Chapter 35: Surprise Attack - Esperanza
I wonder if my husband has arrived at his destination. I hope Andrea hasn't done anything rude... She is capable, but she can be stubborn at times.
During the preparations for the expedition, whenever I have a little free time, I find myself thinking about my husband.
I never expected to have such a girlish side to me. While other girls discuss love and marriage, I have focused solely on swinging my sword and honing my skills. I have no regrets about that.
However, now I feel like I understand their feelings. I didn't know that falling in love could be so warm and always surrounded by kindness.
The world seems brighter than before. I want to protect this world, the person dear to me, and the lives of the people who shape the world. Even I, who was stubborn to the point of sacrificing everything, now feel the desire to protect them sincerely.
My tasks remain the same, but I am not alone. There is someone I can entrust my feelings to. Even if I were to fall, I believe that my husband would surely save the world. That belief gives me such courage and strength.
If only I could stand by his side.
(Hurry back... and, please, hold me.)
As I secretly think such things and blush, I may appear to be a strange woman, but I don't mind. From now on, I have decided not to restrain myself anymore. At least, not in front of my husband...
"I-I have a report! We have received information that Esperanza Fortress is under attack by a massive horde of monsters. The number... is at least 30,000! Furthermore, the number is still increasing," the messenger gasped as he rushed in, as if blowing away sweet fantasies.
Reality can be so cruel.
"Do we know the composition of the monsters?"
Even if it's 30,000, if it's just goblins, it won't be a problem. But...
"The composition consists of goblins, orcs, trolls, lizardmen, and even the appearance of earth dragons has been confirmed. Additionally, it's been reported that most of the monsters are riding wild boars and similar creatures."
It's the worst possible composition... It's clear that this army was prepared over a long period of time. Even with the two thousand knights defending the fortress, they can probably hold out for only one day. Sakura... please stay safe.
Damn it, in the end, couldn't I reach out a helping hand? The reinforcement unit was supposed to depart tomorrow... No, if my husband wasn't here in the first place, I would have been completely occupied with the forests to the west and south, and there would have been no time for expedition preparations. In that case, Esperanza would have fallen, and it's highly likely that help wouldn't have arrived in time.
Instead, it barely made it... No, I should say there is still a possibility.
"Albert, I'll lead the fast-footed unit and proceed ahead. I trust you with the coordination and communication to various locations."
"Understood, Lord. I'll handle the communication with the feudal lord, the urgent request to the adventurer's guild, and everything else. I'll immediately prepare the rear unit as well."
"Very well, I'm counting on you, Albert."
"Captain Cerus!"
"What is it?"
"...Please, take care and be safe."
"Yes... I understand. I won't do anything reckless."
***
I watched as the commander's figure quickly receded.
...No, it won't do. The commander will definitely do something reckless. After finally showing us her smile... I can't let her die in a place like this!
Think, think about the most important thing.
"Hurry! From here on, it's a race against time. Believe that the survival of Primera depends on this very moment."
While giving hurried instructions, I called out to my most trusted subordinate.
"Abel, come here!"
"Yes, is it an order?"
"Listen, you must inform Lord Kakeru about this as soon as possible. His power is needed. Please... I don't want to let the commander die."
"Vice Captain... What are you saying? We all share the same feelings. Even if it costs us our lives, we'll fulfill our mission. Please trust me... Beast Transformation."
Abel transformed into a black wolf. As a member of the Black Wolf Tribe, specializing in speed, he was the fastest among the beastmen, but he was even faster than that. He was the fastest man in the knight order.
(I'm counting on you, Abel...)
After seeing off the running black wolf, Albert continued giving rapid instructions.
***
---Fort Esperanza---
"Listen up, everyone. We must focus on defense. The Primera Division has already prepared reinforcement troops. We just need to hold on a little longer until they arrive! Don't worry about the small fry; concentrate on the large demons! If they possess you, they will destroy the fortress walls!!"
We must endure until the reinforcements arrive, no matter what. We sacrificed so much to build this fortress. Just yesterday, we were rejoicing at the news that the investigation could finally resume...
I, who accompanied Lady Celestina as her escort and maid during her studies abroad, ended up surviving. But investigating the Eastern nations, including my homeland Astraea, has been our long-cherished desire. This fortress is our last hope for that. We absolutely cannot afford to lose it.
"Captain Sakura, the Eastern gate is about to be breached. The land dragon won't stop."
"Understood. I'll go out. I'm counting on you for the command here."
Entrusting the command to the vice-captain, I hurry to the Eastern gate.
Land dragons have little to no intelligence, but their massive bodies and tough skin, akin to rocks, allow them to charge with brute force. They are like moving siege weapons. Superficial attacks won't work.
"Captain Sakura! We've been waiting for you."
"Very well. Listen carefully. I'll restrain the land dragon's movement. Concentrate your firepower when it stops!"
Standing on the fortress wall, my black hair fluttering, I am one who carries the blood of heroes. This black hair and cherry blossom-colored eyes are proof of that.
Activating my skill!
"Arboreal Magic [Divine] - Giant Tree Manifestation!"
It is said that unique skills possessed by people from another world do not pass down through generations, but occasionally, there are cases where ancestral traits reappear. I am one of those cases of ancestral traits. Arboreal Magic [Divine] was a skill possessed by my esteemed ancestor, Sakura Chikawa. My name is an honorable name bestowed upon me by Sakura-sama.
Giant Tree Manifestation is a skill that can transform any plant into a giant tree and manipulate it. Weeds that grow from the ground rapidly transform into towering trees, pushing up and overturning the land dragon.
The land dragon's soft underbelly is its only weakness. Arrows pierce it one after another, and magic bursts.
"Listen, you monsters! As long as Sakura Orléans is here, this fortress will never fall!"
The desperate battle of Esperanza has only just begun.