Chapter 4: Fierce Battle
The attackers were typical beastman scouts, relying on their wolves’ superior mobility to roam the empire’s long borders, infiltrating and raiding small settlements and caravans.
Though only a dozen or so, the mercenaries were veterans—no fear on their faces.
“All defend behind the low wall at the entrance! Without my order, even if beastmen charge your face, no firing!”
Olga shed his refined mask, hysterically issuing commands, eyes full of battle intent.
“Non-combatants don’t run around! Soak all flammables with water, then stay central as reserves!”
After ordering the caravan too, the beastmen seemed ready to attack.
Several arrows whistled through the sky toward the mercenary line.
But range issue—arrows fell short, no harm.
“Karl, Alan, fire at will! Lure those beastmen over! Others raise guns ready!”
Seeing beastmen treat them as rabble, Olga calmly countered.
“Bang!”
“Bang! Bang!”
Sparse firing from mercenaries—lure worked.
Ground trembled like earthquake; from dark curtain, massive wolves carrying beastman warriors charged the seemingly thin defense.
But awaiting wasn’t timid lambs—a row of black muzzles.
“Shrill——!!!”
Piercing whistle; volley deafening, white smoke instant filled.
With beastmen screams and thuds, their charge formation shattered.
But beastmen unbroken by sudden assault—roared, drove mounts over comrades’ corpses.
“Close enough! All bayonet charge—ready!”
Seeing beastmen disregard formation, closing fast, Olga new order.
Hearing, mercenaries leveled bayonets at incoming, half-crouched, gripped rifles tight, butts grounded—standard anti-cavalry.
Mercenaries panted heavily, low stance, stared at nearing beastmen.
Like surging tide hitting shore, beastmen impact instant flung several.
Melee chaos unfolded; countless torches thrown into camp, bright flames lit all, illuminating bloodthirsty human and half-beast faces.
Camp filled with clashing weapons, mixed with gunshots and wounded wails.
Mercenaries’ thin line like fragile dam—shaky but held the tide.
But time passed, terrain local superiority eroded by numbers—outnumbered, couldn’t outlast.
Olga panting, with mercenaries killed another dismounted beastman, glanced around.
“Careful!”
Cosette just dragged wounded to rear for treatment—a chilling blade quietly behind her.
Hearing Olga’s warning, Cosette turned.
Gleaming blade before eyes—blood froze.
Cosette nearly collapsed, gritted teeth, trembling pounced on wounded, trying shield with tiny body—since can’t dodge, protect one life; heal and save priest duty.
At critical moment, a hand suddenly reached from behind, grabbed collar, pulled her away.
Beastman attack missed.
“Miss Alicia?!”
Escaped death, Cosette looked up—surprised Alicia behind, she leaning beside.
Seeing Cosette safe, Olga just relieved—but next scene heart raced.
Missed beastman reset stance; another on wolf leaped in.
“More enemies! Careful!”
Situation worsened, Olga gripped halberd, ran to them.
But distance too far—couldn’t make it.
Watching beastmen ready again, Cosette held breath.
Wanted to do something—but priest her powerless now.
“Leave to me.”
In Cosette’s panic, Alicia’s voice by ear; then saw Alicia step half forward, blocking front.
“How Miss Alicia handle two beastmen?”
Doubt rose—saw Alicia extend right hand.
Complex gorgeous array shone bright clear magic glow, lines spread, extended.
A blade with vivid blue marble veins, slender, near Alicia height double-hand longsword slowly emerged in blue magic light.
As Alicia reverse gripped hilt.
Blue dazzling glow abrupt.
Invisible magic unsealed, formed tangible blast spreading.
First hit beastman desperately urged wolf, tried balance in violent airflow.
But before further, dazzling magic slash burst from blast—heavily cleaved him and mount, bisected.
Seeing comrade die, other beastman drove wolf charging Alicia.
“Careful!”
Always anxious Cosette shouted reminder.
But wolf too fast—claws whistling, instant before Alicia.
Cosette heart throat, finally closed eyes unwilling.
Time seemed freeze; Cosette cautiously opened, looked to Alicia.
Just ferocious beastman and wolf stopped one step away.
Wolf jaws wide, claws at Alicia; beastman weapon raised high, face savage grin.
But a blue-purple magic condensed spear unknown when burst from ground—pierced through, hung midair.
“You okay?”