Chapter 148 – Thriller (2/2)

“What, are those…?” (Alyssa)

The nose bridges are low as if they were chipped off, the eyelids dangled and drool was constantly spilling from in-between the violet lips. Though it’s insane on a first glance, their faces have violet and darkish specks all over. Alyssa didn’t know but, it was the post-mortem lividity of people who died by poison and similar.

Their expressions are flat as if caved in and they are merely absent-minded.

“I have seen those somewhere… ah!” (Alyssa)

What Alyssa recalled was the large number of corpses she saw in the town of Vichy called Rhone. Corpses of those who were killed while being expressionless and corpses which had decayed slowly.

Hitting the head of the soldier in front of her eyes with a *tap tap*, Alyssa descended from atop his shoulders in a hurry and grandly vomited right at the spot.

“D-Director?”

“Are you alright? Water, here you go!”

The soldiers, who have surrounded Alyssa in panic, offer towels and water bottles to her but Alyssa refuses while spiting out.

“Peh, peh… I-I’m fine. Rather than that…” (Alyssa)

◆◆◆

“Gyaaah!”

“S-Stop it!”

◆◆◆

The instant Alyssa tried to give some instructions, screams came from the enemy’s side.

The immortal soldiers began to attack the soldiers on Kuzemu’s side, which were nearby, first and not their enemy.

Don’t they possess swords? Recklessly swinging blades which were installed at the gauntlets on both their hands, they are biting and clinging at those who were close to them.

In order to save their captured comrades, the other soldiers cut at the arms and backs of the immortal soldiers, but let alone separating them, the immortal soldiers didn’t even react.

“Aah…”

Once a soldier, who lost a great amount of blood after being bitten into the neck, used up all his strength, the immortal soldiers’ target shifted to another soldier who is still standing or walking.

◆◆◆

“What are those…?”

Due to the tragedy being unfolded in front of their eyes, Nelgal’s surroundings were simply having their breath taken away while not knowing how to deal with the situation. Alyssa arrived there after pushing her way through, or rather jumping over the soldiers guarding Nelgal.

“A-Alyssa-san?” (Nelgal)

“Pull back the soldiers right away! Those are dangerous!” (Alyssa)

Without waiting for his reply, Alyssa grabbed the bit of the horse with Nelgal on it and skilfully changed its direction. Jumping on the horse behind Nelgal, she began to make the horse gallop by lightly striking its rear.

“What has happened? It looked to me as if the soldiers on the other side are killing each other…” (Nelgal)

“Though it’s simple to explain since not much time has passed, it’s Horant’s drugs or magic tools? I saw people who didn’t know pain or fear. And it’s the same with them.” (Alyssa)

Once they arrived in front of the platform wagon with Imeraria on it, Alyssa jumped off the horse and Nelgal stopped the horse by pulling its reins in panic.

“What happened? It looks like the other side is in an uproar, but…” (Imeraria)

“Ask Nelgal for an explanation!” (Alyssa)

Due to Alyssa running away towards the location, where Fokalore’s soldiers have gathered, while saying that over her shoulder, Orsongrande’s soldier turned angry looks at her, but Imeraria herself doesn’t care about that at the moment.

“Oh. Horant’s hidden ace made its appearance, didn’t it?” (Hifumi)

Hifumi, who heard the conversation, runs off as if being fired off by the platform wagon the minute he stands up and Origa chases after him in silence.

Even while Viine was perplexed by the sudden event, she started to pursue Hifumi after sending a fleeting glance to Puuse.

“Err…” (Puuse)

“I believe it will be fine if you take a rest here. Won’t you drink some tea as well?” (Imeraria)

Imeraria smiled at the wavering Puuse.

“Princess-sama, you are quite calm about it.” (Puuse)

“I got used to it already.” (Imeraria)

Ordering for black tea to be prepared, Imeraria turned her look towards the front line once again.

“Besides, now is still not the time for me to make my move.” (Imeraria)

Imeraria smiled while offering sweets.

“Let’s leave the fighting scenes to those liking them. What a lady flourishes at is a suitable scene that uses more wit.” (Imeraria)

“I see.” (Puuse)

Due to Imeraria’s way of talking like an upper class lady, Puuse opened her mouth in admiration. Going by appearance, she has a sweet, obedient character, but her lifestyle in the wilderness of basically spending time with gathering within the forest is close to that of beastmen.

“… Huh? But, the other day you mounted a horse and flew towards the battlefield…” (Sabnak)

“Sabnak-san.” (Imeraria)

Glaring at Sabnak who has remembered something unnecessary, Imeraria steps down her heel with a *clonk*

“Don’t you believe it’s weird that our army doesn’t react in any way just because I’m not moving?” (Imeraria)

“I will have them deal with it right away! Vaiya, where did you go!? Vaiya!” (Sabnak)

Seeing off Sabnak who jumped off the platform wagon as if running away, Imeraria grumbled 「Geez」.

“Your Majesty, Imeraria… it’s really difficult for me to tell you, but they are likely putting to use the soldiers who took a magic potion which was developed in Horant.” (Nelgal)

“What kind of drug is that?” (Imeraria)

“To the bitter end it’s a speculation, but”, giving that preface, Nelgal explains.

“Among the things which were researched by the Crown Prince who was subjugated by Earl Tohno… and died, there were some making it possible to dull a human’s fear and sense of pain. On the other hand there were also items which amplify the feeling of anger. It’s for a short period, but, looking at the situation, wasn’t it successful as it produced “soldiers who don’t feel any pain while being aggressive”…?” (Nelgal)

“I see. Those large soldiers seemed to be very slow as well. Those work with the size of a regular soldier, you say. But, won’t they be weaker than the large soldiers in that case?” (Imeraria)

“What meaning does it have to change them into the same size as a normal soldier?” Imeraria asks.

“The reinforced soldiers have difficulties to make use of their size. Their equipment is custom-made as well.” (Nelgal)

If they had the the size of common soldiers, they would be able to use the equipment of other soldiers as well and on top of that it would work out once they are crammed into cages like slaves. Even if they were given items looted from the dead, they wouldn’t complain either.

“In other words…” (Imeraria)

“If you use a large amount of immortal soldiers all at once, it’s possible to crush an enemy with soldiers who will come attacking even after getting cut or stabbed. That’s what it means.” (Nelgal)

“A considerably troublesome drug was developed there.” (Imeraria)

Nelgal tilted his head to the side due towards Imeraria who tasted the black tea after blowing on it with a “Hapheew.”

“A considerably, that is… you seem to have taken it quite calmly though…” (Nelgal)

“Nelgal-sama, for the people of Fokalore it cannot be helped that they do as they please in such way. Even my knights have some too indiscriminate aspects due to their influence.” (Imeraria)

Putting down the cup with the black tea in it, she smiles alongside a hot sigh.

“Only regarding their strength, I can trust in them.” (Imeraria)

“… That’s admirable. Well then I will return to the front line and fight together with your country and my soldiers… even for me it should be possible to become a ruler who is able to trust his people like you do.” (Nelgal)

Due to Nelgal returning to his horse in a hurry, Imeraria thought how enviable.

“If I were a man, I would probably be allowed to run around a battlefield like this as well.” (Imeraria)

“Since the elves mostly fight with magic, it has no relation to man or woman, but are humans different?” (Puuse)

Imeraria answered Puuse question with a bitter smile.

“There are also things called oppressive social rank, but it’s because I failed.” (Imeraria)

“Although I’m good at magic, I’m utterly bad with offensive spells”, once she jokes about it and displays it, even Puuse unintentionally smiled and replied that it’s the same for her as well.

“Even though children, who were strong at wind magic and such, played an active role by going to the front at the time of exterminating monsters, I was always kept indoors or cast healing from behind… although I can use binding magic more or less, it didn’t work overly well against monsters that move around…” (Puuse)

Once she hears the clonking sound of low-heeled shoes, Puuse lifts her face.

Imeraria had stood up and was pointing a serious look at Puuse.

“Puuse-san, won’t you allow me to hear further details about this?” (Imeraria)

Imeraria wanted a lecture in magic from Puuse.

While the surroundings were headed towards battle in hurry, Imeraria decided to bring Puuse over to her side.