Ouroboros Record ~Circus of Oubeniel~

Go back in time a little. Just before General Bauer, the commander of the St. Gallen side, was sent off by a surprise attack from behind. A mage was running desperately into the covered wagon that had stopped far from the main camp.

"Hahahahaha! Hey, everyone! Permission from the General has been granted! Hurry up and prepare for activation...?"

　The joyful laughter was drowned out by a dead, stinging silence. No, that would be an imprecise expression. No one was silent. There was no one in the carriage who would return silence. Nobody was there.

“Elliott? Georg? Hans? Whe- where did they go!? Everyone, why is there no one here!?"

　While calling out the names of his companions, he looked around the unlit carriage, but could not find the person he was looking for. He could hear the sounds of the distant battlefield in his bewildered ears. The voices of people killing each other that touched the nerves. At the same time, he was convinced."Oh, I see. Did they flee?"

The voice that leaked from the corner of his mouth was a feeling of collapse. It was in the midst of a barbaric battle, far from the peaceful environment of Galerien Magic Academy. Those from the Department of Mages, who aspired to battle from the beginning and trained in magic, were sent to adjust the new weapons and provide logistical support. Even the same mage has a different attitude towards battle. It is not unreasonable to try to escape because of the tension and fear. He could understand that it's not unreasonable... but whether he can accept it or not is another matter.

"H- hmph! You cowards. Even though our research, and that of our great master, the essence of which is about to be demonstrated, and to think that you ran away without even seeing it."

The man berated his former comrade who had abandoned their research achievements and fled, while slowly creeping towards a massive shadow seated at the back of a covered wagon. With a mix of anger and excitement, he performed specific actions with a touch full of fear and tension--though he might wouldn't willingly admit it. Syntax of the control spell, verified. Master-slave authority, authenticated. Activation ritual, inputted. Within the brooding darkness, two dim lights flickered. Judging from the part of the entity that gently raised its head, these must be its eyes. The magical power that couldn't be contained within its body emitted a blazing and flickering light as it leaks from its eye sockets. Its mouth opened wide, exhaling hot, white vapor into the cold autumn night. It's alive. It's a living creature.

"Hi, hihihi... I did it! It's a success!" Now, the ultimate card in St. Gallen is in his hands. The man laughed spasmodically at its imposing presence. "Alright, let's go! Now that the others have fled, if I achieve military exploits using you, I'll become the best disciple under that person's tutelage!" While saying this, several faces come to his mind. Worthless fellow disciples who abandoned their research achievements with him and their master. Lowly soldiers who never understood the pursuit of profound knowledge. That woman who has nothing to boast about except her skill in potion-making and an insufferable attitude. And... that man who was only under the master's guidance for a year but still commands respect from the master--by some twist of fate, he now serves as the enemy's commander in this battle, Tullius Shernan Oubeniel.

"Please watch, Professor Graumann... I will make the name of the Magic Academy's Alchemy Department resound throughout the entire continent!" His heart beat faster with delight, imagining the praise from his difficult to please master. But suddenly, a dull shock pierced through his chest. "Huh?" He utters a dumbfounded voice and looked down, only to find something protruding from his chest. It's a sword—a reddish, wet, and dimly gleaming metal mass. The blade of a longsword pierced through his back into his chest cavity. In an oddly coincidental twist, he is shot by an arrow from behind at the same moment. As if it were natural, he also slowly turned around. There stands... "Fresh blood... life... give them to me..."

The appearance of a skeletal monster, its jaw clacking without any flesh. The man had no way of knowing, but this is one of the creatures led by a vampire that just launched a surprise attack on the St. Gallen headquarters from the rear. "W-Why... monsters... her-...!?" The question he spat out along with a clot of blood became his final words. Left behind later were the undead responsible for the atrocity and... "――――!!!"

With the mage with whom it had formed a master-slave contract was lost, it was now just a weapon without a wielder. "It" reached for its own weapon stored inside the carriage and swung it down upon the monster that had killed its operator, the mage. The awkward humanoid made entirely of bones shattered with a sound akin to stepping on frost. Not only that, but the force was so great that it smashed through the carriage floor, embedding itself in the ground below before finally coming to a halt. "――――" After dispatching the bone monster, Spartoi, "it" fell silent, pondering its next move and the identity of its opponent. After a brief moment of contemplation, it realized what it must do. Emerging in its mind were flickers of hostile intent and several images. In the short time since its activation, traces of the thoughts left behind by the man who was once its master were etched into "its" brain.

Indeed, "it" thought as it exhaled a breath filled with heat. Human figures emerged in its mind—enemies from the nation of Arquell, ignorant and clueless soldiers from St. Gallen, fellow disciples who abandoned "it," and Tullius, the enemy's leader who still earned recognition from the master. In other words, all the targets were individuals for whom its former operator harbored enmity. Drawing its weapon and shouldering it, "it" brushed aside the curtain and stepped outside. "――――!!!"

A wordless roar echoes through the night, engulfing it in darkness. In the line of sight lies a hellish scene where humans and monsters engage in deadly combat. Among them, "it" identifies creatures of the same kind as the one that killed its master, prompting "it" to update its list of targets for eradication. Everything in its field of view is to be killed. Exterminate them all. The artificial monster born from heretical magic recognizes mechanical decisions as absolute and rushes into the battlefield. And then, a new calamity intrudes upon the battlefield.

~~~

"Ahahahaha! So many prey, so many! I! So many! I'll kill them all!" In the battlefield of the night, a girl bursts into laughter as she leads an army of the deceased. In response to her high spirits, her subordinate monsters increase in number, trampling over both sides' armies. "Brethren... flesh... life...!" "Thirsty... for blood...!" "Come here... comeeee hereeeee...!"

Spartoi swung the weapon in its hand, the Lesser Vampires sipped blood, and the ethereal undead stole souls. As expected, the majority of those affected by the undead were the St. Gallen soldiers who had been attacked from behind. The zombies created on the distant Arquell side were nothing more than makeshift pawns. The true monsters attacking St. Gallen from the rear were undead creatures positioned in the upper to middle tiers of the undead hierarchy. These genuine monsters possessed abilities beyond human limits, undying vitality, and formidable magical power. The damage caused by them far surpassed the imprecise shooting capabilities of the Arquell army. Above all, the power of the girl controlling the monsters, Vee, was overwhelming. She killed with arrows, bombarded enemies with magic, and turned the dead into her undead underlings. The more allies died, the more her army swelled, relentlessly pursuing from the rear. No matter how strong the St. Gallen army was, they stood little chance against this relentless onslaught. And now, before their eyes, lay the encampment of the Arquell army.

Amidst the life-threatening escape, the hated enemies they had been fighting until now blocked their path. In this situation, though it might have fanned the animosity toward the Arquell army, it was of no use to reprimand them. They were like a flock of sheep chased by wolves, only gaining momentum as they rushed toward the enemy. "Y-You lot, move aside! Your encampment! The barricade!" "You scoundrels, hiding yourselves there!!"

Protected behind their defensive barriers, the soldiers of St. Gallen shout words of resentment at the Arquell army, who, along with hordes of monsters, continue to shoot at them. However, there is no Arquell soldier willing to heed their grievances. It was the St. Gallen army itself that rejected the proposal for a temporary ceasefire in the face of the appearance of the monsters and the idea of a joint front against them. Moreover, they are even attacking the commander who exposed himself to make the appeal. Having received a declaration of war, been ambushed, plundered, and lost many comrades, as well as witnessing the destruction of villages and farmlands, they have every reason to reject any acceptance of their opponents at this point.

"Shoot! Keep firing!" "Don't worry about the remaining rounds! Just keep shooting them down with all your might!" "Whether they're zombies or St. Gallen soldiers, if we make them riddled with holes, no matter if it's a corpse, they won't get up!" Perhaps due to the consolidation of forces from the frontline trenches to the well-stocked rear, the density of Arquell's firing line had increased significantly. Flashes of gunfire cut through the darkness, and with each burst, blood blossomed in the air. The St. Gallen soldiers rapidly dwindled in number, from over thirty thousand to twenty-five thousand, and then down to twenty thousand. They were losing their numbers at a staggering pace. Hindered by powerful monsters at their backs and facing a heavily fortified Arquell army in front, their command structure had collapsed due to the chaos at their headquarters, with no hope of recovery. The once disciplined army of the Forest and Elite Troops Kingdom had turned into a disorganized mob, and eventually, they became part of the corpses scattered on the battlefield. Witnessing the ongoing infighting among humans at this point, Vee narrowed her eyes and sneered in contempt.

"Kyahahahaha! Humans, so pitiful! Aha, ahahahahaha!" Ugly, truly ugly. Humans are hideous creatures. Envious and jealous of those with longer lifespans, they put collars even on their offspring from different species, directing their discrimination even at their own kind. Killing and robbing each other within their own kind, the strong trample over the weak, while the weak pathetically gather around those even weaker like ants. In the end, when the monsters appear, there is no stopping their actions. They cannot be saved. And yet, they boast about being the "superior" species just because they outnumber other races? It's truly laughable. Don't make jokes, you inferior creatures... As she looked down upon the human species from the bottom of her heart, she suddenly stopped laughing. "...You all, are disgusting."

From the corner of her mouth, a voice filled with something colder than the night wind and more horrifying than the lingering stench of death seeped out. Vee felt her excitement for the slaughter and the scent of blood wane rapidly. What is this emptiness? Attacking and killing humans should have been just as thrilling as before, and there are far more prey to be killed than ever before, yet she couldn't seem to get into it at all. She contemplated for a moment, trying to squeeze something similar to this feeling from her maddened and useless mind. Eventually, Vee managed to identify a feeling somewhat akin to what she's experiencing now. —Disappointment. Somehow, this is different. The reaction she had expected from the ones she attacked is not matching the scene before her. What humans should show her isn't the pinnacle of their ugliness as a species, at least that's how it should be, right?

"Uuuh~?" She clutched her head. The answer she arrived at evoked even stronger perplexity than before. Expectations? Was she expecting something from humans? What on earth could it be? From such a dull species? As she pondered, she compared the previous raid with the ongoing battle. "...The previous one... was more beautiful?"

She started to feel that way. The soldiers she attacked before, numbering around a thousand, seemed "beautiful" compared to the soldiers who are now immersed in killing each other on the battlefield. The captain who pleaded with his subordinates to escape until his dying breath. The magician who, in tears, burned the undead along with allies, and the soldiers who sacrificed themselves to save fleeing comrades. Aren't they much more radiant and beautiful than those being devoured before her eyes now? Her mind envisioned countless faces illuminated by flames. Those who faced irrationality with determination or resignation, those who bravely confronted injustice and perished. The figures floating in the flames were truly beautiful— Suddenly, this feeling overlapped with something she couldn't recall now. "Uuuuuuuh!?"

Throbbing pain suddenly stroke the core of her head. Vee, clutching her head in agony, sat down. "W-What...? I can't... remember... something... important—" Unverbalizable images kept flashing back repeatedly. Fire. Bonfire. Bows and arrows. Herself? A man. A girl. A boy. A sword. A road. A wilderness. A forest. A cave. An ancient castle. Battles. Monsters. A town. An inn. A wilderness. Starry skies. Voices. Laughter. Smiles. Whose? Whose laughter? Whose smiles?... A balance. Fire. Sword. A sword engulfed in flames. Light. Radiance. That, that is, that is my beloved... our pride, and with it— "---Damn it, I have to remember properly... me, myself... uuuuh!"

Images swirled around in her head, but their meaning remained completely elusive. Not understanding frustrated her. It's painful. Sad? Why, sad?

The fragments of memories she couldn't comprehend, along with the sudden surge of emotions, intensify the headache.

"My head... hurts... it hurts... It hurts, hurts, hurts, hurts!!"

The pain was excruciating. It felt like her head is about to split open. Maybe there was actually a crack in it. What should she do? Even if she's a vampire, if her head cracks open, she might actually die. She needed to fix it quickly. But how can she heal herself? She could ask the priest, but no, that won't work. The priest is the enemy. The enemy of the undead. Right, she's a vampire, so she needed to heal herself by drinking blood. She would prefer the pure blood of a virgin or a young virgin. Yes, if she drinks enough delicious fresh blood, the pain and discomfort should disappear. ...The vampire instincts began to resurface, overpowering her returning rationality. "A, aha, ahahaha... ahahahaha! Blood! Blood! Bloooooddddd! Ahahahahaha!"

Once again, she burst into mad laughter and rose to her feet. Staggering as she walked, she sniffed the air, searching for a person with high-quality blood. However, her crumpled face and sniffing nose gave her the appearance of a crying child searching for home, rather than a laughing monster. Eventually, she picked up the scent she was looking for. "...I smell it! A woman, pure, a woman! ...Delicious, Blood!"

The source of the scent was further ahead, from the army her comrades were ravaging. It emanated from the fools, the humans who continued to kill each other in the western forces. It was a womanly, sweet fragrance like that of a beautiful flower, subtly mixed with the scent of blood. It could truly be called the alluring aroma of a valkyrie. With this decision made, she couldn't stay there any longer. Fooling around like that would have resulted in a high-quality blood holder's death. After all, that was a battlefield. Her fellow undead might have gotten ahead of her, or she might have been killed in the human slaughter. Although she could have drunk blood from corpses, she preferred to savor it while it was still fresh and alive. It undoubtedly tasted much better that way. "Ahahahaha! Blood! Move asideeee!!"

She ran with a smile that seemed to crack. She smashed through all obstacles. If anything stood in her way, it was simply an obstruction. She mercilessly eliminated even her undead allies, and the human soldiers were swept away like running carriages. Leaving a scarlet red carpet of blood on the ground, the girl who had descended into a monster ran swiftly. She wished for the pain to be healed as soon as possible. ...Immediately after she left, the remaining troops were mowed down from behind by 'it' that appeared. Both the living and the dead were swept away.

~~~

How many enemies has she slain in the end? As she slew the mage of the St. Gallen army just now, Elisha Rousmonde Balbastre hesitated. It had been quite some time since she was sent to fill the gap in the collapsed frontlines. The number of people she had killed by now must be in the hundreds, if not two hundred. From the enemy commanders she had slain with her sword to the foot soldiers she had trampled under her horse's hooves, and not to mention this horde of undead creatures—wait, would it count as killing if they were already dead? Laughing away such pointless thoughts, she turned back and shouted.

"Oi, how's the elimination of the enemy mage unit going?!" "It's mostly taken care of, ma'am!"

One of the subordinates under the Second Order of the Royal Guards quickly responded with a report. In the chaotic situation of this battle, the extermination of the enemy mages was an urgent task. Although new weapons like muskets had appeared on this continent, magic was still the most powerful weapon in terms of firepower. It was unthinkable to let the enemy forces, who had lost their senses, possess such weapons. Moreover, the current Arquell army had just changed commanders after their previous one was shot. If the newly appointed Margrave Doldran, who had taken command again, were to become a sacrifice, it would lead to yet another serious situation. Therefore, the report that the enemy was losing troublesome firepower was pleasing. Elisha displayed a fierce smile and gave further instructions. "Good, good. Progress is going smoothly. However, don't let any escape, alright? The St. Gallen army's mages are quite powerful, thanks to their academy training. Don't spare a single one; finish them off cleanly!" "Yes, ma'am!" "And when you kill them, make sure to sever their heads. We don't want the undead using their corpses. Well, it may not prevent them from becoming ghostly spirits, though."

Especially undead mages like the necromancers were dreadful opponents even to imagine. Not to mention the low-level zombie mages who could only use basic magic, but the skeleton mages, possessing higher intelligence due to their status as a precursor to liches, and the ghosts and wraiths, who maintained their pre-death intellect and couldn't be harmed by simple physical attacks, were creatures they wanted to avoid engaging in warfare. Of course, if they were fully prepared, they wouldn't fear such foes, but the current Second Knight Order was ill-equipped for dealing with them. Their armaments were primarily suited for wars against humans, and they had not brought weapons specially designed to combat undead. While Elisha could handle the situation, the burden might be a bit heavy for her subordinates. As they thought about this, searching for more enemy movements, someone from their allied forces called out, "...Ah, in that case, leave it to me. --Flame spirits, strike them down. Flame Bute!" A magic spell flew from the allied camp and mowed down the enemy soldiers, along with the surrounding corpses that were still animated.

"Intermediate-level fire magic!? Moreover, casting it without incantation?" Elisha turned around in surprise. In the current battle, there were no magician units on the Arquell side. It was natural since they only had the remaining forces of the feudal lord's army and some newly recruited civilians. The exception was the slaves under Tullius' command, but they seemed unfamiliar with powerful magic beyond intermediate level, focusing on learning numerous low-level spells. So, where did this person with the ability to cast advanced spells without chanting come from? The answer to her question appeared casually walking from the rear camp. "Well, I apologize for causing concern. I have just returned to the battlefront."

"Iyaa, goshinpai o kakete moushiwake nai. Tadaima, senretsu e to fukkai shimashita."

With a maid with a shining silver collar standing beside him, a young man with a smile that seemed glued to his face appeared. His robe was stained with dust, and his hair was disheveled, but from beneath the fluttering fabric, a myriad of noble aura faintly leaked. He was the Kingdom's Count and an alchemist. He was also the supreme commander of this battle—Tullius Shernan Oubeniel. "It's in the middle of the battlefield, so forgive my rudeness while on horseback. So you were safe."

"Senjin yue, bajou yori shitsurei. Gobuji de irareta ka."

Of course, Elisha didn't think for a moment that he had died. He was the kind of man who could confront Lavallee and continue to live. Could a mediocre mage ever take him down? Tullius's smile deepened.

"Yes. As you can see--"

"Ee. Kono toori――"

As he tried to reply, his figure was once again engulfed in flames.

"...I did it! Direct hit! This time, I got him!" "Yatta! Chokugeki da! Kondo koso, shi-tameta zo!"In the distance, a voice of someone resembling an enemy mage exclaims in triumph. However, that joy didn't last more than ten seconds. The flames of magic disappeared without any effect. Emerging from the aftermath was Tullius, not even a single scorch mark on his clothes. "What!? it can't be!?"

"Ba, baka naa!""As you can see, I am prepared to withstand attacks that are not up to par."

"Kono toori, namahan na kougeki de wa kizu hitotsu tsukanai dake no sonae o shiteimasu node."

As he proudly spoke, he opened his robe, and several glimmers of magic floated up. An exorcism amulet and an outer garment embroidered with protective magic seals. Even from under his shirt, a silvery glow could be faintly seen. The rings and bracelets adorning his arms and fingers were not reflecting the light of the battlefield but emitting their own radiance.

All of them seemed to be attire designed to protect him.

"I see. No wonder even if you get caught in the collapse of a Mad Golem, you come out unscathed... Can't I get at least one of them?"

"Seirē. Maddogōremu no toukai ni makikomarete mo buji na wake da... Hitotsu kurai moraenu mono ka na?"

Erisha said with a mix of exasperation, and Tullius wore a wry smile.

"Eeh? That's a bit... I can't give them away for free, you know."

"Eeh? Sore wa chotto... Tada de to iu wake ni wa ikanain desu kedo."

"That's a shame. But, I must say, I'm surprised? I thought as an alchemist, you'd be lacking in magical power."

"Sore wa zannen. Sore ni shite mo igai da na? Renkinjutsu-shi to iu kara ni wa, maryoku ni tobo shii to omotte ita ga."

There are few people who possess magical power, but even fewer who are skilled enough to manipulate intermediate-level magic. Those aspiring to be alchemists are usually individuals with limited magical power and lesser talent. Therefore, alchemy is considered a lesser art, and alchemists are said to be inferior to other mages. At least, I have never heard of an alchemist who can use magic with such power.

"Hahaha. Well, that may be the case, but my maximum magical capacity isn't that impressive. I have also mastered some decent offensive magic, but it's not something I can do repeatedly,"

"Hahaha. Maa, sou wa o-agemasu ga saidai maryoku ryou wa sore hodo demo nakute. Ichion ni wa soko-soko no kougeki mahou mo osame te wa imasu ga, sou nando mo dekita geitou de wa arimasen yo."

His response is both acknowledging and denying at the same time. After finishing his words, Tullius takes out a small vial of medicine from his pocket and drinks it.

"...As expected, using attack magic after controlling such a massive golem can be quite taxing."

"…Sasuga ni are dake no gōremu o ugokashita ato ni kōgeki mahō wa, kitsui na."

While swallowing and writhing, his body was filled with a new magical power. It seems to be some kind of healing potion for restoring magic power.

...Switching point of view. While having a conversation, the mage who launched the previous attack was killed by his subordinate. Most likely, this has eradicated the enemy's magical combat capabilities. The entire St. Gallen army seems to be losing its organized resistance.

"So, what about the command? If you return, there is the option to take over from Margrave Doldran again."

"De, shikiken wa dou naru? Kyou ga fukki shita to nareba, Doldran hankyou haku kara futatabi hikitsugi naosu to iu sentaku mo aru ga."

"I'll pass. The Margrave outranks me in title and is better at commanding. Using inexperienced tactics is asking for trouble... So, that's why I've come to the frontline to support him."

"Yamete okimasu yo. Boku yori hankyou haku no hou ga shakui de ue o okasarete masu shi, shikiken mo jouzu desu kara. Namakemono-hou wa kaiji no moto tte yatsu desu. ...Sou iu wake de, ano hito ni shiri o tatare te gensen no shien ni kita wake desu."

"I see. So, you're here against your usual nature to support him, huh?"

"Ha, naruhodo naa. Sou iu douri de, anta rashiku mo naku mae ni dete kita tte koto ka yo?"

The one who interjected was Due Schwarzer, who had scattered most of the enemies with ease. Despite being in the midst of a fierce battle, he was barely covered in blood, unharmed, and only slightly sweaty. He was once a well-known adventurer, but his combat prowess was truly extraordinary.

"Well, yeah. Besides, it sounds bad to just hang back when we have the support of the Royal Knight members... ≪Flame spirit, strike them down. Flame Bute≫"

"Maa, ne. Sore ni koue no minasan ni joryoku sarete iru noni, hikkomippanashi tte no mo kikoe ga warui shi... ≪Honoo no sei yo, uchisuoeyo. Fureimu Byuuto≫"

As he spoke, he unleashed flames that spread like a whip, targeting the horde of undead. Over a dozen zombies and skeletons were reduced to ashes by the magical flames.

Witnessing this scene, cheers rose from the rear lines.

"Look! It's the Lord! The Lord is fighting!"

"Miro! Ryoushu-sama da! Ryoushu-sama ga tatakatte orareru zo!"

"It's true! So he was safe!?"

"Ho, hontou da! Go buji de irareta no ka!?"

"Hooray! Long live the Kingdom of Arquell! Long live the Lord!"

"Oo oo oo! Arukueeru Oukoku banzai! Ryoushu-sama, banzai!"

The cheers of the soldiers echoed throughout the valley in an instant.

With the proposal for a truce shattered and the enemy's attack received, the missing Lord appeared to be alive and well. Not only that, but he was wielding powerful magic on the frontline. It was only natural that such a sight would boost the morale of the soldiers.

"Behold, that's Lord Tullius in action! Punishing the vile enemies and slaying the wicked creatures! That formidable man is your lord!"

"Miyo, are naru Turiusu-kyou no tatakaburi o! Hiretsu na ikiteki ni seisai o kudashi, jaaku na mamono-domo o chūsuru sugata o! Ano ekko otoko koso, shokun-ra no shushun de aru zo!"

Even Doldran's voice, praising Tullius, could be heard.

(I see, the Margrave must be aiming for this...)

Taking advantage of the unexpected appearance of the monsters, it seems that they can seize victory in the battle against St. Gallen. If that's the case, during the triumphant moment of the battle, they will show the heroic figure of Tullius to the soldiers--and also to those who will return to their homes as civilians after the battle. The intention is probably to reinforce their loyalty to the Lord.

After all, the aftermath of war is tough. Those who performed well in battle will be rewarded, and aid will be provided to the families of the deceased and the injured. Efforts will be made for the post-war reconstruction in the areas affected by the conflict. Especially in this region of Volden, many villages were burned down by the enemy--that's what is said. Many of the common people will be forced to endure difficult living conditions even after the war. It's crucial to prevent such hardships from turning into rebellious sentiments against the Lord.

Therefore, they intended to take measures to gain the support of the people and mitigate the situation.

Truly, the Margrave Doldran, who governed this challenging western frontier, is remarkable. His every move is well thought out and appropriate.

As Elisha was thinking along these lines, Uni, who was standing by Tullius, was seen offering some advice while kneeling.

"Master."

"Goshujin-sama"

"Hmm? What is it?"

"Hn? Nanika na?"

"How about waving your hand to the soldiers?"

"Hei no minasama-gata ni, ote o furu nado sarete wa ikagadeshou?"

"Huh...? Wouldn't that be a bit showy? I already stand out enough as it is."

"Ee...? Sore, chotto azatoku nai? Tadasee warui me tachishite iru noni saa"

"Is that so? Common folk often appreciate when their superior shows them some gesture. Even just a simple wave can greatly win their favor."

"Soudeshouka. Gekka no mono wa, ue ni tatarareru okata ga nanika o shimesareru koto o yorokobu mono desu. Tatoe migiwa hitotsu mukeru dake demo, ookiku kanshin o kau koto ga odekini naru ka to"

"Is that how it works... Well, if you say so, Uni..."

"Sou iu mono nanokana... Maa, Yuni ga sou shiro tte iu nara--"

Upon hearing this, Tullius lightly raised his hand and waved it towards the soldiers behind him.

In an instant, cheers erupted.

"Uooooh! Lord! Count!!"

"Uooooh! Ryoushuusamaa! Hakushakusamaaa!!"

"Hurrah for our hero! Long live!!"

"Warera ga eiyuu ni banzaai! Banzaiii!!"

"Our hero! The invincible hero, hurray!!"

"Warera ga eiyuu! Fujimi no eiyuu, banzai!!"

As the slave maid had said, the effect was outstanding. The commander-in-chief waved his hand as if to commend them, after enduring long and challenging battles. Witnessing their efforts recognized by their superior, the soldiers were enraptured.

Overcoming hardships, it is gratifying to have one's efforts acknowledged by those in higher positions. They felt the intention behind Tullius's gesture. Though it might be a mere illusion, their fatigued and exhausted minds interpreted it as truth. Many people tend to interpret things in a favorable light, so it was not unreasonable for them to believe it.

For Elisha, however, it was a difficult feeling to celebrate wholeheartedly. Even though they were currently lined up together, Tullius Oubeniel was fundamentally their enemy. At the very least, he was not a straightforward ally. He was suspected of being the mastermind behind the Great Fire of the Capital and was establishing a new faction while in conflict with the centralists—a parasite within the body of the nation.

Dealing with him was already troublesome, and he had gone as far as to win the support of the common people. It was not a situation to be happy about.

The cunning man, with his ever-ambiguous smile, was still directing it towards their troops.

"As expected of you, Uni. The effect is remarkable..."

"Sasuga, Yuni. Koko made kouka-tokumen to wa ne..."

"I believe it's all thanks to your virtues, my lord."

"Kore mo goshujinsama no itoku ga naseru gyou to zonjimasu."

"Haha, don't praise me too much, otherwise I might take it seriously. But..."

"Haha. Anmari mochiagerunaide kure yo, honki ni shichaisou da. Demo..."

Whether it was a trick of the mind or the flickering light of the battlefield creating shadows, for a moment, Tullius's expression twisted ominously.

"An immortal hero, huh? A hero is one thing, but being immortal is quite appealing, isn't it?"

"-Fujimi no eiyū, ne. Eiyū wa tomokaku, fujimi tte no wa ii janai ka."

An eerie feeling sent shivers down her spine.

Even someone as bold as Elisha couldn't withstand the unsettling sensation. Instinctively, she readjusted her grip on the sword she held.

...What kind of fate was at play here?

That seemingly casual movement ended up saving Elisha.

"Found youu! Found youuu!"

"Mitsuketa! Miiitsuketaa!"

A voice filled with distorted delight from a young girl.

As soon as the voice was heard from the St. Gallen side, an unsettling sound of something cutting through the air approached.

"Kuh!?"

She swung her sword on pure instinct and felt the sensation of cutting through something solid in mid-air. At the same time, a jolting impact struck her arm, causing numbness.

She heard a scraping sound as something hit the ground behind her. It must have been an arrow. Someone had been aiming for Elisha with a bow.

However, it didn't make sense. Even now, she could feel the lingering sensation of strength in her arm. The archer must have been incredibly skilled with a powerful bow. Throughout the battle, she had never faced an opponent like that.

Moreover, a nauseating sense of disgust was swelling within her rapidly. It was as if the arrow carried an abhorrent aura. She wondered if it was due to Tullius' unsettling presence, but perhaps it was something else entirely. Who on earth could exude such a vile killing intent?

Feeling the sweat running down her cheeks, Elisha turned her attention towards the St. Gallen forces.

Right at that moment...

"GIIYAAAAAAAHHHHH!"

"A-AAHHHHHH!! Uwaaaaaahhh!"

Amidst the enemy soldiers' horrifying screams, the chaotic formation was torn apart. It wasn't intentionally broken; it was forcibly ripped open.

The sudden gap in the enemy ranks was quickly filled once again.

--By a nightmarish horde that had broken through the St. Gallen forces from behind.

"It's, it's monsters!! Monsters have reached the frontline!"

"R-Run! It's hopeless!"

"Hi-hiiiiii!! M-Mom! Help, Mom!"

Exhausted and thrown into disarray, the St. Gallen forces were in a half-dead state. And now, the final blow had been delivered, causing them to scatter like spiders.

They fled to places without enemies, aiming for locations where neither monsters nor the Arquell army could be found.

Amidst the retreating enemy soldiers, a young girl with a bow at the forefront of the monster army smiled. Her mischievous expression, with her tongue sticking out playfully, combined with her youthful yet well-defined features, could be considered cute. However, one could only find her actions endearing if they could ignore the eerie tattoos covering her entire body and the foul abominations that followed her from behind.

"Found you! I've found it! Prey! Dinner! I've found one!"

She paid no attention to the chaotic St. Gallen army or even to Tullius, who was the commander-in-chief. Not to mention the presence of Uni, Due and the other Royal Knights standing beside her.

This unmistakably monstrous girl, with her eyes filled with intensity, fixed her gaze on Elisha.

"Undead maintaining their appearance from their past lives. Additionally, obsessed with a woman riding a unicorn. I can't believe it, but..."

"Seizen no sugata o tamotta mama no andeddo. Kuwaete, yunikoon ni kouru josei ni goshuushin ka. Masaka to wa omoukeredo..."

"Probably a vampire,"

"Vuanpaia, darou na."

Elisha responded in agreement to Tullius, whose expression was somewhat nonchalant given the circumstances.

The peculiar girl, her presence unsettling in this situation, maintained her unwavering smile as she replied to their short exchange.

"Yes! I am, I am Vee! A vampire, Vee!"

"Sou! Watashi, watashi wa Vui! Vuanpaia no, Vui!"

The Second Knight Order, despite their usual composure, was shaken by the horrifying revelation. It was a vampire. A creature that sustains itself by drinking human blood, turning virgins into their kin, and lives eternally by shunning the sun. A monster with superhuman strength, the power to control various creatures, and a multitude of abilities.

In the Adventurer's Guild, vampires are ranked from B to A in terms of difficulty for subjugation. Even the most elite adventurers in the country would form parties to take down just one of them. And now, a multitude of their subordinates stood before them. How many more nightmares would unfold?

However, the situation took a turn for the worst.

"----!!!"

Amidst the chaotic scene, something leaped forward, crushing objects in its path like a landslide. Both the attacking undead and the surviving soldiers of St. Gallen were slaughtered as it emerged.

At first glance, 'it' appeared somewhat human. But as the dust settled, its monstrous form became evident in the starlight.

"What, what is this...!?"

Vice-Commander Alfred's composure faded, revealing his agitation.

A body that easily reached three meters towards the moon. Its limbs writhed like those of a different creature. Its rocky face exuded the impression of a fossilized skull despite having flesh and skin. Its dull glowing eyes emitted light of their own, unrelated to the reflection of the flames. Overall, it appeared humanoid, yet undeniably far removed from humanity.

Its most striking feature was the number of arms – two pairs, four in total, double that of a regular person. Each arm held a long buster sword that emanated a palpable aura of killing intent.

"Is this also an undead!?"

"Kore mo andeddo na no desu ka!?"

"No, it's different."

"Iie, chigaimasu."

Responding calmly to the voice that sounded more like a scream of disbelief than a question, was Uni.

"I can sense body temperature and a positive life force from the target. It's a living creature."

"Taishou kara wa taion to seihoukou no seimei-ryoku o kanshikudekimasu. Seibutsu desu."

"But, I've never seen any creature like this—no, not even among monsters!"

"Daga, konna ikimono wa—ie, mamono mo mita koto ga nai!"

"Then, someone must have created it."

"Nara, dokoka no dareka ga tsukutta ndeshou yo."

While speaking as if it were someone else's problem, Tullius pointed to the four-armed creature, indicating its chest. There, just like the vampire girl named Vee, there was a tattoo engraved. However, there was a difference. While the vampire's tattoo gave off a magical aura, the one on this creature had a clear intention. It was a symbol representing a certain organization.

The emblem depicted two intersecting rods crossing behind a two-headed bird of prey. Recognizing it, Due frowned visibly with a strong sense of distaste.

"...St. Gallen, Galerien Magic Academy. Are these the masterminds behind this invasion?"

"......Zankutogaren, Garerin Madou Akademī. Koko ni seme konde kita renchuu no sashigane ka yo."

~~~

To be continued~

TL Note:

I just translated this out of a whim cuz I love this series and it seems the previous translator has dropped it. So ... yea. Maybe I'll continue until the last chapter of the raw :')

BUT WHYYYYYY???? WHY THE AUTHOR DISCONTINUED THIS NOVEL???? EVEN THO I LOVE IT SOOOO MUCHHH!!! SAME AS DUNGEON DEFENSE ARGHHHH WHY DOES MASTERPIECES LIKE THESE ALWAYS GET THE CRUEL FATE!!!

Oh and yea I like adding the romanized version of the characters dialogue sometimes. Cuz it feels like watching an anime. And it gives the understanding of the story better if you know what I mean.