Chapter 36 Two on one

After discussing the specific details with Llednar, we began our preparations.

I was focusing my power to use my power at once when it appears.

Right now, I’m ready to call upon my knights.

Llednar has already finished his preparations and prepared himself for the imminent battle.

As we waited, we began to chat with each other.

It was said that improving relations with your comrades was effective for improving your teamwork with others.

“Well now, I’m quite surprised you have that much skill for a mere prince lad.”

“That’s because I’ve been practicing secretly and I’ve been observing the fighters in tournaments and the knights when they practice combat.”

“Hoho, that means you’re self-taught? That’s some impressive skill you’ve got from just observation.”

Llednar praised my skills that I’ve carefully hidden from even my family.

“Not really, I often disguised myself as a commoner and spoke to travelers and passing warriors while training my skills.”

“That’s some skill you’ve got there to be able to sneak away from the heavily guarded castle. I’ve heard that sneaking away from there is rather difficult.”

Our kingdom was rather large.

There were also disputes with hostile nations and other noble groups who secretly opposed royalty.

As a result, the Royal Family was often attacked by assassins and the security was heavily enforced.

Now that I think about it, I guess it’s impressive for a child to be able to get pass such security when assassins could not.

I got pass security without the use of any of the secret passages that only royalty should know of.

I suppose I have a talent for sneaking around.

But although I’m a noble, it’s strange for me to be oddly talented at such a thing only a rogue should be…

That’s partly the reason why I’ve never told my family and friends.

It’s not a skill a noble should have.

Much less a prince.

But this skill proved to be useful.

When I was imprisoned and awaited execution, I escaped easily enough.

I thought I should wait it out until they proved my innocence but that proved useless.

They merely piled on the slander upon my name.

Labeling me as a traitor to the entire country.

In league with thieves and did so for my own greed.

They never bothered to listen to me to begin with.

Even now, they probably still continue to loathe me even long after my death.

But the dead have no need to have such concerns.

I have only thoughts of ending this nightmare and passing on.

Nothing more, nothing less.

For there’s no point of thinking of such a thing as vengeance for I no longer have life.

In essence, I guess this is what they call apathy.

Then again, since when did the dead need to feel emotions?

Things such as regret only chain us to this world.

I shook off such thoughts and prepared for the upcoming battle.

That ogre… Must have been human once.

Just like me, a victim of this tragedy.

Regardless, I shall show absolutely no mercy to any who dare bar my path.

This is for his sake as well.

For that reason alone, I must cut him down.

Resolving myself, I await the foe coming towards us.

Patiently we waited for half an hour.

Finally, our foe is near.

We can hear the shattering walls and approaching footsteps of our foe.

Llednar and I tensed up and sharpened our senses.

Two people with confidence in their skills draw their blades to utilize all their prided skills to the outmost to claim victory in this battle.

He was already at the door.

We’ve locked the door and in regards to its massive size, destroying the door is the only choice. Once it destroys the door, the debris would come flying upon its destruction. In that moment, the ogre would have an opening.

Indeed, all living things once they begin their attack would leave even a slight opening in their movements.

As a warrior who experienced many battles, it’s only natural for me to see through it.

Llednar was the same.

We both moved at the same time for a coordinated attack.

I swiftly drew my crossbow and swiftly fired at its eye.

Llednar leaped above it and attacked from above as it used its massive arms to block my attack.

My arrow failed to pierce through its skin as expected, however, Llednar managed to reach the top of its head.

He swiftly stabbed his daggers right into its eyes.

The ogre let out a fierce howl in agony as it lost its vision and attempted to grab Llednar atop its head.

But Llednar was too fast.

Immediately, he jumped backwards, leaving the ogre to continue flailing its arms meaninglessly without its target.

I smiled at Llednar and he smiled in turn as we rejoiced in our success.

Since we’ve come this far, we might as well try to kill this ogre while we’re at it.

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Without its eyes, the ogre would be unable to chase after us despite its great strength. As such, it’s open to our attacks.

Blood flowed freely from the ogre’s eyes.

It dripped to the ground as it howled in rage.

Although we’ve succeeded, we don’t dare let our guard down.

Its strength is simply too great.

A single blow is more than enough to take us out.

So long as we keep attacking properly, we should win.

Although, if this ogre proves far too difficult, it would be best to simply pass through him.

When up against a slow moving yet formidable armored foe, it would be best to retreat or attack via the gaps and chinks in their armor.

But if you lack the time to deal with him as such, it is best to simply pass through him and leave like that.

And right now is a good case of that.

“The advantage is ours, allow me to get some helpers on our side.”

I gather my power and used my Melody.

“Noble soul drenched in blood and sin… Claim your rightful power and overwhelm those who stand against you and do you wrong! Dark Melody of Noble Blood!”

At once, shadows began to gather.

Now that I’ve time to observe closely.

I can see that shadows gather and from them, armored knights lacking flesh, blood, and bones appear wielding corrupted armor.

Once more, I feel my control and power over them.

“So this is your power.”

Llednar observed with interest.

Although, he was still watching the ogre with a keen eye.

His daggers raised high, ready to dash and cut at once when an opportunity presents itself.

Voiceless with merely the sound of clanking armor, they formed ranks and gathered around me.

I immediately gave my orders.

“Attack that ogre!”

Raising their weapons in a war cry, they charge at once.

Sensing their presence, the ogre roared out once more and charged at those sounds.

“Hoh… Looks like it’s relying on sound alone.”

“Indeed. Regardless, this will work out in our favor. Can you lead some of troops?”

“Hm, no. I never had experience leading soldiers since I often worked alone. That’s better suited to you.”

“Very well. Act as you see fit.”

After that short discussion, Llednar began to carefully watch the ogre for any openings.

On the other hand, I began to command my troops efficiently.

The number I can bring out is quite limited.

Therefore, I need to bring him down fast.

“Slay that ogre!”

All my knights heeded my call and charged out at once.

The ogre raged on and knocked down several knights but failed to stop all of them.

They pierced his skin.

However, those stabs were far too shallow.

They only served to further enrage the ogre.

Releasing a wild roar, he shook off those weapons as well as those knights.

“Hm… This isn’t looking good. Perhaps it’s time to retreat?”

Looking at the situation, our attacks are far too shallow. They won’t succeed even if we attack at once.

It would be better leave right now.

I swiftly moved to Llednar.

“It would be best to leave right now.”

“Good idea. Those knights of yours can’t even cut that thing properly.”

After obtaining his approval, I began to command my knights once more.

“Lure him in away from that door!”

My knights followed my orders and lured him out.

Unable to see us and relying only on sound alone, he charged at my knights leaving.

Unleashing a final roar and charging at them as if denying them the chance to leave, the ogre gave chase.

I then gave my final order for my knights.

“Fight the enemy until you fall.”

Llednar and I then sneaked away from the struggle before my knights against that ogre.

It would be alright for me to entertain you in a fight as you wish, ogre. However, the situation dictates otherwise. Be it myself or Llednar, we are both slowly running out of time. We can’t accommodate your desire for battle. At the very least, my knights will serve as your opponents. Although I find it unfitting to one of your prowess to face off against a group of soul-less dolls.

Gazing at the huge figure rampaging continuously, I gave a bow of apology.

I ran forward without turning back.

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Good evening everyone. Sorry I couldn't post much. I believe I owe everyone an explanation. You see, I had some very important papers that I accidentally lost. I could have settled it easily enough, but settling it could be done during certain days only. Due to various matters, I failed to settle it and suffered because of it. I've more or less finished things, but it's still quite difficult. Anyways, a word of advice, if there's something you can finish yourself, do so, don't wait for others to do so since nothing will be done at all. And even if you can finish it easily enough, don't let it drag out. Or else you'll suffer because of it. I think my vacation was wasted because of it. Till next time.