Year 141_Keireki Era_Spring/08
"What the…?"
Feli muttered as she surveyed the situation.
We were on a hill overlooking both the town and the army.
Though the view was clear, the distance was still significant, and given the hill's inconvenient terrain for a large army to occupy, the likelihood of running into knights or scouts seemed low.
"That flag belongs to Count Biumode’s territory… but why?"
"They’re the ones who were at each other's throats with your country, right?"
"A truce was supposed to have been signed during the previous ruler's reign. However, more importantly—"
"Yeah, we need to regroup with the others."
"Hold on.”
Senia interjected, stopping us as we prepared to move.
"It's difficult to see from here, but the southern side has an army deployed. I can confirm their flag belongs to Count Luluciette."
As expected of a former royal maid, she had all the heraldry memorized.
We decided to head there first.
While the town below was covered in ominous smoke, the southern forces at least seemed like a safer option for now.
"Who goes there?! You’re not from Biumode, are you?!"
Bad luck—that’s all this encounter was.
We had run into a scouting unit from Biumode forces while heading toward the Luluciette army.
They quickly saw through us before we could even think of making excuses.
Perhaps there was some emblem or feature distinguishing us as outsiders, but there was no time to dwell on it.
Misfortune escalated further when what appeared to be a returning unit—possibly regrouping with their main force—showed up from the side.
"Adventurers from Luluciette!"
One of the scouts shouted, prompting mounted knights from the arriving unit to charge at us.
Stones collected along the way were no match against armored knights.
Even targeting their horses seemed futile, as the riders would likely protect or guide their steeds to avoid injury.
"Die, you dogs of Luluciette!"
A scout shouted as he lunged.
Although described as scouts, they were clearly adept fighters.
Feli and Senia skillfully engaged, preventing them from coming to my side.
Meanwhile, the knights closed in on me.
Of course, they'd target the easiest kill.
Senia moved to protect me, unleashing a brutal attack.
The scout nearest her was reduced to an unrecognizable heap of flesh.
"Stand down, lowly creatures.”
She commanded, glaring fiercely at the remaining scouts.
Though they gulped nervously, they stood firm.
"Our orders are clear—no adventurer leaves alive. Not even someone as formidable as you."
Their resolve was unshaken despite the dire situation.
They too had reasons worth risking their lives for.
Feli tried to reach me but was injured by a scout’s swift blade.
Senia seemed unharmed, but Feli had taken a significant wound.
"I’ll handle this! Senia, take care of Feli!"
"But—"
Senia hesitated, glancing toward the approaching cavalry.
"I can deal with the knights. Trust me."
"… Understood."
Her expression was terrifying, likely because of the promise she’d made to Feli to protect me.
Yet, she chose to trust me, even if only because she saw her former master in me.
"Look after Feli. I have no intention of dying here."
I dashed toward the town.
Smoke billowed ominously, but the damage didn’t appear total.
With luck, I could use the buildings to evade pursuit—or even regroup with allies.
"See you soon, both of you!"
"Yes, stay safe!"
"Please survive, Vi!"
Neither Feli nor Senia wasted time arguing.
They watched me leave with determined yet pained expressions.
Outrunning cavalry was impossible.
If I tried to reach the town gate, they’d overtake me, leaving me crushed beneath hooves or skewered by a lance.
It was time for my trump card: my last chakram.
Should I use it here or save it for later? No.
Saving it for later and getting killed would be pointless.
Better to use it now and clear the way.
The sound of hooves grew louder.
It wasn’t just one or two knights—it was six.
Three were in the lead, with three more close behind.
There was no time to hesitate.
I spun around mid-run, aimed, and hurled the chakram.
It veered erratically through the air, gaining speed and slicing through all six riders.
I didn’t stay to watch.
As soon as I threw it, I kept running.
There was no doubt in my mind—the knights were dead.
However, I couldn’t circle back to Feli and Senia.
In the distance, I saw infantry advancing from behind the fallen knights.
Trying to rejoin them would only trap me between enemy lines.
Using the chakram on the infantry wasn’t viable either—they were too far away, and missing would waste my last chance at survival.
I have no choice but to move forward.
What do you think about this chapter?
