Chapter 42
The kingdom’s dungeon management unit had taken up positions at the defensive barricades, fighting desperately in isolation to reduce the number of overflowing orcs by even one.
A sufficient quantity of Recovery Potions had been stockpiled so they could buy time when the overflow occurred, but lost stamina could not be restored.
“Captain. At this rate, we’ll be ground down. Let’s abandon our post and retreat.”
“If we don’t hold our ground here, the damage will spread. Besides, if we retreat in this situation, we’ll be surrounded before we can reach our allies.”
The opportunity to escape had already been lost.
It seemed all they could do was take as many orcs as possible with them.
Just then, the sound of horseshoes echoed.
“The sound of horseshoes. Where is it coming from?”
“Captain. Over there! Their numbers are few, but it’s reinforcements!”
Claude was heading towards the dungeon, subjugating orcs along the way, in order to seal off the overflowing ones at its entrance.
Even for a knight as elite as he was, fatigue was accumulating.
He understood he was pushing his horse hard too, but believing this was the crucial moment to persevere, he had inspired his troops and pressed onward.
“Kallion. Cover the isolated unit. I’ll take position at the dungeon entrance and prevent any further spread.”
Kallion and his men executed the order without hesitation, and the isolated unit coordinated with their movements.
Large-scale magic wasn’t necessary to seal the dungeon.
With multi-casting, he prepared numerous Fire Arrows, picking off the orcs trying to break through one after another.
Kallion, having finished the rescue, approached him.
“Kallion. Sorry, but take care of my horse. Have the unit rest while they can.”
Even while performing actions like speaking or dismounting his horse, his multi-casting was maintained, and the magic didn’t break.
“I shall take him.”
A subordinate spoke to Kallion, who returned leading the horse Claude had been riding.
“Fahrenheit-sama’s orders were not to let him overdo it, but… is it alright to leave it to Claude-sama?”
“If we were to assist now, we’d only get in the way. Rest now and recover your stamina.”
No matter how vast Claude-sama’s mana pool, it would eventually be depleted; his stamina would be consumed, and his mind would tire.
There would surely come a time when he’d have to be relieved.
In preparation for that moment, they needed to get as close to peak condition as possible. That was Kallion’s judgment.
At the subjugation headquarters, Fahrenheit was listening to the stream of incoming reports and continuously issuing orders.
The feudal lords’ units they had been awaiting were also gathering one after another, and the encirclement net was nearing completion.
“The units deployed towards the Prominence Domain have completed their assembly. Also, we’ve received word that Finel-sama is advancing with an infantry unit.”
“With this, the encirclement is complete. Notify all feudal lords’ armies: Begin the advance!”