Chapter 363: Start of War

<Author’s Notes>

My apologies, it has been a very long time since I updated……

The main reason for the interval between updates is that…… while I was struggling to write the continuation of the previous update, I’ve become busier with my other writing tasks, leaving me fully occupied. Incidentally, my physical condition hasn’t been a problem this time (although it can be said that my physical condition has been affected in the sense that my other tasks were delayed due to falling ill this summer).

I’ve been having other problems and things have been unstable, but the situation has gradually calmed down, so I’m hoping to resume updating (At the very least, the next chapter is scheduled to be updated by the end of next month. Ideally, I’m aiming to post it by the first half of December).

(Also, we have received one new review. Thank you very much.)

As the title of this chapter suggests, the war has finally begun.

We hope you enjoy the second part of the final arc as much as we did.

The Sacraments aren’t riding on horseback.

However, they held the impression of being quite fast on their feet.

[……………..]

The squirming White Army can already be seen in the distance.

What makes them particularly conspicuous are……

[Some of them sure are big.]

There are some large-sized Sacraments mixed in.

At the bottom of the hill——— Standing in formation way behind us were the soldiers of the Mira army, awaiting orders.

In the frontmost rows are the shielders.

Behind them are the archers.

Further behind them are Attack technique users.

Once those two units have unleashed a wave of attacks, the cavalries would charge forward————

And finally, the infantry would be the last to march.

It’s said to be a straightforward way of fighting.

The mixed army led by Cattleya is waiting at a distance from here.

At the moment, they are still considered as a reserve force.

They will move when the enemy’s movements have been settled.

That is the arrangement.

At the moment, the Sacrament Army seems to be moving towards us in a straight line.

There’s nothing unusual about their formation and movements.

They are earnestly charging at us———— or so that’s how they appear to be.

As far as I can confirm, there doesn’t seem to be any signs of any ambush troops.

Also, I can’t see Vysis or anyone who seems to be Divine Servants.

A new piece of information we’ve got is that there are humans in the Sacrament Army.

Several individuals were surrounding someone who appeared to be a commander, forming a protective circle around them.

We have confirmed several such clusters of less than 10 people.

According to information obtained from Loqierra and the Drunken Sword Party……

The people in charge of giving instructions to the Sacraments are……

Firstly, the nobles who ingratiated themselves with Vysis.

And then, there’s the cultists who actually held faith in that sh*tty goddess.

“Vysis should roughly be the one operating things. However, the greater the distance from their control device, the less detailed information she can give them. The fact that humans have been incorporated into the army…… might paradoxically mean that Vysis hadn’t gone here.”

Loqierra said that when Vysis was operating some sort of control device, the abilities of the Sacraments also improved.

Looking at it the other way……

If we can remove the state in which she operates them, we can reduce their abilities huh.

[Loqierra.]

I currently have Loqierra back on my shoulder.

[From what I’ve just heard from reports, it sounds like Vysis had armed the Sacraments with weapons and armor.]

[That seems to be so. If you think about it, the Sacraments being able to equip armors is a matter of course.]

“It seems that the number of armed Sacraments is considerably higher than those present during the assault on the Imperial Capital by the Exiled Emperor.”

That was the impression expressed by the Mad Emperor.

[The Exiled Emperor is just a Divine Servant who received a share of Vysis’ power after all. It should be that his ability to create Sacraments was inferior to the original Vysis.]

Saying this, Loqierra continued.

[Also, if one wants to strengthen their Divine Servant, it will take quite a bit of time to do. That Exiled Emperor seems to be a human from at most 100 to 200 years ago, so from the perspective of us Deities, he could be considered as just someone “recent”. That’s why, even if he’s technically considered a Divine Servant, wouldn’t that Exiled Emperor probably be less capable than the other Divine Servants?]

So that means———-

[Those three Divine Servants are almost certainly better than the Exiled Emperor huh.]

[At the very least…… It’s better to consider Wormungandr as a troublesome opponent. Even back in the past, he had always been someone who we had no idea what was on his mind. He’s an aloof guy who had never been outright angry at anyone, but when he actually does, he does it pretty harshly———— He’s that kind of person.]

[What about the other two?]

[I don’t know much about them either…… It’s just, both of them had this ambiance whose nature can’t be grasped. Good grief, Vysis has created us quite the troublesome enemies……]

The White Army continued to approach us from a distance.

[This battle right in front of us…… How do you see it?]

 Lolierra ponders.

……It doesn’t really matter.

But perhaps, because of her current appearance, her gestures are really mascot-like.

[We’ll have to see the battle to actually find out. My guess is that the Divine Servants might show up, but I don’t think Vysis will be among them……]

Yes.

Whether or not the Divine Servants are among them……

Whether or not Vysis would come out to the frontline or not……

Both of these are currently unknown.

Perhaps, Erika isn’t in a state where she can move her familiars.

Meanwhile……

Contacts from Mira’s spies who remained in Alion’s Royal Capital have been cut off.

At the time of the escape of Nyantan and her group……

Not all the spies in Mira left the Royal Capital Enoh have been with them.

Some remained behind to continue reporting about the situation in Enoh.

The Mad Emperor analyzed the situation in this way.

“Contact from Enoh has completely ceased. Due to the incident where that former disciple of Vysis escaped, the spies in the Royal Capital were exposed…… so they might have already been dealt with.”

If that’s the case……

We have no way of knowing the most recent movements in Enoh.

In other words, we don’t know if Vysis or the Divine Servants have departed Enoh.

[Whatever the case———– Preparations have been made just in case the Divine Servants or Vysis comes this way.]

[You’re very thorough in terms of preparedness huh.]

Loqierra poked on the cheek area of my Fly King mask with her finger.

[I’m counting on you, Fly King-kun♪]

At that moment……

[Touka-dono.]

Seras, who had been waiting by the side, spoke.

[It has started.]

Behind me, a few distance away.

There, in addition to Seras, are Munin and Slei, in her third form.

In addition———– there were also the Holy Knights of Neia.

Not all of them though.

The Commander, Machia Renaufia, and some of them are on the Queen’s side.

The others, however, followed Seras on Cattleya’s instructions.

Our Fly King Squadron is allowed to operate freely.

It seems they’ve deployed the elites among their Knight Order here.

Cattleya also had to mobilize the entire former mixed army.

In that case, it would be unbearable to let the finely trained elites go without a specific task———–

For this reason, she had decided to leave the majority of the knights to Seras.

Well, it’s just right in terms of the scale of the forces we can mobilize as well.

[Be ready. We’ll keep an eye on the situation before we would also move.]

[Yes.]

[Pigii!]

[Whoa!? That surprised me.]

Pigimaru’s sudden cry from my bosom made Loqierra jump up.

I should have already explained Pigimaru’s existence to her though.

[Piggiii……]

[No, no, I’m sorry, I was just slightly surprised…… I- It’s alright! It’s alright, Pigimaru-chan!]

Incidentally……

Loqierra also created a pocket in my bosom, where she could hide in.

I guess you could say they have become bosom buddies.

In any case———- We, the Fly King Squadron, and the Heroes will also take part in this battle.

However……

[If you Heroes defeat the gold eyes, you will also benefit from the enhanced blessings through Soul Absorption.]

Regarding Loqierra’s statement……

[……What about when we defeat those things?]

[Hmm?]

[Vysis knows we’ll get stronger as we level up. And yet, she had sent out an enormous amount of those in her army…… Indeed, defeating Golden-eyed monsters might result in us leveling up and becoming stronger. However———-]

Even though she seems to be oblivious to what’s happening around her, that ill-natured goddess seems to unnecessarily excel in cunning.

[I wouldn’t be surprised if she “improved” them so that they wouldn’t allow us to level up.]

[Mhmm, I can’t say that’s not possible…… ———-Wait, Touka, you haven’t met Vysis even once since that time you were summoned here, right?]

[Yeah.]

[And yet…… How can you understand Vysis’ nature so well……]

[Maybe when you hate something, you just learn about them more than anyone else.]

As we had such a conversation, the frontmost line of the Mira army———–

They entered the distance just before the start of the battle.

▽

With a small rumble———— the white wave drew near.

Standing before this wave is the white-suited Mira army, lined up neatly and beautifully.

Commanding the front line is Chester Ord.

He is the next head of the Ord Family, one of Three Elected Imperial Households.

He was also the commander-in-chief of the Mira army during the attack on Urza.

During that battle, he had been arrested by Sogou Ayaka and taken prisoner.

He has now been reinstated———- and is now in command of the front line of the Mira army.

[Archers, ready!]

Chester’s order resounded.

The archers then drew their arrows and pointed them diagonally upwards.

As Chester ascertains the perfect opportunity……

[FIIIIIIIIIIIREEEEEEEE————–!]

The arrows powerfully held back, just like countless birds in flight, were released into the sky.

The sound of the wind was like a series of small bullets ripping through the air.

The multitude of arrows soaring through the sky were making that sound.

The Sacraments with a shield in their hands don’t slow down though, raising their shield diagonally upwards.

As the fierce blizzard-like wave of arrows traced arcs in the sky————

It rained down like rain on the crowd of Sacraments.

The bodies pierced by arrows shed white blood.

If the information we got was correct, just like humans, they should bleed to death if they lose too much blood.

To confirm their death———–

Basha!

The Sacraments, which had been deeply hit by the arrows, tilted slightly backward and “wings” sprouted from its eye sockets.

One could say they had sprung out.

White wings, that is.

Yes, when a Sacrament dies, wings sprout from its eyes.

That is the signal of their death.

Also, for some reason, a dead Sacrament reaches out to join hands with other Sacraments.

“Perhaps it wants to come back to one.”

This was the guess of Takao Hijiri, who uttered this when she heard this information.

The Sacraments who received the arrows rolled over, and the following ones stumbled over them.

[Second squad———— FIIIIIIIIRE!]

The second line prepared behind the first group of archers.

With the same movement, they released their arrows.

A continuous hail of arrows strikes the Sacraments and pierces their white bodies.

The movement at the forefront of the wave was slightly hindered, diminishing their momentum.

However, it doesn’t manage to hold back the momentum of the entire wave.

The less-armed following Sacraments began to strip weapons from the fallen and equipped themselves.

Thereupon, trampling on the fallen Sacraments———- they continued charging forward.

Yes, something like that happening doesn’t stop them.

The white herd moves on, not derailing from their objective and snapping arrows stuck in the ground like twigs.

[………………….]

However———— the Sacraments aren’t immortal soldiers either.

It’s easy to confirm whether they’re alive or dead.

Of course, it should also be assumed that they’d lay traps by pretending to be dead but……

In any case.

They aren’t beings who “can’t be fought” by soldiers of this world.

[Attack technique units, fire at once!]

Following the arrows, attack techniques are now launched into the sky.

Their crystal-tipped staves are pointed diagonally upwards with coordinated movements.

At the tip of their staves, sharp pieces of ice are formed.

The ice, now the size of a spear tip blade, is released with the same movements as the arrows.

The ice arrows turned into a surging hail, striking the Sacraments from above.

The icicles punctured the Sacraments.

Meanwhile……

The line that was hit by the ice technique———- and Sacraments in front of it……

They are the Sacraments that have passed through the initial rain of arrows from the archers.

With the same momentum as before, they clashed with the shielders.

The captain of the shielders raised his voice.

Thereupon, with a dull thud as flesh clashed against hard metal……

[HOLD THEM BAAAAAACK———-!]

The shielders deeply lowered their hips, intercepting the Sacraments.

Then, the shielders started to pierce the Sacraments through the gaps in their shields with the swords they held in their hands.

Slash! Slash———- Slash!

The soldiers silently skewered the Sacraments.

As if they were hurriedly doing a simple task that had a time limit.

White blood splatters on their shields.

The sound of wings sprouting here and there rises continuously.

The Sacraments gradually ran out of strength.

In the meantime, the archers and the attack technique users started to retreat.

[Shielders, retreat!]

Chester ordered.

Hearing this, the shielders split to the left and right, retreating.

Just like that, they continued to fall back diagonally.

Moving as if to clear the way to something……

Thereupon, Chester on horseback draws his sword and points it at the Sacraments.

[TRAMPLE THEEEEEM!]

The armored horses roared in response to the rousing of their riders.

While the tactician remained where he was, Chester took the lead forward.

Horseshoes powerfully stomped on the hard ground.

Chester’s horse sprints.

Following behind him were the cavalry, gaining momentum as they charged.

The sound of the cavalry’s hoof beats become raging ground tremors.

Their hooves beat the earth like war drums.

And then, with the retreat of the shielders, at the end of their open field of vision———— were a cluster of Sacraments.

The cavalry crashed into them like an avalanche.

The cavalrymen slashed the Sacraments from horseback with their swords, before piercing them with their spears.

Meanwhile, the Sacraments, who don’t know fear, also boldly confronted the soldiers on horseback.

However, a clash between cavalry and infantry would result in the former’s advantage.

One after the other, the Sacraments fall, wings erupting from their eyes.

At that moment……

[……That is……]

The second wave of enemies lined up and charged in.

This time, the other side too——– Along with the clatter of hooves, they charged..

As these Sacraments charged forward, they threw their spears.

[Hold your shields up! If you can strike it down with your sword, strike it down!]

Back when Nyantan and the others escaped from the Royal Capital of Alion the other day……

They were chased by Sacraments with the lower half of its body shaped like a horse————

They were apparently called Half-Horse Sacraments.

How should I say this……

They might be Sacraments that Qir and the other Centaurs wouldn’t like to see.

The enemy spears fly in.

Some of the soldiers defended against it, while those with high skill levels struck it down but———–

[Kuahh!]

Some of the Mira soldiers were pierced by spears and fell from their horses.

Among those pierced by the Sacraments’ spears were also their fellow Sacraments.

From what I observed———— It seems like they don’t mind hitting their own allies.

In the case of humans, there normally is this consciousness born where one avoids hitting allies with their attacks.

However, there seems to be a lack of that consciousness among the Sacraments.

[Among the Half-Horse Sacraments, there are a few large ones among them.

Upon my words, Loqierra, on my shoulder, spoke.

[However, Mira’s cavalry is doing well.]

Indeed, Mira’s cavalry are holding their ground.

However……

[It’s coming———– The second wave.]

The second wave of the enemy infantry-type Sacraments.

They are catching up to the frontline where both sides clashed.

On our side as well, it’s now the infantry’s turn to play their role here.

One of the Mira generals gives a command.

[We’re going too! Charge!]

The infantry units, now in formation, run forward in unison.

At that moment, as if weaving between the infantries———

Black shadows sprinted past like bullets.

The infantry seemed momentarily startled by them.

However, the black shadows slipped past the infantries without bumping into them.

Their speed is visibly faster than that of the infantries.

No———-

The ten or so people in the lead might even be faster than the cavalry.

The black shadows move swiftly through the ranks of bewildered infantries, advancing with a low posture————-

——–were the black Leopardkin warriors of the Faraway Country.

Under the lead of Gio Shadowblade, the Leopard Light Army set out for battle.

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