Chapter 70: Bloodforged Spears Rain from the Heavens
Spears forged from blood rained down in droves from the sky.
What a sight. It was far too flashy an attack to herald the start of battle.
But slamming down an area-of-effect spell like this to crush the enemy's momentum from the outset? A splendid tactic. I had to give credit where it was due.
Still, our opponents were seasoned second-years who'd seen it all. They might lag behind in raw power, but the gap wasn't so wide that they'd be completely overwhelmed.
And just like that.
In the midst of the pouring blood spears, hundreds of gleaming, elongated mineral spears materialized in reverse, shooting skyward.
"That's...!"
"Daisy von Shukros's magic."
The cascading crimson spears clashed with the radiant mineral ones, erupting into massive explosions midair.
Debris and dust followed, pierced by dozens of spells hurtling our way—but our rear-guard mages, already prepared, intercepted and neutralized them.
The opening exchange ended in a draw.
But we were closing the distance in a charge, while they had the wall at their backs and no retreat.
"Reina."
"Yes. Our 'strategic victory' means destroying every defensive tool in the fortress. Then we pull back immediately."
"Addendum: Minimize casualties at all costs."
"Heh, I know that much."
With that, we pressed forward even faster.
Soon, shouts rang out from their side as they drew weapons.
But despite their resolute aura, they didn't advance.
The gates swung open, and a squadron of silver-armored cavalry burst forth.
"Adrian... there they are. The golem cavalry."
Nearly thirty silver riders. Both the mounts and the knights atop them were fully humanoid golems.
This was one of the defense team's two defensive assets deployed here.
And the other one...
"Adrian, incoming! Everyone, scatter!"
"Scatter!"
Light flashed from the ramparts, followed by a crimson laser beam slicing between Reina and me.
⟨ Laser Cannon ⟩
A thunderous roar shook the earth like it was being upturned, flames soaring toward the heavens.
"...That was."
"What..."
Everyone stared blankly at the path the laser had scorched. If it had hit, nothing would have remained.
That was the defense team's second asset: the laser cannon.
Which was why the attack team got the top talents.
"Leader! Five dead—two mages, three warriors!"
"Ten minutes to recharge! Strike now! Charge!"
"Everyone, charge! Don't falter!"
The golem cavalry leveled their lances and charged. We met them with swords and spears.
If we clashed head-on like this, the cavalry would win.
But.
"Mid-tier Fire Magic: Fire Arrow. Mid-tier Lightning Magic: Lightning Arrow. Mid-tier... All of them, fire!"
⟨ Elemental Barrage ⟩
Black petals surged skyward. Bows of five elements materialized, nocking arrows aimed at the cavalry.
"We've got a future archmage on our side."
"Save the praise for after, Adrian! Mages, follow me!"
A cataclysmic boom. Reina's mages unleashed mid-tier spells, shattering the golem cavalry's front line.
We exploited the breach, closing in to wreak havoc.
Shouts mingled, metal clashed, filling our ears.
And then.
"You're my opponent?"
In the melee, I faced a golem rider staring me down.
It assumed a textbook cavalry stance, so I raised my spirit wood branch in kind.
Blue light gleamed from its helmet's eye slits.
Hooves pounded the earth.
Whoosh! I dodged its thrust from horseback, swinging the branch to smash its head.
Bam!
Helmet and face half-caved, but it was a golem—no pain, no nothing.
Mechanically, it raised its lance again and charged.
I didn't let it.
Parried the tip precisely, gripped the branch reverse, and hammered its side helmet hard.
It staggered. I chained into combos.
Bam, boom!Bam! Bam!
Helmet—or head—crumpled into a ridiculous U-shape. I finished with a fireball and summon lightning combo exploding from within, sending it to oblivion.
"Not a bad foe."
The blue light extinguished. Smoke billowed as it slumped from its mount. I turned away.
Then crushed another golem rider's head with branch strikes—it had foolishly exposed its back.
"Ah... thanks for the backup."
"Hamburger guy, huh. Help the others."
"Y-yes, sir."
I parted from him, spurring my mount elsewhere.
Dust choked the air, metal rang out.
Battle everywhere. Rear mages focused on intercepting the laser and enemy spells.
We had to finish these before recharge.
Whenever I spotted one, I bashed their crowns till they caved.
My strength wasn't high, so it took multiples. Bash, bash, again. Until wrecked.
Heads only. Bam, bam, boom, bam!
Spirit wood was indestructible, harder than steel. Perfect club—no dagger could pierce golem metal.
Ebnis might brute-force it with strength...
That's Ebnis territory.
With my below-average power, impossible. Can't stab? Smash.
Reina's mages handled their cavalry well too. They intercepted lasers and spells.
Thus.
"Four down."
Bam! Another toppled, inert.
"All... all eliminated!"
"Good. Now..."
I turned east. Dawn was breaking. Faint light brushed the dark wasteland.
Hand to eyes against the rising sun. Soon it'd illuminate the wastes.
Dawn brightened.
Sunlight banished shadows, revealing the massive laser cannon atop the walls.
And the black-winged figure atop it.
Blood still dripped, eyes hollower than ever, but blood flowed from her raised hand, shaping something.
A greatsword twice her height. She gripped it tight, roared, and slammed it down.
Kaboom! The laser cannon split in two. The sun fully emerged.
Her mana-woven wings dissolved; she plummeted.
"Reina!"
"On it!"
Mana cushioned her descent. I caught her below.
"Ugh... For a northern knight to suffer such indignity..."
"Hurry and mount properly."
"..."
"You're heavy. My arms might snap any second."
Her face flushed crimson; she bit her lip.
"Wh-what now?"
"Strategically, we won. Lost twenty-three, but wrecked their defenses. Retreat. Donal!"
"All units, fall back!"
Their troops belatedly poured from the gates, but whatever. They could only watch us flee after trashing their house.
Strategic victory and retreat. Pursuers gave up as distance grew.
Back at camp, no celebrations—we convened for next ops.
"Lost twenty-three. But destroyed all their defenses. Nothing left to protect them inside."
"Supplies arrive afternoon. Regroup fast, prepare assault. No need for day three. It ends today."
"Um..."
During planning, Prana Dirpensiv Bladir—who'd been silent—spoke. All listened.
"Sorry, but I have no mount."
"...Ride behind me then."
"I-I couldn't! The horse would buckle!"
"I'm light. Kalen can lift me one-handed."
She flushed again, fangs gnawing her lip.
"Ugh... mmph..."
"Anyway, memorize the plan. I'll handpick the drainage infiltration team. Objections?"
None. My authority in the team was absolute now. Reina was nominal leader, but I ran it.
We'd coordinated this. She delegated naturally post-appointment.
I'll repay her later. Post-exam, my companions' views of me would shift dramatically.
Then I could build a faction rivaling Ebnis's.
"Reina. Scouts out?"
"Yes, sent during retreat. Three recon teams—return on supply sighting."
Then.
"We're back!"
Three entered the command tent, Relbrian among them.
"Supplies appeared."
"Saw crowds before we left. All defense team."
"Adrian, orders?"
What else?
"Full army."
I rose, exiting first.
"Prepare to advance."
Outside, all stood ready, eyes on me.
Yes. Time to end it.
Mounted, but silence reigned. They awaited my word.
Why not?
A line to ignite them...
Found it.
"Everyone."
Brief pause.
"We're going home for summer break."
—ROOOOAR!
The earth shook.
Effective. Very.