“Yessir!”
The troops moved swiftly. The machine bow squad took up their bows and deployed to the left and right. The other members of the order raised the war wagon shields and prepared the ballistae for firing. Their speedy actions were the result of experience and hard work. Proficiency, even.
“Machine bow squad! Bows up! Be careful not to hit the commander!” Paula yelled, signaling for the squad to point their weapons at the crocodile. “Fire!”
The immense storm of projectiles would be too much for the huge beast to dodge. This battle was as good as over.
Or so I thought. The creature retreated backward with terrifying speed, as if it understood the threat approaching it. The projectiles soared clear over the crocodile while it slid down the hill.
“Curses! Ready your next arrows and make sure to hit it this time!” Paula yelled, her tone and words sharp.
“Yes ma’am!” The machine bow squad took up arms again. Their weapons were capable of consecutive shots, so there was no need to reload. Given how the crocodile had just moved, however, this no longer looked like it would be a simple extermination. If the massive creature came from a direction that Dee couldn’t intercept, it might eat one of the order members whole.
“Dee! Retreat to the rear for now!” I yelled, suddenly overcome with fear.
But Dee smirked. “Ha ha ha! Arb, Lowe! Take Lord Van and retreat!”
Arb and Lowe didn’t hesitate for a moment. “Understood!”
“What about you?!”
Dee turned and smiled at me. “Crocodile meat is delicious. It will be my gift to you!”
I couldn’t hold back the quip that rose to my lips. “I personally prefer beef!” Wait, is crocodile meat actually good? I thought as Arb and Lowe dragged me to the rear.
“Lord Van, Lady Arte and Till are both safely in the carriage!” Khamsin shouted as he ran back.
Ironically, now I was the one being evacuated from the battlefield. “L-look, Khamsin’s here! You can stop now!” Arbe and Lowe did as I asked. “The three of you can protect me together, but keep an eye on Dee! If things look bad, we’re going to help him!”
The trio exchanged glances. My orders conflicted with Dee’s, but in the end, they nodded seriously. “Yessir!”
The men (and boy) took up their shields and surrounded me, keeping tabs on Dee. He still stood at the top of the hill with his sword and shield drawn.
Moments later, the backlit crocodile appeared in front of Dee, its mouth open wide in an effort to swallow him whole. This terrifying sight sent a chill down my spine, but Dee calmly moved his shield and sword, intercepting the monster’s mouth. “Nngh!” He kept its upper jaw at bay with his blade and held the lower jaw with his shield. But as strong as Dee was, the crocodile was definitely stronger.
At least, that’s what I thought before Dee managed to lock the beast in place. What terrifying strength!
Everyone watched in stunned silence for a moment until Dee grunted and yelled, “Now’s not the time to be shocked! Everyone, put that crocodile down!”
“R-right!” The rest of the order quickly got moving. The machine bow squad and the ballista operators aimed around Dee.
As soon as I judged that everyone was in place, I issued the command: “Fire!”
More than twenty arrows went flying into the crocodile’s mouth. Every single one of them pierced through to the back of its head.
“Wh-whoa…” Even I was rendered aghast by my own creations’ terrifying power. Needless to say, the man-eating giant crocodile stood no chance against such an attack. Its eyes rolled over as it collapsed to the side.
“Ha! Incredible arrows, Lord Van!” said Dee, now free of the jaws of the crocodile. He checked the collapsed beast’s eyes and head to confirm the kill. “I did not think we would take the beast down so easily!”
“I’m more impressed that you matched that thing’s strength,” I blurted out. Arb, Lowe, Khamsin, and even Paula and her crew all nodded. Dee’s shoulders started to shake with laughter.
“Ha ha ha! Did I not tell you that I would stop the beast myself? You believe me now, yes?”
He kept cackling. I could only offer him a pained smile in return. “For sure. I know I can count on my super-powerful commander.”