We need to buy more time. Rufina did her part, but Rossa, who took her place, is acting strange as well.
“There’s no meat on it, is there?”
“Mikael, meat is just for decoration. Hehehehehe.”
Her laugh is similar to her master’s, Rufina. She’s not someone who would laugh so crudely. Besides, decoration is important. I prefer the more voluptuous Rossa over a skeleton.
“You will defend the left flank in Rufina’s stead. Prevent them from breaking through from our side.”
That’s all I told her before returning to the first Magic Cannon where Ria was waiting. The Demon Army had begun to swarm the Castle Wall, but the main problem was the Sand Dragon on the right flank.
One Sand Dragon was advancing, repeatedly firing Magic Rocks. It was being repelled by defensive magic, but each shot it fired caused casualties among the Demon Army that had managed to climb aboard.
“Ria, you should retreat now. Asmus, take Ria to the office.”
She’s the captain of the guard, after all. She understands the dangerous situation. I’m sure the Dwarf would have taken her by force if necessary, but it would be a shame if Ria were injured.
Well then… time to try out the Magic Bow! Using my Mind’s Eye, I took aim and fired an arrow with the Godspeed of Mode Three. It hit the ceiling of the Cave Castle. Useless!
No, it’s my first time. I’ll try again. It must be a beginner’s mistake. This time, more cautiously, I drew the string with my right hand and released. The string snapped back to its original position due to tension, and the arrow, still in my left hand, remained in place.
Let’s practice first.
I had hoped to gain some points by showing off my archery skills, but Ria retreated, and there was no one to impress. So, I quietly put down the bow and ran towards the Castle Gate.
“We’re pushing them back!”
Outside the Castle Wall, enemy Trolls were trying to break down the Castle Gate, but if we defeat them before they can, there won’t be a problem. Sand Dragons are more of a concern than Trolls or Orcs.
The Magic Rocks rained down mercilessly. Defenses can only hold for so long. Perhaps wary of the Magic Cannons, only one Sand Dragon has appeared. If we’re going to kill it, now is the chance while it’s close.
“Priscilla, hurry with the horses! We’re opening the gate!”
“Ready!”
I always rely on you, Priscilla. But I can’t just keep relying on others. I’ll be the one at the forefront!
“Open the gate! White Lily Corps, target the Sand Dragon! I’ll clear the way!”
The gate, which the Dwarves had been holding back, suddenly swung inward. The Troll outside must have had terrible timing. It stumbled inside as the gate opened, its war cry only half-finished.
I split the unfortunate Troll in half. My war cry was louder than the charging Orc’s. “War cries” are essential, after all.
“Light! Extend!”
I sent the Orc, the highest scorer, to hell. Reflecting on the damage to the gate, I emerged from the castle. Magic Sword Zebra, Sword of Light mode, no need for Mind’s Eye. There are enemies all around, after all.
“Maximum power!”
That was too much. The slender Sword of Light must have extended over fifty meters. I feel sick. Magic Power and Godspeed are different. Without even feeling the impact, I cut through everything, and blood splattered.
“Go! Charge! Push them back!”
The White Lily Corps, mounted on horses with hyper-vibration gear, and the Dwarves, armed with heavy two-handed axes, advanced out of the gate. With this, we should be able to drive them back and defeat the Sand Dragon.
My work is done. I’m a little nauseous, so I’ll just have some tea and enjoy the view with Ria. With this level of success, I’m sure to get a point boost.
“Captain, a horse!”
Uh, was it Irma? You want me to keep working? The momentum has shifted in our favor now. I consider myself quite skilled for creating such a crucial turning point in the battle.
“Good work! Let’s catch up, don’t fall behind!”
Never running out of work. As a mercenary for a small business, that’s a blessing. Irma and I chased after the path Priscilla and the others had opened.
On the straight path to the Sand Dragon, a giant lizard lay fallen at the exit, its head already severed. Not only was decapitation impressive, but the wounds from its feet to its flanks spoke volumes about the power of hyper-vibration.
“You! You killed it again!”
“It’s your fault for being late. You slowpoke!”
They must be close to argue like that. Priscilla and Rose, well, they are quite alike. Their personalities are similar too, I wish they’d be a little more willing to share.
“Here comes the biggest slowpoke.”
“You live a good life, Captain.”
Yep. Both of you are sentenced to death. Who do you think cleared the enemies at the Castle Gate! I extended my Sword of Light to its maximum, using a considerable amount of Magic Power. I defeated monsters. I worked hard.
“Impressive as always, Rose. Is everyone else uninjured? We’ll sweep through here.”
“What’s the penalty for being a slowpoke?”
“The penalty for being a slowpoke is, of course, ‘that’, isn’t it?”
“‘That’? ‘This’ isn’t bad either.”
“Isn’t ‘this’ a bit too harsh?”
Can a married couple communicate with just “that,” “this,” and “it”? Who on earth allowed the White Rose Brigade to join?!
“Though you’re in the middle of a conversation, we’re moving out. Two ranks, prepare yourselves!”
The Sand Dragon on the right flank has been defeated, and its surrounding Orc guards are gone. All that’s left are the low-level enemies from the center to the left flank. I’ll take the lead and show them who the main character is.
“Advance! Kill anything in sight!”
“Yes, Grandmaster!”
Oh, Grandmaster? Is that what Captains are called? What about Brigade Leaders? That sounds cool. Over twenty girls shouting with excitement. That’s a thousand times the motivation!
“Follow!”
In the center, a sweaty Dwarf confronted a Troll with a grotesque face. Even as smelly Orcs tried to flank him, the Dwarf’s relentless advance didn’t stop.
Here comes a handsome boy and twenty beauties charging through. It’s the White Lily Corps Captain, Mikael Sin! Where is the camera? I’d prefer it be taken from the front right.
“Light!”
Spotlights are the best way to stand out. Even with daylight, they make skin look beautiful. Extending it to the maximum makes me feel sick, but I can’t even say “extend to about half” in a stingy way.
“Extend!”
When shouting a Special Move, English is the best. German would be fine too, but the pronunciation is difficult. Italian… like Pizza Margherita?
Whether it extends halfway depends on the Magic Power, so I remember there’s no need to shout and inform them. I slashed from right to left.
It’s unsatisfying to cut without any resistance, like striking out in baseball. But in front of me, monsters cut in half fill the field. This time, from left to right. Is my Magic Sword like car wipers? I want more resistance.
“Damn it! You idiot! Don’t take all the glory yourself! Save some for me!”
You should at least praise me a little for being a great superior who does everyone’s work. I’ll lower your evaluation, Priscilla!
“I’m fine with it being easy. Just keep cutting.”
Well, that’s another story. It’s better to feign enthusiasm for work, as that leads to a higher evaluation. That’s how society works…
The wedge has pierced the center as well, further increasing Ria’s evaluation. Even if she’s not watching, my heart belongs only to Ria.
“You’re an idiot, you know…”
What? Have you gained the ability to read minds? Did my thoughts about Ria show on my face? Even a cool guy like me can’t help it when it comes to women. Of course, Priscilla is the most important.
“What do you mean, ‘pierce through’?! What are we going to do now?!”
My plan to attack the Demon Army in cooperation with the Dwarves, by holding the center, was blown away by my thoughts of Ria and pushed through. Should I reposition? That’s dangerous.
Sudden acceleration, sudden turns. It’s best to avoid anything that starts with “sudden.” Even in romance, thinking about techniques like “sudden loss of contact” or “sudden closeness,” let’s use “sudden” strategically.
“Rossa is gone… I can’t see Rossa, whom I sent to the Castle Wall to deal with the left flank! We’ll break through the enemy’s left flank! Priscilla, Rose, take the lead!”
“Leave it to us!”
“You got it!”
Like two gusts of wind, they charged at the head, driving back the Demon Army clinging to the Castle Wall. Priscilla, perhaps, but for a normal person to wield such power with hyper-vibration… Halberd is indeed useful.
The White Lily Corps, like giant mops, swept through the giants on the left flank, bringing down the devil’s hammer on the surviving low-level enemies. Katrina, your off-hand seems to be doing quite well, and your hips are quite… impressive.
Led by the White Lily Corps, the Runbergzach army pushed back the Demon Army. This is merely the first battle, but it was a great victory. This will buy us time. My goal is to buy time, more than Runbergzach’s victory.
I don’t intend to lose, but it’s okay if we don’t win. I want Ashtal’s army to enter Harm as much as possible, and to reunite with Her Majesty the Queen as quickly as possible.
The Demon Army retreated, and we won the first battle. However, the enemy still has Sand Dragons, Giants, and even Cyclops. We’ll take a short break until the second wave arrives. I need to recover my Magic Power enough to use Extend.
Returning to the castle, we were met with cheers, and the echo in the Cave Castle reminded me of karaoke. The music in this world is Celtic, or a cappella with a single accompaniment.
They call them bards, who sing songs with lyrics about historical events and daily life. These songs are sometimes passed down and spread as legends.
I wonder if someone is singing a song about today’s battle and this great war with the Demon Army, about my exploits. I haven’t been interviewed yet, nor have I heard any such songs.
Perhaps I should practice interviews from now on. If I give foolish answers and it becomes a song, that would be problematic, and if it became a legend, my descendants would be ashamed.
Should I take notes? Stories from when I became the Captain of the White Lily Corps. So I won’t have any trouble if I ever write an autobiography or it becomes a song.
I’ll start today. I’ll write in Japanese so no one can understand it, even if they read it. To avoid quitting after three days, I’ll spend money on tools and put myself under pressure. …I’ve forgotten how to write kanji. I just typed on my smartphone and hit convert.
I found a new hobby and was swept up in the roar of the crowd.
