Chapter 62

Chapter 62: Sudden Battle

We are trying to escape to our own country's territory, but there is still some distance to go.

When I look back, there are people from the Ambitosu Kingdom running towards us, brandishing their swords.

"Their numbers are increasing. They must have called for reinforcements from their territory."

As I watch, a new type of creature appears on the Ambitosu Kingdom's side.

It's like they combined an ostrich with a Bactrian camel to create this creature. And on its back are mounted cavalry.

"It's not exactly a horse, more like a bird-like creature, so I guess we can't call them mounted cavalry."

Even though it's not a horse, it's a common fact that wild animals are faster on their feet than humans. I could probably escape if I were alone, with the help of my sacred magic to enhance my body. However, I have brought along some civil officials from the Rocha region and a few guards. Leaving them behind and running away alone would be quite shameful.

"There's no choice... Ignite the spark into fire, let the fire become flames, and shape the flames into spheres. Cloak yourself in the raging fire, carry the winds of explosion within, and fly, fireball. Eustau Sperelica!"

I recite the magic incantation while taking a position as the leader. As soon as I finish, a fireball magic appears. I immediately launch it towards the Ambitosu Kingdom's direction.

The fireball hits one of them and explodes, creating a loud noise, flames, and rising dust.

Seeing the power of my magic, I hope that at least the creatures that seem like a mix of camels and ostriches - let's call them Rakudachos for now - will have their pursuit slowed down.

But the Ambitosu Kingdom's group, to avoid being completely wiped out by my magic, keeps their distance within their own ranks and continues to pursue us. Moreover, even though animals are supposed to be sensitive to fire and loud noises, the Rakudachos continue to approach us without any signs of panic.

"Even animals are accustomed to dealing with magic?"

I hear my own surprised voice, and immediately after, I realize why they might be accustomed to dealing with magic.

In the Rocha region, they export custom-made weapons to desert countries, including the Ambitosu Kingdom. These weapons are designed for hunting desert creatures, which are often magical in nature. In other words, the riders are experienced in dealing with opponents who use magic.

"I didn't underestimate them because they might be potential opponents in a one-on-one duel, but..."

What I had anticipated was a one-on-one duel during negotiations at the meeting place or a war with both sides deploying their forces later. I never expected to be suddenly attacked by all of them at the meeting place, and the reason for the war being the Ambitosu royal family's eldest son going on a rampage to seek a woman named Solerina, unrelated to the initial issue of the river pollution compensation. How could I have predicted that?

I silently bear my dissatisfaction and prepare for the next magic spell because we won't be able to escape at this rate.

"Ignite the spark into fire, let the fire become flames, and shape the flames into serpents. Cloak yourself in the scales of blazing fire, extend the unquenchable tongue of slow-burning flames, and advance, fire serpent. Ingeim Vekkara!"

I hold my hand horizontally behind me, and flames of magic extend from my fingertips like a flamethrower.

Although the enemy had been spreading out widely, the sight of a band of fire passing through their midst seems terrifying enough to slow down their approaching feet. The Rakudachos also seem to dislike their feathers catching fire, so they change direction to avoid the flames.

While the enemy's pursuit is disrupted, we put more distance between us.

With the effectiveness of the flamethrower magic, we might be able to reach our territory safely.

The real problem will be what to do after that, whether to fight the Ambitosu Kingdom's group or retreat.

The chase continues, and we're nearing Rocha's territory.

It seems that those with fast feet had already entered the territory, as the guards left behind in the territory are deploying in full-body armor.

In front of them, Famiris stands proudly, holding her helmet to her side.

"Famiris! What about Princess Palvera?"

I ask as I run, and her reply comes loudly.

"She's on Neroteola! You don't need to worry about Princess Palvera's safety! And right now, we should focus on dealing with these miscreants!"

Switching to a knightly tone mid-sentence, Famiris pushes her helmet onto her head and orders the Rocha troops as if she were their commander.

"Ambitosu Kingdom, who commits acts of brutality for unjust reasons, is evil. I, Famiris Terestajired, a knight of the sacred knight state, guarantee that we will annihilate them. Each of you, fight and crush the enemy!"

"Uoooooh!"

The Rocha troops, armed with melee weapons and clad in full-body armor that doesn't yield to casual attacks, charge fearlessly at the Ambitosu Kingdom's group.

As we make way for the troops, we change our course diagonally forward to continue our escape.

Drawing my Imperial-made magical sword from my waist, I prepare to join the battle.

Looking at the sword, Famiris's voice changes with a hint of severity.

"Prince Milimos, even though I personally taught you sacred magic, you're still using that sword?"

"It's the best weapon for the moment. I'll consider whether to part with it once I become skilled enough in sacred magic to take one from you."

I reply while enhancing my entire body with sacred magic and rushing towards the Ambitosu Kingdom's group.

Surprisingly, the battle between the Rocha troops and the Ambitosu Kingdom's group isn't ending easily.

First, it seems that the Ambitosu Kingdom's side had anticipated combat from the beginning or perhaps their civil officials are skilled in combat. Almost all of them are participating in the battle, and their numbers are significant.

Furthermore, the Ambitosu Kingdom's group displays excellent coordination, always creating situations with multiple opponents against one, and effectively using the Rakudachos for their attacks.

The Rocha troops, while having outstanding defense with their full-body armor, are gradually becoming more cautious because the enemy is targeting the gaps in their armor.

These factors are mixing together, leading to a prolonged battle.

As I contemplate how to break the stalemate with magic or sacred arts, the situation is challenging.

After I initially kicked a few people away, they identified me as a high-priority target, and now I'm constantly under attack by five people riding Rakudachos. Even now, as I deflect the charge from one of the Rakudacho riders, I must prepare for the next attack.

"Prince Milimos excels in magic. Don't be fooled by his thirteen-year-old appearance; consider him a young desert monster of magic! Surround him and attack in waves! Wear down his stamina, then finish him!"

"Yes!"

"Kyuukee!"

In response to the riders' commands, the camel-birds also made their cries.

Seeing their perfectly coordinated actions, I couldn't help but feel troubled that I had to fight these troublesome individuals.

"Even though it won't make a difference, I won't do something like that."

While muttering to myself, I decided to use my trump card to break the situation.

During my one-on-one battle with General Dulba, I struggled because I couldn't use both divine arts and activate the magic sword simultaneously.

Learning from that struggle, I wasn't foolish enough to ignore the disadvantage of not being able to do both at once. I had secretly practiced to achieve harmony in my daily training.

I could already activate divine arts on parts other than my arms and channel the magic power in my hands into the magic sword.

The ultimate goal was to harmonize magic and divine arts, and I had wanted to use it as a hidden gem to surprise my family during training. But the current situation didn't allow for any secrecy.

I took a deep breath, made the divine arts on my arm disappear, and manipulated the magic flowing into my arm, infusing it into the magic sword. As a result, magic manifested on the blade of the sword, and in the dim light after sunset, the blade of the sword began to glow mysteriously.

I thought the opponent would be cautious, but they charged without hesitation.

"Magic tricks won't scare us!"

As expected of those who hunted desert monsters. They understood the reason the magic sword had lit up was magic, and yet, or rather, precisely because they understood, they didn't let their guard down.

However, I hadn't let my guard down either.

I matched the approaching camel-bird rider who thrust his spear, swung the magic sword vigorously, and sliced off the tip of his weapon.

Since it was difficult to swing the sword back—due to the divine arts on my arm—I used the enhanced legs from the divine arts to jump high and deliver a kick.

"Take this!"

Through the shoe on my jumping foot, I felt the sensation of the rider's jaw and neck bones breaking.

Without any time to react to the unpleasant sensation, I used the recoil from the kick to jump at another camel-bird rider.

"Hiiya!"

I swung my sword with determination.

The targeted rider, who had tried to block with his small shield despite understanding that the shield wouldn't be of any use after seeing his companion die, had his shield pierced by my extended magic sword, and the blade thrust into his chest.

As expected, I caught him right in a vital spot, and the rider fell from the camel-bird, spewing blood from his mouth.

After dealing with the remaining two, as I was about to turn and assist Rocha's unit, a group of ten camel-bird riders rushed past me.

Leading them was Spelbyard, who had started this conflict.

"Continue, continue! I will claim Princess Sorelina with these hands!"

At Spelbyard's command, the camel-bird riders on the battlefield stopped fighting and began to chase him.

Some members of my unit and Rocha's unit tried to chase them, but they were stopped by the infantry from the Ambitose Kingdom.

I alone could have pursued, but I decided it was more prudent to take command of Rocha's unit and quickly neutralize the enemy. The Ambitose Kingdom's forces had weakened due to the disappearance of the camel-bird riders, and I coordinated with Rocha's unit to swiftly incapacitate the enemy.

During this time, Spelbyard and nearly twenty camel-bird riders had infiltrated the Rocha region. They were now too far away, and their figures appeared as tiny as grains.

But I couldn't let them escape and cause trouble for Princess Sorelina.

"I'll pursue them! Do we have horses?"

As I returned to the camp and shouted loudly, one of the guards rushed over with a horse.

"Prince Milimos, I brought one! But..."

I immediately understood his hesitation when I saw the horse.

"That's right. We used horse-drawn carriages to move personnel quickly, so we only have horses suited for carriages."

Horses used for carriages were powerful and had the stamina to pull heavy loads over long distances. However, in exchange for these advantages, they had extremely slow legs. Even at full speed, a carriage horse could be easily overtaken by me when I used divine arts to run.

In other words, they were unsuitable for the task of chasing the fleeing camel-bird riders.

"It looks like I'll have to run after them."

I began to prepare to shed my clothes in anticipation of a long-distance run, but someone approached from the side.

When I turned to look, I saw the black body of a giant horse, Neroteora.

Looking even higher, I saw Princess Parvela holding the reins.

"Milimos-kun, you're going to pursue them, aren't you? Please ride Neroteora."

I helped Princess Parvela dismount and gently set her on the ground.

"I appreciate it, but are you sure?"

"For Famiris, I will explain. Besides, Neroteora seems eager to chase the miscreants."

When I looked into Neroteora's eyes, I felt that the imposing black eyes were urging me to get on.

"In that case, I'll gratefully accept your help."

I patted Neroteora's shoulder and then mounted the saddle. As soon as I grabbed the reins, without me giving any commands, Neroteora suddenly started to run.

"Hyiiiiin!"

"Owawawawawawa!"

Although she allowed me to ride on her back, it seemed she didn't consider me a rider, given her actions. I hurriedly held on to avoid falling off.

Afterwards, I realized that Neroteora was indeed a great horse suitable for knights from the Knight Kingdom.

Every second, the backs of the fleeing camel-bird riders were getting closer, which made it clear.