*

"Kill them all!　Urrah!
Ullahhhh!

　The cavalry howled in unison and rushed toward the enemy's field positions.
　They could leap over the wire as easily as they could jump over it, the pride of being able to kick it away.
　However, the pride was easily shattered.

''Ugh!''
"Gah!
d*mn it, don't stop here!

　The horsemen shouted at each other.
　Some were clinging desperately to avoid being thrown off their pole-standing horses, while others were shaken off by plunging their entire horses into the wire.
　Others were cursing their horses as they stopped in front of the wire.

'Get on your horses!'
Yeah, well, there's a wire wrapped around me.

　The second-in-command shouted, but the cavalryman who fell on the wire scrambled like an insect caught in a spider's web or a fish caught in a web, but he couldn't get out.
　When he looked, the wire was tangled in his clothes.
　Suddenly Lucas remembered a book he had read a long time ago.
　It was about a savage tribe that planted thorns around their camp to hinder the progress of their cavalry.
　In that story, they would have responded by cutting it down or burning it down - but...

''d*mn it!　Those who are dismounting, cut the wire!
Ha!

　Following the order of his deputy, the one who had dismounted swung his sword at the wire.
　A clang, clang, clang could be heard.

''It won't cut!''
'Shit!　I'll do it!

　The second-in-command shouted and swung his spear down from his horse.
　It wasn't an assault spear equipped by a heavy cavalryman, but a weapon that was an axe and a spear in one.

''d*mn it, d*mn it!　I can't cut it!

　The second-in-command swung his spear down repeatedly, only to be met with a clattering sound.

'Witchcraft!　Use your magic!
"Flamebang!
"Windblade Ranbu!

　The magic of fire and wind was released, but it could not destroy the wire.
　The flames did not melt the iron and the wind blades only shook the wire.

''Gah!''

　A scream echoes through the air.
　His men, entangled in wire, were engulfed in flames.

'Da, someone put out the fire!

　The second-in-command shouted, but no one made any attempt to move.
　The subordinate, who had been engulfed in flames, flailed violently at first, but his movements gradually slowed down and after a moment he stopped moving.
　Smoke rises from the corpse.

''Ugh, ugh!

　A number of people nearby vomited, as if they had smelled the odor, and a number of them vomited as if it was a trigger.
　They should have smelled the same smell when they set the village on fire, but they seem to get a different impression of it from their fellow villagers.

'd*mn it, it's your fault!
You asked me to use magic!

　The deputies began to split up.

'....Huh.

　Lucas let out a deep sigh and realized something.
　Despite looking so hapless, the rebels were not attacking him.

'Philip!'
Ha!

　Philip quickly stepped up and saluted Lucas.
　The salute itself was beautiful, but his face was strained with tension.
　Mostly, he thinks he's going to be ordered to stop the fight.

'Go get the elf,'
Is it a woman?
I don't care which one!
Ha!

　Lucas yelled at him, and Philip ran off.
　A short time later, Philip brought the elven woman with him.
　Most elves were beautiful men and women, but she was also a beautiful woman.
　Although, Lucas couldn't get a bite at the moment because he liked women with big breasts.

'Good luck, back off,'
Ha!

　Philip saluted and then distanced himself from Lucas.

'Oh, um, what should I do?'
"Look at the expressions on the faces of those hiding in the enemy's positions and holes.
Yes, sir.

　The elven woman stepped in front of Lucas and knelt in front of him.

'Well?'
What do you mean?
What's the look on your face?

　Lucas suppressed his irritation and asked the elven woman.

'Um, it's just an impression...'
I don't mind.
You look terrified.
...frightened?
Yes, yes, it looks like it.

　Why are they frightened, Lucas asks himself.
　He breaks ranks in front of enemy lines.
　Normally, this would be an opportunity.
　Even new recruits would think of attacking when they see a gaping hole in the enemy.
　No, said Lucas, shaking his head.
　New recruits can think about attacking or not attacking, but they can't act.
　Because they are afraid of killing people.
　In some cases, they are even unable to draw their swords even if they are killed.
　People are so afraid of killing others.

'....I see.

　Lucas muttered softly.
　He should have realized it when he saw the number of people in the field position.
　The document handed to the Director of Military Affairs Ralph Libra stated that the soldiers held by the Marquis of Erakis did not reach a thousand four hundred.
　The soldiers in the field positions were at least twice that number, if not more.
　The main body of the rebel army was the new recruits - perhaps they had turned the territory into soldiers in a short period of time.
　With that in mind, it makes sense that they are holed up in the trenches.
　I'm concerned about the movements of the large sub-humans and archers, but we should push them out in numbers before the recruits gain experience in killing people.
　Just when Lucas was starting to think about the specific arrangements.

'Oh, ahhh!

　A scream rang out.
　When I looked at the direction the voice came from, I saw an arrow stuck in my subordinate who was entangled in the wire.
　It was much shorter than a long-bow arrow.

''Gyahahahaha!　I am the first spear!

　A soldier hiding in the trenches lets out a vulgar laugh.
　He's old enough to be an old man.
　He's probably ten years older than Lucas.

With this crossbow, even an old man like me can beat the cavalry!

　The old man happily raised his weapon - a crossbow, to use his words.

'What's that?'
...a crossbow.

　The elven woman said quizzically, and Lucas muttered quietly.
　It's a weapon that has long since become obsolete in the imperial army, where it is now possible to train archers.
　I didn't expect you to pull out such a thing--''

''Shoot!　Shoot him!　Shoot to protect your family!　Shoot or your loved ones will be overrun!　Have you forgotten what they did to you?
'Uh-oh!

　An old soldier shouts and one of the soldiers shoots an arrow.
　The arrow pierced the ground without hitting anyone, but--''

''Waaah!''
Shoot, shoot, shoot, shoot!
Heeeee!

　As if that was the trigger, the soldier who was hiding in the trenches - the crossbowman became half-crazed and fired an arrow.

''Gah!''
Gag!

　Many of the arrows fired by the crossbowmen missed, but the men who were unlucky let out a short scream when they were pierced.
　Many of them were shot through their horses and thrown to the ground.

''Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa!''

　There was a scream.
　The horse started to run with the stirrups catching on his feet.

'Ta, help!'
You do it!
I'm your second-in-command!
Shut up!　You just used a sycophant to get in on it!

　It seems that the idea of cooperating at this point in time has not occurred to my subordinates.

'Guard your arrows!' (BUMO!)

　The one who broke the silence was the minotaur at the rear of the center.

''Watch your arrows!'' (BUMO!)

　When the minotaur ordered again, the crossbowmen began to falter.
　The crossbow -- the crossbow takes time to turn the next arrow.
　But for once, it doesn't matter.

''Ta, help me!
Let go!

　Lucas's men are panicked and unable to put up any organized resistance.
　If they were more skilled, they would have been able to rebuild.

'd*mn it!　It's witchcraft!　Fire your magic!
"Flamebang!
"Windblade Ranbu!

　The second-in-command shouted and magic was unleashed towards the enemy position.
　The crossbowmen stiffened their bodies, but as it turned out, it was a meaningless warning.
　This is because the magic didn't even reach the enemy camp.

''Shoot!'' (BUMO!)

　Following the Minotaur's command, the crossbowmen released arrows.

''Guggah!''
Heeeee!

　A short scream goes up intermittently, and the subordinate collapses.

''Whoa!　Hi, hi!

　The deputy fell off his horse and screamed.
　He crawled on the ground to get away from the rampaging horse.

'Watch your arrows!' (BUMO!)

　The minotaur cries out and the crossbowmen turn on their arrows.

'Shoot!' (BUMO!)
Geez!
Gah!

　The crossbowmen fired their arrows, and the subordinate who was shot through fell down with a scream.
　The arrows were starting to turn and release in a smooth motion, and the timing was starting to be right.
　Tsk, Lucas clicked his tongue.
　Either he'd stopped thinking, or he'd killed someone and lost his hesitation, and the crossbowman had grown into a soldier in a short time.

''Shall we retreat?!''

　Lucas shouted to his second in command.
　The cavalry, which had a hundred cavalry, were less than half of them.

'Run!'

　The second-in-command shouted, and his men threw out their weapons and began to run away.

'Watch your arrows!　Shoot! Bum!　(Bummo!)

　The crossbowman shoots arrows, but most of them pierce the ground.
　It may be due to their lack of skill, but the crossbows have a short range.

''Archers!　Get off me!　After the second shot, you can use your own timing! (BUMO, BUMO!)

　The Minotaur shouted, and the archers who were waiting behind the crossbowmen released their arrows.
　The unbroken movement shows the level of skill.

''Gah!''
Guh!
Gag!

　Arrows rained down like a rainstorm, and the subordinates fell one by one.

''So ... that's how it is.''

　Lucas muttered softly.
　The rebels didn't let the archers attack the crossbowmen to give them more experience.
　His second-in-command was desperate to get away.
　There was no sign of the irreverence he had shown before the assault.
　He ran, his face mangled with tears and snot.
　The wet crotch of his uniform would not be a mistake.

"-Oh!

　The deputy is on his back.
　It's not a spontaneous movement, but rather an external stimulus and a reflexive upturn.
　As it is, it falls over in a haphazard manner.
　A single arrow was stuck in its back.

''Ta, help!''

　The deputy shouted, but there was no one there to help.
　He grabbed the pants of the one who tried to run right past him.

'Save me!'
Let go of me!
I'm your second-in-command!
Shut up!　What does it matter in this situation!
You!

　The second in command, who was kicked in the leg, grabbed onto him and arrows rained down on him.
　Countless arrows pierced the two men.

''Ouch!''

　The deputy was safe, but the other one was lying on his back.

'Oh, I'm not going to die!

　The deputy used his arms and crawled on the ground.
　It left a mark on the ground like a slug had crawled.
　An arrow landed there.

''Oh, I'm...''

　The second in command stretched out his arms, and there he ran out of steam.

'.........Annihilation.

　Lucas looked around the battlefield and muttered to himself.
　The cavalry, which had a hundred cavalry, were wiped out, exposing the wreckage.
　He looked at his men who were standing behind him.
　He should probably elect a new second-in-command from among them, but no matter who he chooses, he won't be able to reduce his own burden.
　Then I should be in direct command myself.

'Get ready for the encampment!　Whoever hears my command, repeat it!
Get ready to encamp!

　One of my men shouts and another shouts.
　The order to get ready for the encampment spreads like a ripple.
　Now, how do we attack?　And Lucas sat down on a fallen tree.
　The method that comes to mind is to have the heavy infantry carry shields and protect the archers as they approach.
　Fortunately, the number of heavily armed infantry and archers is greater than ours.

''Well maybe we shouldn't have pulled out the heavy infantry.

　Three hundred heavily armed infantry were drawn out to form the Transportation Corps.
　I thought it was necessary at the time, but I'm starting to feel like I made the wrong choice.
　Lucas turned his gaze to the general soldiers.
　The heavily armed infantry - the large subhumans are just as common as the lizardmen.
　They have the weakness of being vulnerable to the cold of winter, but if they warm themselves up with a bonfire, they could be somewhat reckless.
　As I was thinking about this, white smoke rose from behind me.

''What's the matter?''
The wood is damp!

　Lucas stood up and shouted, and someone shouted back.

''What ... that's what it is?''

　He sat down on a fallen tree and remembered that it hadn't rained in a few days.
　No way, he wondered, was this another rebel operation?
　What good would it do to dampen the wood?

''Legionnaire!''
What!

　A subordinate shouted and Lucas stood up.
　He was annoyed at being interrupted in his thoughts, but it was inevitable.

'It's the fog!　It's starting to fog up!

　I looked at the street and saw that fog was slowly drifting down from the forest.

''Of, curse!''
Calm down!　This is a rebel operation!

　There was no proof of this, but I assure you.
　My second-in-command and a hundred others died in honor of the war without fear of the unknown, but basically, humans are afraid of the unknown and phenomena.
　Now the fear of the unknown has been turned into a rebel operation, but if you can't deal with it, you're devastated by the fact that you're at the mercy of the rebels.
　The fog rolled in--.

'Ho-oh!
"Wheeeeeeee!
The Transportation Corps was wiped out. No one can get to the battlefield.

　A sound similar to a woman's scream and a low voice came from the fog.

''Oh!''
"Moo-hoo!
"The Kingsguard is about to abandon the ordinary soldiers...
Make them stop!
I don't know where it's coming from!
Huh!

　Just as Lucas grunted, the fog turned red and an explosion erupted.
　A scream went up as the horses cried out.
　He was caught in the same hands again.

'Leave the escaped horse alone!

　Lucas instructed loudly and held his chest.
　My chest creaked with pain.



"Whoa!
'Mwahhhh!
"You're going to die, all of you. If you don't want to die, run.

　Crono wrapped the communication magic item in a cloth and put it in a pouch.

''Hiiiiiii!''
Huh!
It's okay.

　Crono said, and Aridid and Deneb coughed lightly.

'Like my throat hurts from being too crucified.
Like, is this even worth it?
I'm trying to do everything I can.

　We'd be lucky to get a little spooked.

"Haze Dance!
"Fast and furious!

　The elves standing in front of Crono and the others use magic.
　The haze dance is a magic that generates a thick fog, and the gale dance is a magic that generates a sideways gust of wind.
　The thick fog is blown away by the sideways gusts of wind and flows down the street.
　In addition, instead of an arrowhead, he releases an arrow with a magic item attached to it.
　The sound of explosions, horses whinnying, horseshoes, and shouts echo through the air.

"Mmmm, looks like the synthetic magic we developed is working!
'When I say we developed it, I mean we're both just using magic together.

　Alideed said with satisfaction, and Deneb watered down.

'That's like the reason why we're ordinary people are ordinary. You can use different magic to create new effects. It's easy to do, but it's like those who don't realize it will never realize it.''
''I'm sure that a decent person would develop a magic formula that has the same effect. What can I say, the current big sister is infinitely overlapping with the time when she mastered addition and subtraction and was on a roll...
Like it's not a good idea to talk plainly to drive your sister away!
Because I don't want Master Crono to think I'm stupid.

　Deneb turned away from Alideed and his lips twitched in a sultry manner.

'Like our sisterhood is in a pinch because of Lady Crono!
Not such a good listener.

　It's a terrible accusation when you both love each other equally.

'It's about time I had my own happiness and
Like we couldn't even try to pin it down!
It's not true!

　Despite this situation, Aridid and Deneb began to argue with each other.
　Kusu, the archer in front of them laughed.
　Better than being strangely nervous, Crono took out a communication magic item from his pouch.

'This is Crono, this is Crono, please respond.'
"Hey, this is Mino. General, what do you want? (Bum?)

　The voice of the second-in-command can be heard from the magic item for communication.
　Normal communication magic items cannot communicate with the second-in-command in the field position.

'It's a quick fix, but it looks like the magic item for ultra-long range communications is working.
Did you bother to contact me for that? (Bum?)
No way. I was just checking.

　Crono chuckled.
　A new ultra-long distance magic item was installed in order to be able to communicate with the field position.
　The transponder between Count Caddo's territory and the Marquis of Erakis is in a steel container, but the container of the newly installed transponder is concrete.
　The method of making it is simple: hollow out a log to make a mold and pour concrete into it.
　I thought that if the concrete pillars were lined up at equal intervals, people would get suspicious, but fortunately the imperial army overlooked it.

We are conducting Operation Insomnia and Operation Dense Fog. How about you?
"We're switching the early and late shifts,
How are the volunteers?
"I'm pretty excited.
I see.

　It's not unreasonable, Crono let out a small sigh.
　Even though the imperial army wasn't serious and had the support of the regular soldiers, they still wiped out the cavalry without causing any damage.

''I can't blame them for getting a little high, but...''
I'll tighten up where I can. I'll tighten up where I can, so don't worry. Well, the old men are here, so I wouldn't worry that much about it.
That's really helpful.

　The second in command said in a light tone, and Crono let out a breath of relief.
　'When the old knights came in droves, I used to worry that we'd have to serve a funeral before we could fight the imperial army, but they're putting together a good volunteer army.

''Now it's just a matter of how long they can keep it together.
"I haven't lost my worldly desires yet, you know.
Yes.

　They did a great job, but the volunteers are still chickens.
　There's a fear of not knowing where the limit is.
　There's a chance that Crono and the others' worries are only unfounded and they may keep it until they defeat the Imperial Army, but I can't be that optimistic.

''If it comes down to it, we'll have our secret weapon appear.
"Effective, isn't it?
'Don't say that,'
Bumo.

　The second in command apologized honestly.
　He doesn't think he can be optimistic about the volunteer soldiers, but he doesn't want to imagine that the secret weapon that has appeared in full force is useless.

''Does Mino-san have anything to report back to us?
Bumo.
Okay, communications are over. You'll be fine. You'll win.
"Of course I do.

　Crono tucked the communication magic item into his pouch.

'Master Crono, like what's next?'
Now it's like a night attack?
'No, they're still going strong and I want to catch them off guard with a pattern. So.....
Now it's time for a knife?
I'm ready for profanity.

　Alideed pulls out a knife and Deneb pulls out a notepad.

'Well, that's about it,'
I'm a little worried about the enemy getting better.
But the enemy is so ruthless, it seems like we only got to play a hundred horsemen earlier.
I know.

　Crono let out a small sigh.
　The enemy cavalry fled in a total collapse.
　They thought they were going to move to rescue those who had been shot with arrows and couldn't move, but the enemy commander - Lucas Lesato - had abandoned them.
　Maybe he didn't care if he didn't have any subordinates who could destroy the village, but he should at least pretend to go to help.

'Alideed, call Taiga.
Hey, I think you're here.

　Alideed pulled a communication magic item from his pouch.

'This is like Ariddead. Tyga, like you want me to respond.
It's a taiga, that it is.
Like I'm going to go humiliate a corpse now and I want the attack to be fierce so I don't feel self-conscious.
"Yes, that I do.

　The flashes and explosions increase in intensity.

'Okay, the harassment is over for now. Let's go collect the bodies.

　Crono put on his glasses and began to walk in mid-stride.

*

　Lucas woke up with a creaking chest pain.
　His breath was white and his fingertips were gnawing.
　In spite of this, his whole body was sticky with sweat.
　He hadn't been able to sleep satisfactorily last night.
　The rebels endlessly threw magic items into the camp until the end of the night.
　As usual, they threw a lot of magic items into the camp.
　Unfortunately, they burned down my tent where I was storing my food and military provisions.
　They were spread out so it wasn't as bad as it could have been but they had enough provisions left over for two days.
　And more annoyingly, the women screamed and reports of suspicious activity were leaked to the military.

'..........................

　Lucas raised himself from the bed and frowned at the pain in his back.
　He had hurt his back a long time ago.
　He hurt it not on the battlefield, but in his own mansion, trying to lift a load.
　He had only thought it had healed, but it seemed that it hadn't.

''Well you don't need to start over again at a time like this.

　Lucas threw on his jacket and reached for his tent to get out.
　He retracted his hand without a second thought.
　It was because the tent was frozen.

'You didn't mean to foresee this far and create a fog?
Legionnaire!
What!

　Philip's voice rang out, and Lucas jumped out of the tent.
　Then he saw Philip standing a short distance away from the tent.
　The corpse of his second-in-command was lying at his feet.
　And he's completely naked.

''What are you doing!''

　Lucas ran over and scowled at the pain in his back.
　His second-in-command's corpse was frosted and a few fingers were missing.
　But that wasn't the problem.
　The problem is that the deputy's corpse is inscribed with letters.
　It's not just letters.
　They are insistently inscribed with words that insult the dead.
　It's true that the deputy was not a person to be honored, but there was no need to play with the body to this extent.

'What happened to your fingers?'
It broke on the way over.
Bringing it in?

　Realizing the significance of this, Lucas ran towards the battlefield.
　Pain crawled up from his waist every time he moved, but he didn't care and ran.

'....What a mess.

　Lucas stopped and scowled.
　Ten bodies were exposed on the border of the street and the battlefield.
　No, I should say, they were decorated.
　They had been stripped of their clothes and their entire bodies were inscribed with desecrating words for the dead.
　What I feel from that is madness.
　What kind of life does one have to lead to mess with a dead body?

"Legionnaire, they're crazy.
"-Oh!

　Philip's voice echoed behind him, and Lucas realized what the rebels wanted.
　The rebels want to make us look insane.
　They are masking their insanity to make themselves appear more than they are.

"This is their plan!

　Lucas turned around and shouted to his men, who had been assembled before he knew it.

'You are the Kingsguard Knights!　Don't be afraid!
But when a body like this arrives at my parents' house.

　Lucas bit his lip at the sound of a voice that came from somewhere.
　What's the point of worrying about what happens after he dies?
　Why did he do that rather than worry about his honor?
　It was tempting to spit that out, but it would be a sincere concern for them.

'Don't be afraid!　If we cower here, we are at the mercy of the rebels!　They're trying to gain the mental edge by staging insanity!
....

　Lucas inspired, but his men were slow to respond.

'Philip!'
Ha!
"We will take the field position!　Gather the heavy infantry, archers, and infantry!
Ha!

　Philip ran backwards.

'What are you dazing about, clearing out the bodies!
....

　Lucas shouted at them, and his men began to slink away.
　They moved the body and covered it with a cloth.
　It was then that Philip returned.

'Legionnaire!'
What?
Heavily armed infantry...
Say it now.

　Philip stammered, and Lucas irritably urged him onward.

'Ha, half of our heavily armed infantry are out of action,'
What did you say?
'Lizardman's stuck in the cold!

　'Kuh,' grunted Lucas.

'Only those who can move!　Get them in line!　The heavily armed infantry are in the front row with their shields, the archers are behind them!　The infantry is dead in the water.　Prepare for a surprise attack by the enemy!
Ha!

　Philip headed backwards again.
　Lucas sat down on a fallen tree and waited for the formation to finish forming.
　Too late.
　Too slow.
　Thirty minutes passed before the column took shape in a crooked manner.
　More than three hundred heavily armed infantry lined up in the front row, with a thousand archers standing behind them as if huddled together.
　The two thousand or so infantry waited at a slight distance.
　Lucas stood up and drew his sword.

'Advance, taking cover behind your shields!　The attack is on the wire--before the obstacle!

　There are only about a hundred archers with a long range.
　This should be able to push through in numbers.

''Advance!''

　The heavily armed infantry advanced slowly, followed by the archers.
　The speed of the attack irritated Lucas.
　He didn't think that the military director Ralph Libra's strategy was wrong.
　They would replenish their sustenance and overwhelm them with numbers in the territory they were passing through.
　But the operation would only be effective before the rebels were ready.
　If that premise is broken, they will have to fight in a group that is under-skilled.
　Lucas turned his gaze to the field position.
　There, a minotaur was in command.

''Archers, take a stand!　Let go! Bum!　(Bummo~!

　Following the Minotaur's orders, the archers fired their arrows in unison.
　A normal bow would not have been able to reach them, but Lucas dismissed that assumption.

'Set up your shields!

　A heavily armed infantryman holds up his shield and an archer hides behind it.
　Arrows rain down and pierce the shield.
　But that's it.

'Keep your shields up and move forward!

　Following Lucas' orders, the heavily armed infantry begins to move slowly, slowly.
　Even slower than before.
　It's truly a tortoise-like walk.
　But--

But...

　Lucas saw an opportunity for victory and lifted the corners of his mouth.
　The rebel bows have excellent performance, but the number of archers is small.
　With this, they could win by numbers.
　At that moment, something moved in the corner of my vision.
　Reflexively, I looked at the forest and saw a person with a spear jump out.
　There were a hundred of them, or maybe more.
　I held up my spear, but it was too far away to throw it.
　It's a good target for archers.
　But the archers could not attack because they were hidden behind the heavily armed infantry.
　A red light colors their bodies.
　The imprinting technique - a spell to assimilate with spirits.

''Infantry!　Charge!

　Lucas shouted, but the infantry's response was slow.

'Charge!'

　He shouted again, and the infantry finally began to move.
　By that time, the imprinted artificers had thrown their spears.
　The way several spears flew in a row made it look as if the sky was being sliced open.

I can't-- get down!

　Lucas shouted as his throat split open.