What Do You Wish For With Murky Eyes: Record of Highserk War - Chapter 24

“Rear support!? Are you kidding?”

Upon hearing the unexpected words from Squad Leader Duwei, Jose couldn’t conceal his surprise.

“Even I couldn’t believe my ears and asked the platoon leader to clarify. Then, he said something even more surprising. Remnants of the Ferrius Kingdom, Craist Kingdom, Liberitoa Commercial Federation, and Myard Prinicipality have joined forces.”

“Ehh, is that an alliance of the four countries?”

Noor, looking dumbfounded, uttered in amazement. The four neighboring countries weren’t known for getting along well, and there should have been a loose state of tension. Yet suddenly, they formed a friendly four-party group. Even for Walm, it was hard not to be surprised.

“That’s the situation. Due to a fierce assault, the Sarria Battalion is partially destroyed, and other battalions are retreating while engaging in combat.”

“How many troops do they have?”

“I’d like to say don’t worry about each individual soldier, but the total army seems to exceed 60,000.”

“Si-sixty thousand?”

Barito’s mouth remained open, refusing to close. The total troops of the Ferrius army were 16,000. Even if you combined the Myard army and reinforcements from the homeland, gathering 23,000 to 24,000 soldiers would be considered good.

“We’ll focus on defense and retreat gradually. The decisive battle will be at the Sarajevo Fortress on the Ferrius border. Ferrius lacked enough soldiers for the fortresses to function properly, but with the looted supplies and troops, even if we don’t win, we might not lose.”

“Do we have to give up the mines we worked so hard to capture?”

Noor said as if it were a waste. Walm agreed with that sentiment. It was no joke to return a hard-won mine, paid for with blood and sweat, to the enemy.

“There’s no choice. Can’t face 60,000 troops on an open field. Well, it seems we don’t plan to let it go for free, though.”

Their aim became clear, as dust rises with a roaring sound, accompanied by the rumbling of the earth.

“Oh, you’re causing cave-ins, huh?”

As if to express his understanding, Jose clapped his hands.

“That’s the situation. We’ll have the prisoners transport the supplies and mined materials. There was even a suggestion to slaughter them all, but it seems they’ll be housed in one of Myard’s old castles and used as serfs instead.”

There was no desire to massacre unarmed prisoners. Walm, who was now moving with the supplies to the rear, felt relieved deep down.

“That’s the deal. The Liguria Battalion will fall back from the mine to provide support for the friendly forces. It’s a defensive battle, so it’s better than usual, but if you dawdle, you’ll be left behind by the friendly forces. Don’t let your guard down.”

————–

Four days after the war council, the allied forces of the four nations were finally attempting to press against the mine defended by Walm. The enemy’s main force was the familiar Liberitoa Commercial Federation.

“Jose, don’t let them set up ladders!”

Jose, standing to Walm’s right, grabbed the end of the ladder and pulled it down. Liberitoa soldiers, who had climbed halfway, fell to the ground flailing their limbs in the air.

Walm was not exempt from the action. He dropped rocks the size of a human torso targeting soldiers directly below. The falling rocks, shattering part of the ladder, reduced the combat capabilities of several soldiers.

“Keep throwing, there’s plenty of rocks!”

The stones transported out with the minerals had become excellent throwing weapons. The well-adorned armor of Liberitoa’s commander made for a good target for throwing.

While diligently protecting the head with a shield, numerous throws left the surface uneven, and the movements slowed noticeably.

Then, with the impact sound of Squad Leader Duwei’s fastball, the Liberitoa Commercial Federation’s commander collapsed to the ground.

The enemies were not silent either. Soldiers were getting injured by intermittent arrows flying towards them.

“Fireball!!”

Immediately after someone shouted, flames danced on the castle rampart, and a soldier collapsed without a scream. His comrades tried to lift him, but his face was gone.

“No good. His face is gone.”

The soldiers, abandoning their fellow comrade, began shooting arrows at the enemies below.

“Walm, the enemies are gaining momentum on the left side. Go and meet them.”

The one giving the order was not the squad leader but the chubby Platoon Leader Kozul.

Walm ran through the section of the castle rampart his squad was responsible for and reached the neighboring squad’s location. Indeed, the enemy’s throws were intense, and countless soldiers were pressing against the area right under the rampart wall.

“I’m going to use it.”

Walm warned, and the surrounding soldiers rolled back, creating distance.

“Evacuate, or you’ll get caught in it!”

Being compared to an uncontrollable runaway weapon was quite offensive, but Walm activated «Ignis Fatuus» without minding. His mask trembled with joy. On the other hand, a Liberitoa soldier who noticed Walm leaning forward screamed.

“Oh, it’s the «Ignis Fatuus» user!!!”

“Don’t let him use it, kill him!!”

There were soldiers ready with arrows, but they were a step too slow. A blast of hot air swept through the surroundings, spreading fierce flames all around.

“Ahhhh! Aaaaaah!”

“Ah, damn it! It won’t go out!”

“Retreat, retreat!”

Liberitoa soldiers who witnessed over 30 people being engulfed in flames hurriedly retreated. Some of those caught in the fire managed to extinguish it somehow and escaped, taking advantage of their distance or resistance.

In the end, there were about 20 victims of «Ignis Fatuus».

Among the unmoving corpses there from the beginning, blue flames flickered on the battlefield. The stench of burning flesh assaulted the nostrils. It was an odor that Walm had become quite accustomed to.

There were probably twice as many with injuries to the airways, skin and other body parts. If Walm had used maximum firepower, the damage would have likely doubled, but he was instructed by Platoon Leader Kozul to maintain magical power and increase the enemy’s casualties.

“No matter how many times I see it, it’s awful.”

“Good thing your on our side. We’re saved.”

The allied soldiers who had evacuated were patting Walm on the shoulder one after another.

“Now’s the time to prioritize replenishing stones and treating the wounded. The enemy fears the ‘Beckoning fires of the Underworld.’ The commander got burned too.”

Walm returned to the location his squad was responsible for. In addition to the devastation on the left flank, the Liberitoa Commercial Federation, which had suffered a fierce blow, seemed intent on retreating and regrouping.