kscans

Chapter 185 - A Raging Battle

I somehow managed to defeat the Goblin Guardian.

It wasn't that taxing on my body. It was a tough opponent, but as long as I knew how to defeat it, it was manageable.

Just then, the swordsman behind me said.

"Thank you… for saving me."

To his words of gratitude, I replied.

"It's only natural to help. We have to avoid as many casualties as possible in this battle, as I don't think this will be the end of it. If you feel grateful, you can buy me a drink after this whole mess is over. Until then, don't die."

To this, the swordsman said.

"Haha, you've got me there. Now I can't afford to die carelessly. Understood. In that case, I promise you the best booze."

He said this and headed back to the front line.

I followed him in the same direction.

Tina said to the adventurers fighting on the front line.

"From now on, I will be in command. Anyone who has a problem with that doesn't have to listen."

At her concise words, the adventurers exclaimed.

"Ooh! The Valkyrie is with us!"

"Our victory is now assured!"

"Glory to us!"

With that shout, the adventurers' movements improved.

In fact, it even gave the impression that their strength was overflowing.

It seemed they were receiving the full effect of her skill.

Tina said.

"Alright, those in the vanguard, continue your defensive battle. Do not attack recklessly. Those in the rear, focus your attacks on the long-range attackers at the back of the monster lines. This is a battle of endurance until the monsters retreat. Do not overdo it."

To these instructions, the adventurers replied.

"""Yes! With pleasure!"""

They gave a good response.

The vanguard adventurers held their shields forward, creating an impenetrable wall. The attacking Goblins' attacks were ineffective, and they were countered with swords and spears. They took them down one by one, reliably.

The Goblins at the rear of the monsters, armed with bows, were stopped by the adventurers who were also armed with bows.

At this rate, they would be able to take down a considerable number of Goblins. The adventurers were inwardly celebrating. However, that thought was shattered.

It was then that the Lizardmen made their move.

The Goblins saw this and cleared a path, splitting to the left and right. Their actions were so coordinated it was as if they had a class system.

Tina shouted.

"Be wary of not only the Lizardmen but the Goblins as well! They will not stop fighting!"

At this order, the adventurers nodded vigorously.

And so, the battle changed to a strategy where the Lizardmen attacked from the center, and the Goblins launched a surprise attack from the left and right.

The adventurers dealt with the movements of the approaching Lizardmen with flexibility.

Tina used the flames from her spear to wipe out the Goblins that had attacked from the left. I, who had arrived late, retrieved my hammer and activated Earth Spear like a pit of spikes, impaling the Goblins on the right side. The Lizardmen weren't just taking a beating, either.

They took advantage of the gaps in the attacks to inflict serious injuries on the adventurers.

Just then, three Lizardman Hunters appeared.

Feeling that this was getting bad, Tina and I dealt with them. We discarded our spear and hammer and engaged them with our swords.

The Lizardman Hunters fought back, but they lacked the aggression of the previous ones. In fact, their demeanor was as if they were investigating something. Were they trying to gauge our strength?

This was convenient for us. Investigating meant they were, in a way, letting their guard down.

I thought we should take this chance to defeat them.

Tina had a similar expression as she fought.

A fierce battle. The roars of monsters and humans intersected. But such a battle would not last long.

When the sun reached its zenith, the monsters all retreated at once.

It was like a receding tide.

An adventurer who saw this said.

"A-are we saved?"

Fatigue was written all over his face.

The other adventurers had similar expressions and collapsed on the spot.

A soldier captain who saw this said.

"Is there anyone who can't move? If you're okay, please fall back. Food has been prepared at the base."

At those words, the adventurers dragged themselves towards the base.

A captain came over to where Tina and I were watching.

"You two must be tired as well. But why do you think the monsters suddenly retreated?"

To this question, I replied.

"Maybe they're on a lunch break too?"

At the plausible scenario, Tina said.

"That's a possibility. Monsters are living creatures just like us. They need to eat. However…"

Before she could continue, the soldier captain said.

"But doesn't that make them just like humans? In my experience, monsters usually attack when they're in a state of excitement. For the most part, that's after they've eaten. And they usually attack around noon. But lately, they've been attacking in the morning and scouting at night. As if that wasn't surprising enough, their movements… I can't help but feel fear."

He said this, his body trembling slightly.

Humans. When they see something unbelievable, fear comes before thought.

Because they can't understand it.

If it's something they understand, even if it's strange behavior, they can comprehend it within a certain range and deal with it. But behavior that is too unbelievable goes beyond that range, and they don't know what to do, so they just stand there. Their minds give up thinking, and they become dazed.

This time, the monsters' movements were exactly that.

But I had an idea.

From what the general said, there was a Skeleton acting together with the monsters.

It was possible that it was giving the orders. If the chain of command functions well, they can be coordinated and move at their best.

I said.

"There are a lot of things we need to think about, but for now, let's rest. We need to rest when we can."

I forcefully ended the conversation.

The soldier captain said.

"You're right. That's for the best. Well then, I'll be on my way."

He saluted and left.

We also headed into the base.

Commander's Office.

General Goltor looked at the report of this incident and let out a deep sigh.

Chevre, who was by his side, said.

"General? Is something wrong? Shall I get you something to drink?"

At her worried voice, the general said.

"No, I'm fine. I'm sorry to make you worry."

He gestured that her concern was unnecessary.

Chevre felt uneasy.

The general was worried about something, and she couldn't do anything about it…

From this, one could infer that she had romantic feelings for the general.

When she was fifteen, the first time she saw him, she felt a pounding in her chest. She felt she had fallen in love. However, the general had a wife and children. If his family relations were poor, there might have been an opening, but his relationship with everyone but his second son was good, and they lived a happy life.

There was no way she could wedge herself in there.

So, she decided to get into a position where she could work by his side.

For that, she devoted herself to training and study, and she was able to attain the highest position of the general's aide-de-camp.

There was no greater happiness.

Ignoring such thoughts, the general said.

"I'm truly sorry. Making you put up with a workaholic like me. You should have had a chance to meet someone nice by now."

At his words, which seemed to see right through her, Chevre said.

"N-not at all! My happiness has already been fulfilled…"

She swallowed the rest of her words.

Her face was slightly flushed.

The general seemed to have sensed something.

"I see, so you've already met someone. In that case, we must end this war even sooner. We must punish the monsters who would dare to stand in the way of love."

For some reason, he was convinced and tackled his work with renewed vigor.

Seeing this, she said.

"You're right. Let's do our best."

She said this, pushing up her glasses, her face a mix of disappointment and feeling like she'd been left hanging.