81　A happy miscalculation

 

GWですね。 (Golden Week desu ne)

 

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For about two hours, we had the best of times, to say the least. The cold night breeze touching my skin also felt comfortable.

However, right now we’re in a situation where we can’t be too relaxed.

 

“When I spoke about a big job, it’s about scaring thousands of soldiers. Can you do it? ”

“In what way where those people rude to you, my Lord?　If so, then let’s kill everyone we see.”

 

She’s joking…… probably not. I’m afraid she could really do it.

 

“Nah, just scaring them is enough. But we need to do it properly.”

“As you wish. I will fill every corner of their hearts with a drowning fear that would make them regret being alive. Fufufu……Ahhh, I’ll finally be able to be of service to you, my Lord……”

 

Those words she spoke felt quite reliable.

However, I felt a bit of pity for her as she lied down, her head resting on my lap. She said she couldn’t stand up because her hips had given in. I guess even a wolf would falter halfway through.

 

“Can you stand up now? ”

 

When I said that, I stroked her skin white as ceramic, completely unresembling her name ‘Darkness’.

 

“I-I’m sorry for the inconvenience. Anko is alright now. Next time, I’ll do my best to properly please you, my Lord.”

 

She stood up with a bit of regret while saying such a thing. I wonder how on earth will she do her best? If you try and ask Yukari to teach you, I’ll be the one doing his best to stop you. My body won’t hold if there’s another monster like that.

 

Saying “Don’t worry about it”, I comforted her and walked up to Seventh Teiō.

 

Immediately after, Anko made a sullen expression.

 

“My Lord. Please ride me, instead of such a horse.”

“Eh, can I ride you? ”

“Certainly! ”

 

What a surprise. I couldn’t ride her in Mobius.

If I were to ride Anko in her “wolf form”, the traveling speed surely will increase. It has a charm, to be honest. But……

 

“But, what should I do about this guy?”

 

Seventh Teiō has been taking care of me so far. I’d lie if I said there’s no attachment. Should I drop her in some town nearby?

 

While I was thinking about it, Anko approached Seventh Teiō, touching its skin. What the heck is she going to do?

 

“Worry not, my Lord. I will send this mare home.”

 

What is she talking about?

 

Just as that question came to my mind――Anko used 《Darkness Transfer》.

 

 

And immediately afterward. Seventh Teiō……”Disappeared”.

 

 

“……HAA!? ”

 

 

What just happened?

 

What did you do?　Did you kill it instantly?　Did you transfer it?　Did you 《Tame》 the horse and 《Unsummoned》 her?　No, that’s impossible. Horses aren’t monsters, so they aren’t part of that system. Then, what just happened?

 

I was left alone in the middle of the dark forest, filled with confusion.

 

 

Then, Anko used 《Darkness Transfer》 and returned.

 

 

“I left it in the garden.”

 

“HAA!?!? ”

 

“W-Was that alright!? ”

 

 

Left it in the garden?　In the garden, does she mean at house Firstest?　To Seventh Teiō?　In this very instant?

 

…………??

 

 

………………Wait. Wait, wait, wait. I just noticed an incredible possibility. Or more like, I was made to notice.

 

 

“Yo-you, can it be…… you can use Darkness Transfer no matter the distance?”

“Yes, it’s as you say. If it’s a ‘shadow’ I remember, anywhere is possible.”

“……No way, no way, did you use “Darkness Summon” to get Seventh Teiō to the destination you transferred? ”

“Y-Yes.”

“WHAAAAAAT!! ”

“HIIIIIAAA!　I’m very sorry! ”

 

When I shouted in amazement, Anko reflexively apologized with an expression of rapture.

 

This is incredible. Are you serious? I panickily checked Anko’s skill’s info.

 

 

《Darkness Transfer》： Instantly transfer yourself to a recorded location. However, the transfer destination must be a shadow.

《Darkness Summon》： Human-form only. Instantly transfer something other than yourself to a recorded location. However, the transfer destination must be a shadow.

 

 

“…………………It’s true……”

 

Seriously…… It says nothing about the distance. In the case of 《Darkness Summon》’s  ‘something other than yourself to a recorded location’.……Does that mean that it doesn’t matter whether it’s a person or a horse?

 

I see I guess that’s obvious……I should’ve noticed that just like with 《Darkness Magic》, this works unlike in Mobius. 《Darkness Transfer》 isn’t a skill to just move around in combat. 《Darkness Summon》 isn’t just a skill to call out her weapons.

 

A nice miscalculation……no, a happy miscalculation. It seems it really was worth the effort to almost die for four months. But if possible, I would’ve wanted to notice this sooner.

 

 

“……You, really are the strongest. Without equal.”

 

I think I made her misunderstood something, so I told that to Anko, who was bowing her head.

Anko looked up knowing I wasn’t angry, however, she looked puzzled.

 

How should I convey this excitement?　My excitement was continuing to build up, so I just spoke my mind.

 

“If you say you’re my tool, I’ll have you stay with me until I die. I’ve decided I’m never letting you go.”

 

“～～～!!　Ahh, my Lord! ”

 

 

I was pushed down by an emotional Anko……And as a result, we stayed in the forest for another hour ‘hugging passionately’.

 

 

---

 

 

“We’ll move before dawn. Do you remember the port city of Koula? ”

“Yes, I certainly do. After all, that was the first place I visited with you, my Lord.”

“In that case, transfer there and summon me. Please do it at a place that’s as inconspicuous as possible.”

“Certainly.”

 

The border with the Sacred Country Kamel is further north from the port city of Koula. The border is by a small river that goes around the mountains and flows into the ocean.

 

In the original schedule, I thought I could ride all morning and evening, and arrive by when the day changed, but now that Anko’s special ability has been clarified, I expect to arrive there while the sun is still high in the skies.

 

 

“……Ohh……”

 

The scenery changed as if merging with the new one. Looks like I was summoned without a problem. The time is 2:00 am, and the location a wharf. Not a single soul in view. She summoned me according to my instructions.

 

However, why am I being embraced by Anko? Perhaps I was simply summoned to Anko’s hand like when she uses 《Darkness Summon》 to call for her weapons, the Shadow Cane and the Dark Flame Spear. It isn’t that bad though.

 

“Alright, let’s get going before the sun rises. When the sun is out, please bring back Seventh Teiō.”

“……As you wish.”

 

When the name of Seventh Teiō came out, Anko made a slightly displeased expression. Is she jealous of the horse?　She a wolf, so I guess it’s not impossible.

 

“Transform.”

“Yes.”

“I’ll get on.”

“! ”

 

I tried giving her instructions on a stronger tone than usual. And sure enough, Anko replied very happily. Even if she used 《Darkness Shift》 to transform into wolf form, I could still tell her expression was one of happiness. I suppose her mood got better with this. Or rather, her tail is waving so much that it makes a buzz-like sound. And since her tail in wolf shape is several times larger than her human form, it catches your eye even if you don’t want to look at it.

 

“Go.”

“! ”

 

When I ordered so while at her back, Anko suddenly started to run at a blazing speed.

 

 

 

…………Fast.

 

She’s as fast as a large motorcycle. To be honest, it’s taking my everything to just hold on so as to not get thrown off. I don’t think we’ll be able to have a conversation like this.

 

“S-Stop!　Stop! ”

 

I yelled desperately since we were on the wrong road. It’s not because I was scared at all. No way.

 

“Go north along the sea, and when you hit the third river, go upstream.”

“! ”

 

Anko leaked a 「Waffuu」. If I had to translate it, I guess it would be something like “Leave it to me!”. I’d love if you didn’t put your whole heart into it――

 

See!?

 

She now started going as twice as fast as she was going before!

 

NOOOOOOOO!

 

Bubububububu……!

 

…………

 

……Eh, she’ll keep at it until dawn?

 

---

 

 

 

……I had a terrible time.

 

Especially at the corners. I can only call it a miracle that I wasn’t thrown away and ended up flying at each V-turn. However, I had my dignity as a master to uphold. Let alone puking, I didn’t even throw out a complaint. I properly endured it. I endured it for three hours. Or rather, she’s totally a monster, for being able to keep that top speed for whole three hours. Wasn’t endurance a privilege of the homo sapiens?

 

“Compared to that, you’re kinda cute.”

 

I leisurely walked alongside the river on top of Seventh Teiō while gently patting it, in order to heal my mental wounds from that three-hour-long roller coaster. It would be a huge issue if Anko heard me saying this, so, for now, I used 《Unsummon》 to send her back, so I think it should be okay…… Probably.

 

However, it’s also true that it was thanks to Formula Anko that I was able to get here overwhelmingly earlier than planned. For that, I’m grateful to her. Thank you, Anko. I will never ever ride on you except for an emergency.

 

 

“Fuu. At last.”

 

Then, after advancing for a while, I finally reached a mountain. This place marks the national border. The valley after crossing this mountain is the frontier and the place where the land of the Sacred Country Kamel starts.

 

I rode Seventh Teiō while looked at the mountain in my right. It’s the final part of the journey.

 

 

About an hour later, I finally saw the fort of the Margrave, in the basin between the mountains. Far ahead, a line of soldiers can also be seen, allegedly belonging to the Sacred Country Kamel. As expected of Windfield, the situation is as she predicted.

 

Well, first of all, let’s go greet the Margrave. Hmm, what was his name again? ……Well, it doesn’t matter, I’m just saying hello.

 

I ran to the back of the fort and asked one of the soldiers.

 

“Is the Margrave inside? ”

“……Yes?　Y-Yeah, I suppose. What? ”

“Is that so? Then, I leave this guy in your care.”

“Eh?　Okay. EHH!? ”

 

I left Seventh Teiō with the bewildered soldier and entered the fort through the back door for soldiers.

 

Maybe because I entered with a confident face, as if I owned the place, nobody said anything to me. Not quite the security, huh?

 

“Hey. Where is the Margrave? ”

“Yes!　Please, this way! ”

 

The soldier that I called out suddenly guided me very politely. Now that I think of, I’m currently wearing pretty good and rare clothes. Taking a glance around, everyone here looks like a soldier. So, maybe the soldiers mistook me for a guest or something.

 

 

“――Ahh, you came. That was fast, Second-kun.”

 

I guess I was wrong. It seems the Margrave informed them in advance.

When I entered the room, I was greeted by a handsome man in his early 30’s with glasses. I wonder if this man is the Margrave? However, how did he get information on me?

 

“My bad, I haven’t introduced myself. My name is Steam Bitter-Valley. I’ve been entrusted as the lord of the frontier in the Castall Kingdom. I wonder if you’re really Second Firstest? ”

 

Margrave Steam Bitter-Valley. A calm and easygoing person. But that also seems to be a front. In this short self-introduction, he tried to establish who was on top. In that case, I can only answer this.

 

“I am, but looking at your attitude, you don’t seem to think so.”

“Forgive my rudeness. I welcome you to my fort, my guest.”

 

Without hesitation, he bowed down and welcomed me as if to try and dodge that comment. However, calling me a guest means he will offer little resistance. It looks like he’s a good-natured person.

 

“You don’t look like a negligent person, so I’ll give it to you. Maine’s letter.”

“……You also don’t look like a bad person. Then, this means you’re the special envoy of the next King?”

 

We both shared a laugh. Uhehehehe, hehehehe!　I’ve won. In your face. Call me an opportunist.　Call me acting arrogant through borrowed authority.　I don’t care.

 

I drank up the tea that was served as a way to say ‘greetings are over’, and opened my mouth.

 

“How did you get information about me? ”

“I too have an information network. It’s just, that information only arrived a little earlier than you, Lord Second.”

“Is that so? What are your thoughts on this battle? ”

“I don’t think there will be a problem even if you don’t participate right now. However, there might come a situation where we might have to ask you to involve yourself.”

“I’m just in time then.”

“Yeah, just right. However……I’d really love to see if you could truly do something about it.”

“Hahaha!　Hahahaha! ”

“Hahahahah! ”

 

This guy is really interesting.

 

“Peel off your eyes and look closely. Also, thank me for being in the Castall Kingdom.”

 

“By all means, I will be paying close attention. If you can drive them away, I’ll pray to the Kamel God even if I don’t believe in it, or even to yourself.”

 

---

 

 

 

“As a matter of fact, the current situation is that we’re just staring at each other past the border line.”

“I don’t think anything will happen if you stay put, right? ”

“Yeah, if only things remained as they are. However……it seems they will be performing a public execution tomorrow.”

“Did they catch someone? ”

“Yes. One scout.”

“Are you stupid? ……That is-”

“I’m aware. Sure enough, they will make him into a spy or assassin, place some crime under him, and execute him just to provoke us. The reason the execution was not today is probably that they haven’t gotten much information from him. They intend to torture him day and night. Or maybe they’re wanting us to get impatient. Haa……Yeah, I know that much.”

 

This guy said “I’ll have to take matters into my hands”, as a way of saying he was going to erase that mistake of the scout getting caught. Hey, that’s……

 

“You don’t have to make that face……I too am worried. However, I can’t just abandon him. He’s one of my precious men. If I remain silent and ignore the execution, the morale in here will drop tremendously.”

“Will you endanger the Kingdom for one of them? ”

“Eh?　No, it won’t turn into a crisis.”

“HA? ”

I’ve decided that we’re going to stop the execution because you’re here, Lord Second. If you hadn’t come, I’d have abandoned him even if it pained me.”

“……You’re really into lip service, huh?”

“I’m often told that.”

 

I was somewhat convinced. This guy told me he was thirty-three. At that age, you can’t just simply become a Margrave if you’re not talented. He has a somewhat crooked character though.

 

“Well, fine. Let’s confirm the operation then. The Margrave army will split into left and right wings, and wait around the fortress in the case of an enemy attack. If that doesn’t happen, then wait in front of the fort in order to charge at any time. Aside from that, leave everything to me.”

“Will that really work out? ”

“Yeah. Or rather, I don’t think you’ll get a turn. And one more thing……”

“What is it? ”

 

“I ask you that, as much as possible, do not disclose what will happen tonight.”

 

 

 

＊　＊　＊

 

 

……I thought he meant by those words that this was “for his personal convenience”.

 

Everyone hides their own trump cards. So, I guessed he was the same. Well, isn’t he just an ordinary person? Those were my thoughts.

 

A man able to change the current situation in the Castall Kingdom by himself alone. I’d lie if I say I wasn’t a bit disappointed as to what I was expecting.

 

 

And thus, the veil of night fell.

It was a quiet night, one that screamed ‘decisive battle’.

 

“Everyone, take your positions.”

 

I myself will lead the charge in this battle. I told that as an excuse, but I really didn’t want to lose that scout. I’d probably have charged nonetheless even if he hadn’t come.

 

The number of enemy soldiers lying in wait can be expected to be 8,000 at the most. And even if we add the 4,000 at the center, they’re 12,000. My army is 7,000 strong. We can’t be a match for them. But this was a bet, if we could crush down the center in one swoop, and then retreat to the fort, that would give us the advantage. If the borderline is maintained as it is and we focus on defense, achieving peace isn’t an unreasonable challenge. I didn’t have to rely on him since I was already prepared for that.

 

However, I was curious. How many of the rumors about him are true?

 

If I borrow his strength and give him credit, then I won’t have to put my men in danger. There was also that calculated idea. That’s why I welcomed him as a reinforcement.

 

But right now. What’s with that lousy strategy of his?　It makes me worried if this is really okay. When I saw his face, I thought he was an interesting fellow, but since then it’s been disappointment after disappointment. Until just before his departure, his reputation for command kept dropping.

 

It’s as if you’re leisurely going out for a picnic. Even though my subordinate’s life is at stake. I wanted to yell at him. I wanted to strike some sense into that head of his. This is war. It’s not a place to play.

 

 

 

……But.

 

It was me, the one who ended being struck.

 

 

 

“――Come, Anko.”

 

He summoned ‘something’.

 

A ‘something’ that made your hairs stand on their end.

 

 

Seeing ‘that’ kneeling beside him, made me instantly realize. That’s not a living thing.

 

……A daunting silence fell upon the place. Nobody present was able to move a muscle in front of ‘that’.

 

 

“Let’s go.”

 

And with that word. Thinking it was gone, it reappeared. Seeing it change shape, then again, changed back. And once again, it disappears. From light to darkness, from darkness to light. The man and woman ran amok the battlefield, almost like angels, or maybe, like demons. I couldn’t think of anything and just stood there, watching this scene unfold.

 

 

The darkness gathering and condensing, like converging all the despair in the world――and immediately afterward, I felt nauseous, and at the same time, I understood the meaning of his words.

 

 

 

This is something I shouldn’t tell others.

 

No, this is something I can’t tell.

 

 

This……This very picture of hell……!

 

======

 

Thank you for reading.

 

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Cheat sheet

Stats details

＜Status Details＞

• HP　Hit Points
• MP　Magic Points
• SP　Stamina Points
• STR　Short range attack skill power, strength, physical power.
• DEX　Long range attack skill power, dexterity, hit rate.
• AGI　Quickness, avoidance rate.
• INT　Attack Magic skill power.
• LUK　Good luck, critical rate.
• VIT　Simple defense.
• MGR　Magic defense.

Types of combat skills

Named after shogi pieces (The word in bold is the one being used in this translation). From easier to acquire to harder.

1. Pawn/Soldier (Fuhyou)
2. Lance(Kyousha)
3. Knight (Keima)
4. Silver General (Ginshou)
5. Gold General (Kinshou)
6. Bishop (Kakugyou)
7. Rook (Hisha)
8. Promoted Bishop/Dragon Horse(Ryuuma)
9. Promoted Rook/Dragon King (Ryuuou).

List of Swordsmanship skills

Swordsmanship

1. 《Soldier Swordsmanship》　                  Normal attack.
2. 《Lance Swordsmanship》　                    Piercing attack.
3. 《Knight Swordsmanship》　                   Precision attack.
4. 《Silver Swordsmanship》　                     Strong single-target attack.
5. 《Gold Swordsmanship》                           Small-range attack to all directions.
6. 《Bishop Swordsmanship》                       ???
7. 《Rook Swordsmanship》　                      ???
8. 《Dragon Horse Swordsmanship》　    ???
9. 《Dragon King Swordsmanship》　       ???

List of Shieldmanship skills

Shieldmanship

1. 《Soldier Shieldmanship》　                  Normal defense.
2. 《Lance Shieldmanship》　                    Piercing deflection.
3. 《Knight Shieldmanship》　                   Defense + knockback.
4. 《Silver Shieldmanship》　                     ???
5. 《Gold Shieldmanship》                           Ranged guided defense + knockback.
6. 《Bishop Shieldmanship》                       Reinforced defense (Temporarily boosts VIT and MGR)
7. 《Rook Shieldmanship》　                      ???
8. 《Dragon Horse Shieldmanship》　    ???
9. 《Dragon King Shieldmanship》　       ???

List of Archery skills

Archery

1. 《Soldier Archery》　                  Normal range attack.
2. 《Lance Archery》　                    Piercing range attack.
3. 《Knight Archery》　                   Precise sniping range attack.
4. 《Silver Archery》　                     Strong single-target range attack.
5. 《Gold Archery》                           Weaker range attack with added knockback.
6. 《Bishop Archery》                       Strong piercing range attack.
7. 《Rook Archery》　                      Very strong single-target range attack with scaling % damage.
8. 《Dragon Horse Archery》　    Powerful piercing range attack.
9. 《Dragon King Archery》　       Powerful on-impact range attack.

Types of Magic skills

They use the “Form” or “step” system of martial arts. From lower to higher.

1. First Form　      　      Regular attack
2. Second Form　      　 Extended range attack
3. Third Form　      　    Strong single target attack
4. Fourth Form　      　  Strong extended range attack
5. Fifth Form　      　      Extremely powerful extended range attack

• Their cast time becomes longer in this order First→Third→Second→Fourth→Fifth.

Ranking of the skills

From lower to higher, then it changes to the “Dan” system of martial arts, which means Grade.

1. 16th class
2. 15th class
3. 14th class
4. 13th class
5. 12h class
6. 11th class
7. 10th class
8. 9th class
9. 8th class
10. 7th class
11. 6th class
12. 5th class
13. 4th class
14. 3rd class
15. 2nd class
16. 1st class
17. Grade 1
18. Grade 2
19. Grade 3
20. Grade 4
21. Grade 5
22. Grade 6
23. Grade 7
24. Grade 8
25. Grade 9
26. Title

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 ToC    

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