Chapter 211 - Let's Lend a Hand to the Volunteers!
If we follow the loudest commotion, we should naturally find the source of the trouble. We arrived at the town gate where we had entered. The gate is now firmly shut, and the guards are shouting and running around in a panic. Outside, it seems there's a significant enemy force, though we don’t know who they are. It’s unlikely they’re a drug cartel working with the lord, but you never know.
I grab a random soldier to get some information.
"Hey, what’s going on here?"
"Shut up, civilian! Stay out of this!"
I grab the soldier by the collar and glare at him. We might get dragged into this mess too.
"Listen, I’m just a civilian. The least you could do is give us a basic explanation, considering we’re caught in this."
"T-the rebels are swarming outside. Just stay put until Lord’s army drives them off."
The soldier’s spine seems to melt under my glare, and he spills the information.
"The rebels?"
I was about to ask more, but the soldier runs off as soon as I let him go. Oh well.
"I’ll go check it out myself."
"Alright, thanks. This might be our chance. I’ll get the vehicle ready, so Graylease, get back to the parking lot as soon as you’re done with your recon."
"Yes, ma’am."
The gate is closed, but we plan to sneak out. With Graylease, there’s no need to worry about being caught.
We all head back to the vehicle and quickly prepare to leave. We wait for Graylease, keeping our eyes open this time.
The deputy director of the Intelligence Bureau returns after a surprisingly long time, bringing unexpected news.
"I made contact with the rebels."
This is unexpected. We can't get a more reliable source than this.
"Good job. What did you find out?"
"They are villagers who have been oppressed. They don’t seem to be a well-organized army, but they have the momentum. Their goal is to reclaim what was taken and seek revenge."
An uprising against the lord. It’s a bold move. If they fail, they’ll all be killed, but staying oppressed isn’t much better. A life of slavery or a fighting chance—people have different perspectives on which is better.
From what we’ve seen on the way, the lord’s underlings abduct villagers, steal the profits from drug production, and abandon the drugged villagers. They even turn a blind eye to barbarian raids on villages, sometimes joining in the looting.
Frankly, the lord has failed in every duty to protect his people. He’s more of a menace than a protector.
It’s only natural for the oppressed to rise up, and the lord’s underlings’ misdeeds provided the perfect catalyst.
The fate of those underlings is clear, but the rebels have made it to the lord’s stronghold.
This is getting interesting.
"Did you talk to them about anything else?"
"I thought we could use them, so I told them about the lord’s army. I suggested they pretend to attack the town to lure out the soldiers. Is that alright?"
True to form, an intelligence officer knows how to use information. This situation can be advantageous.
"Great. No complaints here."
"Those in charge are probably holed up in the castle. We can easily strike when their defenses are thin."
"What’s the strength of the rebel forces? Can they take the town?"
"It’s a bit of a stretch. They have about seven hundred men, but their equipment is poor. While their morale is high, especially because they want to rescue their children, their equipment is lacking."
Hmm, more numbers than I expected. For a rural area, that’s impressive. However, their numbers and high morale are offset by their poor equipment.
The lord’s army, numbering around five hundred, are professional soldiers. Even if the rebels manage to hold their ground, they’re likely to be overwhelmed. Raw determination isn’t enough.
The professional soldiers are trained fighters. How far can revenge-driven civilians go? The worst-case scenario is a one-sided battle.
But the rebels are in luck because we’re here.
"A victory for the lord’s side would be no fun at all."
"Agreed. I’ll lend a hand. A surprise attack can make a big difference, even with just one person."
"If we’re going to do this, let’s aim for a decisive victory. Liliane and Ophelia, join in."
"Sure thing. We’ll make a big bang and scatter them."
The lord’s army is at most five hundred. A surprise attack with two heavy hitters can cause significant damage and chaos. For the rebels, it will be a decisive boost.
The lord’s army won’t deploy all their forces, keeping at least a hundred to guard the castle. We’ll need to handle those.
Now, how should we position ourselves?
"I’ll take a high vantage point to disrupt any messengers."
"That’s necessary. Whoever it is, hold them off."
We don’t want any unexpected developments that could alert the empire. Albert’s bow can hit anything trying to escape the town.
"Should the rest of us storm the castle?"
"Yes, we’ll split the tasks after we breach the walls. I’ll head to the underground to see the prisoners. Verone and Graylease, focus on securing the lord. Ignore everything else and act quickly before they can cause any trouble. You two, handle the interrogation and leave the rest to them."
Avoid unnecessary killings. If the lord is related to a powerful noble, it could give them an excuse. It’s unlikely, but better safe than sorry. Verone and Graylease understand the nuances and can be trusted to gather information effectively.
Our main goal is to prevent the lord from using any communication devices. While it’s unlikely he has such valuable items, it’s a precaution.
"Valeria and Mia, you two can stir up the troops inside the castle. Try to draw them away."
"We’ll wreak havoc at the entrance and bridge to prevent anyone from escaping. Albert will focus on the town’s movements."
"Onee-sama, we’ll take care of everything."
Mia is confident, and she has the skills to back it up.
The castle will have guards at the bridge entrance, the main gate, and protecting the lord’s family. Some will also be stationed in the basement. With most of the forces dealing with the rebels, the remaining troops inside will be few. Valeria and Mia, with their speed and ambush skills, will excel in this environment.
The castle, surrounded by a lake, can only be accessed via a bridge. The defenders might think it’s impregnable, but once we break through the first barrier, it should be smooth sailing. We must stay vigilant, though.
"I’ll be in the vehicle, on standby. Make sure we’re ready to leave as soon as you return."
"Understood. We’ll be ready."
"We should also be wary of looting during the chaos. I’ll keep an eye out."
Having someone to handle the logistics means we can focus on the fight. It’s a big help.
"Alright, let’s move. Once the lord’s army engages the rebels, we’ll start our operation. The timing is up to each of you."
"Let’s do it!"
"Things are getting exciting!"
We casually hop over the wall and head out, ignoring the chaos in the town. The emergency situation makes it easier to slip through unnoticed.
Albert heads to the tallest building in town for a vantage point, while Ophelia and Liliane find spots for their ambush. We wait in a position to observe the castle.
As soon as we exit the town, the lake comes into view. The midday sun reflects off the clear blue water, surrounded by grasslands and sparse forests. It’s a peaceful and beautiful scene.
In the middle of the lake, a small island houses a castle. While a white, quaint castle might have fit the fairy tale, the actual structure is a rugged, earth-colored fortress. The bridge leading to the island is gray and built for durability.
"This ruins the scenery."
"It would be much prettier without that castle."
"It reflects the lord’s pettiness."
The others aren’t impressed either.
Observing the castle, we see the gates open, and a large group of soldiers march out. They’re on foot, rushing across the bridge.
A leader organizes them into a neat formation. There are about four hundred in total, and they begin their advance.
Around twenty soldiers remain to guard the bridge, up from the usual three. Eliminating these guards will reduce the burden on Valeria and Mia.
We have five people: me, Valeria, Mia, Verone, and Graylease. With twenty enemies, that’s four per person. Easy.
When the main force is out of sight, we signal to start the operation.
The distance to the bridge is about three hundred meters, a considerable stretch of open grassland.
We choose to run at full speed, avoiding any flashy spells that might draw attention. Stun grenades or loud spells would alert the soldiers. We want to be subtle but effective.
So, we charge straight in!
Valeria, known for her incredible speed, takes the lead. Her speed isn’t just about running fast; it’s enhanced by magic.
She solidifies the ground to improve traction and creates a wind current to reduce air resistance. These subtle spells are executed flawlessly, with no wasted movements.
It’s a technique only Valeria can master in our Kikyo Society, a specialized magic that focuses solely on increasing movement speed. It’s a formidable skill in combat.
Her fearless charge seems reckless but is highly effective in catching the enemy off guard.
Most soldiers are stunned before they can react. The speed and surreal nature of the scene leave them unprepared.
Valeria, like me, believes in striking first and decisively.
While maintaining her incredible speed, she selects her target, aiming for the highest-ranking officer.
She reaches the enemy lines in an instant, weaving through the shocked soldiers to the back. There, she finds a man in expensive armor.
She runs alongside him, maintaining her speed, and then jumps slightly.
Just as she’s about to pass him, she grabs the man’s helmeted face.
The sheer force and grip strength from the young girl are unbelievable.
The man is yanked away with her, flying through the air like a cannonball.
They crash into the gray bridge railing.
Valeria releases him at the last moment, using the momentum and wind to disengage.
The sound is dull, the metal railing bent, and the man’s fate is clear, even through his helmet.
Valeria stands in the middle of the bridge, facing the stunned soldiers. The space is filled with an eerie silence, broken only by the wind rustling her ponytail.
In her pale blue cloak, she turns to face us, a perfect image of a beautiful young girl. She’s my sister.