The Opposing Force (2)
The moment the golems rose was a sight to behold. Human shapes emerging from what had been bare dirt felt eerie at first glance. Someone swallowed hard. A tense moment.
The golems' next move was nothing like we'd expected. Unlike their vigorous rise, they started rummaging through the weapons loaded on the wagons, gathering them up.
"……."
It was almost like us in the morning, donning our individual gear. The absurdity lasted only a moment—until the golems charged.
"Fire!"
My squadmates and I loosed our arrows in unison. Four golems up front took hits and collapsed. Truth be told, a golem doesn't die from a single arrow. It isn't a living thing to begin with. As long as the medium holds and the mage keeps pouring in mana, it can move indefinitely.
But not this time. They raised shields to focus on defense like real soldiers, or swung swords to bat away incoming arrows. Hit by one, they'd drop like a dead man.
My gaze shifted past the golems to the mage. He was sweating from the start, trying to make their movements realistic. Not just us—the Black Golem Legion mages simulating the opposing force were training too.
The mage summoned new golems to replace the fallen ones. These were bulkier than before, with more stone than dirt in their makeup. Probably set as heavy infantry. They ignored arrows and pressed forward, just like the real thing.
Arrows alone wouldn't cut it anymore. Everyone except the archer detail set down their bows and took up swords and shields.
"Squad Leader Jo, Deputy Squad Leader Jo! Let's go!"
"Yes, sir!"
As we charged, thunderous footsteps approached from behind—2nd Squad Leader Jo providing support.
"Hraaah!"
2nd Squad Leader Bram swung his greatsword at full sprint. The overwhelming violence infused with mana blew the golem's head clean off. His squadmates followed, shredding golems in their wake.
1st Squad trusted 2nd Squad's tanking and handled the stragglers leaking through.
Then a piercing whistle cut through the sky from above. Preeee— the signal that 3rd Squad's ranged barrage was incoming.
"3rd Platoon, scatter!"
"Scatter!"
We dove toward 1st Squad's position; 2nd Squad wheeled toward friendly lines along the choke point. Moments later, ten arrows arced up from the firing line. Even from afar, you could tell they were enchanted—their trajectories glowed blue.
The arrows rained down on the golems. No direct hits from that range, but the golems countered with shields or stone armor. Still, touching those arrows was a mistake.
Upon impact, frost spewed from the tips. Crackle. Parts of the golems began to freeze.
"Smash 'em!"
Shattering frozen golems was easy. Their movements slowed, and the bonds holding their bodies together weakened. We pushed forward like icebreakers crushing frozen waves.
That's when the ground rumbled, and a mound of earth erupted in the distance. The mage was summoning more golems. Phase 3? Damn, for real.
This batch was the biggest yet. What unit was this supposed to counter? As we watched, the golem pulled something from the wagon—a large yellow orb in its hand.
It hurled it at us like a grenade.
"Down!"
"Scatter!"
We rolled to dodge the fast-flying orb. Boom. Thick yellow smoke billowed out.
"Fall back to position!"
At 2nd Squad Leader's shout, the troops went prone. More orbs sailed toward our lines, closing in. After a few, things quieted—a lull. Plenty more orbs, but paced for realism.
As the haze cleared, we saw the troops' state. Most just dirt-covered, but three soldiers were coated head to toe in yellow powder.
"Kol, Elun, Hob—you're out. Step aside for the rest of the exercise."
"Yes, sir…."
At Gary's order, the three raised hands above their heads and stood. The universal out-of-action signal—the golems ignored them.
"Ah… this is bad. Won't come off."
"Looks just like work clothes now…."
The grumbling soldiers' voices caught my ear as they withdrew. I blinked and asked Gary,
"That stuff doesn't wash off easy?"
"Works on skin or metal, but not cloth or wood. It's dye material to begin with."
"Then what about the position?"
My eyes scanned 1st Squad's hardpoints. Days of work, now slathered in yellow.
"Opposing force drills simulate combat, so this position counts as destroyed. No more taking cover here."
"No, not that—what about the yellow? It doesn't come out?"
"Yeah, pretty much."
"Then it doesn't work as cover anymore? Stands out like a sore thumb."
"Exactly. So we tear it down and rebuild after every drill."
"…What?"
My brain short-circuited right there. I'd thought training was WWE-style, but trashing days of labor felt straight out of UFC.
Leonid watched the yellow smoke clear, mind racing through next moves. Then 3rd Squad Leader Aldric Lowell, eyes on the front, turned to him.
"Platoon Leader."
"Casualty report?"
"Three from 1st Squad, five from 2nd."
Leonid frowned at the numbers. More outs than expected. Maybe drill them hard separately after.
"Opposing force?"
"Siege golem still has powder orbs; infantry golems advancing."
"Aldric. Can longbows snipe the siege golem in one volley?"
"Hit it, yes. But distance might limit damage…."
"Not the golem—the orb in its hand?"
In real combat, golem's a siege weapon or mage; orb's ammo or spell. Neutralize those first.
"Possible."
"Good. Disable the orbs first, then…."
"Uh, Platoon Leader?"
"What?"
"That person floating up there… is that Her Highness?"
"…What?"
At Aldric's dazed voice, Leonid looked forward. Atop 1st Squad's forward position, the princess hovered midair. Blue lightning crackled around her armor, mana fierce and lethal.
"What the— what's going on?"
"Don't ask me…."
The princess raised her sword skyward, then slashed down. Flash! Lightning from clear skies struck the advancing golems. They raised shields in defense, but only dust remained after.
"She just used magic, right?"
"That's what it looked like to me."
Deputy Platoon Leader's ace in the hole revealed. No full briefing on imperial family details, so even Leonid learned now. Magic itself? Fine—she could do it. Boost to unit strength now, welcome with open arms.
Problem: why the hell was she doing it now?
"She was participating fine until just now…?"
To Leonid's hollow question, Aldric recalled Imperial Academy rumors.
"Uh… heard she flipped the Academy a few times."
"…What?"
"N-no! Not badmouthing! Just that she acted within rights and rules when wronged. That's what I heard! For real!"
What injustice could a princess face? Didn't compute, but key point: she was derailing the drill.
"Aldric, you're acting platoon leader."
"Pardon? Yes, sir!"
"I'll check on Her Highness."
By now, she crackled electricity from both arms, weaving through golems unscathed. Leonid grabbed warhammer and shield, leaping down the hill.