Perhaps the monsters would feel fear upon seeing a human rampaging with a halberd and a scythe.
“No matter how much I cut, there’s no end to them.”
If only I could use that rotten scythe, I could inflict fatal wounds with just one cut. He must really hate being told those last words.
“We’ve been pushed all the way to the North Gate. It seems our allies are also inside the walls, so let’s hang in there a little longer.”
“Damn it! You’re making me work too hard. Are you the Grim Reaper?! Double the score!”
What, does he like this scythe? It’s good for cutting, good for pulling, good for thrusting, good for bludgeoning, surprisingly versatile. If only it came with a rotten cheat, it would be perfect.
The allied formation outside the North Gate was close to collapse. It wasn’t the enemy’s momentum, but rather our own retreat that was faster. The Flüge army was nowhere to be seen, and I found myself fighting alongside an unfamiliar Knight Order. And on the front lines, no less…
Perhaps due to overexertion, I didn’t notice the gate beginning to close until it was too late. Many allies were still outside, and there had been no order to retreat.
Godspeed! I scooped up Priscilla and dashed for the gate, but even with the Golden Lycanthrope’s weight, the closing gate was faster.
“Put me down! How long are you going to keep this up!”
I set down Priscilla, who had returned to her human form, but with the gate closed, there was nothing I could do. At my current strength, I couldn’t even scale the wall.
“What do we do now?!”
There’s nothing we can do. I’ll lead these knights and break through in one go. The enemy numbers in the tens of thousands. This might be the end of my career as a con artist. Poor Mikael Sin, shut out by his own allies and dying before the North Gate.
“Let’s just kill as much as we can. We’ll head east along the wall with the knights who remain here.”
“Can you keep up?!”
If you’re going to say that, you should ask “Can you break through?” My speed has diminished even from Godspeed, and my Mind’s Eye is also unstable. Didn’t Priscilla have to deactivate her Lycanthrope transformation as well?
“Shall we make it a spectacular exit?!”
“Ooh! Let’s enjoy it to the end!”
We naturally embraced and shared a passionate kiss. Just as we both thought this might be our last moment, the heavy, massive North Gate dramatically swung open.
“You seem to be taking your time…”
Is that Rufina?! Wait a moment, this is a good spot.
“■■■■, hellfire.”
A pillar of fire erupted between us, separating two lovers. My bangs almost singed. I looked towards Rufina, and she was standing between the giant legs.
Looking up, I saw a giant… When did it get in here?! Did they switch from the high jump to the pole vault?! But on closer inspection, it was a Golem! I’ve never heard of a Golem this size.
“Brigade Commander, please come in quickly.”
Richarda’s voice called from behind the giant Golem. When did she become capable of controlling such a massive Golem? It’s like seeing a growing daughter.
“Now’s our chance! Everyone, run inside the gate!”
As we passed by, Rufina’s thousand-year cursed wood struck the rampaging giant Golem outside the gate. If you could do that, why not do it before closing the gate? Well, the kiss with Priscilla was rather delicious, though.
Once everyone was inside, the giants’ match against the giant Golem concluded its broadcast time, and the gate closed, marking the end of the transmission.
As soon as I entered, Christine embraced me, making me feel glad to be a captain these days. For some reason, corpses were scattered everywhere.
Though I didn’t want to hear it, I asked, and it turned out that those who closed the gate and those who interfered with its opening all unfortunately suffered heart attacks. There are strange things that happen on battlefields.
“Alright, listen up! We are abandoning Klinshvelbach Castle. Inform the East and West Gates, and the citizens too! We will proceed through the city towards the South Gate. Follow me!”
I have no authority to give orders to anyone other than my brigade. So what?! The King has already fled. There’s no need to die defending this place. If we live, we can rebuild.
“I’m sorry, Lord Shin, but the First Army will remain here. With the giants approaching, it’s only a matter of time before the gate is breached. Please take care of Princess Annelyse.”
The one who gripped my shoulder and spoke with such conviction was Leimbruck, a prominent figure in the Flüge army. When did that flag get planted? It should have been Yuma Bashar, if anything.
“We will protect Lady Annelyse and break through the South Gate. Please catch up to us.”
“Understood! Boy, I’m counting on you to protect Princess Annelyse!”
Of course, he doesn’t understand. What more can I say to someone who intends to die defending this place? I will protect Lady Annelyse, and we will be happy together.
“Follow me, let’s go!”
With me at the forefront, the North Gate defense force retreated towards the South Gate. Priscilla’s abilities had regressed to human form, Sophia and Rufina’s magic corps had exhausted their magic power, Alana was poisoned, and Christine had expended her strength unnecessarily.
My speed had also dropped to Godspeed, and my magic power was low. Only Orietta would be fine, but she bore the important responsibility of picking up Alana.
Did I mismanage my stamina? Or were the enemies simply stronger? It was good that we defeated them with the cheat of Dragons, but I didn’t anticipate the royal family fleeing.
The survivors of the North Gate defense force, the Second Army of the Flüge army, and my brigade numbered around six hundred in total. I’ll push the fifty or so who died uselessly to the back of my mind.
When we reached the South Gate, Orietta, wearing a remarkably large suit of armor, was waiting with the injured. Our carriage was also waiting, as if we had asked for it. …Well, it’s not exactly normal, is it?
“Orietta, we’re retreating. …Where’s Alana?”
“A, Alana-chan couldn’t be found~. I searched and searched~.”
Seriously?! Alana was poisoned and couldn’t move. Where could she have gone? It’s unlikely others helped her. Did she escape on her own?!
“Orietta, don’t worry. I’ll go again and look for her.”
“I’m sorry~.”
On the way here, I saw the East Gate, and the giants had either climbed over the wall or infiltrated. Even if the defense force fought hard, it was only a matter of time. The same would be true for the North and West Gates.
“Is it true Alana is missing?!”
Priscilla rushed over, concerned, but she herself was also severely wounded. Only I, who could use Godspeed, could go search for her.
“It’s alright. I’ll go look for her. Priscilla, please protect Princess Annelyse and follow His Majesty the King. …Iris, are you here?!”
“Yes, good person.”
Close, unbelievably close, so close it felt like we were invading each other’s personal space. So close that I could feel the soft swell of her chest against mine, so close our lips were about to touch. When did I gain the cheat of Godspeed? Look, see… Priscilla grabbed my hair and pulled me away. I…
“Iris, please follow His Majesty the King. Determine his destination, have someone wait for us outside the castle, and wait for me and Alana. Also, secure a carriage or horses and food.”
“If Alana’s not here, I’ll go look for her too.”
That would be problematic. The South Gate is where the King fled. It’s standard practice for Demon Army ambushes to await there. That’s precisely why there are no enemy forces stationed at the South Gate. It’s tactically sound to assume it was left open to allow them to escape.
If that’s the case, we can’t afford to split our forces. While the unharmed Orietta is fine, if Priscilla comes too, we won’t be able to escape successfully.
“Leave Alana to me. I can’t have people slower than me slowing me down. Priscilla, please escort Duke Flüge to rejoin His Majesty the King.”
“…Aren’t you a bit too infatuated with that woman?”
Not at all. Princess Annelyse’s “Bewitching Charisma” is no longer a secret, so it doesn’t affect me. She’s just a little cute, a little alluring, and I just want to squeeze her breasts a little…
“That’s not true. If you’re going to get into that, Priscilla would be better suited!”
“…Damn it, if you can say that much, you’ll be fine. Alana is in your hands.”
There are hardly any horses left, and the uncertainty of where this march on foot will lead, with the approaching Demon Army… Even escaping is difficult.
“I’ve been entrusted with this. –Christine, please spread your supportive power. Enough to encompass everyone here.”
“…Understood. …Those who do not come under the umbrella of my power will be killed.”
Hmm, please don’t do that. It’s fine if people outside my power’s reach are left behind. If I can rally about three hundred soldiers, in addition to the two hundred from the Flüge army, it would be a great force.
The six hundred-strong army, with my brigade at the forefront to protect Princess Annelyse, left the city, following His Majesty the King. As I was sent off, I received a soft touch from Priscilla.
Now, time to kill! My sword is in hand. My armor is on my chest. Godspeed is still usable. I still have some magic power. I’ll find Alana and escape with her. Then we can go to some quiet town and relax. Let’s go!
“Baron Shin, are you returning?”
Yuma Bashar’s voice came from behind me, interrupting my momentum. Don’t get in my way. I’m about to have my solo performance with heroic music playing.
“Yes, Lord Yuma Bashar, shouldn’t you be by Lady Annelyse’s side? I’m in a hurry, so excuse me.”
Music starts. My heart pounds, my impulses surge. I am the invincible, fastest man, Mikael Sin. I will rescue Alana and weave our love.
Godspeed! But with intense pain, it vanished, and I collapsed, unable to move. What happened?! I stretched my Achilles tendon!
As I fell, I looked behind me and saw Yuma Bashar wiping a bloody sword and sheathing it. This guy! He slashed both of my calves.
“Know the despair of those left behind…”
Who left me behind?! I was about to go look for her! Because of you, I can’t even walk, let alone use Godspeed.
“You bastard…”
I’ve been cut many times, but this is painful. Even boys shed tears from pain. Yuma Bashar’s skill was impressive. Even with my sturdy boots, he cut through cleanly, leaving me bleeding.
“You bastard, wait, Yuma!”
Yuma Bashar disappeared into the fleeing crowd as if nothing had happened. What do I do?! Can I use Godspeed while doing a handstand?! Besides, I can’t even do a handstand.
“Yuma!”
Yuma Bashar, who could no longer be heard or seen. Damn it! I should have thrown a rock with Godspeed before he disappeared!
