CH 170

Side: Jessica

At last, the day has finally come when we will fight against Zilba Imperial Army.

Thanks to the princess, the armies from all sides did not return, but unfortunately, the magic sword users sisters have this place in their eyes.

Normally, there would be no chance for the demi-humans to win…

「Steve, for now advise them to surrender」

「Eh? is not that meaningless?」

「It’s important to give them a choice in the first place. I want to make them think that we are merciful and that it might help to make them obey us after they lose」

「Ahー, right, it would be troublesome if they started to attack fearfully for fear of their lives-ssu」

「Ah, no, it such thing were to happen, I would annihilate them. At that time, the damage would be enormous. so I would permit the use of firearms. You would only need to treat those who survived after the fight」

「Should I make trouble with those magic swords users sisters too?」

「Do as you see fit, Steve. You can handle them」

「Yeah yeah. Always the troublesome work」

At the headquarters, Weed’s highest military authority, Yuki, and the commander of this operation, Steve, are leisurely discussing how to catch them.

IIt never occurs to them that they could even lose.

It could be said that from common sense, in a war, a battle between 5,000 against 1,000 soldiers is a losing battle.

What’s more, the enemy has two magic sword users. Is said that a single magic sword user has the fighting power of 10000 people.

And there is two of them, so the enemy force is in fact, around 25,000 strong.

On the other hand, our army is not even an army, but a force of volunteer soldiers of demi-human of around 800.

Certainly, there are many who the physical capacity is better than the normal and also many of those who can use magic. However, it’s rare for one to be able to beat 10 or 20.

Equipped with the weapons we have brought along with those we have confiscated from enemies, there is almost no unity in them.

I’m sure they will be pushed to the ground in front of a regular army.

But, in fact, that mismash of army is not the main force.

The main force is a mixed force of this person and demi-humans, are about 200 and they possess a force not falls short of the magic sword users.

Or rather, the people who performed the unprecedented analysis of the magic sword, suppressed the princess’s magic sword, and crushed them was our army of only 150.

Not a single one of the 2500 troops escaped.

Normally capturing everyone would be impossible for a force of 150.

「Well, it’s the same as the previous battle with the princess, but I hope for a dramatic change」

「No, I don’t want that-ssu. I would get confused if I’m attacked by an strange technique」

「But only confused… eh? The demi-humans might die, but you might say that they took a different action in the first place」

「That’s right-ssu. It’s becoming a story where we continue to go forward despite everything, and even though they could be utterly defeated, everyone is somehow very motivated」

「It’s that, right? They think they can win because they have a lot of allies to their sides」

「It’s extremely annoying-ssu. Thanks to that, they’re ignoring the fact that they could intercept them here, right-ssu?」

「That’s not the case. It will have a meaning since we are doing it 4km of this place, of this plains」

「Since it’s full of traps that they won’t be able can’t escape from?」

That’s right, this empty plain is actually under the control of a dungeon master named Yuki, who can use his skills to change the terrain at will.

In other words, for the Zilba Imperial Army to fight in this place, 4 km away, it’s a sure way to lose.

「But, I wonder, was that right? Wouldn’t there be some effect in raising the ground level in this continent?」

「It’s to intercept their army. I don’t want them to escape. I tried to raise the ground when the princess came, but there wasn’t any change for now. I’ve stopped circulating magic from dungeons, but terrain remodelling and trap making consumes magic, and manipulating them consumes magic, but I’m sure it’s probably minuscule compared to what I’m doing on this continent」

「Then, wouldn’t it be easier to raise the ground straight away-ssu?」

「I thought about that too, and it’s not like I can’t do it since this is a plain. Would you understand if I tell you that there is no change so far?」

「Aah, if something happened, the plains have better visibility and are easier to notice changes-ssu」

「That’s it. In fact, after I got it under control, there was a huge outbreak of dragons in the forests and mountain ranges. Tehee. Haa, it’s not good, right?」

「Of course, that’s a catastrophe-ssu. It’s within eye range?」

「Yeah. Though it would be useful in many ways if we could expand the area of control depending of the results that come out of the investigation. But it’s not time to be distracted right now」

There is an invisible disaster that it’s hitting this continent called magic depletion problem.

No, we actually know that it’s related to the decline in demi-human birth rates and the decline in human mages, but not everyone believe that it has something to do with it.

Originally, Yuki doesn’t need to worry about this continent that much.

However, for some reason, Yuki has a disposition to be cautious about the most trivial of things.

He told Steve about the dragon catastrophe, but even someone capable of leading an army of Weed is strong enough to hunt a dragon alone.

Yuki himself even said that he doesn’t want to destroy the current environment as much as possible because he doesn’t know what kind of effect will it leave.

「It seems that enemy has come, I guess we’re done talking for the moment-ssu」

「I’ll leave it to you then」

「I got it-ssu」

The enemy’s forces are aligned in full in front of us.

At the head of the group are the generals, the magic swordsman Olive and Mist, who are advancing towards us on horse.

It seems that they are trying to tell us something.

「Steve, let’s hear what they have to say. It could be interesting」

「What could be so interesting to hear about?」

「…like they left some green pepper on their plate yesterday」

「No, they are not kids. General, you don’t like peppers?」

「When I was a kid」

「…they both have something to say, so please be quiet」

To be able to talk about your likes and dislikes in this place, it’s very nerve-wracking in many ways.

But instead of paying attention, Yuki and Steve, Mauve, Tori, and even Asurin were yawning, dozing, and talking to each other…

I’m the only one who is listening seriously… Why is it that I am the most serious even when I’m treated as prisoner?

By the way, I used Yuki’s tool to disguise myself since it would be bad if it were to be exposed to the enemy that I’m a prisoner.

「Hear meee!! Demi-humans and mercenaries that are defying the Zilba Empire!!」

The flame magic sword user, Olive, raised her beautiful voice, and everyone listened to it.

「I’m not the same as Marley, the one you have repelled, and now you all will never make it back alive!!」

With these words, the army in the rear raised a war cry.

The voices of 5,000 people overlap, echoing all the way here.

Eventually, the demi-humans began to realize the difference in numbers, and the fever that was running amok cooled down.

Clever, trying to crush our morale with your tongue, eh?

「We pledge victory upon these magic swords. Moreover, I was entrusted with the future of the Zilva Empire’s four million people!! There is no even a single reason why you can win!!」

Then the sister, Mist, comes out and connects the next words.

「If you are willing to surrender now, I’ll go easy on you. There is no way possible to end this without crossing swords!! Everyone in the mercenary group should also be prepared, your surrender will be only accepted after you have received our attack!!」

This further lowered the morale of the demi-humans.

And no matter what they say, I’m going to show them the difference in power between the two of us.

To make it easier to take them in in the future.

「What’s wrong!! If you are declaring capitulation, surrender at once!! You won’t be able to do that after the war starts!!」

As if to say this is one last time, Olive raises her voice even more.

Now, what will Yuki and the others do…

「Steve, change of plans. I’ll come out」

「Ui-ssu. …EH!?」

「You have permission to use all weapons. I’ll give you a signal when we’re about to engage, so you’ll be able to enclose all four sides at once. We’re going to crush that army on our own」

「Wha- what the hell just happened!?」

「Well, I just want to rampage a little. I’ll go talk to them. Ria and Jessica, you two will be coming with me」

「Yes」

「EH!?」

「Mauve and the other act as a planned with the demi-humans. As soon as the battle start, Tori and the other should go on rampage. As for the Asurin’s group, you need to block the only way out of here」

「Yeah, leave it to me」

「Understood」

「Onii-chan, I’ll do my best!!」

I couldn’t hide my surprise at Yuki’s actions.

His stance is to stay out of the public eye.

However, this is exactly the opposite. I wonder what are you thinking?

「Are you the leader of the mercenary group?」

Olive talks to Yuki, who has approached, without even paying attention to my face full of confusion.

「Yes, there’s something I want to tell you」

「Do you surrender?」

「We will the ones who will crush your Zilba Imperial Army」

「Ho」

「Why is that? You guys don’t have the slightest chance of winning, you know?」

「No, no matter where and how you look at it, it’s our victory. Don’t you dare think you can win with only 4 million of people」

Yuki says it like it’s a fact.

I wonder what he is talking about? Even Weed has only 10,000 or so, and the even the strongest powerhouses on the continent of Weed are comparable to the ones in the Zilba Empire.

By no means it’s a small amount.

「Hmph, apparently there’s no point in saying anything. Let’s crush them. Mist, I’m turning back」

「Yes… It’s regrettable」

Like that, the sister went back to their positions… or not.

「My b-body!?」

「Eh? Why!?」

Their bodies frozen as they were facing us.

「I haven’t even finished my part of the talk, so don’t leave on your own. For the time being, I got your bodies pinned down here」

「Guu, you coward!!」

「Huh? I don’t want to be told that by someone who’s trying to crush a thousand with five thousand」

「We are just following the rules of war, fair and square-desuwa!!」

「Surprise raids and aiming for the opponent’s general are both basics of war」

「……Tsk. Even if you kill us, the only thing that will wait for you will be crushed by five thousand」

「Are you an idiot? Can’t you understand how much of a difference there is in strength when you and your sister can’t move?」

「Onee-sama, order all troops to attack!! He hasn’t done anything so far!! Surely, all they can do is to seal our movement!!」

「I understand!! All troops charge!!」

Olive’s declaration sets the 5000 in motion.

This kind of bickering between representatives is basically a matter of being ready to move quickly because you never know when things are going to change., and now Olive gives a war cry without hesitation to her army.

「About time, I suppose? Steve, begin」

『Ui-ssu』

gogogo…

White things come up from underneath the ground surrounding the battlefield where we are, include the enemy.

「W-what the hell is this!?」

「We are surrounded!?」

Olive seems to be doing her best in order to grasp the situation, but her sister, Mist, seems to understand that they are in trouble.

「If you guys have four million futures on your shoulders, then I’m just one of the 6 billion. Steve, shoot」

『Roger. All units open fire. The target is the headquarters, free use of weapons!! I repeat, free use of weapons!!』

At that signal, the earth tremors stops, and the surrounded and agitated army is attacked by a weapon, a weapon that cannot be found on this continent… or rather, on this world.

An explosion resounds.

All sounds are drowned out by the explosion.

I don’t even know how far the sound of explosion was echoed… Not even how much time has passed…

「Stop firing」

『Roger, hold fire. I repeat, hold fire!!』

Just as Yuki said that, the explosions stopped and silence returned to the area.

「W-What just happened!?」

「Im-impossible. What has happened…?」

The sisters, with their bodies already released from stiffness, did not attack us, but turned towards the direction where the explosion had sounded, looking in the direction where their own troops had been, causing Olive to be stunned and Mist to sit down.

That’s natural.

Their army of 5000 was no more.

「Uuu」

「Ah, my arm is… aaah…」

「Hurts, it huuuurts…」

Only injured soldiers survived.

Only a few soldiers are standing.

「Fair and square, equality, don’t rely on such impossible words」

「I-I won’t forgive you!!」

「O-Onee-sama, sto-…」

Olive barely realizes that it was Yuki who is in front of her who caused this situation, and wields her magic sword, however…

*Goki*

An unpleasant sound sounds.

「Aguu, arm, my arm is…!!」

「Onee-sama!? This!!」

Her sister, Mist, also attacked Yuki on the spur of the moment at seeing the state of her sister…

「A-a lie!? I can’t use the power of the magic sword!?」

Yuki was holding the tip of sword and making her unable to move it.

「I’ve told you from the beginning. That you never had a chance to win」

「C-Coward」

「We came with a large group of people right from the start. Not that it’s any different than your way of doing things」

「If you had fought head-on…」

「I don’t have any scratch on me, though」

Every time Olive opened her mouth, she couldn’t say anything.

Yes, everything happened exactly as she said. Yuki just fought in accordance with their way of doing things.

「Ria, capture these two. Steve’s group, along with the demi-humans, secure those alive. Their treatment will have to wait. If they were to die, leave them be」

「Understood」

『Roger-ssu. You guys, you have a big job to do-ssu!』

Yuki’s army that was waiting in the rear? starts to move.

Ria, meanwhile, binds Olive and Mist with a rope and captures them.

Mist somehow manages to stare at Yuki and opens her mouth.

「Could I ask what is this six billion you were talking about?」

「That’s the number of people living in my hometown」

「I-Impossible-desuwa!! It’s impossible for such a number…!!」

Olive loudly denies it, but Yuki continues speaking nonchalantly.

「They exist. And I’m one of those six billion of people. The accumulation of the past to the present brings that number to the number to six billion. Strength, knowledge, not that I’ve inherited all of that, though. But even so there is no reason to lose to just 4 million」

「Could it be that 6 billion of knowledge that prevented me from using my magic sword…?」

「That’s a given. I’m just an ordinary person back home. You sisters just lost to the history of my hometown」

「So it wasn’t a coincidence, but this loss was… inevitable」

Mist drops her head.

「You actually wanted for your army to gather achievements and strengthen it. Don’t make me laugh, you just were using those 4 million of people as an excuse. Would anyone go easy on someone who say something like that?」

Yuki said this and let Ria drag the sisters back to the main headquarters.

「Seriously… To take Weed as enemy… depending on the other party, it would call a catastrophe」