Chapter 13
Chapter 13
The first day of the siege battle passed without any particular incident.
Grind-
No, if giving this tough jerky as a meal counts as an incident, then it was an incident.
Still, Shut Shup tasted fine, so I could fill my hunger in a pinch.
The sun had completely set, and darkness descended.
Watching the bonfires casting light beside those standing guard in their respective areas, above and below the castle walls, I organized my thoughts.
I thought about just going to sleep, but my hands automatically reached for my Terminal.
Gallery Browsing while lying in a sleeping bag, I can't resist this.
I had a topic ready to post immediately.
Title: If Riselinn is to be believed, reinforcements from the Knights should arrive by tomorrow. Any variables to consider?
Author: ㅇㅇ*
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I don't know if they'll bring any Wizards with them. Anyway, no unnecessary friction will occur, right?
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Friction is confirmed lololol
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Tower's specialty: when you expect something bad, it usually happens.
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Shrine Maiden) Hawaawa, I cannot deny that.
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Given the number of Orcs that appeared, they must have sent at least a 3rd-tier.
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Archmage) They probably attached one Wizard.
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Archmage) You always have to be careful of variables with quest-type scenarios. Usually, the mission is to kill monsters, but sometimes you can end up getting killed by an NPC who has no direct relation to the quest.
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Yes, what is it?? Isn't that too much of a stretch? And you told me to control the Wizards earlier.
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Archmage) It means to set up an appropriate situation based on the circumstances. A situation where you won't die.
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Archmage) What kind of place is the area you're in now? A territory?
Ah, I haven't told them that yet.
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Yes*) The system informed me it was an autonomous city at first.
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Archmage) Then the Knights' influence probably won't be that strong. They won't have a background to support them with prestige.
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Archmage) What's the position of the existing forces? If you were to cause a ruckus, would they likely take your side?
I pondered for a moment and then replied.
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Hmm*) It's a bit ambiguous whether they'd take my side. Even if I stir things up a bit, they probably won't be hostile.
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Archmage) Then go ahead and make a move. While gauging the situation appropriately. Even if it weren't an autonomous city, the honor of the Lucerna Mercenary Group is different from ordinary mercenary groups, so even Knights wouldn't treat you lightly. The elders of the mercenary group, who aren't present, would also hold a certain position in that world.
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Hmm*) I had a question I've been wondering about. Why does the Lucerna Mercenary Group feel weak for its reputation? The mercenary leader Riselinn also seems about the same as me.
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That's because Riselinn's bloodline is extremely slow to mature.
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Pioneer) Rather, the bigger reason is that Riselinn is an NPC partner you have to climb the Tower with. She's not an NPC you encounter once, but a mutually growing NPC.
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That's the established theory. Even if we don't meet again on the 3rd floor, we'll meet at least once more within the first 10 floors. By then, Riselinn will have grown as strong as you are, or around that level.
Is that the feeling?
If I'm going to have a climbing partner, I wish it were a strong person who could drive me comfortably, like a bus driver.
But I guess I should give up on the idea of freeloading.
The conversation shifted back to the topic of reinforcements and how to deal with friction if it occurred.
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Ice Queen) Even if they pick a fight, you should just beat them up properly and set things right! Don't be scared! Freeze!!
Hmm.
Judging by her tone, I thought she was a pacifist, but she's quite far from peaceful. To clear the Hard difficulty, one must not be entirely sane, perhaps.
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Dragon King) I think it's fine to beat up Beltui- a little.
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Dragon King) From Beltui-'s experience, if your position is the same as the Climber, they won't be able to perform as expected with high probability. Or rather, they can't, should I say?
Very fitting remarks and reasons for the nickname.
The reasons were quite plausible, which made it more problematic.
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Sword of Light) If an Orc Commander is going to appear, they'll send a 3rd-tier.
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Hmm*) How strong is a 3rd-tier? Are they strong?
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You can consider them strong.
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Sword of Light) Strictly speaking, you are a 2nd-tier Knight. In terms of Mana capacity, you can still be considered not out of the 1st-tier... but you can't call someone who killed a Commander a 1st-tier.
And Sword of Light explained about those who are typically considered 2nd-tier. Knights who can utilize Mana but cannot manifest Aura in their swords. Knights who fight solely with physical enhancement belong to the 2nd-tier.
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Sword of Light) From the 3rd-tier onwards, they possess the ability to generate Sword Qi.
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Absolute Monarch) Some people remain in the 2nd-tier their entire lives because they can't do this.
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Oh, if they generate Sword Qi, am I completely outmatched?
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Sword of Light) The Sword Qi of a 3rd-tier is very incomplete. Sometimes, it's better for them not to use it. Also, their martial arts are incomplete at this stage.
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Sword of Light) If you had properly learned the Dragon Slayer Sword as I described, you might be able to overpower them with swordsmanship alone... but you haven't dedicated that much time to training.
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? Is it possible to overcome the difference in Sword Qi with swordsmanship alone? That's a ridiculous claim.
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lololol That's how it would look to an Easy bug. Don't you see that Climber guy killed the Commander without even using Sword Qi? That's proof that Sword of Light is right.
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Why is this guy projecting himself onto the Climber and Sword of Light again?
The gallery was peaceful today as well.
Sword of Light did not react to the comments on his post.
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Sword of Light) When you have to fight a 3rd-tier, how do you win against an opponent with greater power? That's what you're curious about, isn't it?
That's exactly it.
Sword of Light told me the method.
The next morning.
The incident happened immediately. It was before I could even wake up on my own.
Suddenly, the surroundings became noisy.
"Come out, you who claim to have killed the Orc Commander."
What is this?
The tent flap was ripped open. Two men wearing rather impressive armor stood there. Isn't that what they call Full Plate Mail?
The man with blond hair gestured with his chin towards the Straight sword I had leaning against the wall.
"Draw your sword."
The Knight drew the sword at his waist.
"You must prove it. Prove that you killed the Orc Commander."
[NPC - 3rd-tier Knight William]
3rd-tier.
I recalled the characteristics of a 3rd-tier I heard about in the gallery.
A swordsman who can manifest Aura in their sword.
A swordsman who can generate Sword Qi.
A stage that begins to enter the ranks of the strong.
The method Sword of Light told me to counter a 3rd-tier Knight was simple and clear.
And as simple as it was, it was also crude.
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Sword of Light) Execute the Footwork. The first person to encounter it won't be able to react properly.
'Footwork, my ass.'
The Footwork that can only be used when Mana Body Reinforcement is available is barely worthy of being called Footwork.
It's just telling me to strike first, even if it's called Footwork.
At least, the provocation had been made.
According to the advice of the Hard difficulty seniors, it's a situation that ultimately requires a test of strength.
Would causing a ruckus now be beneficial or detrimental?
I quickly scanned William's surroundings.
A single Wizard with blond hair caught my eye.
[NPC - 3rd-tier Wizard Yunes]
A Wizard, also 3rd-tier.
Archmage's comments came to mind.
He said it would be a quite useful card if I could seize the initiative.
I could mess with William, who provoked me, and the Wizard could be made compliant enough to be used as I pleased.
"Don't make me say it again, or are you admitting that your feat of defeating the Orc Commander was merely a stroke of luck?"
While I was organizing my thoughts, William spoke again.
I spread Mana throughout my body.
"Despite being late, you're quite bold, aren't you?"
I could see William's brow furrowing at my words.
"...What did you say?"
"The Orc Commander I killed. That was originally someone you were supposed to kill. I risked my life to kill him for you, so why are you taking it out on me?"
Genuine rage appeared on William's face.
"...Insignificant commoner."
Oh dear.
So, he's finally going to draw his sword.
Sword Qi.
The way to ignore it is simple. Rush him before he draws his sword.
I stomped on the ground.
Before William's right hand could reach his sword at his waist.
I spread my right hand wide and grasped my target as much as possible.
My target was William's shoulder.
Beating him up halfway is a bit much. Let's just surprise him with a throw.
William's body was lifted and tilted.
CRASH!
I slammed him directly onto the ground.
"Kuaaak!"
William, sprawled out, wriggled and looked at me.
"Why can't you dodge this?"
A 3rd-tier Knight. Is that really what he is?
William, struggling, tried to push himself up at my words.
The line had already been crossed. I took another step.
And a light punch to his abdomen.
"Ugh!"
William, perhaps surprised by the fall itself, couldn't react to this either.
...This is becoming true to Dragon King's words that if the position is the same, they won't be able to perform as expected.
Screech!
"You bastard...!"
Two 2nd-tier Knights and three soldiers who had come up with William drew their swords.
Still, they're stepping up since he's their superior. That's a relief.
The moment William, still with half his body on the ground, moved his hand to draw his sword, Riselinn, standing in front of him, stomped her right foot down hard.
THUD-
The gazes of William and his subordinates, their faces red with anger, shifted to Riselinn.
"Let's stop here. The battle with the Orcs isn't over yet. What's important now isn't this pointless squabble, but preparing for the next battle."
This time, Riselinn stepped in.
"The reason for sending the Knight here wasn't to waste time like this."
Riselinn maintained an attitude unbothered by the soldiers' menacing stares.
The sound of soldiers noisily ascending from the bottom of the stairs could be heard.
The soldier who climbed the stairs in a frenzy panted, then quickly caught his breath.
"The Orcs are crossing the perimeter again."
"Enemies that weren't visible are also appearing. Given how suddenly they've increased, it seems there's an Orc Shaman among the enemies!"
The chaotic news echoed in my ears.
Riselinn clicked her tongue.
"See? It's not the time for this. If you want to fight, fight after it's all over."
Perhaps because their commander, William, was still lying on the ground, the confronting Knights and soldiers couldn't retort to Riselinn's words.
I checked my equipment and descended the stairs. Leaving William, who was still yelling incessantly, behind, I went down towards the base of the castle wall.
I drew my sword.
Riselinn stood beside me.
I looked at Riselinn and opened my mouth.
"An Orc Shaman, are you sure?"
Riselinn slowly nodded.
"One of my subordinates, a Ranger, saw it too. Orcs that are excessively driven into a frenzy."
An Orc Shaman.
The very one Sword of Light and Archmage had predicted had appeared.
They had also mentioned its characteristics: it couldn't revive dead Orcs like a Necromancer, but it had the ability to make Orcs pushed to the brink of death rampage even more powerfully than before.
My gaze fell upon Wizard Yunes, who was slowly descending the stairs with a tense expression.
"I'll take this Wizard with me."
"What?"
"What?"
Both Riselinn and Wizard Yunes reacted to my words.
"I have a place I need to use him."
"My, my intentions...!"
Yunes made a tearful face.