37-95

EP.95 Balkan Civil War (7) 

In Heinrich’s camp, like in Prinz’s, a war council was underway. 

“Looks like my brother has prepared quite well. Even from a distance, their soldiers’ equipment looks pretty good.” 

“He was crown prince for years if he couldn’t even manage that, it would be disappointing.” 

“Hehehe, right. Is the matter prepared?” 

“Yes, Your Majesty! Everything is ready without a single error. Both parties replied that they’ll begin as soon as the signal is given.” 

Satisfied with Count Dietrich’s answer, Heinrich called a messenger, handed him a letter, and told him to deliver it to Prinz’s camp. 

“Your Majesty… is that…?” 

“Well… before the battle, it’s customary to at least offer a formal chance to surrender, isn’t it? I asked for a brief meeting in the middle, with no bodyguards.” 

“As expected, Your Majesty is merciful.” 

Soon, an answer of acceptance came from Prinz’s side, so Heinrich mounted his horse and rode out alone. Prinz, seeing Heinrich approach, also mounted his horse and rode out to meet him. 

After both used magic tools to check for concealed weapons, they faced each other and began to speak. 

“Hahaha, isn’t it too long since we last met, brother? Have you eaten?” 

“Heinrich, you dare murder our father! You will never be forgiven!” 

Despite Prinz’s angry shout, Heinrich smiled calmly. 

“Hahaha. So you finally figured it out? Not that it matters now. His time was almost up anyway. Wasn’t it better to let him go peacefully? You could even say I did my filial duty.” 

“Why did you do this!! If you hadn’t, I could have given you the position of chancellor or a dukedom! How could you commit such a heinous crime!!” 

“Hmph! And I’d still be under you, right? I want the highest seat. Ha! Heinous crime? That’s why you got stabbed in the back you’re hung up on such things. I’m simpler than you think. Both Father and you were obstacles to my ambition, so I removed you.” 

“Fine. I may be a little late, but I will eliminate you. I’ll restore this empire to what it was!” 

“Hahaha, if you can, by all means! But as your brother, let me ask you one last thing. If you surrender now, I won’t punish the nobles in your camp, and I’ll let you live quietly in a territory next to Yuno’s.” 

Heinrich’s overwhelming confidence made Prinz uneasy, but he couldn’t show it. 

“Tomorrow at dawn, the battle begins. And by tomorrow evening, your head will hang on Adria’s gates as a patricidal criminal.” 

“Oh, how scary. I won’t kill you, though. Isn’t that too much? Hahaha. Instead, I’ll make you watch that monster woman of yours be violated by countless men. She deserves that for throwing the empire into chaos.” 

“You bastard!!” 

Ignoring Prinz’s outburst, Heinrich turned his horse back to his camp. 

“Oh, but will any man even get aroused looking at that monster? Well, if we give the prisoners aphrodisiacs and set them loose, they’ll take care of it. Hahahaha!” 

Prinz wanted to kill his brother on the spot for mocking his wife, but he gritted his teeth and returned to his own camp. 

Back in camp, Prinz relayed the conversation to his advisors. 

“So it was Heinrich after all. As soon as we were alone, he proudly admitted to killing Father. Unbelievable…” 

“I’ll spread this news to the soldiers. If we tell them we’re punishing the traitor who murdered the emperor, their morale will soar.” 

“Please do. And I ask all the high nobles here once more: for tomorrow’s battle, Viscount Toys will be the supreme commander. I know he’s younger and lower in rank than many of you, but he’s a proven commander who has repelled Teseito’s provocations on the western front, and he’s highly talented. For unity of command, please follow his orders tomorrow.” 

“Your Highness, don’t worry. For revenge on Heinrich, I’d take orders from anyone you appoint.” 

“Haha, very well. Viscount Toys no, Supreme Commander. I look forward to tomorrow. I don’t know how much help this old body will be, but let’s crush the enemy under your command.” 

Count Zion, who had brought the largest force, and former Minister of War Marquis Zeitlitz, both recognized Toys as supreme commander, and the other nobles pledged to follow his orders as well. 

“Excellent! Together, let’s make tomorrow a historic day to restore balance to the empire! Please prepare your troops well!” 

“Yes, Supreme Commander!” 

“Victory to the Crown Prince!” 

“To victory!!” 

The nobles pledged victory and returned to their troops, while Prinz and Toys reaffirmed their resolve. 

The next morning, even before sunrise, both armies were bustling. 

Soldiers with swords, spears, and shields moved to the front; archers followed behind. Knights and cavalry checked their saddles and gear. Each commander hurried their men to prepare quickly. 

As the sun rose, all soldiers stood ready, swallowing nervously as they eyed the enemy, and the commanders waited for the supreme commander’s order. 

Prinz’s Camp 

“Your Highness, all preparations are complete.” 

“Good, Supreme Commander Toys.” 

At Toys’s report, Prinz went to the very front of the troops. 

“As you all know, Emperor Karl III was killed by the wicked schemes of that Heinrich. As crown prince, he led us to victory at the Battle of Zenon Plains, expanded the empire, and ruled wisely for over 40 years! But he was cruelly murdered by his own son, Heinrich. Can you accept this!! Where is justice in this empire!!” 

Indeed, while Karl III had some personal flaws, he had governed the empire smoothly, so the soldiers were enraged at the idea that the second son had murdered the emperor for the throne. 

“Vengeance!!” 

“Vengeance for the Emperor!!” 

The soldiers shouted for revenge, and Prinz raised his voice even more. 

“That’s right!! This is my personal revenge for my father, but it is also the revenge of the entire people of the empire!! Today’s battle is to restore justice to the empire!!” 

The soldiers cheered, and morale soared. 

“Today, we will restore justice to the empire!! That is not for me or the nobles, but for you, the soldiers, to achieve!! Advance!! Annihilate those traitors!!” 

Bwooooo~ 

At the prince’s command, Toys’s hand fell, the battle horn sounded, and the banner of the crown prince was raised. 

“Hold the line!! Don’t advance alone!!” 

“Keep your spacing with your comrades!! Shield bearers, lock your shields!!” 

Thump thump thump thump 

As the 50,000-strong army advanced slowly, the sound of their footsteps shook the earth, putting immense pressure on Heinrich’s mostly mercenary army. 

“If you retreat even one step, my sword will claim your head!! All troops, raise spears and shields!!” 

“Don’t be afraid!! We have more men!!” 

“If you win today, you’ll be richly rewarded!! Even if you die here, your families will be rewarded, so don’t hold back!!” 

Thanks to the officers and knights stationed throughout the army, and promises of reward, Heinrich’s army regained morale, and their archers began firing arrows. 

But Prinz’s well-equipped troops advanced through the arrows with little damage, and the two sides clashed. 

“Push forward!! Lock shields!! Don’t leave any gaps!!” 

Swordsmen with shields pressed Heinrich’s troops, and spearmen stabbed from behind, causing casualties and pushing them back. 

“If you run, you die!! Raise your spears!! You’re better fighters one-on-one!! Alto mercenaries, advance!! Show your skills!!” 

Some officers executed fleeing soldiers and even killed a few of Prinz’s men to set an example, giving Heinrich’s troops courage to fight back. 

Especially, some barbarian mercenaries from Alto leapt into the enemy lines, throwing daggers and swinging massive weapons, creating gaps in Prinz’s formation. 

Prinz’s shield bearers began to fall back in confusion, and the experienced mercenaries seized the opportunity. 

“There’s an opening!! Push in!! Don’t miss your chance while they’re confused!!” 

Led by their commanders, the mercenaries showed their prowess. 

“Ahhh, I can’t see!!” 

“What’s with that weird axe? It just got longer! Watch out!!” 

The mercenaries used all sorts of tricks to harass Prinz’s troops. 

“Hahaha, how do you like my special poison sand!!” 

“Hahaha, bring your necks to my custom halberd!! One gold coin for every head!!” 

With sand being thrown, hidden weapons, and strange war machines everywhere, Prinz’s army was pushed back. But their counterattack was fierce as well. 

“Archers, nock arrows!! Take out those barbarian mercenaries first!!” 

“Volley fire!!” 

The archers’ arrows struck down the rampaging Alto mercenaries, giving the commanders a chance to regroup. 

“Shield bearers, don’t retreat!! Trust your comrades behind you!! Spearmen, hold strong! If you hold, your friends will live!!” 

Most of Prinz’s troops were noble retainers, so not as strong as regulars, but since many units had grown up together, the commanders reminded them of this, and the soldiers rallied and counterattacked. 

“Damn!! Link shields again!! If we break, the rear is doomed!!” 

As one unit reformed, others followed, and with the archers suppressing the mercenaries, the battle evened out and became a contest of strength.