At some point, with the disappearance of the experienced troops and knight orders from both fronts, the already fragile Holy Kingdom’s army lost its capacity to stand against the enemy.
“Where’d their cavalry go?”
“Exactly. Normally, when our infantry pushes forward like this, they’d send in a cavalry charge at least once.”
How had the Holy Kingdom’s army, with inferior tactics, troop quality, and equipment, managed to hold out until now?
It was thanks to the presence of a small number of elite troops.
These veterans had formed the backbone of the army, teaching clueless conscripts how to endure artillery fire and leading from the frontlines to rally the soldiers in battle.
By harassing the Kingdom’s and the Empire’s forces relentlessly, they had bought the Holy Kingdom a few extra weeks of survival.
But now that those elites had been reassigned to the Holy See, what was left?
A chaotic mess of poorly trained conscripts.
With no reliable comrades to follow, the remaining troops lost their morale and spiraled into panic.
“Well, this works out for us. Relay to the artillery unit to fire another rocket barrage. Once their trenches are breached, launch a full assault.”
“Yes, sir! Preparing for rocket fire!”
If the Holy Kingdom’s forces had at least retained a balanced mix of troop types, it might have been a different story.
But even their cavalry had been stripped away.
The Holy Kingdom had long invested heavily in raising expensive cavalry units, appointing them to the knight orders.
Cavalry, which handled everything from counter-cavalry combat to reconnaissance, disrupting enemy formations, and pursuit, were essential for an effective military.
Losing them was like losing the army’s limbs.
While the army could still technically “function,” in practice, it was utterly crippled.
“Those bastards can’t counterattack! Keep striking and retreating!”
“First Battalion, flank left and take out their artillery! Their rear is wide open!”
The Kingdom’s and Empire’s armies, realizing their overwhelming superiority, unleashed a series of relentless assaults.
They resorted to swarm tactics reminiscent of nomadic raiders, hit-and-run strikes, flanking attacks, and rear assaults—methods designed to infuriate and demoralize their enemies.
“Hey, you cowardly bastards! Fight fair for once!!”
“Idiot. There’s no such thing as fairness in war. Stop whining and dodge the artillery instead.”
“Wait, what? Crap, they’re sending out another one of those weird flying machines–“
–Boom!
It took only eight days.
It had taken only eight days for the Ulranor Kingdom Army and the Holy Federated Empire Expeditionary Force to meet at a river.
“Hmm, I recognize your face. A pleasure to meet you. I am General Leclerc, Supreme Commander of the Imperial Expeditionary Force.”
“Likewise, General Leclerc. I’m Lieutenant General Baden, Commander of the Kingdom’s Expeditionary Force. The pleasure is all mine.”
Much like how German and Soviet forces met at the front during the invasion of Poland to celebrate their shared victory, the armies of the two nations, meeting across a shallow stream, greeted each other—albeit not particularly warmly.
“Your soldiers seem rather tense. Did you happen to bring the ones who fought on the snowy frontlines?”
“Indeed. His Majesty specifically ordered that those units be brought first.”
“In that case, it might be wise to prevent any interaction between our troops. Unless you want to witness a brawl break out.”
It was a natural reaction.
These soldiers had spent the last ten years slugging it out on the harshest battlefields in the world.
They had endured grueling conditions, fighting and killing each other just to survive another day.
Bringing such men together in one place wasn’t going to create a cheerful reunion.
Even lifelong friends would have become bitter enemies after experiencing such trials.
Frankly, the fact that they hadn’t started shooting at each other the moment they recognized familiar faces was a testament to their self-restraint.
If they hadn’t, this peaceful meeting might have turned into a full-blown war all over again.
“I was considering hosting a grand feast, but it seems that’s out of the question. How about a simple exchange of liquor instead?”
“That sounds like a splendid idea.”
As a gesture of goodwill, the two commanders exchanged their provisions—wine from the Kingdom’s side and brandy from the Empire’s.
Along with that, they also traded spare uniforms adorned with their respective insignias.
These items later became artifacts, preserved as evidence of a peaceful encounter between two armies that had once fought fiercely against each other.
The two commanders, each setting up their camps at a respectful distance from the other, met again in a nearby field.
Setting up a small table and chairs, they brought out the liquor they had exchanged and poured drinks into each other’s glasses.
“Shall we toast?”
“Let’s.”
–Clink!
The rough clinking of glasses was so vigorous that the liquids inside mixed together.
The vigorous clinking of glasses was a deliberate act to prove there was no poison in the drinks.
Both commanders downed the strong wine like it was beer, then began tearing into simple snacks like cheese and jerky as they started their conversation.
“When do you plan to withdraw your troops? This territory has been promised to my country, as per our agreement.”
“About a week from now. My soldiers are exhausted and need the rest.”
“Isn’t that a bit shameless of you?”
Baden chuckled lightly, shaking his head in disapproval.
They had written and signed a formal treaty beforehand, so was Leclerc really trying to go back on his word now?
It was better than sneaking around and scheming behind the scenes, but staying here out of greed for more land would be a problem.
“I’ll give you two days. Replenish your water supplies and let your men rest up properly, but after that, you leave.”
“You’re stingy, aren’t you? Fine, two days it is.”
Leclerc, realizing he wouldn’t gain anything by pushing further, agreed without protest.
He had only been testing the waters anyway.
Starting a dispute in this faraway land wasn’t worth it.
Besides, the land they had already taken was more than enough of a windfall for the Empire.
“So, will your forces be handling the assault on the Holy Kingdom’s capital?”
“Yes. We’re already finalizing the operation plans.”
By now, 98% of the Holy Kingdom’s territory was in the hands of the Empire and the Kingdom.
Only one place remained—the capital, where the Holy See was located.
The remaining knights and Holy Kingdom troops had gathered there, seemingly cornered.
For now, both armies had chosen not to attack, opting instead to finish cleaning up the rest of the region before launching a decisive strike.
“Well, that’s the Kingdom’s territory as per the agreement, so I can’t argue. Still, would you allow us to send a military observer delegation?”
“An observer delegation? You want to watch us fight?”
“Let’s just say I’d like to see the tactics of the men who once crushed my army up close.”
Leclerc’s mind wandered back to the time when the Imperial Western Front Army, nearly 200,000 strong, was shattered in a single day.
He could still vividly recall the sight of Carolus’s revolutionary forces:
Long, drawn-out lines of musket-armed infantry marching in perfect formation, setting fields and fortresses ablaze.
Their precision volleys devastated the Imperial ranks, using muskets to deliver relentless waves of gunfire instead of relying on pikes or swords.
Though hostility between the two nations was now a thing of the past, Leclerc believed it was essential for the Empire to study and understand the revolutionary army’s tactics and doctrines for future conflicts.
“If the Imperial Army could adopt those methods, we’d gain the upper hand in any disputes with other nations, wouldn’t we?”
“There’s no reason it couldn’t be done, but…”
Vaden responded hesitantly.
This wasn’t a matter he could decide on his own authority.
“I think it’s best if you ask someone else directly about this.”
“And who might that be?” Leclerc asked, raising an eyebrow.
Vaden shrugged lightly.
“My superior will be arriving here shortly. Along with the Saintess.”
“Your superior… ah.”
Leclerc immediately understood who Baden was referring to.
There was only one person in the world who fit that description.
“His Excellency will be arriving in the Holy Kingdom.”
Carolus von Royten.
“It’s been a while, Your Excellency. I trust your journey here wasn’t too harsh?”
“You managed the occupied territories well enough for us to have a smooth journey. You’ve worked hard, my friend.”
Carolus arrived at the frontlines surrounding the Holy Kingdom’s capital, accompanied by the Saintess.
It was at her request—they had come to personally witness the fall of the Holy Kingdom.
Waiting for him were his subordinates, their uniforms and equipment still intact, though signs of weariness were evident on their faces.
Perhaps the fighting with the Holy Kingdom’s army had been fiercer than anticipated.
The last report Carolus had received stated that the enemy was being pushed back without much difficulty.
And then there were some unexpected guests in the camp.
“Why are those people here?”
“General Leclerc of the Empire sent them as part of a military observer delegation.”
“So, we’ve got ourselves some extra baggage.”
Annoying, but manageable.
“It doesn’t matter. Let them stay.” Carolus muttered.
The Empire would likely want to observe how the Holy See was captured and managed.
It wouldn’t hurt to have them around as witnesses to the operation.
“As long as they don’t interfere with the battle, just let them be. Now, what’s the situation on the front?”
“…Not great, to be honest.”
Baden’s forced smile turned into a grimace, as if he had never encountered anything this frustrating in his life.
“Those Holy Kingdom bastards… I don’t know what they’ve been eating, but bullets don’t seem to work on them. I’ve seen musket shots hit them point-blank, yet their armor just shrugs it off.”
“Maybe they’re wearing specially reinforced armor?”
“We’ve compared it to the standard Holy Kingdom armor we’ve captured before—it’s no different. And that’s not all.”
Baden gestured toward the corpses scattered across the ground.
“If it were just the armor, we could’ve set traps or overwhelmed them with sheer force. But even their regular soldiers are insane. I’ve seen men with both legs blown off crawling toward us, still trying to fight.”
“Even as they’re bleeding to death, they keep swinging their swords with whatever strength they have left, Your Excellency!”
“And it’s not all Holy Kingdom troops—just the ones stationed here in the capital. It’s like they’ve rounded up every lunatic in their army and concentrated them here!”
Not only did these soldiers show a complete lack of fear for death, but their defense seemed unnaturally high.
Even our most seasoned veterans were caught off guard and struggling to come up with effective countermeasures.
‘Drugs?’
It wasn’t impossible.
Narcotics existed in this world, and historically there were instances of soldiers being turned into berserkers under the influence of substances.
But that explanation didn’t account for the enhanced durability of their armor.
As Carolus pondered the situation, the Saintess spoke up.
“I don’t know the exact cause, but I might be able to help with a countermeasure.”
“What do you mean?”
“Among the blessings I can provide, some can strengthen clothes or even skin. If we enhance our soldiers, they might be able to match the Holy Kingdom troops.”
“Some kind of reinforcement magic?” Carolus asked, intrigued. It sounded useful—if it worked.
“Is there a limit to how many people can receive the blessing?”
“I’m not entirely sure, but I think I can manage up to around a thousand without much difficulty.”
The issue wasn’t that their troops were lacking in tactics or combat skill.
The problem lay in the bizarre and seemingly unnatural strength of the Holy Kingdom’s defenders.
If the Saintess’s blessings could close that gap, it might turn the tide.
The sudden shift in the enemy’s capabilities had thrown all plans into disarray.
If, however, we could field 1,000 soldiers with strength equal to or exceeding the enemy’s, it could serve as the turning point to reverse the situation.
And if we utilized the weapons we had brought along…
“Very well. Let’s proceed with this plan.”
I organized my thoughts and began issuing orders.
“Saintess, please prepare the blessings. As for you all, have the soldiers unload every piece of cargo from the wagons we brought. We’ll use it in the next battle.”
“May I ask what exactly we brought, Your Excellency?”
“Napalm bazookas.”
They had been prepared for destroying buildings, but given the circumstances, there was no choice but to repurpose them for anti-personnel use.
World Map (Setting)!
Yellow: Ulranor Kingdom
Black: Federated Empire
Blue: Daiching Empire
Orange: Ormera Kingdom
Red: Kailas Kingdom
White: Holy Kingdom of Setnil
Lime: Kingdom of Caledona
There are other nations, but they’re not relevant to the story, so you can ignore them!
The Albione Republic is located just south of the Ulranor Kingdom.
