Chapter 23
Chapter 23
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 23
Chapter Title: Primmer Plains Battle (2)
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However, it seemed like I was the only one who thought we stood a chance.
"...Fuck, why do those bastards have so goddamn many more men than us? This sucks. Can we even make it back alive?"
"Shut your fucking mouth, you piece of shit. You think you're the only one scared? Keep it to yourself before I sew your lips shut."
"If I'd known it'd be like this, I should've become a fucking porter or a pickpocket instead of a mercenary. Shit, dying on the first goddamn day."
I glanced at the mercenaries and soldiers that Pior and the count had brought—the ones making my men tremble in fear.
I couldn't make out their faces from this distance. But damn, just looking at them nearly made me blurt out how impressive they were. I held it back for the sake of my squad leader dignity.
Even from afar, those who looked like rank-and-file recruits were all decked out in proper padded cloth armor. Their spears gleamed in the sunlight, brand new or well-maintained, showing they'd come prepared.
The spacing between their steps, between the soldiers themselves, even their movements—all perfectly synchronized. Those 3,000 troops over there were definitely battle-hardened veterans.
It was like comparing a pro soccer team to the amateur weekend league we'd faced last time.
"Ha, fuck. Someday, I want to lead a mercenary company that strong."
Karin rarely smiled like that, her eyes curving into happy crescents.
It was different from the forced smirk she put on in front of the captain. A genuine smile.
Her expression clearly showed her fondness and high expectations for me.
"Everyone else is scared shitless, but Squad Leader Martin looks totally at ease. As expected from someone who shone in their first battle. You've got a different caliber."
"Is that so, senior? Then I'll show you even cooler sides from here on out."
With that, I looked around at my already terrified men.
Some of the rookies had stiff expressions but were trying to play it cool, acting like it was no big deal. Others were shaking like leaves, utterly petrified.
"All eyes on me!"
At my command, the rookies snapped to face me in perfect unison, drilled into them over the past month.
Their faces screamed, "I'm freaking out. Save me," like it was written on their foreheads.
I looked them in the eye and bellowed just like I did in training.
"You're not strong, and your combat skills aren't great, but I can say this with certainty. You bastards trained your asses off for a whole month before marching here! That's why you're not cannon fodder anymore! What do you think?"
In truth, before seeing real combat, even the knight-born kids who'd swung swords since birth were just as much cannon fodder as the meat shields. But that didn't matter right now.
What was important was instilling confidence in my men—that they'd fight well in this war and make it back alive.
"You might not believe it, but think about it. The rookies in other squads can't keep up with the veterans and get their shins kicked multiple times a day, right? But you guys? You're matching steps somehow, moving as one, aren't you?"
They all nodded at that.
Our company was small, only 200 strong, so we could all see how the rookies in other squads were struggling to adapt.
"Truth is, just keeping in step means you're doing the job of a proper soldier. So quit worrying needlessly and listen to me. Do that, and you'll make it back alive. I'm not gonna spout bullshit like 'don't be scared.' Just trust the training you drilled into your bodies rolling in the dirt and slamming your heads down. Got it?!"
Whether they trusted the training's effects or not, their tension and fear had eased a bit compared to before.
But Lucia was still scared stiff... her fox ears and tail drooping like a frightened puppy's.
I patted her shoulder.
"Lucia, I get it. First time, you don't know what to do, and it's scary. But don't worry too much. You saw it during drill training. Nobody starts out good."
At my gentler tone, the corners of her mouth relaxed a little.
"Yes."
"Don't stress. Just follow what I taught you, watch the others, and do as I say. You'll definitely make it back alive. Hell, you'll come back to praise from everyone."
Lucia wagged her tail slightly, looking at me with curious eyes.
"Really?"
"Of course. You could barely keep up at first, but now you're doing great. So believe in yourself."
Soon after, the trumpet blared, signaling the advance.
"Charge!"
With that order, all the troops under Count Zaltzheim began marching toward the enemy in unison.
With every step, the distance to the foe shrank, making the reality of standing on the battlefield sink in.
What kind of enemies would we face this time? How much could I accomplish? My heart raced with anticipation.
"Everyone, spears forward! Advance!"
At the command I'd drilled into them countless times during training, my nine subordinates began marching in sync with the drill cadence.
The eight spear-wielders including me took the front, with Karin and Lucia following behind.
It seemed simple, but Pior's squad next to mine—which had two rookies—was already falling out of formation.
"Hey, you cannon fodder shits! I said don't walk like that! Break formation, and we're all dead!"
"Fuck, if you don't wanna die by our hands after the war, match steps on your own!"
"You motherless bastards, cut the goddamn crap."
The other squads were probably in similar chaos right now, but seeing our rookie-packed unit hold its front line proved drill training was truly fucking amazing.
"Arrows incoming! Heads down!"
The moment the words left my mouth, arrows and spells rained down on Count Zaltzheim's forces.
"Fuck, I didn't wanna die like this. Shit..."
"Those dog-fuckers."
"Ha, fuck, I wanted to screw that girl again..."
Those were the last words—the dying utterances—of the ones pierced by arrows.
A wave of heat made me glance sideways. This time, a fireball bigger than the ones I'd seen before hurtled toward several unlucky soldiers near me.
The fireball swallowed the infantry from the adjacent unit in one gulp.
"Aaaagh!"
"It's hot! Help!"
Screams that tore at the ears mixed with the searing heat from the burning men, turning the air around us scorching.
To think this was just low-grade magic. I couldn't imagine the power of mid- or high-grade spells.
"Eyes front! Only look straight ahead! Just focus on the fuckers trying to put holes in your necks and smash them!"
"Yes, sir!"
"And Lucia, no spells to harass them from afar! Save it for when we're up close. That's way more effective!"
"Yes, Squad Leader Martin..."
Whether fired from afar or up close, magic kills just the same.
But shooting from distance lets the enemy plug the gaps in their lines—unless they're total idiots.
Up close, it punches holes they can't fill in time, letting us exploit the weakness.
Soon, Captain Dalton's booming voice, laced with aura, rang out.
"White Beard Mercenary Corps! We're about to clash with those ugly-mug fuckers! Don't pussy out—hold the formation!"
The rest of our company began reforming ranks at his words.
"Fuck, if you don't wanna die, keep spacing! Do your jobs if you wanna live!"
"Don't stand too wide or too narrow unless you're swinging that spear!"
"Rookie cannon fodders! Watch the veterans next to you and memorize with your eyes! Fuck, you wanna get beat till you cough dust on rainy days after surviving this war?"
Gradually, we came face-to-face with the enemy mercenaries, radiating a sharp, menacing aura. They smirked at us and taunted.
"Love the look of you cannon-fodder shits crawling over! As a reward, we'll kill you right now!"
"Beg for mercy, you retarded fucks. Maybe this big brother will spare you."
"Goddamn, toddling over like that? Pure meat shield cannon fodder!"
No point getting riled by their provocations.
"Lucia, start chanting Fireball. Fire when I signal."
"Yes..."
"Flames that equally scorch this world, burn the enemies blocking my path..." The distance between us and them shrank. When it was about ten meters, I shouted.
"Lucia, now! Let it rip!"
"Burn the enemies and protect me! ⟨ Fireball ⟩" As the incantation finished, Lucia—the mage I'd wanted so badly—unleashed a blazing inferno from her staff's tip.
The scorching heat! The fireball's wake alone felt like it could burn skin raw.
Roaring flames engulfed the surroundings as the red blaze consumed the enemy.
"Squad Leader Martin's squad, charge!"