Ch.247Pride (5)

An unprecedented situation unfolds as cannons are used for transportation, and reliable reinforcements arrive at my side one by one.

First, my loyal and dependable servant and attendant. Sir Corin, mounted on a Chimera Knight, naturally approaches to guard my side.

[[[■■■■■■■■■─!!]]]

Carrying several lances similar to the gunpowder-propelled one I use, he naturally approaches my side, while his Chimera, following its master’s command, roars with all its might from its three heads.

Meanwhile, on the other hand, two individuals who could now be called family in some sense naturally approach my side.

The gargoyle shell—one of the options for the cannon that launches intermediate warriors onto the battlefield. Two pureblooded werewolves mounted on compressed stone familiars designed for situations requiring flight capabilities.

My father-in-law, Lucius Wolfblood, who has almost completely overcome the aftereffects of resurrection and firmly returned to the front lines, naturally extends his claws as he steps forward. Behind him, my beloved partner grins and similarly manipulates her gargoyle to advance.

Hannah Wolfblood, wearing the combat fur cloak I personally crafted with “Goblin Craftsmanship” as a gift, adorned with various magical accessories.

As the four intermediates rush into the battlefield accompanied by several flying familiars, I responded by immediately issuing orders to them.

“Father-in-law and Hannah, guard against the naked intermediate demons and lesser demons nearby! Corin, work with the Chimera to eliminate the large number of minions! Gretel, provide support as you see fit!”

[—Yes!]

Given the extremely urgent situation, the four intermediates on the scene immediately scattered without any response to confront the attacking demons, while Gretel, who apparently had some leeway, responded as such before another bombardment came flying in.

—KWAAAAAAANG!!!

Incendiary bombs using fuel similar to that of the dwarven flamethrowers once again set the forest ablaze, instantly incinerating countless twisted beasts that were trying to take flight from within the forest.

And in this atmosphere, the enemies also moved their forces to intercept.

While easily over 600 lesser fallen angels formed a firing line by throwing spears created with their abilities, their five intermediates also naturally dispersed.

Two intermediate fallen angels flew toward Corin and the Chimera, who had descended to sweep away the enemy’s minions. The remaining two stayed by their leader Dobiel’s side, forming and hurling spears in what appeared to be an attempt to buy time.

Their strategy: crush the Chimera and Corin with thousands of lesser demons and two intermediate fallen angels, while Dobiel himself stalls for time with hundreds of lesser fallen angels and two intermediate fallen angels.

It’s a very classic and orthodox tactic and strategy—commit superior forces to gain advantage in a specific battlefield, finish it decisively, and then use the remaining forces to crush the enemy.

And the countermeasures against such divide-and-conquer strategies are also well-established…

“Mr. Wolfblood! To Corin!”

“—Understood!”

Following this principle, I urgently sent my father-in-law to Corin to prevent an imbalance of power, and then voluntarily became a shield to block the incoming spears of light.

“Hannah, get behind me.”

“Okay.”

After hiding Hannah behind me, as I was relatively more durable and much sturdier, I could easily intercept the shower of incoming spears by freely moving the blade shields that had been on standby until now.

—Tudududududu—

I roughly deflected or took with my body the lesser ones that wouldn’t harm me anyway, while intercepting the intermediate attacks—which could pose a threat even to me—with my moving blade shields or by swinging my sword.

And as I simultaneously moved Gus forward little by little, that fallen angel Dobiel seemed to outwardly display a slight bewilderment.

But to me, the true nature of that evil being was somewhat visible.

‘…It’s a trap.’

The outward display of bewilderment was nothing but a trap. Judging by the reduced frequency of spear throws compared to before, they were probably gathering strength to launch a counterattack at some point.

In a normal situation, I might have charged in recklessly seeing such an annoying opponent show weakness, but paradoxically, thanks to my intuition, I could sense that something was off and began preparing instead of falling for his intentions.

[I’m ready!]

With Gretel’s “telepathic message” indicating that preparations were complete, rather than drawing upon additional powers, I signaled to Gus while watching the approaching lesser demons…

‘—Now!’

The moment I shouted through the communication network connected to her, magical power formed by Gretel was transferred through the familiar as a medium, resulting in the amplified essence of the “Witch School” being released before me.

—KWARRRRRRRRR!!!

First came gloomy purple lightning striking suddenly from the blue sky. These eerie bolts fell to the ground, striking the charging lesser demons and even threatening the fallen angels by sending electrical currents their way.

The lesser demons who were once human became so mangled they could no longer maintain their form and perished.

Some fallen angels caught in the lightning suddenly froze like puppets with cut strings, then were gradually banished by the impact transmitted to their souls.

The lightning, possessing an uncanniness and gloominess different from ordinary lightning, thus intercepted the obstacles blocking our path and created “paths” for me.

—Kihihihihi—!!!

—…Kuhuhuhuhuh!

And in this atmosphere, about 30 large fireballs the size of gym balls—mischievous virtual fairies manifested through Will-o’-Wisp magic—revealed themselves.

They moved faithfully according to my commands, sticking close around us like loyal soldiers providing escort, and recognizing that the “moment” had finally come, I immediately increased Gus’s speed even more.

I naturally grasped the lance that had just fizzled out moments ago in my left hand, while skillfully raising the Unicorn Longsword in my right to intercept approaching vermin and spears.

And in this atmosphere, Hannah, who was riding the gargoyle, also moved forward and skillfully coordinated with me.

Hannah’s main tactical strength lies in ultra-close combat that utilizes her high-speed transformation ability and mobility, and this potential is being fully deployed in the air as well.

She kills approaching lesser demons and uses them as stepping stones to leap, while also using her kicks as attacking means, displaying the art of three-dimensional combat through her flexible body.

Additionally, if she lacks stepping stones, I send blade shields upon sensing it through intuition, allowing her to block almost everything coming her way as originally intended, strictly escorting my charge.

And around that time, perhaps sensing their failure becoming visible in my appearance, the two intermediate fallen angels who had been merely keeping their distance and unilaterally throwing spears drew their swords of light to block me.

The unique swordplay, likely created by desecrating techniques of the gods they once served, combined with spears flying from behind, created a perfect pincer attack.

A literal dilemma—retreat and get stabbed, advance and get slashed—forcing one-sided losses, but—

[■■■■■■—!!]

—HWARARARARARAK!!!

I had already completed preparations to intercept them, waiting precisely for this moment.

Wolf-formed Hannah rushed in from the side, collapsing the pincer attack while grabbing one fallen angel and throwing it to the ground, and through this gap, the giggling will-o’-wisps penetrated and latched onto the other one, choking it.

The situation that formed was ultimately a perfect one-on-one confrontation. In the strange formation where I advanced and it retreated, it seemed to want to regain the opportunity by pushing dozens of fallen angels forward while backing away again.

Of course, having come this far, I had no intention of letting it escape.

—PAAAAAT!!!

As the flash that Gus had been gathering was released, completely clearing away the obstacles, I unhesitatingly intercepted Dobiel, who was now trying to intercept me with a shield and axe.

—SEOGEK!

A slash that penetrated the gap like a snake severed both his arms and cut off his wings behind him, instantly causing him to lose propulsion.

With all means of resistance gone in a single moment, it tried to say something, but the lance piercing its head was actually faster.

—KWAJIK—KWAAAANG!

Penetration, then explosion. The lance, embedded like a missile before exploding, blew off the fallen angel’s head, completely concluding the war.

All that remained was one headless corpse left by the being that was forcibly banished due to excessive damage to its shell.