Chapter 402 - Eleventh Episode: The Demon Realm Forest Subjugation Operation II
The first attack of the subjugation operation was by the Aerial Assault Unit riding the medium-sized bowl piloted by Prince James.
The main force of a thousand deployed in a wide circle to the south of the Forest of the Demon Realm. At almost the same time, the base construction unit of three hundred led by Sir Edgar and its escort unit of two hundred began their intrusion into the flatlands between the two forests, grazing the Forest of the Ruins. The flatlands are to the southwest of the Forest of the Demon Realm. It's an invasion from two directions.
"Orcs. There are multiple. Whether they are watching both units, several small units can be seen to the south and southwest of the forest."
We are flying quite high, but they are clearly visible because [Sight] is cast. Since we have the sun at our backs, the monsters probably won't find us even if we don't hide our presence.
"As expected, just as Prince James predicted, the number of monsters heading toward the base construction unit seems to be large. Their gathering is also fast."
"The accumulation of what we've done so far has worked. Because we repeated the cycle of retreating just as we were about to build a base and leaving food behind. Roberts and the others weren't there either. It's convenient if they think we're easy to deal with."
"Our allies have completed their deployment in front of the dry moats dug previously."
The defensive commander is Seldic's Second Son. Heavy infantry have lined up shields at the edge of the dry moat, and archers have completed their deployment behind them. Behind them, the base construction unit led by Sir Edgar is unloading materials from the wagons. If they run dry moats, assemble fences, and raise towers to place archers, they should be able to block at least Orcs. They were marching in an unusual square formation for a march. The wagons were moving in a column behind them. It would be difficult for the monsters from the Forest of the Demon Realm to grasp the entire army's disposition.
"Monsters have gathered at the edge of the forest. It is thought that the raid will begin shortly."
"Good. Is everyone ready? Once the enemy leaves the forest, we will begin the raid."
Each gave a response, and preparations were complete.
"The charge has begun! Approximately three hundred, five Fenrirs, four Ogres, they are advancing as if hiding behind the Cyclopes in the center."
"Good! Let's go. First, we target the Fenrirs and Ogres."
The bowl dives rapidly with Prince James's shout.
"[Light]!"
"[Holy Lance]!"
We shower [Light] onto the group of monsters running toward the allied base from the upper left front, and Sianya and Harrison-san fire [Holy] magic repeatedly.
The two archers fire holy water arrows, and the magic soldiers are flying clumps of holy water with [Clump Water].
It became a complete surprise attack.
One of the three Cyclopes running side-by-side took Sianya's [Holy Lance] near the thigh and fell grandly. When Harrison-san's log-like [Holy] hit the head of the Fenrir running behind it, it plunged into the ground head-first as if struck by a great force and went rolling. It remained motionless as it was.
The holy water arrows target the Ogres. Two consecutive shots per person, the arrows fired totaling four hit one in the neck and two in the back of another.
The holy water flown by [Clump Water] finished off two Ogres and caught several Orcs in the vicinity as collateral damage.
We made a forced landing near where the Fenrirs and Ogres were and illuminated the entire surroundings with [Light], while Harrison-san fired [Over Flow]. Naturally, [Holy Lance] and holy water arrows were also being fired repeatedly.
By that time, Seldic's Second Son had arrived leading about twenty cavalrymen.
"Prince James! Leave this to us! For now, please retreat to the sky!"
He came running while mowing down Orcs to the right and left with a one-handed sword.
"We will support from above. Don't stay long!"
"I know. Once you retreat, we will flee immediately, so please attack the monsters trying to catch up from the rear!"
"Understood. Don't overdo it."
"Reason does not apply on the battlefield. I will do nothing but overdo it, but please forgive me."
While laughing, he began swinging his sword again.
"He is quite the knight."
Harrison-san was clicking his tongue in admiration while firing [Over Flow] as support.
"Jeanne. Fireflies. Strengthen them and scatter them all at once."
"Yes!"
Prince James also seemed happy. There must be something that resonates between warriors. Perhaps thinking it would be a pity to let such a pleasant knight die, he stopped the bowl at a position that wasn't very high. The surviving Fenrirs drop lightning, but Sianya is there. She immediately deployed [Magic Reflection].
I put out four Fireflies and had Harrison-san and Sianya strengthen them. I had the archers and magic soldiers hold the Fireflies, which had become hot enough to barely hold, and radiated them toward the monsters surrounding them from directly above the allied cavalry.
The effect was outstanding; the monsters began to flee while scattering in all directions.
We left the monsters trying to flee into the forest alone, and the cavalry chased the monsters that fled toward the base. The bowl positioned itself above them, and by the time Harrison-san and Sianya had targeted and struck down all the Fenrirs and Ogres, the monsters that headed toward the base had been annihilated.
"About a hundred?"
When we brought the bowl near Seldic's Second Son, who was inspecting from horseback, he stated the approximate results.
Even for heavy cavalry who can counter Orcs and Ogres with literal horsepower, there were large Cyclopes, Trolls, and Fenrirs in the vicinity. It must have been a fairly reckless charge.
"You jumped in with that number?"
"I don't want to be told that by someone who landed in the middle of the pack."
He and Prince James were laughing together. Honestly, it might have been dangerous without Harrison-san's no-chant [Over Flow]. It must be calculated, but it likely looked like both of them overdid it quite a bit. Sir Edgar, with a changed face, came flying on a single horse.
"Prince James, are you uninjured?"
It's obvious that if Prince James were to be injured here, it would become a diplomatic issue.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Because a brave cavalry captain came to save me."
"What are you saying?"
Sir Edgar, who slumped his shoulders as if the strength had left him in relief, was truly the one who had a rough time.
"Then, we will move to support the main force. This place will be safe for a while."
"Please don't overdo it."
Sir Edgar must have said it reflexively. He widened his eyes seeing Prince James burst out laughing.
The Morandine soldiers were dropped off here and entrusted to Sir Edgar. That was because it's better for the bowl to be smaller to move freely inside the forest. Naturally, it's a pretext to attack while hiding our presence.
After remaking the bowl to normal size and flying above the main force, both sides have entered a state of readiness. However, there is distance. The humans want to drag the monsters out of the forest. On the other hand, the monsters want to drag the humans into the forest. The intentions of both sides are reflected in that distance. For the monsters, a standoff is welcome. They want to rest their bodies as much as possible during the high sun and attack precisely at night. It's far from a full moon, but the half-moon should be shining all night long.
Therefore, the humans will be the ones to launch the offensive first.
"Then, shall we go? Sianya, contact the main force. 'We are intruding.'"
"Yes."
When Sianya sent the slip of parchment prepared in advance via the teleportation magic circle for letters, after a short while, the banner of the main force could be seen swaying greatly.
"Good, let's go!"
With those words, we dive rapidly. As we were, we intruded into the forest and hid our presence with a [Camouflage] scroll and Harrison-san's [Magic Reflection].
Already, [Sight] is cast on everyone. Since we are far from the southern edge of the forest, there are no monsters. Even if we are seen, it's not a problem since we will rise immediately. After rising, we move above the canopy and move to the very rear of the monster pack.
Four Fenrirs were gathered in a good spot, so the three priests fired [Holy] magic all at once and began the attack.
As expected of ultra-high-level. Harrison-san's log-like [Holy] blew away a Fenrir in a single hit, making it unable to move. Finishing them off is the role of Sianya and me. Targeting the chests and heads of the Fenrirs lying slumped, we took them down. Naturally, the Fenrirs aren't just being beaten. We took down up to two with the effect of the surprise attack, but the remaining two were growling... and moving their necks around, looking for the enemy.
Naive. It's directly above.
We fired [Holy] magic repeatedly and took them down all at once.
As we were, we entered the forest and fired [Holy] magic while moving. However, we did it with intervals so as not to have our location identified. We attacked from deep in the forest toward the south as much as possible.
The monsters are completely confused. They are being targeted by the magic of an invisible enemy. If we found an Ogre who was likely deploying magic defense, we charged and collided with it, and after knocking it to the ground, we fired [Holy] magic to deliver the finishing blow.
As we continued the attack, it started with a Cyclops who couldn't take it anymore and fled while screaming. Fenrirs raise howling voices, but howling and letting their location be identified only makes them our prey. We rise to increase movement speed and target from directly above. There was an individual who was firing lightning all over in confusion, but Harrison-san's [Magic Reflection] was already deployed. While parrying, we continued to add attacks.
Once the Fenrirs were subjugated, the monsters in the vicinity scattered. Some fled deep into the forest, but it's not a problem even if we leave them alone.
In that way, we gradually pushed them south, and finally succeeded in pushing some of them out of the forest.
For the monsters, it must be better to charge at an enemy they can see rather than fighting an invisible enemy in the forest. They charged toward the human base while raising war cries. When several clumps jumped out of the forest, others followed as if lured. It's desperate, but their momentum is there because they've steeled themselves. The monsters win in individual strength. We only took down about thirty or forty. Their numbers would still count in the hundreds. The humans should have slightly more in number, but if they collide head-on, damage will occur.
The main force first began flying jars filled with holy water with catapults. There are only four, but the attack range is wide. Monsters hit directly by the flying jars are like humans covered in boiling oil. Not to mention the impact of the collision, they die as if their entire bodies were charred in an instant.
When the Fenrirs howl, the monsters raise war cries and accelerate. They intend to enter the inner range of the catapults. The range of the four catapults can naturally be adjusted to some extent, but it takes time. The monsters who increased their running speed closed the distance all at once.
Next, what the humans prepared was an attack by clumps of holy water by magic soldiers. Whether it hits or not doesn't matter. They let out about a bucket's worth of water one after another and began to make it fall like rain. About ten magic soldiers seemed to be lined up horizontally, and they began to accurately target the front of the monsters.
The holy water attack is quite effective, but the number of magic soldiers is few. Moreover, the speed of the flying holy water is not that fast. Naturally, not all can be avoided, but if they think they can avoid it, they'll try to avoid it. The monsters are running without stopping their feet.
And then, a volley of holy water arrows by the archers. Orcs held shields attached to their left hands above their heads and still didn't stop running. While Orcs fell one after another and Cyclopes who received concentrated attacks became like hedgehogs and screamed, Fenrirs began to fire lightning. Although they are parrying with the priests' [Magic Reflection], there are few high-level magic users. Several fell into the base.
"Now!"
We dive rapidly from above. We shifted to level flight at about a human's height from the ground. Since [Camouflage] is deactivated, our figures should be visible to both friend and foe. However, [Magic Reflection] is not deactivated. Additionally, since a second [Wind Barrier] is attached to the allied side like a shield, there probably won't be any friendly fire.
In addition to the acceleration of the dive, while firing [Holy Lance] repeatedly, we struck the right flank of the monsters with a side blow and began a large left turn just above the monster pack.
In short, it's momentum. The three of us fire [Holy] magic as we see them and fly while breaking the monsters' flank. The heads of Orcs hit the bottom of the bowl with clunk, clunk, but we don't care. Several Fenrirs seemed to have fired lightning, but we are protected by [Magic Reflection]. It felt like there was an impact, so it must have hit, but it was nothing.
Occasionally, when Harrison-san fired [Over Flow], Orcs fell one after another.
Cheers rise from the allied base.
"Jeanne, the signal."
"Yes!"
This time, I release [Light] toward the allied side at full power. While I was making it blink, the cavalry unit came charging in as if following the right side of the allies... in other words, the rear of the bowl. At the front is the second prince from Septanaquila, clad in armor and helmet. Beside him are Roberts-sama, Eowyn-sama, and Gwyn-sama as well. As they were, they charged into the right flank which was in confusion because the bowl was turning.
The bowl continued toward the center of the monster pack and followed while mowing down monsters. Now the monster pack seemed to have fallen into great confusion, and as they were, they began to flee toward the east.
So as not to let them flee into the forest, we went to the edge of the forest and this time illuminated the monsters with Fireflies strengthened by [Holy Lance]. Since it's daytime, it looks plain, but it seemed to affect the monsters. They didn't flee toward the forest and began to flee further and further east along the edge of the forest. The cavalry chased from behind. It became a complete pursuit battle.
After about half an hour of pursuit, the heavy cavalry's horses were out of breath. Since they could no longer chase the fast monsters, four or five horses formed a group and added attacks to the monsters that fell behind. Roberts-sama and Edward-sama are also swinging spears. Since Fenrirs and large monsters were mostly taken down in the early stages, there are only Orcs. Since infantry reinforcements are running over, we can leave it to them.
After another half hour of pursuit, the light cavalry's horses were also out of breath. Gwyn-sama and Eowyn-sama are also here. Here, the two princes with silver swords became the center and began monster hunting.
Only we remain, but if we don't return soon, the bowl will dismantle. As we were, we did the cleanup of the remnants together with the light cavalry.
The monsters began to flee into the forest as if it were a godsend, but we hadn't considered pursuit into the forest from the start. From the number of corpses, I think we reduced them by about two or three hundred, but that's enough for now. After receiving this defeat, the monsters probably won't try to leave the forest easily. If so, that's fine. Since the elements for them to increase have disappeared except for the Fenrirs who have many children, we can just leave them alone as they are.