The spearhead of the volunteer army and the knights and soldiers under Ortholet’s banner, a total of 1000 heads, fled to “Oracle’s Great Cave” at the foot of Moke Mountains as planned.
The imperial army finally crossed the mountain road and attacked Viscount Oracle’s territory.
When I returned to the castle in the City of Spike, preparations for the retreat were already ongoing.
「Sensei, are we going to retreat?」
「Of course we will retreat.」
It’s true that the City of Spike has been rebuilt to a certain extent. The walls have been repaired but only one turret has been installed.
Even so, an army of 70000 can easily surround and besiege this city.
Supposed we were going for a siege battle, the first thing I thought of was to supply food and ammunition via the sky.
The empire has the flying dragon knights so aerial transport routes would be blocked and they won’t be able to withstand an aerial attack.
Even if that’s not the case, the empire also has siege weapons. Even if they could get into a simple siege battle, it would end once a part of the wall was brought down by a storm of stone projectiles.
The old-fashioned city lord of the City of Spike couldn’t accept that logic.
「If I give up the city to the enemy, I will lose the spirit of our family. I will stay here even if I’m alone.」
「Ortholet….I understand how you feel but there’s no point in staying here and dying when the people have already retreated.」
Gray hair, full plate armor, and imposing physique, it was no one else but the lord of Spike.
Ortholet Oracle Spinner won’t move in the castle. He’s standing like a statue in the castle with arms crossed.
Even Viscount Ortholet himself knows that it is impossible to protect the city.
Therefore, we had the people of the territory evacuate first. This stubborn knight will not bend even against rationality.
「Hey Ortholet, if you no longer live, I’ll be in trouble.」
「Hero-sama, this is the spirit of chivalry of our family de gozaru. Please, please understand!」
Ah, what should I do with this?
I don’t want Ortholet to die, sensei?
「Viscount Ortholet will remain alone in this city.」
「Eehhhh!!!!」
Sensei, have you gone mad?
「I’m not saying he’s going to die. I’m sure the viscount can’t stand the thought of surrendering the city without giving the enemy a single shot.」
「So be it.」
Lyle-sensei told the plan and the viscount agreed while laughing.
「Then, I hope the viscount can help me with the plan. We will leave the viscount and an experienced gunner here. Just the two of you. After you’re done, make sure to retreat as soon as possible.」
「Ortholet, are you willing to do it?」
「Hero-sama, if there is anything I can do to help you defeat the enemy, please give me the order.」
「You don’t have to kneel every time. Just promise me you’ll retreat once you’re done with your task. I will not allow you to die.」
I wonder what sensei’s plan was.
I don’t think there’s anything that can be done with just 2 fighters left in the city.
-0-
—Scene Change—
-0-
We withdrew from the City of Spike so we can only hear some hearsay about what’s happening there.
In front of the imperial army surrounding the city, Viscount Ortholet declared in a high-pitched voice from the top of the closed outer wall.
「Dogs of the empire, as long as this Ortholet is here, this city will not fall!」
At the same time, the viscount gently pulled a string, and crossbow arrows shot out at the imperial troops.
「You are outnumbered, Viscount Ortholet. Surrender your city obediently!」
This time, someone from the imperial army shouted but he’s not the overall commander since it is Crown Prince Freed who leads this army.
A commander of the army in front, Volkas Domos Dylan, stood in front and ordered Ortholet to surrender.
Ortholet’s response was pulling another string, in short, another rain of crossbow arrows.
This made the imperial army think that they were being held in a siege by a small force.
It’s normal for them to think that way since the outer wall of the city is closed and they can’t see that only Viscount Ortholet was there.
On the other hand, Crown Prince Freed, who was in the main camp, ordered an advance mage of the army to start the siege even without waiting for the arrival of the trebuchet carried by the forces at the rear.
Lyle-sensei’s objective was to draw out the advance mages to the front line where they could be easily targeted. I mean, how much does he hate advance mages?
The imperial army became impatient and attacked like Lyle-sensei had predicted.
Among the advance mages of the empire who were defeated one after another, “Scorching Iron” Doryuken Gund survived until now.
The giant, armed with full plate armor despite being a mage, Doryuken is wearing a gray cloak.
He thrusts his arms out wide toward the city walls that protect the city.
He is casting an advance earth magic but it was not rock drop.
「Guahahahaha! The king of the sky, the king of dawn! I summon with my name Doryuken, throw stardust, iron meteor!」
Along with Doryuken’s loud chant, though inferior to the highest-level magic meteor strike, a deadly attack was released.
A huge scorching meteorite with tremendous attack power was casted.
The walls of the castle, which would have been able to withstand rock drop, weren’t able to hold on.
Because of his power, he is called a walking castle wall hammer.
The power of iron meteor is not as much as an actual meteor fall. It did destroy that wall so it can be considered as a siege weapon in this medieval fantasy world.
It’s an intense blow of steel.
It was at that moment that the lone gunner on the wall of the City of Spike, held her breath and concentrated on her target.
Giney, a red-hair gunner, glared at the target when he was chanting loudly.
Giney was a former vigilante of Ona Village and one of the veteran gunners who had studied sniping from the very start with Lyle-sensei.
She was the only one left in the turret and she aimed at the advance mage who was using flashy magic.
Using the old-style turret might not really be accurate but she has experience and perhaps luck is on her side too.
Giney took the shot and an iron ball came out.
Boom!
The aim was just right.
It was a direct hit and the impact alone sent the soldiers around Doryuken into a mist of blood.
However, that’s all the iron ball did.
Doryuken himself was protected by a magic barrier.
「Fuh, so that’s the new weapon of Silesie. That surprised me…」
Of course, Doryuken is an advance mage who had fought in many battles so he was prepared for the enemy’s attack.
He survived the bombardment. He probably thought that his large-scale siege magic could easily beat the enemy’s new weapon.
Thus, he let his guard down.
His magic crushed the enemy’s stronghold and as he cheered and watched his soldiers rush into the city, he was caught off guard.
Doryuken wasn’t able to utter a single word when Kaara, who disguised herself as a Germania soldier, attacked his neck from behind.
No one paid attention to Doryuken as he slumped forward amidst the shouts and cheers of the imperial hordes as they stormed the city.
Kaara had gone straight into the city, blending in with the imperial soldiers, and met up with the gunner Giney to get her out of there.
It was the first time in a long time that her disguise and covert skills had come in handy.
-0-
—Scene Change—
-0-
In front of me, Viscount Ortholet, who had been picked up by Oracle-chan, came to me.
He looks resentful.
「Viscount Ortholet, you worked hard.」
「I was able to be of help to hero-sama, I have no regret…」
「Are you dissatisfied with something?」
「No, I was ordered to return alive.」
I put my hand on the resentful-looking Ortholet.
In the end, we gave up the city in vain. I’m sure he’s not happy with that battle so I have to soothe him.
「I’m glad you did what you could to come back alive. Viscount, you are now going to have the role of commander in chief of the main army of Silesie Kingdom.」
「Eh? I’ll be the commander in chief?」
Ortholet might have never expected that position.
Local nobles are useless and there is a shortage of people I can trust that the imperial army might even laugh at me.
「Yes, originally, it should have been Marquis Danavan, however, his specialty is logistical support. I would like to leave the real command of this army to the vice general, that’s you, Viscount Ortholet.」
「….hero-sama, to think you bought me that far…」
「Ortholet, be the man you are. You’re the only one who can do it.」
「Hero-sama, I respectfully accept that role, I will do my best!」
「If we win this war, you will be known as the great general of salvation. If that happens, forget about recapturing the City of Spike, you will be the great lord of the north part of the kingdom. That includes the City of Lauren.」
「I-I’m unaware of the great will of hero-sama. I’m ashamed of complaining about something trivial….I’m like a spoiled brat….」
Ortholet is not in tears. He’s a simple man after all.
I hope he won’t be used by evildoers in the future.
As a matter of fact, we don’t know how much leadership ability he has.
However, as long as he can command the army and continue to be trustworthy, he’ll reach the level of barely passable.
Though I dislike something about him – he’s too clean. Even so, he put the people first and rebuilt the City of Spike. He can be categorized as an excellent lord.
He’s a talent that I absolutely won’t allow to die here.
「Ortholet, when I saw you before, I knew that you have what it takes to be a great general. Fight with me to the end and survive.」
「He-hero-sama….I will put my life in your hand….」
「Use that life well, do your best and don’t die.」
「Yes, gozaru….」
Ortholet is having a manly cry. I don’t mind how much you want to cry but can you please spare my waist? You’re hugging my waist too tight.
Starting now, his struggle will start.
Now, the preparation of the main army is complete. I hope that the castle army in the Oracle’s Great cave is doing well. I can only pray for them.
When it comes to major strategy, it’s impossible to do anything by yourself.
I’m sure Prince Freed is someone who wants to do everything himself. He’s probably not satisfied with just commanding an army of 70000 and is probably itching to get to business.
You should wash your neck and wait because I’ll cut it soon.
The spearhead of the volunteer army and the knights and soldiers under Ortholet’s banner, a total of 1000 heads, fled to “Oracle’s Great Cave” at the foot of Moke Mountains as planned.
The imperial army finally crossed the mountain road and attacked Viscount Oracle’s territory.
When I returned to the castle in the City of Spike, preparations for the retreat were already ongoing.
「Sensei, are we going to retreat?」
「Of course we will retreat.」
It’s true that the City of Spike has been rebuilt to a certain extent. The walls have been repaired but only one turret has been installed.
Even so, an army of 70000 can easily surround and besiege this city.
Supposed we were going for a siege battle, the first thing I thought of was to supply food and ammunition via the sky.
The empire has the flying dragon knights so aerial transport routes would be blocked and they won’t be able to withstand an aerial attack.
Even if that’s not the case, the empire also has siege weapons. Even if they could get into a simple siege battle, it would end once a part of the wall was brought down by a storm of stone projectiles.
The old-fashioned city lord of the City of Spike couldn’t accept that logic.
「If I give up the city to the enemy, I will lose the spirit of our family. I will stay here even if I’m alone.」
「Ortholet….I understand how you feel but there’s no point in staying here and dying when the people have already retreated.」
Gray hair, full plate armor, and imposing physique, it was no one else but the lord of Spike.
Ortholet Oracle Spinner won’t move in the castle. He’s standing like a statue in the castle with arms crossed.
Even Viscount Ortholet himself knows that it is impossible to protect the city.
Therefore, we had the people of the territory evacuate first. This stubborn knight will not bend even against rationality.
「Hey Ortholet, if you no longer live, I’ll be in trouble.」
「Hero-sama, this is the spirit of chivalry of our family de gozaru. Please, please understand!」
Ah, what should I do with this?
I don’t want Ortholet to die, sensei?
「Viscount Ortholet will remain alone in this city.」
「Eehhhh!!!!」
Sensei, have you gone mad?
「I’m not saying he’s going to die. I’m sure the viscount can’t stand the thought of surrendering the city without giving the enemy a single shot.」
「So be it.」
Lyle-sensei told the plan and the viscount agreed while laughing.
「Then, I hope the viscount can help me with the plan. We will leave the viscount and an experienced gunner here. Just the two of you. After you’re done, make sure to retreat as soon as possible.」
「Ortholet, are you willing to do it?」
「Hero-sama, if there is anything I can do to help you defeat the enemy, please give me the order.」
「You don’t have to kneel every time. Just promise me you’ll retreat once you’re done with your task. I will not allow you to die.」
I wonder what sensei’s plan was.
I don’t think there’s anything that can be done with just 2 fighters left in the city.
-0-
—Scene Change—
-0-
We withdrew from the City of Spike so we can only hear some hearsay about what’s happening there.
In front of the imperial army surrounding the city, Viscount Ortholet declared in a high-pitched voice from the top of the closed outer wall.
「Dogs of the empire, as long as this Ortholet is here, this city will not fall!」
At the same time, the viscount gently pulled a string, and crossbow arrows shot out at the imperial troops.
「You are outnumbered, Viscount Ortholet. Surrender your city obediently!」
This time, someone from the imperial army shouted but he’s not the overall commander since it is Crown Prince Freed who leads this army.
A commander of the army in front, Volkas Domos Dylan, stood in front and ordered Ortholet to surrender.
Ortholet’s response was pulling another string, in short, another rain of crossbow arrows.
This made the imperial army think that they were being held in a siege by a small force.
It’s normal for them to think that way since the outer wall of the city is closed and they can’t see that only Viscount Ortholet was there.
On the other hand, Crown Prince Freed, who was in the main camp, ordered an advance mage of the army to start the siege even without waiting for the arrival of the trebuchet carried by the forces at the rear.
Lyle-sensei’s objective was to draw out the advance mages to the front line where they could be easily targeted. I mean, how much does he hate advance mages?
The imperial army became impatient and attacked like Lyle-sensei had predicted.
Among the advance mages of the empire who were defeated one after another, “Scorching Iron” Doryuken Gund survived until now.
The giant, armed with full plate armor despite being a mage, Doryuken is wearing a gray cloak.
He thrusts his arms out wide toward the city walls that protect the city.
He is casting an advance earth magic but it was not rock drop.
「Guahahahaha! The king of the sky, the king of dawn! I summon with my name Doryuken, throw stardust, iron meteor!」
Along with Doryuken’s loud chant, though inferior to the highest-level magic meteor strike, a deadly attack was released.
A huge scorching meteorite with tremendous attack power was casted.
The walls of the castle, which would have been able to withstand rock drop, weren’t able to hold on.
Because of his power, he is called a walking castle wall hammer.
The power of iron meteor is not as much as an actual meteor fall. It did destroy that wall so it can be considered as a siege weapon in this medieval fantasy world.
It’s an intense blow of steel.
It was at that moment that the lone gunner on the wall of the City of Spike, held her breath and concentrated on her target.
Giney, a red-hair gunner, glared at the target when he was chanting loudly.
Giney was a former vigilante of Ona Village and one of the veteran gunners who had studied sniping from the very start with Lyle-sensei.
She was the only one left in the turret and she aimed at the advance mage who was using flashy magic.
Using the old-style turret might not really be accurate but she has experience and perhaps luck is on her side too.
Giney took the shot and an iron ball came out.
Boom!
The aim was just right.
It was a direct hit and the impact alone sent the soldiers around Doryuken into a mist of blood.
However, that’s all the iron ball did.
Doryuken himself was protected by a magic barrier.
「Fuh, so that’s the new weapon of Silesie. That surprised me…」
Of course, Doryuken is an advance mage who had fought in many battles so he was prepared for the enemy’s attack.
He survived the bombardment. He probably thought that his large-scale siege magic could easily beat the enemy’s new weapon.
Thus, he let his guard down.
His magic crushed the enemy’s stronghold and as he cheered and watched his soldiers rush into the city, he was caught off guard.
Doryuken wasn’t able to utter a single word when Kaara, who disguised herself as a Germania soldier, attacked his neck from behind.
No one paid attention to Doryuken as he slumped forward amidst the shouts and cheers of the imperial hordes as they stormed the city.
Kaara had gone straight into the city, blending in with the imperial soldiers, and met up with the gunner Giney to get her out of there.
It was the first time in a long time that her disguise and covert skills had come in handy.
-0-
—Scene Change—
-0-
In front of me, Viscount Ortholet, who had been picked up by Oracle-chan, came to me.
He looks resentful.
「Viscount Ortholet, you worked hard.」
「I was able to be of help to hero-sama, I have no regret…」
「Are you dissatisfied with something?」
「No, I was ordered to return alive.」
I put my hand on the resentful-looking Ortholet.
In the end, we gave up the city in vain. I’m sure he’s not happy with that battle so I have to soothe him.
「I’m glad you did what you could to come back alive. Viscount, you are now going to have the role of commander in chief of the main army of Silesie Kingdom.」
「Eh? I’ll be the commander in chief?」
Ortholet might have never expected that position.
Local nobles are useless and there is a shortage of people I can trust that the imperial army might even laugh at me.
「Yes, originally, it should have been Marquis Danavan, however, his specialty is logistical support. I would like to leave the real command of this army to the vice general, that’s you, Viscount Ortholet.」
「….hero-sama, to think you bought me that far…」
「Ortholet, be the man you are. You’re the only one who can do it.」
「Hero-sama, I respectfully accept that role, I will do my best!」
「If we win this war, you will be known as the great general of salvation. If that happens, forget about recapturing the City of Spike, you will be the great lord of the north part of the kingdom. That includes the City of Lauren.」
「I-I’m unaware of the great will of hero-sama. I’m ashamed of complaining about something trivial….I’m like a spoiled brat….」
Ortholet is not in tears. He’s a simple man after all.
I hope he won’t be used by evildoers in the future.
As a matter of fact, we don’t know how much leadership ability he has.
However, as long as he can command the army and continue to be trustworthy, he’ll reach the level of barely passable.
Though I dislike something about him – he’s too clean. Even so, he put the people first and rebuilt the City of Spike. He can be categorized as an excellent lord.
He’s a talent that I absolutely won’t allow to die here.
「Ortholet, when I saw you before, I knew that you have what it takes to be a great general. Fight with me to the end and survive.」
「He-hero-sama….I will put my life in your hand….」
「Use that life well, do your best and don’t die.」
「Yes, gozaru….」
Ortholet is having a manly cry. I don’t mind how much you want to cry but can you please spare my waist? You’re hugging my waist too tight.
Starting now, his struggle will start.
Now, the preparation of the main army is complete. I hope that the castle army in the Oracle’s Great cave is doing well. I can only pray for them.
When it comes to major strategy, it’s impossible to do anything by yourself.
I’m sure Prince Freed is someone who wants to do everything himself. He’s probably not satisfied with just commanding an army of 70000 and is probably itching to get to business.
You should wash your neck and wait because I’ll cut it soon.
