What Do You Wish For With Murky Eyes: Record of Highserk War - Chapter 58

Justus, entrusted with the Highserk Imperial Army infantry company, drew the short straw as a company commander. After graduating from the military academy, he led a squad to victory in the former Kanoa front and the first Myard border line, earning promotion to company commander.

However, Justus’s successful military career began to show signs of decline around this time. In the midst of the consistently advantageous fronts in Myard and Ferrius, Justus’s company invariably faced difficult battles. Over the past year, during the Myard invasion, they engaged in a fight against undead soldiers, resulting in delays in their advance. In the Ferrius pursuit battle, they suffered a counterattack from the enemy’s cavalry unit.

In the defense of the Sarajevo Fortress, the position Justus was responsible for fell to the fierce onslaught of the Craist Kingdom’s army. While successfully bypassing the onslaught of one of the Three Heroes’ «Holy Strike» using trenches and ridgelines, he had to retreat, losing half of his forces. After receiving reinforcements from the former Myard soldiers, he worked to reduce the number of monsters on the outskirts of Dandurg Castle. However, he was on the verge of being stranded outside the castle.

As the siege began in Dandurg Castle and a simultaneous retreat was announced, Justus was designated as a reserve and ordered to be the rear guard. While it was a significant responsibility, considering the ongoing plan to rebuild the defense line in the former Kanoa, he was considered a minimum role player who could fulfill his duties and was replaceable even if lost.

The only gain was the position of the commander of a wartime battalion, with Myard people making up half of the battalion. The value of obtaining the position of a wartime battalion commander by sheer luck, in a situation where most company commanders and above were gathered at headquarters, remained uncertain. Those remaining on the castle rampart, selected as reserves like Justus, were individuals with a certain level of command ability, expendable without affecting the future survival of the Highserk Empire.

In addition to managing the troops, Justus interacted seamlessly with Mayard soldiers and militia, earning a certain level of trust. However, it was ironic that he found himself in command of a retreat that sacrificed Mayard people themselves.

Even in a short period of time, not many could willingly abandon fellow humans standing shoulder to shoulder. Yet, as a military man, if it was necessary, he had to carry it out. That was the expectation.

“What a foolish thing…”

If it were just an illusion, how fortunate that would be. The burnt-down keep, destroyed by the dragon’s breath, contained the brains and limbs of the brigade. Under siege, the loss of the command structure and defeat were inevitable.

The problem was that the enemy was not of the human race. Surrendering to monsters who had no concept of surrender would only lead to being devoured. The only option was to break through the encirclement with the company at its core.

The Flame Emperor Dragon was ignoring Dandurg Castle and advancing towards the homeland. Half of the surrounding monsters were following it. The collapsed castle walls were swarmed with monsters, and the encirclement was in an uneven state. This was considered the last opportunity to break through the vulnerable points.

“Send a messenger—”

Just as he was about to give the order, Justus’s eyes caught sight of a group continuing to reinforce the collapsed castle walls. It was a diverse gathering, describing it as a mix of people, including civilians and prisoners.

“What nonsense.”

It was impossible to sustain. Logically, to support the partially destroyed castle walls, a battalion-sized force would be necessary. Considering reserves, it would probably require twice that amount.

Groups clashed. A group that should have been trampled by monsters and collapsed continued to endure. In this situation, how could they still fight? Was it because a commander of battalion class had survived—

While Justus was captivated by the scene, the castle walls were once again enveloped in flames. Unlike the destructive blaze of the Flame Emperor Dragon, the rising pillars of fire were azure flames, meant to boost wartime morale, or so he had half-believed.

It was a reality. A knight who freely manipulated the ‘Beckoning Fire of the Underworld.’ The seemingly endless rampage was pushed back.

“«Ignis Fatuus», huh.”

Invited by the heat and azure flames, Justus was aware that he was drawn to it like an insect to fire. A siege with no retreat or reinforcements was a bad move, a suicidal act.

Yet, Justus couldn’t help but think. With those azure flames, perhaps they could hold out. Before he knew it, he found himself uttering words like bursting a dam.

“Send messengers to the defenders on all sides of the castle walls!! Extract a company from the defense team, hold the east side walls to the death. While holding the east side with the extracted unit, take control of the reserve teams inside the castle. Gather all remaining platoon leaders and above. Now move! If you don’t want to die, don’t waste a single second!”

Following Justus’s orders, messengers scattered throughout the castle.

He understood that this was an overstep of authority. However, the chaos did not subside, and everyone moved around in a clumsy manner. If someone didn’t take action, the group would remain a disorderly mob. If a higher-ranking officer than Justus had survived, they could take over the controlled units. If punishment awaited, then so be it. That is, if they survived until then.

They were pushed to the limit. Justus, who had been criticized by superiors for lacking vigor, noticed himself wearing a smile.

“Hehe, am I laughing? In a situation like this?”

The murky and frenzied world felt vivid. Blood, flames, and iron blessed Justus.

——————

Swinging the reinforced large shield with «Iron Wall», every swing sent some kind of flesh flying. Crushing an orc attempting a direct assault with a shield bash, piercing a goblin’s heart with the sharp tip. The sensation of bones shattering and organs being crushed transmitted through Fleck’s hand.

Blunt weapons excelled in sustained combat. Their sharpness didn’t diminish, they didn’t get dull, and they rarely broke. Fleck crushed a skeleton that had climbed onto the castle wall with his boots.

Normally, the vanguard consisted of Al, Fleck, and Lefty. Lefty, who also served as a scout, was a man entrusted with his back due to his broad field of view and versatility. Lefty had left the party with Leetia. In a battle with a formidable Highserk wielding «Heavy Strike», Fleck had lost an eye.

Reaction on one side was inevitably delayed. A Bicorn with two twisted horns skillfully trampled a corpse and rushed in from the side. Fleck lowered his body, preparing for the impact.

The large shield and twisted horns rubbed against each other, scattering a discordant noise. The Bicorn’s main body weakened the grip strength due to the impact, deviating its posture, and Fleck’s boots were scraped.

“Nuuu, guuuh!”

If everything had been perfect, he would have been able to smash and kill with the large shield before the opponent closed the distance. They were now in a deadlock with no decisive move.

Even if he tried to draw the short sword from his waist, he would be overwhelmed while holding the shield with one hand. The neighing Bicorn tried to push Fleck down, but he unexpectedly felt the opposing monster in front of him slacken.

A halberd extended from the side, gouging out the Bicorn’s front leg. Breaking the deadlock, Fleck drew the short sword from his waist and thrust it into the Bicorn’s jaw.

Saliva and blood sprayed into the void, and the Bicorn fell to the ground, convulsing. Fleck slightly lifted the large shield, struck down on its head, and delivered the finishing blow.

In front of him, a new werewolf was approaching, but an arrow pierced its temple, causing it to collapse from its knees. The familiar arrow and trajectory belonged to Amy.

“Sorry!”

Fleck expressed gratitude to Amy and the halberd user. With a bit of free time, Fleck followed the extended haft, finding the Highserk soldier called Walm.

Even in the minor skirmish in the forest, he was a formidable enemy, but his skills were incomparable to those of the past, wielding formidable magic and manipulating «Ignis Fatuus».

Including the dialogue at the gate, Fleck never imagined the day would come when he would thank his former enemies twice. Life can be truly strange. There is no response from the Knight of Ignus Fatuus.

Even now, he extends his halberd’s hooked barb to catch the lizardman’s arm and assist his comrade. Pulling back the halberd, he severs the mantis’s sickle with the «Heavy Strike» and thrusts the spearhead into its skull.

The clouded eyes should have lost their vision like Fleck’s, possess a wide field of view that doesn’t betray their handicap. Whether it’s due to the difference in the number of brushes with death or an inherent hidden talent is unclear.

Fleck felt ashamed of using his missing eye as an excuse. He can’t do the same right now. Nevertheless, he will stack up accomplishments one by one and catch up. Fleck raises his voice to welcome the approaching monsters.

He won’t have trouble finding sparring partners. After all, the sea of monsters stretches endlessly—.