Vol. 1 - Ch. 16 - Watershed Operation_1

Commander Tarian and the Fifth Order's Owl and Crane Squadron were positioned on high ground overlooking the Dezel Bridge and the crossing point.Commander Tisserius took up a position on the Dezel Bridge. She is in command of the battle on the bridge. The First Order's Owl and Crane unit is also with Commander Tisserius.

When Lindel's figure was seen on the bridge, Emily's eyes were swarthy for a moment, but she quickly turned to face him. She seemed to be able to handle her emotions on the battlefield.

Below us, troops are already positioned at four crossing points. One is a unit of the First Order and the other three are of the Fifth Order. The number of troops on the boats is limited, but the clique can send its troops without any restrictions. They will now cross the river on foot, which is about 100 meters long.

In areas without bridges, it is not unusual to cross slow-flowing rivers on foot. There are also laborers who make a living as river crossers without boats. They carry their guests on their shoulders or carry them on their backs by using a doorboard as a palanquin. Like such rivers, the El Verde River now has a gentle current, and the water level is waist-deep at its deepest point. It is certainly possible to cross the river on foot.

The problem is that this is a battlefield. Naturally, the enemy will use arrows and magic to obstruct us. We will defend ourselves with large shields and barriers, but the key to our strategy is to assimilate the enemy's forces into the battle on the bridge and suppress their ability to reach the crossing force as much as possible.

Therefore, the success or failure of the operation rests on the shoulders of Commander Tisserius, who is leading the battle on the Dezel Bridge. However, Commander Tisserius's expression, which can be seen from here, is not self-conscious. She is said to be a top-notch swordswoman and soldier. She does not seem to change complexion just because of this.

In contrast, Commander Tarian, who is stationed on this high ground far from the enemy, has a tense expression on his face.

For the Fifth Knights, who have little experience in actual battles, the mission of crossing the river while being exposed to attacks in front of the enemy is a hard one. Moreover, they were tired from the march. Some of them seem to have lost confidence at seeing the demons for the first time. Some of those who are about to cross the river may wonder why they have to do this, having joined the Fifth Order just to receive an appointment.

However, if they were asked to join the First Order in a battle that they had been fighting for a month and had failed to win, and if they were able to bring victory to the battle, the Fifth Order would receive a great deal of recognition. In that sense, too, this is an important battle.

And those who had such thoughts and those who did not, finally stepped into the river.

The crossing operation has begun.

◆ ◆

Commander Tisserius' command was brilliant. She was able to strike without pause on the bridge, cutting down the enemy. The demons had to throw their forces into the bridge at any time, and their attacks on the crossing force were thinning. It was just as the kingdom had planned.

Commander Tisserius has gone to the middle of the bridge to take command. It is a place close to the front line. It is not a sensible thing for a commander to do, but perhaps that is why she is called a hero. She herself leaped to the front line, wielding a sword enchanted with magic, and opened a huge hole in the enemy line by pouring fire on it.

The Demon Tribe's lean movements, which immediately plugged the holes, evacuated the wounded, and applied recovery magic, were remarkable, but there were absolutely few recovery sorcerers among the Demon Tribe, and even fewer if they were capable of healing seriously wounded soldiers.

As a result, the demon tribe was short of troops, and additional troops were deployed on the bridge. Correspondingly, the response to the crossing force became even thinner. Arrows arrived only sporadically , and the crossing force advanced little by little, repelling them with their large shields.

The shields are made of ordinary iron, but the vanguard troops holding them up are transmitting their magic power firmly. The arrow repellent barriers also prevent the magic-enchanted arrows without any problem. And the crossing party is moving forward steadily and has reached the middle of the river.

"So far, so good."

"We've already won. It's a pity we don't have a part to play."

"Yes, we can control the other side of the river." It's true that we have the upper hand, but I still don't agree with Raquel and Sheila.

"We can celebrate our first victory, Rolf!"

<"I don't know. Maybe it's too early to think so.">

"What?"

<"First of all, we shouldn't be sure of victory until the moment we raise the battle cry.">

"You sound like something you'd hear from a big boy. You're getting carried away with your little contribution to the march, aren't you?" Commander Tarian said.

<"I'm just making a general statement. The Fifth Order's crossing speed is probably slower than Commander Tisserius had assumed.">

When she found that the fifth was lagging behind, she sent a message to Deputy Commander Berman, who was in front of the bridge. Then, under the command of Deputy Commander Berman, the First Knights' river crossing troops slowed down their marching speed to keep pace with the others.

"...You seem to be trying to say that the reason we are slow is because we are tired." Commander Tarian asked with anger in his voice.

It must have sounded like he was accusing us of choosing the wrong route for the march. I was tempted to say yes, but decided against it.

<"I am sure they are tired, but many of them are in a situation where this is the first time they have come into contact with demons. I guess they were not able to perform as well as you wanted them to.">

"Hmm......" Commander Tarian sniffed in a bored manner.

I turned to Emily and continued.

<"The most important thing is that the Demon Army has been holding the line against the First Order for more than a month without allowing them to break through the bridge. I don't think it's going to be easy.">

As if waiting for me to finish, a roar came from the bridge. This time, a hole opened up in the first battle line.

The magical troops on the demon side came forward and fired their "scorching spear" heat lances all at once. It seemed that they aimed at the timing when Commander Tisserius retreated and the pressure on the front line weakened.

At the same time that the First Knights stopped advancing, the demonic forces also regrouped. The demons immediately organized their forces on the bridge and supplied response personnel to the crossing force.

In addition to that, the crossing force was in magic range just past the middle of the river. Not only arrows but also powerful magic attacks were fired at them.

"Damn!" I heard Commander Tarian grunt. Ahead of him, one of the crossing party was crumpling into the water.

An "ice gravel" frosted gravel had penetrated through a gap in the magical barrier and pierced someone's stomach. It was the Fifth Order's formation. The surrounding people rushed to get the wounded onto small boats. They were able to retreat while putting up barriers, but that one might not be able to survive. Sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ NʘvᴇlFire.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of nøvels early and in the highest quality.

Yet another crossing party. This is also the Fifth Order's column. The "Water Snake" Slam Whip attacked them with a side swipe. Three men were hit directly. One of them had his neck ripped open, probably killing him instantly.

"What is Commander Tisserius doing? Don't let the crossing force attack us!" Commander Tarian raged.

But Commander Tisserius's movements appear to be of a ridiculously high level. She was herself participating in the attack, minimizing the damage to her allies, while completely controlling the forces on the bridge and advancing the battle on the bridge, where the defenders originally had the advantage, to a greater degree than they had the upper hand.

On the bridge, the First Knights also gradually pushed up the front line. At the same time, three of the demons on the other side of the river were cut to pieces by the wind and fell. They were hit by the "wind blade" Breeze Glint released by the crossing force and died.

It was Felicia who released it.

"Felicia! We did it!" Emily rejoiced.

She was the first spear among the Watershed Unit. She is indeed the captain of the Fifth Magic Corps.

Felicia immediately fired her second arrow. Despite her unstable stance, immersed in the river up to her waist, she was able to control the torrent of magic power and released a blade of wind.

This was just barely avoided, but it served as a check. The enemy retreated and re-established the barrier. While the attack faded, the crossing force moved forward again.

Felicia's expression could not be seen from here, but her movements were not sluggish. Perhaps because her opponent is a demon tribe, she seems to have no aversion to taking lives.

"Okay, Felicia! We can do this!",Emily said.

"Hmph. I'm not sure why I'm so clueless about this, but I'm sure my fears are just unfounded. Squire. That was your sister, wasn't it? I'm glad to see that your sister has put your fears to rest."

"・・・・・・"

I feel something strange. I feel like I'm watching a eerie scene right now.

"Say something, No blessings."

────!

<"Lady Emily! Commander! Get the crossing party out of here now!">

"What are you talking about, Rolf?"

<"The river's rising!">