V6C23 The Battle of Teripol - Santairiku Eiyuuki
"Our forces consist of 12,000 infantry, and when combined with the Bulgaron and medium cavalry Cataphracts, the total comes to 24,000. Altogether, that would ideally be 36,000... however, due to some vacancies, it's more around 33,000." Hercule explains the current strength of their army to Oscar and Alicia. Naturally, both of them are well aware of this already. This is merely an introduction. "And according to reports from the reconnaissance units, the enemy has 14,000 cavalry. They also have two types of infantry, 21,000 light infantry, and 15,000 heavy infantry, totaling 36,000. Combined, they have approximately 50,000 troops." The cavalry of the Kingdom of Cherda is lighter than the medium cavalry Cataphracts yet more heavily armed than the Bulgaron cavalry, thus classified as light cavalry. Among the infantry, the light infantry are specialized in ranged attacks using javelins, slings, and bows, as well as close-quarters combat with swords. On the other hand, the heavy infantry are equipped with short spears and shields. The Lemurian Imperial Army lacks infantry units for ranged attacks akin to the Cherda Kingdom's light infantry; however, they do have the Bulgaron cavalry, who are mounted archers. The Lemurian Imperial Army enjoys overwhelming superiority in cavalry strength, while the Cherda Kingdom holds an abundance of infantry power. "Well, given such a clear disparity in troop types… the tactics we should employ are obvious, don't you think?" When Hercule says this, Alicia and Oscar nod. A classical strategy comes to mind for both of them. "Now then... I'll outline the plan." Hercule then directs Alicia, Oscar, and the other generals on the formations and strategies. Alicia and Oscar murmur in low voices. "...I have no idea what that is." "That's not what I thought at all." To which Hercule merely shrugs his shoulders. "You two just jumped to conclusions, didn't you?" He lets out a sly grin. Meanwhile, General Carmine of the Cherda Kingdom, considering the difference in force sizes, murmurs to himself. "Without a doubt, the Lemurian Emperor will aim for an encirclement using his wings." With such overwhelming cavalry strength, not utilizing it would be foolish. The infantry force, which is likely to be at the center of the Lemurian army, is indeed far outnumbered by the Cherda Kingdom's infantry… yet, it is famously known for its strength. "What we need to be vigilant of is the Bulgaron's cavalry. As a nomadic people, their combat abilities are extremely high… surely surpassing our cavalry in experience and skill." Should the forces on both wings clash head-on, defeat would be evident. The cavalry alone cannot hold the wings. "We'll have to spread the infantry units thin… no, that's not enough. Hold the light infantry in reserve at the rear and send them to the wings as needed to maintain the lines. That's the only way." If, by any chance, the Lemurian forces show signs of fatigue, a breakthrough at the center could be achieved. There's no need to rush. Reinforcements will eventually arrive. The ones who should be anxious are the Lemurian army, isolated among us, not the Cherda Kingdom's forces. Time is on Cherda Kingdom's side. Thus, the two armies faced each other near the city of Teripol. The formations of the two armies were as follows: 〇〇〇―〇〇〇 〇〇〇 〇〇〇 ▽▽▽▽▽ □□□□□□□□□□□□□□□ ▽▽▽▽▽ ▽▽ 〇〇〇―――〇〇〇―――〇〇〇 ▽▽ ◆―◆――◆ ◆―◆――◆ ◆◆▲▲ ●―●―■■ ■■―●―● ▲▲◆◆ ■―■ ▲▲▲▲▲ White... Cherda Kingdom Army 〇... Light Infantry □... Heavy Infantry △... Cavalry Total of approximately 50,000 troops (each symbol representing about 1,000 troops) Black... Lemurian Imperial Army ●... Halberd Unit ■... Pike Unit ▲... Medium Cavalry Cataphract ◆... Bulgaron Cavalry Infantry Corps Commander... Oscar Armon Right Wing Cavalry Commander... Alicia Chrom Central Commander... Hercule Total of approximately 33,000 troops (each symbol representing a battalion of 1,200. Yet due to the journey, there are about 3,000 vacancies, so it's actually less than 1,200) *The ― symbol indicates that the troops are spread thinly. "Hmm… preserving their light infantry to support their wings, huh. Well, it won't be enough. We'll crush them regardless. Begin the attack with the cavalry units!!" Hercule issues orders to the frontline cavalry units. Thus, the conflict is initiated by a charge from the Lemurian Imperial Army's cavalry. With clouds of dust rising, Lemurian cavalry charge forward in unison. "Tch, starting with the cavalry attack, as expected… Halting the cavalry charge! Advance!" Carmine responds by moving his troops. The cavalry units on both wings, alongside the light infantry forces, advance. "Show His Majesty the Emperor the valor of us Bulgarons! Commence archery!!" On the right wing, under Alicia's command, the mounted archers of the Bulgaron cavalry begin their attack. Simultaneously, the medium cavalry Cataphracts, not to be outdone by the Bulgaron cavalry, release their arrows. Complex bows release a relentless stream of arrows. A rain of arrows falls upon the Cherda Kingdom's cavalry. While they raise their circular leather shields to block them, the overwhelming downpour of arrows leads to many of them being unhorsed. This scene takes place not only on the right wing but on the left wing and the center as well. In the center, though the light infantry valiantly shoot arrows and throw stones and spears… they are overwhelmed by the superior range and mobility of the mounted archers. "Ugh, the enemy's attack is too fierce to counterattack!" "The shields are rendered useless with so many arrows lodged in them..." "So this is the Bulgaron's mounted archers! Damn it, as soon as we plan an attack, they flee. Cowards!" Once they finish raining arrows, the cavalry units from both wings commence their charge. The medium cavalry Cataphracts wield short spears, while the Bulgaron cavalry unsheath their sabers and launch an aggressive assault. "Die!" Alicia alone continues her bow attack, having summoned her contracted spirit, 'Leraje.' She targets high-ranking warriors. Usually, commanders and those of high standing are distinctively attired, making them easy targets. Alicia's arrows, even a graze, are lethal—a deadly magic bow. Bereft of their shields due to the Bulgaron's and the medium cavalry Cataphracts' archery attacks, the Cherda Kingdom's cavalry have no means to defend against Alicia's arrows. "The beastmen of the Cherda Kingdom, the Warbeasts, are valiant indeed. Especially the commanders fighting on the frontlines… but it makes them easy targets." Alicia smiles wryly, steadily shooting down the kingdom's high-ranking warriors. Meanwhile, after the Bulgaron cavalry had scattered the light infantry at the center and fired their arrows, they proceeded as instructed to reinforce the wings. With the Bulgaron cavalry moving away from the center, the Lemurian Empire's infantry began to advance slowly, filling the gap. "Indeed, the enemy aims to assault our wings! Light infantry units, heavy infantry units, commence the advance!" Carmine responded to the movements of the Lemurian Imperial Army by maneuvering his own troops. To counter the newly reinforced wings by the Lemurian cavalry, specifically the Bulgaron cavalry reinforcements, he diverted the reserve light infantry units from the rear to the wings. 〇〇〇―〇〇〇 □ □□□□□ □ 〇〇〇 ▽▽ 〇□□□□〇 〇□□□□〇 ▽▽〇〇〇 ▽▽▽▽▽◆ ●―●―■■ ■■―●―● ◆▽▽▽▽▽ ◆▲▲◆◆ ◆◆▲▲◆ ■―■ ▲▲▲▲▲ Yet, despite their efforts, the Cherda Kingdom's cavalry and light infantry on both wings were gradually overwhelmed by the superior quality and quantity of Lemurian cavalry. Particularly on the right wing, under Alicia's command, the Lemurian army's fierce assault slowly pushed back and attempted to encircle the Cherda Kingdom's left cavalry. Furthermore, Hercule deployed a section of the medium cavalry Cataphracts from the center to the left flank. The fierce onslaught on the right flank led by Alicia, combined with the new deployment of medium cavalry Cataphracts on the left, gradually began to crumble Cherda Kingdom's wings. Meanwhile, the infantry of the Lemurian army led by Oscar were also fiercely attacking the Cherda infantry, despite being outnumbered. Light infantry engaging in close combat with swords, and heavy infantry, who due to carrying shields, couldn't wield long spears effectively, found themselves at a disadvantage in frontal combat against the Lemurian infantry armed with halberds and pikes. Though the Cherda Kingdom maintained numerical superiority in the center, staving off total collapse, they were nonetheless being driven back significantly. 〇〇〇―〇〇〇 □ □□□ □ 〇〇〇▽▽ 〇□□□□□ □□□□□〇 ▽▽〇〇〇 ◆▲▽▽▲◆ ●―●―■■ ■■―●―● ◆▽▽▲▲◆ ▲▲◆◆ ◆◆ ■―■ ▲▲▲ "To think that the Lemurian cavalry could be so formidable… After all, the enemy's aim is encirclement and annihilation through flanking. They're opening the center purposely to lure our forces… but I won't fall for it! Knowing their intent, there's no need to play into their trap!" Carmine deployed all the reserve light infantry he had, sending them to both wings. To further fortify the wings, he even redirected a portion of the central forces. As a result, even the skilled Lemurian cavalry found it challenging to break through the now heavily reinforced wings. The intensity of the battle gradually waned... and the engagement on both wings reached a stalemate. Carmine had successfully thwarted the fierce attack of the Lemurian Empire. 〇〇〇 □□□ 〇〇〇 ◆▲〇▽▽〇 □□□□□□ □□□□□□ 〇▽▽〇◆ ▲▽▽◆ ●―●―■■ ■■―●―● ◆▽▽▲ ▲◆◆ ■―■ ◆◆▲ ▲▲▲ Carmine breathed a sigh of relief and murmured to himself. "Looks like we might just win this…" Meanwhile, Hercule, whose attacks on both wings were thwarted, softly declared, "We've won."