Chapter 357: The Tin Knight and the Land of Emeralds (7)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 357: The Tin Knight and the Land of Emeralds (7)
We must capture the enemy's leader.
To do that, we must defeat the four guardians located in separate places.
Once these two objectives were shared, the next thing to decide was the specific method.
Should they swarm the four guardians and defeat them one by one in order, or should they split the party and take them down simultaneously?
“Is there anything to think about?”
The representative from the West, the alchemist Franka, spoke up.
“Of course, we should go as a group. If the enemy is divided, we should naturally aim for a concentrated attack to pick them off one by one. Why should we bother splitting up too?”
The representative from the North, the enchanter Gale, shook her head.
“The enemy's numbers are endless. Moving as a large group increases our safety, but it will take more time. If we drag this out, our stamina and mana will run dry. We need to end this war as quickly as possible.”
“We’re already at a disadvantage. If we scatter and get picked off one by one, it’s over. It’s too risky a gamble.”
“It’s better than dying without even taking the gamble!”
“Enough.”
Dorothea mediated the two witches’ confrontation.
“We’ll do both. You all stick together and push to the center. We’ll break through the guardians.”
“Isn’t that too reckless?”
“Riding the dragon, movement itself isn’t an issue. Besides, we’re wasting time just talking like this. How long do you think the two witches on the ground can hold out?”
The very reason this war began—the bombardment from the heavens to the earth—was still ongoing at this very moment.
The response from the ground wasn't sluggish or slow.
No, considering that a typical ‘war’ requires immense political and administrative preparation, their speed could even be called extraordinary.
But, even so, it was too slow.
“Hours have already been wasted gathering troops, preparing flying transport, and actually launching the counterattack. During that time, the Witches of the North and South have been continuously blocking attacks powerful enough to wipe out a capital with a single direct hit. The moment those two down there reach their limit, it’s not a victory even if we win. What’s the point of returning to a land of ashes?”
“…When you put it like that, I have nothing to say.”
“Alright, Dorothea. We’ll see you at the center.”
The meeting ended there.
The undead dragon carrying Dorothea and the other three soared high into the sky.
After glancing down at the ground forces fighting fiercely as they pushed toward the center, Dorothea spoke.
“First, we’ll all swarm the west to defeat the angel. After that, we’ll split up to take down the others individually. Any objections?”
“No. For the west, you only need to send me.”
“What?”
At Sophia’s words, Dorothea’s eyes widened in a look of disbelief.
It was a natural reaction.
If the Tin Knight had said he would fight alone, she would have naturally nodded.
If Adelaide had said she would fight alone, she would have considered it plausible as well.
Even Dorothea herself had the undead dragon, and even without it, she was more than capable of fighting alone.
But Sophia was not.
It might sound a bit harsh to say it, but while she was fine in a support role like healing, Sophia’s own combat power was not that strong. No, it was frankly a weakness.
Therefore, Dorothea shook her head.
“I understand you want to settle things with your pupil, but no. You said you already used up the power left in your flute, didn't you? How do you plan on handling an angel when you don't have the ability to fight?”
“Well, since I’m a vampire, I’ll have to fight like one.”
Dorothea let out a hollow laugh.
“Vampire or not, someone who’s never even properly shown any vampiric traits saying something like that—”
Cutting herself off, Dorothea’s words trailed away.
As if to confirm her suspicion, Sophia nodded.
“—Please give me your blood, Miss Dorothea.”
*
Back when Sophia first joined the party.
Dorothea had made a contract with her, placing a restriction that would put her into an eternal sleep if she ever brought harm to the group.
Because Sophia had never once attempted betrayal or any hostile act, that contract—which had become virtually meaningless, its very existence forgotten—was now being undone.
“…With this, by mutual consent, the Blood Oath is dissolved.”
Crack!
A sound like shattering glass echoed from somewhere, and a red mist swirled around Dorothea and Sophia’s bodies before vanishing.
Dorothea grumbled as she offered her neck.
“Don’t take too much. If I get anemic and can’t move, we’re all screwed.”
“Oh, um, you can take a lot from me, it’s okay!”
[The ‘Tin Knight’ expresses his regret, saying he'd like to give some too, but unfortunately has no blood!]
For people offering their blood to a vampire, they were remarkably relaxed.
Knowing this was a sign of their trust in a comrade, Sophia couldn't stop a smile from unconsciously gracing her lips.
Chomp.
Dorothea’s blood was surprisingly rich and sweet. With every gulp she swallowed, she could feel mana surging from every corner of her body.
Gulp.
Adelaide’s blood was incredibly light and refreshing. But the life force it contained was truly formidable, making her feel as if endless vitality was welling up inside her.
Soon, the intermediate base located in the west came into view.
Before leaping down to the place, which looked like a small palace, Sophia spoke to the Tin Knight.
“Sir Tin. Instead of blood, could you answer a question for me?”
[The ‘Tin Knight’ encourages her to ask anything!]
Sophia asked.
“There is a sinner. A sinner who committed a crime not of their own will, but due to external coercion. Is it too arrogant for someone who isn't even a victim to try and forgive that sin?”
It was a question laden with much contemplation.
In contrast, the Tin Knight answered without any particular sign of deliberation.
[The ‘Tin Knight’ says, so what if it’s arrogant!]
[The ‘Tin Knight’ says this party was always one to do whatever they want rather than worry about things like good and evil!]
[The ‘Tin Knight’ says that if anyone complains to Sophia about rights or whatever, he’ll fight alongside her, so she shouldn’t worry and just go for it!]
His words were truly flippant.
But Sophia—no, not just Sophia, but the other comrades listening beside her—knew.
The Tin Knight would actually keep that promise.
“Thank you, Sir Tin.”
Smile.
After smiling as if she had shaken off some deep-seated worry, Sophia threw herself toward the ground without hesitation.
Fwoosh!
Wings with membranes like a bat's spread wide.
After watching Sophia glide down, the party moved on to the next point.
Of course, the process was not easy.
Though not as intense as the batteries intercepting external intruders, a constant barrage of bullets imbued with immense holy power flew up from the ground.
Some they dodged, and some the undead dragon took with its body, but the damage accumulated with each hit.
“Hah. Maybe I should have brought a few more people. Facing beings at the level of the eight generals—no, even stronger—one-on-one is giving me a headache.”
As Dorothea complained while skillfully maneuvering the undead dragon, the Tin Knight shrugged his shoulders.
[The ‘Tin Knight’ says that one-on-one duels are the best part of things like this!]
[The ‘Tin Knight’ says that finishing off a fated rival with a group beatdown is only acceptable for the brilliantly colored rangers!]
“What are you talking about.”
As if to soothe the glaring Dorothea, Adelaide let out an awkward laugh.
“Haha. If we divert too much of our strength, the crucial assault on the main castle could be delayed. Even if we remove the barriers, it’s up to the others to actually advance to the castle and capture it, so I don’t think your choice was wrong, my lady.”
“It’ll be pretty embarrassing if we fail to defeat the guardians after all this, though.”
“We can do it.”
It was an assertion without a hint of hesitation.
With a righteous light in her violet eyes, Adelaide said,
“We will win. We’ve won until now, so we’ll keep on winning.”
This wasn’t some groundless, vague hope. Nor was it reckless optimism.
Confidence and pride.
The experience and strength she had accumulated on their journey imbued her tone and gaze with unshakable conviction.
The girl who couldn't even protect her own body, let alone her domain, and was helplessly sold into slavery, had at some point grown to the extent that it wouldn't be strange to call her a hero.
“But, um, Sir Knight? Could I ask for a favor, too?”
[The ‘Tin Knight’ says that if it’s a ‘do something for me when I return victorious’ kind of favor, he refuses because it’s bad luck!]
“No, it’s not that! It’s, um.”
Adelaide hesitated for a moment before finally speaking.
“Could you… pat my head for good luck?”
The Tin Knight blinked his will-o'-wisp-like blue eyes a few times before placing a hand on Adelaide’s head and patting it.
Though it must have been the cold, hard touch of metal, devoid of any warmth, Adelaide accepted it with an expression of what seemed like comfort.
At the sight of her, like a cat basking in the sun, Dorothea chuckled.
She thought that, apart from becoming more dependable, the little lion she knew hadn't disappeared entirely.
“Well then, I’m off! You two, do your best!”
For a warrior heading into a decisive battle, her words were somewhat anticlimactic, but that was precisely what made them so Adelaide-like. With that, she leaped toward the ground without hesitation.
To a normal person, it would have seemed like nothing but suicide, but seeing her act without a shred of fear, they weren't particularly worried.
After passing through the west and south, on their way to the east.
The Tin Knight asked.
[The ‘Tin Knight’ asks if Dorothea has any favors to ask!]
Dorothea answered curtly.
“A favor? What favor?”
[The ‘Tin Knight’ says that since Sophia and Adelaide each had a turn, it’s now Dorothea’s!]
“Hey, no. If we’re going by the order of who gets off, you’re next, so shouldn’t you be the one asking for a favor?”
[The ‘Tin Knight’ claps his hands, saying that’s a plausible argument!]
Dorothea sighed for a moment.
To be having this conversation while dodging cannon fire from below, right before a fierce, decisive battle—it felt wrong in so many ways.
But at the same time, she felt that this kind of atmosphere suited them.
It was better to act as they always did, rather than getting needlessly dramatic about it being the end or what have you.
[The ‘Tin Knight’ then requests that she install some new sensory organs for him after the fight is over!]
“I thought we weren’t supposed to talk about ‘after the fight’ because it’s bad luck?”
[The ‘Tin Knight’ says it’s fine because he’s going to win!]
“Oh, is that so.”
[The ‘Tin Knight’ says Dorothea should state her request if she has one!]
“I don’t have a request. The last of the three questions and three answers we did at the resort. Let’s do it now. You ask first.”
The Tin Knight thought for a moment, then asked.
[The ‘Tin Knight’ asks what she’s going to do after they smash the heavens!]
“Hmm. Probably prepare for the folks from the underground? Once the heavens are finished, there’s no guarantee the barrier they installed will hold.”
[The ‘Tin Knight’ is disappointed, saying he was hoping for a more romantic answer!]
“Don’t get your hopes up just to be disappointed.”
After saying that, Dorothea asked in return.
“Then you… do you plan to stay with me?”
[The ‘Tin Knight’ says that he originally has to grant the old man’s request!]
“That’s not it.”
Dorothea shook her head.
She stared at the Tin Knight with her blue eyes and said,
“I’m asking if you want to be with me.”
The Tin Knight was momentarily puzzled.
But a moment later, realizing the meaning behind Dorothea’s words, his eyes widened.
And carefully.
With a prudence quite unlike the Tin Knight, he nodded his head.
A look of satisfaction graced Dorothea’s face.
“Then go. Make sure you settle things for good.”
[The ‘Tin Knight’ encourages her to sever her own ill-fated connection for good, too!]