Chapter 25
"Rotel! The enemy is flanking us! Etenra! Go help them!"
Keeping an eye on the soldiers around him, Wickhart drew his bow and loosed an arrow.
Despite the darkness, the arrow pierced an enemy soldier's skull with perfect accuracy. It was no coincidence; sensing their movements and presence, he had already cut down numerous soldiers.
At the center of the wedge formation, Wickhart continued firing, helping shore up places where the formation was on the verge of collapsing with astonishing accuracy worthy of his title.
Every time one of Wickhart's arrows found its mark, cheers rose from his allies, and they regained a little of their momentum. However, the unit was not advancing at all. Unlike before, the enemy soldiers were attacking in earnest to wipe them out.
Wickhart fired arrow after arrow and shouted encouragement, believing that as long as he remained there, his men would choose to survive alongside him.
"Things are looking grim... Wickhart-sama, I'm sorry..." Skudelia lowered his head.
"What are you apologizing for, Skudelia?"
"Laimar was right. I was too optimistic. Because of my selfishness, I dragged you into this as well..."
"...Skudelia. Don't underestimate me. I wanted to land at least one blow myself. I judged that this plan offered us a chance at victory! Listen, everyone! We have obtained the greatest prize of all—Naisol-sama's helmet! We will return without fail and lay it before Naisol-sama's grave! Every one of us! Every one of us!!!"
"Yes!!"
Their spirited response rang out, but they were hopelessly outnumbered. It was only a matter of time before they were wiped out.
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"He is holding out better than I expected." Franklurt's camp was set up some distance away, and messengers were constantly rushing in. Since no one could tell what was happening in the darkness, they had to rely on the messengers' reports.
"As expected of someone known as the Azure Bow at such a young age," his aide remarked, sounding somewhat impressed.
The people named among the continent's ten archery masters varied from country to country and person to person, but Wickhart was considered one of them. The young genius, Azure Bow Wickhart.
"But as a commander, he is second-rate—no, not even third-rate," Franklurt declared.
Franklurt did not know what circumstances had led Wickhart to join the surprise attack. He was not merely a reckless warrior. Most likely, there was someone he did not want to see die, or perhaps this was a foolhardy display of courage meant to earn recognition as a commander. Or maybe he was overconfident that his presence would ensure their safe return.
Either way, it was unacceptable.
He should have abandoned anyone who advocated marching into a place known to be an obvious trap.
If he did not understand that the entire army was being put at risk for the sake of a handful of soldiers, then he was not fit to command.
Naisol, the former commander, had been admirable even as an enemy. With Sakuri's trap making a wrong choice potentially fatal, he had preserved the Sixth Knight Order with minimal losses. Considering what followed, it had been the best possible decision.
"Naisol, you taught your pupil poorly."
Franklurt almost felt sorry for him. But with this, the Sixth Knight Order would be unable to function for some time. Golbel would be able to make major gains in the south.
"You needn't push yourselves. The river can no longer be crossed. There is nowhere to flee, and no reinforcements are coming. If we let them hold out until dawn, we may even be able to make those on the far bank witness their commander's defeat."
"Understood."
"But annihilate them without fail. Above all, make certain Wickhart is killed."
The battle could no longer be turned around. Franklurt was certain of that.
A new messenger came rushing in.
The messenger literally rolled into camp and shouted:
"Enemy attack! Our army is being ambushed from behind!!"
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"Is this the end...?" They were nearly out of arrows, and men had begun to fall. It was bitter, but maintaining the unit's formation was becoming impossible.
Naisol-sama... I'm sorry. I couldn't protect the commanders you entrusted to me or the Sixth Knight Order.
A drop ran down Wickhart's cheek. Even he did not know whether it was sweat or tears.
At the very least, I will die a death befitting a knight commander.
As he steeled himself and reached for the sword at his waist, screams rose from an unexpected direction, and the enemy's attack clearly slackened.
"What?"
Though he could not see what was happening in the darkness, he could hear the sounds of battle.
"Are they fighting among themselves?"
The sounds gradually drew closer.
"It can't be..." Reinforcements? Impossible. Who could have come?
While he was still wondering, that force broke through the enemy lines and reached Wickhart's position in an instant.
However, it did not stop. It continued on and attacked the opposing unit. Only then did Wickhart realize that fighting had also broken out in the opposite direction.
"Why are you here?!"
"I'll explain later! Follow us! We're getting out of here! Fall behind and you'll die!!"
There, clinging to a horse, Roa was shouting desperately.