The neighboring Marukoku, continuously at war for nearly two years against two nations and a nomadic tribe, the Republic of the Tower and the brown barbarians, watched on with anticipation for any potential benefits.
Then, several days later, news arrived that the Marukoku’s southwest front had been breached.
“Tell the general! They want us to invade Marukoku!”
“Hmph.”
***
The Marukoku Royal Capital.
“A report—!”
A commotion erupted. The three nations had dispatched their armies across the borders. The royal palace was in disarray, causing great consternation among civil officials, military officers, and the head of royal palace security.
“Quiet! Stop panicking and devise a plan!”
“We apologize, Your Majesty!”
The armies of five nations were invading. The King hastily convened a strategy meeting, preparing for the possibility that the enemy army might approach the Royal Capital. He considered where would be the best place to escape to. While others debated countermeasures, he was already appraising them.
“The number of generals…”
“We can promote them temporarily, can’t we?”
“Collisions might occur on the battlefield!”
“First, we must deploy the available soldiers to each area!”
As they exchanged various proposals, Marukoku uniformly deployed its defensive forces to face the three nations.
***
The Marukoku Southwest Front.
An urgent messenger from the Royal Capital delivered news of the nation’s crisis to the general, who had been reinstated to his position.
“And so, measures are currently being taken in the Royal Capital.”
“…I see. Thank you for your report.”
“Yes. I shall return then.”
“Understood.”
After the messenger departed, the general let out a deep sigh. A second wave of the Barbarian Army had appeared several days prior. As if under the influence of some medicine, their fighting spirit was unusually high. However, their brute force allowed them to be lured into a trap and repelled.
“Three nations, huh.”
He would likely be ordered to the nearest front. If that were the case…
“Now is the time to act while we have the advantage of terrain.”
■■■■■■ Republic of the Tower ■■■■
? Nation ■■■■■■■■■■
■■■■■■■■■■■■
**Marukoku** ■■■■ **? Nation**
■■■■■■■■■■■■
■■■■■■■■■■■■
■ Barbarians ■■■■■■■■■
■■■■■■■ **? Nation** ■■■
Northwest or Southeast? He was familiar with the terrain of both. The army to the northwest would either have to descend the sheer cliffs or use wind magic tools to glide down. He disliked attacking from above. That meant the Southeast. The terrain there was even more rugged than here. Using cover for concealment, they would engage in close combat, archery, and magic tool battles.
“All hands assemble!!! The nation is in crisis! We will march forth and defeat the enemy army approaching from the Southeast! The threat bearing down on us here is no more! To the Southeast! To defeat the enemy! Let’s go!!!!”
“With the General—! To the Southeast! Let’s sortie—!”
The general’s speech boosted morale. Swept up in the momentum, they set out for the Southeast, heading towards reinforcements for the Southeast front.
***
They had set out with momentum to kill the enemy who had erased the village without a trace… but…
“Why are we being subjected to such humiliation…?”
Warrior Paul and several other warriors were confined within wooden cages. They were stripped naked and crammed into the cages, lest they hide any weapons.
“Was it you, Paul?”
“You’re touching me!”
“Ah, sorry.”
How many other warriors, or surviving warrior chiefs, were in the same predicament as them?
ROOOOAR!! UROOOOAR!!
The outside was noisy. Had reinforcements from the main camp or homeland arrived?
“It’s noisy outside.”
“But there’s nothing we can do.”
“I don’t want anyone to see us like this. It would be good if we could somehow capture a guard.”
There were not even any guards. They weren’t even being given food. Were they planning to starve them to death? Surely not. Hahaha… Let’s stop such dark thoughts. Let’s think of something brighter… Yes! Let’s remember the beautiful goddess (the woman Rayos was defiling at the laundry) I saw at the main camp! The beautiful goddess had an advantage with her large breasts, unlike the other women! Ah, if only I could touch those breasts just once…
“Hey. You’re getting bigger again…”
“Ah… Sorry//////”
He had gotten excited (aroused) again. Still, even though they were fellow warriors…
“Hey.”
“What are you staring at my ass for?”
“Uh, well, I was thinking how beautiful it was for a fellow warrior.”
“Y-you… you’re into men too…?”
“Stop it! I don’t want to be with someone like you (playing at making offspring)!?”
He decided to stop imagining the beautiful goddess. In their current state of hunger, there was nothing. For a warrior, boredom was suffering. Warriors were beings who eliminated enemies and threats. Being pushed into such a situation, starving, made him feel like he was going crazy!
GRUMBLE~… SQUEAK~… RUMBLE~……
“……”
Their stomachs growled. Awkwardness filled the air. Should they… try to make conversation…?
“It’s surprisingly quiet outside.”
“Hm, yeah. It is.”
“…Isn’t it too quiet for that?”
It was as if no one else was there.
“……”
Could it be that they were left behind while everyone else had moved out? Moved where? The answer was obvious. To their own country (the main camp in the forest).
BANG!! CLANG!
They joined forces to try and break the cages. Were they too weak from hunger? No, the country was in danger! They felt like this was the moment to unleash their hidden strength (superhuman strength born of desperation).
CRACK!
“Ooooh! This pillar! This pillar…”
BANG!! BANG!! CRACK!
They realized one of the cage’s pillars was about to break and focused their attacks on it, smashing it down. Their skin was cut by the broken fragments, but they stumbled out through the gaps they had created.
“We need weapons.”
“Right.”
“Leave it to me to be the bait and get caught by the enemy!☆”
One warrior volunteered to be bait, and they, while searching for weapons, simultaneously searched for other warrior chiefs who were similarly captured. As a result, dozens of warriors had been captured. The warrior chiefs, unable to bear the enemy’s humiliation… had bitten their own tongues and died. They heard this from the warriors they rescued. *Sniffle*. The country was in crisis, and with the warrior chiefs gone, their combat power was diminished. Nevertheless, they were warriors. They would return to their country. If they were lucky, they could launch a pincer attack.
“You have your weapons?”
“Yes.”
“We’ll attack from the enemy’s rear. No speaking.”
They nodded in unison and set out from their location.
