Episode 76: They’re really some guys. (3)
A sturdy barracks built close to the city walls.
Several mercenaries were standing guard tightly.
Jiselle opened the barracks door without hesitation and went in. A group of people were lying on the floor with their eyes wide open.
“Thank you for your hard work, Alpoy and friends.”
It was the wizards, including Alfoy.
This was why Jiselle was able to sense the enemy’s movements.
“Ugh, that son of a bitch… … .”
Alpoy raised his hand as if to protest something, but it collapsed again. His body had lost its strength from overexertion.
Jiselle smiled brightly at them.
“Thanks to you, I was able to block it well. It was really good. Please take care of me in the future.”
“Ugh, when will the war end… … .”
In fact, when a war broke out, the wizards would just shoot fireballs or something from the walls and then run away.
Because if Perdium is destroyed anyway, the transaction will become invalid.
If only the fact that the Magic Tower’s wizard was in Ferdium was hidden, there would be no damage to the Magic Tower.
They had been watching to see when they would escape since the war broke out.
But as soon as the war started, the mercenaries appeared and stayed right next to me, so I couldn’t run away.
Today, I had to go through a really hard time because of Giselle’s request.
“I’m not doing this anymore… … . I feel like my head is going to burst… … .”
Alpoy sobbed in a dying voice. Giselle nodded.
“Yeah, I guess I won’t be using that spell anymore. I’ll ask for something else next time.”
“Ugh… … That’s a relief.”
Alpoy answered in a slightly depressed voice.
The magic they used was none other than large-scale exploration magic.
Six wizards cast searching spells everywhere outside the city gates’ boundaries.
In theory, it was the best solution, but the problem was that there was a limit to the amount of information a person could take in at one time.
It was only natural that he collapsed with a nosebleed as he tried to cram dozens of visions into his head at once.
But thanks to that, Jiselle was able to pinpoint the direction the enemy was coming from and where they were aiming.
“Vanessa, can I talk to you for a minute?”
“yes yes!”
Vanessa, who had been nursing the wizards from the side, quickly followed Giselle when he called her.
Although she was nursing the fallen wizards while waiting in the barracks with them, she was still afraid of Alfoy.
I was being criticized for being too clever when I couldn’t even use magic.
Jiselle climbed up to the watchtower next to the barracks and took in the dark walls.
“Isn’t it very uncomfortable to be with those guys? I have no choice but to move with them when things are urgent. Just bear with it for now.”
“……it’s okay.”
It was a comforting remark without much thought, but Vanessa was grateful for any comfort, even if it was just empty words.
Then, when Giselle was silent for a while, Vanessa hesitated and asked the question she was most curious about.
“How did you know the enemy would come today?”
The plan itself to use navigation magic to determine the location of enemies is nothing special.
The enemies won’t know there’s a wizard here, so they’ll be completely unprepared.
It was a strange strategy that anyone with a wizard in tow would not think of.
But Vanessa couldn’t understand how Giselle could be so sure that the enemies would invade today.
Jiselle answered with a chuckle.
“I’ve seen those firecrackers before.”
“Have you ever fought them before?”
“okay.”
Each territory has its own preferred signal.
In his previous life, Harold often used fireworks as signals.
Every time, there was internal chaos. Of course, before I could do anything, everything was destroyed by the overwhelming power of Giselle.
“It’s an obvious trick even if you don’t actually fight.”
Even if you’ve never fought before, you probably have an idea of what they’re after.
Because I fought in countless wars and experienced all sorts of things in my past life.
“Still, if it weren’t for the wizard, I wouldn’t have been able to finish it this well.”
Even if you can guess your opponent’s plan, it is not easy to accurately capture their movements.
Thanks to the wizards, we were able to easily block the ambush and even have time to counterattack.
“By the way, how did you feel about experiencing war for the first time? Are you getting used to it now?”
Jiselle built a watchtower next to the barracks and had the wizards watch the war situation.
Vanessa’s complexion darkened slightly.
The image of people dying was still vivid before my eyes.
“Oh, that was scary.”
Jiselle told her to get used to it, but she didn’t have the confidence to get used to it.
On the first day, my face turned pale and I kept feeling nauseous.
It was a tragedy that I couldn’t bear to look at with my own eyes.
The sight of soldiers collapsing in agony made me forget the agony of the unfortunate fate that had always followed me like chains.
What crime did they commit to deserve this death?
Those were the only thoughts that filled my head.
“How can Confucius fight like that?”
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She also watched from afar as Giselle ran wild.
I was very shocked by the sight of him killing his enemies without hesitation.
A person who has shown you such great favor that you cannot repay it.
A prince who is always playful and sometimes eccentric, completely different from the average nobleman.
I really didn’t know that such a vicious temperament was hidden behind it.
It was a question that could be seen as an accusation, but Jiselle opened her mouth with a calm expression.
“This territory and its people, my family and vassals, the knights and soldiers, the mercenaries who follow me… … They are all people I love. I must protect them at all costs.”
Vanessa couldn’t answer.
She’s only been here for two months.
During that time, I was busy practicing the training that Jiselle had taught me and preparing for the tasks she had asked me to do, so I didn’t have time to get to know the other people in Ferdium.
Although I followed Giselle with all my heart, I still had no sense of belonging to Ferdium.
So, to her, whether they were allies or enemies, they were just poor people dying on the battlefield.
As if she knew his feelings, Jiselle continued speaking.
“But not for you. So I have no choice but to force you.”
“… … .”
“These are the people you must kill.”
The tone was firm. Vanessa asked back in a trembling voice.
“Is there no other way to win?”
Jiselle was preparing a terrifying trap.
If the plan succeeds, not a single enemy will return alive.
At first, I just wanted to help Giselle, so I didn’t think much of it.
But after seeing the scene of the massacre in person, I finally realized what I had to do.
Jiselle, who had been silent for a moment, continued speaking.
“If the enemy splits their forces and surrounds three gates, we can win without you. I can defeat them individually. We’ll take some casualties, but even if we take the castle, we’ll be at a much greater advantage since we know the terrain well.”
If the enemy’s forces are split, there is a chance of winning even in the current state.
“But the enemy is not stupid. If the enemy forces are carefully grouped and move… … even if we win, we will suffer damage close to annihilation.”
“… … .”
“If it ends with one of the two being annihilated, wouldn’t it be better for us to win?”
“… … .”
Vanessa nodded silently.
Jiselle was right.
Although she was too busy learning magic to make friends, the short time she spent here was one of the few happy times in Vanessa’s life.
Giselle will die if she loses the war, and she will die if she surrenders.
In order to save her benefactor, Giselle, she had no choice but to win the war.
He met Vanessa’s eyes and smiled.
Jiselle’s smile reflected in the moonlight was not a pure and bright smile.
It was filled with unknown murderous intent and ferocity.
In both of their eyes, there was a determination to kill anyone who got in their way.
“Can you do it?”
This wasn’t a request. It was a demand. An absolute order that couldn’t be refused.
Only then did Vanessa vaguely realize his true nature.
“Confucius… … .”
I would be lying if I said I was completely unaware of his nature.
Vanessa still couldn’t forget the threats she had heard from Giselle when she first met her at the Tower of Light.
But at the same time, I wanted to be his strength.
Whether he helped out of pity, need, or a whim, he helped solve his own despair. He wanted to be of some help.
But it wasn’t blind loyalty to the savior.
‘I am…….’
Despair that weighs down on life. The mockery of not being able to do anything. The frustration of trying but not being able to achieve anything.
‘I don’t like that anymore.’
I couldn’t just hide behind and watch others forever.
You must overcome despair and go out into the world.
To overcome pain and overcome frustration, you have to take the first step yourself.
A life of your own choosing.
Helping Giselle was the first decision Vanessa had ever made on her own.
For this place where I will spend my life from now on. For the people who acknowledged me. And, for myself.
I didn’t want to live in avoidance any longer.
“… … I’ll try.”
* * *
Victor frowned and sat lost in thought in the barracks.
‘I can’t stand it.’
I don’t think we’ll lose the war.
It’s a given. If you attack Ferdium with all your might and send in your troops, you can take it over at any time.
But my pride was hurt by being hit by such enemies again and again.
‘Should I just go and kill them all?’
If you take the lead, you will be able to unleash incredible destructive power.
He is such a strong knight.
‘No, then I won’t be recognized.’
Although they must use force if necessary, knights are more effective in the field than in a siege.
Victor had no intention of ending up as a knight who excelled only in personal force.
Even if such a person becomes successful, he will only become a knight commander.
His future goal was to rise to the position of high commander in the kingdom.
You must capture the castle with minimal damage to be recognized for your leadership.
Victor sighed deeply as his head started to hurt.
‘How on earth did you know about the informant? Did he betray you?’
There was no way that could happen. If not for anyone else, there was no way that Earl Desmond could fail at managing traitors.
‘Surely there is such an outstanding staff member in Ferdium?’
Ugh.
His teeth were chattering. It was as if someone was playing on his head.
The plan failed and even backfired.
It was hard to bear the humiliation that enveloped my whole body.
“I can’t help it.”
I was angry, but I had no intention of continuing this tactical fight any longer.
Because supplies were insufficient, it was not a situation in which we could be leisurely.
If we don’t take this place this time, we’ll be treated as incompetent.
As Victor decided to launch a full-scale attack, two middle-aged men entered the barracks.
They looked down at Victor with arrogant expressions.
“The Count spent two days in the occupation. But two days have already passed.”
“I don’t understand the operation of the guard.”
Victor answered without hiding his displeasure.
“I have a thought. The war will end soon.”
The two men were wizards whom Harold had entrusted to him.
He sent two 4th circle magicians just in case.
However, they were not on good terms with the knight, Victor.
“If you take a lot of damage while occupying this much territory, you will be disappointed. Don’t you know the personality of Count Gyeongdo well?”
“How about dividing our forces and attacking the other gates at the same time? We’d probably have more troops. Then wouldn’t they have fewer troops to block the way?”
The wizards listened to the instructions, but Viktor frowned and shook his head.
“Dividing won’t have much effect. It’s no different than what we have now. If we divide into at least three groups, the enemy’s forces will be noticeably reduced.”
“Wouldn’t that work?”
“One of the enemy units is quite superior. If even one of them is destroyed, the advantage of having a large army will disappear. Even if we capture another gate, we will have to engage in street fighting again.”
Victor, if nothing else, valued the black-armored troops.
Didn’t you get beat up by those guys again today?
There are opponents that can be fought, and there are opponents that cannot. The Black Armor Unit was one of the latter.
If you divide your forces and your force decreases, the enemy will be on the lookout for an opportunity to intercept you.
Because that would be the only way for Ferdium to win.
“If we had more troops than we have now, we would have surrounded them on three sides and fought. But now, it’s better to stick together.”
Victor only had one body, so he couldn’t monitor everything.
Victor’s words were correct, but the wizards did not listen to them at face value.
I thought you were scared and making excuses.
The wizard asked again, secretly mocking Victor for being timid.
“Then you’re just going to make fun of us? I heard there are no wizards over there.”
“If there were no wizards, the two of us could kill hundreds.”
Victor replied annoyedly as the wizards continued to pester him.
“We will be dispatched soon, so prepare yourself. Your magic will be used in the final battle.”
“The last battle?”
Only when Victor told them about the operation did the wizards become interested.
“Indeed, it is true that he is not only excellent at swordsmanship but also at strategy.”
“If that’s the case, then I’ll agree. As expected, he’s a knight who enjoys the Count’s favor. Hehehe.”
Victor looked displeased at the compliment.
I know they are underestimating me.
They consider him a darling as he is commanding such a large army for the first time.
‘Well, let’s just wait and see. If I win this war, I’ll go higher.’
Although it was my first time commanding a large army, I never thought I would lose.
Harold’s confidence was tantamount to his own belief in himself.
Victor had never seen anyone as thorough and careful as Count Desmond.
And Victor is like a clone of Harold who has received everything directly from him.
Harold had thousands of elite soldiers, magicians, and siege engines. It was an excessively strong force.
Just before leaving, Harold said that his swordsmanship would be enough to win no matter what the odds.
“We’ll start tomorrow. We’ll have to decide soon since we’re running low on supplies anyway.”
The wizards nodded and left the barracks.
Victor’s eyes, left alone and looking at the map, grew cold.
‘I will win with minimal damage.’
If you do your best as the other person did their best, you will never lose.
