Chapter 210 - Chapter Fourteen: Aerial Ambush
As we entered the second month, Eleanor-sama's training grew more intense.
She told us to ride in the bowls and attack the monsters by the riverbank.
"It will be fine if you escape to where your allies are lying in wait. There is no need to worry. They won't notice you until you launch the attack."
Apparently, she had actually gone there. As a result of aerial reconnaissance, she had a general grasp of what was where, so she wanted to deal a blow.
The new-style positions devised by Beatrix and Mary, and the lighting using [Light] devised by the Marcelo Company, were effective, and while money was flying away, the damage was drastically reduced.
After that, if we could do something about the Wyverns, it would lead to budget savings. Against Fenrirs, [Magic Reflection] would suffice, and it could also fulfill the original role of the ballista.
"But if we launch an attack, we'll be noticed, right?"
Beatrix said the most obvious thing. If noticed, we would receive an attack. If many came, it would be quite dangerous.
"Of course, but since it's an aerial battle, the opponents are only Wyverns."
"Are there no Gargoyles?"
"For some reason, I don't see any. Perhaps they weren't deployed on this side of the river."
Well, having several Wyverns is far more dangerous. If we hide ourselves in that Sertoria-like way of fighting, it might be alright.
"Then, for this sortie, only Jeanne will go. Because only holy magic passes through [Magic Reflection], right?"
Wait a minute. Being a poor sport is a problem.
"Wyverns do not use magic, so it's fine to deactivate [Magic Reflection]."
That's right. That's right. We should all go. Wait, eh?
"Jeanne. You said a good thing. Let's all go together."
I pretended not to notice the three in the rear glaring at me.
For this training, the locations for the vanguard and rearguard changed. This was because the Wyvern ambush would be done only by the rearguard.
In exchange, Eleanor-sama and Angelica-san joined the rearguard group. This was because commuting had become difficult for Angelica-san as the Eastern Plains Corps had moved forward.
Within a week, the front line of the Eastern Plains Corps had advanced further, and the units on the west side had reached the front of the Jaeger Corps' central position. Looking from the eastern unit that served as the hinge, the front line was greatly slanted at an angle. In that westernmost unit that was fighting the most, the next generation of hero candidates were apparently gathered. As the front line advanced, the Jaeger Corps had been redeployed to the three northern positions. They had been reinforced. The two positions that had become shorthanded were said to be serving as rear bases for the Eastern Plains Corps.
Where we were taken this time was the former middle position, where a full-scale position was to be built in the future.
In the morning, they expanded the position, and from then until dawn, they seemed to have continued defensive battles every day. Anti-Air Ballistas were installed on top of hills created by covering huts with soil at the four corners.
There were no watchtowers; it was a strange position with just four round hills within an area surrounded by moats and earthworks. The huts could only be entered from above, so one had to climb up the hills. When we climbed up, there was a dog.
"It's become quite large-scale."
"It's amazing. Now, no matter what comes, it'll be fine."
Beatrix and Mary, the originators of the proposal, were looking around the inside of the position.
The position they had designed had become real. When we came last time, there was finally only one, but perhaps because it was effective, they had worked hard to increase them.
The ones installed in the two rear locations were for anti-air use. Mounted on them were thick cylinders that even with both hands, the fingertips of the left and right wouldn't touch; these were lighting devices using [Light] magic circles. They were made so that a palm-sized stationary magic circle drawn on a wooden board was attached to the end of a stick and inserted through a gap opened near the base of the cylinder. If [Magic Reflection] was applied according to the shape of the copper plate pasted inside the cylinder, the light from the magic circle could be gathered and radiated toward the tip of the cylinder, illuminating far away.
The cylinder was inside a rectangular box, and there was a groove on top to insert the magic circle drawn on the wooden board; if a [Holy Lance] magic circle was set in that groove, it could also attack the illuminated opponent.
In the two forward locations, lighting devices for close combat were installed. These had copper plates attached as if a part of a sphere had been cut out. A rod came out from the center, and a magic circle was attached to its tip. These seemed able to illuminate a wide range.
From now on, they would keep expanding, and the number of hills would also increase.
Of course, all four would be protected by simple barrier magic circles, so the defense was perfect. They wouldn't even flinch at flames.
What was scary was the Fenrir's lightning, which could apparently blow quite large holes in the mounds. Eventually, they would have to make them of stone and make them bases to protect this side of the river; if they were collapsed, it would be a disaster.
"Speaking of lightning, metal and saltwater conduct it well."
Beatrix said.
She usually does that for exterminating mice.
"Couldn't we prevent lightning if we just placed a metal rod or something to act as a decoy?"
I wondered if that was how it worked.
"Look, they say you shouldn't swing spears or swords around when it's thundering, right? Spears and swords are iron, so lightning strikes them, right? Then, if there's iron in a place higher than the position, wouldn't the Fenrir's lightning strike there instead?"
It was quite a radical idea, but would it really work that well?
"That's interesting. Let's experiment."
Eleanor-sama bit onto the idea, and in front of the position, an experiment began, setting aside the training.
A sword was tied to the end of a pole with rope. That was thrust into the ground. The sword was dangling in the air.
On the ground where the pole was thrust, several barrels were placed scattered about. These were the targets. If Eleanor-sama dropped lightning toward the barrels from a distance and the sword drew that lightning to itself, it would be a pass.
"First, I'll aim for the barrel in the front, furthest from the pole."
With a roar, the barrel was blown away. A failure.
"Then, I'll aim for the barrel in the front, near the pole."
This time, the lightning struck the sword. A success.
It was a success, but the sword was blown away and stabbed into the ground at our feet. It was quite dangerous.
We had the Headmistress put up a barrier, and the spectators evacuated there.
Afterward, she aimed for the barrels in order, destroying barrels or blowing away the sword, but it seemed the results were out.
"As Beatrix says, it seems lightning can be prevented to some extent. If anything, it was more effective when aiming for the back than when aiming for the front. There wasn't much difference between left and right. Considering the height of a Fenrir's lightning outdoors, I think the damage from lightning can be largely prevented if poles are placed at intervals of twenty paces in width and about thirty paces from the front of the position to the back."
The Jaeger Corps stirred. Beatrix swaggered.
The experiment entered the second stage. This time, poles were set up within the position, and Eleanor-sama, acting as the Fenrir, would actually attack targets made of hills or wooden dolls.
Just in case, everyone entered the Headmistress's barrier.
"Do you not have any wolf pelts? In these matters, atmosphere is important."
Eleanor-sama asked.
Apparently, she had developed a taste for it with the wild boar.
"I'm sorry. We haven't made any with wolves."
We had prepared wild boar for everyone in the Class of 175. Mary had paid out of her own pocket to make a fox one too. However, we hadn't made any with wolves.
"It can't be helped. Let's do it like this."
She might make one in the Royal Capital and bring it here.
The experimental results were excellent; the hills and wooden dolls were safe.
What wasn't safe were the poles; the swords were blown away, the spears were broken, and the poles themselves were in pieces.
"The problem is the poles. They won't hold up like this."
It's over after taking one hit. That said, if they're made thick, they'll obstruct the view. It was decided to use iron rods.
"Let's ask the various Kingdom Army garrisons to make them urgently. Please also contact the Royal Capital."
If they're too long, they can't be transported easily. They decided on a method of making many short ones and connecting them by bundling several around one. That way, they could gain thickness so they'd be sturdy, and transport would be easy. The thickness and length were decided, and immediately, messengers were sent out.
The new-style position seemed set to change into an even stranger position where hills lined up and many iron poles stood tall.
What to do in the training was simple. Go to the designated location and fire magic randomly. If Wyverns came out, intercept them in the air while drawing them toward the allied position. Once they came above the position, intercept them with Anti-Air Ballistas. On the way, if the Eastern Plains Corps had advanced, magic support from the ground would also apparently come in. A request was made to fight at low altitude as much as possible.
Since it was a morning sortie, the monsters' movements should be dull. For humans, it would be just after falling asleep.
In addition to the four in the rearguard, Angelica-san, Eleanor-sama, and the Headmistress participated. While each person rode in one, for some reason, Eleanor-sama and the Headmistress rode together.
Six bowls operated by two Jaegers each set out. The lead was the bowl I was riding in, and I proceeded while shining [Light] toward the rear. To be honest, I was anxious about whether they were following safely, but when everyone fired magic toward the sky all at once near the destination, I was relieved.
Around where the river became quite close, we took our positions. The overall deployment had the Headmistress and Eleanor-sama pair in the lead. Behind and above them were the three vanguards. At the very rear was Angelica-san. Angelica-san also had the role of stopping the monster ground forces with [Glacio] if they began to advance.
Now, the battle begins. I pressed the Black Stone against my skin and had Fiona and Flora watch the surroundings. Since my bowl had [Magic Reflection] applied, it was at a relatively low altitude. My role was to deliver the finishing blow to those that fell.
Suddenly, the Headmistress pair revealed themselves. A decoy. When they fired three log-class [Holy] spells toward the ground, one Wyvern flew up.
It chased the Headmistress pair as they ascended.
There, [Ice Cube] exploded.
It was probably Beatrix and Mary simultaneously. One of its wings froze, and it fell while tilted.
I went near where it fell and pounded it with three amplified [Holy] spells.
Since I was just above the trees, I probably hadn't been found. Perhaps because it was already in a near-death state, it stopped moving without even raising a voice.
"Wyverns have flown up. Let's see, six, seven, eight... eight of them!"
Fiona's voice flew.
From the ground, Wyverns flew up one after another.
The ones being targeted were, of course, the Headmistress pair who had lowered their altitude.
Two or three simultaneously breathed fire from their mouths, but they accelerated and surged upward. The fire was blocked in front of the bowl. They must have deployed a [Wind Barrier].
Conversely, they were being shot down with [Holy].
The others were being sniped with [Ice Cube]. At any rate, if the wings were frozen, they could somehow be brought down. They would fall from high altitude and be slammed into the forest. Even if they were alive, they wouldn't recover so easily.
It must be Lyudmila. Lumps of water also began to fly around the sky.
Since they were falling one after another after losing their balance, the cleanup was hard work. Leaving the aerial reconnaissance to Fiona and the ground to Flora, I flew around in circles, approaching the fallen Wyverns and delivering the finishing blows.
"They're here. Fenrirs! Three of them!"
When I defeated the third one, Fiona shouted.
Apparently, they chased the light of my [Holy]. If I retreated too far, I would get in Angelica-san's way.
"Go right above them. Aim from above."
I had them operate it and, taking careful aim, fired an amplified [Holy] at one Fenrir.
A direct hit. It hit the head well. Perhaps it was paralyzed, as it remained collapsed on the ground and didn't move. Its legs were just twitching. I fired a second and third shot just like that and delivered the finishing blow.
Immediately, lightning fell around us.
One was on a direct hit course, but the Jaeger dodged it well.
We temporarily changed locations. The Jaeger told me to fire a shot, so when I fired one from a distance, the Fenrir that nimbly dodged it gave a howl.
As it proceeded, it decelerated for a moment. It had passed through the magic defense.
Proceeding further, I aimed from right above. This time, it was two consecutive shots.
With a single yelp, it flipped over. I fired in rapid succession and delivered the finishing blow.
The other Fenrir ended up just wandering around while howling, so I decided to leave it alone. I had to deliver the finishing blows to the Wyverns.
"Upper left, a Wyvern is charging in!"
I seemed to have been found by a Wyvern. I moved in a hurry. It would be a disaster if we collided.
As we slid to the left, fire passed through the place where we had been and burned the trees.
The Wyvern that had lost sight of us was hovering in front of us.
A chance like this doesn't come often. I fired two shots aiming for the heart and left the spot.
The Wyvern was tottering, somehow clinging to two trees.
When I approached and pounded it with two more shots, it fell from the trees.
Afterward, I would temporarily ascend and then go around delivering finishing blows to the near-death Wyverns Flora found.
It was when I defeated the third one.
"Five Wyverns are coming up. Also, Eleanor-sama and the others' bowl is descending."
Looking at the sky, the Headmistress pair took a course to the west.
Several Wyverns followed them.
I fired an amplified [Holy] and ascended.
I brought one down.
"[Glacio] is out."
The area where the trees had been burning was frozen solid. It stopped them and put out the fire at the same time.
When I switched my magic to [Light] and was illuminating below, I heard Angelica-san's voice saying that was enough. It seemed they had returned.
In the case of retreat, we would be at the very rear.
The lead was the Headmistress pair. Slightly apart and above them were the three vanguards. We were at the very rear. Above us was Angelica-san.
It's a high-speed bowl. We were being swarmed by five or six, but we pulled away at once. Magic concentrated there.
We were flying straight ahead. Aiming was easy.
I brought down the ones behind one by one, and I delivered the finishing blows in order.
It must be Lyudmila. She seemed to have used [Flame], but it wasn't very effective against the fire-breathing Wyverns. Conversely, she was about to be counterattacked, so while I was firing amplified [Holy], one charged toward us.
"We're charging straight in. Don't miss the moment it opens its mouth. Aim well."
The Jaeger said something reckless. Moreover, he thrust out a spear. With this, the spearhead was in plain view. I aimed desperately, and the moment it opened its large mouth to breathe fire, I pierced through it, and it fell headlong. The bowl surged upward while turning back to the right.
"Well done. When it's one-on-one with a Wyvern, that's how you aim. Those guys always breathe fire in the air. If you don't miss that moment, you can defeat them with even a single intermediate [Holy]."
Come to think of it, the bowls are usually operated by a pair consisting of a high-level mage who uses [Wind Barrier] and a holy mage who can use [Magic Reflection].
They have experience surviving through battles. No wonder I thought they were moving well to create decoys.
"Thank you very much. Please teach me again."
When I said my thanks, my head was patted, and I was told they'd teach me as much as I wanted if it was just this much.
The Headmistress pair, while gradually losing altitude, let the Wyverns catch up and then pulled away, let them catch up and then pulled away, pulling them along so they wouldn't give up.
Occasionally fire was breathed at them, but each time, they were withstanding it with wind magic.
They must have applied [Camouflage], as their figures vanished. Since they were thrusting out the spearhead, I knew their location. The Eastern Plains Corps must be close. They don't want to show the bowls to the heroes of other countries.
As we flew, toward the Wyverns chasing the spearhead, light was fired from the ground one after another, and three fell at once.
Reinforcements.
Looking down, Roberts-sama was there. Harrison-san, who had climbed a tree, was also there.
Apparently, the one who brought down the Wyverns was Harrison-san.