Volume 1, Chapter 5: The Start of War
It's raining.
A terribly cold rain, indeed.
As expected, since they are only fighting with guns and cannons, there are simple horse fences set up.
It's like Oda Nobunaga's Nagashino battle, they seem to be wary of a cavalry charge.
However, the problem is the rain.
If it stops raining, it would be fine, but if it doesn't, it would be difficult to use matchlock guns and cannons.
Moreover, the rain is coming from the opposite direction.
It's even hard for us to keep our eyes open.
It seems like it's going to be a quite difficult battle.
Lieutenant Kunihito, Princess Miyabi, Murasaki, and a few escort knights are looking at the road that continues from Alexia beyond the horse fences.
The road passes through the narrow space between the mountains, and Alexia's soldiers have no choice but to go through the road.
Come to think of it, they were called escorts and attendants, but Murasaki actually had military experience and was a second lieutenant in a special forces unit.
He also had experience in assassination and sabotage in enemy territory, so it's no wonder he has a ninja-like atmosphere.
Several kilometers behind them, there is Duke Ijuin's second division, and several kilometers behind them is Duke Sitou of the Royal Guard's third division.
Naturally, since the Royal Guard has been deployed, the king and the prime minister must be in the third division.
"We're in trouble. It's going to be tough with this rain," Princess Miyabi said sternly.
"In this case, we have no choice but to rely on the Gouten, which can be used even in the rain," Lieutenant Kunihito said, looking grim.
Princess Miyabi looks at the back of her right hand, where a red gem embedded in it, just like mine.
"My skill is fire-based, so it's not useful when it rains,"
"I'm also a sniper, so it's tough in the rain,"
The soldiers took various measures to keep their matchlocks dry.
But in the actual battle, they would inevitably get wet.
Duke Kuroda arrived with his escort knights.
"Enemies will be here soon. Are you ready?"
Perhaps because Princess Miyabi was present, he used polite language.
"Actually, how do you use the Gouten sword?"
I asked Kuroda, but he seemed uninterested.
"I told you to ask the guardian deity yesterday!"
Princess Miyabi looked exasperated.
"I don't know how to ask!"
"Just put your hand on your chest and wish for the manifestation of the guardian deity -- you, in particular, should ask for Fudomyo."
I placed my hand on my chest and wished for Fudomyo to manifest.
Then flames appeared before my eyes, and Fudomyo appeared.
As expected, Buddha was rare, and the knights around Kuroda couldn't help but exclaim in amazement.
"You called me, Yuuki?"
"Yes. I want to know how to use the Gouten sword."
"It's simple. Say 'Stance' and swing your sword upward. The sword will emit flames and light up. Then all you have to do is swing it where you're aiming."
"I see. Stance."
I swung the Gouten sword and chanted, and the blade burst into flames and shone.
"Hey, why are we doing this here?"
Princess Miyabi is in a panic.
"Well, Lord Fudou Myouou. Can you stop this?"
"Listen first before you act. Geez. Just stop and lower your sword, and everything will go back to normal," Fudou Myouou answered in a disapproving tone.
"Stop," I said, and as I lowered my sword, the flames and radiance on the blade ceased.
"Oh, surprisingly easy," I said as I gazed in amazement at Gouten, my sword.
"You can only use Gouten once a day. After that, it can only be used as a regular sword. Furthermore, if you use Gouten, your experience points will likely increase, and your skill will undoubtedly manifest. The name of the skill will be heard in your ears. Just shout it out, and the skill will be manifested. Don't forget it," Fudou Myouou explained in detail.
"Thank you very much," I said to Fudou Myouou, and he disappeared.
"But, wasn't it Buddhism or something? It's really rare. Generally, we become the protective deities of the Shinto gods you people worship," Princess Miyabi said.
"Oh, who is Princess Miyabi's guardian deity?" I asked.
"I am the kami of Hinokagutsuchi, the god of fire," she replied.
"I am Ame no Wakahiko-sama," Lieutenant Kunihito answered.
"Well then, let's put an end to this fun little story," said Duke Kuroda with a wry smile.
At the same time, the knights surrounding us took Princess Miyabi hostage and pointed their swords at her.
"What are you doing?"
"What do you think you're doing to the princess, you idiot?" screamed Lieutenant Kunihito, drawing his sword. However, Princess Miyabi was unable to move as she was held hostage.
Murasaki and the other knights also drew their swords, but they were unable to move.
"Well, shall we drop our swords? Otherwise, the princess will die," said Duke Kuroda.
"What are you thinking, Duke Kuroda?"
Princess Miyabi glared at Duke Kuroda.
"Hahaha, with this, both Gouten and the princess will become my souvenirs. I've made a deal with Alexia, you see."
"Duke, have you betrayed us?"
"I have no interest in battles I cannot win. Look at this rain," said Duke Kuroda as the rain began to intensify.
"No way..."
Princess Miyabi looked at Duke Kuroda with bewilderment.
"That's right. It's the Dragon Ball, a relic that can control the weather. Alexia has obtained it."
"That's why Alexia has been so confident lately."
"Exactly. Our country is strong in firearms and cannons, but we can do nothing when it rains. If we can just take control of Gouten, Alexia will win."
"You should be ashamed, even as a duke!"
Lieutenant Kunihito shouted angrily next to him.
"Whether you're a duke or not, it doesn't matter if you lose. Now, everyone drop your weapons. Look, you can see the Alexian army on the mountain pass road."
Duke Kuroda laughed triumphantly.
The army of Alexia was marching in formation towards us on the main road.
"Damn it!"
"Wait! Do you know what will happen if you go against the Holy Tree?"
Princess Miyabi glared at Duke Kurouda while looking at the back of his right hand.
But there was a glove-shaped charm wrapped around it.
"I have a countermeasure for that. Of course, it's obvious. This is a charm to deter the Holy Tree's effect. Now you understand everything. Give up and drop your weapons."
Duke Kurouda sneered while showing the glove-shaped charm in his right hand to Princess Miyabi.
Lieutenant Kunihito, Murasaki, and our escort knights trembled with anger and dropped their swords.
"Hahaha, this is nothing but a joke."
Duke Kurouda looked delighted.
"Get ready."
I shouted as I raised my sword.
The sword began to emit flames and shine.
"Huh?"
"Wait, what are you doing?"
I held my sword while looking straight at Duke Kurouda and Princess Miyabi.
"What are you doing?"
"What? What's going on?"
Lieutenant Kunihito and Princess Miyabi were confused.
"My late father taught me what to do in situations like this."
I confidently replied.
"What did he teach you?"
Duke Kurouda was disturbed.
"We'll die together."
Everyone there was horrified.
"Wait, wait. What are you saying?"
Duke Kurouda asked in a panic.
"After all, if we lose, we'll be executed anyway. So, let's all die together."
I replied with a smile.
"What?! What? What? What?"
"Wait, don't give up. It's not over yet."
Duke Kurouda was flustered.
"But we have enemies in front of us, and there's no way to escape."
I replied with a bright smile.
Probably, my teeth in my smiling mouth are sparkling right now. Yeah.
"No, no, I will help you. How about that?"
"But I can't trust the promise of someone who betrayed their allies."
"I understand. I will contact Alexia and make sure to keep the promise."
"I won't believe it unless I receive a written agreement or something with Alexia's authority present."
"Hey, are you planning to betray us too? You're the worst."
Lieutenant Kunihito, who was listening next to them, snapped.
"I'm not betraying anyone. I just got here."
"Ugh, the worst! The absolute worst!" Princess Miyabi exclaimed in exasperation.
"That's fine. Now, contact them before Alexia's army arrives here."
"O-okay, I understand. Don't shoot. Absolutely don't shoot."
Duke Kurouda ordered the knights around him to go and contact Alexia.
"I can't believe it. If you betray us, the Holy Tree will definitely punish you..." Princess Miyabi trailed off, as if she had just thought of something.
Through the exchange of messengers, Alexia's advance was stopped, and soldiers gathered in large numbers on the plain in front of them.
There must be already ten thousand of them. It's an incredible number.
Alexia's First Army seems to be taking a short break there.
From that First Army, a knight who seems to be a general from Alexia, leading a few hundred knights, is slowly approaching us.
"See, the general of Alexia's First Army has come here to make a promise with you. Quickly, put down that dangerous sword," Duke Kurouda said, looking troubled.
Once the general of Alexia approached us to a certain extent, I faced towards the army of Alexia with my sword still raised.
"What are you doing?!"
Duke Kurouda was agitated.
"Foolish general of Alexia! Duke Kurouda did not betray us! You were deceived, you fool!"
I shouted until my voice was hoarse.
At the same time, I swung down my sword towards the first army of the Alexia army, which had gathered and paused.
"Eeeyah!"
As a tremendous rocket reached the enemy camp, a mushroom cloud rose and a huge explosion occurred.
Taking advantage of everyone being blown away by the intense blast, Princess Miyabi also escaped from the knight who had captured her.
After the explosion, a huge crater was created, and the ten thousand first army of Alexia, which had paused, literally disappeared.
The general who came to negotiate screamed a curse as he looked at his vanished troops, and rode his horse towards the second army of Alexia with all his might.
"Wait! This is a mistake!"
Duke Kurouda shouted like a madman.
"Let's run!"
I whispered to Princess Miyabi and Lieutenant Kunihito, and pulled everyone over the horse barricade in front of us.
Then we ran towards the mountain diagonally in front where there was no Alexia army.
"Wait! You're going the wrong way!"
"Are we not going to escape to Duke Ijuin's second unit?"
Princess Miyabi and Lieutenant Kunihito shouted.
"At this point, who knows who is betraying who!"
"Wait! Stop them!"
A knight who seemed to be one of Duke Kurouda's aides yelled.
"Skill Escape."
Suddenly, a voice was heard in my ear. So this was a skill.
"Skill Escape!"
I shouted.
At the same time, my body was filled with energy.
I picked up Lieutenant Kunihito and Princess Miyabi and started running.
My strength was incredible.
Moreover, I was fast.
The knights guarding Murasaki and Lieutenant Kunihito also ran with all their might to keep up.
And, the knights of Duke Kuroda who tried to chase after us by overcoming the horse fence, were caught up in the vines that suddenly grew from the ground and were unable to move.
Several knights aimed their guns and fired, but the vines grew in abundance and became a shield, protecting us as we ran away.
"Damn it! They're getting away! Chase them! Chase them!"
While saying that, one after another, the knights of Duke Kuroda were caught in the vines and unable to move.
"What is this vineee!"
The knights cursed at the plants that kept growing back no matter how many times they cut them.
In the midst of this, Duke Kuroda held his head and collapsed to his knees.
"I, I didn't deceive Alexia like this...it's not true...it's not true..."
Duke Kuroda murmured with vacant eyes.