The Subjugation Army and the Rebel Army clashed. Prince Mercurio, watching from the rear of the camp as the Subjugation Army was being almost unilaterally slaughtered, turned toward Theoreme, who was standing nearby.
"Even if the enemy is merely a disposable pawn meant to test our hand, aren't they a bit too fragile?"
"It is true that they are at an overwhelming disadvantage, but that is due to Lady Vihera's prowess," Theoreme replied. "Because she belongs to the martial faction, many fierce warriors like Count Obrisin naturally gather under her banner. While she is peerless in the offensive, when it comes to defense... for better or for worse, her forces are best described as attack-specialized."
"I see. That such specialized individuals gather around her truly reflects Big Sister’s personality and capabilities."
Whether he intended the words as praise was unclear, but a smile played on Mercurio's lips as he spoke. Despite his apparent pleasure, he soon tightened his expression and looked back at Theoreme.
"I understand Big Sister is strong, and it is a fact that her strength has become my greatest asset. Nevertheless, I am the figurehead of this army. I feel it would be problematic if only Big Sister stands out."
Theoreme nodded at his lord's words.
Within the Rebel Army, it would be problematic for the power of the Vihera Faction to remain so disproportionately prominent, both for the sake of appearances and internal politics. If they—the Mercurio Faction—did not properly demonstrate their own strength to those around them, Mercurio would likely be dismissed as a younger brother who relied entirely on his older sister.
In truth, their reason for fighting the Subjugation Army themselves—an opponent Rei could have wiped out single-handedly—was to increase the coordination and proficiency of the Rebel Army's members. Simply watching Vihera fight was ultimately counterproductive.
"Then, I shall take the field," Theoreme said.
"Yes, I'm counting on you. Show Big Brother Schuls exactly what we are capable of."
As Mercurio replied, his gaze was fixed on the cavalrymen within the enemy lines. These men were clearly different from the ones Vihera was currently dismantling from within. The quality of their horses, the craftsmanship of their armor, and the disciplined movements of the riders all indicated that they were in a different league from the rabble. Mercurio understood that these men belonged to the unit directly under Schuls.
"If possible, I would like to finish off the cavalry directly under Big Brother Schuls here," Mercurio added. "I have no desire to give him any more information than necessary, and even without that, it is always better to reduce his fighting strength."
"Understood. We shall make them our priority," Theoreme agreed.
"Yes, please."
"Understood! Siance, let's go. Rei, can I leave this place to you?"
Theoreme called out to Siance and then addressed Rei, who had been listening silently until now. Rei nodded.
"I was told there'd be no turn for me this time anyway. I don't mind playing guard. Besides, if an enemy manages to break through your lines and reach us here, they'll be a fairly challenging opponent in their own right."
"Personally, I would prefer things not turn out that way," Theoreme said with a sigh.
Still, with Rei here, Mercurio's absolute safety was effectively guaranteed, barring the appearance of an extraordinary existence like Noise. Furthermore, Theoreme had left other capable men behind. Their goal in this battle was to overwhelm the enemy without revealing the Rebel Army's full hand.
Theoreme had no intention of using the Beast Soldiers, his secret trump card, today. He had also avoided using most of the units that followed Mercurio or Vihera directly. He had even gone so far as to ensure Seto—who would leave a lasting impression on anyone who saw it—wasn't even brought to the battlefield. Balancing that secrecy with the need to give the Rebel Army combat experience was a difficult task.
"If an enemy really does come... it might be interesting in its own way," Rei muttered.
He watched the retreating backs of Theoreme and Siance, lamenting the absence of Seto, who would normally have chirped in agreement and whose silk-smooth fur he would have petted.
"Uwah, they're coming! Fall back! Re-form the lines!"
"Don't be ridiculous, you coward! What will retreating now achieve? We should endure their attack, and when they reach their limit, we launch a counterstrike!"
"Don't think you can wage war on theory alone! My unit's morale is at rock bottom! It's impossible to hold out!"
Lacking a unified command, the noble commanders argued among themselves. While they bickered, the damage caused by Gurgast's unit trampling the vanguard and Vihera's cavalry unit thrusting through the flank increased exponentially.
"T-The enemy main body has moved!"
At that report, the nobles looked toward the Rebel Army's lines. They saw Theoreme leading the Mercurio Faction straight toward the Subjugation Army. Their marching speed was not particularly fast, nor were they superior in numbers. Yet, the sheer pressure of their advance forced the soldiers to realize they would die if they clashed head-on.
The caliber of their commander—of one who truly lived on the battlefield—was simply different. The nobles understood this instinctively, though most were too proud to admit it. Only a few, like Count Schola, were convinced of their defeat and were already secretly pulling their units back.
"What do we do? Can we actually win against those people!?"
"Are you saying we should flee!? These are direct orders from His Highness Schuls. Imagine what would happen if you fled without a single achievement!"
"T-That's right! They are rebels! There is no way we could lose to such people! Isn't that right!?"
"Of course! People like that are—"
"But look! The vanguard is already shattered! We are being slaughtered by Her Highness Vihera, and no one can even stop Count Obrisin's Unit. How are we supposed to oppose Theoreme... the one who holds the Alias of 'Flash'!?"
A voice like a scream rang out, and the surrounding nobles fell silent. They had already lost thirty percent of their three-thousand-man strength in a one-sided slaughter against only two units. If Theoreme joined the fray with his main force, there was no hope.
If they had fled immediately, the damage might have been lessened. But their hesitation brought a fatal result.
"Advance! Do not show any unsightly weakness before Prince Mercurio!"
At Theoreme's command, his forces suddenly accelerated across the ground. The Rebel Army Main Body, consisting of the Third Prince Faction and led by Theoreme on his warhorse, closed the distance with the Subjugation Army in a heartbeat. Their charge was fast, sharp, and without hesitation—a sight truly worthy of a man called 'Flash.'
"First through Fifth Units, join Count Obrisin and push the front line! Sixth through Tenth Units, attack from the opposite side of Her Highness Vihera! While they are in chaos, we shall strike unilaterally. Eleventh Unit, pass behind the Sixth through Tenth and circle to the enemy's rear. If you find any enemy cavalry, eliminate them with top priority. Twelfth Unit, pass behind Her Highness Vihera's force and do the same!"
Orders were issued swiftly, and the commanders moved without a moment's hesitation. The speed of Theoreme's commands was also why he was called 'Flash,' and the nobles could not keep up with the shifting battle.
"Thirteenth Unit, focus on the cavalry within the Subjugation Army. The remaining units will stand by for the pursuit when the enemy retreats."
The Thirteenth Unit charged, specifically targeting the cavalry directly under Schuls. With Theoreme's entry, the war situation shifted instantly. Over a thousand men from his unit joined the fray, and the Subjugation Army, unable to resist the momentum, saw its numbers plummet.
Every noble wanted to run, but none wanted to be the first to be branded a coward. While they stayed out of stubbornness, Count Schola finally broke the silence.
"Retreat! Everyone, retreat!"
As soon as he shouted, the army collapsed into a rout. The nobles fled in terror, thinking only of their own lives. Fortunately for them, they managed to flee before the units circling to the rear had completely blocked their path.
Count Schola, the first to flee, raced away on his horse with his subordinates. His already pale complexion turned even whiter as he reflected on the engagement.
The battle lasted less than an hour, he thought. It's true our proficiency is low, but we had a thousand more men. To be dismantled so unilaterally means the Rebel Army's training is exceptionally high.
A question gnawed at him. No matter how well-trained they were, fighting a force that outnumbered them by a thousand usually caused some degree of tension. Yet the rebels had fought as if they were used to much more powerful opponents—as if fighting an army slightly larger than their own was actually easy.
...No, I must be overthinking it, Schola decided. They couldn't have become that experienced so quickly. They must have been veterans to begin with.
Had he known of Rei and Seto, his question might have been answered. But because Rei and Seto were being conserved, the truth remained out of his reach.
"Gyaaaaaaaaah!"
Screams from the rear pulled his focus back to the present. They were being pursued; there was no time for idle thought.
"Run! Run for your lives!" Schola screamed to his men and the other fleeing nobles.
They knew that being caught meant being taken prisoner at best, or killed at worst. Even the most arrogant nobles ran without complaint. Schola frowned as he looked back and saw the gap widening between the cavalry and the infantry.
It's not just my unit, he realized. The infantry from every noble's unit is being annihilated. I wanted to avoid losing our strength, but in this situation, no one is going to volunteer to stall for time.
Stalling required someone to resolve themselves to die, and in this army of survivors, no such person existed—least of all Count Schola. He would run and keep running. Once this war was over, he would hand his title to his brother and live in quiet comfort. With that single thought in mind, Count Schola continued his desperate flight alongside the remnants of the Subjugation Army.