Subjugating the Barbarians (1)
Deep beneath the central fortress of Blücher County lay a dusty warehouse, barely touched by light. The refugees hiding there had spent nearly a week holding their breath, clinging to life by a thread. There were hundreds of them, a motley crew: knights and servants from the central fortress, merchants from other outposts, hired adventurers for defense, local tenant farmers and their families. Ages, genders, races, backgrounds—all varied wildly. But in that place, the emotion they all shared was singular: terror of death.
"This is the last of the bread. Ration it carefully."
Count Blücher personally distributed food to the commoners. In this harsh land, he had always believed survival demanded cooperation across class lines, nobility or not.
"Thank you, my lord."
The gratitude did little to ease his heart. It was tantamount to a death sentence—this final handout. At least their hideout was a food storehouse, its entrance cleverly concealed from outside view, which had kept them alive for the past week.
"How are the wounded?"
"Well..."
The head butler shook his head, glancing at the knights and adventurers slumped in the corner. They had collapsed defending the central fortress to the bitter end.
Who would've thought they'd find the breach in the northern wall.
The barbarians had surged south, fleeing some pursuer, their assaults growing fiercer these past few months. The high walls had held for a time, but the enemy knew no fatigue. Deeming it impossible to crush them outright without overwhelming force, the count had sent a desperate plea for aid to the capital.
In this despair, their sole hope was the imperial knights' arrival four days prior—and the messenger bird they had dispatched.
If we hadn't requested reinforcements a month and a half ago, we'd be utterly annihilated by now.
It was nothing short of a miracle.
No telling how many came. Can the imperial knights truly subjugate the barbarians?
The barbarians numbered at least a thousand. Primitive as they seemed, wielding stone weapons enchanted to deadly effect, their physical prowess was superhuman.
And their chieftain above all...
The count shuddered. He recalled the hulking brute swinging a crudely hewn stone sword—four meters long, at least—like a toy, pulverizing knights in its path. A horrific sight.
Has to be a shaman.
Nothing else explained that unnatural durability or the weapons' enchantments.
They don't speak reason; they act on instinct. No different from monsters.
The count prayed the imperial knights wouldn't mistake them for mere humans. Sharp fangs bared in roars, drooling as they charged—and worst of all.
Our precious knights... they devoured them.
Cannibalism. The barbarians attacked Blücher County for one simple reason: food.
Even if it means starving here, we cannot let them find us.
Reaffirming his resolve, the count reinforced the barricade at the warehouse entrance.
Thud. Thud...
Dust sifted down each time barbarians stomped overhead. Clasping his hands tightly, the count prayed to see tomorrow's dawn.
"Hah!"
Tanya, at the vanguard, moved like a sleek predator. Her strikes wasted no motion—assess the next foe mid-swing, optimal path to the follow-up. Her sword aura, primed and ready, sheared cleanly through the barbarian's sturdy stone mace, plunging deep.
"Path clear!"
"Follow the vanguard!"
Emboldened, the knights pressed forward, seizing the bridge. Shield bearers blocked the frenzied charges while rear-line spearmen thrust home.
Grrraaawr!
The impaled barbarian tumbled into the ravine below. Confirming the main force advancing smoothly toward the western fortress while holding formation, I issued orders from the rear to the healers.
"Fortress secured in thirty minutes. We'll regroup right after severing the northern bridge—prioritize the vanguard. Hugo, you're in command."
"Yes, sir."
"Wounded incoming!"
A holy knight acting as medic hauled a spearman from the front lines. I examined him at once.
"Diagnosis."
Injury: Penetrating wound with bleeding
Location: Upper shoulder
Status: Unconscious
"Handle with care—shock risk. Hemostasis, disinfect. Dress it, then use a healing spell to close the cavity. Analgesics."
"Understood."
One healer took charge under my direction, treating him deftly. The Moonlight Palace healers now grasped modern medicine well enough for battlefield efficacy. Preemptive basics before spells accelerated recovery, eliminating pain or warping side effects from the healing process.
If only the hero party could heal like this.
Satisfied with their work, I moved on. As her personal physician, Asella needed attention too.
"Smooth sailing. Western fortress is empty."
"See? I told you."
"Didn't expect Tanya the Archduke to fight that well. She's practically flying."
"Your Highness, please reserve your magic for necessities. And no leading from the front."
"Courage and recklessness are different, weren't they?"
Asella fluttered her long lashes low and snorted.
"Fine. Can't have the commander looking sloppy."
"Excellent attitude."
I watched the battle's flow alongside Asella. Scouts reported via telescope on east and north flanks. She assessed via reports, issuing commands. She'd even developed spatial magic—her spatial awareness was prodigious, judging by her studies. That little head probably held a holographic map of the county, updating in real time. What did the world look like to a genius?
After prescribing for a few more wounded, a flag fluttered. Tanya crested the western fortress's topmost tower, proudly raising Moonlight Palace's banner. All barbarians in the sector eliminated.
"Full advance."
"Fortress secured! Move in!"
The knight commander relayed Asella's order; knights flowed forward. As pre-planned, they encircled the perimeter, fortifying defenses and manning the northern and eastern bridges' approaches.
Asella and I reached the northern bridge's gateway—a narrow span to the lookout tower, and onward to the barbarian-held northern fortress. It had to go.
"Bombs to collapse it?"
"Stand aside. I'll handle it."
Asella strode forward regally, raising her staff to trace a magic circle.
Kr-krrrk!
Five rings formed a bizarre triangular pyramid, overlapping and spinning.
"Blizzard."
Boom!
Golden mana bloomed across the fortress. Fierce winds howled. Snow from the adjacent range hurtled over, birthing a massive blizzard.
Rumble!
An avalanche cascaded from the peaks. Snow erupted skyward, whiting out vision briefly. When it cleared, the northern bridge lay utterly buried in a colossal drift, impassable.
"Ooh, incredible magic..."
"The Third Princess's power."
"Commanding nature itself..."
All knights who witnessed the miracle bowed in awe. Asella turned gracefully, tossing her head with elegant nonchalance before striding toward the fortress. I followed.
Thud.
The western gate shut. Regroup, then assault the central fortress. Heike holding the east wouldn't last forever; time was short. Word of the western victory went by messenger bird.
"Your Highness, a moment's rest."
"How was it? Impressive, right?"
Alone now, Asella teased.
Thrilled from nailing a 5th Hierarchy spell spectacularly before the troops. Terrain amplified it beyond norm.
I smiled back.
"Even the frost giants of the mountains must tremble in reverence."
"Heh, right?"
Asella couldn't stop smirking, lips twitching happily. Magic that thrilling? Well, Her Majesty Asella often geeked out over theories I'd never grasp. Total magic otaku.
"When do we advance on the central fortress?"
"Told the commander thirty minutes. Prep until th—"
Asella's words dragged. Her face paled sharply; legs buckled.
"Your Highness!"
I caught her doll-like fall squarely.
Colder than usual.
Her breaths came ragged.
"Ras..."
"Yes. I've got you."
"...Yeah."
"Overexertion in the cold, looks like. Warm spot first."
I draped my coat over her, shifting to piggyback—
She clutched my waist.
"Carry me..."
"Warmer that way. Bear with it."
I scooped her up bridal-style. Craving heat, she looped arms around my neck.
...Then the issue hit.
"Your Highness."
"Hm?"
"You're heavy."
"Am not! Why're you so weak, young master?"
"Give me a sec; I'll fetch Tanya."
"Leave me alone? No!"
Ultimately, I dragged her heels across the ground, barely managing the transport.
Blanketed snugly on a makeshift lounge bed, Asella sipped the tea I'd brewed. Warming up loosened her; back to normal, she strategized with the knight commander and second legion leader.
"Central fortress isn't far. But far more barbarians—expect a real fight."
"The horde lured east might return. Sever bridges first."
"We're swift; full speed gets us there before reinforcements."
Asella shook her head.
"Saw it earlier? They're fast. Infiltration to cut bridges is key."
"But the layout's tricky for stealth. And our numbers..."
To the commander's concern, I chimed in.
"As I said, low intelligence."
"Young master, a way to fool barbarians?"
"Of course. Works great on rock tribes."
I fished my pocket watch from my trousers, flipping it open.
"A watch?"
"Mirror inside. That's the trick."
I explained.
"Listen up from now."