Chapter 429 - Chapter 11: The Ice Fortress ②
Continuing on to support the Kingdom Army, I rode the ultra-high-speed medium-sized bowl to the Ruins of the Insolent's Fortress, only to find that things had fallen into a stalemate here as well.
"You've finished safely, I see. As expected. We are currently suppressing the enemies lurking in the forest behind us. A moment ago, beasts turned into Revenants attacked from the forest. The Church priest forces led by Bishop Harris repelled them, and it's now a stalemate. We must be grateful for the power of the Goddess."
In the direction he was looking, there were about five people in Green Marble gear holding staves. Others dressed the same were mixed in with the archers behind the heavy infantry who had formed a wall toward the forest. If I recall, they were lined up as magic soldiers at the Western Plains Garrison.
When I asked Eleanor-sama, she replied that they were indeed magic soldiers. In the sense of being battle-ready holy mages, it wasn't a lie.
"They are the Church priest forces organized around Harris for use against the Demon Lord's army. Usually, they wear priest robes, but since there was a possibility the enemy might be Demon Race taking human form this time, we kept them hidden."
It seems they requested their special participation for this occasion. When I went to greet them, Harris-sama was there.
"Oh, Jeanne. I heard you successfully defeated the Demon Race."
Perhaps because he was pumped up in the middle of battle, he was even more high-spirited than usual.
"What happened to everyone?"
"What do you mean 'what happened'? We've been doing monster extermination since before you became an adult, Jeanne."
It was Harris-sama. Come to think of it, he originally specialized in monster extermination as a Church priest.
The priests lined up around Harris-sama like a military staff were those belonging to the Royal Capital Grand Church who had also participated in field battles against the Demon Lord's army. When I greeted them, they were all the type to slap my shoulder heartily, saying, "So you're Jeanne!" They weren't much different from bandits.
"Since the opponent is the Demon Race, the Archbishop also wanted to come, but... I had him refrain."
Harris-sama was smirking.
That's probably for the best. If I recall, he has rheumatism.
Still, I didn't know there were so many priests dedicated exclusively to monster extermination.
"It's a small number. Only fifty people. In Sertoria alone, the number of Grand Church priests exceeds five hundred. Nationwide, it's five times that. In other words, it's only two out of a hundred."
According to Harris-sama, they want at least two or three hundred. When an organization is large, people are taken up by administration. People are likely needed for things other than monster extermination.
"This time, because there might be Demon Race, a special unit was formed. We don't usually do this."
Hmm. It might be quite serious. Harris-sama himself usually serves as the Chief Secretary to the Royal Capital Grand Church Head, acting as a liaison with the Royal Palace. Currently, the main force consists of mercenaries and 'strays' like Harrison-san and myself.
"According to the Archbishop, they plan to gradually increase the numbers and opportunities for participation. However, it probably won't change that dramatically. Well, we can't go around ruining Jeanne's earnings, after all."
Harris-sama? Please stop saying things that make it sound like people aren't gathering because of me.
"That aside, Bishop Harrison and Jeanne have arrived. Shall we begin our offensive soon? I'll show you the battle of Church priests who specialize in monster extermination."
When Harris-sama said that, the four priests with him like a staff answered with a loud "Oh!" No matter how you looked at them, they didn't look like priests.
After discussing it with Harrison-san, we decided to perform the surprise attack from behind that we did at the Ice Fortress once more.
"We'll ride the bowls piloted by the Paratroop Jaegers, circle around to the rear, and then crush them one by one with Purification. If surrounded, use Over Flow. Don't worry about the Revenant user's magic; we'll repel it with Magic Reflection."
Apparently, there are six Paratroop Jaeger bowls. Five priests ride in each bowl. In addition, three bowls for Eleanor-sama, Hughes-sama, and Beatrix will be added. Nine in total. The plan is to line up the bowls in an arc, advance while defeating them, and finally surround them. We are overwhelmingly superior in mobility. Local numerical disadvantages can be covered by mobility. Or so it seems.
"Shall we carry holy water in Eleanor-sama's medium-sized bowl and sprinkle it from above?"
"As long as Jeanne and her group are conducting their own operation, it won't cost any money."
Harris-sama was smirking. If the Church priests do it, there's a fee.
"Then, please delay the start by one hour."
"Understood. Also, contact me immediately if you think of anything."
"Yes. Thank you very much."
Harrison-san and I set about consecrating holy water again. During that time, Hughes-sama infiltrated the forest and determined that there were three Revenant users remaining.
While soaking my feet in the holy water that had accumulated nearly to my knees, I scouted. The Kingdom Army surrounding the fortress ruins was being targeted by monsters from three sides, excluding the south. Of course, the Kingdom Army scouts had noticed as well, digging moats and piling up earthworks to create a field position.
"The numbers don't seem that large. Let's gather them to the north as much as possible."
Following Eleanor-sama's suggestion, we went south, and from there Mary moved toward the eastern sky while sprinkling holy water with Shower. Since they were Revenants, they were being controlled. They were desperately resisting to follow the order to protect the east, but once they witnessed their comrades turning into soil upon being showered with holy water, they retreated while yelping.
"Why don't we just make a wall out of ice?"
It was Mary. She seemed to have gotten a taste for it at the Ice Fortress.
"That sounds interesting. Not a fortress for allies to hole up in, but a fortress to trap the enemy."
Eleanor-sama expanded the scale all at once. Mary, who had made the initial suggestion, blinked in surprise and then gave a little chuckle.
"In that case, we'll need Wilson. Once we've driven them away with this holy water, let's build a wall for now."
Beatrix and Mary are already at their limit. After this, Eleanor-sama and Wilson-san's magic will be necessary. However, with this, the revised plan was complete.
We urgently gathered the Paratroop Jaeger bowl units, consulted with Harris-sama, and moved to execution.
We scattered holy water and drove away the enemies to the east and west. After gathering them on the north side, we flew once more with Wilson-san on board.
Unlike Light, the effect of holy water remains unless it's washed away by rain or dried by sunlight. Neither the wolf Revenants nor the Revenant users can get close.
Using that time, Wilson-san built up a wall to serve as a rampart. Next, we circled to the north side and similarly built a rampart to cut off their retreat. The only side open was the south, where the Kingdom Army was waiting.
The Paratroop Jaeger bowl unit led by Harris-sama took up watch, attacking anyone trying to cross the rampart with the priests' Holy magic. At the same time, they were searching for the Revenant users. Seeing as they weren't counterattacking, they were likely deliberating.
The Kingdom Army was fully assembled at the fortress ruins. Several ditch-moats had been dug in front of the strong position. Heavy infantry lined the front, with archers, magic soldiers, and catapults for launching jars of holy water behind them. Six bowls hidden by camouflage flew overhead. There was no way we could lose.
A demand for surrender was immediately issued, but it was completely ignored.
"As long as we fight, there is only victory. Otherwise, there is only death."
The reply was nothing if not valiant.
"We can't let those guys off easy."
"Yes."
Henry-sama and Eleanor-sama had very stern looks in their eyes.
They seemed quite angry.
"They've gone and touched those two's sore spot."
Wilson-san let out a sigh.
"As long as one fights, there will be battlefields where annihilation is expected. However, there must be a purpose there."
A purpose would be, for example, buying time for allies to escape. Fighting grittily and fighting to the end. For the Sertoria Kingdom Army, whose motto is to escape before dying and fight again, the Revenants' way of thinking was the exact opposite.
"They're glorifying death. Self-indulgent fighting like that is of no use at all."
"Exactly. If you survive, there's a chance for a rematch. What's the point of throwing away that chance and dying?"
Since they were Revenants, the opponents were already dead, but I suppose I shouldn't say that.
"They need education."
"Yes. Let's capture them whole."
Hearing those words, Wilson-san's shoulders slumped in defeat.
"Jeanne, if I ever fall to the dark side, don't use Holy on me; send me to heaven with Purification."
Wilson-san falling to the dark side?
"Wilson! It's Glaciate. We're going to freeze them solid and capture them!"
"Yes..."
Wait a minute. Just how wide an area do you intend to freeze? Moreover, with Glaciate, wouldn't it take more than ten shots?
"Wouldn't Cocytus be better?"
It was Beatrix. With Cocytus, the freezing range is wide, so it would require fewer casts.
"No. It's this wide an area. With Cocytus, even if we cancel it, it will stay frozen for a while. Winter is coming soon. It might not melt until next spring. In that regard, with Glaciate, it will thaw immediately once canceled."
"Even so, it's too wide, isn't it?"
"Then, what shall we do?"
"What shall we do?"
Why are you asking me?
"Um, shall we do it tomorrow?"
By tomorrow, Beatrix and Mary will have recovered. Eleanor-sama too, probably. That way, the burden on each person will be a bit smaller.
"Impossible. The ice rampart won't last until tomorrow."
I see. So that's how it is. But can we not catch them unless we freeze them solid?
Is there some other way...
Wait? Hold on. Isn't it simple?
"Um, we don't have to catch the wolves."
"That's true."
"Then, let's have Hughes-sama do his best. If we only need to freeze the Revenants, that would be faster."
We can have Hughes-sama infiltrate and find their location. Then we can target that spot from the sky with Glaciate.
"Impossible. The targets move frequently. I can't get that close either. It's not within the magic's effective range."
I see. But I think it will probably work.
I infiltrated by sticking close behind Hughes-sama.
Since I had Camouflage, Magic Reflection, and Mute active, we wouldn't be found if we walked slowly. If the wind was strong, it wouldn't be a problem even if the undergrowth moved, but that wasn't the case.
"Hughes-sama, you're amazing. The weeds aren't moving at all."
Eleanor-sama was nodding. Eleanor-sama herself, while not as good as Hughes-sama, kept the range of moving undergrowth small.
Since the sound was erased with Mute, we wouldn't be noticed, but if we moved too carelessly, the wolves would approach. We wouldn't be sensed like frogs or snakes, but I'd hate for them to get close.
"It's almost time."
Being a top-tier scout, his ears are also sharp. I couldn't tell at all, but he could apparently hear voices.
"Then, I'll send the signal."
Eleanor-sama sent the signal using a letter-sending magic circle. With this, the bowls should gather overhead. Since they are hidden. The priests on board will fire Holy at random, and if there are wolves, they'll turn them back to soil with Purification.
"It looks like they're moving. I'll follow."
It seemed Hughes-sama had found the Revenants.
"Where are they?"
I couldn't see them at all.
"They have Camouflage on. However, they're making noise, and the grass is moving even though no one is in that direction. Also, several wolves are heading in the same direction."
Looking in the direction he pointed, it was indeed as he said. I couldn't hear it at all, but he could apparently hear the voices of three people.
We followed slowly like that. Occasionally a wolf would approach, but each time we stopped and somehow managed to let it pass.
The Revenants seemed to have established a new base in the shadow of a large tree. Taking a chance and moving closer, Hughes-sama gave the go-ahead.
I raised both hands high and simultaneously fired Light straight up. The bowl made with black smoke mixed in came overhead. It was Beatrix's bowl. Wilson-san should be on it.
"Now, Clump Sand!"
Eleanor-sama dug a hole. As expected of a super-advanced mage. In an instant, she dug a hole that three people could fit into.
We all jumped into the hole.
"Light!"
"Wind Barrier!"
At the same time my and Eleanor-sama's magic was completed, the area above our heads was covered in cracking ice. It was a close call. Wilson-san's Glaciate had activated. He must have fired four in a row.
We blocked the magic with the wall of Light and blocked the pressure with the Wind Barrier. It was like a simple barrier. This way, the Revenants could be frozen with pinpoint accuracy, and we who went out as scouts were safe.
"That was quite a good idea. However, it's a bit cold, isn't it?"
"Ah, yes. Warm!"
Above, a mop-up operation of the wolves by the priest forces should be unfolding. Fortunately, the aim was true, and the Revenants were frozen nicely. However, they are Revenants. They must be kept frozen for a solid two hours. During that time, we have to stay under the ice. It would have been good if we had a Simple Teleportation Magic Circle, but the requisitioning by the royalty of some country was too intense, exceeding the usage limit and making it useless.
"Well, isn't it fine? Spending time under an iceberg once in a while is a good experience."
When Eleanor-sama said that, Hughes-sama was laughing. Perhaps this level of infiltration is a common occurrence for them.
"That's not true. Only Eleanor-sama or Jeanne would think of something like this."
Eleanor-sama was smirking.
Um, being treated the same as 'Eleanor of Tactics', I suppose I can interpret that as being praised?
Without freezing to death, we successfully held out for two hours. During that time, Eleanor-sama and Hughes-sama told me various stories.
The Revenant users were successfully captured while frozen and fitted with Magic-Sealing Rings. They will probably be escorted to the Royal Capital for interrogation. It would be good if there was some information about the Demon Lord's army's movements or the monster enhancement operation.
Since the operation ended successfully, I went to greet the priest forces led by Harris-sama again. The unit was disbanded immediately upon the end of the operation and would return to the Royal Capital.
The fifty people who gathered this time were unpaid. In that regard, we get a completion reward. This time, there was one A-rank and one B-rank Demon Race. The nine stray Revenants are treated as national treason criminals, so they are B-rank. The wolf Revenants are treated the same as wolves, so they are F-rank, but there were three hundred of them. In total, one hundred and eighty gold coins. Since it wasn't a Demon Lord subjugation battle, we don't get medals, and all the proceeds were confiscated, but excluding the royalty and Will who is directly affiliated, it's divided among five people including Harrison-san, making it thirty-six gold coins per person. I bowed deeply, saying, "Thank you for your hard work."
In the end, in this battle, I was the only one who learned a new spell. It might be because I was the only one who fired magic at the Demon Race. The spell I learned was the mid-level recovery magic Anti-Poison.
Until now, just in case, I had bought a bottle of medicine and kept it in my bag. Every time I had a terrible experience, like falling into the sea or tumbling in a bowl, it would break or get lost, and I'd buy more each time, but I never had the chance to use it. In other words, it had been a waste. Surely, the Goddess felt pity for that.
〇 Class of 175 Management Scale Latest (Excluding personal assets such as cash and gems)
・Shops: Main Shop (Nakanohara, Kingdom of Sertoria), Second Shop (Village near the Sertoria border in eastern Regnentes),
Third Shop (Sertoria Royal Capital), Fourth Shop (Flatlands), Temporary Shop (Primordia)
・Right of Free Passage and Free Commercial Rights: Medioland, Regnentes, Finis, Northern Gram, Primordia, Engrio
・Fields: Eight fields (including buildings with farm functions)
・Livestock: Goats, sheep, pigs, a few
・Contract Animals: Eight swarms of honeybees
Chapter 17 End
Chapter 17 has concluded.
Thank you very much for reading this far. Following the previous chapter, this is the second part of the Demon Realm conquest. How did you like it?
Thanks to you, the PV has grown considerably. For that, the bookmarks haven't grown as much... Novels are difficult. Nevertheless, thank you for the new bookmark registrations, maintenance, and likes. I am truly grateful.
As for the content, many boars appeared instead of mice. Rather, while proceeding with the conquest of the Demon Realm, King Seldic appeared again. The person named Falstaff who got involved with King Seldic has, as you noticed, a source material. Ah, let me clarify, at the moment there are no plans for him to die a tragic death. I brought him out because I wanted him to live a carefree old age.
Initially, I didn't intend to treat this person as a major character or even give him a name, but he ended up moving around to some extent. The same goes for the girls of Entrap Five. To be honest, on the plot, they were merely nameless characters. I honestly don't know if the three who got names for the sake of the story's convenience will have appearances in the future.
And, I ended up posting two episodes in one day. Silver Mine Exploration ④ and ⑤. My apologies for the eyesore. I humbly apologize. Because of that mistake, the posting pace has changed. I wanted to make the final posting day of a chapter Thursday, Backyard Stray Priest on Friday, and then post the first episode of the next chapter from Monday of the following week. That shifted by one episode. I have no choice but to add one episode... thinking that, I also thought about posting character introductions or settings for one episode to match, but in the end, I added one episode.
So, the posting pace will not change in the future. One side story on Friday, and Chapter 18 will be posted from Monday of the following week. A person who becomes an important key in a sense will appear. Please look forward to it. And, if you like it, please register bookmarks, maintain them, and give likes. And, please do send your impressions. Thank you very much.