The Extra Wants To Live-Chapter 259: The Aftermath of the Tishal Mountains

Chapter: The Aftermath of the Tishal Mountains

Carl didn't want to spend too much time on post-war recovery.

He chose to retreat again through the southern canyon of the Tishal Mountains, away from the battlefield where tens of thousands of corpses were piled. The reason for the retreat was to ensure safety and, at the same time, to reestablish supply routes. There was still no certainty that the North was safe. It was right to retreat for now.

The supply route problem had to be solved, for if Carl had continued north, he would have had to get supplies through the narrow, inconvenient, and corpse-strewn valleys of the Tishal Mountains. Within the mountain range, you are vulnerable to enemy attacks, and above all, corpses would rot, so if you got too close, you could get an infectious disease or lose your supplies. Even if the distance was a bit far, it was better to avoid the Tishal Mountains and return to the eastern plains.

"I surrender!"

Carl moved forward with 7,000 soldiers and prisoners whose morale was high after a great victory. Since news of Carl's victory had already been delivered, the castles and cities he encountered along the way surrendered without resistance.

With 8,000 troops, he had fought against 40,000 troops, killing over 30,000 with minor casualties and winning. Who would want to fight someone like that?

If one thought about it calmly, all that was needed was to trust the walls and hold on. But the fear of Carl had now turned to awe, and everyone vehemently refused to fight him. Above all, the main reason was that there were no troops left to fight, as the rebels had already conscripted several times due to the civil war. If this continued, the seed of men would truly dry up, and they might have to endure a hellish dark age for decades, even after the war ended.

Hardion's troops, marching east along the mountain range, heard reports that the enemy had been discovered waiting at the end of the mountain range.

"You want to fight here one more time? Really?"

"You still have that kind of power?"

Hardion's command and even the soldiers found this very puzzling. Even after suffering such a terrible defeat and losing 38,000 troops, they still had the will and strength to fight?

Strategically speaking, the battle here was a very 'appropriate' one for the Tumari rebels. For efficient supply, the Hardion army had to move close to the mountain range. A larger detour was possible, but that would make not only the advance route but also the supply route terribly long and would also cut off the supply line to the enemy waiting at the end of the mountain range.

In other words, if the enemy simply defended this place, they could hold back Carl's progress. Since it was such a strategic point, it was certainly right to prepare for battle here.

"What were the numbers and composition of the enemies?"

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"It's a light cavalry formation. I don't know the exact number, but I don't think it's more than 10,000."

Since there were many light cavalry, they would also be sending out scouts to watch the surrounding area. If you got too close, you would be pursued, so it was difficult to obtain detailed information.

"Duren! You really intend to fight!"

At those words, most of the nobles in the commanding staff sighed.

The enemy would slowly harass them with the mobility of light cavalry on the wide plains, causing them to retreat by accumulating damage. Charge? No. They would make Hardion's troops endure a hellish time, raining arrows and fraying their nerves.

The intention was crystal clear. Since their morale had dropped due to the crushing defeat, they wouldn't fight directly.

"Hehehehe, it was like that in the last battle, but now that it's all over. Hehehehe..."

Baduan burst into laughter at the absurdity.

If they were going to use a delaying strategy of pushing back or holding out without fighting, then they should have done it before the Battle of Tishal Mountains.

"Hadadsi…"

When Topal heard this news, he covered his face with his hands and looked for God.

For this delay strategy to be effective, several conditions had to be met.

First, you needed a geographic advantage to block your opponent's movements.

Next, you needed a solid force to block your opponent's breakthrough.

And most importantly, you needed a decisive factor that could force your opponent to retreat with a delaying strategy.

The reason Topal had wanted to win without fighting before the previous Battle of Tishal Mountains was because all of these conditions were in place. The first two conditions were satisfied by blocking the narrow canyon path with 40,000 troops. And if they had just stalled for time without fighting, the fear Carl had built up would have collapsed, and the castles and cities in western Tumaria would have quickly become independent, cutting off his supply lines.

But what was the point of trying delaying strategies now?

What if they took a big detour to the east or split their forces to shake things up, even if it was a bit too much? Were they confident that they could stop Hardion's army, which was brimming with morale?

And what good could be gained by tying up Carl's army? Were they planning to just sit back and wait until Carl took complete control of the southern part of the Tishal Mountains?

Eventually, Topal earnestly begged to meet Carl.

"Thank you for listening to my request."

"That's okay. Sahal Din Topal, what's the matter?"

Even though they treated him politely, Topal was still a prisoner. He should be grateful that he was meeting Carl at all.

"I heard the news. I would like to hear what Archduke Carl will do."

Topal carefully navigated his words. If one mistake was made, the remaining 10,000 troops in northwestern Tumaria, especially the cavalry, would be annihilated.

Light cavalry may be a nuisance on the plains, but they were all but useless against well-armored heavy infantry. You could shoot arrows all day, but what was the point? Even light cavalry would be exhausted and run out of arrows after being covered in dust for half a day.

Carl's elite heavy infantry, consisting of Hardion's central army and the Laurel Union's standing army, would endure. After that, Hardion's heavy cavalry, who had preserved their stamina, could leisurely ride their horses to pursue and drive away or kill the light cavalry.

Even if you weren't a commander with outstanding abilities like Carl, Baduan, or Topal, anyone could figure this out.

...No, Topal finally understood why they were doing such a foolish thing now. They needed a victory—a sweet victory to wash away the bitter wounds of defeat.

For something like that.

"Sahal Din Topal, as you expected, we will stick to the mountain range and break through."

Carl said blandly.

Topal felt dizzy. He desperately wanted Carl to step aside and choose to occupy and stabilize the lands south of the Tishal Mountains, but Carl was no fool. If Carl went north and took over the territory north of the Tishal Mountains, the lands south would naturally become his, so why waste time?

What tormented Topal was that he knew Carl would truly avoid fighting and simply break through.

Topal, who had great strategic vision, understood why Carl had fought the Battle of Tishal Mountains. Carl had weakened the power of Western Tumaria by annihilating over 30,000 men—infantry, citizens, and able-bodied men—in one place.

Topal didn't believe Carl would just let those 10,000 light cavalry go. This was combat. No one could be blamed for killing the enemy during combat.

Topal closed his eyes for a moment to collect his thoughts. Sweat dripped down his wrinkled forehead.

"Archduke Carl, can you give me a chance to convince them before the battle?"

After much thought, Topal opened his eyes and asked Carl to allow it.

Even Carl couldn't help but be a little surprised by those words.

Carl had expected Topal to ask for mercy. Topal's attempt to persuade his allies meant that a general who had surrendered and been taken prisoner would now tell his comrades to give up the fight and surrender.

If Topal did that, his future was clear. He would lose the title of Sahal Din, and his family would be abandoned and despised. He might even be lynched to death.

And yet, Topal said he would do it—knowing all those risks.

Topal's eyes were filled with fear. But it wasn't fear for his own honor, status, or life.

Topal feared his family would suffer. At the same time, he feared for the innocent people who had been brought here, not knowing anything, only to be killed.

Whichever side he chose, blood would flow.

Topal endured the pain tearing through his chest and decided to act—not for himself or his family, but for the people.