Not long after Athena defeated the commander and Leo’s Chimera, the Philia Continent Allied Forces achieved a complete victory in their battle against Embidia.
While there were injuries on our side, no lives were lost. The injured have already been treated, thanks to the high-class self-healing abilities and the efforts of registered healers like Mako.
In contrast, Embidia suffered total annihilation, with no survivors among the demons and chimeras that appeared on the battlefield.
We did not conquer Embidia’s city, but I suspect that most of their fighting force is gone.
However, even though we can’t say we’ve conquered Embidia, the only obstacle left before us is the White Tiger Army’s encampment, where the Four Divinities and the White Tiger Army are stationed. Beyond that lies Arrogentia, the capital city.
We don’t know how the other Four Divinities’ armies, the Four Spirits Army or the Chi You Army protecting Arrogentia, will move. However, any military action requires preparation, and such preparations cannot be made overnight.
Still, they have flying mounts, and they even used two-headed and three-headed wyverns, so we should assume that the Divine Emperor has been informed of our attack.
Given that, our next course of action is clear.
It’s clear, but in reality, the Allied Forces’ morale is not high; in fact, it even seems to be declining.
Well, it’s understandable.
“Tomorrow we will take the White Tiger Army’s encampment, but the movements of the other Four Divinities’ armies are unpredictable.”
“As Abaricia, they did not anticipate our invasion. At this speed, preparations would normally not be sufficient. But…”
“Yes. Considering our advance speed, it is unlikely that the other Four Divinities’ armies, especially the Azure Dragon Army to the east, will be in time. However, with the existence of chimeras, we cannot be absolutely certain.”
“As His Majesty Icelicht says, demons do not require food, so while weapons are a concern, rations can be ignored. Therefore, there is a non-zero possibility that other Four Divinities’ armies will intervene during our engagement with the White Tiger Army. Nevertheless, it would be difficult to advance as is and conquer the White Tiger Army’s encampment.”
Personally, I believe we should take the White Tiger Army’s encampment, even if it means a night battle. However, the existence of chimeras, which are multi-headed monsters, is lowering our morale.
The reason is that even in legends and stories, there are no multi-headed monsters associated with the Helios Orb.
It is natural to feel aversion towards beings that are unprecedented, both in sight and sound, and appear to be artificially created. The same can be said for feelings of disgust and discomfort.
Furthermore, considering that the ones controlling them are demons, beings who could lead the Helios Orb to ruin simply by existing, it is understandable that even if our minds understand what must be done, our emotions cannot keep up.
“I understand that, and I understand the feelings of the Ritters, but we cannot stand idle after coming this far, can we?”
“Understood. Fortunately, it seems that Order’s will has not wavered, so we plan to reorganize the troops with Order at the center for the battles in White Tiger and Arrogentia.”
It seems Rex had already confirmed the condition of the Ritters and immediately stated that he would reorganize the troops with Order at the center.
Apparently, the significant decline in morale is among the Soldiers and Beastars, as well as the Dragoons.
Not all of them, of course, and those with high levels are not having problems. However, the Soldiers and Beastars who have only recently evolved into High Class, and the Dragoons who were mainly in support roles, are showing signs of mental distress.
“That needs to be done urgently, but what about the Ritters who are the problem?”
“Yes, Madam Mako is using her engraving magic to calm their minds, so they should settle down soon. From tomorrow onwards, they will be prioritized for tasks within the Wing of Order.”
Well, that’s how it should be.
Speaking of which, Mako seems to be using some kind of engraving magic already, but was there ever such a technique?
“That’s certainly helpful, but is there such an engraving magic?”
“Yes, it’s called ‘Healing Room,’ a light-attribute B-rank wide-area support type technique. While it’s not used often in the Helios Orb, it’s a technique that’s always used in facilities like hospitals and the Healer’s Guild in Earth.”
Techniques used in medicine, including Healing Room, are also called medical techniques, and knowledge of medicine is often a prerequisite for learning them.
Furthermore, many of these techniques are not eligible for high school students to take the exam for, and their difficulty is often on par with or exceeds A-rank techniques.
It’s not that I had any particular reason to delve into it, but I had no idea such techniques existed.
“Medical techniques, huh. I never had any connection to them, nor did I feel any particular need for them, so I never touched them at all.”
“Even you, Yamato, don’t know some engraving techniques.”
“Medical techniques truly require specialized knowledge. Of course, if you’re not using them for medical purposes, many of the exams become easier.”
I didn’t know that either.
In the first place, engraving techniques were used for combat, and many of them were kept secret or passed down only within families.
However, during the Third World War, engravers who emerged into the public eye for the first time in centuries, combined with modern knowledge, systematized them to be applicable to medicine, sports, and daily life. This is the engraving magic that Mako and I use.
Thanks to this, our quality of life has further improved, and the era where brute strength ruled has ended. On the other hand, those skilled in engraving magic have gained prominence, and there are statistics indicating a rise in crime.
For this reason, or perhaps not, many techniques with high lethality exist. As a result of legal reforms for public safety, the value of human life has decreased compared to the late 20th and early 21st centuries.
“We’ve strayed a bit from the topic. Rex, do you intend to attack White Tiger as planned?”
“Yes, as Madam Mako said, I believe we should prioritize taking the White Tiger Army’s encampment, and possibly even Fortress City White Tiger itself, even if it means a night battle.”
I heard that the Four Divinities’ encampments are fortress cities, and their names are the same as the cities themselves.
We don’t know the distance from Embidia to Fortress City White Tiger, but there are uncertainties such as the presence of residents other than soldiers and the unknown scale of the fortress. However, if we limit our engagement to only the attacking demons, we can reduce unnecessary casualties.
I don’t know what Rex is envisioning by wanting to take White Tiger along with its fortress, but considering what happened in Retisencia, and the possibility that all the inhabitants of the Four Divinities’ fortress cities, including White Tiger, and Arrogentia, have become demons, I suspect that’s why.
“I agree with Rex’s opinion, but what does everyone else think?”
“Fighting successive battles in a state of severe morale decline, especially a night battle, will result in unavoidable casualties on our side. Shouldn’t we take at least one night’s rest?”
“But since the cause of the morale decline is demons and chimeras, it’s unlikely that morale will recover in just one night.”
“I agree. Rather, we should quickly conquer White Tiger, eliminate any future worries, and hasten our advance on Arrogentia.”
Emperor Reinhardt asks the First Ritters for their opinions, but it’s understandable that they are divided.
Normally, one wouldn’t fight successive battles or engage in night combat with declining morale. However, this time, we are the aggressors, and it is highly unlikely that morale will recover even if we wait.
Most importantly, we came all the way to the Gradia Continent to settle this, so a retreat is out of the question.
In fact, that topic has not been raised by anyone.
So, what should we do? Personally, I have something I want to test before the final decisive battle.
“Then, Your Majesty, with the final battle looming, would it be alright if we took White Tiger as a final adjustment?”
“A final adjustment? Ah, you mean that. Isn’t it complete?”
“It is complete, but we haven’t used it on the Gradia Continent. While its usability won’t change significantly, there are still subtle differences, and I want to make those adjustments.”
What I want to test is the fine-tuning of a new Layered Magic developed for the final battle.
It’s definitely complete, and I don’t know if we’ll actually use it, but the magic we use on the Philia Continent has a subtle difference in feel on the Gradia Continent.
Ordinary elemental magic and Unique Magic don’t pose major problems, but Layered Magic and Dragon Resonance Magic are different stories.
Both Layered Magic and Dragon Resonance Magic are magics used by two or more people and require rigorous adjustment.
If it backfires and only I take damage, that would be one thing, but there’s even a possibility of harming allies. I suspect Ritual Magic would also be subject to some restrictions.
“I understand that, but why at this timing?”
“I didn’t feel much of a problem right after landing, but as we get closer to Arrogentia, a vague, unpleasant feeling has been growing.”
To be precise, it might be better to call it an unpleasant magic power rather than an unpleasant feeling.
No, if asked what it is, I wouldn’t be able to answer, so perhaps “unpleasant feeling” is fine.
It’s vague, but precisely because of that, final adjustments for the decisive battle are absolutely necessary.
“Understood. In that case, I will leave White Tiger to you, Yamato. Is that alright with everyone?”
“We have our thoughts, but we understand what you are saying.”
“If it by any chance affects us, it would be unbearable.”
The King and the First Ritters are somewhat reluctant in their agreement, but that’s only natural.
However, even if it were perfectly adjusted on the Philia Continent, there’s no doubt that even a slight discrepancy would be felt on the Gradia Continent.
While it might not be a significant issue for individual Unique Magic, for Layered Magic, Dragon Resonance Magic, or Ritual Magic used by multiple people, even a slight difference could lead to fatal damage, so I believe it’s necessary to use it for confirmation.
I think we should use it at least once. I felt that discrepancy just before arriving at Embidia, so I had a feeling it might have been my imagination.
I only became certain very recently, during the battle in Embidia.
In any case, it has been decided that we will take White Tiger.
What we do with Fortress City White Tiger will depend on the situation, but ideally, I’d prefer not to get involved with it.
However, if they have all turned into demons, I will show no mercy.
