Successfully completing the surprise attack and retreating at the right time were Mansfeld and Christian’s troops.
Although the damage they inflicted on the enemy wasn’t that significant, even if Mansfeld and Christian successfully distracted the enemy’s main force, General Tilly’s response was quite impressive, and most importantly, General Spinola’s reaction was also very quick, leaving them with very little time.
They set fire to the supplies stored in the barracks, but even if they counted the damages, it barely amounted to less than 30% of the total.
However, at least through this, Mansfeld and Christian achieved their desired strategic objective.
In that short time, they stirred up the enemy’s camp and, in the process, made it clear to them that they were not to be underestimated.
With this, even if Spinola and Tilly joined forces, they would find it difficult to decisively attack them.
Furthermore, as long as they could escape from the Palatinate region, it would be a bonus that they couldn’t be easily tracked.
Thus, Mansfeld and Christian judged there were no elements to threaten them for a while and quickly moved north of the Palatinate, away from the Emperor’s army.
*
“What are you doing! Can’t you walk faster!”
“Hey, hey, aren’t you too lazy for a prisoner? Maybe a few more hits will knock some sense into you?”
“Ugh…”
Maxim, bound and being dragged away by soldiers, had a face full of humiliation and rage.
Even though she had become a prisoner, she was still a high-ranking church official.
Her status was fundamentally different from ordinary soldiers, and she ought to be treated like the nobility.
However, these foolish and wicked heretic soldiers seemed to be completely unaware of such basic facts, only fueling Maxim’s anger further.
‘How dare these filthy heretics treat me like this… I will never forgive them. I will definitely punish them in the name of God! Ugh!’
“See? You’re slowing down again! Should I just cut your head off?”
A soldier pulled the rope tighter in a display of anger.
Another soldier began to calm him down.
“Come on, come on, no need to get heated already. We can deal with her after reporting to Lord Mansfeld and receiving our reward!”
“And it’s been a while since we’ve seen such a fine woman, right? Let’s have some fun while we can.”
The soldiers licked their lips at those words.
Yet, even as her teeth clenched in frustration, Maxim managed to hold it all in.
This wasn’t just about exercising patience; she had her own beliefs.
‘These fools can’t lay a hand on me until they show me to their commander, Mansfeld. And Mansfeld, being an intelligent person, surely knows my worth… He will punish them for treating me poorly and ensure I am given the respect I deserve.’
Unlike these lowly soldiers, she believed that Mansfeld, who understood the affairs of the world, wouldn’t just sit by and watch the current situation.
Of course, for that, she would need to cooperate to some extent.
Since she came here without any sense of holy war or anything and ended up in this state, she was more than willing to betray the Emperor’s army if necessary.
Thinking such thoughts and waiting for an opportunity to turn the situation around, Maxim continued marching silently as the soldiers led her.
*
“So… Archbishop Maxim has finally…”
“Seems like it. According to the paladins, she was dressed in rather conspicuous deputy attire back then, so the chances of abduction are very high.”
“Hmm… What a pity…”
General Tilly displayed a slight discomfort while listening to the soldier’s report.
While it was necessary to hold some responsibility for the expanded damage caused by her mistake, the fact that a noble archbishop had been taken captive while participating in the holy war to fulfill the will of God was something quite bitter for him, a devout believer.
After finishing the conversation about the archbishop with regret, Tilly turned his gaze to the man in front of him.
“My apologies. It seems I was a bit distracted…”
“No, it’s alright. If the archbishop is missing, we naturally need to keep a close eye on the situation.”
Accepting Tilly’s apology lightly was a figure with an elderly appearance.
Even though he wore a very serene expression at the moment, Tilly sensed an extraordinary aura of power emanating from the man before him.
Spinola Ambrogio.
One of the strongest generals in the Empire, he reached the 10th grade level, a realm that even Tilly had not attained.
The 10th Grade Mage was one of the few who could be counted on the entire continent, and his reputation spread widely not only throughout the Empire but across the entire land.
Such was the deep trust the Emperor had in him, and he currently held military power over the Esban region, another territory of the Empire.
In this very war, when Tilly himself faced defeat, it was General Spinola who helped restore the balance that was on the brink of tipping in favor of the heretics by conquering the Palatinate. Thus, to Tilly, Spinola was a benefactor who saved him and the Empire from crisis and a commander worthy of respect.
“Now then, let’s continue discussing. As mentioned earlier, the enemy is rapidly moving north, likely deciding that it would be difficult to create chaos where we are.”
“That is correct. I see it that way too. The question is how we will respond to this.”
Of course, Tilly wished to chase them and settle the score for the previous disgrace.
However, contrary to his desires, the situation of the Emperor’s army was not very favorable.
Though two massive armies joined forces to create a single powerful force, Tilly’s troops were quite exhausted from the long-distance march.
On top of that, the recent enemy ambush left them short on supplies.
To pursue the enemy beyond the Palatinate under such conditions required significant determination.
‘As powerful as our forces are, venturing beyond the Palatinate into heretical territory is not an easy decision… Without knowing how they will act, we have no choice but to avoid reckless pursuits…’
Making that judgment, Tilly began to propose that it would be better to gather their strength for a while and focus on defense.
At that moment…
“General! General Spinola!”
“What is it?”
In rushed a soldier, visibly panicked.
In front of him stood a mercenary with a tense expression, and Tilly raised an eyebrow in curiosity.
“Who is this? It seems like a serious matter to interrupt the commanders’ meeting.”
“Yes, well… This man was originally a subordinate of Mansfeld…”
The soldier immediately explained the situation, and the mercenary began to speak with an anxious look.
As the two generals began to hear his account, astonishment began to show on their faces…
After a few rounds of questioning, they decided to act on something that had previously been in doubt.
“Then, it would be wise to rest a bit before departing immediately.”
“I agree. After all, they’re people we must confront at some point. Let’s make sure to repay them for what they did in the Palatinate.”
Tilly and Spinola, having shifted from the discussion of defense to making an offensive decision.
And then… observing their actions, the ‘mercenary’ inwardly smiled broadly, pondering one phrase.
‘Hail Bohemia…’
