Chapter 44
Chapter 44
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 44
Chapter Title: Orcs
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The next morning.
-Thud! Thud!
Hitting the earthen rampart with a hammer, but it bounces off like it's solid metal.
"Whoa? It really works?"
Jin pokes at the earthen rampart with his sword, his face full of surprise.
The guard commander, equally amazed, prods it with his military boot.
"It really does."
"See? This is how it's done. I heard we'd finish before winter ends anyway."
He taps on the earthen rampart as he speaks.
I never expected it to work this well.
I figured freezing the water into ice would solidify the surrounding soil and boost the defense, but seeing it in person, it's even tougher than I imagined.
If it's good enough to make the history books, the effect must be pretty solid, right?
This method originally comes from the Romance of the Three Kingdoms.
During a winter when Cao Cao and Ma Chao were clashing.
The story of Cao Cao's army building earthen ramparts like this appears in the actual historical text, Records of the Three Kingdoms, which is why I could speak so confidently to those two skeptics.
Anyway, this should be good enough.
With that thought, I look around.
The fortress interior is cramped, but we've gained a sturdy temporary wall, so it's not bad.
"So, shall we wrap it up? We haven't installed the gate yet."
A temporary warehouse doesn't take long to build, but a gate is a different story.
And since we built it in such a short time, we couldn't make it very high.
That means we need various barriers on top of the earthen rampart.
"Once the gate is up, fix low wooden fences or shields on top of the rampart to boost the defense."
"Yes, sir! We'll follow orders."
This should be enough for me to head back now.
"But, Secretary? How did you come up with this?"
As Jin's eyes sparkle, I shrug.
"Water freezes when it's cold, right? I thought it would make a great adhesive. Wouldn't that make the earthen rampart solid?"
In truth, it's basically plagiarizing from a history book...
"A change in perspective! To think of something like this—you truly are amazing, Secretary Aiden! You're like one in a hundred, no, a thousand years!"
Watching Jin gild my face, I feel genuinely embarrassed.
I just stole someone else's idea...
But I can't say that, so I just give an awkward smile.
"Exactly! I never knew there was a method like this... If we can build earthen ramparts like these during future expeditions, it's as good as seizing the high ground first."
"Aw, come on, no need to hype me up like that."
I wave my hands to signal them to stop at the guard commander's words, but...
He praises me, spitting as he speaks.
"Secretary Aiden is truly a wise man."
"Right! I'm so happy to serve under Secretary Aiden! Someday, serving you will get my name in the history books too!"
"Of course, Jin!"
No... I said I copied it...
I'm really not used to this kind of praise, so I clear my throat.
"Ahem... Enough of that. Let's get back to work."
I give the guard commander some minor instructions, and by lunchtime, I confirm the gate construction is underway.
Finally, I head to the fortress.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Elisha, tasked with scouting the outpost base construction.
From morning, led by her deputy who urged her on like she was possessed, she was shocked while spying on the enemy outpost.
"Am I imagining it, or does it look sturdy?"
"Yes, it looks sturdy to me too."
The earthen rampart at the outpost base didn't look like some shoddy pile of dirt.
Wooden fences sagging atop the rampart.
They were quite far away, but with their superhuman elven eyesight, the two could see the men struggling to drive stakes into the rampart.
'What on earth did they do?'
Elisha hadn't expected them to build such a solid rampart in such a short time.
She tried to understand the situation, but it didn't make sense easily.
'How could they do that?'
Faced with a situation beyond her common sense, she muttered blankly.
"This is unexpected."
"Looks like we should scrap this plan and head to the fortress soon."
The soldiers under Elisha numbered only a few dozen.
There was a way to force a capture, but that would mean taking heavy casualties.
'Better to avoid pointless bloodshed here and focus on taking the fortress.'
Her sensible judgment came with curiosity about the situation.
Building such a sturdy rampart in just days was a mystery.
Deep in thought, Elisha finally decided.
"We'll proceed to the fortress as originally planned. But..."
She was curious.
How could they build such a sturdy rampart in just one day?
Her sapphire eyes gleaming.
"We'll check tonight what kind of magic they used."
Thus, her order was given.
That night.
The moment clouds covered the moon.
Elisha sneaks toward the rampart under cover of darkness.
She's an elf who can't contain her curiosity.
Elves see well at night, so slipping in alone is no big deal for her.
As she gets closer, Elisha stands at the edge where the rampart's torches illuminate the surroundings.
She approaches the wall, avoiding the gaze of the soldiers atop it...
And caresses the rampart, observing it closely.
'This? Ice?'
Seeing the frost-like ice embedded between the soil particles, she touches it with her finger, and it's freezing cold.
Elisha marvels at the rampart.
'They poured water and let the winter freeze it? Impressive.'
She pauses in thought.
If they knew this method, why not use it until now?
Elisha, who has warred against humans for ages.
This technique she'd never seen before puzzled her.
'Did they only recently learn this method? Or... did a new commander arrive?'
She stares blankly at the frosty rampart.
'Whatever it is... we must win this time. So humans never eye this land again.'
Gazing at the rampart, Elisha's eyes coldly shine with resolve for victory.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ I return to the fortress with Jin.
Holding the horse's reins, looking ahead... but there's only dense, bare trees and snow.
When the hell do we get to the fortress?
"Ugh... cold."
It's so cold—even with a mask and leather padding inside my helmet, the chill wind whistles through the gaps between leather and metal.
"Just a bit further to the fortress. If we're lucky, two hours."
As I open my mouth to reply to Jin, a fierce cold gust passes us.
-Whoooosh.
The snowstorm-mixed wind makes my whole body shiver.
"Two hours my ass... I'm freezing to death right now."
Especially the biting wind sneaking through the gauntlet's joints pierces the thin leather straight to my hands—my knuckles feel like they'll freeze solid.
Aren't the others cold?
Glancing around, everyone's face looks grim except Jin's.
Why is this guy fine?
"Aren't you cold?"
Jin shrugs at my question.
"I can handle mana, so I'm not cold."
Oh, great, mana user. Those who can't use mana suffer, huh?
As I think that.
-Swoosh!
A sound pierces my ears.
-Thud!
"Ah!"
Something hits my head.
I instantly lose balance and fall from the horse.
"Enemies! Ambush!"
Rubbing my throbbing head, I scan around...
An arrow rolling in the snow catches my eye.
What? That hit my head?
If I hadn't worn the helmet... I'd be dead?
While I'm dazed, Jin draws his sword and supports me.
"Secretary! Snap out of it! Enemies!"
"Where? Who?"
My heart pounds wildly from the sudden attack.
Then.
Humanoid figures appear in the distance.
And...
-Whoooosh!
Dozens of arrows rain down on us...
"Everyone, dodge!"
I shout, and Jin and I hurriedly hide behind the horses.
A barrage of arrows flying from the front.
-Whoooosh, thunk!
Seeing them embed in the ground, I urgently speak.
"Can bows shoot that far and accurately?"
They pass between the bare trees and hit nearby—amazement and fear grip me.
"Elves, maybe? They use spirits, so they could reach here."
"Does a crossbow's range go that far?"
Jin cautiously peeks up at my question, staring intently at the figures.
"Probably not? What do we do?"
-Argh! My arm... my arm got hit!
Seeing a soldier struck by the arrow volley, I frantically think.
What now? How do we handle this?
That's when.
A metallic roar echoes.
-Waaaaah!
-Slaughter the humans!
-Kill them all!
Battle cries charging from the front.
"Sounds like orcs?"
I peek slightly ahead...
Dozens of orcs riding massive boars charge toward us.
"Jin... can we hold them off?"
Jin, paling at the sight, replies.
"No? Not at our level, especially on flat ground."
-Gulp.
I swallow hard and sink into thought.
What do we do? Run to the fortress?
If we run...
Looking around, the soldiers' faces are too grim.
That moment.
-Neighhh!
An arrow embeds in a horse's body...
"Ah?!"
The horse abandons us and flees.
This is really fucked.