NOVEL NEXT Chapter 544
Chapter 544. The Second Defensive Line
Adamas was currently in a stage where it was glowing red and beginning to change shape.
“How stubborn can this thing possibly be?!”
Ainz, half-fuming, hammered away at it.
“It looks just like you, Ainz!!”
To compete with the roaring flames of the furnace, I yelled out with a tinge of sarcasm.
“Shut it! Do you think it turned out this way because of me?!”
I was glared at. If he weren’t holding a hammer, I bet I’d have caught a knuckle sandwich!
Moreover, it was hot. It was ridiculously hot! Not only Ainz, but I was also sweating bullets from my forehead as I continuously mixed in the holy attribute amidst the dark mana.
“…Water! I need water!!”
Ainz, with his parched lips, licked them and shouted.
“Coming right up!”
Helena quickly conjured water with magic, poured it into a cup, and used a straw made of straw to bring it to Ainz’s mouth.
“Thanks a lot!”
While gulping the water down with a zealous slurp, Ainz kept swinging his hammer with wide-open eyes. Dwarves and Forest Elves often clashed, but Helena seemed to be helping him out without directly showing her annoyance.
Wow, Helena is actually quite caring… I had no idea since she was so cold to me…
Well, I knew she wasn’t a bad person… but I guess I’m the one who’s in the wrong…
“Ahh, I feel alive again! Now, come on, it’s time to awaken, Adamas!”
With a series of dulcet thuds, Ainz poured mana into Adamas.
While I was taking breaks occasionally, Ainz was seriously working day and night. He even ate while swinging the hammer, getting others to bring food to his mouth, and did the same with the water.
Charging the hammer with the dwarven blacksmithing magic, he was “speaking” to Adamas—despite occasionally getting life force donated from Liliana, it could only be described as a state where spirit transcended the physical.
When this was over, Ainz might not be able to move for a while due to muscle pain.
“Ugh…!!”
And while I was impressed, Bishop Lexar was still suffering as usual.
“When you’re feeling restless, it’s also a good idea to go into dormancy, you know, Lexar?”
Barbara, who was passing the time playing board games with Arthur, chimed in. By the way, Arthur was moving the game pieces with the physical prowess of the Legendary Holy Sword.
Oh, what a sight! The silver-haired handsome bro was carefully pushing the pieces with the hilt of Excalibur, making sure to not accidentally slice through them…
I could have quickly assembled some undead with only the bones, but apparently, that method wasn’t quite as efficient for mana…
“Ugh… but to just sleep while someone is asking for help… feels wrong, doesn’t it?”
“I totally get that feeling,” Barbara replied with a grimace at Bishop Lexar’s response.
Other Vampire Hunters seemed to share the same sentiments, fidgeting and glancing at the curtains, pacing around the walls and ceiling.
—The reason why Bishop Lexar and the Vampire Hunters were feeling so anxious was that, due to Odigos’s powers, it had become clear that new vampires had entered the territory of Feretria.
At this very moment, the vampires might be deepening their infiltration behind us. As experts in vampire hunting, this was unbearable.
However, since they were undead, if the mana stored in their soul containers ran dry, they would simply vanish (more precisely, the holy-type “burning” of the soul would accelerate).
By the way—before I knew it—the bishop and others had already become considerable high-tier undead, so they could likely last for weeks without my replenishment, but if it came to battle, it was a different story.
Especially for Bishop Lexar, whose combat style involved spamming lightning magic, he would run out of power in no time if not supplied.
On top of that—
“If Odigos isn’t around, we won’t be able to deal with this efficiently,” Arthur sighed as he moved a piece with Excalibur. He might not be literally breathing, but you get it.
“Yes, that’s true…”
“I’ve grown too used to luxury now.”
“It used to be normal not to know where the vampires were.”
The Vampire Hunters held their heads in despair.
Currently, Liliana was assisting Ainz and me, and she was also set to provide blood as material for Adamas later. Even if Bishop Lexar and the others ventured out to hunt vampires on their own, they would only have a rough direction, and the rest would be up to them to find.
Moreover, unlike when they were alive, they had no tracking ability like wolf Beastmen and couldn’t walk outside during the day due to being spirits. Their current form made gathering information and asking around quite difficult…
“Since becoming this way… I’ve tried to stop holding back and live freely as my heart desires, but… it seems to have backfired!”
With gritted teeth, Bishop Lexar muttered.
That was the trick to not exhausting the soul even after becoming a holy spirit.
“—To live naturally without resisting your desires from your previous life”—the prediction from the perspectives of Lexar and Arthur.
“—I crave it! This holy spirit form craves the blood of the vampires! I yearn to atone for their sins with their very blood…!!”
Bishop Lexar thrashed about like a wild beast. It looked much like— no, this wasn’t a funny business for him, better stop.
“A revengeful spirit thirsting for the blood of its enemies, a bloodthirsty avenger, huh!!”
Antende, who had slipped back into me, shouted out enthusiastically. Seriously? After I just shut down that thought…! Besides, don’t mix up blood-starved beasts with legitimate avengers!
“Heh heh heh, a legitimate avenger, huh? I guess you’d use that line as someone in a similar position…”
What’s with the insinuating way of speaking—
Just then, outside the forge, the door to Ainz’s residence opened, and footfalls approached rapidly.
“I have returned.”
Orderju entered the forge. A few hours earlier, he had gone to gather information at the city’s core.
“It seems we are in a dangerously bad situation.”
With a grave expression, his white mustache was tightly shut.
“The demon lord’s army that captured Horack Fortress has now surged into the human and beastman territories, ignoring the other dwarf defensive positions. They appear to be placing their main forces in Opsgaldia while simultaneously invading the territories of Tergalius and Plurgesta.”
… I see.
I thought they directly attacked the dwarven kingdom’s army first because they had been so quick to take the fort, but it looks like I was mistaken.
Or perhaps it was to make us think that, leading the dwarf defensive forces to deploy elsewhere…? But would they really resort to such a roundabout strategy? With a main force consisting of the Sauroe and the Korvto tribes?
“The situation on the battlefield is dire. Especially the casualties of the Opsgaldia lord’s army, which stood at the forefront against the enemy’s main forces—while specific numbers remain unclear—”
Orderju paused for a moment, showing a strained expression.
“—It seems nearly half of the troops have lost contact. Part of the sword order’s forces held the rear, buying time for the remaining forces to barely escape. They have reportedly retreated to the Berkeley Valley’s gateway of the second defensive line.”
We—especially those connected to the Holy Church, remained silent with grave faces.
“The soldiers defending in the name of the sword, huh…”
One of the Vampire Hunters muttered hopelessly. The sword order was renowned for producing numerous exceptional swordsmen, considered one of the Holy Church’s fighting groups. They likely risked their lives to cover for their people. If not for them, further pursuit might have led to complete annihilation of the Opsgaldia lord’s forces.
…While the dwarven kingdom’s mountainous territories might be solid, the flat human and beastmen territories had enjoyed periods of peace, leading to insufficient fortifications.
Although construction of castles and field bases had been underway in preparation for the demon lord’s invasion, it likely wasn’t enough to withstand the main force.
“Fortunately or unfortunately, the enemy’s main force is progressing slowly, so our retreat hasn’t been too difficult. That troop that was in disarray could manage to regroup thanks to this delay. However, due to that, the combat situation has become truly unmanageable—units reportedly described the battle as ‘ants trying to stop the giant’s steps’.”
“Since the enemy consists of the Sauroe and Korvto tribes,” I nodded while recalling familiar faces from the demon lord’s kingdom. Two sisters… Spinethia and Topazia…
“The Sauroe tribe deploys a powerful hemispherical barrier while the Korvto tribe generates stone walls on the spot as they advance. Both tribes boast impregnable defenses among the demon races.”
They may advance slowly, but they wouldn’t stop. Against a makeshift army, encountering them head-on would lead to crushing defeats due to sheer strength.
But the problem is, there’s no alternative but to charge head-on. Right now, the idea of using mobility to outmaneuver them was the first thought that came to mind. Yet, bringing cavalry against the demon lord’s army would be foolish…
“Considering that the cavalry of the Kaizaan Empire didn’t fare well against just you,”
Yeah, the moment a higher-tier demon tribe casts a curse like “cripple,” it’s game over. If every single cavalry horse had top-notch anti-demon wards, it’d be a different story—though fighting in the dwarven land wouldn’t technically be impossible, if we’re going to put that much effort into horses, give armor to the human soldiers instead…
First, even if we had mobility, if we don’t have the firepower to break through barriers and stone walls, it’s all pointless.
“What if we put dwarven blacksmith warriors on horses? They would have strong striking power.”
…Those guys can’t ride horses with their short legs.
“Oh…”
Antende, surprisingly, didn’t make a joke out of it, but instead released a somewhat awkward voice. Maybe it was because he was also quite short himself.
“Such disrespect!”
Ahh, sorry! I didn’t mean it! Don’t start acting up inside me!! Right now, I was busy mixing dark mana infused with holy silver curse into Adamas. If I lose control, I’ll be BBQ’d!
“Old man… how long do you think the second defensive line will hold?”
Helena asked, her expression turning serious.
“Honestly, I can’t say for sure… I don’t think they’ll fall today or tomorrow.”
Orderju rubbed his beard as he pondered.
“It seems the frontline battle troops made up of demon soldiers, cat-type beastmen, goblins, and ogres are clashing right before the second defensive line. Meanwhile, the enemy’s main magical forces seem to be taking turns resting. Even if they move, their advance will be slow, so if they get to the second defensive line between tonight and tomorrow morning, and if they start launching serious attacks from there—”
I looked toward the window. The sunlight filtering through the curtains was gradually turning an amber hue.
Once more—night was about to descend.
“If we endure attacks without any plan, there’s a possibility the second defensive line will be breached by the day after tomorrow…”
Orderju’s gaze shifted to me and Ainz, who was still swinging his hammer. I felt him asking when Adamas would be finished and when the Hero would make a move.
Ainz was still engrossed in his work, his focus solely on Adamas.
In the forge, silence enveloped everyone, with only the sound of the hammer ringing out.
An overwhelming heaviness settled in my gut. I understood, time was finite. To flip this situation, I would have to resort to some extravagant tactics, and sadly… those conditions were slowly aligning.
However, I couldn’t just abandon Adamas right now.
The main sword was absolutely necessary to increase our odds in the battle against the demon lord.
Still, if the second defensive line were breached, there would be nothing but open plains to the city of Galdia, with no obstacles in our way. Meeting on the plains? No joke! They can set up defenses with barriers and stone walls instantly. I wanted to avoid a siege battle against the demon lord’s army…
But if I simply waited, it might end up that the demon lord’s army had us surrounded…
Then, clank.
The door of the forge opened, and Liliana walked in.
She was carrying a large pot that looked like it could hold a whole person. With each step she took, liquid sloshed around inside.
“—Alex, Ainz.”
Liliana placed the pot next to us, giving off a faint scent like rusty iron.
“This is my blood. I’ve poured in as much as I could for now.”
—As material for Adamas. The moment those words left her mouth, even Ainz’s attention was drawn away.
…Oh.
Seeing Liliana’s smile, I pieced it together.
After regaining her consciousness in the battle with Emelgias.
She had the same expression when she decided to leave the demon lord’s kingdom.
“Are you going?”
I asked, and Liliana nodded.
“Yes. There are people seeking guidance, salvation, and hope—”
Liliana quietly placed a hand on her chest, and then—
From within her chest emerged an unremarkable-looking staff.
The staff settled into her hand, thumping onto the stone floor of the forge.
Leaning against Odigos, Liliana put on her most mischievous smile.
“I’m thinking of causing a bit of a ruckus on the front lines.”
The “Saint” who had acquired the power of the demon returned to the battlefield once again.