Chapter 279: Turning Point (2)
Chapter 279: Turning Point (2)
Unless they are variants, Orcs generally have lower specs, and Trolls have a bit of a cowardly streak… but Ogres are different.
Ogres can be considered the pinnacle of the greenskins, possessing all the strengths of the other races.
They have the cunning of Goblins, the bravery of Orcs, and even a significant level of regeneration—though not quite on par with Trolls.
On top of that, their massive frames, immense physical strength, and thick, tough hides have gained Aura resistance thanks to the blessing of Reckless Roar.
They are the kings of melee combat and a literal calamity for knights.
So, what was that Ogre doing right now?
“Kwoooooooh!!”
It was pulling a reverse charge.
Considering the ferocious nature of an Ogre, this was nonsensical. And it wasn't just the Ogres.
The Orcs—who were called brave but were likely just suffering from intermittent explosive disorder—and the Trolls, who would never turn their backs until they felt a threat that exceeded their regeneration, were all doing the same.
Even the Cyclopes, who were dim-witted but possessed unrivaled strength, and the Minotaurs, who were one-trick ponies with their charges but had undeniable durability.
Without a single exception, they were all running away!
The sight, resembling a green ebbing tide, caused everyone present to momentarily freeze.
“…I have spent my entire life hunting down cultists and monsters, but I have never seen such a sight.”
The white-haired old man spoke with an air of absurdity. I shrugged at the words of the Pope, Albaor.
“You’ll be seeing it often from now on. As Your Holiness well knows, the nature of monsters is ferocious… but high-ranking cultists close to the Evil God can force commands that even override that nature.”
“I have never seen them act like this before….”
“Because they didn't show it. They likely intended to make it seem as though the Evil God’s sealing made detailed control of the monsters impossible.”
“It sounds as if you are saying they have been hiding their strength all this time.”
“Yes. That’s right. For the past 300 years, they’ve been thoroughly hiding in the shadows, pretending to be weak… but they regained all their past power long ago. No, considering they’ve planted moles on our side during that time, they might even be stronger.”
“Ho. Then the reason they’ve stayed hidden until now is, as expected….”
“Yes. Just as you suspect, they prioritized the descent of the Evil God. What matters to them isn't their own victory, but the victory of the Evil God.”
If they had started an all-out war, they could have easily taken at least half the continent. Perhaps even more.
But humanity isn't stupid; they wouldn't have just sat idly by. They would have poured all their capital and talent into maintaining the seal on the Evil God at all costs.
No matter how overwhelming the cultists and monsters were, they were opponents that could be defeated, whereas the Evil God was an insurmountable asymmetric force.
What if, while they were holding out, one of the Good Gods managed to descend? Or even if they just received an Apostle?
That would be the beginning of the counterattack.
The Evil God and the cultists had been wary of this possibility and had hidden their strength until now.
They hadn't forgotten the past, where they had almost won everything only to be sealed by the Hero Rahim.
“…Then the fact that they have raised such a massive army means the descent of the Evil God is not far off.”
“That’s probably not it.”
Even though I had accelerated their plans one way or another, they were merely triggering what they had been preparing sooner than intended.
The release rate of the Evil God’s seal shouldn't be significantly different. …Probably.
In reality, they might try to force their way out of the seal even if it meant shaving off some power, or the Evil God might emerge early through a massive human sacrifice even if it depleted the cultists' forces.
I had to keep in mind that I only knew the H&A scenarios; I couldn't actually read the future.
Well… the reason they revealed themselves so hastily was likely because of me and Helena.
Their plans had been thwarted several times because of me, and the existence of a Saintess appearing faster than expected must have made them impatient.
“However, what is certain is that this Siege of Solaris will be a sort of turning point.”
“Yes. Even if it isn't the descent of the Evil God, they have revealed the hidden power they’ve been hoarding, so the cultists will now begin to move in earnest.”
While Albaor let out a deep sigh, the Holy Knights and Battle Priests had already gathered and formed ranks.
Glancing at them, Albaor continued in a firm tone.
“However, even so, what we must do does not change. To strike down the cultists, the monsters, and evil to create a better world to live in. That is the will of our Lord, and it is our will.”
Albaor offered a Sign of the Cross in place of a farewell and headed to the front of the ranks.
Even to another man, his back looked truly magnificent. …So much so that I reflexively looked over at Helena beside me.
Helena was standing atop the makeshift wall made of rubble and magic, holding her medallion with both hands and her eyes closed.
She looked like the picture-perfect image of a reverent Saintess, but her incessantly twitching lips were not reciting a prayer.
Thanks to the set of simple doping potions I had downed before the battle, my senses were sharpened. Amidst that, I could hear her faint muttering.
“I am well aware that a mace is more efficient for me right now than divine arts. But what am I supposed to do when it’s so difficult? Even now, my legs feel like they’re going to give out. …Pardon? How would you know that, Lady Clara, when you died a virgin? Stories from other people? But those people didn't do it with Brother Yandel. The Brother is… a monster. A monster on the bed. The reason I regained consciousness so early is because Righteous Light completely fainted. …Hah! How could you say my body is just lewd! I’m not lewd, Brother Yandel is the lewd one! I’ll make sure to let you know somehow, Lady Clara… What? Sexual harassment? You started it, Lady Clara!”
Hmm. It’s good to see her getting along with Clara. Maybe a bit too well, though.
I watched Albaor’s short speech and situational briefing for a moment before heading toward Helena with the rest of the party.
As soon as she sensed our presence, Helena hurriedly began muttering a normal prayer. Elisha and Iris probably noticed, even if no one else did.
A High Elf’s senses were about as sharp as mine in my enhanced state.
Indeed, Elisha’s face was flushed red, and Iris was nodding as if she understood everything.
I tapped Helena on the shoulder and spoke.
“Helena?”
“Though I walk through the valley of… Oh? Brother? Is something the matter?”
My lips twitched at the sight of Helena feigning innocence as if nothing had happened. I barely suppressed it and pointed downward.
“It looks like they’re about to head out, so we should head down too.”
“Ah, I must have been too focused on my prayer. Thanks to that, my holy power is fully recovered, so I can fight whenever.”
Helena smiled brightly and tucked the medallion she was holding inside her clothes.
The medallion hummed and vibrated as if Clara wanted to say something… but it quickly went quiet after Helena gave it a few taps.
What was that? What just happened between them?
Helena stepped past me, leaving me bewildered, and took the lead. She spun around at the top of the stairs and looked back at us.
“By the way… how about a bet where the winner gets a wish? Of course, with the condition that truly unreasonable requests can be refused.”
“Ho. You really want to bet?”
“Of course. There is something I absolutely must ask of the Brother. Would the rest of you like to join as well?”
The party’s reactions were split at those words.
“I’m in! It sounds fun! If I win, I’ll ask Master to… hehe….”
“Oh my? A large-scale battle like this is a mage’s primary stage, you know?”
“Hmm… I am a bit tempted as well….”
“Stop it, stop it. Adults shouldn't butt into children’s games!”
Carla and Elisha were positive, but Iris and Iona were negative.
Well, it made sense. Me, Carla, and Elisha were still intermediate mages, and Helena, though a Saintess, was only just beginning to awaken her power.
But for a fully realized high magician to jump in? That would be a bit shameless.
Iris puffed out her cheeks, filling them with air. I poked her cheek and said,
“Just what were you going to make me do that you’re so disappointed?”
“Well. It was nothing much, I just wanted you to make an Elf-style Vow the next time you shared a bed with your master.”
“An Elf-style Vow?”
“To put it simply, a proposal.”
“Oh….”
I think I know what that is.
Is it that line that always comes up at the end of an Elf heroine’s route?
As I nodded to myself, recalling those memories, Iris looked anxious, wondering what I was thinking.
“A-A vow it may be, but it has no binding force! That is why it is even better….”
“Got it.”
“It is merely a simple romantic dream… wait, what?”
“I said I got it. Not right now, but I’ll do it for you when there’s a chance later. In exchange, Iris, you have to do the play I want… how about it?”
“I-Is that really okay?”
“Why wouldn't it be? However….”
“However?”
I gave a smirk to the tilting Iris and jerked my head toward the battlefield.
“Waaaaaaaah—!”
“Kill the fleeing monsters!”
“The hammer of Righteous Light!”
“The only good monster is a dead monster!”
Before long, war cries and bloodthirsty shouts rang out.
I watched the Holy Knights charge out beyond the barrier, rapidly closing the distance to the retreating monster horde.
I didn't expect them to dash out so soon while we were talking.
Anyway, since the bet had started, there was only one thing to do.
“I’m going first!”
I grabbed my own body with Telekinesis magic and threw myself toward the fleeing greenskins in the sky.
My body felt a bit stiff, but the speed was faster than most flight magic.
From the makeshift wall that was already far behind me, delayed screams reached my ears.
“Master! That’s cheating! Cheating!”
“Yandel, you! You’re supposed to start when we say go, how can you just dash off alone…!”
“Brother?! R-Righteous Light! Please, do something!”
It goes without saying, but the winner of the bet was me.
Heh.