Episode 1097 Front Yard Battle (4)
Kuooooh… … .
Modern weapons that hinder the marching speed are heading south toward the Eastern Continent.
Earth and sky.
Magical siege weapons escorted by the punitive force leave a heavy trail on the ground.A fleet of large and medium-sized flying ships, specially modified for transport using the technology of the Magic Tower, is disassembling the weapons and transporting them piece by piece.
As soon as each punitive force arrived at their deployment point, they moved upon the Alliance Commander’s orders, and like gears meshing together, they crossed the southern boundary of the Eastern Continent before they knew it.
Hares, a former elite mage of the Society who helped Verden—a member of the Silent Security, a group of Eon’s mage order specialized in special operations—and who also contributed to the assassination of the second disciple of the Bohemirn Magic Tower, spoke.
We have confirmed traces of the main force.
The flag of Highlandia was fluttering violently near the summit of the mountain range.In the silence, only the wind was fierce.
Opea Logentena, who belonged to the same order of wizards as Hares, turned on the communication device.
Novar Fortress, this is the Southern Transport Corps.
She was a survivor and one of the remnants of the Black Hour civil war instigated by the Dark Moon, but now she is a full-fledged mage of Eon endowed with great magical power.If there is anything she learned while fighting various life-or-death battles, it is…
Southern Transport currently entering the beginning of the supply route. Estimated arrival at Fort Hastow is 80 hours.
War is a battle against time.
* * *
Humankind has collectively referred to objects that transcend the ordinary as artifacts. Originally, this term referred to relics created by ancient civilizations, but today, the scope has expanded.
Currently, the two most important criteria for artifacts are
How tremendous is its power?How mysterious is its principle?
An era where not only artificial objects but even naturally formed things are classified as artifacts if they meet the criteria.
Among them, the term “Ancient Artifact” existed for a very small number of precious items, so their number probably would not exceed thirty at most.
Of course, if you include the ‘ancient artifact’ class, there would be more, but there were only a handful of items that could be described by the word ‘ancient’.
Like any other artifact, ancient artifacts cannot necessarily be considered dangerous. After all, power does not refer solely to destructive force.To use an analogy, the types of artifacts are as diverse as the characteristics of individuals.
However… … that which is treated as a national treasure in Highlandia belonged to a category that was purely dangerous.
Reverberation Spine, [Leveling].
An ancient artifact obtained by Yurion Highros through a barter with Vendie Caenar. Its origin is unknown, but its function was clear.
Literally sweeping the earth through ‘two vibrations’.
Whoosh────── Kuuuuuung!
A 2.73-meter-high stake dropped from a Southern Suppression Corps airship was driven into the middle of a wide hill.The mindless undead simply pressed on, regardless of whether their own kind were crushed, while the intelligent individuals watched the strange wedge with vigilance.
In order to operate [Rebling], an array must be formed at a specific frequency. Sincethis array is closely dependent on external conditions such as temperature, it is nearly impossible to accurately input the frequency array unless one approaches it very closely.
Of course, Yurion is an exception.
Move.
Yurion cast a spell from outside the range of [Rebling]. The inherent power inherent in the voice itself satisfied the activation conditions of the ancient artifact.A strange tremor occurred throughout the entire stake, and the air surrounding him rippled greatly.
First, the resonance of the drive.
A low murmur spread out in the shape of a hemisphere. It was a high-frequency scream that could not be clearly identified by ordinary human hearing.The only thing that could be felt was the shaking of bodily fluids.A fractal pattern appeared on the surface of the nearby puddle-like liquid.
The land stained with deceit was overwhelmed by the silence of the omen.
The sound stopped.
This was because the air exposed to the vibration of the drive could no longer function as a medium for sound, and the fractal pattern that had slowly risen in the liquid began to shake.
Beings with bodily fluids, such as zombies or corpse golems, gradually lost their balance.
Upon seeing this, the liches deployed a magical barrier, but it was impossible to block the sound that had already passed by.They reached out their hands toward the falling cup, but it was as if the water inside had long since spilled out completely.
The resonance of the drive penetrates the minute cracks of the material world and lies dormant,to create the echo that will come later.
Second, the resonance wave.
A distinctive vibration burst forth from the stake like an explosion, targeting in all directions. A bizarre harmony leaked out from the ground where the [Rebling] was driven, twisting outwards.
And───resonance arrived.
The moment an object exposed to the first vibration came into contact with the second, it scattered horizontally into particles and collapsed.As the vibrations overlapped, the seeds of destruction caused by the resonance phenomenon had sprouted. A torrent rushed in that no ordinary atmospheric magic dared to block.
From the center where the ancient artifact was situated to the very boundary of the range, violent waves swept across the surface.Everything touched by the vibration of the drive was a target. Like crashing waves, all matter on the ground, including the undead, was crushed and swept outward.
The 3km radius that was teeming with death is now empty.
Leveling of the region.
This was the power of the ancient artifact called [Rebling].
“Hahaha, these were just used for clearing the site, but they are much more useful on the battlefield. I don’t regret at all giving these weapons to Bendie back then.”
Bendy is a weapons collector, so if you bring him usable weapons, he will exchange them for something of equivalent value. That is how he obtained the [Rebling].
Yurion, having disembarked from the airship with the Knights of the Word Spirit, recovered [Rebling].
Secure a temporary base.
Waaahh
The punitive legion tore down the wall of the undead and advanced onto the leveled land to occupy it.Cardinal Gregorban declared the place a sanctuary, after which the Archbishop and High Bishops expressed their faith and became the pillars of the sanctuary.As the energy of death was purified, magical power was able to permeate the ground.
Terrain Manipulation
Earth mages established a kind of defensive line by constructing walls or demolishing terrain outside the base to create elevation differences, andabove this, defensive magic circles and magic items reinforced resistance by several levels.
Humans cannot continue to be active indefinitely,unlike the undead.That is the limit of life.
No matter how powerful the punitive force is, it is impossible to fight for days straight and push straight to the front yard of the gate. The temporary base will serve as their home and provide the momentum to continue advancing toward their destination.
“Once you reach the edge of this area, the Gate of Death will finally come within sight. For the time being, deploy your troops to a minimum and focus on resting as much as possible.”“Yes, Your Majesty.”“What is the situation on the other continents?”“Intense fighting continues in the Ternetia Federation, and the punitive expedition commanded by the Black Sea has confirmed the Gate of Death on the Pendren. I hear they have not yet been able to enter, as the Empire’s resistance is so fierce that they could not completely collapse the wall despite the Saint’s bombardment.”“Everyone is working hard.”
The very fact that they had requested Holy Spear support from the Theocracy of Luas meant chaos.After all, the difference in scale was extreme.Even the lowest-ranking undead were threatening when swarmed in like mountain ranges. For the living were bound to get exhausted.
anyway.
The southern part of the Eastern Continent, which had not clashed with the Empire’s main force, seemed the most peaceful.Though that leisure would soon vanish, of course.
“The commanders are coming in seaplanes, so it would be best to shoot them down first. Keep a small seaplane ready.”
Yurion pointed to the hilly area between the base and the gate on the southern map.
“We’ll take them on here.”
* * *
An undead army swarming regardless of time.
The southern punitive force reinforced the security of the base with supplies transported in space bags.
Magical items such as potions and medicines assisted them, and the Luas religion devoted itself to healing and purification to minimize the inevitable loss of power.
Since military provisions were piled up like mountains, there was no risk of starving to death.
The World Alliance’s astronomical budget laid the foundation for the legions so that they could pour even their reserves into the battle against the Xerion Empire.
Using the base as a springboard, the soldiers recovered their strength and advanced once again.
Kwaaaaaaaang!Boom! Boom!
Magic and arrows rained down.
They gradually took control of the battlefield by repeatedly hiding behind cover provided by the wizards and coming out.
Life is about adapting as you live.
The Legion’s ability to subdue the undead, having become accustomed to war, was drastically different from when they had just entered the southern part of the Eastern Continent a few days ago.
Crunch, crack!
Yoren tore off the Lich’s skull and struck another undead with it.His body moved before he could think.His nature as an adventurer instinctively targeted the undead’s weakness, and the energy surrounding the sword split the
Boooooo───
The Allied trumpet sounded.It was the signal for an enemy air raid.
Yoren hurriedly took cover. Not long after, a pitch-black hail of arrows fired by undead archers hung down from beyond the hill.Watching them pierce his left and right, Yoren quietly caught his breath, and as soon as the sound of the air-cutting ceased, he spurred the extermination on again.
If the undead overwhelm with numbers,humans surpass them in level.
With one facing dozens, there was no longer any need to be intimidated by the difference in troop numbers. Yoren, elevated by his own performance, felt his blood boiling with confidence that he could defeat anyone who came his way.
Boo───Woo───
Is it a magic air raid this time?
I found the thickest cover possible and lay prone… and Bardel ran up beside me. I met his eyes as he leaned his back against the cover.
“Um, I think I’ve already caught over a hundred of them.”“I’ve probably slaughtered twice that many. And that includes a Rank 4 Lich.”“I think I even caught an Elder Lich?”“Just say you caught a Death Knight, too.”
The two had become relaxed enough to exchange brief jokes. Of course, it was not a case of letting their guard down. It was simply that they had become able to control the pace.
At that moment… a strange signal was heard from the rear where the Alliance was located. It was a sound so sharp and fierce that a sense of danger swept over one just by hearing it.
He cast his gaze over the cover.
A fleet of flying ships appearing to belong to the Kingdom of Ronia is approaching. There were 2 large ships, 6 medium-sized ships, and 23 small ships.
“The enemy’s main force…!”“It looks like they absorbed every single airship remaining in the Kingdom of Ronia. It must be the work of the Corruptor.”“The commanders must be on that massive airship, right?”“Probably.”
Beneath the seaplane, a death approaches that is relatively few in number but qualitatively different.
Cold sweat trickled down from the heavy tension, but I wasn’t very afraid. After all, if the Empire had a Commander, the World Alliance had a Legion Commander.
Whoooosh.
The punitive expedition’s airship fleet moved to the front and began to form ranks. A small airship was positioned at the very front for all to see.On the deck, Yurion stared at the enemy with his sword held to his shoulder. He increased the speed of the airship and took the lead alone.
A fierce battle between transcendents is about to break out.
Yoren and Bardel waited for the signal to advance, just as the other punitive forces did. Soon, the distance between the airships had narrowed somewhat.
Kugugugugugugugugugugugu… … !!
An earthquake suddenly occurred.
Before we could even react, the intensity of the earthquake grew exponentially, and a heavy presence was felt. Startled pupils turned simultaneously toward the ground of the battlefield.
“what…….”
Kwaaaaaaaang!
The streamlined monster broke through the hard ground and surged up strongly.
A shadow fell on the battlefield.
A body composed of a white skeleton and rotting flesh. It was a colossal body beyond imagination, reaching hundreds of meters in thickness and several kilometers in length.
The adventurers were convinced.
That undead monster is likely to belong to the dangerous group among all the special entities in history.
Crunch!
The monster’s maw swallowed the small airship carrying Yurion whole. As the hull was chewed by its teeth, the power source collapsed and it went berserk.An explosion inside its mouth briefly erupted between its teeth before disappearing.
The monster that had swallowed the Legion Commander crashed into the ground due to gravity, creating a huge pit again, and disappeared underground.
My mouth dropped open in a daze.
The sight of the power of the Transcendent vanishing so futilely delivered an indescribable shock. The Alliance immediately issued an order, but it went unheard by some.
At the same time, Luerin, the 8th Commander of the Xerion Empire, aimed at the battlefield from a large airship.An unusual morale surged through the bone arrows.
And the unraveling bowstring.
The arrow, rushing in diagonally, exploded violently and shattered into hundreds of fragments that swirled around. To those involved, its speed felt like rays of light.
Life is special for everyone. We tend to regard unexpected death as something that happens to others, because there is no way such a thing could happen to the protagonist.
It is an obvious and ridiculous fantasy.
“Yoren, Pihya.”
*Pow!*
Fighter – Bardel’s upper body was pierced. Evil energy contaminated and destroyed his vitality, causing the surrounding biological tissue to immediately rot and vanish.His torso scattered.Only his head and limbs remained of the Platinum-ranked adventurer, who fell to the ground.
Yoren met the eyes of the dead Bardel.
“ah…….”
A deadly downpour struck a part of the battlefield. It was impossible to defend against with makeshift shields. Even magical cover could not withstand it and was pierced through.Yoren was left without a trace. Dozens died in this manner.
Not only the ground but also the skies are facing danger.
Kuuung─!
The commander of the Xerion Empire’s 6th Division landed on the combined deck after breaking through the shield of the massive airship. He had propelled himself forward from the Imperial airship using the sheer force of his legs.The undead was shifting his center of gravity while gripping a halberd with both hands.
“this guy……!”
Unfortunately, just as a member of Andranov who was nearby was about to react, the old head was severed along with the metal staff.In time that seemed to flow slowly, the brains of the Elder of the Volcanic Island’s Magic Tower were scattered. Then, a raging gale slaughtered even the Elder’s disciples and guards in an instant.
The commander, having killed a dozen or so magical soldiers, next targeted the hull of the airship.
Mado
“They said he was transcendental, and indeed he is.”
The Tower Master of the Volcanic Island—the Red Sea, Beltroa Rium Solastel—has finished the calculation.
The Raging Storm of the Great Fire
A massive blaze engulfed the Sixth Commander. A powerful eruption of fire burned him, immobilizing his movements and pushing him back little by little.The other elders each added their own flames. Beltroa’s magical nature consumed them like kindling, further amplifying the firepower.
Kuwaaaaaaah… … !
The commander’s armor and halberd were stained red by the intense heat radiation, but the creature endured with its upper body bent, then took a step toward Beltroa.
The surrounding deck burned or melted.
The balance of power and magic was so precarious that it could collapse in an instant. Allowing the Commander to get close would be fatal even to Beltroa.
However, this is not a personal battle, but a war.
As soon as Beltroa pulled back the staff and withdrew the magic, Junia and Cain appeared from the left and right. The two moved swiftly, closing the distance and spinning.
BANG!
The magic sword emitting magical power and the staff infused with gravity collided with the halberd.
Eon’s twin twisted their bodies with all their might, veins bulging on their foreheads. The commander, having lost his balance, took a step back.
Beltroa’s eyes flashed.
“Haaap!”
A high-density flame struck the very center of the armor. The undead, pushed back to the deck railing, had its hood torn off. The halberd bounced upwards for a moment.
Indomitable Iniktor, an Obsidian-grade adventurer assigned to guard the Tower Master just in case, seized the opportunity and charged forward.The railing shattered under the pressure the moment his kick, loaded with his full body weight and energy, struck.
Bang────!
The 6th Commander crashed from the seaplane.
He had barely managed to oust the commander with his passing grade, but it was by no means a time to feel relieved.After all, Yurion had disappeared.
Yunia asked.
“What do we do about this?”“Do not be alarmed. A transcendent being would never be defeated so easily. Moreover, that sworn one.”
Beltroa fully understood the characteristics of the Transcendents as the pinnacle of the magical world.They are terrifyingly tenacious beings.
Let’s regroup first.
The World Alliance faction, having received orders, established a dense front line in the rear.
As the decks of the seaplanes filled with the sound of hurried footsteps, Iniktor narrowed his eyebrows, recalling the face of the 6th Commander with whom he had met eyes.
‘……what?’
For some reason, it looked familiar.
* * *
As the Empire’s main force, led by the two commanders, intervened, the path of the punitive expedition was blocked.
It is very rare for evil spirits to naturally linger and contaminate the ground. This is even more so in the modern era, where the Luas religion is engaged in purification work.Therefore, powerful undead were as rare to see as special variant species.
Given this, just as a small number of powerful individuals emerge from hundreds, thousands, or even countless humans, it is perhaps a natural principle that a small number of superior species are born from the vast number of undead.
Commanders who dominate the battlefield.
However, even if the tide of battle changes due to an individual, it does not necessarily lead to one-sided annihilation.
If the enemy possesses transcendent strength, there are extreme powerhouses capable of opposing them, such as the Commander and Vice-Commander of the Order of the Knights of the Word Spirit, and the Cardinal of the Luas Church… … .
Kugugugugugugugu!
This is because the transcendent always defies common sense.
The ground exploded just like before.
The giant undead beast that had swallowed Yurion reappeared in the world. And Yurion stood proudly atop its head.
Compulsory oath: servitude
The undead weapons of the Xerion Empire became subordinates of Yurion and directed their murderous intent toward the undead legion.
We were already short on power. I’ll gratefully accept the gift.
Yurion controlled it with the power of the oath. As the giant bounced its head forcefully, it used that as propulsion to soar high into the sky.He laid the tip of his sword flat and glared at the commander watching him from the Empire’s airship.
This is a return gift.
Yurion, enveloped in a dark golden aura, soon charged toward the fleet.
