Once a land covered in lush forests, this place had been stripped bare by mining and fuel gathering, leaving only barren mountains. Floods and landslides had since turned it into a forsaken wasteland—the Elphant Plains.

  A river flowed from the narrow valleys of the low Elphant Mountains, spreading into a wide plain at their foot. Following the river upstream led into the territory of the Tragia Empire. On the mountain ridge just before the border stood several forts, their watchtowers constantly scanning the northwest.

  A month earlier, reports of increased Imperial activity had arrived: supply trains marching toward the Elphant Mountains. In response, the Royal Staff Headquarters issued conscription orders across the kingdom and began assembling forces.

  The Imperial army numbered roughly thirty-five thousand, ten thousand of them cavalry. Watchtowers confirmed the count. The border garrisons of one thousand men were hurriedly split between the two forts for reinforcement, but they were soon surrounded, and all messages from the messengers ceased.

  The Royal Staff assembled twenty-eight thousand troops to meet them.

  Kingdom Year 134, late October. The battle that would decide the kingdom’s fate was about to begin.

  Thin clouds veiled the sun, and a slight chill hung in the air.

  The Royal army had established its main camp on a gentle southern hill, turning the slope into a fortress. Three divisions stood arrayed at the hill’s base.

  General Aurelius of House Legris commanded the whole force. One of the kingdom’s most distinguished families, he was renowned for his strategic brilliance.

  From the hilltop headquarters he looked down upon the enemy.

  On the plain below, four catapults stood ready. At the signal they would hurl jars filled with mineral oil, their lids sealed with glue-soaked cloth and sides smeared with tar, then ignited.

  The Imperial army, having crossed the mountains, carried no siege engines. Though outnumbered, the Royal side held the advantage in strategic weapons and easy resupply from home territory, with reinforcements already being arranged by Headquarters.

  “Is His Highness Clovis with the left wing?”

  “Yes, assigned to the left-wing reserve. He made a splendid departure.”

  The general’s aide answered promptly.

  “Aquinus tried to recruit Rondians, I hear.”

  “Indeed. Their martial prowess is well known. He must have wanted them as guards for the young prince.”

  “That man has a surprisingly good eye, and he understands tactics. If the Rondians are placed at the front of the left wing, it won’t collapse easily. Still, if the reserves are used poorly, the left wing could be in danger.”

  “Really? The Royal Guards are there too.”

  “Those are greenhorns with no real combat experience. They’ll hesitate and be useless. If I were in command, I’d put the black-cloaks in charge.”

  “Oh? You rate them that highly?”

  “Their survival rate is ninety percent—far better than regular troops. They fight well and cling to the enemy. I’d want them directly under me.”

  “Truly… that much?”

  The aide peered at his superior in astonishment.

  “Having them would give us a much clearer view of the battle. If I commanded the left wing, that’s exactly what I’d do.”

  “But the Royal Guards would never allow it. They’re all pride and no substance.”

  “Haha, exactly. And that’s the worst thing for the young prince. They don’t realize it. They gather only sons of noble houses, all pride and no real skill—nothing but mock-battle experience.”

  “If your prediction is correct, it’s dangerous. Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.”

  “Libius, I cannot let His Highness die under my command. If danger arises, inform me at once. I’ll send cavalry from headquarters. Make the arrangements.”

  “Understood. That would be wise.”

  Looking toward the rear of the left wing, the prince’s white cloak stood beside Aquinus. A civil official had come all the way to the battlefield—clearly worried.

  Aurelius snorted inwardly. If the Royal Guards get wiped out here, it would actually be convenient.

  Just as he imagined, the mounted Royal Guards wore stiff, nervous expressions. Few had any real battle experience, and those who did had not seen combat in years. The prince’s fifty personal guards were essentially all first-timers.

  They prayed they would not be called upon.

  In front of them, the black-clad company stood out sharply. The Guards could only hope those men would do the fighting.

  Left-wing commander, General Colonius of House Helicus, was also clutching his head.

  He knew the situation. He had placed them in reserve precisely because they lacked decisive power, yet reserves needed to be used at the critical moment.

  “What a troublesome bunch we’ve been saddled with, brother.”

  His younger brother and adjutant, Albios, let his true feelings slip.

  “Keep your voice down—the men will hear.”

  “Haha, but you’re making the same face, brother. They’re no different from raw recruits.”

  “Complaining won’t change anything. It was Lord Aurelius’s order. We thought we’d gained Rondians, only to be handed a massive burden.”

  “Let’s put our faith in the black-cloaks. Speaking of which, there’s an exceptionally beautiful one among them this time. Apparently he brought wolves too.”

  “Hoh. Taming wolves? Terrifying fellows.”

  Sara stood slightly behind the center of the Rondian company, beside Sedi. The Rondians operated strictly in five-man teams.

  This time, Riad, Sedi, Naser, and Haran had been assigned to support her. Sara had refused at first, but Riad overruled her as unit leader, so she reluctantly agreed.

  Placed in the rear center, they carried bows; their spears had been left in the tents.

  The left wing of eight thousand consisted of two thousand cavalry and six thousand infantry, two thousand of whom were conscripts. The remaining four thousand were regular heavy and light infantry.

  Conscripts formed the front rank, backed by heavy and light infantry, with cavalry and two reserve units behind.

  The wait before the signal stretched on, and tension began to fray. The enemy showed no movement, only increasing the soldiers’ irritation.

  At that moment Colonius ordered a formation change.

  He pulled the infantry back and split the conscript line into three long vertical columns, inserting two thousand heavy infantry into the gaps, then splitting those into front and rear ranks.

  The plan was to let the conscripts do the work while the heavies supported them from behind.

  “Looks like their commander wants us to be the main attackers,” Riad muttered.

  “Time to work, lads!”

  At Riad’s shout the Rondians roared in response. The cry spread across the entire army.

  Aurelius, watching from headquarters, instantly understood the left wing’s intent. Judging the morale sufficient, he gave the order to attack.

  The defending Royal army moved first.

  Catapults began to fire. Oil jars flew, bursting in the middle of the enemy line and scattering flames.

  The Imperial formation fell into chaos.

  Immediately the left-wing commander ordered the first rank to charge.

  “Let’s go!”

  At Riad’s command everyone sprinted forward. The lightly armored Rondians were fast, but they matched pace with the heavy infantry on the flanks.

  Arrows rained down on the leading ranks. The Rondians brushed them aside and closed the distance.

  The first clash came against the Imperial heavy infantry—shield-and-spear troops.

  The enemy front line locked shields into a solid wall that refused to break. Their spears were long, making it hard to close in.

  Even when a Rondian slipped past a spear, the shield stopped him.

  Sara climbed onto Riad’s broad shoulders and began loosing arrows through the shield gaps, killing the men behind the wall and collapsing sections of it.

  Seeing this, the Rondians behind them formed human ladders and poured arrows over the barricade, shattering the defense one piece at a time.

  Once inside, the shorter Rondian spears gave them a decisive advantage. The Imperials switched to swords, but the Rondians’ reach and footwork overwhelmed them.

  Above all, the Rondian bows displayed terrifying power.

  Wooden greatshields were pierced effortlessly; arrows punched through iron-plated leather armor.

  And the archers were confident enough to shoot from behind their own comrades.

  The long-haired figure in the center—looking almost like a woman—was especially deadly. Every shot found a shield gap or vital point.

  The surrounding archers matched the pace.

  When shields rose to block arrows, spears stabbed from the blind spots.

  The Imperials were helpless.

  Their own archers, positioned far behind the front line, could not provide support without hitting their own men.

  Meanwhile the Royal catapults kept firing, smashing the second rank of the Imperial line.

  The Rondians broke through the front wall, then spread sideways to roll up the enemy from within.

  The pressure rippled outward; other units surged forward.

  The Royal heavy infantry focused on holding the line and pushing, leaving the flanks to the light infantry. Their sheer mass—chosen from the strongest men—proved decisive.

  Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.

  The black-clad company in the center had already advanced through more than half of the enemy’s first wave.

  Thanks to Colonius’s skillful command, the left wing’s center drove deep into the Imperial formation.

  On the wings, however, the battle remained locked, with the outer edges slowly being pushed back.

  To break the stalemate, Colonius moved early.

  He committed five hundred reserve cavalry, splitting them to strike both ends of the enemy line.

  From headquarters, the adjutant reported to Aurelius: the prince’s unit had moved.

  “They committed them already? Send orders to our reserves—support the left wing’s reserves.”

  “How many?”

  “Five hundred. If enemy cavalry responds, move them in.”

  “Understood!”

  The adjutant ran off personally to deliver the message.

  The Royal Guards were running with the central reserves.

  When the reserves struck the enemy flanks, chaos erupted and the Imperial right wing began to buckle.

  But the Empire did not sit idle.

  Imperial cavalry charged the flanks of the attacking Royal horsemen, then sent another force into the dense center.

  Aurelius’s adjutant saw the enemy cavalry move and immediately dispatched five hundred cavalry from the central reserves to support the right-flank attackers.

  The three hundred enemy horsemen trying to push through the infantry were slowed by the tight formation.

  From atop Riad’s shoulders Sara loosed an arrow at the lead rider. The distinctive twang of the string was followed by the shaft burying itself just below the enemy’s left collarbone.

  The Rondian archers kept firing at the oncoming cavalry.

  “Enemy horsemen incoming! Middle ranks, pick up shields! Form a square and rotate the lines!”

  The voice was female.

  Those behind the front rank snatched up Imperial greatshields, pulled the front line inward, and within moments created a box formation even as the enemy closed.

  Shields formed the front and top; spears thrust out through the gaps. Behind the spears stood more spearmen, and behind them the archers, shooting while stopping the horses’ legs.

  Spearmen targeted the horses’ flanks and chests.

  The cavalry charge ground to a complete halt.

  Stationary horses became perfect targets for the archers.

  Imperial horsemen fell one after another.

  Both Aurelius and Colonius watched the scene from different positions and could only marvel.

  Forming a defensive square against cavalry and stopping their charge with a spear wall was standard heavy-infantry tactics for the Royal army.

  To execute it perfectly in the heart of the enemy line, then add arrow fire from inside the square—regular troops could not do that.

  Heavy infantry did not carry bows.

  Seeing their central cavalry slaughtered, the Imperials pulled them back.

  A large gap opened in front of the Rondian company.

  “Advance! Close the distance!”

  Again the female voice rang out.

  The square formation moved forward without a single break in step.

  “One-two, one-two!” The cadence echoed.

  From her high vantage Sara could see the entire battlefield.

  The enemy’s second infantry rank was shattered by the catapults and useless.

  That was why they had desperately committed cavalry.

  Then movement appeared behind the Imperial line—cavalry massing for another charge.

  “Cavalry charge coming!”

  “What?!”

  Riad sounded startled.

  Sara glanced at their own rear cavalry; they were also moving.

  The wings were already locked in melee.

  If cavalry struck the center now, the makeshift square would be crushed.

  At that moment the second rank of Royal infantry stirred.

  Heavy infantry began advancing from behind the Rondians.

  “Heavy infantry coming! Hold formation! We’ll rotate with them!”

  Sara shouted.

  Colonius watched from his command post.

  “They understand our intention.”

  “Yes,” Albios replied. “That archer has excellent instincts. Send a runner—tell them to rotate the center infantry. Rondians fall back once the line is stable.”

  The messenger galloped off.

  Sara continued loosing arrows, her quiver nearly empty.

  “Messenger!”

  She turned to see a rider.

  The man’s eyes widened at the sight of her—a young woman.

  “What is it?!”

  “Orders from General Colonius! Rotate with the heavy infantry! Rondian unit maintain formation, then withdraw once the exchange is complete!”

  “Understood!”

  Sara dropped from Riad’s shoulders and ran along the line to relay the order.

  “Command taken from you,” Haran grinned at Riad.

  “True. But she sees the battlefield well and gives good orders. She might be suited for it.”

  Haran nodded.

  Soon the heavy infantry arrived, forming up behind the Rondians and opening gaps.

  The Rondians slipped through and withdrew in good order.

  Back at the left-wing camp they reformed.

  Fortunately there were only light wounds—no deaths.

  Riad sent the injured to the medical tents.

  Then General Colonius himself rode up, accompanied by Albios.

  “Is the unit leader here?”

  “Yes, here.”

  Riad looked up at the mounted general.

  “Splendid fighting. Your efforts stabilized the center. You read our intention perfectly.”

  “Thank you. This one’s tactics worked well.”

  Colonius glanced at Sara.

  Two wolves sat at her feet.

  So this was the beauty Albios had mentioned.

  But she was clearly a woman.

  “That square formation was magnificent. We’re using the same tactic now. How many casualties?”

  “Twenty wounded, none fatal. Currently receiving treatment.”

  “No deaths? Unbelievable… you achieved that much without losing a single man…”

  Colonius was speechless with admiration.

  “Excellent work. Rest briefly, then return. Any requests?”

  A commander personally visiting a conscript unit to ask for requests was unheard of.

  Riad was stunned and looked to Sara.

  “In that case, we would like resupply of arrows and horses for the archers.”

  “Horses? You shoot from horseback?”

  “Yes. From higher ground the bows are far more effective. Next we’ll likely support the right wing. Mounted archers would be more useful than infantry.”

  Colonius was intrigued that she had guessed the plan.

  “Why the right wing?”

  “Central reserves have moved to the right. The left-wing reserves include the Royal Guards, but the right wing is being pushed back. Enemy main cavalry is showing movement, so the center was reinforced with heavy infantry. If the enemy cavalry charges the right, the situation could collapse. Therefore…”

  “Correct. You will move to the right wing next—an important sector. Thirty horses granted. How many do you need?”

  “About thirty.”

  “Understood. I’ll arrange it immediately.”

  With that Colonius rode back to headquarters.

  “Sara, we only have about twenty decent archers.”

  “Use spears on horseback. It’ll be more effective there.”

  “You tricked the general?”

  “I didn’t lie. We need to protect the archers. Thirty is reasonable.”

  “You’re going into that?”

  Riad pointed at the dust cloud on the right wing where both cavalries were locked in melee.

  “First we’ll harass with sniping to draw attention. When our side pushes, we’ll strike their flank. Once they chase us, we fall back and shoot them down. Repeat. With small numbers we use hit-and-run to disrupt their formation.”

  “I see. We won’t fight them head-on.”

  “Exactly. Use cavalry mobility to wear them down. From what I see, the left-wing reserves are being dragged by those white-cloaks. They have twice the numbers but are barely holding. If they get hit there, the right wing will collapse. The enemy will target them too, of course.”

  “Those white-cloaks—the Royal Guards. All bluster and no skill.”

  Haran laughed.

  “The Second Prince is with them. They’ll want to pull him out quickly. Can’t let him die.”

  Laughter rose from the group.

  “We’ll split into mounted and foot. Riad, you take the infantry. Sedi and I will lead the cavalry.”

  “Got it. Sedi, take care of Sara.”

  “Of course.”

  Riad and Sedi bumped fists.

  Soon the horses arrived.

  Sara gave the wolves deer meat and told them to wait.

  They snorted and lay down, looking sulky.

  Fifteen skilled archers and those good with spears on horseback mounted up—mostly older, battle-hardened veterans.

  “Everyone, no deep charges. If the enemy focuses on us, pull back. Shoot down pursuers. If archers are targeted, hit their flanks. Repeat and grind down their strength.”

  The men nodded.

  Sara looked into their eyes.

  They all had good eyes.

  Meanwhile the battle continued.

  The enemy main cavalry was trying to smash into the right wing.

  Colonius also committed his cavalry and ordered the reserves to fall back gradually.

  Truthfully the right-wing reserves were performing far below expectations.

  The only thing that mattered was that the prince had survived his first battle.

  Once that was achieved, Colonius considered his duty done.

  The two cavalries collided and the right wing dissolved into chaos.

  A messenger from headquarters ordered the right-wing reserves to withdraw.

  But the Royal Guards refused.

  If the Guards would not retreat, the reserves could not either.

  The report reached left-wing headquarters instantly. Colonius exploded.

  “Foolish amateurs!”

  The two cavalries were already locked in melee; the reserves were dragged into the chaos and could not disengage.

  Sedi’s cavalry company charged the enemy main cavalry’s flank with lances, struck several times, then withdrew—repeating the maneuver.

  Sara’s mounted archers circled and poured arrows into the enemy horsemen.

  Whenever Sedi’s men were chased, Sara’s group sniped the pursuers.

  From headquarters Colonius watched and praised them.

  The enemy grew furious.

  The Rondians swarmed like flies—strike and vanish, then return.

  Their arrows found the thin spots in armor.

  Finally dozens of enemy riders broke formation to chase the mounted archers.

  Sara’s group shot to provoke them further, then Sedi’s lancers hit the pursuers from the side.

  Just thirty riders were throwing the enemy into disarray, and the right wing slowly gained the upper hand.

  But around the Royal Guards the situation was dire. The number of white-cloaked riders had dwindled sharply.

  A blue vexillum entered Sara’s field of vision.

  She fired a whistling arrow to signal Sedi to pull back.

  Hearing the sound, Sedi disengaged and returned.

  “What’s wrong? Stopping here is dangerous.”

  Sara pointed at the blue vexillum.

  “That unit is in trouble.”

  “The Second Prince’s group?”

  “We’ll snipe from here. Sedi, watch our perimeter.”

  “Understood. Leave it to me.”

  Sedi kept the cavalry circling while Sara drew her bow.

  She aimed at an enemy rider closing on the vexillum and loosed.

  The shaft struck the rider’s side; he fell.

  Sedi and the other mounted archers joined in, shooting down enemy riders one after another.

  The range was roughly thirty ken (about fifty-four meters)—well within effective sniping distance.

  Seeing their comrades fall, the hard-pressed Royal Guards finally withdrew with the prince.

  By then they numbered barely twenty riders—practically annihilated.

  The regular reserves had also lost half their strength.

  Colonius was furious at the pointless deaths, yet he could not help praising the Rondian archers who fired accurately from horseback.

  Sara confirmed the blue vexillum had safely retreated, then resumed her harassment mission.

  As the sun began to set, both armies sounded the general retreat.

  The left wing’s losses for the day were about one thousand. The Imperial right wing suffered nearly three thousand.

  The center and right wings were roughly even, each losing about one thousand.

  Thanks to the left wing’s efforts and the catapults, the first day could be considered a Royal victory.

  The Rondian camp was lively.

  They were proud of their greater-than-expected results.

  The men praised Sara, whose tactics had earned them glory.

  The wounded received treatment and shared a meal.

  No deaths was the greatest relief; everyone toasted one another’s survival.

  Then Colonius’s party arrived, Albios among the guards.

  The Rondians stood.

  “Remain seated.”

  Colonius gestured for them to sit.

  “Today you fought splendidly. Especially your help in covering the reserves’ withdrawal—we are truly grateful.”

  He bowed his head in thanks.

  “Who commanded the mounted archers?”

  Riad looked around but could not find Sara, so he sent a man to fetch her from the tent.

  Soon Sara appeared, wolves at her heels, now in ordinary clothes.

  “So it was you. Your archery was magnificent. I never imagined you were a woman.”

  Colonius laughed.

  “Was a woman forbidden from serving?”

  “There is no such law. You performed your duty admirably. Thirty horses are your reward—keep them. Continue to fight well tomorrow.”

  “Thank you. If possible, could we have fodder for the horses? We have none prepared.”

  “Understood. I’ll have it sent. By the way, how old are you?”

  “Seventeen.”

  “At that age, such skill? Who taught you?”

  “My foster father, Hadar.”

  “Hadar…”

  Colonius stroked his chin in thought.

  A voice came from behind.

  “Ten years ago a Rondian man named Hadar distinguished himself here. Though only infantry, he slew an enemy cavalry commander.”

  It was Aquinus.

  “Thank you for protecting His Highness. I am relieved he survived his first battle.”

  “Aquinus, I hear you went to Rondinia to recruit.”

  “Yes. Unfortunately Lord Hadar had already passed, but I never imagined his daughter would be such an archer. Why don’t you thank her yourself?”

  Aquinus spoke to a man hanging back.

  It was Leonis.

  Leonis stepped forward with downcast eyes and bowed silently.

  “Your shooting was superb. In just a few minutes dozens of enemy riders were forced to break formation. Thanks to you we gained time to withdraw. His Highness learned a valuable lesson.”

  Aquinus spoke on his behalf.

  Leonis, having disobeyed orders and nearly destroyed his unit, was under investigation.

  His reputation was in tatters.

  “Thank you for your kind words. I am glad His Highness is safe.”

  Sara answered with a bright, untroubled smile.

  “You Rondians have shown your true worth on the battlefield. I will petition for increased funding to expand your unit. Continue to fight for us. Also, Aquinus seems to have something to discuss. Would you hear him?”

  “Understood.”

  Sara nodded. Colonius returned the nod and departed.

  Around the campfires men sat on logs, eating and laughing.

  They rejoiced at surviving the day together.

  Sara and Aquinus sat on an empty log. Riad and the others were nearby.

  “What is your request?”

  Sara opened the conversation.

  “It concerns tomorrow and beyond. Leonis and the Royal Guards will leave the army for disobeying orders. However, His Highness will remain on the battlefield. So my request is…”

  “You want us to take custody of the prince?”

  Aquinus rubbed his forehead, brow furrowed.

  “Exactly.”

  “We are a hundred-man company, mostly infantry. We have no men to spare for guarding a prince.”

  “I know. That is why I will attach my own fifty private cavalry. Could you combine them with your thirty mounted men and take joint command?”

  “Without any training, and joint command… Who holds authority?”

  “I leave it entirely to you. My men will also be under your command. Tomorrow I will accompany you as well. Please, lend us your strength.”

  Sara found it strange.

  Why was this man so obsessed with this battle? What did he want the prince to achieve? She could not read his intentions.

  “You went all the way to Rondinia to visit my father. May I ask why you are so insistent on the prince’s participation?”

  Aquinus was momentarily at a loss for words.

  “Is it political?”

  He looked at Sara in surprise.

  She had hit the mark.

  He gave a self-deprecating laugh and touched his forehead again.

  It seemed to be a habit when he was troubled.

  “Truly… you are sharp, young lady. I cannot speak here. Shall we go somewhere more private?”

  Sara nodded and asked Riad and the others to guard her tent so no one could approach.

  She invited Aquinus inside.

  “Thank you for your consideration.”

  “Please, think nothing of it.”

  He felt awkward entering a woman’s tent.

  Sara’s tent was neatly arranged but spartan, typical of a battlefield.

  Thick blankets held her weapons; she had been maintaining them.

  In the back lay a strangely curved bow with its string removed—the one that had tormented the enemy cavalry.

  “This concerns the kingdom’s central politics. Please keep it confidential.”

  “Understood.”

  And so the first night of battle deepened.

  Thank you so much for reading! ??

  If you enjoyed this chapter, please leave a rating or a review!

  Your feedback is greatly appreciated and really encourages both the original author and the translator to keep bringing more chapters.

  You can also read the original Japanese version here:

  See you in the next chapter!