Chapter 169 - Episode 164: Sudden Turn
Noein and the detachment, having finished suppressing the enemy soldiers who had rushed toward them, ran through Karenu Village to sweep up the remaining enemies and rendezvous with the main force.
"We are allied forces of Baron Wikander-kakka!"
"Evacuate quickly! You can come back later, so don't take your luggage!"
"You can escape from the southeast side! For now, get out of the village from there and wait!"
As they moved through the village, the soldiers shouted one after another, and the villagers who heard them ran toward the east side of the village in a daze. As expected, perhaps due to exhaustion, their pace was slow.
If the fighting intensified, there was a possibility that houses would be destroyed or burned; if the villagers were caught up in it and died, it would be a loss for Baron Wikander, so this evacuation advisory was also an important task for the detachment.
"...Oops, looks like the enemies guarding the gate have noticed us too."
"Right, let's scatter them again."
As they proceeded along the street leading from the village square to the gate, about twenty men from the main enemy force tasked with defending the gate headed toward Noein and the others. Further beyond, enemy soldiers could be seen throwing stones outside or firing arrows—perhaps for intimidation—from scaffolds built around the gate.
"Crossbow squad, fire!"
At Radley's instruction, the soldiers lined up and readied their crossbows again, showering the enemy with a volley.
"...Tch, they aren't hitting as well as before. The position and distance are bad."
The enemy soldiers targeted by the crossbows stopped for a moment, appearing surprised, but immediately afterward, they scattered to hide in nearby houses or raised their shields. Additionally, because the distance was somewhat open, the scatter-shot arrows dispersed more than necessary.
Because of this, the effect of the volley was not as great as in the previous battle. At most, about five people were paralyzed.
"One more bundle each... let's conserve the scatter-shot arrows. Put our golems in front. Radley and the others, prepare for any enemies that slip through."
"Understood."
Even though it was diluted, Angel's Honey was a precious commodity, so they could not consume large quantities for a mere skirmish with domestic nobles. Therefore, each crossbowman was equipped with only three bundles of scatter-shot arrows.
Noein placed his own golem opposite the enemy, and the golems of Gustav and Cecilia lined up beside it. Radley and the spearmen followed behind them.
More than half of the oncoming enemy soldiers were silenced by being punched or shoved by the golems, and those who broke through the attack were beaten down and neutralized by Radley and his men.
'Your Excellency, the resistance at the gate has weakened considerably, but are you already inside the village?'
At that moment, a report came in via another 'Far-Talk' connection from Yuri.
"Yeah, I'm in. I think we've neutralized over fifty enemies already."
'Splendid. We will break through the gate shortly.'
"Got it. We're also moving through the village toward the gate, so let's be careful not to engage in friendly fire."
'Acknowledged. I will inform Wikander-kakka as well.'
Shortly thereafter. At the exact moment Noein and the others finished neutralizing all the enemy soldiers they had been fighting, the gate of Karenu Village was destroyed, and the main force led by Baron Wikander poured into the village.
"...We won."
"Yeah. They won't last a second longer."
The remaining enemies were about forty, whereas the main force, even excluding those dropped out due to injury, seemed to have over a hundred men rushing into the village. Though most were conscripts, if they clashed head-on with an opponent more than twice their number who were full of vigor, the enemy would have no chance of winning.
Just as Noein and the others predicted, the forces of the Southwest nobles were beaten down one by one, their combat effectiveness eroded by injuries. Those who fled toward the detachment were swiftly apprehended by Radley and his men.
In less than twenty minutes, all enemies within sight were suppressed.
"Looks like it's over over there too. Let's merge."
"Yes, sir."
Breaking formation, Noein's detachment headed toward the main force. For safety, they kept the golems in the lead, and the soldiers proceeded while keeping watch on the left and right of the street. Since there was a possibility that remnants of the enemy were still lurking in the village, they could not let their guard down.
That said, the victory of the Northwest was no longer in doubt, so the tension of the battle had dissipated. The vigilance was merely for the sake of every possibility.
"Ah, Yuri is coming this way too."
Passing through the area where the work of tying up the suppressed enemy soldiers was steadily progressing in front of the gate, Noein saw Yuri walking toward the detachment. When Noein waved, Yuri raised his hand slightly in return.
"Dealing with the suppressed enemies is Wikander-kakka's job, so once we finish cleaning up after the battle, it's over... it was unexpectedly abrupt."
"The breakthrough power of the golems and the suppression power of the scatter-shot arrows were the deciding factors. Especially the golems' siege shields; if they have that much destructive power, they could probably break through not just wooden fences or earthen walls, but even mediocre castle walls, right?"
"I suppose so. Anyway, with this, it's been proven that the Arqvist territory army is excellent not only in defensive battles but also in siege warfare. Well, it would be better if we never had to wage an offensive war again—"
It was then.
"Noein-sama!"
"!"
Matilda and Radley sensed something and stepped forward to shield Noein. In the next instant, something huge fell from the sky to the right of Noein and the others.
"W-what is this... dirt?"
Looking at the falling object with a stunned expression, Noein saw a massive amount of earth that looked like it could crush an entire large carriage.
The earth, which fell a few steps ahead of Matilda and Radley who had tried to protect Noein, completely buried the four golems that had been leading the column.
"Enemy! Alert!"
As Radley shouted, the soldiers moved quickly. Spearmen and crossbowmen formed a formation surrounding Noein, Matilda, Gustav, and Cecilia, keeping watch on the surroundings.
"Y-Yuri!?"
"He is safe. He is standing beyond the fallen earth."
When Noein asked in a panicked voice, Matilda answered. Apparently, Yuri had not been buried in the earth. If he had been crushed by that massive mass, no human would have escaped unscathed.
"Thank goodness... still, dirt suddenly from mid-air."
Noein muttered, frowning.
"No matter how you look at it, it's earth magic... a user of earth magic capable of burying four golems in an instant, and belonging to the Southwest nobles, which means probably..."
Then, one of the soldiers guarding the perimeter shouted.
"Enemy at two o'clock, on top of the church bell tower!"
When Noein looked over, the enemy, as if no longer intending to hide, appeared boldly on the edge of the bell tower.
"...It has been a long time, Lord Arqvist."
"...You seem to be doing well, Rosbroke-kakka."
Looking up at the crimson-haired man who called out to him, Noein returned words to that man—Baron Viowulf Rosbroke.