Volume 14 Chapter 25 The Siege And Annihilation Operation On The Feto River (Part III)
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
*Nokin’s Perspective
Alonsa’s plan worked perfectly. The ‘another world monsters’ that flooded the basin were wiped out by water and fire. They sank to the lakebed, dead.
”As expected of my wife. Alonsa will be a great strategist in history.”
”Indeed… To wipe out nearly 40 thousand ‘another world monsters’ so easily… A good plan is a powerful thing.”
I heard Garo swallow hard beside me. He seems shocked by the massacre of ‘another world monsters’ unfolding before our eyes.
”Right? With Alonsa, we can’t lose. If we survive this ‘another world monster’ hunt, we’ll eventually clash with Yaalan. When that time comes, we’ll need Alonsa’s plans. We’ll have to fight the True Demon Dukedom. This is a practice run.”
”Yes, sir! With Sir Nokin’s personal bravery, the Garuda Principality army’s soldiers’ skills, and Lady Alonsa’s strategies, our country will be an undefeated force!”
”Yes. We will be stronger than any army. And we’ll be remembered in history!!”
Feeling good about the victory, I headed to the stables to go down from the high ground and see Alonsa. On the way, I ran into a messenger rushing into the camp. He was from Alonsa’s camp at the foot of the mountain. He said Medium-sized ‘another world monsters’ were bypassing the high ground and attacking the camp.
I looked toward Alonsa’s camp. Dust and flags were waving wildly. It meant combat was already happening there.
A, Alonsa!! This is bad! I have to go help her immediately!!
When I got the report, I immediately led my soldiers down from the mountains to Alonsa. I also used a mirror to send instructions to Repulus and the others on the opposite mountain to come help Alonsa. They should be rushing toward Alonsa at full speed too.
”Hurry! We can’t lose Alonsa! Defeat the ‘another world monster’ that’s getting in our way!”
Riding my horse down the mountain, I charged ahead. I cut down the ‘another world monster’ attacking Alonsa’s camp, clearing the way. The monster attacking the camp was only a medium-sized spider-like creature. It seemed to be the ‘another world monster’ that had slipped through the valley ── a narrow, difficult terrain── because Alonsa judged that crossing on foot was impossible.
According to Kent and others, they’ve only seen small-sized spider-type monsters so far.
Damn it… I can’t believe stronger enemies are showing up than Alonsa expected… We’re fighting enemies with incredible adaptability…
I keep cutting down the spider-type monsters attacking the camp, but new ones keep popping out of the steep valleys. Since we lost the advantage of the high ground, the soldiers outside the mountain’s defenses are becoming spider food one after another.
”Sir Nokin!! If this continues, the damage will be too great! We must join up with Lord Repulus and re-enter, otherwise we will be crushed!”
The spiders took the chance when we abandoned the mountain camp and moved to the foot of the mountain. They turned around and headed straight for us. They were rushing down quickly. Disorganized ranks and the chaos of false information are making things worse. The casualties in the field are growing every moment.
Should I follow Garo’s advice and stay back? But Alonsa won’t last much longer either…
Confused about what to do, I entrusted the soldiers to Garo and decided to go alone to Alonsa.
”Garo! Lead the soldiers to meet up with Repulus! Check the timing and rescue Alonsa and me. I will break through alone and head to Alonsa. Protective guards aren’t needed. If you stay too close, it might be more dangerous──give it your all!”
”But… Sir Nokin going alone…”
”This is an order from the king. Meet up with Repulus immediately, and plan to rescue the strategist Alonsa! If you understand, gather the troops and go!”
”…Yes! Got it. I’ll be there soon. Please don’t do anything reckless…”
Garo mounted his horse, called the nearby soldiers, and quietly headed toward the rally point. Watching them leave, I got off my horse, slung my greatsword over my shoulder, and charged into the group of ‘another world monsters.’
* * *
*Alonsa’s Perspective
After wiping out over 40 thousand ‘another world monsters,’ I was lost in the aftermath. Suddenly, an officer who had been scouting nearby rushed in, panicked. The officer’s armor was torn to shreds, and he looked badly injured.
”What’s happened? And those wounds?”
”Hah… Hah… It’s terrible! Lady Alonsa, the ‘another world monsters’ say they can’t cross the steep cliff valley ── but now, many of them, about 5 thousand, are advancing through that very place. All of them are medium-sized spiders──just like those ‘another world monsters’!!”
The spot where this officer had been scouting was in a narrow canyon and steep cliffs, places so tight that humans barely pass. It’s not quite a trail, but an almost impassable route. We had sent a scout just to be careful, but it seems the enemy has mobilized new ‘another world monsters’ capable of crossing that difficult terrain.
”Calm down! We’ve already considered that. Everyone, switch to combat formation! The enemy’s closing in. Rush and tell Nokin and Repulus to report the situation, quick!”
As soon as the orders were given, the troops scrambled into action. The enemy vanguard was already visible, charging towards us with dust clouds rising.
…To deploy the new ‘another world monster’ now… it’s not fair… If it were the current ‘another world monster’, we’d have a sure win… Such a waste. But no time to dwell on that. I need to think of a way to repel the enemy… If I face those medium-sized 5 thousand head-on, I’ll lose half our troops for sure. I need to minimize casualties and lure them back to Felward Fortress… There’s no other place to efficiently repel them except Felward Fortress or Nirei Fortress.
While giving combat instructions to the troops, I was frantically thinking of how to repel the approaching enemy. Normally, I would prepare several solid strategies instead of taking such a huge risk, but this time, the preparation period was too short to plan for failures. Either way, if this plan fails, it’s as good as the counteroffensive collapsing and being defeated by the ‘another world monster’ is clear as day. So, whether it succeeds or fails, there’s no point in thinking about what comes next.
…As a strategist, this is the worst. A foolish strategist who played with a plan without foresight… Nokin… I’m sorry. I’ll try my best, but it doesn’t look like I’ll be coming back alive.
Soldiers were desperately thrusting spears and shooting arrows at the spider-like ‘another world monster’ clambering over the fence. In an instant, the camp was engulfed in chaos as the ‘another world monster’ swarmed in from the valley.
”Don’t be scared! The enemy can’t easily get over the fence! Wait calmly for reinforcements. Nokin and Repulus will be here to help us soon!”
Grabbing a nearby bow, I nock an arrow and take aim at the ‘another world monster’ trying to climb over the fence, but the arrow just bounces off its tough skin.
…I should’ve trained more in Forging, huh…?
Knowing I couldn’t deal any damage, I nocked a second arrow, aimed carefully, and shot. This time, I managed to hit the spider’s eye, making it flinch.
The Soldiers kept pushing back the spiders that were getting closer to the barricade, but one by one, they fell, taken down by the ‘another world monster.’ Eventually, the feared collapse of the barricade started, and through the broken gaps, the enemies began to pour into our lines.
”Push them back! Don’t let them in! Follow me, all of you!”
I drew the sword I wore for decoration and, with the nearby Officers, attacked the spiders that had gotten through.
*Clang!*
But, with no combat job of my own, my strikes couldn’t pierce the tough skin of the ‘another world monster,’ and all I managed to do was draw its attention.
The spider’s compound eyes locked onto me, glowing red, and the fear was so overwhelming that my legs gave out, and I collapsed to the ground.
”Lady Alonsa!! Please, run! We’ll hold them off here!!”
The Officers, who had drawn their swords to fight the spider, were brutally slaughtered by another one. The barricade had already been breached in several places, and the soldiers, one after another, became prey to the spiders.
…Nokin… help me, Nokin… I don’t want to die… I don’t want to die alone, away from you… please, help me…
As I was retreating on the ground, paralyzed by fear, a spider approached, raising its sharp front legs to strike. I shut my eyes, bracing for impact. But the pain never came. When I dared to open my eyes, I saw a familiar figure standing before me, blocking the spider’s strike by cutting off its front leg.
”N-Nokin!! You came for me!?”
”Of course. I can’t let you die. It’s a husband’s duty to save his wife in danger. Isn’t that right?”
”Y-yes… a husband’s crisis is also the wife’s crisis!!”
Relieved to be alive, I gave Nokin a response I didn’t fully understand myself.
”For now, this battle line can’t hold. We’re merging with Repulus and the others. I told Garo to lead my troops and join in.”
Nokin raced through the huge swarm of spiders alone, covered in several wounds. His fighting spirit was still strong. He carried me with one arm, then shouted orders at the nearby soldiers, encouraging them to fight the spiders.
* * *
*Repulus Perspective
Suddenly, a messenger ran in, saying Lady Alonsa’s camp was under attack and in danger. We hurried to leave the high mountain camp and go help. But when we reached the foot of the mountain, enemies were spilling out everywhere. Some of them headed straight toward us.
”The enemy is a Medium-sized *another world monster*. Everyone, stay in formation, take one down at a time──don’t rush!”
I wanted to rush to help, but since it’s a Medium-sized *another world monster*, attacking head-on could make things worse. We need to be careful.
”Repulus. Ode, I have a bad feeling. Can I go ahead and handle this?”
Geronimo, leading the diversion squad, looked worried and asked for permission to advance. But I didn’t give it──damage is better to avoid.
”No. If we attack now, we’ll suffer heavy losses, too. The camp is still holding, so let’s stay calm and wait.”
”But… Lady Alonsa…”
Geronimo kept glancing toward the enemy camp, eager to move forward. While fighting the *another world monster*, Garo, who had led some soldiers, suddenly appeared from the enemy lines. He was already wounded, bleeding from many cuts as he broke through the enemy.
”Lord Garo!? What happened to Sir Nokin?!”
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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