Chapter 126: Total War With Proxia (2)
The professors and students of the Academy all fled to Gehel, the nearest city.
From the children of the nobility to the merchant guilds, healers, and lords, many of the kingdoms leaders were present, so the evacuation proceeded flawlessly.
For those who safely observed the situation from Gehel, the heroic deeds of the Saint were recounted like legends.
Notably, it was the first time since the countrys founding that someone had been granted the second title of Bi for heroes.
The bloody battle with the Necromancer was chronicled as an epic historical event.
The absolute power demonstrated in annihilating thousands of undead with a single spell became an object of admiration for many students at the magical academies.
When it was revealed that the Saint was actually Professor Ray, not only the Magic Academy but all academies were shocked.
Who would have thought that the amiable young professor they had laughed and chatted with was the Saint?
Furthermore, he had single-handedly subdued the Necromancer, a scourge of the continent.
The Necromancer was now being interrogated by the Holy Kingdom.
The veracity of these facts was quickly confirmed.
There was no need to inquire directly from the Kingdom; their parents had been present at the hero ceremony.
The students of the Magic Academy were left dumbfounded.
Rays unparalleled understanding and theories of magic, which current doctrines could not match, had always been astonishing.
After learning all these facts, they realized that mere curiosity about the Saint was misguided.
Wasnt it preposterous to attempt to understand someone who had defeated the Necromancer, a mages nightmare, and saved the kingdom at such a young age?
But that wasnt the only news that spread.
The Saint was now unconscious and had collapsed.
No one knew who had defeated the Saint, who alone had subdued the Necromancer, but the mere fact that the Saint had fallen made the current war seem almost unwinnable.
If the enemy was strong enough to defeat the kingdoms greatest force, they were formidable indeed.
The enemy had surrounded Selonia and was attacking Gehel with their remaining forces.
They had to fight to defend this place, but hearing that even the mighty Saint had fallen made them increasingly fearful.
After all, they were still students.
Naturally, the prospect of death caused panic.
While the enemy had not yet invaded, things could escalate later.
However, they were still unaware.
It was not just the enemys soldiers invading Gehel, but monsters as well.
Iriel had ordered a retreat for all forces.
However, the four Sword Masters did not just stand by.
They pursued the retreating troops, selectively killing the commanding officers and causing tremendous casualties.
The losses were so severe that it could no longer be considered a strategic retreat.
The forces that retreated to the inner regions of Gehel were in a pitiful state.
Their wounds were treated, but their morale could not be restored.
It was natural that they could not endure three days of non-stop combat.
But outnumbered as they were, they could not afford to rest.
They had already been pushed back into Gehel.
They had focused on defending Selonia, Gehel, and Sillien, but even that was being breached.
How powerful was this emerging force, Proxia, to press the kingdom so hard!
The neighboring states had received a request for support from the kingdom, but they were reluctant to get involved in such a conflict.
This situation could lead to the kingdoms downfall.
If they were losing both in terms of troops and individual combat, it was a lost cause.
Among them, a nobles child who was tactically astute was making strategies to hold their ground.
In the strategy meetings, this one heir directed all operations.
Even Iriel had to admire Griaias strategy.
Griaia, pointing to a section of the map, instructed:
While the 7th Knight Order holds the front, Duke Harolds knights will prepare to attack from behind here. Healers and priests, please fully support the knight order.
Her intense focus and detailed explanation of strategies belied her young age.
She reminded Iriel somewhat of Rays confident demeanor.
Previously, Iriel had considered the Academy students as mere noble heirs, but now she realized her perspective had changed.
Griaia saw through the enemys strategies and tactically compensated for the weaknesses in their forces.
Well-versed in the geography of the Holy Kingdom, her strategies had been successful so far.
It was mostly thanks to her that they had been able to withstand the enemys forces during the month without Ray.
However, as the four Sword Masters appeared, even the seemingly perfect strategies began to crumble.
Sword Masters and 6th circle mages were superhumans, impossible to account for in calculations.
With four such beings, strategies were bound to fail.
To counter them, one needed to foresee at least two or three moves ahead, a feat unheard of.
Griaia had laid out the best strategy she could.
The knight order would block the Sword Masters coming from the front, while Duke Harolds knights and Count Greians magic troops would attack the enemys rear.
The knights of the Duke of Crellans House formed a separate unit to target the enemy commanders.
If the plan worked well, it could bring the situation to an equilibrium.
Iriel nodded after hearing the strategy.
It sounds good. Lets proceed with this.
Understood.
Initially resistant, they had observed Griaias performance over the month.
Having experienced the results, they now had considerable trust in her strategy.
Iriel saw no reason to object to the tactics themselves.
She would have stopped any nonsensical suggestions from the start.
The enemy camp was set up outside Gehels city gates.
They had built huts and lit fires not too far from the gate, seemingly quite confident.
However, they were out of arrow range, which left them with no immediate response.
Unable to attack first, they remained behind the city walls, their best defensive position.
Iriel instructed the soldiers to rest while maintaining a light battle stance.
With the enemy showing no intention to fight, it was the best time to rest.
This included her as well.
Sitting near a fire, out of her armor, Iriel sighed.
Zik chuckled.
Is it tough without the Saint?
Over a month of battles, their relationship had grown closer.
They could now joke with each other.
Iriel smiled back.
Thats part of it, but I didnt realize the gap between the Saint and myself was this big.
She often thought, What if the Saint were here instead of me? and the answer always came quickly.
If he had been there, regardless of whether the enemy had a 6th circle great mage or Sword Masters, he would have pushed the frontline back.
His sheer power could shatter all strategies and tactics.
Every time she felt the difference in their strength, she realized how much she relied on him.
As a Saint of the nation, such dependency was not beneficial.
She needed to become stronger to surpass him.
Zik, watching her, was inwardly surprised.
She might not realize it, but Iriel was becoming stronger, both physically and mentally.
Unfazed by stronger enemies, Iriel had ordered a retreat despite the potential loss of troops. In this adverse situation, she never thought of anything but victory. Always diving into battles with the desire to win, she valued every life.
The arrogant and cold Saint of the past had disappeared, leaving behind only a charismatic and humane Saint. Zik thought, If the Saint werent here, I would serve her. Iriel was both a genius and a hard worker.
Gathered around the campfire, they shared stories while sipping soup. Then Beris, Greyan, and Seris joined them.
Beris greets the Holy Lady.
Greyan greets the Holy Lady.
Seris greets the Holy Lady.
Each greeted her before taking their places, having grown quite close as they led their families forces to assist in the war. Although it was natural to assist since their houses would fall with the Kingdom, many chose not to help.
Iriel acknowledged their greetings with a wave.
Why come here instead of staying in a better place? Zik teased.
Ziks demeanor had significantly changed. Initially, he would have dismissed the words of Beris or Seris, but after being influenced by Ray and experiencing numerous battles, he had become more flexible.
Greyan replied with a slight smile, Where is there a good or bad place on a battlefield?
Thats true, Zik agreed, nodding.
Holding a steaming bowl of soup, Seris commented, Tomorrow will be busy again.
Iriel nodded in agreement. We have to be busy now.
It feels like weve been constantly moving these past few days Ah
She complained while tying her hair back, preparing for any unforeseen events.
Beris chuckled, watching her contradictory words and actions.
It feels strange to be talking like this these days.
Indeed, it was strange. Normally, they acted for their own benefit, but now, facing danger, they moved as one. This experience had brought them a strong sense of unity they hadnt felt before.
Thinking of the collective and moving as one had created a remarkable dynamic, particularly evident in times of danger, contrasting with their prior behavior, which was filled with envy and selfish desires.
They felt fulfilled by the wonderful sense of unity.
Perhaps it wasnt just Griaias strategies that had kept them unbroken for a month, but also this newfound solidarity.
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