Volume 5, Chapter 15 – The Battle to Rescue Chi Tien (1)

It has been eight days since we departed from the Imperial Capital, Yan’an.

According to schedule, we are supposed to arrive at Chi Tien today.

In the carriage with me are Lu-chan and Yihua-san; Chris-san and Shizuku-san are riding the fine steeds provided by the General.

Normally, it takes ten days to travel from Yan’an to Chi Tien by carriage.

Thanks to the muscle-brained General—who has zero consideration—no special preparations were made like the ones we had when traveling from Nanhai to Yan’an, so it looked like it would take the full ten days at first.

However, thanks to Yihua-san being far more competent than I imagined, we managed to shorten the trip by about two days.

First, the moment we departed, she mobilized the bureaucrats to arrange for fresh horses, ensuring the march proceeded smoothly.

Because of this, from the fifth day onward, horse exchanges and traffic control at the stations were implemented, and our marching speed increased dramatically.

Yihua-san is accompanying me this time as my attendant, but seeing how capable she is, I seriously think she should be made the General’s secretary.

Well, there is also the possibility that the General’s own administrative abilities are simply too low…

I did have a chance to speak with the General while Yihua-san was away, so I tried asking him about her.

However…

“General, what do you think of Yihua-san? Diao Yihua?”

“Hm? Saint. Who is that? Have I met her?”

“You know, the court lady who is accompanying us on this subjugation campaign.”

“…? Was there such a woman? Is she strong?”

“…No. It’s fine. Never mind.”

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“I see.”

It seems she isn’t even in his line of sight.

Honestly, fighting alongside someone who ignores other people to this extent is nothing but anxiety-inducing.

Just in case, I asked if there was a woman he was interested in. But:

“General, I imagine many women admire you for your martial prowess, but is there a particular woman you have your eye on?”

“What is this ‘woman I have my eye on’?”

“A woman you’re interested in.”

“Ah, I see. In that case, yes, there is.”

“Oh! What kind of woman is she?”

“Saint, that samurai woman with the ears and tail who is traveling with you. She said she wasn’t in top form, but I definitely want to fight her once she is.”

“…I see. I think that will still take a while. …Sigh.”

And that was that. It seems my perfect scheme is already on the verge of falling apart.

As I was pondering a strategy on how to play matchmaker between the General and Yihua-san, I heard the General’s shouting from outside the carriage.

“Hey! Saint! Chi Tien is under attack. I’m going ahead! You evacuate into the town! You there, escort the Saint to the town! The rest of you, follow me!”

“Eh?”

I hurriedly poked my head out of the carriage to look.

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Sure enough, a battle seemed to be breaking out near the town visible in the distance.

The General was already leading about sixty percent of the accompanying soldiers in a perfectly synchronized cavalry charge toward whatever was attacking the town.

I squinted, trying to see exactly what was assaulting the town.

That… that black haze is!

“Those are Undying Beasts. Chris-san—no, Shizuku-san, please call the General back!”

“Understood!”

Shizuku-san is the only one who possesses a weapon enchanted with Purification Magic that can counter those Undying Beasts.

Chris-san’s sword broke during the fight with Suikyou, and she hasn’t obtained a replacement yet.

The thing is, in the Golden Sun Miko Nation, only katanas were available, and since arriving in the Red Sky Empire, there has been absolutely no time to look for weapons.

I had intended to prepare weapons in Chi Tien, but to encounter those Undying Beasts before we even arrived!

“Chris-san, please stop this unit’s advance. After that, I will immediately apply Purification to everyone’s weapons, so please handle the traffic control for that.”

“Yes!”

“Lu-chan, guard me here.”

“Yes!”

I considered having Lu-chan go with Shizuku-san, but since she has no horse and wouldn’t be able to do anything if the enemy got close, it’s better for her to stay here.

Upon hearing my instructions, Shizuku-san immediately spurred her horse and chased after the General.

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“Coachman, despite the General’s orders, please stop here.”

“Eh?”

“Just stop. If we keep going, there will be unnecessary casualties.”

“Eh? Eh? But…”

“YOU LOT! STOPPPPP!”

Chris-san’s loud voice echoed, and our carriage and the escort unit, which had begun moving toward the town, came to a halt.

“S-Saint-sama, what is the meaning of this?”

Yihua-san asked me with a frightened expression.

“The things attacking the town are unidentified creatures we call Undying Beasts. They aren’t monsters, but they attack humans. And no matter what you do, they won’t die with normal attacks. Even if you take their heads or tear their bodies apart, they regenerate.”

“No way… Then we’re…!”

“It’s alright. We have a way to defeat those beasts. Please stay still here.”

I gave Yihua-san a small, reassuring smile and stepped out of the carriage.

“Saint-sama! Please wait. There are monsters outside. The General’s order is to deliver you safely to the town. Please leave the rough work to us and return inside.”

Ugh, what do these people think of us?

We were called here in the first place because we have experience defeating those things!

Well, whatever. There’s no point in arguing; let’s just get this over with quickly.

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I plastered a bright “business smile” on my face and spoke in a voice I consciously made as gentle and dignified as a Saint’s voice should be.

“Everyone, those monsters are cursed creatures that cannot be defeated with ordinary weapons. I shall grant a blessing upon your swords. With those blades, protect the town of Chi Tien, your beloved homeland, and its people.”

“S-Saint-sama!”

“Now, those who desire my blessing, please line up.”

“””Understood!”””

A line immediately formed in front of me. It seems it worked. Maybe my acting skills are actually quite decent?

“Saint-sama, please!”

“Yes. A holy blessing upon your sword.”

——And apply Purification Magic!

“Good luck in battle.”

“Yes!”

The male soldier respectfully received his sword from me and stepped back, and the next soldier stepped forward.

“Now, present your sword to Fiene-sama.”

“Yes!”

I repeated this exchange approximately twenty times.

Now, I wonder if Shizuku-san is doing alright?