I’m starting to worry about the practice mission. If I remember correctly, we were supposed to go to the training grounds, but instead, we’re heading towards a rebellious noble’s mansion.
When we gathered at the meeting point, there were other mercenary groups, freelance mercenaries, and what looked like adventurers. About a hundred people in total, and with about fifty from the National Knight Order, we headed towards the training grounds.
A few kilometers before the noble’s mansion, the truth was revealed. Only a few freelancers refused, and with little change in numbers, we advanced on the front lines with the freelance mercenaries while taking the left flank. The center and right flanks were handled by other mercenary groups. The National Knight Order was behind the center. The vanguard is always disposable mercenaries, after all.
As the advance began, explosions occurred ahead. Fortunately, no members of the White Lily Corps were injured, but the nature of the explosions was concerning.
“The ground just exploded,” I heard from various voices. It seems the noble was prepared. He even meticulously laid mines on the ground. This shows they are ready to fight. I can picture the White Lily Corps rejoicing.
“Rufina, deploy the zombies to secure the path.”
“If you do that, the zombies will explode.”
So, there’s at least one person who isn’t rejoicing. I thought that’s what zombies were for. It’s strange to prioritize zombies over human lives. We can’t have people walking ahead, can we?
“I’ll have them made later. We need to clear the traps on the ground.”
Other mercenary groups will be battered, but it can’t be helped. With the left flank and the National Knight Order, we should be able to handle a provincial noble. We followed Rufina’s surprisingly large number of zombie corpses to the mansion, and she grabbed me by the chest, exclaiming, “This isn’t what we agreed upon!”
We arrived at the mansion with only twenty-five people from our group: the seven members of the White Lily Corps, ten who were unharmed, and eight who were injured but healed by Sophia and immediately sent back to the front lines without any paid leave.
Did I underestimate this provincial noble? I thought a noble like this would only have about a hundred soldiers, even with mercenaries. But even with the remaining forces, it looks like we can suppress this easily. However, a wall nearly three meters high stood surrounding the mansion.
“Orietta, can you do something about this wall?”
“Yes~. No problem~. ■■■■ · Great Hammer.”
If it were just me, I could jump over a wall like this. But I don’t want to be alone on the other side; it’s lonely. Orietta performed summoning alchemy and brought out a hammer so large it seemed impossible for a person to wield.
How can she even hold it? The hammer was longer than Orietta’s height, with a tip the size of a motorcycle, and she swung it down with ease, destroying the wall. A moped… maybe a scooter.
Alchemy transcends modern scientific understanding. Orietta’s strength is also like that, but telling myself “that’s just how it is” is how I adapt to life in another world.
The first to breach the wall were the freelance mercenaries. Being the first to charge in this world also comes with rewards, so anyone would aim for it, but we weren’t aiming for that. I’m scared, and they want to kill, so our values seem quite different.
Of course, we intend to work more than we’re paid for. After all, it was the White Lily Corps who broke down the wall. The mercenaries who charged into the mansion couldn’t find any enemies and just looked around bewildered.
“Shall we head to the center and regroup?”
“UOOOOOH~!”
They were so loud. I told the White Lily Corps, and you guys do as you please. I’ve somehow become the leader of this group. A young mercenary is running at the forefront. He looks about my age, but he’s so energetic. I’m impressed.
We followed behind. Orietta, thinking her job was done, was following with a look of annoyance. I don’t think it’s the weight of the hammer; I wish she’d have some sense of crisis.
Priscilla yawned, looking bored, and Alana was easily distracted. It’s only the second time we’ve fought together since I gained Godspeed, but I’m worried if they’ll be alright.
“Orietta, isn’t that hammer heavy? Shall I help?”
“It’s fine~. It’s not as heavy as it looks~.”
Though I asked, if she had said “Please do,” I could only have replied, “Actually, I can’t!” Orietta’s steps, carrying a hammer that seemed to defy that, were admittedly not light, but she was keeping pace with everyone else.
“Captain, what do you think happens next~?”
“They’ve laid mines on the flanks. Stationing forces at the front seems like the right move. If we continue like this, the battle will be decided by attacking from the rear or the sides.”
A provincial noble likely wouldn’t have the means to hire so many mercenaries, so a straightforward assault might have decided the battle, but I’m concerned about those well-prepared magical landmines.
“…Then my work is done~. I want to enact wartime regulations~.”
What is she talking about? Doesn’t she understand the current situation? We’re currently a group of twenty-five, flanking the enemy! Should I tie her up with ropes and leave her behind!?
“Orietta, it’s still combat, so let’s do that later.”
“My work is finished~.”
“Look, there they are. Let’s go help our allies fighting there.”
At the main gate in the center, mercenaries and the noble’s army were fighting the mansion’s forces. We, who had been running along the wall, were attacking from the side.
“I’m taking this all today~.”
With that, she sped up and ran towards the rear, and after vowing “We’ll reach the goal together,” Orietta suddenly accelerated, overtook everyone, and charged into the enemy lines alone.
With every swing of Orietta’s hammer, armor shattered, people were sent flying, and the ground cracked, as if she were scattering bombs. I never knew Orietta was this strong. I thought she was just a “slightly unusual” Alchemist.
Orietta’s path cut between enemy and ally, leaving both sides in tatters. Orietta, please stop hitting our allies.
“It’s finished~.”
I didn’t even get to swing the sword I bought, and everyone except Orietta grumbled “How boring.” I thought the noble’s rebellion would be suppressed almost entirely by Orietta’s strength.
This noble’s rebellion, an open revolt, finally revealed its true face, and Priscilla was overjoyed. Orietta, who wanted to claim wartime regulations now that it was over, looked displeased.
An Orc emerged from the right flank. Why was there an Orc in a noble’s mansion? Before I could even think about it, the Orc’s roar interfered.
“Left flank, form a five-person formation.”
I, who had become the de facto leader of the left flank, chose ten mercenaries to form a formation and intercept the Orc, but…
“Let’s go! Here!”
I didn’t need to turn around to know who said it. Priscilla, Christine, and Alana responded and charged in, seeing their chance.
I am the captain. I am in a position to give orders, but I am fine with them ignoring me and charging. It’s within expectations.
“Sophia, please tend to the injured, especially prioritizing those Orietta might have hit.”
Sophia nodded curtly and ran towards the main gate with a light jog. She’s lovely. I could watch her retreating figure forever. If possible, I’d very much like to see her without her robe.
“Aren’t you going, Rufina?”
“It’s strange. There shouldn’t be an Orc here.”
Sharp! According to my memories, it should have been an easy victory. I was never told about an Orc, and while the White Lily Corps might manage, the mercenaries would likely struggle.
“What do you think? It’s like they’re siding with the noble.”
“We’ll find out after we kill it. ■■■■ · Poison Breath.”
A purple mist was expelled from Rufina’s mouth towards the Orc. Naturally, it engulfed the surrounding allies… You too!?
“Wh-what are you doing!? Why are you involving our allies?”
“No allies will be hit.”
Indeed, Priscilla and the others dodged, but that’s not the point! To spew poison on allies who might help you later…
“That’s dangerous, Rufina!”
See, she’s being yelled at. I won’t cover for you later. Priscilla is scary when she’s angry. But I need to take care of this.
“Sophia, Sophia-san. Please heal us first. And survivors from the left flank, retrieve and bring back the fallen.”
“That Orc is quite resilient.”
It is indeed resilient. While humans collapse just by being grazed by Rufina’s poison breath, the Orc is still fighting. It’s evenly matched with Priscilla.
Evenly matched? That’s strange. Priscilla should have the upper hand. The Orc, approaching slowly while clutching its chest, then moved towards Christine, while Alana seemed to be struggling.
After a few exchanges, Priscilla, ultimately outpowered, was sent flying along with her Buster Sword, landing on her backside with her legs spread. As a girl, it’s a bit embarrassing.
More importantly, this is the first time I’ve seen Priscilla lose a contest of strength. Whether it was debris from their clash or not, Priscilla’s cheek was cut, and blood flowed.
Anger began to well up inside me. Ah, no, I can’t hold back. How dare you wound “my woman”!
“Christine, Alana! Fall back! You’re in the way!”
Ah, I can’t hold back. Hurting Priscilla. I’m going to kill every one of you!
