Doyle and I were in the midst of the Royal Arcadian Army that filled the plains.
There were 1500 infantrymen, 300 heavily armed infantry, 100 mounted cavalrymen, 150 magicians, and many other medics. The total force was about 20000 men.
"Wow, that's amazing!"
Kaine muttered, his voice trembling as if overwhelmed.
Doyle answered that.
"The reinforcement from the center will be coming soon. There will be much more from here on out."
'Is that so? I can't imagine how big it is. Hey, old man?"
'We are by nature underworld people. It is natural for us to be puzzled."
Grandpa, who is in a position to serve Kaine's side, maintains his composure as he looks around. He has been a member of the underworld for a long time and has never experienced a conflict of this magnitude.
"Captain, you should not overdo okay?"
"I know, Doyle. If I die, there's nothing I can do."
"Really? When I see you training like a madman, I can't help but worry that you might die from overdoing it."
"It's okay. We're training not to die. Besides, Frankel and Vasel are not here right now. There is no way we can do anything reckless."
Vasel is Schneizel's second-in-command.
Frankel, Hian's right-hand man.
Both of them were originally members of my unit, but both of them, with their outstanding abilities, are stationed elsewhere in case of emergencies.
Without them, I would not be able to do anything reckless. But even then...
We are at the very back of the line, and our job is to protect O'Brien and his men, whose position is at the very back of the line.
I guess they will force me to be reckless when I have to fight, since they are almost certain to lose when the enemy forces attack this far.
Doyle's face was slightly distorted, perhaps thinking the same thing I was
I, Doyle, and Papycha have a grim look on our faces as we understand this. On the other hand, the rest of the troops, who could not predict the war situation, seemed to be at ease with the scale of their own forces.
There was no sense of crisis, but rather an optimistic mood.
However, the margin of safety on our side was blown away in less than a few dozen seconds.
On the other side of the vast plain.
Black spots began to appear from beyond the horizon.
At first, I thought it was my imagination, but instead of disappearing, they gradually grew larger and larger, and eventually took on the shape of a person.
An overwhelming number of people filled the vast plain horizontally. One line, two lines, the endless line gradually grew thicker and thicker.
The sound of metal grinding against metal, the stamping of feet like a rumbling of the earth.
There was no doubt. All of them, covering the horizon, are the army of the Kingdom of Mertor.
"Oh, my God, that's crazy!"
Kaine, right next to me, let out a stunned voice.
The old man, who had been so calm, froze with his eyes wide open.
Doyle, the other members of the unit, and the soldiers around us had all been made to shrivel up.
This was not good.
We were already outnumbered, and if our command was this low, we wouldn't be able to win.
What the hell are we going to do?
Calm down.
The voice was cold and penetrated into our fear-stricken hearts. The cold air engulfed us and instantly calmed us down.
That is the army of the Kingdom of Meltor. They are our enemies.
O'Brien, who was supposed to be waiting at the rear of the main camp, was in front of us, astride a magnificent horse before we knew it.
His voice echoed through the loudspeaker's magical equipment.
'Before we start the battle, I have something to say to you all."
After looking around at all of us, O'Brien continued.
"I do not ask you to be loyal to your country.'
He said these words so coldly and dismissively that it was unthinkable for someone in a position of leadership to say anything like that.
"I don't expect you to fight for your country. I don't think you should fight for your country, but for your family, your interests, yourself, the woman you love, or even for lust, even for revenge. Any reason to fight.'
That is something only O'Brien could say.
That's why it weighs heavily on us.
O'Brien's coldness, his coolness, fills the air as he deflects the weight of the Royal Army of Meltor.
"I cannot guarantee that you will be safe, that your comrades-in-arms will die, or even that I myself will die. It will be a long and difficult battle. Perhaps quite a lot will die."
Many gulped at the mention of death. But O'Brien's words that followed were a stronger curse that held us all together.
"I know that, but I have a favor to ask. I want you to give me your lives so that I can protect this city, so that I can beat them back. I can't do it alone, helpless as I am. I need your strength".
His small, slender body shows no signs of physical strength. However, such a man is wearing an atmosphere that makes the army of 20000 regain their composure and even inspires them.
He is on a different playing field from Schneizel and Galdias, who are physically blessed . Even though they are different, they have risen to the level of competing generals.
The hardships he has gone through and the victories he has achieved make O'Brien, a mere man, shine overwhelmingly.
His life has put a tremendous gravitational pull on him.
Even I, who know his bad deeds, feel compelled to support the ineffectual conductor.
Even I feel the same way.
It's obvious to me what the rest of the audience thinks of him.
No one screams. O'Brien is not the type to appeal to those passions.
Instead, everyone was quietly prepared.
The crowd of two hundred thousand people, buoyed up by fear, had been transformed into a strong, determined army.
"I swear I will defend this city and Arcadia."
Immediately after O'Brien said this, a large man standing at the front of the enemy army, which was gradually coming into full view, somehow waved his hand toward us.
"Oh! O'Briennnn!"
A deafening roar. It took me a few moments to realize that it was the big man's shout.
"Isaac? It's been a while."
Is that Isaac?
I had heard about him. He was once the strongest man in the kingdom of Mertor, who had fought with Galdias in his prime.
He is still too far away to see clearly, but he is clearly over two meters tall and so broad that it looks as if two people are standing side by side. Naturally, he is not obese, but rather well-trained and well built.
The bear-like man was carrying a large sword similar in shape to the one wielded by Schneizel.
Just as Lieselotte, who was one of the strongest in the martial arts tournament, handled a huge battle axe, Schneizel was able to use a large sword that was longer than a human.
Humans with outstanding physical abilities sometimes wield such a mass of absurdity with ease.
I don't think Isaac is stupid enough to bring his decorations even to this battlefield.
Then he is also a warrior of that caliber.
Isaac's atmosphere makes the plain tremble, even though he is still a considerable distance away. A presence that inspires allies and demoralizes enemies. Oh shit, if it weren't for O'Brien, I would have lost my will to fight a long time ago.
What's more, what the hell is that? The tall, slender man next to Isaac also gives off a tremendous atmosphere.
I don't know if I'm going to be fighting that guy.
"O'Brien! Is there no Galdias here?"
Isaac questions with a ridiculous shout. O'Brien is calm in response.
"Which do you think it is? 'Either you think he's the head, or he's hiding."
"He is the boss! He is not a being that hides! How can the face of a nation be hidden?"
". I am in command now."
"I see! Then surrender! I do not take you lightly! You and I are out matched! You'll make my men die in vain!"
A creaking sound echoed through the loudspeaker. I looked over to see O'Brien's hands clenched tightly.
Not enough talent. He lacked luck. The world did not love him.
O'Brien's life up to this point had been about overturning those deficiencies.
He don't have to be good enough to reach it. To prove it, he has walked through a hell I can't even imagine.
So I'm sure...
"I am not going to back down. However, I have no intention of retreating."
"I see! Then war is the only way!"
The top leaders of the two camps had completely broken down.
If they could not settle their disputes with words, they would have no choice but to fight each other.
The war begins.
Doyle and I were in the midst of the Royal Arcadian Army that filled the plains.
There were 1500 infantrymen, 300 heavily armed infantry, 100 mounted cavalrymen, 150 magicians, and many other medics. The total force was about 20000 men.
"Wow, that's amazing!"
Kaine muttered, his voice trembling as if overwhelmed.
Doyle answered that.
"The reinforcement from the center will be coming soon. There will be much more from here on out."
'Is that so? I can't imagine how big it is. Hey, old man?"
'We are by nature underworld people. It is natural for us to be puzzled."
Grandpa, who is in a position to serve Kaine's side, maintains his composure as he looks around. He has been a member of the underworld for a long time and has never experienced a conflict of this magnitude.
"Captain, you should not overdo okay?"
"I know, Doyle. If I die, there's nothing I can do."
"Really? When I see you training like a madman, I can't help but worry that you might die from overdoing it."
"It's okay. We're training not to die. Besides, Frankel and Vasel are not here right now. There is no way we can do anything reckless."
Vasel is Schneizel's second-in-command.
Frankel, Hian's right-hand man.
Both of them were originally members of my unit, but both of them, with their outstanding abilities, are stationed elsewhere in case of emergencies.
Without them, I would not be able to do anything reckless. But even then...
We are at the very back of the line, and our job is to protect O'Brien and his men, whose position is at the very back of the line.
I guess they will force me to be reckless when I have to fight, since they are almost certain to lose when the enemy forces attack this far.
Doyle's face was slightly distorted, perhaps thinking the same thing I was
I, Doyle, and Papycha have a grim look on our faces as we understand this. On the other hand, the rest of the troops, who could not predict the war situation, seemed to be at ease with the scale of their own forces.
There was no sense of crisis, but rather an optimistic mood.
However, the margin of safety on our side was blown away in less than a few dozen seconds.
On the other side of the vast plain.
Black spots began to appear from beyond the horizon.
At first, I thought it was my imagination, but instead of disappearing, they gradually grew larger and larger, and eventually took on the shape of a person.
An overwhelming number of people filled the vast plain horizontally. One line, two lines, the endless line gradually grew thicker and thicker.
The sound of metal grinding against metal, the stamping of feet like a rumbling of the earth.
There was no doubt. All of them, covering the horizon, are the army of the Kingdom of Mertor.
"Oh, my God, that's crazy!"
Kaine, right next to me, let out a stunned voice.
The old man, who had been so calm, froze with his eyes wide open.
Doyle, the other members of the unit, and the soldiers around us had all been made to shrivel up.
This was not good.
We were already outnumbered, and if our command was this low, we wouldn't be able to win.
What the hell are we going to do?
Calm down.
The voice was cold and penetrated into our fear-stricken hearts. The cold air engulfed us and instantly calmed us down.
That is the army of the Kingdom of Meltor. They are our enemies.
O'Brien, who was supposed to be waiting at the rear of the main camp, was in front of us, astride a magnificent horse before we knew it.
His voice echoed through the loudspeaker's magical equipment.
'Before we start the battle, I have something to say to you all."
After looking around at all of us, O'Brien continued.
"I do not ask you to be loyal to your country.'
He said these words so coldly and dismissively that it was unthinkable for someone in a position of leadership to say anything like that.
"I don't expect you to fight for your country. I don't think you should fight for your country, but for your family, your interests, yourself, the woman you love, or even for lust, even for revenge. Any reason to fight.'
That is something only O'Brien could say.
That's why it weighs heavily on us.
O'Brien's coldness, his coolness, fills the air as he deflects the weight of the Royal Army of Meltor.
"I cannot guarantee that you will be safe, that your comrades-in-arms will die, or even that I myself will die. It will be a long and difficult battle. Perhaps quite a lot will die."
Many gulped at the mention of death. But O'Brien's words that followed were a stronger curse that held us all together.
"I know that, but I have a favor to ask. I want you to give me your lives so that I can protect this city, so that I can beat them back. I can't do it alone, helpless as I am. I need your strength".
His small, slender body shows no signs of physical strength. However, such a man is wearing an atmosphere that makes the army of 20000 regain their composure and even inspires them.
He is on a different playing field from Schneizel and Galdias, who are physically blessed . Even though they are different, they have risen to the level of competing generals.
The hardships he has gone through and the victories he has achieved make O'Brien, a mere man, shine overwhelmingly.
His life has put a tremendous gravitational pull on him.
Even I, who know his bad deeds, feel compelled to support the ineffectual conductor.
Even I feel the same way.
It's obvious to me what the rest of the audience thinks of him.
No one screams. O'Brien is not the type to appeal to those passions.
Instead, everyone was quietly prepared.
The crowd of two hundred thousand people, buoyed up by fear, had been transformed into a strong, determined army.
"I swear I will defend this city and Arcadia."
Immediately after O'Brien said this, a large man standing at the front of the enemy army, which was gradually coming into full view, somehow waved his hand toward us.
"Oh! O'Briennnn!"
A deafening roar. It took me a few moments to realize that it was the big man's shout.
"Isaac? It's been a while."
Is that Isaac?
I had heard about him. He was once the strongest man in the kingdom of Mertor, who had fought with Galdias in his prime.
He is still too far away to see clearly, but he is clearly over two meters tall and so broad that it looks as if two people are standing side by side. Naturally, he is not obese, but rather well-trained and well built.
The bear-like man was carrying a large sword similar in shape to the one wielded by Schneizel.
Just as Lieselotte, who was one of the strongest in the martial arts tournament, handled a huge battle axe, Schneizel was able to use a large sword that was longer than a human.
Humans with outstanding physical abilities sometimes wield such a mass of absurdity with ease.
I don't think Isaac is stupid enough to bring his decorations even to this battlefield.
Then he is also a warrior of that caliber.
Isaac's atmosphere makes the plain tremble, even though he is still a considerable distance away. A presence that inspires allies and demoralizes enemies. Oh shit, if it weren't for O'Brien, I would have lost my will to fight a long time ago.
What's more, what the hell is that? The tall, slender man next to Isaac also gives off a tremendous atmosphere.
I don't know if I'm going to be fighting that guy.
"O'Brien! Is there no Galdias here?"
Isaac questions with a ridiculous shout. O'Brien is calm in response.
"Which do you think it is? 'Either you think he's the head, or he's hiding."
"He is the boss! He is not a being that hides! How can the face of a nation be hidden?"
". I am in command now."
"I see! Then surrender! I do not take you lightly! You and I are out matched! You'll make my men die in vain!"
A creaking sound echoed through the loudspeaker. I looked over to see O'Brien's hands clenched tightly.
Not enough talent. He lacked luck. The world did not love him.
O'Brien's life up to this point had been about overturning those deficiencies.
He don't have to be good enough to reach it. To prove it, he has walked through a hell I can't even imagine.
So I'm sure...
"I am not going to back down. However, I have no intention of retreating."
"I see! Then war is the only way!"
The top leaders of the two camps had completely broken down.
If they could not settle their disputes with words, they would have no choice but to fight each other.
The war begins.
