Ch.548548. Luck Eventually (1)

The Viscount Akion finally allowed a small smile to cross his face as he observed the allied forces, who seemed to have thrown caution to the wind.

“I’ll send you the drugs that were supposedly created by the Empire for military supply. They’ve been mass-produced, but I hear they haven’t been properly used yet? Thanks to that, they’ve just been gathering dust in warehouses, so obtaining large quantities wasn’t difficult.”

The elixir obtained from the Empire through Amelie.

Despite numerous houses, including the Marquisate of Kallia, guarding the border…

How was it possible to receive such a large quantity of drugs from the Empire?

Indeed, Amelie’s connections with the Empire were undeniable.

“Of course, a major factor is that they haven’t been used on a large scale or undergone extensive clinical trials. If Viscount Akion uses this elixir now, the Empire said they could obtain highly credible information.”

Beyond mere connections, she already seemed to share deep trust with the Empire.

“The Empire claims this drug has the ability to bloom talents that haven’t yet fully blossomed. However, since the side effects aren’t certain, it would be best to distribute it to common soldiers first to observe their reactions.”

“The ability to bloom talents that haven’t fully blossomed… It’s amazing that such a thing exists. And they’ve already mass-produced it… I don’t understand how this is possible.”

“Even poison can become medicine depending on how it’s used. The Empire’s mages have been exploring Magia for a long time. The Demonkin, tainted with Magia, display remarkable combat prowess even with trivial talents. They say they’ve studied the reason and recreated it with minimal side effects.”

“Hmm.”

“They say when you take the drug, the Mana in your body pulsates and moves like violent Magia. Those who don’t respond well might develop permanent internal injuries or mental disorders… But at least during the war, they’ll serve their purpose well, so it should be quite an interesting sight.”

And so, Viscount Akion…

“If you’re worried about side effects, you could first give the drug to soldiers from other houses that follow you.”

“Really?”

“Of course. After all, the only one who has been so close to me and made a contract with me is Viscount Akion, isn’t it?”

He couldn’t help but think deeply.

“As long as you fulfill your role faithfully, we will handle all the difficult tasks afterward and build a magic tower in your territory.”

“I will obey the words of the 3rd Princess.”

He realized he had no choice but to grasp the lifeline that was Amelie.

And so, following her words, he gave the elixir to the common soldiers gathered from other houses rather than his own family’s soldiers and made them charge toward the wall.

As if the momentary break in morale due to the elves’ harassment had been a lie, the assault of soldiers consumed by madness came into view.

“All forward towers to the siege towers! Anyone with free hands, get to the siege towers!”

“Haven’t the other weapons been brought here yet? The attack is imminent, why are you so slow!”

Siege weapons brought along with the help of magic from the center of the legion.

The baronial army had breached the walls with just the lord’s magic, without any such tools.

But in a proper siege, to break through the overwhelmingly advantageous defensive forces and enter inside, this much preparation was necessary.

Once all the preparations were in place…

“Now! Now! Forward! Sound the horns!”

Woooong—!

With the majestic sound of horns, the allied forces began their advance.

Not only the battering rams to destroy the gates and siege towers to take the walls, but numerous siege engines were now advancing on the barony.

Instead of hiding behind siege engines and advancing together in a battlefield where arrows rained down fearlessly…

“Aaaaargh…!”

“Run! Ruuuun…!”

Like madmen, several people clung to a single long ladder, lifted it, and charged forward.

The one at the very front, after taking the drug, seemed unaffected by arrow wounds. Instead, he shouted even more bravely than before and managed to plant the base of the ladder firmly on the ground.

Seeing the first ladder set against the wall, Viscount Akion nodded with satisfaction.

“There’s no time to doubt the drug’s effectiveness.”

A woman, her body turned into a porcupine by arrows, immediately began climbing the ladder as soon as it was placed.

Nothing could be more certain than this.

From any perspective, wasn’t this the epitome of an excellent soldier who knew how to risk their life for the greater cause?

Unlike Viscount Akion’s forces,

The defensive forces of the barony, faced with soldiers turned into monsters, couldn’t help but be flustered by the unexpectedly fierce attack.

“What are you just standing there looking at? Remove those ladders immediately!”

“Yes, sir…!”

Using long poles to push away the ladders, they began by dropping several soldiers who had become porcupines with arrows all over their bodies.

“Sentinels to the front of each advancing siege tower! Burn them all with elemental magic before they reach the walls!”

“Mages remaining in the territory, gather at the gates and vulnerable points while the elves buy us time! Prevent the siege towers from pounding the walls!”

The wall top quickly became busy.

Longbowmen took arrows from their prepared quivers.

“Nock!”

Dozens of archers nocked arrows to their bowstrings.

As the taut bowstrings were drawn, they began to aim not at the enemies directly below but at soldiers charging from a distance.

“Loose!”

The longbowmen’s arrows flew and rained down on the ground.

In coordination with the archers’ attacks…

“Gray Wolf Mercenary Company, take up shields and swords! Protect the longbowmen and cut down those climbing the walls!”

The mercenary companies that had made the Baron Karpel’s territory their base for about 15 years also joined the defense.

These experienced mercenaries, who had been part of their companies for so long that they overcame their wandering nature, were accustomed to orders, discipline, trust, and obedience, and now they joined the defense.

“Where do you think you’re going, bastard…!”

“Don’t hesitate, just kick them! They just climbed up!”

A mercenary who had just kicked a soldier who had climbed the wall back down.

“Crazy bitch…! How does someone with an arrow in their chest still climb up…!”

As he spat down the wall in disgust at the enemy’s murderous intent, an arrow aimed at his head was shot from afar.

“Ah…!”

“Watch out!”

Thunk—!

A barony defense soldier raised a large wooden shield, instantly saving the mercenary.

“…Thanks. I almost died there.”

“The east is in danger. Could you provide support?”

“I’m getting paid for this, so of course. And I’ll buy you a drink when this territory war is over. I’ll remember your face.”

The shield bearer of the defense force smiled slightly at those words, and after confirming the mercenary had run east,

He returned with an expressionless face and bit his lip.

‘The enemy’s offensive is more intense than expected.’

Or more precisely,

It was as violent as facing Demonkin consumed by madness.

Dealing with soldiers who threw themselves forward regardless of death required a lot of stamina.

If they moved even slightly slower, it was obvious that the assault of enemies desperate to die would ride the favorable wind and cross the wall. Already getting a headache,

Various voices began to echo across the wall top.

“That person—”

A recently famous mercenary.

A young priest who was moved when the lord personally comforted him in his hardship, and who was now carrying out the lord’s will. Someone who was actively helping Tasha.

Firmly gripping a blood-stained sword with one arm, he was shouting at the top of his lungs from the dangerous wall top.

“News has arrived from the main force!”

News about the main force that had headed to Viscount Akion’s territory.

“With the lord’s magic, they breached Akion’s walls in one go! They’ve successfully recaptured the lord’s castle! They’ve captured two lords from the allied forces! All this happened in less than half a day!”

Just when they thought this would be a grueling prolonged battle,

The news of complete victory changed their mindset.

“Our lord, who raised our flag at the viscount’s castle, has ordered!”

Having spectacularly crushed Viscount Akion’s territory.

“A small elite force will return to the barony as early as tonight or tomorrow morning! The full strength of the main force will arrive in two days!”

They would return to the family as quickly as possible.

“The lord has declared that once he and the baroness arrive, they will deliver an unconditional victory, so do not surrender the walls under any circumstances!”

Now that two Masters had declared they would bring victory if the defenders could just hold out until they arrived,

For the sake of that romantic promise and to taste an even more valuable victory, they needed to show even more tenacious spirit.

“Viscount Akion’s territory has already fallen…! That means the enemies before us are just remnants who have lost their territory!”

“Until our lord returns! If we hold out until tomorrow morning at the latest, we win!”

“Sentinels! Didn’t we participate in the war that staked the fate of the Great Forest? Use elemental magic at full power until tomorrow’s sun rises!”

Regular soldiers, mercenary companies, and even elves.

A wall manned by various races and professions. But instead of comparing their differences and discriminating against each other, they showed perfect coordination as they struggled for a single purpose.

Their goal was just one.

To preserve the wall until the lord’s return.

* * *

“Knights.”

“Everyone’s condition is still optimal.”

The knights, their battle fervor still not cooled, were yearning for even more combat.

“Assault team.”

“Our barony’s horses aren’t tired from just this much running.”

The assault team still desired to cut through the wind.

“Magic corps.”

“We’re the same. We haven’t even drawn our swords once yet.”

Though they were called battle mages, these peculiar mages who only felt satisfied with the thrilling excitement of close combat were also burning with passion.

“Sione, I’ll leave Viscount Akion’s territory to you.”

“Well, I don’t think there will be any trouble… but I’ll capture any strange ones who show up.”

Even our Sione, rather than her usual gentle impression,

Was exuding a sharp aura like her sister, along with the scent of blood.

“Don’t worry and go. As long as there’s a minimal occupation force, our flag planted in the lord’s castle will never come down.”

Encouraged by Sione’s words, I immediately mounted my warhorse and shouted.

While the enemies were focused on battering the walls.

“Our elite forces will return to the barony right now!”

We would fold the earth as we ran and strike them hard from behind.