Chapter 49
Chapter 49
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 49
Chapter Title: General, Sir (1)
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I'm here at a sacred spot in the mountains to offer a rite.
I washed my face with the clear water made by the undine.
I likewise received water made by the undine and set up a modest altar.
Since it's water made by a spirit, there can't be a better purified essence than this.
"The side dishes are a bit lacking..."
When offering a rite, sincerity is key.
But you still need to set up the altar properly.
"Can't be helped."
Honestly, who guided me all the way here?
It's the deity herself.
She won't expect a fancy funeral table after sticking me in the mountains without any preparation.
Our deity isn't that kind of god.
"...."
I was originally supposed to offer this rite right after receiving the initiation...
But I've been rolling around here and there, and honestly, I haven't had the time.
"Serena, can you play the flute for me?"
"...Of course."
Serena began searching the surroundings for a reed grass that pleased her.
From what I heard, that grass is pretty important.
If you don't pick the right one, you can't produce a beautiful sound.
"This time, play it a bit differently from usual."
"...Differently?"
"It's called a ritual rhythm... Like sharply cutting off every nine beats."
I roughly hummed the melody to show her.
It would probably be unfamiliar to Serena.
It's a rhythm quite distant from this world.
"Play it well, and I'll get into the groove."
"It's a prayer... Is that okay...?"
Serena seemed to imagine something sacred and solemn.
Of course, that's necessary too, but this case is a bit different.
"Normally, it should be quiet... But she says there's no time this time."
It felt extremely urgent.
To begin with, I can't shed my novice status yet.
Usually, you need about three years of study to graduate from novice disciple.
So right now, I'm...
"Like an early promotion of sorts?"
"....?"
Anyway, I need to get it done quickly.
I don't even have time for prolonged prayers.
"I'll keep it as simple as possible."
I felt a bit irreverent, but the deity would understand this much.
People would start dying soon, after all.
What shaman life is so great that I'd prioritize it over lives?
Save people first.
"Aigoo... My fate. For now, you don't need to play the flute until I say so."
"...Yes."
"Ah, and it might be a bit tough."
Honestly, I was worried if Serena could endure it.
I'd have to sense the divine for quite a while...
At my words, Serena gave a rare faint smile.
"I've endured horrific times... I'll manage somehow."
"Ah... Yeah."
I felt a little sorry for bringing up bad memories.
"This time... I'll help you too."
Suddenly, it felt reassuring.
I've done all the rituals alone until now.
I quietly turned my head and scanned the surroundings once more.
It was a fine sacred spot no matter how I looked.
The mountain's guardian spirits gathered here before dispersing again.
If this were Gyeryong Mountain, shamans would have coveted it.
"Shall we begin..."
I didn't even have a proper altar.
I'd just barely scrounged some fruits to make it look decent.
Placed on a suitable rock, it was nothing but modest.
"A shaman should live modestly."
I carefully lit the candles placed on either side.
Whoosh.
The candle flames rose more vigorously than usual, as if welcoming me.
Ting-a-ling—
The Barcos Barony, located in the northern reaches of the empire.
Chaos reigned there now.
"Move quickly! We don't have time!"
Soldiers lined up atop the walls, each armed.
Some carried arrows, others boiled hot oil.
And in the center stood Baron Barcos, hands trembling.
'What in the world is happening... Necromancers all of a sudden.'
He'd heard the rumors.
That necromancers had reappeared.
But to a border baron like him, it was a distant tale.
What was worth seeing here for them to invade first?
Baron Barcos looked at the knights who had suddenly appeared to announce war.
"Sir Parmon! I've brought the troop formation."
"It's pathetic."
"We've deployed soldiers to the walls, but there are too few."
"...."
Parmon's face twisted.
Considering the scale of the vanished baronies, the undead horde wouldn't be small.
To block them with this meager force...
"This is the first place they'll pass. We must hold at all costs."
Parmon's fist clenched as he surveyed the walls.
The empire was at peace.
No kingdom dared invade.
After long peace, their combat experience was obvious without seeing.
Probably just a few scraps with monsters at most.
"....How many knights in the barony?"
"Around thirty."
"Mages?"
"Four."
Closel waved a hand.
"Don't worry about magic. The ones with us are exceptional."
"...."
Even so, it was far short.
And amid the shortage, the situation was poor.
"When battle starts, more than half will be combat ineffective."
"...Pardon?"
The knight receiving Parmon's orders asked in confusion.
He couldn't understand.
Why would healthy soldiers end up like that?
"Common folk freeze up before undead. The weak-hearted faint."
"...."
"Gather all mercenaries in the barony too."
"Yes...!"
"Everyone, remember: this is a defensive fight! Protect the territory folk as best you can!"
"Yes! Understood!"
Parmon looked at Closel.
"What of the reinforcements?"
The territory folk were in confusion like Baron Barcos.
"War... War's broken out!"
In the chaos, a boy blocked the elders.
"Grandpa! Only soldiers go up the walls, I told you!"
"You pup! What do those kids know of undead to send just them?"
"I slew undead at your age. You don't have to, so stay back."
The barony's elders gathered in the streets, each grabbing weapons.
Blacksmiths flung open doors, tossing weapons outside.
"They think undead are goblins or something..."
"Indeed. They'll just piss themselves before undead... Tsk tsk."
The elders weren't talking of children.
It was the soldiers atop the walls.
"Grandpa, okay, now pack your things and come out! We have to evacuate quick!"
"Gotta avenge my old friend's boy first, you rascal!"
"My grandson went before me."
Their resolve was grim.
Even their eyes fierce, reminiscent of well-drilled soldiers.
If not for hunched backs and trembling arms from heavy spears.
"Worry if this old body holds. Ten years younger..."
"If my back were straight, I'd take three with me."
"Grandpa!"
A little girl grabbed an elder's pant leg, crying.
Fear he'd get hurt in the fierce mood.
The elder stroking her head wore a kindly face.
"You're too young to know. It's all to protect you."
The elder looked around.
How long since such a sight?
Decades since picking up a spear, yet more familiar than farm tools.
The elder drew a deep breath and bellowed.
"Form up!"
Thud—
Hearing it, elders stamped into line.
"Can't let our sons die! All to the walls!"
Clack—
Clack—
Perfectly synced footsteps rang out, honed over years.
Far more orderly than the soldiers heading to the walls.
Seeing panicked soldiers on the walls, curses burst from elders' mouths.
"Those... those... fucking idiots."
"Boiling oil against undead?"
"Told 'em since kids..."
A lead elder smacked a soldier's head.
"Hey, you brat!"
"A... Father? Why here...? It's dangerous!"
"Think pouring oil on bones hurts 'em?"
Instantly, oil-preparing soldiers froze blankly.
It was true.
What effect would boiling oil have on undead?
"And why's that punk holding a sword?"
"U... Uncle?"
"That scrawny arm gonna smash bones? No axe? Swords don't cut bone well."
Similar scenes everywhere.
Usually kindly elders spat harsh words, scolding their young.
"Stabbing with sword doesn't kill 'em, I said!"
"Grandpa...?"
"How many times I said push skeletons off with spears? Dumbass."
With elders joining, chaotic mood aligned swiftly.
Harsh curses felt awkward, but elders kept swearing.
They knew discipline was key in war.
Even gasping from exertion climbing walls, they didn't stop.
To save their young.
"...Get your heads straight."
"Father, get down from here quick...!"
"Unless you smash heads, they keep moving. Remember."
Situation looked bad even to elders.
Long ago in wars, they'd fought better-trained armies and lost routinely.
The spear-bearing elder forced his trembling arm.
"Urgh... Why'd Miller make spears so heavy..."
Blame on blacksmith Miller unfounded, elder stepped forward.
To save inexperienced youths.
"Snook's boy?"
"You know my father?"
While advising precautions, elder's eyes flashed.
Another soldier lugging oil up.
"Hey."
"...Yes?"
"Take that back to the tavern."