...so pleasant.
Drowsiness hit me and I fell asleep like log. In fact, it's so good to laze around and sleeping without care. Unfortunately, my body isn't allowing me with-
*growl......* Thus it sounded like. My tummy is.
...I'm hungry. Just how long did I sleep to hear it with my own ears? Even the growling sound feels like it's stretched for a dozen seconds. Ugh... I guess I overslept.
Should I wake up? But... it feels wasteful. When have I ever slept without a nightmare? Even if I didn't have one, I couldn't keep sleeping due to my strict schedule as well as restlessness.
Yes... it feels horrible. To be roused from peaceful slumber. Is this what dragons feel when being disturbed from their sleep? No wonder they got angry at heroes, demons or gods.
But... should I? Or should I not?? ...mh... fine. I'll wake up and open my eyes a tiiiiny bit—
"Growl." And a big, three-meter length lizard growled right in front of me.
".......ah." I let out a sound.
What a stupid mistake I've just done. I was suddenly reminded of the Hermit's lesson and it sounded like this.
Takeru-sensei's lesson #99: If you're seen on the ground in front of a ferocious beast, act dead and don't make sound to find some weaknesses!
"Roar!"
"Uwawaah!?"
I jumped like a baseball player trying to touch the home base out of reflex. My body slid over the hard floor.
Ouch! It hurts! Even so... I saved myself from the bite of the lizard. Yet, when I turned around, the beast had a glimmer of gold between the rows of his fangs...
"Ah!? My... my hair!?" I gasped as a portion of the side bangs was bitten off extremely roughly!
Damn it! Don't you know that hair is equal to woman's life!? This guy lacks delicacy!!
"Wait, that's not the point!" I did a self-retort and quickly changed the gears in my head.
An enemy...? A monster? But how is this possible? The lizard was growling on top of the stone bed, displaying ferocious intent to predate. He seemed to be on guard, probably after noticing my evasive maneuver with an addition of its failure.
But. What the hell is going on? Even the prison bars were twisted around... Did something-
"Aaaaaaaaaaarrrrggghhhhh!!"
A scream?! I and the lizard gazed up due to the extreme loud sound. Accompanying it was the faint sounds of clashing steels, howls of beasts and frantic shouts of people.
Considering how the prison is below the ground, I think chaos exists above. Just what is happening?
I shook my head and found the lizard pouncing on me again. I dodged and moved towards the narrow corridor. Prompting myself to escape only to find a gruesome sight.
The prisoners were all fighting against the monsters!
Some running away, some having hard fight and red rose bloomed all over the place, painting the interior with hellish impression. Casualties emerged from both sides but the monsters are numbering twice the amount of the prisoners!
"Rooooaaarrr!!" The lizard inside my cell howled.
Oh no, the rest who have nothing to do are looking here!! I infused aura to my feet and dashed through the chaos.
Fortunately, I'm not restrained by magic restraining tools! The only problem back then was only the wardens who were definitely a league beyond me, and Kata-san was one heck of a tough nut to crack.
He had no opening at all despite his age. I should note that many are way stronger than me but I have to go now!!
I focused my gaze to the faraway staircase at the other side of the corridor. Setting aside the chaos, I have nothing to help the others. Even if I used magic, it would only prolong the death flag.
What should I do...? Right at that moment, his figure flashed in my mind and it drowned my anxiety.
"...I won't die. Not here!!" I yelled as I stamped the hard floor.
My body flew forward, riding the wind and avoiding the masses who went agape in surprise. In the way though, a howl snapped a few hound lizards and they tried to leap to me.
"Not gonna happen!!" I exclaimed as I dodged the attacks with ease...
Huh? Wait a moment... are they just slow or am I becoming even faster than I expected? I kicked the ground again and I was already halfway to the staircase! No way?! This sudden power up again!?
"Grrrooaaaaaaaarrrr!!" A black lizard with deep red shades suddenly descended from the staircase.
Uwah... that one is big! He's blocking the way but I have no weapon to carve the path!! But, if I stop here... I will be easy prey for these monsters!!
"Screw it! I have no time to deal with you!!" I yelled.
In midair, what I can do is limited. As I am at collision course with the black lizard, there's only one thing I can do to survive!
The moment our distances were at an arm length, I thrust forward my right palm, and I shouted.
"Fireball!!" With a chant, heat surged from my palm and a lump of flame blasted its way to the black lizard!
*BOOM!* An explosion engulfed the monster with the hot wind slowing me down. Yet, the blazing beast was still flying to me!
I moved my hand upward and cast the same spell again. An explosion once again appeared in this narrow passage and the blast threw me down. I rolled to slide forward, barely touching the burning lizard and feeling the searing hot flame tongue licking my dress.
But - I succeeded! I recovered and dashed to the staircase! It's empty so the black lizard must have been the one in charge to raid this place!
Still, I can't believe it. Those demi-humans should have been strong enough to fend these monsters yet they were cornered. Just what is going on...?
"At any rate, I need weapon. Anything is fine as long as I..." My words faltered the moment I exited the spiral staircase.
I stopped my feet when I witnessed red spraying all over the place. There was chaos everywhere as I arrived in a room without windows. The source of light which was a torch lied on the ground, burning wooden appliances and evaporating a pool of blood.
Roars were heard. Screeches reverberated. Swords and shields clashed in the not-so-wide room I presumed as the wardens' post.
The enemies were humanoid with the faces of geckos. To be honest, they looked creepy with their wide eyes and each had three pairs of eyes! But they were equipped with tough iron armors and they had various weapons like maces or short swords.
They're even fitted to hold their grounds in this small prison. Could it be... special units?
To the feline beastmen who relied on agility, their movements are restricted here while the attackers attacked in rows and in turn. As if the Demon King of the Sixth Heaven had enacted his most famous tactic of three lines of fire.
What should I do...? Suddenly, I heard faint roar from behind me.
They're chasing after me...! This is bad, if the enemies multiplied, then the worst outcome will appear!! I scanned the surrounding and I found a sword lying nearby.
"There...!" I rushed to acquire it but I heard a screech. An inhuman screech.
At the corner of my vision, one of the humanoid geckos rushed with a mace raised up. Its speed was terrifyingly fast and it ignored the attacks of the beastmen.
What is that!? A berserker?! I quickly pumped aura to reach the sword faster yet the gecko was closing in even faster!
Quick! Quick!! Only a little bit more...!!
"Princess!" A shout came along with the sounds of footsteps.
A beastman charged and stabbed the humanoid gecko from the side. It faltered for a moment but the wide eyes switched color to red and the screech it let out became even noisier.
It was angered, and the gecko moved the mace, hammering the beastmen at the back of the head.
"Agh...!" The beastman exasperated, but he grit his teeth and kicked the ground.
With a roar, he pushed the enemy and threw it down the staircase. He was about to follow the same fate had he not stopped holding his sword. The beastman swayed, his legs staggering and another humanoid gecko approached him.
"No!!" I exclaimed, sword in hands and aura infused the entirety of my body.
The world slowed down for a moment. As if watching a rewound film, everything including sound and time seemed to stop.
I dashed. I moved forward. In this kind of world, I felt a degree of nostalgia. Why? Because this was similar to the time when I almost died... or when I died for the first time.
What is this? I think some people said that the brain has restriction imposed upon its usage. Only 30% at most for everyday use. But, in emergencies... One could break the limits.
So... is this emergency? I don't think so as it's not life threatening for me.
Yes. It's not a threat for me, but to others. And to others meant... someone is about to die. Will I watch him be killed when I have a way to protect him? Of course...
"I won't allow it!!" I yelled as the last step brought the world back to normal.
The time flow returned to default, the mace the humanoid gecko swung went faster, but-
"First Step...!" Pivoting as if taking a sudden brake, my feet slid over the ground while my body followed the swing of sword.
Relying on its weight. Centering my gravity and aiming to maximize the damage with a circular movement...
"Tail Smash!!"
The sword tore the wind. The blade turned into a flash of light and struck the humanoid gecko from the side.
I sensed strong resistance. Even though I hit the exposed part of the armor, the scales covering the gecko's body were extremely tough.
"Even so...!" I clawed the ground with my feet. Aura glued me on the spot and with both of my hands, I exerted all of my strength in hooking the humanoid!
In the next moment the enemy's body flew over to the staircase as if throwing a fish bait with a fishing rod.
"Kyeyaaaaaaaakkkk!!!?" The frantic screech faded away. Soon after, it was replaced with loud crashing sounds.
I exhaled but it was no time to relax! When I was about to brandish my sword, a shout echoed.
"Now! The one in charge is defeated! Destroy their ranks quickly and block the staircase!!"
A spirited, united roar emerged while the tide of battles flipped over in a moment's notice. A burly figure reached my field of sight and he said.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.
"Good job, Princess... you saved us." Kata-san said as he staggered.
"Ka, Kata-sa... no, Sir Kata! Your injury...!!" I supported him and he laughed.
"It's fine... this old bone has yet to crack. A bruise like this ain't gonna force me to retire."
"B-But..."
"In fact... I'm truly sorry. I let princess be in danger when a turf war is going on... such disgrace."
The man shook his head and sighing but I noticed his breathing interval was recovering to normal. How? I frowned and when I focused my eyes, I could sense Mana and Aura mixing around to coat his body.
Kata-san... Isn't this Reinforce? How does he know this spell...? Eh, don’t tell me my invention is just a common spell?
"By the way, Princess... how did ya escape?" Kata-san asked.
"Eh? Uh.... Umm.... One of the lizards bit off the prison bars while I was sleeping…" I answered, half in doubt and half in fear of the warden throwing me back to the prison.
"I see... yer lucky. The Crawling Lizards ain't the smartest bastards when it came to corpse identification. They let their guards down huh?"
...eh... I guess so. I didn't know for sure but they must have thought of me as dead person. I guess I should be thankful they don't have the tendency to eat raw meat.
Otherwise, I would have been in their bellies.
Kata-san looked at me and then looked toward the fighting beastmen.
"Go now. Princess' place isn't here." He said in a small voice.
"Eh...?" I tilted my head in surprise.
"Please go. It ain't surprising if the prison is attacked and causing the prisoners ran out. A couple already escaped so there's no difference if ya too escaped."
"But... doesn't this mean the situation is dire...?"
What if... I was about to finish when Kata-san rubbed my head.
"Heh. Yer stubbornness truly resembled our late princess. The two of you looked like two peas of the same pod. Maybe that's why we couldn't be so rude to ya."
Huh...? I blinked my eyes at hearing Kata-san's muttering. The late princess... Is he talking about Valden's dead sister? Ah, but she's called princess... Hmm... I heard of stories about her from Lance-san but...
I don't think princess is the right way to call the sibling of the Emperor they revered so much. I snapped back once Kata-san hit my back with his palm.
"Just go already and bring back Lance. He stormed out a while ago due to my order to protect the other delegates. He's talented but he's too easily distracted."
"Eh? Isn't he a warden...?"
"He originally served the monarch, ya know? That's why he was reserved to ya."
Ugh... I suddenly became an errand boy. Or is it errand girl? I don't think I like the pronunciation and it felt a bit indecent. Why did I mistake it as courtesan?
But... I guess he gave the sign. Even the other beastmen were not looking this way as if they tried their best to not notice me even if deliberately.
"...alright then. If you insist, please allow me to take back my belonging and help the other delegates."
"If ya want yer swords, they're at the warehouse next to the entrance. Yer uniform was burned by the Emperor though so give up on that."
Say what!? Is that guy an idiot!? Is he retarded!!? What kind of bastard burned a lady's clothing and forced her a dress similar to wedding dress?! Also, my underwear was switched too with white silk one! And it's somehow stringed together!! It’s bridal-style!
"Don't go to the Emperor. Since we're in a sudden Turf War against Lizardmen tribe, none is allowed to be near him."
Turf... ah, right. I don't really get this at all so I might as well ask him.
"What is going on here?" I gazed at Kata-san and he shrugged.
"Simple. A war for supremacy. A war for territory and resources. Same ol' greed with rules. Considering our lack of smart guys and resources, conflicts between tribes and Divine Beasts aren't uncommon but Turf War is special with each occurring only once every ten years. In addition, it can only be enacted three times in a row by the attacker and once by the defeated."
...that... sounds bothersome. What kind of annual war is that? Playing with lives as if it's a game...
"Although... Looks like the lizardmen tribes are feeling bitter after losing their Wurmlord. And they somehow got themselves something to strengthen their bodies in addition of outside supports. But the timing is too perfect and to even attack this facility..."
Huh... outside supports? Doesn't that mean they are violating the rules?
"Anyway, it's better to flee from this place. Though His Highness is strong, expecting no casualty is impossible. Especially when their reinforcement is..."
Is...? I paused when Kata-san opened his eyes widely.
"GET DOWN! ALL OF YOU!!"
His shout petrified everyone in shock. The sharp beastmen quickly dodged their enemies' attacks and flopped down to the ground. But I was confused.
Kata-san grabbed me and brought me down together with him. In the next moment-
*BOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMM!!* The ceiling was destroyed. Storms of dust along with explosions hit stone slabs, tearing my hearing and shaking the earth greatly.
Then debris fell and buried everyone, regardless of the enemy or the ally... as well as me.
"K...kyaaaaaa!?"
-
-
-
-
*clatter...* Rocks and pebbles fell off a debris, and a hand emerged from it.
"Puha! I thought I was going to die!!"
I breathed out and inhaled a large amount of oxygen while relief spread all over my body. Scary... the ceiling fell down and I honestly thought I was going to die... again.
I looked around and apparently, some of the beastmen survived. Most of the ones with me but even the humanoid geckos too! They were sleek and they were picking off the wounded beastmen!! Damn cowards!
I clenched my hands, getting up albeit staggering. I can't let them notice me so let's defeat them first! Finding a fallen sword in the line of sight, I dashed to take it and charged forward.
"Haaaaa!!" I yelled as the sword thrust pierced through the lizardman's throat!
It screeched but I ain't letting this one go! With force and abrupt move, I severed the head from the body. Green blood sprayed for a few moments as the body fell down with a thud.
I looked beyond the lizardman. There was a beastman staring blankly at me. His lower body buried by debris and rocks though so I dragged him out of the debris.
Fortunately, he got no grave wounds except bruises and broken bones... Well, that's bad too, huh?
"Are you alright?" I asked.
"Y-Yeah..." The beastman answered. Why are you stuttering? And what’s with your reddened cheeks?
Anyway, I nodded down, relieved that I could save someone around me. Looks like I can do this.
"Kyeyaaaaaaaakkkkkk!!" A screech emerged, followed by rushing footsteps.
The beastman in front of me paled and I sensed the hostile auras approaching us.
"Reinforcement huh...?" I muttered.
At the same time, a portion of the rubble was blasted away as if a volcano had erupted! All eyes turned to it and coming out from the pile of dust and clouding dust... was Kata-san!
"Fun... Looks like this isn't the time to hold back. You seriously did well to ruin MY office."
Uwah! An intense aura burst out from his body, the muscles exposed rippled as the old man I knew slowly became more and more like a character from fighting arcade game!
Seriously, who is this!? Kazama Jin's grandfather!? I was completely bewildered but Kata-san suddenly shouted.
"Princess! Go and help the others or find Lance! After that, do whatever you want!" He shouted. "Also, you brats! Go follow her along!!"
Uuwah... so domineering... I was baffled by the sudden switch of personality. But, as moments went by, I noticed numerous differing auras approaching this place.
All had one thing in common: Bloodlust.
"The whole place is full of lizardmen...? Just where are all the soldiers?" I looked up and saw smokes rising to the sky.
Cries. Roars. Clashing blades. Explosions of magic. Crumbling buildings. And the distinct smell of rust...
At once, I recalled the burning town from five years ago. I remembered the horrific experience of having to fight by myself and nearly getting killed by a Demon General. A shiver ran down my spine but I shook my head quickly after.
Carrying the wounded beastman by circling an arm around his back and supporting his body, I began to infuse my legs with aura.
"It will be a bit rough. Just hang in there." I said.
"Guh... my deepest apology... to be such a burden..." The beastman groaned.
"It's fine." I replied.
I heard a roar from behind me and loud sounds like from a blockbuster film echoed. Kata-san truly went all out... huh?
I once again looked around. For some reason, many beastmen were staring at me as if waiting for my order. Ugh... and most are those I am familiar with in prison.
...can I do this?
Considering the situation, I'm pretty sure not everyone will agree to my command. Since Kata-san gave an order, they had no choice but what about me? Can I... lead everyone?
I scanned the surrounding, masking the cold sweats running down my back with unwavering gaze. I have no choice... right? Steeling my resolve, I breathed out... then...
"Reinforce."
" " "........!" " "
I emitted a thin layer of gold light. Aura and mana fused together, I released the fusion of two energies to influence the tensions in the air... then I shouted out.
"Those who can still move, gather the wounded and help them! Those healthy enough to fight, secure the surrounding! And the ones with quick feet, search for a shelter for the wounded! Also, if there's any civilian in sight, take them in! Survival is our top priority!!"
Once I finished with bated breath, the beastmen all roared in unison. I was at the center of the crowds so I could feel the intense magnitude reaching my bones.
Even though I'm going to be responsible of these people's lives. Even though I have never even been able to keep my promise...
"Somehow, this is strangely familiar... Did I ever lead an army before?”