It was still the 16th of the Dark Moon. Night.
Even amidst the roaring blizzard, the inside of the large tent serving as the field command center for the Crusader Third Army was warm, like a manor with a lit fireplace.
“—Truly, this detestable blizzard! If only the weather hadn’t deteriorated, we could have charged in and trampled over the castle wall in one go!”
The voice raised in bravado belonged to one of the high-ranking officers leading the Third Army, Baron Herman. The silver full armor he donned was the standard and coveted knight equipment in the Sinclair Republic.
Though he had a portly stature with a protruding belly, it somehow suited him, perhaps because this middle-aged man was a seasoned commander. Or perhaps it was the commendable efforts of the artisans who tailored the armor custom-made for him.
“Well, there’s no need to rush. It may well be the will of God that we’ve been caught in this blizzard.”
Responding with a touch of elegance and composure was Count Bergunt, the commander of the Third Army.
Though he was slender, his toned body and the way he sat with his long legs crossed in an armchair were indeed fitting for a count. Holding a delicate glass filled with hot wine in his right hand, he perfectly matched the image the townspeople held of nobles.
“The wall has already been breached. We still have over ten Ancient Golems remaining. That massive castle wall, which was our greatest obstacle, is no longer something to fear.”
With a smirk, a smile filled with confidence in victory, the gathered noble officers voiced their agreement.
“Your Excellency, I have a suggestion. Why not launch a night raid tonight? We have an elite unit of assassins; it could confuse the demon race even just a little.”
As one officer proposed, Bergunt immediately replied.
“It is unnecessary. As long as the situation is favorable to us, there is no need to take unnecessary risks.”
“Then how about hindering the repairs to the wall? If we send in those Chimera Soldiers, we might see some effect,” another officer suggested.
Bergunt took a sip of wine from his glass before responding.
“No, let’s refrain. The Chimera Soldiers still have control issues. Moreover, we lost over half of them in today’s battle. It would be more effective to lead them in the next full-on assault to create a breakthrough rather than waste them here in sporadic uses.”
“Indeed, as you say. As expected of Your Excellency; we cannot match your deep foresight!”
“Hahaha, your suggestion wasn’t bad either. Have a little more confidence.”
Giving kind praises to the young officer who would be the next generation, Bergunt reveled in the taste of wine and the surprisingly favorable situation.
“As soon as the blizzard clears, our main army will launch a full-scale attack. Look, everyone, our targets are these three locations—”
Bergunt pointed to the strategic map spread out on the table. It was an enlarged map of the Galahad Fortress and its vicinity, which was currently the battlefield.
On the map, white pieces represented their forces: infantry, cavalry, mages, heavy cavalry, and Pegasus knights—all roughly categorized by type.
Opposing them were the black pieces representing the demon race’s army. Below, notes about the Great Wall of Galahad and the terrain and building placements beyond it were written as much as could be understood. The information about Galahad Fortress was a combination of what had been observed during today’s battle and what the Daedalus Army originally possessed. However, it was straightforward information that could easily be seen from the air, and the interior of the fortress remained unknown.
Nonetheless, the amount of information was sufficient for considering a siege strategy.
Then, Bergunt indicated two red crosses showing where the Ancient Golems had breached the wall, and a drawing of the front gate, pointing out three locations in sequence.
“Considering our numbers, we can attack all three locations simultaneously. Now, let’s discuss who will handle which location. Haha, the night is long after all.”
With that, the officers, eager for glory, raised their voices one after another.
The Third Army was a coalition of nobles. Their military achievements were directly linked to their personal benefits, more so than for knights. While the first and second armies, composed of the church’s private soldiers, were also competitive, the infighting among their ranks was fierce.
“—Hmm, it seems to be taking a while for decisions to be made.”
After listening to the officers’ fervent appeals for about an hour, no conclusion had yet emerged.
“Your enthusiasm has been well noted, but I actually have a plan I’ve been mulling over.”
Having pleasantly imbibed, Bergunt cheerfully revealed his scheme.
In essence, he had had a conclusion since the beginning.
“To reveal your plan at this timing, heh, you’re quite the trickster, Your Excellency.”
At Herman’s jest, rather than growing upset, Bergunt responded with a smile, clearly in good spirits.
Since their territories were adjacent, the two had a long-standing relationship that spanned both public and private matters. Their exaggerated banter was second nature. Thanks to this, the conversation progressed smoothly.
“Well, don’t say that. I wish to give the chance to fight to a person of particular interest in this battle… I trust you all will agree.”
With Bergunt’s overly confident words, the officers erupted into a buzz of half anticipation and half anxiety.
“Oh, could it possibly be, the holy maiden of Helvecia we hear rumors about—”
While one officer cut short his speculation with a hand, Bergunt summoned that person.
“Enter, Linfeldt.”
“Yes.”
The clear melodic voice responding echoed throughout the room.
As she appeared, an involuntary gasp escaped. Wrapped in pure white robes, she was beautiful and delicate in appearance.
“Good evening, Crusader officers. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I am Linfeldt Aria Helvecia Bergunt—”
So spoke the black-haired girl as she bowed deeply.
In the Republic, black hair was somewhat rare, but not completely unheard of in the streets.
However, her looks fell into an exceedingly rare category, primarily because her mesmerizingly round eyes were vivid with the blackness of the night.
Yes, she had black hair and black eyes.
“It seems some of you already know, but allow me to introduce my daughter.”
Bergunt stated this boldly, possessing deep green hair reflecting the elemental magic of wind and pale emerald eyes. The resemblance between the father and daughter was so strikingly dissimilar that it could hardly be said they were related.
However, since the count personally introduced her as his “daughter,” no one in this place would dare to point that out.
“I plan to assign my daughter Linfeldt to manage the hole on the enemy’s left flank, where the Demon of Alsace is stationed.”
“Ugh, it’s freezing! I really should have just skipped this, Tsumiki-chan!”
Exposed to the howling blizzard, she directed such a futile voice toward her silent partner.
The Eighth Apostle Ai had a habit of acting on a whim. The only reason she was out here, shivering in the snowstorm, was that she simply couldn’t sleep.
“Ah, the place over there seems great—I’ve heard there are brothels there too—”
Though she should have been a girl by appearance, the words that slipped from her small mouth were similar to those of male Crusader soldiers overwhelmed by lust.
“I thought about bringing Sylvia-chan with me for times like this, you know?”
Thinking of the red-haired, busty beauty, Ai glanced at Tsumiki cradled in her arms, who responded with no reaction whatsoever. Even as a child, the griffon baby merely reflected its master with its emotionless hawk-like gaze.
“Ah, it’s cold—I want to warm up—I want to rub—I want to suck—I want to be squeezed—”
While shouting pure impure thoughts, Ai pressed her face against the griffon’s lion-like torso, seeking warmth. Unfortunately, there was no dream-filled bosom to be found there.
Tsumiki, seeming annoyed, attempted a futile resistance against her irritating master by wriggling her limbs.
“—Hey, there! Is someone there?!”
At that moment, a sharp warning call reached her ears.
It was not from the Spada Army but rather from fellow Crusader soldiers.
“Whoa, yikes, I didn’t realize I’d come all the way to the nobles’ encampment!”
In such a field encampment, both lowly soldiers and generals erected tents, but there was still a clear distinction between the two.
Especially in the central area, officers including Baron Bergunt set their encampments in concentric circles surrounded by knights and soldiers, ensuring that they wouldn’t be caught off guard, not just against the enemy but also against any overly curious allies.
“Don’t be so tense; whoever gets close here is probably just a bumbling drunk anyway.”
“However, there is a suspicious shadow over there…”
“In this blizzard, not even the demon race can move around properly! It’s cold enough, so don’t use up your energy needlessly!”
While listening to the guard soldiers’ utterly uninspired exchange, Ai silently moved about, completely masking her presence like when she hunted monsters in the mountains. Even without the powers of an apostle, such stealth was no challenge for her.
“Hmm, but just for the heck of it, should we sneak inside? No shouting, Tsumiki-chan.”
Tsumiki seemed to imply that she was the one who should be worried, squawking a tiny peep in reply.
“Alright, then let’s break in!”
Crouching like a beast, Ai quietly advanced across the snow. Her soundless movements left neither handprints nor footprints on the fresh snow—much like a cockroach scurrying across the kitchen.
No one detected her form. In this darkness and deafening blizzard, the guard soldiers had plenty of blind spots.
As Ai quickly darted her glance around, she noticed the tents were all brightly lit. While the common soldiers had long since retired for rest, it seemed the esteemed nobles relished staying up late, even in such a battlefield.
In truth, it showed their good standing. Those who paraded around with pretty knight escorts under the guise of protection must surely be having a grand time.
“…I feel like shooting a holy elemental arrow at them.”
No one answered her exasperated question.
“Still, the command center is still well into its festive council at the expense of the army. That old man is quite energetic.”
What caught Ai’s eye was a tent noticeably larger than the rest among the clusters of tents. The periphery was under strict surveillance by fully armed knights positioned in multiple layers. Even Ai understood that approaching carelessly would alert the keenly observant elite watching for disturbances.
However, Ai had no interest in their flattering conversations or trivial discussions that bore no fruit. After all, by the time the blizzard cleared, they would likely end up deciding on a full-scale attack.
“There doesn’t appear to be much of value. Maybe it’s time to head back—”
Just as she attempted to turn around on all fours, she was interrupted.
“—Right, I’ll be excusing myself then, Father.”
A girl stepped out from the tent.
“Hmm, that girl is…”
Wrapped in pure white robes of the Cross Religion, she was not a sister. Not the deep navy robes but evidently tailored for combat with a specialization in light magic.
It wasn’t unusual for sisters, priests, or healers to wear such armored robes when coming to the battlefield.
However, Ai’s attention was drawn to her appearance.
“Oh, so that’s the famed holy maiden of Helvecia… She’s cute, but her breasts are small.”
As she gazed impudently at her rather flat chest, Ai couldn’t help but voice her honest opinion. If only she had a bust size like that of the Third Apostle Michael, Ai likely would have boldly requested, “Please let me touch!”
Yet for the humble girl before her, Ai felt no need to make such advances.
“Still, black hair and black eyes…”
Finally turning her gaze away from the chest, Ai’s eyes fell upon her most characteristic trait. At the sight of that black color, only one person came to mind.
“Maybe I should try to dig a little deeper.”
Thus, Ai stealthily followed the black-haired beauty, Linfeldt, using her cockroach stealth methods.
“…Hmm, oh?”
At one point, Ai suddenly halted her movement and crouched down, merging into the snow.
Listening closely, she could hear Linfeldt and her knight attendant speaking. Not using magic to pick up sounds with wind attributes but rather employing a skill more akin to martial arts which could accurately capture even the slightest sounds while distinguishing amid noise. This too was entirely her own skill, unrelated to her status as an apostle.
“—What’s wrong, Sebastian?”
“I felt a gaze upon us, but… it seems it was just my imagination.”
“It can’t be helped that attention is drawn to us. There’s no need to dwell on it too much.”
“Indeed, you are right.”
With that, the two resumed walking through the blizzard, likely heading toward the location of their own tent. Indeed, as Linfeldt had said, the soldiers on alert occasionally cast glances her way, though they held an unusual aura.
“Hmmm, that Sebastian guy or whatever seems pretty sharp.”
It was not without reason that he alone guarded the count’s daughter. He was not merely an escort but rather a dedicated attendant, or, fittingly, a bodyguard.
The young, blond-haired, blue-eyed attendant looked strikingly handsome, matching the beauty of the young countess, yet Ai had no interest based solely on appearances. Moreover, as a man, he held even less allure.
Soon after, the two arrived at their tent.
It felt somewhat cramped for the countess’s use. However, given it was an encampment in a far-off battlefield, it may have been expected.
Nonetheless, the fact that no guards were visible raised a clear sense of unease.
As Linfeldt and Sebastian entered alone, Ai carefully began to approach, seeking to see what was inside—
“Wha?! What is this… an invisible wall… or rather, a barrier?”
With wide-eyed surprise, Ai touched the formless transparent wall that had suddenly appeared before her, which perhaps had been there all along.
This barrier, more transparent than glass, only imparted a hard sensation to her fingertips and conveyed neither warmth nor coldness.
From her deductions, this invisible wall encompassed Linfeldt’s tent in a circular shape of about ten meters in radius—no, it seemed like a square of thirty meters per side. It kept all the ferocity of the blizzard at bay, maintaining a pleasant temperature without needing a fire, and it effectively muted all sounds; Ai quickly analyzed.
“Oh, right! So this is the ‘Sanctum Barrier’… I see, it’s not a lie that she’s a user of dimensional magic, and this configuration is somewhat comparable to an apostle. No wonder the old man brought this out here.”
Ai happily began to rub her hands over the surface of the barrier in admiration.
“Well, it can’t compare to a true apostle—but still!”
The moment she prodded with her fingertip, the transparent barrier vanished soundlessly. It had just been wide enough for Ai, crouching, to squeeze through.
“Haha, this means I don’t need a guard. But, it seems a little too lax, doesn’t it, young lady?”
With a defiant smile, Ai boldly approached the tent. Inside were two young individuals alone together. Now, shall I investigate this holy maiden of Helvecia, whose esteemed title has made waves throughout the Republic, she thought, fully fueled by her base curiosity and eavesdropping when the moment arose.
“Ugh, this is the worst… Just now, Sebastian, we actually really have to fight, don’t we?”
“Oi, Lin, I heard that cribbing when we left the mansion. Don’t make me listen to the same whiny complaints again.”
“Shut up, just let me complain a little… Ugh, this is impossible, I can’t, I really can’t take this anymore!”
“Quit your whining, it’s unbecoming. We’ve already stomped all over thieves and monsters until now, with that unfair ‘Sanctum Barrier’ of yours.”
“It was all out of my control! I was just caught up in it, who in their right mind would willingly participate in a war… And what even is that Demon of Alsace… what a super scary thing! Damn it, that stupid dad should do something about it! I’m gonna die, for real this time!!”
What echoed from within the tent was not a sultry voice but rather an unbearable cacophony of complaints and cries filled with frustration.
“Whoa… so that’s what she was really like…”
Though invisible, Ai found it easy to imagine that the black-haired maiden was rolling around on the floor, clutching her head. It certainly sounded as though she was genuinely thrashing about.
“Now that we’ve come this far, you should really give up.”
“Impossible—I’m leaving! I just want to go back now!”
“You can’t go back to the mansion.”
“Fine, whatever, that place… I could just return to the slum orphanage.”
“That’s really not an option. You have no home to return to any longer.”
“Sebastian… more than that, can I have a cigarette?”
“Tch, this is why girls raised in the slums… only three, mind you. It’s a hassle to mask the smell.”
Taking advantage of this moment with no one around, Linfeldt was fully displaying her embarrassing side, leaving Ai with a perplexed expression, as if she were exclaiming ‘what a shame.’
“Sebastian, bring me some alcohol—no, not wine, beer.”
“Just one glass.”
“Ew, stingy!”
“Shut it; who’s going to look after you if you get wasted?”
“I want to drink until I’m wasted, and besides, I can’t handle this without drinking!”
Confirming that Linfeldt was evidently commencing a drinking spree with a tankard in hand, Ai quietly slipped away from the scene.
“There are so many things in this world that are better left unknown, Tsumiki-chan.”
Thus, Chapter 22 concludes.
May 30, 2014.
From Chapter 23 onward, I will return to updating twice a week on Mondays and Fridays!
The reason is that the progression of the Galahad War’s story has turned out to be slower than I initially expected… But I hope to continue your company for what’s to come. I have managed to stock up enough material to ensure updates for Chapter 23 and beyond, so you can rest easy.
As for how this battle will conclude, I certainly cannot divulge that yet, but it will undoubtedly hold a significance in the storyline of the “Black Demon King” like never before. Please look forward to it!