Upon arriving in the southeastern reaches of the realm where Marquis Eiger’s forces lay, the Kingdom Army established its base on a ridge marking the territorial border. Across the wide basin, entrenched upon the opposite hills, the Marquis was already waiting.
The soldiers deployed along the gentle slopes were more numerous than initial reports had suggested—likely seventy thousand strong.
One hundred thousand Royalists against seventy thousand rebels.
The Kingdom Army held the advantage, but the margin was far from insurmountable.
"There are no signs of hidden reinforcements in the basin as far as the eye can see," Dieble noted, surveying the battlefield from the height of the hill.
The vast basin offered excellent visibility. There was simply nowhere to conceal an ambush. It was to be a head-on collision—a test of raw strength.
"He’s certainly a confident man, this Marquis Eiger," Rest remarked. "Does he really believe he can win a frontal assault?"
One would have expected the Marquis to realize the Kingdom Army held the numerical edge. Instead of hunkering down for a siege, he had opted for a field battle, choosing a location that stripped away any possibility of tactical deception. It bordered on foolishness.
"The Marquis Eiger Territory is largely comprised of plains," Dieble explained. "While the terrain allows for the deployment of massive armies, it provides very little cover. He likely decided his best chance was to intercept us here at the border to prevent our forces from stepping any further into his lands."
"A siege cannot succeed without the hope of reinforcements... Yuri mentioned that too. Since he doesn't have the luxury of a prolonged defense, he’s forced into a field battle, regardless of the disadvantage."
"The situation might be different if he had a proper fortress, but building such a structure so far from the national border would have been branded an act of treason the moment the first stone was laid. Since they hid their true intentions until the very last moment, they likely ran out of options."
The logic was sound. Marquis Eiger had originally planned to use the Monster Hunting Festival to unleash the beast Subnock upon the Royal Capital. Because he hadn't anticipated a direct confrontation from the start, his lack of preparation was inevitable.
"Besides," Dieble continued, "the annals of history are marked by individuals who effortlessly overturned numerical odds. You recall your studies, I presume, Lord Rest?"
"The 'Divine Spear' Van Wally of the Council of Sages. The First King, Adamlet Aiwood. The 'Divine Thief' Jack O'Woo..."
These were all figures said to have single-handedly decimated armies of ten thousand men or monsters. In a world where magic was commonplace, a warrior capable of matching a thousand men was not an impossible concept. If one possessed the caliber of a Knight Commander or the Chief Court Mage, defeating a thousand common foot soldiers alone was a feasible feat.
Rest considered this silently. He could probably do it too. At least that much.
He wasn't quite ready to claim he could take on ten thousand, but he felt certain he could handle a thousand on his own. Of course, he had no intention of bragging about it. He had seen more than enough of the hollow posturing of those who shouted their own greatness from the rooftops—starting with his late half-brother.
Actions spoke louder than words. As long as he delivered results, his strength would speak for itself.
"Lord Rest Clover. So, this is where you were."
A voice interrupted his thoughts as he studied the enemy lines. When Rest turned to face the speaker, his eyes widened in surprise.
"Your Highness...!"
Standing before him was Richard Aiwood, the Crown Prince and supreme commander of the Kingdom Army. Richard, who was several years older than the Second Prince, Andrew, addressed him with a gentle, dignified smile that closely resembled their father’s.
"So, you are the student who slew the beast Subnock. I caught a glimpse of you during the decoration ceremony, but seeing you now, I am struck by how remarkably young you truly are."
"I... I am honored, Your Highness!"
Rest hurriedly dropped to one knee. Dieble and the surrounding soldiers followed suit immediately.
Marquis Catreia, the Knight Commander and Richard’s second-in-command, stood beside the Prince along with a retinue of guards. What business could the commander-in-chief possibly have with Rest?
"Please, rise. There is no need for such formality. I have come because there is a favor I would ask of you."
"A favor? Your Highness has a request for me?"
"Indeed."
Though Rest had spoken with uncharacteristic bluntness in his surprise, Richard merely nodded with magnanimous grace.
"Our forces currently face the rebels across this basin, and we shall likely clash before the day is out. When the time comes, Lord Clover, I wish for you to take the First Spear."
"The First Spear...!"
In military terms, the First Spear was the honor given to the one who led the very first charge of the battle. Since Rest was a mage, the Prince was asking him to initiate the conflict with an opening strike.
"I wish to see that devastating magic of yours—the power that brought down Subnock. I want you to strike the enemy with a blow of maximum output. Break their spirits before the steel even meets."
Taking the First Spear was a peerless honor on the field of battle. Bestowing such a role upon a youth who had only just been named a Viscount was a calculated move.
"I understand, Your Highness. I humbly accept."
With the Crown Prince himself making the request, there was no room for refusal. Still kneeling, Rest bowed his head deeply in a show of absolute loyalty.