Volume 14 Chapter 34 The Fighting General Arbalest – Part II
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
*Arbalest’s Perspective
”Arbalest! They’re coming from the right! Stay alert!”
At Eclair’s furious shout, I swung my sword, aiming for the head of the ant-like ‘another world monster’ attacking my arm from the right. But even though the blade was a fine one, having already sliced through dozens of enemies, it couldn’t cut through this creature and snapped halfway through.
In a hurry, I swung another arm around to slice off the ant’s head, but due to a slight delay, its hooked claw grazed my back, cutting my skin shallowly. I managed to dodge and use another sword to decapitate it, but the wounds I had taken were causing my body to be drenched in blood.
”Tch… It’s tough. Another one gone… Only 3 left…”
I sighed as I looked at my blood-soaked body and the 3 remaining swords. However, with His Majesty’s support and the soldiers’ efforts, many of the ‘another world monsters’ had been slain. Although we had paid a heavy price, the monsters emerging from the ground were slowly being cleared out. If we pushed forward and rallied the soldiers, we would soon have a clear path for Kent and the others to return.
”Arbalest… it’s time for us to fall back. You’re reaching your limit too. You’ve broken 5 precious swords, and your body is covered in wounds.”
Eclair, who had been guarding my back the entire time, now showed signs of exhaustion and had shallow wounds across her body. While I appreciated her concern, pulling back now, just as the tide of battle was turning, could demoralize the soldiers who had fought so hard to lift their spirits. Therefore, I needed to stay on the front lines as much as possible to keep their morale high.
”Eclair. I’m sorry, but just a little longer. We should be able to wipe them out soon. Don’t worry, I can still fight. I’ll take down a few more before we retreat.”
”No, you’re not young anymore, so don’t overdo it”
After getting Eclair to agree to let her take some risks for my selfishness, I tighten my grip on the remaining 3 swords and run toward the decreasing number of “another world monsters.” Then, I succeed in chasing down the enemy and regrouping with His Majesty.
His Majesty, wearing the first Demon Lord’s equipment taken from the royal treasury, wields a sword personally and slays the “another world monsters,” inspiring the soldiers and driving the monsters into a corner.
Though Shifa, officially a Demon Lord supported by her older brother Gwain, was thought to be the true Demon Lord, the man in front of me now is a young, genuine Demon Lord worthy of that title.
If His Majesty can fight like that, then with Chancellor Aldo, the eccentric Quenelra, the serious Julius, and the talented Letticia returning, they could once again raise the True Demon Kingdom to dominate the continent…
I see His Majesty notice me and hurriedly run over. Since a reckless general can cause chaos among the troops, I rush toward His Majesty’s army first.
”Your Majesty! Focus during command! How could a general let their guard down like that?”
”Sorry for my mistake. But, Arbalest! Are you safe? I’m fine too, but this was a very shameful fight, and many soldiers died. War is truly so cruel… When Gertroud was involved, he was just behind the scenes, never saw real battle. Now I’ve witnessed it, I’m terrified and frightened… I never want to fight like this again.”
”I would like to say, ‘Do not speak of cowardice,’ but Your Majesty has done well. However, remember this: war is the final resort. Use of troops should only come after exhausting all negotiations and persuasion. Keep that in mind. If you recklessly use the army, the nation will weaken, and the people’s voices of resentment will grow.”
The young Demon Lord, dressed in pitch-black full armor, had a blue face but listened intently to my words. Meanwhile, the battle raged on, and Julius, who had steadily fortified the defense, finally found a breakthrough, gradually surrounding the enemy’s “another world monsters.”
While His Majesty listened to my words, upon sensing a shift in the battle, quickly issued orders to nearby troops, reinforcing the hole Julius had made and moving the army to coordinate with Quenelra. Eclair, watching His Majesty’s actions, let out a voice of admiration.
”Your Majesty… you’re incredible. When Arbalest was your age, they were still Monster Hunting, weren’t they? Hehe, at this rate, it seems you might even be allowed to retire.”
”Indeed. Let the young commanders handle it. I’ll retire and be done with it.”
With Eclair, I felt my face soften, seeing the next generation of leaders rising within the Kingdom’s army. If Kent could destroy the “another world monsters” nest and return, I’d be able to live a leisurely life.
”Arbalest! Eclair! Clear the way, and fight once more. The enemy’s destruction is just ahead.”
””Understood.””
The orders came from His Majesty, who had advanced with the soldiers, so after resting and recovering, I gathered my strength and physical energy to charge once more, with Eclair at my side, into the front lines. Thus, 5,000 Medium-sized “another world monsters” that had crawled from the earth were eliminated, though at the cost of thousands of Infantry lives. But we soon realized that it was all premature joy.
As the soldiers, certain of their victory, tried to cheer in triumph, the moment they attempted to raise their voices, the monster sprang out from the large hole.
A massive ape, cloaked in silver fur, appeared, and as it fired a beam from its mouth, the soldiers hit by the light were instantly reduced to charred remains, not even bones left. Seeing the power of that attack, I immediately recognized the beast in front of me as a feared ‘Beast Monster.’
”No way… It’s a Beast Monster!! Aaaah!! We’re gonna die!!”
The soldiers, who had been so sure of victory, were thrown into chaos by the sudden appearance of the Beast Monster. The morale that had been soaring through the skies shattered, dissipating like smoke with the display of the monster’s beam. Soldiers began fleeing in all directions. Realizing the imminent devastation, I checked the item I had tucked away before departure.
I didn’t want to use this, but… there was no other choice. Eclair might snap, but it’s better than total annihilation.
Once I confirmed that the precious item I had been carefully keeping was intact, I felt relief and shouted toward the fleeing soldiers with a loud voice.
”As the General Sergeant of the True Demon Kingdom Army, I command the soldiers of the True Demon Kingdom! At this moment, leave this place without a second thought! I repeat! Leave now!”
Hearing my voice, the soldiers scattered like spiders, fleeing from the hole where the Beast Monster had appeared.
”Arbalest!? What are you saying!? I don’t understand!”
Suddenly told to run away, Eclair panicked, not understanding why, and worry showed clearly on her face.
”Sorry… please forgive me…”
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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