Overpowered Extra Noble in a Novel

It had been three weeks since the start of the battle.

As the overcast skies during the skirmishes had foretold, it began to rain from the first week of the engagement.

Contrary to expectations that the rain would be brief, it poured for a week and continued intermittently thereafter, significantly impacting the battlefield environment.

The early momentum of the gathered Empire’s army and the Holy Liberation Army on the plains soon gave way to ebb and flow. The wet plains and frequent rainfall made them alter their tactics: the Holy Liberation Army shifted to offense, and the Empire’s army to defense.

With their home country right behind them, the Empire’s army had no reason to unnecessarily launch an attack, backed by numerical inferiority and other factors.

With steady supply lines and the monsoon season further bolstering their defensive stance, the Empire’s army could only endure with a solid fortification. The Liberation Army, they reasoned, would eventually tire and fall apart under their own weight.

On the other hand, the Holy Liberation Army had to advance as quickly as possible toward the Empire’s capital, Falenberk. At the very least, they needed to occupy half of the western region, or at least some areas, to have any leverage in negotiations with the Empire.

To achieve their ultimate goal of freeing the Holy Maiden and the Church, they had to force the Empire to the negotiating table.

Given this situation, the Holy Liberation Army chose to attack.

Defense is always easier and less resource-intensive than offense. The Liberation Army’s attack was made even harder by the harsh conditions of rain and mud.

Naturally, we anticipated that the Liberation Army might grow weary and halt their offensive.

Surprisingly, the Liberation Army pressed on with a formidable and relentless assault.

Are these people insane?

We voiced this doubt but soon nodded in understanding after receiving information from our spies embedded in the Liberation Army.

According to reports from the “black crows” and intelligence agents secretly infiltrated into the Holy Liberation Army, the upper echelons of the Liberation Army were daily reinforcing the purpose of the war through sermons and promoting their doctrines.

Moreover, it was reported that various supplies, including reinforcements, were being provided to the Liberation Army.

It was speculated that a few countries, which had previously supported Calheigh secretly, were now openly aiding the Liberation Army.

Not only did these nations recognize the legitimacy of the war, but they likely saw potential in the Liberation Army’s ability to hold its own against the Empire’s forces.

As such, we instructed the “black crows” to carry out assassinations of key Liberation Army personnel and directed the intelligence bureau to investigate the countries officially supporting the Liberation Army.

The more places we can extract reparations from, the better. When the war ends, the severely depleted national treasury will surely be inflated once again.

In such a troublesome manner, the days passed by.

Even today, as the rain ceased, the Liberation Army’s offensive continued without fail.

After battling the field with the knights, I returned to the temporary command post.

…

…

When I entered the command post, the people engaged in complex discussions all fell silent.

The tense stares of officers and nobles.

As I calmly moved towards the table with the map laid out, everyone hurriedly stepped aside, quietly offering their respects.

Thud.

Directly across from Barnel, I slumped into an empty chair. Barnel lifted his head from examining the map.

“Your efforts are appreciated.”

“It’s nothing.”

I casually responded, and he turned his attention back to the battlefield map.

His eyes remained unreadable, black as ever.

Unlike others, he had been working on revising strategies, cutting back on sleep in order to adapt. In reality, according to Barnel’s orders, the Empire’s army had successfully countered the Liberation Army’s attacks with near-perfect accuracy.

There were even several night raids aimed at our main camp, but our previously deployed forces countered them effortlessly, turning those raids into failures.

A few raids were thwarted by special task forces before they even began.

Are you truly aware of every situation on the battlefield?

It’s as if you can see right through the minds of the enemy leadership.

It’s no wonder you enjoy the full support of the military.

I remembered hearing that Sylvester and the battlefield strategies where Barnel’s hand has touched are supposedly impenetrable.

I occasionally recalled the memory of him being mentioned alongside his daughter as the best strategists of the Empire.

‘Tut. What a waste.’

I calmly addressed him as he quietly handled the equipment around him.

“How’s the situation? Duke Schurantz.”

“Proceeding as planned. Actually, it’s going better than expected.”

Barnel spoke while keeping his gaze fixed on the map.

“The strength of the Holy Liberation Army has reached 50,000. However, as they lack cohesion, their numbers are just for show; they are not enough to hinder our advance.”

“Advance?”

“We are slowly pushing the front lines. Once we pressure them sufficiently, the Holy Maiden’s arrival should cause a dramatic collapse. This forward movement is to prepare for that.”

I turned my gaze to the map at his words.

“…Definitely.”

The location of the black pieces on the battlefield tableau had subtly shifted.

We had moved slightly closer to the Holy Liberation Army. Barnel removed one of the white pieces as he continued.

“A decisive factor that could upset the balance has appeared, but each one has been promptly decapitated. With the participation of the Duke, the victory of the Imperial army is a foregone conclusion.”

The mana users of the Liberation Army fell in combat against Calion.

With their strong warriors suppressed, the battlefield became one where my knights and I could move with ease.

The moment the flag of Palenberk appeared, the enemy forces ceased their advance and quickly retreated to widen the distance.

‘Even in this situation, they keep stubbornly attacking.’

From where do Jaid Kamalsson and his command derive their confidence?

The Ten Sword Demons… and the fanatics?

Despite the unfavorable circumstances, the Holy Liberation Army fiercely launched their forces.

From what I heard on the battlefield, they daily denounced the Duke and called out the name of Sora. Our propagandists also criticized Jaid’s conduct while reciting their doctrines; by now, they might have memorized every scripture.

Barnel briefly shook his head in rare fatigue as he stared down at the map with a cold gaze.

…

At that, I quietly nodded.

Before the formation was established where the knights cause the enemy to retreat, anything and everything happened.

Like fanatics who, upon seeing my face, charged with bloodshot eyes or soldiers who furiously cursed and lunged with their spears.

Our unit members had also charged out in anger after being subjected to harsh insults.

The battlefield occasionally turned into a chaotic brawl.

‘Tsk.’

As much as I am, even I am nearing my limit after enduring the abuse for three weeks.

It’s the result of the situation I created, but there it is.

That’s one thing, but there’s another.

Still, I can endure for now. The war will end soon.

Charles is methodically eliminating the Holy Liberation Army’s commanders.

He’s also slowly destabilizing the Liberation Army by attacking their supply lines. Once Myna discredits the Liberation Army’s justification on the battlefield, this temporary coalition will collapse like a sandcastle.

“Faith alone has its limits, Duke Schurantz. Where is the Holy Maiden now?”

“She is soon arriving at the western border and should reach the destination within two days.”

“We must begin the closing preparations then.”

The relentless rainfall finally started to wane.

The sky was still overcast with dark clouds, but it was a decent enough environment to deliver a shock to the Liberation Army.

‘Would using a miracle here drive them into shock?’

As I imagined the expressionless faces of Jaid and his command falling apart, I began the final review of the remaining plan.

“There’s intelligence of suspicious movements at the Liberation Army’s main camp.”

“I’m aware. Despite the delays due to the rainy season, the influx of materials gives it away plainly.”

“I couldn’t imagine they’d go as far as preparing siege weapons.”

“The quantity is too great to belong to the forces of Calheig alone. It’s probably support from other countries.”

Even though it wasn’t a siege but a plain battle, the Liberation Army was assembling siege weapons.

Once catapults or ballistae started firing, the Imperial Army would have no choice but to retreat.

“With the weather changing, it seems they might finish soon.”

“There will most likely be one final attack before the Holy Maiden arrives. Therefore, we should withdraw the front line or try to stop the attack altogether.”

“Stopping the attack, you say.”

It was then, as I organized my thoughts following Barnel’s words—

Dong—Dong—Dong—

A faint beat of drums echoed.

Simultaneously, a messenger rudely shoved aside the tent entrance and rushed in.

“Report! The Holy Liberation Army’s advance has been confirmed! And a massive object has been sighted among the ranks!”

When the messenger spoke, we immediately moved outside the command post.

“That’s… a catapult, isn’t it?”

“They’ve only prepared two, but the completion is fast.”

A massive frame clearly visible from afar.

Surrounded tightly by the Liberation Army’s guards, the structure slowly advanced, blending with the gloomy environment and emanating a peculiar sense of oppression.

Our intelligence units seemed to have loosened their surveillance on the Liberation Army’s main camp. The catapults, which were expected to be completed two days from now, were already present, albeit just two of them.

The sky was overcast with dark clouds, but it wasn’t raining.

The muddy terrain remained, thus the Liberation Army’s advance with the catapults was sluggish.

“Are the interceptors ready?”

“They are dedicated to destroying other weapons. Half of them are currently assigned to guard the Church.”

“It’s too late to withdraw the front line.”

“Seems there’s no choice.”

“Acting commander, prepare for deployment.”

“Yes! Understood!”

I briefly glanced at Milene, who had left in an instant, then turned away.

A calm gaze devoid of any emotion.

As we silently locked eyes, Barnel finally spoke.

“Significant forces will be moved, so once the destruction of the catapults is complete, retreat accordingly.”

“To break through the plain from the side. Hold out until then.”

“It won’t be a problem.”

While Barnel continued issuing various commands, I headed off, grabbing Calion.

‘This might be my last sortie.’

After destroying the catapults, there will likely only be a drawn-out stalemate to maintain the front lines during the remainder of the period.

Meanwhile, Myna and the Church’s priests will arrive, and this war will conclude without a hitch within this short three-week timeframe.

***

After transmitting a simple strategy to each unit, Barnel returned to the command post.

The figures of the complexly arranged black and white pieces on the map.

As Barnel reached out to tidy up the battlefield tableau, he shook his head.

‘The war is almost over. Nevertheless…’

The Holy Maiden’s proclamation erases the enemy’s justification.

Even so, would a suddenly appearing Holy Maiden, who until now remained silent, manage to move the Holy Liberation Army as intended?

For Jaid Kamalsson and his command, it is a situation tantamount to complete defeat. It’s too ambiguous to simply accept the result calmly.

‘They’ll resort to using faith and fanaticism.’

Even within the short span of three weeks, the war’s madness had consumed both sides.

The initial 30,000 troops doubled — it wasn’t just those purely participating in the holy war but also groups driven by personal interests. The battlefield offered the perfect environment for such unruly masses to thrive.

‘And then…’

The Ten Sword Demons.

Sylvester’s powerful warriors have yet to make their appearance.

‘When Myna, the Holy Maiden, undermines their justification and one battle victory is secured, they’ll likely crumble on their own.’

Following that, there will be much to contemplate regarding the subsequent steps.

Resting his aching head in his hands as he slumped in his chair, Barnel reflected.

It was easy enough to manage troop deployments or devise strategies, but the administrative tasks brought on a wave of fatigue.

In this aspect, his daughter Seren possessed a far greater talent. The thought of her brought him back to reality.

“Pointless thinking.”

As he lightly clicked his tongue, the secret exchanges with Kierson came back to mind. The time had come to execute that plan.

Kierson handles the supply and information control while he brings down the Duke on the battlefield. This was the time to make that plan happen.

‘Cain will push deep within the enemy lines to strike their siege weapons.’

The army will move in sync with this, and once the knights accomplish their mission, they will be withdrawn while retreating. That’s the straightforward plan.

However…

If the army’s movements are delayed, Cain and the knights will be isolated within the enemy ranks.

Given the Holy Liberation Army’s blind rage against Cain, they will undoubtedly pursue. Even Sylvester’s superhuman warrior will emerge from hiding.

Can even the being who bests superhumans overcome the masses mixed with the Ten Sword Demons?

Concluding it as a low probability, Barnel issued a few commands to the officer.

The officer silently bowed and departed with a stern expression.

Dully, Barnel’s gaze returned to the map.

This time, the war plan is truly coming to an end.

This war will bring an Altane victory, and substantial wealth to be accumulated. Though it is unfortunate that he must deliver bad news to the Imperial Palace.

Barnel considered Cain again.

If such a force is lost, will it affect future plans?

‘Then so be it if he dies.’

Should he survive, it signifies the emergence of another transcendental figure, which means gaining a countermeasure to Sylvester’s transcendental force.

‘Kierson will become a power beyond anyone’s reach.’

If the situation comes to it, he must persuade Cain.

If he can persuade him, the Empress’s opinion won’t be an issue.

The fall of Sylvester and the unification of the Western Continent—thereafter, their unified might shall head towards the Eastern Continent.

The mysterious fairy empire of the East rumored to possess the elven elixir that grants a thousand-year life.

The forbidden repository where all save the emperor and sorcerers of the Rune Empire are forbidden entry.

The elixir of immortality slumbering there.

If only that exists…

‘Seren.’

Barnel closed his eyes and reminisced his daughter, fallen into eternal slumber.

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