Chapter 110: The Carnela Port Recapture Operation (17)

Chapter 110: The Carnela Port Recapture Operation (17)

The completion of the underground passageways marked the beginning of the long-awaited full-scale attack. As soon as we received the news from Marcellus, we wasted no time. We entrusted the carts we had brought to the supply troops with whom we had been exchanging goods and turned back the same way to join our comrades.

Upon explaining the situation to our fellow demons, who were diligently untangling and repairing the net’s intricate parts, they swiftly began folding it. Handling the net had become second nature to them over the course of the ten-day period. It didn’t take long for the net to be folded into a compact size.

However, we couldn’t depart just yet. We had to wait for our comrades, who were scouting the sea, to return. It was Farl’s team that was currently out there. So, we patiently awaited their arrival.

After some time had passed, we spotted Farl and the others swiftly soaring across the sky from the far side of the horizon. They were flying at full speed. Even from a distance, I could discern the anxious expressions on their faces, and Gora, Farl’s husband, seemed particularly worried as if he feared she might have sustained an injury or encountered some trouble along the way. CHeCk for new stories on no/v/el/bin(.)c0m

Whether they knew of our concern or not, Farl and the others returned in a hurried state before rolling on the ground. And then, without even showing any signs of questioning our act of folding the net, they immediately exclaimed the urgency of the situation. “Battleships are approaching!”

“They are twenty in number, even more than before! And there are three of those big ones that were only one in our previous battle!”

“At a time like this...! However, thank you for reporting this accurately. Please have some soup and rest. We don’t have much time left.”

Decius, with a stern expression, gazed towards the sea, then made the decision to slightly delay our departure while commending Farl and the others. It wasn’t because Decius was too kind-hearted... Rather, it was a decision based on our interactions with each other. Decius wasn’t a bad person, but unlike Marcellus, he was a man who acted with calculated precision. I had come to understand that much through our past interactions.

And it wasn’t just me and Mika who understood this. Such crucial information was shared among all of us. Hence, even though Farl and the others quickly consumed the soup to warm their chilled bodies, they didn’t savor it. They hurriedly gulped it down.

Once their bowls were empty, we destroyed the empty pot and the stove that had served its purpose. Leaving them behind could potentially invite unnecessary trouble later on. We were already considered enemies by Karelvo. It was crucial to thoroughly eliminate anything that could be used as a “weapon” against us.

This was not only our belief but also Decius’s. He harbored a strong dislike for Karelvo and would do anything to minimize any involvement with him. He might even despise him more than the prisoner of war, Asumi. Well, he probably disliked his use of the Emperor’s authority to his advantage.

But I went off-topic. Once Farl and the others had satisfied their hunger, we immediately set off toward the main camp. With no unnecessary baggage like carts and Decius riding on a horse, we were able to run together as a group. Although we departed in broad daylight, we returned to the main camp before sunset.

“You’re back!” Marcellus said.

“Yes, and there’s something we should report.”

“Report...? Don’t tell me!”

“Yes, exactly that. Let’s go further inside.”

“Ah, understood. Everyone, prepare for camping at the previous location.”

The thing Decius referred to as a report was about the approaching battleships. Marcellus seemed to have already realized this. With a serious expression, he followed Decius toward the depths of the main camp.

During this time, the instructions given to us were somewhat sloppy, but we paid no mind and headed toward the designated location.

“Good morning, everyone. Once you’ve had breakfast, we’ll depart. We’ll be using the passageways that all of you have dug. We’re taking the lead and will be the first to infiltrate. Stay prepared for that,” Marcellus said.

The vanguard, huh? It was the most dangerous role, but I had already imagined that it would be entrusted to us. And I was ready for it. I wouldn’t be easily killed. I would survive, no matter what.

With that determination in mind, I chewed on the bread provided and quickly swallowed it. Then I retrieved my swords from the wagon we were using and equipped it. Since there was still time, I drew both swords to check their condition. Hmm, no visible signs of dullness, damage, or dirt on the blades.

“...?”

When I was about to sheathe both swords after being satisfied with their condition, a question suddenly crossed my mind. Why were my swords in such a pristine state?

It may sound odd coming from me, but I have a feeling that I handle my weapons carelessly. Well, I try to be as careful as possible, but I don’t know the proper way to maintain them, like that one time when Hatakeyama scolded me. It was strange that they remained in such beautiful condition despite that.

“...”

I quickly found the answer to my question. It was Mika. That capable and attentive man must have been taking care of them for me. With the answer in mind, I snapped the swords back into their sheaths.

Afterward, we descended into the hole we had dug on the backside of the main camp, overlooking the Carnela Port. Although rope ladders were set up, it was a hassle to go down one by one. I, on the other hand, leaped from above and enjoyed a brief moment of floating before landing silently, without making a sound.

Tigar and the others followed suit, jumping down just like me. It seemed like the sensation of falling pleased them, as Tigar and Linardo couldn’t help but let out joyful shouts.

“Don’t do something foolish... I thought my heart would stop.”

“Other soldiers were utterly shocked, you know? You’re not children... Well, even children wouldn’t do such a thing,”

However, Zald and Sharl reprimanded us as they descended using the rope ladders. Those of us who had jumped down could only hang our heads and apologize.

Afterward, with Marcellus leading the way, we began walking through the underground passage. It wasn’t just we, the demons, walking through the tunnels. The imperial army’s light infantry also followed along. They would launch their assault after we took the lead, aiming to seize control of the outer walls and the port’s functions.

Such a task would prove impossible for our small group. It’s all about placing the right person in the right position. I’ve learned that combat prowess alone isn’t always enough to accomplish everything.

“Is this the deepest point? Time is... Just a little more.”

Marcellus, who was walking at the front with a lantern in his hand, has reached the far end of the underground passageway. After checking the clock he took out from his pocket, he muttered something about time.

The clock was a very rare tool, but in this operation, it was essential for us to coordinate our actions and simultaneously emerge from the underground passages to launch a surprise attack on the surface. The clock made it possible.

While Marcellus stared at the clock, he looked straight at me and said, “It’s time to surface.” I nodded deeply and placed my hand on the ceiling of the underground passage. As I did, that section seemed to melt and transform into sand... before revealing the drainage channel that we had used for the infiltration mission, which was connected to the underground of Carnela Port.