Thanks to Commander Mansfeld and the efforts of the elite squad, the Emperor’s army paused for a moment.
However, this effect was only temporary, and its extent was limited.
Even excluding the 10,000 attacking Munster Castle, a grand army of nearly 40,000 was entangled in battle, making the area where the mercenaries had the upper hand just a narrow space.
Against nearly double the number of enemies, the forces of Mansfeld and Christian were quickly collapsing in various places.
“Kill them!”
“They are evil demons who slaughtered innocent people! In the name of God, deliver justice!”
“For justice!”
Soldiers swung their swords without hesitation toward the mercenaries and Christian’s men in front of them.
Although they had run a long distance tirelessly, their formation was disordered, and crushing the fewer enemies was entirely possible.
“Let the wicked heretics face God’s judgment!”
Leading the charge, General Tilly shot forth blue flames, sweeping through the mercenaries.
Like a wild beast, his figure naturally drew attention from those around him, including some wizards who prided themselves on their skills.
“So you’re Tilly! I’ve heard of your notorious name! I, the judge Gunda, will finish you off!”
“Bring it on!”
The wizard clad in enormous iron armor, Gunda, known among Mansfeld’s subordinates for his exceptional strength, swung his massive axe and charged at General Tilly.
“Die!!”
-Crash!-
Swinging the axe with horrifying strength and malevolent energy, Gunda’s surprisingly swift movements stunned even General Tilly for a moment.
“Ugh..”
Tilly grimaced slightly as he narrowly avoided Gunda’s attack.
Seeing this, Gunda raised his morale, swinging the axe even faster.
“Hahaha! The great name of General Tilly is just a facade! I will kill you and elevate my name, Gunda!”
With joyous madness filling him, Gunda pressed even harder against Tilly.
However, unfortunately for Gunda, General Tilly was not such an easy opponent.
“Whoa!”
-BAM!-
Gunda swung his axe with terrifying force, ripping through the ground.
Yet, Tilly dodged his attack by mere inches, simultaneously slipping past Gunda’s massive frame to strike back.
“Gah!”
In the instant of Gunda’s large attack movement, Tilly seized the opportunity, causing Gunda, who was brimming with confidence, to furrow his brow in unexpected pain.
“You bastard!”
Overcome with rage, Gunda swung his axe furiously.
However, that moment of anger only created a bigger opening for him.
And the result was…
“Ugh!”
“Die, you wicked heretic’s slave.”
-THWACK!-
“GAAAH!!!”
In a flash, General Tilly reversed his grip on his sword and pierced Gunda’s heart.
Gunda let out a scream mixed with blood and fell lifelessly to the ground.
“Gunda has fallen!”
“Tilly has defeated Gunda!”
The death of Gunda, the strongest warrior and wizard among them, was enough to dampen the morale of the nearby mercenaries.
“It’s hopeless! That army is the Sacred Empire, the strongest on the continent! They are far stronger than mercenaries like us!”
“If we continue like this, we’ll just end up dead! If we want to live, we must run!”
The mercenaries of Mansfeld, who never intended to risk their lives in battle, saw their master take flight and began to put ‘his example’ into practice immediately.
“Run!”
“The Emperor’s army is coming! If you want to live, run!”
Thus, the soldiers began to toss away their weapons and flee.
Watching them, General Tilly shouted in a stern voice.
“Don’t let a single coward escape! We must eradicate the seeds of evil from this world!”
“Yes, General!”
Following Tilly’s resolute orders, the Emperor’s army swiftly wiped out the fleeing enemies.
So, one wing of Mansfeld’s mercenary group began to collapse rapidly, and the terror that ensued started to create immense chaos.
“Commander! Over there…!”
“Damn it! How pitiful are these guys that they’ve been fighting for such a short time!”
Mansfeld’s right wing, which was crumbling in an instant, fell prey to General Tilly’s army.
As he swiped through his immediate enemies, a deep sense of bewilderment crossed Mansfeld’s face, while he also realized he needed to devise another plan for this situation.
‘The right wing is already breaking down. Soon, the impact will shake the central and left wings. At this rate, it’s impossible to hold out for long.’
Though the main troop was close, and if they joined, it would grant him a breather, Mansfeld knew perfectly well that time was not on their side.
His forces had lost momentum and were quickly crumbling everywhere.
Winning in such a situation was impossible, no matter how seasoned Mansfeld was on the battlefield.
Ultimately, he recognized he needed to make one decisive decision to survive this moment.
“Commander! Enemies are breaking our ranks from all sides!”
“The right wing has either fled or been killed. What should we do?”
“…At this point… we can’t do much…”
When faced with a conclusion, quick choices are crucial.
Thus, Mansfeld gathered his subordinate commanders and ordered a retreat with all the forces they could control, leading them directly to the approaching main force.
Immediately after sending his commanders into action, Mansfeld approached Christian, who was holding back the enemies.
“Commander Mansfeld!”
“Christian. This is no longer feasible; we have no choice but to retreat for now!”
“Ah… I understand… this bastard!!! …Understood!”
With blood smeared all over, Christian mercilessly killed enemies while agreeing with Mansfeld’s wishes.
Even if she was the fierce warrior of Hilberstadt, she knew that if they stayed like this, all the soldiers would flee, and they would no doubt be killed.
At that moment, looking at Christian, Mansfeld spoke in a calm voice, despite the chaos, with an undercurrent of anger.
“Then, I will spare some of my soldiers, so immediately head to the rear supply base, gather as many supplies as you can, and bring them to the rendezvous. Also… make sure to bring that woman who will be there.”
“I understand perfectly what you mean.”
“And… one more thing…”
“?…!”
In the next moment, Mansfeld kissed Christian.
Surprise flickered across her face at this sudden act, and fixing his gaze on her, Mansfeld spoke clearly.
“Even if things go wrong… you must return alive. Do you understand what I mean?”
“…Yes… I will definitely… definitely do so.”
Christian, slightly blushing, replied.
Having sent Christian and her subordinates away, Mansfeld, however, chose to remain at this battlefield while his commanders and beloved woman retreated.
“Commander…”
“Don’t worry. I don’t intend to die in a place like this. Honestly, I don’t desire a heroic last stand.”
He spoke firmly to a subordinate who worriedly questioned him.
Then, he began to gather magical power again, gazing at the Emperor’s army charging toward them with terrifying force.
“But… still, I need to buy time to escape according to the plan. Do you understand what I mean?”
“…I understand. Yes, Commander.”
“Good. Let’s go! Since it’s come to this, let’s try to take a shot at Tilly or Spinola while we’re at it!”
With that, Mansfeld and his elite squad began to gallop off.
At the same time, his followers raised their voices and shouted.
“Mansfeld’s mercenary squad! Drive back the enemies! Take down the foes before you! We are winning!”
Using magic to amplify their voices, the elite squad’s declaration echoed throughout the battlefield.
Amidst the chaos of their allies falling around them, it seemed absurd, but surprisingly, it wasn’t entirely ineffective.
In the broad battlefield where tens of thousands of soldiers fought, it wasn’t easy for anyone except a very experienced commander to clearly discern if they were winning or losing.
Even if enemies were mercilessly fleeing around them, the illusion of victory could momentarily confuse them into thinking they were winning elsewhere.
Of course, the reality was that they were standing on a crumbling foundation and would soon plummet, but at least for a moment, it delayed the enemy’s advance.
Thus, after briefly buying time while sacrificing his own forces and presence, Mansfeld, without any lingering sentiments, began to withdraw with his elite squad.
He decided to give up on the allies still fighting valiantly, knowing full well they would be left behind.
