What Do You Wish For With Murky Eyes: Record of Highserk War - Chapter 57

“‘The Flame Emperor Dragon has appeared, repeating. The Flame Emperor Dragon has appeared, aah, the breath—'”

Communication from the Dandurg Castle to the old Anti Ferrius Army headquarters was severed, enveloping the place in a heavy atmosphere. It happened just when the old castle was successfully diverting the enemy’s main forces, attracting them, and reducing the onslaught of monsters on the remaining two invasion routes, making progress in annihilating the monsters.

“D-Dandurg has… been breached by the Flame Emperor Dragon.”

“The Flame Emperor Dragon is heading straight for the imperial capital!! It’s invading, mowing down mountains, valleys, and everything in between.”

“Even a comapny-sized magic unit can’t hold its ground.”

“Why is this happening…”

“The monsters that escaped from Dandurg have flanked our rear.”

The collapse of the defense plan. Although Gerald still had nearly 20,000 troops under his command, facing over 300,000 monsters, and even the Flame Emperor Dragon closing in on the homeland after interception, was overwhelming.

The Highserk Empire army had neither the strategic approach nor the equipment nor the personnel to deal with dragons. Only the Three Great Nations possessed the means to subjugate or repel dragon species—either the «Crumbling Colossus» capable of destroying humanity, the «Great Spirit Magic», or the «Merciful Sea Dragon».

The eyes of the soldiers and commanders in the headquarters, facing imminent demise, turned to Gerald seeking salvation. After careful consideration, Gerald spoke slowly.

“Have the Jáfe Cavalry return to the homeland for guidance. With their speed, they can outrun the major onslaught.”

“Are you suggesting using such valuable mobile forces!?”

Even in the midst of the frontline, Gerald, known for his light-hearted remarks, spoke with a profound seriousness.

“It’s too late, homeland defense is impossible. Dismounting from horses and declaring territory defense won’t allow us to fully unleash our capabilities. While we hold back the monsters, evacuate as many people as possible outside the country. Even among the Three Great Nations, the friendly island nations should be safe; that clever Flame Emperor Dragon shouldn’t interfere.”

“Are you abandoning the homeland, Highserk?”

One of his subordinates approached Gerald, accusingly.

“That’s right. I’m abandoning the beloved Highserk, the empire.”

Gerald stated unequivocally.

“We are already dead soldiers. We’ll attract and bury as many monsters as possible and die.”

Gerald continued, addressing the stunned staff.

“If everyone flees simultaneously, some soldiers might be saved. But if we scatter in disorder here, more citizens will die. If those who shared the homeland’s families, relatives, lovers, friends, acquaintances, and values survive, Highserk’s lifeline will be preserved. We cannot turn all of that into dust.”

Aware that this is just a futile struggle, akin to handing out a death sentence, Gerald declared nonetheless.

“To our perishing homeland, our last act of loyalty, and may blessings be upon the remnants of the empire.”

Even if he were to be resented in death, even if he were to be condemned in the afterlife, Gerald could say with confidence that he loved the country, the citizens, and the soldiers from the bottom of his heart.

There were no cheers or applause to welcome him, but no one raised objections either. Everyone felt the necessity of playing the role of the sacrificial pawn at this moment.

———–

The castle rampart had disappeared in over a width of 30 meters. Ironically, from Walm’s perspective, the collapsed angle was favorable, and the lower 2 meters of the 10-meter-high castle wall were preserved despite melting.

The issue was that the scattered monsters, from a distance, had resumed their assault on the castle.

“Any platoon leaders or even squad leaders?”

About six individuals gathered, and Walm assigned around 30 soldiers to each, conveying their roles.

For the numerous civilians, he ordered them to gather materials from inside the castle and anything that could obstruct the enemy. Conveniently, due to the partial collapse of the keep and the castle rampart, finding materials was not a challenge.

“Earth magic users, create earth walls. Other magic users, get up on the castle rampart and keep blocking the monsters!”

Walm rapidly issued instructions. The issue of command succession was trivial when facing the approaching monsters.

“Archers, don’t spare your arrows. If they break through here, the castle will fall!”

In just over 10 minutes, a fragile, makeshift earth wall of 4 meters had been completed. No more could be expected, especially since the enemy was pressing forward right before their eyes.

Magical support from magic users began. Ice spears, earth projectiles, wind blades, fireballs, and various other magics confronted the approaching vanguard. Among them was the adventurer welcomed by Walm just the other day.

Amy, an excellent archer, shot arrows, causing the monsters to stagger and fall. Fleck, the master of a large shield, used his reinforced shield with «Iron Wall» to punch the upper body of a werewolf, sending it flying.

Al, who had once clashed with Walm, used a sword imbued with wind magic to effortlessly cut down the approaching monsters.

A Highserk soldier, cornered by a silver wolf, defended his throat with his arm to prevent the fangs from tearing it apart.

Before Walm could rush over, the blue-haired adventurer, Al, skillfully beheaded the silver wolf, saving the soldier.

“It was the right decision not to kill you that time.”

When Walm praised him, Al grimaced and replied, “Those are kind words.”

No further words were needed, and Walm refocused on the monsters.

The archers in position began shooting arrows indiscriminately. Stones crushed the heads of monsters.

Nevertheless, the monsters began to cling onto the hastily constructed walls in earnest. Soldiers thrust their long spears at the monsters attempting to climb the walls.

Walm crawled up and used his halberd to cut the throat of an approaching orc. He then thrust the blade into the side of a kobold.

As one soldier was grabbed by the leg and dragged into the midst of the monsters, it resembled ingredients in a blender as he let out a final scream, and fresh blood sprayed everywhere.

Another soldier had a wolf leap at his chest, tearing apart his adam’s apple.

Walm swung his halberd upward from a lower position, driving it into the wolf that was lunging at him. As the wolf soared through the air, its entrails swirling, it disappeared into the midst of the monsters.

With a shield and sword taken from someone, a lizardman leaped onto the wall, menacing Walm with reptilian eyes and a long tongue.

Walm didn’t want to see anything resembling a lizard at the moment. He channeled his magic and unleashed «Heavy Strike», slashing through the armor from the right shoulder to the waist.

“Get lost, lizard bastard!!”

He was aware that it was venting his frustration. He hooked the upper body of the lizardman, still breathing, onto the blade of his halberd and slammed it into a goblin.

Kicking away the lower half, Walm turned his eyes to the approaching giant figure, pushing aside the surrounding monsters. It was a thick-furred, fat- and muscle-covered horned grizzly. Although not highly intelligent, engaging it directly would result in unexpected damage.

«Fire Lance!»

Manifesting a spear of fire in his left hand, Walm aimed at the bear and threw it. The horned grizzly, struck directly in the chest by the fire spear, thrashed around spreading flames and succumbed, engulfing the surrounding monsters.

The fire attribute magic, which was red before acquiring the Ignis Fatuus skill, had turned into a deep blue afterward, and its power had greatly increased.

Deeming him a formidable opponent, a monster drew a line in front of Walm and descended. It wielded a two-handed sword pointed at Walm. The opponent, keeping a distance that was not easily breached, was a headless knight.

Walm faced off with his halberd, but an orc leaped towards him, accompanied by threatening sounds.

Although not set up for an ambush, Walm, ready to counter, saw the orc’s torso, which was about to interfere, cut down in a straight line. It was a «Heavy Strike» by the Dullahan.

“Do you cling to a one-on-one fight even after death?!!”

It might be just Walm’s imagination, but he drew the sword at his waist to the ghost knight who seemed to desire a clash as a human.

The oni mask trembled innocently. As the azure flames enveloped the blade, engraved words emerged.

‘Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum’

The two-handed sword and the mithril alloy sword clashed. The collision of «Heavy Strike» echoed fiercely on the battlefield.

Having won the clash of guards, Walm aimed for the left arm and swung his sword horizontally, but the Dullahan dodged, cutting through with the two-handed sword.

Changing the angle of the sword and aiming for the fingers in a sliding motion, Walm had the sword tip deflected at the base of the guard.

Facing an opponent with no clear weakness like a head was much more troublesome than imagined.

The combination of skilled sword techniques and sturdy armor, coupled with the fact that the Dullahan was undead, meant that Walm’s attacks with minor wounds did not slow down its movements. Also, attacks aimed at the joints were not effective due to their shallow nature.

Regardless of the Dullahan’s intentions, Walm couldn’t afford to prolong the fight.

As the thrust sword tip rebounded, Walm closed the distance using wind attribute magic. He jumped into the Dullahan’s range.

Although the Dullahan blocked Walm’s overhead strike with the sword’s belly, Walm managed to cut off its hand from the wrist during the withdrawal.

The Dullahan, skillfully wielding the two-handed sword with its remaining right hand, faced Walm’s frontal attack fueled by both physical strength and magical power.

Cut diagonally from shoulder to hip, a stream of azure flames overflowed from the slashing wound. The Dullahan stood still without any resistance. It collapsed against the city wall like a puppet whose strings had been suddenly cut.

“This time, go to the afterlife.”

While hoping it would reach the underworld like a sending-off fire, Walm pushed the bothersome Dullahan’s corpse off the city wall. It seemed sufficient to draw attention. Walm circulated magic throughout his body and activated «Ignis Fatuus».

The approaching monsters, eager to retreat from the city wall, ended up pushing against the others attempting to advance, and the azure flames spread.

“While Sir Knight suppresses the monsters with «Ignis Fatuus» regroup and prepare to counterattack!”

The squad leader, understanding the intent, shouted to the soldiers under his command. Once they started moving, the Highserk soldiers were efficient. Walm only needed to focus on maintaining «Ignis Fatuus».