Chapter 77
Chapter 77
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 77
Chapter Title: Camp Preparation
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Standing against roughly fifty elf cavalry with just our cavalry platoon was no different from an egg smashing against a rock. But even an egg, if it was brimming with venom, could halt the rolling boulder if only for a moment. The Imperial cavalry demonstrated this firsthand.
"Kill the barbarians!"
"[Elvish battle cries!]"
Having just crushed the Imperial army not long ago—and with their numbers not even half of ours—the elves drew their swords confidently and charged to meet us. Logically speaking, it was a 10-to-50 fight, or 30-to-100 if you counted everyone. They probably never even considered defeat.
But the problem was the knights who arrived in that brief window while the cavalry had their ankles grabbed. These murder machines, honed over more than a decade of eating and killing, charged forward clad head to toe in thick plate armor.
"Swords of Cligrove! Let's show those uncivilized barbarians who we are!"
"Fight for honor and die in glory!"
These honor zealots, who held dying in battle for honor as the highest ideal, went berserk with madness as they spurred their horses into the fray. If the distance had been farther, their horses might have collapsed first—but time and distance were both on their side now.
"Uwaaaak!"
When these steel-clad living tanks barreled right up to them, someone screamed. Probably an elf. Why past tense? Because that scream vanished the instant they collided with the knights.
These poor elves, hit like bowling pins by a ball—or trucks weighing tons—tumbled from their horses and were trampled underfoot, shrieking all the while.
"[Elvish screams!]"
Meanwhile, as one flank was utterly shattered, I spotted the elves who had swung wide to the right hastily drawing their swords and wheeling their mounts toward us. Admirable that they meant to rescue their comrades... but will alone doesn't win battles.
Neigh-!
A light tap to Merlin's flank with my heel, and he exploded forward. The distance closed in an instant, and I could clearly see terror flooding the elf's eyes. I decided to grant that fear-stricken soul some peace.
"[Elvish curse!]"
"I told you to speak Imperial!"
The elf raised his sword honestly to meet my straightforward slash, but my blade slid along his extended guard, pinning it down. The redirected trajectory then targeted his face precisely.
Splat!
As my sword passed through the elf's head, a sound like a watermelon bursting erupted. His fur helmet—offering about as much protection as a hat—failed utterly at its job, ripping free from his head and flying through the air.
Thus smitten squarely in the face by a sword weighing a brutal ten kilograms, the unfortunate elf rode on his horse's back a bit farther before tumbling limply to the ground.
"[Elvish cry!]"
While our fifty were being brutally pushed back by thirty, the elves who had split to the right belatedly leaped into the fray. But the knights' momentum didn't falter. If anything, they rampaged even more ferociously.
"Come at us all together, you filthy barbarians! Today, I'll avenge Count Sterling!"
"Glory to Cligrove!"
With the fresh influx of elves, Sir Karon and Sir Edington led the knights in a frenzy, hacking, smashing, and even punching any elf in reach. All while shrugging off most attacks with their armor.
Maces, hammers, swords, axes. The knights' weapons mercilessly crushed and shredded elf flesh. At this point, you could see their battle spirit breaking in real time.
And if I had to pick one knight who stood out, it was naturally Edward. Unlike the others' frenzy, he remained composed, overwhelming two elves at once.
"[Elvish shouts!]"
"[More Elvish!]"
In the heat of battle, I heard frantic yells from nearby elves. Not battle fervor, but voices thick with fear. Glancing around, I spotted Lenia fighting a short distance away.
She handled mounted combat as if fused with her horse, her style akin to Edward's but her prowess far more overwhelming.
Every swing of her sword sent an elf tumbling from his mount. Short as one exchange, long as two. No elf endured even two bouts against her sheer might, and the others shied away from even approaching her.
But in that moment, one elf caught my eye. Unlike the others, his helmet bore extra feathers, and instead of a sword, he held a bow. And the direction he aimed it...
"Lady!"
Neigh-!
Merlin— a horse that could outpace Earth's self-driving tech—seemed to read my mind, charging straight at the elf targeting Lenia. But no matter how fast Merlin was, he couldn't outrun an arrow.
The distance was about fifty paces. Close enough. Throwing my sword to hit would be trickier than a spear, but like hurling an axe, I raised it.
"Get clear!"
My full-force swing sent the sword flying from my hand, slicing the air with a vicious whistle. It cleaved clean through the arm of the elf drawing his bow.
"Kaaack!"
"Haha! This should be enough to impress the young ladies, right?"
"Just two? No way. You'd need at least six."
Was that bowman their leader? The elves ebbed away like the tide the moment he fell. Though "escaped" was generous—after heavy losses, barely half their original number fled. The field was left strewn with elf corpses and riderless horses.
The cavalry, meanwhile, hung elf ears from their belts and chattered excitedly. Barbaric, you might think, but proof was needed to boast of deeds elsewhere.
"Sir! Thanks to you, we made it back safe! Uhahaha!"
Sir Karon addressed me, a dozen elf ears dangling from his own belt—proof he'd felled at least five. Beaming, he sidled up beside me.
"The mercenaries you brought fight well, Sir! A mercenary who can ride—first I've seen in my life. Where'd you find such a one?"
From the mercenary guild, I could have said. Instead, I grinned slyly and whispered like it was top secret.
"Secret... but word is, he's the son of some trading house. Out to earn merits..."
Not much of a secret, really. Rahil hadn't asked me to keep quiet. And he was close enough to hear everything. What secret?
But a little spice like that had Sir Karon hanging on my every word, face alight with interest. That's social life for you.
"Oho... really? Impressive lad. Reminds me of my younger self! Haha!"
Sir Karon clapped Rahil's shoulder heartily, laughing. He asked if Rahil was faring well, offered sword lessons anytime, then headed off to chat with the other knights.
Clop-clop.
Giving exhausted horses rest was crucial. A warhorse—more valuable than slaves, pricier than men—dying of exhaustion was a massive loss. Especially since they cost several to dozens of times more than ordinary mounts.
No wonder cavalry and mounted troops cherished their horses like their own lives.
"Halt! We'll camp here tonight!"
In this endless plain where nothing but flatland stretched forever, Lenia's voice rang out amid the horses' steps and men's chatter.
"What if the barbarians' pursuit catches up?"
One cavalryman voiced worry at her camping order. We'd won earlier, but if the escapees returned with reinforcements, we'd be done for.
"Night makes tracking hard for them too. And the horses are in poor shape today. We've pushed too hard. Sir Lucas!"
She called to me after that.
"Yes, Lady."
"Can you find water around here? I know it's asking a lot, but if possible..."
Lenia flushed, thinking it an unreasonable request. But finding water wasn't tough. Even in this grass-and-dirt expanse, puddles or streams were bound to exist.
"I'll look."
At the order to prepare camp, cavalry and knights scattered. Some for firewood, some for water.
I watched them a moment, then headed sunward with Rahil. Or rather, the direction Merlin chose.
"You know... where water is...?"
Rahil, seeing my unhesitating stride, assumed I knew. I answered boldly.
"Nope. No idea."
"Huh...? Then why this way...?"
"But even grasslands have water. Easier than finding it in a desert, right?"
He stared in disbelief, but I ignored it. What I trusted was the horse's instinct. Beasts like horses naturally seek water. Humans lost it through settled life.
I dropped the reins entirely, and Merlin sniffed the air, picking up pace. After the fight, his throat must have been parched—especially without a proper drink after.
Slurp! Slurp!
"Seriously..."
Watching Merlin drink from the stream he'd found, Rahil muttered in dismay. The young lord looked dumbfounded at how I'd "instantly" located water despite seeming clueless.
"Stuff like this happens. Beast instincts are more useful than you think. Remember that."
"Yes, sir..."
"Good. Now report to the Lady that we've found water. I'll stay here."
Rahil soon returned with Lenia and the knights. Confirming the water, she silently extended her hand to them.
Clink!
A few gold and silver coins landed in her palm. The knights handed them over with glum mutters.
"He actually found it..."