Chapter 41

The battle on the plains near the trading city of Jarakud resulted in a historic defeat, with the 30,000-strong Schweider army suffering a crushing loss to just 7,000 Kionis cavalry, and the Grand General, Duke Zihtrudberg, being killed in action.

Such a historic defeat, I wish it had happened without me around. I told them not to use that formation. Although, I didn't actually say it.

Our 6th Special Operations Brigade is retreating eastward with our wagons, rumbling along.

On the way, we seized a wagon abandoned by some division and decided to have it pulled by our reserve draft horses.

I had hoped for some valuable cargo, but unfortunately, only ropes and logs were left. Our brigade has brought enough food and water, but our ammunition is worryingly insufficient.

As I was pondering this, the cavalry led by Satyra, whom I had sent out on reconnaissance, returned.

"The Kionis cavalry has returned to Jarakud. They looted the abandoned cannons and ammunition on the battlefield. But can they even use them?"

I answered without hesitation.

"Don't assume the Kionis people fight with only bows and swords. Whatever we can do, they can do too. In fact, they have already mastered the use of grenades. They will likely use guns and cannons as well."

Then Colonel Altsar rode up on his warhorse.

"Kionis cavalry using gunpowder and grenades. Could it be that woman's doing?"

"Probably."

Duke Litreille is the person who lent siege cannons to the Principality of Bruges. He might have also smuggled grenades to the Kionis Federal Kingdom.

In any case, let's hear the report from the reconnaissance cavalry.

"Anything else?"

"The imperial army has begun to retreat division by division. Since they are on foot, they are all lagging behind our brigade."

That's to be expected. The slower units will likely be picked off first.

Unfortunately, the more scapegoats, the better.

Colonel Altsar seemed to be thinking the same thing and asked me a question.

"Do you think the rear units can catch up with us?"

"Unlikely. In the chaos, most units abandoned their wagons. They will have to carry all their supplies themselves and march at the pace of the wounded."

Soldiers carrying heavy loads and the wounded cannot move quickly. They will need frequent rest.

On the other hand, our brigade is all light-armed. We have loaded all our guns, ammunition, and backpacks onto the wagons, making our pace much lighter. The fear of ambush is scary, but the speed of marching is more important.

Moreover, we have the wounded and those who are unwell on the wagons.

The healthy ones also take turns riding the wagons, allowing them to rest for short periods, even taking off their boots.

Ideally, I would have liked to load everyone onto the wagons and operate like mechanized infantry, but even the strong draft horses need rest, so it's not possible to do so.

From the cavalry's report, I inferred the general situation.

"First, the cavalry forces have been almost completely annihilated in the city of Jarakud. Most of the cannons have been abandoned, so our brigade's five field guns might be the only ones left."

Saying this made me feel disheartened.

"The infantry must have suffered significant casualties, but there should still be a considerable number of troops capable of fighting. However, the shortage of ammunition and food is a serious issue."

Colonel Altsar asked quietly.

"Can they survive in this state?"

"It's difficult to say. They will have to travel through this wilderness without water or blankets. Everyone they encounter will be an enemy."

It would take about three days to reach the imperial fortress city of Tzima on foot, and with the wounded and the need to be on guard against enemy attacks, it would likely take four days.

A forced march without food or water would be life-threatening.

"The best option would be to become prisoners of the enemy, but whether the Kionis people will take prisoners from heretical soldiers is uncertain."

Satyra, the Kionis, shook her head.

"They only spare those they recognize as heroes and who accept conversion. Other heretical warriors are sent to the underworld, entrusting their salvation to the gods."

That's ridiculous. If there is a god, it would probably send them to another world. Can we trust that?

We rode in silence for a while. Then the colonel muttered.

"It seems we have no choice but to flee without looking back."

"I agree."

We nodded deeply in agreement with the colonel's words.

* * *

The day after the battle, we continued our march eastward. We are wary of enemy pursuit, but so far there has been no sign of the enemy. If we are being pursued, it is likely by the rear units of our own army.

After a while, we began to see the bodies of our fallen comrades. These were soldiers who had collapsed on the way. They had not been buried, and only their guns and backpacks had been recovered.

Decay had already begun, and some bodies had been ravaged by wild animals.

"Poor souls," Hanna murmured. I nodded.

Come to think of it, I died in my previous life. I wonder how I died and how I was mourned. At the very least, it must have been better than these nameless soldiers.

Still, we haven't joined up with any of our own forces. There were supposed to be about 20,000 troops left behind by the main force, but where have they gone? Were they taken by the enemy, or did they flee quickly?

This is a problem. We can't fight with just our brigade...

Tired of seeing the gruesome bodies, I rode my horse to the center of the wagon train. Here, the cargo was empty, and the space was reserved for the wounded.

So far, there have been no battle deaths. Four wounded, mostly with arrows in their shoulders or arms, but one with an arrow in his abdomen.

Seeing me on my warhorse, the soldier acting as a nurse saluted silently. Most of the wounded were sleeping.

"How are they doing?"

I asked from my horse. The temporary nurse answered in a low voice.

"Everyone is stable for now. But..."

His gaze fell on a female soldier lying there. She was the one I protected during the retreat.

The arrow was carefully removed by Satyra, a Kionis, but the wound seemed to have worsened during the process.

However, leaving the unsterile arrow in would have caused tetanus. Bleeding is a concern, but so is infection.

"Did you sterilize the needle and thread with brandy as I instructed?"

"Yes, but the bleeding won't stop. According to Satyra, it wasn't a poisoned arrow, but the internal organs are likely damaged, and she needs to see a doctor soon."

"If Duke Zihtrudberg's physicians were still alive..."

In this era, there are no military doctors, and the only doctors are Duke Zihtrudberg's personal physicians, who were all at the main camp and are now missing.

"Sir, you are knowledgeable in medicine, aren't you?"

"Yes... a little, from the officer's school. But I can't perform surgical procedures."

In truth, it's knowledge from my previous life, but I'm still a layman. The best I can do is to maintain hygiene and give specific instructions.

I handed my warhorse to another cavalryman and climbed into the wagon.

"You're bleeding quite a bit. When was the last time the bandage was changed?"

"After the last break."

The bleeding hasn't stopped since the injury. It must be a significant amount. This is a dangerous situation.

"I'm frustrated..."

It's a deep wound, but with the medical standards of my previous life, it would probably be treatable. Blood transfusions to sustain life, suturing of blood vessels, and antibiotics to protect. That was the world I knew.

I realized anew how fortunate I had been in my previous life.

Here, there is nothing. No clean gauze, no disinfectant, no painkillers.

"Ugh..."

She opened her eyes. They were dull, but they regained strength when she recognized me.

"S, Sir..."

"Don't strain yourself. Conserve your strength."

I spoke in a soft voice, and she smiled.

"I have... confidence in my strength... but, what are you touching...?"

"My wrist."

"Ah, Sir is popular... such a womanizer..."

Not good, she's starting to delirium.

I immediately noticed her low body temperature, pale complexion, and shallow, weak breathing and pulse.

Without medical knowledge, but having seen many wounded on both sides, I knew.

Her body was losing the will to live and was about to give up. It wasn't just the blood loss. Her intestines were likely damaged, causing infection. She wouldn't survive.

"Sir..."

"I'm here."

"Do I... really... have to die...?"

Her lips were trembling.

I was momentarily at a loss for words but quickly forced a smile.

"Come on, no one dies from such a wound."

I told a cowardly lie.

"Colonel Altsar will bring a good doctor when we return. Just hang in there."

"Then... can I... lean on you... Sir...?"

"Don't get too comfortable. But I can't refuse a comrade's request."

I couldn't look her in the eye and pulled my cap down over my face.

"Rest and get better. I'll be back."

As I stood up, someone outside called out.

"Sir, where are you? Colonel Altsar is calling for you!"

I stood up and leaped onto my warhorse.

"I'm coming!"

What's happening?