Volume 3, Chapter 3 Part 2
Translator: Skythewood
Editor: Hiiro
Ⅴ
When she saw the banner of the Valedstorm house flying on the hill opposite them, Claudia gripped her telescope tight with trembling shoulders.
“Hmm, Sergeant Eris is doing great. The banners are prominent too, we can probably fool the Imperial Army.”
Ashton looked at the hill opposite them with satisfaction, while Claudia said out his name one syllabus at a time.
“Ashton Senefelder.”
“Here.”
“I have a question for you.”
“W-What is it?”
“I know about Major Olivia’s body double. I didn’t expect her to dye her hair and wear similar armor, let’s leave it at that for now. But what’s with those banners? Why have I never heard about them? When did you prepare them?”
Claudia said as she pointed at the banners bearing the Valedstorm house emblem, as if she was pointing at her sworn enemy. If you look closely, Claudia’s temple was twitching, and there was the sound of her telescope cracking too.
Olivia pulled some distance away from the two of them.
“Huh? First Lieutenant Claudia, you didn’t know?”
“That’s right, I didn’t know at all. By the way, do you know about this, Major?”
Claudia asked expressionlessly. By the way Olivia did know. Or rather, she took part enthusiastically. During that stay in Fort Gracia, Olivia not only agreed to Ashton’s proposal, and even happily took part in the production of the banners. This was the first time Olivia worked together with everyone on something, making it a valuable experience.
The guards were reserved at first, but had completely warmed up when the banners were done. When Ashton asked for a volunteer to be Olivia’s body double, Eris shouted with ragged breath” Me me me! Please let me do it!” Olivia would notice Eris staring at her at times, but she didn’t know why.
After that, Olivia used her authority to distribute Dominic’s private stash of food and wine with everyone. For some reason, they all gathered around Olivia and threw her into the sky, and Olivia accepted their gratitude happily. It was a night filled with fun memories.
“Yes, I know.”
Olivia nodded timidly, and Claudia narrowed her eyes. The weather was warm, but Olivia felt a chill on her back.
“I see. I was the only one who didn’t know… So Ashton, you haven’t answered my question.”
“W-We made these before leaving Fort Gracia.”
“Oh~ in just half a day. You must have put a lot of work into them? I can tell at a glance.”
Claudia nodded as she crossed her arms. Her expressionless face reminded Olivia of the calm before the storm.
“You think so too, First Lieutenant Claudia? You are right, it took a lot of effort to do this. Thanks to the hard work of the guards, the results look great.”
“I see, I see.”
“Especially the scythes, they were a real pain to make them so realistic, as if it could cut off heads.”
As Ashton explained passionately, Olivia thought:
Ashton always says I can’t read the mood, but if the ability to sense tension is reading the mood, then Ashton completely fails at that. Since she understood that, it meant she had grown.
Claudia slowly approached Ashton who couldn’t read the mood, grabbed him by the shoulders and shook him wildly.
“You jerk! Are you picking a fight!? Are you picking a fight with me!!?”
“Wait!? That's not my intention! This is just using Olivia’s infamy, no, her reputation as part of our plan! Thanks to that, the enemy had stopped their attacks!”
Ashton was shocked, and pointed at the foot of the hill as he shook his head.
Claudia felt he said something rude just now, but it was true that the enemy had stopped in their tracks, gawking at the banners in the distance.
Olivia clapped her hands, drawing their attention to her.
“Keep it in moderation, alright? Ashton is right, the enemy has stopped. This is a good chance to rescue the Second Army.”
“Hah, hah… Yes Mdm! My apologies for losing my composure! —I will remember this, Ashton, I will give you a good scolding later.”
“But why… Anyway, everything is going as planned, what do we do now?”
Ashton who was finally free from Claudia tidied his collar and asked.
“From what I can see, the Sun Knights are great at group battles. They are stronger than the Crimson Knights in that aspect.”
Conversely, the Crimson Knights were better in individual combat. The Sun Knights were strong in their synergy and teamwork.
“I see. Their movements are more polished than the Crimson Knights, and they are better trained as a whole. That much is obvious.”
“Yes, but in this world, one’s strength is closely linked to their weakness.”
““Weakness?””
The two voices asked at the same time, and looked at each other. Claudia feigned a cough and said:
“May I know what their specific weakness is? I can’t see any flaws…”
“I feel the same way as First Lieutenant Claudia. It’s hard for me to imagine that formation being broken easily.”
“Hmmm~ So that’s how you two sees it.”
“Do you see something different, Major?”
“Yes, I think the Sun Knights are too used to group battles. Once they lose their commander, they would be slow to react to changes.”
“So we will disrupt their command system by killing the commander. Olivia, you are saying that is our path to victory?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Olivia squatted down, and drew a circle with a branch. Claudia and Ashton squatted down beside her.
“First, we will proceed as planned. My body double Eris will lead 3,000 men to feign an attack to the right. And of course, we need to ensure the fake isn’t exposed. The two of you will use this chance to attack the rear of the enemy with 2,000 soldiers. The rest of the troops will attack together with me from the left.”
She drew three smaller circles, drawing lines from them towards the big circle.
“We will need to inform the Second Army of our plans. The commander of the Second Army seems very capable, and should be able to regroup while we engage the enemy. What do you think?”
“If this works, we can attack the enemy from all sides… Not bad.”
Ashton muttered as he looked at the map.
“I have no objections.”
Claudia nodded.
“It’s settled then! Send a messenger to the Second Army post haste. We need to get moving too.”
““Yes Mdm!!””
The two of them stood up and saluted.
On Olivia’s orders, the battle officially started.
Patrick’s Army Basecamp
Seeing the waves of uproar in his unit getting louder and louder, Patrick clicked his tongue unhappily.
The silver haired girl in dark armor suddenly appeared on the hill, and looking calmly down on the plains. Besides her was a dark banner with a skull and two crossed scythes.
It was clear that she was the biggest threat to the Empire right now, the rumored Death God Olivia.
“Your Grace, that’s—”
“There’s only one person who will brandish such an ominous banner.”
Patrick’s voice was filled with disgust.
“So it is the Death God Olivia…”
Ares said with cold sweat on his brows.
The Empire never expected the Death God Olivia, part of the Seventh Army, to appear in the Central War Theatre. Patrick had read Gaier’s report that some of the officers called 《The Death God Memoirs》.
She was a terrifying opponent who toyed with the Crimson Knights, and injured Rosenmarie. But on the flip side, this was a good chance to kill Death God Olivia.
“Ares, send a message to Brigadier General Christoph. He is to lead 7,000 Sun Knights to deal with the Death God’s unit.”
“7,000!? But we have less than 10,000 Sun Knights with us.”
Ares stared with his eyes wide open, which clearly showed how abnormal Patrick’s orders were.
“That’s right. We can’t take the Death God lightly. Gather the Sun Knights riders and pin her down on that hill.”
“But the Second Army aren’t routed yet. If we send in all the Knights…”
Ares didn’t say it out loud, but he obviously didn’t agree with Patrick’s plan.
“You are not convinced?”
“… Pardon my insolence.”
“It will be fine. We just have to destroy the Second Army with the rest of our forces.”
“I can’t agree with that. Even if the Second Army is at the brink of defeat, we have to ensure your safety, Your Grace.”
Patrick knew what Ares was trying to say. He was worried that if anything happens to Patrick, the entire unit would get routed.
Since ancient times, an army that lost its commander never won any battles. A classic example would be the demise of the southern army when General Osborne was killed in action last year. As an adjutant, it was only natural for Ares to be worried.
“You have a point, but let me ask you instead, is it really possible to fight a battle in complete safety?”
Patrick raised the corners of his lips.
“Sigh… I already had an idea, but Your Grace can be really mean spirited at times. I will be blunt then, such sophistry is useless.”
Ares wasn’t pacified at all. At this moment, an escort walked forth. He was the captain of the escort unit, Captain Sieghard.
“Major Ares is right to be concerned, but don’t worry. If His Grace falls into danger, the escort unit will protect him with our lives.”
The moment Sieghard said that, the escorts around them fell on one knee.
“That’s how it is. Besides, I still have this blade with me to protect myself.”
Patrick drew out the Saber on his waist, and raised it high. The sunlight reflected off it brilliantly.
A merchant sold this weapon that was like a piece of art to Patrick. He said that this was a peerless weapon from another continent, which was single edged with the blade bending slightly back towards the tip.
True to the merchant words, the saber was incredibly sharp, and Patrick brought it at a high price when he saw what it could do.
Ares stared at Patrick’s sword, then stood at attention and saluted:
“I understand. Once you have made up your mind, Your Grace won’t budge. I will contact Brigadier General Christoph.”
“We have no idea what the Death God is scheming. Tell him to keep his guard up.”
“Yes Sir!”
Deception Detachment, Main Base
Eris couldn’t help laughing when she saw the Sun Knights’ movements.
“Those fools think I’m Olivia-Oneesama, and are charging our way. Really now, do I look that much like Olivia-Oneesama? Kufufu.”
Beside the laughing Eris was a blonde hair blue eyed man who was staring at the Sun Knights with his arms crossed. He was Eris elder brother, Second Lieutenant Lucas. Lucas looked at Eris with an exasperated face and said:
“Really now, the enemy is upon us, and you are still in the mood to laugh. Our opponents are the Sun Knight commanded by an Imperial Tri-General, completely different from the bandits we usually deal with. Besides, you are five years older than her, aren’t you embarrassed to call her ‘Oneesama’? Did the heat get to your head?”
With that, Lucas reached out his hand in an attempt to touch Eris’ forehead.
Eris slapped his hand away angrily.
“You are annoying, who cares about all that. Don’t just stand there, get ready to engage the enemy.”
Eris who was entrusted by Olivia with an important duty was in high spirits. She never experienced anything like this back when she was a city guard dealing with bandits.
In this battle, how much attention she could draw from the enemy would decide the battle, so Eris played an important role. Disguising herself as Olivia was the key to this battle.
When she thought of that, Eris clenched her fist. When Lucas saw that, he looked at her with dubious eyes.
“… What? Are you mesmerized by my beauty?”
“Hey, are you thinking something stupid like ‘the key to winning this battle depends on me’?”
“Tch!”
“So I was right… You are really easy to read. You are just a foot soldier, and you are fantasizing about being the commander?”
“There’s no harm in just thinking!”
“You are just Major Olivia’s body double. That’s all. And I’m your superior officer, don’t act all tough just because you are my little sister.”
Lucas said as if he had seen through everything. It was annoying, but he was right. But whether Eris could accept that was a different matter.
Eris clicked her tongue unhappily, and saluted pretentiously.
“Yes Sir! Pardon my impudence, I hope Second Lieutenant Lucas can be gracious enough to forgive me. Forgive me for being forthright, but can you please hurry up and engage the enemy.”
With that, Eris pointed at the Sun Knights. The soldiers behind him let out muffled laughter. At the same time, the horn alerting them that the enemy was in bow range sounded out.
“Why you…”
“What, got a problem?”
“Forget it— Archers, fire in three stage volleys. Pikemen, take care of anyone we missed out. We have the high ground, so make full use of the terrain.”
“““Yes Sir!!”””
“And don’t let that stupid woman’s identity get exposed.”
“Hold it, you jerkass brother! Calling your sister stupid is going too far!”
Lucas ignored Eris and signalled with his left hand. The soldiers cut the ropes with axes, and logs rolled down the slope towards the sprinting Sun Knights—
Second Army Basecamp
After Olivia and her troops appeared on that hill, the Sun Knights changed their direction of attack. When Brad saw that, he realized the mistake he had made.
The Imperial Army took Olivia much more greatly than he imagined. The intel he could get on the battlefield was limited, but he still had much to learn. Brad couldn’t help smiling wryly.
“Your Excellency, a messenger from Major Olivia.”
Liz cut off Brad’s train of thought.
“Sir, the unit deployed on the hills there are fake.”
“Fake? What’s going on?”
“Yes Sir, allow me to explain.”
What the messenger said surprised Brad. The person he assumed was Olivia, was actually a body double. Olivia was lying in ambush with her soldiers at the foot of another hill.
“Huh!?” Even Liz couldn’t hide her surprise. Not just that, there was another unit waiting in ambush, ready to attack the rear and flanks of the enemy.
The Second Army was requested to reorganize while Olivia’s unit had the enemy’s attention, and launch a counterattack in concert with the springing of the ambushes. Brad was certain that if the plan went smoothly, they could surround the enemy and had the chance to defeat the enemy despite having a smaller force.
As Brad watched the messenger rode off galliantly on his horse, he said to Liz:
“Did you hear that? Major Olivia is bold enough to draw the enemy’s attention and buy time for us to regroup. She even wants us to launch a counterattack, and give us a bunch of problems to solve.”
“Fufu. She thinks Your Excellency is capable of pulling it off. Major Olivia’s judgement is right on point.”
“Right on point…? I want to know what you are basing that on.”
“My basis? Of course I have one.”
Liz answered confidently. Brad was intrigued by that.
“Oh~ even though the subject himself said there isn’t any basis?”
“Yes, a bystander will have a more objective view than the subject themselves.”
“I see, you have a point. Let’s hear your reason.”
“Because I believe Your Excellency can do it.”
Liz stared at Brad, and her tone was firm. Brad turned his head as if he was trying to escape her eyes, scratched his head and then said:
“— Anyway, from the movements of the unit on the hill, the ragtag bunch is being properly commanded. I don’t know how she did it, but Major Olivia’s abilities are the real deal.”
“Major Olivia has already started fighting, we can’t fall behind.”
“That’s right. I’m the commander of the Second Army after all, and can’t slow my proud subordinates down… Captain Liz.”
“Send the casualties to the center, and deploy in a circle formation.”
Brad laughed wryly, then continued:
“Yes, do that.”
Because of Olivia’s intervention, the battle on Freiberg Highlands was coming to an end.
Claudia’s Ambush Unit
On Olivia’s orders, Claudia and Ashton successfully went around to the back of the Imperial forces.
“Well, this is unexpected.”
The battle on the hill made Ashton show a look of confusion.
To counter the 3,000 soldiers of the Deception Detachment, the Sun Knights sent the bulk of their forces out. Claudia didn’t like the Death God nickname, but she had to admit that Ashton’s plan worked since it drew in so many enemies.
But Olivia wasn’t actually there. Even though Eris was somewhat skilled with a sword, she was just a normal soldier who dyed her hair and was wearing the same armor.
“It’s thanks to the flashy banners Ashton prepared too. Even with the advantage in terrain, the Deception Detachment won’t last long against the Sun Knights that had double their numbers. What do you plan to do, oh great strategist.”
Ashton scratched his face embarrassedly when he heard Claudia’s teasing.
“I admit that I didn’t think this through. The influence of the Death God far exceeds my imagination. However—”
“The defence of the enemy basecamp is severely weakened, right?”
Ashton opened his eyes wide, then raised the corners of his lips. It wasn’t important, but Claudia felt it was rare to find a man like Ashton who wasn’t suited to an arrogant smile at all.
“That’s mean, First Lieutenant Claudia. So you already know, and is just teasing me.”
“Your miscalculation just happens to bring about a favorable outcome. Don’t you forget that.”
Ashton paid more attention to the surroundings than himself. And people like that usually die young on the battlefield. On top of that, Ashton couldn’t even use a sword well. So Claudia had to remind him repeatedly.
“It’s fine, I’m not that narcissistic.”
“Very well then. So, what do you plan to do?”
“It will be harsh, but the Deception Detachment will have to hang on for a while longer. This will save us the effort to kill the enemy commander. I don’t think Olivia will let this chance slip.”
“Let’s not dally then. We will push through in one shot.”
Claudia turned around and raised her sword up high, and shouted to the soldiers who were rearing to go:
“We will be charging the rear of the Imperial forces. With the enemy main forces engaging the Deception Detachment, this is a golden opportunity. It’s time for all of you to rumble like lions.”
“““Yes Mdm!!”””
The troops pumped their fists high and answered.
The 2,000 foot soldiers under Claudia’s command started charging the enemy’s basecamp.
Olivia’s Ambush Unit
When Olivia saw what happened to the Deception Detachment, Olivia sighed and kept her telescope away. Z taught her that war was fluid, and would never pan out in the way she wanted.
A blonde hair with purple eyes beside him was observing the battle with a telescope too. That man— Warrant Officer Evansin, said in surprise:
“That is unexpected.”
“Yes, the Sun Knights are attacking en masse. That can’t be helped, since the situation in war is ever changing. Thanks to that, our plans are a mess. Does the Imperial Army want to kill me that badly? I sure am popular, hahaha.”
Olivia laughed loudly, while Evansin showed a bitter smile.
“Your popularity sure is dangerous, there’s no way I can live with that. But the enemy basecamp’s defences are drawn thin. Instead, my brother, the commander of the Detachment Unit, and my sister, acting as a body double for Major Olivia, are in grave danger.”
“So Evansin is Eris’ younger brother.”
“Yes, unfortunately…”
Evansin’s awkward smile deepened at that. Olivia didn’t understand what’s so unfortunate about that, but on a closer look, he did somewhat resemble Eris.
He was a guy, but Evansin was as pretty as Eris. When Olivia first left the Gate to the Underworld, all the humans looked the same in Olivia’s eyes. But she had grown now, and could differentiate them clearly.
Evansin beside her stole glances at Olivia from time to time.
“What is it?”
“Eh!? N-Nothing… B-By the way, did my sister do anything rude to Major Olivia? I heard the two of you made a banner together.”
The sheepish Evansin asked, and Olivia tilted her head:
“She didn’t do anything strange. We have a nice chat— Oh, she mentioned that her younger brother still wets the bed at twelve, so that’s Evansin.”
“—! That damn sister of mine. She has no tack at all. P-Please forget about that. Anything else?”
“Anything else? Hmm… Oh! Speaking of which, she would stare at me sometimes. Does that count?”
Evansin sighed heavily when he heard that.
“As I expected… Don’t mind her, that’s just her being a sicko.”
“I don’t really mind, but is that an illness? Has she consulted a doctor?”
Eris didn’t seem ill at all when she chatted with Olivia at the party. Or rather, she was so lively that it was troubling.
But Olivia learned from books that humans suffer from all sorts of diseases. They might look healthy, but were actually unwell.
“No, well, there is a cure for normal illness… but her sickness is incorrigible.”
Evansin’s eyes started to waver, and his voice grew so soft towards the end, that Olivia couldn’t hear him properly.
“Not a normal illness? Are there records of it in books?”
“Instead of the records in books, it will be better for you to not find out or know. Major Olivia, you just need to stay the way you are.”
“I see. Got it.”
Since he told her not to ask, then so be it. There were many things she was better off not knowing. For example, that the stove she thought was fixed by the fairy Comet, was actually repaired by Z with magic.
As Olivia reminisced about the past, a messenger came running with ragged breath:
“First Lieutenant Claudia has started her assault on the rear of the Imperial forces with her foot soldier battalion!”
“Got it. As expected of Claudia, she moves fast.”
Olivia was impressed, and Evansin said with a complicated face.
“Shall we move out too?”
“Yes. The Deception Detachment would get wiped out if we take too long.”
“Then when should we go?”
“I will give the word at the right moment. Evansin, get things ready.”
“Yes Mdm!”
The most important thing in war was the element of surprise. Claudia’s attack had shaken the enemy, but she only had 2,000 men. In order to make this surprise attack work, grasping the situation accurately was important, and the key was to understand the “breathing” of the battle.
Olivia thought back to Z’s teaching and gave her instructions to the troops.
Claudia’s Ambush Unit
Thirty minutes after the assault began.
Claudia’s battalion of foot soldiers fought bravely, throwing the enemy into disarray.
“Hah, hah… This is going better than expected. I don’t see any signs of the Sun Knights.”
Ashton who was a little tired commented. Around him was a group of elite escorts, chosen personally by Claudia.
As the brains of the Seventh Army, Ashton needed to be carefully protected.
“Keep your guard up.”
Claudia gave a short warning, and ordered the unit onwards. The sound of horns and rumbling filled the battlefield.
The enemy was forced back by their ferocious advance, but the appearance of a burly Imperial soldier changed the situation. That soldier wielded a large black club, and swept through the Royal soldiers like a storm. The imperial forces cheered at his display of might.
(No good. The Empire will gain momentum if this goes on… Time to try that move.)
Claudia ordered her men to fall back, and personally faced that Imperial soldier who was covered in blood.
“A little girl like you is challenging me…? Don’t make me laugh.”
The man made a face of contempt, and flicked away the brain matter on his weapon.
“You seem to be having fun running your mouth off. Just shut up and be my stepping stone.”
“Stepping stone? What do you mean?”
Claudia lowered her stance, and ignored her opponent. She imagined herself as an incredibly tight string, and got ready to use her powers that she rejected in the past.
She unleashed all her power and ran straight forth.
—Celestial Eyes and Fleet Footed Rush.
“Hmm—?”
The man turned around in surprise, and found a gaping wound on the side of his abdomen. His blood and organs started spilling out.
“Guuahhh!”
He collapsed on his knees with tears in his eyes and hands on his stomach, and keeled over shortly after.
(I can’t bisect people like the Major did. I need to continue working hard.)
Ashton pointed at Claudia with his jaws slacked, which was pretty much the expression of everyone else present.
Claudia paid them no mind, pointing her sword forward and ordering her unit to press on the attack.
Patrick’s Army Basecamp
Two hours after Patrick sent out the bulk of his main forces. All this while, they didn’t stop their attack against the Second Army that was on the verge of collapsing, but the battle is still not decided. Patrick was getting frustrated by the stubborn resistance of the Second Army.
“… How foolhardy.”
“The enemy has adopted a circle formation, and completely gone on the defensive.”
“That is obvious. They can defend, but the dead soldiers won’t revive. There must be a weak point somewhere, focus our attack that way.”
“That’s true, but the enemy commander is outstanding too, it’s not that easy…”
Patrick sighed when he saw Ares’ troubled face. He looked at the other side of the hill with his telescope, and saw that the Sun Knights had the upper hand.
Christoph performed admirably, and didn’t disappoint Patrick.
(Looks like the Death God is having trouble against the overwhelming numbers of the Sun Knights. We sent all of our knights out, so it would be troubling if it doesn’t yield any results.)
Feeling relieved, Patrick started thinking about ways to destroy the Second Army. At this moment, he realized a stir in the units behind him.
As Patrick cast his gaze to the back, a messenger barged right in.
“R-Report! The rear of our forces are under attack! The enemy is charging towards the basecamp with a full head of steam!”
“From the rear!? Their numbers?”
“Over 2,000!”
“Two thousand? —I see, that is probably the Death God’s detachment unit. Just parlour tricks.”
Patrick snapped the command baton in his hand. On Sieghard’s orders, the escort unit swiftly surrounded Patrick.
“I don’t think it’s possible, but were they expecting us to send in all our knights, and split their forces into two in advance?”
Patrick shook his head at Ares’ question.
“I don’t know. But if that is true, then they must have a deal with the Devil— or in this case, the Death God.”
“How should we deal with them?”
“Don’t panic. Send out the rest of the knights, show them the famed iron defences of the Sun Knights.”
“But the defences of the headquarters will be even more… I understand. I will make the arrangements.”
After being glared at by Patrick, Ares gulped and went about relaying the orders. A short moment later, more than a thousand Sun Knights were dispatched to the rear.
Less than half an hour later, the newest report made Patrick furious.
“You say the Death God has appeared to our left!?”
“Yes Sir! She’s coming our way as if she was mowing through grass!”
“Nonsense! The Death God is being pinned down by the Sun Knights on that hill!”
Patrick pointed at that hill and yelled, with froth in his mouth. But the messenger wasn’t fazed, and stood firm:
“B-But she has silver hair and dark armor, just like the rumored Death God! A-And she is even cutting people in half with one strike, she has to be the Death God!”
The messenger’s face was turning green, and he even forgot to use honorifics with his superiors. Normally, someone would have reprimanded him, but the content of the report stunned everyone in the tent.
“You are saying there are two Death Gods!? That’s preposterous!”
Patrick shouted agitatedly. In contrast, Ares said calmly:
“There is only one explanation for this.”
“Explanation!? What explanation! Don’t waste time and out with it!”
“The one here is the real deal, while the one in the hill is a body double.”
“Real deal and body double…”
“They played us like a Death God damn fiddle.”
Ares said with a self mocking laugh. Patrick was speechless, and at this moment, they heard the screams of the troops.
Patrick looked towards the source, and saw a silver haired girl appear with a splash of blood. She was holding a black sword covered in a dark mist, and on her armor was an ominous emblem of a skull and scythes.
The messenger screamed and fled at the sight of the girl.
“I finally reached!”
The girl looked around her with a brilliant smile. Patrick felt she looked like a predator hunting for prey.
“Protect His Grace!”
Sieghard yelled, and the escorts slashed at the girl with their swords. She dodged all the attacks gracefully like petals in the wind, and at the same time, sliced off their heads mercilessly.
Her cuts were so fast that the escorts didn’t even have time to scream. Blood scattered everywhere, and her assailants were turned into corpses.
When the girl finally stopped, none of the escorts were left alive.
Despite the intense movements this girl made to create this hellish scene, she didn’t look tired at all.
“Y-You monster!”
Ares lashed out at her, and Olivia said:
“I’m not a monster, I’m Olivia— it feels like a long time since I last said that. Recently, everyone had been calling me the Death God. Oh! I don’t hate the nickname Death God, so you can call me that.”
Olivia smiled cheerfully. Her mind boggling skill with the sword made it painfully clear that she was the real Death God.
“Your Grace, please leave this place at once. I will buy you some time.”
“Ares, you know that’s impossible.”
Patrick said calmly, and Ares stared with his eyes wide open:
“Your Grace…”
“You saw her sword techniques. Even the elite escort team was slaughtered one sidedly by her.”
“Then we will use numbers…”
“It’s futile. A mob of normal troops wouldn’t be able to stop her. She’s way out of our league.”
No wonder she managed to heavily injure Rosenmarie. Patrick was confident with his sword, but that confidence had been crushed by Olivia.
Patrick thought that only Felixus who commanded the Azure Knights could stand up to her.
“So we just wait quietly for death?”
Ares’ voice was gloomy, and his trembling shoulders weren’t because he was afraid of the girl.
Patrick smiled wryly at that:
“Don’t rush to conclusions. Of course we will resist.”
With that, Patrick drew the Saber on his waist and Ares followed suit.
“Then allow me to assist, Your Grace. It’s a shame, but we have to leave the rest to Field Marshal Graden.”
“After running my mouth off at the war conference,things ended up like this. My apologies that you have to accompany me on the right to hell.”
“Yes Sir, leave it to me.”
They looked at each other and smiled.
“—Are you done talking?”
“Yes, sorry for the wait.”
“I will ask just in case, do you want to surrender? I offered the Crimson Knights the same thing too. If you surrender, I won’t kill you.”
Olivia’s offer was unexpected. There was no reason for her to lie, so Patrick was really surprised.
“Let me ask you instead, did the Crimson Knights yield?”
“No.”
Olivia shook her head. Patrick raised the corners of her lips and said:
“Then it’s obvious that the Sun Knights won’t accept either.”
“I see. Then I will have to kill you.”
Ares thrust his sword hard at Olivia. Olivia riposte the attack, and ran her sword through his stomach. Ares threw up reddish black blood, but refused to back down.
Instead, he walked into the blade.
“Hmm?”
Olivia was confused by that. When he reached Olivia, he grabbed her waist and yelled:
“N-Now! Cut both of us down!”
“Well done!”
Patrick held the Saber horizontally, and thrust it with all his might—
“Oh, a sacrificial attack? That’s a good idea, but you need to train harder to hold me down.”
In Olivia’s left hand was Ares whose neck had been snapped, the white of his eyes showing. The dark sword in her right hand was stabbed deeply through Patrick’s chest.
“A-Ares… Sorry.”
Patrick collapsed limbly to the ground. As his vision faded into darkness, he could hear Olivia’s gleeful voice.
She said:
“I was thinking your weapon is very unique the whole time. Can you give it to me?”
However, Patrick would never have the chance to answer Olivia.
Ⅵ
Christoph Army Headquarters
The Sun Knights led by Brigadier General Christoph had trouble in the beginning because of the terrain, but as the two army closed their distance, the Sun Knights could finally fight at their true potential.
During this time, his adjutant Captain Maschera said with a frown:
“Your Grace, the Death God’s unit isn’t as good as they say. We outnumber them two to one, but this is a let down. I don’t understand how the Crimson Knights lost to such an army.”
“You think so too?”
“Yes Sir.”
“I’m wondering about the same thing. They are too passive, and the Death God didn’t come to the frontlines. This is strange.”
The rumor said that the Death God would aggressively go after the enemy commanders.
But it had been hours since they clashed, and the Death God still didn’t appear on the frontlines. Christoph was wary about a trap in the beginning, but he has lost his patience now.
“Lord Christoph, we should make an all out push towards the enemy.”
“That’s right. Since the Death God isn’t moving at all, we should use this chance.”
The officers were getting frustrated, and proposed pressing the attack. Christoph felt it would affect morale if this went on, and accepted their proposal. At this moment, a messenger covered in blood stumbled in, and delivered grave news.
“What did you say!? Lieutenant General Patrick is dead!?”
“Yes… He fell in the hands of the Death God.”
“The Death God!? But we are fighting the Death God right now!”
Christoph pressed the messenger further, as the news hit him the hardest. Patrick being killed was hard to believe, but saying there were two Death God was preposterous.
“The reason is unclear, but it’s a fact that the Death God was there. The Second Army now has breathing room to regroup. The basecamp is destroyed, and soon… the Death God will be coming here. Please… organize a retreat…”
After saying that, the messenger cough up blood and collapsed. He was shot in the back by several arrows earlier, and soon breathed his last.
As the officers were still baffled, Christoph’s doubts were suddenly cleared.
The passive attitude of the enemy.
The Death God was absent from the battlefield.
(So that’s what’s going on…)
Christoph found the entirety so funny that he couldn’t stop laughing. His subordinates looked at him with complicated faces.
“It seems we are being stalled by a fake Death God.”
“A fake… Who have we been fighting then?”
“Probably a bait unit. We fell for their trick hook, line and sinker, and gave them time to recuperate— Hahaha, how unsightly.”
“— In that case, let’s not waste more time. We have to withdraw before they attack us from both sides.”
Maschera’s proposal was the textbook answer in such a situation. It was clear from his exasperated face that the situation was deteriorating quickly. However, Christoph couldn’t stand just retreating like this. As a warrior and the head of house Raptor, Christoph’s pride wouldn’t allow that.
“Change into arrowhead formation, and break through the enemy’s center. We will leave the battlefield in that direction, and also take the head of the fake as compensation.”
“Breaking through their center is fine, but there’s no point in killing the fake. We should focus on withdrawing.”
Maschera’s advice sounded useless to Christoph, and he grunted condescendingly:
“It’s not about killing the fake, it’s about sending a message. After being played by the enemy, I have to repay the favor to salvage the name of the Raptor house. If you understand, then get moving.”
“… Yes Sir.”
Deception Detachment Basecamp
Sun Knights changed into an arrowhead formation, and charged right down towards the Royal Army’s basecamp. Eris who saw this scene in the basecamp said to Lucas who was busy sending out instructions:
“They must have gotten news that their basecamp has fallen.”
“—You are probably right. They are planning to break through our blockade and withdraw from the battlefield. If we can stall a little bit more time, we will be able to encircle them with our allies. This is a pity.”
Lucas clicked his tongue unhappily. This was unlike her usual composed brother, which showed how dire the situation was.
The battle at the start went smoothly, but they were being suppressed by the enemy. The difference in numbers played a part, but the Sun Knights deserved credit for overcoming the unfavorable terrain.
If this went on, it would only be a matter of time before the Deception Detachment get routed.
“Brother, before Olivia-Oneesama comes, I will try to attract the enemy’s attention.”
“Don’t do anything silly. Once your identity is exposed, we will all die.”
Despite his harsh words, it was clear from Lucas’ eyes that he was worried about Eris.
Eris shrugged and said:
“You understand my skill with the sword, right? I won’t fall so easily. Besides, Olivia-Oneesama will avenge me if I die— I’m going now.”
“H-Hey!?”
Eris ignored Lucas and rushed out with her sword drawn.
As Christoph cut down the soldiers blocking his path while leading his army to withdraw, he suddenly smiled. Because he saw a silver haired girl in dark armor. The girl also noticed Christoph, and charged at him with a glare.
“Your Grace.”
“Don’t mind me, continue the withdrawal with the rest of the men. Don’t let the pursuers catch you.”
Christoph cut down an enemy soldier and urged Maschera to continue while he flicked the blood from his sword.
“But…”
“Don’t worry. The real deal might be too much for me, but this is just a fake. Do you really think that I, Christoph Raptor, will lose?”
“I don’t mean that… let’s link up later then, and godspeed.”
Maschera ran past that woman, but she didn’t pay him any mind. As both sides entered attack range, there was a clear sound of metal clashing. After the swords clashed several times, the two of them backdashed at the same time.
“Hee, you are pretty good for a fake.”
“Oh, so you already know?”
The woman fidgeted with her silver hair, and showed a taunting smile.
“You really played us hard. Thanks to that, we have to flee with our tails between our legs. As compensation, I will have your head.”
“Pfft!”
“… What’s so funny?”
Christoph felt upset by her laughter, and in response to his question, the woman sighed arrogantly.
“You are the commander of the Sun Knights, right?”
“What about it?”
“Well, despite your lofty speech, you are just mad that you got tricked, right? Are you that mad that you need to lop off the head of a nobody like me to vent your anger? Even my brother is better than you— You are a really narrow minded man.”
After saying that, the woman looked at him with pitiful eyes. Christoph had never been humiliated like this before. After all, no one would dare talk smack in front of Christoph.
“—You got guts.”
Christoph tightened his grip on his hilt so hard, that his fingernails seemed to have sunken in.
(Oh no, did I go too far? Things are looking bad.)
The man’s face turned into that of a demon, and launched a flurry of attack. Every strike shook Eris to her very skull. She managed to block a few attacks, but Eris knew she wouldn’t last much longer.
(Alright then, I will take a gamble.)
Eris pulled away, took out a dagger and threw it at the man’s face.
“Petty tricks.”
The man swung his sword and knocked the dagger away. Eris used this opening and slashed at the side of his abdomen.
At that moment, Eris saw that man smiling nefariously. She quickly realized the reason.
“Ughh…”
Before she realized it, the man drew a short sword to block Eris’ attack, and stabbed his sword into her thigh.
“Haha… You seem to be in pain. What’s wrong? Hehe.”
The man pulled out the sword with a smug face, and blood spurted from Eris’ wound. The pain made her legs go weak, and she fell on her butt.
“Enough. You talk big, but that’s the extent of your ability. Your moves are fine, but unfortunately, it’s just a feeble attack from a woman.”
The man looked down at Eris and gloated his victory. Eris looked at him with condescending eyes. She insisted on doing things her way to the bitter end, and wouldn’t beg for mercy.
“Why are you so happy about beating a woman? Stop jabbering and end this. Did anyone ever tell you that you are not manly at all?”
“… Hmmp. Acting tough before you die, huh. As you wish.”
He slowly raised his sword.
(Sorry, Olivia-Oneesama. This is the end for me…)
Eris closed her eyes calmly.
However, the impact from the sword didn’t come. Baffled, Eris peeked a little— and saw a silver haired girl blocking the man’s sword.
“Olivia-Oneesama!?”
“Sorry for being late.”
Olivia smiled, then tilted and said puzzledly: “Hmm? Olivia-Oneesama?” The blissful Eris was interrupted by a blonde man who ran in from the side.
“Phew, I made it in time. Don’t be reckless.”
“Tch! I was wondering who it is, so it’s just Evansin. Who gave you permission to disturb my happiness!?”
“Sister, please. Don’t be a sicko during a time like this.”
Evansin sighed heavily. On the other hand, the man whose sword was blocked by Olivia sneered:
“So you are the real Death God Olivia, huh… I see, you are completely different from that fake over there.”
“Is that so? —Never mind, whatever. Evansin, can you take care of Eris?”
“Yes Mdm!”
“Fufu. Whatever, huh… It must be God's will for me to encounter the real deal here. I, Chritoph, swear in the name of house Raptor, that I will kill Death God Olivia today.”
Christoph backdashed, and formed a cross with his sword and short sword. That seemed to be the style he was proficient with.
Christoph then unleashed an even more ferocious combination of attacks before Olivia—
(Ahaha! Olivia-Oneesama is so incredible!)
Eris was watching Olivia fight from close up from the first time, and she was so mesmerized that she forgot the pain in her thigh. Christoph gave Eris so much trouble earlier, but Olivia parried all his attacks easily with just one hand. Christoph’s breathing was even during his fight with Eris, but now, he was sweating profusely and out of breath.
Eris was somewhat confident in her sword skills, but she couldn’t imagine how much effort it would take to reach Olivia’s level.
“By the way, your attacks are weak and flimsy.”
“Hah, hah… You… are calling my attacks weak?”
“Yes. There’s no strength behind your attack. Are you eating properly?”
Christoph’s face contorted when he heard that. It took everything Eris had to keep herself from laughing. The man who called a woman’s sword weak, got the same evaluation from Olivia who was also a woman. There was nothing more pleasing than that.
“Hey, I need to treat Eris’ wounds, can I kill you now?”
“Shut your mouth!!”
The enraged Christoph raised his sword and prepared to strike. In contrast, Olivia flicked away the blood on her blade, and sheathed it.
After that, Olivia turned and walked nonchalantly to Eris. Evansin was shocked, and reached for his sword.
“Olivia-Oneesama!?”
“Don’t worry. He’s already dead.”
With that, Olivia took out medicine and bandages from her pouch. When she completed her sentence, Christoph’s body started splitting into two vertically.
Both Eris and Evansin were dumbfounded by the incredible scene before them.
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