Chapter 31
Chapter 31
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 31
Chapter Title: Indefinite Contractor Heads Out on Expedition Duty from the Outpost (4)
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In a certain forest in the northern Karhu region.
The cold wind unique to the north, laced with chill, swept through the temporary encampment of the Red Wolf Tribe.
Tribal Chief Kanuhan, seated inside a leather tent, muttered to himself with a furrowed brow.
"Only four-tenths?"
His voice was laced with irritation and anxiety.
The subordinate who had delivered the report hurriedly bowed his head.
"I have no excuses, Chief."
"Don't worry about it. It's not the warriors' fault."
If this had been an internal tribe issue, he would have grabbed his axe and settled it on the spot.
But the root of the tribe's current problem lay outside.
"Tch. One damn black sorcerer ruins the whole plan."
Kanuhan clicked his tongue.
Black sorcerer. A cursed name.
The monster who had incinerated twelve winged dragons with powerful sorcery, bringing the Black Mane Tribe to ruin.
According to the original plan, the Steel Scale Tribe was supposed to raid Kazan after weakening its defenses, securing two-tenths of their target quota.
But that monster's appearance had forced them to alter their plans.
Ignoring the honey pot that was Kazan and trying to make up for it elsewhere was doomed to yield poor results.
"Chief, this is dangerous. At this rate, we won't meet the quota in the remaining time."
"How much time until winter?"
"About seven weeks."
"Seven weeks."
Kanuhan swallowed a groan.
The winter in the north—especially on the highlands—was brutal.
Blizzards cut off the paths, and the winds froze flesh solid.
Thus, surviving winter on the highlands required ample resources.
If they didn't meet the quota within seven weeks, countless tribesmen would starve to death.
'Damn it. What the hell am I supposed to do?'
Irritation surged within Kanuhan.
He was confident in fighting and pillaging, but strategizing was not his strong suit.
Scratching his head furiously, Kanuhan gripped his axe and rose from his seat.
"Chief? Where are you going?"
"To get some night air."
He stepped outside.
The vivid moon in the night sky and the cool breeze greeted him, somewhat soothing his boiling frustration.
He wandered aimlessly with his men.
Before he knew it, they had reached the supply depot where wagons laden with loot were parked.
"Hail! Greetings, Chief!"
"Yeah. Everything alright?"
Kanuhan casually inspected the supply wagons.
Covered in thick leather tarps, the wagons were stuffed with dried meat, alcohol, blankets, hides, salt, bloodstained jewelry, and all manner of goods.
The soldiers grinned at the sight, but Kanuhan couldn't smile.
The weight of responsibility—to more than double these resources within seven weeks—twisted his gut.
'Damn it. If only the answer would just fall from the sky.'
His head ached from overthinking.
In his frustration, Kanuhan looked up at the sky.
A blue moon shone.
And a black one too.
"Huh?"
A pitch-black circular mass that sent chills down his spine.
Confirming it plummeting toward the ground like a meteor at terrifying speed, Kanuhan widened his eyes.
"Wait...!?"
Those were Kanuhan's last words.
-KABOOOM!
The very answer he had longed for swallowed him whole.
Kanuhan no longer had a headache.
His vision went dark as he ceased all thought.
A black calamity struck the encampment.
"Gaaahhh!"
"Hiihihihiin!"
The lightning bolt from the sky devoured everything around it.
Chief, subordinates, horses, supply wagons—none were spared.
The black flames burned all impartially, reducing them to ash.
The north's fierce gales fanned the embers, spreading the blaze through the camp.
Panic and screams worthy of a fire disaster filled the air.
Hidden in the shadows of tents unseen by others, the arsonists watched it all and murmured.
"It should be about time."
"Yes. Let's prepare."
The signal had been given. Now, they just had to wait.
Soon, the awaited sound reached their ears.
"Gwaaaah! Save me!"
"Roll on the ground! Hurry!"
"Damn it! Who started the fire?!"
"Is that what matters now? Put out the fire first!"
"What? Who's blowing a horn?"
"Wait, hold on! That's not our tribe's horn!"
"What? Then...!"
The horn came not from within.
It blared from outside the camp.
Soon, the sound of galloping hooves accompanied it.
The soldiers' faces paled.
Now they understood.
This wasn't an accident.
It was an ambush.
"Iron Cavalry! Charge!"
"Gaaak!"
"Enemies!"
"The mud-eaters have invaded!"
Heavily armored cavalry smashed through the wooden barricades, charging ferociously into the heart of the Red Wolf Tribe's camp.
The bewildered barbarian warriors couldn't stop them.
Warriors were impaled on the cavalry's spears and swords.
Soldiers were trampled under the horses' hooves.
In an instant, over a hundred warriors fell in droves.
"Don't panic! The enemy is few in number! Respond calmly!"
"Light infantry, extinguish the fires! The rest, grab your weapons and form ranks! Hurry!"
With their chief's head lost, the greater warriors stepped up amid the chaos.
Their response was swift and precise.
The soldiers quickly regained their composure and moved according to the greater warriors' orders.
As the barbarians' movements improved bit by bit, the iron cavalry's momentum waned slightly.
Seeing this, the greater warriors gained courage and raised their voices to command the soldiers once more.
"Are those the ones?"
Oblivious that this was a trap.
The assassin who had taken the chief's life gestured.
The small demons around him soared into the sky.
"Volley fire."
"Kieeeek!"
"Wh-what?!"
"Guhk!"
A rain of black arrows poured from the heavens.
The greater warriors, caught defenseless under the magical barrage, collapsed with single grunts.
"Ngh! What is this?!"
"Protect the captain!"
Some greater warriors survived thanks to superior martial prowess or subordinates throwing themselves in harm's way.
The few who barely lived tried to evade in panic.
The assassin did not permit it.
"Kieeeek!"
"Gaaaaah!"
The blue flames that felled a winged dragon erupted.
The greater warriors were blasted away.
Cloaked in explosions and dark magic, they could no longer raise their voices.
"Captain!"
"It's a sorcerer!"
"Kill that bastard!"
The barbarian warriors roared with beastly fury, charging with eyes ablaze.
Most were blown back, but a few reached Daniel, using their comrades' sacrifices as stepping stones.
"Die!"
A silver flash cleaved the moonlight.
Along the curve of a massive scythe, barbarian heads floated lightly into the air.
"Are you alright, Sir Daniel?"
"Thanks to you."
Irina's eyes were icy cold as she severed four warriors' necks in one strike.
"No further approach allowed, barbarians."
"You bitch!"
"Kill her!"
"Hmph."
Irina charged.
The massive scythe she wielded was faster and heavier than any warrior's weapon.
Those who blocked lost their grip.
Those who failed to dodge lost their heads.
The barbarians couldn't hide their bewilderment at failing against a woman far smaller than themselves.
"Wh-what is this?!"
"A witch! The witch is using sorcery! Gaaak!"
"Sorcery? Please avoid misleading statements. Call it traditionalism."
Having scolded the one spreading rumors(?), she shook the traces from her scythe.
Her gaze upon the hesitating warriors was utterly cold.
'As Sir Daniel said, they have zero experience fighting mages. This should go smoothly.'
Irina was a traditionalist, a battle mage wielding Classic magic rather than circle magic.
Ancient magic from before circle magic's invention had few spells and meager power.
Sometimes, a few sword swings were more effective than magic.
Thus, ancient mages shifted their thinking.
'Wouldn't it be more efficient to create magic that aids swordplay?'
From this idea, research birthed ancient magic, ultimately perfecting the physical enhancement system <Pumping>.
Thus, traditionalist battle mages—who fought like warriors—were born.
"Gaaak!"
"Damn! It's not even sword aura, but what power... Aak!"
"Don't block—dodge!"
"Don't make me laugh! You think we'll fight like cowards against one measly woman?!"
"Fair point."
"Guhk!"
"Spoken like someone about to get hit."
Battle mages favored one-strike kills.
Thus, they activated at least three spells per attack.
Currently, Irina had five active: Weight Increase, Haste, Strength Boost, and two more.
The power of a single blow rivaled a knight's, so even mana-wielding warriors struggled.
But strengths had weaknesses.
Battle mage attacks consumed vast mana.
Thus, they were forced into short battles.
Naturally, opponents should drag it into a prolonged wheel tactic.
But Irina's foes showed no such coordination.
Seeing enemies form a short-range skirmish perfect against strong knights, she readjusted her scythe grip.
"Don't fear them! There are only two! Overwhelm them!"
"That'll be difficult. We're the welcoming party, after all."
"What?"
"Keuk!"
"Aaaak!"
A volley of arrows from behind embedded in the warriors' backs.
David, the iron cavalry captain, shouted as he cleaved through the blood-spitting warriors.
"Sir Daniel! Let's retreat!"
"I've been waiting."
Daniel and Irina grabbed the cavalrymen's outstretched hands and mounted.
The warriors' resistance melted pathetically before the iron cavalry's spears and swords.
"Break through!"
The iron cavalry pierced the center and withdrew into the forest.
The Red Wolf Tribe, having lost their chief and most command structure, couldn't even form a proper pursuit unit, lost in repeated chaos and dismay.
Morale plummeted as fear spread.
"Th-the black sorcerer! The black sorcerer took the chief's head!"
With leadership gone and supplies reduced to ash, the Red Wolf Tribe's collapse was mere hours away.
One day at most.
"Somehow, luck pulled us through again this time."
"Luck? This was a resounding success, Sir Daniel!"
No sooner had they returned to friendly lines than the iron cavalry erupted in cheers.
"Kazan's miracle! Daniel of the Black Flames!"
"Dragon slayer! Magic Knight Daniel!"
"Your reputation is well-earned, sir. This is the fourth victory against the barbarians. We can no longer call it mere luck. Sir Daniel, you are a true knight and hero of the north!"
The iron cavalry nodded vigorously at David's heartfelt praise.
Daniel smiled modestly and replied.
"I'm honored by your words. But my string of victories is thanks to all of you. Without your courage and prowess, today's win wouldn't have happened."
Daniel bowed his head.
"I'm a flawed man. To keep winning, I need your strength. Please continue supporting me. May I count on you?"
"Of course!"
"""We shall serve you, Sir Daniel!"""
The iron cavalry thundered back at the hero who led them to victory, his words exceeding their worth.
'Good. It worked.'
Confident he had won their loyalty, Daniel smiled inwardly.
'Now they'll follow my orders without question for a while. For big projects to succeed, you need subordinates like loyal knights who obey instantly.'
Barbarians weren't fools.
They'd soon realize his aim and devise countermeasures.
His job was to rack up merits and achievements before then.
He knew it was a vain hope, but no other path existed.
'May they take one more day to prepare countermeasures, and may I claim one more day of achievements.'
The indefinite contractor, desperately trying to cover crimes with merits, prayed fervently.