The Male S*ave of the Count Sianella Family

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After crossing one mountain, I scanned another peak I wanted to bombard. Finally, everyone seemed to understand why I wanted to spread magic here.

“There are confirmed sightings of monsters wandering the same path, which is quite eerie.”

“Among the scouts keeping watch, reports have increased about suspicious figures appearing and disappearing on the opposite mountain peak.”

“Some of the high priests here have also expressed displeasure about this location.”

Aside from the information provided by the spirits, their direct visual confirmations were rapidly being reported.

I had mentioned that after inscribing Epheana’s magic on that mountain, we’d break through and launch our attack. It seemed they were finally comprehending and agreeing with that notion.

“It is certainly sure that there is something beyond that mountain. To push through all those monsters, it seems wise to borrow the power of magic as the Head of the Family advised.”

Hanelrn and the knights acknowledged my somewhat reckless method.

Not only the Knights’ Order but the magic division shared the same sentiment.

“Our mages are also prepared with protective magic so that they can execute operations even in the midst of a fierce battlefield. Please give us your command.”

The wizards, who typically require a longer preparation time, were also ready to charge.

I checked the ordinary soldiers behind me, each gripping their swords and spears tightly.

‘They are definitely quite tense.’

At this rate, I wonder if they’ll even be able to thrust a spear or swing a sword properly.

The knights and wizards were already experts who had crossed a certain line in skill. Though they were tense, they didn’t seem too stiff.

The presence of large battle wizards providing fire support was certainly dazzling for a debut battle. However, all the ordinary soldiers seemed as if they were frozen in place.

At least some of the Count’s soldiers were trying to steady their breaths and revive their fighting spirit.

I turned my gaze to Dorothy.

“How much longer until the preparations from the Alenarr Marquis Family are complete?”

Dorothy conversed with Epheana through the magic device she had handed me.

“In about 10 minutes, all the mages will have their attack preparations ready.”

Ten minutes until dozens of mages would be ready to unleash their full power.

Hearing Dorothy’s reply, I stepped forward toward the soldiers.

“We’ll charge toward the enemy in about ten minutes, eyes fixed on the torrent of magic.”

All their numerous gazes focused on me.

Though my voice wasn’t particularly loud, it was sufficient for them to hear.

“The target is the mountaintop. Once the archers and mages secure the peak, those with spears and swords must advance and sweep the enemy all the way to their stronghold!”

After hearing my command, all the soldiers swallowed hard.

They must be tense.

They would worry about being struck by the magic that would soon rain down from the mountain, or being killed by the monsters that survived or the cult scouts spotted at the peak.

“I will lead you into death, more than anyone else.”

But surely not more than I.

I was prepared to become the foremost target and face the enemies head-on.

Seeing the two commanders showing signs of confusion at my decision to serve as the target, I felt no inclination at all to back down from my thoughts.

“Just as I split the raging blizzard before, I will once again step forward to fend off the enemy’s pyre.”

Perhaps not for the Count’s army, whom I had known well and had full confidence in, but the Baron’s army was an unknown quantity—how they would move, how they would respond to surprises—none of that was clear to me.

With the enemy numbering merely around fifty, and those that had tasted magic likely to be even fewer, it was ultimately safer for me to lead within the closest battle’s midst.

“Your roles are simply to join me and the knights in the effort to survive and claim victory. With me, who’s been boisterously written about in the papers, and Hanelrn, who’s recognized as the leading knight from the Count’s House leading alongside you, there’s no need to tremble in fear.”

I could see the eyes of some soldiers, who had been filled with fear, begin to shine again.

“If you’re scared, grip your weapon tight and draw the arrow. Look down at the blood that seeps from your palm and consider: No other blood will be spilled this battle except for this.”

As they gripped their weapons tightly and ignited their wills, it felt like they were transforming into the image of strong troops, prompting a small smile to appear on my face.

“Don’t forget. We will achieve a great victory in this battle.”

Right, with this level of morale, there shouldn’t be any crazed backward charges happening.

With the soldiers’ spirits sufficiently lifted—

“I’ve received contact from the Alenarr Marquis Family. All preparations for the battle wizards are complete. They can unleash magic the moment we give the signal.”

Perfect timing; Epheana’s side had finished all preparations.

“Tell them to commence fire support.”

“Yes!”

Dorothy replied with an enthusiastic answer, having caught my request.

‘It’s quite magnificent.’

The powerful attack unleashed by wizards who had concealed themselves perfectly began.

As if they intended to sweep away the biting northern mountain winds, dozens of massive fireballs, filled with tremendous energy, soared through the air, caught in the fierce winds.

KABOOM—! Bang—!

Once they struck the mountain, powerful tremors surged through, shaking me.

‘…As magnificent as it is, it certainly packs a punch.’

It’s no wonder the fire support from the battle wizards is renowned for its strength. Though it takes considerable time to set up from a safe distance.

The thunder that incinerated the remaining monsters, dragged along by those fireballs or ethereal energies, was a manifestation of the wizards’ total commitment to their crafts.

“All troops, prepare to charge!!”

As fiery pillars erupted and the surroundings turned into a wasteland, clashing lightning painted the sky in a spectacle.

In the midst of the grand explosions, I raised my voice.

“Hanelrn, are the knights fully prepared!”

“Yes! Everyone is waiting for the Head of the Family’s command!”

“Good, then—”

After the magic storm subsided, I looked towards the smoke-covered, devastated mountain and shouted.

“All troops, charge!”

*

“Wowww—!”

“Run, run—!”

As the magic that had shaken the heavens subsided, the Count and all the knights dashed out as promised.

Following behind them were those like me.

I too shouted, gripping my spear tightly.

“Waaaaah…!”

As I screamed in tune with the pounding heartbeat, my fear dulled slightly.

If I didn’t take this chance, I felt as though I would remain rooted to the ground, a coward left alone.

“Faster! Don’t block the front, just keep running!”

“Get into the dust! Staying around here makes you an easy target for the monsters!”

Boisterous cries erupted all around me, pounding my eardrums.

Breathing heavily, I didn’t stop in my sprint.

As one soldier had said, if we were surrounded by monsters in this state, it was clear we were done for.

“Uagh…!”

Thud—!

I stumbled over a rock and rolled down the slope.

For a moment, my view was completely filled with the sky and ground.

“Ugh.”

As I adjusted my helmet, I saw comrades rushing past me.

Was it the excitement that caused it? Thankfully, there was no pain.

“Where’s my spear…!?”

My hand found itself empty.

The one means of protecting myself and killing my enemies.

“Over there…!”

I scrambled as fast as I could to grab my dirty spear.

Rolling through the rocky ground, I had no time to moan in pain.

“Grrr! Aaaah…!”

Instead, I screamed at the top of my lungs and dashed out.

Finally, I successfully entered the thick cloud of dust.

A murky world. I couldn’t tell where I was or who was near me. I could only run forward, just as I had when I first entered the dust.

“Growl…”

“What’s that?”

In this dire situation, I inadvertently locked eyes with a monster.

The creature, resembling a massive, wounded wolf, was already covered in scars. Half of its body seemed fused and rotting, appearing ready to collapse at any moment, but it radiated an intent to kill.

What mattered to me was the fact that it was baring its sharp teeth towards me.

“Don’t come near.”

Death was frightening.

Even having heard the vows of the Head of Family and knights, nothing changed.

“Don’t come, don’t come, don’t come!”

And for me, death was signified by that wolf.

“Grrrr—!”

The wolf opened its massive jaws and lunged at me.

“Gah, no…!”

I gripped my spear with both hands to keep its jaws from tearing my throat.

“Gack!”

As our bodies collided, a sudden weightlessness struck me.

Thud—

My back hit the ground, a heavy impact registering, but I didn’t let go of my spear.

“Grrrr…!”

“Go away, go away, go away! Get lost!”

This spear was my only means of stopping the frenzied wolf’s bites.

I drew upon what little mana I had, forcing all my strength to prevent its advance.

But the wolf’s jaws inched closer to my delicate neck.

As the wolf’s saliva covered my face and my breath tightened to the limit, in my final moments of desperation, I kicked the wolf away.

“You damn mutt!”

Just then, a soldier with a familiar face rushed up.

“Die! Enough already! Just die!”

As he shoved arrows into the wolf’s eyes and neck, I watched as the creature staggered.

“You alright? Can you stand?”

“Y-yeah…!”

Grabbing the hand of the soldier who had saved me and wiping the wolf’s spit off me, I finally recognized who had rescued me.

“You’re from the Count’s House!”

“I’m the archer from earlier! The one you fought alongside so gallantly, so drop the deadpan and hurry up!”

“Behind you!”

Suddenly, a monster appeared, knocking the archer from the Count’s House to the ground.

“Are you alright!?”

“Ugh… I’m fine. I’m fine, but…”

I could save the archer who had saved me as well.

But.

“…It seems we’re in trouble. Hand me the spear. I’ll pull the string.”

“Ah.”

Staring down at the person in front of me, half-dead and unable to walk straight, I saw that the three monsters had no intention of letting him live.

“What do we do now…?”

In this situation, where hope seemed lost, a remark passed through my mind.

—As long as you did your best until your last breath, no one would call that a wasted life.

Suddenly inspired, I steadied my grip on the spear.

The sharp tip pointed toward the enemy.

Even as my weary body struggled to rise, I aimed to keep the spear steady.

“I-I’ve got to thrust the spear—”

In a panic, tears blurring my vision, I faced the monsters.

Next to me, the archer from the Count’s House similarly drew an arrow onto his bow.

“Grrrr!”

Whether it was anger or not, the monster with its half-burned legs lunged at me with all its might.

“AAAH—!”

Just as I prepared to retaliate in response—

Whoosh—!

A strong wind blew, and my hair whipped around.

“Ah.”

With the magic of a small child soaring above, the creature’s neck was cleanly severed.

As the follow-up of two more monsters endured the same fate, I could see a flicker of hope fill the faces of the archers.

“R-Ray Deputy Commander.”

In front of me stood the Head of the Family.

To the archers from the Count’s House, he was renowned as the deputy commander of the Special Mission Team.

“It’s the spirit of Deputy Commander Ray! The deputy commander has saved me once again!”

“Is it our Head of Family…?”

“I told you! It’s a stroke of luck to be alongside the Deputy Commander!”

Hope and motivation began to take root again in the eyes of the previously despairing Count’s archer.

And at that moment—

Whoosh—!

As the dust settled, the world above grew bright once again.

Before me lay the countless corpses of monsters who had been slain by the spirit’s attack—just like the sight I had seen before.

Lifting my gaze towards them revealed the peak of the mountain, heaped with the most bodies.

There stood the Baron, stained with dark blood all over his armor.

“Ah.”

The Baron engaged fiercely against the cult scouts, charging headfirst into battle.

Skillfully coordinating with the knights, he fought valiantly, exchanging bows and swords with fervor more than anyone else.

Not just his fight, but all the soldiers and knights looked upon him in awe.

“Get up! Don’t just stand there with dazed expressions; help the Head of Family!”

“His Excellency is fighting so fiercely; can we just sit here idle? He kept his promise to stand at the forefront!”

For a moment, the soldiers, who had stalled at an obstacle, rekindled their pace.

“Let’s go! Since we owe a debt to the deputy commander, we as proud and noble warriors must repay this too!”

The archer shouted as he began climbing the mountain like a madman, spurring me to follow his lead.

My small strides quickly morphed into a relentless charge.

“Waaaaah—!”

No longer did the hand holding the spear tremble.