#89
Anture cupped Enrique’s cheek and bent down to kiss him. Enrique willingly parted his lips to receive Anture.
Boom-!
Thud-!
The thunderous sound of catapults hitting the castle walls echoed repeatedly. But even these heavy sounds and vibrations couldn’t interrupt their kiss.
Outside, the light of patrolling torches passed endlessly, while the two savored their last peaceful night, embracing on the bed.
Somehow, the two men’s tents had taken on their own roles.
Anture’s tent became the meeting place, while Enrique’s tent became their shared nest. The reason was purely for Enrique’s comfort. It wouldn’t matter if they slept together in Anture’s tent, but his field bed was a bit small for the two of them. In contrast, Enrique’s bed was large enough, as if it had been designed with the two of them in mind from the start.
“After we capture Francia Castle, we’ll station a minimal force there and immediately advance towards the Baron capital,” Anture said, lazily stroking Enrique’s back. Even though they hadn’t yet begun the full-scale attack on the castle, Anture’s tone already conveyed certainty of its capture.
“We’ll bypass all the major castles and march straight to the capital. The march will be too fast and unpredictable for you to come along.”
“I’m the Commander-in-Chief of Shamier. Even if it’s just a figurehead role, I should be wherever Shamier’s army goes.”
“As I said, it’s too much for your condition. I understand your position and feelings, but we need to think of our child first.”
Anture persuaded in a roundabout way. And before Enrique could argue, he quickly continued.
“I plan to make Francia Castle our most important rear base and supply depot. I want you to oversee the rear support for this war, Enrique. So please protect and command our alliance’s supply lines from the castle. That way I can fight with peace of mind.”
Maintaining a safe rear line in war was crucial. The same went for supplies. Anture’s proposal was reasonable. But Enrique didn’t want to be separated from Anture. He had no desire to spend time worrying about Anture’s safety deep in Baron territory.
“We can leave Duke Duvain at Francia Castle. I’m coming with you.”
“Enrique, I don’t want to part either. But we have to think about our child.”
“When did I say it was because I didn’t want to be apart from you? I’m just speaking as the Crown Prince of Shamier…!”
Anture planted a deep kiss on Enrique’s cheek. Then he met his gaze from up close.
“I’ll return to you and our child safely, without a scratch. I promise. No, I swear.”
“…”
Enrique pressed his lips together, looking into the pitch-black eyes full of sincerity. It would take considerable time to fully conquer Baron and Monta. He was fine now, but as his belly grew, Enrique’s mobility would become more difficult. It was unreasonable to accompany an operation that would penetrate deep into enemy territory. He knew this. He knew, but…
‘I’m anxious. I’m anxious when you’re not in front of me.’
Enrique barely managed to swallow the words he wanted to blurt out.
“…This is an important war for Shamier’s future. I can’t hold back the army with my pregnant body. I’ll guard the rear as you say.”
At Enrique’s quiet words, deep relief spread across Anture’s dark eyes.
*
The preparatory period of launching stones with catapults and building siege towers while enduring interference had ended.
Today was the day to mobilize all troops for a large-scale siege of Francia Castle. The entire army was already armed and lined up, waiting only for the order to march. The palpable tension and spirit emanating from those facing a major battle seemed to pierce the sky.
Enrique was at the forefront of the army, on horseback alongside Anture, looking at the soldiers. Today was indeed a monumental day, taking the first real step towards conquering Baron and Monta. Although Enrique didn’t particularly like war, seeing the soldiers filling the vast plain made his heart swell involuntarily.
“I’ll be back,” Anture whispered softly. Enrique blinked once deeply in response. Anture, showing a faint eye smile, drew the sword at his waist. Then, turning his horse towards Francia Castle, he shouted loudly:
“All troops, charge!”
Buuuuu—.
At Anture’s command, the sound of horns signaling the charge echoed across the plain.
The commanders leading each unit simultaneously drew their swords and began charging towards Francia Castle. Enrique, surrounded by his guard knights, watched as the ant-like soldiers rushed towards the castle.
The soldiers densely lined on the castle walls began firing arrows en masse. The shield bearers at the very front raised their iron shields over their heads, blocking the rain of arrows while continuing their charge.
The siege was a battle of tedious patience.
They blocked arrows with shields while placing long ladders against the castle walls, while the enemy fired arrows and pushed the ladders away. The top of a large siege tower dropped a wide wooden plank onto the castle wall with a thud, creating a path. Knights armored and armed with swords and spears ran fearlessly across the precariously suspended plank and leapt onto the castle wall.
Arrows, swords, and spears flew chaotically. Red bloodstains began to appear here and there on the gray castle walls. The terrible screams of the wounded, the resonant shouts of commanders encouraging their soldiers, the sound of a huge wooden stake reinforced with metal ramming against the thick castle gate to break it, and the thunderous noise of rocks launched by catapults hitting the castle walls all mixed together haphazardly.
Enrique, mounted on Casto, took in every detail of the scene from a point well beyond arrow range. A dozen guard knights surrounded Enrique tightly, their eyes flashing as they vigilantly watched the surroundings.
“Your Highness,” Duke Duvain called, approaching. His face showed that he was itching to join the battle himself. But his most important role was to protect and assist Enrique, so he had no choice but to leave the actual command to Viscount Jares.
“Shouldn’t Shamier join in?” Duke Duvain said, looking at Francia Castle where the bloody siege was taking place.
“If we succeed in capturing it, it will be the first victory of this war. Shouldn’t Shamier’s name be included in that victory?”
Duke Duvain repeatedly tried to persuade him. His words had merit. But strategically, it wasn’t good.
“Our Shamier army’s main force is cavalry. While they would be a great force in a plains battle, they’re not suitable for this kind of siege warfare. If we join in, we’ll only suffer unnecessary losses.”
“But if all the credit goes to Ruben…”
“I understand your impatience, Duke Duvain. But look at the bigger picture. This battle is just the beginning. After we capture Francia Castle, we’ll use it as an advance base and march straight into Baron’s mainland. We’ll avoid siege battles and head for the capital as quickly as possible. That’s when it will be our Shamier’s role to crush the forces that stand in our way.”
Duke Duvain nodded at Enrique’s words.
Indeed, one of the key strategies of Shamier’s cavalry was to break through against a larger force. They would pierce through enemy defenses in a wedge formation, cutting a path to the heart of enemy lines. While useless in this kind of siege, they were nearly invincible when meeting the enemy on open ground.
A soldier’s terrible scream echoed faintly. In the desperate fight between those trying to take and those trying to defend, the wounded and dead were visibly piling up.
Anture, who had been galloping around the castle walls encouraging the soldiers, was seen running towards a siege tower.
Surely not…
Enrique narrowed his eyes, focusing his gaze on him. Arriving in front of the siege tower, Anture leapt off his horse and slapped its rump. Soon after, his black horse was seen galloping back towards the camp. Having sent his horse away, Anture began climbing the siege tower.
“He’s insane,” Enrique muttered through gritted teeth, gripping his reins tightly.
Anture was the Commander-in-Chief of the Ruben forces. Yet not content with stirring up the soldiers within arrow range, he was now directly climbing a siege tower. He intended to engage in hand-to-hand combat on the castle walls himself. He must be completely mad.
Arrows rained down on the siege tower. Whether Anture was trusting in the defense of his heavy armor or didn’t care if he was hit, he just kept climbing. Arrows could be seen hitting his armor here and there and bouncing off. Each time, Enrique’s heart sank, almost dropping to his feet.
