Night of the Soulless Heathens – 427



#427. Season of War 1

As the seasonal summer began the temperature rose to a similar level as in an average spring.

The weather was mild enough to avoid the verb but people were despairing.

It should be a hot summer day but now it’s barely the temperature of an average spring so we can’t even plant seeds.

Even if you sow the seeds and the crops sprout autumn will soon come and the temperature will drop again so the crops will freeze to death before they can grow.

Although last winter was harsh winter is a season where we survive by eating what we harvested in the fall.

Even though the weather was colder than usual it was fine to spend it like any other winter…

As spring and summer came the fear of famine grew ever greater.

The vaguely warm weather put weapons in people’s hands instead of farming tools.

If there is a shortage of food I will take food from those who have it.

The season is summer and the mild weather makes it easier for people to take up arms and kill each other.

Even in the end times the season of murder and war has arrived.

*********

Azadin first sat on the throne of the Arangi Kingdom and manifested the light of the King’s Fire to restore the Arangi Kingdom then he ordered the formation of a council and held a royal meeting to decide on the next course of action.

Just forming a parliament in the Kingdom of Arangi is a mountain of problems but we cannot sit still until it is finished.

Since we had to solve several problems at the same time the meeting to decide on the direction was very important.

“Well then we have two tasks left. Go to Btuma and fight the Naga Empire that has taken control of Btuma and reclaim Btuma and Korasaar. Or head to the Salvation Knights’ Commandery punish the heretics of the Salvation Knights’ Commandery and liberate the Salvation Knights’ Commandery. I think it will be divided into two major paths for now…”

When Azadin asked the generals for their opinion the guide Heine stepped forward.

“We must first liberate the Salvation Knights Command. Those heretics who currently control the Salvation Knights Command are contaminating the food stockpiled in the Salvation Knights Command. It’s not just money or supplies it’s the lifeline of humanity.”

“Hmm. What do other people think?”

“We agree too.”

Prince Sram and the Arangi Kingdom officials also agreed.

The remnants of Bthuma and Korasar have a very good cause to ask Azadin to become the protector of the kingdom and save them.

Thanks to this Azadin gained the impression of being the protector of the four southern kingdoms throughout the world. Although he actually only took over the two kingdoms of Banreung and Arangi he is recognized as a great man on par with the Northern Emperor Cohen Lionaire.

However compared to its status its substance is not that solid.

It is true that the remnants of Bthuma and Korassar gained much political advantage by supporting Azadin but in practical terms there was no advantage.

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“The Btooma expedition is not an easy task. The Naga Empire is much more organized than the Tooth King’s ogre army and their capabilities are formidable. War with the Naga Empire is a war but it will also be a problem when we actually take control of Btooma. The city’s security is currently poor. There are many cults in the city because they are accepting refugees indiscriminately. I wonder if we can handle it if we continue to expand in this situation.”

Jibek also spoke coolly.

Currently Azadin’s forces are accepting refugees and the city’s security is rapidly deteriorating.

To prevent this situation Azadin brought refugees into the army to give them jobs but as a result he ended up with a larger standing army than any other kingdom to date.

They are giving soldiers’ salaries instead of helping refugees anyway.

Even though they were operating under such principles they had no room to invest in equipment to maintain that number of troops and their salaries had to be kept to a minimum.

The situation is better for those who have family members who can join the military.

Those who do not have the option have to somehow survive in the city so naturally crime and social cults are on the rise.

“And the force that supports these cultists is the Wisdom Order of the Knights of Salvation.”

“That’s right? But if we go to war with the Wisdom Cult we need to be able to attack Fort St. Mallory and you know that Fort St. Mallory is the strongest fortress in the world right?”

If you were to name the impregnable lands on the continent of Hybris you would have to choose between the fortress of Saint Mallory which has a wall of over 12 tiers and Ascendar which has a rough road to get there.

“Even considering that purging the heretical forces of the Knights of Salvation will be a great asset. Doesn’t Your Majesty need many priests to preach the New Testament at the moment?”

Taking control of the Knights of Salvation would allow them to gain many trained priests and fusing the Yaegas faith with the Angel faith was a great feat that even the Northern Emperor Cohen Lionaire was trying to accomplish.

If Azadin can achieve this in the name of the New Testament it will be of great help in maintaining future power and morale.

“Okay. Then let’s leave Btuma and Korasar alone for a moment and start with the Rescue Knights Command.”

Azadin decided to start by driving out the Wisdom Order which had taken over the Order of the Knights of Salvation.

*********

To wage war it was necessary to establish supply bases where troops could be reorganized and supplies could be stored and transported.

Azadin was directly involved in this work devising a plan to reorganize the troops and stockpile supplies in four weeks.

It was almost a miracle that they were able to reorganize and supply in just four weeks which included the task of bringing in siege guns from the Kingdom of Banling in case they had to attack Fort St. Mallory.

However Azadin exceeded his original goal by three weeks.

It was possible to complete the reorganization and distribution within four weeks and even two days earlier.

But on the third week…

The Wisdom Sect invaded the Arangi Kingdom first.

*********

On the border between the Kingdom of Arangi and the Rescue Knights there were old fortresses built facing the coast.

These were fortresses built to prepare for when the Nether monsters would rise from the sea.

Since there was no reason for the Knights Templar who claimed to be the protectors of humanity to come into conflict with the Arangi Kingdom the secular power most of the fortresses were optimized for dealing with monsters that swarmed from the coast.

However the Wisdom Sect of the Rescue Knights advanced by land and captured the fortress in an instant brutally massacring the soldiers stationed there.

The reconnaissance units were also killed without leaving a single survivor so by the time Azadin received the report the enemy’s advance party had already infiltrated deep into the southwestern part of the Arangi Kingdom.

*********

It’s a situation where you have nothing to say because you were surprised by the enemy while preparing for war but the enemy is the Rescue Knights.

One of the two major sects of the Hybris suddenly attacked the secular kingdom of Arangi.

Azadin demanded an explanation from the Wisdom Order of the Knights of Salvation in the name of the Arangi Council.

The response from the Rescue Knights’ Wisdom Sect was as follows:

‘We excommunicate Lord Azadin who has seized the throne with evil ambition and spread false religious beliefs. We have launched a surprise attack to drive out Lord Azadin but this is only to quell the flames of evil ambition. Our purpose is not to encroach on the kingdom of Arangi but only to destroy the cult forces led by Azadin.’

To put it simply it meant that Azadin’s new drug could not be tolerated.

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Azadin dumbfounded organized a defense force with the reorganized units and supplies and personally led the soldiers to advance toward the area near the Tyre River in the southwestern part of the Kingdom of Arangi which had been invaded by the Knights of the Order of Wisdom.

*********

“This time we’ve completely lost the player.”

Azadin himself came with a reconnaissance force and investigated the area near the River Tyre which had become the front line.

The Wisdom Order’s army consisted of about 300 fallen Celestial Knights an equal number of priests and 1000 slave soldiers.

The Wisdom Order first secured a bridgehead by annihilating the border guards of the Arangi Kingdom with the advance party of Celestial Knights and prepared for a full-scale invasion by guarding the front lines while follow-up units and supplies arrived.

We can only watch as our opponents reinforce their troops and supplies across the River Tyre.

“Those slave soldiers seem to be slave soldiers of the Telvarin Guild.”

Azadin questioned the elves of the Telvarin Guild.

The Telvarin Guild approached Azadin but this was not surprising as they knew he was closer to the Northern Cohen Lionaire.

But I wanted to hear how you would explain it.

“As you know our company has branches in each region and does its best within them. The branch over there seems to think that is the best. Or maybe it is because they have been deprived of their freedom and are being threatened.”

“joy.”

Azadin turned his head away glaring at the elven merchant who was making excuses that were not even worth mentioning.

“The number is not that large but the quality of the troops is surprising.”

The 300 fallen Celestial Knights display truly terrifying fighting prowess.

The Aranggi Border Guard was by no means a weak unit but they were all killed before they could even report the attack.

Considering that each of them has fighting ability on par with the Knights of Celestial Fire even the elite Arangian Guards secured by Azadin would be in danger if they crossed the river and fought them.

“Hey what do you think we are? Aren’t we the invincible Arangian Guard!”

“If you leave it to us we will prove that we are stronger than those fallen Celestials and that we are the strongest unit in Wybris.”

The Arangian Guards and their leader Prince Sram beat their chests and volunteered to lead the vanguard.

“If we cross now the one crossing will be the one who will be attacked. It would be foolish to abandon an elite unit like you so easily. It’s good to have high morale but I cannot allow you to cross alone.”

“Then what about the full power supply?”

“There is no material to cross that line.”

The Tyre River has a large flow and strong current due to melting snow.

It is not a waterway that can be crossed bare-handed.

In order to properly cross the river a bridge needs to be built but there are not many materials to build the bridge.

It would be possible to secure materials by cutting down nearby trees and demolishing houses but it would be foolish to secure materials by destroying the people’s homes in order to suffer the loss of crossing the river first.

“But I can’t just waste time indefinitely. This is getting tricky.”

Azadin looked at the situation calmly.

Currently the one who crosses the river first is at a disadvantage.

From the perspective of the Aranggi Kingdom army even if the enemy invades they must simply guard the river and wait for them to cross.

In other words if the Wisdom Order does not cross the border Azadin’s elite forces will remain tied down here.

“You’re wasting your time.”

Azadin immediately realized what the Wisdom Order was after.