Chapter 13
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: Ambush Operation (1)
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A chilling wind swept across the winding ridge as countless people trudged along.
This Rakmes Ridge, where the war raged, connected directly to the Artuha Mountains.
Crossing this range would put them behind the Kainzel Kingdom army's camp, but the treacherous terrain made traversing it a grave risk.
Especially now, in the depths of winter with snow beginning to fall.
It was this geographical advantage that had allowed the Kainzel Kingdom to drag the war into a prolonged stalemate despite their disadvantageous position.
"By the way, when did you get so close to Priestess Michel, Sir Banheart?"
Duke Gail, who had joined the operation under the pretext of being my advisor, walked beside me.
He seemed bothered by Michel trailing right behind me. It wasn't common for a priestess to participate directly in war, after all.
"...Haha, just some personal circumstances. I hope I'm not causing any trouble."
"No worries! If anything, having the Saintess's successor aiding our army is a blessing for the kingdom!"
Duke Gail's hearty laugh made Michel's face stiffen slightly.
'It must be the "Saintess's successor" bit.'
Just as Saintess Gransesia disliked the title of "Saintess," Michel didn't care much for being called the "Saintess's successor" either.
While Gransesia rejected it because it demeaned her, Michel's aversion stemmed more from an inferiority complex toward the name.
'At any rate, it's a relief that Michel came along.'
I glanced at the "Eye of Simosa" on my finger.
After that, Gransesia rarely spoke to me unless it was absolutely necessary.
Unlike her initial chattiness, she now only addressed me when it mattered.
'At any rate... it should be any moment now.'
I scanned the masses moving along the mountain range.
The sight of soldiers and knights in heavy armor, gripping their weapons, stretching out in a line was truly spectacular.
"The vanguard should draw the enemy's attention first. When the ambush appears, engage briefly and then withdraw immediately."
"Understood."
After issuing orders to the commanders, Duke Gail fell back to the rear.
Byan had fled before the truth could fully come out, so his status as a spy hadn't been officially confirmed.
But Duke Gail planned the operation assuming he was one.
'Otherwise, there'd be no reason for Byan to recklessly target Duke Gail.'
Byan didn't know Duke Gail was alive.
So if he'd leaked info to the Kainzel Kingdom, it would only have been news of the duke's death.
Duke Gail's strategy exploited that to lure the enemy into complacency.
"3rd and 4th platoons, prepare for possible flank or rear ambushes. 2nd and 5th platoons, move as stealthily as possible while maintaining formation. Be ready to loose arrows the moment the vanguard lures the enemy in!"
"Yes! Understood, Your Grace!"
Duke Gail moved with contingencies for every possible scenario, a far cry from the man I'd seen before.
His sharp eyes surveyed the battlefield, dictating the flow—a perfect match for his "settings."
==
[Ivan Gail]
Age: 53
Gender: Male
Role in Story: Extra
Abilities: Magic (2nd Circle), King of the Battlefield, Appraisal Eye
Notes: Hope of Talua Kingdom, defying fate. Reason Talua's ragtag army overwhelms Kainzel. Currently suspicious of Kainzel's odd movements.
==
The hope of Talua Kingdom, no less.
It might have rung hollow as mere description, but two of his abilities were downright cheat-level.
The standout was "King of the Battlefield."
==
[King of the Battlefield]
Talent for employing the most optimal tactics in war. Can grasp the state of battle at a glance and formulate strategies on the fly. Boosts morale of those who hear commands, making them easier to follow.
==
The ability lived up to its flashy name with equally overpowered effects.
Most abilities I'd seen reflected skills honed over time.
But some were innate talents, falling into two categories: broken or trash.
King of the Battlefield was obviously the former.
And the second...
==
[Appraisal Eye]
Can roughly gauge and discern a target's talents and abilities just by looking.
==
Simple description, but incredibly powerful. Being able to size up an opponent's strengths at a glance was a massive advantage.
'It's registered in Setting Addition, so I'll snag it when the chance comes.'
No harm in grabbing both.
Plausibility would be tricky, unlike Divine Blood, but it could be acquired anytime, so no rush.
"Halt!"
As we crested the mountainside, trampling through the frozen snow, Duke Gail shouted and raised his hand.
The Kainzel camp was still some distance away, but the complex terrain made it ideal for an ambush.
"Proceed with caution from here."
The vanguard slowed, advancing cautiously.
Composed entirely of the army's elite, they were the operation's linchpin—not to mention Talua Kingdom's core forces.
However...
'Against the Dragon Calamity, it's futile.'
The seventh calamity.
The Asktalin princess cursed with dragon transformation.
No matter how elite the knights, they were mere humans against a calamity.
Knowing what was coming, I couldn't relax.
"Your expression looks grim, Sir Banheart. Something on your mind?"
"Ah, Your Grace. It's nothing."
"A sharp fellow like you must have noticed something. Speak freely."
Duke Gail had picked up on my unease from my face.
'Even if he asks...'
I couldn't just blurt out that a calamity was incoming.
Nor could I pull the "divine revelation" excuse I'd used on Michel—Duke Gail wasn't one to fool. He'd see through any lie.
'What to say?'
I watched the vanguard advance ahead, then looked around.
In the silent mountains, only the knife-sharp wind whistled.
"...Isn't it strangely quiet?"
"Hm? What do you mean?"
"The Artuha Mountains are rugged, but teeming with beasts and monsters. Yet we've encountered almost none on the way here."
It started as a half-baked excuse.
But the more I thought, the odder it felt. Focused on the op, I'd overlooked it—no bird calls, nothing.
"As if everything's hiding, holding its breath from something..."
Duke Gail's eyes widened. He'd realized the abnormality too.
"That means..."
Just as Duke Gail opened his mouth, the vanguard raised a red flag high.
"Ambush!"
A soldier's cry rang out.
Countless arrows rained down on the vanguard simultaneously.
"Die, you Talua dogs!"
Troops bearing flags with red emblems swarmed from both flanks.
The battle had begun.
* * *
Aldin Marquis, commander of the Kainzel Kingdom army, smirked with satisfaction at the Talua soldiers flailing desperately with their swords.
Minimal damage from the arrows, but surrounded and attacked from all sides, they'd be wiped out soon.
'Without that damn Ivan, this is a breeze.'
He scanned the flustered enemy ranks—no sign of Duke Gail.
Clearly poisoned to death as reported.
'Byan did good work.'
Sword auras flared as knights resisted fiercely, catching his eye.
'They've assembled a decent unit.'
They weren't dropping easily—likely Talua's top talents.
"Lucky for us."
Losing such skilled knights and soldiers here would cripple Talua.
His merits for commanding this op would skyrocket.
'Come on, die already!'
They were retreating under pressure but refusing to fall.
Irritation built in Aldin Marquis.
"What are you doing against these fleeing resisters?!"
"Aldin Marquis."
"Urk?!"
The voice from behind made the hairs on his neck stand.
Turning, he faced a cold-featured man with black hair and red eyes.
"You're struggling for an ambush?"
'A monster.'
Human in form, but Aldin knew he wasn't normal.
"It'll be over soon. See? They're fleeing desperately."
"But casualties are too low. And Byan Deolic's nowhere in sight."
"...Maybe held back as a precaution. His role was just enabling this op anyway."
Aldin forced a relaxed smile.
"Besides, even if they have some trick, you're helping us—what's to fear?"
"Incompetent fool. Thinking of aid first?"
Aldin suppressed his rage at the tongue-clicking sneer, veins bulging on his forehead.
"...At this rate, they'll escape. We'll pursue at once."
Aldin drew his sword toward the withdrawing Talua forces.
Under his command, Kainzel soldiers chased the fleeing enemy.
'Their struggles are futile. Pressing now ends this quick!'
No mounts in the mountains, but slowed, wounded foes were easy prey.
"Pathetic, fleeing with tails tucked! Surrender quietly, and I'll spare your lives!"
The moment Aldin Marquis bellowed arrogantly.
The Talua knights, fleeing full-tilt, whirled around.
"Huh?"
As Aldin faltered at their sudden halt, a knight bursting with streams of blue sword aura leaped from their midst.
'Tedric Eaton?!”
Tedric Eaton was renowned even in Kainzel.
Eaton Marquis Family's eldest son, a potential Sword Master.
Byan's report said he'd been arrested as the duke's poisoner...
'Something's wrong.'
No way an accused murderer joins a war.
He should've been imprisoned or executed.
Tedric Eaton here meant things had gone very wrong.
"Cover the vanguard! Full charge!"
An unwelcome voice boomed as Talua soldiers poured from hiding spots everywhere.
Inferior quality to the initial foes, but overwhelming numbers.
"Th-this is insane!"
They knew we were ambushing and counter-lured us?
'He's dead!'
Worse, Duke Gail commanded from a high ridge, hale and hearty—not poisoned at all.
'Byan betrayed us? Or were we played from the start?'
Aldin reeled as his soldiers dropped around him.
No chance of victory like this.
"Y-you're just going to watch?! Help us now...!"
Then, azure sword aura hurtled at his face. Tedric Eaton had closed in, swinging.
"Argh!"
"That's why you're incompetent."
The scream wasn't Aldin's.
Tedric's sword shattered; he groaned in agony, sent flying by the unexpected strike—too slow to react.
No fatal wound, but heavy damage.
"Prepare for judgment, Aldin."
All eyes turned to one man amid the shock.
The cold-faced man in pitch-black garb.
'What the hell is that?'
Like everyone else, Clay could only stare in stunned disbelief.
Black demonic energy unlike human mana, red eyes blazing.
It evoked one thing.
A demonkin.
'This wasn't in the plan?'
No princess, but some freak instead.