some invisible force. The tall man, splattered with the blood gushing from the knights’ severed necks, hadn’t moved much. Only the horses, now without masters, wandered aimlessly.
Luchi could not close his gaping mouth at the unbelievable sight. Murmurs reached his ears.
“It’s a White Wolf.”
“It’s the White Wolf from Aranthia…”
The whispers spread like wildfire, passing from mouth to mouth, ear to ear.
“A White Wolf…”
“The White Wolf has intervened in this war.”
The name alone spread an immense fear among the soldiers. Luchi was no exception. The vivid memory of the man defeating Linke in a single blow remained in his eyes.
‘Why deploy the bridge even knowing the odds are against them? Who would dare approach with such a formidable figure standing on the bridge?’
Another commander beside him spoke up.
“Why don’t we retreat and observe the situation a bit more? I’m concerned that there might be more to this than meets the eye.”
Hearing this, Luchi was suddenly struck by a rogue thought. He had been on a fast track to advancement until now. But perhaps the opportunity that now lay before him was bigger than any he had seized before.
‘I’m not an idiot who misses out on opportunities that come my way.’
The commander prodded as if urging him to make a decision.
“General, what’s your verdict?”
“Why do you think we have a special name for someone who slays a dragon? A Dragon Slayer. And why do we call someone who kills a king a King Slayer? Is it not because they are difficult to kill? Then what shall we call the person who kills the White Wolf? A Wolf Slayer?”
Luchi grinned and raised his hand. Archers nocked their arrows, and heavily armed infantry advanced.
“I will gift that White Wolf Knight a heroic name, stating he bravely fell fighting against an entire army. Countless bards will sing praises of him, and he will have a page dedicated to him in the history of the Kingdom of Camort. As for me, I’ll be known as the wicked general who killed a great hero. A title I’ll gladly accept.”
Luchi bellowed his command.
“Entire army, charge! The one who kills the White Wolf on the bridge will be awarded a command and a fiefdom rivaling Normant!”
–TL Notes–
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