Chapter 606
Chapter 606
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 606
Chapter Title: Fragrance of Spring
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Anyway, I took off my breastplate, greaves, sword, and gauntlets and stowed them neatly in my spot. Until the battle actually started, it was just business as usual.
Still, wondering if there was anything else, I approached the squad leader—no, the soldier—sitting at the entrance.
"You've had a rough go of it, soldier. I was hoping to ask when the battle might kick off, if you know anything."
"...I don't have the details. The scouts are keeping tabs on the drake herd's movements for now, so if anything looks off, we'll sound the alert. No matter what, just stay calm and follow my orders."
"Got it."
Then I could relax easy.
"Oh, and training drills are coming up soon, so don't panic then either."
"Understood. Thanks for the heads-up."
That's why the system was so convenient. The army ran on its system, and as long as you stuck to it, you could coast through without a hitch.
I lay back and sharpened my sword when mealtime rolled around.
The soldier started directing us smoothly, and we grabbed our bowls, lined up, and headed out to get our stew rations. It tasted like crap, but the potatoes and chunks of tough meat were chewy enough to be satisfying.
They weren't a ragtag bunch; they'd gathered some real pros, so order was decent. If meals went this smooth, battle would probably be the same. No worries there.
I'd just finished scarfing it down and was sitting there when—
Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!
Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!
A racket erupted from outside, and the soldier bellowed,
"Training drill! Everyone grab your gear quick and line up in front of me in order! Hurry up, hurry!!"
Scramble!
I snatched my gear, suited up, and took my spot without breaking a sweat.
Nothing new to me, so I was chill. The others were gearing up too, but yeah, they were slower.
Once all the adventurers were kitted out, we lined up in front of the soldier.
"Good! Nice and fast! Let's move out!"
The soldier led us out of the barracks.
Outside was chaos.
With the drill underway, everyone was hustling. We just had to stick to our soldier.
This was straight-up army vibes.
After a bit of marching, I spotted the Second Strike Force soldiers lined up in formation ahead. They'd geared up and mobilized faster than us. Proper army discipline in action.
These were vets hardened by constant real combat.
A scrap like this was routine for them.
Me? Just a guy with basic training, no real frontline experience as a soldier. So this felt pretty fresh.
"Here! Line up in four ranks behind us! Four per group! Memorize the faces of the guys next to you!"
We fell in behind the soldiers as directed.
Once we were squared away, the commander on the platform up front shouted,
"Impressive speed! When the battle hits, just form up like this! We'll flank those drake bastards! Four strike teams total—no need to freak out! Smash the drakes, and the rewards will be huge! With Lady Isvant on our side, victory's already ours!"
All we had to do was follow the soldier in front and hit the drakes' flank. Vets all around—no issues. From what I'd seen in real fights, drakes weren't that lethal anyway.
The simple drill wrapped quick, and we marched back to barracks in good order. A few days like this, then battle. Easy.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Barracks life hit day three. Up with the sun, wash up, eat, wait around—then that familiar clang from outside.
Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!
Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!
What the hell?
No word of morning drills today.
I suited up fast while that thought crossed my mind.
A few others had the same idea, grumbling as they geared up.
The soldier poked outside, came back, and yelled,
"The damn drakes are finally on the move!!! Gear up, everyone!!! Battle deployment incoming!!!"
Figured as much.
The soldier clapped and hollered, but no panic ensued.
"Heh, about time. Hey, after this, brothel run on payday? Dying here without pussy for a week."
"Tell me about it. Got any spots to recommend?"
"Isvant has good girls. Go for it."
"Krasheim's solid too, from what I hear."
Vets here for the coin.
Just fight quick, cash out, spend it. Adventurers chatted brothels casually while suiting up and lining up in seconds.
I was ready and waiting. Soldier checked outside, came back shouting,
"Moving out! Link with main force—they'll take over! Just follow me, nothing else!"
"Hurry it up, man!"
"Yeah! Body's itching for action!"
"Kekeke! Don't drop dead, boys!"
Morale was high.
We filed out, merged with soldiers per drill, and held position. Noise everywhere, but no jitters.
Couldn't see the infantry phalanx from here.
Once we pushed, probably. Drakes charging, spearmen clashing in a bloodbath.
They hold the line, we wipe the herd.
"Drakes are hitting hard! But don't sweat it! Infantry phalanx has their charge! We're rolling soon—steel yourselves! Strike force rewards are fat! Think on that for courage!"
Woooaaah!
Uwaaaah!
Uoooooh!
Short speech, massive roar. Mercs fight best for gold.
We waited, then commander bellowed,
"Attack order down!!!!! Second Strike Force, charge!!!!!"
Front rank advanced. Heavy armor all. Leading the spearhead—makes sense. Our adventurers? Mixed gear.
Group monster mowing anyway. No biggie.
Our turn soon.
"Heh, barbarian bro. Stick close. Guard my side good."
"Heh heh, you too on mine."
I bantered with the guy next to me, gripped my sword tight. First time fighting in army formation like this.
Holy war was different vibe.
Now under Isvant lord's commander. "Re-enlistment" horror flashed.
"O, ooooh!!! Ooooh...!!!!! Kieeeek!!!!!!"
That thought hit, I had to roar. Adventurers around caught it, chimed in with bellows.
"Feels like battle frenzy in the cheers...!"
"Savage roar! True barbarian!"
"Heh! Uwaaaah!!!"
Uoooooh!
Eeeeeek!
Kaaaah!
My roar spread like wildfire through the strike force. Shook the ground.
This morale? Drakes, their moms, dads, granddads charging? Fucked, dismembered, fatality.
High carried us marching till new sounds ahead.
Eeeeek!
Kwek! Kweeeek!!
Ching! Chaaang!!!
"Fuckin' moms."
Battle already raging.
Uwaaaah!
Kweeeeek!!
Vast plain, center: infantry phalanx vs. drake horde in frenzy.
Massive drake swarm hurling at phalanx for advance. Heavy spearmen unflinching, thrusting spears against savage assault.
Formation solid. Layers of human wall blocking monsters. Falls? Rear steps up, holds line.
Kweeeeek!!!
Drakes tough too. Bipedal giant lizards screeching, leaping, jaws snapping spears, pressing attack. No flanking—just bulldozing humans in the way.
Monster-human war.
"Gross monster swarm!"
"Five silvers a head! Luck's golden!"
"Ooh! Ooh!"
Adventurers eyes lit.
Hit that flank? Devastating. Four teams in, one-sided slaughter. Phalanx advances? Game over.
Keeyaaah!
Kweeek!!
We swung wide to flank. So packed, drakes jammed like traffic, cursing slow advance.
Frontline intense; rear chill.
Pweeeee!
Squad leaders yelled,
"Attack now! Follow front man only—slaughter drakes!!!!"
Front dashed. Pace to second rank. Third. Fourth. Fifth. We all sprinted.
Kuwaaaah!
Human roar drowned world. Throat burning, I clamped mouth, gripped sword, chased front.
Kwaang!
Front hit drakes.
Couldn't gauge fight here. Just forward meant hitting home.
Front soldiers pros—pushed seamless. We carved flank deep. Soon, drake corpses underfoot.
Deep in.
Kweweek!!
Kweeeeek!!
Keeeeek!!!
"You fuckin' bastards!!!!!"
Flank stab—drakes thrashing right beside me. Couldn't turn in tight quarters.
Kwajik!
Peok!
I stabbed drakes, soaked in gore.
"Uwaaaah!!!"
"Kill! Kill 'em!!!"
"Front halt! Front halt!!!!"
Everyone used neighbors as shield and blade, plunging steel into drake flesh.
Kweeeeek!!
Keeeek!!!!
Near hundred vet warriors berserk.
Drakes dropped twisting.
Three more teams same. Flank eased phalanx. Army machine felt omnipotent.
Who stops hundred armed butchers?
Impossible physical or magic.
Brainless monsters? No chance.
"Kieeeek!!!!!!"
Battle smooth sailing. So far.