The celebratory cannon fire, costing five hundred gold coins per shot, apparently wasn’t to her liking.
“Orietta, that’s enough. We can use the rest later.”
The roof of the civilian house Orietta had chosen as her firing point was blown off and had fallen through, leaving her now sniping from a third-floor window.
The Demon Army didn’t take the bait of the railgun and, from Doron’s perspective, a semi-encirclement had been formed from the east and west towards the north. For some reason, there were no Demon Army forces to the south.
“They still haven’t come in. This is boring.”
While Priscilla found it boring, I used it as time to think. Normally, they’d aim for a full encirclement to starve us out, or to prevent reinforcements or an escape, but the Demon Army wasn’t doing that.
This formation was different from the one I saw during the night raid. Perhaps they intend a short, decisive battle. That would be reckless, though. Based on the numbers and scale gathered at Klinshvelbach Castle in the Royal Capital of Harmonia, it wouldn’t fall easily.
I couldn’t stop thinking, but if Priscilla was bored, I had to do something about it as her captain. I moved silently behind her with Godspeed, slipped my hand through a gap in her armor, and began to…
“You’ve returned to your senses somewhat, you bastard…”
“You said you were bored, so I thought I’d continue what we were doing earlier.”
Halberd roared! Zebra in Mode Two took the blow! The destructive power was such that if it weren’t for Orietta’s Sword, it could have split the sword in two.
“Did you go too far back, you bastard?”
“It was a token of my gratitude for bringing me back!”
A new battle wouldn’t break out! That’s because Christine and I both fell victim to her “Unfortunately.” Sudden attacks are rough, Christine.
“…If you’d like, I can help.”
Is that where you’re going with this!? I’ll take you up on that offer. I performed chest compressions with Godspeed and slowly stood before Christine. Then, as I slowly reached towards her chest, several needle-thin lasers pierced my right hand.
“NOOOOOOO!”
Even if they were needles, getting both arms pierced by hundreds of them from the fingertips to the upper arm hurts. It’s past pain; the tendons in my arms must be severed. I can’t move my arm from the shoulder down. What am I supposed to do now, Sophia, with a war about to start?
“Hehehe, no public displays of affection allowed!”
I can’t possibly forgive you, even with that smile. But I will forgive you. Sophia is the only one in our brigade who can use healing magic…
“Sophia, isn’t that a bit harsh? The lasers from that glowing orb are quite painful too.”
“Is that so? I didn’t know that.”
No, the man bleeding from his right hand right in front of you is saying it, so it must be true. It’s pierced the gauntlet on my right hand too, it’s full of holes.
“C-can you heal me?”
“What shall we do? Hehehe.”
Hurry up and heal me! How am I supposed to fight in this state! I intend to take the Demon Lord’s head. I want to finish this war quickly and do things I want to do. I want to play on the beach.
“Sister! Go forward… Grrr…”
Pitiful…
“…Report to the Brigade Leader. …You’re not needed.”
I managed to stop Christine and saved the life of the capable-looking man who came to report. …Can we just start this war already?
“Sophia, deploy! Heal my arm. Squad! Deploy!”
We emerged from the rear, pursuing, with Priscilla at the forefront, and annihilated everything. No, this is a feint, so we should just fight a bit and escape. Bringing Priscilla was a mistake.
We have to lure the Demon Army into the city and trap them. Kill and run. A hit-and-run strategy… That wording is bad. Shall we begin the “Strategic Relocation Operation”?
Even after entering the city, it was quiet. The Harpies disappeared from Alana’s Doron, but the Demon Army remained waiting outside the city.
“I want to eat grilled chicken.”
That’s inappropriate. I would never want to eat Harpy skewers. I can say that because I’ve never seen one up close. They’re not birds, they’re bird-people. They’re completely different from the ones flying at Lake Biwa.
However, the disappearance of the Harpies is a good sign. They can’t scout us. They must be equipped with explosives now. The fact that they have to split their forces for reconnaissance and bombing proves they don’t have enough numbers.
The enemy must be struggling after so many consecutive battles. If we can drag this out, we might win. At least there are reinforcements scheduled.
“Captain, enemies. They’ll be down the street ahead if we turn there.”
“Numbers and types?”
“Ten Ogres, and a lot of Goblins.”
At least say “numerous,” it sounds better and more atmospheric.
“Squad, form a line formation! They’re coming!”
As the line formation was established, an Ogre’s head appeared from the side. It roared like a wild beast that had found its prey.
“Orange Nine! Ready, Set. Ha, Ha, Ha!”
“What is that?”
It’s American football. I just wanted to try it once. The quarterback shouts and the game starts, but I guess you wouldn’t understand.
“It’s like a battle cry from my village. And we also dance, saying ‘Ganbatte, Ganbatte’ before fighting.”
“And then… How do you ‘ganbatte’ against the Ogre coming towards us?”
“…Orietta, go! Annihilate them!”
No Ogre could stop the giant hammer that sliced through the air. Even when attacked with spears and swords, the armored suit, which was flowing with ultra-vibrations, remained unharmed.
“Captain~, look~.”
The armored suit vibrated for a moment, generating ultra-vibrations, and the blood and flesh clinging to it fell off according to gravity. In an instant, the armor was as clean as ever.
“Is that…”
Is it like an ultrasonic cleaner? What a convenient item. Next time, I’ll try using the ultra-vibrations in my left hand during laundry duty. It seems like I could save on scrubbing stubborn stains and save the effort of wringing.
“I can do things like this~. Ori-chan is always sparkling~.”
That’s good for you. But please try not to waste your ultra-vibrations during combat. If ultra-vibrations can be useful in daily life, I should invent something useful and sell it. Peaceful use, and it could also help pay off my debts.
“I’m bored…”
Here we go again… If you’re bored, show me your chest. I could relieve the boredom with a little squeeze… Godspeed chest compressions!
“C-Christine… Why…”
Christine’s “Unfortunately” comes without warning, and by the time I can react, it’s already happened. After it happens, my heart hurts.
Christine, intending for me to rub my own chest, proudly puffed out her own without a word. If this continues, Sophia’s laser will probably fly next, so I’ll stop. I shook my head silently, and she drooped her shoulders a little sadly.
“Let’s go to the next one.”
You’re always so energetic. I don’t really want to go to the front lines. We’re supposed to be the diversion, drawing the enemy out. If we go too far forward, we’ll get caught in an explosion.
“Alana, what’s the status on the others?”
“Got a few reports, Captain. No fighting yet, but the main force hasn’t moved.”
Do we need to advance further? I’d really like to be the first to return to the wall. …Huh? Is our brigade growing?
“What!? Richarda, what are you doing here!? Did Christine pick you?!”
The added numbers were small Golems created by Richarda. Thirty of them in total. For an Earth Mage, that’s top-tier, but I never intended to put Richarda on the front lines.
“…She said she wanted to come.”
You let her come just because she *said* she wanted to? Will you let her take off her clothes if she says so? …Though I wouldn’t mind them taking them off. The front lines are too much for Richarda.
“I-I’m sorry. I just really wanted to be useful…”
Her earnestness makes me happy, but we’re the diversion, the bait. We’re here to be gobbled up, and I can’t let Richarda be eaten. Of course, I don’t intend to let anyone be eaten.
“It’s fine, Brigade Leader. Look how hard this little one is trying.”
The sense of justice in our brigade, who voiced his opinion to me, was then struck by Christine’s “Unfortunately.” Opinions are important, but no deaths.
I revived his sense of justice. This time, I want to go without any deaths. At least I want to avoid any more casualties from Christine’s “Unfortunately.”
“I have no choice. Summon three three-meter class Golems and always protect yourself. Understood!”
“Yes, I’ll do my best!”
“Good for you, Richarda. Get some battle achievements.”
They have no idea how much worry I go through… Hey, you! Don’t touch Richarda’s chest! Your father will not permit it!
With a faint sense of unease, I ordered them to advance. I will protect Richarda’s chest!
