The ground shook, and the air vibrated. The Giant roared and charged at me. Its colossal body, towering over me, exuded terror and despair.
The Halberd I borrowed from Priscilla was over two meters long. Orietta’s pride, equipped with super-vibration, could easily slice through shields and armor.
Because of that, it was considerably heavier than a normal Halberd. It would take me a bit of effort to swing it. But I’m a Mercenary with Godspeed. I could picture a victory, even if I’m not that skilled.
With the Halberd’s length, I could aim for the Giant’s “calves.” Even the hero Achilles from Greek mythology was defeated when his Achilles’ tendon was targeted. I think this Giant will fall for the same trick.
In our last fight, we repelled it by getting a Spear between its toenails, but that attack would shatter my delicate heart. This time, we have to defeat it to win the battle.
My plan is to cut its Achilles tendon, make it kneel, and force its head down as much as possible. Once its head is lowered, I’ll slash its jugular vein, and even a Giant should bleed out and die, I think.
It’s just “I think,” but it’s a mistake to even try to clash swords with something that big. They’re weak to magic, so a concentrated long-range magical attack would be a safe way to defeat them.
I have a trump card. The strategy is decided. As I gripped the Halberd and took my stance, the Giant leaped.
I couldn’t help but stare. “Jumped” is more accurate than “flew,” but seeing that massive body soar so high in the sky felt like it flew. Anything that flies will fall. Like Newton’s apple. The problem is that it’s falling right on top of me.
The Giant brought its legs together and plummeted from high above, as if stomping, aiming right for me.
Godspeed!
No matter how large or fast the Giant is, it can’t match my speed. I thought I had ample distance, but as the Giant landed, the earth trembled, I dropped my Halberd, and scrambled on all fours in a panic.
The dust kicked up by the Giant was immense, but the earth shook so violently I couldn’t stand. This tremor was strong enough to halt the advancing Demon Army.
Wide-Area Mind’s Eye!
Using my Mind’s Eye, which allows me to see accurately even in the dust cloud, I dragged my Halberd and pursued the Giant’s legs with Godspeed, severing both Achilles tendons.
Like a snapped rubber band, the Giant fell forward. I didn’t miss the chance, jumped onto its leg, ran over its rear, and leaped to its head.
“Cut!”
The super-vibrating Halberd, swung with all my might, sliced through a third of its neck, and red blood erupted like a fountain. I was completely drenched, and it felt revolting.
“Ugh, this is slimy. Rufina would be happy to see this…”
With newfound composure, I muttered to myself. It’s not quite composure, but I’m starting to see a path to victory. I moved towards a more open area to find the next Giant, with four remaining.
The next Giant was a little smarter, it seemed. As soon as it spotted me, it kicked up the ground, launching dirt at me like cannonballs.
Godspeed Mode Two!
I ran along the ground, skimming just above it and sliding beneath the dirt hurled at me like a wall. Before the Giant could bring its raised leg down, I swung my Halberd beneath its foot, slicing its sole vertically.
“Guaaaah!”
The Giant shrieked, a sound that seemed to rupture eardrums, and flipped over. I wanted to follow up, but looking up from below, I had no idea where it would land or what part of its massive body would fall.
Once they fall, even Giants can be killed. I jumped onto the Giant’s leg and, as I passed its knee and moved up to its thigh, I realized something.
Th-this guy, it’s missing something! If it were a man, it would have something there. Could it be a female? Was it a Giantess? Do Giants even have genders? What about the Giants before?
I noticed the Giant’s abdomen and chest were muscular. Its chest was so defined, it looked like it had a very low body fat percentage, not at all like a woman.
Whether it was an overly muscular woman or a man with something missing, concluding that the Giant was androgynous or a “newhalf,” I severed its second head. Three remaining.
The remaining three Giants braced themselves. They must have realized I was a tougher opponent than they thought. I’m honored, that they recognized such a small human as a formidable foe.
I stood up, thrusting my Halberd into the ground, and puffed out my chest defiantly. Even if my body is small, I can fight. Using Godspeed, I’ll strike their weak points and take their lives. Don’t underestimate humans.
The Giants slowly circled me, creeping closer. It’s because this small human defeated two Giants. They instinctively knew I was an opponent not to be trifled with, an enemy to be eliminated.
“Defeating the second one was just a bonus. The outcome was decided the moment you left the Lich’s side.”
I spoke words that the Giants probably couldn’t hear.
“Right? Hey, Orietta.”
A bullet coated in Orihalcum, the color of green-silver, whizzed over my head, exceeding the speed of sound and piercing a Giant. Despite the long distance, it exploded upon impact, blowing the Giant away.
“Close. It was the left hand. …I can leave this to you, can’t I, Orietta?”
I looked up as another bullet, slicing through the blue sky, tore a gaping hole in the chest of the Giant that had lost its left arm.
The moment one was killed, no, the moment they were lured to this place, the Giants’ defeat was sealed. All I had to do was keep them occupied.
Orietta took the score for the three Giants, but she had already taken the score for everyone except the two I defeated, so a little extra wasn’t a big deal.
Orietta, with her high score, wouldn’t be subjected to anything terrible. If it were other members… especially that blonde woman with the red stripes, she’s dangerous. And the Necromancer demon… I don’t know what he’ll do.
With three Giants taken down by sniping, I headed for Shreia’s West Gate, without even the chance to wash the blood off my body.
I caught up to Sophia before reaching the West Gate using Godspeed, but she almost fell from her horse, shocked by my appearance.
“Captain! You’re covered in blood! Are you alright?!”
I’m fine enough to run alongside a horse. The Giant’s blood has turned me completely red. I’ll have to get water from the well and wash it off later.
“No problem. It looks like the enemy’s advance has begun. Please help me later, I want to wash this blood off.”
“Yes. …Captain, what happens after this?”
After this… defeating all the Giants is a great feat. I’ll have to work hard for Orietta later. Sophia failing to defeat the Lich was unexpected, but it’s good that she instilled fear in the Orcs and reduced their numbers.
“From now on, Orietta and Rufina will continue sniping. They have to win to hold back the Sand Dragons’ magic rocks. After that, it will be a battle to defend the Castle Wall. I think Priscilla is looking forward to it.”
“…Yes. …Um, …I’m sorry for shooting without permission.”
I bear some responsibility for that. It can’t be helped if she got that close. She was in a position to hold Sophia up like that, pulling her hips back to secure her. If I had to do it again, I’m confident I’d do the same thing.
We passed through the West Gate, and Sophia was met with cheers from the Fourth Legion guarding it. Not even a towel was offered to me.
Alone, I drew water from the well and poured it over myself as if to wash away worldly desires. I started wondering if I should have chanted the Heart Sutra from the middle of it when Sophia handed me a towel.
The small towel could only dry my short hair and face. I was about to let my clothes and Leather Armor air dry when Sophia suddenly hugged me and looked up at me with teary eyes.
…I don’t understand. This situation. Why is there a kiss scene here? Is it necessary? The scenes are disjointed, what’s the connection? But, since it’s here, I shared a kiss that would move anyone who saw it. …I’ll let the editor worry about the continuity.
The scene changed to close-up of Richarda…
“You’ve worked hard.”
To get here, I had used Godspeed while holding Sophia, and became slightly breathless. It wasn’t that Sophia was heavy. I waited a little, but seeing no “reunion kiss with Richarda” in the script, I started talking.
“Tell me about the current situation.”
Richarda explained the situation efficiently, including Orietta’s exploits. I knew she had defeated the Giants, but this place, with its obvious launch point due to the Demon Army’s advance, was a prime target. She didn’t mention anything about Orietta being protected by Golems. I need to assert myself a bit more.
“Please continue your efforts. If things get dangerous, follow Orietta’s lead.”
I gave instructions to the three of them and parted ways. The Demon Army seemed to have latched onto the Castle Wall, and each legion began fighting on top of it.
I need to hurry, or Priscilla might charge in.
