Episode 120

A month later, the army of the Medici Republic divided its forces to target the castles in the Styria region.

Our mercenary group, along with others including the Red Rose Mercenaries, was placed under the command of Count Canossa.

The total force numbered around 4,000 men, neither too few nor too many.

“Sub-captain Otto, thinking Kötzville is just a small city so we won’t struggle much? Can you still say that after seeing this?”

“But I heard in a tavern five years ago that it was nothing special…”

“The city might not be much, but with about 5,000 troops trapped inside the castle, they could easily hold.”

At that, Otto bit his lip hard and bowed his head, but my frustration wasn’t alleviated.

“Ha, really. It’s definitely better than when we were under Baron Pappenheim attacking Seriz Fortress. This siege doesn’t seem easy either.”

The castle walls, seemingly 4 meters high, were manned with mercenaries, regular soldiers, and serfs, all standing firm with spears and swords.

“Come on up, you weaklings of the Republic!”

On the towers along the walls, archers and mages were tightly positioned, ready to unleash a crossfire on us as we climbed.

‘Even if we climb the ladders quickly, we’re bound to fall in droves.’

Being hit by arrows from both sides or killed, and if a spell hits the ladder, it could burn, killing 4-5 people at once.

Inside the walls, there were siege engines among various siege weapons.

I sighed just looking at the scene.

“Ha, getting over the wall isn’t going to be easy. Many of our mercenaries will die in vain.”

As I sighed, waiting for the order to attack, someone patted my back.

“Who’s patting my back…”

Turning around, I saw Captain Dalton standing there.

“Man, you scared me. If you have a decent plan, try talking to Count Canossa.”

I sighed and shrugged.

“I’m just a commander of a hundred, not even the head of the mercenary group. Would the count even listen to me? Besides, I’m not an idiot like Pappenheim. Even if they consider mercenary leaders inferior for not having a title, many nobles don’t bother to talk.”

Honestly, mercenary leaders often possess more military power and strength than many knights, but knights tend to look down on them for lacking a ‘title’.

This disdain is even stronger among nobles, including barons, counts, and marquises, who command a few to dozens of knights.

However, during war, most high-ranking individuals who usually look down on mercenary leaders need to converse and treat them well for work purposes.

‘But some say talking to a mere commander of a hundred is beneath them, so what can I expect?’

Dalton chuckled at my words.

“We’re in the middle of a war, right? And someone with your track record is an exception. Honestly, without us, those Red Rose guys from the Medici Republic would have been toast.”

“That’s true.”

“Count Canossa knows it was thanks to you we did more than our share in the last battle. He said if you have a plan, come and report directly to him.”

People like Estel, the Border Count, who value ability over status or position…

‘With someone like this, there might be a chance to avoid a senseless death in this siege.’

“Do you think I have some special plan on the first day of the siege? I don’t have one yet. I’ll let you know if I think of anything.”

Dalton clicked his tongue and nodded.

“Right, in this situation, what kind of damn plan could there be? It’d be strange if someone came up with a plan on the first day of arrival.”

While we were chatting, the defense captain guarding Kötzville shouted from the central part of the wall.

“I, Baron Alois von Kuttner, will not surrender Kötzville to you, no matter what! You pretentious Medici fools, sipping your watered-down coffee. Wouldn’t it be wise to assess the situation and flee while you can? That way, you might save your lives!”

Count Canossa retorted sharply.

“I, Count Zolio von Canossa, offer you one last piece of advice! Stop resisting behind those low walls, open the gates like men, and surrender! Then, even worthless men like you might save your lives!”

“Nonsense! If you truly want this castle, climb up with your swords and spears!”

“Fine, I’ll capture you and turn your entrails into sausages!”

Then, the count turned his back and approached us with an order.

“Full assault, everyone! Seize Kötzville Castle following Lord Dandal’s orders!”

With the command, the sounds of resounding trumpets and tension-building drums began to echo from various parts of the camp.

The men of the hundred-man unit showed their nervousness through actions such as sweating profusely or tightly gripping their hands to conceal their fear.

“Ha, damn, a siege. This is going to be tough.”

Among the recruits, some began to lose their nerve, having heard that sieges are among the most grueling types of battles.

“Damn, damn, damn… I want to go back…”

However, those who faltered, as always, received ‘appropriate physical therapy’ from their well-meaning seniors, aimed at steering them back on the right path.

This involved being slapped hard enough to fall to the ground with just one hit, and being reminded about the mercenary group’s ‘discipline’ through threats of whipping for those who broke the rules.

“You idiot, won’t get up? If you freeze up here and can’t move, you better be prepared to not die comfortably.”

“Instead of avoiding the siege, how about getting whipped until you’re crippled? A hundred lashes and you won’t be able to use your lower half, so you won’t have to climb any walls for the rest of your life.”

“If you don’t want to die, just stop thinking and move as ordered!”

Personally, I prefer talking down the soldiers or issuing appropriate discipline rather than resorting to beating them.

‘Even the 21st-century US military, known for its lack of abuse, allows physical discipline on the battlefield or shooting range, right?’

Especially on such battlefields, violence is an immediate remedy for snapping the crazed back to their senses, so it’s unavoidable.

“Whether it’s a siege or any other battlefield, it’s all the same. Follow orders and kill the enemy well, and you get a huge reward. Fail to follow orders, and you die by my sword.”

After I finished speaking, arrows whistling through the air were released.

The arrows split the sky, making a whistling sound that assaulted the ears, and Captain Dalton’s order followed.

“Mages and archers, let it all out! Mages, target those stuck to the walls, and archers, pour flaming arrows into the castle!”

At the same time, the archers and mages under Count Canossa managed to strike the first blow a bit faster than the enemy.

The spells hitting crowded spots on the walls exploded, spreading fire all around or scattering lightning, causing damage to the vicinity.

Soldiers within range were either burned to death or electrocuted.

“Argh! Damn!”

The mages and archers under Baron Kuttner, who were about to cast spells from the walls, hesitated momentarily due to our side’s preemptive strike…

“Martin’s hundred-man unit! Prepare for enemy magic and arrows! Spread out as much as possible!”

Similar orders were issued from various locations, and the infantry, excluding mages and archers, spread out as much as they could.

After dispersing, dozens of spells from the enemy fortifications fell towards our side.

Fire spells, including Fireballs, poured down like rain, and where the magic landed, flames spread as if small bombs had exploded.

“Argh, damn!”

Several of our men died instantly within that range.

Despite having experienced numerous wars, I’m still not accustomed to the power of magic and witnessing people getting caught and dying in its grasp.

“Hold on! Don’t falter for nothing!”

With that, I bolstered my resolve first.

‘If we falter here, in this preliminary skirmish, it’s over.’

Then, the sound of arrows slicing through the wind began to reach my ears.

“Arrows! Duck down! Trust in your helmet!”

I instructed everyone to duck but didn’t check if anyone actually did, because lifting my head could mean death for me too.

“Damn, my chest…”

At that moment, I heard Tristan from our hundred-man unit fall.

‘If only you had worn the breastplate as I told you, idiot.’

Thus, we spent about 30 minutes exchanging magic and arrows, keeping each other at bay.

And just as the enemy’s arrow attack started to diminish, Count Canossa’s shout was heard.

“Now! Hang the ladders on the wall and cross over!”

Following that, I also commanded our hundred-man unit.

“Everyone, grab your weapons and stand! We’re the vanguard!”