𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟒: 𝐁𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧’𝐬 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐭 (𝟑)

Asuka and I, who have jumped into the battlefield, are cutting down the rebels left and right.

Just like that, one after another.

We’re like unmatched heroes.

But there’s a trick to it.

One reason is that both the regular soldiers and the rebels are in a state of extreme excitement due to the abnormal battlefield. No one is able to make calm judgments.

Because they’re so heated up and not aware of their surroundings, it’s easy to find openings.

In addition to that, my broadsword has been imbued with Meisha’s divine power, and Asuka’s longsword has been imbued with Miliaria’s magic power.

In other words, we can cut through iron armor like cheese or butter.

The momentum of the rebels stops due to the introduction of calm and powerful forces, and the regular soldiers of the kingdom begin to regain their composure.

Once that happens, the difference in numbers starts to matter.

The rebels are divided in various places and are slaughtered.

“Young one! You’re doing quite well!”

General Kytes, who had moved next to me at some point, praised me.

Good.

This confirms the additional reward.

Being openly praised on the battlefield means just that.

“I’m honored by your praise! But let’s focus on getting out of this predicament now!”

I shout dramatically and swing my sword.

Well, it’s not really a predicament anymore.

The rebels have stopped, and the regular soldiers have regained their spirits.

There might be some backlash, but the Royal Army will probably win as it is.

The reason I shouted was to show my seriousness.

And also, to let those around me know that I was praised.

“I won’t forget this favor! Thanks to you, I’ve been spared!”

With that, the general returned to the fierce battle.

Swinging his magical greatsword.

He’s a lively middle-aged man.

While this was happening, a light of recovery enveloped Asuka and me.

It’s Meisha’s magic.

Because we’re in the midst of a melee, we can’t remain unscathed.

So, we asked Meisha and Miliaria to provide magical support from a slightly distant location.

They can’t exactly join us in close combat.

They shoot magic missiles at the backs of the rebels trying to attack the regular soldiers, and heal the damaged regular soldiers.

Ah, because of the situation, Miliaria can only use magic missiles.

She gets flustered if we ask her to do anything complicated.

The only instruction we gave was to shoot at the rebels trying to attack our allies.

If the rebels had a leader, they would have targeted the magic users first.

It’s just too annoying.

Of course, this strategy is based on the assumption that they don’t have that kind of calmness.

“Urya!”

With a shout, Asuka cuts down the third rebel.

At the same time, voices saying “I surrender.” and “I won’t resist.” began to be heard from various parts of the battlefield.

It seems the trend has become clear.

The Royal Army must have had the leeway to suggest surrender.

But still, I’ve been matched by Asuka in terms of the number of kills.

We’ve defeated six people together.

It might seem small, but considering that the enemy is armed and it’s a melee, it’s a pretty good result.

・・・

『”𝘈𝘸𝘦𝘣𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴.𝘤𝘰𝘮” – 𝘋𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘢 𝘤𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦, 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦, 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘶𝘭𝘨𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘢 𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘯s𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 “𝘥𝘢𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘶𝘱𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘴” 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘭𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘵𝘰 “𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴”.』

・・・

“Let me hear your name, young one.”

“I am Lionel, an adventurer from the city of Gaillia, from the clan [Hope], General Kytes.”

I kneel on one knee and bow deeply.

The three girls lined up behind me also introduced themselves in the same pose.

In the end, the battle was decided with about two hours left until dawn. The Royal Army lost fourteen men, while the rebels lost eighty-two, a crushing victory.

Well, about thirty mercenaries and adventurers died, but that’s a number that doesn’t need to be included in the calculation.

“Lionel. Your talent is that of a strategist, isn’t it? It was a splendid command.”

“I’m honored, sir.”

He’s praising me to the skies.

I’m genuinely flattered, not just being polite.

My talent as a strategist is a bit rare. It’s rare, but it’s also a talent that doesn’t really matter.

It’s not like a sage who has an aptitude for magic. It’s not like a saint who can hear the voice of God.

I don’t have the flashy martial prowess of a hero or a warrior.

I just have a talent for strategy and tactics.

It’s surprisingly useless in everyday life, except in the military.

“I’m surprised that such a talent was buried in the field. How about it? Would you like to serve me? I promise you a position of some importance.”

I thought, “Here it comes.”

It’s not that I’ve never been scouted by the military before. It’s because of my military talent. As a strategist.

This is the first time I’ve been invited by someone of the general’s rank, though.

If I nodded here, I’d probably be an officer right away. Of the kingdom’s regular army. I might even get the title of knight.

It’s a position where such things aren’t just dreams.

It’s an incredible rise in status for a young man from an orphanage.

But, I slowly shook my head.

“I appreciate your offer, General. However, I have taken it upon myself to be responsible for these girls. Until they become independent, I have no intention of serving anyone else.”

“I see! You’re not a strategist, but a teacher! Well, there’s nothing I can do about that!”

The general laughs heartily.

I’m glad he doesn’t seem too attached.

“Asuka or whatever!”

“Yes!”

“Miliaria or whatever!”

“Yes.”

“Meisha or whatever!”

“Yes.”

Called out loudly, the three girls respond, looking surprised.

“You girls have a good teacher. Be proud.”

He speaks kindly, a complete change from before.

[Yes!]

The three girls reply in unison, with beaming smiles.

Stop it.

This kind of thing makes me blush.

As for me, I was feeling a bit small and didn’t know where to put myself.

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