Chapter 268: The Elite Volunteers
Before the massive Continent Cannon, more than five thousand volunteer soldiers have gathered. Standing before me are the leaders of this volunteer force: Grand Commander Mars, Chief of Staff Alan, and Chief Artillery Officer Ginny.
As the Great Demon God approaches the port of Lisbon, an ever-growing number of demon beasts are emerging in its wake. The Dragon Maids, tasked with holding them off, can no longer contain the swelling horde.
These soldiers are here to take on the duty of defending the cannon. All of them are battle-hardened veterans who’ve fought alongside me for a long time.
But there are more volunteers than I expected. I turn to Alan, the sharp-minded officer who handles the logistics of the volunteer army.
「Alan, are these really all volunteers?」
「Yes, Your Excellency King General. As per your orders, we only recruited those with the necessary resolve and skill. Many across the nation eagerly volunteered, and we even had trouble narrowing them down.」
「We’re up against formidable demon beasts this time. Even with state-of-the-art weaponry, it won’t be easy…」
Grand Commander Mars pounds his chest and speaks in a booming voice.
「Every one of them is prepared to lay down their life for Your Excellency King General!」
As usual, Mars is a bit too enthusiastic. It’s admirable, but also a little worrisome. Ginny, the chief artillery officer, chuckles and adds with a smirk,
「If even our shaky Mars can say that, then no one has an excuse not to be ready.」
「What do you mean by that?」
Mars snaps, clearly annoyed.
The troops break out into laughter. Mars and Ginny grew up in the same village, so their playful banter is well-known among the soldiers, who never miss a chance to laugh at it.
「Well then, everyone, make sure to help Mars out, alright?」
「Your Excellency King General, what do you mean by that?」
Mars exclaims, looking flustered, which prompts even more laughter from the men.
Mars was once just the son of the village chief back in Onna Village, a loud but bumbling figure who couldn’t seem to get anything right. But strangely, under his command, the troops always seem to move more efficiently. Despite being teased, Mars is beloved by his soldiers. Perhaps he has a certain natural talent for leadership.
Even with all the advanced weapons Sarah-chan has spent the past year creating—rifles, shotguns, cannons—casualties are expected. I can’t help but worry about how many will survive.
Despite the dangers, fleets and soldiers from the various nations of the Eura Continental Alliance continue to pour into the area. The Great Demon God’s invasion, as terrible as it is, has at least brought the nations of Eura together in true unity.
This will likely be the last major battle of this kind.
「I’m grateful for your determination, but stay back and provide support from the rear. Ensure that you survive…」
I began giving my final words to the volunteers when a loud voice suddenly echoed from above.
「Demon Beast Unit reporting for duty!」
It was Hydra, the beast tamer, riding in on her metal dragon. Apparently, she hasn’t abandoned her provocative bondage armor.
Behind her are ten or so wyvern knights, including the one I’ve met before. Hydra insisted on being the commander of this unit, so we hastily formed the Demon Beast Unit.
It looks like the number of wyverns, depleted during the Germania War, is steadily recovering. Alongside them, the Reptilian mercenaries have increased the number of salamanders under their command, making the Demon Beast Unit a formidable force.
「Good work, Hydra!」
「Yes, for the sake of His Excellency King General, I’ll tame that Great Demon God this time!」
「Uh, I think it’s best if you don’t try that…」
I responded, remembering all too well the last time we ended up swallowed by tentacles together.
Still, Hydra’s ability to control demon beasts might be crucial this time. If she could turn the enemy’s beasts against them, it would be the perfect counterattack.
「Anyway, I’ll do my best!」
「Just don’t overdo it.」
For some reason, Hydra jumped off her Metal Dragon and clung to me. She was probably just hyped up before the battle.
At that moment, I heard the sound of hooves approaching. A group of female knights, led by Berenice and Clementine, galloped up to us.
「Of course, you came—wait, hold on!」
「King-sama, it’s been a while!」
I exclaimed as Berenice, dark-skinned dwarf with a striking resemblance to a gyaru, rushed over and hugged me.
Clementine followed closely behind, her blonde drills bouncing as she tried to peel Hydra off me.
「We are King-sama’s royal guard. Step away, demoness!」
「Oh? So clinging to King General is part of the royal guard’s job?」
「Don’t argue with me! Can’t you see you’re bothering King-sama?」
「He hasn’t complained, so I’ll do as I please!」
Hydra, still wrapped in her provocative bondage armor, refused to let go of my neck. Clementine struggled to pull her off.
「Come on, you two, stop fighting.」
I warned them and Berenice commented.
「Clementine, no need to fight.」
「But…!」
「Hydra, Berenice, all of you—could you give me some space? It’s hard to move like this…」
I gently pushed them away and stood before the knights.
More than five hundred knights in full plate armor stood before me, a sight both archaic and awe-inspiring. I was surprised to see the entire unit had come along, led by none other than Marina, the captain of the royal guard.
「So even the captain of the royal guard is here.」
「I’m here as well.」
Announced Jill, the commander of the royal guard, stepping forward after dismounting her horse.
「I had hoped you two would remain in the capital to protect Silhouette and the children…」
「Most of the royal guard remains at the castle, of course. But with the volunteer army joining the battle, it would be disgraceful if the royal guard stayed behind. Let us have our moment to shine.」
Marina, her chestnut ponytail swaying, nodded in agreement. Both had once been close aides to Louise, and it was clear they wanted to fight alongside her in this final battle.
「Very well. I grant you both permission to join the fray. But cavalry has one of the most dangerous tasks, so take extreme care.」
「The knight order humbly accept your majesty’s command.」
Jill and Marina said in unison, kneeling ceremoniously before me.
Seeing this, Berenice, Clementine, and even Hydra scrambled to kneel as well, following suit despite their earlier bickering.
And then, another arrival…
「I knew you’d come.」
Acting General Sarah-chan marched up, wrapped in a blue cloak bearing the white lily crest of Silesie. To me, she still looked like a child of about seven or eight.
Beside her, her second in command Milk was holding a massive flag with the title ‘Chef d’Escadre’ emblazoned across it. Poor Milk, always tasked with carrying that thing.
「Naturally, I, Sarah Ajene Rodd, will be the overall commander of the ground forces!
「Of course, you had to get involved too, huh?」
「Well, obviously! All these weapons were made by me, right? It’s only fair that I oversee their use!」
「Alright, alright, you’ve got it. It’s all yours.」
I said with a resigned laugh. There was no stopping her once she got like this.
Sarah-chan wasn’t satisfied just creating the weapons; she wanted to be on the front lines too.
Honestly, I would have preferred her safe in the rear, but I understood the need to let off steam. As a general, she’d be at the main camp, far from the fighting, so it shouldn’t be too dangerous.
If anything were to happen to the Continent Cannon, it would mean the end for humanity. I couldn’t let the enemy get that close.
「Everyone, you heard the King General! Follow the orders of General Sarah!」
A deafening cheer erupted from the volunteer soldiers. ‘Uooohhh!’
The ease with which they accepted her command was impressive.
Voices from the crowd echoed. ‘It’s the legendary undefeated general!’ ‘With General Sarah in command, we’re safe!’
Her popularity was astounding.
At barely thirteen, this farmer’s daughter had risen to become the protégé of a brilliant strategist, captained the volunteer army, and even took down the Germania Empire’s Wyvern Knight Commander. From there, she had skyrocketed to become a countess, commanding the volunteer army under my banner, with an unbroken streak of victories.
In the eyes of these volunteer soldiers—many of whom came from similar humble backgrounds—Sarah-chan was nothing short of a legend.
With her loyal adjutant Milk by her side, and Alan, our strategist, likely backing her up, I didn’t need to worry about the finer details. They had everything under control.
Oh right, I hadn’t finished my speech.
「And now, one last thing from me, your King General: after this battle, I’ll grant each of you one wish!」
This was the final battle, so I could afford to be generous.
「Anything!」
「Anything?!」
Clementine and Sarah-chan both shouted in surprise, clearly intrigued.
Their reactions made me a bit nervous, so I quickly added,
「Within reason, of course—something I can grant as the King General.」
One of the Wyvern Knights stepped forward and asked,
「Could that wish include rebuilding the Wyvern Ranch?」
「Absolutely! Rebuilding and expanding the ranch would be great. Wyverns are useful in peacetime too, so let’s raise as many as we can.」
Mar, the grand commander of the volunteer army, chimed in, his voice booming,
「What about a new retreat for the volunteer soldiers?」
「Of course!」
As the requests kept coming, I answered each with a resounding ‘Yes! Yes!’ and the soldiers erupted into cheers.
「That’s why… none of you can die! If you want your wishes granted, survive this battle and fight until the end!」
A new era was dawning, and I needed them all alive to witness it.
I didn’t want them fighting just to die—this battle was to secure a future we’d all live to see.