242─Stories of Ordinary People
“Huh…… “
The driver chewed the soggy bread and swallowed it at the back of his throat, smoothed his tired eyes, and took a bite of a piece of tobacco.
Then the wizard nearby kindly lights the fire with magic power.
“Thank you.”
“Nothing to say. “It would be nothing compared to the work that has put us over our heads so far.”
“I don’t know whether I should like this more than that or not.”
Smoking could reveal your location while the enemy was tracking you, so it was a foolish thing to do.
However, when it was raining like now, there was no need to worry about it, so everyone in the separate unit was engrossed in the dreamy feeling they had had in a long time with tobacco in their mouths.
“Rather than having an uncomfortable bed, I’m happier being able to smoke cigarettes.”
“Hey…… Come to think of it, if this continues, the water level of the Rubelta River will rise further.”
“The Count said he returned safely, so now all that’s left is ours.”
While smoking a cigar that relieves accumulated stress for the first time in a while, the squadron’s complexion deteriorated rapidly when it heard a word that made it face the harsh reality.
No matter how much Ferzen boosted morale when going out, it couldn’t be maintained for a long time.
It would have been better if he had been here with us, but since he wasn’t, morale naturally plummeted.
We are already in the enemy’s territory, and we are moving because we have a goal.
There was no confidence in their minds that this operation in their hands could be completed successfully.
“Okay. I got enough rest. “Let’s go.”
“Yes.”
Nothing happened right away.
The sight of them moving toward the Rubelta River, groaning in pain, was like the remnants of a defeated army.
* * * * *
“It’s ridiculous to call it a river.”
72 Hours.
Exactly three days later, the detachment briefly clicked their tongues as they looked at the Rubelta River visible from afar.
The water level has risen further and the Rubelta River is flowing with muddy water, as if showing the center of the ocean where a storm is raging.
“But at that rate, we won’t run into the enemy’s supply detachment on the way.”
The shortest route for the Elmark Empire to receive supplies was to travel straight across the Rubelta River with the help of a wizard.
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However, if the water level and flow of the river were this violent, there would be a high possibility of returning.
For this reason, their only opponent would be the enemy army that followed them by tracking them down.
“The target point must not have been far away. Where is it on the map?”
“The terrain may not exactly match the map, but…… Location-wise, it’s around here.”
“I see.”
Feeling that there really wasn’t much left, the detachment took a short breath and then increased their walking speed.
The detachment that soon arrived at the target point had a rough last meal and a short rest, while the strange creatures that inhabited the first floor—objects connected through peepholes were hidden and placed so that the scenery of the Rubelta River could be clearly seen. Afterwards, they gathered in one place.
Then the figure of Prince Raymond was reflected beyond, and the separate units who saw it each took a saluting stance.
Since no voices were exchanged, the only thing that could be exchanged was sign language, but the silence that lingered was more solemn and solemn than ever.
“The Prince is calling each of us by name. “There’s nothing complicated about it, just wishing you good luck.”
The detachments smiled faintly as they listened to the words of the wizard who was interpreting Prince Raymond’s sign language at the front.
“…… “I feel better because you didn’t tell me not to worry about my remaining family.”
“That’s right. “If it’s the prince we know, his words will come from the heart and not for show.”
Unless that solemn speech before heading out was a lie.
The Ernest Empire will certainly provide enormous compensation to the family even if they die.
No, it would be certain if it was the imperial family that they trusted and watched over.
However, repeating that statement here does not mean that they are predicting failure more highly than their success.
For this reason, the detachment felt grateful to Prince Raymond, who simply wished them good luck.
What that means is that at least Prince Raymond, the commander-in-chief, believes in their success.
“Ah…… “
I thought this would be the end of the final report, but Prince Raymond grabbed the connected object and started walking out of the barracks.
Then, all of the units that survived on the front line, which is difficult to contain in the area of a small object……
The scene is shown where everyone is straightening up their ranks and saluting themselves.
Even ordinary soldiers.
Nobles who belong to the leadership.
Ferzendo, the pillar of the empire.
Soon after, Prince Raymond, the commander-in-chief.
After fixing the connected object, they raised their hands and saluted themselves.
This will undoubtedly be Prince Raymond’s final consideration.
The nobles at the top who had sent them here could not have prepared such a scene.
Prince Raymond obviously wants to tell their story to as many people as possible.
If the operation fails like this, those gathered here will just be the subject of gossip among a few nobles and be quietly buried.
…… And just like that, the final report comes to an end.
The separate units turned their backs and grabbed their weapons, looking at the faces of their comrades, which could be their last.
“hahahaha…… “
Really, they have such ugly appearances that they are not attractive enough to be anything new.
There is no doubt that my colleagues and myself are not suited to be the main characters.
Even though an important operation is ahead.
The story they tell must be banal, boring, and uninteresting.
But medicine that is good for the body always tastes bitter.
A poor story told by supporting characters like themselves that will make you turn the pages in an instant……
It will become a hot pulse that will make history flow.
* * * * *
The leaders and Fersen, who had entered the barracks and were watching the start of the operation, carefully curled their fists.
If you haven’t been tracked so far, it won’t be difficult to at least get the first step of the operation.
The problem can be seen as what comes after that.
The elemental wizards who interfered with the earth and penetrated the ground must spread an ice barrier to surround themselves in a circle, then go down to the bottom of the Rubelta River, build a dam at least 15 meters high, and destroy it.
Unless you are an Auror Knight like Empress Gremory, impurities are removed only from your arms and legs so that magic flows through them.
It would be impossible to ignore the violent torrent like now and jump in to slaughter the friendly elemental wizards.
In particular, unlike the one that transformed the nature, the “Interfering” One had no means for other magicians to neutralize it while it was interfering.
Because of this, the moment the dam is built, it will be a fight over whether to block it or break it through.
If successfully carried out, the overwhelming current will reach the El Alta Canyon in about 40 minutes.
…… The time that can determine success or failure is half a day at most.
Will the war continue as a long-term war?
Or it will come down to whether this will be the final fight where all efforts will be made.
“You must be quite nervous. “I’m worried.”
“It’s not like I have little practical experience. “You won’t be nervous and make mistakes.”
“I’m not talking about that, I’m talking about the elemental wizards who went down to the bottom of the Rubelta River. In addition to the pressure, the bottom of the river where you can’t see anything will create quite a sense of closure, and if you breathe too much unnecessarily, you end up eating each other’s flesh. “It is impossible to transform magical power into air.”
“I see. “I went down by hitting the ice barrier, so the air inside is limited, so does that mean I could self-destruct in that way?”
Although it was a negative opinion, it was not a wrong point.
Still, the big advantage of this method is that it does not force the warlocks and knights outside to guard and fight.
“Has it begun!”
Soon, after a calm silence, a huge wall rises beyond the connected objects, and a dam is seen being built to forcibly imprison the Rubelta River.
Because the current was quite rough, the water inside began to rise at a rapid rate, but it was enough for the water pouring down from the dam that had destroyed itself to reach this point and block the enemy’s retreat. I needed time.
In a word, now is the key.
* * * * *
“W-what…” … “
The dam was so overwhelmingly high that it cast a large shadow covering the area, causing quite a bit of embarrassment to the Elmark Imperial Army that was waiting.
The source of the turbulent magic power is below the Rubelta River, where the turbulent current flows.
“Order!”
Even if there was a three-year-old child here, it would not be difficult to guess what the Ernes Empire was aiming for through that dam.
Because of this, some elemental wizards immediately tried to interfere with the dam, but further intervention was impossible with the land that had already been interfered with.
“There is no need to panic. Even if interference is impossible, it won’t be difficult to take it down. First, attack the bottom of the dam. “The difference in water pressure between the inside and the outside will be clear, so if enough cracks are created, the enemy’s aim will be useless.”
“How about dividing the troops and moving further upstream, then building a temporary dam to reduce the water level to prevent water from filling the enemy’s dam?”
“No. The reason fewer people than expected were sent to the tracking team was because they were concerned about the supply team arriving soon. However, because it rained once more on the way, the supply party must have taken a detour. Therefore, the leadership would have organized additional support troops and sent them up. There is no need to overdo it. Remember that the enemy is isolated and time is on our side.”
Of course, even so, there was a bit of anxiety about only targeting the bottom of the dam.
From the beginning, it was difficult to kill the enemy elemental wizard at the bottom of the river.
For this reason, Baron Zellen, who was in command of the pursuit team, thought of a good strategy after much thought.
“Make ice on the top of the dam and let it fall.”
“Ice…… “You mean?”
“Furthermore, the warlocks should summon as large a monster as possible and drop it into the dam.”
Although there was a strategy using catapulting, a very one-dimensional attack method not only made it easy for the enemy to defend, but was also not very efficient compared to the investment value.
“If we assume the worst, limiting the amount of water filling the dam would not be a bad measure. If you send the monster down to the bottom of the river, the enemy warlock will have no choice but to respond by summoning the monster in the same way. Then, due to the increased volume, the amount of water in the dam becomes the external value. In that case, even if the dam collapses, the aftermath will not be able to reach the camp.”
I thought it was too much of a coward-like mindset, but overall, this method was intended to avoid taking as much risk as possible—in short, it was a method to minimize anxiety, so the followers calmly accepted without offering any further opinions. Did.
“Then let’s go!”
“Yes!”
* * * * *
The Elmark Imperial Army, moving under the detailed and meticulous orders of Baron Zellen, advanced into an open area.
The fact that no traces of the enemy were found during the tracking process would be proof that they were moving in small numbers.
Except for the enemy’s elemental wizards who were under the deep waters, no one was yet visible, so there was a high possibility that the enemy was aiming for a surprise attack.
The dam they were supposed to attack anyway was not moving to avoid them.
The area is small, so it’s not difficult to aim for the target, so you have nothing to lose if you just pursue the basics.
Kwasik!
“…… !”
But the moment he thought that, Baron Zelen’s body flinched at the loud noise he could clearly hear with his own ears.
And when I turned my head and looked at the dam in front, the crack near the center began to expand at a rapid pace……
Quang!
Causes a sudden collapse.
The collapse of the dam was something that Baron Zellen had not anticipated, so he was unable to give instructions on how to deal with it. However, when it comes to life-threatening matters, any human will do their best, so the elemental wizards who were protected behind the scenes voluntarily took action. He spread the barrier and interfered with the ground he was stepping on, causing it to rise upward.
“What…” … !”
No, I tried to make it soar upward.
Someone was already radiating magical power and interfering with it, but they were quite puzzled because their own magical energy did not seep in.
Cow!
Soon, the dam collapsed and the muddy water of the Rubelta River burst out and hit the barrier erected by the El Mark Empire army.
It begins to flow with its ferocious force, splitting to the left and right.
Because it was only a short time, the water level stored in the dam was not high, but it was enough to cause chaos in the surrounding area for a short time.
“It’s a surprise attack!”
And taking advantage of that opportunity, the outside Ernes Empire Army that was ambushing attempted a surprise attack on the isolated Elmark Empire Army.
As this was an operation that started from a disadvantageous situation, it was impossible to reduce the gap without showing an anomaly like this.
Of course, it is the Ernest Empire that built a dam to cause a rapid collapse from the beginning.
In order to succeed in the original operation, an enormous amount of magical energy was used up to fill in the collapsed area and repair the dam wall even thicker, but if you do not take this much risk, you will not dare to predict the success of the operation.