Ch.121121. The Battle of Mercury (2)

When mana arrived in the world, before gods and demons intervened, war, spears, and swords were said to be the exclusive domain of men. But now, that’s merely a story passed down as distant legend or myth.

Atop the high, sturdy castle walls, women watched the approaching war in silence. They were burning the mana engraved in their hearts, seeking the strength not to be swept away by that blue tide.

“…Have we prepared enough oil and torches?”

“Yes, the cauldrons of oil are ready to be poured at any moment, and all the blazing torches have been prepared.”

“What of the arrows for the archers and replacements for weapons broken in battle?”

“All weapons have been appropriately distributed at regular intervals along the walls.”

“Well done.”

“Yes!”

Sione quietly observed her mother’s stern profile.

Under the blue sky, as sunset began to paint everything red, gone was the confident figure who had delivered that speech earlier. She too was feeling quite burdened.

“Sigh…”

Ainel sighed. In truth, she carried an immense burden in this situation.

On her shoulders rested the lives of her territory’s people, and the weighty trust and lives of soldiers who would follow her commands.

If she had reached the Master level, would things be different? For someone awkwardly positioned between Expert and Master like herself, this situation felt overwhelmingly heavy.

Ainel simply watched the enemy’s movements, reflecting on the karma and duties she had inherited as head of the family.

Watching her mother, Sione thought of the legend surrounding their family’s hair.

‘The reason our hair holds moonlight.’

The moon awakens demons who sleep during the day and makes madness bloom. Thus, the moon symbolizes demons and frenzy. Yet why would we, who reject demons more than anyone, have hair that holds moonlight?

It’s because our bloodline, from ancient times, never hid in churches trembling at demons when night fell. Instead, our first family head walked the night paths to confront them. It was said that amid the splashing droplets of demon blood, eventually that black hair came to hold the moonlight.

‘Hunters more demonic than demons themselves.’

That was our epithet in the past.

Though peace has continued and the meaning behind that name has faded…

We have not forgotten that spirit.

Sione constantly reminded herself of what blood flowed in her veins, almost like self-hypnosis, to suppress her fear.

‘…I’m scared.’

But fear was not easily suppressed.

She had put on a brave front for Ray, but… seeing the massive army with her own eyes inevitably awakened a primal terror.

Then, she remembered what he had once said.

─Lady Sione, you are fragile.

Yes, even I think I’m weak. I cry easily and I’m easily frightened.

─So from now on, entrust all difficult matters to me, or let us share them.

But despite that, because he was behind her, she could have a little more courage.

Even if others might criticize it as recklessness, he would believe in her.

Sione glanced behind her.

Sure enough, Ray stood firmly at her back.

“…What is it?”

“Hm?”

“The corners of your mouth seem to be turned up slightly…”

“It’s nothing.”

Ray’s expression was quite a sight.

He clearly couldn’t understand why she would be smiling in this situation.

Beyond incomprehension, he looked at her almost as if she were insane.

Well, I suppose if someone is smiling at a time like this…

They deserve to be treated as a madwoman.

Sione composed her expression and quietly gazed at Ray with the inner castle wall as a backdrop.

The top of the wall and inside were bright. Blazing torches and the will to defend shone brilliantly.

No sinister moonlight could yet envelop our territory.

“…If it seems dangerous, I’ll immediately pull you down from the wall.”

“I know.”

Sione turned around again.

The monsters were drawing closer.

Thud─ Thud─

The ground began to tremble with the movement of tens of thousands.

The vibration climbed up the walls and reached our feet.

In resonance with that vibration, thud─ thud─ hearts beat more fiercely.

Though the expressions of those standing on the wall were cold, it was clear that everyone was feeling the mana awakening with those heartbeats.

‘…It must be the same below the wall.’

Though the wall blocked their view of the outside, they must be feeling this approaching source of vibration.

As the army drew closer, Ainel’s emotionless eyes followed Sione and Ray.

“Ray, from now on, I will have you reveal your power to the world.”

“…I will obey.”

“I’ve heard that the Forest Keeper’s flame, no matter how small, can shine brighter than anything according to the caster’s will. Is that correct?”

“Yes, if I inject enough mana, I can produce a strong flash. However, the consumption is quite significant…”

“Good. We don’t need a flash. Just a lamp to illuminate the darkness will suffice. Someone bring me the longbow with the strongest draw.”

At Ainel’s command, someone brought a longbow.

The bow was not made of ordinary wood. It had elegant patterns and finishing. It was clearly crafted from an excellent old tree.

Several magical enchantments had been applied, as evidenced by the geometric decorations drawn on it.

Ainel took the bow and said:

“All mages on the wall, prepare yourselves.”

A soldier standing nearby loudly repeated her command.

“All mages on the wall, prepare yourselves!!”

“Yes!!”

Then Ainel handed the bow to Sione.

“Shoot as far as you can. Can you do it?”

“…I’ll see.”

Sione pulled the bowstring.

It was incredibly tough, almost difficult to draw.

She adopted the stance Ray had taught her while preparing for war.

Close stance.

A war stance for sniping from a distance or defending a fortress.

Right foot back for support, left knee bent forward.

Then, slightly hunching the upper body while gripping the bow with the left hand.

Channeling mana, she pulled the bowstring taut with her right hand.

It might seem simple to just pull a bowstring.

But as she exerted strength to pull the tough string, everything Ray had taught her came vividly to mind.

Creeeeak…!

The string was tough. But it was powerful, and eventually she managed to draw it.

Slowly, she relaxed her stance.

“I believe I can shoot it.”

“Good. Nock an arrow. And Ray, light Sione’s arrowhead. Just enough to see the arrow’s position in that darkness.”

“I will obey.”

Whoosh!

Fire ignited on the arrow Sione had drawn.

“Gasp…!”

A woman watching the three nearby inhaled sharply at the sight of Ray.

A man wielding magic. Of course she would be surprised.

Yet they paid her no attention and continued with their task.

“Hoo…”

Sione steadied her breath and drew the bowstring again.

The flame on the arrowhead wasn’t hot to her at all, so it posed no problem.

Close stance. And dead release.

Sione, having drawn the bowstring…

Twang!

Shot the arrow straight into the sky.

Whoosh!

The flame on the arrowhead began to burn brighter.

The arrow flew far into the distance.

It was far, but its position was revealed by Ray’s flame, which had grown even larger.

“Mages, bombard without hesitation once the monsters cross that arrow.”

“Mages, listen! The moment the monsters pass that flame, immediately begin your bombardment!!”

Shortly after…

Led by Lavi, the mages from the Marquisate of Allenar and those from the County of Velleia unleashed a carpet bombing that shook heaven and earth.

* * *

The mages were powerful.

The number of monsters swept away and killed by the onslaught of magic was truly impressive.

But those creatures lacked intelligence. Whether they lived or died, they just wanted to kill humans first. As soon as the mages’ bombardment ended, they trampled over corpses and charged forward.

Pop!

I uncorked a glass vial and drank its contents.

Mana recovery acceleration potion. Not something that instantly replenishes mana, but accelerates the recovery rate. Since I just used some mana to create flames, it would be good to drink this now.

As I did so, a message finally appeared in my vision.

[Beginning battle alongside Sione Sianella.]

[A substantial amount of restricted power will be released.]

Indeed, I could feel a sharp increase in basic physical abilities and magical aptitude, accompanied by a sense of omnipotence.

Tasting the sweet flavor on my tongue, I surveyed the battlefield.

“Cauldrons! Pour the oil!”

“What good is just oil! Torches! Throw the torches too!”

“They’re climbing up this way! Where are the women with bows and spears?!”

Everyone was in such a hurry. People constantly bumped into each other while moving frantically.

I suppose this chaos is normal in war.

Only Ainel, Sione, Siabel, and the knights remained calm.

Whoosh!!

Finally, the oil that had been poured caught fire, creating a path of flames in front of the wall.

I immediately went to Sione’s side and shot arrows. One for each monster that needed to be dealt with urgently.

Burned monster corpses began to pile up. As countless archers and spearmen killed monsters, the bodies formed mountains.

And as the battle continued, monsters began climbing these growing mountains to reach the wall.

“Uh, hmm…”

If we’re going to retreat to the rear, now seems like the best time…

Wouldn’t it be better to just take Sione and pull back right now?

As I was seriously considering this while watching Sione shooting arrows beside Ainel, I heard:

“Kyaah!”

A youthful scream not far away.

A young girl holding a spear. A monster had just pounced on her.

“Tsk.”

The distance was a bit far, but…

At this point, such distance was no problem for me.

Since the monster attacking her wasn’t particularly strong, I didn’t need to hesitate about saving her.

In a battle that might continue indefinitely, it would be better for even one more person to survive.

Whoosh!!

I closed the distance with a gentle breeze and drew my sword.

With my superior physique and the sharp wind coating my blade, all it took was a single strike to sever the quadrupedal monster’s neck.

Slash!

A clean cut. The headless monster’s body tilted.

“Get up quickly. Or you’ll get caught again.”

“Ah… y-yes…!”

As soon as I confirmed the girl had grabbed her spear and stood up again,

I scanned the entire wall.

Indeed, it seems difficult now to repel enemies by shooting arrows and thrusting spears from a distance.

More and more monsters were climbing onto the wall, taking the lives of the frightened ones first.

What we needed now were brave knights. People who could bring order to this increasingly chaotic place.

Sione was shooting arrows ceaselessly beside Ainel.

I returned to her side.

“Lead the knights. Siabel will secure the right side of the wall, Diolia the left. Once the mages recover their magic power, they should focus on blasting away that mountain of corpses.”

“In accordance with mother’s command─”

Siabel’s cold voice was heard─

“I will tear apart every demon on the wall without exception.”

For the first time, I saw Siabel frowning in genuine anger.

“Good, and.”

Ainel’s eyes shifted to those wearing light armor emblazoned with the church’s emblem.

“From now on, I will also deploy the battle priests.”

At those words, a woman with black, medium-length hair smiled inappropriately for the situation and replied:

“I’ve been waiting for just those words, Family Head.”