Time is not something you lack; it’s something you make. Even if it means sacrificing sleep. Sacrificing sleep to get more sleep is completely backward.
“You’re slow, damn it! The enemy is already moving!”
A man can’t forget to escort a woman. I saw Wendy safely to the White Lily Corps, endured the insults, and headed for the first artillery battery.
“The enemy is moving. What are your orders?”
Ria’s morning smile was gone. Her voice, flustered by the Demon Army’s advance, was also quite pleasant! Vulnerable women make you want to protect them. If Asmus weren’t here beside me, I would have hugged her.
“We will fight to the bitter end. We’ll reinforce the castle gate defenses and sortie when an opportunity arises. Rest assured, Ria. The White Lily Corps’ Necromancers are turning Ogres and Giants into undead, making them our allies.”
“Ah, Mikael… I’m counting on you.”
Ria leaned against me as if she were about to collapse. Don’t look at me with such a stern gaze, Asmus. She’s free now, you know. Free love. A widow. Becoming the lord here wouldn’t be so bad.
“Shin-dono, something’s coming!”
Calm down, Asmus. My localized wide-area Mind’s Eye is already looking outside the Cave Castle, so I know what’s coming. Harpies are easy work.
“Archery squad! Shoot the Harpies in the sky! Ria, please withdraw.”
I drew my magic bow from the first artillery battery and nocked three arrows. I unleashed what I call the “shotgun method” or “more shots, more hits” faster than anyone.
The arrows that hit near the entrance of the Cave Castle caused the Harpy, which seemed to have only been grazed, to explode into fragments. …Do these arrows explode?! I have a hundred of these dangerous things around me.
“It exploded!”
I can see that. I did it. Asmus’s surprise means it wasn’t an “exploding arrow.” That’s a relief; I thought I had bombs all around me.
“They’re probably carrying something enchanted with an explosion spell. Their target is likely this battery.”
Seriously?! Suicide attacks are not in vogue these days. Don’t they have a “cherish your life” command? My top command is “flee.”
“Asmus, get the archers up to the battery. It’s better to aim from here!”
“Understood! Until then, I’ll leave Ria in your care!”
Instead of asking me to look after her, shouldn’t you get Ria to safety first? I’m struggling with this unfamiliar bow, so I don’t have time to dote on Ria. If you’re telling me to run away with her, then I’ll do that.
“Ria, will you withdraw?”
“I’ll stay here! Please let me stay.”
“Stay by my side! You want to stay by my side forever!” You can stay as long as you want. Just watch my heroic deeds. I’ll draw my magic bow, releasing three arrows at once.
Even with my best effort, it’s tough for a beginner. It’s tough, but sometimes you can’t back down. Even as the flesh on my fingers tore and blood spurted, I kept firing the shotgun. What once exploded one Harpy now requires the help of the surrounding Dwarves to keep up.
“Is it over…?”
Thanks to my precise instructions, we defended both batteries against an onslaught of Harpies and arrows that darkened the sky. Did you see, Ria? My magic bow and my orders brought you victory.
But when I turned around, Ria was gone. …Maybe she went to the restroom. Thinking so, I turned my head toward the door, then instinctively snapped it upwards with a boom from overhead. Intense flames erupted from the second artillery battery, and a shockwave hit us.
No way! My wide-area Mind’s Eye tracked all the Harpies and defeated them. From the ground, they would have to scale the castle walls and slip past us to reach the second artillery battery. There were no blind spots in my Mind’s Eye.
“It’s a Naga!”
This time, a cry of alarm came from the north of the castle. I twisted my neck further and wondered if I had been an owl in my past life. It would be easier if I could just turn my whole body.
“Asmus! Go to the second artillery battery! I’ll take care of the Naga!”
Nagas are a bad match for Dwarves. I wanted to send the White Lily Corps, but I’d be faster using Godspeed. I’m concerned about Ria, but right now, it’s the second artillery battery and the Naga.
Heading towards the shouts, I found several Dwarves immobilized and a Naga with a greatly swollen belly.
Suddenly, I wondered. Since a Naga’s body is partly human, would they get a swollen belly during pregnancy? Or, since the lower half is a snake, do they lay eggs?
Whether by surprise or Godspeed, the Naga’s head was severed before it noticed me. I immediately cut open its swollen belly. Carefully yet boldly, I pulled out the swallowed Dwarves.
“Are you alright?!”
I expected the Naga to swallow the Dwarves whole, so I cut it open. Though covered in sticky fluids and trembling, the Dwarf who answered “I’m fine” was worthy of respect.
“Take this one and fall back! Are there any other Nagas…?”
A heavy dragging sound echoed from the cave passage. Is the Naga cooperating with the Demon Army?! Or is it acting independently? I don’t know, but I could sense more unpleasant sounds increasing from the darkness ahead.
“Wait! Call one of the White Lily Corps!”
The Demon Army in front, the Naga on the flank. In the initial battle, we didn’t fire the Magic Cannon. The Demon Army must have been wary of the Magic Cannon, yet that time there was no flanking attack through the caves or even an aerial bombardment by Harpies.
And now, they’re attacking in a way that suggests they’re finally concerned about the Magic Cannon. The second artillery battery is destroyed, leaving only one. …I haven’t confirmed the whereabouts of the Harpies. Could there be terrorists or spies infiltrated?
Most of this castle is inhabited by Dwarves, but there are humans too. Dwarves aside, even if humans sided with the Demon Army, they’d just end up as food. There’s no benefit to cooperation.
To eat Dwarves, they’d probably need to be meticulously butchered, simmered in sake to remove the gamey taste and tenderize them, and even then, I wouldn’t want to eat them.
“Is a Naga coming?!”
I defeated one, Asmus. I even saved the Dwarf who was swallowed, Asmus.
“There’s only one for now, but another will be here soon. The White Lily Corps will handle the Naga. Dwarves, please fall back.”
“I heard a Naga appeared.”
I defeated it, Ria. I even rescued the swallowed Dwarf. I wanted to show you my valor, to make you fall in love with me.
“Rest assured, the White Lily Corps will handle the Naga.”
“So a Naga showed up, huh? Boring opponent.”
I killed it. Priscilla, you get to work too. I’ll give you a job.
“How was the second artillery battery?”
“It’s no good. It would be faster to build a new one than to repair it.”
Only one battery remains, and no shells. But the Harpies were still charging towards the first artillery battery. So, even with my skill, it’s fair to say I could hit them.
“Assign five people to this side cave, and five to the first artillery battery. The rest of you, head to the castle gate. However, if reinforcement is requested, you must rush there immediately.”
“Are you reassigning personnel to the battery?”
“Yes, let’s put our trust in His Majesty the King. No one except the White Lily Corps or myself should approach the battery. Anyone who approaches is to be cut down, anyone at all.”
“I’m going to the castle gate. This place doesn’t look interesting. What about you, Mikael?”
I’ll be in Ria’s chambers. I hate scary things, and I’m not fond of snakes. I dislike adjectives like “slithery,” “slippery,” or “wriggly.”
“I’m going to dive into the cave. The Dwarves are no match for a Naga, and the White Lily Corps’ Halberds are difficult to wield in a cave.”
Without anyone witnessing my exploits, I embark on a solitary battle. Into that dark, damp place, where perhaps someone’s… fell.
“Are you going alone?! You should bring someone with you…”
If it were with Ria, even the darkness of the cave wouldn’t be a problem. Slipping into a side passage then would be nice, creating some private time for the two of us.
“I can move better alone. Asmus, please take command.”
“Leave it to me!”
“I’ll leave this to Rose. Select five people and hunt down the Nagas I missed. And Karina, select five people for the battery, hurry!”
“Y-yes!”
Did I surprise them by choosing them so suddenly? I may not look like it, but I’m always watching. I’m a captain who gets things done. Your Halberd technique during the previous charge against the Sand Dragon was magnificent. I want to see you show that again. And your handling of my partner was also superb. I want to see that continue.
Even though I said it, I really don’t want to go into the cave alone. No matter how well I perform, no one will see it, and my opponent is a snake. I just can’t muster the motivation. Maybe I should bring someone along.
“I’m heading out. Everyone, begin your respective duties.”
“Yes, Grand Master.”
Indeed, a cheerful shout like that, even if just a reply, boosts my motivation. I’ll wipe away my tears and go.
From deep within the cave, the sound of a dragging Naga echoed. I entered the cave. There were several entrances, but the first Naga emerged right before me.
It’s worth a try to use my wide-area Mind’s Eye to pinpoint its location. When I use my wide-area Mind’s Eye, it searches all entrances and recognizes the tunnels above, below, left, and right simultaneously, making my head spin uncomfortably.
Switching to the specific wide-area Mind’s Eye and searching one tunnel at a time, I see a wriggling mass of Nagas in one tunnel. Should I go? Godspeed, Mode Three.
I crashed on the first corner, unable to make the turn. It’s fortunate I was far enough that no one saw. There was less luminous moss than I expected, and it got dark quickly, causing me to fall. But I moved as if nothing had happened, using Godspeed and Mind’s Eye.
First, I lightly dispatched the first Naga with a surprise attack and plunged into the center of the Naga horde. Did they know I was coming in this darkness?! Is it a special ability of the Naga? Sound? Infrared? Thermography?
However, they won’t be able to predict my next move. I can. Even thrown into the horde, if I remain calm, only the Naga corpses will roll. It seems you all couldn’t make the turn at the final corner.
Before searching for the next horde with my Mind’s Eye, I’ll move a bit away. The scent of blood is thick here, and it’s unpleasant. After moving away and using my Mind’s Eye, I saw a group of Nagas approaching at considerable speed. Perhaps the smell is also a factor.
Purification magic exists, but baths are a luxury for the wealthy. Perhaps purification alone cannot dispel odor.
Indeed, I want to popularize baths in this world. Preferably, I’d like to spread bubble baths and contribute to human evolution. While I stood there with my arms crossed, contemplating difficult matters, the Nagas showed no consideration, making no allowance for me.
“Light! Extend!”
Piercing the Nagas that advanced with straightforward honesty, I swung the Magic Sword Zebra. In the narrow tunnel, there was no escape. Dissected. No one moved at the scene of the Naga murder case. Even if I overdo it and cause a cave-in, it’s not my fault!
The word “easy victory” flashed through my mind. I should have brought Ria along. I’d make a romantic atmosphere with a picnic basket and the Sword of Light as indirect lighting. I wouldn’t forget to add a little alcohol to the tea I’d bring. No impure thoughts here. I am a gentleman, after all.
Alright, I’ve decided! I’ll defeat them quickly and go on a lunch date.
