Kays Translations

Chapter 33: The Siege

There were still no signs that the battle had begun, and the villagers moved toward the assembly hall with calm, measured steps rather than panicked haste.

By the time we arrived at the hall, several dozen villagers had already gathered.

In front of the village chief’s house, the chief himself and Autihel were engaged in discussion with the members of the militia.

“Let’s go,” my mother said. Her words were firm, decisive. We followed her lead toward the chief and his companions.

“Village chief, could you explain the current situation?” my mother asked. “Since Stefana and Rugena will be participating in the battle, I am responsible for knowing what’s happening.”

“The dwarf… wasn’t she a blacksmith?” the chief asked, frowning slightly.

“She’s a blacksmith, yes, but also C-rank adventurer,” my mother replied.

Ah, right. I had mentioned her blacksmithing skills, but I hadn’t told him that she was an adventurer. No wonder she wasn’t included in the search party.

“…I see. Autihel, explain the situation,” the chief said, turning to Autihel, the leader of the militia.

“Huh… ah, yes. Um… currently, we are concentrating our forces at the southwest gate. There is a possibility that orcs could flank us from the northeast gate, but we don’t have enough men. So we’ve stationed reserve members and a few willing men to block and monitor that gate,” Autihel replied.

“Have you requested reinforcements?”

“Yes, we dispatched a messenger immediately after receiving the search party’s report.”

Even with a swift horse, it would take at least a full day for reinforcements to arrive. Including preparation, help wouldn’t reach us for roughly three days.

“Have you requested adventurers?” my mother asked.

“Yes. We sent a request to the D-rank adventurer Balrimas to help defend the southwest gate.”

The village had two main entrances: the northeast gate, facing the main road, and the southwest gate, opening into the forest. If orcs were to attack, the southwest gate was the likely route. Hence, both the militia’s main force and the adventurers were concentrated there.

Seeing how the militia now moved as a coordinated unit, unlike during their previous uncontrolled rampages, I found myself respecting Autihel a little more. Perhaps this was the real Autihel, the one who had received proper training and guidance.

“You intend to hold a defensive stand?” my mother asked.

“There is no other choice. If we go out to meet them in battle, we’ll only be slaughtered.”

If our request reached the baron’s house, Rosanne should come. If we could hold out until then, we had a chance of survival.

“Understood. Stefana and Rugena should head to the southwest gate for defense, correct?”

“Yes. I will command the southwest gate myself. You two simply follow my orders,” Autihel said.

I made a mental note: whatever previous thoughts I had about him, his mindset hadn’t changed.

“Stefana, Rugena, your role is to protect me and Arthur with your own hands. Do your utmost for that purpose,” my mother instructed.

“Yes, Martine-sama,” Stefana replied respectfully.

“Yes, I will protect Arthur-sama,” Rugena said with determination.

My mother’s orders were carefully calculated to counterbalance Autihel’s authority. By giving them instructions to follow us, she ensured they would not be recklessly sent into danger under his command. She would not allow them to be treated as expendable.

With the discussion concluded, Stefana and Rugena departed for the southwest gate, and my mother and I moved toward the assembly hall alone.

This area contained the hall, the village chief’s house, and a supply warehouse, all surrounded by stone walls. In other words, this place was Helvendorp’s final stronghold.

For the next three days, we had to survive here.

Of course, there was little that children like us could do in battle. Our role was to stay out of harm’s way.

The adults worked tirelessly, reinforcing the gates, building barricades around them in case they were breached, and transporting food and weapons to those on the front lines. Those among us in the hall tended to the wounded.

On the first day, a few orcs approached the southwest gate and its vicinity, but a volley of arrows drove them back into the forest. As orcs continued to emerge from the woods, arrows repeatedly forced them to retreat.

Although the occasional roar of orcs echoed around the village, no serious battle occurred, and the first day passed without bloodshed.

The next day arrived.

Before dawn, the orcs launched their attack.

According to messengers, the orcs had brought wooden planks from their village and were using them as shields while assaulting the gates.

A gate, by its nature, has weak points—parts that must remain operable to open and close. Though we had reinforced the gate and piled supplies in front of it as a barricade, there was no telling how long it could hold.

Later, a messenger reported that the southwest gate might be breached today, prompting a concentration of forces there. Orders were given to remain inside the stronghold for the time being.

Those defending the gates planned to use the barricade for protection if the southwest gate fell. If even that became untenable, they intended to thin the orc numbers while retreating back inside.

However, a loud noise suddenly came from the northeast gate.

The southwest gate was on the verge of collapse, so most of the forces were concentrated there, leaving the northeast gate with only minimal defenders. Being attacked at both gates simultaneously put us at a serious disadvantage.

Then, a crashing sound echoed from the northeast gate.

“Already… breached?!”

“…Al, I’m going to the gate to defend it,” my mother said.

“Mom?!”

“There’s no one else who can fight. It’s alright… I’ll hold until the defenders return.”

Her hands trembled slightly—she was scared too. My mother had never fought before; her combat magic was her only weapon. Yet she was still going. I, unable to fight, could not accompany her.

I stayed in the hall, keeping the door in sight so I could see her at the gate.

The sounds of battle drew closer. It seemed the defenders were returning.

Soon, the noise subsided, and people began approaching the gate. At the forefront was Autihel, leading several militia members.

“We will hold this position! You, get to the gate!” Autihel commanded.

The militia climbed the gate, preparing for combat. My mother exhaled in relief and returned to my side.

Then it happened.

An orc emerged from behind a building beyond the gate, preparing to throw a stone.

My mother faced me, unaware. Instincts overtook thought—I dashed toward her.

Noticing my expression, she turned back just in time to see the distant orc hurling the projectile.

Whether the stone was aimed at her or simply a fluke, it would hit her if nothing was done.

Summoning every ounce of magic I had, I formed a jet-black wall in front of her, trying to shield her.

The stone struck the wall and avoided direct impact, but the barrier was too light to absorb the force completely, sending both of us flying.

“—Al?!”

I heard her voice, but pain seared my body, making it hard to speak. Scanning my surroundings, I saw my mother had landed farther away. Onlookers were frozen in shock.

“?! Close the gate! Shut it now!”

Shouts rang out, but it was too late.

An orc slammed its bulk against the gate and forced its way inside.

Roaring, the orc tried to intimidate the defenders. The militia brandished swords, attempting to hold it off, but the creature was far from weak.

“Close the gate! Don’t let any more in!”

As the militia rushed to the gate, the orc lunged at them as if to say, Not if I can help it.

The situation was dire.

My mother was safe, but my body throbbed with pain, leaving me immobile. The orcs had breached the stronghold, and the gate could not be closed. Our main forces had not yet returned.

Then, another orc entered.

It spotted my mother and twisted its grotesque face into a cruel grin.

Its target was clear—my mother.

“M-Mom…!”

I couldn’t move, but she was in danger.

No, stop this.

I transformed my remaining magic into a luminous illusion called Rud and sent it toward the orc’s face. It was a mere distraction—Rud had no offensive power—but it might buy time.

The orc swatted at it, to no effect. Rud was visible, untouchable, unaffected by the wind.

“Al, no! Stop it!” my mother’s voice cried.

Beyond the open gate, I saw Stefana and Rugena fighting. They had returned. Now we only had to stall until they reached us.

The orc, realizing what I was doing, advanced, then halted before me, raising its club.

With no magic left to create another barrier and my body useless, all I could do was watch.

In my heart, I whispered an apology to my mother.

Then, in the blink of an eye, the orc vanished.

“Made it in time, huh… You did well,” said the figure that had taken its place—a person with jet-black hair, clad in a pristine white cloak.

Previous chapter | TOC | Next chapter