< 286. March (4) >
#286
“Kratir is opening the door. Have you made up your mind?”
【Uhm.】
Navardose twisted his lips after hearing Lorhorn’s question. Her temporarily constructed conference room contained ten people including herself. It was a staff member in charge of the brains of the Allied Forces.
They were deeply troubled with expressions not much different from those of Navarre. The absence of a certain person was driving them crazy. Navardose who was drooling looked back at Adeshan.
【Hey. Are you still not in touch?】
“yes. Ever since it was disconnected on the first day…”
She said Ade Shan dragged her by the tail. She was sending out a message at this very moment but Ronan did not reply. Did something really happen? Navardose sighed softly.
【This is difficult. Honestly I thought you would come back around this time.】
“It’s a bit dangerous. “As time goes by we are at a disadvantage.”
The Allied Commander who had his arms crossed opened his mouth. The others nodded their heads in agreement. The purpose of uniting the Allied Forces on the continent was to increase troops but it was also to wait for Ronan.
However Ronan who left saying he would find the answer did not return even after two days. Now it was time to make a decision. The staff members all turned their heads and focused on Navardose the final decision maker.
【…okay. You can’t just wait.】
After a moment of silence she sighed. She had to rush out while she still had military supplies and blood to spare. Now that all the scattered talented people had gathered together it would have been possible to defeat him unless he was a fairly strong enemy.
【I’m sure you have prepared defense measures against the cult leader right?】
“For now yes. Of course you will have to see how long and short it is to know.”
Lorhorn agreed. They ignored Balzac’s warning not to look down on their religious leaders. Lorhorn who looked like a child smiled.
“That’s my opinion too. “Why don’t you at least give a morale-boosting speech?”
【It’s a speech. I have no talent in that area.】
Navardose laughed. As soon as she snapped her fingers flames erupted on the walls and ceiling of the tented conference room. Grumble! The scenery outside was revealed beyond the tent that had turned into ashes. Allied forces all prepared are lined up in an orderly manner.
【Looking at it this way it seems quite a number.】
Navardose shrugged his eyebrows. The armor and weapons stained in the glow of the sunset were twinkling like stars. Even though only the elite of the elite had gathered it seemed like there would be easily 100000 people.
“amazing….”
Adeshan let out a sigh of admiration without realizing it. It was a spectacle that could not help but make one’s heart swell. The scenery that I believed I would see only after I ascended to the position of general in the distant future unfolded before my eyes.
Empires and their friendly countries barbaric enemy countries that want to prove their worth through war and conquest and even small countries on the outskirts that you have never heard of. The warriors who lived for their own justice were all gathered under the same banner. With the belief that I will definitely save the world.
However none of them was interested in Navarre or his staff. It was because everyone was watching Kratir open the portal. Coo coo coo coo…! The portal which was already 500 meters wide was getting wider.
“This is truly amazing. “Is this magic?”
“From what I heard he is Lorhon’s best disciple… After this war is over I will have to send my child to Phileon as well.”
Even veterans who had gone through all kinds of adventures couldn’t take their eyes off him. Adeshan wiping away his moist eyes was trying to drink tea to attract people’s attention. Navarre placed his hand on her shoulder and shook his head.
【Why don’t you just leave me to watch? This is my first time seeing space magic on that scale.】
“Ah yes.”
Adeshan harvested the mana of shadow. It was definitely a unique sight that could not be missed.
Beyond the portal a huge lake was seen from above. It was the entrance to the headquarters that Balzac had mentioned. The cloud-covered sky was reflected on the unwavering surface of the water.
“Keuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu her its hers!”
Kratyr was squeezing out all the mana from his body to expand the portal. The flowing mana was making his long beard dance in the air. The bulging veins seemed as if they would tear open Kratir’s forehead at any moment and pop out.
A few more minutes passed. The end of the crack was about to widen to the point where it completely crossed the Allied positions. bang! Kratyr knelt down on one knee and placed his palms on the floor.
“Haaa-!!”
Sigh! At the same time the water that filled the lake tore left and right revealing a world beyond the surface. And once again the viewpoint tilted to reveal the scenery under the cloudy sky. The soldiers’ eyes widened.
“It’s open!”
“That’s the headquarters…!”
“Those vampires really found it. “I feel bad.”
A horrifying scene unfolded. Everything above below left and right was white. Not only the sky but also few trees and grass. Even the dirt underneath was stained an eerie white. Kratir who had used up most of his magic power staggered as if he would fall. fault! Lorhorn who leapt through space supported him.
“You’ve really improved a lot. “Kratir.”
“Hehe… I sit in the principal’s office every day and just smoke so I have to do something like this.”
Kratir let out a weak laugh. Thunderous cheers erupted over the military camp. He would now be in charge of support recovering mana like other wizards. Suddenly Adeshan who was looking beyond the portal narrowed his eyes.
“That’s….”
The enemy was not yet in sight. However over the wilderness defensive facilities such as watchtowers and fortresses were built at regular intervals. The Pale Castle the headquarter of Nebula Clage stood proudly at the very back of the defensive line made up of buildings.
He looked like a king being guarded by soldiers. I didn’t hear this from Balzac but it seemed like they had prepared Mercury in their own way. Navardose muttered softly.
【It would be better to keep it short.】
She knew well the effect of an appropriate speech in such a situation. Of course she had no intention of taking too long.
After appreciating her the eyes of the Allied Forces were already focused on her. After a short thought Navarre was about to beat her. A fresh scream erupted from the center of the military camp where she had maintained silence.
“Hyaaaaaaa! “It’s dangerous!”
【hmm?】
It was a familiar voice. A short boy was looking completely white and pointing inside the portal. She also knew the wizard Asher well.
Navardose’s eyes widened as if they would pop out as he turned his head in the direction he pointed. In the distance a giant with a pair of wings was flapping in the air.
It looked somewhat clumsy compared to the giants the Allied Forces had faced so far but that wasn’t what was important right now. A spear made of light thrown from the giant’s hand was flying through the wind.
“It’s a giant!”
“Did you know we would come…!”
The soldiers who saw the scene belatedly burst out in astonishment. Despair appeared on Asher’s face. The sky was still too bright to activate the star’s protection.
“Oh no!”
I really didn’t expect it to turn out like this right from the start. The spear of light was rushing towards exactly where he was. Marya cursed and ran forward.
“Damn Asher!”
“Everyone is in danger!”
Marya hugged Asher with one arm and pulled his body back. Braum who blocked the two men’s path raised his great shield. It was a car where Asher chanted a spell to try to do something. Kwaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!! Suddenly a shadow appeared overhead and a strong explosion sounded.
“Huh…?!”
Asher and his companions urgently raised their heads. Everyone’s eyes widened. Tens of thousands of red scales sparkled like jewels. As the thick smoke dispersed in the wind a huge red dragon appeared.
“I am Navardose!”
Asher was shocked. It was a Navardose that had returned to its original form. Shrinking her size to fit through her gate she was no different in size from Itar Gand. Of course her unique majesty has not diminished at all. Navardose sighed deeply.
【You don’t even give me time to say a word.】
The people whose lives were saved were shocked. Without any defensive spells on her part she simply rammed the spear of light into her body and canceled it out. The scales where her spear had been stuck were scorched but that was all.
“I blocked that?!”
Nebula Clazier’s followers who were watching the scene from the watchtower were frightened. Even though it was an attack from an artificial giant that descended on Lyko Force’s body it was absolutely not something that her bare body could handle. It has been strengthened through countless improvements since Darman was active in the Battle of the Sword.
“this. It can’t go on like this. Church leaders and archbishops…!”
Having failed to attack first they were about to take their next action. Suddenly Navarre spread his wings and rushed inside her portal. Kwasik! Closing the distance with a single flap of her wings she bit the artificial giant’s neck.
【Gagging…!】
The sound of her neck bones being crushed rang out. Her teeth of Navardose forged with Ronan’s blood tore apart the deteriorated star’s protection like pieces of paper.
Fresh blood burst from the giant’s mouth and soaked the white ground. The thick liquid had an unpleasant purple color that seemed to indicate that it was neither a human nor a giant.
Kwaaaaang! Navarro swung her head as if to shake her off and at the same time the giant’s body fell onto the watchtower. With her spine severed the giant could no longer stand up. The screams of the believers who barely escaped the stampede rang out.
“Now wait a minute!”
“Kyaaaaaaa! “Please save me!”
It was a scream so desperate that it aroused sympathy. But unfortunately that wish did not come true. The hottest flames since her creation poured out of Navarre’s mouth which opened up and down.
“Hwaaaaa!!”
There was no time to leave a will. The tidal wave of flame spread widely engulfing people and giant watchtowers. Although each watchtower was staffed with personnel who knew how to use star protection it was not enough to block her fire.
Grumble! The flames stopped only after reaching the fortress to be precise the defense shield surrounding the fortress and then dissipated in waves. Unlike the weak watchtowers the huge fortresses stood firm like breakwaters. Navarro seeing the clearly thickened defense shield clicked her tongue.
【yes. I don’t think you’ll be offended easily.】
Breaking through that defense line seemed to be the priority. The pale castle with its lord was located far far away. I felt like I needed to use some force. At that time giants with a pair of wings flew all at once over the fortresses located here and there.
“Oh that…!”
The soldiers were astonished. It was a sight that seemed to be flying over the forest. The sound of wings flapping was spreading over the field.
Their power was nothing compared to existing giants but their numbers were unusual. Each and every one of the hundreds of artificial giants possessed a power similar to that of Darman who brought about nightmares in the Battle of the Sword.
It was just as fear was about to appear on the soldiers’ faces. Navarre held her breath until her chest burst and cried out to the sky.
【March! Destroy it before it breaks!】
If this was a speech it was a speech of its own. Adeshan’s voice repeating commands one after another echoed in the minds of the entire army. In his excitement Orsay pulled his own bone spear from his chest.
【Come! You bastards!】
The spear twisted into a spiral was still emitting an evil energy. The Shadow Duke and the vampires he led shot out in the form of a rushing cloud.
Schlieffen who arrived at the enemy camp first swung his sword widely. The wind drawn along the sword path crossed the sky. Sigh! The artificial giant’s head which was about to throw a spear rose into the air.
【…..!】
The falling body spattering his blood announced the start of the final battle. With a shout that shook the world the Allied forces began to charge.
****
“so. “How do you feel now?”
“How many times are you asking the same question?”
“I think it’s been about twenty times. “I’m asking if there will be any side effects so I’m going to answer quietly.”
“Oh really. all right. therefore….”
Ronan scratched his head after hearing the Savior’s words. A dizzying bloody smell was coming from all directions. The dismembered bodies of monsters were lying around him.
After completing the ritual Ronan immediately moved with the savior to the desert where Dainhar was located. The scorching haze turned into a cold night wind that was brushing my cheeks. He scratched his head and blurted out.
“It’s just ordinary.”
