Chapter 40: The Battle of Esperanza
A dusty battlefield filled with swirling dirt clouds kicked up by the monsters, and the echoing roars on the blood-stained land.
Using countless corpses as footholds, new monsters crawl their way up. How long have they been fighting? Three hours? No, it might have only been thirty minutes. The sense of time gradually numbs.
"Sakura-sama, the northern gate has been destroyed."
"Understood. Tree of Growth!"
The destroyed walls and gates are immediately repaired by the Tree of Growth, but eventually, they will be breached. The accumulated corpses of monsters serve as footholds, making infiltration easier with each passing moment.
"Listen up, I'll buy us some time. The magic unit should start preparing for corpse disposal."
Using the Tree of Growth, I generate a wall of trees encircling a position slightly away from the fortress. It should temporarily prevent the monsters from getting in.
The magic unit burns the corpses of the monsters with fire magic and buries them in holes made with earth magic.
"Take turns fighting while making sure to rest. At this rate, we can hold on until reinforcements arrive."
Fatigue is accumulating, but our spirits are unbroken. With my arboreal magic, I can manage to protect us. Just like this.
"Gurururuaaaa!!!"
A roar shakes the entire fortress.
(No, that... Could it be...)
Peering into the Tree of Growth set up surrounding the fortress, a sinister single-eyed creature moves around.
It's a Cyclops—a symbol of destruction that attacks Esperanza.
The Cyclops is a fearsome giant with a single eye. It's classified as a Rank A monster for subjugation. It's said to possess power that can be considered S Rank, and its towering body of over 20 meters renders things like castle walls meaningless.
(This is bad... If it gets through, the fortress is done for. We absolutely can't let it through.)
"Tree of Growth! Tree of Growth!"
I generate one tree after another to stall the Cyclops. Unlike regular walls, the tree walls have firmly rooted themselves and are not easily toppled. Moreover, by extending branches, we can hinder the Cyclops's movements by entangling its limbs. However...
"Sakura-sama, the eastern gate and the northern gate seem to be on the verge of breaking."
That's right, I can't afford to be solely focused on the Cyclops. The situation hasn't changed at all from earlier. Furthermore, the imposing figure of the Cyclops alone is already having a significant psychological impact on the knights.
(Damn it, we're short-handed...)
"Summon [Wood Golems]!"
Soldiers made of 2-meter-tall trees rush at the monsters, carrying them away to a distance. They further grow by absorbing the monsters and evolve into Wood Knights. Fallen Wood Knights, encompassing the surrounding monsters, transform into large trees that block the enemy's path.
Wood golem creation consumes magical energy, and we had been conserving it, but now we no longer have that luxury.
The knights have reached the limits of their fatigue, and supported by Sakura's valiant efforts, they somehow manage to hold their ground. We need some positive information... but--
"Grrrraaaahhhh!!!"
"Foolish... If there's another one..."
Despairing voices escape the knights' mouths.
In an already precarious situation, the appearance of a new cyclops was enough to break the knights' spirits.
"Damn it, bad timing. Don't hesitate! I'll take care of the cyclops. There's no need to defeat them. Focus on defending the fortress!"
Gathering their strength, the commander rallies them. Yet--
"Grrrraaaahhhh!!!"
"A third one... We're done for..."
Disturbance spreads with the emergence of the third cyclops. The words "total annihilation" flash through their minds.
A decision must be made. If they're going to retreat, now is the only chance.
"Full retreat--" Just as those words were about to be spoken--
--The cyclops' head fell--
The massive body, now missing its head, collapses with a resounding crash, crushing many monsters along with it.
[Aerial Sword: Autoclaire]
A special technique that can defeat distant enemies with sword strikes. It is said to have the power to destroy fortress walls in a single blow.
And everyone knows that technique. Because there is no one who does not know the knight who possesses that ability. The fire of courage ignites in the hearts of all the knights, filling them with strength.
[Brave Heart of the Valiant Lion]
A miraculous power that heals the hearts and bodies of all allies, temporarily boosting their combat abilities. It is a unique skill possessed by their respected captain, Celestina.
"Wha!? Lady Celestina!"
"The captain is here! The captain has arrived!"
"Everyone, the captain has come! Now is the time to show our strength! Ignite your lives and scatter the enemies!"
Sakura shouts with all her might.
All the fortress knights, as if resurrected, push back the horde of monsters.
One hour later, the horde of monsters, having lost the majority of their main forces, is in disarray, leaving behind only corpses.
＊＊＊
"Sakura, you've done well to hold on. Above all else... I'm glad you're still alive."
Celestina embraced Sakura firmly. While the captain had a bright expression, Sakura's face was dark and listless.
"Captain Celest, why are you here? Even if you're the captain, I can't bear any more. You, no, Lady Celestina must not die in a place like this!"
"Sakura... No one should die. By me coming here, the chances of everyone surviving increase the most. That's why I came. Don't worry, I have a reason not to die as well. I don't intend to become a sacrifice. Of course, we'll all return alive."
"Lady Celestina... Yes, you're right. Let's all return alive."
Sakura cried and smiled.
"The unit I led consists of 50 members, a small but elite group. The following units are also departing one after another. The main force should be able to join us by tomorrow. If we can hold on until sunset, we'll see a chance of victory."
The knights led by Celestina were all formidable fighters. The three Cyclopes have already been defeated, and the remaining monsters number less than 20,000. Everyone believed that they could hold out until the arrival of the following units.
"Captain! It's serious. A new horde is approaching the fortress."
"What?! How many enemies are there?"
"...Even if we estimate conservatively, it's no less than 50,000."
"I see. Inform the entire army. From now on, our knight order will retreat to Primera. Leave the baggage behind and prioritize speed. Hurry!"
Celestina's decision was swift.
If they had waited for the arrival of the new horde, the fortress would have fallen, and they would have been annihilated.
"Lady Celestina, that's a brave decision."
Sakura opened her mouth in surprise.
"Losing hope, Esperanza, is certainly painful. But right now, Primera has a new hope, Kakeru. As long as he's here, we can manage somehow. I've come to believe that as long as we're alive, another chance will surely come."
Saying so, Celestina smiled.
"Lady Celestina... Yes, you're right. Let's go back to Primera."
And so... Esperanza Fortress fell.