Dragon’s Bloodline Chapter 66

A Battle of Pursuit

For the battle between the Ogress army and the Cordovan army, it started advantageous for the Ogress army.

So with the Ogress army facing them in the eyes, and without even the previous encampment to retreat to as well, they had to take formation and fight.

Meanwhile, the Ogress army had completed all of its preparations.

They occupied the strategic positions and attacked the Cordovan army from the high ground.

I was commanded by the Casalian knight order’s vice-captain, Reyas. He was a militaristic man renowned even in other countries.

They were facing Cordova’s infantry, which numbered the same. And although their skill was about equal with each other, Cordova had more experience.

So far their equipment had been overwhelmingly better, so for Cordova that had completed enhanced training, this was the first time they had faced forces that fought evenly with them.

Until then, they oppressed their enemies, encircled them, and trampled their very existences.

And so if there was no difference in their soldiers’ qualities, the main problems became strategy and numbers.

However, most importantly, their numbers were different.

Their cavalry was being encircled and prevented from doing their job, and their infantry was half surrounded by double their number. In that kind of a situation, the fact that Cordova’s control hadn’t collapsed was abnormal.

So Reyas, seeing how it was playing out, instinctively wanted to let out a sigh.

As long as this perfect situation continued, they probably wouldn’t be able to lose. However, the enemy’s forces held up their defense and they didn’t have the strength for a final push.

Fighting for half of a day, Cordova still hadn’t given way. Usually, it wouldn’t be off for order to have already collapsed.

As for the military strength they had on reserve, there were one hundred ogre troops. If they could leverage their ballistic strength, they might be able to win.

On the other hand, even if they gradually wore down their opponent through a war of attrition, it couldn’t be called that good of a method.

Not to mention Manesh’s soldiers, they were elites. It would take time to restore them if they lost even one.

They could win if forced into a battle of attrition. However, it would mean their defeat in the war as a whole.

However, a war couldn’t come to an end with just respect.

Their strongest war potential pierced into Cordovan lines head on.

Reyas couldn’t help but wonder just what kind of training their troops went through to endure this colossal disadvantage.

Then, Ria’s army arrived.

Having just experienced a victorious battle under Ria’s command, there were seven thousand dauntless soldiers.

Although Cordova didn’t relax its guard, Ria’s army was simply too fast.

Ria shouted at the lead, entering the sea of the Cordovan army.

If they defeated a general, they could be promoted. With that thought, the rest recklessly thrust in as well.

Cordova’s forces collapsed.

Although they obviously didn’t kill everyone, they terminated their entire chain of command.

From this moment, the Cordovan army was no longer an army. It became a group of free soldiers.

Carla and Fio lead the cavalry to look over the battle from a slightly elevated hill.

“Carla-sama… aren’t you worried?”

“I can’t say that I’m not worried. However, just how strong is that person? I know, as I’ve fought her directly.”

She was surprised and didn’t know that Ria had defeated Carla, who had even killed a dragon. The reason is because Guinevere didn’t wish for the information to spread.

She had thought that Ria’s strength was about the same as Reyas’ from back in Casalia. However, even a person who had killed a dragon was no match for Ria.

“Soon it will be the infantry’s turn.”

Carla muttered. The collapsing Cordovan infantry was quickly being killed off. The cavalrymen that saw this happening attempted to escape towards their home, Cordova.

“Serge, Fio, please do not stray from me.”

However, Serge used natural law magic and didn’t sense any hostile reactions.[1]

“It might not be an enemy. Even so, we are being watched.”

It might not be an enemy. For now, at least.

However, Carla wasn’t able to ignore the feeling of a gaze attempting to steal her away. [2]

Cordova’s injuries continued to spread.

The final blow was dealt by Carla’s three thousand cavalry sweeping down.

Those cavalrymen that had attempted to escape were caught by the Ogress army’s cavalry and killed this time.

The casualties they suffered amounted to less than one tenth of that.

The Ogress cavalrymen obstinately chased the Cordovan soldiers that ran away.

Ria nearly spearheaded into it, but stopped just before the fortress.

Naturally, all of the cavalry stopped as well. Reyas, who was leading them, naturally stopped as well.

“Your highness! If we continue to charge, we can take the fortress.”

However, Ria was calm.

“But if we use this chance, we can capture the fortress!”

But as Ria said, that was not the purpose for this battle.

Speaking to there, Reyas also saw what Ria was speaking of.

They had successfully repulsed Cordova’s army. This would very likely be hugely impactive for propaganda.

And yet still, Reyas still seemed to lose to the temptation of capturing the fortress before them.

Ria spoke with an attitude that exuded composure.

“If it’s just a fortress at that level, we could defeat it immediately.”

Since her words were spoken too naturally, Reyas blinked.

When he looked back towards the towering, majestic fortress, he felt that it couldn’t just be rushed down with brute strength.

Holding a curious understanding, Reyas nodded.

As a matter of fact, the contriving of capturing the fortress had nothing to do with Ria.

(But it will definitely fall.)

Bearing a strong determination in her chest, for now, Ria turned her back on the fortress.

“Did she notice at this distance…?”

After accomplishing his duty, he overlooked the battlefield. In that army that followed pursuit, the black and silver pair stood out.

However, the silver-haired one was different. Dragonslayer. He was perhaps even unable to be a match for her, the strongest war potential on the humans’ side.

He certainly wouldn’t be able to win through normal means. Then, how could he?

They were allied with Ogress for now. That was the demon king’s command. It was in his very nature to be unable to oppose the demon king’s orders.

Ordo didn’t think himself capable of opposing the demon king.

His feeling towards the thrill of battle being even like ecstasy, Ordo grinned as he bared his fangs.

Footnotes:

I’m not certain if I’m correctly interpreting this kanji for that kind of magic. Suggestions? 術理

Alright so I have no idea how to explain ‘netori’ in this sentence AND have it flow anything like how English works. Literally, it says that there’s ‘a gaze staring at and netori’ing her’.