「State your name.」
Ortholet responds to him by swinging his sword from above.
「I beg your pardon. I am General Forcas Domos Dylan of the imperial army. Don't you remember me? We met once in the City of Spike, Viscount Ortholet.」
It's not unreasonable for him to not recognize Forcas because the Forcas back then was too different from the man standing before him now.
His flaxen hair is burnt and ragged and his face is dirty and smeared with mud. His white armor, which he boasts for being shinily polished, is dirty and is only a shadow of its former self. He had appeared before him literally covered in dirt and mud.
His wounds are healed each time he drinks healing potion but his strength was not restored. He dared look relaxed but he was already exhausted.
Not a single immortal soldier who had been fighting with him remained. It was probably a good thing that they had done their job of clearing out the obstacles on the way to the headquarters.
「I see. Then, let me introduce myself to you once more. I am Ortholet Oracle Spinner, Commander in Chief of the Silesie Kingdom's Army!」
The fact that Ortholet introduced himself as the commander in chief doesn't mean that he neglects Marquis Danavan.
He wanted him to escape while he was creating a gap for him.
「That's good….swept away the enemy, tsunami.」
Beside Ortholet is Giney. She was about to point her flintlock gun at Forcas but she was swept away by his water magic.
Yes, Forcas is also an intermediate mage. Moreover, he uses surprise attacks by whispering chants.
「Aaaahhhhh!」
「Giney!」
Giney fell through the peephole of the command tower as she was swept away by the torrent of water.
The slope of the mountain won't kill her but she won't be able to return anytime soon.
「Fuh, I've done something inelegant. I'm in a desperate situation too after all.」
There is no lie in those words. Forcas no longer has any magic power. He had run out of magic gems and even recovery potions.
If he can't defeat Ortholet, the commander in chief, here and bring the Devil's Mountain down, it will be him who'll fall.
「Then, let's settle this now!」
—grrrrrrr!
Ortholet swings his magic sword down at the enemy general and the blade of his sword growls like a wolf.
「Gugugu, that's the plan.」
「To think you can receive that blow with an estoc.」
His long sword is reinforced with magic but it was received by the upper part of a slender sword.
Even if he is a noble, Ortholet has never slacked off his training and is always swinging his sword down on a training pillar. He was amazed that his powerful blow was received by a graceful man that is also a mage.
「This sword is also a magic sword!」
「Is that so? That's only means I have no advantage over the enemy.」
Ortholet turned his slashed to an overhead thrust.
It is disguised as a brute force attack. Ortholet is also someone who excels at technical attacks.
However, the enemy dodged his transformed thrust with a single paper-thin movement. It is only by lowering his right leg and leaning his body. Forcas is also a tricky swordsman.
Once again, Ortholet swung his word down from the top and Forcas parried it and fed him with his signature thrusting technique.
Ortholet's shoulder plate shattered as it was thrust.
Ortholet quickly backed away and moved out of the way.
「What's wrong?」
「Nothing. I just thought you'll be at a disadvantage if you take your time.」
Is he expecting some reinforcement at this time? Forcas can't help but smile after seeing his timid enemy.
Ortholet glances at the door for a moment and then grabs his long sword again and confronts the enemy.
「There is a possibility that reinforcements will come, why don't you stall time?」
「No, this is a great opportunity. Let's settle things as it is.」
The next swing of Ortholet split Forcas' white armor on the shoulder part.
While taking his slash, Forcas stabbed Ortholet in his thigh with his estoc.
「What is….」
「Let me tell you the second name of this magic sword. It's called "Killer Bee". It's not poisonous but your body will be paralyzed and you won't be able to move. The end result will be the same though.」
Ortholet's massive body fell.
Forcas, although slashed on his shoulder, was prepared for it. Even in the midst of intense pain, he did not move an eyebrow and smiled coldly.
「Kuh….」
「So this is the last of my secrets. Everyone who has heard the name of this magic sword has died. I will let you pass away without suffering!」
It was the moment when Forcas raised his killer bee to stab the fallen Ortholet in the heart.
A "bang" resounded.
「Eh?」
Forcas turned to see a fat, blue-faced knight standing there, holding a flintlock.
Smoke was rising from the muzzle of his gun.
He had been shot from behind. He was sure there was no one there….
With that thought in his mind, the consciousness of Forcas was cut off, and it will never return.
While the two of them were trying to kill each other, Marquis Danavan had been trembling in the shadow of his desk for a long time. However, while he was wondering what to do, he thought he was in trouble when he heard Forcas say "Everyone who has heard the name of this magic sword has died." And fired a shot with all the courage he has in his lifetime.
Sometimes, hiding in the shadows can be useful.
「A-are you okay, Ortholet-dono?」
「….thank you very much for your help, Commander in Chief Danavan.」
The killer bee's numbness seemed to be something that could be cured with an antidote potion and with Marquis Danavan's care, Ortholet recovered quickly.
Thus, the final battle between the two armies at the Devil's Mountain ended in an overwhelming victory for the kingdom. According to the "Almark Family Book of Achievements", a history book of the Almark Family, it is all thanks to the high commanding skills and lion-like prowess of Danavan Est Almark, a brave and devoted commander in chief.