Volume 4 Chapter 18 (1/2)

Finally, the day of the war arrived. Unfortunately, up until this point, we still weren't able to ascertain who the being behind the actions of the neighboring city was.

We did, however, manage to find out about the other side's war potential and strategy.

The high-quality barriers on certain buildings had prevented our intelligence corps from knowing whatever was within those buildings but thanks to the many eavesdropping device I made using [Creation], such wasn't the case anymore. Even though they couldn't stealthily enter into the building themselves, they could easily get close to humans that would go into those buildings. By doing so, the Ocean Singers were able to place an eavesdropping device and camera as small as a pea onto those humans, thus enabling them to spy as much as they wanted. Even if the existence of those devices were found out, it wouldn't be an issue. After all, the other party wouldn't be able to figure whatever functions the unfamiliar devices had just by its appearance alone.

At this moment, almost all of the neighboring city's top secret information was flowing freely to Avalon.

◇

I moved to the [Plain] I made together with my monsters and the golems.

According to our agreement, the fighting would commence here, the place I nominated, once the signal was given.

This Plain was bought with DP and was part of my dungeon and would thus earn DP for me. I had designed it to be as big as possible.

As we were arranging our formations, the neighboring city's army also began doing their preparations. And when both sides finished, the golem corps and enemy army were lined up to face one another. The enemy army had well over 3000 soldiers. The golems, even though they had increased in the three weeks that passed since the declaration of war, only numbered a little less than 400. In terms of numbers, we were at a disadvantage but in terms of performance, I estimated that it was going to be an even match.

There was an agreed upon time limit for this war. That said, if one side surrendered regardless of the time, the war would end. Lastly, the victor would be determined by the number of casualties and prisoners of war.

It sounded like a game but this was the typical way wars were done in this age.

After all, both sides wouldn't want to suffer too much damage. In a war devoid of such rules and laws, both sides would end up harming each other's most vital resource: the citizens. Win or lose, both sides would end up scarred deeply. For those reasons, it became popular to decide upon a place to do battle and clash there. Doing it like so, aside from the lack of civilian casualties, the territories would also be able to function normally as soon as the war has ended. For sure, rules were important in wars.

”Patron, as expected, they seem to be greatly on guard against the golems. As for their strategy, it seems they're going ahead with holding back our forces with their heavily-equipped infantry while the magic users in the back focus on casting large-scale magic to wipe out our troops. Additionally, their elites are gathered as their mobile force. That seems to be the source of the enemies' confidence. Woah, those humans' smug faces are kinda disgusting, like they think they're the strongest in world, yeah, they make me so mad.”

R'lyeh Diva's voice came from the cup I held in my hand.

The previous day, I ordered her to make it rain in this Plain, thus forming countless puddles of water. Like so, the gathering of information would continue as she hid herself in another dimension. Everything was laid bare to us.

”Thanks, Ruru. Do you know where the enemy commander is?”

I only knew for certain recently but in order for a name to be properly given and thus take effect, I would have to put in strong intent and magic power into saying it first. In other words, referring to my monsters with nicknames wasn't an issue. R'lyeh Diva was a little troublesome to say so I recently opted to calling her Ruru instead.

”Yeah, ahm, just a sec.”

As soon as she said so, she appeared from behind me. I then took out a pair of binoculars I previously made with [Creation] and looked into it while Ruru pointed to the enemy's commander.

After I confirmed so, I said out loud his characteristics. I was certain that she would pick up the sound carried by the wind.

”Then, as planned, continue gathering intelligence.”

”O—kay. Good luck then, patron.”

Ruru said so and dived back into the puddle of water.

So far, things have been playing out almost according to what we predicted based on the information we gathered beforehand. The source of their confidence despite seeing the extraordinary Avalon-Ritters and the over 300 golems was the existence of the 30 heroes that were provided by whoever was hiding behind the neighboring city.

On top of being able to match and possibly defeat A rank monsters even in single combat, the heroes were humans and thus excelled at cooperating in battle. They could exhibit more prowess fighting together than when fighting alone. Because of that, it was no wonder they thought they could win even against the Avalon-Ritters.

For one city to gather this much people was generally thought to be impossible. Probably so even for some countries. Therefore, the existence of the one pulling the strings truly was ominous.

However, they were being too naïve.

Did they think that the Avalon-Ritters were my trump card? Moreover, did they really think I would reveal my true card before the battle has even begun? They're looking down on me too much. And for that, they will pay.

◇

Moments before the start of the war, a lone knight rode out in his gallant horse from the center of their formation. As much as I could ascertain from his appearance, he was quite the high-ranking knight.

He rode out not to lead the charge but rather to discuss terms one last time before the fighting begins.

That meant I must also set out to meet with him. That said, doing so on foot wasn't so appealing. As I thought so, Kohaku whose body was much bigger than any horse roared. He then approached and showed his back to me, as though saying I should hop on.

”Is it alright?”

”You are heading to war, my master, and I just can't allow you to do so on foot. Furthermore, as it's me, I can also act as your guard.”

”I'll be relying on you, then.”

Kohaku, now fully recovered, looked even more imposing. Coupled with the air of tension around him that was born from years of experience, he was the exact image of a veteran soldier. His presence alone motivated his allies.

And so, I got on his back and headed to the center of the battlefield. When Kohaku got close, the knight's warhorse neighed and acted wildly. After some struggle, it threw the knight to the ground.

Except for the warhorse, silence enveloped the area. Despite all of its strict training and its experience in the battlefield, even that warhorse succumbed to Kohaku's imposing presence.

The horse ran off as fast and far away as it could. That left the knight dumbfounded as he knelt on the ground. I pitied the knight but proceeded as was normal.

And then, the knight—now on foot—and I—still on Kohaku—faced one another.

The knight had somehow regained his calm and acted appropriately during war time. He then read out the war's rules.

Those rules were just as we originally agreed on: limiting the battlefield to only this Plain, the procedure regarding prisoners of war, and so on.

We agreed once again on the rules and returned to each other's army. After a while, horns were blown loudly, signaling the start of the war.

Immediately following the signal, the enemy's heavy-infantry roared their battle cries and proceeded to rush forward.

Originally, they would only rush after firing arrows at their enemies but they judged that the arrows would have had little to no effect to the golems. Not bad, I thought.