UWTD 367: Unification (II)

The very next day, Artoria’s army marched into battle. Although she took her time to prepare, she didn’t plan to wait for the enemy forces. However, she didn’t have any extravagant plans either.

“They are charging at us? Are they fools?” The enemy lords sweated at the enthusiasm of the thousand soldiers storming down the grasslands.

And the young girl leading the charge looked him dead in the eye. A chill ran down the fat guy’s spine. He shouted at the top of his lungs to suppress that fear.

“Archers! Fire!” At his command, the first volley of arrows whizzed through the air. “Keep firing!”

Fully armoured knights rode down the green grassland on their armoured horses. The hundred knights had no fear of the arrows, and neither did the foot soldiers. They all raised their shields and braved through the rain of metal. Under the duel of colliding metal, they reached the enemy lord’s frontline.

“S-Sheild bearers!” Even the commanding officers who held the frontline trembled. They watched the horses trounce their wall of shields and head straight for them like stepping on grass.

“Face my blade!” Artoria, the spearhead of the army, cut through the frightened knights and soldiers like butter. She kept the kills as low as she could. These people would also be her subjects, but deaths were inevitable in a war.

‘But, if I instill enough fear in them, they will surrender before losses pile up.’ She marched on with the plan that Adam and she came up with. Unifying the lands with the least amount of bloodshed. That’s what she wanted.

“Follow our king!”

“Woah! Kill these bastards!”

Bedivere and Kay followed in battle and slayed tens of men on their own under the shining radiance of their king. The well-fed army also used the tools the best they could and thanked the gods for not dying. Soon, the spear-like army pierced through the ranks. And, Artoria charged at the enemy lord without a stop.

“S-Shit. Do you think I am scared of a pipsqueak like you?” The lord closed the visor of his helmet and charged forward, at least wanted to.

“Move you blasted horse!” The lord’s horse whimpered as Artoria came closer. The eyes of the dragon struck fear deep into its bones.

The lord groaned and thrust his lance forward as a last resort.

“Your lunge is weak.” Artoria sliced the lance in half with her sword and beheaded the lord in one fluid swing.

“Anyone else wants to challenge the crown?!” The roar that came from her small body petrified these grown, seasoned men into a standstill. “If you do not surrender, I will take you as my enemy!”

Her army watched with pride as the enemy soldiers, a mix of trained soldiers and conscripted commoners, lost the strength in their arms. One sword fell, then the second, and soon, like a chain, every soldier dropped their weapons and surrendered.

Thus, the first battle since Artoria’s return to the past ended in an overwhelming victory. And, she had only started.

Like a thundering cloud, she struck every lord who refused her as the king in succession. She moved swiftly and true like her spear. Using this as an opportunity, Adam had her cull all the corrupt lords and knights she knew. They also spared the good ones for later use.

Not to mention the numerous prisoners of war they took in. Surrender rates were so high because of Artoria’s overwhelming power that most armies willingly took the knee in front of her as soon as casualties hit 10%. And the fact that she didn’t mistreat the prisoners and kept them fed and safe changed their view of her.

She would talk with everyone and wouldn’t stay distant. And, if a prisoner of war swore her loyalty to her, she would let them join her army and treat them the same way she treats her closest. With the spread of such rumours, the prisoners watching Artoria’s valour and her care for her people began to join her side.

So, Artoria’s army now grew from 1,000 to 10,000 in a matter of six months. Although they weren’t elites, they gave it their all after receiving good treatment.

“The chain of supplies is stable, and the troops are resting well.” Bedivere came to report at the end of the day, however, his confusion increased when Artoria didn’t answer. “My King, is something to matter?”

“N-No.” She barely spoke, chewing through a mouthful of cookies she was enjoying before Bedivere’s abrupt visit.

“…Continue.” Her serious expression returned when she removed her hand.

‘There are still crumbs around her mouth.’ Adam chuckled at her steel-like face.

“The new soldiers are following your training regime properly, and there haven’t been any issues or unrest due to the prisoners. All the troublemakers there have mellowed out due to Sir Kay.” Bedivere continued with his head down. “If we continue like this, we can march onto the next town after a few days of rest.”

“Good, give them enough food and work with the support officials on repairs if any are needed,” Artoria said with a nod. Things went very for them. Totally different from when she unified Britain herself.

“Yes, My King.”

Bedivere stood up and left, without looking at Artoria’s face. Shortly after Kay arrived.

“My King I ha-Bwahaha!” However, he couldn’t keep a straight face while looking at Artoria’s crumb-stained face.

By the time Artoria noticed the crumbs, the damage had been dealt.

“…You should’ve told me.” She whispered to Adam through her blushing face. If someone else saw her acting all serious and kinglike with that face, how would they take her seriously?

“Sneaking in snacks late at night, huh. You haven’t changed one bit.” Kay cackled now that the stiff atmosphere had broken down.

They used to be very close. But since assuming the throne, Artoria had to act her part as a king worthy of respect. However, to her brother, she was still the same. And, he felt glad knowing that.

“Why are you here?” Artoria’s mouth puffed up at the teasing.

“Oh yeah, I wanted to introduce someone to you. Come in.” Upon Kay’s words, a gallant-looking soldier with golden hair entered.

He took a knee in front of Artoria and looked at her with straight and pure eyes. He was a face she knew well.

“The name is Gawain, My King. I wish to be your sword.” Gawain had a bright and refreshing smile.

“He has performed well in a few battles. They say the sun shines brighter when he fights, and he is more skilled than many of our knigh-”

“Very well. Sir Gawain, I wish you would keep protecting the prosperity of our land.” Artoria cut him off without mercy as a small revenge.

“I will do that until this body turns cold, My King!” Gawain bowed his head with a big smile.

“You will have my gratitude.” Artoria smiled as the memories she had with Gawain flashed through her mind.

‘This time… it will be different. I won’t let any of them down.’ Her eyes burned with determination.

“I don’t want to spoil the mood, but the crumbs are still there, you know.” Kay laughed.

“…” Artoria was rethinking her life choices at that moment.

The light mood continued, but bad news arrived the next day.

“My King, the Saxons have breached the eastern strongholds!”

....

This is today's chapter.

See you all tomorrow.