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Chapter 22: Go! Hurry! Into the Forest!

「The forest!」

「Get into the forest!」

「Move it, move it!」

Soldiers of the Barbar Mercenary Party, having broken through the encirclement, sprinted toward the woods one after another.

「Wait—! Are you sure this is the right way!? The road to Pyrrhus is west!」

Ponkotts, an officer of the Vaffancrow Empire, rode up beside me on horseback.

From atop the cart pulled by Donkey the donkey, I took command while answering Ponkotts.

「This is the way! The forest will slow the enemy’s pursuit! If we make for the road and get run down by cavalry, we’ll be wiped out before we can even run!」

「But—!」

「Look west! The encirclement there is thick! Too many enemies!」

Vaffancrow Empire soldiers were surging toward the western side of the encirclement, struggling against the heavy resistance on the road to Pyrrhus.

Even if they broke through, they’d still be chased down by a massive enemy force.

「You’re right… there really are a lot of them!」

「We’ll head into the northwestern forest and shake the pursuit. Then we’ll loop around toward Pyrrhus.」

I pointed toward the forest to the northwest—close to the Barbar camp and perfect for slipping away.

「Is it safe?」

「It is! There are no monsters in that forest. And for us Barbar, it’s practically our backyard!」

「Understood! I’ll follow your lead!」

Rosso of the Great Lizard Tribe and the Elven girl Jessica had already scouted the forest with me—it was safe.

And with the [Sma-ho!] skill’s map screen, I wouldn’t get lost.

「This way! Hurry!」

More soldiers pushed through the enemy encirclement and streamed into the woods.

All Barbar Mercenary Party members had gotten through.

Even officers and guards from the Vaffancrow Empire’s main camp were now making their way into the forest.

Just as the last one slipped through, the enemy began pursuit.

「Wait! Wait for me! Don’t leave me behind!」

Not everyone had entered the forest yet.

A Vaffancrow Empire soldier came stumbling after us, desperate not to be left behind.

I couldn’t abandon him.

「Buy time! Rosso! Bring a few with you!」

「Got it! All right, you heard the commander—move it!」

「「「「「Yeah!」」」」」

Rosso brought five men with him.

I led the charge, counterattacking the Algeas Kingdom’s pursuit force.

「Doryaaa!」

「Uryaa!!」

The pursuing enemy foot soldiers were jabbed by our spears and sent flying by our shields.

「Watch out! Their rearguard is strong!」

A mounted Algeas officer called out in a hoarse voice, warning his men.

The enemy stopped in their tracks!

「Pull back! Pull back!」

I quickly gave the order.

We helped the stragglers from the Empire’s army and began dragging them to safety.

「S-sorry!」

「Don’t worry about it! Head for the forest!」

「R-right!」

He was clearly panicked, tripping over himself as he ran for the trees.

「Gaia! Time’s up!」

「Got it!」

Rosso shouted to me.

We turned to face the enemy pursuit, exchanging a few sword strikes to stall them.

Still not done?

Not everyone had made it into the forest yet?

「Hey… Gaia… something’s happening…」

「What!?」

A traffic jam was forming at the entrance to the woods.

What was going on!?

「Gaia! Leave this to us! We’ll hold them off and fall back after! Go!」

「Rosso! I’m counting on you!」

I left the rearguard to Rosso’s team and ran for the forest entrance.

I could see the Vaffancrow Empire’s cavalry clustered together—what the hell?

Switching to Empire-speak, I shouted.

「What’s going on!? Get into the forest! The enemy pursuit will slow if we’re inside! Hurry!」

「Barbar man! Horses can’t get through!」

The one who answered… was Crown Prince Muno.

Apparently, he’d tried to ride into the forest on horseback, but the branches and roots had made it impossible.

「Get off the horse! Run!」

「Wha…! I am Crown Prince Muno of the Vaffancrow Empire!」

He actually thought his status meant he had to stay mounted.

But this was war. The enemy was right behind us.

「Look behind you! The enemy is coming! Get off and run!」

「A noble does not sully his own feet—!」

「Do you want to die!? Get off and run already!」

No more arguing! We had no time!

I grabbed Crown Prince Muno by the waistband and yanked him off his horse by brute force.

Then I hauled him over my shoulder and barreled into the forest.

「You insolent—! Unhand me!」

「When your life’s on the line, courtesy means nothing!」

「You’ll pay for this!」

「If you live long enough to collect, sure!」

Once I forced Muno to dismount, the other officers followed suit and began entering the forest on foot.

I shouted to Rosso at the rear.

「Rosso! Pull back!」

「Right!」

「Unhand me! Put me down!」

The Crown Prince wouldn’t shut up.

But we’d made it.

We had escaped into the forest.

Now—let’s run. To Pyrrhus.