557

Episode 557 I will give you permission (1)

When Giselle heard the news, she shook her head.

'I told you to run away.'

Just before the Allied Forces' path diverged due to Helgenich, Giselle sent a message to the Kingdom of Grimwell.

So they had plenty of time to escape.

But Jiselle had actually expected them not to run away.

'They are people who are full of that much pride.'

The Kingdom of Grimwell was a military power comparable to the Kingdom of Rutania. At its core were the superhumans known as the three pillars of the kingdom.

'They are definitely strong, but… … .'

The Salvation Church is stronger. Even excluding the half-baked priests, there are many superhumans who are called strategic weapons. Among them, there is even Aidan, who later became one of the 7 great powers of the continent.

But what's scarier than that is...

'There is a tactical genius, Count Biffenveld.'

Thinking of him, Giselle felt a little bitter in her mouth.

When the hidden Kingdom of Artrode was with the Human Union in its previous life, Giselle had been impressed several times by Count Biffenveld's skills.

Of course, Count Biffenveldt also couldn't help but praise Giselle's battle. The two were comrades who acknowledged each other.

When I first came back in time, I thought about recruiting him, but it was impossible after I found out that the Kingdom of Arthrod was in league with the Salvation Church.

'Because it's not going to end until one of us dies.'

Jiselle shook off her bitter feelings.

Commanders, superhumans, elite troops, all of it, the Kingdom of Grimwell is no match for the Church of Salvation.

The result was as expected, as they fought despite the warning. In the end, the castle of Grimwell was taken and even the king was captured.

The messenger then delivered the news.

"Not all of the territory has been occupied yet! The Artro forces have only moved towards the royal palace. Lords from all over are gathering with their armies."

Jiselle nodded. Perhaps others would have difficulty understanding the Salvation Church's strategy.

The present war is a fight between humanity and society. It does not end with capturing the king. It is necessary to occupy and destroy completely, so that even a justification is not needed.

But Jiselle knew why the Salvation Church had moved so quickly.

'Holy relic.'

Did Gator obtain the relic he wanted? What other relics could there be besides this necklace?

Suddenly, Giselle remembered the saint she had seen in her dream.

'Yeah, definitely… … .'

The saint was wearing the necklace she had.

And one more thing. There was a bracelet on the wrist of the praying woman. It was a very plain bracelet, like this necklace.

'Could that be it?'

I couldn't be sure, but I had a feeling it might be true. I also brought the cup that the saint had used, so I wondered how to confirm it.

Jiselle, who had been thinking, suddenly chuckled.

'I've had some really weird dreams. Because of them, I've become really curious about a lot of things.'

In the past, I would have just ignored it. But strangely enough, this time I couldn't forget it.

There were so many things that bothered me even though they had nothing to do with me, so I kept worrying about them.

'That opponent... He looks very strong. Is he the king that the Salvation Church talks about?'

It was very similar to himself, who had amplified his power using Dark. But in other words, before he obtained Dark, during his days as the Mercenary King, he had not used such power.

Does that mean he also has something similar to Dark?

He couldn't be sure because he himself didn't know what Dark's true identity was.

And the more I dreamed, the stranger I felt. I felt like I had lost something.

'I keep thinking about that dream.'

Jiselle quickly shook her head and shook off the thought. It was not good for her concentration to be disturbed.

Whether it's a dream or a strategy of the Salvation Church, don't be dragged around and just do what you have to do.

"We will sweep away the rest. After that, we will advance to the Kingdom of Grimwell. Tell the remaining lords of Grimwell not to fight recklessly."

Jiselle moved again as originally planned.

The Rutanian army was a large army, so its movement speed was slow, but the time spent in battle was short. As a result, the Rutanian army advanced faster than other legions.

The Allied Forces also smoothly occupied the strongholds. It wasn't difficult since the strongest fortresses were controlled by the Rutanian forces anyway.

Jiselle, who received news through Dark and the messenger from time to time, maintained a relaxed attitude.

"It won't take long."

In any case, the Artrode Army, which had lost its main force, was no match for the Allied Forces. The enemy must have known that fact well.

However, the reason they are holding on is because they need to protect the Kingdom of Arthrod in order to send supplies to the main force attacking the Kingdom of Grimwell.

If the Kingdom of Artrode is completely occupied, it will be difficult for the main forces that went to the Kingdom of Grimwell to fight.

There is no way Count Biffenveldt wouldn't know that.

'I'll take as much as I can here and procure it locally.'

Perhaps the kingdom of Grimwell will soon be plundered to the point where it cannot recover.

The Rutanian army advanced at a slow yet strangely fast pace.

And in the fortress they encountered, Giselle discovered something strange.

"… … ran away."

The fortress was empty. It was obvious that they had already heard the news and thought there was no way to defeat the Rutanian army.

However, they would not have completely abandoned the battle. Their mission would have been to hold out so that as many supplies as possible could be transported to the Kingdom of Grimwell.

Indeed, the Art Road Army has come out with a slightly different appearance than before.

The opposing side had also been informed of Operation Meteor, and all the troops from the strongholds along the Rutanian army's advance route had gathered in one place and set up camp.

It seemed that they had emptied the fortress and moved to gather like this.

Jiselle saw that and snickered.

"… … Well, I understand."

This was the best option for them. Rather than being beaten without being able to do anything, it would be better to gather together and hit them at least once.

The number of troops gathered was approximately 100,000. Although it was said that troops from various fortresses had gathered, it was absolutely not the scale that the Kingdom of Arthrod could produce at the moment.

If you look closely, not all of the 100,000 troops looked to be in good condition.

Jiselle, who noticed their true identity, shook her head.

"They're conscripts."

In a situation where the main force was missing, the Artrode army was defending the fortress with only the few troops they had left for defense.

However, because of Operation Meteor, the fortress was abandoned and the fight began.

The difference in force was too great to fight against the Rutanian army, so they made up for the lack of armed soldiers with conscripts.

Even though the Kingdom of Artrode was a powerful nation with abundant wealth, it was difficult to fill the regular army with 100,000 men in the current situation.

Jiselle looked around at the conscripts and frowned.

"… … Did you really think that was possible? You pathetic bastards."

The majority of those in the line were young boys and old men. Their equipment was poor and they were visibly scared.

The armed men and knights who could fight properly were actually placed at the back. The intention was to weaken the strength of this side by putting the conscripts in front.

"Wow!"

The Artrode Army suddenly came running, shouting. With their lack of magicians, all they could do was attack first.

To avoid being hit by a magic attack first, charge first.

Jiselle quietly watched the enemies running towards her from afar.

I tried to muster up my courage and shout, but that was all. The fear of death had already settled on their faces.

"… … ."

It was a crude charge that was embarrassing to watch. The ranks were in disarray in an instant, as if they had not received any training.

Some boy soldiers were running while crying, and some old men fell while running and were trampled by friendly soldiers.

Jiselle looked at the shabby conscripts with pity.

"That's what war is like."

Most of them were dragged out against their own will, simply by the will of their superiors.

Because they have absolutely no power to choose how they live their lives.

Even knowing that, Jiselle did not leave alone those who stood in her way. In war, if you don't kill your opponent, you will die.

But at least for now, Giselle had the power to choose which way to lead this war.

"… … Get ready."

Jiselle said quietly.

Clank, clank, clank.

Then suddenly the knights dismounted and took up their shields. Kaor and the assault party also moved with the knights.

Gillian, Tennant, and Belinda came around to Giselle on their own.

Jiselle looked at Parniel and said.

"I think things would be a little easier if you helped me with divine power."

"How about calling Jerome?"

"In the current situation, the enemies will be more confused. And that guy has to work. He's quite busy with work. I think I'll train the soldiers for the first time in a while."

"I understand. I felt uncomfortable too."

Jiselle dismounted from the Black King and gestured to the magicians and priests behind her.

"Let's get started."

Kukukukung!

A huge stone wall rose up as the Artrode Army charged forward.

Vanessa and her wizards focused on blocking the path rather than attacking the enemy directly.

The only open area was the middle one.

"Huh, huh, huh?"

The Artrode army that had been running towards them was taken aback. There was no way that these mere conscripts could climb over or destroy the huge stone wall.

The allied wizards were supposed to help, but they were only concerned with protecting the leadership.

"Rain, get out of the way!"

"Go over there! Over there!"

"Don't push!"

As the charge was blocked, the large number of people quickly became entangled with each other. Everyone was at a loss as to what to do.

Eventually, the conscripts had no choice but to rush towards the only open space.

As Giselle, who had been watching quietly, stretched out her hand, the knight handed her a short staff made of galvanium.

Paaaaaaa!

The light of divine power radiated from various places in the Rutanian army formation. Piote and the priests were protecting the friendly forces in the front.

Jiselle said, extending her sword forward.

"The entire army… … 'suppresses' the enemies."

As soon as the words were finished, Giselle leapt forward.

Supermen, knights, and assault troops followed him silently.

They also took out the galvanized short swords they had been carrying on their waists.

Gurrrrrr!

Suddenly, the stone wall blocking the enemy's path disappeared. The enemy's formation was completely disorganized.

Clank! Clank! Clank!

The mobile troops of the vanguard also took up their shields and detached their spearheads from their galvanized spearheads, which then became solid poles.

Jiselle smirked as she watched the conscripts running towards her.

"I won't do what the Salvation Church wants. I want to do the opposite."

Parniel, who was right next to him, also snickered and stuck his huge mace into the ground.

Kwaaaaaaaang!

"Uh-huh-huh-huh!"

The ground shook and the conscripts fell down one after another. Jiselle dug in between them.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Jiselle swung her staff exquisitely and struck down her enemies. Of course, she struck with enough force to avoid killing them.

Kuung!

The superhumans who followed behind were the same. As they passed by, beating down the conscripts, the knights pushed back the conscripts who were rushing in from the side with their shields.

However, because there were so many of them, the conscripts dug in again. The assault team continued to make their way by knocking them down.

Jiselle laughed heartily as she knocked down the incoming conscripts.

"Think of today as a bit of a tough training session! Opportunities like this don't come often!"

At first glance, the number of conscripts was almost 80,000. They were all gathered from surrounding cities.

Even though they were conscripts, there were too many of them, but Jiselle planned to continue on.

In his mind, this wasn't combat, it was really 'suppression training'.

The knights and shock troops grumbled as they pushed back the enemy with their shields and struck them with their batons.

"Ah! I feel so comfortable these days!"

"When are you going to knock this all down!"

"Well, it's not like we're the only ones fighting."

It's harder to subdue someone than to kill them. If they had just charged on horseback, they would have quickly annihilated the conscripts.

Of course, it was excellent as training. This was a real fight, and you could die, so you had to use as much strength as possible to avoid killing your opponent.

This kind of situation is hard to create. That's why Jiselle called it training.

Parniel did not fight directly. She focused solely on observing the surrounding allies while emitting divine power.

After a while, the conscripts were unable to charge the assault troops.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

As soon as the mobile force arrived, they pushed forward in a wide area, striking the conscripts with spears.

No matter how much the conscripts swung their spears, the Lutanian army was unharmed. They were all wearing galvanium armor, so their weapons did not work properly.

It was impossible to break through them with the force of conscripts.

"The weapon won't go in!"

"Push with your body!"

"How do you want me to kill this thing!"

The conscripts were struck by spears as soon as they rushed in and fell down. Those who were struck and fell groaned in pain, but at least they did not die.

Only then did they realize.

That the other person is now showing them 'mercy'.

The old man who had fallen held onto the boy soldier who was struggling to get up next to him and spoke.

"I fell over."

"yes?"

"Just lie down. The Duke of Fenris is watching over you right now."

The boy soldier, who had come to his senses, quickly lay down on the floor. As he lay there, he looked around and saw that everyone was just groaning and not getting up.

'Yes, I survived.'

The boy soldier crouched down, trying to calm his trembling heart. He thought he would die without being able to move.

I was so nervous that I couldn't see my surroundings, but now I can see them. The Rutanian army was really just beating up their own troops.

Others, one by one, began to notice how things were going.

I gritted my teeth and charged in because I was going to die anyway, but this is a different story.

They were just ordinary farmers, but they knew that their opponents were not invading forces.

The fact is that the evil of this continent right now is the Salvation Church.

Now, there are many conscripts who fall down without being hit directly. They realized that if they fall, they can survive.

Finally, the atmosphere that Jiselle wanted was created.

Feeling that the time had come, Giselle stamped her feet hard on the ground.

Kwaaaaang!

The ground split open and all the conscripts who had been rushing towards it fell.

At the same time, Giselle shouted loudly.

"Everyone, get down! From now on, only those who get down will be spared!"

His voice echoed through the battlefield like thunder.

The conscripts had already seen all those who had rushed at the Rutanian army fall. And those who fell did not die.

It was clear that the opponent had been lenient. And the opponent was giving a final warning.

Your only chance to live is now.

One man dropped his weapon and fell down. Then the man next to him also dropped his weapon and fell down.

Soon all the conscripts of the Arthrod army began to fall, dropping their weapons and lying face down.