Chapter 133
Chapter 133
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 133
Chapter Title: You're Dead Now, You Bastards
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"All the bridges have been destroyed?"
"Yes. It seems all the bridges connecting to Neruman collapsed overnight."
"A final spasm of desperation, eh? Heh heh heh."
A refreshing morning dawned at Gadein Castle, the enemy's main fortress.
Duke Yanobis received reports on the events of the night.
"What is His Highness the Prince doing?"
"He has risen, eaten breakfast, and is preparing for flight."
"He's up early."
Prince Alskein, who had never in his life faced even a hint of death or the slightest pain.
To tear apart Kaier—the one who had inflicted upon him an unforgettable humiliation and terror—he was already making preparations.
"Summon all the army commanders."
"Yes, sir!"
Denfos, the heart of Neruman, lay just a few hours' ride on horseback from Gadein Castle.
After this morning's briefing, they would reach Denfos before the day was out.
Of course, if they attacked using wyverns, it would take only the time for a meal, but there was no need to rush.
He intended to choke off their breath so they couldn't even resist, then slowly, ever so slowly, crush them to death.
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"Have all the territory's people been evacuated?"
"The hundred thousand civilians around Denfos have taken shelter in the castle. Those outside the war zone remain in their villages."
"It's a shame for them."
Neruman, turned into a battlefield every day due to poor choices in lords and rulers.
He had done his best, but he still felt sorry.
"No, my lord. I've heard not a single civilian speaks ill of you."
Derbal comforted me in a voice full of loyalty.
"The moment we've awaited has finally arrived. As you all know, there was never any room for retreat."
The knights gathered in the command office.
He had pulled in every flight unit stationed at Orak Castle and Ciaris Fortress.
Now, Skywing Squadron had no space to move amid the packed wyverns.
"Don't worry. By tomorrow, we will be smiling as victors. I, Kaier of Neruman, promise you this!"
"Chuuuuwing!"
"Raise your glasses! And drink! This cup holds the kiss of the goddess of victory, Ormion!"
The glasses of wine held high.
Gulp, gulp.
He shared drinks with the knights.
Victory was assured, but the cursed scythe of death from the evil god Kerma could swing anywhere.
'I trust you all.'
A battle that would require every last ounce of strength.
He filled his eyes with the sight of his knights draining their glasses.
He fervently prayed to the gods that they would all share the next drink together.
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"Form up!"
"Adopt battle formation!"
"Cavalry, take positions on the flanks!"
Neigh!
Clatter clatter clatter!
The wave brought by an army of two hundred thousand.
A vast plain where Denfos, just sprouting spring buds, came into view.
With about three kilometers remaining, the Rabiter Empire's two hundred thousand elite troops formed ranks by unit.
"They've finally arrived."
Denfos, the central city of Neruman, reached without a single battle.
Even from afar, its dilapidated walls looked like they would crumble in an instant if the imperial army charged.
"Your Highness, please fall back. Their new crossbows have a range of about two kilometers."
"It's unbelievable. Even magically enhanced longbows max out at one kilometer."
Prince Alskein gazed at Denfos from amid the imperial troops dismounting wyverns to form ranks.
Behind him stood the supreme commander and about a hundred noble knights in formation.
"What is the attack plan?"
Prince Alskein asked quietly, eyes fixed on Denfos.
"We plan to attack in the most predictable way. To disrupt their new crossbows, the skynights will fire blessed spears en masse from above the enemy airspace. That will naturally draw their crossbows toward the wyverns, allowing our fast-advancing infantry and archers to launch a full siege in the meantime."
"Aiming to end it in one go."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Duke Yanobis smiled in satisfaction at Prince Alskein's keen insight, praised even by imperial scholars.
"Their wyverns number over a hundred, by all accounts. It won't be easy."
"Worry not. A hundred wyverns can be shot down in a single concentrated strike."
Caaaaaaw!
Kuaaaaaaw!
While the imperial army formed ranks, three hundred wyverns filled the sky overhead.
They flew in dozens of squadrons in airtight diamond defense formations.
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'Even an ant swarm wouldn't outnumber them.'
He climbed the ramparts to observe the imperial bastards.
Two hundred thousand elite troops, as rumored.
The plains around Denfos were filled entirely with humans.
Armed with shields, spears, swords, and more—an inhuman horde.
The exact populations of the empires weren't known, but even Bazran Empire alone numbered tens of millions.
Rabiter Empire, with far greater land and power—and including its duchies—must command an unimaginable populace.
And among them, the elite legionaries trained as combat specialists.
"Sigh..."
The twenty-five thousand soldiers atop the patched walls—repaired with cement but still crumbling—gazed at the imperial army with fear-filled eyes, looking pitiful.
He had scraped together every last reserve.
Excluding the base garrisons at monster-threatened Ciaris Fortress and Orak Castle, and forward village outposts, every available soldier.
Aside from the fearless Temir tribesmen, all were awed by the imperial might.
'A total of 180 heavy crossbows... I trust you first.'
Pitifully few compared to the enemy numbers, but crossbows armed with a surprise they didn't expect.
'Limited improved arrows. Must aim for the one shot.'
The enemy had gained intel from battles with Habis nobles.
They didn't know.
That the crossbow bolts' performance had been newly upgraded.
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
He had no desire to drag this out.
A classic attack formation: spear-and-shield bearers at center, archers and light infantry behind, knight orders on flanks.
With the drumbeats, the enemy horde began advancing like a wave.
Two hundred thousand moved as one, yet their unit formations remained flawless.
If they were his own troops, he would have praised them.
'They're coming!'
And then he saw them.
As the enemy infantry moved, their wyverns darkened the sky.
Five hundred in number alone.
A force that could war with a kingdom, all come to take him down.
What the hell was their pride worth?
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'Kaier! Kaier! I'm here, you scum!'
Prince Alskein gritted his teeth through his helmet visor as he controlled his wyvern.
He flew in the rear squadron with Duke Yanobis.
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
The advance drums rang out powerfully.
Along with them moved his proud soldiers.
The outdated Denfos walls, like a sandcastle before raging waves.
Alskein harbored no doubt.
If Neruman's lord Kaier didn't flee, he would be captured this time for sure.
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"Ashradaheim..."
Shalalala.
Armis offered a blessing prayer toward the wyverns and skynights of the allied Skywing Squadron taking off one after another.
Even with battle at hand, she lost none of her piety.
"Please retire now, Saintess."
After the last wyvern lifted off, holy knights as composed as Armis surrounded her.
Neruman's welfare mattered, but first and foremost for the holy knights was Armis's safety.
'Lord Neran... please grant them mercy and protection.'
Armis prayed to the god for the souls who would perish today in droves.
She slowly headed to the temporary hangar housing the temple.
When the war ended, vast amounts of holy water would be needed; she could not rest.
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Kuoaaaaaaa!
'Damn, even in death, what form.'
To defend Denfos, they maintained a defensive formation over the city skies.
At the forefront, Bebeto.
Even now, he bellowed to boast his prowess to the female wyverns.
"All squadron leaders, listen up."
"Yes, sir!"
He issued commands via communication magic embedded in the squadron leaders' helmets.
"Everyone moves as I direct. Under no circumstances engage or pursue the enemy until I order it."
"Yes, sir!"
"When we close to effective range, I'll give the order. Attack then."
"Yes, sir!"
He had drilled them thoroughly before takeoff.
To win, they had to maximize their advantages.
"I trust only you all."
"Loyalty!"
Before five times their number, the skynights showed no fear.
Half were green recruits newly joined, yet morale pierced the heavens.
Caaaaaaw!
Kuaaaaaaw!
A considerable distance away, yet the wyverns recognized enemies and roared.
In an instant, the sky trembled with their furious cries, like a murder of tens of thousands of crows shrieking.
"East sector—enemy wyverns firing. 3rd Flight Squadron, spears away at them!"
"Yes, sir!"
Shweeeeeeee!
Out of range, yet enemy wyverns launched spears toward Denfos wall defenders.
They had just reached the new spears' range; he gave the fire order without hesitation.
Shoooosh shoooosh.
From the hands of twenty-five skynights in 3rd Flight Squadron led by Raiker, blessed spears mana-charged and flew at tremendous speed.
Neruman's fate hung on this showdown.
It began with the skynights' strike.
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Puuuush!
Kuaaaaaak!
"F-Fly!"
Habits were terrifying.
Over a hundred imperial skynights, accustomed to two-kilometer effective range.
The moment they launched spears toward Denfos as ordered, they were struck by spears from Neruman skynights hovering stationary over the city.
In that "oh shit" instant, five wyverns were shot down, shrieking in agony.
'What terrifying weapons!'
Duke Yanobis, watching from rear skies, felt chills at Neruman's new armament.
They had prepared countermeasures, but carelessness caused losses.
Puuuububububung.
"Kraaaaaak!"
"Uwaaaaaak!"
But it wasn't ineffective.
Roaring explosions and screams as Denfos walls crumbled.
Boom boom! Boom boom! Boom!
Fast-advance drums echoed across the sky.
"Waaaaaaa!"
Already down to one kilometer, imperial soldiers shouted to crush enemy morale and charged at double pace.
Swish!
Supreme Commander Duke Yanobis waved his yellow flag.
A rear skynight blew a mana-infused flute hard.
Piiiiiiiiing.
Imperial signal whistle.
Amplified by magic, its note rang thickly through the skies.
Kuaaaaaak!
In that instant, a hundred wyverns waiting on the right surged forward.
Swish.
Now Yanobis waved green.
Piik! Piik!
Two short mana flute bursts.
Caaaaaak!
A hundred wyverns on the left also charged powerfully toward enemy wyverns over the city.
Swish swish.
Finally, Yanobis waved the last blue flag.
Peep! Peep! Peep! Peep!
Magic flute piercing the wyverns' din.
Kuaaaaaak!
Caaaaaak!
Two hundred wyverns—all but the rear hundred—flew toward Denfos.
Fwaaash!
Imperial upgraded blessed spears gleamed mana-charged in the hands of skynights atop the flying wyverns.
"Waaaaaaa!"
As skynights unleashed massed attacks, imperial infantry accelerated their fast advance.
Fastest units already reached five hundred meters from Denfos walls.
Truly monstrous stamina from imperial soldiers.
Few on the continent could march at such speed laden with plate, shield, and spear.
Elite troops born of grueling constant training.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Then, thunderous reports as heavy crossbows on Denfos walls and towers fired massive bolts at incredible speed.
Piiiiiiing!
Tearing air with immense force.
Pubububububububung.
Bolts struck imperial skynights and wyverns mid-attack, far beyond known range, swift and deadly.
Caaaaaak.
Kuaaaaaak!
Wyverns shrieked as if rent apart.
Fwaat!
But imperial knights showed their mettle.
Dozens of wyverns staggered bolt-hit, yet skynights kept focus and loosed spears.
Spot, spot!
Blessed spears flew one after another, no guidance needed.
Pubububububung.
Pububububung.
Kwadududuk.
"Kraaaaaaaaak!"
"Uwaaaaak!"
Outdated Denfos walls and battlements shattered, unable to withstand spear impacts.
Crushing innocents atop who had committed no crime.
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'Amazing!'
They were different, for sure.
Imperial skynights displayed skill worlds apart from Habis kingdom ones.
They moved in perfect unison to the odd magic flute signals.
Two hundred enemy wyverns waiting left and right.
From hover, wings beat furiously as they dove in sharply.
'Hold on just a bit!'
No help now.
Upgraded bolts from heavy crossbows flew en masse at in-range wyverns.
But imperial skynights bombed methodically, maintaining distance—not reckless barrage.
Few wyverns downed relative to arrows loosed.
"All flights—spears at wyverns approaching from right!"
"Yes, sir!"
Enemy blessed spears were no joke.
Range massively extended; trajectories smashing Denfos walls overflowed power.
Pibibibibibing.
At his order, knights loosed spears en masse at the hundred wyverns incoming from right.
"Let's go!"
Kuoaaaaaaa!
Yank reins; Bebeto surged like a high-performance sports car.
Caaaaa!
Kruuuu!
Gold wyverns with beastkin riders followed roaring from behind.
'These ones are mine to block!'
Numerical inferiority stark.
Spears superior, but not all hit; enemies veteran pilots.
Melee clash inevitable soon at close range.
Shiiiiiiing.
Bebeto's powerful wingbeats built speed instantly.
Paht!
Mana fully charged into dual spears; hurled at wyvern swarm from left.
Pibibibing.
Five beastkin-launched spears streaked past him like light.
"Summon Jin!"
Had to block somehow.
Melee chaos essential to smash their backsides mercilessly.
Whiiiing!
Dimensional gate opened; wind giant Jin appeared.
"Sweep them away!"
Whiriririring.
Jin flew at his command toward enemies targeting him with spears.
'Gasp!'
Jin, about to obey fully, sucked up massive mana.
Flash flash.
Enemies now in range, unleashing spears mercilessly.
'Ugh! Am I shish kebab today?'
They definitely had upgraded spears.
Roughly two-and-a-half klicks out, incoming spears vastly faster than standard imperial ones.
'Damn primitive 18th-century bastards! You call yourselves knights?'
Intentional, but rage flared at spear volley aimed solely at him.
Pagagagagagagagang!
Then he saw it.
Wind greater spirit Jin, already near enemies.
Unleashing monstrous wind magic, burrowing into enemy wyvern formation.
Caaaaaak!
Kuaaaaaaaa!
Unexpected greater spirit's brutal wind punches.
Struck wyverns plummeted wing-broken to ground without mercy.
Focused solely on him, they missed the transparent wind greater spirit's arrival.
Price: chicken with broken wings.
In seconds, ten wyverns in formation dove to earth amid Jin's rampage.
'Gasp!'
But he couldn't relax.
Spirits at two-meg level: execute one order, one only.
Ignoring inbound spears at him, they swept only wyverns as commanded.
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"Th-that!"
Lukens, the greater spiritist, had warned, but it was unthinkable.
Swordmasters using high-circle magic were rare in history; a swordmaster summoning spirits? Unimaginable.
Yet Duke Yanobis witnessed it live.
"Huh..."
Shock turned to hollow groan.
Known as master-level swordsman, sixth-circle mage—yet summons greater spirits: Kaier.
Plus a hybrid wyvern faster than others.
One-on-one, no one would escape defeat's bitterness.
'Must kill him.'
No time for awe.
If he grew more, Rabiter Empire endangered.
Fortunately, prime chance to slay him now.
Swish, raised hand.
Swoosh!
Pointed at Kaier, arm slashed down forcefully.
Kuaaaaa!
Kiaaaaaa!
A hundred waiting imperial wyverns.
Truth: these were the absolute elite among elites.
'I'll kill you myself.'
Intense battle-lust boiled at strong foe.
One hand gripped wyvern reins; other drew spear: Yanobis.
Chajajak.
From hover, wings beat as a hundred skynights flew at designated target.
Mana charged into their hands' imperial new-model blessed spears.
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'Th-that vicious bastard.'
Before seeing Kaier, Prince Alskein vowed to skin and shred him alive.
But facing him, watching him toy with a hundred skynights using a spirit—legs went weak.
And recalled his brutish words that wouldn't compute.
The fiend who herded imperial prince and guard knights into pitch-black caves to starve.
'I'll kill you!'
Past memories ignited fury like wildfire.
Kuaaaaa!
Gripped wyvern reins savagely; charged with skynights at Kaier.
In his rage-filled eyes, only one target.
That demon unleashing magic, blasting dozens of blessed spears...
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Chijijijijijijik.
Kagagagagang!
'Ughhhh!'
Shield near shattering.
Without beastkin wind magic filtering spears, even he couldn't block that barrage.
Had to deploy shield magic using wyvern armor Bebeto rarely wore.
'Without special shield rune... ugh, dizzying just thinking.'
To overcome overwhelming force, he resolved long ago to sacrifice this body.
Hence, special wyvern armor on Bebeto.
One of many winter projects.
Shield magic, but barrier-level defense.
Two rank-3 magic cores embedded.
'Ugh! Those fuckers really wanna go?'
First spear salvo gone.
Thanks to rampaging wind greater spirit Jin's assault, over thirty of the hundred left-side wyverns crashed.
But that wasn't all.
Suddenly, a hundred rear-waiting wyverns spread wings, flying straight at him.
'Done for!'
No confidence.
'Gods, I'm coming loyally—please handle the rest.'
Death felt like a joke.
Glance showed territory skynights still clashing hard over Denfos; dozens of wall heavy crossbows already wrecked.
"Waaaa!"
"Ladders forward!"
"Smash the walls!"
Plus, two hundred thousand enemy infantry reached walls.
Black mass besieging Denfos, scaling walls.
'Heh, if I go, not alone.'
For this moment, spent winter patching mithril without a single kiss.
"Derbal."
"My lord! Are you alright?!"
Worried voice from comm orb.
"Still alive."
"M-my lord..."
"Show them! Our fury to those pig bastards! Make it clear!"
"P-please take care!"
"Haha, don't worry. I don't die even if killed."
Short yet long exchange.
Srrk.
Finished talk, removed elf-mask-like mithril helm.
Shiiiiiiing.
Dismissed spent Jin back to spirit realm.
Sharp wind battering face.
"Haa."
Deep breath; eyed mana-glow on enemy skynights' spears.
Srrk.
Spear gripped in hand.
'You're done now, bastards.'
They didn't know.
What those black objects appearing behind them now were.
.