Chapter 273: Mainzs Diagonal Formation
On the hill where the fortress stood protecting the Continent Cannon, the elderly general Mainz clutched his command baton, carefully observing the battle. His aide, Milk, ascended the hill to report.
「The vanguard survivors and the middle volunteer corps have successfully retreated into the fortress. Chef d’Escadre Sarah is safe as well!」
「Well done. Continue to restrict artillery fire to the demon beasts only. The goal is to drive them away.」
Demon beasts advanced from the front, while a massive tentacle loomed from the rear. Mainz instantly recognized that these two forces were moving in completely separate rhythms.
As long as they could hold down the demon beasts from the front, the tentacle from behind would crush them. Milk understood that much.
「However, Sir Mainz, we have no means to deal with that massive tentacle from the rear.」
Milk had poured his heart and soul into building the fortifications, believing it would protect Chef d’Escadre Sarah. But as the architect, he knew all too well that the fortress couldn’t withstand the relentless force of the tentacle and would eventually be breached.
「What should we do? At this rate…」
「You’re right. At this pace, the fortress will be overrun, but look closely. The tentacle’s movement is coming from only one direction.」
「One direction?」 Mainz’s keen eyes, calmly surveying the battlefield from the hill, detected a pattern invisible to others.
「Yes, it’s strong, but it’s entirely one-directional. While we may not be able to stop it, we can redirect it. The fortifications were designed with this in mind. If we strengthen it with a diagonal line of shields, it should hold.」
Mainz raised his command baton. At that signal, a nearby musician named Zither began pounding a massive drum, its deep beats resonating through the battlefield.
「Zither Scheidholdt, play the Diagonal Formation theme!」
He had often wondered what use that carefree musician could possibly be, but it turned out she was crucial for relaying orders to Mainz’s soldiers. Even amid the deafening explosions of the cannons, the rhythm of the drum cut through, reaching the soldiers’ ears.
In time with the drumbeats, soldiers with large shields positioned themselves at key points along the fortress, forming a stunning diagonal formation. It was a display of tactical mastery.
To the young Milk, General Mainz’s command baton looked like a magical wand.
「Oh! The tentacle is being deflected!」
The massive tentacle that had been crushing the city, the knights, and the demon beasts alike was now being diverted by the reinforced shield formation. Although some soldiers cried out as they were flung aside, the rest, bolstered by the fierce rhythm of Zither’s drum, held their ground without faltering.
Though the tentacle gouged into the fortress as it swept past, the formation endured. Milk realized that it was the soldiers’ unwavering trust in General Mainz that gave them the strength to hold firm.
「It’s like sword fighting against the Great Demon God itself. If you take the blow head-on in a V-shape, you’ll be obliterated. But if you redirect it in an A-shape, you can dodge a single strike.」
「Magnificent… Truly magnificent!」
「Hah! Truth be told, I’m just as relieved it’s working.」
「Even you, Sir Mainz?」
Everyone on the battlefield was trembling in fear. Yet even in such a dire situation, a leader must never show fear.
「But, Milk, this too is the power of humanity. One person alone is powerless, but when we unite, we can overcome demon beasts and even deflect the might of the Great Demon God.」
The strength of human unity had held up against even the Great Demon God. But merely defending wouldn’t suffice forever—eventually, their defenses would be breached.
Mainz turned his gaze to the Continent Cannon stationed at the rear. Magic energy was already gathering around it, visible even from afar.
「All that remains is to hold out until the Continent Cannon is ready to fire.」
「Yes, sir!」
General Mainz had seen more than a hundred battlefields since he first went to war at the age of sixteen. His life had been marked by many defeats, having led numerous retreat operations and countless rearguard actions where entire fortresses and encampments had fallen under his command.
And yet, here he was, once again standing against an overwhelming enemy.
But now, more than ever, he prayed to the goddess. ‘Please, grant us victory in this final battle.’
As he gripped his command baton tightly, the elderly general offered a quiet prayer.
※※※
「Has Lord Mainz managed to hold the line?」
Sherry asked with a sigh of relief, gazing down at the fortress below.
She had already given up hope on the lower defenses when the massive tentacle had reached them. Coldly calculating, she had deemed it impossible for the defense to hold.
But it was Mainz’s experienced leadership that had turned the tide.
Sherry’s role was clear: ensure the Continent Cannon fired before it could be destroyed. Thanks to the fortress holding, they had bought some much-needed time.
「At this range, we can do it, Miss Sherry.」
Said Wake, the artilleryman, with a smirk.
Ever the carefree man, Wake seemed impervious to tension.
「Just a little longer. We’re in the final stage of magic power charging now. We only have one shot, so make sure it counts!」
「If I miss, then the goddess might as well wipe out humanity herself, right? Kukuku, no big deal.」
Wake’s nonchalant tone belied his remarkable skill, known for his perfect accuracy. His calm demeanor seemed out of place, but he had survived countless do-or-die situations like this before.
「Please! I don’t care about the rest of the world, but my country going down is a problem!」
Revenant, the advance mage, shouted frantically, finishing the final stage of the magical charging.
Gathering every last drop of magic power from the cables, Revenant stood at the base of the cannon, his silver hair standing on end as sparks flew from his hands, conducting the final magical surge.
「As expected of an advance mage. The magic power is surging rapidly.」
「I am Castillia’s top mage! This is nothing! Oh, I swear, everyone needs to leave my country as soon as possible!」
With one final burst of effort, Revenant completed the magic power charge, channeling magic equivalent to the strength of a hundred ordinary mages.
From the depths of the cannon, a brilliant blue light began to seep out.
「We did it! The final charge is complete. Wake, you’re good to go anytime!」
「Alright. Cover your ears!」
Wake, ever relaxed, adjusted his aim and gently squeezed the trigger.
「Huh?」
For a split second, nothing happened. It seemed as though the shot had misfired.
But then, an explosive burst of light erupted from the cannon, flooding the battlefield in a blinding white glow.
「Whoa!」
Sherry and the others were engulfed by a sea of light, their vision swallowed in pure whiteness.