“Well done everyone! With this, I think the Empire will be quiet for a while.”
I praised the generals gathered in the meeting room used in preparation for the war. However, I can’t be too happy. Allied casualties in this battle exceeded 100,000. We were almost in a situation where we had to retreat. Still, we were able to win because I defeated Gaen.
I quietly checked my status.
| 【Status】 Name: Shinichi Tanaka Age: 17 years old (56 years old) Race: Homeless (King) <High Dragoneut | Vampire | High Elf (New), High Dwarf (New), High Beastman(New), High Winged Man(New)> Occupation: Adventurer Magic Attribute: No Attribute Magic: Restoration Space, Isolation Space Skills: Shadow Field, Familiar Creation, Familiar Summoning, Dragon Transformation, Skill Picking, Race Picking, King’s Vessel ▹Special: Stealth, Danger Detection, Sense of Touch Enhancement, Taste Enhancement, Eyesight Enhancement, Hearing Enhancement, Smell Enhancement, Digestion Enhancement, Super Sensation, Shock Absorption, Hardening, Plant manipulation, Leadership, Indomitable Spirit, Small Dragon Breath, Separation, Intimidation, Division, Sand Walking, Enemy Search, Digestion Strengthening, Flight, Familiar Strengthening ▹Advanced: Theft, Stealth, Paralyzing Eye, Life or Death Technique, Limit Breakthrough, Dragon Beheading Slash, Sand Walking, Flight, Hardening, Plant Manipulation, Analysis, Dragon Breath ▹Intermediate: Master of War, Limit Breakthrough, Underwater Adaptation, Fist King Technique, Metal Manipulation, Nerve Strengthening, Danger Prediction, Self-recovery, Universal Thread, Dual Blade Magnate Technique ▹Beginner: Self-recovery, Dictatorship, Virtuous Spirit, Awakening, Impact Nullification |
The number of my race increased. It was taken from the remains of soldiers found on the battlefield. If you were to ask me if I did not hesitate to commit such act as robbing the deceased, of course I would answer, I did. I could not bear to strip the race of the soldiers whom I could call my comrades-in-arms. But this is how I have lived until now. What will I attain if I had some self-denial at this point? Thus, I decided to take it without hesitation.
“Tonight is a feast of victory! Let us celebrate with drinks so that the souls of our lost comrades may rest in peace.”
At my words, the generals raised their glasses. Each of them had a different look on their faces before and after the battle. All of them had the expression of a man who had accomplished something. They gulped down their wine and began the conversation.
The races that had been at odds with each other for so long are now having a lively conversation as friends. When I got out of the tent, the soldiers who had already started the banquet were fooling around. Despite the differences in race, they are now sharing victory in memory of their lost friends. I hope that each kingdom can take this opportunity to build deep connections.
“This is not bad.”
The Beast King came to my side. He holds a bottle of liquor in one hand and he holds a glass in the other. He pours the sake into a glass and hands it to me.
“Well, you’re right. I don’t think this is a bad thing either.”
The glass I received contained amber colored liquor. The many bonfires that brighten up the night make the sake in the glass look fantastic. I drank my liquor in one gulp.
“Buhaa-, this is a strong one.”
“Is that so? I stole it from the dwarves’ supplies.”
“I’ll just pretend I didn’t hear your words just now.”
I casually took out my pocket watch and checked the time. It’s now 8 p.m. It’s about time to go.
“Beast King, I have a business I need to attend to. Can I ask you to take charge here for me?”
“Ah? Is that so? In that case, leave it to me.”
The Beast King grinned, showing his white teeth. It may seem discourteous to delegate the work to a ruler of a kingdom but the only person who can unite the allied forces is the Beast King. I’m very grateful that he’s here.
I then spread my wings and stepped out of the main camp. When I looked up, I can see the yellow full moon and countless shining stars illuminating the ground. Tonight is a beautiful night.
With the wind, I flew from the main camp to the west side.
◇◇◇
“Advisor, what are we going to do now?”
“For the time being, we will return to the Imperial Capital. Gaen-sama, Grandal-sama, Rezena-sama, and Nell-sama were all killed. All we can do now is retreat!”
About 40 kilometers away from the Allied headquarters. The defeated Imperial army encamped with a sense of sadness. The conversation is held by two people, a corps commander and the Advisor.
“I didn’t expect that even Gaen-sama will be defeated… I regret that we underestimated them just because they are just a bunch of people.”
“No, I still think it’s unusual for Gaen-sama to be defeated. He’s one of the most powerful man in the Empire after all. In addition, the three Lords are also extraordinary beings. No matter how many soldiers from other races gather, they are not that easy to beat.”
“……That-, then is there was someone greater than the Crown Prince, Gaen-sama on the battlefield?”
“Ah- right. I guess you didn’t know because you were on the front line. His Highness was killed by a male human.”
That whole time, the Advisor had been using a telescope from the main camp to observe the battle between Gaen and Shinichi. Then as soon as Gaen was defeated, he blew the horn of retreat. The fact that the Imperial soldiers are still alive today is thanks to his quick judgment.
“A male human? I’ve heard rumors that the Beast King is also there, aren’t you somehow mistaken?”
“No, unfortunately, it’s correct. We were attacked close to the headquarters and by just two people at that. The main camp also suffered tens of thousands of casualties. Gaen-sama was defeated in a one-on-one duel you see.”
The corps commander covered his mouth with his hand, trying to calm his agitation. He couldn’t believe that Gaen would lose to a human. However, since the Advisor, who knows the truth, said so, there should be no doubt about it. The corps commander had no choice but to force himself to accept this fact.
“What will happen to us when we return to the Imperial Capital?”
“His Majesty will not give up on the hegemony…., he will gather his forces and prepare to march again.”
“Does His Majesty still intend to continue the war after such a crushing defeat? What is the significance of this battle then?”
“Leave it at that. His Majesty’s will is beyond our control.”
The corps commander fell silent at the words of the Advisor. Until the start of the war, he had illusions about the unification of the world by the Empire. In fact, the Empire had so much power that any dragoneut would believe that it will happen. However, the result was a defeat. The corps commander felt as if he had been splashed with cold water.
“For the time being, the plan is to cross over Fort Marsei tomorrow. Please take a good rest for now.”
“Yes, I will do that.”
The corps commander stood up and made his way to his tent. Their entire camp was enveloped in a solemn atmosphere. Just as he was about to enter the tent, a dazzling light shot out from the west. The horizon is filled with light, and the Imperial soldiers begin to panic about what is going on.
It was as if the sun had begun to rise. But then the light faded out in a few seconds. The silence of the night returned as if nothing had happened. The soldiers were stunned, perhaps because they couldn’t believe what they had just seen.
“The light I saw earlier…”
The corps commander was also stunned. All he seemed to understand is that an incomprehensible phenomenon had occurred.
“W-What’s that?!”
One of the soldiers exclaimed.
Red light filled the ground where darkness reigned at night. The red light continued all the way to the far horizon, and although it was faint, I could see it rising and falling. None of the soldiers knew what that was.
“What’s happening…?”
The Advisor managed to stand up but still unable to comprehend the situation. Clouds cover the full moon in the sky, making it impossible even for the dragoneuts to see through the ground. No one dared to move, they just stood there, staring at the red light.
“The moon is about to come out.”
The Advisor mutters as he looks at the sky. The wind’s breeze eventually got stronger and the full moon finally appeared. Moonlight then illuminates the ground, revealing the true nature of the red light.
It was an enormous number of skeletons that filled the ground. Their body is black and their eyes are glowing red. The skeletons rattled their jaw when they saw the Imperial soldiers.
“Skeletons in a place like this!? This is impossible, right?”
The Advisor stepped back in shock. The corps commander immediately seized his sword and instructed his soldiers.
“Those who can fight should take up arms immediately! Those who are wounded should evacuate straightaway!”
Having regained their composure, the soldiers immediately took action. In order to fight the surging wave of skeletons that were rushing in, the dragoneuts bravely ran to fight.
“W-Wait! There’s something wrong with that. There’s no pointing fighting!”
“Advisor, this place is dangerous. Please evacuate to Fort Marsei with the wounded immediately!”
“But-…”
“There’s no need to worry. We will definitely follow you after we buy some more time.”
The Advisor could only nod at the corps commander’s words.
◇◇◇
Red light fills the ground.
The sight from the sky reminded me of N**sicaa in the Valley of the Wind.
“Come, my army! Drive the enemy away!”
When I called out to them, the sound of jaws clattering echoes from the ground in unison. Even if they were called the army of hell, I wouldn’t be able to find the words to deny that. My skeleton army looks ferocious and has a frightening number.
I have prepared a double force for this war. The first is the Allied Forces. Work together with each kingdom to defeat the Empire. The second is the skeleton army. This is my trump card in case of emergency. If the Allied forces win, I will use the skeleton forces to further reduce the Empire’s strength.
“Katakata”
Suketarou, who is at the end of the line, wears Duranosuke and continues to give precise instructions. The ten corps commanders who received the order gave further instructions and relayed the order to the whole group.
Sukejiro, who can be said to be a deputy general, leads a large skeleton on the way. The sea of skeleton engages in a fierce battle when it collides with the Imperial Army. The large dragoneuts used their physique to unleash powerful attacks. On the other hand, the skeletons crushed them with their number. Hundreds of skeleton soldiers swarmed around one empire soldier, killing him in an instant without even making him resist. By the time the enemy realized that they are not just a skeleton, it’s already too late.
After two hours, the Imperial army fled. They must have finally realized that they couldn’t win. About 200,000 troops are rushing west.
The walking speed of the skeleton army is slow. On purpose, of course. The best way to instill trauma is to slowly push them into a corner. I need to make sure that they won’t even think about invading the kingdom again.
The Red Sea relentlessly pursues the fleeing Imperial Army. This continued into the night.
“A fort huh…”
I descended to the ground where the morning sun rises. The Imperial army that were being chased had passed through the plains and reached the mountains overnight. A strong fort was built in the valley between the mountains. It seemed to be a key point that one must pass in order to reach the Imperial City, the capital of the empire.
“Katakata”
What should Suketarou do? He asked.
Of course we move forward. I don’t care if it’s a fort or whatsoever. I gave instructions to attack and take them down. The enormous skeletons destroyed the entrance to the fort in about 30 minutes and poured into the fort like flowing water.
“Hmm-, have they already abandoned this place?”
When I entered the fort, I found it empty, only the foods had been taken out. Well, it should be difficult for the enemy to fight a siege battle. This is against an army of immortals that can fight for years after all. Maybe they instantly decided to do so as they realized that they are at a disadvantage.
We also decided to abandon the fort and go after the Imperial soldiers.
◇◇◇
A week has passed since we began to chase the Imperial army. Even now, the skeleton army is still steadily pursuing the enemy. Basically, I am just scouting from the air and giving rough instructions. The detailed strategy is decided by discussing it with the high-ranking team centered around Suketarou.
That said, all I have to do is chase after them. Over the course of a week, the Imperial army was making its way to the Imperial City via a number of forts.
There was an ironclad fort that could be said to be a fortress, but the nimble skeletons climbed the wall and invaded inside. Attacks were made from the outside and from within, and after a few hours, the fortress fell.
What impressed me was the movements of the main army of the Imperial Army. They were not holed up in the key points of the forts, but instead, they continued to head west towards the Imperial City. In other words, after just one encounter, they realized that the skeleton army was a dangerous entity. I don’t know what kind of person was giving the instructions, but, I felt like praising him for having such sharp intuition.
And now, a week has passed. Finally, the skeleton army caught up with the main force of the Imperial army. The Imperial City is visible on the horizon and the battered Imperial soldiers continue to run frantically.
A huge number of skeletons chase them as they run through the grasslands. The dragoneuts desperately hurried ahead as the skeletons chased after them to an extent where they really couldn’t catch up.
“What is that?”
As I fly through the sky, an unfamiliar silhouette appears in my sight. It was heading here from the Imperial City. It spread its huge wings and passed right over the fleeing imperial army. As it lands on the ground, it let out a roar towards the skeleton army, causing a wave in the air.
The Imperial Beast has finally appeared.
This is translated by Yume Neiji. Kindly read at yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com.
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