Vol. 1 - Ch. 17 - Watershed Operation_2

Name:Soot-Smeared Knight Author:Web Novel
"The water level is rising....? Don't talk nonsense.", said Commander Tarian looking around.<"It's true, sir! There is not a moment to lose! We have to get them out of here now!">

"Rolf, just calm down. You don't have the authority here to order the crossing party to leave."

<"........that's right.">

"You can't lose your cool on the battlefield. That's why you're still a squire, Rolf Buckman." said Commander.

I exhale loudly and calm my head.

<"The water level has risen an inch or so since we last saw you, Miss Emily. The water level will rise further and the current will increase. Soon the crossing party will be out of action, and then they will be swept away. 

Depending on the strength of the current, a human being can be rendered immobile even if he or she is knee-deep in water. The entire crossing party has already entered the river, with the front of the formation submerged up to their waists and the rear up to their knees.

At this rate, they will all be rendered immobile, and the current will continue to strengthen, with each and every one of them disappearing into the muddy waters.

Felicia, too.">

"If you have any basis for this delusion, explain it to me."

<"The basis is that the water level has risen. The tributary has been blocked, Commander.">

"What?"

<"Excuse me!">

"Oh, Rolf!?"

I slid down from the high ground overlooking the Dezel Bridge as if I was rolling.Then I started running toward the bridge. I should have realized this when I looked at the map. There was indeed a tributary upstream that flowed into the demon territory.If that tributary was blocked, the water level and flow of the El Verde River would increase dramatically. Sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ NøvᴇlFirᴇ(.)nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of nøvels early and in the highest quality.

Felicia and the rest of the crossing party would be swept away.

In front of the bridge was Deputy Commander Berman of the First Order. However, even if I tell him, I can't make it in time. I would have to go directly to Commander Tisserius and ask her to give the order from the bridge to turn back the crossing party.

That is the only way.

I reached the Dezel Bridge, which was surrounded by the fierce clamor of battle.Everyone was fighting to the death, and I was momentarily overwhelmed by the tremendous enthusiasm.

Voices instructing coordination, pleading for recovery magic, and reporting on the situation. Voices frantically calling out to those who were severely injured in the battle.

I had just been looking down at them from a high vantage point and saying, "I know what's going on." Yeld described me as "lecturing them with a knowing look on my face," and he was absolutely right.

I felt ashamed.But I couldn't stand still.I pushed my way into the crowd as if to collide with it.

I'm really sorry to interrupt your fight for your life.But our lives and the lives of the entire crossing party are at stake, as well as the victory or defeat of this battle.

<"Please let me through! Excuse me! It's urgent! I have an urgent report for Commander Tisserius!">

Pushing past the knights, I proceeded to the bridge. I pushed my body into the gapless space. This body, which is larger than most people's, is sparse.

I managed to get there with a few angry shouts.

The pink-blonde beauty has just retreated from the front line. She instructs the front line knights on their next move and sends a message to the rear.

"You! What are you doing here!" The angry voice belongs to Lindel.

Ignoring him, I raise my voice as well.

<"Commander Tisserius!">

"Are you... the fifth squire? Not now!"

It was a natural reaction. There was no way she could be bothered with the squires in the middle of a battle where she could not let up for even a moment. But it was an emergency.

<"I can't wait! Take a closer look at the river!">

"What?"

<"The water level is rising!">

"!?"

"Don't play dumb with me! If you interfere any more, I'll cut you down!" Lindel shouted angrily again. He did not see that the water level had risen.

The water level had risen even more than before, but still only about two centimeters. Not many people could see it from here. The advancing river crossing party would not be able to see it either. But there was no time to wait until the situation became critical. Rivers rise dramatically in a short period of time.

Commander Tisserius stared at the river, astonishment on her face. She seemed to have noticed something unusual. She said, "They've blocked up the tributaries! There is not a moment to lose! Get the crossing party out of here!"

She shouted again, and Commander Tisserius raised her sword high to attract attention. Then, in a loud voice that one would never have guessed from her appearance, she issued the following order: "Attention all crossing troops! Retreat immediately! I repeat! All crossing troops fall back!"

The order seemed to have reached all four crossing parties. The sudden order to retreat caused all four units to widen their eyes in surprise. However, the seriousness in Commander Tisserius' voice seemed to have been conveyed. Starting with the First Knight's crossing party, all units began to fall back to the rear.

"The Sixth Squadron is moving forward! Recover while retreating the 4th! The next shift will reestablish the barrier! Magic Third, get ready!" Commander Tisserius immediately turns her attention to maintaining the front line on the bridge and gives the order. However, the expression on her face, slightly biting her lip, seemed to express her remorse for not being able to read the situation.

But time was running out, as if to taunt her and us. The water level and current of the El Verde River caught the legs of the crossing party.They were stuck in place. Those who were still in the shallow water at the rear of the column were also stuck.It was no longer shallow.

They had been advancing only a few minutes before, but now they were holding on to the riverbed with swords and sticks, enduring the current. They all had a look of frustration on their faces. But the current was only getting stronger.

Even if they continue to endure the current, they will eventually be swept away, but they are unable to take another step. Furthermore, arrows and magic are directed at them from the enemy army. Unable to hold up their shields or wands, they were helplessly exposed to the attack.

Our troops were unable to resist, and were being taken out one after the other. The troops on the bridge, seeing this, were overcome with a sense of self-doubt. It was only for a short time. It was probably only for about 30 seconds.

However, for the First Knights, who had maintained their frontline without letting up even for a moment, 30 seconds of self-loss was an unbelievable blunder. Even if it was only a small one, there was a gap in the supply of troops to the front line.

Everything seemed to be in slow motion. The enemy is retreating in front of the bridge. There were no allies in pursuit.

Where the enemy had retreated, several crates had been placed. I pushed through the crowd and started running forward. Commander Tisserius also shouted as she started running. She shouted for me to release water magic forward. But she was too late. The enemy completely retreated from the bridge and fired fire arrows at the crates.

I jumped over the crate and continued running. The area ahead was already deserted.Then I ran as fast as I could under the flying fire arrows.

There were others running behind me as well. One of them must be Commander Tisserius. The rest I don't know. There is no time to look back. I don't even need to think about what's in that crate.

Gunpowder.

I hear the sound of a flintlock arrow sticking into it. We hear a thud, a sound that arouses despair in our hearts. We don't even need to think about what will happen next. After what seemed like an eternity or a moment, it happened.

──── A roaring sound.

The ear-splitting sound hit me from behind, accompanied by a heat wave and a blast.

◆ ◆

"Agh!"

I was thrown helplessly into the air and fell directly to the other side of the river. The pieces of wood that had been a bridge until a moment ago rained down on my entire body.

Pain seared through my body. In other words, I am alive. Then I still have something to do.

I whip my shaking body into shape and try to stand up. This is the other side of the river. This is enemy territory. This is no time to be lying on the ground.

I looked around, but the cloud of smoke and the ringing in my ears were preventing me from grasping the situation. Frantically, I stood up and wiped the blood from my eyes. With my sense of direction gone, I looked around as if I were wandering.

Then, for a brief moment, there was a gap in the cloud of dust that was covering my vision. Beyond the gap, there was a scene that I did not want to see.

The bridge had been destroyed, and the First Knights, who were fighting on the bridge, were in a state of collapse. The crossing force was pinned in the river, exposed to the rushing current. The only options now were to be swept away or shot.

The Royal Army was overwhelmingly defeated.

It was a scene that no one could deny.