[WN] Emperor's Seventh Son : 7 - 3 Part 1

7-3 Part 1

Deliver Divine Punishment In the Name of the Evil Dragon Zirant

- Betrayal -

Translator : PolterGlast

"Now, fire!"

I feel like I've said this before, but villains prefer preemptive strikes. The moment I cast my eyes down at the book and stopped moving, the traitor who dares to draw his bow against the Imperial Family ordered the crossbowmen to fire a volley.

"What are you doing! I said shoot him quickly, do it!!"

"Stop, Father!"

However, the soldiers were visibly hesitating. After all, killing royalty won't end well. Obeying the orders of someone who isn't even the current head could incur the wrath of the Imperial Family and lead to the guillotine.

"Impressive leadership. Why don't you just retire already?"

"Fire! If you don't fire, I'll have your heads! Do you understand, you lot?! Fire immediately!!"

At this point, the authority of the Imperial Family is terrifying. But finally, the former head's anger reached its peak, and foolishly, to make an example, he cut down the soldier standing directly in front of him from behind.

"W-What are you doing?!!"

"Silence, brat! Now, do it if you don't want to be cut down!!"

Die now, or die later. Cornered in an unreasonable situation, the soldiers finally yielded and pulled the crossbow triggers one after another. But they didn't hit. The extraordinary agility built with Zirant, AGI 88—8.8 times the agility of a normal person—made evasion a reality.

Deflecting the arrows fired one after another with the tip of my shovel, and confirming that all bolts were spent due to the foolish volley order, I charged toward the vanguard.

"Hawaa, Firefly-shan, you dodged all the arrows!"

"Ashley-sama, I beg of you! Please stop my foolish father!"

"W-W-W-W-What are you?!!"

It's late, but I remembered his name. I believe it's Abraham. That cowardly fool was terrified by my charge and pressed his back against the tower wall like a gecko.

But there is no one guarding directly in front of him. Naturally. Who would maintain such loyalty to a guy who cuts his subordinates in the back? I knocked away the swarming vanguard and destroyed their swords one after another. In an open field maybe, but inside the tower, I fear no one.

"Protect me! Why aren't you guarding the front?! He's coming!"

The crossbow unit had already finished reloading. But it's narrow here. Hesitating to shoot for fear of hitting their own, they only pointed their arrowheads at me.

"Shoot! Shoot quickly, kill him!"

"N-No, but Abraham-sama, if we shoot now, our comrades will—"

"That is a necessary sacrifice! It's an order! If you don't want me to cut you down, shoot!!"

"Abraham-sama, that's—! We aren't disposable pawns!"

This man has grown old and can no longer see anything. The vanguard who were struggling ceased combat and turned their broken swords toward the crossbow unit as shields.

It's pitiful, but I can't help them. Driven by the commander's madness, the crossbows' aim was also wildly off. They fired a volley, but not a single one hit me. This time, not with AGI, but with DEX 108 dexterity, I deflected everything without moving from the spot.

"Eek?! Th-this is... this is just too cruel..."

I told you so; the result is friendly fire. Those pierced by their comrades' crossbows screamed in agony, and the archers who shot their colleagues were shaken by the nightmare before their eyes.

"How far will you go... Please, Ashley-sama! I don't want to see this anymore, please stop Father!"

"Of course. ...As Ashley, the seventh son of the Emperor, I order you: Do not move!!"

To minimize casualties, I borrowed the Emperor's authority. The fierce roar stopped the movements of former head Abraham's guards, giving me a chance to suppress the villain.

"Do not obey! He is a cursed child! As proof, his eyes are the devil's—far from human!"

"Firefly-shan is a good Firefly-shan!!"

Dulin's defense interrupted his words. As a result, the Shovel Man charged into the wide-open gap, poked the evil belly with the steel tip, and punched that arrogant face just enough not to kill him.

"Ah, agu... Y-You hit me... You hit me with such a filthy thing...!!"

"It seems even your pain is dulled by anger. But calm down and look closely; the match is already over. It's your loss."

I pressed the blade of the steel Shovel against the war criminal's neck. However, it's strange. Is he seriously senile? He hasn't lost his hostility and arrogance toward me.

"Do not be conceited, you abomination...! Did you think I wouldn't seize your weakness? Fool!"

"Our weakness...? Can't think of one. If anything, it's auntie's lectures—no, don't tell me, don't tell me you..."

The greasy middle-aged face grinned broadly. That's right, he has one last card to play.

But that card... once played, even for this man, he won't get off lightly. It should be the worst card that destroys everything.

"Yes, you're sharp, abomination! It's an order to you lot! Bring Atomina in front of this tower!"

To think he'd actually play that card, my jaw dropped... Dulin, brother-in-law Jake, and even the soldiers present were speechless.

However, the soldiers waiting outside the tower still maintain their loyalty to this man. It will end up exactly as he demanded.

"No! Please don't do terrible things to Oneeshama!"

"Y-You bastard! Do you intend to take my wife hostage?! Atomina is the Emperor's daughter! Do you truly understand the meaning of taking her hostage?!"

"Silence! We have High Priestess Du-Neil on our side; there is nothing to fear!"

This development is bad. Suppressing the urge to unleash my anger on the scum taking Atomina-aneue hostage, I thought of a solution. No matter how strong I become, I cannot protect both Aneue and Dulin at the same time.

"Stop! If you lay a hand on Atomina, I will kill you, even if you are my father! Even if we haven't been blessed with a child yet... Atomina is my wife! Soldiers! As the current head of the Duke Aion family, I order you! If you have a conscience—obey me, not my father!!"

"Wha... Do you intend to defy me, Jake?! Eei, soldiers! If you defect, you won't get off lightly!"

Brother-in-law Jake finally seems prepared to break with his father. Half of the crossbows aimed at me turned toward the scum groveling on the ground. The stalemate remains, but has the situation improved slightly?

"You traitors!"

"Please, everyone! Father right now is not fit to be a ruler; please lend me your strength! At this rate, we will be drawing bows against His Majesty the Emperor!"

However, this is bad. We want to protect Aneue no matter what. Then eventually, we will be forced to disarm.

"Duke Jake-Lizas is right. Atomina-aneue and I promise to report the situation to His Majesty the Emperor. This man will fall from power. It is obvious what will happen if word reaches Father that he took Atomina hostage."

"Ha, hahahaha... What, didn't you know, abomination? What can a bedridden Emperor do? That Emperor won't last much longer; for now, yield to the powerful."

"He just fell a little ill."

"Wrong. The Emperor is suffering from a disease. That is why he cannot suppress the other royals. Too bad, it means the end of your life is also near, disgrace of the Imperial Family."

It might be a lie he just came up with on the spot. It might be just a plausible rumor. But my heart was disturbed by the talk of Father. At the same time Father was disappointed in me, I was also disappointed in Father.

But even so, I wanted Father to acknowledge me. I am not a useless abomination. I am fulfilling my role as royalty in my own way now. I might lose the chance to even make him acknowledge that.

"Ashley-sama, I do not think so. You are a magnificent person, not a disgrace to the Imperial Family."

"Dulin thinks so too! I will absolutely never forget the debt of you saving me!"

From behind Duke Jake-Lizas, little Dulin also asserted herself, which is rare. Yielding to this lowest of men like this is annoying after all. Then should I punch the former Duke unconscious, take control just this tower, and prepare for a long battle? Alright...

『Wait. Listen closely, Ashley; it's outside!』

However, that plan was interrupted by Zirant's voice. Obediently listening closely, it was somewhat noisy outside the tower. I could hear the sound of iron clashing with iron and something like shouting.

"A-Abraham-sama, it is a disaster! Intruders have appeared in the mansion!"

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[WN] A Hero From a Remote Village : Chapter 158

Chapter 158

Provocation

Translator : PolterGlast

About two weeks had passed since that first training session. During this time, I stuck to the schedule: completing requests four days a week, hunting monsters in distant regions two days a week, and dedicating the remaining day to training.

It felt like I was the only one working without a break, but the weekly training day served as a respite, making my days feel incredibly fulfilling. Additionally, whenever I head out to distant regions to subjugate monsters, I keep an eye out for children like Gree and Anne, though I haven't managed to find any so far.

Zero of such children would be ideal, but that would leave Ria and the others without a job. If there were children in need, I intended to actively take them in.

With those thoughts in mind, I arrived at the Adventurer's Guild today to pick up a request. With Ginia and Aoi's skills improving, I’d been racking my brain recently over the lack of challenging monsters in this vicinity.

I wanted to let them fight a strong monster soon—hoping for an emergency request that might fit the bill, I stepped into the guild... but the moment we entered, a guild staff member rushed over to us.

"Graham-san! We’ve been expecting you! The Guild Master is calling for you!"

"Is it urgent?"

"Yes! A Guild Master from another town has come to visit and specifically asked to meet you, Graham-san!"

"I see. I'll head to the Guild Master's office immediately."

"Graham, you're really popular with Guild Masters, aren't you!"

"Being popular with middle-aged men doesn't make me happy in the slightest."

Exchanging light banter, I headed to the office as instructed. Still, a Guild Master coming to see me?

There were several candidates, but the most likely one was the Guild Master from Lightmira. The runner-up would probably be Salis. Speculating on who it might be, I entered the room... only to find someone completely unexpected.

"Graham-san, you're finally here. ...Guanza has come all this way to apologize."

Sitting next to the Guild Master was Guanza himself—a face I’d never forget. His once-plump frame had thinned significantly, and with his head shaved bald, he looked so haggard he was almost unrecognizable... but it was undoubtedly Guanza.

"...Graham-san. I am truly sorry for what happened in the Royal Capital. You saved my life despite my rude behavior; I have nothing but gratitude and apologies to offer."

Guanza transitioned fluidly from his seat into a dogeza, apologizing as if he were a completely different person. I was certain it was him, but his attitude had changed so drastically I almost suspected a body double.

"Well, if you’re remorseful, I have no intention of blaming you further. I believe I made my point clear enough back then, anyway."

"Thank you so much. And again, I am truly sorry."

"Well, I don't forgive you! Blehhh!"

Like kicking a corpse, Aoi stuck out her tongue and mocked the prostrating Guanza. I understood how she felt, but it was getting pitiful, so I decided to stop her.

"I was pissed off too, but now he’s just a middle-aged man with nothing left, having been kicked out of the Adventurer’s Guild. He even came all this way to apologize, so let's just let it go."

"It's his own fault! Blehhh!"

"Aoi, that's enough. Ginia, handle her."

I asked Ginia to take Aoi, who was now making funny faces to provoke him, outside. Giving a wry smile at Aoi, who continued making faces until the very last second she left the room, I turned back to listen to Guanza.

"So... how exactly did a demon end up hijacking your body? Was it some kind of scheme?"

"My memory is hazy because I was heavily drunk and then possessed... but I believe it happened when I was drinking at a tavern. Someone suggested taking revenge on you, Graham-san, and in my drunken state, I agreed to it."

........................ Yeah, there’s no defending that.

Just as Aoi said, this is entirely Guanza's own fault. An urge to stick my tongue out and mock him welled up inside me too, but as an adult, I exercised self-restraint.

"Looking back now, I realize how foolish I was. But at the time, my pride was wounded, and I acted out of hatred for you, Graham-san. It’s no excuse... but please understand that I never intended to conspire with a demon to lead the Demon King's Army in an attack."

"............Well, I want to believe that you didn't intend to conspire with the Demon King's Army. You were probably targeted when your guard was down due to the alcohol and then manipulated."

Thinking back to Guanza at that time, I felt he might have gone along with it even if he were sober... but I decided not to mention that.

"I am truly sorry! This isn't much of an apology, but I brought my entire fortune. Please accept it!"

Still in a dogeza, Guanza held out a large, decorated box toward me. I felt a bit guilty leaving the unemployed Guanza penniless, but I was extremely curious about what was inside. Leaving aside whether I would accept it or not, I decided I would at least take a look at the contents.

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[WN] Jitsuwa 3-Domedatta : Chapter 256

Chapter 256

Southern Front ⑩ - The Iron Wall Shield

Translator : PolterGlast

The Demon Territory, overgrown with dense forests and infested with monsters, was nothing but an object of terror for the Imperial Army. However, having overcome that terror and advancing through the safe zone while burning down the Demon Territory, the Imperial Army's morale was high.

First, because First Prince Glorious's strategy had been effective. They had not only dodged the attacks of dangerous monsters during the march but repelled them entirely, advancing this far without any sacrifices to their own side.

Second, because the Demon Territory Count's domain, which they were to conquer next, was said to be the richest territory in the Kyle Kingdom, and the First Prince had permitted all soldiers freedom to plunder and loot within the domain.

Finally, because they had captured the Southern Gate Fortress, said to be impregnable, in just one day during the opening battle.

"Hahaha, we will now commence the attack. Deliver the hammer of heaven to the fools barricaded inside the hole called a castle wall, believing in their own safety! Commence attack! Sound the gong!"

Under the First Prince's command, the sound of a gong echoed through the main camp, and the Mages hiding in the forest on the front lines released attack magic simultaneously. The Imperial Army leadership watched with expectant eyes, hoping the fortress capture battle of a few days ago would be reproduced.

Hundreds of fireballs flew as if scorching the sky, raining down on the defensive walls where the Demon Territory Count's army was barricaded...

Lightning strikes pierced the defensive walls with roaring sounds...

However, the castle walls, which should have been burned by flames and pierced by lightning strikes, continued to boast their majesty unchanged.

"..., Hm? What does this mean? Nothing is happening!"

The flustered voice raised by Glorious was equal to the feelings in the hearts of the Imperial Army generals.

Lightning strikes that tore through the sky and should have pierced the castle walls and rampaged were absorbed by the walls as if nothing had happened. The rain of fire that should have assaulted the top of the walls stopped just before impact, then vanished with an unpleasant sound.

At the moment their thoughts stopped for an instant due to the unexpected event, a storm of thousands of arrows assaulted the front lines with a roar.

"What! Their arrows reach? At this range! Not good, pull back the soldiers for now! We cannot afford to lose precious Mages!"

From past experience, the First Prince had read the Kyle Kingdom Army's range as 200 to 250 m. Therefore, to be safe, he intended to deploy outside that range and attack from 300 m, just within the range of magic attacks—in other words, out-ranging them to mow down the enemy.

However, the Estoll Bow developed by Takuhir is evolving daily.

Coordinated with Wind Magic, even 300 m is sufficiently within effective range, and moreover, the downward shooting from atop the castle walls had enough momentum to pierce the shields of Imperial soldiers.

"Tch! That detestable brat. So he has taken countermeasures..."

Only at this time did Glorious regret. That he had used the secret tactic of magic attacks from the opening battle to show his ability to his political rival Grat.

It was exactly as Sieghart had called him an idiot, proving it himself. And due to the counterattack by the enemy archers, he immediately lost nearly 200 soldiers and suffered several times that number in wounded.

"Your Highness, there is no need to be so impatient. Our purpose is to act flashy and distract them. Preparations for the next move are complete."

Where Harry pointed as he said this, trebuchets gathering the best of technology within the Empire had been assembled. Originally meant to launch large heavy objects to destroy castle walls with their weight, the First Prince had brought five of each of two types of trebuchets for different purposes.

What Harry had prepared this time was specialized only in flying a large amount of small stone projectiles further. Its range easily exceeded 400 m.

Having suffered painfully from archers in previous battles, the First Prince had made this the centerpiece of his countermeasures before joining forces with the Fearalt Principality rebel forces and obtaining Mage reinforcements.

"Good. Given the height of the enemy castle walls, approach within 400 m and rain down stone projectiles from outside the range of enemy arrows! This should silence their archers."

His order was executed immediately, and five trebuchets advanced towed by horses on the pre-leveled road, moving to just before 400 m from the castle walls.

---

"Hoh, physical attacks after magic attacks? The enemy has also prepared quite meticulously. Well, there's no way they could know our hand."

"Indeed, Commander. Christoph, Aura, orders! Crush the enemy trebuchets with Long Spears!"

My order was executed promptly. The special attack unit selected from former Istoria Imperial Kingdom Longbowmen formed ranks and ran out under the command of the two.

"Raise the flag announcing the start of the attack to them!"

At my instruction, when the flag for free fire was raised, the two activated the secret tactic, Long Spear, matching their timing.

Given tremendous destructive power and flight distance by two Wind Mages skilled in single-point breakthroughs, the arrow clusters struck two trebuchets in preparation for firing directly with a sound tearing through the air.

It was exactly as if a storm of spears had attacked with tremendous force.

---

"Whaaaat!"

Watching the firing timing from the rear, the First Prince raised his voice in astonishment. The trebuchets deployed in what was thought to be a safe range were pierced deeply by arrows like hedgehogs, and the fragile parts constituting them were shattered into pieces as if struck by iron spears at close range.

Then the second volley.

Similarly, the other two trebuchets were miserably destroyed.

"Pull back! Pull the trebuchets back to the rear!"

Before the First Prince's instruction could reach them, the third volley assaulted the last trebuchet, which had begun to retreat. Unfortunately, because it was retreating, the men and horses towing it received the Long Spears squarely; the trebuchet was shattered, and men and horses were torn apart.

"Kuh, at this rate, we are nothing but foils for their military exploits! Bring the ballistas to the front and tear them apart with volley fire!"

"Your Highness! Please calm down. Have you forgotten the purpose of our main unit? If you get so heated, you will lose sight of the objective!"

"Ugh... that was true. I'm sorry, Harry."

At Harry's admonition, the First Prince regained his composure and smiled fearlessly again.

"We will now shift to the second phase of the operation! First, bury the dead immediately so as not to attract monsters, and send the wounded back to the base. Do not forget to bury the deodorizing leaves mentioned by Lord Kyrias with them. After that, shield infantry will become small groups of 100, escorting Mages and dispersing to various locations! Resume attacks as soon as you are in position at each location!"

The Imperial Army resumed attacks with a new tactic again.

---

Leaving the response to the resumed Imperial Army attack to my subordinate Gale, I changed my viewpoint to overlook the entire war situation with the Commander.

"Even so, the Imperial Army has changed their response to the tactic we dislike most."

Yes, we are overwhelmingly inferior in numbers against the Imperial Army Left Wing unit. Our number is less than one-third. We are overwhelmingly short-handed to defend the long, continuously extending defense line of Aegis.

Taking advantage of their numbers, the Imperial Army dispersed and added magic attacks to various parts of the defensive wall. The number is about 50 locations. There is no way we have enough troops or Mages.

"Indeed. There are places where we haven't been able to deploy soldiers. If attacked simultaneously in this many places, our forces cannot do anything. Fortunately, Aegis's strong castle walls don't budge even under their magic attacks, but... it's not a very pleasant feeling."

"Yes. Most of their attacks are just chipping away at the top of unmanned defensive walls. For the moment, however, their intentions are rather ominous..."

"Any changes in the situation in other sectors, the barrier, Ishtar, or the mountainous area after that?"

"Yes, we have communicated via balloon that battles commenced here, but there is no movement in other sectors."

Like me, the Commander seemed to feel some eerie, unidentifiable ominousness in the Imperial Army's movements. But there is also the fear that they might make us let our guard down and then break through a point where troop strength is thin.

I felt inwardly ashamed that this impregnable, vast defense line was also our weakness.

That day, without any other notable offensive, dusk fell, and the Imperial Army retreated to their base. Their withdrawal was splendid, to the point that we felt somewhat let down.

"They wouldn't be foolish enough to go on the offensive in the Demon Territory at night. However, continue strict vigilance. Lower bonfires halfway down the castle walls and watch strictly for any enemy soldiers clinging. In preparation for magic attacks, ensure lookouts are conducted from positions with overhead cover."

The Commander instructed the commanders of each unit to rest and keep watch in shifts.

"Shannon, I'm sorry, but at night we rely on your ears. Instead of resting fully during the day, I ask you for night vigilance. If there is anything suspicious, wake me immediately without hesitation."

"Indeed, some blood was shed in today's battle. Monsters will become active, and it is dangerous at night so we cannot send scouts; we rely on you, Shannon-dono."

"Yes, night vigilance, I accept the task."

I had consulted with the Commander and set up several traps in advance. Mechanisms to notify of enemy attacks directly under each defensive wall, pitfalls existing right under the castle walls—we have implemented such things.

Most likely, even if we receive a night attack from the enemy, we shouldn't be caught off guard.

On the first day of the war, Aegis's defense network repelled all of the Imperial Army's offensives, true to its name of Iron Wall Shield. But at this point, I did not yet understand what the Imperial Army and the First Prince intended.

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