Chapter 14
The late afternoon was not an ideal time to start a battle.
Soldiers were exhausted from their daily duties since morning, while the enemy was wide awake.
Common sense dictates that a surprise attack should be launched when the enemy is asleep and their guard is down, right?
The fact that the attacking side has the upper hand at night is also a crucial factor.
"Then why are we trying to pass through the gate in the evening?"
"For impact.....just kidding. The situation is a bit special right now. Those bastards barely defend during the day."
The current situation is a bit different.
The Capital's forces, severely depleted by multiple failed surprise attacks, no longer guard the walls during the day.
They concentrate their already scarce guards during the night and dawn, when defenses are most vulnerable.
From a perspective of selection and concentration, it's not the worst decision, but to us, it's just a public exposure of their weakness.
It's like publicly announcing that their response will be slow even if we attack in broad daylight.
Hence, we chose the evening. To launch a vigorous attack after a full day's rest and climb the walls.
It's a decision made with the calculation that it will get darker as we fight, giving us an increasing advantage.
'Well, there's also the purpose of showmanship and demonstration.'
Of course, it was also to declare to the citizens and Nobility of the Capital that the Revolutionary Army had won. We need to show our dominance to reduce the number of those who harbor foolish thoughts.
"If you understand, tell the commanders of each Division to eat and sleep well. We'll probably be up all night."
"Yes!!"
Time passed slowly as we sharpened our swords and tightened our boots one last time.
Finally, the moment of decisive battle arrived.
* * * * *
"Lieutenant General, it's open."
"Has the entire army assembled according to formation?"
"Of course. We're ready for your command."
At 6 PM, the time when the sun, which had been illuminating the blue sky, touched the earth.
About 30 minutes before the night guards were due to start their shift. Without any warning, something unexpected happened.
--Click.
--Creeeeaaaak.....
The gate, which wouldn't even scratch from cannon fire, was opening. The thickest outer steel door, the iron bars behind it, and the innermost wooden door.
The triple-layered defense system opened simultaneously. Without anyone's interference, without any hindrance whatsoever.
Someone on the wall ran off in a panic, but it was far too late to react.
"Did the General keep his promise?"
Mounted on my horse, I activated Loudspeaker Magic and shouted at the top of my lungs.
"All troops-!!"
I paused for a beat, drew my sword forward, and commanded.
"Charge in order!! Let our flag fly in Lahator!!"
"1st Division, enter! We, the Cavalry, will take the lead!!"
"Don't stop and run like hell! Even if you fall, think of falling inside the walls and run, you snails!!"
Soldiers and officers sprinted in the pre-determined order.
To seize an opportunity that may never come again, they rushed towards the small hole in the giant fortress like a horde of zombies.
"What about the Artillery, Lieutenant General?!"
"Leave the cannons and run! We can come back and retrieve them if we win! Just focus on getting everyone inside the Capital!"
"This is a lightning-fast decisive battle! No time for fire support or Deployment, just push through!"
Tens of thousands of people reached the wall in an instant.
And then.
Like water gushing out of a small hole in a dam. Like the contents of a tightly squeezed bottle exploding out.
The Elite Soldiers from The Northlands poured into the Royal Capital of Lahator.
--Bang!
"3rd Division, go west and secure the Nobility's residential area. Don't kill the residents, just confine them to their homes! 7th Division, secure the cathedrals and shops in the east!"
"The Royal Palace will be taken by the 5th Division and the 39th Regiment under my command! I've given you your objectives, so handle the detailed commands with your own improvisation!"
It's impossible to subdue a city with hundreds of thousands of people and tens of thousands of buildings according to a thorough plan. Such an extensive plan is physically impossible to devise in the first place.
So, we set general targets and tactical objectives and let them act independently on the ground. Everyone is capable enough to handle this much.
"Little resistance. As expected, they didn't anticipate we'd come at this time."
"I think it's more because their forces are scattered. The remaining forces aren't from a single unit, but a motley crew gathered from here and there. Their garrisons and barracks are likely scattered as well."
"Idiots. They had so much time, but they couldn't even integrate that."
There was no organized resistance. At most, a few dozen gathered to block our path. That was the level of the enemies we encountered.
It was disappointing how weak they were, but it was good. The weaker the enemy, the less our men would get hurt.
"Leave the homes of the citizens alone and have them wait quietly inside. Refrain from violence as much as possible."
"Lieutenant General! The civilians are requesting aid due to food shortages, how should we respond?"
"Aid? They want food? Tell them to wait a little while. Logistics will be normalized as soon as the situation is over."
Unlike the Nobility who still hadn't come to their senses even after the tide had completely turned, the citizens, exhausted from the long Siege Warfare, welcomed us enthusiastically. Thanks to our diligent efforts in justification and building rapport.
The rewards of surrounding the walls and broadcasting Propaganda day after day about the Revolutionary Army being on the side of the people have returned.
The reason for our Treason was so justified, and the higher-ups had done so many things to deserve criticism.
We received enthusiastic cheers along the way, as well as guidance.
It didn't provide any practical help, but it certainly boosted morale. Our momentum soared.
"We've secured Districts 1 through 5!!"
"Sniper spotted in District 12! Currently being neutralized!"
"What's the status of District 16? The prison holding political prisoners should be located there."
"They're almost there! They'll secure it and the prisoners within the next hour!!"
The Capital, Lahator, was administratively divided into 16 districts around the Royal Palace.
We advanced, occupying only the prime areas, excluding slums and residential districts.
Various weapon arsenals and ammunition factories. Monasteries and cathedrals where the Clergy gather. The Nobility's salons and coffee houses. Banquet Halls and opera houses.
We seized each one and arrested those inside. Technicians and laborers were treated politely, while the Nobility were tied up and escorted away.
As we continued our Advance, we finally encountered a group that could be called an enemy.
"Damn traitors! You won't pass here until you've made corpses of us all!!"
"Their flag is unusual. Are they Private Soldiers of the Nobility?"
"That emblem belongs to the Barrelmunt Family. It seems their Guards have come out to stop us in a hurry."
A small unit formed a Battle Formation with guns and spears, blocking the narrow road. They numbered about 60.
Their Uniforms were quite flashy, though not as much as the Royal Guard's, and they were definitely well-trained Elite Soldiers.
But what to do? The battlefield isn't kind to naive fools like you who only do VIP protection.
"Take cover behind each obstacle and return fire. Throw Hand Grenades as soon as the enemy's momentum dies down."
"Yes! Commence firing!"
There's nothing more foolish than bunching up in urban warfare. The surrounding buildings maximize the lethality of explosives.
Blocking the road without even having time to build a barricade, forming a battle formation might have been a desperate measure, but it's worse than doing nothing.
If it were me, I would have lined up a bunch of carts and used them as a temporary wall. That's safer and more effective.
--Boom!
Two Hand Grenades thrown by the Grenadiers exploded, and the enemies fell to the ground as piles of shredded flesh.
Those who survived were either unconscious or had lost limbs. I seized the opportunity and gave the order.
"Charge! The Royal Palace is right in front of us!"
Nothing appeared to block our path any further. They were already dead or dying.
After subduing the soldiers guarding the palace gates, we rushed through the garden and into the palace. We passed through long corridors and various rooms, heading towards the heart of this massive building.
As we secured the princes' bedrooms and the Queen's private chambers, apprehending maids and servants wherever we saw them, we encountered a familiar face.
"General Albrecht."
"....Carolus. It's been a while."
"I didn't want to meet you like this."
The one forced to betray the King and the one who abandoned the King and joined the rebellion. Their complicated gazes met.
There was much they wanted to say after a long time, but they didn't bother to voice it. There was no time to waste on reminiscing.
"Where is Karl?"
"Do you call Your Majesty by name now.....He's inside with the Nobility. I locked them up while they were enjoying a banquet."
"Well done. I'll reward you handsomely later."
"Forget it. What riches and glory do I crave at this age?"
General Albrecht and the Lieutenant General named Holttman opened the doors to the Banquet Hall.
At the heavy sound, all eyes inside turned to us. Shameless people dressed in Elegant dresses and Uniforms, acting refined in such a grave situation.
A Feast was spread out on the tables, and a Play was being performed on the Stage. No matter how you looked at it, it didn't look like a city that had been suffering under a long siege.
And at the center of it all.
"Have you been well, Your Majesty?"
Our hated Tyrant.
Charles VII was there.