episode_0145

The monsters that were retreating in an orderly manner stopped at a certain distance and were quietly glaring in this direction.

It’s so far away that the arrow can’t reach it… However, if we make a move such as repairing the castle wall or preparing a counterattack, it is a subtle distance that can react immediately and attack.

The sight of rows of blue eyes shining between the rotten bones was quite disturbing.

I stood on the castle wall and glared at them.

There are also many.

I think I defeated a few hundred people just in the battle a little while ago, but it’s still bustling.

“Should I at least throw a spear? I think I can cut through a dozen of them in a row.”

“Stop it. What’s the point of getting more excited about those guys? Just wait a moment. If it really gets there… It has quite a useful use.”

Marquis Ludwig shook his head.

Well, once you throw a javelin, they will start responding to it, so it won’t be of much use after that.

“It’s useful… It’s a word that suggests there’s a plan in mind?”

“I’m planning on discussing it now, so please come down. Let’s go to headquarters.”

I followed Marquis Ludwig down the castle walls.

The inside of the castle was quite bustling.

Soldiers clearing the corpse of a tomb predator into a corner.

Knights who throw down their helmets and sit down to rest.

The injured people were gathered in one place and groaning, and the priests were giving them healing arts with the holy power they had gathered from the ground.

A cremation ceremony was taking place across the street.

The dead bodies are thrown into a pit filled with firewood and set on fire.

As several priests looked into the pit and prayed, white light mixed with the fierce flames burned hotly.

So much so that the warmth reaches here.

“Can I just burn it like that?”

“That’s the best. There is not enough time or manpower to properly cremate each person. Since the fire was blessed by the priests of Elfinel, the dead will also be satisfied.”

Well, you won’t know until you die and meet him.

“How many people have died by today? I didn’t hear a detailed explanation earlier.”

“There are about 3,000 troops and about 100 knights. Most of them were sacrificed on the first day of the battle and when the walls collapsed.”

Damn it, a lot of people died.

Every time someone dies, the world becomes more and more twisted.

I don’t know how it would be implemented, but that was the setup.

Just looking at the fact that so many monsters have already appeared… .

“The prince’s gamble was a huge failure. What made you do such a reckless thing? Even if we didn’t do this, we would have had enough time to gradually increase our position.”

“It wasn’t enough.”

huh?

Ludwig shook his head resolutely.

There was an inexplicable embarrassment mixed in his somber eyes.

“This is top secret… His Majesty the Emperor has fallen. He’s still alive, but in serious condition. You probably won’t last more than 20 days.”

“It seemed like he was sick when I saw him before… Even so, he didn’t look like he was on the verge of death. Did you drink something like poison?”

Even though the emperor was a bit of a mess, I remember he didn’t suddenly snap and die at this point.

I can’t be sure because I can’t remember the details.

“Strictly speaking, it’s different, but if you ask me, you could say it’s poison… .”

Marquis Ludwig let out a long sigh.

“It was a woman’s body and an old heart that defeated His Majesty.”

… What did I hear wrong?

My steps stopped at the absurd sound.

“What are you saying, the emperor almost died from accident?”

“Keuhum, khum… ! If you put it bluntly, you could say that… . It’s not a good issue to talk about publicly… .”

Marquis Ludwig took a quick look around and tilted his head toward my ear.

“It is said that Isabella dragged the girl she had taken in as a maid into the bedroom, and after a while, she collapsed clutching her chest. Since then, I haven’t woken up yet.”

It’s worth saying quietly. The emperor of the empire is not an empress, but a servant-maid.

Where else can you find something as disgraceful as this?

No, wait a minute.

If it’s a newly hired maid… ?

“… By that maid, don’t you mean a girl from the Bernstein family?”

Kenneth Bernstein’s younger sister, whom Isabella took as her maid.

From what I heard, they would say fifteen or fourteen, but I can’t believe it.

“That kid is right… … .”

Marquis Ludwig closed his eyes tightly and muttered.

Good search.

The emperor is a human horse, so the empire is like this.

“Isn’t it heavenly punishment?”

“Don’t go anywhere and say something like that… The imperial family and the religious order will raise issues at the same time.”

I do not deny the term ‘heavenly punishment.’

Well, even if I were a marquis, I would be embarrassed.

This is a situation where his master is about to die from death by touching a girl who is about his granddaughter’s age.

—-

Eight men and women were waiting inside the headquarters building.

Prince Leopold and Lacey.

The five strong men who were dealing with the tomb predators and even a female paladin who appears to be Lacey’s bodyguard.

“Your Excellency the Marquis of Landenburg, Mr. Hassall, are you here?”

Nigel saluted us.

The man with the twin swords standing next to her also saluted Marquis Ludwig.

“My seventh sword, Sir Hayden.”

Ludwig told me about the man.

The man called Hayden laughed bitterly.

If it’s the seventh time, he’ll be stronger than Nigel.

I nodded slightly.

“It’s been a while. I knew you would come.”

Lacey smiled as if welcoming me.

“Really?”

“This is also Elfinel’s guidance.”

well. Is that so?

I don’t know. I came here of my own free will.

If even that is according to the gods’ intention, I have nothing to say.

“With this, everyone who will participate in the discussion has gathered. Then we will begin the strategy meeting.”

Leopold sat down, looked at everyone, and spoke.

Everyone sat down on their chairs at the same time and began discussing the situation of the war.

I listened to their conversation in silence.

—-

The meeting lasted about two hours.

Leopold’s condition was serious.

Three quarters of the knight’s work, 36% of the troops are exhausted.

Even so, there were so many wounded that only about half of them could fight properly.

If the Holy Legion hadn’t stood firm, twice as many people would have died.

In the case of masters, they say they can still fight, but priests say they are reaching their limit.

Since he has to bless the soldiers with Holy Light, this is the last time he will have the power to heal the wounded.

“Lacey, is it the same for you?”

“It’s not impossible, but… I plan to focus my blessings on those who are masters. That would be more efficient.”

It’s not wrong.

“Lord Flocheta, how much magic power do you have left?”

“If it’s the battle itself, it might be possible by tomorrow… You can use high level magic at most once. Consumption was several times faster than recovery.”

The female mage who was sitting crookedly shrugged her shoulders.

He had a very relaxed attitude, as if he had done everything he had to do.

Well, if you’re a high-ranking wizard, you can easily run away by flying.

“The most urgent problem is the reinforcements that the whisperer will bring. Unless we defeat him, an endless war of attrition will repeat itself.”

“However, what can you do with this guy who only sends in reinforcements from the rear and then disappears… .”

“I have an idea.”

Marquis Ludwig opened his mouth.

After hearing the explanation that followed, everyone looked at me.

As if that were really possible.

“Princess Aishangior, is it possible?”

“… It will be possible. Whether that guy will die from that is a separate question… You never know if Asha can help you.”

I nodded.

Because it was an operation worth trying.

—-

After disbanding, I went to Lacey and talked to her.

“You want to live less?”

“Okay. It’s only a day or two when people treat me like a monster, so it’s going to be difficult if it continues like this. Don’t you know there’s something miraculous that can help?”

“Um… . The fundamental solution would be to further accumulate feats, but… . If you’re in a hurry, I’ll lend you this.”

After thinking for a moment, Lacey handed me a ring.

A strange ring in which two strands of golden thread are intertwined like a chain to form a circle.

Judging by the small amount of holy power flowing out of it, it seemed to be an item that Lacey had personally consecrated.

“Ring? What is this?”

“Ring of faith. This is something I made when I was a trainee priest. Wearing that ring will make people who meet you for the first time feel a little more trust and security. It’s not that big of an effect, though.”

The reason I had to make something like that during my time as a trainee priest… Well, I can guess roughly.

Shouldn’t the name be changed to Ring of Sedition?

“Um… Anyway, thank you. I can just return it later, right?”

“Yes. It’s an item I don’t need right now, but it’s also difficult to hand over to just anyone.”

Lacey nodded.

It would be troublesome if it fell into someone else’s hands.

—-

There was one more attack during the night.

It may have been the same yesterday, but thanks to everyone’s expectations, there were no major problems.

Their offensive wasn’t strong, and there was no sign of the whisperer, so we fought normally in front of the defense line.

When about 20 of them had been cut down, they retreated.

“What is it? You don’t even attack me properly?”

“I’ll be back in an hour or two. They’re trying to prevent us from sleeping soundly.”

A paladin who was swinging a sword next to him gritted his teeth and answered.

He was right.

It came at me four more times until morning came. Terrible bastards.

Everyone took turns resting, but no one was able to sleep deeply.

Since there were still many enemy forces remaining, they could have suddenly attacked again with full force.

—-

Seven hours after the first night raid.

After a long and tiring night, the slowly rising morning sun casts a dark shadow.

With the sun at their backs, the monsters began to approach again.

“The entire star corps is in a defensive posture! Elfinel is with us!”

“Soldiers of the Empire! Prepare for battle! Today is the time for a counterattack!

Unlike a few hours ago, the monsters are flocking in with a ferocious force as if they are trying their best.

The Holy Legion and the Imperial Army began fighting to the death once again.

I stood on the castle wall, greeted the sunrise, and looked at their army.

Indeed, will everything go as planned?

As I heard yesterday, an army of additional monsters could be seen joining in the distance.

Two grave predators, one fleshy body.

Over 700 rotten sick people.

I don’t know where on earth they collect all those monsters… It was as planned.

At the head of the reinforcements, a small monster figure wearing a black robe was seen.

The distance is about 700m.

There were no other obstacles in between.

“What do you think, is it possible?”

Lacey, who was standing behind me, asked softly.

I nodded.

“Thank goodness. Then let’s get started right away.”

“Wait a minute, Asha! The performance is solid, right?”

“Just guess it right!”

Asha, who was watching me from the other side of Lacey, nodded.

Okay, let’s give it a try.

He lifted the weapon he was holding in his right hand behind his shoulder.

I grit my teeth and put all the strength of my entire body into my right arm.

The muscles clearly protrude, and the right arm, which has concentrated strength beyond its limit, trembles.

Close your eyes and awaken all karma.

A bright red light wrapped around my arms like a spiral, and the feats I had accumulated added strength to my body.

“Lacy!”

“El Pinel!”

Lastly, Lacey’s blessing is added.

Elfinel’s Grace. A pure white holy light covers my entire body, giving me power beyond my limits.

The spear I was holding shined dazzlingly.

window.

okay. Not Durandal.

In my right hand was Asha’s lance.

The conversation with Ludwig passed through my mind.

‘How far can you throw a noble woman’s javelin?’

‘well? If I give my all, I think I’ll be able to go over 600m, right?’

I aim the spear that has started to glow at the guy.

Breathe in to your limit.

as it is.

“Kaaat!”

A pure white flash fired with all its might pierced the wall of sound.