Underground of the Central Fortress.
A warehouse filled with dust, where almost no light penetrates.
The refugees hiding there had been holding their breath for nearly a week, barely clinging to life.
There were hundreds of them, a diverse bunch.
Counts’ knights working in the Central Fortress, attendants, traders from other fortresses, adventurers enlisted for defense, nearby peasants, and their families.
Different ages, genders, races, and backgrounds, but the emotion they all felt in this place was the same.
Fear of death.
“This is the last loaf. Make it last.”
Count Blücher personally distributed food to the commoners.
In this harsh land, the Count always believed that regardless of status, one had to cooperate with others to survive.
“Thank you, my lord.”
Receiving such thanks did not ease the heart. It was the distribution of last lifelines, akin to a death sentence.
At least their hiding spot was a food store, and the entrance was structured so that it didn’t catch the eye from the outside, allowing them to survive for the past week.
“How are the injured?”
“Well…”
The butler shook his head as he glanced at the knights and adventurers lying in the corner.
They were the ones who had collapsed while defending the Central Fortress to the very end.
‘To think they would find a gap in the northern walls…’
The barbarians had become increasingly aggressive in attacks over the past few months, as if fleeing from something.
The high walls had held them off for a time, but they showed no signs of tiring.
Believing he needed to crush them with overwhelming force, the Count sent a request for reinforcements to the Imperial Family.
In this despair, there was one flicker of hope – the Imperial knights had arrived four days ago, sending a communication sphere.
‘If I hadn’t sent the request a month and a half ago, we would have surely been wiped out by now.’
The timing was almost miraculous.
‘I don’t know how many reinforcements came. I wonder if the Imperial knights could truly defeat the barbarians.’
There were at least over a thousand barbarians.
Using crude stone weapons like primitive men, yet enchanted and incredibly powerful with high physical abilities.
‘Above all, their chieftain…’
Count Blücher shuddered at the thought.
A massive barbarian wielding a randomly chipped stone sword like a toy, crushing knights with horrifying ease.
‘Definitely a sorcerer.’
There had to be an explanation for their physical strength and weapon enchantments.
‘They don’t communicate; they act purely on instinct. They’re no different from demons.’
The Count hoped the Imperial knights would not misunderstand that.
The enemy was not human.
Roaring with bared fangs, drooling and charging, and above all…
‘My precious knights… have been devoured.’
They practiced cannibalism.
The reason the barbarians attacked the Counts’ territory was simple.
Because there was food here.
‘Even if it means starving to death here, we must never let them find us.’
The Count reaffirmed as he fortified the barricade stacked at the warehouse entrance.
—Thud, thud…
Dust fell whenever the barbarians walked overhead.
The Count prayed to see tomorrow’s sunrise, clasping his hands tight in a silent plea.
*
“Ha!”
Tanya moved like a swift beast at the forefront.
With each strike, she confirmed the next foe, wasting no movement in her approach.
Sword energy was already prepared, slicing through an enemy’s robust stone hammer cleanly and embedding deeply.
“The way is clear!”
“Follow the vanguard!”
The determined knights surged forward one after another, seizing the bridge.
The shield knights blocked the barbarian’s onslaught, while those in the rear pierced their spears.
—Grrrr!
The struck barbarian fell beneath the bridge.
I checked the main unit steadily advancing toward the western fortress while also issuing orders to the healers in the rear.
“We’ll occupy the fortress in 30 minutes. Once we sever the northern bridge, we’ll adjust immediately. Healing comes first for the vanguard. Hugo, you lead.”
“Yes.”
“There are injuries!”
A holy knight acting as a medic brought in a spearmen from the vanguard.
I immediately examined the injured.
“Diagnosis.”
[Injury: Penetrating wound with bleeding]
[Location: Upper shoulder]
[Condition: Unconscious]
“Shock might occur, so handle him carefully. Stop the bleeding, disinfect. After dressing, we need to seal the affected area with a healing spell. Use a painless prescription.”
“Understood.”
A healer promptly took charge of his treatment according to my orders.
Now, the Moonlight Palace faction healers had a solid understanding of modern medicine and were able to respond adequately even in situations like this.
After performing basic treatment, they cast the healing spell, and the patient’s recovery speed dramatically increased.
The issues of pain or distortion during the healing process that usually arose were resolved.
‘I wish the Hero Party could have healed like this.’
After checking on the healer’s actions, I moved to another position.
As the attending physician, I also needed to pay attention to Acella.
“It’s going smoothly. The western fortress is empty.”
“I told you, right?”
“I had no idea Tanya was that skilled in battle. She’s practically flying.”
“Please only use the royal princess’s magic when it’s truly needed. Don’t you dare consider standing at the forefront in danger.”
“Didn’t I say courage and recklessness are different?”
Acella fluttered her long eyelashes, snorting dismissively.
“Alright. As commander, I shouldn’t show a disgraceful appearance.”
“Excellent mindset.”
Acella and I watched the flow of battle.
The scouts were surveying the conditions to the east and north with telescopes. Acella continued to make decisions based on the information and issued orders.
She had developed spatial magic, and judging by her usual studying, Acella seemed to possess exceptional spatial perception.
In that little head of hers, the entire terrain of this Counts’ territory likely floated like a holographic map, moving in real-time.
I couldn’t help but wonder how a genius perceives the world.
After prescribing a few more injured, flap.
Tanya ascended to the highest level of the western fortress, proudly waving the flag of the Moonlight Palace.
It was a sign that all the barbarians in the western area had been wiped out.
“Let the whole army enter.”
“We occupy the fortress! Advance!”
The commander relayed Acella’s orders, and the knights moved forward.
Following prior arrangements, they surrounded the outskirts of the fortress to fortify defenses and positioned at the northern and eastern bridges where enemies could approach.
Acella and I arrived at the path leading to the northern bridge.
A narrow bridge that led to the watchtower. It was a path that needed to be cut off, as it could also lead to the barbarian-occupied northern fortress.
“Shall we blow it up?”
“Step aside. I’ll handle it.”
With a dignified step forward, Acella raised her wand and drew a magic circle.
—Kakakak!
Five circles overlapped and shaped into strange triangular prisms, spinning as they connected.
“Blizzard.”
—Puuurrr!
Golden mana spread across the entire fortress.
At the same time, a fierce wind blew.
The snow piled on the neighboring mountain surged over, creating a colossal snowstorm.
—Kuh-ruung!
The aftermath caused an avalanche on the neighboring mountain.
Snow erupted into the sky, briefly blanketing the vision in white.
After a moment, opening my eyes, I realized the northern bridge had been completely buried in massive snow, making it impassable.
“Whoa, amazing magic…”
“This is the power of the Third Princess.”
“Effortlessly manipulating even nature…”
All the knights who witnessed the marvel bowed their heads in awe toward Acella.
Acella turned impressively to them, raised her chin as if it were no big deal, and walked towards the fortress.
I followed behind her.
Thud.
The gates of the western fortress closed.
We were to regroup before entering the Central Fortress to occupy it.
Heike’s endurance at the eastern fortress was also reaching its limits; we didn’t have much leeway. We sent news of the Western conquest via communication sphere.
“Your Majesty, you should take a moment to rest.”
“How was it? Was it cool?”
Left alone together, Acella asked with a mischievous grin.
She must have been thrilled to successfully cast fifth-tier magic so splendidly in front of many knights.
Utilizing the terrain must have amplified its power.
I replied with a smile.
“Certainly, even the giants of the snowy mountains must feel awe at your magnificence, Your Majesty.”
“Hehe, right?”
Acella couldn’t keep her lips still, fidgeting happily.
Was magic really that wonderful?
Well, Acella often rambled about theories I couldn’t even comprehend.
I occasionally thought she was an absolute magic otaku.
“When do we start the assault on the Central Fortress?”
“I told the commander we’d start in 30 minutes. Until then, let’s….”
Acella suddenly slowed down her words.
Her expression drastically worsened, and she began to sway, almost collapsing.
“Your Majesty!”
Fortunately, I reacted quickly.
I caught her as her body fell like a puppet.
‘She feels colder than usual.’
Acella’s breathing was unsteady.
“Lars…”
“Yes, I have caught you.”
“…Yes.”
“It seems you overexerted yourself in this cold environment. Let’s take you to a warmer place first.”
I tried to adjust my posture to carry her, draping my cloak over her.
But Acella grabbed my waist.
“Carry me…”
“That would be warmer for you. Please bear with me a little longer.”
I supported her waist and lifted her.
Desiring warmth, Acella wrapped her arms around my neck.
…And then I discovered a problem.
“Your Majesty.”
“Hmm?”
“You’re heavy.”
“I’m not heavy! Prince, why are you so weak?”
“Please wait; I will call for Tanya.”
“You want me to stay here alone? No way!”
In the end, I struggled to pull her along, dragging her feet on the ground.
*
In the makeshift resting room, wrapped snugly in blankets, Acella sipped the tea I had brewed.
Now warmed up, she seemed to return to her usual self and began outlining plans for the next operation in front of the commander and the second battalion commander.
“The distance to the Central Fortress isn’t far. But there are many more barbarians here, so a serious battle will unfold.”
“There’s a possibility that the large army lured to the east could return. We must cut the bridge first.”
“Our feet are faster, so we can reach the center before their reinforcements if we sprint.”
Acella shook her head.
“Didn’t you see? The barbarians are much faster. It’s effective to stealthily cut the bridge first.”
“But infiltration is difficult due to the structure. We have a large number of men…”
Considering the battalion commander’s dilemma, I spoke up.
“As I mentioned, they have low intelligence.”
“Prince, do you have a way to deceive the barbarians?”
“Of course. There’s a method that works well on the rock tribe.”
I pulled out a pocket watch from my pants pocket and opened it.
“Why a watch?”
“Oh, there’s a hand mirror inside. That’s the key.”
I explained.
“Let me tell you from now on.”
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