A stream of ghastly reports arrived in succession, and the anguished leaders offered their advice. Manfred could only grimace.
“We can’t relax our grip now,” Strang replied calmly from beside the prince. “The battle is in our favor. If we retreat, the enemy troops will realize we’re struggling. They’ll regain their morale, and our odds of victory will further diminish.”
Strang was correct. Bardloche’s faction far outmatched Manfred’s in skill. Still, the combination of low morale and the threat posed by Lowellmina’s army behind Demetrio’s in Nalthia as well as Manfred’s meant the Second Prince was slowly losing ground. The commanders sensed they’d soon be overwhelmed.
“But this fight is only a prelude, Strang. We still have the one with Lowellmina afterward.”
As Manfred said, they couldn’t afford to expend all their strength and resources on Bardloche. The Third Prince hoped to avoid any further losses if possible.
“I understand your concern, Your Highness. However, there is nothing to fear. This battle will be over with three more steps.”
These bold worlds rattled Manfred and his commanders.
“I know we’ve been pushing hard lately, but that’s a huge claim.”
“Aren’t you exaggerating a bit?”
“I agree. We aren’t poised to take Bardloche’s head just yet.”
Strang wasn’t the least bit discouraged by their unease.
“It’s no exaggeration. I speak the truth,” he stated confidently. “Please see for yourselves. Everything is already in motion.”
Supreme Commander Bardloche stood alongside his men, battling Manfred’s troops on the front lines.
“Don’t flinch! They’ll break if we knock ’em back here! Slay your foes where they stand, and don’t give an inch!”
Waiting and watching in the heat of battle wasn’t an option. With a mighty shout, Bardloche raised his sword and led his men across the front lines.
Damn it, don’t push me like this when I’m already down…!
Bardloche knew his opponent was up to something but never imagined his brother would go all in. He wanted a breather, but there wasn’t a second to spare. Manfred’s army had suffered severe casualties yet appeared unfazed. The soldiers’ determination to eliminate him was as tough as steel.
If Manfred keeps going like this, he’ll be left at a disadvantage against Lowellmina… It’s like he doesn’t even care!
Over on the other front line, the conflict between Bardloche’s and Lowellmina’s warriors raged on. However, it was nothing like the clash with Manfred. Bardloche had poured all his resources into the latter—he had to wonder how Manfred’s people felt about that.
However, Bardloche swiftly tucked these thoughts away. He needed to deal with the immediate contest; everything else could wait.
“Your Highness! The flying unit sent to infiltrate Lowellmina’s army has reached her stronghold!” his subordinate reported.
Bardloche clenched his fist. Lowellmina’s capture would leave her soldiers at a loss. After that, he could focus on the fight with Manfred and recover.
We just need to hold out until the flying unit returns!
Just as he thought, the tide soon shifted.
“Your Highness! The enemy is…!” a subordinate called out.
Bardloche looked up to find several hostile squads breaking through his defenses to create gaps. He tried to command his soldiers to call for backup from the rear, but the enemy swiftly pushed in before he had the chance.
“Ngh!”
Despite Bardloche’s elite force, Manfred’s men were far from beaten and launched a vicious offensive. His own army’s fatigue aside, there was no question this foe was impressive. This certainly posed an issue, but Bardloche hit upon a realization.
They’re running out of steam!
Manfred didn’t have many experienced soldiers, so the decision to mobilize them meant he was going out on a limb.
If we can deal with these guys, the rest of Manfred’s army will be sitting ducks! It’ll also give us a chance to catch our breath!
So what was the best way to achieve that? Bardloche’s extensive battle experience led him to the answer swiftly.
“Fall back! The enemy might snap at your heels, but just ignore ’em! We’ll link up with our rear units!”
If Bardloche’s warriors made a stand against an assault here, there was a slight chance they’d be overrun. Their best bet was to retreat and converge with standby reinforcements before taking down the enemy, even if it left their backs exposed.
The soldiers followed Bardloche’s command and promptly turned around. Those who now acted as the rear guard were slowly swallowed up, but everyone continued without faltering. In no time at all, a huge legion of allies came into view.
All right, now we can—
Before Bardloche could finish thinking, —deal with them, he was interrupted by an odd sight. The comrades awaiting him seemed restless.
No sooner had he wondered what was going on than one group broke off from the rest.
“Lowellmina’s army…?!”
Bardloche stood dumbfounded while the princess’s finest warriors attacked.
“…Lowellmina’s faction has captured Bardloche?”
The news sent a powerful stir through Manfred’s camp.
“Y-yes! Our best men cornered Prince Bardloche as he tried to flee, but one of Lowellmina’s units struck from the opposite direction to create a pincer attack…”
Manfred’s faction used its remaining strength to drive Bardloche against the wall but lost the Second Prince after failing to turn back the princess’s militia.
“Wh-what’s going on…?!”
“Now Princess Lowellmina has the advantage!”
Despite mounting losses, Manfred’s faction had gone on the offensive to defeat Bardloche. Now those efforts had come to nothing, and everyone was reasonably tense.
“Worry not, everyone.” Strang, the mastermind behind this plan, tried calming Manfred and his commanders. “Everything is unfolding as I planned.”
Every eye fell on him.
“Strang, are you saying this is part of your strategy?” Manfred asked with evident suspicion.
“Yes, the next step will resolve everything.”
Strang’s confidence was more than a bold front, which was why his response felt inexplicable. How did Strang intend to stage a recovery in a single move?
While the assembled leaders contemplated this…
…Manfred realized something.