SWNOVELXO Chapter 425
A ranger came sprinting towards us, already in a fast combat posture under the command of our commanders.
Sweat trickled down her forehead and her breath came in sharp gasps, as if the frosty northern wind soothed her. Even after reaching us, she didn’t bother to catch her breath before reporting the situation.
“Groups of cultists have appeared in the area where we expected monster swarms! The Special Mission Team is already engaged in battle!”
Originally, it was believed that there would be a cluster of monsters lurking around.
Moreover—
“Currently, the enemy is intensifying the battle more than expected, charging while crying for martyrdom. Princess Shione has ordered us to seek the wizards’ assistance from the Baron as quickly as possible!”
After all, the cultists had a strong animosity towards the Count’s House and me. They certainly wanted to prevent us from joining Ainel at all costs.
Unlike the mages we had run into before, these cultists seemed to be throwing their lives away carelessly, bothering the Special Mission Team with reckless abandon.
‘For those who have been hiding all along to suddenly stand against us…’
The Gluttony Demon that made us run away before must have been bothered since we had something on them that they couldn’t touch.
Quickly, I dispatched Elvis to survey the enemy camp.
Watching me, I issued commands to our leaders.
“From now on, we will assist the Count’s Special Mission Team in handling the cultists. Wizards, prepare your spells as requested by the Young Lady. The Knights’ Commander, lead the Knights and soldiers to support the wizards and the Special Mission Team.”
Dorothy and Hanelrn responded energetically.
Lastly, I confirmed Teia, who was eagerly anticipating her own commands.
“I will be looking for an opportunity to sweep the enemies alongside the Assault Brigade.”
Until the moment I mentioned that I would charge on my warhorse with the Special Assault Brigade.
*
“Anyone even slightly touched by those self-destructing fools, get over to the priest immediately! You might rot away from the magic!”
“Princess Shione has just slain a cultist who was bursting monsters! Push forward! Buy time for Princess Shione to shoot down the mages!”
“The signal…! Priests, rally to the spot where Princess Shione’s signal falls!”
The knights of the Special Mission Team were struggling under the cowardly sheer numbers of the cult’s attacks.
While the monsters trying to push from beyond couldn’t withstand Shione’s devastating hail of arrows and were just evaporated, the issue was the swarming demons, rushing in as martyrs.
Thanks to their sudden ambush, the battle began, of course.
Whether they had swords or arrows stuck in them, as long as they were still breathing, they squeezed into the Special Mission Team’s ranks and caused chaos until they ultimately exploded with magic from hidden shamans.
For a brief moment, the demonic magic, which could not even be obliterated by Shione’s spells, proved to be exceedingly threatening. The knights, who were still feeling out the bizarre movements and collaboration of these demons, found it burdensome to face both the monsters at once.
Therefore, the greater share of fighting the monsters fell to Shione.
“There you are!”
While sweeping away monsters, Shione loosed an arrow in an instant, sensing the presence of a thick magical spell.
Boom─!
The arrow, imbued with magic, created a significant explosion upon striking its target.
Though she was still not able to perfectly manifest Master Ainel Shianella’s power, and was conserving mana for the long march, just the fact that she broke through the wall meant her attack was powerful enough.
“The shamans… thankfully.”
An unusual group capable of wielding Divine Power.
If even a moment’s delay occurred in loosing her arrows, they would cast spells to block attacks just enough to keep their lives, then retreat to heal themselves with Divine Power before returning to the fray.
Fortunately, this time, the moment their tenacious connection to life was severed, it was over.
‘If only there were a few more wizards at this moment.’
We could definitely wipe out the shamans first without having to bother with the monsters.
While pondering whether the Baron’s joint assault would begin first or if the Special Mission Team would get a grip and sweep everything away, the answer arrived soon.
“The Deputy Commander’s reserve wizard team has finished preparing attack spells and has joined to the right flank! Princess Shione has given the order, ready to unleash spells whenever! If you shoot signal arrows at the target area, they will use magic there!”
“How long has it been since we called for them, and they’re here already?”
“Not only the soldiers to defend the wizards but also the Knights and soldiers supporting the Special Mission Team have arrived! They’re also pushing in from the right flank to join the battle!”
“…As expected, they never disappoint.”
Shione smiled with satisfaction.
The very moment she shot her signal arrows, unhesitatingly granting fire support to the wizards, Hanelrn boldly withdrew his sword in front of the knights and brave soldiers.
“With the Head of the Family’s spirit alongside us, death is but a distant thought! Let’s drive back the enemies with the Special Mission Team, and pave the way for the Head to stab at their hearts!”
The marshaling soldiers surged forward as spirits breathed flames alongside them.
“Our Kalia Marquis Family’s extermination squad cannot remain idle! The Baron’s forces are here without hesitation; we cannot let our Marquis’ prestige fall behind! Let’s advance!”
Following suit not to be outdone, the extermination squads charged alongside Abel.
Before the coalition of the three families, that grotesquely large swarm of monsters had become a mere beast horde they could easily take down.
Once more, as the morale of the knights from the Special Mission Team surged, cutting down the enemies while receiving reinforcements, someone approached Diolia, who had been isolated after facing both monsters and demons bravely.
“It’s been several years since we drew swords together. I didn’t expect to find a pile of corpses around you. Indeed, you are Diolia-senpai.”
“Hah… I thought that was the Deputy Commander coming, but it turns out it’s our mischievous junior. I assume you’ve had some fun like in our mischievous days.”
“…A mischievous junior? I was just a little overly confident, that’s all. Compared to now… out here on the battlefield, there’s only a single sword to guide my path. I’ve cleared my way like a knight.”
While replying to Diolia, Hanelrn swiftly beheaded two monsters.
She shook the blood of the fallen off her sword.
With a glimmer in his eyes directed at Diolia, he exhaled, and at that moment, a deadly instinct shot through Diolia.
“Senpai.”
“I’ve got it.”
Stab─!
Diolia stepped on the ground, spinning around and slicing a demon’s arm off.
Darting forward, she kicked off the demon’s back and declared, “Hanelrn. Be careful as they explode the moment their lives are taken.”
The junior nodded in response to the senior’s words, positioning her sword horizontally.
“I know.”
Shh─!
In a clean line that sliced the air, a tiny droplet of blood formed at the tip of Hanelrn’s sword.
The Baron’s Knights’ Commander swiftly grabbed a demon by the collar with one hand and tossed it away.
Boom─!
The explosive death of the demon swept away the advancing monsters, causing them to tumble.
As Diolia continued fighting, she reflected.
‘Our Deputy Commander has done well.’
She was thankful to have secured a knight capable of wielding their sword as finely as she could.
*
“…Head of the Family, are you truly planning to ride together with our Assault Brigade?”
“Of course. If that weren’t the case, I wouldn’t be sticking around here, would I? So, is there something you want to say?”
“N-no, not really.”
“You look like there’s plenty you want to say. Just say it comfortably.”
“Well, it’s just… the clash of the Assault Brigade can be quite dangerous. If you were to get seriously hurt, that would be a big deal, wouldn’t it?”
Hanelrn and Dorothy remained quiet.
They must have been uneasy, glancing at me intermittently, which made sense now.
“Don’t worry about me getting hurt. The spirit of the wind will be with us, and I’m used to riding.”
“That’s true, but…”
“If you can’t trust me, then I’ll show off a little until Dorothy gives the signal.”
“…What?”
I went ahead and demonstrated some tricks to calm our leaders.
Starting with making the horse go at a brisk pace while accurately shooting arrows as I went along, I gradually leaned fully to one side, shooting arrows from an almost hanging position.
As I displayed these techniques, Teia and soon every member of the Assault Brigade was filled with admiration.
“So, what do you think? This should show how used to riding I really am.”
“I-I’m sorry.”
“There’s no need to apologize. You should be thanking me for being worried about your leader’s safety.”
Teia lowered her head for a moment as if deep in thought.
Then she met my gaze with calm, steady eyes.
“Is it rude of me to ask one more question?”
“Feel free.”
“I’m curious about your intention to lead the Special Assault Brigade directly, unlike before.”
An intention to lead the Special Assault Brigade directly; if that meant something, it certainly did.
Having checked the battlefield through Elvis, if my Special Assault Brigade, fueled by my mana, could execute the attack successfully, it would be a grand victory above all else, giving confidence and pride to everyone in the Baron’s house.
An army that has faced defeat begins to lose its vitality, while an army that has tasted a great and glorious victory is bound to fight fiercely to retain that glory.
Especially in this situation where their confidence was gradually filling as they started comparing themselves to the Special Mission Team, if we could showcase a dramatic and splendid blow from our Baron family, it would definitely be of great help.
Moreover—
‘It seems more comfortable to directly ride and stir things up.’
This was the most crucial point.
I believed this would be the surest and easiest path to securing victory.
With that in mind, I opened my mouth to explain slowly.
“The reason is—”
Boom─!
The ground shook with the power of magic, synchronized with the signal announcing the arrival of our Special Assault Brigade.
Gripping the reins, I declared, “I’ll show you directly from now on.”
Just follow along, and you’ll understand.