Ch.61Chapter 61. Conquering Bluetan (3)

Chapter 61. Surprise Attack (1)

“What’s the current situation?”

“Combat has just begun.”

Muri exhaled breathlessly. She must have rushed to the altar as soon as trouble broke out.

“Who are we facing and how many?”

“Demon worshippers. Not ordinary ones, but creatures that are part insect, part human.

The number… seems to be around two to three hundred.”

Damn, that’s quite a lot.

We have about 50-60 stationed soldiers. And they’re all civilized soldiers.

They’re physically inferior to barbarians, and having lived on the run, they lack combat experience.

Mutated demon worshippers, huh. I haven’t seen them before.

…Come to think of it, I did encounter them in George’s raid party records.

The bat demon’s worshippers were all bat-humans.

Even among mid-tier demons, are there specific individuals with the ability to mutate their worshippers?

“What is Harry doing?”

“He went to find the golem.”

“Bring Harry and the golem to the altar. We need to use the golem to move Totem #1 to the battlefield.

Since the gorilla demon could pass through that door, the golem should be able to enter too.”

“Understood.”

The Tribal Federation headquarters isn’t ready for a defensive battle yet.

If I support them with the “Healing Totem” using Totem #1, it should make it easier for the soldiers to hold out.

“I’ll be back.”

There will be some time before Harry arrives.

I moved to Totem #3 again to help Lakye.

The pitch-black mansion welcomes me.

“You’ve arrived… *cough*”

Lakye coughed softly. Perhaps her respiratory system has been affected by the moth’s powder.

I immediately activated the healing totem. The blue light drives away the darkness.

I can see demons lurking in front, behind, and on the ceiling, waiting for an opportunity.

…Without me, it’s difficult to secure visibility and deal with the powder.

I’ve been underestimating them. Even if they’re weak, they’re still mid-tier.

Several times stronger than low-tier demons.

Let’s first help Lakye who’s directly engaged in combat.

“I’ll take down the leopard.”

I should use the Confusion Totem now.

I was planning to use it when all three clustered together, but that doesn’t seem likely.

Let’s at least bind the leopard, which has the most combat prowess.

When the leopard approached again, I used the Confusion Totem.

Keheng!

It collapsed, bleeding from every orifice on its face.

One is subdued for now.

“Deal with the moth first.”

Being a flying demon, it might fly away if threatened. Killing it takes priority.

Lakye nodded and headed toward the moth.

The way she moved along the wall was like a scene from an action movie.

Quickly approaching, Lakye swung her curved blade and cut off the moth’s left wing.

Flight capability blocked.

The moth tried to maintain distance while fending her off with four tentacles, but Lakye was more experienced.

She dodged the occasional spider webs while diligently cutting off tentacles and wings.

Of course, the spider webs she avoided hit the moth directly.

The moth’s body melted with a hissing sound.

Kirik…!

While it was momentarily slowed by the pain, Lakye made her move.

Slash!

The moth’s head fell to the floor.

Spider, your hard carry. I won’t forget it.

“Only one left. Can you handle it alone?”

“I’ll kill it and deal with the leopard too.”

The leopard is still flailing on the ground.

The spider slowly backs away while watching Lakye. It seems about to start coordinate transmission.

“…”

I briefly checked the hole in the ceiling.

Paya, riding on Toughie, was busy dealing with the demon’s line of sight.

“Call Paya when it starts coordinate transmission.”

“Yes.”

Paya has a magic interference device, so she should be able to handle it somehow.

“The Tribal Federation headquarters is under attack. After you finish dealing with the demons, return to headquarters with Paya.”

I need to bring at least these people back.

“Under attack? Understood.”

Lakye hesitated slightly before returning to battle.

Even with the powder causing some interference, she should be able to catch one. I’ll trust her with this.

I used the Binding Totem.

“You’ve arrived!”

The location is atop the wall. The golem is holding Totem #1.

When did it get here?

Harry, Muri, and Rachel were commanding the soldiers, but they seemed to be struggling as they weren’t skilled in warfare.

I observed the enemies invading my city.

They were monstrous humans with insect mandibles and compound eyes.

They were crawling up like real bugs, with creepy movements.

“Who is the captain of the guards?”

“He just died!”

This is the worst.

I looked around for suitable talent.

“Who is that commanding the soldiers over there?”

A bald middle-aged man was directing soldiers from the front line. His eyes were bloodshot from concentration.

“That’s James!”

Harry answered, sweating profusely. A civilized person I don’t know.

“James is a retired soldier! He has extensive war experience!”

Rachel shouted while encouraging nearby soldiers.

A retired soldier is trustworthy. A suitable candidate for guard captain.

“Bring him here.”

James stood before Totem #1.

“Great Malak! I am James! The situation is urgent so I can’t stay long…”

“From now on, you are the captain of the guards.”

“What?”

“I will inform you of the battle situation. Give orders to the soldiers.”

I’m just as unfamiliar with war. Probably less knowledgeable than Harry or Rachel.

But my field of vision is broader than theirs. My eyes are more like cameras.

Being a retired soldier, he should make good decisions if I provide accurate information.

Zoom in, zoom out, 360-degree rotation.

I used various methods to convey the overall situation to James.

“Dolph! Take five soldiers to the tower! Levan! Block those climbing up!”

James moved the troops based on my information.

He’s definitely useful.

Despite everyone fighting with all their might, the situation wasn’t good.

The bug-humans clustered together to form a human ladder, or rather, a worshipper ladder.

“They’re climbing up! Shoot! Don’t let them come!”

James shouted almost like a scream.

“We’re out of arrows!”

Already depleted? Perhaps it was a mistake to save so many for the Blutan conquest.

“Then throw fucking stones! If there aren’t any, order someone to bring some!”

“Yes, sir!”

“Damn it!”

Just as James was venting his anger:

“Let me try.”

Luna joined us from another direction where she had been blocking the bug-humans.

She didn’t arrive with good timing; I just called her over.

She looked tired, probably from using too much magic.

“This is the last spell I can use.”

Sparks appeared in her hand as she muttered quietly.

“Haah!”

Lightning extended from Luna’s hand, frying the bug-humans climbing the wall.

Smoke rose from their bodies with crackling sounds of them being roasted.

“Stones! Drop them!”

Just then, baskets full of stones arrived.

Rumble-

The bug-humans hit by stones fell to the ground.

We somehow overcame the dangerous situation, but only on the wall.

It’s too early to feel relieved.

Boom! Boom!

The gate is about to collapse. Still, it held out quite long.

“Harry, move Totem #1 near the gate.”

“Got it!”

I’ll leave the wall to James and take responsibility for the gate.

Harry’s golem moved Totem #1 from the wall to the front of the gate.

“It’s… Lord Malak…!”

“He’s come to help us!”

About thirty civilized soldiers were guarding the gate.

They all looked pale from tension.

“…”

I could clearly hear the soldiers gulping.

They must be afraid. To be honest, I’m afraid too.

I’m afraid that everything I’ve built might collapse senselessly.

But at least I can’t show fear. That’s my position.

Let me focus.

“Honorable warriors, do not be afraid.”

I added a few more encouraging words.

It was necessary to boost morale a bit.

“Protect vital points as your priority. I will heal minor wounds.”

I positioned the golem, which would serve as the main tank, at the front line, soldiers in the center, and archers with Totem #1 at the rear.

The healing totem’s range has expanded significantly. It can cover this entire space.

Boom! Boom! Crash!

Finally, the steadfast gate collapsed.

Bug-humans swarmed in like a black tide. Some even crawled on all fours.

“At my age, I’m seeing all sorts of bizarre things!”

Harry’s rock golem swung both fists to block their charge.

“Thrust!”

Those who evaded the golem’s attacks were dealt with by spearmen.

I controlled dead bug-humans to entangle the invaders’ legs.

This is manageable. It’s still manageable, but there are too many of them.

Ah, if only I had one more offensive blessing or enhancement blessing.

Something like a totem cannon or punching totem would be nice.

“Hold on a little longer. Reinforcements are coming. We can win.”

Just as we were holding out:

Kwik-!

With a pigeon’s cry, a figure dropped from the sky.

She swung her curved blade directly toward the worshippers.

Good. This siege battle is our victory.

By the way…

Who could it be? What kind of enemy would attack our headquarters with such perfect timing?

The threat was closer than I thought.