All night passed without incident. If anyone tried to rush ahead, someone would hold them back. When I tried to make a move, they all threatened to attack me, leaving me to suffer in silence as if bound.
“Let’s go, move out!”
Led by Priscilla of the Second Army, we left the road and began our march towards Klinshberbach. Following us was the Christine’s Army, our main force of about two thousand in the Annihilation Brigade. Eight hundred daredevils advanced ahead, while I took a safe position in the middle with the White Lily Corps, with two units of about three hundred following behind.
I dispatched a few members of Rose’s White Lily Corps with Alana to scout ahead. So far, everything was going smoothly, so smoothly that I could even drink tea while riding my horse.
While the entire army was on the march, I worried about air raids from harpies and dragons. However, our unit was proceeding exceptionally well; I was even starting to wonder if there were any enemies in Klinshberbach at all.
“Captain~. I’m bored~.”
Orietta, unusually, declared herself “bored.” If it were Priscilla, it would be a common occurrence and I wouldn’t pay it any mind, but coming from Orietta, it was a different story.
“What’s wrong, Orietta? We’ll be at the battlefield soon.”
“I want to fire the Railgun already~. It would be a shame if it couldn’t be used after all the improvements we made~.”
I was grateful to have four Railguns made, including the ones for Richauda’s Golem, but to have them improved too – truly, she was the most hardworking member of the White Lily Corps.
“There will surely be a time when you can use it. I’m expecting great things when Giants or Sand Dragons appear.”
“Leave it to me~. Three seconds is all it takes to turn them into swiss cheese~.”
Three seconds!? A bolt-action Railgun could manage one or two shots in three seconds at best, which is far from turning something into swiss cheese. Was she perhaps thinking of a shotgun-style spread? While effective in close combat, I expected the Railgun to be used for long-range engagements.
“Does that include the three for the Golem? Firing all four would have quite an effect.”
“If we fire all four for ten seconds, that’s one hundred and twenty rounds~.”
“What do you mean? What kind of improvement did you make?”
“We made them capable of firing in full-auto, whereas before they were single-shot~. The magazine holds thirty rounds~. It empties in ten seconds~.”
Full-auto rifles in this world are against the rules. If the enemy had them, I’d want to protest, but since we have them, I’ll argue they’re a new weapon.
“They’re a bit pricey~. Seven hundred gold per shot~.”
Seven hundred gold! Four magazines of thirty rounds each would be eighty-four thousand gold! I could go bankrupt. Where do I even apply for personal bankruptcy!
“H-how many rounds did you make, approximately~?”
My voice trembled. I didn’t want to know, but I had to. Before, it was five hundred gold per shot, the cost of a high-class carriage. To have the price increase to seven hundred gold, as the one managing our household budget, I couldn’t overlook this.
“With magazines holding thirty rounds and an additional hundred rounds of spares… it’s about five hundred rounds in total~.”
Thirty-five thousand gold! That’s more than our outstanding debt! Out of the sixty thousand total troops, I’m probably the one with the lowest morale. …I have no means of repaying it.
“W-where did you borrow it from~? From Melissa?”
“I couldn’t borrow from Melissa~. I borrowed from Anneliese and Grandpa~.”
Perhaps a bit fortunate!? If it were from Her Majesty the Queen, since we’re fighting for Harmonia, it could be considered essential expenses. If it’s Orietta’s grandfather, I have a debt owed to Runbergzach. It’s a part of Harmonia, even if it’s a self-governing territory, so perhaps this can also be considered essential expenses…
“Grandpa said I don’t have to repay his part~.”
As expected of a generous Dwarf! I like Dwarves who show gratitude. It’s not for nothing that they’re plump. I should bring some alcohol as a thank you next time.
“That’s good. Let’s all go out and have fun after this war is over.”
“Yes~. Grandpa said it’s like a betrothal gift~.”
…What!? Is that old man trying to trap me with his granddaughter? What an overbearing old man! Is he thinking about Orietta’s future? Is he thinking about Orietta’s feelings?
“It’s a grand slam for a comeback~.”
Faced with Orietta’s unexpected contingency, spoken with a smile, I was speechless.
“Messenger! The Second Army has begun combat!”
Why? We planned to attack after the Annihilation Brigade gathered, so why did the Demon Army move first? Did we fall victim to a surprise attack by an ambush on the west side!?
“Explain the situation!”
“Yes! The Second Army, led by Commander Priscilla, has left the infantry behind and begun a charge, attempting to scale the broken western castle wall.”
It’s still two hours before the planned start time for the entire army. The other units might be in position, but it’s dangerous to break through alone. Since I can’t see far ahead, they’re acting on their own.
“All troops, double-time march! Advance to your designated positions, form attack formations, and then commence your assault! White Lily Corps! First Army, sprint to the rescue of the Second Army!”
I led the White Lily Corps, all cavalry, towards the broken western castle wall. Dammit, Priscilla, acting on your own! That was a messenger from the Second Army, and what about Alana’s report? Being a Hero means juggling many thoughts. I overtook the Christine’s Army and moved to the front.
I quickly caught up to the Second Army’s infantry and hurried ahead without even asking about the situation. If they’re still in this position, the messenger must have been sent late! I can understand Priscilla’s impulse to attack as soon as she thought of it.
She must have set off with the momentum of “Well then, let’s just kill them.” If victory were that easy, there would be no need for a Hero! Do you know how much a Hero gets paid?! During my tenure as a Hero, I receive the monthly salary of an Earl from each country. I won’t let that suddenly disappear!
I suppressed the urge to use Mode Five and rush ahead, but by the time I caught up to Priscilla, her cavalry was stranded by a large rock from a Meteor Strike.
“Priscilla! Follow the orders as instructed!”
“Shut up, you idiot. You’re slow, that’s why you’re late!”
Despite having told her many times, Priscilla refuses to listen. I resolved to teach her a lesson with my own body someday, but the enemy was nowhere to be seen.
“Where are the enemies? Did it already end?”
“It hasn’t ended, it hasn’t even begun. There are no enemies, and no traps.”
Once again, question marks danced in my mind. No enemies and no traps. It’s as if they’re inviting us in. I recall a strategy like this: leaving a gate deliberately open, and then luring in cautious enemies.
However, beyond this large rock lies the city, and even if the cavalry can’t cross, the infantry can. And we have a way to move this rock.
“Alana! Alana! Are you there!?”
“I’m here! There are no enemy silhouettes around here!”
Then it must be a trap? Still, no enemy silhouettes, what is the Demon Army thinking? The question marks are multiplying, I feel like I’m about to start dancing the Awa Odori.
“Rufina, eliminate that large rock with destructive magic. And messenger! Inform the Annihilation Brigade in the rear to advance!”
It’s early compared to the start time with other countries, but if we capture the castle, the Demon Army will likely flee. Like Priscilla, it’s time to “just kill them!”
“It is done. Such a rock is nothing.”
“Enter the city! Once inside, wait. We’ll charge after the Brigade.”
To enter Klinshberbach, one must pass through a high castle wall or gate. Thanks to Rufina, the large rock that rained down from the Meteor Strike vanished without a trace, and we easily entered the city.
My prediction that this would be the fiercest battleground was fortunately betrayed. It’s not entirely wrong to say we were forgotten, but if they’re ignoring us, I’ll give them a big one.
“We advance from the central street to the castle. Vanguard, Second Army, move out!”
And then, one idiot flew off… Who said to charge! The panicked Second Army cavalry pursued Priscilla, followed by the infantry.
“Alana, deploy Doron throughout the battlefield, including this city. Report the situation to me sequentially. Rufina and Orietta, follow Priscilla. Keep an eye on that idiot so she doesn’t do anything foolish. Messenger! Inform the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Units to advance to the castle.”
Just wait, Demon Lord! I’ll defeat you and live a happy life in my remaining years.
