Chapter 161: Just who is that person……? (7)
It seems like there were some casualties on First Sword Exofi’s side. I told them to take it easy, why did they have to go and occupy the walls?
I wonder if First Sword Binaris and First Sword Toledo are doing well? I can’t go towards the south gate right now, so I’ll have to go later. And since First Sword Exofi went there, there shouldn’t be any problems.
When I arrived at the north gate, it was closed.
While I was looking around for my 님 among the busily moving soldiers, I heard Aila’s voice.
“You’re late, Risel. Over here.”
Turning my head, I could see Aila leisurely trimming her nails with a bound officer at her feet. The middle-aged officer, trampled under her feet, was shouting with a reddened face.
“H-Hey……! Get your foot off me! I’m an officer! A Chief! I demand to be treated as an officer!”
“I’m sorry, but I’m not a soldier. Sigh-.”
“Don’t sprinkle your nail dust on me! Why is a woman who isn’t even a soldier on the battlefield!”
“I followed my friend. And if you act all high and mighty because you’re a 100 gold coin officer, I’ll hit you. Got it?”
“What are you talking about―!”
She was preoccupied with trimming her nails, not paying attention to me or the officer. I feel sorry for the captured officer. How did he end up being caught by Aila and losing all his dignity?
I chuckled bitterly and squatted down next to the officer’s head.
“I am the 8th Legion Commander of the Herduke Kingdom Army.”
“C-Commander? General? T-Then you’re……!”
“I’m the most curious as to why the term ‘Demon of Atzuma’ came about, so shut up. Your rank and name.”
“F-First, I demand to be treated as an officer!”
I glanced up at Aila. She was only focused on her nails. I was wondering if I should pull on her pants or something, when she slyly smiled.
This girl……
“Aila.”
“Ah, right. I get it. I just wanted to feel what it’s like to have an officer under my foot. It doesn’t make sense that I wouldn’t know what Risel knows.”
“Hey, the situation is a bit different. Where’s Levidian?”
“Unni? She’s over there.”
She pointed to the top of the wall. The assassins seemed to have returned and were talking with Levidian. Everyone’s safe.
Only then did I stand up and face the officer, who had just sat up. He seemed to be angry that he had been ignored twice by those who were young enough to be his children.
“Eastern barbarians treat their prisoners like this! So you’re the son of a traitor, after all! Like father, like son! If the parents are demons, the child must be a demon too!”
I was instantly offended. I understand being upset after being slapped in the Imperial Capital and then getting angry in Baekslan, but why is he taking his anger out on me after being stepped on by Aila?
I crossed my arms arrogantly and looked down at him.
“According to Eastern Army protocol, officers should unconditionally proceed 15 kilometers east of the Barrier, right?”
“G-Gah……!”
He gritted his teeth. He probably believes what I’m saying, but there’s no way the Eastern Army has regulations for prisoners, right? They’re just kids who were training against monsters.
“The Western Army officers are nothing but fools. The soldiers are smart, though. Is Narvilt a land where intelligence declines with age? Well, I guess that’s why they can’t defend against 3,000 with 800, even with walls.”
“Y-You……!”
“Risel, speak properly. Who came up with the bizarre idea of nullifying the walls?”
“It’s the fault of the side that couldn’t read such an idea or didn’t think there would be a comparable strategy.”
I can say this with a straight face and puffed-out chest. A clever trick is a great strategy. Of course, if you say that’s all I can do, I’ll have nothing to say. Ahem.
The middle-aged officer, whose name I didn’t even know because he didn’t state his rank and name, started to open and close his mouth like a goldfish. Looking closely, he has a lot of neck fat that looks like gills. Is this the neck fat of a soldier?
It doesn’t seem like I can get anything out of him.
“Any Senior First Lieutenant or First Lieutenant, come here!”
As I shouted, an officer holding a red automatic crossbow came running with a serious expression.
“First Lieutenant Latika Bodan, Platoon Leader of the 2nd Company, 1st Platoon, 1024th Cheonbyeong Unit! Awaiting orders!”
“First Lieutenant Bodan, requisition a suitable place nearby and accommodate this officer. Treat him accordingly as an officer. Report the location and accommodation to Chief Sispa Grayman.”
“Yes!”
“W-Wait! Without hearing anything……!”
The officer with the thick neck was flustered. I crossed my arms, stared at him, and then smirked. I know more secrets about this place than he does.
“There’s nothing to hear, First Lieutenant Bodan.”
“Yes! Understood! Baeksonan, Lanhak, Oriemon!”
He called three of his subordinates and took away the bewildered officer whose name I didn’t know. Aila watched them and tilted her head.
“Aren’t you going to interrogate him? He might be quite cooperative if you do.”
“Later. I’m busy right now.”
“Hmph. Well, that’s true. The original garrison here will be arriving soon. It’ll take time for them to turn their ships around, but once they do, they’ll be here at a terrifying speed. What time is it now?”
“1 o’clock. And 32 minutes.”
It was a blessing that pocket watches were the first to be supplied to the army. It means there’s a way to synchronize time.
I called over a passing officer, gave him some instructions, and immediately went up to where Levidian was. She was still talking with her subordinates.
“Ah, Risel, you’ve arrived.”
“First, I must thank you. Thank you for your hard work, Levidian. And thank you to the Black New Moon as well.”
“Don’t mention it. It was good exercise. But shouldn’t Lucy be arriving soon?”
“You’re right. If he’s late, we’ll have to abandon the city we just captured and retreat…… ……”
We agreed to meet at 2 pm today. Considering the legion formation, and according to my plan, he should have already appeared across the river.
Aila looked across the river with a telescope and said.
“I don’t see him. At this rate, we’ll not only go down in continental war history for our bold operation, but we’ll also set a record for a thirty-minute reign, not even a three-day reign.”
“Don’t you have a skill to see further?”
“Unfortunately, I can’t use it today. I was joking, but there are limitations if my body isn’t in good condition. I guess the saying that women have a disadvantage in life is true. What grudge does Mother Nature have against me?”
“You want to ask exactly how the limitations are applied.”
“Oh my, how embarrassing to ask such a thing!”
“Ah, yes. Forget it.”
If you’re not going to tell me, then stop it. And stop acting cute with that whiny voice. You may not know it, but you have a naturally cute face, so acting cute doesn’t really suit you.
Anyway, if Lucy really doesn’t show up, we might have to set the record Aila mentioned, right? The jesters will like it more than the historians. Especially the clowns!
Thinking that far gave me a headache.
I’m immune to Aila’s teasing because it’s a daily occurrence, and I don’t have to worry about Levidian because she doesn’t tease people often.
If Lucy makes fun of me, my heart will ache and I might foam at the mouth a little, but if Artshever makes fun of me, I’ll probably want to kill myself that day.
“General, you were here.”
“Is that First Sword Exofi? Long time no see. Is everything finished?”
“Yes. I have completed all the tasks you assigned me. First Sword Binaris and First Sword Toledo asked me to send their regards.”
“I guess the two units succeeded as well?”
“Yes. Currently, the southern part of Hanah is flooding due to the opening of the floodgates. Soon, the southern part of Hanah will be flooded to the point where it will be difficult to travel.”
“I see. So the operation is proceeding as planned……”
First Sword Exofi nodded with a joyful expression. And then she started to celebrate her reunion with Aila by holding hands. After disconnecting myself from the two who were happily conversing, I fell into thought.
The current target achievement rate is 90% based on numbers, but less than 10% based on significance.
There are only four or five steps left, but the problem is that if the very first one doesn’t happen, the rest will all be ruined.
I looked at my watch. It was already past 1:40 pm. If Lucy doesn’t show up by 2 pm like this……
“First Sword Doreneu Exofi.”
“That’s right, yes? Ah, yes! General!”
“What’s your mindset for preparing for the worst-case scenario?”
“Yes? Ah! T-That’s a soldier’s natural posture!”
I’m sorry to interrupt your laughter and chatter, but it can’t be helped. I waited for tension to appear on her face before opening my mouth.
“Good. If the main force doesn’t reach the other side of the river within 20 minutes, we’ll consider the operation a failure and abandon the city. In preparation for the worst-case scenario, inform the remaining First Swords to prepare for a rapid retreat. Repeat.”
“Ah, w-well…… But, General!”
“As you know, if the main force doesn’t arrive, the operation is a failure. It’s an early retreat to minimize casualties. If we stay here, we’ll all die. Repeat.”
At the word ‘die’, First Sword Doreneu Exofi looked surprised, then bit her lip and showed frustration and despair.
We came all this way, went through all sorts of hardships, and were on the verge of success, but she wouldn’t want to think that the operation would go down the drain due to external factors.
However, if the main force doesn’t arrive, there’s nothing we can do.
I quietly looked at her and then forced myself to speak.
“Repeat.”
“R-Repeat.”
Her lips moved slightly. Then, she finally gritted her teeth, raised her head with a determined expression, and opened her tightly closed lips.
“Risel, look over there!”
Huh? Why is Levidian’s voice coming from First Sword Exofi?
For a moment, I seriously thought that, but it really was Levidian shouting. I turned my head with a questioning look, and at that moment, a heavy sound came from afar.
Dukung……!
“Huh?”
What’s that?
Looking at the sky where Levidian pointed, I could see a blue beam of light rising. The blue beam of light rose into the sky with a tail and then faded away.
And then it exploded.
The sound rang out a few seconds later.
Dukung……!
“Lucy!”
Seeing the fireworks my friend set off, I couldn’t hide the joy on my face.
This, this guy! Appearing at the perfect time, how annoying! If he timed his appearance, I won’t let him off easy!
Levidian handed me the telescope, her face also full of smiles like mine.
“The main force, I can see the main force!”
“Oh, my goodness! Lucy, you magnificent bastard! Haha!”
“Kyaa! Risel!”
“Hahaha! Now, let’s see!”
I hugged Levidian tightly and brought the telescope in her hand to my eye. Across the river, a large number of ground troops were approaching the riverbank.
I couldn’t see their exact appearance or the legion’s flag, but it was clear that fireworks were shooting up and exploding in the sky among them.
Dukung…… Jajajajak……!
Alright! This is it!
“First Sword Exofi, cancel the order! I’m sorry! We’re close to succeeding in the operation!”
“Ah, yes, General!”
“Lena, congratulations!”
“Aila, oh, what do I do, I’m so happy I’m about to cry! Haang!”
First Sword Exofi and Aila hugged each other and shared their joy. I nodded with a satisfied expression and approached Levidian, putting my arm around her shoulder.
“With this, there’s no chance of losing. Now that the main force has arrived, the 8th Legion won’t be defeated in Hanah.”
“Yes. I’m happy that Risel is happy. Hehe. Lucy is annoying, but he’s a great person.”
“Of course! He’s my friend…… or not.”
Looking up at the sky where the 8th Legion was approaching, I ended up speaking strangely. And Levidian, who was leaning against me, froze.
That’s not all. Aila’s hand, which was patting First Sword Exofi’s back, froze in an awkward position, still raised.
I guess everyone in Hanah who could see the eastern sky right now was speechless.
In the sky, there were words that were clearly magical.
And a human figure was also drawn largely. It was a huge letter-like magic that was clearly visible even from a distance that would need to be measured in kilometers.
《A friend’s heart is a father’s heart!
Press it and the fountain of life will spring forth!
Behold! The soul of friendship burns hot!
My friend! I have arrived!
―Lucy》
And next to it, Lucy, shirtless (why!), was smiling with his teeth showing and his right thumb sticking out. Additionally, for some reason, his right lower premolar was sparkling. It was as if the sound of clinking glasses was made into a visual effect.
Levidian, who had been stiff as a statue, asked me without even turning her head.
“W-Who in the world… is that person?”
It’s a pity that her voice is trembling. But what can you do? This is reality, and the fact that Lucy is my friend doesn’t change.
I cleared my throat and answered.
“Uh, I’m not sure.”
Even though it was a bright spring day, Levidian shivered as if she felt cold.
Her voice was like a mosquito’s.
“I don’t know either……”
In the midst of the silence that followed, Lady Sermaila quietly said.
“Bad taste……”
30,000 votes for agreement.
Leave a Reply