A Certain Operation
Fourth of January
Runwalker March Regalia Army
“How many casualties are there?”
“Haa. There are about one thousand casualties. Albeit little by little, we are currently moving closer while attacking with Magic in order to bring the siege weapons closer to the fortress. Additionally, we are about to bring ladders close to the fortress and climb it”
It’s the fifth day since we started the war on Runwalker March. It’s past noon, and there are already one thousand people dead huh. It’s about ten thousand in total huh.
The first day ended with just an exchange of Magic, and the full-scale war started from the second day onwards. Although Magic is powerful, it has a higher chance than a bow to implicate our comrades if they’re too close, so as it reaches the middlegame, it becomes not very useable.
It goes for the enemies as well; if they cast Magic too close, they’ll destroy their precious gate, so even if they use Magic at us, it’s only Elementary Magic. It’s mostly blocked by the barrier even if they used that, so it seems they stop using it since it’s a waste of Magic Power .
And now, we, the Regalia Army, are about to bring out and attack with the siege weapons in order to destroy the gate. We can only either break the gate or climb over the fortress and open the gate. And since it seems Magic Barriers are weak to physical damage. However, it’s quite difficult since the enemies know that as well.
“Humph. Are the ladders still not close?”
“Yes. The enemies’ attacks are aggressive. It gets ends up getting broken right away even if we got close”
We, the Hero Group, were told that our work comes after we get close to the fortress. Kana-chan possesses the title,『The One Who Heals』, so she’s treating the wounded and whatnot. I’m helping out since I can use Water Magic as well though.
The Hero Group here consists of Ijuuin, Shidou, Endou, Kana-chan, Mari-chan, and me, Kaidou. Because the others, the delinquent group and Shimuzu have different missions, they’ve been taken to somewhere. Galgante isn’t around currently either.
The only other people in the tent are the General, General Gregorius, several of his subordinates, and the idiot prince, Derris. Honestly, General Gregorius is on quite bad terms with Derris.
Derris, he does idiotic things like proposing to charge fruitlessly, but General Gregorius rejected all his suggestions. Well, General Gregorius is right.
It appears that Derris, who thinks his own suggestions are right, can’t take it lying down though.
However, it’ll probably gradually worsen to the point of no return at this rate. I’ve seen wars like these in light novels and such as well, as I thought, it looks like the defending side has the advantage. I wonder what exactly should we do. As I was thinking about that
“Yo, is everybody working hard?”
Galgante entered with a smile. It’s an irritated face. ……hmm? There’s a stranger, who wears a mantle, behind him. Judging from the height, it’s probably a man though. Who’s that?
“……Galgante-dono. It is troubling if you go about as you please. Your mission is to be the Heroes-dono’s bodyguard after all”
General Gregorius candidly says to the laid-back Galgante. However, Galgante is acting frivolously. This fellow pisses me off.
“Sorry, sorry. I mean, it’s a request from the His Highness”
However, the General and the others were struck with nervousness by Galgante’s words. I wonder what he meant by a request from the His Highness?
“What may that be about? I wonder why was I, the General, not informed about it?”
“Well, well. Don’t get so angry. His Highness was saying that he wants to have the General to concentrate on the war. Besides, I’ll talk about it now”
The contents of what he said after that was something that was all too surprising.
◇◇◇
“Who would’ve thought, I would be made to perform such an operation”
I really ended up drawing the short end of the stick. The probability is indeed higher to let us, who were summoned as Heroes, do it than to let those ordinary soldiers do it though…….haa.
As I’m feeling slightly down in that manner
“Are you alright, Kaidou-kun?”
, Kana-chan came. Behind her is Mari-chan as well. I wonder what’s going on with the two of them? By the way, we get along well compared to the other Hero Group.
We were in the same class previously, and within the Hero Group, we’re the only ones who can use Water Magic, which can heal. In these couple of days as well, I also helped out with the treating of the wounded soldiers the whole time.
Kana-chan is being called,『Regalia’s Holy Maiden』, by those soldiers she helped. Well, it’s not wrong since she possesses the Goddess’ Blessing like the Arcadia State’s Holy Maiden though.
Mari-chan, she’s treated as the soldiers’ mascot. It seems those soldiers, who were on the brink of death from the war, feel relaxed as well when they see Mari-chan’s cheerful personality. The person herself denies it though.
And then, because I’m together with such Holy Maiden and mascot, I’m being treated with animosity. Well, I’ve already given up, thinking, ‘I guess that’s how it’s going to be if I’m with two of such adorable girls’, though.
“What’s wrong, both of you?”
“Ufufu! We came to console the Kaidou-kun who was made to perform an absurd operation!”
Mari-chan puffs up her chestless chest out and says.
“Geez, it’s no good to put it that way, isn’t it! Sorry, Kaidou-kun. Mari is also worried about Kaidou-kun and she’s only trying to behave cheerfully”
Kana-chan says apologetically. To be worried about by such an adorable pair. I’m so happy that I’m about to burst into tears.
“Haha, I get it. Thanks, for worrying about me”
When I reply with a smile, the two of them make grim expressions instead for some reason. Why is even Mari-chan making such an expression. Where did that lively atmosphere from just now go?
“But, are you really alright? The operation this time around is very dangerous, you know? Even though you don’t know whether you can return alive. Besides, a lot of people will be……”
“I know, that it’s dangerous. But if somebody has to do it, then it’s a given for somebody with a higher probability to survive to do it, right? What, I don’t plan to die either. I want to return to the Empire and be lovey-dovey with Lucy after all”
Both of them burst into laughter when I say that and wink. Wha, what? I thought I said something quite cool though.
“Geez! Kaidou-kun! But that’s right. There are people waiting as well after all”
Kana-chan says and makes a somewhat sorrowful-looking face. It’s a face she makes occasionally. My intuition is saying that she’s probably thinking of the person she likes.
But, if I’m so worried about by these two then I have no choice but to do my best. I don’t want to die either after all.
