volume 1 - Chapter 21 (1/2)
Chapter 21 – Three p.r.o.nged approach.
Brendel’s mind quickly spun. He thought if he had some form of scouting skill available, like ‘Eagle-eye’ or ‘precognition’ or other related skills, he could persuade them. As his mind went through the possibilities, he suddenly thought of another way.
[Of course! That will work too!]
He wiped his sweaty palms again and relaxed.
“Right now the River of Daggers is in a state where it’s nearly unprotected. In the worst case, there’s only one squadron of undead defending there, so why not break through that area?”
Everyone’s initial response was almost the same.
“What, is that true?”
“How’s that possible?”
“How did you know this?”
Brendel raised his hand to silence them: “Bretton, do you recall that your guards found a half-broken statue in the green village?”
“The statue that looks like a devil, heavy and frightening, yes.” Bretton suddenly recalled a report from Zeta and Ryan. They had found it in the underground pa.s.sage in a ruined shrine. They said they found signs of a knight, and the guards expanded their search for him before finding the statue.
Brendel took the small black statue from his pocket: “That’s called a gargoyle. I think even you have heard of it. This is a war unit of Bucce’s, and wizards control these gargoyles using this thing here.”
He laid it flat on his palm and raised his arm for everyone to see clearly. The young guards that partic.i.p.ated in the Green village’s search quickly recognized that it looked exactly like the statue.
“Wait, you mean to say you can control that thing?”
“Can it still move?”
“That thing has wings, can it fly?” The scout, Zeta, asked Brendel from the back.
“Yes, and it can fly as fast as a dragon. The army position for this unit is similar to our own kingdom’s flying dragon riders. It is the best scout in the battlefield, and I used it to avoid the majority of the undead when the militia and I went to the Green village.”
“During yesterday’s morning, I discovered that the Madara’s army in the north had stalled in their progress. There were at least three companies that stayed in Verbin as they did not lock down the northern sh.o.r.es in time. They had problems in their cooperation over there, and the undead armies in front of us have not discovered their mistake yet.” (TL: In case anyone forgot, a company in army size = 80 to 250 soldiers according to wikipedia.)
“Unfortunately, the gargoyle that I sent out was discovered by the undead patrols and damaged as a result. When I ordered it back, it landed in the Green village.”
Freya suddenly responded when Brendel finished explaining.
“So that’s the reason. Brendel, when you said you had something to do, it was this? No wonder you always managed to lead us away from danger and wanted to go to the green village with your injuries. If you wanted to repair that thing, why don’t you just tell us?”
Before Brendel could say anything, the future G.o.ddess of War bowed her head.
“Sorry, Brendel, I’m also at fault. I was angry with you at that time, but I didn’t think that it was for our sake.”
[Hah?]
Brendel suddenly felt that he was too much of a genius, as he managed to actually weave such a story out from nowhere. And it even let Freya connect everything from the beginning. He did not know whether it was because he was just too smart or because Freya was just too stupid.
He suddenly felt a little embarra.s.sed when he saw Freya’s apologetic face. (TL: This sc.u.mbag Brendel!)
With Freya’s speech, everyone already believed in Brendel’s story. She was the best militia out of Bucce’s current batch, and even Marden had a good impression of her. She was also a native of Bucce, and surely she had no reason to lie to them right?
Even Bretton rubbed his forehead and asked: “Can that thing still move?”
“I can’t say for sure. I’ll try my best to test it out. I already reestablished the contact with it, and the only thing left is for it to recover on its own.” Brendel lied without battling an eyelid.
[If I could move that thing, I don’t need to waste my time bulls.h.i.+tting you, pff.]
A level 23 gargoyle, never mind a necromancer, even if Rothko was to fight against it he would have trouble handling it.
Bretton was unsatisfied with this reply: “You’re really as stupid as a pig. How did you let the enemy discover the gargoyle flying in the air. If we had this flying scout, our position would be much better.”
“Is your particular talent called ‘s.h.i.+rking your responsibilities’? If I’m not here, will you forget to fight your own battles too?” Brendel mocked him.
“Hmph!”
“Alright, that’s enough. The battles ahead should be our duty. Kid, we will believe in what you said. But the Madara undead in front of us are still alert, and it will be different when we bring the villagers along with us, compared to just the guards moving. Do you really think we can escape?” Marden asked pensively.
“This would have to be under your responsibility, Captain Marden.”
“Well said.” The old veteran could not help but look at Brendel thoughtfully. He found it strange that Brendel seemed to know what he was thinking at every other turn and answered it. He thought that if this young man changed his career and entered into politics, he would have a great future.
Only the G.o.ds know that Brendel knew his personality all too well.
Marden stood up and ordered: “On my command, the Bucce guards shall gather here and prepare to break out of this siege!”
“”Understood!””
The guards stood up together at the same time.
Marden looked back and said: “Zeta, tell the villagers to let the men amongst them to gather up. Now is the time for Aouine’s men to protect their home and families.”
Zeta looked puzzledly at him. “Captain?”
“What are you looking at? Are you afraid of death? Let me tell you Bucce’s guards youngsters, this is the moment where you fulfill your oath. We will attack the Madara’s vanguard before dawn to break out of the siege, but I doubt anyone here will be able to survive.
However, that is fine! Because the Bucce’s villagers will sing of our bravery and tell everyone in this world that we are not afraid of death, and have fulfilled our responsibilities till the very end.”
The old veteran swept his gaze on everyone with his expression solemn: