The Demon Army’s re-invasion has begun. We are heading north from Shidenzach.
Orietta’s grandfather also said that the Demon Army’s target, currently advancing towards Knorr territory, is surely Runbergzach, an exclave of the Shidenzach Free Territory.
“The items you requested. Thirty spears, enough for thirty horses.”
“Huh!? They’re already done? And even for cavalry horses at that!”
“Don’t underestimate dwarves. Once you make one, the rest are easy, GAHahahaha!”
I had requested the ultra-vibrating Halberds and horse armor, which are exclusive to the Asht Empire and the White Lily Corps. This was the condition for the money Orietta borrowed to secure research funding.
There are two problems. First, we can’t afford to produce any more than this with our current assets. Even with Orietta’s influence, they were sold to us at a discount on credit. I’m worried about my retirement funds.
The second problem is that there’s no one in the White Lily Corps who can use them. While the horse equipment is usable, there are no plans to use the weapons. Priscilla already has an ultra-vibrating Halberd, Alana has the latest ultra-vibrating Zantou, and Christine can’t even hold a Halberd because it’s too heavy.
These thirty Halberds are intended for new recruits to the White Lily Corps. Of course, we can’t post recruitment notices at Hello Work. We’d ideally pull people from other Brigades or Knight Orders, but…
“…Joining here isn’t joining a corps, it’s joining a coffin.”
If they just stubbornly refused men, it might be one thing! But a place that’s literally a coffin? Do you think anyone would want to join?! Christine!
“It’s just… impossible.”
If I were to say it’s fine as long as it’s just my life, Christine would probably stop my heart just as lightly. I can’t push her any further. I should look for strong women somewhere; perhaps through Hello Work.
“Anyway, the Demon Army’s objective is indeed Runbergzach. They have Magic Cannons there, you know, GAHahahaha!”
Such a powerful cannon, capable of stopping monster invasions at Nebel Bridge, is also at Runbergzach. Perhaps even the Demon Army’s main force could be stopped by it.
Maybe we don’t even need to go. Runbergzach and Shidenzach are built the same way, with castles inside large caves. Since attacks can only be frontal, they’ll become targets for the Magic Cannons and be wiped out.
“It seems unlikely that Runbergzach will fall. This should buy us time until the Asht Knight Order arrives.”
“That’s not quite so. Although Runbergzach has Magic Cannons, they have no cannonballs. The cannonballs are only made in Shidenzach.”
Without cannonballs, they’re just scrap metal. Normally, you’d store the cannonballs along with the cannons, wouldn’t you? Isn’t that inefficient?
“A total of six Magic Cannons were built. Two prototypes were made in Shidenzach, and based on those, two more were made in Runbergzach.”
There are Magic Cannons here too! Why didn’t they use them when the Harmonia army attacked? Though having them used would also be problematic… And they’re prototypes too!? Generally, prototypes of mechanical devices are considered the strongest.
“The two Magic Cannons made in Runbergzach have power, but their rate of fire is poor, so they weren’t suitable for Nebel Bridge. They reduced the power and increased the rate of fire for the ones deployed at Nebel Bridge.”
“What about the cannonballs?”
“Indeed, the cannonballs for the Nebel Bridge Magic Cannons are made in Runbergzach and shipped, but for the two with larger caliber, they are made and stored in Shidenzach. The then King of Harmonia ordered them to be stored separately.”
Certainly, if there are Magic Cannons more powerful than those at Nebel Bridge, it would make any attack more difficult. It must have been the King’s compromise at the time, a troublesome decision.
“Can the Magic Cannons prototyped in Shidenzach be used?”
“Moss has grown on them.”
It’s important to take care of things. Even today’s museums display cars with engines that still run. The dwarves who made them would weep.
“Can the Magic Cannons at Runbergzach be used?”
“If there were cannonballs.”
“Who knows about those cannonballs?”
“Very few dwarves and the King of Harmonia, I believe.”
Somehow… somehow it all clicked. The reason behind the Demon Army’s inexplicable actions until now…
The Demon Army advanced all the way to Klinshberbach, the Royal Capital, without setting up any defenses. Normally, they would erect defensive barricades to minimize friendly casualties, but there were none.
I had assumed it was all to quickly capture Klinshberbach and speed up their supply lines. The Red Dragon, their trump card for capturing the Royal Capital, was defeated by the White Lily Corps, which was likely an unforeseen setback. However, upon witnessing this, the King of Harmonia quickly surrendered the castle.
They didn’t pursue, allowing us to flee to Shidenzach. This was likely out of fear of the Magic Cannons. No, that’s slightly off…
They must have been confident they could capture it even with the Magic Cannons. That’s why they sent their main force to Runbergzach, despite the Magic Cannons being there, without even knowing they lacked cannonballs.
Runbergzach can be captured even with Magic Cannons. If that’s the case, why would they attack Shidenzach first? Probably a siege.
Shidenzach now houses the Harmonia army that fled there. They have lost their land, and their harvest is virtually nonexistent. Their only salvation is the treasure they managed to escape with. Even with gold, they can’t maintain an army without food. More than that, they can’t even maintain their country.
Was this their strategy? With things reaching this point, the Demon Army only needs to advance slowly. They don’t need to fight the Harmonia army head-on; they can just wait for them to self-destruct.
Even so, they’re probably wary of the Magic Cannons. They secured the Magic Cannons at Runbergzach to eliminate any lingering concerns. And Klinshberbach… they intend to cook it slowly before devouring it.
To go to such lengths in preparation! Is the Demon Lord a five-star chef? Even a sushi restaurant in Ginza has stars. It’s all about how you make the most of your ingredients.
Don’t underestimate me, Demon Lord! Your downfall will be that you didn’t factor in myself and the White Lily Corps. We were the ones who defeated the Red Dragon. I’ll turn you into an pressed sushi!
“We dwarves will deliver cannonballs to Runbergzach and fight until the last man. What will you do?”
The reassuring words of the Dwarf King ignite my fighting spirit. I’ll offer him some fatty tuna someday. If Runbergzach falls without its Magic Cannons, it’s inevitable. Even if we can’t defeat the Demon Army by delivering the cannonballs, buying time until the Asht Empire arrives would be enough.
“Of course, the 1st Brigade will accompany you. Let us defeat the Demon Lord together!”
We exchanged a grateful embrace, sweeping aside excess beards. Now, we’ll hit the enemy’s main force with a powerful blow. It’s a feast of annihilation!
“How shall we transport the cannonballs…?”
The problems are piling up…
1. Safe transportation of cannonballs.
2. Transportation for the dwarves.
3. Logistics for the Brigade and the dwarves.
4. Recruitment of new members for the White Lily Corps.
Countermeasures and progress.
1. Regarding this, Orietta came up with an idea. By hanging hammocks in the carriage bed and placing the cannonballs on top, the impact can be reduced for safer transport. The cannonballs are large, so only one can fit in a single carriage at a time. Furthermore, only ten transport carriages could be secured.
2. The dwarves intended to walk to Runbergzach. Unfortunately, at their pace, Runbergzach would have disappeared from the map by the time they arrived. Even when trying to put them on horses, their legs were too short. When they switched to donkeys, the donkeys couldn’t withstand the weight. In the end, they will be transported by being crammed into carriages, but I’m concerned about whether the overweight load in all the carriages will hinder their march.
3. Crucial logistics. This includes food, spare weapons, armor, repair materials, etc., which also require carriages. I’m glad I checked… More than half of the food had been replaced with barrels of alcohol, and the weaponry had been discarded.
4. Before calling Hello Work, I met Rose, a member of the White Rose Brigade, who seemed to have added a lot of muscle to her frame, looking like a muscular woman. Her original unit had disbanded and they had joined the Brigade.
“Long time no see, Captain Shin. Or is it Brigade Commander now?”
“I’m glad you’re doing well. Are… are you all doing well?”
“Not particularly. Our Count ran away, and the Knight Order is in shambles.”
A beautiful woman’s embrace is always welcome. Even if it’s Rose, if she lost some muscle, she’d be well within my strike zone, but right now, her embrace is painfully strong.
Someone once said that other people’s misfortune tastes like honey. The White Rose Brigade has considerable fighting strength, led by Rose. There’s also Vice-Leader Rhys, who uses a sword and bow, the fire mage Nora, and the water mage Nicole.
And five new swordsmen who helped us in the Royal Capital, Klinshberbach. I’m glad not a single one of them was lost. Especially Amelie, she was a favorite.
“It’s been a while, but I have a favor to ask. Would you consider joining the White Lily Corps?”
“…Is this a declaration of love? You’re making me blush.”
No matter how indirectly I say it, it doesn’t sound like a declaration of love. I’m the one who’s dumbfounded. How can I explain that I “just” want them to join?
“Look in the mirror before you say that, Rose.”
“You too, Priscilla, stop getting bigger breasts and train a little!”
The two laughed with their firm embraces. I felt a pang of envy and a sense of liberation filled my chest. The envy stemmed from not having any male friends since coming to this world. I don’t have any male friends to talk nonsense with, discuss women, or laugh about trivial things.
If only I could have that like these two… I thought for a moment, then quickly gave up. As long as I’m in the White Lily Corps, it’s an unattainable dream. I tell myself that it can’t be helped.
“Priscilla, can I leave this to you?”
While I’m leaving the recruitment to Priscilla, that makes seven people. I still need to find twenty-three more from the Brigade and the Harmonia army, but time is running short.
Our preparations took a full day, but it was all necessary. Four more days until the Demon Army reaches Runbergzach. Five days until we get there. If we travel through the night, we should be able to make it.
