668. [STAGE 40] Avengers (2)
The council of kings has reached its end.
The consensus was to mobilize troops and directly attack the black dragon.
“Let’s lead the entire army and go to war!”
“We can’t let him keep shooting like that, can we?”
“If we have to fight a decisive battle anyway, now is the right time when our forces are intact!”
It was the emperor who opposed it.
“Ash told me beforehand. If you find yourself in a situation where you can’t give instructions, never go out and fight, and solidify your defenses at the crossroads.”
Kings rebelled.
“Then you mean to keep hitting that breath, Traha?”
“…They are devising countermeasures.”
“Establishing! If that breath flies into the fortress again in a little while, and this time hits our barracks directly, then you won’t be able to even attempt a counterattack!”
Traha frowned.
There was a message Ash left behind, but there was truth in the words of the kings.
It is unknown how long it will take for the black dragon to reach the crossroads here.
In the first place, even if you fix your body on the spot and keep shooting your breath like a cannon, you won’t be able to handle the fortress city.
‘There is a way to block Ash’s breath, but…’
That ‘method’ has not yet been activated. It was because the ‘method’ didn’t listen when Ash disappeared.
‘If only I could block the breath, I’d be able to pass the time waiting for his approach.’
Traha sighed again. The monster front here was a structure that relied on its youngest son to the extent of abnormality.
‘Son. Don’t you yourself know better how important you are here…’
And yet, to risk your own life. Throwing the king to the edge of enemy lines.
‘If you’re a commander, it’s also a virtue to know your own weight, appreciate the soldiers’ sacrifices, and protect your own life.’
It’s been reckless before, but this time it went too far.
why so far?
‘No maybe.’
…because there was no other way out than risking one’s own life?
‘If Ash judged that, if that was the only way out.’
Then this counterattack against the black dragon… is it meaningful?
“Traha? What should I do?”
Hearing the voices of the kings calling, the emperor slowly nodded his head.
“Good. Let’s use the second method we have prepared for you.”
Because the plan A subjugation of the expedition was frustrated.
Plan B- Mobilize the human army and cut the black dragon’s head.
engage in an all-out war with the monster.
The kings nodded in unison. Tra said.
“We, Everblack, will send out the heavy knights, light cavalry, and airships brought from New Terra.”
Currently, elite troops recruited from the 1st Corps, 2nd Corps, and 3rd Corps, the main forces of the Everblack Army, were stationed at the Crossroads.
It was largely divided into heavy cavalry, light cavalry, and general infantry.
Traha announced that he would send all but the common infantrymen to the field.
In addition, the Airship Fleet sorties.
The entire airship that remained on New Terra was now on the Crossroads. The total number was sixteen.
The representative flagship, Alcatraz, was judged to be retired and could no longer fly, but the remaining power was sufficient.
Various artifacts developed after the last King of the Flies were also installed.
“If Everblack’s main force would step forward like this…!”
“It’s good enough! This is a win!”
“Good. Then let’s meet the black dragon a day away from the black lake. The Air Fleet departs first, and the troops on this side go through the teleport gate to the corresponding point…”
Most of the kings were also trained through the war, and the soldiers were also faithfully trained in preparation for this Plan B.
Unlike the chaotic meeting, once a conclusion was reached, orders were exchanged quickly.
The sound of the soldiers who had been informed of preparations for marching, gathering armor and weapons could be heard all the way to the meeting room.
The kings left the meeting room one by one to give orders to their armies.
“…”
Traha, who had been watching him, gestured to the side.
Traha commanded the adjutant who quickly approached.
“Prepare the heavy knights and light cavalry and… call in Sir Macmillan.”
***
“…after.”
MacMillan, Commander of the Everblack Imperial Air Force, smoked a pipe with a dark face.
At the time of the last King of the Flies, I lost all the fleet and even retired Alcatraz, so I thought it would be hard… but the emperor didn’t.
It was because the experience of fighting the Lord of the Flies was judged to be very important for a fleet commander.
So MacMillan still retained his post as commander of the Air Force.
“I don’t feel well.”
Receiving orders from the emperor and heading to the airship hangar, Macmillan emitted a series of smoke.
Because of his experience fighting the Lord of the Flies, Macmillan had a hunch. This battle will be very tough.
However, there was also a point in the judgment that it was better to glare at the monster’s neck with all the power of this side than to be unilaterally trampled by the enemy monster without even fighting once.
Crouching and gathering strength is also a method that can only be used against opponents with moderate power differences. The Black Dragon was a monster far outside of Sanggwe.
Whether it works or not, this side has a chance to stab with all their might… Now is the only time.
“Night flights aren’t my thing…”
MacMillan muttered as he moved on.
There was a temple in the middle of the road to the airship hangar. Macmillan visited this place to visit the heroes of the expedition in hospital and to get advice for this battle.
The temple was filled with acrid burns and a disgusting smell of blood.
The soldiers who were swept away by the Black Flame Breath and burned continued to scream hoarsely as they died.
An endless number of wounded people were carried away lying on bunks, and the same amount was covered with white cloth and laid out outside the temple as if piled up.
“…”
MacMillan’s molars clenched together with strength.
Lucas was sitting in the corridor inside the temple. Spotting a familiar face, MacMillan waved.
“Sir Lucas! No, now Lucas is the Commander’s Deputy. I’m fine…”
MacMillan suddenly fell silent.
The figure of Lucas resting at the entrance of the temple holding the ominously shimmering black sword in his arms… it was because he didn’t look human for a moment.
A wolf- or something more sinister than that.
There was no place to see him smiling benignly behind Prince Ash, and there was a knight there who scattered a bloody spirit that seemed as if he would stab and kill anyone who approached him.
‘…No, it’s not just Sir Lucas.’
Only then did Macmillan, who looked around the inside of the temple, notice.
All of the heroes who are being healed and resting… The mood has completely changed.
Everyone stared into the air with bloody tears on their faces, waiting for their bodies to recover.
It was like pieces of broken glass.
Originally, it was transparent and beautiful as one.
But now it’s broken and scattered, so if you approach it, it’s like getting cut.
“…Sir Macmillan.”
Lucas, noticing Macmillan’s visit a beat late, nodded.
“What happened here…”
“Ah, deputy commander. So…”
“I’m not the acting commander.”
Lucas immediately retorted, and MacMillan blinked.
“yes?”
“I gave up that title a little while ago… I objected that I should never lead an army to march, but the kings didn’t listen. I have returned it.”
“…”
“And above all, I had to go on a path that I couldn’t go on with such a grandiose name anymore.”
Lucas’ eyes staring at the floor radiated a cool light.
“… so Sir Macmillan. What was your visit?”
MacMillan simply gave the current situation.
As Lucas heard first, most of the troops stationed in the Crossroads decided to attack the Black Dragon at once, and the non-aircraft fleet was also mobilized for this operation.
And he was in command of the airship fleet, so he asked if there was any advice to give.
Then Lucas silently told me the information about the black dragon.
In advance, data on the attack method and physical abilities of the Black Dragon were spread throughout the front lines from Ash, but the information the heroes obtained in actual battle was more valuable.
And it was even worse.
Lucas calmly added to Macmillan, who looked pale as he reviewed the received information.
“I’m sorry that I can’t help you in this battle because of your current injury.”
“no. Everyone knows what a hard fight you have had.”
“…Sir Macmillan. I sincerely wish you victory, but I will tell you anyway.”
Macmillan swallowed dryly at Lucas’ words.
“Use good judgment when to flee.”
“…”
“If our troops survive even a little longer, when we go out for revenge… can you be our shield?”
The conversation ended there.
Lucas closed his eyes and leaned his head against the post, while Macmillan hesitated and stepped back.
“I don’t feel well.”
outside the temple.
Macmillan sighed as he put the pipe he had put in his bosom for a while back in his mouth and looked up at the sky.
“I don’t feel good…”
It was dark all the time, so I couldn’t tell whether it was day or night, or whether the hazy orb floating in the sky was the sun or the moon.
I can’t even imagine what this world is going to be like…
***
The troops who rode the teleport gate from the Crossroads gathered at a point a day’s distance from the Black Lake and two days’ distance from the Crossroads.
In the Crossroads, there were troops directly under the monster front, general infantry belonging to the Imperial Army, and volunteer troops and heterogeneous troops replenished after the Autumn Festival.
This happened because the representatives of the different races all opposed the campaign.
Excluding them, the number of troops gathered in the decisive battle reached 30,000.
At first, when the kings brought soldiers, if only the numbers were called, it could have been increased, but under Ash’s instructions, only the elite from each country were selected and gathered.
Even so, it was 30,000. In addition, we even trained together for several months assuming a great monster battle.
30,000 of humanity’s most elite allied forces.
Besides, in the sky –
Geeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeein!
air fleet.
The airship fleet, the world’s strongest weapon and the last bastion of the Everblack Empire, spreads to the left and right while demonstrating its majesty. It was waiting in the distance, occupying the sky.
“Let’s just stick to the plan.”
The Chief of the Mirage Tribe said while gazing at the valley leading from the Black Lake to the Cross Road.
Then, the commanders of each unit around them nodded.
The overall command of the allied forces was assumed by the Chief of the Mirage. As a nomadic people, they have been fighting goblins for a long time and have a lot of experience fighting monsters.
It was decided that the command of the Everblack Empire’s medium and long-term knights and airships would be taken over by the commander of the heavy and long-term knights and airships, respectively.
The chain of command was all set up. The problem is operation.
‘ambush. environment. surprise attack. Extermination.’
Currently, the allied forces were hiding in the woods on the left and right overlooking the valley below. In the first place, the teleport gate was installed hidden in the forest here.
On the left side of the valley is the Kingdom Alliance. On the right, the Imperial Heavy Knights and Light Cavalry.
They will hold their breath and lie in ambush, and when the black dragon discovers the airship fleet and focuses their attention, they will surround it from the left and right at once and attack it.
Fearing that their presence would be discovered, they set up an ambush in the middle of a forest far away, and even mobilized artifacts that help them hide in a wide area. The monster wouldn’t even know.
And while they cling to the black dragon and wait for time, the airship fleet and the king’s magician troops from each country finish it off.
“If we all decide to die and fight… we will definitely be able to hurt him.”
The Chief of the Mirage said resolutely.
“Let’s show human will.”
Everyone gripped their weapons tightly.
Many of the current troops here were veterans who remained on the frontlines even after fighting the Lord of the Flies.
Their will was strong, and the pride of being a death squad to protect the world remained.
how long did you wait for that
thump… thump… thump…
with the earthshaking sound.
At the end of that valley, the Night Bringer appeared.
The darkness itself seemed to sway and move. It looked more like a very large whale swimming in the sea of night than a dragon.
The huge body of the monster stepped on the ground as if sliding and quickly approached, filling the field of vision and becoming huge.
Gulp…
The humans swallowed dry saliva in unison.
Unknowingly, tears stinged at the overwhelming evil spirit of the evil dragon.
The Chief of the Mirage let out a trembling breath, closed his eyes tightly, and quietly recited a prayer.
“Great God of the sun and sand, protect our armor today and let our swords shine with light and glory….”
That moment.
Acknowledge…
There was the sound of something happening above the mirage chieftain’s head, followed by damp heat pouring over his turbaned head.
“…?”
Puzzled, the mirage chief raised his head and looked up, and
there was a floating head of a black dragon with sparkling golden eyes… smiling cruelly with its mouth wide open.
[I tried to pretend I didn’t know…]
The black dragon’s middle head whispered in a low voice as if it were admonishing from the main body of the monster that stopped while walking.
[You shouldn’t look for the sun in front of me.]
“…God.”
As the Mirage Chief gritted his teeth and pulled out his curved sword-
Quaaaaaaa!
The black dragon’s head floating above him spewed flames toward the ground.
The allied command couldn’t even scream and was engulfed in flames.
