Chapter 98
Chapter 98
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 98
Chapter Title: The Perfect Deployment
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Elbert flashes a satisfied smile.
“You made the right call. This isn’t a job I’d hand to just anyone, so make sure they know it’s an honor.”
He shifts back to a solemn expression and pats my shoulder.
‘This isn’t a job for just anyone...’
Well, that much is true.
You couldn’t entrust something like this to anybody.
Which makes the current situation all the more bizarre.
“Why exactly are you assigning this task to me?”
I voice the question that’s been nagging at me.
There has to be a solid reason Elbert chose me for this punishment.
And the reason turns out to be simpler than I expected.
“Because I saw the makings of a commander in you.”
“The makings of a commander?”
“That’s right. I watched you fight yesterday from start to finish. You used your allies very effectively.”
“Ah.”
I think I know what he means.
But, well.
Is that really enough to call it commander material?
‘I was just doing what I’d do in the game.’
I simply put the tank-DPS duo of Thompson and Barundel up front and positioned the DPS Kayla in the rear.
The battle flowed smoothly, sure, but that wasn’t because of any commanding genius on my part. It was possible because we’d synced up through repeated fights beforehand.
It wasn’t me who was impressive—it was our teamwork.
But maybe that looked different in Elbert’s eyes?
When I explain this, Elbert shakes his head.
“No. Your strength lies in snap judgments. And that’s the most crucial quality for a commander. Own it, mage.”
Snap judgments, huh...
I have no idea what exactly he saw to say that, but I decide not to probe further and just accept it.
Whatever the reason, the fact remains that I have to handle this troop deployment now.
Getting locked in the royal prison is something I absolutely cannot allow, even if it kills me.
‘Fine. Let’s do this.’
Since it’s come to this, I need to nail the deployment.
With that in mind, I methodically examine the pieces.
Elbert explains as my gaze moves.
“Those are volunteer mercenaries. Think of them as one squad per unit for simplicity.”
“The ones with swords are knights. They’re key assets, so pay close attention to their placement.”
“Regular soldiers. Best to pair them with knights for safety.”
I listen quietly, then point to a cluster of pieces off to one side.
“What are these?”
Four pieces painted red, like they belong to someone important.
Three of them have two blue dots on the eye area.
“Those are special pieces I use for persons of interest.”
“Persons of interest?”
“Yeah. Ones with immense power that need protection, high status, or dangerous types that require caution—like that. On this battlefield.”
Elbert looks up from the pieces.
He meets my eyes directly.
“You four.”
You four.
It doesn’t take long to figure that out.
“The ones with eyes marked are the three mages. The unmarked one’s Barundel.”
It’s obvious he’s talking about me, Thompson, Kayla, and Barundel.
“You catch on quick.”
Of course, I’m not thrilled about being labeled a “person of interest.”
It makes us sound like we’re about to cause trouble any second.
Well... from Elbert Tairan’s perspective, he might have good reason to see us that way.
Anyway.
“Hmm.”
I’ve got a rough grasp on the pieces now.
What’s left is terrain, geography, and other complicating factors.
The most critical one being.
“Are these the new rift locations?”
The enemy spawn points.
I need to know where they’ll emerge to even think about deployments.
I point to the three circled spots on the terrain map, and Elbert nods.
“That’s right. Positions estimated by the [Mana Gauge]. We’ve marked three for now, but you must account for the possibility of more.”
“So, prepare for variables.”
“Exactly.”
Okay.
Rift positions mapped, battlefield layout burned into my brain.
Now for the actual deployment.
“Give me a moment to focus.”
I step back from the table and take in the whole board at once.
Then I close my eyes.
All I see is a pitch-black canvas.
I start painting the image of war onto it, piece by piece.
The second wave of the [Prophecy of the Red Moon] that I experienced countless times in the game.
Rumble! Crackle!
One in the northeast, one in the southwest.
Crimson lightning crashes down, tearing open space.
And from within, swarms of demons pour out.
Mostly mid-tier or higher.
Definitely a much stronger force than yesterday.
And on top of that.
Rumble...
Screech! Skreeee!
Hehehehe!
Each rift has an upper demon leading the legion.
From the left rift: [Demon Minotaur].
From the center: [Succubus].
From the right: [Giant Venom Scorpion].
From our side, these are the priority targets.
They’ll need tailored deployments.
Flash.
I open my eyes and start moving pieces.
Carefully, matching each upper demon’s traits.
Clack! Clack! Clack clack!
‘The [Giant Venom Scorpion] needs focused firepower all at once. Put six elite knights here. The [Succubus]... yeah, no rush to kill her. Stall her with regular soldiers. The [Demon Minotaur]—Barundel and I can handle that.’
The deployment takes shape step by step.
First time trying this, but it’s not as hard as I thought.
Because my head is stuffed with data on the [Prophecy of the Red Moon].
‘I already figured out wave 1.’
The upper demons from each rift can be inferred from the demon types in wave 1.
For example, if [Demon Lizardmen] showed up, expect a [Demon Minotaur]. If [Demon Goblins], then a [Succubus]. That sort of pattern.
And their spawn order follows power level.
So the weakest of the three, [Demon Minotaur], comes from the left rift, strongest [Giant Venom Scorpion] from the right.
This is a rule I uncovered myself after five years playing [Devil Fantasy].
Reliable intel.
Of course, not something to bet everything on blindly.
Even if the pattern’s spot-on, this is 100 years in the future.
Things might’ve changed from what I know.
But.
‘We’ll account for that too.’
There aren’t that many demon types that could show in wave 2 anyway.
Maybe a handful at most.
Cover those contingencies, and we can neutralize any surprises.
And.
‘Assume no extra rifts.’
I completely discount the chance of new rifts beyond these three.
Based on wave 1, there were no signs of it.
From my experience, rifts popping without warning are extremely rare.
Clack! Clack! Clack!
The deployment proceeds smoothly.
About 30 minutes later.
“It’s done.”
Deployment complete.
Elbert Tairan tilts his head at my setup, his expression subtle.
“Is this really finished?”
“Yes.”
“...An unusual arrangement.”
He doesn’t look thrilled.
But to me, it’s perfect.
I nod confidently.
“Yes. Fighting like this will minimize casualties.”
“What makes you think so?”
“I tailored it to the rift leaders.”
“Rift leaders?”
Elbert looks at me like he needs more explanation.
Even if he assigned this himself, I need to convince him.
It’s not hard—I lay out the reasoning point by point.
Upper demon types from each rift, their traits.
After hearing it all, Elbert reacts just as expected.
“How can you be so sure?”
He can’t believe it.
Who could predict the enemy types in a war?
Can’t blame him.
I don’t have much of a dodge for this question.
“Uh... call it research?”
“Research?”
“I’m really into this war. Did some digging, and turns out [Prophecy of the Red Moon] battles always follow similar patterns.”
“So you predicted them based on that research?”
“Yep.”
“Even that no more rifts will appear?”
“That’s right.”
“...Intriguing.”
Elbert strokes his chin.
His serious expression shows genuine curiosity.
“If that’s true, then all my past deployments had major flaws. I never once predicted what demons would come.”
“Ahaha...”
Flaws? Nah, that’s normal.
This is info I hammered out over dozens of failed runs tackling the [Prophecy of the Red Moon] event.
No average player or NPC would know it.
Anyway.
“Alright, let’s trust it this once.”
Elbert nods in agreement.
He’s really going to run the war with my deployment.
My shoulders suddenly feel heavier.
Does it show on my face?
“Don’t worry. If things go south, I’ll step in myself.”
Elbert pats my shoulder, easing my concerns.
Hearing that does make me feel secure.
‘If the knight commander joins, nothing can go wrong.’
Elbert Tairan is hands-down the strongest among the few hundred allies here.
Normally, commanders hold back after wave 1 for worst-case scenarios, but if he jumps in, upper demons will drop in seconds.
No need for me to fret.
As I think that.
“Ah—attention, all units. As mentioned earlier, broadcasting the new deployment.”
Elbert grabs the artifact mounted on the wall and starts addressing the entire force.
Time to move soldiers per my plan.
“Regular squads 1 through 3, move to the flag in the northeast. 1st Knight Squad to the north flag, 2nd Knight Squad assemble at the southwest flag...”
He covers volunteer mercenaries and our party’s positions too, then ends the broadcast.
Realizing it’s all set, my heart starts pounding.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
Not from threat.
Just knowing there’s no turning back.
A deployment built purely on my own abilities—no help from [Prodigy of Magic] or [Essence of Light] that I’ve relied on since coming to this world.
What will the outcome be?
“Let’s head out too.”
Time to find out.