Please support the translation by reading the translation and commenting on otakutl official site.
Thank you.
Everyone from Otaku Translation
Previous | TOC | Next |
Chapter 21: Dividing Forces
Brandon's thoughts raced as he wished he had some sort of reconnaissance ability. Something like Hawk Eyes, Momentary Premonition, Vision of the Dead, or Sensing, but when he thought of reconnaissance, he suddenly remembered one thing.
That’s right, that thing…
He couldn't help squeezing the hand before releasing it, trying to ease his nerves.
"Since the Dagger River bank is practically unguarded for us right now, with only a maximum of one squad of undead stationed there, why don't we break out from there?"
"What, is that true?"
"How is that possible!"
"How do you know?"
Almost everyone's initial reaction was nearly unanimous.
Brandon raised his hand to quiet everyone down. "Of course I know. Breyson, do you remember the half-broken statue you found in Green Village?"
"You mean that heavy, demonic-looking object?" Breyson immediately understood what Brandon was referring to: it was the object Zeta and Layens had discovered beneath a collapsed shrine of Kalidas. They had mentioned spotting a knight's trace nearby, which prompted them to an immediate search, ultimately leading to the discovery of the object.
Brandon fished out an ebony wood carving from his pocket as he continued. "It's called Gargoyle, I'm sure you've heard of it. It's a basic war unit from Buga, controlled by wizards using this."
He placed the wood carving on his open palm for others to see clearly. Most of the young members of the Guard Unit had participated in the operation in Green Village. With just one glance, they immediately recognized the small object as identical to the statue.
"Wait, are you saying you can control that thing?" someone asked.
"But can it move?"
"It has wings, can it fly?" the scout named Zeta asked from the back row, staring at Brandon.
"Of course, it can fly, and it flies no slower than a wyvern. You know our Wyvern Knights, don't you? They hold a position similar to that of Wyvern Knights in Buga; they are the best scouts on the battlefield. I’ve been using it to find ways to avoid large groups of undead armies."
"Yesterday morning, I noticed that Madara's advance in the north ran into trouble. At least three of their companies were stranded in Weyburn, unable to seal off the north bank of Wesha River in time. And due to problems in coordination, I believe the two undead armies ahead of us were unaware of their comrades' trouble to the north."
"Unfortunately, as I pressed on with reconnaissance, the Gargoyle was detected by enemy troops, prompting an attack that left it damaged. When I ordered its return, it crashed in Green Village—"
Upon hearing this, Freya finally pieced it together, "So that's why you said you had your own thing to take care of back then. No wonder you always managed to steer us clear of danger. No wonder you insisted on going to Green Village alone despite your serious injuries. You wanted to repair that thing. Why didn't you tell us?"
Brandon was about to explain, but the future Valkyrie had already lowered her head. "I'm sorry, Brandon, I shouldn’t have been mad at you back then, but I didn't know you were doing it for everyone's sake."
Huh? Initially bewildered, Brandon quickly found himself impressed by his own ability to fabricate such a story on the fly. However, witnessing Freya effortlessly connect all the dots from start to finish left him questioning whether he was exceptionally sharp or if Freya was somewhat naive. Yet, as he noticed her apologetic expression, a wave of guilt suddenly washed over him.
However, with Freya’s words, those who had harbored doubts were now completely convinced. Freya was the best militia member of her cohort, well-regarded by Marden. And being a member of Buchi, surely she wouldn't deceive them, would she?
Even Breyson couldn't help but rub his brows and asked, "Can that thing still move?"
"Hard to say, but I'll try my best. I've already reestablished contact with it, so now it's just a matter of letting it recover on its own," Brandon said, making it up as he went along while silently adding, “why would I be wasting my time talking to you if it could still move?”
A level 23 Gargoyle, even Roscoe would break a sweat over it, let alone a skeletal wizard.
But Breyson wasn't entirely satisfied with this answer. "You're really beyond help. You couldn’t even control a flying Gargoyle without it being discovered. If we had a scout in the sky right now, the situation would be much better."
"So, is your ability just to shift blame, huh? Does that mean without me, you wouldn't even fight in battle?" Brandon retorted mockingly.
"Hmph!"
"Alright, stop arguing, we’ll fight the battle ourselves. But kid, even if we were to take your word for it, Madara's vanguard is still looming ahead. There's a stark difference between the movement of a few hundred people and just a handful. Do you truly believe we can slip away?” Marden pondered for a moment before asking.
"That's your responsibility, Captain Marden."
"Well said," the veteran of the November War couldn't help but fix his eyes on Brandon, somewhat puzzled. He had an eerie sensation, as if the kid before him could effortlessly pluck his thoughts from the air, articulating them with such precision that it felt like they were in perfect sync. Each utterance seemed to anticipate his next move, setting the stage for his every thought to unfold seamlessly. In that moment, he couldn't shake the notion that this kid possessed all the makings of an exceptional court jester in the emperor's court, should he ever decide to pursue such a path.
But little did he know that Brandon had a complete grasp of his character from the start.
With these thoughts in mind, Marden stood up and solemnly commanded, "I command the Buchi Guard Unit to gather here, ready to execute the breakout plan!"
Everyone around fell silent, then all members of the Guard Unit stood up with a swish.
Then, Marden turned back and said to Zeta, "Zeta, go inform all the male villagers to assemble. It's time for the men of Eruin to protect their homes and loved ones."
Zeta was taken aback for a moment before asking hesitantly, "Captain?"
"What are you looking at? Afraid, after all? I'm telling you, it's time for you to fulfill your promises. Members of Buchi Guard Unit, before dawn, we'll launch a breakout attack on Madara's vanguard, and I expect none of you to survive, but it's okay because the villagers of Buchi will carry our heroism far and wide, telling everyone outside that we feared no death, and that we had fulfilled our duties."
In Brandon's eyes, the gaze of this veteran of the November War swept over each person's face solemnly. "My former commander often told me that dying to protect others, without losing honor, is the fate of a warrior. Now I pass on these words to you, hoping you remember this honor…"
"So, just do what needs to be done, alright? Breyson, I want you to lead the remaining villagers to break out through the Dagger River bank. That's the only thing I'm asking of you, understood?"
"Understood," a hint of gloominess flashed through Breyson's eyes, but he lowered his head in agreement.
"Good," Marden nodded. "Kid, and Freya, you two, I’m requesting you to immediately join the Buchi Guard Unit as militia members. Do you have any objections?"
Freya immediately shook her head.
But Brandon, under everyone's gaze, nodded. "I do."
Marden's frown deepened. "Give me a reason," he demanded, his gaze briefly flickering towards Brandon. "But if your excuse involves fear of danger, you'd best leave now. The Buchi Guard Unit has no tolerance for cowardice."
There were stifled chuckles around, but surprisingly, Breyson remained silent. Brandon glanced at him, feeling somewhat surprised, but then his gaze fell on Roma, recalling the words the young merchant girl had said to him before.
"I’ve never met them, my aunt has been with me since I can remember. She always says, 'Little Roma, Little Roma, you must repay Auntie well when you grow up.'"
"That’s why you want to become a merchant?"
"Yeah."
"It's a strange idea."
"Well—"
Brandon smiled inwardly as he raised his head. "Captain Marden, your decision may seem right from the perspective of Buchi, but have you forgotten one thing?"
"What thing?" Marden was bewildered, becoming increasingly curious about this kid’s thoughts.
"As the buffer zone for Ridenburg's frontline, the three towns of Buchi have always served as a lookout for Ridenburg. If we choose to leave now without giving any warning, what fate awaits Ridenburg without the slightest hint of impending danger? If we consider this to be fulfilling our duty responsibly, I beg to differ."
Brandon spoke confidently, but as his words settled in, the expressions of the others began to shift. He was undeniably correct in his assessment. Simply attempting to break out wouldn't suffice; they would fall short of their responsibilities. If, by some stroke of luck, Madara were to breach the Ridenburg defenses, it could spell trouble for Vimiel—a crucial component of Ridenburg's defense—leaving it dangerously compromised.
The possibility of the entire Goran-Elson region falling under the onslaught of the undead army loomed large, and the thought of Madara potentially besieging the walls of Braggs left the young group momentarily speechless.
But what could they do?
"We've done our best."
"In our current circumstances, we can only do so much."
"We're not abandoning Ridenburg, it's Ridenburg that has abandoned us!"
But Marden fixed his gaze on Brandon. He knew since this kid dared to speak out, he must have a solution.
"Yes, I happen to know of a route we can take to break out towards Ridenburg. Though the odds may be slim, it's better than nothing," Brandon said, his words heavy with the weight of uncertainty, as if he had expelled a breath he had been holding in his chest.
He glanced back at Roma. The future merchant girl was looking down, clutching her bag with a rare look of unease.
"What route?" Marden asked.
"The Xavier Mountain Pass."
Marden couldn't help but inhale sharply. He had searched through his memory but subconsciously avoided that place. He wanted to warn Brandon, to ask if this kid knew how perilous the place was. The mountain pass lay south of Beldor Forest, crossed the Usson Valley, and was close to the border between Eruin and the Barbarians’ Forest.
Just south of that valley lay the border of civilization, beyond which lay the endless wilderness. No one had come out alive from that mountain pass since the Year of the Howl (l.350).
It was even said that there was a dragon residing in that valley...
He felt that launching an attack on Madara at least would grant them a slim chance of survival, yet, approaching that land was akin to feeding themselves to the wolves. He pondered for a moment but couldn't shake off this deeply ingrained thought.
"That's a dead end, kid," Marden couldn't help shaking his head.
"What matters is we’ve tried our best to fulfill our duties," Brandon replied.
"But I can't send my people there to die. That would be irresponsible of me. A warrior should die in honor, like a warrior."
"That's okay," Brandon said. "I'll go."
Silence filled the air.
"What? Say that again?" Marden was dumbstruck.
"I'll go."
"Why? It's the Buchi Guard Unit's responsibility, not yours. If you just want to show off, you might as well join us," Marden couldn't help asking.
"No, I'm not trying to show off." Brandon turned to look at Roma, smiling faintly. "I have my reason for going, any other reason is secondary. So, little Roma, would you like to come with me?"
"Brandon?" Roma was stunned, lifting her head, her face filled with surprise.
If you would like to support this translation, you may choose any one of the options below.
How to find a list of chapters
Please find the chapter label next to your favorite translator's name, and click the label.
No comments:
Post a Comment