NOVEL NEXT Chapter 55 - Chapter 55: Black Wolf Assault Part 2
Chapter 55: Black Wolf Assault Part 2
The suggestion to open the gate makes Miles and the village chief look uneasy. I continue explaining calmly and confidently.
“However, we’ll only open it enough for a few black wolves to pass through. I want Miles and the others to quickly create a guided path from there. The black wolves passing through will be attacked by Kane and the others through gaps in the fence.”
“It’s like a device to efficiently defeat the black wolves…”
If we continue like this, black wolves will soon enter the inside of the fence. So, it’s better to narrow down the area and make preparations.
“That’s right. We don’t need fences as sturdy as the ones we have now. Just hurry and make them.”
“Materials might be scarce.”
“We’ll dismantle houses. Ultimately, we may have to abandon the village and evacuate. In that case, houses would serve no purpose.”
“In that case, start with my house!”
Surprisingly, the village chief strongly asserts. Upon further thought, this isn’t a bad situation for him either. Eventually, there may be attempts to hold him accountable for this misfortune. If that happens, he’ll be the first one targeted. However, if he proactively dismantles houses, others might follow suit. Regardless, it’s a helpful suggestion. Miles looks surprised but seems to have regained his determination.
“Village chief… Thank you, this helps a lot.”
“Got it! I’ll gather people and get started right away!”
Lastly, it’s Mil, the bakery owner’s turn. She was apparently a former mercenary and despite her short stature, she has a robust personality and a strong liver. She’s especially reliable in times like these. Despite her small stature, she has a sturdy build and seems to have good stamina. Plus, she has a well-endowed chest. Even in this situation, Azir seems to be glancing at her from time to time.
“Next is Mil. I want you to gather water, cloth, and food. Also, organize the babies, small children, and slow-moving elderly people efficiently for care. During evacuation, release them from the east gate and gather them near the gate as much as possible. Also, since there may be injured people, I ask for a place to bring them for treatment.”
“Got it! Leave it to me!”
With that, Mil walks away energetically. Maybe it would have been better to leave the attack to her… Wolf howls continue to echo continuously from all around. Previously, they would retreat after howling, but now, there’s no sign of that. Instead, the black wolves are increasing in number and more of them are reaching the fence. Inside the fence, people are gradually gathering, and a path to lure the wolves is also being created. Azir is instructing the attacks. He divides the attack team into three more teams and takes turns challenging. Zamza is helping with the construction of the guided path. Although not on par with Shiro and Gisella, he demonstrates unparalleled strength in this kind of work. Truly befitting of an oni. However, it’s getting to the limit. Breathing of the wolves can be heard from just beyond the fence. Will we make it in time? With the rain worsening visibility and anxiety rising, panic sets in. Is it really okay to open the gate?…
I look towards the four at the front line. Shiro and Gisella are already covered in blood, mostly due to their forceful fighting style. Additionally, their feet are covered in blood and mud due to the rain, and there are piles of black wolf corpses. It’s quite a dire situation. Gisella’s breathing is gradually becoming heavier. Shiro seems to be fine for now. Compared to the battle with Elizabeth, she seems much calmer. However, both of them have been bitten by black wolves multiple times. The wounds seem to heal quickly, and there are no noticeable injuries. However, their clothes are torn and tattered. I never expected to see them like this… I thought it would be just a simple mercenary job, but I never imagined it would turn out like this. It pains me to see my valuable comrades on this front line. I’ll have to make sure to get additional rewards from Marie. I want to buy everyone the best clothes to show my gratitude. Marie has been fighting mechanically from the beginning. Her tactics are still excellent. However, it seems like she’s starting to get sloppy. It’s probably because of the mud from the rain and blood, as well as the bodies of the black wolves. The footing is too unstable. Kuro is running around away from the village. From a distance, it looks like she’s walking dogs for fun. She seems to be quite relaxed. She’s attracting a considerable number of black wolves and greatly disrupting the movement of the pack.
It could be said that Kuro is the one making the most impact. Everyone is truly performing admirably. With every move they make, a terrifying number of corpses is produced. However, the supply of black wolves continues seemingly endlessly. They have long exceeded the number that they can deal with at once. Black wolves who have strayed around the fence are starting to gather one after another. Some black wolves have already attempted to break through the fence and enter. Currently, Kane and the others are somehow managing to hold them off by attacking through the gaps in the fence.
“Hey! We’ve made some progress on the guided path!”
“Oh! That’s fast!”
“We made it along the existing fence, so it only took half the time.”
“Well done, Miles!”
The fence itself also becomes double-layered in that part, which is a good move. The downside is that they can only attack from one side, but we don’t have enough people anyway.
“Alright. Should we open it—”
“Azir! Coordinate with me and open the gate!”
“Got it! Alright, let’s do this, Kane!! Let’s massacre them!”
“Yeah! Everyone, get into position! Our opponents are those who killed our precious livestock and comrades. It’s time for revenge! Let’s kill those black wolves!”
Azir and Kane are effectively boosting the morale of the villagers.
“Zamza! You’re the last line of defense on the guided path. If they get past you, the village is done for. This is the work of a hero! Get pumped!”
“Got it!”
Zamza is already fired up enough. I’ve been seeing nothing but childish expressions from him recently, but now, he’s overflowing with energy, wearing a terrifyingly demonic face. It’s somewhat satisfying and yet strange to feel so relieved with Zamza being so dependable.
“Yeeessss! Open the gateee!”
The latch is removed, and the door slowly swings open. Zamza guides the wolves inside. I knew it, but their force is tremendous. They’re like a black muddy stream, especially with the rain. As Zamza rushes through the guided path, black wolves bite at him. Spears and hoes are thrust through the gaps in the fence one after another.
“Die! You damn wolves, the bastards who killed my son!!”
“Injuring them is crucial! Don’t stab too deeply! Pull out quickly and stab again!”
“Aaaargh!”
“They messed up my town!!”
“Kill them!!”
The village chief, too, suddenly has bloodshot eyes and screams as he thrusts his spear. The villagers’ anger seems to be even greater than I expected. I was worried they might back down more, but it seems unfounded. Fueled by anger and hatred surpassing their fear, they attack the black wolves bravely. Kane seems to have effectively used the villagers’ hatred. He didn’t make any mistakes in choosing them. Even if it’s anger and hatred now, it’s a situation where we have to turn it into power to overcome it.
“Miles! Drag out the black wolf corpses!”
“Got it!”
The black wolf corpses pile up at an astonishing rate. At this rate, the guided path will be filled in no time. Of course, there’s a plan in place. Gaps are deliberately left under the fence, and corpses are dragged out one by one from there. However, the accumulation of black wolf corpses is too fast, even for that. This might be bad.
“We’ll help too!”
“Yeah, Mil! Thanks!”
People from Mil’s group rush over, seeming to have good physical strength, and start dragging out the black wolves. There are large puddles of blood on the ground, and when trying to drag out the black wolves, their feet slip. The people working on this are getting just as covered in blood and mud as the four at the front line in no time.
“Everyone’s doing great! We’re steadily reducing the number of black wolves!”
Honestly, from up here, I don’t feel like the number of black wolves is decreasing. But I can’t afford to lower morale now. At least there are no more black wolves attacking the fence itself. I quickly descend and join in dragging out the black wolves. The stench is terrible. The ground is muddier than I expected, making it hard to put in strength, and my hands are unusually slippery. Moreover, the black wolves are a size larger than regular wolves and quite heavy. It’s tough to drag them out alone.
“Bonus! Zamza might be in danger. Can I leave this to you for a moment?”
“Got it!”
Looking at Zamza, he has three black wolves clinging to his body while he swings his mace at another black wolf. It looks quite precarious, but Zamza is laughing.
“Hahaha! Come on! Bring it on!”
He seems to be saying something risky and is in a very cheerful mood. He appears to be slightly intoxicated by the situation, but should it be okay as long as Azir assists him?
“Bonus! Is it okay that the pace of attacks has slowed down?! Should we rotate the personnel pulling out black wolves?”
“It’s fine. While the attack on the guided path has slowed down somewhat due to Azir’s absence, ultimately, Zamza and Azir will handle it, so it should be okay. If the black wolves pile up on the guided path and start crossing the fence, that’s when it’s over.”
Still, from down here, I have no idea about the overall state of the battle. Moreover, dragging around the black wolves is consuming my energy at an alarming rate. I feel like my judgment is getting dull. I’m too scared to face the current situation objectively because of the overwhelming anxiety. I just want to immerse myself in the task of moving my body without thinking. But that’s not what I should be doing right now. I shouldn’t take my eyes off them. Above all, misjudging the timing to withdraw is the most terrifying thing. —I need to hurry back to the lookout tower.