''Say, Isaac, what do you believe makes one a better warrior?''
''...Hah?''
Right now, we were sitting inside a carriage.
I tilted my head in confusion at the man's question. The man sitting in front of me was the textbook definition of a handsome and charming man, but with his incessant talking and obnoxiously high-pitched voice, I couldn't help but be annoyed.
I asked him what he meant and he just smiled in answer. I grimaced, clicked my tongue, and looked away.
Sadly, I couldn't entertain his dumb questions. I was in a shitty mood.
A very, very shitty mood.
I returned to the capital a few days ago. I received treatment for my injuries and decided that I was going to rest for a while. However, that wasn't going to be possible, as I was assigned to a fairly small campaign and would be forced to return to the battlefield as soon as possible.
I was going to be part of a party of 4, a group of adventurers who had willingly enlisted in the war.
And the blonde man in front of me was the leader of the party I was assigned to accompany in this mission.
Iroh Di'Arte. A young man of noble status decided to become an adventurer and ran away from his family. That was what I knew from his introduction. He told me I should treat him as an equal, I just nodded as an answer and tried to smile as best as I could.
I seriously hate this country.
''...I don't know, nothing comes to mind.''
I shrugged. There was one thing that I believed could make you better on the battlefield, but it definitely wasn't the answer he was expecting or wanted.
He frowned and closed his eyes.
''Well, of course, but don't you think there's one thing that every good warrior and fighter shares? What do you think it is?''
I didn't respond. He opened his eyes and looked up at the wooden ceiling of the carriage for a few seconds, before fixing his eyes on the woman who sat next to me.
''What do you think, Elisa?''
I glanced at the woman. She had short brown hair that just barely reached her shoulders, sitting comfortably at the neck. Her attire was very simple, a light leather armor that allowed her to move freely, and bandages on her hands so as to not lose her grip on the daggers on her hips.
Much like Iroh, she was a very pale woman whose face was free of any sort of wrinkles. She was also the daughter of a noble.
''Mhm, definitely speed! No matter how strong the enemy is, it doesn't matter if they can't hit you!''
She spoke in a smug tone, to which Iroh frowned.
''Right, I expected that sort of answer, so simple-minded...''
''Simple-minded?! What do you mean?!''
Their discussion went back and forth. Iroh's sarcastic and dismissive tone angered Elisa, and even though she looked like she wanted to hit him, she just resigned and asked back:
''Then, what do you think makes one a better warrior, huh?!''
''Strength.''
''What a basic answer, and you call me simple-minded?!''
I looked away at the moving road. I wasn't interested in those types of conversations, where one thing is compared to another. They never lead anywhere. From my point of view, it was the sort of conversation teenagers would have, and I wasn't a teen anymore.
Hm? That doesn't sound quite right. I'm 18 right now, so I guess I'm still pretty young. No, but I also have to consider that I was 25 when I died and reincarnated here....
Should I take into account my past life? This is getting pretty confusing. Let's just say I'm 18 so I won't have to be 44. I didn't feel like an old man so it's whatever.
''Alright then, let's let Ana decide!''
Iroh's loud voice echoed inside the carriage.
I turned towards Iroh and saw him holding the hand of the woman next to him. She was a short woman with curly brown hair that reached her hips. She was an attractive girl, though it'd be more accurate to call her cute rather than attractive.
She was the younger member of his party, being 18, and was also a magic user.
It was my first time seeing a witch in this world, but it wasn't as extraordinary as I thought it would be. Since Iroh didn't mention her being a noble, I assumed she was either very talented or had very good connections.
''Tell us what you think, Ana, so we can finally settle this! Speed, or raw strength?''
''A-Ah, I don't...''
She stuttered and tripped over her words, her face becoming increasingly redder as Iroh's face came closer to hers. It seems she was troubled, I bet she wanted to say something along the lines of 'Magic is the best!' but her own shyness won't let her.
Well, it's none of my business, so I'll enjoy the show for now.
''I can't say...''
''...Fine, then, we'll ask the most experienced person here who hasn't answered yet!''
''Huh?''
I turned sharply at him.
What the hell? Is this guy deaf? I'm sure I just answered and just told him I didn't know, why does he keep insisting?
He turned towards me, and with a ridiculously serious expression on his face, asked:
''What makes someone a better warrior, speed or strength?''
I bitterly smiled and thought. Since he's probably not gonna stop pestering me until I answer, I guess I had to give him an answer.
First and foremost, I believe in balance. While certainly, they were both good options individually, they worked best when together.
Being fast could be lethal, for example. By being overwhelmingly fast you could dodge your enemy strike easier and get in hits whenever you wanted.
The problem was, this only applied until a certain level. If you were to get into battle with an enemy who could crush the ground with his feet or send you flying with just a wave of their hands, you were pretty much fucked.
The same applies to strength. You did have a certain advantage over speed, however, another problem arose. The lack of stamina.
For example, ghouls both don't care about whether you're made of rocks or diamonds, they were going to bite into your skin whether you like it or not. They were stubborn and moved in groups, and unless you properly killed them, then they held all the advantage over you since they don't care about pain either.
Or at least, so I've heard. I haven't met a ghoul. I've had a few encounters with skeletons though, on a scouting mission I attended, and it seemed to hold true to skeletons at least.
The most likely situation, however, is that you'll have to fight against multiple humans, and will end up looking like swiss cheese.
They both had weaknesses and strengths. However, what made one a good warrior was far more simple. It was a mentality thing. Not a physical thing.
''...The lack of hesitation.''
''Hm? What do you mean?''
He looked at me with his brows furrowed.
''It's a pretty simple thing. Say, Iroh, what rank is your party in the adventurer's guild?''
''We're rank C.''
His eyes still showed confusion, but he answered still.
''So if you were to kill a goblin, you'd do so without hesitation, right? Because he's a monster, and you're a human.''
He nodded his head but didn't verbally answer.
''Then, what about a human?''
There was no answer, the only thing I could see was Iroh's troubled face staring at the ground, without either nodding or shaking his head. The other passengers didn't answer or contribute either, they just looked away with a troubled expression much like Iroh's.
''That's what I'd say makes a good warrior. The ability to think of your enemy, a fellow human, as a monster. Being able to dehumanize the enemy is the most important skill you need at your disposal. It's not a good thing, but it's what you need when you step on the battlefield.''
None of them said a word. Eventually, the only sound that could be heard was that of the wheels dragging across the dirt floor of the road.
Did I feel bad for ruining the mood? Sorta, I can't deny it completely. However, I wasn't so stupid as to believe I did something bad. I answered his question, and they just so happened to not like the answer.
And that meant they were trying to run away from the reality that awaits them.
''Well, it's not like you guys came here without knowing that. Stop trying to distract yourselves with needless conversation and the belief that you're going on another adventure. War is not an adventure, get it through your heads.''
Again, there was no answer, only a deadly silence. It was very slight and almost unnoticeable, but I saw Iroh nodding his head.
''...We're here.''
The carriage slowly stopped, and we hopped out.
We walked slowly towards the large green field in front of us. It extended to a place my eyes couldn't reach. Flowers grew in abundance, creating a beautiful scene pleasant to the eyes.
And in a few hours, it was going to be reduced to nothing but ash.
Looking to the side, I looked at the hundreds of knights, mercenaries, and adventurers.
They were talking to each other, some even laughing as they marched towards the field.
Supposedly, we were going to intercept an enemy squad that was seen infiltrating and seemingly looking for a good location to attack the outer walls of the empire. So, we were sent here to receive them with open arms.
Of course, it was a rash and, in my opinion, shitty plan, but since it was the queen who ordered this it was bound to be. She was a maniacal woman who even with rash plans somehow always managed to win.
But still, there was one thing bothering me.
''Where's Beltran?''
I looked around for the burly man.
Carlos Beltran was the man who was going to receive us along with his own troops, however, they were nowhere to be seen. Supposedly, they had already arrived here.
A tinge of anxiety started growing in my heart.
''...''
Soon, the slight anxiety I had turned to disbelief, then to outright fear. Of course, it was only a hunch, but it's something that's been rumored to happen time and time again.
Being led here, to an open field, just further away enough from the outer walls of the empire, with a fairly small group, there was the possibility that the reason we were sent here wasn't to fight.
No, there was a possibility we were sent here not to fight, but to buy time.
And if that's the case, then...
''...Mhm, what's that sound?''
The ground trembled, shaking the earth under our feet.
Soon, most of the knights, mercenaries, and adventurers looked at each other confused, wondering what the rumbling was and where it came from.
One of the adventurers noticed something in the distance and took out a telescope from his pocket.
His already pale face grew even paler, and his eyes opened wide.
''I-Its them...!''
''Huh?''
His voice became louder, and in the ears of everybody, the man's voice rang:
''It's Sacrada! Enemy cavalry is here!''
As soon as the words left his mouth, chaos ensued. The knights looked at each other, scared and confused. I gritted my teeth in anger.
''W-What..? H-Hey, Isaac...''
I heard the faint voice of Iroh calling to me, but I couldn't even lift my head up.
---I've been had, there was no way around it.
I got fooled and so did all of the people by my side. Why the fuck didn't I notice before? I should've noticed that we were way too small of a troop. Even more so, most of the men here were inexperienced young knights, and this was supposed to be their first time on the battlefield.
I didn't think too much of it because we were going to fight fairly close to the empire, and it was supposed to be an interception, but it really should've been obvious.
We were the cannon fodder. The first charge was to intercept and tire the enemy out until the second, 'true' charge arrived. At least, that's what all of this led me to believe.
Gripping the handle of my halberd tightly, I lifted my head up, looking directly at the incoming cavalry. Their silver armor shined bright and brought fear into our hearts.
At this time, when everything was already lost, there was only one course of action.
''...Shit! Iroh, follow me! You two, follow me as well.''
''H-Huh? Where?''
''Where else you dumbass, we're going to fight.''
Pushing my body forward, I started running. Even if it meant a certain death, I sure as hell wasn't going to sit idly waiting for my death here.
Looking behind me, I saw the party of three following right behind me, with fearful looks in their eyes.
Taking a deep breath, I pushed my vocal cords to their limit and screamed.
''The enemy is coming! Move!''
As if waking up from their trance, the body of the knights and mercenaries jolted up and looked at my running figure.
''If you don't want to die, then move! You bastards!''
They tightened their grip on their swords and spears. And for a second, they hesitated, it was obvious. They were for sure going to die, what was the point of fighting?
But---
''Shit, do we even have a choice?''
''...Fuck, might as well!''
Along with those terrified voices, their bodies started moving forward, running toward the enemy.
''Huuu...''
I took a deep breath, and closed my eyes, only being able to hear the thousands of steps that made the ground rumble. It was as if time itself had slowed down for a second.
Right now, we're probably an entire kilometer away from the enemy. I can only see their cavalry, and the infantry is probably right behind them. If I'm correct, they'll try and overwhelm us with heir horses to create chaos and break our position.
If that's the case, then we'll have to break theirs first.
If I had to guess, we had about 40 seconds until we clashed.
''Whoever uses great axes, maces, and longswords, move to the front!''
I stretched my vocal cords to their limit. My voice couldn't possibly reach all of them, but as long as some heard me and followed my instructions, the others will follow suit.
''Huh?!''
''Quickly!''
My raspy voice came out loudly, ordering the soldiers who ran along with me.
There was a slight confusion on their faces, unsure of what to do, whether to follow my orders or not.
''Halberds and spears, we'll run right behind them!''
I screamed again, hoping they would catch on as to what type of formation I desired. Obviously, I knew they would hesitate, it was risky and we would probably die since we're purely foot-soldiers and we're missing our cavalry.
But what other choice did we have, really?
28 seconds until we clashed with the enemy, chaos erupted as the soldiers scrambled and sometimes crashed with each other in an attempt to form the desired line of formation. Our long-ranged weapons were in the middle, with the heavy armory at the front.
Now---
''Magic users, prepare wide-ranged wind spells! if you can't, then any basic fire spell will work!''
''W-We can't do it while running!''
The voice came from far away, and I couldn't be more pleased. It seems I was just as loud as I thought.
''Figure something out quickly!''
Soon enough, the mages began to chant spells under their breath, causing the mana in the atmosphere to move chaotically to the point even I could see it.
They were our key to victory. With their spells, they can break the enemy's formation, and in the process, create enough chaos for us to gain the upper hand. I've seen it happen before, and so I knew just how effective magic was against cavalry.
Of course, there was a possibility the enemy had magic users as well, but I rather not think about it.
My feet started aching with every step, and I was already running out of breath. Having to run and scream at the same time was taking all of the energy out of my body.
'Shit, I feel like passing out...'
13 seconds until the clash.
''Swordsmen and adventurers, you'll run with the magicians! Protect them with your life!''
The ones who managed to listen to my voice soon started moving around, forming a protective barrier around the magicians who were trying to hold onto their spells with all their strength.
''The frontline will take care of the horses and we'll kill the riders, you heard me, you bastards?!''
They nodded and tried to relay the information to the men next to them as quickly as they could.
3 seconds until the clash.
I tightened my grip on the handle of my halberd. If my plan fails, then that's it for me. I'll die a pathetic death, fighting for land that I don't even have any attachments to.
So, if there's a god out there, please don't let this shit go wrong.
---And then, with a deafening crash, the sound of iron meeting iron rang out across the field.