52 The Shadow Orders a Deadly Surprise Attack / The Commander Orders a Deadly Charge

I wish to God. I pray to God. I offer myself to God.

And after receiving His blessing, we fight—for our own sake.

-Shadow Tamika II-

What crime did I commit to be forced into doing this?

“Lady Tamika, it’s dangerous here.”

Is this the Demon God’s doing? Maybe some sort of curse... or have I incurred Her wrath? Is that why my soldiers are ignoring my orders and the enemy is attacking recklessly?

“Lady Tamika, please step back a bit...”

“Shut up! I was at the very back, and I was attacked! That’s why I’m sticking to the center!”

I’ve selected a hundred earth mages to be my personal guards. Their orders are to immediately cast Stone Shield and Earth Wall if anything happens. It’s also very important that no thunder mages are around me. I just need shadows. As long as I have them, I can cast Sink. The light from the humans’ fire magic is annoying, but if worst comes to worst, I can hide in the shadow of some soot-covered armor. Moreover, there’s always the option to hide in the shadow of a human corpse. I’d even take a shield; just give me a shadow I can sink into.

I’m not going to die. Not as the Demon God’s pawn. Hell no!

“The cavalry! Focus on the cavalry! They’re aiming for me!”

“Lady Tamika, the cavalry have already run away...”

“It’s a temporary retreat. They’ll be back! I can see them preparing behind their foot soldiers!”

That man leading the cavalry has such cold, piercing eyes. Stop! Don’t look at me. I’m no ally of the humans, but that doesn’t make me their enemy either. I’m risking my life for the sake of this world, too. You don’t understand!

“Ugh... You’re strong, aren’t you?” I mutter.

I can’t believe they’re fighting evenly against vampires. Their mass of shields and spears doesn’t even flinch against the monstrous strength of my soldiers. It’s thanks to the flaming oil they spread everywhere. What the hell are they? How can they fight while on fire?! Not only are vampires weak to fire, but it also obstructs my magic. Such a pain.

The real key to all of this, however, is their militant rabbit familiars. Jumping into the chaos caused by the black wolves is a strong strategy for us. Unfortunately, those rabbits cut off that option. Like acrobats, they hop, crouch, and leap horns-first. They’ve definitely been blessed by a deity. Militant rabbits are normally prey for black wolves, so the fact that they’re different from normal is putting the wolves at a disadvantage. Our familiars are at the mercy of their own ignorance.

For the vampires, a brawl between familiars hinders their attack, but for the humans, it actually helps them. If you add to that mix wild, idiotic use of flames... this happens.

It makes no sense. We were supposed to win this easily. Is this the power of the human god... the Devil God? I hate it. The Demon God, Dragon God, and Devil God should all just die. They’re invaders with no shame or common sense, sneaking their foreign tentacles into our lands. They should all be executed. This world’s fate should be decided by its inhabitants, so why is such selfishness allowed? It’s the definition of outrageous.

Justice. I have justice on my side—a righteous indignation to correct the warping of this world and a duty to restore it to its original state. That’s why I made a contract with the spirit of darkness, granting me true magic.

Earth, thunder, water, wind, and fire—I shall liberate all the spirits that have been subjugated by these false gods. One day, I shall return things to their natural order. I cannot die here.

“Huff... Nngh... Guh!”

I’m scared. Scared. Even now, I can sense that cavalryman aiming for me. Hurry up and kill him. Where’s Fang Chief Barebow? Where is she right now? To the left, where we’re making the most progress? But she’s too slow; she needs to press harder. She’ll never reach that man at this rate.

I’ll have to use my trump card.

We’re in such a stalemate that even Fang Chief Barebow won’t be able to complain if I do. She’s got a good nose, too, so she’ll surely follow up on my strategy. Then we’ll destroy them. We’ll win.

“I order you all to withdraw! Back to where there are no goblin corpses!”

I can’t breathe. With my trembling hands, I grip my chest. I shut my jaw tightly and try to steady myself.

“Subterranians, arise! Prepare for a surprise attack!” I command.

The five hundred soldiers under the earth will guarantee us victory. I prepared this trap the night after the goblins were wiped out. They won’t be affected by the fire, oil, and corpses on the surface far above them. It’ll be okay. The enemy will never see this coming.

You usurpers were too busy looking up to notice the danger beneath your feet. Now taste defeat! And if you have to die, then go ahead and die already.

-Commander Jashan son Peine III-

“Push! Push them back!” Zakkow’s voice reverberates reassuringly in my belly. It makes me want to shout: “Yes, sir!” If we all charged forward right now, I’m sure we would win.

“Commander! A message from Marius! Requesting permission to strike at the enemy’s back!”

Damn it, Marius, you’re too hot-blooded for a man of refinement.

“Rejected!” I won’t allow it. If the beasts see our cavalry sweeping around the side now, they’ll scatter. If that happens, then our foot soldiers won’t be able to catch them. If they head for the Hell Expanse as a consequence, I wouldn’t be able to bear it. “The cavalry is to hold its position and watch for any enemy movements!” Don’t panic. We’ve managed to drag them into our flames. There’s no need to throw away our advantage now. Flames, when gathered together, become an inferno. “Temper your spirits and wait for my orders! Tell them that!”

We’re up against blood-sucking beasts with monstrous strength. We can’t possibly push through them now. The Bomber Knights will only enter the fray to deal the death blow. First and foremost, we must create the perfect opportunity for their Inferno spells.

Hm? I’ve stepped on something. It’s the corpse of a black wolf, it would seem. The beasts don’t have the same blessing we possess, so they are finding it hard to even breathe in this battlefield aflame. Lesser beings like the black wolves simply end up like this. My, these fireproof soldiers have proved to be quite the invention. Odysson has such nasty ideas. I should have expected as much of a master of fire. In the end, the art of war comes down to who is better at harassing the other. How dangerous.

Of our enemies, the elder one seems to be the most problematic. Everything she does drips in barbarity. That hammer of hers sends guts and flesh flying all over. She sure knows how to destroy our morale... oh! Well, this isn’t good. She’s incredibly strong. At this rate, she might even break through our three layers of soldiers.

“Men, draw your swords! We’ll be entering the fray as well!” I command my soldiers.

If she breaks through, our whole army will feel the repercussions. Damn old bitch, she knows what she’s doing. A clever warrior and a nasty personality to boot—the exact opposite of a pure-hearted soul like me... mmh? What’s this? She’s retreating? Now? After how far she pressed our side? Is she stupid? Well, let’s not let this advantage slip away.

“Foot soldiers, forward! Surround and burn them! Cavalry... huh?”

Wait, they’re all retreating? That makes no sense. What’s wrong with them? If they were afraid of fire they would be running for their lives, and I highly doubt they’re scared of us humans. Hm... what did Marius say? Something about the enemy’s leader pissing herself. Is that it, then? Is that where this clumsy attempt at strategy is coming from?

“...Center foot soldiers, charge! Into the thick of it!”

It’s a trap. Nine times out of ten, it’s a trap. However, it’s an awfully executed one. At the very least, there doesn’t seem to be much coordination between their leader and that vampire hag. That’s our opening. That’s where we’ll strike.

“Press, press! Look at how they stumble over themselves!”

Attack! Momentum is important here. If we take advantage of their lack of coordination, we can win. No—if we don’t, we’ll never stand a chance. Our enemy is untiring; their explosive strength and stamina are vastly superior to ours. We have to hurry and make this chance at an offense ours...

Whoa! What have I stepped on this time? A goblin corpse? Such a damn nuisance. Even a starving black wolf won’t eat dead monster flesh, I suppose.

No... that’s not true. Vampires know nothing of supply trains, but there’s no way they’d leave edible meat alone. This is suspicious... there might be poison traps or flesh-eating bugs hiding here. Anything infectious would be fatal. The sickness that is the source of the stench is nothing but bad news.

What should I do? The side wings of foot soldiers are still some distance away from the bodies. Do we push through? Or do we stop, and keep the contamination to the center soldiers?

“C-Commander! There! There!”

“Use your words, man! How am I supposed to understand... What the hell is that?!”

From the west, a single rider rushes toward us at blazing speed. Long, raven hair flicks in the wind... huh? It’s Lady Kuroi! What is she doing here? Why is she charging straight forward? Where are Commander Willow and his men?

Oh! She summons a spear and grips it upside down. It’s that stance from the other night. Still atop her horse, without so much as a wobble, she hurls her spear. It flies through the air like an arrow and strikes the mountain of goblin corpses. Immediately, it bursts into flames—the same magical flames that were Golden’s undoing.

And from the flames... screams. Arms shoot out, and then vanish into ash.

Ah-hah. So that’s what it was.

“Retreat! Be careful of the goblin corpses!” I shout, reacting to the situation.

A body moves, and something bursts from underneath. My God, it’s a vampire. How many days had it been lying under there? I don’t know how many more there are like it, but for them to wait in ambush covered in monster blood and dirt... That’s...

...so incredibly stupid.

Oh, pardon. I mean, adorable. Silly beasts.

“There are enemies beneath the corpses! Burn them all! Douse them with oil and light them on fire!”

Whoever came up with this plan is still way too naive. What is this, a child’s prank? Don’t risk your soldiers’ lives on a plan that is so easily exposed!

“Side foot soldiers, tighten up formations! Central foot soldiers, split into two groups and join either wing! And finally...” I order as I run. This is what Marius has been dying to hear all along. “Cavalry, chaaarge! A path’s been opened for you! Now get to them before Lady Kuroi does! Ha ha haaa!”