𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟕𝟎: 𝐏𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐑𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫

The shared carriage connecting Gaillia and the surrounding cities resumed operation two days after the Battle of Aspim Plain.

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This is because the city of Gaillia is more heavily inclined towards consumption than production.

If the farmers and hunters from neighboring towns and villages stop coming to the market, a famine would probably occur within a few days.

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Of course, if merchants who transport goods from Gaillia to neighboring towns and villages stop, a severe shortage of supplies will occur.

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In other words, the city of Gaillia and its surrounding satellite cities are in a mutual dependence, and cannot be separated for a long time.

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“In their rush to restore logistics, the mourning of the dead was neglected and ghosts appeared. These ghosts are causing trouble in the villages. It’s quite ironic, isn’t it?”

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Miliaria shrugs in her seat.

As we were able to find a shared ride to Ameni, we decided to go there within the day.

There’s no improvement in the situation even if you take time.

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“It’s inevitable that living humans take priority. Even caring for the dead is something you can’t do if you’re not alive.”

“Mother Nel, you are as prosaic as ever.”

“I think it’s better than the poetic Strategist.”

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Seeking romance in battles, intoxication in defeat, or thinking that those who perish are beautiful, or brandishing a mysterious aesthetics.

If such a Strategist devises a strategy, they probably wouldn’t win any battles.

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“That’s true, but. . .”

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Miliaria complains.

I’m sorry I couldn’t meet your expectations.

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“. . . . . .It’s bad.”

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Suddenly, Meisha opened her mouth.

With a somewhat pale face.

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“What’s wrong? Are you hungry?”

“No.”

“Understood. Everyone, prepare for battle.”

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If Meisha doesn’t retort, it’s reasonable to assume the situation is quite pressing.

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“Meg. Keep a lookout in all directions.”

“Understood.”

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The scout who opened the wooden window immediately retracted her face.

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“There’s no need to be cautious. A knight riding a blue horse is approaching from behind.”

“Hm? Perhaps a higher undead?”

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The Pale Rider is a type of ghost, also called a pale rider, an undead monster that reaps the lives of the living and tries to take them to the underworld.

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“Non-combatants, hold on tight to your seats. Coachman! Full speed to Ameni!!”

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I give instructions in a loud voice.

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Once you get into the village, you can rest easy for now.

The undead cannot enter because they are blocked by a barrier.

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The carriage starts to shake heavily.

I opened the rear door and visually confirmed the enemy.

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Twenty skeletal knights in rags, riding pure blue horses, are fiercely approaching.

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No matter how fast we flee at full speed, there is a difference in speed between a carriage and a horse.

They will catch up to us soon.

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“Miliaria! How long to Ameni? Tell me in terms of time!”

“If we keep this speed, about half an hour!”

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A tense voice returns.

That’s not enough to shake them off.

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“We will counterattack!”

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I have to stop the carriage once.

If you jump off from a carriage running at this speed, you might break a bone if you’re not careful.

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I messed up a bit.

It would have been better if we got off first and then they ran away at full speed.

Even though the carriage has gained speed.

If we stop it deliberately, it will also be a big burden on the horses.

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“It’s okay. Gather around me.”

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No matter how dire the situation, Salieri never lost her cool, beckoning us over with a casual wave.

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“Levitation field~”

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With a spell none of us had ever seen before, our bodies lifted slightly from the ground.

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I suppose this means we can jump off without harm.

There’s no time to ponder.

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Conveying our intentions to the audience, we leaped into the air from the rear door.

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Upon landing, I felt a faint pull on my body.

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Such an interesting phenomenon.

Although we leaped into the air, we didn’t land immediately, but instead drifted slightly in the direction of the carriage.

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“Moving objects tend to keep moving, and still ones to remain still.”

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This was Salieri’s enigmatic explanation.

It’s a bit difficult to understand the reasoning behind it, but that’s just like her, isn’t it?

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Furthermore, there’s no time to relax and think.

The figures of the Pale Riders are approaching clearly, and contact is just a matter of time.

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“Vanguard! Asuka! Salieri!”

“Yeah!”

“Got it.”

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A lively voice and a foolish one respond.

What does ‘got it’ mean in this context?

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“Rearguard, Meisha and Miliaria. Meg, take a guerrilla position and support the vanguard.”

“Understood.”

“Got it.”

“Leave it to me.”

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Immediately, Meisha blessed Meg’s knife and caltrops.

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With this, she too could damage the Pale Riders.

However, she can’t cut through them with Meg’s physical strength.

It ends up being a strategy of cloaking, getting close, and attacking from behind.

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The two vanguards are armed with magical weapons from the start, so there’s no need for additional magic power.

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I give out instructions in rapid succession, and by the time everyone is ready, the Pale Riders are already within reach.

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I raise my drawn flame sword above my head,

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“Battle begins!”

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And bring it down.

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