Chapter 8 (1/2)

8、Ambush (B-side)

Drake had set up camp where the Demon Forest opened up to a hill.

At the base of the hill was a flowing stream.

The location wasn't bad at all, and it was here that Drake awaited something.

”Aniue, is it not yet time?”

”I do not claim to understand Evil G.o.d-sama. He will eventually show himself before us. If we are in luck, it shall be soon.”

The girl who addressed Drake as her Honored Brother 'Aniue', Eleena, apprehensively looked down from the hill.

She wasn't blood related to Drake; Their fathers were sworn brothers, so it was only natural that their children grew up together like siblings.

Unlike her beloved brother Drake who had black hair, Eleena's was a flaming red, and had been tied in a ponytail.

Contrary to the wild color of her hair, she herself was serious and demure.

In truth, when their exodus was over, she hoped to live a peaceful life together with her brother.

That same Eleena had something to tell the <dethroned crown=”” prince=””> Drake,

”......Is someone as inexperienced as I truly fit for this honor?”

”Come now, you are my sister Eleena, there is no reason you would be unfit to serve the Evil G.o.d as his Emissary.”

The Evil G.o.d's Emissary.

It is the designation the Evil G.o.d uses for the person who acts as their prophet to the people.

They devote themselves entirely to the Evil G.o.d, and a virgin maiden is typically chosen for this role.

”I have only met him once, but Evil G.o.d-sama appears to be kind. Everything will go smoothly, Eleena.”

”Yes.”

”Now then, Eleena. Our conversation must end here. The long-awaited moment has arrived.”

○

In the end, I somehow wasted a lot of time in the Celestial Realm, so I hurried to meet back up with Drake.

After all is said and done, there's still only 200 of them.

When I think about the stragglers of the defeated army coming to a new land, there's a chance they'll be pursued.

If I were commanding the enemy, I would make certain every last one of them was dead.

I had yet to fully grasp the kind of situation the Demon Lands were in, so I wonder just what exactly is going on. Is it like the early days of the Three Kingdoms, or j.a.pan's Warring States era where several factions are fighting for power? Or has the decisive battle already occurred?

It's possible that Drake's battle with <the northern=”” overlord=””> was the final deciding battle.

If that's the case, turning it around will be exceedingly difficult.

I don't know how thorough <the northern=”” overlord=””> is, but they were in danger of his forces coming to finish the job. They may already be near, so I must quickly inform Drake.

Also, Drake himself said he was a genius of tactics and strategy, so he may be able to come up with something. However, they must first check out their surroundings. If there's no truth in his self-proclaimed genius, I wonder if I can do anything with just 200 soldiers? It's hard to equate from a modern-day perspective.

I had only just been reincarnated and wasn't used to everything yet, but at least I could provide surveillance from the sky; I should at least be able to handle that much.

In the midst of thinking while flying, I saw Drake and his group crowded around a small hill.

This is bad.

They were packed pretty tight on top of the hill.

At most, they’d already been cornered on top of the hill; they could only defend themselves with 50 soldiers. If they try to escape, they'll probably be killed...

It could be that an enemy force 10 times greater than their own was near.

In any case, I gotta do something.

○

They were jammed together.

Drake had 50 people at hand chosen for this battle formation.

The enemy probably numbered 500. They didn't seem particularly skilled, but they made up for what they lacked with numbers. They had a group of 200 Kobolds and 300 Goblins and a seated commander watching the area, likely a brigade of hired mercenaries.

Their employer…… a group allied with <the northern=”” overlord=””>, coming for the Demon Lord.

They would take Drake's head as an offering to <the northern=”” overlord=””> to join his camp, they were beyond sc.u.mbags.

The crowded defense line took a step back.

They were completely daunted by the attacking army.