The 9th Class Swordmaster: Blade of Truth-Chapter 330: The Ambush of Vestal (2)

Dawn was creeping in, casting a faint light over the land. In the shadows of the grass, dark figures moved, hidden and silent.

At the head of the group was a young boy.

“All clear.”

“Good, time for the shift change."

At four in the morning, the tired soldiers standing atop the fortress wall finally saw the next group of guards arriving.

“Ugh... I'm exhausted.”

“I heard reinforcements were dispatched from the capital?”

“Yeah, 100,000 soldiers have already been sent to the south. Looks like war has really broken out.”

“That’s a relief. At least there won’t be any fighting here. We got lucky being stationed here, don’t you think?”

The soldiers wearily exchanged words as they descended the wall.

“It’s thanks to that monster in Fonein. After the chaos at the Twin Armor, the first thing the emperor did was build this fortress along the river.”

“Yeah, and it made things easier for us. Ever since the fortress was built, the monsters along the river disappeared. At first, I hated being sent to this remote post, but now I'm glad. If we were in the capital, we’d be dragged into the war for sure.”

“Haha... Exactly.”

“But can you believe it? They say the Water King really listens to humans.”

“Who cares if it’s true or not? Doesn’t matter. No matter how powerful the Water King is, it can’t move on land. All we have to do is keep watch.”

“That’s right. All I want now is to go back and get some sleep. It feels like this war has nothing to do with us here, and yet they’ve doubled the number of guards. What a hassle. We’re already short on men as it is.”

They kept going down the stairs, shaking their heads.

“Exactly. How about we grab a drink on the way back? What do you think?”

“...”

The soldier frowned and waved his hand dismissively, annoyed by the lack of response from his comrade, who seemed to lag behind.

“Hey, what’s with you? At least answer if you’re—”

Thud—

A dull thud echoed as something hit the ground. The helmet tumbled down the stairs, clinking with each bounce.

“...!!”

The soldier turned his head just in time to see the sharp blade pressed against his throat.

“Shh...”

The shushing, calm yet commanding, sent a shiver down the soldier’s spine.

“W-Who... Mmmph!”

The hand clamped over his mouth prevented him from shouting. The blade had already pierced his abdomen before he could even grasp what was happening.

The helpless soldier shuddered in shock as his life slipped away.

“Too easy...” said a low, detached voice

“Numbers?”

“There are 10,000 soldiers defending the fortress. However, there are no knights, and the only magic-users are lower-ranked. They haven’t detected us yet.”

“How long will it take to finish?”

“It’ll be over soon.”

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Greys, pulling his sword from the fallen soldier, looked upward and said, “The Black-Eyed tribe has already assassinated all key leaders upon infiltration. Without their commanders, the enemy won’t pose much of a threat.”

Having swiftly eliminated dozens of soldiers on the stairway, they turned their gaze upward.

“How odd... Such a well-built fortress should have better defenses. My guess is that this fortress was meant as a distraction.”

“Indeed. Despite its impressive exterior, the defense force is remarkably weak. What’s going on?”

Viola, standing beside Greys, also looked up toward the top of the stairs. Someone was there, someone who could answer their questions.

“Quite dramatic, isn’t it?”

Karyl’s cloak fluttered lightly as he leaned against the fortress wall. The soldiers who had come for the shift change lay motionless on the ground.

“Why would they build such a grand fortress and leave it so poorly manned? Can anyone answer that?”

Despite being deep within enemy territory, Karyl was most calm, speaking to Viola and Greys as if to give a lecture on battle tactics.

“Perhaps it’s because of the Water King. I heard this fortress was built right after the defeat at the Twin Armor.”

The first to respond was Hashir.

“That’s right. It appears that’s the sole reason for building this fortress. But do you really think it’s just for defense?"

“It was constructed as a forward base.”

The next voice that answered caught everyone’s attention. Her silver sword glinted in the torchlight.

It was Viola.

“A forward base... Do explain.”

“This fortress was indeed built after the battle of the Twin Armor, as Hashir said, to guard against the Water King of the Fonein. That’s a plausible reason, but as you suggested, it’s merely a front. The real reason is to safely cross the Fonein River.”

“Cross the river, you say...”

Karyl looked at Viola, signaling for her to continue.

She scanned her surroundings before saying, “Olivurn has sent his forces to the Vestal Marquisate under the pretext of the empress’s rebellion. It’s a diversion. Naturally, the marquisate is a key point if they intend to march through the south toward Tatur. It could serve as a strategic base for an assault.”

As Viola said, the marquisate was on the southern border. If enemy forces gathered there, Karyl would have no choice but to defend it.

“Isn’t that obvious? The empire intends to use the marquisate as a staging ground for a southern invasion into Tatur.”

Hashir furrowed his brow, glancing at Karyl for confirmation.

“Go on.”

“In a simple strategic game, that would be the case, but the empire won’t target the south.”

“You mean there's another objective?”

“Exactly. The Vestal Marquisate is just bait. The real staging ground is this fortress. While everyone’s attention is on the south, this fortress was built in secret, ready to strike from behind,” Viola explained with a smile.

“Correct. They’ve been pretending to fear us, slowly building this fortress and withdrawing their presence, all as part of an elaborate ruse.”

All this time, Olivurn had been putting on a show. Even Anthem, with all his strategic brilliance, would probably not have foreseen it without Karyl’s insight.

“But the empire overlooked one crucial fact.”

Viola’s voice grew stronger.

“That we would be able to use magical warships. With them, we’ve already transported the golems and other magitech weapons across the strait.”

Hashir’s eyes lit up at the realization.

“Exactly.”

“This gave us the time to arrive here before the enemy could mobilize.”

“So we’ve outmaneuvered them by using the golem units to secure the advantage in the territorial battle.”

Hashir felt his heart race as the pieces came together.

“To think they’d risk 100,000 troops and use the marquisate as bait in such a bold plan... Could this have come from the mind of Bran Gamunt?”

“Perhaps. Bran Gamunt is indeed a skilled strategist, but he’s not one for elaborate, behind-the-scenes schemes. His tactics tend to be more direct, especially for something of this scale.”

But there is someone skilled in such deceptions, Karyl thought, smirking bitterly.

“Ahem... So what do you think?”

“Tiren. It’s Tiren MacGovern.”

Tiren’s rise to Chancellor of the Empire in his previous life wasn’t solely due to his excellent administrative abilities. He possessed the qualities necessary for that position.

When Tiren ascended to that position, it was during a time when the principality and the Three Kingdoms were being reorganized, and the Oracle had been prophesied. In other words, it was wartime.

What made him stand out was not the war itself but his strategies. His foresight would occasionally shine in moments like these.

“Which is why...”

Karyl looked down from the fortress wall.

“...he’ll be gauging the size of the forces gathered at the marquisate. We’ve sent nearly 100,000 soldiers, including the golems, so it’s more than enough to deceive him. Now, he’ll try to cross the Fonein to strike us from behind."

Rumble...

At that moment, a cloud of dust rose in the distance. Karyl turned and said, “Am I right?”

His subordinates couldn't hide their amazement at the sight.

“Enemy confirmed! Identified as the Black Knights! Additionally, there is a magic corps of about two hundred units, with the total enemy force estimated to be around 150,000!”

The scouts who had been hiding in the forest quickly delivered the report.

“To deploy the Black Knights, the elite force responsible for defending the capital, here first... They’re willing to put a lot of weight behind this.”

Karyl nodded as he stared ahead.

“Viola.”

“Yes.”

“Kaishin, the commander of the Black Knights, has long been responsible for defending the capital. His skills in defense are unmatched.”

“But the fortress is already in our hands. His talents will be of no use here.”

“Indeed. But you’ve always wanted to prove yourself, and now I’m giving you the chance to do so.”

Karyl knew no further explanation was necessary.

“I’ll leave the Wolf-Fox tribe here. Wipe out the Black Knights with Hashir. The Fonein River is like a waterway running through the continent. We will completely seize this place and use it as a gateway to the empire.”

“I understand.”

“Then I leave the command to you. Give ‘em a proper welcome.”

“Yes.” Viola bowed deeply at Karyl's command.

“Are you really entrusting her with the command? Then, what about you, my lord...?"

“We’ve exchanged moves with the marquisate and this fortress, but the real war starts now. Once they realize this place has been taken, battles will break out across the northern borderlands, the Kivell Coast, the Lavtan Gorge, and even deep in the forests of Heim. Skirmishes will erupt everywhere.”

“But the main force hasn’t moved yet,” Karyl went on. “The damage from these skirmishes will likely amount to just tens of thousands. For two powers wielding armies millions, it’s just a minor scratch. The war will only end when the main forces clash.”

Everyone nodded in agreement.

“Armies of millions...”

“This is just a prelude to the real battle.”

Even though enemy forces were closing in on them, Karyl’s subordinates found their hearts pounding in anticipation rather than fear.

“That’s... what everyone thinks.”

“What?”

Karyl looked at them and then pointed to the sky.

“I’ll be off... to shake the empire.”