Rebirth in a Ruined Nation! The Life of a New Strategist Starting From Now - Chapter 93

Zetta Great War (8) – The First Day

Kitsar Fortress has two gates: the west gate faces Gorber Kingdom, and the east gate faces Rudek Kingdom.

The Gorber army split its force into two, attacking both gates. The main force defending the gates was the 4th Division, while the Frein Unit and I served as reserves, ready to provide support where needed.

After our soldiers, excluding the Hogg Unit and Yuimei Unit, returned to the fortress, we closed and blocked the west gate with rocks. We left the eastern gate unblocked, considering Hogg-san and the twin outside, and the possibility of reinforcement.

The Gorber army anticipated our moves, sending 10,000 men to the west gate and 5,000 men to the east gate. It was the safest choice for the Gorber army. Sakuri, the Gorber strategist, certainly succeeded in sealing all possibilities for our reinforcement. However, General Zegabain couldn’t take any risk.

If, by some miracle, we got reinforcements, it would be tough for the Gorber army on the eastern side to retreat, as they might get surrounded by us.

(T/N: Because the east gate faces the Rudek Kingdom)

For the Gorber army, losing here would also put their 10,000 soldiers attacking Eren Fortress and Schwaba Fortress in danger. In the worst-case scenario that the Gorber army in all three locations were defeated, the Gorber Kingdom might get destroyed.

The supreme commander, General Zegabain, knew this risk well. Being an excellent general who could think ahead, the General knew he had to minimize his losses if Sakuri’s plan failed.

Thus, the Gorber army attacked the western side fiercely, being easier for them to retreat, in contrast to a less intense attack on the eastern side.

It bothered me that Loderite Est was in charge of attacking the dangerous eastern gate. The show-off Loderite leading fewer troops to attack the east gate was unsettling.

Boltras-sama also seemed wary of Loderite, dividing our forces roughly equal despite fewer enemies attacking the eastern gate.

It didn’t take long for the Gorber army to surround the fortress, targeting the gates.

They brought a battering ram, and we shot arrows at them, killing the soldiers using the ram. Unfortunately, we couldn’t focus on gate defense as the Gorber army also brought siege ladders.

We were outnumbered, thus we were unable to cut off all Gorber’s siege ladder. So we, the reserve troop, had no other choice but to kill the enemy soldiers who succeeded in climbing the fortress wall. It was a crucial role since even if the gate was protected, if the wall was breached we would be defeated.

We were really lacking in soldiers.

We fought 10,000 Gorber soldiers attacking the west gate with 2,000 from the 4th Division and 800 from the Frein Unit.

1,000 out of the 2,000 soldiers of the 4th Division were engaged in battle above the west gate. 500 soldiers were on the ground, defending the gate, leaving only 1,300 to fight Gorber soldiers climbing the wall with siege ladders.

Despite being outnumbered, the terrain advantage helped us drive off Gorber soldiers who reached the fortress wall.

Diku, one of the strongest in physical strength among the 10th Division knights, stood out in this battle. After being advised by Frein to ‘use muscle rather than fancy technique,’ Diku switched from using a sword to a club.

With one swing, Diku’s club crushed Gorber soldiers, and his club also easily broke many ladders. If any nimble enemies evaded Diku, Wickharlt shot them down, and the Frein Unit handled the rest.

Despite everyone fighting well, our situation remained challenging. Though the Gorber army suffered heavier losses, our fewer soldiers put our survival at risk.

But we had a ‘trump card.’

Yuimei Unit and Hogg Unit outside the fortress moved. The twin and Hogg-san led 1,000 soldiers each.

Yuimei Unit, a heavy cavalry unlike the Hogg Unit, could easily ignore enemy arrows. Hogg Unit’s attack combined with Yuimei Unit’s defense created an effective ‘harassment’ for the Gorber army.

They attacked, provoked the enemy, and retreated when the enemy fought back. If the enemy chased, they escaped; if ignored, they attacked. I could sense the enemy soldiers’ frustration even from here.

The Gorber army sent 4,000 soldiers to defeat Hogg-san and the twin’s cavalries, but the two cavalries played around with them.

Perhaps due to Hogg-san being the twin’s master, they shared a playful yet annoying battle style.

The battle continued until the sun set.

“The Gorber soldiers are retreating.”

As Wickharlt just said, the Gorber soldiers had begun to retreat.

“It’s finally over…”

The setting sun marked the end of the first day of the battle.