Chapter 76
Chapter 76
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 76
Chapter Title: How a Shaman Influences a War (5)
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"How is it now? Has it changed a bit?"
Ding-a-lang -
Throb.
This time, my whole body ached.
It was throbbing and stinging like mad.
The one certain thing was that a lot had changed again.
I wonder how many people had dodged death...
"The priests really are strong against the undead. This is the best it's been so far."
"Then I assume there's no objection to the church taking the vanguard."
"I'll cover the rear. We'll stick to the back."
Everyone nodded.
But even with the situation improved, Count Nordin's fate was still precarious.
Even when I told him as much, the count's response was unwavering.
"That's just how war is. You have to live with death at your side."
A bitter smile.
Yet the count's shoulders remained proudly squared.
"...I'll go take a look at the others' fortunes too. Oh, and you all need to pay the offering fees before the battle starts."
"I've already heard. If we don't, problems arise? I'll collect them all and deliver them."
I slowly turned and slipped out of the building.
Alurad must have intended to join the meeting too, since the only ones who came out were me, Serena, and Luna.
"Serena, stick right by my side."
"Yes, don't worry."
"Let's start with the priests."
As I approached the holy knights standing guard nearby, the door opened behind me.
"Count?"
The one who emerged from the door was Count Nordin.
"You said you can see spirits, right?"
"Yes, that's correct."
At my answer, the count continued as if relieved.
"I've never died before, you see. Can spirits still speak?"
"Spirits can communicate with each other, but it's hard to convey their voices to the living."
"I see."
The count stroked his chin, seemingly lost in thought for a moment.
"Remember this well."
Suddenly, the count thrust his right arm straight up toward the sky.
"It's a big motion, so it'll be visible from afar. Raising the right arm like this means attack as is."
"Pardon?"
This time, his left arm rose toward the sky and waved side to side.
"I've added a little to this one. If you see this, retreat without fail."
"...."
The count then waved both arms at once.
"This means I can't assess the situation."
"...Count, surely not?"
Why would someone who might die come to me asking about this?
Even with the church in the vanguard, the reason his fate remained unchanged might be that he'd resolved to die.
Sure enough, the count's words aligned with my suspicions.
"If I die, I'll climb the mountain as a spirit."
"...."
"You'll handle reconnaissance."
"Right now, the spirits are bewitched by something. You could end up the same, Count."
"If that's the case, nothing to be done. In any event, remember it well."
Only after teaching me a few more signals did the count finally leave.
"Ha...."
I couldn't help but sigh.
It was because the old spirit I'd awakened earlier was watching over us.
"Elder, just in case, but you absolutely must not climb that mountain."
- ........
"Going there could corrupt your spirit. I can offer blessings from below, but if you fall, you'll be trapped in a bottle. There's already one like that."
- .....
"You understand, right?"
In my eyes, this elder had no ordinary stubbornness.
How desperate must he be to fight even in death?
A battle-mad spirit wouldn't listen.
All those actions were to protect something.
"Elders are all so stubborn."
These people here, and even the ones at the shrine's graveyard behind.
What were they so worried about...
That's why the ancestor spirits toil to watch over their descendants.
"All you holy knights, come over here."
"You mean us?"
"First, pull out whatever money you've got, as much as you can. Minimum five coppers, up to five silvers."
"....Money?"
Rustle, rustle.
The knights looked baffled but still pulled out their coin purses.
"Folks in the same line of work get it upfront. You five over there don't have to come."
It was impossible to check everyone; time wouldn't allow it.
Even conservatively, there were tens of thousands. How could I check them all?
I had to pick out only those who looked like bad news at a glance.
Ding-a-lang -
"Knight, watch your legs tomorrow. Stick close to your comrades if possible."
"Yes! Thank you!"
"You there, knight, you need to survive tomorrow. Your life's about to get tangled. Come here."
"Y-Yes!!"
The knight startled at the mention of his life tangling.
I pulled a talisman from my bosom and placed it in his hand.
"It's a ward against misfortune. When impulsive thoughts hit, grip it tight and calm yourself."
"Thank you!"
"Priest over there, your jaw's going to get completely torn off."
Flinch.
I felt the priest stiffen, but the vision flashing in my mind was more shocking; no time to worry.
Dying with his jaw ripped off...
"Get some armor and wear it."
The knight beside him was quite unusual.
His radiant light, but efforts misplaced.
"Knight, have you only practiced prayers?"
"How did you...!"
"Born under a knight's fate, you should've swung a sword at least..."
If you have the right job for your fate, you need to hone it diligently.
Life flows that way; paddling with the current makes it easier.
Paddle against, and hardship inevitably comes.
Just like this.
"Neglecting sword training will cause problems. This isn't fixing quick, so don't fight aggressively."
"...Yes, sir!"
I went around, reading fortunes here and there.
More ominous omens than expected.
Even after summoning elves, some still burned to death.
From the church to regular soldiers.
Including knights out on reconnaissance beyond the walls.
Plus handling the overall omens drained me, and by the time I finished, the sun was rising in the distance.
"Whew... Tired like I held a full ritual..."
"Are you okay?"
Serena fidgeted anxiously, but what could be done?
That's just the shaman life.
"No nosebleed is a blessing."
Back then, twin streams would've poured.
Good thing my skills had deepened.
"Departure preparations are complete. Just waiting on the elves, and we can attack anytime."
"Elder. Was just about to find you—perfect timing."
Parmon Elder approached and patted my shoulder.
"You always suffer the most."
Suffering wasn't the point right now.
"We need to depart right away."
"Without the elves joining?"
"Going together clears all fire-related threats, but deaths increase that much."
My guess was the enemy would change plans upon spotting the elves.
Still, couldn't confirm fully since mountain peaks blocked clear omens.
"It's a common thread I saw in many people."
"Then we'll go. Once formation's set, we depart immediately."
As the elder said, most troops were already outside the castle.
Only minimal for contingencies remained atop the walls.
We walked quite a ways past the gates before finally joining the vanguard lines.
"Receive the holy sword."
Command-rank officers all stood at the front, facing the soldiers.
I wondered if that was my spot too, but there I was, standing with them.
"What do you plan to do with the holy sword?"
"..."
"Young Master Chris?"
I couldn't answer.
The scene before me was too chaotic.
Seething pools of misfortune.
Beneath them, entrenched emotions.
Was Luna seeing something similar?
She quietly gazed into the distance behind me.
"Chris?"
I saw—or rather, sensed—Alurad approach then halt.
Twitch.
Far off, trees were shaking.
Their motions oddly mimicked mine.
Like performing a ritual, waving both arms.
Serena's voice rang out.
"...The branches are shaking."
I'd experienced it once before.
Branches shaking, lending me strength.
My crumbling mind sharpened again.
The fatigue from leaking heavenly secrets washed clean away.
Hummm -
"The... holy sword..."
Alurad's voice, then Parmon Elder's too.
His loud cries suggested a speech to the troops.
Hummm -
At the holy sword's trembling, Luna peeked her head from behind me.
"Lower?"
Soon, turning toward the trees, Luna exhaled shakily, lips quivering.
Snort.
"Looks like rain's coming."
They say a baby snorting means rain.
I didn't know how things would unfold, but it felt auspicious.
Luna pressed tight against my back and said something.
"Zauu!"
"Hand over the holy sword?"
The holy sword, wrapped in white cloth.
Unwrapping revealed a cool blade.
"I hoped for help, but not like this."
Gripping the holy sword washed away my fatigue instantly.
The trees and sword were utterly benevolent.
"No need to plant it in the ground."
I stretched both arms wide to the sides.
Holy sword and rattle heads toward the sky.
Whish -
My body spun naturally.
The holy sword scattered divine power in all directions.
Flash -
The world spun, blurry afterimages of sword and rattle scattering wildly.
Amid the passing afterimages, other things appeared.
Undead gathered across the mountains.
Oddly clumped mana too.
The timing was perfect.
Right now was ideal for departure.
Halt.
Stopping my body, all eyes focused on me.
Even the dazed spirits seemed awakened.
"...Looks like the young master stirred things up again. Such light from the holy sword."
"You..."
Parmon Elder eyed me with a wronged expression.
I spoke right away.
"We depart immediately."
"Couldn't say so earlier... I put real heart into that speech..."