V6C29 Red Wolf Corps - Santairiku Eiyuuki

Meanwhile, turning back time... On the thirteenth day after Hercule crossed the desert. It was the day when Jebe left the village early in the morning, and Hercule and Stefan commenced their full-scale assault on the city of Terril. Finally, the news of Carmine's defeat at the Battle of Terril reached the royal palace of the Kingdom of Cerda. King Hilderic II hastily convened a military council. Amidst the heavy atmosphere... Hilderic II began to speak. "How many reinforcements do you think are necessary?" It was inevitable that reinforcements had to be dispatched. That much was a decided matter. To this, Hoamel, with a pale face, responded. "...To respond to the Lemurian army approaching Cerda City, we should at least leave 10,000 troops behind, I believe." "So, you're suggesting we send the remaining 50,000 as reinforcements." Coincidentally, this was exactly the same number of forces Carmine led in his defeat at the Battle of Terril. This implied that 50,000 was certainly not a sufficiently adequate number for reinforcements. "…Sonia, do you agree?" "If possible, we should send 60,000, the entire army; however, considering the presence of the rampaging Lemurian forces in the Ifriqiya region, that would be difficult." In other words, she was in favor of sending the 50,000 as reinforcements. "I am worried," Hilderic II said in a feeble voice. "Where is the guarantee that this isn't a trap set by the Lemurian forces? Who can assure me that the moment we dispatch reinforcements, an army exceeding 100,000 won't surge from beyond the desert?" "......" "......" Sonia and Hoamel remained silent. Numerous reasons could be listed as to why such a scenario was unlikely, but there was no irrefutable evidence to completely dismiss it. Something that was once deemed impossible had already occurred. "And now, isn't the Lemurian army causing havoc in the Ifriqiya region marching over 100 kilometers a day, an extraordinary force? I can't imagine their commander being incompetent. Can anyone guarantee that 10,000 soldiers won’t be annihilated by such a commander?" "Your Majesty, the force led by the enemy commander, Jebe, consists of 3,000 to 4,000 troops. We have more than double their numbers. I find it hard to believe we would lose so easily..." "Then, Hoamel, which do you find less likely: an army marching over 100 kilometers a day or overcoming a twofold power discrepancy? I believe the former is less likely." An army that can march 100 kilometers a day might well employ unimaginable tactics that could overturn a twofold or even threefold power discrepancy. You can't deny that possibility, can you? Hilderic II challenged Hoamel. To that, Hoamel had no reply. Typically, marching over 20 kilometers in a day is considered fast in its own right. While march speed is determined by the soldiers' morale and training... the soldiers of the military state of Cerda possess high morale and training. Thus, it would be reasonably possible to match the march rate of the Lemurian Empire's army, around 25 kilometers a day. (However, when it comes to extreme forced marches over 30 kilometers a day, the general's skill becomes crucial, making the abnormal marching speeds like those of the Lemurian Emperor unlikely.) Yet, the Lemurian army wreaking havoc in the Ifriqiya region, threatening the capital, advances at 90 to 100 kilometers per day. That speed is "unbelievable." "According to reports, wasn't the enemy composed entirely of elite cavalry? Well... it remains a peculiar force nonetheless," Hilderic II sighed as he spoke. "...I don't think we should dispatch reinforcements. We should gather all our forces and focus on defending here, in Cerda City and the Ifriqiya region." "Your Majesty! What about the soldiers and the people of the Territanypurs region, and General Iason... and General Carmine's lives?!" Hoamel pleaded with a pained voice. For Hoamel, whose support base lay in the Territanypurs region, losing it was something that had to be avoided. "But what happens if Cerda City falls to a surprise attack from the enemy? Our kingdom will be doomed." Hilderic II spoke with exhaustion evident in his face. He was utterly terrified by the Lemurian army and the Lemurian Emperor, Hercule. "Your Majesty," Sonia stood up. Hilderic II gazed at her with weary eyes and spoke weakly. "Do you share Hoamel's opinion too?" In response, Sonia firmly locked eyes with Hilderic II and said, "I understand Your Majesty's concerns. Indeed... it’s no longer strange for anything to happen." Hilderic II widened his eyes in surprise. He expected her to outright contradict him. "I will take down the enemy commander, Jebe. Even at the cost of my life, I will chase him from the Ifriqiya region. So please, rest assured and permit the 50,000 troops as reinforcements, Your Majesty." Subsequently, newly mobilized 45,000 troops headed towards Terril City... Joining the 5,000 who had been sent ahead to break the siege, a total of 50,000 troops moved to defeat the Lemurian forces surrounding Terril City, aiming to rescue Carmine and the city’s garrison. However... A few days later, they would learn that Terril City had already fallen. "Things are going smoother than I expected, Captain!" "Don't get complacent. The enemy's already on the move." It was the fourth day since the independent guerrilla unit led by Jebe began their destructive activities within a 100-kilometer radius of Cerda City. So far, Jebe's forces had inflicted significant damage on the enemy without incurring major losses themselves. They had already set fire to several food storage facilities and attacked transport units, threatening the enemy's logistics. Jebe skillfully slipped through the enemy’s encirclement, launching surprise attacks, and dealing blows to the enemy. With Jebe’s forces marching up to 100 kilometers a day, at the very least 40... The Cerda forces could manage only 25 kilometers, or 30 at best if they pushed themselves. There was no way they could catch up, let alone encircle them. They could launch mounted archery strikes and immediately withdraw from the battle lines. "But aren't there no notable generals left among the enemy?" "No, there's still one." Jebe recalled the information provided by Hercule in advance... To be precise, it was given to him by Masinissa of the Barbar tribe, who had repeatedly skirmished with the Kingdom of Cerda. There were three generals in Cerda the Kingdom that warranted attention. One was the veteran general, Carmine. The other was the young genius general, Iason. But according to Masinissa, neither posed a significant threat. Both were capable generals, but merely "ordinarily" so. Carmine was experienced and well-respected, but he didn’t possess any particularly superior talents, employing nothing beyond conventional tactics. Iason had talent, but was inexperienced and not particularly well-loved by the troops. Each had a decisive weakness. Therefore, the one commander to be wary of... Is just one person. "The 'Red Wolf Princess' Sonia, she is in play." Sonia Lups Geiselia. She was the fiancée of the current king, Hilderic II... And the daughter of Carmine, a young girl of merely seventeen. Masinissa advised caution regarding this young lady. "Isn't she still a mere lass?" one of Jebe's subordinates remarked. "Are you unaware of how old the Emperor was when he defeated General Darios?" Jebe countered the subordinate's underestimation of the seventeen-year-old girl. That silenced everyone. "According to Masinissa, Princess Sonia commands a unit known as the 'Red Wolf Brigade.' It's apparently a cavalry unit composed of beastfolk, given to her by General Carmine out of love for his daughter." Jebe likened it to an independent guerrilla unit similar to what he and Nia Lucarius possess. What sets them apart is that the Red Wolf Brigade is essentially the private army of Carmine and Sonia. However, in the Kingdom of Cerda, the lines between 'private' and 'public' aren't clearly drawn. Since both Carmine and Sonia are subjects of Hilderic II, and Hilderic II is the king of Cerda, the 'Red Wolf Brigade' is no less a part of the Cerda Kingdom's army. "Does 'Red' mean they wear red armor or something?" a subordinate questioned. Cladding elite troops in conspicuous armor figures like something a seventeen-year-old girl might do. Interestingly enough, making uniforms flamboyant is not a bad strategy in itself. In this world, where close-order combat is the norm, having uniforms in a vivid color makes it easier for allies to identify each other. Bright colors not only intimidate the enemy but also increase a sense of unity. "No, the color is white, I've heard." "So then it's the White Wolf Brigade, isn't it? Why call it red?" "They say it's because it turns crimson, drenched in blood." Jebe's explanation left his subordinates speechless. From that alone, they got a sense of what kind of unit the 'Red Wolf Brigade' might be. "They allegedly charge straight at dense formations and spear walls without fear, fighting with the ferocity of mad dogs. Such combat ability is said to be... well, I'm sure some of it's exaggerated, but even so, they possess incredible fighting capabilities." It is certain that a significant number of the Barbar tribe were killed by Sonia's 'Red Wolf Brigade.' "While caution is warranted, there's no need to be overly fearful. There are no units that can keep up with our speed." Jebe confidently declared. And with that, he led his horse towards their next target. The group arrived at a warehouse used to temporarily store military supplies. If the provisions stored here were burnt, the Cerda Kingdom's army would experience a temporary food shortage, even within their own territory. Although, since it's within their own territory, the issue can be quickly resolved... As a harassment tactic, it was more than sufficient. "This is the place. Alright... let's wipe out the guards, torch the place, and head home." Like it was mere routine, the 3,600 cavalrymen scattered the 100 defending soldiers. The guards were shot down one by one... scattering like spiders. Then Jebe and his men entered the warehouse, setting fire to sacks filled with wheat and barley. The provisions were dried for preservation, and they burned quite well. "Okay, this is the last one." Leading his subordinates, Jebe opened the door to the largest warehouse. Creeeeeek... The door opened with a loud noise. Jebe illuminated the darkness within with a torch. What awaited there was a mountain of grain sacks. Or rather, it wasn't. "I see we meet for the first time, General Jebe." Inside stood a hundred heavy cavalry clad in pristine white armor, accompanied by a girl wearing a charming smile.