Volume 6 Chapter 42 Fate Of The Battlefield (Part 2️⃣)
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
The sun is setting. It’s strange how calm Ms. Shirakaba is, but I feel nervous.
Is war coming? No, we need to eat first. I have food in my magic bag, but I decide to cook because of the maids.
The tower’s food storage has old dried meat and flour. It’s not great, but it’s enough for more than ten days.
When Orlan and others arrive, the food will be gone fast. I hope they bring their own food. If not, we don’t need them.
The last village I visited had very little wheat left. That’s not good.
There’s almost no water. The wooden barrel on the roof is broken.
Luckily, Tizzy can make water with magic. But what if it was just us? We might have to give up.
There’s a lot of fuel stored. Were they planning to burn the tower? Even stone towers can catch fire inside.
The cooking tools are basic. The good stove is in the hot spring, which is broken now. It’s better than cooking outside, so it’s okay.
I use olive oil to fry flour. In the capital, old olive oil is used for lamps, but in Toyata Village, they use it for cooking. It smells different, but it’s fine for frying.
Dried meat is usually roasted and eaten like gum. It smells bad and tastes weird.
But if you cook it in a stew, it’s much better.
It’s not hard to do.
I put the fried flour and shredded meat in a pot, add herbs and salt, and simmer it. The herbs grow nearby, so no one will suspect.
Herbs are like weeds. If you know plants, the mountains and fields are full of useful things.
I didn’t have time to let the bread rise, so I made something like naan. It’s good with stew.
While cooking, I forgot about the war for a bit.
There’s enough food for 8 people, including the maids and soldiers. Ms. Shirakaba helped me. She’s not great at cooking, but she learns fast.
People have different talents. If we weren’t summoned, what would our lives be like? With my grades, I might have worked at a diner.
The chance of meeting Ms. Shirakaba and Tizzy was very small. The chance of us being together was almost zero.
There’s also a chance I could die tonight. Maybe 20% or 30%. My status says 28%.
That’s still better than most people here. I feel like a hero, even if I’m not great. Ms. Shirakaba has less than 10%, so I’m not that bad.
But if Ms. Shirakaba has a chance, I could still lose. That guy Alex is smart for focusing on luck and health.
Status changes as you age. Even if you’re strong, you can’t avoid death.
I will die someday. I don’t know if it’s tonight or later.
Dying is scary. I don’t want to lose Ms. Nina and everyone. But I don’t fully understand why.
However, thinking I might die makes it easier to fight.
A way to avoid death is important. Even the Great Temple sells it.
”What’s wrong? You look sad. Here, it’s naan. Just kidding.”
Ms. Shirakaba tries to make me laugh with fresh naan and Japanese jokes. They don’t work here, but it feels nostalgic.
I need to stay cheerful, even if I have to pretend.
Ms. Shirakaba has it harder, so I can’t worry her. But if I look scared, it might help her feel better.
Anyway, let’s eat.
The maids only took food for themselves. They won’t serve the soldiers. They only care about Tizzy.
They’re very proud. That’s normal here.
In the end, Ms. Shirakaba gave food to the soldiers. They were very happy.
”They said it felt like a last meal.”
Ms. Shirakaba laughs. It’s a scary thought.
”But it’s not strange to think that way. Even I don’t get to eat like this often.”
Tizzy is happy, but the Duke’s family isn’t known for good food.
In the capital, my friend the Baron is more respected for food than the Duke.
”The ingredients weren’t special. She’s just very talented at cooking.”
”My father will never appreciate it.”
That’s why the Duke is a failure.
Will I meet the Duke? Maybe to ask for Ms. Shirakaba’s hand. But she’s already doing that.
After the war, I’ll deal with it.
* * *
At sunset, Hollowvale gets dark from the bottom. Only the tower’s top catches the last light, glowing red. I feel many eyes from the Gorigan camp.
It’s not hostility. They’re just admiring the view.
They might be my enemies, but they’re just people. Even Castor loved his daughter.
My heart feels calmer. I don’t want to kill without reason, but I will if I must. It’s like hunting quail.
I don’t hate quail, but I kill them for food. That’s how it is.
I think I can do it.
”First, I’ll start the first stage. I’m going.”
When Ms. Shirakaba lowers the ladder, 4 enemies sense her. I need to stop them all.
Three are easy. One is a leader. Should I take out the weak ones first or the leader?
Climbing down the tower is harder than I thought. I’m better at climbing up.
I’m a bit late. Should I have used a rope? But I thought this way would hide me better.
What happens next is unpredictable, but I’m ready. Let’s do this.
I wear a skull mask and a black coat with a cape. A dwarf tailor made it for me. It cost a lot, but it’s worth it.
It’s not pure black, but indigo. It helps me hide in the dark.
I sneak up on the leader. I’ll attack him first.
I summon a salamander behind him and strike. I’ll draw his attention. Even if he burns me, I won’t know why I died.
I see his charms, but they won’t save him. Only rare gear can stop fire, and he doesn’t have it.
The salamander’s fire is flashy, but it’s common here. It might look natural.
”Wait! I surrender!”
Just before I attack, he raises his hands. The salamander looks confused. I freeze. Is this a trick?
But he just smiles and doesn’t move.
”What do you think, boss? How about buying us? I’ll give you a good deal.”
”Buy? Didn’t you surrender?”
I use a magic tool to make my voice deep. It’s expensive, so I need to use it well.
”Once you surrender, their job fails, and the contract ends. So, what do you think? It’s better than keeping us as prisoners.”
If they join us, it would help. But can I trust someone who changes sides so easily?
Mercenaries who switch sides easily can’t be fully trusted. But this guy claims to have a skill called “Guiding Guardian Angel.” It’s supposed to show the best path at important moments. Sounds like a cheat skill.
Is he really revealing such a powerful skill so easily? Maybe it’s a trick.
”First, let’s disarm you. We’ll talk after.”
He starts removing his gear skillfully. The items aren’t super valuable, but they’re well-chosen. It’s like a card game deck, cost-effective. I’d like a full set myself.
This guy’s capable. I’ll give him a provisional position. He signals the other three, and they all want to join me. Fine. They’re trouble as enemies, but useful as allies.
They’re a team of four: two men, two women. They can split into all-male or all-female groups. They’ve thought this through.
One woman quickly shows off her chest. Radar Scan catches it. She’s using her charms right away. Since they have female fighters, they likely use feminine tactics. Should I praise their professionalism?
They’re not good people. They defected because it benefits them. They’re more like bad guys—willing to do dirty work.
”From assassination to infidelity investigations, we’re the ‘Dragon’s Tail Gang’ at your service!”
The name makes it hard to judge if they’re strong or weak.
I needed support, and they can handle many tasks. If used right, they’re valuable. If I fall, they’ll abandon me, but that’s true for all retainers. Everyone wants to live happily, so I must meet their expectations.
”Thanks for your help. I’ll disable the enemies, so capture them quickly.”
The ‘Dragon’s Tail Gang’ stares at Ms. Shirakaba in disguise. She’s supposed to be a cross-dressing warrior, but Tizzy added too many frills. She looks like an opera star.
Even in that outfit, she looks great. Being beautiful has its perks.
”What about the wind from Tatsumi?”
”If they’re helping, we don’t need it. Just pray no unnecessary winds blow.”
My battle’s over, but I still have an important role. I’ll stay near Tizzy, who’s giving orders from the tower, and act as a strategist.
First, I’ll give the Tail Gang prototype ninja outfits.
”Is it a magic bag?”
”Impressive observation, but curiosity can be dangerous.”
”Don’t worry. If you command me, I’ll keep quiet. So, we’ll disguise ourselves as a costumed group.”
”Not a costumed group, but a wandering warrior band.”
Ms. Shirakaba changed the group’s name. We’ll disband soon, so it doesn’t matter.
”Amazing! Ms. Shirakaba’s on a winning streak! When she fights seriously, she’s unstoppable!”
Tizzy’s excited, getting real-time updates. I’m holding back, cutting limbs but avoiding vital points. The Tail Gang disables them quickly.
Cutting tendons means healing magic can’t fix them instantly. Even with basic healing, full recovery needs a specialist. At the Great Temple, they reopen wounds to fix them properly. Sounds painful.
Ransom for prisoners is the victor’s right, but covering medical expenses is their duty. We could charge Gorigan. If he refuses, non-nobles can be enslaved.
This battle has soft rules, so ransom’s low, and slavery’s off the table. But since Gorigan mistreated Mineley’s miners, we should seek revenge. Tizzy can decide.
The knights protested about not wanting to fight non-nobles, but Ms. Shirakaba—the Ribbon Warrior—knocked them out effortlessly.
No tactics needed. Just her overwhelming strength.
”The real trouble starts now. Feeding 47 prisoners will be a hassle.”
”Was it a mistake to disable them? Sorry.”
Tizzy could reattach their limbs, but as an apprentice, she might fail. If high-level magic goes wrong, it’s hard to fix. Maybe skip it this time.
I have an idea.
”Anyone who wants can be teleported to the temple. Ransom and medical fees will be charged to Gorigan.”
The prisoners look nervous. Teleportation has failure risks. But mine’s special, so it’s safe.
”Are you a sage?”
One knight asks timidly. Beaten by the Ribbon Warrior, he’s more reasonable now.
”Only believers will be saved. We don’t serve Duke Mineley. Troublemakers will be sunk in the swamp, with no evidence…”
They’re weaker now. The prisoners compete to agree. They’re quickly stored in the magic bag. They believe it’s teleportation, so no resistance.
The rest can be sent to the temple courtyard. No accurate calendar here, so they won’t notice the time difference. For them, it’s instant teleportation.
Just make sure the time matches when taking them out of the bag.
”Teleporting so many… We saw nothing.”
Now, about the four here… I’d hire them full-time if possible.
I’ll give them one million gold each in new common coins and mithril currency. Two million total. I don’t know mercenary rates, but it seems fair.
The man shows no expression. He doesn’t complain, so it’s probably okay.
The spoils aren’t valuable, so let the Tail Gang keep them. The food’s useful. I’ll say it was moved via teleportation.
If it’s really teleportation, my MP might look weird. I’ll say the Skull Mask is a dragon, Schulz’s friend. Lies lead to more lies.
There were over a thousand cheap arrows at the camp. Not useful for hunting.
A few hundred crossbow bolts too. Similar to mine, so my stock’s doubled. Wait, weren’t crossbows banned in human wars for being too deadly? Or was that just on Earth?
Their logistics were impressive. I respect Gorigan a bit. Duke Mineley could never compete.
I need to end this quickly. Even if this battle’s over, Gorigan will attack again. He sees me as an easy target.
What should I do? Escape with Tizzy? I’ll take anyone who wants to join. Deciding this makes me feel better.
”Cheers to the wandering warriors’ victory!”
Despite being up all night, Ms. Shirakaba and Tizzy are energetic. We should rest properly from now on.
With so few people, rotations will be tough. Where are Orlan and the others? Even they’d be better than no one.
After a modest toast, Tizzy was taken to bed by the maids, and Ms. Shirakaba slept wrapped in her cloak at the stairs.
I climbed to the tower’s rooftop alone and searched for Orlan with Radar Scan. It’s a mood thing.
Being alone in the old tower makes me feel like a medieval soldier.
Orlan and the others are still searching for the bear. Maybe they’re scared to come here.
Should I scout Gorigan’s territory? Ambush their supply convoy? Sounds like a bandit’s idea.
While searching, I found something incredible. Gorigan’s reinforcements—over a thousand of them, 40 kilometers away. They’ll arrive tomorrow.
Has Vespar Kingdom, Gorigan’s leader, moved? This is a full-scale war, not a local skirmish!
If so, the local rule of a 3-day battle won’t apply. It’s a real war now.
Notes:
• Shirakaba – A paladin who seems to be a skilled fighter. He’s introduced as someone with a strong defense and healing abilities.
• Tizzy – Claims to be Duke’s daughter, a noble with advanced magic skills. MC and Ms. Shirakaba lover.
• Ms. Nina – Doll Princess (Auroora 217), renamed by the protagonist. Beautiful blonde, ~168 cm, slim waist. Wears adventurer attire. Made from artificial parts and wooden limbs, resembling a princess. Knowledgeable, can read, write, and use basic healing magic. Reliable partner, often saves the protagonist with her skills.
• Nina – Doll Princess (Auroora 217), renamed by the protagonist. Beautiful blonde, ~168 cm, slim waist. Wears adventurer attire. Made from artificial parts and wooden limbs, resembling a princess. Knowledgeable, can read, write, and use basic healing magic. Reliable partner, often saves the protagonist with her skills.
• Dragon’s Tail Gang – A group of four mercenaries (2 men, 2 women) who defect to the narrator’s side. They are skilled in combat and willing to do dirty work. Their leader has a skill called ‘Guiding Guardian Angel,’ which helps them make optimal decisions. They are pragmatic and will switch sides for better opportunities.
• Schulz – A male dragon who collects human women and holds the rank of Duke within the Anti-Magic Alliance.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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