Chapter 367 367-Cavalry Clash
Neplon, seeking clarity, asks, "If that's the case, why not just appoint me directly? What is Your Majesty's purpose in seeking me out?"
Howard succinctly outlines his plan for coordinating with Frederick, emphasizing the necessity of such an alliance.
He notes that the Oli Kingdom, fighting solo, stands little chance against the numerous forces of the Osland Kingdom.
This campaign demands a delicate balance in maintaining a tactical distance with Phrus's troops.
The strategy is to occupy enemy territory in a methodical, gradual advance while ensuring constant communication and support between the two armies.
Understanding the gravity of the situation, Neplon acknowledges, "Understood. Since Your Majesty is accommodating Phrus to this extent, I will endeavor to avoid conflicts with Frederick."
Howard, though satisfied, feels a tinge of imperfection in his plan.
Not daring to command personally, he resigns to the current strategy.
In a moment of introspection, Howard experiences the psychological burden often borne by monarchs criticized for incompetence.
He understands the frustration of having ideas but lacking the prowess to execute them independently, leading to a reliance on others.
This dependence generates a sense of powerlessness, coupled with the inability to fully trust even the most competent ministers.
As a result, there's a constant tug-of-war between using and guarding against these ministers.
Such a paradoxical approach to leadership, Howard realizes, is fraught with potential issues.
His lack of expertise in military strategy forces him into a position where he must simultaneously rely on and be wary of his commanders, leading to numerous contradictions.
This realization brings a deep sense of unease.
During a military convergence, Howard shared his inner turmoil with Bismarck.
Bismarck, with a slight smile that barely changed his expression, responded, "There's no need to fret. Not everyone can be a genius. In my opinion, you are one yourself, and there's no reason for despondency."
He continued, "Do you know, within the borders of Phrus, your reputation is quite formidable? In many taverns, storytellers recount your exploits, regarding you as a legendary figure."
Howard sipped his wine, his features relaxing.
Bismarck clinked his glass against Howard's, then took a hearty gulp before saying, "Moreover, in my view, setting aside other matters, in the realm of diplomacy, rest assured. Your strength has earned my utmost respect."
Inquiring about ways to elevate his military acumen, Howard expressed his constant unease about Neplon, fearing the possibility of his betrayal and the lack of anyone in his forces capable of outmatching him.
Even outnumbering Neplon might not suffice, as Howard dreaded the prospect of being outmaneuvered and finding his capital under siege.
Bismarck, not directly addressing this concern, spoke of other matters.
Howard, after a brief pause, understood Bismarck's unspoken message and chose not to pursue the question further.
Half a month later, Howard's forces were suddenly attacked by the Osland Kingdom.
Despite the challenge of crossing a river, the Osland army pressed forward in an attempt to rapidly defeat Howard's troops.
However, the communication between Howard and Frederick proved timely.
The Phrus forces, stationed not far away, promptly arrived and lined up along the riverbed, providing artillery support.
In a dramatic twist, Phrus's Third Guard Corps emerged unexpectedly along the steep mountain paths, appearing behind the Osland Kingdom's forces.
This surprise maneuver severely demoralized the soldiers of the Osland Kingdom, dealing a significant blow to their spirit.
The commanding general of the Osland Kingdom watched the battlefield in silence.
His deputy, observing the unfolding scene, whispered to him, "Sir, look at this. Phrus's artillery is supporting from across the river. We are facing the cannons of both Oli Kingdom and Phrus in our advance."
"And we are at a lower position. Seeing our advance, Oli Kingdom's troops immediately retreated to a small mountainous area to set up their defenses. If this continues, our casualty rate will be unsightly. Should we consider a tactical retreat and seek another opportunity?"
The general hummed noncommittally, mounted on his horse, and remained silent, contemplating his next move.
Meanwhile, Boshni led a contingent of elite cavalry through a valley, taking a circuitous route to flank the Osland Kingdom's forces.
The Osland army dispatched their cavalry to meet this new threat.
Boshni, at the forefront of his troops, wore slightly worn medium armor.
He held his long spear aloft, riding fiercely into battle.
The lead cavalryman of the Osland Kingdom, noticing Boshni's boldness and interpreting it as a disregard for his own prowess, felt a surge of anger.
Preferring a curved saber over a long spear, he sped up his horse, intent on slaying Boshni.
Boshni, with a cold sneer in his heart, used his longer lance to strike the Osland Kingdom's cavalry leader.
The enemy commander was unhorsed, tumbling to the ground.
His brown horse, confused, continued to gallop forward.
Meanwhile, the fallen Osland leader struggled to rise, his defeat evident on the chaotic battlefield.
Boshni, a woman of humble farmer origins, charged onward, knowing she needed to accrue sufficient military achievements to prove herself worthy of the noble status bestowed upon her by Howard.
Following her were several cavalry from the Oungria region, who aimed their weapons at the Osland Kingdom's cavalry commander.
Recognizing the customs of continental warfare, where nobility seldom faced death, the Osland commander wisely surrendered, hoping for a treatment befitting his rank.
Speaking in broken, intermittently coherent Oungrian dialect, he conveyed his wish to cease resistance in exchange for noble treatment.
He was promptly escorted back to the camp by nearby soldiers.
Boshni continued her relentless assault, her war cloak stained with the blood of battle.
The Osland cavalry, demoralized by the loss of their leader, were reluctant to flee outright.
They felt obligated to put up a semblance of resistance, even if it was merely for appearances.
The Osland cavalry began to avoid direct confrontations with the Oungria forces.
Whenever the Oungrian cavalry charged, the Osland horsemen would deftly turn their steeds, evading head-on clashes.
Under these circumstances, Boshni and her Oungrian cavalry swiftly and effortlessly reached the front lines of the Osland Kingdom's elite guards, mostly composed of musketeers.
These elite guards of the Osland Kingdom were not ordinary troops but a special force, generally stronger than regular units.
Similar to how Oungria had once formed a makeshift 'Black Army' by recruiting fighters from various backgrounds, the composition of the Osland Kingdom's elite guard also bore its unique characteristics.
The elite guards of the Osland Kingdom were largely not natives of the kingdom but individuals from various ethnic groups conquered and assimilated over time.
Most of these elite guards wielded muskets, subjecting the Oungria region's cavalry to intense firepower.
However, at this critical juncture, the heavily armored cavalry of the Oli Kingdom, led by Howard and Ness, made a formidable entry from another flank.
The challenge with heavy cavalry was their slightly slower speed compared to light cavalry, leaving them little time to engage.
But if the enemy failed to detect them in time, as was the case with Howard's troop, they could effectively mitigate the impact of musket fire.
Bullets, especially those not coming directly but at an angle, could sometimes be deflected or slightly redirected by the combination of heavy armor and skillful maneuvering.
The commanding general of the Osland Kingdom, sensing the shift in the tide, let out a thunderous cry and dispatched two of his strongest warriors to confront Howard.
Ness, eager to defend, found herself outmatched in skill.
Struggling even in close combat with the average Osland cavalry, she had to be exceedingly cautious.
This left her unable to assist Howard.
The emergence of the two stalwart warriors, Kara and Khannis, immediately lifted the spirits of the Osland Kingdom's cavalry.
Known in the military as the "Twin Walls of Osland," their camaraderie was legendary, and their reputation for both leadership in battle and personal combat skills earned them deep respect among the frontline soldiers.
Observing the boost in morale, the general commanded the Osland artillery to advance fifty meters and engage in arched firing from lower ground.
This strategic move was designed to invigorate the troops engaged in close combat at the front.
No soldier wants to fight a bloody battle upfront while those at the rear lazily light the fuse of their cannons.
The general's order significantly bolstered the spirits of the Osland troops, excluding the artillery unit.
Kara, brandishing his curved saber, shouted across the battlefield to Howard, "Are you that knight-turned-king?"
"I've heard you rose from a mere knight to a king. Is it true?"
Howard, with a smile, replied, "Ha, what's the point of discussing this on the battlefield?"
"Aren't you here to fight me?"
"Then let us battle."
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