Day 71
The human army is finally advancing on the Kudel Woods.
However, the contract will be considered void in the event of a retreat.
I humbly accept the job.
But we'll be making our own moves.
And so, that was how our mercenary company, Parabellum, began its first job.
We've got an assortment of 36 members, and with Spellsei's sorcery,
our familiars can join us completely silently, for a total number of 73.
We deployed early in the morning.
We deployed so early
based on item from the squad I had sent in advance to scout a human garrison.
These kinds of magical barriers
can usually prevent monsters of a lower level than the caster from entering.
The sooner we bring it down, the better.
Everybody, surround the barrier.
Once we confirmed we were all in position,
I used my silver arm's Attribute Echo to boost Gáe Derg...
So that it could take the barrier down.
What happened?!
Once the humans' escape route was cut off,
Dhami and Spellsei took point on a coordinated magical barrage.
I churned out a horde of skeletons
and launched spears to wipe out their cannon fodder.
I was impressed to find that wasn't enough to take them down entirely, though.
I see. That lady knight must be their commander.
I should say hello.
That black ogre is the one controlling the army of undead!
We will strike him down, together!
Yes, ma'am!
Do it now!
A buff to increase her speed, huh?
She's got a knack for assessing situations,
and the mana she's draped in is of nice quality.
Aiming to gouge my heart out with a thrust isn't a bad call either.
Commander!
Okay, I like what I'm seeing here. You all get to live.
Do not presume to make such claims, ogre! Your life is mine!
I can appreciate a bit of bluster. You're a finer woman than I figured.
Be silent! If you desire me, then demonstrate your strength!
Should I be defeated, you will be free to do as you wish!
That right?
The lady knight, the sorcerer, the priestess, and the swordswoman with the flaming sword:
Take the four of them alive.
With the others, kill them, eat them, do what you like.
If you want to win, come at me with everything you've got!
What unfolded in the next few minutes
was less like a battle and more like a one-sided humiliation.
Leave it to me, Lady Dhami!
I'll slaughter this filth!
No, you're wrong! I'll be the one to make Lady Dhami's wish come true!
I've never used them before, and I have to say, these Charmed Evil Eyes are pretty nasty.
Now, everyone, let's see you really energetically terrified!
What is that?!
Blood from the corpses is turning into blades!
Miss Bloodsato's really having a blast!
Better not miss out on the fun!
Ultimately, we were able to defeat the enemy without a single loss.
But this lady knight's sword did manage to reach me, just once.
The attack hardly any damage,
but that she even pulled that off was genuinely impressive.
Please, run...
I believe that dragon is Weiss Flamen Dragon.
Even Ogrou might not be able to withstand a direct hit from a 5th-level spell like that.
Especially with that lady knight willing to die to ensure he's hit with it.
I can't... control it any longer...
Forgive me...
Sorry, but it looks like I win this fight.
And I have no intention of letting you die.
I see what he's doing. He's made a magical shield with 3rd-level demise magic,
plus a vacuum shield created by Aero Master,
and a three-layered shield of high-pressure water produced by Hydro Hand,
launched at high velocity by Back Attack.
It took quite a bit of doing, but he was able to neutralize the dragon.
And so, the battle ended in our complete victory.
And being able to take so many powerful fighters prisoner is a big deal.
U-Unbelievable...
Considering I was nice enough to let them live, they're going to be working hard.
Alright, everyone, get ready to pull out!
Brave Heart. Sweep. Militia Control. Quick Reading. Commander. Heavy Sword.
You Have Learned the Ability: [Brave Heart] [Sweep] [Militia Control] [Quick Reading] [Job: Commander] [Job: Heavy Sword] [Job: Minstrel] [Job: Strategist] [Job: Lancer] [Job: Slave] [Job: Farmer] [Job: Monk] [Job: Heavy Warrior] [Job: Light Warrior] [Smithing] [Evasion Up] [Wheel Slash] [Cross Slash] [Stiffen Breathing] [Light Breathing] [One-Sided Justice] [Unwavering Faith] [Foolish Belief] [Chain Soul]
Minstrel. Strategist. Lancer. Slave. Farmer. Monk. Heavy Warrior. Light Warrior.
Smithing. Evasion Up. Wheel Slash. Cross Slash. Stiffen Breathing. Light Breathing.
One-Sided Justice. Unwavering Faith. Foolish Belief. Chain Soul.
Hello, there.
You act pretty fast, for a ruler.
The advance of the human army has fallen apart, thanks to your forces.
So, we've come to share drinks and celebrate!
Out of gratitude, huh? Okay, then.
I was trying to be polite and see how many days they could withstand,
but it looks like humans are more honest with themselves than elves,
along with the chemicals reacting faster.
Don't do this! Don't you realize I'm a noblewoman?!
I'm not supposed to have premarital relations!
Well, I'm an ogre, so it's not like it counts, right?
Stay back! Don't touch me!
Hey, stop!
Oh, mercy!
There were all kinds of screams that night.
Day 72
With the earrings in place, they couldn't lie or hide things anymore,
so I was able to obtain a lot of intel.
Information I would share with daddy elf, too.
And a part of that boiled down to...
I feel bad relying on you all to such an extent.
To say nothing of what it does for elvish morale.
So, I would like you to share anything you learn from the captives.
We'll use it so that we can fight, as well.
You will of course be compensated.
How about another ten barrels of these spirits?
Oh, you're a shrewd business elf!
And so, unable to resist the call of tasty drinks,
I shared the new intel with daddy elf.
Y'ello? I've been able to find out the route the humans' main force will use to advance.
So, we're gonna ambush 'em.
The humans are trying to take advantage of their superior numbers
by closing in from multiple directions.
Splitting up your forces isn't always a good call,
but considering how narrow the routes through the Kudel Woods are,
they didn't have much of a choice.
You prove to be as gifted as your reputation suggests.
Father, what kind of incantation is "Y'ello"?
Day 73
That being the case, we went ahead in front of the main forces' path,
and after setting plenty of traps, hid ourselves in a trench.
They came with a mere 500 steel-armored troops,
marching along in an orderly fashion.
There were also about 100 wizards amongst the heavy troops.
If the elves had fought them, it would've been quite a struggle.
But we were fully prepared, which made it downright appetizing.
Hey, the road!
The boulders, which had been enchanted,
went after those who fought and fled equally.
And those 500 troops were reduced to 300 in an instant.
Which is when our ranged attack squadron, Regret, fired upon them in waves.
Even if they dodged that,
they found themselves falling into pits that were surrounded by goblins.
That brought their number down to under 100. But...
All of you! Form up with the other survivors and make us a wall!
I don't care if you have to use your shields or corpses, but I want cover!
That knight in the steel armor knows what he's doing.
The situation had turned into a siege, so we had to change our approach.
Ogrekichi, rush in and take the enemy commander hostage.
Right!
Here they come! Fire!
Do not let them get close!
We attacked each individual enemy with three of our own, for optimal effectiveness.
I'm wondering if Ogrekichi will be able to hold back enough.
Shit!
You guys just don't play fair, huh?
What's so funny?
Even with the advantage of Ogrekichi not trying to kill him,
it's impressive this knight can fight so well all on his own.
He's gonna come in handy.
All done, Ogrou! It was a lot of fun.
Nice one!
A pretty good result, once again.
And like last time, I made a report to daddy elf, and we headed home.
Sorcerer, Shielder, Sentinel, Archer, Hunter, Item Creator,
You Have Learned the Ability: [Job: Sorcerer] [Job: Shielder] [Job: Sentinel] [Job: Archer] [Job: Hunter] [Job: Item Creator] [Job: Shield Bash] [Job: Strategy] [Growth] [Knowledge of the Sword] [Knowledge of Defense] [Shield Wall] [All Appraisal] [Magic Item]
Shield Bash, Strategy, Growth, Knowledge of the Sword,
Knowledge of Defense, Shield Wall, All Appraisal. Magic Item.
He kinda reminds me of you.
I guess I can understand getting fired up when things seem more dangerous.
Um, y'know... fighting has got me all worked up.
I want to have your baby, Ogrou.
Direct requests like that... are good, in my opinion.
Day 74
What in the world is that black ogre?
Shutting us in here, alive...
This is more humiliating than being killed.
Shut the hell up.
And calm down a little.
They're giving us food and a place to sleep. Could be worse.
I don't expect a jumped-up commoner like you to understand!
What has been done to us nobles is a disgrace that will—
Oh, really? Good to know.
If you're feeling up to whining, you're probably fine.
You will tell me why the humans have made a move on the elvish lands.
The cause of this whole mess
stems from the first princess of one of the human kingdoms, Sternbert,
having come down with a rare disease that is fatal 99% of cases.
Not only that, but she is betrothed
to the future emperor of the neighboring Kilika Empire.
That being the case, the king decreed that a cure must be found.
With the entire kingdom behind the search,
they found out about the secret elvish medicine,
made with the blessing of the Demigod of Forests.
In summary, human greed brought about this war.
What a troublesome race of creatures.
Then again, maybe that's my old human side speaking.
What the...
What is it, Earthe?!
Are we being invaded?
I dunno!
What's all the racket about?!
A hot spring?
Sorry about the holdup, everyone!
It boosts your healing ability, clears any nasty status ailments,
and, in addition to those fantastical effects, it also helps your skin!
This lovely new facility is here to bring you sublime warmth and comfort!
It's called...
Our baths!
You okay there, Kichi?!
You have such beautiful skin, Dhami.
You do too, Sei.
Your body is amazing, Bloodsato.
So is yours, Miss Smith.
You two have no shortage of charms, either.
You're lovely too, Miss Alchemist!
What about me?!
She literally dug something awesome up. Way to go, Earthe!
Day 75
The next day, I had some concerns,
so I started some new training using our human prisoners.
The idea is to have the others work on their leadership skills,
by basically running a simulated battle with real soldiers.
All archers, focus your fire on rear-line spear troops!
Defensive troops, deploy to the center.
They give orders to the appropriately outfitted soldiers,
and you win if you're able to beat the other person.
I stood on the sidelines as a judge.
Okay, you're dead! Clear out!
Dhami and Spellsei are looking pretty strong,
but Ogrekichi and Bloodsato couldn't eke out any wins...
Kichi! You gonna be okay?
I guess we're seeing a distinction between the muscleheads and the rest.
Why are goblins, of all creatures, practicing military maneuvers?
What are they plotting?
Look, I'm tired of smacking bones around.
I was hoping to give you a shot. How about it?
You've really got guts.
The courage to face me even as his comrades lose, one after another...
I've developed a real appreciation for the steel knight.
What's this?
There's a good chance I'd smash you to pieces without evening the odds.
For him to try and stand up to a rare species ogre without any weapons...
I wanna fight him too, Ogrou!
I think our new friend's fighting spirit lit a fire under Ogrekichi, too.
He's really good!
It may be a waste keeping him as a prisoner.
Wow...
Oh, is it okay if we take Ogrou, then?
The region I'm from has plenty of demi-humans, y'know?
So for me, you folks are easier to talk to than those nobles.
Hell, I genuinely don't get what they have against demi-humans.
I see.
By all means, have a lot!
This place is amazing.
I will!
Demi-humans, beastmen, and humans all together.
It's clear how good a job you've done uniting them.
This could be a trick by the God of Fate...
But I'm done serving the kingdom. I wanna work for you.
I just can't resist people with that earnest look in their eyes.
And if they're talented, I'm better off making use of them.
Starting today, he'll be your master.
You need to learn the unique human combat skills, Arts, from him.
Day 77
We've still got plenty of room at our place,
but these guys aren't improving at all..
Keeping them around is just going to have them underfoot.
We'll take them off your hands.
One other thing. Could you tell me about this medicine the humans are after?
It's what I gave to you before.
I never got the details,
but it's apparently a pretty huge deal, and can cure just about any illness.
Why would you give me something so precious?
Well, our laws forbid us from sharing it with humans,
but they say nothing about sharing it with the ogre who saved my daughter.
It's that simple.
You Have Learned the Ability: [Quick Regeneration]
Quick Regeneration. Blood of Panacea.
You Have Learned the Ability: [Blood of Panacea]
Blood of panawhat now?
Wh-What in the world...
It's not just my injuries... My back pain is gone too.
What the hell? This is getting scary.
A single drop of blood did that. What would happen with more?
Have I powered up into some seriously crazy territory?
Next time: