The Dark Elf Outpost
I gave the soldiers some time to rest and regroup. After all, there was nothing to do until the interrogation results came in.
"Buril. Make sure the guards aren't slacking off."
"Keruk. Understood, My King."
It’s a pity to have to stand guard while others rest, but someone has to do it. I’ll just have to make it up to them later. After wandering around the perimeter for a bit, I sat down.
"My King."
Buril, who had been sticking to my side, called out to me.
"Yeah? What is it?"
"Are we going to dominate the Dark Elves now, too?"
"Of course."
"They look pretty scrawny. Are they even useful? Keruk. I don't think they can fight."
"Don't underestimate them, you idiot. The reason we won so easily is because we’re a trained army. Do you think you could win in a one-on-one fight against a Dark Elf warrior?"
If we train them, the story will be different.
"Keruk-keruk. That goes without saying, My King."
Buril replied with a mischievous grin.
"I could crush them. I’d fold them in half and turn them into a chair. Kerurung."
"Heh heh, look at this guy. So full of confidence."
"Who do you think I am? I'm Buril, the one and only Buril. Keruk."
What a character.
"Anyway, My King. Who’s next after the Dark Elves?"
"The other Dark Elves and the Lamias."
Once I suppress them all and grow my forces, I’ll be able to deal with humans and angels alike. Increasing my military strength is the best way to prepare. The Dark Elves will be the cornerstone of that power.
How much time had passed?
"It's done."
Vanessa arrived to report the conclusion.
"Oh. Did you manage to get some information?"
"A few useful things. I’ve already verified the authenticity of the information, so you can trust it."
"As expected of you, Vanessa! The nickname 'Lewd Knight' wasn't just an empty rumor!"
"W-who are you calling a lewd knight!"
When I teased her, Vanessa turned bright red and snapped at me.
"Anyway, that’s a relief. Please, give me your report."
"Take back what you said about me being a lewd knight!"
"Ahem. If you keep making a scene, I’ll have to resort to sexual torture."
"Kuh...! You keep making sexual threats!"
"Which is why you should report first."
"...Fine."
Vanessa immediately began her explanation.
"That village is a kind of pioneer settlement. There is a Dark Elf kingdom—or simply put, a central hub—and the Queen there issued an expansion order, which is why they are building these pioneer villages all over the place."
A pioneer village, huh? I had predicted something similar. But for the Queen to issue orders directly? Does she have ambitions like me?
"An expansion order. For what purpose?"
Are they planning to plant outposts everywhere and use them to swallow up the territory?
"They said they didn't know that much. They were just sent according to the Queen's orders. In any case, there are more of these pioneer villages out there. We need to be careful."
"We certainly do."
So, suppressing one isn't the end of it.
"The village isn't finished yet, and while they have supplies supported from the center, I heard it's not that much. That's why they are securing food through hunting while patrolling."
She also told me about the scale and layout of the village. Given that the information wasn't much different from what the scouts brought back last time, it’s safe to say it’s very accurate. Vanessa concluded her report by saying that, ultimately, it didn't look like they were preparing for war.
"That is all."
As the report ended, a thrill ran through me. We won. And it was a landslide victory. In this state, we can win without any problems.
"Ah, one more thing I want to ask."
"What is it?"
"Isn't it the case that five of their warriors went missing? What do they think about that?"
"That... I didn't ask."
"Is that so? Then let's go ask together."
"Understood."
I headed straight to the scene with Vanessa. Upon arrival, sure enough, the Lamias were surrounding the Dark Elves and threatening them.
"Y-you...!"
The Dark Elf tied to the tree looked at me in shock. Her face was swollen; she must have been beaten during the interrogation.
I cut to the chase.
"I heard five warriors from the village went to hunt Lamias."
"H-how did you know that!"
They are definitely the ones who came from here.
"They attacked us and were all killed in action."
"Gasp!"
That was enough confirmation.
"Julia. These prisoners are useless now."
"In that case, may we 'hunt' them?"
Julia asked, her eyes flashing like a snake. The Lamias are a monster race, too. They possess a primal desire for violence.
"Do as you please."
"Kyaaaaaaah!"
The Lamias and the Dark Elves are hostile. Just as the Fairies feel a murderous intent when they see humans, the Lamias are the same.
"N-nooooooo!"
Leaving the screams of the prisoners behind, I signaled the start of the march again.
"My King. We will arrive soon."
"We're here. All troops, wait here."
"Are we not attacking immediately? If we wait here, we will be discovered soon."
"We need to see what the situation in the village is first. Serineu!"
"You called?"
Serineu, who was behind me, trotted over.
"Go secretly and check the village situation. See how much of the wooden fence is built and where the buildings are placed. After that, I'll decide on the attack route."
"Got it! Leave it to me!"
Serineu flew off immediately.
"All troops, form a defensive line while watching the enemy's direction. Execute a two-row horizontal defensive formation!"
"Keruk! Two-row formation! Shield bearers in front, spearmen behind!"
"Keruk-keruk."
And I placed the rest of my subordinates behind them. I properly deployed the rest of the army, including the Royal Guard, to protect the flanks and rear of the Goblin formation.
Now, all that's left is for Serineu to return, and the attack begins.
"Oh, Goddess... please watch over the poor Dark Elves."
"Hmm? Irene? Are you praying?"
"Yes. Even if it's an unavoidable war, it's a pity that they have to die. I was just praying for a moment."
She’s usually a lewd nun, but when I see her like this, she really looks like a nun.
"O-of course! My prayers might not be heard since I've been demonized, but still...!"
"It's fine, Irene. It's understandable. Just keep your mind at ease."
It is a pity, after all. Of course, I'm going to do it anyway.
"I-it would be good to investigate things like Dark Elf culture."
At that moment, Ruby approached me and said a word. If our supply officer requests it, I have to do it all.
"I'll leave that to you, Ruby. Since we'll have to keep fighting the Dark Elves in the future, please investigate it thoroughly."
"Yes."
She nodded vigorously.
"T-this time! I will do it properly! I will show you the combat skills I honed in the Great Heaven!"
"I will be watching, Liliel."
As we were talking,
"I'm back!"
Serineu returned.
"How was it?"
"They put up some wooden fences, but they're sparse! It won't be a problem to attack from all sides! And there's no cover inside the village except for the buildings!"
"That's good! Julia!"
"Yes, My King."
"The infantry will go in from the front, so please attack from the left and right at the appropriate time. I'll leave the timing of the attack to you."
"Understood. Then I will split the unit into two, go left and right, and wait in ambush. Oh, but what if we run into the enemy on the way?"
Well, then.
"If you can handle them, do so. If you don't think you can, retreat toward the main force and shout to alert us. I will give you new orders then."
"Understood."
Then, it begins!
"Buril! No, wait. Serineu, what's the size of the village's front entrance?"
"Hmm... well, the pillars are placed sparsely, so it's more of a wide-open state than an entrance."
"Then we can go as is. Buril!"
"Keruk!"
"Advance! Repeat the order!"
"Advance! Keruk! Advance!"
At those words,
"Keruuuuuuuk!"
"Keruk! Keruk!"
"Keruuuuuuuk!"
The Goblin infantry began to advance toward the Dark Elf village. While doing so, they scanned left and right. The Lamias also split into groups and went left and right.
"Pixies, raise your shields and take flight. Execute."
—Vwoooom.
At the same time, the pixies took flight. Air superiority secured.
"Serineu, split the pixies into groups of three. If you see any Dark Elves, aim and fire."
"Got it!"
Thus, the advance was carried out.
"Grrrrrrr!"
"Kyu-sat-sat!"
The Imps and Kobolds, weapons raised, also guarded the rear firmly. As we marched in that manner,
"...!"
A few Dark Elves over there noticed us and ran toward the village. The ones I can see are males.
"Stay relaxed. It's too late to prepare now. Keep advancing as is!"
"Keruuuuuuuuk!"
"Dark Elf bastards! Kill them all!"
"Grrrrrrr!"
Amidst the pixies letting out their murderous intent, the Dark Elf pioneer village finally came into view.
"Ho."
Just as reported, the village was only half-built. The wooden fences were only roughly erected, and while the buildings inside were quite well-made, they still needed more work. It seems they intended to build the houses first and then the fences. That is your downfall.
"They're scrambling."
I could see the village from here. Seeing us swarming in, the chaos in the village was plain to see.
—Scramble!
Men and women alike were running in all directions, throwing down what they were holding. Even if they tried to arm themselves, it was already too late. Their morale would shatter before they even had a chance to group up. The women... they are beautiful. As expected of Dark Elves. I only caught a glimpse, but it’s no joke.
"All troops! Watch out for arrows! Raise your shields!"
—Clack.
Anyway, stray arrows might fly, so everyone be careful.
"Increase the speed of the advance! All troops! Let out a war cry!!!"
—Ker-yaaaaaaaaah!
Following my command, the Goblins let out a loud war cry and increased their marching speed. The Dark Elf village was getting closer and closer. A few Dark Elves gathered inside the village, drew their swords, and aimed them at us, but their faces were filled with panic and fear. Let's see, the male Dark Elf warriors are in front, and the women are in the back. First, I'll defeat all the male Dark Elf warriors, and then I'll figure out how to capture the women alive. I'll think about the spoils of war after we win.
—Clack.
Soon, the Goblin infantry reached the entrance of the village.
"Begin the war!!!"
I shouted!