Chapter 186: God's Eyes
***Arc 8 One Who Spread Death, Chapter 186 God's Eyes***
"That's more than promised, Krische! Even I was stunned."
Wearing lion armor bathed in a great deal of blood and carrying a great battle-axe on his shoulder, Dougleen Garhka appeared out of the battle line, smiling happily and tapping Krische on the shoulder.
Krische, who didn't want to get stained with blood, immediately jumped to avoid it.
"Krische thinks it should have been shown to General Garhka though..."
"Even so, there is a big difference from actually seeing it on the battlefield....Why do you avoid it?"
"...General Garhka is covered in blood."
"Gah, you're such a germaphobe."
Dougleen looked behind him as he spread his hands in shock.
There were no longer any groups around this area that could mount an organized resistance.
The Gulshan soldiers had turned their backs and started running away.
The enemy's extreme left wing was still alive, but they couldn't seem to hide their confusion at the breakthrough to the center.
It was only natural.
Gulshan had lost both of their generals.
A soldier can only be a soldier if he has a commander.
If you lose them one after another, it will be difficult to restore the turmoil of the soldiers.
This is because everyone can understand the colors of the flag.
Not to mention the soldiers over there who were feeling like they had won the battle――they couldn't easily accept that difference.
Victory was now certain.
"You can tell me more about it later... Bonjara was it. I'd like you to tell me about that, but that's for later. As planned, I'm heading to Orugan place with these 15,000."
"Yes, please"
"...Is it really fine? As expected, stealing the delicious prey after being set up this much is"
Krische shook her silver hair and tilted her head.
"It's not about stealing, the plan like that from the beginning. Krische wants to reduce the attrition of the army, so that's the priority."
"What a greedless guy.... Well, if you say it's okay, I'll move first. Later. Move as you like."
"Yes. Vinthril."
"Ha!"
Vinthril, who was waiting behind, flapped Ritgund in front of Krische.
Five shaku tall at the shoulders, with the body of a lion and the face of an eagle.
The wind whipped up by the graceful blue wings becomes a gust of wind with a single flap――From the corner of his eye, Dougleen catches Krische holding down her skirt, but his interest lies in the griffin's rider.
He grabbed his bloody spear and wrapped it in his fur.
Although this warrior may be described as lightly armored, he has the aura of a warrior that can be seen at a glance.
"Vinthril-dono, is this okay?"
"Yes, General Garka. I don't mind what I'm called."
Vinthril tilted his head, wondering what he wanted from him.
"I see. It's fine after the battle is over, but... could I have a ride on it?"
Vinthril immediately understands the intention.
Dougleen's eyes sparkled like a child's as he looked at Griffin with some kind of envy.
"I'd like to experience the view from the sky just once..."
Vinthril smiled bitterly at the words of the sullen man who sounded so embarrassed, thought about it for a moment, and then nodded.
"As long as Griffin doesn't get tired, I don't mind."
"Hahaha, now I have something to look forward to. I'll serve you my treasured sake tonight. I hope you don't die from the recklessness of this princess."
"General Garhka, Krische isn't reckless."
Krische puffs out her cheeks and jumps behind Ritgund.
"As Krische said, Krische is already tired of the civil war and Regalave. Krische've decided that from now on, Krische'll only fight battles that we can win one-sidedly."
――Clutching a spear in his right hand.
"...Alberinea"
A little while ago――Zalvaag led the elite 3000 and advanced at the front, aiming to bypass the left wing of the Alberinea army.
With the Alberinea army directly in front of them, Orugan's main camp formed a battle line.
The left wing was overlapped by Kilrea's right wing with its wings bent.
The only way to detour was from the right wing, and when Zalvaag went out with the reserves, thirty flying cavalry took off from Nakria.
Orugan moved his reserve――Zalvaag, to attack Alberinea's main camp.
She must have been aiming for that timing.
It seemed like their every move was being read.
No, in fact, it was being read.
From the start of the war to this point, Alberinea has calculated everything.
Otherwise, this movement would not be possible.
With Elkar's army immediately annihilated, Orugan preparing for a decisive battle, and ordering Zalvaag to lead his elite troops from the right wing and aim to bypass the wingtips.
It was not a decision he had made in advance. It was decided that it had been made just a moment ago.
But Alberinea had read all of their movements as if she had foreseen the future.
"Zalvaag-sama!"
"Ignore it for now."
Just past the enemy's left wing.
In the distance, an unknown explosion echoed near Kilrea.
They didn't understand what that meant.
What they did know, however, was that the enemy's aim was not a surprise attack on the main camp by a small number of people.
The enemy's goal is to destroy the left wing led by Kilrea――a frontal breakthrough by the Garhka army and an assault on his main camp.
Zalvaag understood this not by logic but by intuition.
Alberinea didn't just want to win.
She aimed for a complete victory against Gulshan, who was at full strength.
Overwhelm it, defeat it, so that it could no longer even stand up.
――He recalled the girl's inorganic purple color.
It was beautiful like a jewel and it had a deep color.
The absolute confidence and arrogance that resided there.
It was like a child looking down at an insect.
He saw her in the royal capital, he saw her in Nakria, and he saw her defeating Alcazaris.
Finally, Zalvaag understood the existence of Alberinea.
For her, it was just a mere game.
The battlefield, where warriors risk their lives, is nothing more than an ant war to her.
And she had the power to make it so.
Gulshan will just be defeated by one individual, Alberinea.
There was no victory, if there was it would only turn into a mere defeat.
If the Alberinea main camp could be crushed immediately, it would at least disrupt the enemy's pace and buy time for a retreat from here.
"...Argand was it?"
A part of the enemy's left wing――and the enemy's main camp was already preparing for a detour.
The enemy force in front of Zalvaag was 2,000 strong.
But at the front of the line was a familiar piece of armor.
In the center of the enemy's line――a helmet shaped like a tiger and heavy armor.
A military commander who was by Alberinea's side in the royal capital.
Perhaps he was Alberinea's close aide.
Him being at the forefront was a matter of personality――but it was the right choice.
That was definitely the warrior chosen to stop Zalvaag.
Then, two black steel giants appeared from both wings of the enemy's front row.
"...Leave the center to us."
"Forgive me, Eryke. I'll leave it to you. ――The flag!"
The banner behind them flutters loudly.
A trumpet sounded, and all the troops were in an assault position.
At the same time, the sound of strings resounded all at once.
The enemy shoots a rain of arrows.
At the same time, Zalvaag rushed toward the enemy in front, the left wing, instead of the tiger armor.
Our targets were the two creatures that rushed toward our line of battle――the black steel giants.
'――The giant's weakness is its head'
Elkar's last words were conveyed through the soldiers.
He ran diagonally between the lines, and raised the spear in his hand.
The Giant――A blue light flickered from the eyes of his head, and it reacted instantly.
The two bodies on the left wing move towards him.
Their eight shaku physiques were clearly visible as they approached.
A gigantic bayonet attached to the tip of the elbow, it was a completely alien monster.
Probably Alberinea's magic weapon.
The speed, weight, and armor that could be seen at a glance――it was no wonder that soldiers feared it.
Its giant feet leave deep claw marks on the earth every time it runs.
It would be impossible for an average soldier to even take them on.
Even a person with superior magical power could turn the table on them.
If you were afraid and kept your distance, if you failed to inflict a fatal wound, you would be killed.
Zalvaag looked to his left for a moment――the enemy corps commander was running toward him.
Even if he takes his time, he would be killed.
It was a gamble.
However, Zalvaag believes in Elkar's last words and moves forward.
'――Hahaha, are you the former shoemaker who achieved so much in battle? I was originally a carpenter...but the truth is, there are many different people in this army. Let's do our best together, shoemaker Zalvaag. Together with this carpenter Elkar, for the crazy hero named Orugan.'
The words of Elkar, who risked his life.
There can't be any lies in that.
The giant swings its right sword.
At that moment, Zalvaag stepped forward and thrust the spear in his hand into the iron grate in the center of its head-pupil.
Letting go of it, he leaps at the same time and moves forward, using its shoulder as a foothold.
――Twin sword Zalvaag
It was not that he particularly liked to use two swords.
If you jump into the enemy to kill many enemies, you will be surrounded by enemies on all sides.
It was simply because it was easier to kill multiple opponents with two swords than a single sword.
If one sword could kill five men, two swords could kill ten.
With such a simple idea, he simply picked up a sword that had fallen.
He had no particular interest in weapons, as long as he could kill his enemies.
The one behind him was already swinging its left sword.
The giant was unfazed by the fact that his comrade was killed, and his reactions were sharp.
Just with that, it was already more than an average threat..
Zalvaag slips past the giant as if rolling.
He pulls out a curved sword and cuts his neck in two――where his head and body meet.
As he expected, the feel of the blade was metallic.
Zalvaag's sword skills could easily cut through even sheet metal armor, but the joints were slightly thicker.
He frowned when he felt the blade spill on the curved sword that had sent its neck flying.
It was minor, but this would be the last time this weapon would be used in this battle.
In the blink of an eye, he forced the two giants to cease functioning.
Zalvaag remained calm as he heard the loud cheers behind him――voices praising his own exploits.
All he understood was the fact that with this they could hold out for a while more.
And that was their role.
Of the 3,000, 2,500 were just decoys, and they understand that.
From the elites he brought, 500 camel cavalrymen protruded further from the extreme right wing.
It was the 500 that Zalvaag ultimately led.
The enemy army commander was heavily armored. He can't keep up with the lightly armored Zalvaag.
Zalvaag had no desire to compete with Kolkis Argand.
He had no interest in one-on -one combat between warriors, all he wanted was the result.
Twin Swords Zalvaag was not a warrior, but a soldier.
――Zalvaag makes his whistle echo across the battlefield.
Taking this as a signal, a soldier with a dog jumped out from the right wing.
What they bring with them is a trained medium-sized hunting dog――originally one that would target lightly armed skirmishers.
It wouldn't be a fatal blow to the enemy, mainly heavy infantry, but it was good for buying time.
All they had to do was stop the enemy army commander.
"Rogelius!"
"Yes sir!"
A curved sword in a scabbard.
Jumping onto the camel brought by the cavalry commander, he received a spear from one of the cavalrymen beside him.
What he could see in front of them was the enemy's main camp.
At the center were archers.
In addition, there were dozens of Alberinea hunters in black armor.
"Arrows are coming! Spread out, three arrows!"
――As expected of the enemy's main camp defense.
From the time of their breakthrough to the simultaneous firing, it was fast.
No, they read the breakthrough and formed a formation from the beginning.
They realized that their main objective was a further bypass by the camel cavalry.
At least the commander of the enemy's main camp was not fooled by the Zalvaag leading the way.
There was no way for the cavalry to defend against arrows.
They could only divide the 500 into three sections, widen the spacing between them, reduce the density of the arrows, and hope that it would not hit.
That was also what they were prepared to do.
In short, all that was needed was to have enough men left to take out the enemy general.
Zalvaag always thought simply and clearly.
The important thing was not how much damage they would suffer, but whether or not they could take the enemy general's head.
On the left――Alberinea line against the Orugan line.
From there, soldiers in black armor appeared as if seeping out.
Each one galloped like a cavalry――magic possessors.
Of the cavalry divided into three, the left one was killed by them.
About 300 cavalry soldiers had jumped out from behind the enemy's main camp.
Of the cavalry divided into three, the right one was stopped by this.
Horses dislike the stench emitted by camels――but it would take some time to break through.
The kingdom's cavalry were small in number compared to Gulshan and other countries, but they were strong, with many being magic possessions from nobility.
However, they already knew that.
From the beginning, the real one was this central 150 team with Zalvaag.
There were three volleys until they were within fifty ken of each other.
Elite archers. They were not afraid of the camel cavalry's charge, and the intervals between their shots were narrow.
The aim was also accurate.
Zalvaag out of the thousands of arrows approaching――identified the few that would hit him and used his spear to deflect them.
And oozing from the line of archers was black-painted armor――there were 50 of them.
A third of the 150 have already fallen.
Their spears――perhaps half of them would be eliminated by it.
What they hold in their hands is not a javelin, but a melee spear.
However, they carried it easily, as if it was a javelin.
And even if they could see the spear thrown by the magic possessor, it was not easy to receive it.
Stepping in and taking a stance.
Ten of the spears fired were aimed at the commander, Zalvaag.
He instantly jumped and as he watched as the camel he was riding was skewered by countless spears, he charges.
What appeared from the front was an old soldier――a man clad in rugged armor.
Was he an adjutant or an escort for this main camp?
In his left hand he held a large steel spear, and in his right hand he held something spherical.
Zalvaag holds the spear in his hand in a reverse hand.
The man also released the thing he had held in his right hand.
It flashes blue above Zalvaag's head.
――What was that?
Unknown object. He didn't recognize it. A flickering blue light――the luminescence of the magic crystal.
Why at this timing? It had some meaning.
What happened on this battlefield? The explosion at Kilrea's battle line.
"――All members use the camel as a shield!!"
Shouted and charged.
He gripped the spear that he held in his opposite hand while listening to the explosion that echoed behind him.
Stepping forward as if carving footprints into the earth――releasing the spear.
Concentrating his entire body's strength in his hands, he rolled to his feet as if to kill the recoil.
But the man repelled Zalvaag's flying spear.
He was quite skilled――just being able to block Zalvaag's spear from this distance made him no ordinary opponent.
He instantly pulled out his right curved sword. Not paying attention to what's behind him. Probably dozens of people died. They lost their charging power. But it was not like all of them died.
The man on the other side was holding a large spear and stepping forward.
It looks familiar. A spear technique used by empire nobles.
But was he injured or had some aftereffects?
His left hand moved slowly, and his center of gravity was slightly tilted away from his core.
――The thrust was sharp.
Dodging it with half of his body, Zalvaag moved to the right, the man's left side.
Twisting himself, Zalvaag arched his entire body and released a flash of light.
The man also twisted and tried to protect himself with his left arm from the blow aimed at his neck.
The man's experience was evident in his judgment――he must have been a well-known warrior, but he already predicted that.
Zalvaag intended to cut his neck in half, along with his left arm.
"――!?"
However, what rang out was a dull metallic sound.
Zalvaag's curved sword, which tore through his steel gauntlets, failed to sever the bone.
Before the curved blade could break, he stepped back before the opponent could ink their blade into him.
On the inside of the back of the gauntlet, there was no feeling of flesh and bone.
It was of the same quality as the giant from earlier.
The old soldier fired again, this time with the tip of a sharp spear, and he twisted his body and dodged it.
An arrow that flew through Zalvaag's left thigh caused a shallow tear.
The person who shot it was an old soldier with long white hair who was holding an arrow on a short bow from horseback――he recognized him.
He was the old man I saw at the meeting in Nakria, who probably couldn't use magic.
Even so, from a distance of 30 ken, he was able to accurately capture Zalvaag's movements and aimed.
"Zalvaag-sama!!"
The cavalry commander's voice sounded like a scream, and he pulled back in a moment.
A roaring white spear pierced the spot where Zalvaag was.
"Watlza, I told you not to be reckless."
"Ha, he seemed like an opponent we need to be careful of."
The black armor was stained with copious amounts of blood.
He was as skilled as Argand, and was noticed even from above the elephant.
He was the only one who broke through the camel cavalry on the left, carrying his long sword.
He must have thought that was enough.
In fact, the cavalrymen who had split to the left had been hit from the side by spears and were already half disintegrated.
"This is the situation. ...It would be best if you surrender. I heard that you understand Western Common Language."
One opponent stands out.
He wondered if he could kill him, and decided it was pointless.
He half understood.
This was just useless resistance.
The earlier attack――if it had ended with the best possible result, it might have been a success.
However, they were able to catch it, and on top of that, Zalvaag failed to finish off the enemy's skill.
Zalvaag's plan was already a failure when a melee broke out.
No, perhaps even from the beginning.
From above, a storm was whipped up by a griffin.
A shadow descends.
Her hands held her skirt to keep it from flipping, and the way she landed seemed weightless and made no sound.
Her silver hair flowed freely, and through it her purple eyes shone in the sunlight.
"Hehe, Griffin is nice, it's fast."
An innocent voice and a beautiful smile.
The one who descended from the sky was Alberinea――Krische Christand.
"You sure arrived early, Krische-sama. I was wondering if I could play a little longer."
A surprise attack on the main camo after detour after detour.
Anticipating this, the black-painted armor was placed on standby at the rear of the battle line, and the main camp had enough force to withstand Zalvaag's assault for a moment.
"Krische already said right, Krische will be back soon. Meow-Meow has already let him escape, and two of the jaragasha have been destroyed. Krische'll have to scold them later."
"Hahaha, well, I guess it can't be helped. Considering Corps Commander Argand's performance today, Jarea..."
"It's Jaragasha."
――In that short amount of time, Kilrea must have been easily defeated.
What she held in her hand, without even a drop of blood, was Kilrea's beloved sword.
For her, everything that happened on the battlefield today was a given――everything was a game within her hands.
Her appearance here was also part of her "schedule".
The girl looked up at the man in black armor, put her hands on her hips and pouted her cheeks.
Zalvaag saw this and stepped in half unconsciously.
He pulled out the curved sword from his waist and swung it at the girl.
The girl, who was full of gaps, glanced at him.
While she looked a little troubled, the right sword, the fastest swing that Zalvaag unleashed――she accurately caught the slight dent in the blade and used her curved sword to "cut it in two".
Zalvaag was already no longer disturbed.
The girl who slipped behind him from his――Zalvaag twisted his whole body, turned around to the left in an instant.
"――!?"
However, the girl already let go of her curved sword and thrust her hand into the ground and twisted her waist.
Her left heel broke his unarmored upper arm.
She then grabbed Zalvaag's remaining right arm and slammed his tall body into the ground.
Stomping on the torso and right arm, she thrust the curved sword on her hip into Zalvaag's neck.
"G-gh..."
"There's nothing you can do about this situation, and you should stop doing things that don't make sense. Krische is much stronger, and Zalvaag-san is much much weaker than Kirsche."
His consciousness fading from the shock.
She held up her fingers wrapped in gauntlets.
The girl said, as if she were a child.
"You're just a witness to the match."
As she spoke, without a shadow of a doubt.
Her violet eyes shone as if she were a God showing the natural providence.
"――Krische won the match."
Krische Christand said so.