86 Episode 86 "Three barrages of cheat skills were enough to overwhelm the army.".txt (1/2)

A procession of soldiers was advancing toward the Valley of the Mist.

In the center of the procession was a girl wearing a white and silver breastplate.

Her name is Carmina-Rigilta. She is the only daughter of a county family.

Carmina ducked her crimson cloak and shouted, ”Come on, slaves!

''Come on, slaves, go ahead!　Don't you want your freedom!

At the head of the procession are the slaves who have been hastily bought up.

There are 12 of them. Their weapons are sturdy sticks. Just before entering the valley, they are to be temporarily strengthened with magic. They are to be temporarily strengthened with magic just before entering the valley, so that they can fight the demons. But until then, they should not be able to escape or go against it.

Behind the line of slaves, soldiers with spears at the ready scowled.

Carmina nodded in satisfaction and shouted.

'If you had successfully defeated the enemy in the Mist of Deception, you would have 'contracted' to terminate the master-servant contract on the spot and guarantee your freedom!　Slaves, if you want your freedom, work!

'Dear Carmina. Are you really going to send these slaves to us?

A bearded soldier walking beside me asks me.

He's been a chaperone since he was little. Carmina calls him ”Grandpa”.

There's a demon inside, isn't there?　At the very least, the slaves should have the same armor as the soldiers.

We don't have time for this, Grandpa. If you hesitate here, you'll see what that baronet will do to you: ......

Carmina scratched her nails.

If it were true, she should have conquered the valley with the prince and the baroness, as well as the prince's attendant, 'The Wise Man', and the valley. But before that, I want to accomplish something. I can't afford to lose to that Viscountess.

''Let me ask you the opposite. Grandfather. From your perspective as a successive soldier, is my strategy wrong?

...... No.

An old soldier advancing beside Carmina shook his head with a bitter face.

''What we need right now is information about the Misty Valley. The best way to do that is to send people in. However, if we injure the regular soldiers by fighting each other, we will undermine the Count family's strength. Hence, the slaves are sent ahead of the others. The least amount of damage, the most amount of work.

There was no one who could argue with Carmina's words.

The Countess of Rigilta has been supporting the 8th Prince Clavis for some time now.

The League Nadal royal family is achievement-based. How good you are determines the territory and status you will be given after you come of age. The prince needs to perform well and acquire a larger territory or he will be in trouble.

Otherwise, they won't get their money back.

''I 'contracted' with the slaves that 'if you defeat the demons in the mist, I will give you enough reward and freedom to dissolve the master-servant contract. It would be a great reward. There should be no complaints.

The reason I put the condition of emancipation on the slaves was because ”Grandfather” told me to be picky. Otherwise, he said, the Countess would fall into disrepute. He said he was in mortal danger and should be rewarded appropriately. That's why we made a troublesome contract.

And yet ”Grandpa” is forever languishing .......

”The actual battlefield doesn't go as you imagine it to, young lady.

'It doesn't matter if we succeed or not!　Even if it doesn't work out, it would be enough to show His Highness Clavis that you tried, wouldn't it?

At Carmina's words, ”Grandpa” sighed in resignation.

The ranks proceeded on.

Eventually, the beast path opens up. On either side, it becomes a sheer cliff.

Carmina stopped the ranks a little before the valley.

'Get ready. I will send the slaves into the valley, as soon as possible.

'I am concerned that the scouts have not returned. Miss.

I know, sir. But we can't afford to fall behind.

The face of the Viscountess comes to Carmina's mind.

The girl who was supposed to party with the prince and enter the 'Valley of the Mist'. She and the prince are close to each other. I'm not letting my guard down. And I can never lose.

We get all sorts of information from the employees of the Viscount's family that we have acquired. That she is buying up slaves. That she asks adventurers to do quests in secret. Carmina has not underestimated her. It's best for us to take action before they do.

We will not go near the valley. We will only let the slaves move in front of us. Soldiers, watch both sides. If you see any suspicious shadows, shoot your arrows.

The lead soldier pushed the slaves back.

The slaves were dressed in slave uniforms and held up sticks as long as they were tall.

Their ages were in their early teens. Men and women scattered. We didn't have much time, so we chose them only on the basis of their health.

'Now proceed to the valley, slaves. To freedom.

...... Yes. Dear Carmina.

The slaves start to walk towards the entrance of the valley.

The ground is hard earth. Pebbles are scattered on it and sparse trees grow on it. There is no barrier between the slaves and the soldiers. In any case, there is no way to escape.

Giving up, the slaves walk off at a brisk pace.

Their feet suddenly stop.

'Oh, fearless fool! Do you not know that this valley is about to collapse?

A voice said.

''This is the place where the Heavenly Dragon sleeps. He doesn't want people to disturb his sleep, so he has decided to destroy this valley. ''I warn you foolish people,'' he said. Leave this place immediately. There is nothing in this place that you desire.

A figure stood at the entrance to the Misty Valley.

They were behind an iron fence, set up by the royal family. There are four of them. Because of the fog, I couldn't see their faces.

''Adventurers who don't read the air. I told you that His Highness Kravis would capture this place!

Carmina spat.

─ The valley will collapse?　Speaking of which, I think I hear the earth rumbling.

Then we must hurry.

If that happens, the information obtained here will be for Carmina alone. That should be an advantage in the battle for the prince. Even if the valley collapses, it doesn't mean that all the slaves will die. They could at least 'order' the ones that were still breathing to get the information out of them.

'Proceed. Slaves. Fight!　This is an 'order'!

Carmina touched the ring on her left hand.

At the same time, the wizard who was mixed with the soldiers cast a strengthening spell on the slave's stick.

The ensuing attack spell fired destroys the iron fence blocking the path to the valley.

'Approach the enemy and pass the information to me. I repeat. This is an order from Carmina-Rigilta.

You get information with a stone's throw away.

As a tactic, it's perfectly correct. It's textbook. I've been taught strategy and tactics.

Carmina was a good student. There was no room for error.

”Step forward, slaves!　You will serve me with that blood!

Is that what they say about hiring people...?

Slyly, something moved in the fog.

A white thing.

A huge thing.

Something that was slowly rising from the ground.

Carmina and the soldiers stopped moving.

A dragon-shaped bone was trying to get up.

There was no flesh, no skin. No skin. Not even scales.

It was a pure white, beautiful 'dragon bone'.

A horned skull was attached to the end of its long neck. It's also too huge.

The only thing coming out of the fog was the head and neck. Even so, it's about the size of a little tower. If it's only a head and neck, then the size of its entire body is...

It would be just the right size to wear the wings of a celestial dragon in the town of Sharka.

''No way ...... that's the bones of a celestial dragon. Do you really think that this is the Heavenly Dragon's graveyard!

''Miss. Let's get the slaves back.

Why?　Grandfather?

''The celestial dragon used to be on the side of man. You must not point your weapons at him!

Oh, I see. Grandpa doesn't know.

Why was the prince and his party aiming to capture this ”Valley of the Mist”?

If it weren't for the rumors of the Heavenly Dragon's Shadow, the prince wouldn't have bothered to come to this place.

''Go, slaves!　If that's really the body of a celestial dragon, I should get a piece of it.

Miss!

”Soldiers, fire your arrows!　They only want that unseen figure!

The soldiers are told to grab their arrows for their bows. Release.

Dozens of arrows fly towards the shadows below the Bone Heavenly Dragon.

''How dare you let your men do the dirty work and not move from their safe place?

The Bone of the Dragon said.

”Shame on you.

His mouth, not a speck of flesh on it, opened and bared his pure white teeth.

'If you're going to force a job on someone else, you better prove you can do it!

Gulp, the wind rang.

Small tornadoes were created on either side of the 'dragon's bones'.

”Magic 'whirlwind barrier'. Miss.

''I know. That low level of magic should be able to prevent this number of arrows ──── eh?　Huh?　Whoa, whoa, whoa ────────!

Whoa.

Geez.

The Dragon's Bones, which leaned on its head at the entrance of the valley.

The tornadoes born on either side of it grew huge.

What was once the size of a man became the size of a giant, and even bigger to cover the entrance to the valley.

”What is this...? The Wrath of the Heavenly Dragon? ”Only a court magician should be able to use this kind of magic...?

The soldiers scream from the strong headwind that slaps their faces.

The arrows they fired were bounced back and tumbled underneath the soldiers' feet. Even the magic can't break through that wind and disappear. The trees around me creak. Leaves scatter. Branches snap. It is truly a storm worthy of the authority of a celestial dragon.

............You can't expect ............ to do this.

It's impossible.

All Carmina and the others heard about the 'Heavenly Dragon's Shadow'.

They didn't hear about the main body turning into undead and resurrecting.

”Move along, Dorothea...!　'Orders'!

There was a tremendous headwind, and I couldn't move forward. Neither myself nor my men.

But the ring's compulsion is stronger than you think.

If we give up now, all the money we've spent will have been for nothing. I've got to earn every penny I can. Keep going!　You must fight those foul things and bring back information to me and Prince Kravis.

Carmina grabbed the 'contract' ring and ordered the slaves to do it.

It was unexpected and my mind was blank - that's all I could think of to say.

''It would have been so much easier if you'd gone home with this.

From the entrance of the valley where we are, we can clearly see the soldiers' movements.

The Countess and her soldiers are working hard at the edge of the valley.

The slaves are struggling to get to us, but they're pushing themselves too hard.

I see them leaning forward, crawling towards us. He's got a look of horror on his face.

I wonder why they're making me do that. ......

It was Iris's 'Illusory Space LV1' that made the Bone Heavenly Dragon. I said I was fine with a normal Heavenly Dragon Modoki, but Iris said, ”This one is more intimidating! But he didn't shake it.

”'Oh, how foolishly the aristocracy has fallen - the descendants of the heroes who once built this country.'

Next to me, Iris is manipulating the 'dragon bone' with a twinkle in her eye.

It seems to be able to make the apparition speak while using the skill. Just as Iris said, the Dragon Bones emit a wrinkled voice, shaking the air and making the assembled nobles and soldiers tremble. But I think generating human bones on the ground is a bit much. It's Iris's hobby.

''Very well!　Curses and rewards to those who disturb my sleep: ────!

Iris jumps with her arms raised.

I'm sweating all over, but I'm in a good mood.

The bone-like Tenryu Modoki is screaming at us as it hovers over our heads.

Because it is an illusion, it has neither offensive nor defensive powers.

The thing protecting us was Rafilia's Dragon Seed Whirlwind LV1.

It's about the size of an eight-story building. It's spinning on either side of the dragon's bones, winding up the air around it.

I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about it.

That's why we're all snuggled up together, as if defending Iris and Cecil.

”That's 40% of your magic consumption. Do you want more?

It's good enough as it is.

'If we can increase the magic consumption to 80%, we can get the soldiers involved in the range.

I don't care. I'm not here to kill those guys.

Killing doesn't change the way the nobles do things.

So, we give them fear.

The kind of trauma that if you try to get someone to ”work in black” you will instantly be reminded of this time.

If that fear gets through to the rest of the aristocracy, it might change this world a bit. Let them ”work in black” and they'll show up with a working labor department! Or something like that.

'Well then, Cecil, I need your help.

Yes. Mr. Nagi.

When I said that, Cecil mumbled with a bright red face and closed his eyes, ”Huh,” he said.

'Please play ...... 'gutai' with me,'

I think that's something I'm going to ask you to do.

”......For me, it's a 'reward' to be touched by Nagi,

Cecil looks embarrassed, holding his face in his hands.

'Yeah. 'Okay. Then just tell me and I'll do it whenever you want.

I'll tell you what I'll do if you go to ......

I put my hand on Cecil's chest.

”Huh. ...... Ah.

Just bear with me for a minute, Cecil.

I connected the ”thread of magic” to Cecil's chest.

Because of the use of the Quick Structure, I'm connected to Iris and Rafilia with the magical thread. That's why I'll be using the magical thread to supply Cecil with magical power as well. Otherwise, the three of us will be stuck in close quarters, so we won't be able to move.