AWDC Chapter 70

Chapter 70: Before the Decisive Battle

As largely expected, the Bawa Roma religion’s southward advance began.

Both the Midland family in the east and the Gregg family in the west possessed formidable retinues. However, both dukes judged that they couldn’t recklessly march on the capital, given the momentum of the Bawa Roma army.

Nevertheless, both families had prepared enough forces to meet the Bawa Roma army if they entered their respective territories.

“If they come to me, I’ll crush those guys with ease,” Duke Gregg had boasted.

Compared to those families, the Robertson family was noticeably weaker.

Even from my perspective, if I were on the offensive, conquering the south would be the only option.

Prince Raphael was the leader of the south. However, the Prince’s own forces didn’t even number 200. The other southern lords were in a similar situation. Anyone would wonder if they could manage with such meager military strength.

Suddenly, at Prince Raphael’s call, a strategy meeting began in Milona Town. I also attended, but reaching an agreement wasn’t easy.

“The Bawa Roma religion’s forces are not to be underestimated. Shouldn’t we seek a reconciliation here?”

Reports from the capital indicated that Waomou’s forces were thought to exceed 20,000. On our side, even combined, we barely surpassed 3,000. The difference in military strength was too great. I could understand the desire to submit rather than fight.

“In the capital, not only the royal palace but also the nobles’ mansions are being burned down. Even if we submit, our safety is not guaranteed.”

“That’s true, but we might lose our lives!”

The peace faction was small, but they had enough persuasive power to discourage the will to fight to the bitter end.

The discussion made little progress. At this point, Prince Raphael stood up.

“Look closely at the chaos in the capital. Those guys are setting fires indiscriminately, killing people, and plundering to their heart’s content.

If we let them set foot in this land, our wives and children will live in fear of death, crying and screaming.

A lord who lacks the courage to defend his territory cannot protect his people or his family. Leave from here, right now.

Even if I’m alone, I will defend this place.”

“Your Highness! I will follow you to the end!”

I stepped forward before the Prince and offered my sword.

It was a slightly theatrical gesture, but I saw that the Prince’s actions were aimed at inspiring the fainthearted nobles.

Seeing this, all the lords followed my lead. It was decided that the south would unite to confront the rioters.

The Prince gave me a grateful look.

The location of the decisive battle was 10 kilometers south of Milona Town, a narrow, elongated area between the Mulan River and Milona Lake.

This was a route along the main road, sandwiched between the river and the lakeshore with no side roads, leading almost directly to Milona.

The route that ran along the Mulan River had always been the most popular way to enter the central and southern regions. Other routes required crossing mountainous hills, which was fine for small groups but not for armies of over a thousand.

While it was conceivable to sail up the Mulan River by boat, there weren’t enough boats available to suddenly transport a large army.

If the enemy were foolish enough to use boats, they would be going against the river’s current, making them easy targets. I didn’t think the enemy would make such a foolish move.

Therefore, the enemy would have to use the river route that cut through the hills along the Mulan River.

And after passing through the hills, there was the large Milona Lake, meaning that following the Mulan River route would inevitably lead them through this narrow area.

Conversely, passing through here would allow them to easily reach any part of the south.

If they managed to break through here and advance along the river, they could even enter Toriholi Village. If that happened, Toriholi Village, with its small number of soldiers, would be overrun. My family, Margarita, and the adorable Marina, and my eldest son, who was born just last year, were there. There wasn’t a time when I didn’t think of my family, I cherished them so much now. That was why I would protect my family no matter what. I was determined to stop them here.

A little to the east was the Mulan River’s riverbed, and to the west was the shores of Milona Lake. The area was mostly unused for agriculture, covered in weeds, river stones, and a few thin trees.

The Toriholi Village unit took up position in the center of the southern lords’ forces. Prince Raphael was positioned slightly behind towards the Mulan River, and the southern lords were positioned on the opposite side.

Up until this point, Toriholi Village had been the only one among the southern lords to conduct military training in preparation for the Bawa Roma religion. The unit numbered over 1,000, and most of the soldiers had lived as soldiers in the King’s army or the Earl’s army, and had spent nearly half a year training in the desert. There was no stronger army in the south.

And I also recognized that the army led by the Bawa Roma believers lacked training.

I had heard that there were former soldiers from the King’s army among the religious group. The way they stood at the head and led the unit was quite impressive.

The group of over 20,000 filled the area between the hills, the Mulan River, and Milona Lake, so much so that it was fair to say they had filled it completely.

The voices of the people, the neighing of the horses, the creaking of the carts – each sound was not loud, but when combined, they drowned out the sound of the Mulan River’s waves and overwhelmed us.

But they were just a group of amateurs. I could tell that they didn’t have enough weapons or armor. I had received reports that some of the farmers-turned-soldiers only had farm tools like sickles, and some even only had wooden sticks.

From the reports of those who were observing their actions, I believed that the moment right before the battle would be crucial.

Roy was the commander-in-chief of the Toriholi army.

John was the commander of the front lines, with unit leaders under him. My role could be described as a tactical staff officer.

Most of those standing on the front lines were former soldiers of the King’s army or former squires of the Earl’s household, and they were accustomed to battle. Furthermore, they had spent ample time training in the desert.

On the other hand, the village defense force was stationed in the rear, engaged in transporting food and weapons.

The lord and Ricardo were among them, effectively forming the main camp, and I definitely didn’t want them near the front lines.

“I don’t want to be in the rear,” Ricardo protested, unusually agitated, coming to me. The young man believed that it was the duty of lords and nobles to be active on the front lines.

“An army works as a unit, with the front, middle, and rear supporting each other. We can’t win if any part is missing. I want you to stand firm in the main camp.”

But Ricardo wouldn’t back down.

“Toma, you should be in the main camp too.”

“I’m the vice-captain of the defense force and one of the deputy commanders this time. I have to be on the front lines.”

Ricardo was dissatisfied with my explanation, but he somehow complied. Both the lord and Ricardo were my adopted father and brother, and like family. I wanted them to wait in the rear.

And there were other familiar faces in the defense force. Most of the young members of the defense force were my students. Even Tom’s son was there. When I considered the formation, I couldn’t help but think about this.

Perhaps having such feelings meant that I wasn’t suited to be a soldier.

But there was something in this war that only I could do. And that was to devise a strategy.

I remembered the books on military operations that I had read in my previous life. I was a doctor by profession and didn’t have much interest in military-related books, but I still had a little knowledge about the wars of my previous life.

An army cannot take unified action without a certain degree of shared understanding. In life-or-death situations, no one wants to die. They might want to run away on their own. In an army, orders from above suppress such independent actions. Collective action is something that cannot be explained simply.

In the case of the Bawa Roma army, faith could be said to support the military action.

If that was the case, we could win as long as we could disrupt the Bawa Roma religion right before the battle. That was how I saw it.

That’s why I was meticulously preparing the battlefield and the traps.