“…I see. The reason that you told me to defeat the Seer’s Hero first was so that Canila’s blessing would grow stronger. Isn’t that right?”
‘With the blessing of a greater god and the level up from beating someone of a higher class… It would sufficiently raise your abilities as a magician. Perhaps it will be enough for you to use great magic to defeat the Demon King’s army.’
From a hopeless situation to turning the tables all at once. It was a ridiculous gamble.
Perhaps the Dragon God had not told him of this plan before, because he knew how difficult it would be to make things develop in an ideal way.
However, if he revealed it now, then it must be because he found a way to make it possible.
“Dragon God. What is the success rate of this strategy?”
“You can put such thoughts about calculations in the trash. Think only of whether you will win or lose.’
“…Yes.”
His body was shaking. But this time, it was not from fear.
It was an excitement that he had not felt up until now. The will and passion to win something. His body was feeling it.
‘From now on, we will act according to the movements of the Demon King’s army, as reported by Sheto. Until then, you should get some rest.’
“I understand.”
“Alright. Let’s eat. I’m starving!”
The small fire illuminated them in the darkness, and the smoke from their dinner drifted in the wind.
While eating with the small dragon, Keita savored the small flame of hope that was lighted in his chest.
—
Berganda was meditating inside of the giant tent made of beast skins.
The tallow lantern’s weak light cast dark shadows on his face.
“Lord Berganda. All of the troops have gathered together.”
Said Komos, who entered the tent without making a sound.
“The Hero’s army has already started to move north. We do not have any time to waste.”
“I see… By the way, how is Sheto?”
The air in the tent grew heavy the moment the kobold was mentioned.
Berganda opened his eyes to see the angry expression of his adjutant.
“Please do not use him more than this.”
“I have no reason to stop.”
“Being a goddess’s Hero is enough reason.”
Berganda sighed. He wondered how he could persuade his crafty subordinate, but he eventually gave up.
“The Kunaki unit returned safely, eh? And so I didn’t have to waste four thousand soldiers.”
“Even if it is because of the cooperation of that one we know nothing about?”
Komos did not allow Berganda to change the subject.
“But Sheto says he knows nothing about that matter?”
A strange flame had burned some of the village. And there had been interference to prevent them from advancing to attack. But when asked about it, the kobold had looked confused and shook his head.
“If I was a god, I would not leak my entire strategy to Sheto.”
“Well, he is not good at hiding things. So it is understandable.”
“Just now, one soldier returned from the assault squad headed to Taga Bridge. The obstruction was a success.”
This was something to celebrate. And yet Komos had a bitter expression as he said it.
“This is what he said. The trees in the forest suddenly came crashing down toward the supply unit that had been waiting in the rear.”
“But we decided against that plan due to a lack of men.”
Originally, the plan for sabotaging the Taga Bridge was to crush the enemy’s supply unit while the assault squad drew their attention. However, since Berganda’s forces had been used up on the attack on Perlei, the only order that ended up being given was to block the road after they crossed.
“But someone did it. Someone who we are not aware of.”
“So in Perlei Village and Taiga Bridge. Someone aided our plans at nearly the same time in two different places.”
“Not aid. It is to put us on equal footing as the Hero’s army. So that we can crush each other.”
The minotaur let out a sigh.
He had known it already. The interferences were just too convenient. It could only mean that their plan had been leaked to a mysterious presence.