Evan D. Sherden Makes His Brilliant Debut (4)
Evan decided not to judge the level of the Duchy's knights by Matthew's escort. It was clear the knights guarding the party were chosen based on appearance rather than skill. Comparing them to the knights on the battlefield now was as ridiculous as comparing goblins to ogres.
"Push them! Don't let the orcs step past!"
"Archers, to the outer wall!"
"Lift your sword! Even at this moment, your family is dying!"
The voices of knights screaming and the smell of blood assailed him immediately. The soldiers were moving in unison according to the knights' orders, but as expected, their movements were in vain as battles were taking place everywhere.
"Dismissed!"
"Well." A knight who had seen the duke appear on the huge battle horse rushed to raise a salute. Evan had thought so from the start, but this was a man that suited the title of commander more than that of a noble.
"It looks like the resistance hasn't been pierced yet."
"Of course! We are also evacuating civilians. However, there are too many orcs confusing everywhere. Can I organize some commandos?"
That probably meant a group whose role was to slow the advance speed of the enemy by assaulting them outside the defensive wall. Of course, it was a ridiculously dangerous job.
"Do that. I will also head to the frontline."
"Sir!"
The knight was amazed at the duke's immediate acceptance of such a role. Of course, that meant Evan would be going as well.
"I won't be in danger against orcs or the like…I'm going to check out this guy's abilities."
"Sherden's Treasure?! He is going to join you?!"
"Yes."
"But why?!"
That was what Evan wanted to ask.
"I heard that Sherden's second son was a martial arts practitioner, but…sir, is there no problem?"
"It will cause no problems."
The duke turned to Evan at that. Evan maintained a calm expression, and the duke nodded in satisfaction. Evan only sighed on the inside.
'No problem? I'm not your son; you'll have to pay a great deal for it later.'
If only the opponent was a troll and not an orc, maybe then he could leave. But frankly, for Evan, rushing an orc legion felt less dangerous than a tea party with aristocratic women. At least on the battlefield, he knew which ones would stab him.
"Can you do it?"
"Yes, if we're together with my friends."
"Young master!" Shortly after, the team caught up with them.
"Evan!"
"Young master, forgive me for being late."
"Huh."
The duke, who had not seen anyone other than Evan, flinched when he recognized the sight of the children of a similarly young age. He realized that Evan wasn't the only one who had power beyond his age.
"Dungeon cities have people like this…no, is this your way, not the dungeon cities?"
"I'm still far from being talented…but I'm sure I can still play an active part."
"Ha!"
Again, Dain was treated poorly, but he was used to it now.
"This has become very interesting, good. Commandos need no special rules, charge at will, and fight at will. Carve Sherden's name into this ground!"
"If you allow us, I'm willing to do it."
"That's a great answer. Now, some warriors will be with us, so be sure to watch them!"
The duke called over his knights as he spoke to the party. Belois wasn't good with horses yet, so she and Evan were riding on the same horse.
"Evan, then I'm behind you too…"
"Arisha, you are the best horseman among us. Ride alone…"
"Cheh."
Arisha, seeing Belois smile secretly with her arms around Evan's waist, had her request rejected quickly. Pouting, she regretted becoming a knight.
"Huh. The girl rides alone."
"She's not just great with magic."
Riding horses was a noble skill, but she was so skilful that people were often surprised. Nevertheless, no one would've noticed that she had already obtained knighthood at thirteen.
"Open the gates! Archers, ready!"
"Yeah!"
"All commandos, gather! Ready to charge!"
"The gate is opening!"
"Start charging!" Finally, the gate opened. The commandos became a huge wave that sped through it.
[The door opens!]
[There are humans in there!]
[Tasty humans…kaak! @#$!)
The orcs who tried to rush through the gate were swept away by the baptism of arrows, and the gate was closed once more.
"Let's go and take the enemy's head! Leave the rear to our knights and run!"
"Oooooh!" Orcs were raging everywhere, but their mission wasn't to confront them. They ran forward steadily, ignoring the groaning and screaming. There was no way to save those people now. Evan, who was with the duke, also could see it.
"Hm."
The duke shook his head to inform them it wasn't allowed, and Evan nodded. Then, he flicked his finger.
[Kaaak?!]
Hundred of meters ahead in a straight line, an orc who had been biting into a man's neck collapsed as its head exploded.
"Well?!"
"I'll take care of the path. Is that okay?"
"What the hell just…?"
"It was just a light throw."
Evan had no intention of slowing down; he would play his role properly. He moved his hand lightly in the air. It was time to show the majesty of that throwing skill he had diligently mastered.
[Kaaak!]
[Kyaaah!]
[Where is it?!]
The orcs couldn't even recognize the battle beads flying out from dozens and hundreds of meters away before being killed. It, with unerring accuracy, hit either the head or the heart, leaving no orc alive.
"What?"
"Who is doing that?"
"It looks like Sir Evan is moving…"
"Sir, Evan was a wizard?"
His hand was moving so fast that the duke's knights didn't notice that he was throwing something. They just realized that with every flick of his finger, the head or heart of an orc burst out.
"I heard he practices martial arts!"
"The rumour of that magic test…! That's why he's in a relationship with the Pellati family!"
"The Sherden family has produced something great!"
Another strange rumour was forming before his very eyes. What? Magic? He couldn't use magic or swords! Evan wanted to turn around and refute it, but he was busy throwing his battle beads. However, there was a limit to doing so on a fast-running horse.
"Lua, help me prepare something that doesn't consume a lot of mana."
"I was getting ready, Master."
The others didn't have the ability to fight at a range, but Belois was different. She stretched out one hand and immediately created seven foxfires that spread out in all directions. Foxfire usually had the trait that it couldn't leave the owner's side, but Belois had long since surpassed that limit. Each one caught an orc and burned them to ash in an instant.
"This time, it's fireworks! Sir Evan again?!"
"No, it's the maid riding with Sir Evan!"
Evan and Belois's activities were rapidly decreasing the number of orcs throughout the city. It was such a terrifying display that even their allies wanted to run away.
[Over there!]
[They are attacking us!]
[For the honour of the orcs…kaak!]
However, the unilateral offensive conducted by Evan and Belois didn't continue. With hundreds of orcs dying from beads and foxfire, they also recognized the momentum flowing through the battlefield. The duke looked back at Evan, sensing the change.
"What are you going to do?"
"We will move separately; the orcs will focus on us."
"Diversion? I like that spirit. Then go!"
If Evan and his party grabbed their attention, the other commandos would have an easier time. Besides, he couldn't leave these monsters that were eating people.
"Guys, follow me. We'll make a fuss to attract them."
"That is why you are the master!"
In the midst of running away from the others, Evan continued to throw battle beads at the orcs spread over the battlefield. Every time one died, horror enveloped them. Shine followed Evan along with the others, smiles on their lips.
Just by having him here, the momentum of the battle is changing.
He always said that death flags should be feared and avoided, but his master always tried to save everyone he could reach without a worry for comfort. Evan was a person who valued the lives of others as much as his own.
"If so, me too!"
"No, you can only handle daggers. Right now, you must be quiet."
"Maybe I should learn to throw to overcome the shortcomings of dual swords…"
"Yes, when we get back."
That foolish kindness was dazzlingly bright and warm, causing Shine to chase after him blindly.
[Kill them!]
[Kiaaah! They are the ones slaughtering our comrades with bizarre magic!]
[That's the wizard, kill them!]
"They're catching up."
"I think we can lure at least half of them out." The orcs started to scream and chase after Evan and his party. The attacks of Evan and Belois were bringing thousands of orcs to them.
"Okay, let's charge back to their base like this!"
"It'll be a melee, master!"
"Will you protect me?"
"Ha…absolutely!"
"Okay, that's it."
Evan pulled out another battle bead and laughed.
Shortly after, they jumped over the collapsed outer wall and encountered the large army of orcs occupying Leonine's plateau.