ch 20; Rats In The Hole (2)

I miscalculated. 

 

Philip could only thought so. 

 

Entering the city smoothly, Philip has been quite on edge yet also at ease. Everything flows according to plan, after all. The allies has took their position, a group of squire disguised as mercenaries as his secret weapon were also ready for confrontation. Everything was in place. 

 

Demanding more would be mere paranoia, he genuinely believe. 

 

He believe the Interior agents planted at various points in the city wouldn't miss any detail whatsoever. All he need to do now, is being the bait faithfully, as planned. 

 

And, in fact, the following events unfold that way. 

 

"Attack now!" 

 

"Whoever killed him will earn whatever you want!! Advance!!!" 

 

Several minutes after entering the city, precisely at the city's center, where buildings clustered together in a systematic yet chaotic picture, this center is the only place where the land hasn't been touched by buildings for several meters in diameter except for a single water fountain. 

 

Objectively, it was a perfect ambush spot. 

 

There's no immediate cover in sight, the fountain isn't deep enough for Philip do dive in it as a cover. And the dense buildings means there's a lot of place for archer to aim from. Exactly to the center. 

 

Obviously, that's what happened. 

 

CLANK CLANK CLANK

 

If not for Reita, that is, the Empire's new knight, such ploy would definitely succeed. 

 

"A-Ambush!!!"

 

"Protect His Majesty!!!"

 

Of course, the surrounding soldiers accompanying him in his journey as per those whom he visit before behests, also did their job splendidly. Although their affiliation are mixed, with everyone came from different noble faction, none of them cooperate poorly. 

 

Such is the soldiers defending him. 

 

…this goes according to plan. 

 

In actuality, Philip felt relieved. 

 

Even after perfectly forecast this scene, throwing your own life as a bait will never been easy. Plan could be perfect, but reality in itself are a massive unrestrained variable. What if a soldier had lapse in their judgement, even if it's merely an instant, and that directly resulted in his head lodged with arrow? 

 

What if today was suddenly pouring rain, making visibility especially difficult for everyone involved, but it would be particularly bad for his soldiers? 

 

At that point, Philip judged it was paranoia, and thus, he tried to think positively. Abandoning negative thought entirely. 

 

The result was satisfactory. 

 

He glanced at the man currently parrying the rain of arrows with one-hand shield and a sword on the other hand. Watching him move, Philip thought; Knights… their fame is truly well-deserved. 

 

Especially Reita, this new knight. 

 

Traditionally, any warrior who's yet awaken their 'Deep Realization' could only be a squire or special soldiers, at best. That's why, in the past, knights are even rarer than today. One moderately big kingdom could grip the whole region but still don't have knights. 

 

In old days, only Empires could own one or two knights. 

 

But ever since, they lowered the entry bar. And thus, everyone who already in the stage of 'Realization' could formally be knighted. 

 

In this case, Reita is an exceptional talent. 

 

Usually, a 'Realization' mean that the knight would be more pointed in one direction, either assault, defend, or anything else. Knight who could fill any role masterfully like Reita, thanks to his 'Realization', are rare. 

 

If I had to hypothesize, it's a 'realization' that has an adaptability element. 

 

Even until now, the aspect of 'Realization' and its detailed nature are still unknown. But every knight who has been gone through it, agree that it's heavily implied by life history. Personal preference, mindset, experience, etc. Anything that's impactful enough to shake their very soul. 

 

In his relatively young age of 27, Reita could be considered one of the most talented knight in the Empire's history. Although his 'Realization' are quite late compared to other genius, his type of 'Realization' suggest there's more than eyes met. In another words, the potential is huge. 

 

Even for Philip, an un-knighted man, the sheer quality of Reita's 'Realization' are quite evidence. Just like today. 

 

CLANK CLANK CLANK

 

SLASH

 

"Kuhuk!!!"

 

"Shit! H-He's too strong!!"

 

Perfectly parrying the incoming arrow, and still had time to kill the incoming enemies trying to fight melee. 

 

Philip vaguely understood. Reita's 'Realization' isn't just about adapting. It's more clear to call it 'fitting in'. Like a perfectly matched shoe size to a foot. The flexibility is incredible. It's basically meant Reita could match his 'role' just like how he meshed well in a conversation. 

 

Right now, his role is a 'bodyguard'. A defensive-type which prioritize defense but also ferocious for any enemy that dare to get close. Essentially creating a melee no-man's land around him. 

 

It was thanks to him that Philip's head was still intact. With Reita as their reliable cover, the group began to retreat to a predetermined position where their forces are hiding, i.e., the squires-disguised-as-mercenaries. 

 

Luring them there, then blast it all in one go. 

 

Philip could choose to take some of them as a prisoner, or to extract information, but in the first place, he won't take this risky operation without securing advantageous information beforehand. He already know where to go after this. Even if the assassination didn't happened, he would still on his way to their territory. 

 

I even had to leave my strongest card, the Chamberlain, in the capital. 

 

A 'Realization' warrior who's close to uncovering the next level, 'Deep Realization'. It was a calculated move, knowing the enemies would be most aware of the Chamberlain's position, and would only move based on such information. But Philip, as the king, was designed that strategy for a more fundamental reason. 

 

That is, the Chamberlain himself are currently entering the most sensitive period, on the boundaries of 'Realization' and 'Deep Realization'. 

 

In game terms, he's currently in the middle of upgrading. 

 

Either way, everything was going as intended, Philip thought.

 

After luring them deep into their nets, well, the rest would be history. 

 

But of course. When has life ever gave him a smooth iteration throughout his leadership? 

 

"[Mud Wall]"

 

Halfway before their destination, where the squires been waiting for ages, a magical wall made of earth suddenly erected, effectively blocking Philip and his soldiers in a one way lane with no other cover. His face ashen as he fully realize his miscalculation belatedly. 

 

"Mage!!!"

 

A mage has appeared.  

 

Hard-to-earn, hard-to-maintain tactical nuclear equivalent, with scarcity even less than knights. Even more so for battle mages, whose staking all their potential on combat and the art of war. 

 

Not even Vedora have one. 

 

And his existence revealed how much the separatist and their backers is willing to ensure this operation's success. Because mages are notoriously difficult to persuade. The concept of paying them is basically nonexistent. To recruit them, one has to be prepared to lay down everything. 

 

Even then, mages who take up such job are, more often than not, rogue mages. Who draws power from taboo, of sacrifice, of flesh and blood. 

 

Backing up such rogue mage would end up with extreme consequence, especially in the era when the church are ragingly hunting down these types of rogue mages. 

 

Even at the cost of antagonizing the church… these madmen! 

 

"Y-Your Majesty!! WATCH OUT—"

 

stab

 

"Kuhakk—"

 

Now trapped in place, they're like a pack of sheep in front of the wolves. And, it looks like the opponents won't waste this chance so passively. At that moment, Reita, who's scanning the surrounding trying to pinpoint where the mage is hiding, catching a glimpse of something getting dragged into the combat zone, veiled by a huge fabric. 

 

But in only took a glance for him to paled and shouted in panic. 

 

"BALLISTAAA!!!!"

 

And not just a simple ballista, but a magic-enchanted ones. Once again, a war instrument which was rare to even see on the battlefield. 

 

F-fuck… 

 

Even Philip couldn't keep his composure, seeing war instruments one after another popping up to ensure his death, he felt incredibly resentful by the opposition's gamble of throwing all their chips into this. 

 

Is this… how I ended…? Is this place going to be my burial? Here? 

 

Indignation start to rise, but he already played all the cards in his hands. He can only hope for Reita to block that ballista, and for his squad of squires to quickly back them up. As seeing other forces sent by Duke Heinghram and Marquis Henya were tied up by the other forces in the field. 

 

Alas, the situation turns out to be hopeless for him. As a powerless man without the strength of a mage or a knight, he could only hope. 

 

Please… 

 

Unknown to which he held his prayer.

 

***

 

Under the sun, rows of soldiers could be seen from his position of highland. The man checked his handheld clock, waiting for something. But as he awaits, until the time's up, what he waiting for didn't came. Taking a deep breath, he mentally prepares. 

 

"Soldiers." 

 

He didn't do speech. Merely a notification. For his men has been ready from the time they came here, waiting under the scorching sun of summer. And thus, he firmly decided. 

 

"Advance."

 

To move.