Episode 10
* * *
“Dale!”
It was no surprise that his mother, Elena, came to Dale’s room that night.
“mother.”
Dale didn’t panic, and bowed his head toward his mother with a calm expression.
“Is it true that you are going out with your father to subdue the orc horde?”
“yes.”
No matter how brilliant Dale’s talents are, in the end, to his mother Elena, he is just a nine-year-old child.
“Let me talk to your father again.”
And in any world, the hearts of mothers who worry about their children are not very different.
“You don’t have to worry.”
Dale shook his head quietly as Elena continued to speak, unable to hide her worry.
“I will one day shoulder this duke’s burden.”
After shaking his head, he continues speaking quietly, with determination.
“I have to become stronger for my mother, father, and my younger sister, Lize.”
Dale was no longer a pitiful vengeful spirit with nothing to lose. He now had things to protect, and that fact never dulled Dale’s blade.
Rather, at that moment when he reflected on the things he had to bear, Dale’s blade was sharper than ever.
“Besides, your father and Uncle Helmut are with you too.”
“still…….”
“Don’t worry too much, Mother.”
Dale hugged Elena quietly.
“Please allow me to protect my mother.”
At those words, Elena swallowed softly. After swallowing, she smiled quietly.
* * *
Two hundred knights from the knightly regiments that had been granted fiefs by the Duke of Saxony responded to the call.
Fifty Household Knights residing in the Duke’s Castle.
In addition to a total of 250 cavalrymen, there is also an elite ranger unit called the ‘Winter Sentinel’ stationed in the White Mountains.
Quick and decisive. The unit the Duke had assembled to subdue the orc horde was a unit specialized in mobile warfare.
And that night, in the conference room of the Duchy of Saxony.
“It is said that the Orc tribes have established a camp on the upper reaches of the Saxony River.”
“What is the exact number of troops?”
“It’s a number a little under a thousand.”
The Duke of Saxony nodded silently as the messenger from the ‘Winter Watchers’, a ranger unit stationed in the White Mountains, reported.
As usual, there were vassals lined up there, loyal to the Duke’s family, led by Lord Helmut.
The harsh environment of the Demon King’s Territory beyond the White Mountains is no exception even to monsters. Therefore, the large-scale movement of monsters who cannot stand hunger, or in other words, the pillaging of the Duke’s Territory’s residences, is not a big deal.
“Considering their limited supply situation, it’s probably only a matter of time before they can deliver the lecture.”
Synthesizing the information given, Sir Helmut Blackbear opened his mouth.
“I guess so.”
The Duke of Saxony also did not deny it, but nodded calmly.
“Shall we prepare a surprise attack while they are crossing the river?”
“no.”
But the Duke of Saxony shook his head at Helmut’s subsequent words.
“Before they can regroup and cross the river, we will strike first.”
“So you say?”
“Let our cavalry cross the river ahead of us, then join up with the Rangers and launch a surprise attack.”
The Duke of Saxony spoke. A look of bewilderment appeared on Helmut’s face as he heard those words.
“Your Excellency the Duke of Haona, there are fords in the lower reaches of the Saxony River large enough to cross a force of cavalry… … .”
“You don’t have to worry about that.”
However, the one who dismissed Sir Helmut’s worries was the 6th Circle elf wizard Sepia.
“For this battle, Elder Sepia of the Blue Tower has decided to provide special assistance.”
The Duke of Saxony continues.
“I will use my magic to create a ‘bridge of ice’ that will allow all cavalry to cross downriver.”
At those words, there were gasps of relief everywhere.
An ice bridge that could allow hundreds of cavalrymen, each armed with horses and heavy armor weighing hundreds of kilograms, to cross the river at once. This would be a feat that ordinary magicians would not dare to attempt. However, the water attribute elf magician of the 6th circle was by no means an ‘ordinary magician’.
“Of course, this is the extent of the help I can give to Your Majesty the Duke.”
The doctrine of the Blue Tower is immortality and harmony. Nevertheless, there was only one reason why she was willing to risk controversy and help in battle.
Sepia’s gaze quietly turned to the seat next to the Duke of Saxony, where a nine-year-old boy was silently listening to the council of vassals.
“Thank you, Ms. Sepia.”
Dale, who had been listening to the story seriously, finally smiled and opened his mouth.
* * *
The expedition began in the darkness, before the dawn sun had even risen.
But apart from Mother Elena’s concerns, it wasn’t even what could strictly be called a ‘battle’.
The Duchy of Saxony was constantly under threat from monsters, and had to subdue them every time. Even at that point, when the Black Duke himself was personally leading his men with Lord Helmut, who would dare to harm Dale?
‘Even so, worrying about your child is ultimately what a mother feels.’
Dale smiled bitterly as he thought about that. After smiling, he turned his head away.
Two hundred and fifty knights, wearing gray surcoats over their black armour, embroidered with the night raven emblem of the Duke of Saxony.
On his sword belt he carries a knight’s sword (arming sword) and a stiletto sword crossed diagonally, and on his back he carries a large shield like a backpack. In his hand he holds a lance that is at least several meters long.
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Finally, the northern warhorses, fully armed and clad in black horse armor.
The ‘Black Cavalry’, the pride of the Duke of Saxony, has finished its campaign and is awaiting orders.
“Your Majesty, please give the order to go on a campaign!”
The knight, Sir Helmut Blackbear, who was covered in heavy armor from head to toe, opened his mouth.
“Dale.”
At those words, the Duke of Saxony quietly turns his head.
“Yes, father.”
“This cavalry unit that our Duke’s family is proud of is also the force that you will lead in the future.”
The Black Cavalry. One of the top three battlefield destroyers in the entire Empire.
“In other words, these are your knights.”
The Knights of Dale.
‘… …my knights.’
A military force that would never have been permitted to one’s previous life.
“Give the order to go on expedition on my behalf.”
Dale swallowed his breath quietly as he listened to his father’s words. After swallowing his breath, he nodded with determination.
“Proud swords of the House of Saxony.”
It has a serious and heavy tone that you wouldn’t expect from a nine-year-old child.
“The time has come to set out.”
At Dale’s words, the knights all raised their lances in unison.
“I will follow the Master’s orders!”
“For Confucius!”
“For the House of Saxony!”
The swallow-tailed flag on the tip of the lance began to flutter in the dawn breeze.
* * *
The cold air runs across the river.
The area of the river where land was barely visible at the edge of the horizon began to freeze rapidly as the cold air rushed by.
‘As expected, he is a teacher.’
It is not something that can be simply frozen. It is strong enough to allow hundreds of cavalrymen, fully armored, to cross at the same time. In addition, they are paying attention to increasing friction so that the horses do not slip on the ice.
A water-based magic of unparalleled scale and sophistication. It was a miracle that Dale could not dare to imitate at the present time.
“I am forever indebted to you, Sepia.”
Looking down at the cold frozen river, the Duke of Saxony silently bowed.
“Thank you, teacher.”
Dale, who was guarding the duke’s side, smiles brightly like a child.
‘A bright smile.’
Is that the kind of expression a child would make when about to fight a horde of orcs? Sepia’s feelings as she watched Dale were truly complex.
“As a wizard of the Blue Tower, this is all I can offer you.”
Sepia bowed her head, leaving behind the endless ice bridge. In the darkness of dawn, the frozen river gleamed like glass, and the cavalry began to cross it all at once.
Soon, Sepia, left alone, mutters the words she couldn’t bring herself to say in front of Dale.
“Dale, please come back safely.”
The greatest necromancer on the continent and the leader of the Seven Swords are protecting the child. Thinking rationally, it would be difficult to even dare to imagine that Dale would be hurt.
However, just like a mother’s heart worrying about her child, there was no difference between a teacher’s heart worrying about his student.
* * *
A light split the dark dawn sky. It was a flaming arrow signaling the start of a night raid.
A baptism of blazing fire.
The ‘Winter Sentinel’, a ranger unit that had been lying in ambush in advance, fired their fire arrows simultaneously, and a cloud of flames that decorated the sky descended on the orc camp.
Hurrruk!
“Geuuuuuuuu!”
The orcs raised their voices at the unexpected surprise attack. The roar of a beast was truly ear-piercing.
“1st, 2nd, and 3rd Cavalry Squadrons, charge in wedge formation!”
The mighty roar of Lord Helmuth, who was leading the knights under his command, rang out.
One hundred and fifty knights, divided into three squadrons of fifty men each, all began to charge, their lances tucked under their armpits.
Couched Lance. A merciless charge of heavy cavalry towards the panicked orcs who are hastily forming a defensive formation.
The knight, his horse, and the armor they wear weigh a total of about 800 kilograms. In addition to that weight, there is the cavalry spear that carries the acceleration of the galloping horses and thrusts down.
Lance charging.
It wasn’t even a fight. No matter how much of an orc he was, he would be like a piece of paper against the shock power of a knight and horse, fully armored.
A march of destruction as steel trucks advance, crushing everything in their path.
And as the offensive reached its peak, Lord Helmuth, who was observing the battle situation from the ridge, raised his voice again.
“Shoot a signal and order the 4th and 5th Cavalry Squadrons waiting in the rear to charge.”
“yes!”
At those words, the messenger who had been standing by shoots something into the sky.
Phew!
Something like a firecracker scatters blue light across the dawn sky. A magic signal flare.
“Charging!”
At the signal, a detachment of cavalry that had been lying in wait by the allied orc camp began to charge.
A storm of steel swirling from all sides.
“Watch closely.”
Likewise, the Duke of Saxony, watching the battle from the ridge, opened his mouth calmly.
“This is the power of the cavalry that our Duke is proud of.”
Even in the midst of endless cavalry charges and successive insertions, the ranks never break apart.
The true power of the knights lies not in the mere power of a single Aura Blade, but in the tactical destructive power that comes from thorough organization.
‘It’s truly overwhelming.’
Dale swallowed quietly, his surprise pure and simple.
“It’s one-sided.”
“It is still too early to let your guard down, Your Majesty.”
But despite Dale’s admiration, Sir Helmut still remains cautious.
‘I guess so.’
Just when I thought that the cavalry’s successive charges had left the area in ruins, a roar like that of an animal followed again.
No matter what, the number of orcs is more than four times that of ours. What’s more, our opponents are a combat race with warrior temperament from birth.
Moreover, no matter how powerful the cavalry charge is, it cannot continue the offensive endlessly.
As the cavalry’s charge faltered, the surviving orcs began to counterattack.
A dense formation using the long spear phalanx for the cavalry. Once the formation is formed, the subsequent cavalry charge does not have the same destructive power as before.
“The surprise attack was quite effective, but it didn’t cause enough damage to be annihilating.”
Sir Helmut surveys the situation from the ridge, calmly assessing the situation.
“First, we will reorganize our troops and then break down their formation through successive charges.”
To their horror, the messenger nearby fired a signal flare to retreat. At the same time, the cavalry surrounding the orc formation all turned their horses.
After quickly and swiftly dislodging the troops, they regroup and charge the cavalry. No matter how strong the orcs’ phalanx is, in the end, it is a fight with a clear outcome.
It was just then.
“Geuuuuuu!”
Phew!
The javelins loaded with the orcs’ power rush towards the retreating cavalry with their riders turned.
It was not enough to cause damage to the heavily armored knights, but a few lucky spears managed to penetrate the gaps in the loose horse armor.
Heehee!
Among them, one horse, whose vital point was pierced, screams and falls over. The knight riding the horse also falls off the horse in shock.
Out of two hundred and fifty knights retreating, only one. He was truly unlucky.
And then a few orc swordsmen start to approach to kill the one straggler who fell from his horse.
Towards the prey that cannot even move properly due to the shock of falling from a horse.
“One warrior.”
However, the Duke of Saxony and Lord Helmuth simply remained calm as if it was within the expected range. As if they were simply watching the knight’s death.
‘Warrior… … .’
No matter what, this is a battlefield. It is absurd to win without taking any damage. Dale was also aware of this principle.
“──Why are you watching?”
Nevertheless, Dale asked back.
“Why do we stand by and watch while the proud sword of the House of Saxony is exposed defenselessly before the enemy?”
There was no waiting for an answer. After asking, Dale pulled the reins without hesitation.
There was no leisure to wait for the kind answers of the two people.
At the same time.
“──Ice Bolt, 「Barrett M98B」, 「8.58x70mm」.”
In the case of bolt magic, which relies on speed, there are almost no instances of reciting spells with one’s voice. The first lesson that rookie magicians in the Magic Tower learn is to cast bolts without a sound.
Moreover, the formula Dale added later was something that no one in this world could understand.
Barrett M98B.
8.58x70mm ─ .338 Lapua Magnum.
Bolt-action sniper rifle and bullets specialized for long-range, in-person sniping.
To others, it may just look like a series of indecipherable codes.
So, looking at the formula Dale added, I just dismissed the black ball as a childish blunder.
A mistake made by beginner magicians who mistakenly believe that spells are ‘magic that comes true as you say them’ and arbitrarily insert words that only they can understand.
No matter how much magic is the embodiment of imagination, in order to become a magical spell, a very clear symbol that is shared across time and culture is needed.
Because without such a powerful image, the spell cannot function as an autosuggestion.
It should have been so.
──Taang!
An ice bolt was released from the tip of his finger, running an absurd distance and striking the orc swordsman’s skull.
‘Ice bolt? No, no.’
Seeing that sight, the black ball could only hold its breath.
The essence of killing that shot from Dale’s fingertips was something that could not even be called a bolt (crossbow arrow).
