Civil Servant in Romance Fantasy-Chapter 363: Friend or Foe Identification (2)

Before He united them under His name, the nomads lived scattered across the vast steppes. Some were in tribes, others divided even further into clans, spread so far apart that uniting was an impossible dream. After all, how could people become one if they never even saw each other?

Occasionally, there were ambitious men who raised banners of unification, swelling their ranks with dreams of conquest. But not a single one of them ever succeeded. They were just ambitious, not heroes who could subdue the warriors who survived the empire’s oppression—the wolves racing beyond the horizon.

And so, the nomads never became one. And because they never became one, the Empire never stopped hunting them down. Despite there being little profit in sweeping the desolate steppes and eradicating the nomads, the empire consistently raised armies.

The reason for the empire’s periodic eradication was simple.

“Show the southern serfs the fury of the steppes!”

“Praise the sky with their blood and our spirits!”

Chiefs roared to their warriors, and their warriors answered with battle cries that shook the air. The existence of these warriors was the reason the empire was wary of nomads; to the Empire, they were a living despair.

The empire could easily subjugate them if it were just a few tribes. However, the situation changed when those tribes started uniting.

The Empire isn’t the only one that can win with numbers.

When nomads who lived and died with horses united in numbers exceeding thousands and reaching tens of thousands, they could inflict fatal wounds on the empire. Their soldiers, with their heavy boots and slow movements, wouldn’t stand a chance against us.

Of course, we’d eventually lose if the empire counterattacked with numbers, but—

— ■■■■■■■■──!!!

Who cared? The sound of hooves shaking the earth and the roars echoing in the sky would remain in their memories forever.

“Khan.”

I turned back at the call of Dashan, the Keshik riding right behind me.

“We’ll arrive soon at the territory of the Sarei tribe.”

“It’s the perfect place for a greeting.”

I couldn’t help but smile at the mention of the Sarei tribe’s territory, of all places.

That was the tribe of Tala, who played an active role as a vanguard in the previous war. Clashing with the empire on the land where that tribe lived felt exciting.

“It’s our first greeting, so let’s keep it short. But don’t make it light, or our guests might feel disappointed.”

“Yes, Khan. I’ll keep that in mind.”

Dashan answered briefly and started shouting something towards the back. He was likely giving the signal to strike hard and fast, not that I could hear him clearly from the front.

He’ll handle it.

After watching Dashan, I turned my gaze forward again. Those who’d survived this far wouldn’t ask something as simple as how to attack.

Attacking the empire’s occupied territory was no easy feat. Even with their forces spread thin across the North, the Imperials weren’t fools. They would have anticipated large-scale raids. They were probably maintaining distances that allowed quick reinforcement if one front was attacked.

In that case, the longer we stay, the more vulnerable we become. If they managed to surround us, we’d lose our mobility—and if that happened, we were as good as dead.

War is really about numbers.

I let out a dry chuckle. Right now, the forces I led were all of our offensive power, but in the past, multiple units of 10,000 would simultaneously attack the front lines. The empire would be beside themselves then. As a host, it was regrettable that I couldn’t enthusiastically entertain the guests.

Still, I hope they’d be satisfied since I was personally taking the field.

***A noisy welcome began. Even from a distance, I could sense the surge of mana and killing intent.

“Marshal, sir!”

A knight burst into the tent, barely holding his salute with trembling hands.

“A large-scale force is moving south! The scale is about 14,000!”

The report bordering on a scream sent a wave of silence through the gathered officers and strategists. The front lines that had just entered a lull were once again enveloped in the clouds of war, and one with numbers far exceeding the forces we’d faced until now.

There’s only one person who could lead such a large army.

“Judging by the inclusion of the Ga’ar tribe’s flag, it seems Dorgon is at the lead!”

“I see.”

As I thought. Only the War Machines radiated an aura like this.

“Inform the Deputy Commander and each front. If we can quickly establish an encirclement, we might be able to kill the traitor.”

I said that, but I wasn’t particularly hopeful. Udesur Dorgon, who declared himself Khan, was also famous for his tenacity. He knew he wouldn’t survive a prolonged battle, which meant he would retreat long before reinforcements could arrive.

“Deploy all knights and mages. Regular troops won’t be enough to hold them off.”

“Yes, my lord!”

I drew my sword and checked its condition as the officers rushed out of the tent to carry out my orders.

Fortunately, it’s fine. It’s in good enough shape to be wielded immediately.

This is an offensive meant to test us. If we hold out long enough, they’ll pull back on their own.

The problem was how many men and how many valuable special forces would die before that happened.

So, I’ll participate too. I’m the strongest warrior on this front.

He can’t ignore me.

Moreover, I’m Carl’s father. For Dorgon, that traitor, that meant I was a prize he couldn’t afford to ignore. Rather than attacking my men, he would—

“Wilhelm!”

“George?”

Suddenly, the tent flap was pulled back and George barged in.

Wait, why is this guy who’s supposed to be commanding another front coming here so often? Of course, I did request support from each front, but there’s no way he could’ve arrived this fast.

“How did you get here so quickly?”

“By teleport, of course! Are the mages just for show?”

Teleportation was useful, but it was also highly restricted. It drained absurd amounts of mana, and the number of people who could be transported at once was extremely limited. That was why teleportation should be used sparingly during war.

“Using teleportation when every special force is precious? Are you out of your mind?”

It was a valid point, but George snorted as if to say, ‘What are you talking about?’

“If a single mage can save a Marshal’s life, I’d say that’s a fair trade.”

Saying that, George strode over and grabbed my wrist that was holding the sword. It was so sudden that I almost lost my grip on the sword.

“Have you already forgotten what happened a few years ago? Never charge in alone when a War Machine appears on the front lines. Wasn’t that an order directly from the Invincible Duke?”

“He hasn’t given such an order this time. And we have knight and mage units, don’t we?”

“How much help can mere knights or mages be against a War Machine?!”

I turned away slightly. I couldn’t argue with that.

Even in the last war, only a few strong individuals could face a War Machine. There were times when we deployed knights, mages, and soldiers for subjugation, but there were always strong individuals who could actually fight a War Machine at the forefront. Throwing in average soldiers would do nothing but raise the body count.

Fortunately, I had been classified as one of the few who could take them on. It was on a bare minimum level, but at least I met the basic requirements. It was enough reason to fight.

“Judging by your expression, it seems you have no intention of listening.”

George sighed and let go of my wrist.

“Make sure to keep the others’ mouths shut properly.”

George, speaking as if annoyed, pulled the spear he had been carrying on his back.

“We probably won’t die if we charge in at the same time. We might be in danger of losing limbs, but it’s enough as long as we’re still breathing.”

“...Thanks.”

“Don’t mention it.”

I smiled a little as I watched George roughly run his hand through his hair.

Let’s not tell Zenobia that this guy was hanging around the front lines.

***As a staff member with a stiff expression whispered something to the Invincible Duke, he gently closed his eyes.

“Udesur Dorgon has appeared on the Sarei front. He has about 14,000 troops under his command.”

However, the Invincible Duke quickly composed himself and calmly shared the information. It meant that a full-scale battle, not the small-scale skirmishes we’d had so far, had begun.

...Sarei?

The moment I heard where Dorgon had appeared, my entire body tensed. The Sarei front was where the Patriarch was stationed.

Of all the battlefronts, it had to be that one. Of all the places for Dorgon, who’d been quiet until now, to finally show himself... Did that bastard know exactly what he was doing?

Damn it.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t impossible. Just as I sent his father, Kagan, on a one-way trip to the afterlife, he might be trying to deal with the Patriarch in the name of revenge.

“Currently, Marshal Hiden has moved to the Sarei front with some knights. He said he’d face Dorgon together with Marshal Tailglehen.”

That was somewhat positive news. If powerhouses like the Patriarch and the former Count Horfeld joined forces, they could buy time against Dorgon. Plus, with various special forces and soldiers there, they should be able to survive at least until reinforcements arrived or Dorgon retreated.

But for some reason, I couldn’t feel at ease. Objectively, this wasn’t the worst possible scenario. So, why did it feel wrong?

“You have already fulfilled your duty and sacrificed enough. No one has the right to demand more of you.”

Maybe it was because the Patriarch in my heart was no longer just the Patriarch, but family. It seemed my feelings had changed since the day the Patriarch—no, Father, had shown me his heart.

And when it came to family, no one could remain calm when they were facing a formidable enemy.

“Your Grace.”

After much deliberation, I spoke to the Invincible Duke.

“The enemy’s leader has appeared on the front lines. Marshal Tailglehen and Marshal Hiden are powerful warriors, but it will be difficult for the two of them to kill Dorgon on their own.”

The Invincible Duke’s expression briefly contorted at those words. It wasn’t because he didn’t know that those two weren’t enough.

“I’ll move to the front lines as well. I’ll work with the two marshals to eliminate Dorgon.”

He probably guessed what I was going to say.