Chapter 140 - The Will to Crush the Enemy
The fierce war cry rang out as the black and white-clad group launched a synchronized assault from all directions.
The makeshift defenses set up by the rogue adventurers were positioned a short distance from the Central Plaza, leaving the plaza itself open and blocking several major and minor streets leading to it.
Despite the small scale, the urban warfare setup was impressive. The Kikyo Society and its allied forces were tightening their encircling net with ferocious speed, closing in on the enemy’s fortified position.
Of course, the enemy didn’t just sit idly by. The rogue adventurers, who had fortified their position behind barricades, began their long-range attacks with a show of force.
Even from a distance, it was clear that the volume and power of their attacks were considerable. These weren’t just pretenders; they had some real skill. Normally, using magic in the city was strictly forbidden, but it seemed they had no qualms about that now. Quite a spectacle.
However, the black and white-robed berserkers showed no sign of stopping. They shrugged off the flashy magic, large rocks, massive arrows, poisoned knives, hand axes, and spears with ease. Their combat spirit was relentless, a true testament to their fearless nature.
“Too weak. Our members won’t be stopped by such a meager barrage,” one of them said.
“Breaking through enemy defenses is the most basic of tactics. Our members, who have undergone rigorous training under Onee-sama and the other leaders, won’t falter or hesitate in the face of this.”
Indeed, it was the most basic of tactics.
If you were on the offensive, you had to break through the enemy’s resistance. From the defensive side, setting up barricades and launching long-range attacks or traps was a given.
Not anticipating this would be unthinkable. Especially in our group, where such drills were a regular part of training, simulating the most challenging scenarios to ensure they could be overcome. The training was so realistic and advanced that it often surpassed the actual battlefield.
The elite members of the Kikyo Society advanced rapidly.
They ignored all attacks that didn’t directly affect them, dodged or deflected those that did, and relied on the protective power of their cloaks to absorb the rest, pushing forward with unrelenting momentum.
Additional support came from the rear, where long-range units were bombarding the barricades and causing chaos among the enemy ranks.
The volunteers were more formidable than expected. Though their coordination was lacking, those who took the lead were seasoned warriors, showing a ferocity that matched our members. However, without proper coordination, their formation began to falter.
That’s where our members stepped in to cover the gaps. Gradena and Zenobia moved to reinforce the weaker spots, and they rallied the volunteers, inspiring them with their own bravery. Anyone who saw their courageous charge would be motivated to follow. After all, these were people who had gathered here with a deep-seated desire for revenge. There was no room for cowardice.
While the front lines pressed forward, the rear units provided magical support. Defensive spells protected those with weaker defenses, while offensive spells weakened the enemy’s pressure. Various blessings were also bestowed to enhance individual capabilities.
Despite being a hastily assembled team, the balance and support were impressive.
And then there was our Vice-Commander, Siegrune, leading a special task force composed of the most promising recruits.
Their momentum was even more intense, thanks to the promising young members handpicked by the squad leaders. This task force, distinct from the encircling formation, moved like an arrow, breaking through a single point of the enemy’s defenses and advancing toward the Central Plaza.
“Quick,” someone noted.
“Yes, but the enemy looks strong,” another added.
Indeed, even from a distance, it was clear that the elite forces were waiting for them.
They weren’t just strong; this was their stronghold. They would have set up several magical devices to their advantage.
This would be a formidable defense, but our vanguard was led by Siegrune, my right-hand and one of our most elite members. The young recruits supporting her were future leaders in the making, and I was here to cover the rear.
I wasn’t just here to observe. I was here to support from the rear.
Overall, things were going smoothly. There were several injuries, but with healing potions, the wounded quickly returned to the fight. Even those with severe injuries, as long as they weren’t dead, would recover and rejoin the battle. For the enemy, this must be a terrifying sight.
However, the enemy had set up their defenses deliberately. I didn’t think this would end so easily.
The enemy was resilient. Even the Kikyo Society, filled with skilled fighters, couldn’t guarantee a one-hit kill.
“…The wind seems off. President, it looks like the enemy’s special forces are here.”
They were here to take my head. If these were assassins, they would be as elite as our own.
“Valeria, stay with the reserve forces on the rooftop and be ready. Violante, maintain all-around vigilance.”
“Yes, Onee-sama!”
Valeria, eager for action, moved into position with a spring in her step.
Soon, a group of assassins in black attire appeared. They seemed to be a different group from the rogue adventurers, likely hired by a noble family.
They might have planned a surprise attack, but Violante’s wind perception detected them early, and their movements were easily tracked once they got close.
Now, they were easy targets. Instead of surprising us, they were the ones caught off guard.
The moment they appeared, Valeria’s dagger sliced through the throat of what seemed to be their leader. The reserve forces, also waiting in ambush, quickly dispatched the other assassins.
What was supposed to be a surprise attack turned into a counter-ambush. They would have been more challenging if they had fought us head-on, but their numbers were few.
The first wave was quickly dealt with, but the operation to eliminate me had a second phase.
“President! A strong enemy is approaching from that direction!”
The second wave was meant to take advantage of the chaos caused by the first and finish me off. This foe was much more skilled, with a presence that set them apart from the others.
I stood with my bat at the ready, half-turned to face the approaching enemy.
My breath was sharp as I swung with blinding speed. The impact was deafening, and the enemy was shattered on the spot.
They probably didn’t even understand what hit them.
The Silver Super-Hard Bat, generating shockwaves and intense heat, was a weapon of pure destruction. Only this specially crafted bat could achieve such a devastating swing.
The intense sensation of the impact was deeply satisfying. Yes, I had created a remarkable weapon.
“Violante, are there any more threats approaching?”
“Please wait a moment… There don’t seem to be any more.”
The attack was over. Still, the number of assassins seemed unusually low. Was it a matter of limited resources, or did they underestimate us? Or perhaps they had another plan in motion.
Regardless, I had no sympathy for assassins.
“Onee-sama, Siegrune and the others are…”
“Hmm? Ah, a trap. It’s starting.”
Turning my attention back, I saw that the welcoming party for Siegrune and her team had already begun in the Central Plaza.
What I saw was a trap that defied logic—a massive bear trap.
With enhanced vision, I could see the enormous jaws, far larger than any human. This wasn’t a trap for small animals but a dangerous device designed to capture large beasts. If caught, a person would be bisected instantly. Setting it up in the city was madness.
Siegrune, leading the charge, gave a signal to the small, agile recruit behind her. The recruit immediately raised a long staff-like weapon and delivered a devastating blow, shattering the heavy trap and sending it flying.
“Hmm, quite an impressive uppercut.”
I couldn’t help but admire it, despite the situation.
Physical or magical attacks, the Kikyo Society members wouldn’t be stopped by minor obstacles.
Siegrune seemed to be intentionally triggering the traps, stepping into them to activate them and then crushing them underfoot. She ignored the intense long-range attacks from the enemy’s elite forces.
While Siegrune led the charge, the young recruits handled all the traps and obstacles, doing the dirty work while she pressed forward.
A new development caught my attention.
From my vantage point on the rooftop, I could see additional enemies appearing. They were setting up some kind of magical device on the roof of the Adventurer Guild, an old building with a storied history.
I considered destroying it immediately, but similar devices were being set up elsewhere.
On the balcony of a middle floor of the guild building, a group was busily setting up a large magical device.
Their efforts seemed futile in this context. Perhaps they thought it would be less noticeable if it were already in place.
“What is that? It’s a large device…”
“It doesn’t matter. Onee-sama can handle it from here.”
I didn’t care what the device was. I’d destroy it regardless.
With a clear line of sight, there was no problem.
I decided to throw a fastball.
Casually, I generated a tungsten ball the size of a softball and gripped it firmly. With a powerful throw, I sent it flying with a whistling sound, guided by precise control.
The ball, enhanced by Physical Enhancement Magic and my throwing technique, achieved a level of force comparable to a weapon. It struck the device with a tremendous impact, causing it to explode.
The destruction extended beyond the device, causing significant damage to the guild building itself.
Well, it wasn’t like the building would collapse. No big deal.
Satisfied with the successful throw, I was interrupted by Violante’s voice.
“What’s that?”
“Some kind of liquid is spreading from the destroyed device. There’s a lot of smoke too.”
What in the world?
“Ah, I see. It’s poison.”
The device I destroyed was a magical device designed to disperse poison. It was likely meant to target Siegrune and her team as they dismantled the traps, but it malfunctioned, releasing the poison on the spot. The acid-like substance was creating thick smoke wherever it landed.
This meant the enemy’s elite forces, who were positioned in front of the guild, were now directly in the path of the poison.
Caught off guard by this unexpected turn, the enemy panicked and abandoned their position, retreating to the plaza.
Siegrune’s disappointed look in my direction didn’t escape me, but I pretended not to notice. While the enemy suffered significant damage, they weren’t all defeated yet. It was a bit unfair to the vice-commander, but such is the nature of war.
The battle was far from over. Tonight, we intended to crush everything the enemy held dear.
I wondered how the others were faring.