Dragon’s Bloodline Chapter 65

The Siege

The three thousand cavalry lead by Ria were mostly Manesh Kingdom’s cavalry that tasted victory in that battle.

They could attack from above in battles or use their famous charging capability that was even stronger than cavalry’s, but Ria decided to use them specifically for reconnaissance.

“Although flying dragons certainly are strong, they are powerless before the might of an army. It’d be different if we could integrate many of them into our army like Casalia though.”

Shizuna, who was not well versed in the operation of cavalry, was also house-sitting. To be accurate, she was scheduled to go along with the large army that would cut off Cordova’s retreat.

“Well, if we don’t fight, that’s also fine.”

The strategy was simple. Force Cordova’s troops to stay in Salf, break apart their supply lines with beastkin troops.

Then the troops that departed from Salf would attack Cordova’s armies from behind, forming a pincer attack.

The night before they arrived at Salf, the four top executives gathered in a tent.

This was Fio’s first time on a campaign, her lips were pale from the stress.

“Well, it probably won’t go that well.”

“The first problem is whether or not Salf can endure Cordova’s troops.”

“Cutting off the enemy’s supply lines as well, they might be vigilant for it this time. It’s doubtful whether or not we can catch the enemy’s army with good timing with our forces. And whether or not we can win, that relies on if everything goes smoothly…”

For Fio that had received military training as a knight, she thought they could win if they succeeded holding again the seige. Because the enemy numbered thirty-six thousand, they had almost twice their number.

Even in their recent battle, their infantry persevered greatly. Their cavalry had also withdrawn from the battlefield splendidly.

“Well, we have various secret weapons, so let’s go playing it by ear.”

Saying that, Ria closed the strategy meeting.

Seeing the town of Sia, Ria thought it was crude.

“We welcome your majesty’s arrival.”

“The moat’s shallow.”

“The walls are low, too.”

Though she wasn’t particularly laying the blame on him, the mayor’s voice quickly became small.

“Three thousand between mercenaries and guards, five thousand volunteers.”

“Carla, heal the sick and injured. Fio, select those that can’t fight for logistical support.”

“What about weapons and defensive equipment?”

They probably wouldn’t finish in time. Although than mercenaries and the guards that already had weapons, Ria would still have to make enough for the volunteer soldiers.

“Are there any logs?”

“Logs. Along with dropping them on enemies that try to scale the walls, they can be used to strengthen the walls.”

Ria’s genesis magic could not make wood. At worst, even though she could make huge sticks of metal, it would consume a massive amount of magical power.

“You seem to be pulling water from the river to the east huh. Are you concerned about the river’s flow being stopped?”

“And your food storage?”

(I see. That’s plenty.)

“First, dredge the moat. They could currently pass through it easily.”

When carrying the soil drawn up onto the walls, the walls would be strengthened by using hardening magic.

Carla saw to healing the injured, there were many soldiers that said they could fight if their old wounds were healed as well. Although it would take an extra among of magical power to make old wounds look natural once again, it was even so a good thing that they could get more experienced fighters to join them.

Night by night, Ria would busily create armor and weapons.

“What kind of weapons are used in castle sieges fought in this world?”

“I think it’d be generally the same as our previous world, but… maybe they use catapults a lot? With this town’s walls, long ladders might be effective.”

“Yeah. However, even if you can prevent magic with magic, science cannot be prevented by magic.

“But that oil… It has more uses than I thought at first huh, that genesis magic.”

“That cyclops would be an easy win now.”

Their enemy that should have arrived after three days finally arrived four days later.

She knew since she had received a report about it from Pineau, but it seemed that they went to conduct arson on the Cordovan army’s weapons. It was news she was thankful for.

Although Salf had gates in the south, north, and west, it seemed the majority of their efforts would be on attacking the west gate.

Ria had set herself up there. For the enemies to the south and north, she chose experienced people from the mercenaries and volunteers to be commanders.

Although there was a cavalryman sent to the front of the gate to recommend their surrender, he was sent back running by stones tossed at him before he could finish conveying it all. It was a small mercy that they didn’t use arrows on him.

Then, the battle began.

The Cordovan infantrymen help up their shields, rushing into the moat. They then began to throw sandbags into it.

“So they came with sandbags huh… Well, we probably would have barbecued them if they used ladders.”

Making a detour to the northwest, they seemed to be obstructing Cordova’s troops from behind. Like this, it would be their win if Salf didn’t fall before they could see their enemy’s backs.

“Lose the fire arrows!”

The oil covering its surface igniting, black flames rose up.

In the end, that day’s battle came to a cloth with mutual arrow-fire from each side’s camp after the moat caught on fire.

On the second day, the enemy’s attack target became clear.

Although they could cope with it, Carla’s existence was, as expected, foul play.

Since they could even resurrect the dead, their defensive capabilities didn’t fall.

Although she could use revival magic, about twenty people per day seemed to be her limit though.

In the early morning of the third day, she sent out the dragoons to perform reconnaissance behind the enemy.

However, when they landed to examine in depth since they felt no danger, it turned out the base was not only destroyed, but the defending forces were almost entirely annihilated as well.

Although they were allies with each other this time, this was different from Ria’s policies. She wasn’t there though, so she couldn’t complain.

And to add to that, they obtained information that the Ogress army arrived from their detour march on the route that cut Cordova’s army off from its own country.

Since the Cordovan army sent out many scouts, they had probably already obtained this information. So long as the enemy commanders weren’t incapable, they should have been thinking about signaling for a retreat.

Because it was necessary to command the defense during the day, Carla could be found with the wounded soldiers during the morning.

“Don’t worry about it. For solders that fight directly, this is all that I can do.”

Being conscious that their own commander was looking out for them raised their morale. Predicting everything, Ria made her way through the tents. [1]

As she said that, she opened up a soldier’s wound herself, sucking out the pus with her mouth before treating the wound.

Contrasting the soldiers that could barely speak from surprise, Ria smiled with a beautiful face.

Leaving the soldiers who were kneeling and worshiping her, Ria exited the tent.

“Ria-sama is… gentle.”

“It’s in ‘Historical Records’ isn’t it?”

Ria muttered with a cool-headed face.

Though Fio was surprised, Carla pondered it and spoke.

“Yeah, it’s something from over two thousand years ago though. With this, my reputation with the soldiers will improve; so will all of their morale. Soldiers that surpass their fear of death can be even stronger than trained soldiers.”

Even if she was an ordinary mage, she would definitely have done the same thing. But right now, she was expected to do things that brought meaningful outcomes.

Carla moved to Ria’s side and clasped her hand.

“You are deep in thought, I understand that you’re doing everything.”

“No matter what you do, I am your ally.”

“Me too, that goes without saying.”

Though Serge spoke carefreely, right now, he likely didn’t understand just how valuable a person that could talk to her like that was.

Because he didn’t know that, she was grateful.

On the morning of the fourth day, the Cordovan army started its retreat.

“We did it, your majesty.”

“Prepare for pursuit. Collect volunteers that aren’t exhausted.”

As he said, the army retreated because it was an order. However, Ria understood this was a crucial moment.

Even though they’d successfully defended against the siege, it would be useless if they lost the essential battle. They would immediately attack Salf once again.

Thereupon, Guinevere would get angry.

“After resting for today, we will begin our pursuit tomorrow! Mercenaries and volunteers, only those who want to!”

“I volunteer!”

“Me too!”

“I’ll go anywhere for her majesty!”

In the end, other than Ria’s cavalry, seven thousand would participate in the pursuit.

This trade city Salf was mobilizing practically all of its forces.

Footnotes:

史記 –> ‘Historical Records‘. 全て計算の上 –> Some saying (I assume) that I used quite a bit of time trying to understand… to no avail.

See [1]!

Sorry, this part lost me a bit ago when it brought up the ‘Historical Records’. I assume it’s something semi-well known in JP culture.