Chapter 118 - Although we beat them back (1/2)

Translator: “Pink Tea” Editor: ”Ryunakama”

In a certain part of the capital, roaring blasts and loud shouts resounded, which could make one wonder if a war has started.

Supposedly sturdy two-story buildings were crumbling and soldiers thrown out of the alleyway rolled on the ground.

The inhabitants of that neighborhood run out of there, screaming.

In just a few moments all hell broke loose, turning the whole place into a scene of pandemonium. People nearby run for their lives, screaming, while those at a distance who had more guts, like mercenaries and their likes, observed the development.

What at first was perceived by everyone as a purge of nobles, moved into the backstreets, and dragging people of low birth out of there, seemingly could only end in their execution, but soon, the knights realized that things aren’t going the way they expected.

No, far from that, the opponents clearly weren’t just simple thugs or ex-mercenaries and threatened to completely crush them with overwhelming force.

However, it was all too late for them, due to charging all at once, the majority of the knights already were scattered by someone, with some being buried under the rubble of the collapsed houses.

This is bad.

Far from failing the mission, our own lives might be in danger.

Feeling so, the knights raised their voices to ridiculously high volumes and turning around, ran.

Citizens and merchants surely and certainly saw that sight of knights running as fast as their legs can carry them. Due to the troops bearing the banner embroidered with the emblem of a certain marquis running away along with the captain of those knights, it was obvious to everyone which order made such a shameful display.

This order had no war experience and always fought against clearly weaker opponents like bandits or monsters.

Their actual ability was even worse than rumors would suggest.

Later, mercenaries present at that scene would pass this story around as an anecdote, spreading the infamy of the Karluk Kingdom’s knights to neighboring kingdoms.

However, at that moment, no one knew that this, in turn, would also boost Heavenly Country’s reputation.

☆

In order to check the situation, a young man poked out of the abandoned building, used as their base, and witnessing that sight gaped his eyes.

「The-the knights are being scattered?!」

「Idiot! Hurry up and run away!」

Though his comrades shouted at him, he couldn’t take his eyes away from the spectacle outside.

「It, it’s fine! At this rate, the knights will……!」

As he tried to refute, Grey, who stood on watch outside, gave him a sharp glare.

「This fight is not to annihilate the knights. As regrettable as it may be, this fight is only to gain time for the escape. Hurry up and evacuate. The destination is outside the Capital.」

Being told off in a strong tone, the man pouted dissatisfied. But, perhaps due to accepting Grey’s explanation, this time he turned away without saying anything.

Confirming that the last person ran away, Grey glanced at the two of Taiki’s robots that were pulverizing the knights at the terrifying speed and then began evacuating as well.