Water Magician-Chapter 669 : To the Battlefield

Chapter 0669 To the Battlefield

Translator: Jay_Forestieri

Editor: Tseirp

The northern border of Darwei, the Northern River.

Like the Southern River that flows through the capital, in wide places it can exceed a kilometer across.

For a long time, this Northern River served as Darwei’s northern frontier.

Land north of the Northern River grows considerably colder, so it has long been regarded as having limited value as territory.

For that reason, earlier dynasties before Darwei also treated this river as the border, and nomadic equestrian tribes founded states north of it and sometimes fought there.

A great river can act as a natural fortress, so the equestrian tribe state of Peiyu rarely invaded Darwei.

In particular, relations between the two countries had been good for decades.

But recently, the Peiyu state suddenly invaded Darwei.

Crossing this very Northern River.

That invasion was repelled by Prince Ryun acting under imperial command.

This time, however, the Choouchi Empire, having annexed the Peiyu lands, crossed the Northern River to invade.

When it had been only Peiyu, defenses on the southern bank had been sparse because such an invasion had been thought impossible.

They had therefore been easily overrun. This time was different.

The possibility of a Choouchi southward advance had been assessed as real, so the Northern Expedition’s commander, Prince Churei, the third prince, had stationed ten thousand Forbidden Guard troops as a garrison.

Churei was known in the palace as an imperial prince given to the martial arts.

As long as he led the Forbidden Guard, victory seemed assured— or so people thought.

“Do not retreat! If you fall back here they will advance without end!”

Prince Churei shouted.

The area around him was already in the thick of chaotic battle.

“Your Highness! The enemy has deployed a new ogre unit!”

A subordinate reported with a look of despair.

Yes— the Choouchi Imperial Army was employing monsters on the battlefield.

Churei understood that he had to commit his reserves against this new threat.

But...

“There are no reserve troops left to commit.”

He muttered and bit his lip.

The main force defending the invasion was the ten thousand elite Forbidden Guard.

They stood without flinching against ogres that could reach two and a half meters in height.

In the early phase, they endured attacks, and by mid-battle there were moments when they might have been able to push the enemy back.

But the enemy was not only relying on monsters.

“They’re coming again!”

“Talismans!”

“Watch overhead!”

There!

From the Choouchi rear came talismans.

Hundreds of flying talismans soared through the air, raining gravel and fireballs from above.

A shield held overhead would block them.

But if you did that, fighting the monsters in front of you became difficult...

As a result, Darwei’s forces were gradually worn down in strength and morale.

“I found you!”

Clang.

A strike burst in with a sound that pierced the ears; Prince Churei parried it with his own sword.

“That splendid armor doesn’t belong to a low-ranking foot soldier. But you are still young. So you must be from the Shitaifu class or even royal blood!”

“And what if I am?”

Prince Churei replied idly to the attacker’s guess.

The response was casual, but from the sharpness of the blade, it was clear this opponent was not to be underestimated.

“I am Garibech, Seven-Star General of the Choouchi Empire. Remember the name: I will take your life!”

“If you take my life, I won’t be around to remember it.”

Prince Churei sighed at Garibech’s declaration.

Still, as a member of the imperial family, he could not simply let that stand without introducing himself.

“I am the Grand Commander of the Northern Expedition of Darwei, Prince Churei.”

“Prince Churei? The third prince? You’re a big figure, then!”

“Is that so? Then what will you do?”

“I’ll take your life.”

“Nothing’s changed, then.”

Steel rang as the duel between phantomkin and man began.

Fighting raged around the two of them as well.

But most of the combat was monsters against the Darwei army.

“You only sent out monsters? So you’re the only phantomkin here.”

Churei asked.

“We have a small population. We effectively use tamed monsters we can command.”

Garibech replied, his mouth forming a thin line.

Though they exchanged words, their blades clashed fiercely.

Garibech pressed the attack, but Churei did not yield.

“I thought you’d be a weak prince, but you handle yourself well. I thought royals would hide away in the rear.”

“A prince must stand at the front, or no one will follow. That’s obvious.”

“Ah... I’d like to let my emperor hear about this, just a little.”

Garibech muttered that, then hurriedly added, flustered.

“No— of course a commander who’s giving orders shouldn’t be on the front lines. Of course!”

“Who are you making excuses to?”

Prince Churei tilted his head, not understanding Garibech’s meaning.

Their duel was intense, but one of them was the overall commander.

Soldiers who had just felled monsters shouted out,

“Your Highness!”

“Don’t come! I’ll handle this one!”

Churei refused the help even as they attempted to rush in.

“Wouldn’t it be better if someone came to help?”

“Regrettably, phantomkin, you are strong. My men cannot defeat you.”

Prince Churei said flatly.

Acknowledging that only he could meet this foe.

At the same time, he understood that only he could direct the whole picture in the chaos.

(I mustn’t get the timing of the withdrawal wrong.)

They were at a disadvantage.

The general himself was embroiled in chaotic combat.

And there were no reserves.

An ogre had been thrown into the fray earlier, and then talismans were unleashed to press the attack.

Those two blows were tearing apart the Darwei army’s formation.

“To fight such fierce swordplay and still think of the front line— impressive, Your Highness.”

“That is the duty of a grand commander.”

Garibech genuinely admired him; Prince Churei grimaced.

At that moment, Churei saw a stubbornly resisting unit being smashed by an ogre.

(We are at our limit.)

But then...

“You won’t get away!”

Garibech sensed his side gaining the upper hand.

If so, the prince would naturally attempt to withdraw.

Retreats are the hardest operations.

Because the enemy will pursue.

“You can’t effectively command a retreat while trading such sword blows, can you?”

“Ugh—”

Garibech smiled thinly; Churei had no retort.

Garibech’s taunt was apt.

Then...

“Raise the second withdrawal signal!”

Prince Churei shouted.

Several attendants who heard the order pulled black boxes roughly the size of card cases from their pockets and slammed them into the ground.

Orange smoke billowed out of the smashed boxes.

Orange smoke rose at several points across the battlefield.

In the next instant, more than a hundred objects flew up from the rear of the Darwei line.

Boom—crash.

On striking the ground, they scattered deafening thunder and blinding flashes of light.

Throwing the monsters into confusion.

“What is that?”

Garibech was genuinely surprised.

Prince Churei took advantage of the opening.

Slash.

“Damn!”

Garibech cursed as a clean cut opened his belly; he leapt backwards.

Prince Churei did not pursue.

He retreated with his withdrawing forces.

Thus, Prince Churei’s northern expeditionary army was defeated by the Choouchi Imperial force.

“Prince Churei has been defeated in the north, it seems. First, we must enter the capital and show the people that the Emperor is safe for all to see.”

“Y-yea...”

“Only the Emperor can steady the citizens of Darwei and the shaken Forbidden Army after a defeat.”

“That’s true. So why tell me?”

Abel asked with suspicion at Ryo’s sudden words.

“Because I worry Abel might act rashly and charge the Choouchi army alone. I want to stop that.”

“Is that so? Don’t worry. I wouldn’t do a thing like that.”

Abel realized something then.

“You’re not worried I’ll act rashly—you’re worried you will.”

“W-what are you saying? I don’t understand.”

Ryo said, looking away.

Which was hardly convincing.

Abel wouldn’t look away, so Ryo had to keep talking.

“I don’t like wars of aggression.”

“There aren’t many people who do...”

“But historically, many countries invade their neighbors.”

“That’s true.”

Ryo’s homeland and the Knightley Kingdom that Abel rules had once been invaded by the Debuhi Empire in league with the king’s brother.

At that time, Ryo had been based in the southern stronghold of Rune; the empire hadn’t reached Rune.

Still, when news came that the kingdom had lost and allowed invasion, Ryo had panicked.

“Abel, as king, please do your best to prevent the country from being invaded.”

“Yeah...”

“If your forces are lacking, I can provide ten thousand ice golems from the Rondo Duchy. Just say the word.”

“Really...?”

“Though at present all I can do is line them up with spears and charge.”

“I-I see. I’d rather not have them get too strong... I like them as they are.”

At that moment Abel pictured a horizon filled by a marching army of golems.

“I should research water-attribute magic and alchemy more, and make the flying-momonga golem squadrons properly functional.”

“You mean the flying golem things?”

“Yes, exactly. Pair them with the airborne warship Golden Hind to seize the skies, coordinate with our main ice golem ground force, and the Debuhi Empire won’t be able to bully us! We’ll never bow to invaders again!”

The premier duke exclaimed, raising a fist.

“Alright... I’ll do my best.”

Abel said, understanding it was Ryo’s imagination— and a little bit afraid of what that future would look like.

At least within the Knightley Kingdom’s inner circles, people were thinking ahead.

Of course, these two were far from their country at present.

Three months after Emperor Tsuin had been captured.

The emperor finally returned to the capital.

Emperor Tsuin walked between Prince Kouri and Prince Ryun, and with the proud procession of allied foreign forces following, the citizens of the capital erupted in excitement.

They had heard rumors too.

Some northern empire was marching south.

It seemed that in the opening clashes, the Darwei army had suffered defeat.

Yet at last the Emperor had returned.

Accompanied by troops and princes who looked formidable, lifted spirits.

The people felt sure this would be enough!

With that cheer behind them, the group entered the Imperial Palace.

“Zhuon, Shau, you’ve done much. Well done.”

“We are honored.”

“Much obliged.”

Emperor Tsuin thanked Chief Zhuon of the Inspectorate and Secretary Shau of the Censorate—who bowed their heads.

“The people’s lives seem stable. I could see smiles.”

“That’s because Captain Hau Gin’s patrols held steady.”

“I see. As expected of First-Class Marquis Hau Gin.”

Emperor Tsuin nodded and praised the man who guarded the capital’s security.

If stability at home wavered, it would be impossible to repel invaders; the Emperor knew that well.

That is why he valued the patrols that formed the foundation of the capital.

Soldiers’ duty is not only going to war.

Some fight on the battlefield to defeat an enemy; others sacrifice themselves for the people’s well-being.

From the ruler’s perspective, both are vital.

While Emperor Tsuin resumed his role as ruler and generals planned operations against the Choouchi Empire, elsewhere, their household was celebrating the pair’s return.

“Home really is best!”

“Well, at least it’s home in the capital...”

Ryo and Abel said as they arrived at the Rondo Manor.

Inside the gate, ice golems—the Oniwaban squad—lined up, welcoming their masters’ return.

Of course, Abel couldn’t tell whether they were actually ‘happy’.

“They’ve grown so fine... I hardly recognize them.”

“...That so?”

Ryo said, gently patting each one; Abel still couldn’t tell the difference.

Then something slowly approached...

“Oh, Andalusia!”

Ryo’s beloved horse, Andalusia— unusually outside the stable to meet him at the gate.

The horse nuzzled his cheek.

Ryo happily stroked her.

There was a bond of trust that crossed species.

And the other black horse as well.

“Feiwan, thank you for keeping watch.”

Abel’s horse Feiwan came to the gate and licked his face.

A display of affection.

“Haha, that tickles. There, there.”

There too was a trust between them.

At last, the two had returned to Rondo Manor.

“Still, we’ll be setting out again soon, won’t we?”

Ryo said, having bathed the road grime away and sipping tea.

“We must repel the Choouchi Empire. Although Prince Churei was defeated, he’s probably holding out with the remnants up north, buying time while we assemble a great army.”

Abel said, sipping his tea.

He went on.

“Still, we’re outsiders in this fight. The core of the battle belongs to the people of Darwei.”

“Yes, I know. If they request our help, we’ll cooperate fully.”

Going oneself reduces sacrifices.

But one cannot simply go at the outset.

Ryo always felt such contradictions at the front.

War isn’t only about victory.

How you win shapes a nation’s future and the people’s hearts.

From the Knightley Kingdom’s liberation campaign, Ryo had learned that clearly.

“Politics seems to be part of war... politics is really hard.”

“That I won’t deny.”

Ryo complained while Abel smiled wryly in agreement.

Some peculiar people voluntarily involve themselves in that troublesome politics.

The world is wide...

The day after their return to the capital, Ryo and Abel were summoned to the palace.

Emperor Tsuin called them to his study, the Wenhua Hall, and expressed his gratitude.

“No, we merely did what we should.”

“Do not mention it.”

They replied as usual.

The Emperor said he had summoned them because he had information particularly relevant to the two.

“To go to the Central Countries, you must pass through the ‘Corridor’ while the ‘Wall’ is open.”

“Yes, I remember. It’s in the northwest of Darwei.”

“Indeed. Before I was taken by the Choouchi Empire, I had ordered research into old records and found some information.”

He explained:

More than a thousand years ago, alchemy sealed the Wall.

It was to prevent something from the Central Countries from entering.

The alchemist who sealed it set the “key” to open the Wall to be in the blood of the imperial line—the ruling emperor.

Of course, Darwei is only 150 years old.

But the imperial family are descendants of the older dynasty.

Therefore, the blood of those in the direct imperial line, including Emperor Tsuin, could be the key to opening the Wall.

“I see. So that’s why the Choouchi Empire kidnapped Your Majesty and drained your blood.”

Ryo nodded.

Abel silently nodded beside him.

“Regarding the intelligence carried by the captured General Yun, Shau of the Censorate reported to me. The Phantom King intends to go to the Central Countries.”

“Yes. They will try to open the Wall with Your Majesty’s blood and pass through the Corridor.”

“Even if the Wall opens, what will happen we do not yet know.”

“It was something that blocked whatever tried to come from the Central Countries, wasn’t it?”

“Yes. But it’s already been open for several years in certain periods. At least during those times, people could pass through...”

“Perhaps phantomkins cannot pass normally since they’re not humans. Thus, they need the Wall fully opened.”

With insufficient information, both the emperor and Ryo were left to layer speculations upon speculations.

But sometimes that’s what must be done.

Three days after Emperor Tsuin’s return, the northern expeditionary army set out.

Emperor Tsuin personally commanded the expedition.

The core force was thirty thousand Forbidden Army.

Twenty thousand Black Banner troops from the Military Ministry, and five thousand magic corps.

Lords from across the land would lead their forces to join en route.

Prince Ryun and Prince Kouri served as deputies.

In Kouri’s case, he was brought along because it was considered unsafe to leave him alone in the capital; they preferred to keep him nearby.

“How few trustworthy allies there are.”

“Indeed.”

Ryo, assigned as counselor on the campaign, shook his head; his guard Abel agreed.

Lord Rowon remained imprisoned in ice in the high-security prison.

“This departure is hectic—is the organization even right?”

“The core is formed; they’ll organize reinforcements while marching.”

“Is that acceptable?”

“Not ideal militarily.”

“Right.”

Abel stated firmly; Ryo nodded.

“But realistically they probably had no choice.”

“Militarily wrong but politically correct?”

“It’s happened before in my father’s reign. The political center knows it’s not ideal even without being pointed out, but sometimes you must move troops closer as fast as possible.”

“For political reasons.”

When the military is subordinated to politics, troop movements happen for political reasons... even when militarily unwise.

In a nutshell.

“It’s all so difficult. I’d rather be at home eating good food.”

“Agreed.”

Two weeks after leaving the capital, the northern expedition under Emperor Tsuin linked up with the forces of Prince Churei.

“Churei, well done holding out.”

“Your Majesty, I’m sorry for the unsatisfactory outcome.”

“Nonsense. It’s because of you that the invasion was halted. Hold your head high.”

Emperor Tsuin praised the third prince, who had stubbornly resisted despite an early defeat.

At one corner of the expedition’s main camp, the counselor and his bodyguard chatted.

“After defeating Darwei in the first battle and seizing Shuntai Castle on the northern bank, the Choouchi army paused. It’s almost as if they are waiting for this main force to arrive.”

“They are.”

Abel shrugged at Ryo’s words.

“You also think so?”

“Of course. This is the Emperor leading the main force. They intend to decide everything in this one battle.”

“With thirty thousand Forbidden Army at the core, adding the lords’ armies exceeds one hundred thousand. They really think they can win?”

“Well. Maybe they think all we got going is our numbers.”

“One hundred thousand. They’ve got the numbers alright.”

In the Choouchi camp, the Phantom King smiled as he said that.

“But even so, a hundred thousand people can’t be dismissed lightly.”

Taoran, clothed in a black robe, replied.

Serving as the Phantom King’s deputy.

“The Emperor is delighted that the Darwei Emperor has come out in person. He thinks this battle will decide everything.”

Seven-Star General Yun Chen reported, relaying the emperor’s mood.

He was acting as something like the Phantom King’s chief of staff on this southern advance.

“He said: Lure the Darwei Emperor onto the battlefield and kill him, and it will all be over. Well, it’s not entirely wrong. With the second, third, and sixth princes here. Kill all three princes...only the fourth prince, left in the capital half out of his mind, would remain. If they install him as emperor, even a great power won’t survive.”

The Phantom King shrugged.

“But the problem is...”

“Whether it is possible.”

Taoran and General Yun were not as optimistic as the Phantom King.

“Now, how much does the emperor...my father know?”

The Phantom King muttered, shaking his head.

In the Choouchi Empire’s high command post.

There sat an old man trembling with excitement.

“At last. At last, I can clear the grudge against Darwei. Thirty years since my seal was broken... how long I’ve waited for this.”

Emperor Wanshan Ku, the Choouchi Emperor, trembled with exultation.

He was not truly so old as to be called an ‘old man’.

But the hardships he had endured aged him beyond his years... even as a phantomkin.

“Thirty years! Thirty years of this sealed hatred, and now I can finally avenge it.”

His ensuing laughter was madness incarnate.

A roar that would make anyone who did not know the circumstances keep away.

Even those who knew might not approach.

“Soon, soon, soon, soon...”

With the hopes and fears of many gathered on the battlefield, the battle on the Pyulai Plain—later to be called by history “the Three Eastern Emperors’ Campaign”—was about to begin.

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