THIS IS WAR

Chapter 38: Chapter 38: The Battle of Zerga



The battle was split into three battlefields, with thick forests separating them. Likewise the Imperial and Vandal forces both split into three armies.

The Imperial Left Army was led by Toudou and Denjimi, they led the 100,000 men of Vercheg. Their opponent would be the Vandal Right Army consisting of 150,000 soldiers.

The Imperial Right Army was led by Margarita with Terica and Tilca acting as here lieutenants. They led the 100,000 reserve troops. Their opponent was the 150,000 men of the Vandal Left Army.

The Center Armies contained the Generals of both armies. The Vandal Center Army consisted of 140,000 men. The Imperial Center army consisted of the 80,000 men of the 7 Elements' personal armies, as well as the 10,000 Imperial militiamen, giving the center 90,000 men in total.

Both Generals had vastly different approaches to the battle. The Vandal General knew he stood no chance of defeating "War" head on; therefore, his plan was to hold out in the center long enough for his flanking armies to break through. His hope was that being surrounded and outnumbered would be enough to defeat the 7 Elements.

Conversely, "War" planned on quickly breaking through in the center so he could relieve the armies on the flanks. The battle would be decided by which army could break through first.

"Alright men get into formations!" "War" shouted. The 7 Elements' armies formed up on the flanks while the center was made up of the militia troops.

"Remember commander, all you men need to do is march in formation. They can run away before they actually make contact with the enemy." "War" explained to the Militia commander.

"But sir won't that leave the flanks exposed?" He asked.

"It'll be fine just follow your orders." "War" said waving him off. Before the men set out for the battle "War" spoke to Victoria, "My lady, may I ask for your favor before I go out to battle? You are technically my fiancée after all." He asked teasingly.

"Or perhaps you would prefer that I'm slain in this battle? That would get us out of this engagement." He continued.

"It's not as if I'd actually wish you dead." She responded while retrieving a handkerchief to hand him.

"Ah, with this I'll fight with the strength of 10 men." "War" said.

"Well, I'm glad you think it'll help I suppose." Victoria said blushing.

"What do you mean help? I usually fight with the strength of thousands of men. This will only make me weaker. Maybe you really do want me to get killed." "War" said before letting out a hearty laugh.

"Tch! You're the absolute worst!" She said as she turned around and walked off in a huff.

"Bahaha! After I get our engagement nullified, I think I'll almost miss messing with her like this. Almost." "War" said stuffing the handkerchief in his breast pocket.

The battle began and as the armies were set to clash the Imperial center broke immediately allowing the Vandal forces to envelop the Imperial flanks. Seizing the opportunity, the Vandal General mobilized his reserves to completely surround the men on the flanks.

"Sir, our flanks are completely surrounded. The battle is unfolding exactly as you predicted. Shall I give the signal?" Asked a member of the Unicorn Knights an order of 1000 of the strongest warriors in Vercheg, 10 of which were hand selected by "War" to be part of his honor guard.

"Yes, begin the second phase." "War" replied.

At the signal, "Earth", "Water", and "Darkness" all created elemental soldiers. The total of which was around 75,000. Along with the members of the 7 Elements themselves, they charged into the backs of the Vandal troops. Now the Vandal troops were surrounded as well.

While the 7 Elements charged the backs of the enemy, "War" and his honor guard charged straight ahead to the enemy HQ.

"Ha! Just as I hoped. This tactic opened a path straight to their General!" "War" said. Without any soldiers to contend with along the way, "War" quickly came face to face with the enemy General.

Axe Form: Great Cleaving!!!!

"War" swung his arm down and cleaved his opponent in two. After their General was cut down and now having to deal with being surrounded themselves, the Vandal troops quickly started to break and flee. The Center Army had broken through and now had their sights set on crushing the enemy on the neighboring battlefields.

"Set out towards the Right Army first! The troops on that flank were our weaker troops we need to relieve them first. "Light" your men are the fastest, I'll send you off to the Left battlefield ahead of us, we'll come with reinforcements after we crush the enemy on the right!" "War" ordered.

"If you don't hurry I'll have already crushed the enemy on the left before you can get there." "Light" said while rushing off with his men behind him.

As the Center Army was making its way onto the Right battlefield they discovered that the enemy was already retreating.

"What's going on here? This isn't what I expected." "War" said surprised.

As "War's" Army was marching on the commander of the Right Army happened to be riding by chasing down the fleeing enemy.

"Darling? You got here just in time I just crushed the enemy's lines, now they've broken and are fleeing like cowards!" Margarita said as she strode excitedly towards him.

"Well I have to say, you completely surpassed my expectations. Good work!" "War" said almost at a loss for words.

Margarita's swift and crushing victory defied logic. Her forces were outnumbered and outmatched as the Vandal army had much stronger troops. Margarita herself was quite powerful but not to the extent of being able to single handedly change the tide of a battle of this magnitude. Not to mention that she didn't deploy any kind of brilliant battlefield tactics, she merely charged straight forward into the enemy.

Unbeknownst to Margarita or anyone else in the 7 Elements, the men of the Right Army were captivated by the beauty of Margarita and her lieutenants Tilca and Terica. Being led into battle by such beautiful women inspired the men to fight with all their hearts and completely surpass their limits. This one in a million feat caused Margarita to gain a moniker of her own. Margarita the War Maiden.

"Alright send Terica and Tilca with a few thousand men to continue pursuing the enemy. The rest of you follow us! We're going to the Left battlefield to crush the enemy once and for all!" "War" ordered.

As the Center and Right Army entered the left battlefield the enemy on that flank immediately started to break and flee. Toudou and Denjimi had put their forces in the Left Army in a Defensive position that had completely repelled the enemy's waves of attacks. When "Light" arrived on the battlefield he immediately found and killed the enemy General leading the Vandal Right Army. These turn of events would rock the Vandal morale, but being the strongest soldiers in this army, they still didn't break and kept fighting.

However, the arrival of "War" and his forces were the final straw causing them to break immediately. With that the Vandal Army had been completely routed, giving the victory in the Battle of Zerga to "War" and his army. They would celebrate that night before setting back out the next morning.

"Congratulations men! That was a great victory you all won today! You showed the strength of Vercheg and the strength of the Empire!" "War" said to his men as they cheered.

"Now there are three people in particular I want to give special acknowledgment to, well technically four." He continued.

"The first is "Light" for slaying an enemy General. That was a great contribution to our victory."

"The next is Toudou and Denjimi. I left the two of them in charge of the Left Army and they held against the enemy without surrendering an inch of ground to them. Your defense was formidable I thank you for your efforts."

"Finally I want to thank the most influential person in the battle today, Margarita against all odds you completely crushed the enemy's left flank. I am beyond impressed with your performance today. Everyone, give a cheer for Margarita!" "War" said before the army burst into a rowdy cheer.

"Celebrate for tonight men, but remember this is only our first objective we must now continue onward to our counterattack. Prepare to set out at first light!" "War" said.


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