Chapter 5 – Sentence. Kivenji Forest, Cover The Retreat (5)

　The Commander woman seems to be someone by the name of Kivia. 

　The person in question didn’t give her name. That was what the guys around called her. 

　It may be a family name, but I don’t know it. If you forced me to make a guess, it sounds like a name from the former Kingdom in the northern region. Might not be a hereditary aristocrat title. 

　Anyway, we have to quickly start advanced preparations for this situation. 

　Given the scale of the counterattack I saw from afar, the number of Holy Knights has likely been cut down to less than a thousand. 

　If they go about this normally, they won’t be able to hold on for more than four hours. 

“Fall back. There’s no way you can hold on to this position.”

　That was my first statement. 

“And, another detached unit will soon come from the south. Station two hundred there.”

　Both were obvious things that should be done, but Kivia’s face is full of displeasure. She appeared disgusted as though she’d seen some filthy bug. 

“Even without you saying that, I’ve already given instructions to deal with the south. But, what do you mean by falling back?”

“Soon, the big Fae will come out. Trolls or Barghests.”

　In the end, these names are just convenient ways of referring to them. 

　For Fae turned from mammals, bipedal ones are known as Trolls, quadrupeds are Barghests. 

　Both are of large stature and have thick, armoured skin. With the kind of river depths around here, they won’t be weakened by the river crossing. 

　They move sluggishly, that’s why they haven’t reached the frontlines yet. 

　Because of this, there isn’t much point in aiming for them while they cross the river. 

　It’ll be better to draw back the defensive lines and form up so that firepower can be concentrated on the enemies after they cross the river. 

　In fact, we can let the other side take the river. Then we can use the river to divide and conquer them, pressing them with the river against their backs.

　The reason why I can confidently say this ‘divide and conquer’ strategy will work is because I’m here. 

“Draw them over to this side and stick to them for just a bit more. With that, the main body of the Demon King Phenomenon will move forward directly.”

　By harassing them like that, the Demon King will have no choice but to take individual command. 

　Those guys don’t have the smarts to secure a crossing point. Therefore, the Demon King will need to personally move the Fae. 

“If we can do that, I can clean up.”

　That meant to move through the air and assassinate the Demon King. 

　At this point, this is the only hand we have left to play in order to destroy the Fae army. Until then, the Holy Knights will need to draw out the battle. 

　As for the Fae around the Demon King, I want to get these Holy Knights to reduce their numbers as much as possible. 

“You all support me when I jump in.”

　I made a sincere request. But–

“Why are you speaking as though you’re the Commander?”

　My opinion seemed to be received with a very unpleasant impression.

　I could understand that just by hearing her voice. 

“Stop the crossing.”

　Kivia’s words were enough to stun me.

“To the last. The eastern bank of this river belongs to the territory of the Lord of our Holy Knights. We cannot allow those guys to invade and run rampant over the land.”

“You stupid?”

　I couldn’t stop myself from raising my voice. 

　Holy Knight Orders are run with the support of aristocrats. That being the case, this woman’s Order might have received such a mission. 

“What are you going to achieve by following that? Ignore it! Wasn’t there a withdrawal order? We were told to cover your retreat.”

“The messenger from Gartuil notified us that the final decision remains in the hands of the Commander.”

　Gartuil was originally the name of the government building that oversees military affairs in the United Kingdom.

　Now called Fortress Gartuil. 

　It’s basically the military headquarters.

“If so, then we will dedicate our lives to honour. Our 13th Holy Knights Order has chosen to affirm our loyalty to our Lord.”

“Too stupid.”

　That was the only feeling I had.

　Fortress Gartuil — the military is also funded by many aristocrats. 

　Mixing different opinions and trying to provide room for compromise between aristocrats might have resulted in such an insane instruction. 

“Forget that. In any case if you’re looking to protect the land where people live, there’s not even a settlement here. What’s going to happen to your subordinates and us?”

“All my subordinates choose honour. I don’t know about you Heroes.”

　Kivia spat, annoyed. 

“Sinners who can’t even die! To begin with, what exactly happened with the [Goddess]?”

　Kivia pointed the tip of her spear towards me, and towards Teolita behind me. 

“Why did she regain consciousness, why did she exchange a contract with you! Isn’t that already strange? This situation is ridiculous. No, it’s absolute nonsense!”

“I don’t know what to say, damn! There was some guy who stole her!”

“St, stol–“

　Kivia blinked.

“Stole!? What were our guards doing? No, rather than that why — why did you do something like that? Are you an enemy of humanity? What were you thinking?”

“That’s what I want to know!” 

　Gradually, I got angry. Why was I the one who had to be interrogated? 

　Now’s not the time for this.

“If there’s a point in apologising then we’ll apologise! But–”

　It’s true that everything about this was our — was Dotta’s fault. 

　However, this is definitely not the situation for pursuing the matter. 

“This isn’t the place to complain. If you have a strategy that’s better than my plan then that’s fine. Anything other than fighting to the death!”

“What’s with your way of speaking? Why are we required to move under the direction of a Hero?”

“–Silence, riffraff.”

　Unexpectedly, Teorita cut in.

　It was a cold, steel-like voice.

“Was–“

　Kivia looked miserable.

“Was, was that referring — to me?”

“Indeed. Who else? Let me convey to you, my Knight’s command does not require your assent.”

　Although Teorita is small in stature, a certain presence emanating from her seemed to overwhelm Kivia. 

　It might be due to her golden hair that scattered sparks.

“Expediently assemble your soldiers and confront the Demon King. You will not be forgiven for whiling time away.”

“…No, please hold on. [Goddess], there’s something wrong with this situation! It was a complete accident for that man to become your Knight! Originally–”

“There are no accidents for [Goddesses]. My Knight has been recognised. This is fate.”

　Her way of saying it shut down the conversation entirely. 

　It seems Teorita also has a very [Goddess] like style of objecting. Or perhaps this is all along her natural attitude.

“You are a little too good-hearted, my knight Zyro.”

　Teorita looked at me proudly. 

“Shall I demonstrate my prestige to these people — the one who should assume command is only the Knight who serves under this me and none other!” 

　’Huun’, she hummed. 

　I could see that she was clearly expecting something. The space behind her looked distorted. She was seriously trying to show her might.

“In that event, then you’re undoubtedly sure to praise me…. right?”

“W, wait. What? Just now, that particular name — Zyro?”

　Kivia sounded stuck on my name.

　This won’t be good — in the Kingdom, my name is pretty notorious. Especially for someone belonging to the Holy Knights, you’d be bound to know it. 

“That… Zyro Forberts!? The worst among the Heroes? The great sinner, [Goddess Killer]–”

　Kivia’s words were drowned out halfway.

　Intense noise.

　A sound like countless metals being forcefully torn apart rang through the air. Beyond the darkness of the night. From the opposite bank. 

“We were too slow.”

　I clicked my tongue. 

　We spent too much time on unnecessary questions and answers.

　From the depths of the rustling trees, giant figures appear. 

　The ones that first charge in are the Fae.

　Wolves about as big as an elephant — Barghests. 

　Dark shadows walking on two legs, trolls, like monkeys with abnormally long arms. Their furry bodies leap, jump towards the river and plunge straight in. 

　And behind them is a giant insect almost the size of a house. 

　An insect that slowly crawls by awkwardly moving its numerous feet.

　It’s exactly as I’d heard in the report. That idiotically large insect is the core of this Demon King Phenomenon. This is what’s typically called a Demon King. 

　No. 47, “Awd Goggie”.

　These guys are catalysts for the Demon King Phenomenon, and move while ‘polluting’ their surroundings. 

　They distort ecosystems and occasionally get humans involved.

　Without the protection of Sacred Seals, we would have no way of dealing with them. And each of these guys has a special power. 

　In the case of this “Awd Goggie”–

“Stop shooting! Don’t target the Demon King!”

　Kivia waved a flag, but it was a little too late.

　Already some thundersticks and artillery had been fired. Their aim was reasonably accurate. That’s not good. “Awd Goggie” wiggled its legs and greeted those shots. 

　The bolts and shells fired hit the legs of “Awd Goggie”, bounce, and return. 

　These return gifts are aimed at the troops attacking the Fae crossing the river. The fence along the riverbank burns and people are blown away. 

　“Awd Goggie” is without a single scratch.

　I don’t know the mechanism, but that guy can repel attacks made with Sacred Seals. 

　Or at least, the ranged weapons held by the Holy Knights appear to be ineffective. 

　The attacks were also being strategically returned, so they can’t just engage in a direct fight.

　Because the reflected attacks are so aggressive and accurate, there should be some sort of force field specialised for detecting, receiving and reflecting the energy generated by the Sacred Seal — this was one theory. 

　If that is the case, then there is no choice but to use physical attacks with mass, but there are few weapons that can approach that huge body and still be effective. 

　What is needed is a real battering ram, and weapons like catapults. 

　Such old-fashioned weaponry is currently being prepared in the First Royal Capital.

　This Demon King is a Demon King who marches on its own as a mobile fortress.

　It’s no wonder the Holy Knights had been hit so hard and had been forced to withdraw until here.

“Is it impossible…!”

　Kivia’s face twisted.

“While it’s still on the opposite bank, try Scorched Earth! Combat Engineers, ready yourselves!” 

“Stop. That’s all or nothing. If it doesn’t work, we’ll be annihilated.”

　A Scorched Earth Seal is a Sacred Seal that detonates everything in its surroundings. 

　The ones who have to activate it go in with the readiness of becoming nothing more than burnt land. 

　I know what Kivia wants to do.

　Her strategic goal — don’t let them cross the river and set even a single foot on this side of land — for the sake of doing their utmost for their loyalty, they’d use any means. 

　I can’t keep up with such convictions.

　I’m sick of this kind of behaviour from the bottom of my heart. 

　There are too many people willing to throw their lives away just to try and do something.

“Kivia, support me with your troops. Distract the Demon King by aiming at the small fry. As soon as possible.”

　I declared, then touched Teolita’s shoulder. 

“I have no plans to die, and sorry if I don’t just want to watch you lot die. Don’t think you can achieve something by paying with your life.”

　Not only to Kivia, but also to Teolita.

“Assassinate the Demon King. If it goes well, and we come back alive — well.”

　I made a promise.

“I’ll gladly accept any complaints and punishment, and I’ll praise you as much as you want.”

　Kivia no longer glared at me with murderous eyes, and Teolita looked at me in surprise — or put another way, as though looking at me like I was some strange creature. 

　’It’s getting too awkward to stay here’, I thought.

　So I leap before I can hear any reply — to the darkness squirming on the opposite bank.