Dragon’s Bloodline Chapter 62

Battle

What was a battle? It wasn’t something that started when orders were given.

“Hold position and not engage, yeah?”

However, that wasn’t its fundamental reason.

No one rebutted Ria’s commands as the generals scattered to command their respective units.

Ria wore a military uniform, preparing to give a speech. For battles like this, the supreme commander would always give encouragement to their troops.

“Soldiers, what has happened to the nations that received Cordova’s aggression as they invaded thus far? I think you all know.”

“Defeated soldiers, forced and abused into slavery, the mines, or the farms. Most lose their lives before even three months pass!”

“The nations ruled by them suffer heavy taxation and labor, unable to escape with the army’s eyes on them.”

“Why have we tolerated Cordova’s barbaric acts of brutality thus far? It isn’t because their nation is mighty.”

“The reason? We weren’t able to unite as one. Cordova aims to attack weak nations.”

“However! This time, things are different. To end Cordova’s aggression and tyranny, Manesh has stood up with the help of beastkin and ogre soldiers.”

“Ogre soldiers, each superior to ten humans. We have three thousand!”

“Then, there is the latest armor and weapons you all have. Go and welcome our enemies with them!”

“In addition, we have the Dragonslayer Saint, Carla Raparb Uslan.”

“We will win this. Then, we will be freed from the horror that is Cordova.”

“For all of our hometowns and our families’ futures! Victory!”

“Victory!”

Victory! Victory! Victory!

(Now then, let’s start this war.)

When Ria’s group returned to their command tent, the allied forces located at the front started to advance.

Since both sides’ soldiers held shields, it didn’t have much of an effect. However, those who were unlucky were still shot through the gaps between their shields.

She once again realized that she loved war.

Ria wasn’t able to keep herself from smiling wryly in her heart that such a feeling was likely sinful for a human to feel.

The infantry continued their advance, their spears finally in contact.

Although it seemed they were pressured by the first clash, Cordova’s army gradually pushed back. Their individual skills were probably different. Cordova’s severe military training was famous.

Their cavalry attempted to encircle them from both sides.

The clash between the two cavalry groups were approximately equal. Better yet, if they managed to lure them into the arranged traps, they would even be at an advantage.

Though the left flank was comprised by Manesh infantry, by making use of their long spears and traps, they managed to somehow force the cavalry into detouring.

As for the troops they had in reserve, five thousand Manesh soldiers and two thousand ogres in all.

If one considered the ogres’ fighting strength, they would probably win even if they just attacked head on if things kept going how they were. They weren’t that optimistic about that, though.

The first was magical power. Rather, it could even be said that humans were superior in that regard. The other thing was something very important on the battlefield.

Since ogres had huge bodies, they only had around as much stamina as a human. Although they had tremendous destructive power for an instant, they couldn’t continue to demonstrate that strength.

Therefore, the ogre’s war potential was best used for a final push.

“Serge, contact the 13th battalion. Move right one hundred paces.”

It was even more of a foul play than the ogres. That is, using Serge’s space-time magic to communicate between units.

Without getting overwhelmed, they held their ground and continued fighting. Supplemented by their high morale, their strength rose.

Making sure to rotate troops in and out would help recover their endurance. That, and there was Carla’s magic.

The enemy’s mage troops were using offensive magic. Manesh also fought back, the allied forces holding a clear advantage. There was a certain mage with near infinite magical power named Carla, using her magical power to neutralize the enemy’s magic.

Manesh was alternating reserve troops in at a battalion scale, but even though they were pushing with fresh strength, they couldn’t move forward. It was a standoff.

“Roger.”

With the enemy hitting their left flank, there were gaps between the enemy’s cavalry and infantry.

As the enemy’s commander wasn’t incapable, he attempted to return his cavalry that was on the left flank. However, Manesh’s cavalry frantically obstructed them.

Starting the battle in the morning, the allied forces had gained the obvious advantage by midday.

Carla didn’t use any offensive magic, but even if she couldn’t use it, she was going all out with her healing.

Ria’s Gift allowed her to overwatch a war, but she didn’t know just how large its range was. She’d have to try it out sooner or later.

The enemy’s reserve forces dwindled as they had to send their reserves out.

Then, the enemy’s cavalry and infantry separated.

Ria decided, giving Serge an order.”

“Have the ogres attack the enemy from the left and right flanks.”

Battle cries roared through the skies.

Their penetrating force couldn’t be compared to cavalry. They split into two groups and surrounded the enemy infantry from both flanks.

With a clang, something happened inside Ria as she spontaneously spoke those words.

If it had to be named, it would be [Shura] or [Primal Instinct]. [2]

Half-encircled by the ogres that formed an iron wall around them, even though the ogres’ assault overran them, the Cordovan army still maintained its order.

“Well, one more push then?”

“I’m heading out. Shizuna, follow me. Rudolph, let’s go!” [3]

“Ria, you’re being rash!”

“What should I do with the reports?”

“Keep sending them to me. I’ll give you instructions each time.”

Ria spearheaded a sortie into the flustered officers.

One against a thousand.

Ria, who was accompanied by Shizuna and Rudolph, advanced with her bodyguards as she cut between her allies, crashing into the enemy’s front.

“Her highness came! Stop slacking and show her what you can do!”

She heard similar voices rise up from the ogres that were at the two flanks. Hearing that Ria was fighting together with them, their fighting spirit couldn’t possibly rise any higher.

If Ria died or was captured here, it could turn into a situation of a complete reversal by Cordova.

In fact, Cordova’s army had collapsed.

Their front collapsed and the war of invasion had begun.

Ordered by the Demon King, a man came to this ground.

Proud of his outstanding capabilities as the Demon King’s subordinate, he was famous while at the same time having many problem behaviors.

“All things considered, she’s a beauty…”

“Especially her, that fine woman with silvery hair. I want to shove her down and violate her.”

“She’s the dragonslayer. Besides, even his majesty said to not lower the human’s war potential.”

(Even so…)

(A human that could be defeated with just me, how could they help his majesty?)

Besides, if he had to kill, even if he would get some amusement from it, he would devote himself entirely to the battlefield.

He had time. For a while, he would be maneuvering behind the scenes in this northwest part of the continent.

He would never go against the Demon King. However, that was just one aspect of it.

Imagining himself pressing down on that silver-haired saint, Ordo’s face distorted into a barbarous smile.