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Vol 04 Chapter 123-2: Decisive Battle II

 

This is my first time fighting someone with the same kind of power.

Both of us, perhaps due to growing complacent in our blessings, lack refined skills. However, General Kuryuu seems to have a slight edge due to his experience.

But Ron and the others are with me to make up for that difference.

「Isn’t it cowardly to gang up on someone, King Almus?!」

「I don’t understand what you’re saying… but nothing is prohibited on the battlefield!」

Ron thrust his spear, attacking General Kuryuu. Together, Ron and I pressed Kuryuu hard.

An arrow shot by Gram and Mutzio grazed Kuryuu’s cheek. To dodge under these conditions—indeed, he is worthy of his blessing.

But how long can he keep this up?

「Protect General Kuryuu!」

「Support the king!」

The praetorian cohort and the Rozel army clashed fiercely.

As both sides are enhanced by our blessings, neither side can overpower the other.

The difference in numbers quickly showed thought, the numbers of the praetorian cohort were far fewer than the entire Rozel army, and we were quickly surrounded, but…

「Hurry! Help King Almus! Sorry, we are a bit late!」

「My king! Don’t overdo it! If you die, it’s all over!」

Tonino and Bartolo shouted as they led their troops towards us.

It seems our efforts to buy time have been successful.

General Kuryuu’s momentum has already stalled. Thirteen thousand of the Allied Forces clashed with thirty thousand of the Rozel army.

Despite being outnumbered, our side has the advantage of being heavy infantry. Our defensive capabilities are superior to those of the Gallian troops.

「Push them! Kill the Adernians!!!」

「Push them back! Turn the Gallians into a bloodbath!」

The centurions of both armies shouted.

I can’t afford to be outdone.

「Die, General Kuryuu!」

My sword aimed for the nape of Kuryuu’s neck. In a panic, Kuryuu deflected my blade with his greatsword.

Ron took advantage of the opening and thrust his spear toward Kuryuu’s exposed side. Kuryuu twisted his body in a rush but failed to completely dodge, and the spear grazed his side.

His clothing was soaked with blood as Kuryuu grimaced in pain.

Then, arrows from Gram and Mutzio flew straight towards him. One from Gram aimed for Kuryuu’s forehead, while Mutzio targeted his heart.

He can’t avoid them now.

「I came to help you, General.」

A blonde woman appeared suddenly. Threads extending from her fingertips snared the two arrows.

「It’s been a while, King Almus. My name is Alice. I’ve come to claim your life.」

Something glinted menacingly. I deflected it with my sword.

A needle rolled across the ground.

「This time you are coming from the front, huh?」

「I actually wanted to take advantage of a gap to ambush you, but it looked like General Kuryuu was about to die before I could act, so…」

Alice explained, causing General Kuryuu to look apologetic.

「I’m sorry, Alice-dono.」

「No, it’s not a problem.」

After a brief exchange in Gallian, they both turned their attention back to me.

「It’s two against one now.」

Alice said this in Adernian before swinging her knife. I intercepted the knife with my sword, knocking it away.

Immediately after, General Kuryuu’s greatsword came slashing at me. I hastily dodged.

「Ron! Take care of the blonde!」

「Understood!!! Hey, your opponent is me now!」

Ron lunged forward with his spear to hold Alice at bay. Alice tried to snare his spear with her threads, but Ron sliced through the threads with his spear.

Alice frowned and then lunged at Ron with the knife she held. Ron’s spear scooped up Alice’s knife.

Alice’s knife was cut in half.

「I see. You’re also armed with Dragon Damascus steel. Well then, I suppose it can’t be helped.」

Alice pulled another knife from her sleeve, a kukri-shaped blade.

「So you have Dragon Damascus steel too…」

The battles between Kuryuu and me, and Alice and Ron continued.

Though the two of them are more skilled, we have the support of Gram and Mutzio.

Their shooting is impeccable, seizing every opportunity to shoot arrows at Kuryuu and Alice. Forced to be mindful of the arrows, their movements inevitably slow down.

The battle situation still favors us.

Thanks to General Kuryuu’s being pinned down, the Rozel army’s charge has stopped. The allied army is gradually retreating while closing the encirclement from both flanks.

All that remains is for the cavalry on both wings to circle around to the rear.

However, the truth is that due to the numerical difference, we are gradually being cornered. There is still a possibility that we could be outflanked before our cavalry can encircle them.

The overall battle situation is evenly matched.

Like a taut surface of water, a single stone could cause it to overflow rapidly.

As the intensity of the battle increases, so does the rain. My clothes soak up the rain, becoming heavier.

The water trickling down my cheeks—Is it sweat or rain?

Still, I cannot afford to lose focus. Whoever loses concentration first will lose the battle.

「Damn!」

The first to falter was General Kuryuu, thanks to the wound in his side and the arrows from Gram and Mutzio.

My sword grazed General Kuryuu’s shoulder. Blood spurted out.

Kuryuu grimaced in agony.

「Not so fast, you won’t interfere!」

As Alice tried to rescue Kuryuu, Ron blocked her. Alice glared at Ron and slammed her kukri knife down at him.

I pressed my attack on General Kuryuu. Although he blocked my slashes with his greatsword, his body staggered greatly.

The loss of blood has clearly weakened him.

Seizing the moment, Gram and Mutzio released their arrows. Two arrows sped towards Kuryuu.

Yes! We win.

But just at that moment…

「Really, this is just sloppy!」

Two incoming arrows deflected those shot by Gram and Mutzio. Looking towards the source, I saw a woman with black hair standing there.

The woman I had seen before at my coronation. The witch, Merlin.

Merlin held a short bow in her left hand and an arrow in her right.

「I came here because you were so slow, and look what I found, I see you still can’t manage without me. Such a helpless son.」

「Mo-mother…」

「Call me sister.」

「Am I your son or your brother? Make up your mind.」

Merlin and General Kuryuu began conversing in Gallian.

「Drink this. It’s a special painkiller. It has narcotics in it, but… a little won’t hurt.」

「Thank you… Alright!! Let’s rally and fight together again, Melon-dono!!」

「You’re in good spirits…」

Merlin said something while flashing a sly smile.

Merlin begins to chant in a singsong voice.

「OPEN THE GATES OF THE NETHERWORLD, LEAD THROUGH THE MORTAL REALM. YOUR PAIN IS MY PAIN, MY PAIN IS YOUR PAIN. YOUR JOY IS MY JOY, MY JOY IS YOUR JOY. YOUR DEATH IS MY DEATH, MY LIFE IS YOUR LIFE. YOUR GRIEVANCES ARE MY VENGEANCE. OUR RED THREAD CROSSES WORLDS.」

This woman… could she be Japanese?!

「LET US RUN TOGETHER, RULE THE WORLD TOGETHER. AS LONG AS I’M WITH YOU, ANYWHERE. THE TWO ARROWS WE RELEASE WILL FLY ENDLESSLY. YOU ARE THE BLUE WOLF, I AM THE WHITE DOE. TOGETHER AS ONE, ALONE AS TWO.」

Merlin chanted, a chill running down my spine.

This is a song of death. A forbidden chant that should not be sung by mortals.

In a panic to strike down Merlin, I kicked Sakura’s sides to close the distance rapidly.

However…

「I won’t allow you to interfere.」

「Damn!!」

General Kuryuu swung his greatsword. Having taken the drug, Kuryuu was in an excited state, his strength noticeably greater than before.

「Gram! Mutzio! Shoot her down!」

Both readied their arrows and fired at Merlin. Merlin tried to swat away the arrows with her right hand.

An arrow pierced Merlin’s right hand, and she grimaced in pain.

However…

Merlin calmly pulled out the arrow and, unbelievably, the wound began to heal right in front of us.

She continued to chant.

「HERE AND NOW, I SUMMON YOUR SPIRIT.」

As Merlin’s song ended, the atmosphere unmistakably shifted. Her eyes sharpened, adopting the look of a warrior.

It’s as if someone else has merged with her.

「So, Almus-kun, was it? I’d prefer you to surrender. I don’t want to kill a fellow countryman. If you cooperate with me, my research can advance further. I might even see a way to return to Japan.」

「Sorry, but I have no lingering attachments to my past life. I’ve killed many to get where I am, staining my hands with their blood. I can’t back down now.」

「I see…」

Merlin looked somewhat saddened.

「What a pity. In terms of sacrificing others, I’m no different from you. I can’t stop either. For the sake of those who’ve died, I must live on. It can’t be helped then. You’ll have to die.」

While saying this, Merlin readied her bow and gave a sly smile.

「Sorry, But There’s A Difference In Skill Between Me And Those Two Kids Helping You. The Arrows Shot By The Great Me Who Conquered This Continent From East To West Are Unparalleled.」