Chapter 324: You’re in the Way (3)
Chapter 324: You’re in the Way (3)
This was the first battle since the Overlord had joined the fray.
The allied forces of the Magellan Kingdom and the Schneider Grand Duchy intended to make a decisive move. From their perspective, the fact that the Overlord had personally entered the war was an opportunity. If they could take him down, it would be the finishing blow to end the conflict.
The only question was who would be the one to do it…
"I shall do it."
Stepping forward without a moment’s hesitation was Count Daniel Tyrone, the only 7-Star Knight remaining in the Magellan Kingdom.
Originally, Magellan had possessed four 7-Star Knights, but all of them had perished in this war. Even Prince Jeyton, the pride of the royal family and the one most certain to reach the 7-Star realm in the future, had met his end.
Thus, Count Tyrone was now the sole powerhouse and the most precious military asset left to the kingdom.
Magellan had entrusted him with a 70,000-strong army—scraped together from the remnants of their elite forces—and deployed them for this battle. The kingdom was gambling everything.
And now, he was stepping up to challenge the Overlord.
"I appreciate your help, but this war was started to protect my country. It is only right that I stand at the very front."
Was his desire to fight the Overlord born of a sense of duty, as he claimed? Or was it a greedy ambition to claim the greatest merit on the battlefield?
The reason was unknown. However, one fact remained paramount…
"You cannot win."
It was a single sentence from April.
Count Tyrone frowned and turned to her. "Is the Grand Duchess of Schneider saying that I am incapable of defeating the Overlord?"
"Yes."
As April nodded calmly, Count Tyrone clenched his fists and glared at her.
By nature, he was not one to back down from a challenge. However, his opponent was the Grand Duchess of the Schneider Grand Duchy, an ally who had joined the war to save his country without seeking any profit. He couldn't simply snap at her, so he spoke as calmly as possible.
"I am well aware of the Overlord’s prowess. But is a real battle not something one must experience to know the outcome?"
At Tyrone’s words, Sanson and Oliver quickly exchanged glances.
‘What is this old man, who’s all passion and no common sense, talking about?’
‘Should we just leave him be? It’s his life anyway.’
Sanson was being uncharacteristically careful with his words. However, his inner thoughts weren't much different from Oliver’s.
Count Daniel Tyrone.
They had heard his name for a long time. Even before Sanson had first picked up a sword, Tyrone had already reached the Supreme Realm and gained fame across the entire continent.
But seeing him in person…
‘He’s just… alright?’
‘Pretty average, right?’
"I think so too."
As his inner thoughts slipped out of his mouth, Count Tyrone narrowed his eyes at Sanson.
"…What did you say?"
"Ah… It’s nothing."
Sanson hurriedly glossed over it. After a couple of fake coughs, he quickly changed the subject.
"The Overlord isn't the only enemy in this battle. We’ve heard that the Yuzef Kingdom has gathered all the 7-Star Knights who were scattered across various fronts."
"Mmm…"
"Since we are outnumbered even in terms of 7-Star Knights, I believe we must aim for the Overlord’s head by seizing a momentary opening."
"Which is why I—"
"And the person best suited for that role is our Grand Duchess."
"……."
At Sanson’s words, Count Tyrone fell silent.
The Flash Queen.
April had earned this moniker during the war because, true to the name, she had been active across the battlefield like a bolt of lightning.
Sanson led the entire army and dominated the field.
Oliver stood at the very front, charging with the knights.
Unlike those two, April moved alone. The reason was simple: no one, let alone the soldiers, could keep up with her speed. If she decided to move, even Oliver and Sanson struggled to follow her, despite both of them possessing speed that exceeded the average for 7-Star Knights.
She was the only swordsman capable of providing support by Patrick’s side when he fought.
Asking someone like her to lead knights or soldiers was equivalent to throwing away her greatest strength and limiting her to the role of an ordinary knight.
"Realistically, if any of us were to aim for the Overlord’s head, no one has a higher probability of success than the Grand Duchess."
Count Tyrone nodded at Sanson’s words. However, his face was clearly etched with displeasure.
* * *
After the military meeting ended, Oliver sought out Sanson privately.
"What brings you here?"
"Ah, it’s nothing major… just, how should I put it?"
"If you have something to say, say it. Why are you being so hesitant? It’s not like you."
Oliver, who was ranked second for being the most oblivious person in the Schneider Grand Duchy, was actually hesitating for once. After Sanson prodded him, Oliver spoke tentatively.
"Brother, don't you think it would be better to contact the home territory and ask for reinforcements?"
"…What do you mean by that?"
"I just have a bad feeling. With the Young Master away, it feels like our strength is lacking with just us and that unreliable Count from the Magellan Kingdom."
"……."
"I think we should ask the Tower of Truth for help, and even reach out to the Elves and Orcs to mobilize the full power of the state."
Sanson fell into thought at Oliver’s suggestion.
Truthfully, Sanson wasn't the type to have quick wits. He simply didn't make big mistakes because he was cautious and stuck to principles.
The decision to send a force composed only of humans to this war had been the will of the Grand Duke of Schneider. He didn't want other races to bleed in a human war, and he feared the scale of the conflict would escalate if the Tower of Truth intervened. Behind the scenes, Marquis Krupa had also worked hard to preserve the nation's core strength.
In such a situation, for Sanson to request reinforcements based on his own judgment?
Yes, it was possible. If the situation was dire, it was a perfectly reasonable move. However…
"The situation isn't exactly desperate right now, is it?"
Currently, the allies were winning. The tide of the war had turned, and if they could just take down the Overlord in the next battle, they could end this war in victory. But…
"I don't know. I just have a bad feeling."
"A feeling?"
"You know me, brother. My gut is usually right."
"I’ve never thought that once."
Oliver looked momentarily wounded. "Wait, brother…"
"Would someone with good intuition date a Dark Mage?"
"Ah, even then, I had a bad feeling."
"And yet you dated her?"
"She was pretty."
"……."
Looking at the shamelessly honest Oliver, Sanson sighed. This guy was just as abnormal as the rest; it was just usually overshadowed by Patrick. But…
"Brother, please. I really have a bad premonition about this."
They had known each other as brothers for a long time, but Sanson had never seen Oliver this serious.
Sanson thought for a moment before speaking. "Let’s send a communication to the home territory first."
"Thank you, brother."
"This might be the final battle anyway. It’s only right to mobilize our full strength to minimize our casualties."
Only then did Oliver look relieved.
However, there was something neither of them knew.
Preparing after a problem arises is already too late. If it had been Patrick, he would have already had forces stationed nearby just in case something went wrong—even if he didn't intend to deploy them immediately.
That level of thorough preparation is often what decides victory or defeat.
* * *
3:00 AM.
Normally, this was a time when people would be deep in sleep, but the circumstances of war changed everything. They had to maintain a vigilant watch to avoid enemy night raids.
The disciplined soldiers remained focused, staring into the front without letting their guard down. But then…
"Huh?"
"What is it?"
"Didn't something just move?"
"What?"
At his comrade’s words, the soldier standing guard beside him tensed up. Something was indeed shimmering in the darkness ahead.
Without hesitation, he immediately rang the alarm bell and shouted.
"Enemy attack!"
The Yuzef Kingdom had launched a night raid.
* * *
In war, a night raid is a highly effective tactic if successful. Stealth and speed are its most critical elements—hitting hard and fast to inflict maximum damage.
However, the Yuzef Kingdom’s night raid was different.
"They’re coming!"
"Block… Block them!"
Could this even be called a night raid? No, it was more accurate to call it a night offensive.
When the Yuzef Kingdom’s approach was first detected by the sentries, the allies reacted nimbly and quickly assumed defensive positions. Since the scouts had spotted them and the alarm had been raised, they should have been able to hold them off as long as they responded appropriately.
The problem, however, was that the Yuzef Kingdom’s numbers were far too great.
"Break through!"
"Drive in all at once!"
"Woooooah!"
Out of the deep darkness, Yuzef soldiers appeared endlessly, crashing into the allied formations. Furthermore, the number of knights visible between the flickering torches was significant.
This wasn't a night raid using a small force to harass the enemy. They had brought their entire army for a sudden, all-out assault.
Faced with this abrupt offensive, the allied knights and soldiers were momentarily overwhelmed and panicked.
Fortunately…
"Out of my way!"
There was someone on their side to bolster their morale.
A man leapt toward the enemy, wielding an Aura Blade that radiated a chilling blue light. It was Count Daniel Tyrone, the hope of the Magellan Kingdom.
As soon as he reached the front lines, he didn't hesitate to swing his Aura Blade into the densest part of the enemy ranks.
K-Boom!
The enemies who had been charging fiercely were blown away in a single strike. He was indeed a 7-Star Knight. It was an attack that proved exactly why he was called a superhuman who had reached the Supreme Realm. Standing at the very front, he fought the enemy and roared.
"Follow me! We counterattack now!"
"Oooooh!"
"Follow the Count!"
The soldiers and knights, their morale soaring, began to push back the enemy following Tyrone’s lead.
Sanson, arriving at the scene a step late, stared blankly at the sight.
"What in the world is happening all of a sudden…"
"Brother, the enemy attacked."
"I know that. But why are we breaking formation and moving forward?"
"It seems Count Tyrone has launched a counter-offensive."
"Pull them back! This wasn't part of the plan!" Sanson shouted urgently.
He had just requested reinforcements from the home territory and had no intention of engaging in a decisive battle until they arrived. But now, with the soldiers swarming toward the enemy lines behind Count Tyrone, the plan was falling apart.
And there was an even bigger problem.
"You must withdraw the troops! Return to the main camp!"
"What are you saying? In the face of such a great opportunity?"
"This is an order from Commander Kainel! Return to the main camp immediately!"
"I am not Sir Kainel’s subordinate. I am a knight of the Great Magellan Kingdom!"
"Wait, Sir Monsen!"
"Haaah! Let’s go! Drive out the invaders!"
"Woooooah!"
"Long live the Magellan Kingdom!"
As it turned out…
The Magellan forces could not be controlled by Sanson’s will.
Was this the fatal flaw of a hastily assembled alliance? Although both armies had moved together with Sanson leading the strategy, a clear chain of command had never been strictly established. The Magellan troops were merely cooperators; they felt no obligation to obey his orders.
From their perspective, a golden opportunity had arrived to crush the enemy. There was no way Sanson’s order to retreat would work.
In fact, while a few did listen, they were a small minority. Their hesitation only caused discord and confusion among the ranks.
"Brother, what do we do?"
"……."
Sanson frowned as he watched the uncontrollable army. At this rate, the forces would be split, and the Magellan army would be isolated as they pursued the enemy. If they won, fine—but if they lacked the strength and were defeated…
"Damn it, there’s no choice."
"Brother."
"We’re going too! We’ll support them from the rear."
"Yes, brother."
In the end, even the soldiers of the Schneider Grand Duchy abandoned their formations and moved forward to attack.
Like children following the Pied Piper.