Chapter 116
Strategy
Translator : PolterGlast
By the time we arrived at the destination, the mountainous
region, I had managed to speak with everyone for the time being. Thanks to Julian
acting as an intermediary, I was able to converse smoothly even
with the adventurers based in the Royal Capital whom I was meeting for the
first time, and I had hammered all the party names into my head. Also... since
everyone here other than us was an S-Rank adventurer, I was incredibly
grateful that I didn't need to think abou actively protecting them.
"We have finally arrived...! It is now clearly evident
that the massive horde of monsters is nearby."
"Since we were on the way here, I've been feeling
something like ground tremors! Those tremors are getting bigger; I can tell not
just by presence but by the shaking of the ground too!"
"This is truly the first time I've known clearly that
there is such an absurd number of monsters. My history as an adventurer is
pointlessly long, and I thought I had been through my fair share of hell even after becoming a Guild Master."
As Aoi said, I could tell the ground was shaking from
the monsters' march. Their presence was clearly getting closer, and the
monsters at the vanguard should come into view in less than ten minutes.
Since there wasn't much time after the report, they probably
hadn't established a significant strategy, but... It would be best to ask
Salis about it once.
"Salis, if you have a plan, tell me. We will
carry it out to the best of our ability—and with the people gathered here, I
know we can do it."
"...I'm sorry. To be honest, their numbers are just
too great—I haven’t been able to come up with a thing. We’ve secured the high
ground, so attacking from a distance… that’s about all I’ve got."
"So no strategy, just leaving it to each
individual?"
"Yeah. I'm sorry, but that's how it will be. I thought
about rock slides, falling rocks, pitfalls, or gathering numbers to shoot them
to death with bows, but there was simply too little time to prepare
anything."
Salis looked
apologetic from the bottom of her heart.
Having received the report at the same timing, I knew well that there was no
time. Since Salis couldn't devise a strategy, if we take the lead,
charge in, and blow a hole in their lines, it should disrupt the enemy's chain
of command. If we scatter their formation, the long-range attacks from the high
ground will become more effective, and in that case, just the bombardment from
above would function as a strategy.
"Just gathering these capable people is an achievement
in itself. And reinforcements are rushing over later, right?"
"Yeah. We are moving with the intention of equipping
the bunch waiting in the Royal Capital with bows. I've left instructions with
the Vice Guild Master, so they should rush here as soon as preparations
are complete."
"Then it will be fine. I'm going to charge in and wreak
absolute havoc, so please tell everyone else to
stick strictly to long-range attacks, just as you said, Salis."
"............Sorry. I
end up entrusting the most dangerous role to you, Graham."
"It's fine. As I showed in the Exchange Match, I'm reasonably skilled."
"Fufu, I have never felt anyone to be as reliable as
you. Thank you, truly."
I raised my hand in response to Salis, who bowed
deeply, and began preparing for combat so I would be ready whenever the
monsters appeared. Preparation mostly meant lightly moving my body and using
all my nerves to heighten my concentration.
"Graham! I see the monsters!"
While I was stretching and trying to concentrate, Aoi
pointed and shouted loudly. When everyone present turned their gaze to where
she pointed, we saw the figures of monsters heading toward us from that direction.
"Is the vanguard Bone Soldiers? ...It's finally
starting."
"W-What are we going to do?"
"I intend to charge in. It would help if you two came
with me."
"Eh?! You plan to charge into that horde of
monsters!?"
"Yeah. You don't need to worry so much. I will fight
while protecting you two with everything I have. So don't waste a single
thought on defense—just go wild without holding anything back."
"Eeeh?! Even if you say that so suddenly..."
"—Understood. Opportunities like this are rare, and I
will trust your words that you will protect us with all your might, Graham-san!
I shall fight to my heart's content!"
"Mgh... If Ginia says that, I have to do it too!
...Fine, I get it! If Ginia and I get hurt, it's your fault, Graham!"
"Yeah. You can blame it all on me. Well then—shall we
go?"
While the surrounding adventurers froze at the sight of the
visibly large number of monsters advancing in the distance, we slowly
began to advance toward them. I felt bad dragging the two of them along, but to
deal with being surrounded, I absolutely needed assistance.
In terms of simple ability, it would be normal to ask Julian
or Battenberg... but the only ones I could trust were Ginia and Aoi.
The Guild Master is trustworthy too, but it's better for him to remain
in his position and take command.
Thinking about such things, I slowly shifted from a walk to
gradually increasing my speed—charging toward the horde of Bone Soldiers
I kept locked in my vision. Then, the moment I closed to a certain distance, I
accelerated instantly, unleashing a flying slash to create a hole in the
monsters' ranks, and plunged straight into the horde through that gap. With
this charge of mine—the battle against the Demon King's Army numbering
over a thousand commenced.
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