Chapter 5: The Fierce Battle Against Garios, the Demon King’s Younger Brother
Burns, fighting in front of the Royal Guard’s flag, was advancing the defensive line following Romelia’s orders.
“Hey! Move forward! The lady wants us to advance. Put your back into it!”
Burns spurred the soldiers on.
Despite the humiliation of being ordered around by a woman on the battlefield, Burns was smiling. The count’s daughter, Romelia, was that interesting.
Her presence on the battlefield showcased command abilities that rivaled any general. Her wide field of vision and keen observation of both allies and enemies were impressive. Despite her small frame, her voice carried over the din of battle, issuing commands that inspired and motivated.
But what Burns admired most was her courage.
Just moments ago, as the Demon King’s army approached and the flag was about to fall, Romelia stood her ground without retreating a single step.
Had Romelia stepped back then, Burns and the others wouldn’t have been able to hold the front line. It was because she trusted her soldiers to push beyond their limits and stood firm herself that everyone managed to muster the strength to exceed their own limits.
“Move forward! Push them back!”
Burns, wielding his sword, urged the defensive line forward, but the Demon King’s army also increased their pressure.
“Hold the line! Don’t fall back! Push!”
Facing the advancing enemy, Burns rallied his soldiers.
But even without his commands, the soldiers held their ground. Their eyes gleamed with determination and fighting spirit, influenced by Romelia just as much as Burns was.
Despite the onslaught of the Demon King’s army, Burns and his men resisted fiercely, gradually pushing them back. Under the Royal Guard’s flag, scattered soldiers began to regroup, strengthening the defensive line further.
As Burns repelled the Demon King’s assault, he surveyed the battlefield.
Romelia, mounted on a horse, was galloping around, leading the cavalry. Sergei and the others were desperately trying to keep up with her, ensuring her safety.
Romelia’s leadership shone even here, pinpointing the weak spots in the Demon King’s army and taking down the rampaging giant soldiers.
Thanks to her efforts, the defensive line was stabilizing, with over 150 soldiers gathered and Sergei’s cavalry unit doubling to around sixty men.
Though the enemy still held the advantage, the Demon King’s army lacked coordinated movement. With a proper formation, they could fight despite their fewer numbers.
“Alright, form up! Don’t leave any gaps!”
Burns bellowed as he worked to build a solid defensive line.
The soldiers were gathered, and morale was high. The well-trained Royal Guard moved with exceptional coordination. The hastily built defensive line was becoming as sturdy as a castle wall.
“Lieutenant Burns!”
A clear voice rang out as they finished forming up. Romelia had returned with just Shloh, Ginny, and Merill.
For a moment, Burns feared Sergei and the others had been defeated, but he could see Sergei leading the cavalry, scattering the enemy.
“What is it? What’s happened?”
Burns shouted back.
He knew his manner was rough, but he couldn’t change it now.
Besides, there was no time to worry about that. Romelia’s return could only mean bad news. The enemy’s attack was about to intensify.
“Are the enemy reserves finally moving?”
Burns looked deeper into the battlefield. The hundred giant soldiers, the Demon King’s last reserves, showed no signs of movement. But with Romelia’s return, Burns guessed they were about to mobilize.
“No, it’s not that. It’s from above!”
“Above? From the sky?”
Romelia dismounted and looked up. Burns followed her gaze and saw 300 wyverns circling slowly in the sky.
As they both stared upwards, an arrow with a whistling sound fell from a wyvern’s back like a shooting star.
The soldiers around Romelia, including Shloh, reacted, raising their shields toward the sky. However, the arrow didn’t hit Romelia; it landed far behind them.
Romelia’s expression hardened, her face set with determination.
“Lieutenant Burns!”
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A soldier building the defensive line shouted. Burns thought the Demon King’s army was intensifying their assault, but when he turned, the enemy was retreating. The previously aggressive forces had pulled back, forming a shield wall.
The soldiers holding the defensive line were puzzled by the enemy’s strange retreat.
“Everyone, watch the skies! The attack is coming from above! Get down!”
Romelia ordered, but the soldiers hesitated, unsure how to respond to the command to lie down in the face of the enemy.
As they glanced at each other in confusion, there was movement above.
One of the circling wyverns suddenly dived.
Following its lead, the surrounding wyverns swooped down like seabirds spotting prey.
Could it be that the wyverns were launching an attack?
Burns trembled as the swarm of wyverns filled his vision.
But it wasn’t what he expected. Instead of attacking, the wyverns pulled up sharply, soaring back into the sky. However, the demons riding them threw something just as they turned.
“Explosive magic stones! Take cover!”
Even hearing Romelia’s voice, Burns stood frozen. A blackish lump thrown from a wyvern was falling straight toward him.
“Lieutenant Burns!”
Romelia’s face and flaxen hair filled his vision as she pushed him down. A thunderous explosion followed, and a shockwave coursed through his body.
Burns nearly lost consciousness, feeling a floating sensation as if in a dream.
The sweet scent of perfume tickled his nose. Lowering his gaze, he saw Romelia’s small face resting on his chest, her flaxen hair spread around.
He snapped back to full awareness.
Burns immediately sat up, checking Romelia for injuries.
“Hey, you okay? “
Burns picks up Romelia’s body and checks if she is injured. She was unconscious but didn’t appear badly hurt. Nearby, Shloh and the others were also down, victims of the bombardment.
“Are you alright?”
Burns lightly tapped Romelia’s cheek. She woke up instantly.
“Where’s the enemy? What’s the damage?”
Romelia rose, surveying their surroundings.
“Don’t stand up. Stay down. I’ll handle the soldiers. Are you all okay?”
Burns stood up, checking the damage.
The explosive magic stones had wounded many soldiers, some with shards embedded in their bodies, some unconscious from the shock, and some with heads blown off.
“Get up! Grab your shields! Help your comrades!”
Burns helped fallen soldiers to their feet, picking up a shield himself.
“Watch the skies! The second wave is coming!”
Behind him, Romelia pointed to the sky, shouting. The wyverns were diving again.
“Here comes the second wave! Take cover! Romelia, you too!”
Burns shouted at Romelia, who was trying to take command.
Romelia didn’t follow his orders, but Shloh and the others pulled her down, shielding her with their bodies and shields.
“Get down now! Keep your heads down! It’s coming! Three, two, one!”
Burns counted down as the explosive magic stones fell, taking cover just before the explosions hit.
Then, just before the explosion, he gets down and protects his head with a shield.
Multiple explosions rocked the area, and the shockwaves battered their bodies.
As the soldiers quivered in fear, Burns recalled the sweet scent he’d smelled earlier.
Whether it was perfume or makeup, she was still a woman. He remembered the feel of her hair on his face and the sensation of holding her. It was a shame the armor was in the way. He wished he could have enjoyed it a bit longer.
Maybe he would propose once this battle was over. How would the count’s daughter react?
Burns smiled at the thought of Romelia’s surprised face as the explosions above subsided.
He stood up, shaking off his daydreams.
“Are you all alright? Romelia!”
Amidst the rising smoke and dust, Burns called out to his soldiers and checked on Romelia.
After the second bombardment, soldiers lay scattered across the battlefield.
Between the soldiers, pieces of flesh rolled, and groans echoed, creating a hellish scene.
However, the damage was less than the first time. Lying prone had been effective. Romelia also seemed safe, protected by Shloh and the others.
“Get up! Help the injured! Pick up your shields! The third wave is coming soon!”
Burns watched the demon king’s army retreating temporarily.
The demon king’s army had distanced themselves to avoid the bombardment. When the bombardment ended, they would charge. Since the demon king’s army wasn’t moving, the bombardment wasn’t over yet.
Burns helped up a fallen soldier. Shloh and the others, who had been protecting Romelia, also went around helping wounded soldiers.
“Lieutenant Burns! The flag!”
Romelia shouted from behind. When he turned around, he saw that the flag of the guard standing on the battlefield was leaning.
One of the two soldiers supporting the flag had lost his head and fallen. The remaining soldier was barely holding the flag, but he was injured and about to collapse.
That flag must not fall!
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