God shows us the techniques, methods, and strategies of battle. He gives us His blessing: the power of fire.
But these do not guarantee victory. They are not victory itself. They are merely the tools for victory.
✦ ✦ ✦
I barely grunt as I send a monster’s head flying with my sword.
It’s late afternoon on the plains; the perfect battlefield for us Bomber Knights. A hundred goblins? Hah! Make it a thousand; it makes no difference. I swing my sword to rid it of the filth and take a deep breath, turning to the battlefield that has started to become slightly fouled with the stench of monsters.
“All platoons, strike! No fire magic!” I order. As soon as the first horse reaches the row of foot soldiers behind him, Captain Zakkow comes to me before I can give my next order.
“Just the cavalry, right, Marius?”
His expression is stern. Mine might be in a similar state.
“Yes, that’s fine,” I reply. The goblin horde we are fighting against came flooding towards the Hell Expanse from the mountain forests to the north. Unsure of their numbers and strength, I sortied with not only a thousand cavalry, but also a thousand foot soldiers. I’m fine with going overboard. I’ve decided that I will meet them with a formation that allows not even a single monster to reach the Expanse. I believe this was the correct move. Considering the sentiments of our people, it was best to go with the safest option.
“So, what do you think?”
“We are definitely being watched,” I reply.
Unfortunately, my plan might have been predicted. The goblins charge without fear of death and refuse to retreat. This all points to one thing: vampires are lurking close by. Probably someplace where the forest is least dense, so they can see us clearly. This attack is, without a doubt, merely a means for them to calculate the number of soldiers in the Hell Expanse.
“Hmph... Good thing we didn’t bring the rabbits,” comments Captain Zakkow.
“Yes, indeed. And we’ll refrain from using fire magic, too.”
“Where do we strike?”
“That’s what I wanted to ask you.” We also have the option to not strike. We could hide it under the guise of evacuating citizens... Furthermore, it would be easy to switch gears if needed. “Anyway, I think we should stay here a little longer and observe the enemy’s movements,” I command.
“All right. We’ll leave you to that, then.”
Captain Zakkow gives an order and the foot soldiers begin to withdraw. Good, very orderly. Of our two thousand foot soldiers, including the thousand we left in the Hell Expanse, I wonder how many of them are from these lands.
I exhale. The hand holding my reins is shivering. I have a bad feeling about all this. Our enemy is hiding completely out of view while over a thousand goblins rush across the field. We’re hunting down their pawns, but they don’t seem to be drawn in by the scent of battle. This isn’t normal.
Maybe I should send out a smaller platoon to try and gauge their forces. They could ride up to the forest and unleash a bit of fire magic; that might seize the initiative.
But... no. My Bomber Knights are our greatest asset; I can’t risk putting them in unnecessary danger. At the very least, not on my decision alone. Given the situation, I have no choice but to play along while sticking to my original plan: I can look for an opening while staying on the defensive.
We slowly draw back, slaying goblins as we go. No signs of movement from the forest. Are they waiting for the evening before making their move? Or will they strike in the dead of night? Either way, there’s no way to plan around an enemy you can’t see.
In the end, war is just subtraction; there will always be sacrifices in battle. The ideal outcome would be for no one to die... or at least, preserving our army. If worst comes to worst, I must prioritize my Bomber Knights above all else—even if it means abandoning the citizens and Captain Zakkow.
I take a deep breath and ride forward. I don’t like this wind; it’s moist, as if spreading rot. A storm is coming—a storm of violence that will torture the lives of men. Precautions are always lacking, and no matter what we do, it won’t be enough. Nevertheless, it is at times when we must hold out against all odds that we draw closer to others. Together, we pray to God.
“Deus Ex,” I mutter, praying for many things. Then, I swing my sword wide. Together, my knights quickly withdraw.
The time for battle has come, yet the hostile intentions of our enemies remain ambiguous. As I ride, I bite my lip in frustration.
✦ ✦ ✦
I survey the plains below from my perch on the cliff, sipping my blood wine. A drink before battle is an exquisite treat.
“Watch them run like scared deer. It makes me want to bite them in the butt.”
“Please stop, Fang Chief Barebow... it’s not funny.”
It was just a joke, so stop grabbing my sleeve. What’s with those judging eyes? Have you no sense of humor, girl?
“All right, Tamika, whatever you say goes during this operation. If you ordered me to, I’d dive into a sea of flames or water.”
“Why would I order you to do that? It makes no sense.”
“Really? The apes use fire and the elves use water. The situation could arise.”
We are at war; risks must be taken in order to slaughter our enemies. The possibility of death drives us to kill even more. That’s what’s so fun about it.
“You’ll have your chance to fight, so don’t rush to your death.”
“I am sitting quietly.”
“Only because I confiscated your drum and forbade you from chanting! Honestly...”
Tamika is a weird one. As expected of Golden’s close associate, I suppose. If she were simply an upstart, I could smash her head during battle and be done with it... but thanks to orders from above, that isn’t such a valid plan anymore.
“So, what now? The goblins you brought are now wiped out,” I complain.
“They did their job. Let’s wait until nightfall.”
“A night raid? Classic plan. There’re no annoying elves to interfere, either.”
“Oh, no. The battle will take place tomorrow at noon.”
“Haaah?” I exhale in exasperation. Seemingly done talking, the girl yawns.
And what was all that about making her personal grotto as smooth as possible? This is why I hate pet “mages”; they can’t even use proper magic.
“Wait. At least explain to me... Hey, what’s with that face?”
“You just said my word was absolute.”
“I’m not objecting. I’ll do what you want when you order me to, but if I don’t understand what you’re thinking, it could lead to awkward situations later.”
“What I’m thinking is that I’d like to finish things up here if possible. I’m sleepy.”
“Finish things? What do you... Don’t pull up your blanket!”
She gets tired very easily. Why does she shrivel up so much after only three or four days of no sleep? I’d hate to emulate the apes. They like strange things like fruits and vegetables, too.
It’s not loneliness, is it? As Golden’s aide, I saw her receiving that woman’s favor. Depression leading to self-abandonment is nothing but a hindrance on the battlefield.
“I told you already! Our mission isn’t to kill lots of humans or raid their towns! Don’t you remember?!” Ugh, now I do remember, I think to myself. A menacing look suddenly takes over her face. She even bares her fangs. “The elves are at the Frontier, which makes things annoying! And Ten Thousand Bells is the ultimate annoyance! Instead, if we make a big commotion out here and lure the humans to us, we can finish things easily! Do you understand now?”
Such intensity. And that mysterious magic... I see. No wonder she was Golden’s aide. This must be what the boss likes about her.
“Okay, okay. I’m sorry. My curiosity gets the better of me sometimes.”
I diligently walk her to her grotto. I’ve been in battles all my life, clawing my way up to Fang Chief; there’s no way I’m going out pathetically. Battle—if I’m going to die, it has to be in battle.
Finally, the royal pain in my ass is gone. I have to respect Golden. Even Apostles have their own struggles, but her death was glorious. Moreover, she went out at her peak. Now, the Apostles are being ordered around like common soldiers. Thunderstorm and Crumbling Mountain can’t disobey the boss.
She just showed up out of nowhere, too... Her damned Highness, the Demon God Strigoaică.