Chapter 211 - Chapter Fifteen: Offense and Defense
"Thirteen Wyverns. There are three unconfirmed, so in total, we have incapacitated sixteen. It could be called a tremendous military result."
It's a sufficient effect. The Jaegers are also applauding and cheering.
Beatrix is waving her hand, saying thank you.
"We must expand the results here. Let's go once more."
Are you serious...
The Jaeger Corps cheered again, and Beatrix froze with her right hand raised.
She turned only her head toward me. She flicked her eyes toward Eleanor-sama and opened her mouth in a strange way.
I understood well what she wanted to say.
According to Eleanor-sama, monsters that have been intruded upon from the sky above their position will surely launch a counter-offensive.
Monsters are creatures that hit back if hit, apparently. It's a simple logic, but for us, it's easy to handle.
"Moreover, the damage this time is mainly Wyverns. Surely, the remaining Wyverns will come attacking."
Aerial battle again? However, the Eastern Plains Corps has already advanced and has come to the front of this position.
Will this position really be raided?
"You've noticed a good point. Therefore, we'll have the Eastern Plains Corps act as decoys. We will attack the Wyverns from behind as they raid the Eastern Plains Corps."
It might be effective. If we're going to make a surprise attack, it's better to use us, who are invisible.
"Will you coordinate with Roberts-sama?"
"No. The Eastern Plains Corps does not know. So, it will be our independent action."
Beatrix, having heard this, froze again.
Um, will it be alright?
"It will be fine. Originally, it was only decided that the offensive is the Eastern Plains Corps and the defense is the Jaeger Corps. We are simply advancing a little to conduct defense against the monsters' offensive."
I wonder if advancing behind the attacking enemy to make a surprise attack is called defense.
"The formation is the same as before. Aim for the Wyverns by diving from high altitude so as not to be found, and then each of you withdraw as you are. Since your figures are not visible, no one will know even if you crash. In that case, you'll have to return on your own, so please be careful."
She says terrifying things. I don't think one would be alive after crashing, but even if they were, they'd be seriously injured. I don't think they'd be saved.
"It's fine. As long as you aren't found. Besides, even if you fall, you'll manage somehow."
The Headmistress says something carefree.
I wonder if these people realize that they themselves are monsters.
"Hmm? Did you say something?"
"No, it's nothing."
We ate an early lunch and decided to sortie. Since it would be one blow per person this time, Lyudmila brought a stone about the size of two human heads. If she aimed for the wings with [Clump Stone] and hit well, she could shoot them down.
The lead is again me. This time, we'll aim from behind at the Wyverns attacking our allies. Ideally, we should lie in wait, let them pass once, and then chase them at high speed.
Presumably, the western end where Roberts-sama and the others are will be targeted, and since the opponents will want to make a surprise attack, I assumed they would come from the north, swinging wide to the east at a relatively low altitude. That way, there's less chance of being seen flying by humans.
So, from the east of the position, I decided to lie in wait for the Wyverns, positioned slightly east of the north of the Eastern Plains Corps as they gradually advanced northeast.
I proceeded while turning the [Light] on and off toward the rear. Everyone should be following.
Since it's daytime, the monsters' movements should be dull. According to Flora, the Eastern Plains Corps is advancing, thinking it's now or never.
"The Jaeger Corps has personnel exchanges with the Eastern Plains Corps, right?"
Roberts-sama had said so. Thanks to that, various things about me have been leaked to Roberts-sama.
"That's right. About once every six months, roughly fifty people, one-sixth, are swapped. Since the remaining fifty are swapped with Nakanohara, it means one-third is swapped."
That's quite a pace. However, since those who went to Nakanohara always return to Higashinohara, once they leave and return, they won't leave for a year. In other words, within three years, they will have two long-term business trips of six months.
"The Headmistress was saying that the Eastern Plains Corps has substantial equipment."
"Well, that's true. They fight so much there that you'd think they make a living out of monster extermination. Their equipment is also extravagant. In exchange, their daily life is frugal. They're a unit that's the very picture of simple and sturdy."
"Doesn't damage occur too?"
"Actually, not so much."
What does that mean? They seem to be camping in the Northeastern Forest frequently, so monsters should attack them. Do they have some good method?
"They advance during the day and build simple positions. Even if I say position, it's a forest created with [Illusion] magic. Since they line those up one after another, they cover quite a wide range in multiple layers. Pitfalls are dug in various places. And they protect them with [Magic Reflection]. Silver harpoons are waiting in the pitfalls, you see."
"But won't they be found out?"
Both [Illusion] and [Magic Reflection] lose their effect in about two hours. It's not something you can keep deceiving them with so easily.
"That's the thing, they aren't found out. There's a special secret."
"Secret? What is it? That."
"Well, I wonder what it is. Since we're indebted to you, I could tell you as a special favor, but first, try thinking for yourself."
He's smirking. His service is poor.
In the end, the monsters can't use magic and have to charge in while the opponent is invisible. There are only pitfalls there, but occasionally, soldiers with silver weapons are waiting, blended into the [Illusion].
Monsters that can't use magic, like Cyclopes and Wyverns, probably won't even know they're there. Once they enter the [Illusion], both people and monsters become invisible from the outside. If they pull a dud, they just waste time. And while they're off guard, they're targeted by silver arrows and intermediate [Holy].
"In the rear, stalwarts including Roberts-sama are on standby, and they strike back at the monsters that have timidly attacked. It's almost a surprise attack, so the damage is small compared to the results."
And they sell off the prey they've hunted.
Speaking of Roberts-sama, he is a warrior among warriors who has the name of the strongest in history all to himself, but he seems to be doing things with quite a bit of ingenuity.
That pitfall encampment or whatever it is, its construction is so elaborate that even allies apparently don't know where they are. After all, they just dig holes on the spot. They can use it anytime. It seems they form a camouflage team of about a dozen people for one operation, creating illusions one after another, and doing monster hunting while moving from point to point.
"The Jaeger Corps should do the same thing."
"Our mission is scouting. Of course, there are times when we attack from here, but the purpose is to scout out places where monsters are likely to be, bring that information back, and hand it over to the Eastern Plains Corps. Based on that information, they build the fake positions. And if monsters come, we report it. Besides, this mission is special. We have to make sure the encirclement isn't broken, so we can't keep moving. Even the Eastern Plains Corps is without [Illusion] positions this time. In exchange, they're gathering and reinforcing with stalwarts from various countries who will participate in the Demon Lord subjugation unit."
Apparently, they're launching a grand offensive as practice. After all, they're people who intend to defeat the Demon Lord. The bounty for the Demon Lord is higher than an S-rank dragon. D-class monsters are probably like mouse extermination to us.
"Now, it's almost the ambush point. We're ascending."
"Ah, yes."
I raise the flag attached to the pole as a signal. Since everyone is hovering, they should see it immediately.
I was able to confirm everyone's flags safely. While looking at those flags, we formed a horizontal line. The order of the line was me on the far left. From there to the right, Beatrix and Mary who use [Ice Cube]. On the far right was Lyudmila who throws stones, and from there to the left were the Headmistress and Angelica-san. And the one aiming for the lead group would be Eleanor-sama. We would all raid from behind at once.
Since it's a headlong charge from above, we'll be flying at an even higher altitude than where Wyverns usually fly.
Fortunately, the Jaeger Corps lent us furs, so I can endure it somehow, but it's like midwinter. Since I'd likely freeze if the wind hit me, as soon as we reached the ambush spot, we ascended, retreated into the bowls to avoid the wind, and waited.
In times like this, the transparent bowls are useful. You can see below from the bottom of the bowl. Since we're floating at a quite high place, the view is also good.
When I used [Sight], I could see almost half of the Northeastern Forest.
To the east of the green forest spreading below was a river, and beyond that, a dark forest could be seen. Further beyond, there was a high mountain.
"There are several quite deep caves in that mountain, and monsters apparently swarm out from the depths. It's a Demon Realm that even successive heroes couldn't explore."
Sertoria has as many as three Demon Realms. The remaining ones are the forest where the Demon Lord lives and the north of Nakanohara. They are true monster territories that keep humans away even when the Demon Lord is not present. Every country apparently has one or two such Demon Realms. Actually, the mountainside where Mel lives was also originally treated as a Demon Realm, and it seems people couldn't enter until the dragon became exhausted. Since people have been able to enter since the success of the dragon subjugation, it turned out that it wasn't actually a Demon Realm. In other words, dragons have nothing to do with Demon Realms.
"Are there no monsters in that mountain?"
"There probably are now. But apparently, there weren't in the past?"
"When you say in the past?"
"Hundreds of years ago, or thousands of years ago... I don't know well, but apparently, there used to be a country of Elves around that mountain."
"Elves?"
That's amazing. The two great fairies of fairy tales.
"Yeah, now they've apparently been chased by monsters swarming from the Demon Realm, their numbers reduced, and they've fled and scattered."
According to fairy tales, Elves are all tall, beautiful men and women, and I hear they are skilled in magic, but even they couldn't win...
Wait? Hold on a minute.
"Um, by any chance, is the special move used by the Eastern Plains Corps Elven magic?"
"That's right. You figured it out well. Roberts-sama is making a deal. He'll suppress the Northeastern Forest and return that mountain to the Elves. In exchange, the story is that the Elves are helping out, limited to the monster extermination in this forest."
It's an absolute secret, the Jaeger said, putting his index finger to his lips.
"That's wonderful."
Fiona raised her voice, and Flora grabbed my sleeve.
If they are Elves who lived in this forest, they might know about Alraunes.
"Jeanne seems to have a strange connection with spirits. You might be able to meet them eventually."
The Jaeger told me.
I see, so there are Elves. I'd definitely like to try meeting them. There was that strange cat, and there might be various others. As expected of a Demon Realm.
"They're here. Northeast. Below. Eight Wyverns."
Flora found them. As expected, she's fast. I send a signal by blinking the light toward the right. They're flying below in a good way. It should be fine if we follow them.
Once we let them pass, we start the pursuit.
Since there's no altitude, the temperature has also softened. I should be able to use both hands with this.
Ahead, diagonally below, the Wyverns fly. From the first one, three or four fly lined up diagonally behind. Like migratory birds.
This is also as Eleanor-sama predicted, so I follow behind the designated target. I point the light to the right to guide them.
"Now! Let's go!"
Turning off the light is the signal. We all raid at once.
I thrust both hands forward and chant.
Since the bowl is plunging diagonally from the upper rear, it has sufficient acceleration. Cutting through the cold wind, we catch up steadily, and the figures of the Wyverns grow larger and larger.
I align my aim with the base of the wing.
The first shot is Lyudmila. With that as the signal, everyone attacks at once.
"Not yet, not yet, not yet."
Flora is watching Lyudmila's stone for her. Just before it hits the Wyvern, I release my magic.
"She threw it, a little more... Now!"
"[Holy]!"
It hit!
The bowl tries to surge upward just like that, yet with the momentum of having plunged, it passes over the falling Wyvern.
There's no altitude. The Wyverns fall to the ground, raising dust while mowing down trees one after another.
The bowl is also surging upward, but it has momentum. I thought we would collide, but we passed just above the trees.
I don't have to deliver the finishing blow. I just ascend and watch the situation while escaping.
Not a single one is flying.
Presumably, Eleanor-sama brought down two with both hands alternately.
I could see several places in the forest that were dented. There was one that was going thud-thud, but it suddenly became a mountain of ice. It must be Eleanor-sama. We didn't deliver finishing blows to all of them, but Roberts-sama and the others will come soon. As I was told at first, I decided to return just like that.
Eight of them. Except for the frozen one, they are unconfirmed, but they must have taken considerable damage, so in terms of combat power, we've defeated twenty-four in total including the first time.
It should be a sufficient result.
Beatrix is glancing at Eleanor-sama while responding to the Jaeger Corps' applause. I don't think there will be a third time, but...
"It's a sufficient result. With this, the Wyverns are likely almost annihilated. This position will no longer receive surprise attacks from the sky."
I think that's exactly right. Afterward, let's leave it to the people who will challenge the Demon Lord.
"We have suppressed the sky. It is safe now, so from here, let's go attack the enemy's ground forces."
Beatrix, who hung her head in disappointment, pulled my sleeve.
"Hey, doesn't Eleanor-sama hate defense? This is the first time she's come here."
That might be so. Originally, mages are offensive forces.
"By the way, everyone. How much more magic can you use?"
She asked, even though Beatrix should have said it loud enough to be heard, easily ignoring it.
The second time was only one shot. The first time, each person seems to have fired seven or eight shots. However, Lyudmila and I are only using basic magic.
"For intermediate magic, it might be the end after seven or eight more shots... maybe we should rest a little..."
"Then, let's limit it to basic magic. You can fire twenty or thirty shots, right?"
She's cutting off Beatrix's words...
"Now, let's go. Offense is the best defense. Let's defend to our heart's content."
I think that is definitely wrong. That.
In the end, it became the third sortie.
The target is the swarm of monsters advancing in anger.
Flora finds them, and we soar into the sky.
The rearguard is riding in the bowls and firing magic from above to their heart's content.
It's all basic magic. Flora and I, using [Sight], tell the general positions of the monsters, and the Jaegers convey it to the other bowls with hand signals. Receiving that, the three in the rearguard drop water toward the direction where the monsters are, and Eleanor-sama and Angelica-san freeze them one after another with [Freeze].
Do not underestimate basic magic; from high above, where neither magic defense, [Magic Barrier], nor even Fenrir's lightning can reach, bucketfuls of ice chunks fall one after another. After all, Lyudmila is leaving plenty of margin. Combined, the three of them would exceed a hundred shots.
In addition, the Headmistress is firing basic [Holy] with the same power as my amplified [Holy] into places where ice isn't flying, at random.
The ground is in an uproar.
Tree branches are blown away, holes are opened in trunks, and ice opens holes in the ground. If hit, even a Fenrir wouldn't get away safely.
Because we fired them right in front of the advancing monsters, they are flustered and trying to return to their original place.
I feel sympathy for the fleeing monsters.
Fired to the right and left, they are gradually being cornered toward the river. The Fenrirs are howling, but they immediately change locations and flee.
Because we fire ten shots and then change the target, fire ten shots and then change the target, before we know it, the canopy is dented and bumpy, creating a strange pattern.
The monsters, perhaps at their wits' end, are just hiding in the shadows of trees and looking up at the sky.
I think it's actually more dangerous if they bunch up, but that's probably the leeway of the side that is attacking unilaterally. In the first place, our figures are not visible to the monsters.
For a while, there is a pause.
Just as I thought it was finally over, someone sent a shot of water flying.
"Is that the signal to stop firing?"
"I wonder? It wasn't in the prior discussion."
Together with the Jaegers, I watch the whereabouts of the water.
The water falls while drawing an arc, flying weakly and feebly... suddenly, just as I thought it glittered... it grew larger and larger... it-it became an iceberg!
It's even bigger than Angelica-san's!
"[Glacio]?!"
"From this height?"
Since the aim isn't steady from high in the sky, did she target a bucketful of water...
Impossible. If one became the underside of such a thing, a Fenrir would end up as just a pelt.
Thud, thud, she drops them.
This is, at this point, more of a disaster than an attack.
After embedding three icebergs in the forest, perhaps satisfied, the signal to withdraw was given.
"I don't care, but they all fell in front and missed. Surely they were too heavy. They didn't reach. If you're going to drop them, you have to drop them from right above."
Flora is shrugging her shoulders.
Apparently, the calculation was off. She probably thought she could fly them further. As a result, it's nothing but forest destruction, but the monsters are in a state of complete loss of will to fight. I could see a swarm of Orcs slumping their shoulders. The Fenrirs aren't howling either.
That's only natural; it's strange to even approach.
"As expected of Eleanor-sama. It's a thorough defense."
I see. There is that way of thinking too. Three icebergs are acting as walls. At least, they won't come attacking anymore today.
However.
"Um, what would you do if someone imitated this and dropped it on the Jaeger Corps' position?"
"Wh-what are you saying. The only monster who would do such a thing is Eleanor-sama."
I seem to have let it slip unintentionally.
After he finished saying it, he hurriedly covered his mouth with his hand and looked away; I pretended not to see that.