I Became a Level -99 Vicious Lord

A Fortress of the Cherokee Kingdom situated along the border with the Loredin Kingdom.

*Stomp* *Stomp* *Stomp*

When the fort's commander heard that the main army was returning, he scrambled up the ramparts.

‘Already? Why?'

The return of the two legions that were supposed to occupy the capital of the Loredin Kingdom was clearly a bad sign.

And such predictions of the commander were accurate.

*Stomp* *Stomp* *Stomp*

When he saw the returning Cherokee army in the distance, the commander doubted his eyes.

“T-This is absurd.”

In addition, their disheveled appearance was unmistakably that of defeated soldiers.

More disturbing, though, were the thousands of carts covered in black cloth.

One didn't even have to pull back the cloth to see what they were carrying.

However, that wasn't all.

The coffins carried by the knights at the front of the line were reserved only for the highest ranking commanders.

Which means….

‘Commander Bayaba… has been killed in combat.'

When the Commander realizes this, he can't tell if he's in a dream or in reality.

Two legions marching to the Kingdom of Loredin have returned, reduced by a tenth of their size.

Thousands of carts carrying tens of thousands of corpses.

On top of that, their Commander Bayaba was killed?

It was to the point where it wouldn't be surprising if this was recorded as the most disastrous defeat in the shortest time in the history of the Cherokee Kingdom's wars.

‘What in the world had happened?'

The fort commander rushed outside the gates to meet the returning Cherokee army.

“What the hell happened?”

“…We fell victim to the enemy's schemes.”

The commander who led the remnants in place of Bayaba answered.

"While camping in the valley, we were ambushed by the Lota Kingdom army. The Loredin Kingdom army, which was with us, also turned on us and attacked, and during this process Commander Bayaba was killed."

"……"

“Who would have thought that opening the border was a trap for us.”

"How could such a thing happen…"

"Fifteen thousand of our soldiers were taken as prisoners by the enemy. Thankfully, the battle ended quickly otherwise… everyone would have really died."

Upon hearing this shocking news, the commander in charge of the border fortress simply gave up trying to comprehend it.

This was not a defeat for a mere frontier commander to dwell on.

If this news reaches the ears of the king, the repercussions will be…

‘Maybe it's a good thing he died.'

The border commander thought as he stared at the coffin containing Bayaba's body.

As the overall commander, surviving such a defeat feels like he might as well have died.

Even if Bayaba returned alive, he would still have to take responsibility for the defeat, and the price would be the dishonor of execution.

It was better to die an honorable death in battle.

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The news of Bayaba's defeat reached King Kalmar's ears very quickly.

As it was such a significant matter, several messengers rushed at full speed to report this fact.

“…What did you say?”

Upon hearing the report, Kalmar doubted his own ears.

It was truly unbelievable and something that should not have happened.

That wasn't the only bad news to come his way.

“Tormund… how dare that despicable scoundrel!”

Kalmar thought of Tormund as the villain behind this incident and became enraged.

He had trusted Tormund with their military operations, but to think that he would have conspired with the Kingdom of Lota to organize such a despicable scheme.

"I will definitely… definitely take revenge on that Tormund . Someday, I will execute Tormund in the most horrific way possible."

Kalmar's rage was beyond imagination.

Who could have thought that the military operation he initiated right after ascending to the throne would end in complete failure due to such a vile scheme?

Moreover, the damage was truly immense.

The amount of food, arms, and gold that was sent with them was astronomical.

Was that all?

Thinking about the compensation and pensions to be paid to the families of the fallen soldiers, it was frightening to estimate how large the financial expenditure would be.

And the most important thing…

‘Damn it. If the losses accumulate like this from the beginning of the war.'

Deterioration of public sentiment.

That's what bothered him the most.

Discontent with Kalmar was bound to build, especially when the war he had so confidently promised upon his ascension to the throne had been so disastrously lost so early in the campaign.

In just two weeks, over 30,000 soldiers were killed, a colossal loss for the Cherokee Kingdom.

However, that wasn't the only bad news.

"Your Majesty! The cavalry of the Kingdom of Lota has attacked our supply convoy and burned all the provisions!"

“The cavalry of the Kingdom of Lota has entered our territory and is wreaking havoc!”

“They say that our additional troops moving ahead suffered heavy losses from the enemy cavalry!”

Kalmar could barely keep his composure as reports came in that the cavalry of the Kingdom of Lota led by Amukhan was ravaging their rear.

“What happened to the attack on the Lota mainland?”

Kalmar asked.

“T-That is."

The attendant replied.

“They're continuing their siege, but… they say it's not going to be easy due to their impregnable fortifications.”

“What are the losses to the Lota Kingdom's forces?”

“Your grace is immeasurable, Your Highness."

The servant couldn't answer.

According to the report received, it seems that the casualties on the side of the Lota Kingdom's army are fewer than 100 soldiers.

Despite engaging in dozens of sieges over the past two weeks, they suffered only that much damage.

This meant that the exchange ratio between the Kingdom of Cherokee and Lota was about 20 to 1.

The combat strength of the Lota Kingdom's army was so powerful that it was hard to believe they were a newly emerging power.

A force comparable to any other great power.

‘This is dangerous.'

Kalmar struggled to suppress his anger and assessed the situation with a cool head.

The war he had confidently initiated was going awry from the beginning, and the situation was far worse than he had imagined.

Unless something could be done, even as King, Kalmar was likely to be caught in a political quandary.

“Send the White Lion Knights to the front lines.”

In the end, Kalmar made a bold move.

He showed his determination to break through the border fortress by deploying the Royal Guard Knights, the most skilled warriors in the kingdom.

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After defeating two legions of Cherokee troops, Otto left the Kingdom of Loredin with only a small force.

There was no point in concentrating his forces there, since he had effectively occupied it anyway.

Besides, with Kairos as governor and the Kingdom of Loredin in his hands, there shouldn't be much of a problem.

“Let's pick up the pace.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Otto hurriedly led the Lota Kingdom's army toward the Fortress where Helmut was stationed.

“Aren't we marching a little too fast?”

Camille asked Otto.

“Even though they're our soldiers, it seems physically taxing. Should we slow down….”

“No.”

Otto shook his head firmly.

"We need to go quickly. Every minute and second counts."

“Are you worried about Marquis Helmut?”

“Of course.”

Otto responded as if that were something to be asked.

“Even Marquis Helmut can only do so much, and I'm sure he's exhausted by now, as well as our soldiers guarding the border fortresses and…”

Otto added.

“King Kalmar must be getting anxious by now. They've been stumbling since the beginning of the war. He'll want to break through the border fortifications by any means possible.”

Otto could perceive Kalmar's thoughts completely from afar.

‘He's got the talent and a good holy relic, plus he knows how to use it. A young king who has just ascended to the throne, so he's prone to impetuous behavior.'

Knowing Kalmar's character and behavior patterns so well, Otto could predict well enough how he would act in the future.

Therefore, Otto couldn't reduce their marching speed.

Knowing that Kalmar would launch a full-scale offensive after this incident, he had to get to Helmut's aid as soon as possible.

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As Otto had suspected, the forces of the Kingdom of Lota including Helmut were thoroughly exhausted.

“…Any word of reinforcements?”

Helmut had asked the same question ten times already today.

But the answer was always the same.

“There is no news from the mainland yet, Your Excellency.”

The adjutant replied with a grim expression.

“Hmm.”

Helmut's expression fell bleak.

“There's no way His Majesty would abandon us. Why is he so late?

"Please wait just a little longer. His Majesty will come."

The adjutant comforted Helmut, but that alone did not improve the situation.

‘At this rate, we won't be able to last more than three days.'

When he assessed the situation calmly, that was the limit.

Not only were the soldiers exhausted, but the durability of the walls was in jeopardy.

Despite the use of Marquis' Resolve, the durability of the walls could not be infinite.

After several more battles, it was clear that the walls would no longer be able to hold out and would collapse.

It had reached a point where reinforcements had to come as soon as possible.

However, despite Helmut's fervent prayers, reinforcements never came.

Three more days passed after that.

"T-The enemies are gathering again! This time, their numbers are unprecedented!"

“No way!”

“You damned bastards! Stop it! Stop coming!”

The Kingdom of Lota's army looked on in despair as the Cherokee Kingdom's forces surged forward like a swarm.

They were overwhelmed by the endless numbers of the Cherokee Kingdom's army, despite killing and killing for so long.

No matter how high the morale of an army may be, they inevitably collapse when pushed to their physical and mental limits.

‘Should I regret this?'

Helmut wondered for a moment.

A situation that couldn't go on much longer.

It dawned on him that maybe this battle would be his last.

If he was lucky, they would somehow manage to hold off a last assault.

But if things were any less fortunate, the fort would fall, and at least half of the men stationed in it would not be able to retreat alive.

In truth, it would have been wiser to vacate the fortress and retreat now.

But….

‘If we fail to defend this Fort, the mainland is in danger.'

The problem was that losing this Fortress would completely turn the tide of the war.

It was a strategic point for the Kingdom of Lota that had to be protected at all costs.

It was worth risking his life for.

Even if it meant their annihilation.

*Grind*

Helmut gritted his teeth.

“Reinforcements will be here soon!!!”

Helmut shouted loudly.

“His Majesty has promised to arrive with reinforcements in two hours!!! So hang in there!!! We only have to hold out for two hours!!!”

It was nothing more than a blatant lie.

There was no news of reinforcements yet.

Nevertheless, Helmut lied for the sake of boosting the morale of his allies, even if it meant doing so in this way.

And such improvisation by Helmut immediately had its effect.

“It's only two hours!”

“Right! Come on, you pieces of shit!”

“Clench your teeth and hold on!”

“His Majesty is coming! Two hours! Hold on for two hours!”

Encouraged by Helmut's lie, the soldiers of the Kingdom of Lota, who were losing morale, gritted their teeth and began to fight against the enemy.