Chapter 68
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 068
Chapter Title: Undead and Black Mages (3)
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'We can gain the advantage here.'
I didn't know much about military strategy, but I did know that seizing the initiative in battle was crucial.
Because it let me dictate the enemy's reactions.
"It's better for us to strike first and see how they respond than to just react to their attacks. Desmond's handed us the initiative, so we shouldn't waste this chance."
I figured someone might object, but surprisingly, the nobles seemed on board.
"Makes sense."
"Yeah, if they give us the upper hand, we'll just be dragged around otherwise."
"I agree with Heros."
The nobles in the command tent voiced their support. Count Chester, who had been quietly observing, then turned to me.
"Do you have a specific plan in mind for the attack?"
"I'll head out with a few knights, cast some spells at their lines, and pull back. If they don't react, we'll do it again."
Since he'd sworn to avenge Terence himself, he'd be more aggressive if I took the lead.
In other words, I'd be the bait.
That's what I was thinking when Nina, who had been listening silently, raised her hand.
"Count, let me go instead of Heros. Figure it's time I earned my keep."
"You sure you're up for it?"
Count Chester asked her. She shrugged.
"Not fully recovered, but I can manage one big spell. That's why I'm volunteering—fire off a good one, then crash. I get off early, Heros saves his mana. Win-win, right?"
"Not a bad idea."
"Told you. Let's do it."
Nina let out a hearty shout. The way she spoke so casually to the count—and how he didn't mind—told me she was no ordinary mage. That got me excited.
I was curious what kind of magic she'd unleash.
That afternoon, Nina rode out.
Two knights escorted her.
'He was incredible yesterday.'
As she passed the palisade, Nina reflected on Heros's display.
The sight of over a hundred undead wiped out in an instant had shocked even her, a fellow mage. Not because of the result, but the process leading up to it.
'How does he complete spells that fast?'
Heros's casting speed was unnaturally quick. She'd felt the same watching him fight the flesh golem.
A feat even a skilled mage like her couldn't replicate. That's why she felt uneasy.
If things continued like this, Heros might monopolize the nobles' attention. Having decided to settle in Chester Castle, she needed to impress the count—which was why she'd volunteered for this risky job.
'I'll go all out.'
She resolved herself. Positioning between the palisade and the undead horde, she prepared her spell—the one that earned her the title "Blade Wind."
Wooong.
Nina poured all her mana into it.
Blade Wind grew stronger with more mana invested.
Her mana flowed down her arms at her command, then burst from her palms.
'Focus.'
Releasing the mana, she compressed it, shaping it.
Any lapse in concentration, and it'd scatter. But she proved her skill, flawlessly guiding it through.
Ten seconds later, the spell was ready. She snapped her eyes open.
And in that moment—
Shiiik—!
A whistling wind sliced through.
The undead in her line of sight were neatly bisected at the waist.
Then an earthen wall rose.
An earth mage among the black mages had tried to block her. But even that sturdy barrier split clean in two.
"Hoo..."
Nina, exhausted, surveyed the devastation she'd wrought across the enemy lines.
"That should cover my keep, right?"
She asked her knight escorts. They nodded dumbly, still staring at the enemy camp.
Then—
Whoosh!
Something flew from the black mages' lines—a boulder the size of a man's head.
Spells followed, raining down on her position. The hidden elite black mages were finally showing their hand.
But Eremus's response didn't end there.
Thud, thud.
The waiting undead horde advanced. Their numbers had dwindled to a few hundred, but they charged.
Nina panicked. She hadn't expected such aggression.
"Retreat!"
She wheeled her horse—a mage's swift decision.
"What the—?!"
Count Chester watched from inside the palisade, stunned.
Not just him—every noble there reacted the same to Eremus's bold move.
"Count, you said their leader's Desmond? His command skills are questionable."
"Agreed. The horde's movements are anything but normal."
"Feels like he's just acting on whims. Like a damn kid..."
The nobles chimed in. It wasn't surprising; we'd expected a reaction to Nina's spell, but not a full assault.
All-out war right off the bat? Then why block the road to Chester Castle and play for a siege?
"Well, if they're coming at us hard, it's not all bad for us."
Count Chester regained his composure and said as much. But his face soon twisted.
Kaboom!
A fireball from the black mages slammed into the palisade.
The section toppled, opening a new path to the city.
And it wasn't the only breach—their spells punched holes across the barrier.
"Fall back inside the city walls?"
"Yes, staying here means getting surrounded by undead."
"We should pull back, sir."
The nobles urged. But the count disagreed.
"No, we engage here. Their elite black mages—the ones we've been watching—have finally shown themselves. Hiding behind the walls just means eating spells. Let's wipe them out now."
He proposed a knight-only strike team to take out the elites. I thought it was the better play, so I backed him.
"I'll join the knights. Someone needs to keep Desmond in check."
Desmond.
He didn't rise to eastern branch chief on luck alone—he was hiding real skill.
I'd pin him down, letting the knights focus on the black mages.
"If the count says so..."
"With Heros stepping up, should be fine."
"Our knights are top-notch; we'll get results."
The nobles relented. As consensus formed, Nina returned.
"That's my part done. The rest is on you, Heros."
Pale-faced before the count, she said.
He replied sternly.
"Good work."
With that, the exchange ended. Nina rode toward the city walls to rest. The knights gathered for the sortie, joined by her former escorts dismounting.
They dismounted because horses couldn't handle knights' superhuman strength.
"We'll guard Heros."
"He's our only mage—they'll target him hard. Needs at least three escorts."
Baer and Connell spoke up. They'd skip the strike team with Gilbert to protect me.
That dropped the team from fourteen to twelve—a big loss. And leaving their lords' knights out looked unfair. I expected the count to refuse.
But he approved.
"Do it. Protect our top asset with everything you've got."
Baer and Connell saluted sharply and hurried to my side. With the big three reunited, that secure feeling returned.
Yeah, this was it.
One downside: their gear.
'Still no weapons or armor.'
The count's promised rewards hadn't arrived. Their equipment was subpar.
We couldn't complain—quality gear took time.
Still, it stung a bit.
"We're ready to move out."
As I pondered, fully prepped Godfrey addressed the count.
The count nodded. The knights surged forward.
I followed with the big three. No charging the enemy, but we had to enter the fray.
"I'll stop here."
Near where Nina had cast, I halted.
"Good luck."
Godfrey accelerated toward the enemy. True battle began.
"Block any enemies coming my way."
I instructed the big three, then sensed surrounding mana.
Hundreds of signatures—mostly undead. I sifted for the densest.
Those would be the black mages.
Suddenly, several thick mana sources rushed me.
'What?'
I looked toward them.
Ghouls charging—transformed monsters like those I'd hunted in the village.
But far stronger; the mana gap was huge.
"Might be knight-level threats. Stay sharp!"
The big three moved to intercept. I shouted, then refocused on mana sensing.
To locate Desmond. Tricky, since he had none.
'But not impossible.'
No personal mana, but his grimoire had some.
I tracked that. Looking his way, I spotted incoming projectiles.
'Arrows?'
Desmond smirking sinisterly, Starling wide-eyed recognizing me.
Ten undead archers flanking them, bows drawn.
'Sent the ghouls to separate the big three from me?'
Non-magical, so detected late. No issue—my casting was faster.
Shrrk.
Hard Leather Skin spell. I spread mana through my body.
It flowed swiftly, smoothly. Soon, earth coated my skin.
All in a blink.
Thud, plink.
Post-spell, ten arrows struck—bouncing harmlessly off head and chest to the ground.
'Nice.'
The earthen layer shrugged off arrows effortlessly. Better defense than expected.
No time to celebrate—something better happened.
'Earth Tortoise Grimoire, respond.'
The bundle over my shoulder. I thought of the grimoire inside.
Its second request: block a surprise attack with Hard Leather Skin.
I'd just done it.
So...
《Oh! Your reflexes are pretty good? Approved! You qualify for the shell.》
I'd learn a new spell.
Smirk.
I flashed Desmond a grateful smile. His face twisted hideously.