Chapter 19
Chapter 19
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: Assault on the Orcs
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A heavy tension hung over the castle.
Arthur had suddenly declared he would launch an orc subjugation.
It was something that had to happen eventually, but no one had expected it to unfold so abruptly.
Especially not at this moment, right after Count Yarve had issued his declaration of war.
Everyone wore puzzled expressions, but they silently obeyed his orders and threw themselves into preparations for departure.
Arthur brought Ban over and introduced him to the Devil Squad members.
Not a single one of them didn't know who Ban was.
They simply looked surprised that this unexpected figure would be joining them.
"Ban is coming out to fight with us too?"
"No."
"......?"
"He's going to be in charge of our weaponry from now on."
"Really?"
Their eyes went wide.
"So if you've got any weapons in mind, speak up now. That way he can make them before the territory war. Right?"
When Arthur glanced at Ban, the man laughed in disbelief.
"You're telling me to make them all in two days?"
"Surely you can handle that much? Or did I overestimate you?"
"There are some decent weapons in the warehouse. Can I use those?"
"They aren't failures, are they?"
"What do you take me for? They're all top-grade stuff. I'll go grab them and show you right now."
Ban stormed off like an angry bull.
Arthur smirked and turned back to the Devil Squad.
Having been freed from the weight magic, they brimmed with confidence.
Of course, he didn't show it outwardly himself, but he could feel he was far stronger than before.
He figured he could handle Skevin without much trouble now.
What he and the others needed at this point was real combat experience and a chance to gauge their own abilities.
"Go wild with your skills out there."
One of them raised a hand with a worried look. It was Muldaras Muslan, the one with the orange temperament.
"I'm worried if we can take on the orcs."
The others nodded gravely, clearly sharing the sentiment.
"You'll find out soon enough."
This time, Dark met his eyes and asked.
"In your opinion, Young Master, how do we stack up against the Phoenix Knight Order?"
"You'll see for yourselves."
Arthur flashed a meaningful smile before continuing.
"Once we're on the battlefield, you obey my orders without question. If you refuse, you'll be punished on the spot. Got it?"
"Yes!"
"And come up with new names to share before we head out."
"Like Dark?"
"Yeah, something easy to call out."
"Yes!"
"Good."
After parting ways with them, Arthur climbed to the ramparts and gazed toward the western mountains.
The sun was setting over the ridges, glowing an unusually vivid red today.
"It's the same everywhere you go."
Arthur's brow furrowed.
It had been like this back on Earth too.
Before heading out, whenever he looked up at the sky, it would be dyed red with sunset. As if foretelling the blood-soaked battlefield ahead.
So like everyone else, he'd always offered a prayer to the 'gods.'
Asking that they all return safely.
But not once had his prayers ever been answered.
'Will it be the same here?'
Arthur glared up at the sky with contempt.
Some time passed like that.
The territory folk began streaming into the castle, loading their bundles onto wagons.
Then Millerph returned from the village.
"I'm back."
"You spread the word to everyone?"
"Yes, I told them to take shelter in the castle by tomorrow at the latest."
Millerph came and stood beside him before continuing.
"I just heard from Skevin. Is there a reason you're rushing the subjugation?"
"We can't fight a territory war with an enemy lurking who could pop up anytime."
"True, but we're not ready yet."
Arthur looked at Millerph.
"War doesn't wait for you to get ready. And if we face them in this state, we'll all die."
"You're saying this isn't just a simple subjugation?"
"It's time they awakened. Plus, they can get some real combat experience out of it."
"Young Master......"
For a moment, Millerph felt chills run down his spine.
Arthur gave a meaningful smile.
"The orcs will turn them into true warriors."
***
An hour before the Phoenix Knight Order set out, Arthur led the Devil Squad toward the western mountains.
He planned to use the Devil Squad as a special task force, assigning them scouting duties this time.
Reaching the mountaintop, he closely observed the flickering lights below.
"Monsters who can use fire, huh."
It was pitch black all around, but thanks to Millerph's 'Hawk Eye' spell, everything was as clear as day.
There looked to be about a thousand of them, with sentries posted in various spots.
Well, rumors had mentioned it, so it wasn't impossible.
Scanning the area, his eyes fell on a large tent in the center.
The guards there were far more vigilant than elsewhere.
That was probably where their leader was.
With numbers twice what he'd expected, casualties could be heavy. To minimize that, they'd take out the leader first as quickly as possible.
After finishing his recon, Arthur returned to the Devil Squad.
They had been scattered on watch duty, clad not in the Phoenix Knight Order's blue armor but in black plate and helmets.
On the day Ban joined the Devil Squad, Arthur's first order had been to craft black armor.
It had been completed just in time for today, and on a dark night like this, they blended into the shadows, revealing only their gleaming eyes.
Each also gripped a weapon that clearly bore a master craftsman's touch.
Ones Ban had pulled from the warehouse—their blades sharp even in the gloom.
Now they truly looked the part of warriors.
"Their command post is right in the middle of the habitat."
Dark asked quietly.
"How many?"
"Roughly a thousand."
"That's a filthy lot."
The face of Mulan—the burliest one with the orange temperament—twisted viciously.
He glanced at Latiel beside him, the sturdy defensive knight with the massive rectangular shield.
"You two charge the command post once the knight order attacks, clearing a path. The rest will follow and block enemy strikes."
"Understood."
"Once you reach the command post, Dark and Kasan go in and eliminate them while the others hold the perimeter around the tent."
Dark asked.
"Aren't you coming with us, Young Master?"
"I've got something else to handle. Once the leader's down, set the tent ablaze as a signal."
Millerph returned from scouting the base of the mountain.
"The knight order should arrive soon."
Arthur addressed the Devil Squad with a grim, solemn expression.
"Don't die here and leave regrets—make sure you all come back alive. And when you see Skevin, tell him this: fight with everything you've got."
They nodded and swiftly descended.
Arthur returned to the scouting spot with Millerph.
He set down the chaingun slung on his back and pulled thirty bullets from his pouch.
Not enough to awaken them all.
'Prioritize the ones with potential......'
Millerph eyed the bullets and asked.
"Won't that be too few against them?"
"I'm not here to fight the orcs."
"What do you mean......? You're not treating this as another training exercise, are you?"
Millerph's face hardened.
Arthur smiled meaningfully as he gazed toward the orc habitat.
"I'm here to reap the rewards of our training. In the form of awakenings."
At that moment.
The Phoenix Knight Order pressed up the treacherous mountain path without rest.
Something impossible in the old days, but their training-hardened stamina made it a breeze.
Still, the tension of facing orcs soon left their mouths dry.
Spotting lights ahead, Skevin raised his hand high.
The knights behind halted silently, holding their breath.
Helot approached, leading the scouts.
"Can you see them?"
"Look over there."
Skevin pointed to the lights ahead.
Helot spotted them and dispatched scouts to check.
Minutes later.
The scouts returned.
"It's the orc habitat, alright. But the guards were too tight; we couldn't get a good look."
"They couldn't have spotted us coming, could they?"
Helot shot Skevin a grave look.
"Hmm."
Skevin's face tightened too.
It was said orc shamans had magical abilities.
If true, the orcs might be fully prepared.
"This won't be an easy fight."
"Rushing in now could mean heavy losses."
As worry filled Helot's face, a group emerged from the woods.
The Devil Squad.
"Where's the Young Master?"
Dark, acting as squad leader, answered Skevin's question.
"He's at the mountaintop. Said he has something else to do."
"Scouted the habitat?"
"He did it himself. About a thousand strong."
"What?"
Skevin was stunned.
He'd figured five to six hundred, but a thousand?
The numbers were bad enough, but how many orc warriors among them?
Even if just a third, the knight order could be wiped out.
Arthur surely knew that.
He must have a plan beyond a straight charge.
"So what did the Young Master say?"
"He put the command post in our hands, Captain, and told you to fight at full strength."
"Nothing else?"
"No. We'll hit their command after your attack creates an opening."
Dark led his team toward the habitat.
Skevin watched them go, deep in thought.
He believed Arthur had another plan in place.
"Prepare."
"Captain!"
Helot's face twisted.
"Everything the Young Master's done so far had a reason."
"I know, but the situation's dire. No offense, but he has about as much real combat experience as the trainees."
"I know. But based on what he's shown us, I trust he'll surprise us again this time."
"Urgh......"
Helot pondered before speaking heavily.
"I think the Young Master's amazing. But this time, I'll follow you, Captain—not him. The others feel the same."
"By the end of this battle, you'll see. Who he really is."
"I hope so."
Helot bowed respectfully and ordered the knights to prepare for launch.
Moments later.
The knights waited with resolute faces for Skevin's command.
Skevin, staring piercingly at the orc habitat, glanced toward the mountaintop.
He pictured Arthur watching from somewhere.
'Please let my decision be right......'
Skevin drew his sword from its sheath.
Shing-.
The treasured sword 'Bokaras,' offered to the guardian deity by the Julius Count Family since ancient times, gleamed proudly.
As moonlight glinted off the upraised blade with chilling sharpness.
Skevin channeled mana.
A blue aura enveloped the sword like mist.
At the same time, his mount neighed like a raging bull, rearing up on its forelegs.
Gripping the reins tight, he thrust the sword forward.
"For the glory of gold! Charge!"