Chapter 74 - A One-Woman Army
We're almost ready to strike the enemy's camp.
The atmosphere in the Kikyo Society's area is more excitement than tension. People look at us, but no one meets our eyes.
We wait like caged beasts, eager to be unleashed. We won't wait politely at the gate; we'll jump from the outer walls and charge into the enemy lines.
Just as we're about to burst, the light magic signal we've been waiting for finally shoots up into the sky.
"It's here! Let's go!"
"Yeeeaah!"
"I'm first!"
"Not if I can help it!"
"Yeehaw!"
No one lags behind. I feel the others chasing after me as I leap out first, and that feeling only intensifies my excitement.
We burst out, fully powered by Physical Enhancement Magic, and rush into the enemy lines like arrows from a taut bow.
The enemy's vanguard, surprised by our sudden appearance, falls into confusion.
The chaos is even greater because of the main force attacking from the gate and our group jumping from the walls.
"Make way for the Kikyo Society! If you don't want to die, retreat to the back!"
I deploy my invisible frontal armor and charge through the battlefield, ramming into anyone in my way.
So light, so easy! I bounce enemy soldiers in light armor like ping-pong balls, cutting through the enemy ranks with reckless abandon.
"Die!"
As my speed slows slightly, a spear thrusts at me from the side. I casually grab the spear's tip and crush it, seizing the brutish soldier.
"W-What!?"
"You're just what I needed."
The heavily armored soldier might be a commander. I throw him to the ground and lift his legs, then change my tactic by dispelling my frontal armor.
"Here we go!"
I spin, swinging the armored soldier around and around. Now, I start moving like a human flail, sending soldiers flying in all directions.
The spinning gives me a clear view of the battlefield. The Kikyo Society members are wreaking havoc, cutting through the enemy lines.
The mages are especially terrifying, blasting spells in all directions. The melee fighters are mowing down enemies with brutal efficiency.
Ziegrune and Angelina are supporting the others, providing cover. They're always reliable.
Reassured, I dive back into the fight. I throw the armored soldier aside and clench my fist, ready to charge. I become a force of destruction in the sea of enemies.
I punch, kick, strike, throw, pierce, crush, and break.
"Ha ha ha ha!"
I laugh off all the screams and shouts, determined to dominate. If they want to take something from me, they'll have to be prepared to lose. I'm ready. I take.
Dyeing my white cloak red, I plunge deeper into the enemy ranks, not knowing how far I've come. I'll keep going until I'm satisfied.
Iron spikes sprout everywhere, followed by a rain of lightning. Seas of fire turn into ice in an instant. Gale-force winds and tornadoes of ice and rocks sweep through the battlefield.
Approach and you'll be felled. Stay back and you'll be struck from afar. Flee and you'll be pursued and cut down.
The battlefield is vast, but fear spreads like the wind. Even soldiers don't want to die, especially if it's a pointless death.
A losing battle. The chaos and fear on the battlefield shift as the vanguard and the main force push against each other.
"You scum! Don't retreat, don't break ranks!"
"What are the commanders doing? Don't let them retreat!"
The retreat of the vanguard seems to have thrown the main force into chaos. But this doesn't concern us. We just keep advancing and crushing everything in our path.
After a while, I notice the enemy's defenses are much thicker than before.
Uniformed metal armor and expensive weapons—these aren't regular soldiers but knights stationed at the rear.
We seem to be nearing the enemy's stronghold.
We're surrounded by enemies, and we've lost contact with our main force. But does it matter? We'll just push through.
But if the enemy commander is nearby, things change. We might capture him.
Facing the formation of shields, I take a moment to clear the surrounding enemies.
"Yukari-dono, the knights are here."
"Onee-sama, let's do this."
"This formation is different from before."
"Finally, things are getting interesting."
Agreed. If we can take out the commander, this might end. No more late-night raids, no more endless battles. It's tempting.
"Let's take the commander as a prisoner. It's a bonus for the effort."
We don't know if this is the commander, but he's certainly important. Even if it doesn't end the battle, he'll be valuable for negotiations.
"Alright, let's go!"
Paula's enthusiastic shout coincides with the knights' advance attack.
Arrows and spells rain from the enemy's rear, but I block them all with my invisible armor.
It's a cheap trick, involving our own soldiers. They know they're in a desperate situation.
"Bring it on!"
We retaliate with a barrage of attack spells, but they're all blocked.
They must be using a powerful barrier magic or a magic device. Barrier magic is one-sided, blocking outside attacks but letting inside attacks through. It's a formidable magic.
"Who would have thought the attackers would use barrier magic? It must be a magic device."
"There aren't many barrier mages around, so it's probably a device."
"Troublesome."
Breaking the barrier is simple: keep attacking until the magic power runs out. But it's extremely resilient, and it takes a lot of power to break it. Even strong attacks only chip away a little.
It won't be easy to break, considering the quality of the device and the power reserves.
But so what? If there's a way to break it, we'll do it. We'll keep hitting it until it breaks.
"Let's start."
None of us are daunted by the barrier. We say it lightly.
"That's the spirit. Now we can really show our strength."
"Ha ha, this is fun!"
"Let's do it!"
"Ziegrune and Angelina, guard the perimeter. The rest of you, surround the barrier and attack with everything you've got!"
"Got it!"
Our task is simple: put as much pressure on the barrier as possible.
As the Kikyo Society members scatter and attack, the knights counterattack. We defend, attack, and relentlessly pound the barrier.
Even we can't break through a barrier that can withstand a full-force assault. We need to go all out.
"Ha, as expected, it's tough. This is going to be fun. I'll crush it!"
I briefly think of using Nova Ore, but the explosion would be too large here. I'll stick to a more direct approach.
I use a major spell, consuming most of my mana. Fortunately, I have mana recovery potions.
I visualize the enemy's position and the barrier above them.
Using mineral magic, I create something that casts a shadow over the area.
A massive iron boulder, as large as a sacred monolith.
It takes time to form, but it grows rapidly, visible to everyone on the battlefield.
I chant the spell to strengthen my visualization.
"Stain the red earth with the black stage of the distant god, manifest and descend with iron will and iron body! Strike all the dust and filth that touches your flesh and soul with the dusky iron hammer!"
My mana dwindles, but I can't stop now. I open my eyes and finish the incantation.
"Great Fall!"
The huge shadow blocks the sunlight, and a moment of silence falls over the chaotic battlefield.
My voice echoes clearly, heard by everyone nearby.
The boulder falls slowly, pressing against the barrier.
Shhhhhh!
The barrier, reaching its limit, shatters with a clear sound, breaking into pieces.
The boulder disappears, having served its purpose. Creating it took time, but dispelling it is easy. I control it, so it's simple.
Of course, if it fell, it would crush me too.
The knights are stunned, the battlefield frozen.
In the stillness, I calmly drink a mana recovery potion.
The Kikyo Society members aren't as stunned as the enemy, but they look tense, ready to move.
"Let's start over."
I clench my fist, wearing my special gloves, and charge at the stunned knights with their shields.
I punch a knight and his shield away, then scatter iron spikes. I grab a shield and throw it like a frisbee, felling more enemies.
"Get a move on! Do you want to die!?"
The enemy command center is bombarded by the Kikyo Society members. The knights, caught off guard, take heavy losses before regaining their composure. No sympathy for them.
We take advantage of their vulnerability, crushing them.
Regular soldiers begin to retreat. We don't need them, so their departure is welcome. But the commander won't escape.
I want to end this here.
I charge the enemy command center alone, breaking through with a single-minded focus. The Kikyo Society members follow, surrounding the center.
Spells fly, blood splatters, and armor shatters.
Nothing is more exhilarating than this. I'd love to face something stronger, but this is enough.
We converge in front of a large tent.
Is this the end? What's inside? I sense people inside.
"Quite an impressive tent."
"The guards are all taken care of. Shall we meet the commander?"
The area around the tent is littered with bodies. No one stands.
The tent probably houses important figures and their attendants.
We nod, and Ziegrune opens the tent.
"Excuse us!"
The first thing I see is a young man sitting in a grand chair. Next to him are two stern-looking older men. Behind them are cowering attendants.
Hmm, no point overthinking it. Let's just capture them.
As I step forward, one of the older men steps in front.
"Stop! Who are you to barge in here? This is disrespectful!"
You attacked us, so don't talk about respect. He's probably important.
"Who you are doesn't matter. You can introduce yourselves, but it won't change what's about to happen."
"That's right. If you want to talk, speak to the Exembra Garrison later."
"Onee-sama, let's capture them."
"Be gentle, but if they resist, we'll have to incapacitate them. But no killing."
I casually create a rope to bind them, leaving the task to the others.
The older men protest, but Gradena and the others silence them.
I grab the military flag from the tent and hand it to Bonnie to raise high.
We walk through the remaining enemy soldiers with our prisoners, unopposed. The path clears for us.
The enemy soldiers are retreating. We don't need to chase them.
We walk straight to Exembra's gate, greeted by silence, not cheers.
That's strange. The victory is ours. They should be celebrating.
The Exembra Garrison's commander waits with a mixed expression.
"…I recall the Kikyo Society was only supposed to make a strike, not capture the commander."
True, but it's too late to complain.
"Details don't matter. All's well that ends well. Look, we brought the commander."
"Indeed, the prisoner's attire and the flag confirm it. Thank you. Your reward will come later, but it's guaranteed."
We hand over the prisoner, and the garrison's subordinates scatter to manage the situation.
We'll need to stay vigilant for a while, but things should settle down soon.
Many people watch us from a distance, their expressions ranging from fear to awe.
Some adventurers and Anastasia Union members look interested, but they won't start a fight.
Today's work is done. I'm tired.
We regroup with Rosabel-san and the others and prepare to go home.
"I want to go home and rest."
"I want a bath."
"Me too."
"I'm hungry."
We return to our daily routine. The battles remind us to appreciate the peace.
Incidentally, my Great Fall spell was recognized as some kind of illusion. The non-reality of the scene and the lack of knowledge about the barrier magic among the Kikyo Society members contributed to this. The magic device was also taken back by the enemy, leaving the truth a mystery.
Even if the enemy soldiers told the truth, no one would believe them.