Ding! Level Up!
Another level up after killing the commander. Yoahim allocated his stats as usual and swung his sword at the remaining stragglers.
A zombie charged at him fearlessly, so he yanked hard on the reins. The horse neighed shrilly in response and kicked the zombie viciously. Yoahim didn't miss the opening, slashing at the staggering zombie. With a sickening schwick, its head hit the ground. The body kept moving even without its head, but an arrow pierced its chest, sending it crumpling to the floor.
He glanced back to see Sasha smiling faintly. Yoahim gave a small smile in return and let out a breath.
"Looks like we're mostly done here."
Unlike in Elga Village, Yoahim left not a single undead alive in Bilder Village. It was partly for the experience points, but mainly because his Necromancy level couldn't command a larger force yet. If he couldn't absorb them, better to wipe them out.
In a normal war, this level of brutality would sour public opinion in conquered territories, but it didn't matter here. Both allies and enemies were undead, after all.
"On to the next village."
The advantage of undead was no need for supplies or rest. As long as mana held out, they could fight endlessly. Leon and Sasha didn't seem worn out from this skirmish either. Yoahim kicked his horse's flank, and the group followed.
The next target after Bilder Village was Tonyar Village. Conquering it would leave just one more village before Levia Castle.
"Apostle, I see the village!"
Sasha, with her archer's keen eyesight, spotted Tonyar Village first. Like Bilder Village, it had almost no defenses prepared for an assault. Not surprising—who'd expect Delly's seven-hundred-strong force to be crushed already, let alone most of it stolen by the enemy?
"What the hell is that?"
Dust clouds billowed as an enormous undead horde charged with terrifying momentum. Inside the village, dark elves idly playing cards gaped as the foes closed in.
"What else? It's an attack, you idiots!"
Yoahim bellowed, smashing a skeleton guard's skull on the palisade. The dark elves snapped to attention, grabbing weapons and roaring at the undead.
"Hold them! Buy time!"
The garrison numbered around a hundred—laughably insufficient against Yoahim's forces—but they charged bravely. Five dark elves wielded swords and bows, clashing fiercely with his unit. Futile resistance, yet they fought like they were stalling for something.
Stalling for time?
Stalling wouldn't help. No reinforcements from the next village. Wait—no, the opposite.
They weren't waiting for aid to repel the attackers. They were fighting to buy time for a messenger to warn the next village.
"Sasha!"
Just calling her name was enough; she grasped his intent instantly. From horseback, she nocked an arrow swiftly.
"That one!"
A lone dark elf bolted on horseback amid the chaos. Sasha drew her bowstring taut and loosed.
Twang!
The arrow whistled sharply, embedding in his back.
"Got him!"
The dark elf wobbled precariously but clung on. Sasha pumped her fist with a small "Yes!"—but then—
"Sasha!"
Yoahim's shout made her gasp; she grabbed another arrow. The dark elf hadn't fallen, biting back groans as he spurred his horse toward the next village.
"Shoot! Don't let him go!"
Twang! The bowstring vibrated; another arrow flew true. The dark elf had no strength to dodge. Sasha was certain it would hit. But—
"Grah!"
Another dark elf leaped into its path, taking the shot instead. Sasha bit her lip with a gasp and reached for her quiver. By the time she nocked again—
"He's... gone."
The fleeing dark elf had vanished, his horse galloping away for dear life—and its master's. Sasha whipped her head around in panic, but he was long gone. Biting her lip hard, she kicked her horse. This was her fault—arrogance after the first hit. She had to fix it herself—
Whoosh!
"Ah!"
An arrow hurtled toward her; she'd been distracted. Sasha leaned back reflexively, but it grazed her left shoulder with a thunk.
"Nngh!"
Pain nearly unseated her. She shook her head to focus, biting back groans, but her throbbing shoulder slowed her. Meanwhile, the dark elf archer nocked another shot.
"Sasha! Watch out!"
Yoahim wheeled his horse toward her, but the arrow loosed first. It sliced the air toward her head. Sasha's eyes widened, then twisted in fury.
"...You fucking bastard!"
A thunderous roar erupted. The arrow ricocheted away, spinning wildly. Yoahim blinked in disbelief. The arrows had collided midair.
He wasn't the only shocked one—the shooting dark elf gaped too. Same race as Sasha, gifted archer, but deflecting a flying arrow? Impossible.
"Leon! Kill that bastard!"
Leon's voice dripped rage as he veered toward the flustered dark elf and decapitated him cleanly. Watching the head roll, Yoahim felt a twinge of unease.
Was she always like this?
Sasha had been prim and polite so far. One arrow, and she flipped a switch, spewing thick curses.
Not that surprising, though...
Her clan destroyed, surviving as mercenaries with Leon amid rough types—she'd toughened up naturally.
Guess I should watch myself.
A meek person enraged is terrifying. Yoahim nodded to himself, slicing a ghoul's chest.
"All clear, Apostle."
Leon approached, sheathing his swords and rotating his battered wrists.
"Next orders. One dark elf slipped away, so the next fight'll be tougher."
Yoahim scowled. Fiercer resistance had cost more time than planned. The escapee had likely warned the next village—no more surprise assault.
Still, we've got numbers.
Absorbing Elga Village's forces and minimal losses so far left them ample troops. Even prepared, he could overwhelm them. Seize the village before Levia Castle sends aid—victory assured.
"Apostle."
Sasha's once-gentle eyes now sharp, her voice icy. Even Yoahim startled at her intensity. But meeting his gaze, her eyes softened, tears welling.
"I-I... made a mistake... I'm sorry, so sorry... forgive me..."
Head bowed like a criminal. Yoahim sighed.
It was a mistake letting the messenger escape, but minor. Lost the element of surprise, sure—but the battle wasn't lost. Just one card down.
He soothed her sniffling. "Nah, it's fine. Actually, better this way. Easy wins mean easy losses."
And tougher fights mean more XP.
Yoahim rummaged in his belt pouch for bandages.
"Shoulder okay? Wrap it before it festers."
"Sorry... I'll do it."
Sasha bandaged sullenly. Meanwhile, Yoahim checked his forces.
The massive disparity meant negligible losses: about twenty from Yoahim's main force, ten-ish from Leon and Sasha's units.
"Apostle, first aid done. Ready to move."
Sasha flexed her arm, clenching a fist to prove it. Yoahim chuckled, then shook his head.
"Nah, short break."
"A break?"
Undead didn't need rest; tactically, strike now. Sasha tilted her head, puzzled.
"Tired? I have fatigue-relief herbs..."
"No, I'm good."
Yoahim paused, then asked, "Got any mana-recovery herbs?"
"Oh, yeah!"
Sasha pulled a bluish herb from her pouch—bitter-smelling.
"Found it camping in the mountains. Confirmed by a mercenary mage. Chew thoroughly; restores mana."
Yoahim nodded, taking it. Sasha beamed, thrilled to help. He chewed, grimacing.
"...Bitter as hell."
But it worked—decent mana recovery.
Still not enough.
That's why no immediate advance: restore mana first. In war, one spell outdid countless sword swings. Full mana meant easier fights.
"Good enough. Let's move."
Mana topped up, Yoahim led toward the next village.
"They're ready for war."
Leon spotted it first this time. Roas Village—sharpened palisades everywhere. Skeletons waited in gaps; dark elves manned watchtowers with bows. More dark elves glared from behind, swords drawn—about twenty. Unlike prior villages heavy on undead, dark elves dominated here. Proof the fight wouldn't be easy. More fortress than village.
"Hm, finally here, huh?"
A dark elf who looked like the commander climbed the palisade with subordinates, smirking provocatively.
Sasha's eyes widened.
"Huh? No way...?"