“Making something that does not exist appear as if it does…that is the essence of the conjuring art. Did you think it would work on me?”
“Oh?”
“Do not forget. The future you envision is based on the assumption that my Hero’s arm will be defeated by the monsters.”
The Seer returned to his throne and his ice-cold blue eyes fixed on the battlefield shown in the giant water mirror below.
“You have no sure path to victory. This has been an amusing enough diversion, but in the end, everything will conclude with the kobold being trampled along with the Demon King’s army, Wanderer of Worlds.”
“I’ve said it many times already, but I will say it again, as you are too slow to understand.”
He was about to say more while nibbling on some dried figs, but Salia raised one hand to stop him.
Then, she spoke.
“We are your opponents. I, along with the leader of our hunt, Sheto, shall be the ones to face you.”
“And I would say, ‘What can a mere foot soldier of a Hero, and a goddess who cannot even properly use their blessing, do?’”
The Seer paused and gazed down at the water mirror at his feet.
Behind the long wall of people, a boy protected by guards stepped forward from a tent erected on the village ruins. Holding the tablet containing wisdom in one hand, he took a seat beneath the canopy that had been extended over him.
“Without giving them time to play any tricks, I shall crush them with all my might.”
The boy tapped his fingers twice on the surface of the transparent board, without a word.
In the next moment, every soldier in the army raised their weapons and let out a resounding cry toward the heavens.
“We are those who shall shatter all enemies beneath the banner of divine wisdom! We dedicate this battle to our god, our Hero, and all the people under heaven!”
With that theatrical oath proclaimed, the Hero’s army began its advance.
—
The horizon erupted in front of Sheto’s eyes.
With a shout, the ranks of spears stirred and began to draw closer. They were still quite far away, and yet the sounds of military boots crushing the grass underfoot and pushing through the brushes gave the illusion that they were already close by.
“So they intend to crush us in one swift push. It seems they’re determined to finish this quickly, no matter what.”
Berganda sounded happy, as if drunk with the heat of battle. The soldiers around him also glared at the enemy with expressions that didn’t show a hint of fear.
“However, we won’t let that happen. Ogre unit! Ready the toppa!”
On the left flank of the first army led by Berganda, the ogres positioned in the center of the line all raised the massive weapons at once.
These ‘toppas’ were long logs with large boards attached midway along their length.
They created a wall in front to block arrows and magic, and the ogres would rush forward with their immense strength behind them. They could be used as siege weapons as well, and had proven their effectiveness when they were hastily made during the assault on Lindle Village.
“All of you! Cast the enchantments!”
With their weapons in hand, the ogres poured magical energy into the engraved patterns on the surfaces as if shouting at them. The goblins around Sheto also began to imbue power into their armor and swords.
“You, not use enchantments?”
“I have always been clumsy by nature. And so the only one I can use is the one granted to me by the Demon King. It is meant for use against large armies, but I have a principle of not using things that don’t suit my stature.”
Not a single piece of armor or weaponry he used was enchanted. Sheto had heard that Berganda did not want to rely on such things. He had dedicated his life to martial arts, and the sight of him leading an army with that single strength alone made Sheto feel momentarily sentimental.
“Snap out of it, Sheto! Have you forgotten your role!?”
“I-I know!”
Sheto quickly clung onto the back of his armor and then a strap fixed him into position. It was a modified version of the straps used to carry babies on one’s back. If Sheto was being honest, he had never been more embarrassed in his life.