[Ezio PoV]
My stomach is nauseous...
Since way back, I have never liked sailing with a boat like this.
"Ueeeghh... Marcela... Is our journey still far?"
I emptied the remains of breakfast that were in my stomach into the river. The feeling of nausea when being on top of a boat is indeed very unpleasant.
"Arriving in a bit," answered Marcela while rubbing the back of my neck. "I think the dock is already visible."
"Ughhh... Why did Captain Siena prefer the river route instead of the land route so that we wouldn't have to take turns escorting all the troops!?" I asked, wondering about the Captain's decision.
Besides saving time and minimizing the risk of accidents, moving using the land route, we could also be more free if seeing the enemy coming.
"That's because if we move using the land route, then the enemy Reconnaissance unit will easily detect us," answered Marcela. "When we use this river route, on land there will be Patrol troops guarding so that the enemy Reconnaissance Unit does not approach the river and find out our whereabouts."
Even so, I hope we don't often use river or sea routes when intending to carry out an attack operation.
A few minutes later, we arrived at the dock of Bitola Village. It took more than an hour to unload all the troops who were in each boat.
Captain Siena then gave the troops who had just disembarked time to rest for two hours before making a move toward the Regium City Fortress to retake it after our defeat at that time.
During the rest time, I spent time chatting together with the seniors who were part of the Cavalier Squad.
"So, have you defeated a Knight, Ezio?" asked one of the seniors to me.
Hearing the question from the Senior, I was quite embarrassed to answer it because I lost badly at that time to a Knight.
Realizing this, I became amazed with the seniors who were able to match them in a fight even without magic.
"Even though I haven't been able to defeat them, I was able to give meaningful resistance to those Knights!" I answered him. "Senior, how can you all match those knights when fighting?"
The Seniors who heard my question then smiled.
"Listen Ezio, you must memorize the combos used by knights from various countries so you can match their movement even though they are far stronger and faster using magic," answered one of the Seniors.
"Exactly, because we know what steps and attacks they will use, we can counter or know where to dodge from those knights' attacks," added another Senior.
Is that so? That's why Captain Siena always uses her magic even when training us—the new recruits of the Cavalier Squad!
After enjoying chatting with the seniors, without realizing it, two hours had passed. Captain Siena then ordered the entire force to gather in front of the village to be ready to move toward the Regium Fortress City.
"All of you, listen and pay attention," said Captain Siena, who is currently walking in front of the troop line looking at all of us.
For some reason, her figure this time looked more charismatic and graceful than before. Her black hair, which was like the dark of night, was blown by the wind that blew in this place. Her sharp gaze at us was like the gaze of a wolf about to lead its pack to perform a hunt.
All the views of the troops appeared fixed on the woman whose age difference was only three years from mine.
I don't know how Captain Siena has the aura of a leader at her very young age. I am sure, if Captain Siena ordered these troops to attack even the Demon King, they would be willing to risk their lives just to follow her orders without second thoughts.
Captain Siena then took a handful of dust and then stretched her hand forward.
Our gaze focused toward Captain Siena's fist, which was holding the collection of dust. She then slowly opened her hand, making the dust she held fly blown by the gust of wind.
"Formerly, our ancestors—the Venetian Nation—did not have their own land and had to depend on other nations to be able to survive." Captain Siena began to speak. "Therefore, our nation was often discriminated against and belittled by other nations that were more dominant in their countries."
Captain Siena always told this to me. Formerly, because of not having magic, our nation was very weak and had to live in the lands of other nations on this continent.
This made our nation split and scattered everywhere, unable to unite to rise against the discrimination and oppression carried out by stronger nations.
"But when everyone unites here, on the land we have achieved with the blood and sweat of the ancestors, we can become a strong nation also respected by other nations."
That is very true; after our nation bought Florentia island and established our own country, our nation was slowly able to rise and have a strong influence on this continent until now.
"No longer do other nations underestimate and belittle us for being a Non-Sorcerer," said Captain Siena with her voice slightly trembling. "No longer do they dare to dictate and order us like a slave!"
The expressions of everyone were seen becoming sour hearing those words.
Since way back, our nation always had a feeling of inferiority toward other nations because we were unable to use magic. The term Non-Sorcerer was even made only to insult us because they didn't accept that a nation they considered weak because they couldn't use magic was able to outperform them in various fields other than magic.
"However, there is one country that still continues to look down on us, trying to dictate our policies and wanting our nation to fall so as to submit to their power!" exclaimed Captain Siena, whose voice was louder than before. "The Aragon Empire! They are an Arrogant nation! Always looking down on other nations because they feel superior! Feeling powerful because they are nicknamed the strongest country on this continent until they dare to disturb our nation's sovereignty, which is already firm thanks to the struggle of our predecessors!"
The Aragon Empire... A country full of arrogant people because they feel the center of the world is in their country. Their pride because of being the country that produces the most heroes makes them always proud of themselves until they feel their nation is the chosen nation, a special nation that is trusted to have to lead other nations on this continent.
"Currently, our country is being attacked by them, burning and destroying the city we built for the sake of making us submit and so they can control us as they please! For that, we must fight, show them, show the world that we are not a weak nation and can be underestimated!"
Hearing Captain Siena's call, without realizing it, I clenched both hands. The troops also began to shout, responding to the encouraging words that were voiced by the woman in front of them.
"This afternoon, we will move toward the Regium Fortress City, which is currently in the hands of the Imperial forces!" revealed Leader Siena, explaining our first goal. "Tomorrow when the sun rises, we will retake that city and surround the Imperial forces that are moving toward Ebro Village!"
After giving directions, Captain Siena then gave the order to move. Everyone then made a formation as had been informed before.
The journey toward the Regium Fortress City from here will take up to six hours if traveled by foot. For that, we move also at night so as not to be quickly noticed by the enemy Reconnaissance Unit performing patrols.
After walking for two hours, Captain Siena ordered the Cavalier Squad to escort the Reconnaissance Units we have to scout around the area that will be passed through by our troops.
I, along with four other Squad members, walked following the Reconnaissance Unit we escorted.
Truthfully, walking in the darkness of the night is very difficult even though equipped with a lantern to light the way. However, after our distance from the main troops entered two kilometers, we started to rarely see trees around here, which signaled that we were almost close to the path between the Regium Fortress City and the Duchy of Hernant border.
"We have arrived at the border path," said the Leader of the Reconnaissance Team we escorted. "Mayor Siena ordered us to check the area around the border to see the enemy reinforcements that are reportedly coming as well tonight to add to the troops who are guarding the Regium Fortress City."
I nodded; we then walked carefully toward the border area.
Captain Siena said she got information from the Intelligence Unit that the Empire brought 20,000 reserve troops who will be used for critical situations only, and she thinks the Imperial side will use those troops to fill the defenses of the Regium Fortress City they just conquered.
The night is getting colder; the blowing wind is getting stronger, piercing into the pores of my body.
I was about to call the Reconnaissance Team Captain to return and finish our scouting. However, his subordinate stopped me and signaled for me not to be noisy.
"What is it?" I asked quietly. "Where is your Captain?"
The Reconnaissance Team member did not answer and only told me to wait.
Not long after, two people came approaching us bringing a lantern. One of them was the Captain of the Reconnaissance team we escorted.
"We must return immediately," said the Captain to me.
"Of course, if lingering here, then we can catch a cold fever!" I said to him.
"No, not because of that thing," said the Captain. "We must quickly report to Mayor Siena because one kilometer from here just now, I found 20,000 Imperial troops who are heading toward the Regium Fortress City!"
Hearing this, my heart beat faster because the battle certainly will not be long in happening again.
Upon returning to join the main forces, we reported our discovery of the existence of the 20,000 Imperial Reserve troops.
"Roughly how far is their distance from our main troops?" asked Captain Siena to the Reconnaissance Team Captain we escorted earlier.
"About seven to eight kilometers from the southwest direction of our troops, Mayor," answered the Captain.
"Alright, we will divide our forces," said Captain Siena. "20,000 will keep moving toward the Regium Fortress City while the remaining 10,000 troops will ambush the 20,000 Reserve troops from the Empire."
In that case, our troop ratio later when the battle happens will be one to two, is that right? However, considering we are the ones who will ambush them, I think we can defeat these 20,000 troops considering the Imperial Reserve troops are only ordinary soldiers without being escorted by a mage or a knight.
"We will ambush them as they are about to pass Lake Tiberias," said Captain Siena. "For that, we must hurry so we can arrive earlier than them."
After giving the order, all the troops then divided into two and separated following different routes.
20,000 troops kept moving toward the west straight while the 10,000 troops where I was moved toward the southwest direction to meet with the 20,000 Imperial Reserve troops.
Upon arriving at the lake, there was a small hill flanking the path that would be passed through by the Imperial forces. The Musketeers then flocked to go up to the top of the hill.
Our formation: 800 Musketeers positioned themselves on top of the hill along with 4,000 other infantry while 200 Musketeers positioned themselves on the road that would be passed by enemy troops to block their movement.
The remaining 6,000 infantry will be 100 meters behind the 200 Musketeers.
Currently, I am on top of the hill, waiting for the arrival of the enemy troops. All lanterns brought have been turned off so the enemy does not realize our position when they are about to pass this road.
Mist began to appear around this place, making our visibility shorter.
"Hey Marcela, with this foggy environment can you still shoot accurately?" I asked that fellow Squad member of mine.
"Depends on the distance," answered Marcela. It appeared she remained focused ahead waiting for the arrival of the enemy troops. "For an ordinary shooter, at least they are able to shoot the target accurately with a distance of 50-100 meters in this condition."
Even though all members of the Cavalier Squad are equipped with firearms, the Revolver we use does not have accuracy like the rifles used by the Musketeer unit which are specifically for long-range combat.
After waiting for about half an hour, suddenly I heard the sound of footsteps from a distance. The tree beside me also appeared slightly shaking, a sign the enemy forces had arrived in this area.
Not long after, the Imperial troop lines appeared stretching like a snake.
However, we haven't started the attack and are waiting for the 200 Musketeers who are blocking the road to shoot at the enemy troops.
"Why must we move at night like this?"
"That is because the Venetian Republic City that our troops just conquered is empty and only 5,000 troops are left. We must fill it immediately so it is not easily retaken by the enemy troops."
I can hear what they are chatting about.
Suddenly, the footsteps of the troop lines stopped. The soldiers in the middle and back of the line looked confused.
"Enemy visible in fro-"
BANG! BANG! BANG!
The sound of gunfire was heard from the front, signaling the Musketeers had started to face the enemy troops who were in the front lines.
The sound of gunfire continued to be heard; the shouts of the enemy troops sounded panicked and confused with what was happening; enemy corpses began falling simultaneously as a result of being hit by the musketeers' fire.
"Heavy Infantry! Advance to the front and kill the Musketeers who are in front of our line!"
The soldiers carrying shields and swords began to advance to the front. It seems they aimed to get close toward our 200 Musketeers while raising shields.
However, they still did not realize that there were 4,000 of our Infantry who were behind those 200 Musketeers prepared to perform close-range combat.
The sound of clashing swords began to be heard, a sign our infantry currently has made contact with the enemy.
I looked to the right side; Captain Siena appeared to unsheathe her sword toward the front and gave the order to the Musketeers on the hill to shoot.
"Shoot now!"
BANG! BANG! BANG!
The smoke coming out from the Musketeers' rifles after shooting made the mist here feel like it was getting thicker.
The enemy appeared surprised realizing we were also attacking them suddenly from the side.
"Not only from the front! The enemy appears from the direction of the hill!"
"Damn! We've entered into an Ambush! Quickly approach those musketeers and kill them!"
When the enemy Infantry realized the presence of the musketeers from on top of the hill, they raised their shields and tried to climb closer up here. However, with unfavorable terrain, their movement became slower and casualties began falling being hit by the musketeers' shots up here.
However, because their number is twice as many as ours, slowly the enemy infantry began to approach even though many of them also fell.
Seeing this condition, Captain Siena advanced to the front and raised her sword up as if to give an order.
"For The Love of Motherland! For The Freedom of Our People! Chargeeee!!!"
Captain Siena voiced the order to attack in our native language.
I and all the infantry forces on top of this hill unsheathed swords together and then advanced down the hill to attack the enemy infantry who were climbing up here.
I ran down at high speed aimed at several enemy troops that came into my sight.
"Kill them all!"
"Glory to The Empire!"
The enemy troops shouted their native language at us.
I jumped and stabbed my sword into the neck of one of the enemy soldiers. The eyes of the soldier I stabbed bulged and his hand was about to reach my hand which was holding the sword.
Slash!
His head was split after my sword I lifted up.
"Dammit! Die you, Venetian Dog!"
Seeing their comrade could be killed easily by me, several other enemy soldiers approached me.
However, I was not daunted facing these weak underlings.
One of them launched a diagonal slash toward me. But, I caught his wrist with my left hand then slashed his head until it was severed.
Next, I lunged toward the enemy forces and slashed them one by one without mercy.
The fight lasted for two hours before finally being won by our side. Thanks to having the position advantage and a surprise attack, we were able to defeat enemy forces numbering twice our forces.
The casualties from our troops reached 700 people and more than a thousand experienced wounds, while we could count enemy corpses up to 10,000 people after the fight ended.
I looked at the lake not far from where I stood.
Its clear water was seen currently turning red as a result of the blood of the enemies we slaughtered in this place.