Chapter 15
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Stella POV
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“Please open the gate.” I asked the gate guards while preparing my staff.
“Huh? Miss Hero? Ahh. Sure” The guards opened the door in a hurry. We are a little late so, the gate has been closed. There are over 1000 soldiers in front of the gate. The rest were docked on the walls or acting as reserve troops.
“He was extremely polite... I thought our reputation hit rock bottom at faith academy” I muttered. But quickly dismissed his attitude as sucking up to their superior.
After coming out from the gate, I saw the troops lined up nicely. There are no mages out in this front field. All archers and mages were at the top of the wall. I feel alienated. But I had to do my part, I wonder if doing it from the wall would be a better choice. But I have to do this as flashy as possible. If the soldiers do not respect us, we’re going to be in a problem. On top of that, I am extremely sleepy. I think I can fall unconscious at any moment now. but I have to do my best for now.
“Enemy is sighted. Prepare to engage!” the army commander at the top of the wall and the squad leader in front of us drew out their swords to give signals. I also prepared my magic. After suffering a life-threatening ritual, I can feel mana floating around me. It is no longer a hazy feeling like before and I can somewhat manipulate them. This is not written in books but it seems when a person cast magic, they are using mana inside their body to create the desired phenomenon on the outside. I wondered for a long time why they did it in such an inefficient manner. It is indeed easier that way but if one wants to be efficient, why don’t they manipulate mana from the outside using the mana from inside their body? if we don’t try to be efficient in the usage of mana, mana depletion will occur and mages will be rendered incapacitated. It is a fatal mistake on the battlefield to have your body deprived of mana.
I tried to gather my mana. I have tried this several times in secrecy but it didn’t bore many fruits. This is an intermediate spell in fire magic called fire ballista. Its shape is just like that of a fireball but it has more power and it also explodes on contact making its penetrative power higher than ordinary fireballs. However, what I am going to do isn’t a simple fire ballista. I am going to do multiple and consecutive casting of this spell.
“Stone pillar.” I cast a stone pillar to raise myself. With this, I will get a better view of my opponent
“Fire shall burn into my enemies. Enemies will disappear with the multitude of fire. Now fire casting ritual, commence your anger and extinguish my enemies” I said the chant for the first time. this magic is difficult since I need to properly raise and channel mana so the magic can sustain itself. After distributing mana constantly, I still need to target the enemies after that I need to launch the magic. The enemy has begun charging toward us. Don’t worry, I will make it. I am not alone, there are over 1000 soldiers in front of me.
“Commencing fire program. The firing sequence is 5 bullets per second. Gathering and supplying mana for the fire ritual is set. Firing began.” I muttered to improve my accuracy and spell stability. It would be dangerous if the spell exploded when it is constructed. I would be hit with 5 fire ballista at zero distance.
“Commencing defensive program, the shield of mana began. 2 consecutive casting. Priority on the defensive spell.” I continued. I am not a dunce, this spell is as eye-catching as it can get. Without wasting any time, the enemy began firing arrows at me. Their melee fighter is still engaged with our soldiers. Now let’s mow down the ones a little further back to avoid friendly fires. I can control these 2 spell just fine, but I am currently fatigued. Let’s not take any unnecessary risks.
BLAAR! KABOOMM! BOOM!
I mowed down the enemy one after another. The enemy generally dies with 1 shot. But tough-looking ones such as armored orcs would take 2 or 3 to bring them down. Trolls are even worse that they would need over 10 shots to bring it down. Aren’t they really tough? Even humans with leather armor would generally suffer mortal wounds if they are hit by this. No wonder we are gradually pushed back.
CRACK!
My stone pillar was destroyed. That’s fast. I quickly used another stone pillar to reinforce my stone pillar and using magic I gradually stepped down to ground level. 10 people are surrounding me. Are these the gladiators Richard and Parker talking about? Aren’t there a little too many of them?
“Let’s kill her. “Wolf beast said
“She is their gladiator? She is far too naive! She must be the rumored hero that this kingdom summoned.” dog beast said
“You guys can talk?” I said in confusion causing my chant to be halted
“Huh? She can reply in our words.”
“She can understand us?”
“Forget it. Our job is to kill gladiators. She is a mage type. Draw your sword we are going into speed battle!” They said in unison
After that, the battle began. I strengthened my barrier just in case since I don’t know my enemy’s capabilities. It was just a needless worry, their sword and daggers just keep bouncing on my barrier no matter how hard they strike.
“This barrier is hard! She is at least level 3” Someone muttered. If their strike is only at this level, even if I halved my shield’s power, it would be fine. In retaliation, I fired my fire ballista at them but all of them dodged. They are fast! Is this how you kill mages? By using speed?
“Dodge! You’re done if she hits you. Surround her before her reinforcement arrives. Break her barrier!” the wolf that seemed to be their leader shouted.
“Lowering power output for shield by half. Terminating fire ballista spell. Preparing an advanced spell.” I muttered to give myself an order. They can’t penetrate my defenses but I can’t hit them either. I have to use area magic. But area magic will not likely kill them, that’s why I also have to prepare an advanced spell as a finishing technique
“Damn. Her barrier is really tough. We have to retreat at this rate!” someone said. If I took a closer look, all of the monsters that normal soldiers are engaging also let out some comprehensible war cry or curses but our soldiers didn’t seem to respond. Is it a different language? Is the demon’s language also translated by these earrings?
“Calm down. Her mana won’t last long at this rate. When she ran out, we will definitely kill her.” another beastmen said. I am disturbed by this. They can talk but why the kingdom didn’t talk about it? King Gray intentionally hid this. Why? If they knew these demons can talk, can’t we make some kind of peace or at least a truce? This kingdom is cornered to annihilation.
“Intermediate magic. 4 directional fire breath!” I chant as 4 fire breaths appeared from me. Moving in a circle, the fire breath quickly engulfed anything around me.
“Damn!” one of the beastmen cursed
“Ahh!! My eyes!” another that took my spell in surprise covered his eyes. It seems my spell took out their eyes. Should I cast my advanced spell now? But if I do, the rest will surely escape.
“Stella!” Parker and Richard jumped off the wall to help me. Your timing was impeccable parker. I will personally say thanks to you later
“What? Another gladiator?” as the beastmen’s attention was elsewhere I cast my advanced spell.
“Executing 4 advanced spells thunder!”
BOOM!
A loud impact was heard through the battlefield. 4 crater was created around me targeting the enemy’s gladiator. Half of them were quickly annihilated. Good job distracting them parker. Let’s prepare another thunder to disable the rest of these assassins
“No!! Syl!!” the beastmen screamed
“Retreat. They are too strong!”
Without delay, the enemy quickly retreated and the rest of their army with them. I will not let them run while they still have more than 3000 troops with them. I will prepare another consecutive magic now.
“Preparing consecutive magic. Ten claps of thunder will obliterate my opponents. Arise from heaven and strike them down!” I swung my staff down and another loud boom was heard in a distance. That should diminish their army further. They will think twice before attacking us here again. For now, I should consult parker for the rest of my plan. We need to take Alpas town immediately before it is too late. If possible the town must be retaken tomorrow
“Stella!” Parker ran to me. Where was he? What is he doing at the back? Because of your absence, I have to take all the chores of killing enemy gladiators you know. If you were here, we could take that enemy more easily and more flashy. I am tired mentally and physically you know.
“Thank goodness you are safe!” Nana said while she follows Parker. My consciousness is hazy. I think I might faint soon. I still need more rest. I overused my power just after awakening it. This is bad. I’m sorry Nana, I will leave the rest to you.
“Stella? Stella!”
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Parker POV
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“What happened?!” I asked in a fluster. Fay and Richard quickly examined her. But they quickly sighed in relief
“She is just sleeping. She exhausted herself.” Fay said. Let’s carry her back to her bed and we can discuss what happened today.
A few minutes later we were back at the command center. The commander is a noble but his attitude is quite down to earth although his skill is quite mediocre. The nobles here have quite a nice attitude unlike in other light novels huh? Or is he an exception?
“Greetings heroes. I thank you for saving this fort which is the only path toward our capital. Before we went to parties for celebrating our victory, I must report our current war progress. Judging by our estimation, we have repelled over 4000 enemies. All thanks to Stella’s achievements. The enemies are reported to have gone back to their city. But we must not wallow in a merry mood since there are over 20.000 left in that city. “
“How is the group that attacked Stella?” Richard asked as he listened to the commander’s report. Though he is the commander, it feels more like he is in charge of administrative duties and miscellaneous tasks rather than commanding the army
“More than half are confirmed to be dead. By the information we have gathered, this group seemed to belong to gladiator assassin.”
“Huh? Gladiator assassin?” Nana asked
“It is a group that specializes in engaging gladiators.”
“Huh? Then, those groups are filled with gladiators? Only gladiators have the right to engage other gladiators. Right?”
“Not necessarily so Miss Nana.” The commander said. “Gladiators need to be ranked A at the very least to be classified as such. But these groups’ individual powers were just around B’s. But they coordinated and specialized in engaging gladiators. They received special training to be like that.”
“I see.”
“Well, even gladiators like Richard might have some difficulties against them.”
The others are wearing some confusing looks. But from Stella’s battle, I know what they mean. By looking at those groups' powers, they certainly are inferior even before we class up. But the way they coordinated is very deadly. They were able to surround Stella who is supposed to be at the rear and managed to gang on her. Looking back at our training with Richard, we were far from that. In fact, Richard's group is the one that managed to surround us even though we have more numbers. But their coordination even surpassed that. How the heck you managed to surround a rear guard while the front guard was still active? A sneak attack is one thing but surrounding them for 2 or 3 minutes is on another level. If Stella screwed up somewhere she might have been killed
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“That groups were a pain in the ass. “ Bane snorted.” Because of them, we were usually deployed late you know. And that group is also the reason why the kingdom deployed gladiators also in groups. There was usually only 1 gladiator in a single army before. Class A warriors are not that easily found.”
“Continue with the report commander Alan. We have other times to teach the new heroes the way we fight.” Richard said while still looking at the map.
“Our side suffered around 300 casualties plus around 600 wounded while they suffered more than 1000 casualties. We can safely say that we won the battle quite magnificently.”
“Good,” Richard replied
“I will arrange for burial and the treatment of the wounded. We will also arrange for new scouts. Because we won, we can enlarge our surveillance area.”
“Try to get the view of the city and its defense. We can only claim ourselves to be victorious when we claimed the city from these demons.” Richard replied. “That’s our mission.”
“Of course.” Alan gives his bow and ended his report
“Well, it’s finished. It’s kind of weird that he is the commander but acts like he is under us.” Hart said when we got out of the command center room.
“He is below us though? Parker already said it.” Nana answered
“No, that’s not what I mean.”
“I understand what you mean. But this country has a different system. In our world, you only need to be smart and have good social standing. But here, since we are in the middle of the war the strongest rule.” I answered
“Yeah. That’s it. But the way you put it is harsh.”
“Since unlike our world where all powers are from machinery and skills. Physical strength was rendered useless. In this world, however, physical strength rules everything. As long as you are strong, you can do anything. Well, it is not to that extent, but I believe we will get preferential treatment because of our powers.”
“Hmm… why do they make it like that?” Will asked
“To cut down unnecessary troubles perhaps? To bring motivation? I can only make suggestions. Stella is the bookworm. You might consult her when she wakes up.” I replied
“She collapsed right?” Chloe asked
“She just collapsed. It’s not a big deal.” I answered
“Are you sure?” John’s questions surprised me. He is usually silent together with Nita. I took a glance at him and he seemed to suspect something. His doubt makes me want to review my own answers
“I got this answer from Fay. Why did you suspect her?”
“No, I-I-I just thought it was weird. Stella was our greatest magician. And she collapsed just like that. Since she was without injury, I thought it was because of mana depletion. Which makes it even weirder? Or is her memory acting up? Or does she contact some disease?”
“No. That is not the case. She was weak ever since she woke up. She hasn’t gotten enough rest since class up and she forced herself to do battle. That’s why she collapsed. It’s like when you got a fever but you force yourself to do homework or housework. You can collapse even though you shouldn’t normally. Richard also considered this, that’s why he put us in the back. But Stella disobeyed the order.”
“I see. It was a needless worry. Hahaha. Sorry. I overthink it.” John then scratched his head.
“But we are fine though?” Riki and Riko answered
“Now that you mention it. I am still a bit weak but I don’t think I will collapse.”
”Somehow we reacted differently with each classing up. As for me, I am still dizzy. I might fall asleep if Alan didn’t make the report brief. She might be feeling worse.” I said as I opened our room. Since this fort is so small, our room had to be clumped together like this. Well, just be grateful that we got any room at all. Most, if not everyone else sleeps on the floor inside the building or tent outside the building.
“Parker….” Stella was sitting on her bed. She woke up faster than I thought. Her figure seemed so fragile now that I took another look. Compared to others, her physical strength was the weakest even though her magic is supposedly on another dimension compared to us.
“Stella. You are still weak, you shouldn’t force yourself. Please have a good sleep. The battle is over and we won thanks to you. Don’t worry about it.” Nana came and sit on her bed as she gestured for her to sleep
“No, that’s not it. I saw the enemy fleeing before I collapsed so I knew we won. What I want to talk about is different.”
“Huh?” Nana and Chloe wore questioning looks.
“Alpas town, we need to take it back. Tomorrow if possible.”
“Huh?” Everyone was baffled.
“Stella. I need to tell you this, but we can’t attack Alpas that soon. We are currently preparing to bury the dead. Tomorrow evening at the earliest, we will begin sending scouts. After we got the intelligence, only then we can attack that city. It would take 1 week at the very least. Well, if Richard rushed it, we might depart in 3 or 4 days. But tomorrow is impossible.” I answered.
“I see.”
“Just rest well, okay? We are going to need everyone's strength. We aren’t yet to get accustomed to our new powers yet. We will rest for the rest of this day and we will start training tomorrow afternoon.”
“No. I don’t think we can wait that long…..”
*sigh*
“Well, why then?” I asked tiredly. I already have many on my mind but her suggestions can’t be ignored. Although she was reckless. but, today’s MVP is her. If not for her, we might have more casualties than now.
“If we wait too long, the city might become empty.”
“Huh?”
“Hmm… I think the enemy tries to transport the citizens to other locations deeper inside their territory. If we left the city for too long, they might transport everyone. “
“Why would they transport everyone? “ Chloe asked
“What she said is certainly plausible. Maybe they are going to be used as slaves or other things in demon continent.” I answered. But the problem isn’t that. How does she know in the first place? The transport might already be done a long time ago. Wait, then that doesn’t explain the 2000 vanguards that attacked us today.
“So, we will attack Alpas tomorrow?” Hart asked
“No. the leader is Richard not us. We can only follow his orders.” I answered, “Let’s just sleep and we will discuss this again in the morning together with Richard.”
“Alright then.” Everyone agreed. Stella still has the sour look on her face but she somehow accepts it and goes to her bed immediately. Because it is still early and the sun has just set, we went to the dining hall and eat. Unlike the first time, we were here, this time we were greeted quite warmly by the soldiers. Stella did all the jobs though. But it appears they also have the same expectation as us. Which is why they greet us warmly and with respect.
“Good evening Mr. Parker. Let’s work hard in the next battle!”
“Mr. Parker. I will also work hard in the next battle. Some of my relatives were still in Alpas city. Please help them and retake the city soon.” Such was the greeting the soldiers throw at us. I feel awful since the credits all belong to Stella who is currently sleeping in bed.
“Stella hasn’t had any dinner isn’t she?” Nana then asked
“Come to think about it. I don’t think she ate anything today.” I answered.
“It’s fine, this dining hall is open anytime. If you need a snack just come down here and pick some fruits. Of course, ordinary soldiers are forbidden from doing this. But you are special.” Richard answered.
“Just tell Stella later,” Fay replied.
“Parker, may I talk to you for a second?” Richard gestured for me to discuss something in private. I hurriedly followed him outside of the dining hall and into an empty corridor
“Yes, what is it?”
“It’s about Stella. “
“Yes, what about her?”
“I have people like Bane. So I kind of understand if someone in your party defied some orders. But you are their acknowledged leader. So, please properly reprimand her. Or support her. It’s weird though, she doesn’t seem to be the type that disobeyed orders. Did you have any clue? Or does she get lost and wander into the frontline?” Richard asked. The excuses that she got lost were quickly dismissed by him. Though we are new and everyone accepts that excuse easily, it didn’t pass him huh?
“Well….” Should I say the truth? Or should I remain silent? Stella seemed to have their schedule, if I can get cooperation from Richard, maybe we can hasten the preparation to assault the fort
“Richard, Stella wants to gather some popularity for our group.”
“I see. That in itself isn’t wrong.” Richard sighed “Just remind her next time that she shouldn’t do something that reckless. It’s dangerous.”
“Richard…… Stella wants us to attack the city tomorrow.”
“What? Why?” Richard said while surprised.
“Because she is worried about the state of the citizens currently trapped there.”
“I see.”
“Richard, Stella assumed that the citizens will be transported from Alpas to another location deeper in their territory. Is this true?”
“Where did she get this information?” Richard asked warily.
“So, there is still hope to save them?” I asked. In
“Yeah, but they might be dead by now. In front of those demons, those unarmed citizens might be worth as much as food or a breeding ground. Even slaves are considered high ranking if they got captured.”
“Then, Stella is right! We should hurry to save them right?”
“Yeah, but we must proceed cautiously. I can’t measure your strength yet. If we rush into that city, we might get trapped.”
“I see. When we will go?”
“1 week at most,” Richard said. “But it also depends on the enemy’s reaction. We are facing more than 20.000 enemies. The city is filled to the brim with enemies. We can’t attack someone with more than 4 times differences in army sizes right?”
“Richard……” I asked hesitantly.
“Yes?”
“How strong are SSS and SS?” I finally asked.
“Why you asked?”
“You said that an S could face 1000 enemies alone. I am SS and Stella is triple S. some of our members are also double S and single S rank. “
“I see. Truthfully speaking. You and Stella alone might be able to take over the city with no one cooperation. That’s how powerful an SS rank should be. That is also one of the reasons why the kingdom ordered us to retake Alpas even though we are severely undermanned. They knew we can win since we have more than 14 people with over S rank. But all of that is only on paper. Please remember that experience is not something that can be measured.”
“I see. Thank you for answering me honestly.” I said while leaving. Damn it! So Stella knew this. She knew how strong we should be. In that case, we should be attacking Alpas now. She knew something. Her eyes tell me that she knew those civilians were alive. She was sure of it, how can she be so sure when even Richard assumed they are dead? Now, what should I do? Well, it’s not like we have a choice. Richard is currently our leader. He is the one that makes the call. I can only obey for now.