novelraw Chapter 85 : The Lying Captain
Chapter 85 : The Lying Captain
Chapter 85: The Lying Captain
Robin’s heart grew impatient.
The unit standing in formation with distance between them became an obstacle.
“I’m sorry.”
The method Robin chose to cross the human barrier was simple.
He stepped on the soldiers’ shoulders as he passed.
Like crossing stepping stones, Robin’s landings and leaps were precise.
“Ugh! What the hell!”
“Who the hell is that!”
The soldiers who had suddenly become footholds frowned.
Robin was so fast that they couldn’t stop him, but resistance gradually grew.
After all, he was stepping on their bodies.
Soon, cracks formed in the dense formation, and landing became increasingly difficult.
Piyuuuu!
‘At this rate, I won’t make it in time.’
As Robin was breaking into a cold sweat, a gigantic eagle appeared in the sky.
It was truly enormous.
Too large to be dismissed as just an eagle, its wings alone were enough to cover a carriage and more.
“Robin! Get on here!”
“Serena?”
A transparent, light green–tinted eagle approached Robin’s side.
Seeing Serena riding on top of it, he leaped toward the eagle.
“Is this a spirit too?”
“Yeah.”
It was a spirit he had never seen before.
She was probably pushing herself too hard.
Even so, Robin couldn’t refuse.
“Hold on tight. I’ll speed up even more.”
The eagle made of wind beat its wings with greater force.
Dozens of spells he had never seen in his life came crashing down.
The dense concentration of demonic energy they emitted made timing easier to predict, but their power was extraordinary.
Even knowing it, the elite soldiers were gradually struck down by spells they couldn’t avoid.
It wasn’t without results.
Calimacos beheaded one Demon Tribe member, but the remaining six were still standing.
If they were only facing the Demon Tribe, they might have had the upper hand, but the monsters and infantry swarming in groups were a nuisance.
They were overwhelmed by sheer numbers.
And this was exactly the situation Leonolf wanted most.
The enemy army began to gradually commit more troops.
The more they did, the greater the pressure on the mercenary band became.
“Kheheh… I jumped in of my own will, but this isn’t easy.”
“Are you regretting it now?”
“No chance.”
Calimacos and Paul cut down monsters while evading the pouring spells.
Mid- and large-sized monsters collapsed helplessly, but even more replaced them.
Torgen swung his axe while Mirian supported him with her sickle.
Brandok and Felix were barely holding out against the advancing infantry.
“Calimacos, it seems like now would be a good time to use that.”
Unable to withstand the incoming numbers, the mercenary band stopped escorting the elite soldiers.
It was a wise choice.
They had protected them as allies until now, but at this point, just saving their own lives was difficult.
The gap in skill between the mercenaries and the elite soldiers was severe.
Even though centurions and decurions fought valiantly, they were gradually being worn down.
With the enemy’s attention focused on the elite soldiers, they ended up serving as bait.
Calimacos grinned and spoke.
“Ready, Paul?”
“…Please don’t do that kind of thing.”
“How boring. It only works if you play along and say, ‘Of course, Cal!’”
Despite his disappointed tone, Calimacos’s two swords vibrated, sharpening the air around them.
An ominous power gathered in Paul’s sword as he raised it toward the sky.
The first to notice were the Demon Tribe.
Starting with the one who had remained relaxed throughout, confusion spread across their faces.
Calimacos slashed his two swords diagonally.
A vividly red power raked through the enemy like the claws of a beast.
Then, toward those who had luckily avoided the attack, Paul brought his sword straight down.
Those caught in the formless energy were cleanly severed.
With a single swing each, nearly thirty died.
“The Captain is working! We can’t just stand around!”
“Let’s see who takes down more!”
As the enemy pressing the front was temporarily neutralized, the mercenary band’s morale surged.
Like the fighting spirit of Calimacos and Paul, many members had awakened their own fighting spirit.
It wasn’t enough for ranged attacks, but even that alone put their individual strength above the enemy.
Those who survived while crossing countless lines between life and death naturally grew stronger.
Just as metal hardened under a blacksmith’s hammer, they tempered themselves.
Some used killing intent as their driving force, while others dreamed of returning home in glory.
Each had slightly different goals, but many mercenaries used this moment as nourishment for their growth.
“Indeed. Human potential is not something to be underestimated.”
A Demon Tribe member who had been watching stepped forward, releasing demonic energy.
He was the one Calimacos had been most wary of.
His horns were twice as large as the others’, and the density of the demonic energy corroding the surroundings was far thicker.
“Everyone, fall back!”
At Calimacos’s shout, the mercenaries obeyed without complaint.
“Vermin-like runts, get out of the way.”
When the Demon Tribe member swung his arm, a black maw lined with sharp teeth appeared and gaped wide.
It was as sharp as a shark’s teeth, but so large that it could easily swallow a house.
The maw, which meant certain death if bitten, shot toward the mercenary band.
“Hup.”
Torgen tightened his grip on the arm holding the axe.
Before the maw could close, it collided with the power loaded into his axe.
Bzzzzzt.
As if once wasn’t enough, the maw summoned by the Demon Tribe member didn’t disappear.
This time, he brought the axe straight down vertically.
Kwaaang!
“This still isn’t enough? One more time.”
Bang! Kwaaang!
After slamming the axe down several times, the maw split vertically in two and shattered.
“Tch. Why is it so damn hard.”
The mercenary band slowly retreated.
They had realized from the recent assault that this was not a level they themselves could handle.
Six Demon Tribe members gathered in one spot, and the leader among them opened his mouth.
“I will acknowledge it, human. You are strong. Allow me to formally introduce myself. I am a Count of the Demon Realm, Ber…….”
Calimacos cut him off while picking his ear.
“Shut it. I’m not curious about your names. From now on, your name is Number One.”
“…How rude, considering your skill.”
“The order you’re standing in is perfect. From left to right, you’ll be called Number One through Number Six.”
The Demon Tribe member beside him bristled.
“Impudent bastard! How dare you interrupt Lord Berter’s words! A human who doesn’t know his place…….”
“That’s enough. Since you ran into me, the Demon Tribe has only two choices. The first is to quietly offer your neck. The second is to fuck around and get your neck cut off disgracefully. Choose.”
Was this their first time being provoked like this?
Number Two trembled violently, looking ready to pounce at any moment.
If Number One hadn’t stopped him, he would have already been firing off spells.
The Demon Tribe, monsters, and surrounding enemy soldiers fell into a brief lull.
This was due to the demonic energy subtly emanating from Number One.
The dark aura dominating the surroundings carried a warning not to rush in carelessly.
Calimacos glanced at the centurion standing a short distance away.
He wanted to ask how much time was left, but the centurion was trembling in fear.
Brandok noticed and, with his hands clasped behind his back, spread five fingers.
‘Five minutes.’
He had stepped forward boldly, but the Demon Tribe was no easy opponent.
Judging by Mirian winking one eye, she had likely relayed the retreat order to the members.
Despite the unexpected standoff, the mercenaries faithfully carried out their orders.
Feeling the space behind him clear out, Calimacos thought,
‘I don’t know what Leonolf prepared, but if he’s going to use it, now’s the time.’
It would probably be a fierce five minutes.
They might die.
Even so, he stepped forward.
It would be a waste to fall over something like this after honing his swordsmanship for so long.
So he decided to endure.
“Your swordsmanship feels familiar. I would like to hear who taught you.”
“Why? Are you going to look down on it as cheap dual-blade swordsmanship?”
“Of course not. If you wish, I’ll promise this. If you answer that alone, we will withdraw from here.”
“Really? I don’t know what kind of promise that is, but go ahead.”
“It is a promise sworn on my horns. Horns are the pride of the Demon Tribe and the source of our power. For a proper contract, you must pledge the subjugation of your soul…….”
“The hell you are. Am I crazy enough to bet my soul on this kind of crap?”
Number One’s brow twitched.
His patience had reached its limit from the repeated interruptions.
‘Good. That stalled for one minute.’
The centurion seemed to have calmed down a bit as well, his complexion improving.
Soon, they would see the war weapon Wilcock had boasted about.
‘Probably some dwarf-made bomb.’
Whatever it was, Calimacos had a plan.
The members were now running toward where the main force was.
With the remaining time, they would manage to avoid it on their own.
Calimacos glanced at Paul and gave a subtle signal.
‘It’s a waste of money, but this isn’t the time to argue.’
The barrier of Alea, a defensive artifact obtained with great difficulty.
It cost a full 10 Gold and was a consumable, but its performance was sufficient.
Paul nodded slightly with a hardened expression.
Preparations were complete.
Number One, who had been delivering a long-winded speech toward Calimacos, stopped talking.
“You are not listening to me.”
“I was lost in thought for a moment.”
“Enough. I will obtain the answer I want myself.”
As Number One raised his hand, the remaining five Demon Tribe members suddenly unleashed spells.
A deep crater formed where they had hastily dodged.
From magic that was lethal upon contact to curses that hindered movement, spells of all kinds distorted their vision.
With monsters and infantry joining in as well, it was hell.
One minute passed.
Felix stumbled and nearly had his neck severed, but Brandok saved him.
Seizing the opportunity, monsters surrounded the two.
When two minutes passed.
Torgen and Mirian silently endured attacks to protect Felix.
Brandok, behind Paul, restrained the Demon Tribe with arrows, but was repeatedly blocked by monsters.
Calimacos succeeded in breaking through Number One’s attack and wounding him.
Immediately after, an ogre’s punch sent him flying far away.
As three minutes passed, defeat loomed heavily.
Calimacos forced his way through attacks in a frenzy, but it wasn’t enough.
In that short time, 50 elite soldiers of the Wilcock family had died.
Torgen and Mirian’s bodies were reduced to rags in an instant.
Even so, they did not fall and instead ignited their fighting spirit.
The Demon Tribe laughed loudly as they toyed with the two.
They had braced themselves, but the Demon Tribe was far stronger than expected.
What they had shown before was only the tip of the iceberg.
Four minutes passed, and the promised time arrived.
Calimacos turned toward the centurion.
He was collapsed, clutching his torn side.
Had they been too greedy?
No, from the start, there had only been one choice.
If they had refused Leonolf’s order, he would have invoked military law and executed the mercenary band.
Then again, if they had withdrawn moderately, couldn’t they have avoided ending up like this?
No. If they returned without achieving results, Leonolf’s blade would have been directed at the mercenary band.
It was only natural for those who returned from the jaws of death to harbor resentment.
A pedantic noble was not foolish enough to leave future trouble behind.
Calimacos had seen countless people like that.
Those who shifted responsibility onto others and took the credit for themselves.
He had acted boldly, claiming he had chosen to enter the battle himself, but a closer look revealed the anxiety and doubt underlying it.
Even so, Calimacos could not retreat.
That was what a leader of a group had to do.
No matter what, he had to present belief and a path that could solve the problem.
Only then would the chances of success rise even a little.
That’s right. It was all bluff. A bluff he knew was bluff, yet could not bend.
Five minutes, six minutes, seven minutes… ten minutes.
“Centurion! Is it still far?!”
“Cough! Cough.”
Calimacos released his fighting spirit in an instant and slaughtered the enemy.
They kept coming endlessly, but he could create a brief opening.
‘Damn it… whether it’s a bomb or lightning, if you’re going to use it, hurry up. What the hell is this.’
He saw a few surviving allies around the centurion.
They continued fighting with grim expressions, but it didn’t look winnable.
He rushed to their side and checked the centurion’s body.
There was no need to search his clothes.
In his hand was a stone engraved with a strange pattern.
Shattered.
He knew what it was without being told.
The war weapon they had shouted about so much.
“What is this. Are you kidding me?”
“Heh heh… you weren’t the only discarded pieces.”
“What kind of bullshit is that.”
“The weapon was activated long ago. The fact that there’s been no reaction means one of two things. Either it was defective, or it was fake from the start.”
“What about the others besides the one you had?”
“All duds. Do you know what that means?”
Deep resignation spread across the centurion’s face.
“Why didn’t I realize it. That everyone here had fallen out of favor with the First Young Master.”
“······.”
“We were discarded pieces too. Because we didn’t support the First Young Master. A fitting end for an old hunting dog that chose the wrong master. Heh heh···.”
“Thanks for telling me.”
‘Driving soldiers to their deaths for political reasons? Leonolf, you insane bastard.’
Calimacos immediately launched himself forward.
Centered on Paul, the others were being battered by magic.
Seeing that made something surge up inside him.
‘I wasn’t planning on using killing intent unless absolutely necessary.’
A sinister aura mixed with fighting spirit and killing intent spread around him.
He swung his longsword toward the Demon Tribe.
They paused their attacks and chose to evade.
The sluggish monsters and enemy soldiers were mercilessly ground down.
Even the trolls endured with their regeneration, but it didn’t matter.
After firing off fighting spirit more than ten times, even they had no choice but to falter.
Approaching his companions, Calimacos spoke.
“You guys, are you alright.”
“Does this look alright to you.”
Paul sneered.
The others held back their words to conserve even a bit of strength.
No one was unscathed, but Felix’s condition was the worst.
He was breathing, but unconscious.
With a sigh, Calimacos gave his final order.
“Everyone, run. This place is done for.”
“Seems things went wrong. But can you even escape at this point?”
“Yeah, we can. So don’t look back and go.”
“…Are you saying you’ll die?”
“Who’s dying? This is a great chance to rack up an ‘achievement.’ I’m not letting you steal it.”
“You’re insane.”
Paul did not turn away.
Torgen, Mirian, and Brandok also maintained their battle stances.
“Foolish bastards. You don’t know how precious your lives are.”
“That ‘achievement’ thing, I’ll try building it too. Don’t get strong all by yourself.”
“Brandok! You heard that, right? What do you think. Can we rack up an ‘achievement’?”
“More than enough. As long as we survive, we’ll all become far stronger than before.”
“You could’ve run a long time ago. Why didn’t you?”
“After spending time with you all, maybe it rubbed off on me. I’ve grown accustomed to the Captain’s foolishness without realizing it.”
Calimacos stopped attacking to catch his breath.
The scattered Demon Tribe members approached.
Number Four, who had relentlessly attacked Mirian, opened his mouth.
“Such a tearjerking display of camaraderie. As a reward, I’ll kill you nicely together.”
Even if she died, she would take that one along with her.
As Mirian steeled herself like that, she suddenly looked up at the sky.
Piyuuuu!
Some eagle flew in.
And there were people riding it.
“Robin?”
At Mirian’s words, everyone looked up.
The eagle, which had been as small as a dot, dove toward the ground.
Flap.
From the back of the eagle that landed gracefully, Robin and Serena got down.
“This body has arrived.”
Serena spoke proudly, but Robin didn’t hear her.
He had earplugs stuffed into his ears.
Even from afar, he grasped how dire the situation was.
He immediately got to the point.
“Everyone, cover your ears!”
In Robin’s hand was a stone.
A stone engraved with characters he had never seen before, not human script.
The mercenaries didn’t understand, but they immediately obeyed Robin.
They realized it was their lifeline.
Crack.
The stone shattered in Robin’s hand, and.
Thud.
The enemy forces that had been pressuring the mercenary band.
The monsters that had been pushing forward their massive bodies.
The Demon Tribe that had been pouring out lethal magic.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
All dropped to their knees simultaneously.