Chapter 66

### The Story of the Horse

"Man, I slept well. What a wonderful morning. Of course, the enemy probably didn't get any sleep at all, though."

"You have a bad attitude, Tony. So, how long do you think it will take to capture it?"

"Well, considering the enemy's fatigue, I think it will fall in about a week. At most, two weeks. We can always resupply the soldiers, siege weapons, and provisions later. The enemy is foolish for even attempting a siege without any resupply plans."

Carlo and Tony left the tent.

The siege of Terial Castle had been ongoing since the night before.

The enemy must be quite exhausted by now.

"Alright, let's have a good day today!!"

### The Second Day of the Siege

"Damn, I'm so sleepy..."

Gram yawned.

"It's because they didn't let us sleep last night."

Last night, as Ron and Gram had predicted, the Dorgal army launched a night attack. However, there was almost no attack on the walls; the enemy just beat drums and shouted from a distance where our arrows couldn't reach.

Still, we had to respond, and we hardly slept last night.

As a countermeasure, we divided the soldiers into two groups to work in shifts during the day and night. But even so, it's impossible to sleep soundly when under attack.

"Ah, the accuracy of the arrows is dropping..."

Gram sighed as he watched the trajectory of the arrows his subordinates fired.

But it can't be helped; they are sleep-deprived and can't concentrate.

However, as the accuracy of the arrows drops, more enemy soldiers will climb the walls.

This puts more strain on the infantry.

Naturally, the infantry are also sleep-deprived.

"Ah, I'm so frustrated! Bring me a flamethrower. I'll burn them all."

Finally, Ron decided to use the flamethrower.

Enemy soldiers burned one after another.

But the flamethrower only lasts for ten seconds.

The enemy takes advantage of the gap to attack.

There's no sign of the enemy's offensive weakening.

"Damn, but this is the moment to hold our ground. Aim for the general!!"

Joseph swung his sword, his performance more brilliant than any other centurion.

"I can't fall behind."

Ron held a spear in his right hand and a sword in his left.

"Alright, I'll make them pay."

### The Rosais Army's catapults and ballistae roared, launching black powder at the siege towers.

They hit the siege towers, but one hit wasn't enough to destroy them.

It took four hits to finally bring one down.

"The towers are reinforced with water to increase their fire resistance... They seem to have been reinforced in various ways. I thought it would be easy with fire potions."

Balthro sighed.

The siege towers were reinforced with iron in some places.

The surface was completely covered with animal skins, and water was dripping off.

The most troublesome thing was the barrier on the siege towers.

It seems that three sorcerers were assigned to each tower to maintain the barrier.

"Hey, bring me a sorcerer. We can't make progress without breaking it."

"Understood, I'll destroy it now."

Tetra appeared and waved her staff, and particles of light scattered from the siege tower.

The barrier was destroyed.

Bombs concentrated on it, and the siege tower was destroyed.

"Amazing!! One hit is incredible, Lord Tetra. But it's dangerous... Dangerous!!"

A soldier who had just climbed the wall suddenly jumped and attacked Tetra.

But Tetra calmly waved her staff.

Fresh blood splattered, and the enemy soldier's head flew through the air.

"Uh... a hidden blade?"

"Yep. Isn't it cool?"

The sheath at the tip of Tetra's staff fell off, revealing a blade.

It was clearly made of iron.

"Maybe you know some swordsmanship?"

"Of course. I learned from Almus."

"Wow... I'm counting on you."

"Understood."

Tetra gave a thumbs up.

### "Hey, Ron!! They've built a bridge over the moat!! The battering ram is coming! Quickly, use the explosive spears to blow it up!!"

"Just a moment! I'm busy right now!!"

Ron frantically cut down the surrounding enemies, gave orders to his subordinates, and commanded the destruction of the battering ram.

Explosive spears were immediately launched at the battering ram.

But the battering ram held up.

It was covered with an iron roof.

Moreover, the roof was reinforced with dozens of barriers and curse stones, so the impact barely affected the soldiers below.

"An iron roof? Are you kidding me!! Alright, aim for the base!! Destroy the bridge."

Following Ron's orders, explosive spears were thrown and hit the bridge.

The bridge was easily destroyed, and the battering ram sank into the moat.

It was a relief.

But...

"There are still so many battering rams..."

Seeing the row of battering rams, Ron almost cried.

We have a decent stock of explosive spears, but...

There is a limit.

This time, many were used for flamethrowers.

"What if we run out..."

The attacks from the siege towers also intensified.

Occasionally, the enemy's catapults destroyed our ballistae and catapults.

"Alright, the barrier is down. Quickly, use the fire potions!"

Following Lulu's orders, explosive spears were launched from the ballistae and hit the siege tower.

The siege tower collapsed, and the archers on it fell to the ground.

Arrows concentrated on them.

The strategy was to focus on eliminating the archers. If the archers die, it will be easier for us.

### The morning battle showed the Rosais Army at a slight disadvantage in some areas, but overall, they were in a favorable position.

"Hmm"

Almus was reading a letter.

It was delivered by a hawk. From the relaxed look on Almus's face, it was clear that it was good news.

"Lord Balthro, Lord Perum, Lord Ordobis, please come here."

Almus ordered Tetra.

The three were immediately summoned.

"What is it, General?"

"The first phase of the operation was a success. A great success. The enemy hasn't noticed at all."

The three also relaxed their faces.

"At this rate, the second report should arrive by tonight. General."

"Yes, if the second phase is successful, our victory is assured."

### On the other hand, about three hours later, Carlo and Tony also received a message by hawk.

This was bad news.

"The, the Dress village has fallen!!"

Tony received the news that the supply base, Dress village, had been captured by 500 Rosais cavalry in a surprise attack.

Tony's hands trembled. This meant their supply line was cut.

But Tony tried to calm himself down.

The enemy seems to be cavalry. The question is where they came from, but they probably crossed the Romano forest. There's no other way they could have entered.

To Tony, crossing such a forest was impossible. It was said that stepping into the forest would bring the wrath of the griffins, and they were taught from a young age that "if you're not good, the griffins will eat you."

It's surprising that the soldiers followed. He had heard that the current general was the son of a griffin. He thought it was just a rumor and didn't strengthen the watch around the forest. It was a complete mistake.

But what's worrying is why Dress village fell so easily.

There were 300 soldiers stationed there, and a strong fortress was built. They had made preparations.

Since the supply line was crucial in this war, Tony had ensured the defense of Dress village.

With a 500 to 300 difference in numbers, it should have taken at least three days to fall.

Moreover, 500 cavalry is suspicious. The Rosais kingdom should only have about 150 cavalry.

Something is wrong.

Tony immediately called the nobles, other generals, and centurions to a meeting to decide whether to retreat or not.

The conclusion was immediate. No.

If the supply line is cut, it is common sense to retreat for safety.

But this war involves politics. Therefore, retreating is not an option. It cannot be an option.

Most of the nobles participating in this war are Carlo's supporters.

This war is about Carlo's succession to the throne, and it cannot be easily abandoned.

Defeat in this battle will determine the future of the nobles.

The possibility of a new king treating them well is almost zero.

Even being allowed to keep their land would be a relief. Some minor nobles will definitely be abolished.

At least, that's what we would do.

Our lives, land, wealth, and honor.

All of these could be lost if we retreat.

Therefore, we cannot retreat just because a rear supply base has been captured.

The only option is to retake Dress village and re-establish the supply line.

The enemy is outnumbered and we have the advantage of the terrain.

We have a good chance of success.

"It's fine. I'll send 2,000 light infantry and 200 cavalry. Ah... If we had more cavalry, it would be quick. King Dorgal is afraid of the Rosel Kingdom and only lent us a few..."

Even though the enemy is cavalry, we are sending 2,000 infantry and 200 cavalry. A 4.4 to 1 advantage. We will definitely retake Dress village.

Cavalry is not useful in a siege, and the Rosais kingdom's cavalry is limited.

They will probably try to settle it on the plains, but we have 200 cavalry.

We can easily counter them, and the decisive factor in the Adelnia Peninsula is heavy infantry.

The enemy lacks this.

This war cannot be easily abandoned.

After all, it's not about my advancement... but Carlo's throne and King Dorgal's dominance.

### The afternoon was not much different from the morning.

However, the Rosais Army's centurions and above were slightly more relaxed, while the Dorgal Army's centurions and above were depressed.

### The night battle.

"Still as noisy as