Ironvine Territory (Eighty-Five)

Not long after Victor spoke, chaos broke out at the rear of the Duchy Army. Ernst, who had just broken through the battle line, was also tied down by the reserves Baron Brown had prepared.

Ernst fought desperately, but Baron Brown had kept a substantial force in reserve. As the soldiers around him fell, Ernst had no choice but to abandon his charge and lead the survivors back to his lines. He hoped to regroup and break Baron Brown's defenses head-on.

Only when he returned to his main force did he learn that an army had appeared out of nowhere and attacked his rear, throwing it into chaos.

That army was the Orphan Brigade under Bask. Victor had ordered Bask to lie in wait at the edge of the battlefield and intervene at once if the enemy's attack proved too fierce to withstand.

Bask had hidden the Orphan Brigade near the battlefield. When Ernst led his troops against Baron Brown's flank and rear, Bask had watched and waited. He had not expected Ernst to commit his entire force to a charge so decisively, throwing Baron Brown's troops into disarray and seizing a chance to strike Victor's main formation.

Bask had been terrified. The lord had positioned him as a last resort, yet when he was needed most, he had failed to enter the fight. It was a grave failure of duty.

Bask waited no longer and immediately led his troops into the attack. Ernst's force, which had been on the offensive, now found itself under attack.

At Bask's command, the Orphan Brigade's soldiers set long spears and great axes at the front. Its Armored Troops formed a line, advanced at a quick march, and slammed into the rear of Ernst's force.

At first, they swept through the enemy. The Orphan