Chapter 172
Chapter 172. The Melody of the Battlefield
— At the westernmost edge of Evaroti, Niban Fortress.
“It seems it has begun…”
In the “Chapel of Prayer” at the center of the fortress, a female forest elf mage perked up her long ears.
Like the forest elves who loved the sun, she was tanned, but perhaps due to stress and burden, her cheeks were gaunt, making her look far from healthy—a worn-out elven woman.
“…Shall we do what we can, as well?”
A tired-looking, slim-faced male elf mage replied in a languid voice.
Next to him, an old elf with deep wrinkles around his eyes silently nodded, despite being of a long-lived kind.
At Niban Fortress, which would likely become the fiercest battleground, there were three “Masters” — nearly the highest-ranked Elven mages — ready. They were among the elite forest elves, powerful enough to rival high elves.
“……”
The old elf took out a branch of fresh wood from his robe’s chest.
As the slim-faced elf murmured something to the ground, the stone pavement cracked and the earth was exposed.
The old elf deftly inserted the branch, and the female mage gently extended her hands, causing pure water to gush forth from her palms.
“~♪”
As if watering a houseplant with a watering can, the female mage hummed a cheerful tune while she poured the water.
The soothing melody was completely out of place for the urgent situation—like a lullaby.
“~~♪”
Swaying gently, she hummed a low note, in concert with the slim-faced elf, who moved his fingers as if conducting, drawing letters or patterns in the air.
“……”
And in sync with their voices, the old elf moved his fingers passionately in the air as if plucking an invisible harp.
A feeling of distortion in space—
“…!”
The priests who were waiting in the corner of the Prayer Room felt chills run down their spines. Even us, the human race, known for being dull in magic, could perceive it as if we were touched—
The high-ranking forest elves were weaving magic.
“「「「Myth Reenactment, Holy Tree Budding」」」”
The mages chanted together, and the branch emitted warm waves of light, like the sun, spreading—
The column of light released from the fortress beautifully blossomed into a translucent, shining great tree, sprouting branches and leaves. In response to Niban Fortress, similar light trees also sprouted from the remaining five fortresses.
A colossal tree shining bright, dispelling the darkness of night—
In all six fortresses surrounding Evaroti, pillars of light imitating the “Holy Great Tree,” which towered in the depths of the Elven Forest residual with the divine aura of the deities of light, were deployed. They resonated with each other, forming a large-scale barrier to repel evil curses and malevolent threats—
“Thank goodness…!”
While gazing at the aurora-like membrane of light appearing above him, Sword Saint Hessel offered a heartfelt prayer of gratitude at the walls of the Niban Fortress.
Thanks to this, he wouldn’t have to fear the demon race’s curses or the arrows of the night elves. As Hessel stood up with his great sword on his shoulder, arrows from the night elf soldiers soon rained down, but as soon as they touched the membrane of light, they spiraled off in a ridiculous direction like they were meddled with by invisible fairies.
Ohhh, the surrounding soldiers also stood up, voicing their admiration.
(… Now, I just wonder how long this will last.)
Once more, Hessel gazed up at the glowing membrane and the luminous great tree—his eyes brimming with pure “prayer.”
“Alright! The mages have worked hard for us. Now it’s our turn, right, guys?!”
In response to Hessel’s call, the soldiers cheered, “Ohhh!”
“That spirit is great! I’ll give it my all for the defense—just watch me!”
“Just don’t go leveling the walls too much, alright?!”
Someone added a jest, and Hessel laughed back, “You fool!”
— Hessel, known as “The Smasher of the Frontline,” was not particularly suited for battles focused on protection—
But that’s exactly why he thrived in chaotic combat.
That’s why he was assigned to the soon-to-be most fierce battlefield, Niban Fortress.
“We’re always on high alert, you know! Don’t get too lost in admiration for my delicate swordsmanship!”
“Who would be enchanted by that?!”
” Have you ever not broken anything just once?!”
“Shut up!! … They’re coming!”
Even though Hessel was cracking jokes, his expression hardened at the sight beyond the membrane of light, where beastman soldiers and demon soldiers appeared, pouring out from the makeshift camp.
The soldiers also stiffened, gripping their ranged weapons tightly.
“Prepare to shoot! … Fire!”
With the captain’s command, a metallic sound echoed as it rang out multiple times.
Many of the beastman soldiers attempting to scale the walls had their bodies pierced before they had time to dodge, sinking into pools of blood.
It was shocking to see such cat-like beastman soldiers—those who were like bundles of reflexes—fall as easily as that. Even some demon soldiers seemingly casting defensive magic got shot straight through the chest and exploded, scattering their magic.
Although there was no audible clue, it felt like turmoil was spreading within enemy lines.
“Wow… Dwarves really are something.”
As Hessel watched soldiers begin using a strange device, winding it like a gear with their feet, he couldn’t help but be impressed.
What the soldiers held were projectiles, seemingly a metal bow directly affixed sideways to another wooden frame in a cross shape.
Apparently, it was invented by dwarves last year. Due to its structure, it was called a ‘crossbow.’ A few trial models were delivered along with reinforcements from the Holy Church—a scarce number meant primarily for Niban Fortress.
Its structure was intricate, maintenance was challenging, and it took a lot of time to reload, making it something the demon race or night elves would likely avoid using if they picked it up.
In fact, night elves could fire arrows with more power using their strength, while forest elves relied on magic for convenience.
However—on the flip side, it meant that humans could also shoot arrows comparable to night elves if they put in the effort. Of course, directed at humans, it could be a threat, but since they were already troubled by night elf arrows, the outcome wouldn’t be any different.
“Now they’ll think twice about advancing—”
Just as Hessel began to say this, a second wave of beastman soldiers rushed out from the makeshift camp.
“Damn, they really treat their lives as disposable!”
He bit back a curse, gripping his great sword tighter.
The battle had just begun.
†††
Somehow, despite giving a decent speech, here I am, huffing and puffing—Zilbagias.
You know what’s most important in war?
It’s being able to run properly.
To fight, you first have to move. It’s crucial that you have troops “ready” at the right time and place. Not everyone is a prince, and it’s rare to get a lift to your destination by carriage.
And no matter how strong a warrior is, it doesn’t matter if they’re not there.
So warriors have to run on their own two feet.
“We’re almost there.”
Peeking through a gap in the wall, Kuvirtar said.
With loud clattering of his armor, my squad of eight demon race warriors continued running down the paved road.
— It was a half-underground tunnel that circled the capital of Evaroti. Reinforced by sturdy stone walls both physically and magically, it allowed for safe movement.
It would take human beings hundreds of workers weeks to dig such a hole, but the Korvto tribe can do it in just a few days with only a handful.
Seriously, strong magic users are incredible…
Since the start of the Demon Lord War, fortresses that lack underground protective barriers have become outdated and unusable.
“Can you see it?”
Suppressing my uneasy feelings, I asked, keeping calm.
“Yes! The Fourth Fortress.”
I referred to it as the Fourth Fortress (tentative) since I didn’t know its official name—regardless, Evaroti is surrounded by six fortresses. It was likely that the defensive strength was concentrated on the western side facing the demon lord army (Fortresses 1, 2, and 3), and naturally, our “first army” was also assigned to the western side.
… Huh? You’re asking why we don’t strike the weak points?
Well, it’s because it would be an embarrassment for the demon race to do that against mere humans. That’s the logic behind it.
So, while I wouldn’t mind if the demons took the body blows from the start, the first attacks are directed at the beastman troops, demon soldiers, and goblin soldiers. It’s hard not to feel pity for those unneeded troops being scattered…
That aside.
As Count Zilbagias, merely a newbie, I was assigned to deal with the relatively less observed southern and northern areas due to being treated like the second or third army.
Still…
I couldn’t help but peek through a wall gap, gazing at the glorious light tree sprouting from the fortress.
… “Myth Reenactment”, huh? It’s been a while since I saw that.
“That’s quite a flashy spell.”
That one requires cutting branches from the Holy Great Tree in the Elven Forest and bringing them before they wither, so it’s not easily used.
Using six of them like that, it seems the downfall of the Defteros Kingdom is quite unfavorable for the forest elves…
“Why is that?”
Though there are still a few small nations left, the Demon Lord’s Kingdom is getting close to the Elven Forest bit by bit.
Once the borders connect, it’s obvious what would happen, right?
“It feels like those night elves are going to party with fires…”
Exactly.
“Your Highness, over there is the fortress.”
Kuvirtar halted and pointed again. Despite running full speed, he wasn’t sweating at all. Unlike my sweat-drenched idiot buddies, he was riding high.
“……”
I circled around, emotionless as I surveyed the destination—a stone fortress covered in an aurora-like membrane of light—
Apparently, the attacks from beastman and demon soldiers had already begun.
“—This staring time feels like a waste. Let’s go.”
I charged my body with magic, transforming Adamas into a spear while I spoke.
… Already, here and there, I could see corpses of humans dragged down from the walls.
Not on my watch.
That kind of waste is unacceptable.
“… That one is mine.”
In a growl, almost strangled, my words produced a smile from Kuvirtar, as if to say, “How dependable.”
“Then let’s proceed, Your Highness. Although there were many frightening moments in training… the battlefield is truly delightful.”
As Kuvirtar and his subordinates laughed, they were certainly elite demon race members.
Ah, how true that is.
You demon race members who only hunt the weak…
“That is something to look forward to.”
I laughed back fiercely, without hiding—
“My name is Zilbagias Reiju.”
A feeling surged through me as if my body were expanding multiple times.
“I shall bring an end to my enemies!”
Woah… the looks on Albar and the rest’s faces were one of awe and alarm.
“That’s the spirit. Now, Your Highness! Welcome to the battlefield!”
— “Welcome”?
For me, it’s more like “I’m back.”
Ignoring the echoes of laughter from the demon race, I leaned out from our position.
I took a step.
Ah, that infuriating yet familiar.
Both man and demon—this is the battlefield.
