Translator: Cinder Translations
...
When the distance was about a few hundred meters, both sides simultaneously came to a halt.
Both armies needed to reorganize; not only was the human army in disarray, but the orc army was also in a similar state.
During this time, various officers could be heard shouting orders, and the sound of whips cracking filled the air, creating a chaotic scene.
Nearly an hour later, the human and orc armies finally formed their respective formations, facing each other at a distance.
At this point, Catherine and the others could clearly see the orc army's formation.
The orcs had arranged their light cavalry in the first line, divided into three formations: left, center, and right.
Most of the orc light cavalry wore weak leather armor or no armor at all, wielding long swords or sabers, but each carried a short bow.
Behind these cavalry units were catapults and crossbows, and further behind them were armored cavalry, likely serving as reserves.
The orcs' formation roughly took the shape of a "T" with the light cavalry in the front.
Catherine, Duke Osman Alambre, and many others had experience from their time at the Watcher's Fortress.
They did not underestimate the orc formation led by light cavalry but observed with caution.
These swift riders, who moved like the wind, were incredibly flexible in battle and could swiftly transform into lethal blades aimed at their enemies.
However, many of the Aldorian generals, seeing the orc light cavalry for the first time, dismissed them as mere cavalry, unable to compete with the heavily armored Aldor knights with lances.
To them, the difference was like eggs and stones — the eggs would break under the force of the stone.
The heavy cavalry at the rear posed a potential threat, but from the orcs' arrangement, it seemed their commander did not intend to use the heavy cavalry as the main force in battle.
From past experiences, once the momentum of battle shifted in one direction, it would continue to sway, and no amount of heavy cavalry would change that outcome.
At this point, the orcs began shouting loudly in crude Aldor dialects, their insults clear as they filled the air with profanities.
The orcs' voices were booming, and their offensive language could easily be heard by the Aldor army.
The knights and officers held their composure, but the lower-ranked soldiers grew increasingly agitated, angrily shouting back at the orcs.
For a time, insults flew between the two armies, filling the air with crude words.
Both sides' siege weapons, including catapults and crossbows, began to fire, but their numbers and accuracy were insufficient to cause more than minimal casualties. Both armies endured the attacks stoically.
"Your Highness!"
The sound of galloping hooves grew louder, and Monterlit Tavares rode up to Catherine.
The knight was dressed in dazzling armor, a silver-white plate with intricate golden decorations that made him look even more majestic. The armor fit him perfectly, tailored to his physique, enhancing his already heroic presence.
Monterlit bowed in front of Catherine.
"Please allow me to lead the charge! We can use the infantry to lure their cavalry into battle and hold them off, then strike from both flanks, like a pair of pincers, to crush them!"
In accordance with the recommendation of the local lords from the Blackstone Pass, Monterlit had been assigned to command the central infantry.
A heavy crossbow had narrowly missed him earlier, embedding itself in the ground behind him, which had spurred Monterlit to make this suggestion.
However, Catherine shook her head, rejecting the request.
"The mobility of their light cavalry is far superior to ours. The infantry cannot tie them down! We should not take the initiative but wait for them to move, finding an opportunity to strike from a defensive position!"
"Your Highness, I cannot agree!" Monterlit protested, his voice anxious. "All the military texts I have studied stress the importance of seizing the initiative in battle. How can we let them make the first move? We have more soldiers than they do!"
The generals around the princess were slightly upset.
Duke Alambre spoke sternly:
"Monterlit, obey the orders! You have no idea how terrifying those prairie riders are. I'll tell you, they were practically raised on horseback, their bond with their mounts is as strong as if they were one!"
"Yes, Your Highness, and Lord Duke!"
Monterlit, reluctantly, turned his horse and rode back to command the infantry.
On the orc side, Commander Calem frowned slightly, stroking his chin. "It seems this Princess Catherine has great self-control!"
With a wave of his hand, he called a messenger and ordered: "Let our troops initiate the attack!"
The deep, mournful sound of conch horns filled the air above the battlefield.
"Charge!"
The orc cavalry in the center began to spur their horses forward, their steeds kicking up dust as they surged toward the human army.
"They're coming!"
The Aldor army saw the movement and the rising dust.
The sight of so many cavalry charging together was a spectacular one, with the dust cloud almost obscuring the sky above the riders.
Monterlit stared ahead, unconsciously swallowing.
On the Aldor side, the archers at the front readied their bows, aiming their arrows high into the sky.
"Fire!"
With the command, countless arrows shot into the air, whistling as they flew.
After tracing parabolic arcs, the arrows descended, turning into a deadly rain that fell upon the charging orc cavalry.
The sharp arrowheads pierced through flesh and bone, toppling orc riders from their mounts.
But this did not slow their advance; the cavalry continued to pour forward like a flood.
After firing four volleys, the archers were forced to retreat behind the infantry for cover.
Monterlit gave the order, and the infantry thrust their pikes into the ground, forming a spiked barrier like a hedgehog.
However, when the orc cavalry got close enough, they stopped their charge and veered off in another direction, pulling out short bows and shooting arrows at the Aldor infantry.
The orcs' archery was highly accurate, even from horseback, and their targets were tightly packed.
Arrows pierced through gaps in the pikes, causing cries of pain as more soldiers fell.
The Aldor archers, protected by the infantry, were ordered to retaliate. Arrows flew through the air, as both sides exchanged volleys in a flurry of whizzing sounds.
The orc light cavalry darted in and out like waves crashing on the shore, charging quickly and retreating just as fast, their tactics a constant cycle of attack and retreat.
(End of the Chapter)
---
Read (FF) on Pa.treon@CinderTL - c837. [+0]
Early Access at $5.
Translated (5) Series, (2.5K+) Chapters, (🎉3.4M+) Words.