Arc 4 Chapter 6 : Battle of Lake Tiberias

[Ezio POV]

My stomach was churning...

I had never liked traveling on ships like this.

"Ueegh... Marcela... Are we still far from our destination?"

I emptied what remained of my breakfast into the river.

That nauseous feeling I always got whenever I was aboard a ship was absolutely miserable.

"We'll be there soon," Marcela replied as she rubbed the back of my neck. "I think I can already see the dock."

"Ughhh... Why did Captain Siena choose the river route instead of traveling by land? If we had gone by land, we wouldn't have needed to transport all the troops in shifts!" I asked, puzzled by the Captain's decision.

Besides saving time and minimizing the risk of accidents, traveling by land would also have given us greater freedom of movement if we encountered the enemy.

"That's because if we travel by land, the enemy's Reconnaissance Units will detect us easily," Marcela explained. "By using this river route, there are Patrol Units stationed on land whose job is to prevent enemy Reconnaissance Units from approaching the river and discovering our presence."

Even so, I hoped we wouldn't have to use river or sea routes too often whenever we launched offensive operations.

Several minutes later, we arrived at the dock in Bitola Village.

It took more than an hour to unload all the troops from their respective ships.

Captain Siena then gave the troops who had just disembarked two hours to rest before we began moving toward Fortress City Regium to retake it following our previous defeat.

During the rest period, I spent my time talking with several senior members of the Cavalier Squad.

"So, have you defeated a Knight yet, Ezio?" one of the seniors asked me.

Hearing the Senior's question, I felt rather embarrassed answering because I had been thoroughly defeated by a Knight back then.

Realizing this, I became even more impressed by the seniors who were capable of holding their own against them in combat despite not using magic.

"I haven't managed to defeat one yet, but I was able to put up a meaningful fight against those Knights!" I answered. "Senior, how are you able to keep up with those Knights in combat?"

The Seniors smiled when they heard my question.

"Listen, Ezio. You need to memorize the combos used by Knights from different nations so that you can keep up with their movements, even though they're far stronger and faster when using magic," one of the Seniors explained.

"Exactly. Because we know what moves and attacks they're going to use, we can counter them or know where to dodge when they attack," another Senior added.

So that's how it was?

That must be why Captain Siena always used magic even when she was training us—the new recruits of the Cavalier Squad!

After enjoying our conversation with the Seniors, I barely noticed that two hours had already passed.

Captain Siena then ordered all the troops to assemble in front of the village, preparing to move toward Fortress City Regium.

"Everyone, listen carefully and pay attention to what I am about to say," Captain Siena said as she walked in front of the formation, looking at all of us.

For some reason, she seemed more charismatic and graceful than ever this time.

Her black hair, dark as the night, was blown gently by the wind.

Her sharp gaze fixed upon us resembled that of a wolf preparing to lead its pack on a hunt.

Every soldier's attention was fixed upon the woman who was only three years older than me.

I didn't know how Captain Siena had developed such a commanding presence at such a young age.

I was certain that even if Captain Siena ordered these soldiers to attack the Demon King himself, they would willingly risk their lives just to follow her command without a second thought.

Captain Siena then scooped up a handful of dust and stretched her hand out in front of her.

All of our eyes focused on her clenched fist, which held the dust.

She slowly opened her hand, allowing the dust to scatter into the wind.

"Long ago, our ancestors—the Venetian people—had no land of their own and had to depend on other nations simply to survive," Captain Siena began. "Because of that, our people were often discriminated against and looked down upon by the more dominant nations in the lands where we lived."

Captain Siena had always told me this story.

Long ago, because we possessed no magic, our people were extremely weak and had to live within the lands of other nations across the continent.

This caused our people to become scattered everywhere, unable to unite and rise against the discrimination and oppression imposed upon us by stronger nations.

"But when we all united here, on the land we earned through the blood and sweat of our ancestors, we were able to become a strong people who were respected by other nations."

She was absolutely right.

After our people purchased the island of Florentia and established our own nation, we gradually managed to rise again and gain powerful influence across the continent, just as we had today.

"No longer do other nations dare to belittle or underestimate us simply because we are Non-Sorcerers," Captain Siena continued, her voice trembling slightly. "No longer do they dare dictate to us or command us like slaves!"

Everyone's expressions became grim as they listened to her words.

For generations, our people had always carried a sense of inferiority toward other nations because we could not use magic.

The term Non-Sorcerer had even been created as an insult because they could not accept the fact that a people they considered weak simply because we could not use magic had managed to surpass them in numerous fields unrelated to magic.

"Yet there is one nation that still looks down upon us, attempts to dictate our policies, and wants our people to fall so that we will submit to their power!" Captain Siena shouted, her voice louder than before. "The Aragon people! They are an arrogant people! They always look down upon other nations because they believe themselves superior! They consider themselves invincible because they have been called the strongest nation on this continent, and that arrogance has led them to interfere with the sovereignty of our nation—a sovereignty made strong through the struggles of our predecessors!"

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The Aragon Empire...

A nation filled with arrogant people who believed the world revolved around them.

Their pride in being the nation that had produced the greatest number of heroes had made them increasingly conceited, until they came to believe that their people were chosen, special, and destined to lead all the other nations of the continent.

"Right now, our nation is under attack by them! They are burning and destroying the cities we built in an attempt to force us into submission so they can control us however they please!" Captain Siena shouted. "That is why we must fight! Show them—and show the world—that we are not a weak people who can simply be underestimated!"

Hearing Captain Siena's rallying cry, I unconsciously clenched both fists.

The soldiers around me also began shouting in response to the woman's words of encouragement.

"This afternoon, we will move toward Fortress City Regium, which is currently in the hands of the Imperial forces!" Captain Siena announced, explaining our first objective. "Tomorrow, when the sun rises, we will retake the city and surround the Imperial forces currently heading toward Ebro Village!"

After giving us our orders, Captain Siena commanded the army to move.

Everyone formed up according to the formation we had been briefed on beforehand.

The journey from here to Fortress City Regium would take up to six hours on foot.

For that reason, we would also travel during the night so that we would not be detected too quickly by the enemy Reconnaissance Units patrolling the area.

After marching for two hours, Captain Siena ordered the Cavalier Squad to escort our Reconnaissance Unit and scout the area ahead of the army.

I, along with four other members of the Squad, followed the Reconnaissance Unit we had been assigned to protect.

To be honest, moving through the darkness of night was extremely difficult, even with lanterns to illuminate the road.

However, once the distance between us and the main force reached two kilometers, we began seeing fewer trees around us, indicating that we were approaching the route between Fortress City Regium and the border of the Duchy of Hernant.

"We've reached the border route," said the leader of the Reconnaissance Team we were escorting. "Major Siena ordered us to inspect the area around the border and look for enemy reinforcements. Apparently, reinforcements are expected to arrive tonight to strengthen the forces guarding Fortress City Regium."

I nodded.

We then proceeded carefully toward the border area.

Captain Siena had told us that she had received information from the Intelligence Unit that the Empire had brought 20,000 reserve troops to be used only in critical situations.

She believed the Empire would use those troops to reinforce the defenses of Fortress City Regium, which they had only recently conquered.

The night grew colder.

The wind became stronger, biting through my skin.

I was about to call out to the Reconnaissance Team Captain and suggest that we return and end our scouting mission.

However, one of his men stopped me and gestured for me to remain quiet.

"What is it?" I asked softly. "Where is your Captain?"

The Reconnaissance soldier did not answer.

He simply motioned for me to wait.

Not long afterward, two people approached us carrying a lantern.

One of them was the Captain of the Reconnaissance Team we were escorting.

"We need to return immediately," the Captain told me.

"Of course. If we stay out here any longer, we might catch a chill!" I replied.

"No, that's not why," the Captain said. "We need to report to Major Siena immediately because one kilometer from here, I discovered 20,000 Imperial troops heading toward Fortress City Regium!"

Hearing this, my heart began pounding faster.

It seemed certain that another battle would break out soon.

After rejoining the main force, we reported our discovery of the 20,000 Imperial Reserve troops.

"Approximately how far are they from our main force?" Captain Siena asked the Captain of the Reconnaissance Team we had escorted.

"Approximately seven to eight kilometers southwest of our position, Major," the Captain replied.

"Very well. We will divide our forces," Captain Siena announced. "Twenty thousand will continue toward Fortress City Regium, while the remaining 10,000 will ambush the Empire's 20,000 Reserve troops."

So the ratio of our forces in the upcoming battle would be one to two?

However, considering that we would be the ones launching the ambush, I believed we could defeat these 20,000 troops, especially since the Imperial Reserve consisted only of ordinary soldiers without Mages or Knights accompanying them.

"We will ambush them when they pass Lake Tiberias," Captain Siena said. "Therefore, we must hurry and arrive before they do."

After giving the order, the entire army split into two groups and followed different routes.

The 20,000 troops continued straight west, while the 10,000 soldiers—including me—headed southwest to intercept the Empire's 20,000 Reserve troops.

When we reached the lake, we found a small hill overlooking the route the Imperial forces would take.

The Musketeers began moving up the hill in groups.

Our formation consisted of 800 Musketeers positioned on the hill alongside 4,000 Infantry, while another 200 Musketeers positioned themselves on the road the enemy forces would use, blocking their advance.

The remaining 6,000 Infantry would remain 100 meters behind the 200 Musketeers.

I was currently positioned on the hill, waiting for the enemy forces to arrive.

All the lanterns we had brought were extinguished so that the enemy would not notice our positions as they approached the road.

Fog began forming around the area, shortening our visibility.

"Hey, Marcela. Can you still shoot accurately in these foggy conditions?" I asked my fellow Squad member.

"It depends on the distance," Marcela replied.

She remained focused on the road ahead, waiting for the enemy to arrive.

"For an ordinary marksman, they should still be able to hit a target accurately from 50 to 100 meters away under these conditions."

Although every member of the Cavalier Squad had been equipped with firearms, the revolvers we used were not as accurate as the rifles carried by the Musketeer Units, which specialized in long-range combat.

After waiting for approximately half an hour, I suddenly heard footsteps in the distance.

The tree beside me also seemed to tremble slightly, a sign that the enemy forces had entered the area.

Not long afterward, a long formation of Imperial soldiers emerged, winding through the road like a snake.

However, we still did not attack.

We were waiting for the 200 Musketeers blocking the road to open fire on the enemy forces.

"Why do we have to travel in the middle of the night like this?"

"That's because the Republic of Venetia's city that our troops just conquered is practically empty, with only 5,000 troops remaining there. We need to reinforce it quickly so that the enemy can't easily take it back."

I could hear their conversation.

Suddenly, the marching formation came to a halt.

The soldiers in the middle and rear of the formation appeared confused.

"Enemy spotted up ahead—"

BANG! BANG! BANG!

Gunshots erupted from the front.

The 200 Musketeers had begun engaging the soldiers at the head of the enemy formation.

The gunfire continued.

The enemy soldiers began shouting in panic, confused by what was happening.

Bodies began collapsing one after another as they were struck by the Musketeers' bullets.

"Heavy Infantry! Move to the front and kill the Musketeers blocking our formation!"

The soldiers carrying shields and swords began advancing.

They appeared to be attempting to close the distance with our 200 Musketeers while raising their shields.

However, they still had no idea that 4,000 of our Infantry were positioned behind those 200 Musketeers, ready to engage them in close combat.

The clash of swords soon rang through the night, signaling that our Infantry had made contact with the enemy.

I turned toward my right.

Captain Siena drew her sword and pointed it forward before giving the order to the Musketeers positioned on the hill.

"Fire!"

BANG! BANG! BANG!

Smoke billowed from the Musketeers' rifles after they fired, making the fog around us seem even thicker.

The enemy looked shocked as they realized we were also attacking them suddenly from the flank.

"Not just from the front! The enemy is coming from the hill!"

"Damn it! We've walked straight into an ambush! Get to those Musketeers and kill them!"

When the enemy Infantry realized that Musketeers were positioned on the hill, they raised their shields and attempted to climb toward us.

However, the unfavorable terrain slowed their movements, and more of them began falling beneath the gunfire of the Musketeers above.

But because they outnumbered us two to one, the enemy Infantry gradually began closing the distance despite the heavy casualties they were suffering.

Seeing the situation, Captain Siena stepped forward and raised her sword, preparing to give the order.

"For the Love of Motherland!"

"For the Freedom of Our People!"

"Chargeeee!!!"

Captain Siena shouted the command to attack in our native language.

I and all the Infantry stationed on the hill simultaneously drew our swords before charging down the slope toward the enemy Infantry climbing toward us.

I sprinted downhill at full speed, heading toward several enemy soldiers who had entered my field of vision.

"Kill them all!"

"Glory to the Empire!"

The enemy soldiers shouted at us in their native tongue.

I leaped forward and drove my sword into the neck of one of the enemy soldiers.

The soldier's eyes widened as he tried to reach for the hand gripping my sword.

Slash!

His head split apart as I raised my sword upward.

"Damn you! Die, Venetian dog!"

Seeing that I had killed one of their comrades so easily, several other enemy soldiers rushed toward me.

But I was not intimidated by these weak vermin.

One of them swung his sword diagonally toward me.

I caught his wrist with my left hand, then severed his head with a single slash.

I then charged into the enemy ranks and cut down one soldier after another without mercy.

The battle continued for two hours before finally ending in our victory.

Thanks to our advantageous position and the element of surprise, we had managed to defeat an enemy force twice our size.

We suffered approximately 700 fatalities, while more than a thousand others were wounded.

Meanwhile, after the battle ended, we counted approximately 10,000 enemy corpses.

I stared at the lake not far from where I stood.

Its clear waters had now turned red from the blood of the enemies we had slaughtered here.