“It’s a retreat!”
A cry from somewhere initiated the withdrawal of the 7th Unit and the entire army. The retreat procedure involved the rear guard units advancing to cover the retreating front line units, then the retreated front line units would set up defenses and the rear guard would withdraw, a process like a bagworm’s retreat.
“Sophia, the 8th Unit is advancing. Please fall back with Alana. Christine and Orietta, protect them.”
“But they’re already retreating!”
What?! From my rear position, I could see clearly. The 8th Unit had shamelessly retreated without supporting the 7th Unit. If this continued, the 7th Unit, which had been pushing ahead of the other units, would be completely isolated.
“…It appears the 8th Unit has fled.”
I knew that even without Christine saying it. What was the Owl Corps doing, with their delayed healers and their retreat? Or perhaps it was the idiotic noble in command.
“Christine, lead the 7th Unit in retreat. Most men will listen to you. Orietta, I’ll send Rufina, retreat with her protecting you. Priscilla and I will cover the rear, so don’t worry about us.”
Saying it all at once, I waded through the retreating soldiers and headed back to the front lines. It looked like Priscilla and Rufina were fighting together.
“Rufina, it’s a retreat. Alana is behind us, suffering from poison, so cover her escape.”
“This is getting fun, I want to kill a little more.”
“As if! Idiot!”
“The 8th Unit isn’t advancing up there, so Christine is commanding the retreat. Go help her.”
“I haven’t killed enough yet. Golems aren’t interesting.”
“As if! Idiot!” I repeated myself, saying, “The 8th Unit isn’t advancing up there…” When I pinched Rufina’s cheek, she finally seemed to grasp the gravity of the situation and my anger, and went to Christine’s side obediently.
“Priscilla, it’s time for our date.”
“As if! I’m being hit on right now!”
With a single blow, I instantly killed two of the small golems surrounding Priscilla, and my short sword snapped. It was a cheap one, after all. I had pushed it too hard.
“I told everyone to fall back, but the 8th Unit isn’t advancing. We need a rear guard.”
I picked up the sturdiest Buster Sword I could find lying around and discarded my broken shield. It was heavy, I wondered if it would kill my speed. But without a shield, I craved a sturdy sword.
“There are still over a hundred enemies, and the small golems are increasing. You two are going to cover the rear?!”
“Yes.”
“If we move apart, they’ll throw stones, and a large golem might appear. You’ll still do it?!”
“Yes.”
While cutting down enemies around us, Priscilla could still hold a conversation. I, on the other hand, could only manage to say “Yes” with my first Buster Sword.
“In that case, let’s make it flashy.”
In the opposite direction of the retreat, Priscilla charged forward like a hurricane towards the enemy.
“Retreat! Retreat! We’ll cover the rear, so all of you escape!”
I shouted as loudly as I could, making sure the surrounding mercenaries could hear me. Those who remained were the ones who had missed the retreat timing. They were the ones who had protected the 7th Unit with their very lives.
If Priscilla went head-on, I would go sideways. Towards the main force. I wanted to know where the main force was.
Fleeing allies. Pursuing enemies. I cut down enemies, splitting the space between them. I didn’t have to go far before I could see the main force retreating through the gaps in our withdrawing comrades. They were retreating skillfully, unlike the 8th Unit.
I had seen what I needed to see. I wanted to escape with Priscilla. Now that the center had pulled back, if we stayed any longer, we’d attract all the enemy’s attention.
“Priscilla, let’s get out of here.”
Finally catching up to Priscilla, I saw that, despite being in her Lycanthrope form, she had a look of pure enjoyment on her face. Having known her for so long, I could tell.
“If you decrease their numbers too much, they’ll start flinging stones at us as well. Do you have enough stamina left? The war isn’t over until we get home, you know.”
“Hah! I’ve still got plenty of fight left!”
Peering at her back, leaning against each other, I saw several small wounds through the gaps in her dark fur. I had made her overexert herself covering the rear. I’m sorry.
“Let’s head towards the forest on the left flank. We’ve bought enough time.”
“Alright! Don’t fall behind!”
I couldn’t let her push herself any harder. I would clear the path ahead. Using my cheat-like speed, I wielded the heavy Buster Sword, carving a path of retreat. When I deployed my full strength, humans were cut down like trash, turning into chunks of meat.
“How was that? My strength.”
By the time we reached the forest, there were no enemies ahead, and looking back at the 7th Unit, it seemed their retreat had been successful as well.
“Not bad. Pursuit is coming. Do you know the way?”
“I’m fine. I looked at the map before we left.”
We two entered the forest to escape the pursuit.
***
“Are the Captain and the others alright?”
“No need to worry. The Captain has special blood in them.”
“More importantly, is Alana alright? They’re still suffering.”
“Demi-humans are particularly weak to poison. It will just take time to heal.”
“…The retreat is complete.”
The entire army, including Christine and the 7th Unit, returned to the main camp, where everyone was tending to their wounds and discussing future strategies.
Christine, who had pushed too far ahead with the 7th Unit, had taken command, surpassing the noble who was supposed to be in charge. Christine’s “unfortunate heart seizure” proved useful in an unexpected way.
Christine’s “unfortunate heart seizure” involved grasping the heart. In both good and bad ways. Usually, it would be a “seizure” or “rupture” to crush the heart, but this time, it raised the heart’s “beat,” a true “bridge effect” was activated.
Christine’s beauty, her devotion to saving everyone, and the beating hearts of those who gazed at her. This led Christine to contribute to the 7th Unit’s retreat as the “Goddess of Support” and earn a new title.
“…The others are being annoying.”
The “Goddess of Support.” Almost all the nobles and mercenaries in the 7th Unit had fallen in love with Christine. Clustered around her as if to say, “Where Christine is, I am,” she endured their presence, thinking, “Should I crush all their hearts…” for the sake of the Captain.
“Christine, please get everyone to back away. They’re hindering Alana’s treatment.”
Christine calmly persuaded everyone and entrusted the command to the noble. However, the two who still clung to her… May they find peace.
