Chapter 361: Before the Approaching Battle

“The Sacrament army is drawing near.”

That’s what the report said.

It’s calculated that they will clash with our side in about half a day.

Preparations for the battle are already almost complete.

Now, so to speak, we are in a state close to the final adjustments before the battle.

I was in my barracks, dressed in my new Fly King outfit.

The army of Mira, now together with the mixed army led by Cattleya Stramius……

It now calls itself the “Goddess Subjugation Alliance”.

There were two people who were the actual Supreme Commanders in the chain of command.

Mad Emperor.

Cattleya.

At first, there was a proposal to add Lieselotte Ornick from the Faraway Country, making them the three commanders.

However, at Liese’s request, Faraway Country was to operate formally under the command of the Mad Emperor.

“I don’t have much real combat experience or anything like that…… and I don’t have any experience mobilizing an army in such a large-scale battle. In that case, it should be better to leave it to someone who can handle it competently.”

—Or so she said.

The originally mixed forces of Alion and Urza continue under Cattleya’s command.

“Since they have been operating in this way up to now, it would be easier if they continue operating in this way.”

That was the decision both camps made.

As for the Heroes, for the time being, operate under the command of the Mad Emperor.

Although Asagi group was a special case, they were still officially included in the same category.

Therefore, under the jurisdiction of the Mad Emperor, the Heroes have the authority to move as they please.

However, the fact is that……

“As for how the Heroes will move———— I leave it to you, Touka. If you tell me, I will give them such instructions.”

I have been given the authority to move them at my discretion.

Incidentally, Nyantan has been incorporated into Faraway Country’s group.

Well, in her case, it would be better if she stayed with Nyaki.

So, we, the Fly King Squadron, are still in a guerilla unit-like position.

[From what I’ve heard in the reports, it seems like it would be a fairly large-scale battle———— but is it safe to say that we’re still gonna be reserve units?]

Asking this was the nearby Takao Hijiri.

Next to her is her twin sister, Takao Itsuki.

Both of them are dressed in Fly Knight outfits.

Since we were inside my barracks, they had their masks off.

[We want to keep the Takao Sisters’ survival hidden as much as possible.]

At my words, Itsuki grinned……

[Well, putting me aside, she probably thinks Elder Sis is already dead.]

The way she said was rather like she was joking about that sh*tty Goddess.

When the Takao Sisters’ unique skills are used, there’s a possibility that their true identities will be discovered.

It’s conceivable that information about them would be reported back by magical war pigeon.

It’s also possible that they now have other methods of communication using the Sacraments that are unique to the current Vysis.

[Dead people wouldn’t be counted in her calculations. I have a feeling this will be the decisive factor in making that opening but……]

Hijiri gives me a sideways glance, before looking back forward.

[Do you have something…… you’re concerned about?]

[From what we’ve heard from Loqierra, there are three others besides Vysis who seem like trouble.]

[I’ve heard about that too. These Divine Servants who possess Vysis’ essence.]

Incidentally, Loqierra is currently with the Mad Emperor and Cattleya.

She seems to be taking part in the military discussions and giving them information about the Sacraments.

Seras had also gone there, probably confirming the deployment of the entire army at the moment.

When it comes to coordinating and maneuvering a large number of people, Seras is more suited for it than I am after all……

[For my part…… I was thinking of incorporating Hijiri and Itsuki in the decisive direct confrontation against Vysis.]

[That would be the moment when we would show Vysis we actually survived huh.]

[However…… Before we arrived in that direct confrontation, I felt that those Divine Servants would be a major obstacle.]

[When considering the forces that could defeat those Divine Servants, us sisters would come into the equation———— Is that right?]

Pausing for a moment……

[That’s right.]

From what I’ve heard from Loqierra……

I’ve got the impression these Divine Servants are going to be troublesome.

[If my skills work on them, then fine. However, if they don’t work, it will probably be a clash of pure combat skills.]

[According to Loqierra-san though, those Divine Servants that had Vysis’ essence can’t receive the <Dispel Bubble>, right?]

I asked Loqierra about this subject some time ago and received such an answer.

However……

“Well, “under normal circumstances”, that is…… Those three are a little bit special. I wouldn’t be surprised if Vysis had modified them so that they could receive it. I think it’s a possibility worth considering.”

Loqierra also said such a thing.

[If <Dispel Bubble> can be granted on them, then I can’t effectively use my skill until that <Dispel Bubble> can be dispelled with Munin’s Forbidden Curse.]

[If the three of them attacked at the same time, you might be killed before you can successfully connect your unique skill. Moreover, the battle we would be having at that time———– It would be one where we would also have to protect Munin-san’s personal safety.]

[I see…… I…… see.]

I’m not sure if her understanding caught up with us or not.

However, Itsuki gave out a subtle, undecided response.

[……Putting aside the variables and individual concerns for the moment, how about we sort things out with pure combat capabilities? First of all, our greatest combat force would unmistakably be Sogou, right?]

[I agree with that.]

[Then, just below her———-]

[In terms of pure combat ability, I suppose that would be Seras-san.]

[Come to think of it, I heard that you two had a light spar with swords while on the road after we left Urza?]

[Yes.]

“Hmmm”, Itsuki put a hand on her chin, a complicated expression on her face.

[Even though she was using that Origin Regalia of hers, I never expected Elder Sis to lose that simply…….]

[She even used Origin Regalia huh? ……Ahh.]

I get now what was going on.

[I wanted to grasp Seras-san’s true abilities with my own skin. Yes, and then I thought…… in this army, the only one who seems to have a chance of standing against Sogou-san in a one-on-one battle as a pure individual combatant is probably her.]

Briefly it may be, Hijiri breathes out a sigh of admiration.

[As expected, starting with swordsmanship, true martial talent is that sort of thing. I thought that kind of realm was unique to Sogou-san but……]

[And so, we have two figureheads (kanban) at the top, Sogou and Seras huh.]

[In other words…… They’re signboard girls (kanban musume) huh.]

[……Your thoughts are quite off there, Itsuki.]

(T/N: Signboard girls/kanban musume are pretty girls who attract customers inside their shop.)

A deadpan tsukkomi from Hijiri.

Is she just being true to her character or she’s joking along with her twin sister?

To be honest, I’m not really sure.

In any case, based on a previous conversation with Seras———-

Sogou Ayaka on offense.

Seras Ashrain on defense.

That was how things turned out.

[Other than them……]

The top two are prominent, but there are also others who are very strong.

Gio Shadowblade.

Mad Emperor.

These two are also reliable as individual combat forces.

However, the two of them also act as commanders.

Therefore, they may not be able to devote all their attention to one-on-one combat.

[Then there’s Qir and Gratora from the Faraway Country, along with Armia who will be catching up later…… and Nyaki’s sister, Nyantan Kikeepat. As for the others, I guess you could also count Black Dragon Knight’s Gus Dornfedt.]

Incidentally……

I———– The Fly King has annihilated the Black Dragon Knights led by the Five Dragon Warriors in the past.

It had apparently turned out that they had been crushed by the Former Ashinto members, the Fly King Squadron.

……Well, from the impression I got when we met a little while ago, they didn’t seem to harbor much ill will towards me.

[As for the Dragonslayer, I guess it would be difficult for him to fight in that state……]

The Deity Loqierra had also lost a considerable amount of her power.

“Sorry. Fighting in my current state would be impossible for me.”

—-or so she said.

Munin can also fight, but her combat abilities aren’t that high.

Thereupon, Itsuki seemed to have thought of something.

[What about that Queen?]

[According to what I heard from Seras, she has a fair understanding of martial arts. However, she doesn’t feel like she herself is gonna fight.]

I guess the Queen is probably more of a commander.

The same goes with Liese, holding a strategist position, but with a low individual combat prowess.

Hijiri looked in the direction where Sogou and our other classmates were.

[When it comes to the Heroes who seem capable of fighting against the Divine Servants, our options are quite limited as well.]

[Right.]

[Excluding those I mentioned earlier———– Asagi-san’s group seems capable of defeating an opponent much stronger than them but……]

[They did defeat the Exiled Emperor before. It’s just, putting aside talking about whether Asagi is an ally or an enemy, Asagi’s unique skill seems to be too dependent on the situation.]

Much like my fighting style, unless Asagi can successfully connect her skill, it would be difficult for their group to defeat an opponent stronger than them.

Yes.

For example……

If she wants to utilize that unique skill……

For that unique skill of hers to come into play————- It seems that Asagi would need to put herself in a life-threatening situation.

[When compared to a stable pure combat force, it’s an unstable combat asset with many uncertainties.]

[Yeah.

…………………….

Speaking of Heroes……

There’s also another existing top-tier Hero.

An A-Rank Hero.

Yasu Tomohiro.

I wonder how he’s doing now.

If he’s trying to meet up with Sogou……

He may unexpectedly be heading our way.

However, it would be dangerous to rely on his joining up with us at the moment.

Relying on an uncertain combat force is too much of a gamble.

[The other Heroes are also getting stronger but……]

Among our classmates aside from Sogou and Takao Sisters, there are also B-Class Heroes.

However, the difference in their strength when compared to Sogou is too great.

In a group battle, they should provide sufficient combat strength.

The same goes for Mira’s Brilliant Squadron and Demi-Human corps.

Other than that, there are also Faraway Country’s various units and the monsters.

The same applies to the army corps making up the former mixed army.

If you look at them as a collective, they are a large force.

However……

[The other side won’t just send out the Divine Servants individually, they’ll certainly bring out Sacraments as well. In this case, it seems essential to have individual combatants capable of handling the Divine Servants on the battlefield.]

[In a group battle, suppressing the enemy’s outstanding combatants can become a crucial factor in determining victory or defeat.]

It’s just like that tactic of holding back the ace in soccer.

[If they were allowed to riot as they please, we run the risk of having the momentum siphoned off after all.]

[That’s why we’ll need someone to take on the Divine Servants to prevent unnecessary casualties from spreading ————]

With her arms folded, not looking my way, Hijiri holds up three fingers.

[We have three slots we need to fill out.]

[Yeah.]

The Takao Sisters.

An S-Rank Hero and an A-Rank Hero.

They once fought against Vysis.

I also heard about how things turned out that time too.

Even though they lost, it was great to know “how Vysis fought”.

[Sogou, Seras———— the ones with combat specs close to these two while minimizing uncertainties are likely the Takao Sisters.]

In fact, after their spar the other day, I also heard from Seras about her evaluation of Takao Hijiri.

This is my judgment based on what I heard from Seras’ evaluation of Hijiri.

Perhaps Gio or the Mad Emperor might also be able to stand against the Divine Servants.

However, as they were commanders of the army, it’s quite possible that they won’t be able to move from their posts.

[And so, if you deem it necessary, Hijiri, you and your sister can join the battle at your discretion———– You can also use your unique skills at that time.]

[……To summarize, the original plan was for us, a “dead person” and a “missing person”, to be hidden cards in the decisive battle against Vysis. However, depending on how things turn out hereafter, it may be unavoidable for us two to participate, prepared for our true identities to be exposed before that decisive battle———– That’s what you were thinking, right?]

The use of unique skills can lead to the revelation of their true identity.

However……

[First of all, everything would be pointless if we can’t even reach that sh*tty Goddess. If we become too cautious, thinking about the battle against Vysis, but as a result, the combat forces that seemed crucial for the decisive battle were taken out by the Divine Servants and are no longer available…… Then, that would just be out of the question.]

It will also be necessary to limit the casualties on our side before the decisive battle.

[Alright.]

Hijiri replied.

[If it’s necessary, we will enter the war as soon as possible, not worrying about identities being exposed———— Of course, I hope it doesn’t come to that and everything goes as originally planned.]

[Well, it’s my duty to strategize for the impending battle against Vysis, which would likely be the final battle. Even if Hijiri’s survival is exposed, I’ll do my best to come up with alternate plans for that scenario.]

[That’s reassuring. With the way you are now, I think Mimori-kun is suitable to be the Class Prez.]

[If you put it that way, I’m sure Takao Hijiri would be able to do it too.]

[…………You’re kidding, right?]

[No, you can tell when someone’s lying, remember?]

Putting her hand on her cheek, Hijiri tilted her head a bit.

[You think so?]

While Hijiri looked surprised, Itsuki……

[Elder Sis being the Class Prez huh…… Yeah, I get what you mean……]

———–With a gentle, absent-minded smile on her face, she looked relaxed and lost in her delusions.

……Seriously, this younger twin sure likes her elder sister huh.

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